Category: National

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CTD foil terror plot bid in Peshawar

PESHAWAR:   The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) foiled a terror plot bid and arrested two members of a banned organization for transporting explosives to Peshawar on Thursday.

According to details, two alleged terrorists affiliated with a banned outfit, Ameen Khan and Mohammad Imran, were transporting improvised explosive device to the city on a motorcycle, when a CTD team arrested them.

Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) defused the bomb successfully that was hidden in a small box.

The CTD shifted them to undisclosed location for interrogation.

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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.

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FO: (Recent terrorist attack in Quetta traced back to Afghanistan: FO)

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has said that the recent terrorist attack in Quetta has been traced back to Afghanistan.

At his weekly news briefing here on Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal stated this reinforces our stance that the terrorist safe havens in Afghanistan are being used for attacks on Pakistani territory. He said these attacks must stop.

The spokesperson denied the presence of Daesh and Taliban leadership in Pakistan. Responding to a question, the Foreign Office Spokesperson said that both Pakistan and the United States continue to communication with each other on various issues of mutual interests at different levels.

He pointed out that Pakistan has been facilitating the US led mission in Afghanistan through air and ground lines of communication for the last sixteen years.

He said Pakistan’s support to the US has been critical in dealing with the challenges of terrorism in the region. He said our cooperation also helped to secure the region and decimate Al-Qaeda which has also been acknowledged by the US leadership.

We have conveyed to the US that actionable intelligence sharing can help in advancing the shared goals of defeating terror from the region.

The spokesperson reminded that Pakistan has fought the war on terror largely from its own resources which cost it 120 billion dollars over the last fifteen years. He said arbitrary deadlines, unilateral pronouncements and shifting goalposts are counterproductive in addressing the common threat.

To a question, Dr Mohammad Faisal stated that Pakistan desires dignified and sustainable repatriation of Afghan refugees to their homeland. Responding to a question, the spokesperson said that Pakistan desires to resolve all outstanding disputes with India including Jammu and Kashmir, Siachen and Sir Creek through dialogue. He said dialogue can only be held if the other side is also ready for the same.

Voicing concerns over the Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir, the spokesperson said that India needs to accept the reality that it cannot silence the Kashmiri freedom movement through the use of force.

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Adviser: (Govt making all out efforts to facilitate disabled persons of society: Siddiqui)

ISLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister on National History and Literary Heritage Irfan Siddiqui has said that the government is making all out efforts to facilitate the disabled persons of society.

He was addressing inaugural ceremony of Braille Corner (Gausha-e-Noor) at National Library here on Thursday. The Adviser said this dedicated corner will help groom capabilities of the visually impaired people.

He added new machines have been purchased to publish more books so that the network may expand across the country. Initially, more than 50 books have been placed in Braille Corner including Holy Quran while computers will also be available till June this year.