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A joint meeting of the Maoist factions has decided to oppose and counter the activities that are against the spirit of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. A meeting held at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar has decided to move forward as per the spirit of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, Khadga Prakash Bishwokarma said. "All the issues related to transitional justice should be taken ahead through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons (CIEDP). The attention has been drawn to carry out the remaining works of the peace process in a speedy manner," read a joint statement issued after the meeting. “We are committed to implementing the agreements reached with the state at different times.” It has been learnt that the meeting also held important discussions in making the works of the TRC and the CIEDP, the transitional justice mechanisms formed as per the CPA, more effective. "We are clear on the fact that activities against the process of transitional justice will not help in the implementation of the peace agreement. We call on the government to immediately take initiatives to make the legal and institutional provisions required for concluding the remaining works of the peace process," the statement further read. The leaders present in the meeting said that they are united in confronting any kind of activities directed against the CPA and political change. Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Nepal Samajbadi Party Chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai, CPN (Revolutionary Maoist) Standing Committee member CP Gajurel, NCP spokesperson Khadga Bahadur Bishwokarma, CPN (Bahumat) Coordinator Dharmendra Bastola, Baigyanik Samajbadi Communist Party General Secretary Bishwa Bhakta Dulal, CPN (Maoist Socialist) Chairman Karnajeet Budhathoki and Maoist Communist Party of Nepal central member Narayan Prasad Dhimal were present in the meeting.      

Stating that Punjab is fully capable of hosting an international event, Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney said that Amritsar will hold G20 meeting from March 15-17. “Happy to inform that as of now @g20org meeting is confirmed at #Amritsar during 15-17 Mar as scheduled. Punjab is fully capable of hosting an international event & one stray Incident can’t be reflection of State it will be a memorable event,” Sahney tweeted on Sunday. Earlier in January, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had directed officers to ensure foolproof arrangements for the G-20 summit meeting slated to take place at the holy city of Amritsar in March and June. Chairing a meeting, the Chief Minister unequivocally said that no stone should be left unturned in making this event a huge success. He said that all of them were fortunate to have got a once in a lifetime opportunity to hold such a mega event in the state. Bhagwant Mann expressed hope that the state government will set a new benchmark by successfully hosting the two sessions of the G-20 summit in the state. The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that the state has got two sessions of G-20, first on March 15, 16 and 17 on Education and then in the month of June 22-23 on Labour. He said that the state is renowned all over the world for its warm hospitality, adding that he asked the officers to ensure that elaborate arrangements are put in place for welcoming the guests from participating nations during these events. The G20 Foreign Ministers meeting concluded in New Delhi on Thursday. The meeting was a resounding success with the outcome document reflecting the concern of developing countries and the global south and the G20 countries talking about other issues of global import including terrorism and reliable supply chains. G20 countries condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations as they noted the growing threat from the misuse of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes and pitched for a more inclusive and reinvigorated multilateralism and reform. (ANI)

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the government is serious towards the issues in banking and financial sector, pledging to address them. During a meeting about the identification of and solution to issues in banks and financial sector organised today at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the head of the government said interest rate of banks and finances, issues of microfinances, concerns of business community and financial anomalies are the serious concerns of the government.

"Business community is complaining over the banks' interest rates. Problems in microfinances are making news headlines almost each day. Some forces are intending to take advantages of this development. I have taken all these phenomena seriously." Stating the nation's economy is facing various difficulties, the prime minister said the very first Cabinet meeting of the incumbent government had decided to seek solutions to economic issues through collaboration between the public and private sector. "Today's meeting focused on resolving problems facing banks and financial institutions (BFIs). The government is at work to resolve economic problems. I am aware and cautious about people's complaints about BFIs," he said. He also sought suggestion from the private sector on dealing with the current problems in country's economy. "The government is serious about the matter. A high-level commission can be formed if need be," he said. Similarly, Governor of the Nepal Rastra Bank Maha Prasad Adhikari claimed that economic indicators were moving in a positive direction. Participating representatives from the private sector and BFIs provided various suggestions to the government in resolving problems facing the BFIs. Others present in the meeting were chief secretary, finance secretary, office bearers of the Federation of the Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and representatives of various business organisations, the Nepal Bankers' Association and BFIs.  

Officers have arrived at the residence of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in a bid to arrest him in a case related to the purchase and sale of gifts, Aljazeera reported. In a series of tweets on Sunday, the police said Khan was “avoiding” arrest after officers arrived at his home in Lahore, adding that a police superintendent had “gone to the room” but the 70-year-old was not there. On Tuesday, an Islamabad sessions court issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for the former PM for avoiding hearings in connection with the illegal purchase and sale of gifts received from foreign dignitaries when he was prime minister. Khan has denied the charges. Khan was removed from power in April last year after he lost a parliamentary vote of confidence and is facing dozens of cases against him, ranging from “terrorism” to corruption. On Sunday, police officials, who had travelled from the capital Islamabad, were seen outside the entrance of Khan’s Zaman Park residence in the eastern city of Lahore. Khan’s supporters and members of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party gathered in their hundreds to protest against the arrest of their party head. Islamabad Police Inspector General Akbar Nasir Khan told Geo News TV channel that the team went to Lahore to arrest Khan and not just to serve the warrant. Nasir added that according to the law, the first step of a non-bailable arrest warrant was to serve notice to the accused and make the arrest immediately, according to Aljazeera. During a public event on Sunday, interior minister Rana Sanaullah said the police came to serve the warrant and will subsequently update the court. Speaking to journalists outside Khan’s home, PTI party leader and former information minister Fawad Chaudhry confirmed that the police had come to execute the warrant. “Police says Imran Khan is avoiding arrest. However, the police’s insistence to arrest Khan is illegal,” he said. “They want Imran Khan to go to court where security is lax and there’s a risk to his life.” PTI vice chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi said discussions with the party’s legal team will take place before deciding on any future course of action later on Sunday. “We are a political party, we will react politically. We will strategise. Imran Khan’s life is at risk. He has already suffered an attack, and we fear there’s another attack planned. We have to protect him from it,” Qureshi told reporters. “Imran Khan has protective bail. The government is trying to create a law-and-order situation.” In November last year, the 70-year-old former national cricket captain was shot in the leg when his anti-government protest convoy came under attack in the city of Wazirabad. One of Khan’s supporters died after sustaining bullet wounds while more than a dozen people were injured.