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Posts published in “Day: August 8, 2016

Is Pakistan isolated?: by MUNIR AKRAM in Dawn, August 7th, 2016

The writer is a former Pakistan ambassador to the UN. SEVERAL Pakistani commentators have concluded that Pakistan is isolated because its relations with three of its four immediate neighbours are hostile. Some have ascribed this ‘failure’ exclusively to the absence of a fulltime foreign minister and the hydra-headed leadership at the Foreign Office. Pakistan is far from isolated. It enjoys a very close strategic relationship with its largest neighbour China, the emerging superpower. Relations with…

The double-edged approach: by Ershad Mahmud in The News on Sunday, Aug 7, 2016

Given how shocking images, videos and news emanating from Kashmir are, the silence over Kashmir is criminal. It has always been difficult for Islamabad to strike a balance in its strategy over Kashmir, keeping in view local, regional and international dimensions of the conflict. Other than the occasional solidarity calls, it has failed to garner international support or open up channels of communication with New Delhi to force the BJP-led government to shun its suppressive…

Hafiz Saeed seeks proactive policy on Kashmir: Report in The Nation, Aug 07, 2016

LAHORE – Jamaat-ud-Dawaa (JuD) Ameer Hafiz Muhammad Saeed yesterday called upon the government to frame a viable policy on Kashmir through a joint session of the Parliament, keeping in view the ongoing struggle of the people of the held valley, which has yielded an opportunity to draw the same benefits which were available to Pakistan in 1948. Apprising senior media men of the current situation in the held valley, Hafiz Saeed said the United Nations…

Chinese military aircraft patrol South China Sea Xinhua report in Global Times, Aug 6, 2016

Chinese Air Force aircraft, including H-6K bombers and Su-30 fighters, have completed a patrol of airspace above the Nansha and Huangyan islands in the South China Sea, said a spokesperson Saturday. The flight is part of actual combat training to improve the Air Force’s response to security threats, said Senior Colonel Shen Jinke of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force. Two Su-30 airplanes conducted air refueling twice above the sea, Shen said. Several types…

ISIS claims it has confiscated US military equipment in Afghanistan By KHAAMA PRESS – Sun Aug 07 2016

The loyalists of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group have claimed they have confiscated several military equipment belonging to a US soldier. The sympathizers of the terror group released several photographs which purportedly shows the confiscated military equipment along with an ID card of a US soldier. The service member whose ID card and equipment captured by ISIS loyalists has been identified as Rayan Jay Larson. The sympathizers of the terror…

Afghanistan’s case : By Saleem Safi in The News, August 06, 2016

The writer works for Geo TV. In my last article, I presented the grievances Pakistan has on Afghanistan. Here we focus on Afghanistan’s case on Pakistan. To have an in-depth understanding of Afghanistan’s stance, perceptions and grievances, I went on a three-day visit to Kabul and came back by road via Torkham. I had an exclusive interview with President Ashraf Ghani, and enriching discussions with the intelligentsia, government officials, law-makers and common people. I had…

Afghanistan is in Chaos. Is that what Karzai wants: By Mujib Mashal in The NY Times, Aug 6, 2016

KABUL — Hamid Karzai, the former Afghan president and current antagonist to his successor’s government, likes to describe Afghan politics as a marathon. To the long roll call of visitors he meets each day — regional power brokers and elders, government officials, religious leaders, well-wishers who reminisce longingly about his years in power — the metaphor is clear. Mr. Karzai has never stopped running, never stopped maneuvering, and he won’t. Mr. Karzai’s critics, especially those…

China’s peacekeeping efforts: By Tahir Khan in The Express Tribune, August 6th, 2016

The writer is a special correspondent for The Express Tribune The recent visit to China by political negotiators of the Afghan Taliban is seen as the Communist nation’s move to play an active role in encouraging the insurgent movement to join the peace process. Confirming the visit mid-July, Taliban officials said, “Both sides explored ways to espouse a common stand against occupation and colonialism by some countries in the region.” Although an unnamed Taliban official…

500 Afghan Refugees Return Home From Pakistan Daily: UNHCR by Mir Aqa in Tolo News, 05 August 2016

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has said that the number of Afghan refugees voluntarily returning home has surpassed 500 families daily – a marked increase on the 10 families a day a few months ago. The surge in refugee repatriations comes only a few weeks after the Pakistani government set a new deadline of six months for Afghan refugees in Pakistan to leave. Meanwhile, Afghan Consular General in Peshwar has criticized the…

15 Taliban Killed In Kunduz Operation TOLOnews.com, 06 August 2016

Roughly 15 Taliban fighters were killed and 16 others wounded in a military operation carried out by security forces in northern Kunduz province, local officials said Saturday. The Pamir 21 Division officials said the operation started in Imam Sahib district on Friday and continued for 20 hours. According to the officials, many villages were cleared of militants during the military operation.http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/26604-15-taliban-killed-in-kunduz-operation  

Kandahar police chief bans Pakistani currency deal

KABUL: Kandahar police chief Abdul Razeq has banned dealing of Pakistani currency in the province, asking people to use Afghan currency (Afghani) instead. Razeq urged the importance of Afghani, saying if people disobey his order, they will be dealt legally. It is reported that after caution by police chief, the value of Pakistani Rupee to Afghani currency has considerably decreased in the province. This is the first time that a police chief banned people from…