Category: National

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COAS: (Army Chief, US Commander discuss Pak-US security cooperation)

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa received two telephone calls from Commander US Central Command General Joseph Votel and one from a US Senator over the week to discuss Pak-US security cooperation post the President Trump tweet.

General Joseph apprised the army chief about the US decision regarding Security Assistance and Coalition Support Fund.

The General said that US values Pakistan’s role towards war on terror and expected that on-going turbulence remains a temporary phase.

He also conveyed the army chief that US is not contemplating any unilateral action inside Pakistan but is seeking cooperation to tackle Afghan nationals who, in US view, use Pakistan’s soil against Afghanistan.

He felt that the view was undermining in Washington, Pakistan’s contributions in war against terrorism. The Chief of the Army Staff said that entire Pakistani nation felt betrayed over US recent statements despite decades of cooperation. Accordingly unanimous national response reflected the same sentiments.

General Qamar Javed Bajwa said that Pakistan shall continue its sincere counter terrorism efforts even without US financial support in accordance with our national interest and shall remain committed to bring it to its logical conclusion along with other stake holders.

The army chief said that Pakistan has suffered hugely due to great power contestation in the region. He said that Pakistan is fully aware of US concerns on activities of Afghan nationals in Pakistan and we are already undertaking multiple actions through Operation ‘Radd-ul-Fasaad’ to deny any residual capacity to terrorists of all hue and colour for which return of Afghan Refugees is an essential prerequisite.

He said Pakistan is also strengthening border controls unilaterally but if Afghanistan genuinely feels affected from Pakistan, bilateral border management must be Kabul’s top priority as well.

General Bajwa reiterated that Pakistan will not seek resumption of aid but expect honourable recognition of our contributions, sacrifices and unwavering resolve in fight against terrorism for peace and stability in the region.

He said that Pakistan will keep supporting all initiatives for peace in Afghanistan despite the tendency to scapegoat Pakistan, as peace in Afghanistan is the only way to move towards enduring peace and stability in the region.

General Joseph acknowledged the effectiveness of some of the recent actions taken by Pakistan to ensure that Pakistan’s hospitality to Afghan Refugees is not misused in anyway. General Joseph agreed that both countries stand to gain from cooperative engagement.

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Alleged robber injured during encounter with police

KARACHI:   An alleged robber injured in police encounter in Gulshan-e-Iqbal area of the city in the wee hours of Friday.

As per details, two robbers attempted a robbery at Rajpoot Milk shop in Gulshan Iqbal block 10-A. They also shot injured shop owner, Orangzaib son of Mohammad on resistance.

Meanwhile, a police party of Aziz Bhatti police station rushed and an encounter took place. As a result, a robber sustained severe bullet injuries, while his accomplice managed to flee.

The police also recovered one TT pistol with bullets, and one mobile phone from his possession.

The injured were shifted to the Jinnah Post graduate Medical Center (JPMC) for treatment.

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Bilawal hails passing of pro-FATA bill

KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has extended felicitations to the people of Federally-Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA) on the passage of the Bill in the National Assembly extending the jurisdiction of the Supreme and the High Court to the tribal areas.

In a message, Bilawal said, “Extension of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and High Court jurisdictions to the FATA is a victory of the masses of tribal areas and all the democratic forces of the country”. He also appreciated the hard work of Leader of the Opposition Khursheed Ahmed Shah, PPP leader Naveed Qamar who actually initiated the Bill and other MNAs of the Party and other political parties who supported the bill.

He said that PPP had always empowered the people and struggled for equal rights and access to the legal and constitutional privileges.

Bilawal said that PPP stands for the merger of FATA into Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and pledged that PPP gave identity to the people of KPK and now it has initiated the process to integrate the two brothers into a single province. He was critical that PML-N withdrew the FATA merger bill from the National Assembly agenda overnight but assured the FATA residents that his Party would spend all its strength and energy to push the said bill through the Parliament.

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IOK: (Pro-Indian Political Parties deceive Kashmiris: Gilani)

ISLAMABAD: In occupied Kashmir, the Chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Gilani has said that the pro-India Kashmiri political parties are well aware of the freedom sentiments of the people, but they deceive the masses by exploiting these sentiments.

Syed Ali Gilani in a statement in Srinagar said, the pro-India politicians stand exposed and their main aim is to get to power corridors.

He said Indian forces under a well-thought-out plan were carrying out bloodshed in the territory. He rejected the statement of local police saying that they were acting as more loyal than the king.

The APHC chairman said people are pursuing the struggle for right to self-determination. Our religion, faith, culture, mosques, modesty, future and even social life is unsafe.

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Sindh Assembly slates Kasur Incident

Karachi: The Provincial Assembly of Sindh unanimously adopted a resolution on Thursday condemning the abduction, rape and murder of seven years old girl in Kasur, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

The Sindh Assembly met for three hours and 17 minutes while the proceedings remained suspended for three minutes due to Azaan. The sitting started at 1123 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours. The Speaker presided over the sitting for two hours and three while rest of the proceedings were chaired by the Deputy Speaker. The Leader of the House (Chief Minister) and the Opposition Leader did not attend the sitting.

As many as 36 (21%) lawmakers were present at the outset and 38 (23%) at the adjournment of sitting. The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, MQM, PML-F, PML-N and PTI attended the sitting. Seven minority members were also present. Two members applied for leave.

The House unanimously adopted a resolution to condemn rape and murder of a seven-year old girl in Kasur. Sixteen lawmakers spoke on it for an hour and 12 minutes.

The House also adopted resolution to pay homage to former MNA and Founder member of PPP Begum Rukhiya Khanum Soomro who passed away in Ratodero (Larkana) a month ago.

Tabled by the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, the House passed the Sindh Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill, 2017.

The House took up six Starred Questions related to the Auqaf Department for answers during the Question Hour. The lawmakers asked eight supplementary questions as well.

The House took up five Call Attention Notices (CANs) regarding non-consideration of job applications in SGA&CD Department, safe city project in Hyderabad, poisoning to stray dogs in Saddar Town Karachi, conversion of residential homes into commercial building/ shops in a colony of Karachi and inconvenience to residents due to bus stand at Taj Complex in Saddar Town.

The Chair referred a Privilege Motion, moved by a PPP lawmaker, to the relevant committee. The Chair rejected an Adjournment Motion sponsored by a PTI lawmaker.

An MQM lawmaker protested during the proceedings for two minutes when the Chair did not allow him to speak on a resolution. The lawmakers did not raise any Point of Order.

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Former Home Minister speaks

QUETTA: Former Chief Minister is respectable and he would not repeat his past mistakes Those who alleges us of being undemocratic should first bring democracy in their party. Thirty thousand vacancies exist in the province and unemployed have their right over them. If our youngsters did not take benefit from CPEC we would left raising slogans. We failed terrorists owing to our unity.

These views were expressed by former Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti while addressing luncheon hosted for Members of Assembly by MPA Agha Syed Raza here Thursday.

MPA Zamrak Achakzai, Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, Sardar Saleh Bhotani, Jan Mohammad Jamali, Dr Ruqiyah Hashmi, Sarfraz Domki, Abdul Majid Abro, Prince Ahmed Ali, Mufti Gulab and others attended.

He said Balochistan assembly has held a lot of debate on political situation in Balochistan assembly at Media and social media but owing to strong alliance between our colleagues we have succeeded in our objectives. Former Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri showing positive move has also resigned and presently consultation was being held for new Chief Minister. He had withdrawn from the slot of Chief Minister voluntarily. I pray he said any one who comes as Chief Minister should bring change. He said Hazara people rendered sacrifices for country and end to present crisis we are proud over it. He said in view of sacrifices of security forces and Hazara Community we are once again gathered here in delight. Whether there is grief or happiness he would be with the people. He said Agha Raza refused Rupees 200 million offer and he was proud over him.

MPA Agha Raza said those who supported and helped us against former government we are thankful to them. We did not fight this war in personal or for interest but for fought for people. Major offers were made but we refused all the offers. He said during no trust motion against Nawab Sanaullah Zehri history of 1998 was tried to repeat but we foiled all. He said yesterday’s suicide attack was attack on us but police by its sacrifice saved us and we pay homage to them. We pray may Allah place departed souls in eternal peace and early recovery for injured people.

Collective Dua was also offered for country and provincial stability and for martyred people.