Posts published in January 2012

GILGIT, Jan 10: The residents of Chilas and surrounding areas continued blockade of the Karakuram Highway for fourth straight day on Tuesday to press the government for arrest of the murderers of a local man, who was gunned down a few days ago in Gilgit. The blockade of road has led to severe shortage of edibles and other necessities of life in Gilgit and other towns of the region. The protesters demanded of the government…

by Waqar Ahmed in The News, Jan 9 ISLAMABAD: It is not wise to link the US aid to Pakistan to improvised explosive devices (IEDs), say Pakistani experts. This week President Obama signed into law Defence Authorization Act 2012, a bill by a US Congressional panel, freezing $700 million in aid to Pakistan until Islamabad gave assurances it was helping fight the spread of homemade bombs or IEDs in Afghanistan. The US Congressional panel claimed…

ISLAMABAD: British backdoor diplomacy is in action for resolution of issues between Pakistan and US that have reached a crucial crossroads after Nato attack at Salala post on November 26, 2011. “We are not in a position to say anything openly but we are advising Pakistan through back channels to go for early resolution of conflicting issues,” a high-ranking British diplomat told Online on condition of anonymity. “An early resolution was not only in the…

GILGIT: Amid a controversy which erupted in the wake of a judicial reference against a senior Supreme Appellate Court (SAC), judge, Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) Chief Minister   (CM) Mehdi Shah said Chief Judge Justice Nawaz Abbasi has been barred from working in Islamabad and that a request for an extension in service has been revoked. However, the CM’s statement was partly refuted by the court. Justice Abbasi had moved a reference against Justice Jafar Shah last December,…

GILGIT: Despite shoot-to-kill orders issued by the Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) government to restore peace, the capital city was swept by a fresh wave of violence after armed men killed one person and injured three others in broad daylight on Saturday. This week, four persons were killed, including a deputy superintendent police (DSP) and four others were injured. Rizwan, a resident of Kashrote who was injured in an ambush some days ago, died in the hospital, provoking…

Target killing: G-B govt issues shoot-to-kill orders: By Shabbir Mir  in the Express Tribune GILGIT: Despite shoot-to-kill orders issued by the Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) government to restore peace, the capital city was swept by a fresh wave of violence after armed men killed one person and injured three others in broad daylight on Saturday. This week, four persons were killed, including a deputy superintendent police (DSP) and four others were injured. Rizwan, a resident of Kashrote…

ISLAMABAD: Deployment of police officials on the Karakoram Highway seems to be a lucrative job for minting money from transporters. Officials in Hazara division, who are deployed to ensure passengers’ security, have been observed extorting money from transporters, particularly those who travel to and from Gilgit-Baltistan. “We have to pay at least Rs1,000 on this route every day at various points without any reason. Police officials extort money from us on various pretexts”, said, a…

By Azam Khan in The Express Tribune, Jan 5 ISLAMABAD: Disaster-hit people from Hunza-Gojal and activists of Left-wing political parties staged a protest here on Wednesday demanding release of political activists. The protest was organised by the Progressive Youth Front (PYF) of Gilgit-Baltistan in collaboration with Workers Party Pakistan (WPP), Labour Party Pakistan (LPP) and National Students Federation (NSF). The protesters assembled outside the National Press Club, to mark the second anniversary of the Attabad…

By Shabbir Mir in The Express Tribune, Jan 5 GILGIT: Chairman of the Supreme Appellate Court of Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) has taken suo motu notice of the killing of a father and son protesting against delay in payment of compensation to Gojal residents from firing by the police. The court issued notices to the G-B chief secretary and police chief to submit their reports to the court on the action taken against police officials responsible for…

COAS General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani met the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister of China on Thursday and Friday. The high profile of the visit showed how highly China values the relationship with Pakistan, particularly the defence aspect, which General Kayani mainly discussed. In his meeting with Defence Minister General Liang Guanglie on Friday, General Kayani received a promise for the military ties between the two countries to be increased. This pledge meshes seamlessly with…