Saturday, February 6th, 2016
Pakistan wants as many Taliban groups as possible to join talks
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said as many Taliban groups as possible must be persuaded to join any upcoming peace discussions with the Afghan government, as a third round of four-country talks aimed at reviving negotiations with the insurgent group began Saturday. Delegates from Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the United States convened in the Pakistani capital Islamabad over the weekend even as the insurgents wage an unprecedented winter campaign of violence across Afghanistan. Pakistan’s advisor for foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz said a joint effort would help persuade the Taliban to join the processRead More
Blast targeting forces’ vehicle in Quetta kills 8
QUETTA: A blast targeting a security forces’ vehicle was reported near the premises of the heavily guarded Quetta district courts on Saturday. At least 8 people, including two Frontier Corps (FC) personnel, were reportedly killed and around 35 others wounded in the powerful explosion, according to rescue sources. Balochistan province’s home secretary Akbar Durrani told journalists that six people were injured in the blast. “We cannot ascertain right now whether it was an Improvised Explosive Device or a suicide bomb attack,” said Akbar Durrani. The blast partially damaged the security forces’Read More
India arrests 11 Pakistani fishermen
AHMEDABAD, 06 FEB (DNA) – Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Saturday intercepted a Pakistani fishing boat and arrested 11 fishermen for allegedly violating Indian maritime boundary off Jakhau coast in Kutch district. “A fishing boat from Pakistan measuring 40 feet in length was intercepted by Indian Coast Guard off Jakhau coast, five nautical miles into Indian waters,” Captain Abhishek Matiman, a defence spokesperson told the Press Trust of India. “Eleven fishermen onboard the fishing boat have also been held,” he said. Such arrests are frequently carried out by both countries,Read More
Business community supports sale of PIA
ISLAMABAD, 06 FEB (DNA) – Patron Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders and honorary Consul General of Ghana Shahid Rasheed Butt on Saturday said incumbent government has improved the economic situation which has bolstered the confidence of investors. Law and order situation has improved which has enhanced image of the country while bold steps aimed at reforms are being supported by the business community and the majority of the masses, he said. Talking to ambassadors and high commissioners of various countries and others during a recent reception, he said that PakistanRead More
34 groups now allied to IS extremists: UN
UNITED NATIONS: Thirty-four militant groups from around the world had reportedly pledged allegiance to the militant Islamic State (IS) group as of mid-December – and that number will only grow in 2016, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in a report Friday. Ban said IS poses “an unprecedented threat,” because of its ability to persuade groups from countries like the Philippines, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Libya and Nigeria to pledge their allegiance. He said UN member states should also prepare for an increase in attacks by IS associated groups traveling toRead More
Lal Masjid lodges complaint against civil society activists
ISLAMABAD: Lal Masjid and The Shuhada Foundation (SFP) have lodged a complaint against civil society activists, at the Aabpara police station. The complaint was lodged by SFP spokesperson Hafiz Ehtesham Ahmed on Friday. The complainant stated that the “chief of so-called civil society Jibran Nasir and Khurram Zaki arrived from Karachi to spread hatred and violence against Lal Masjid, Jamia Hafsa, Maulana Abdul Aziz and Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (Deoband)”. It went on to say that Mr Zaki “delivered violent and hatred speech against Maulana Aziz and ASWJ (Deoband) andRead More