The Afghan government actions seem to be in conformity of the fact that diplomatic solution with Taliban is the only way forward for Afghanistan. Although some of the Afghan leaders are of the view that empowering the warlords and certain groups could be beneficial for the future of Afghanistan, but reality is based on the fact that every Afghan needs to be treated justly and equally, irrespective of his ethnicity or religious beliefs. Besides, the…
Posts published in “Day: March 10, 2016”
Diplomacy is on pause in Afghanistan once more. At best, it is being wasted on talking about talks. Diplomacy only makes minor gains in the Pakistan-India context as well, and is derailed by untoward developments whenever there is a little flicker of hope. An important factor behind the diplomatic impasse is the aversion of India and the Afghan Taliban to commence formal negotiations with Kabul and Islamabad respectively; both have a habit of attaching pre-conditions…
The growing cross-border violations by Pakistan was agenda as President Mohammad Ashraf chaired National Security Council (NSC) meeting today, the Office of the President said. This comes as numerous cross-border violations have been reported during the past one week, including an attack by Pakistan forces which led to a clash with the Afghan border police forces in eastern Nangarhar province. Expressing concerns regarding the growing violations by Pakistanis, the relevant institutions were instructed to take…
KABUL, Afghanistan — Taliban attackers stormed Afghan government buildings in Helmand Province on Wednesday, battling security forces for more than 10 hours before being killed, officials said. The attack, on police and intelligence buildings in the Gereshk District of Helmand, involved as many as 10 insurgent fighters who were wearing police uniforms and suicide vests, according to Abdul Jabar Qahraman, the presidential envoy sent to manage the pitched battle against the Taliban in Helmand. The…
CONFIRMING what was reported in the Indian media, the interior minister and the prime minister’s adviser on foreign affairs have acknowledged that Pakistan did warn Indian authorities of a possible terrorist strike on Indian soil following an illegal border crossing by militants from Pakistan. The kind of intelligence sharing that was revealed last week and that led to a state of high alert in Gujarat, India, is precisely what the Pak-India relationship needs more of.It…
Pakistan, China divided over tax exemptions By Shahbaz Rana in The Express Tribune, March 10th, 2016
ISLAMABAD: Differences persist between China and Pakistan over Beijing’s demand to grant tax exemptions to its commercial banks on income they will earn by extending loans under the $46 billion investment package, which Islamabad estimates may cost at least $2 billion in revenues. Under the November 2014 China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Energy Projects Cooperation Agreement, both the countries were bound to settle the issue of tax exemptions within six months of signing the agreement, according…
BEIJING — Tastes differ. Some people may enjoy salacious stories about philandering abbots, or hair-raising ones about violence between doctors and patients. Others may prefer reports on the wealth of parliamentary delegates,military budgets or compliance with international human rights conventions. And there are always a few who are into burial guidelines. China’s propaganda authorities do not appear to want any of these tastes satisfied during the current parliamentary meetings in Beijing. That is according to…
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran are set to sign deals for supply of over 3,000 megawatts of electricity to meet energy needs of the former during Iranian President Hasan Rouhani’s visit to Islamabad, beginning March 25. “Three power import deals are expected to be inked by the two countries including supply of 100MW, 75MW and 1,000MW,” a diplomatic source said while talking to The Express Tribune. The 1,000MW agreement could be extended to 3,000MW of electricity.…
WASHINGTON: The alliance of 34 countries is pressing General Raheel Sharif to become the military alliance’s coalition commander-in-chief after his retirement, revealed US military and political sources. The 34-country alliance would take actions against terrorists, who have made the lives of people miserable in member countries. The importance of the new military alliance could be judged by the fact that its formation was announced by Saudi Defence Minister Muhammad Bin Salman in Riyadh during a…
WASHINGTON: Pakistan and the US are committed to enhancing intelligence cooperation and information sharing on any and all ISIL (Daesh) related activity in the region. The information gathered on the ground will be shared with security agencies on a priority basis about the look out for the ISIL, and its prospective partner groups.To achieve the goal, the United States will work to further bolster the capacity of Pakistan’s law enforcement authorities to combat terrorism, including…