In the world of databases maintained by both private and government entities, it has become practically impossible to live without leaving any kind of digital footprint. These records are used for relatively benign purposes like targeted marketing, however, there have been too many hacks and identity thefts to ever ignore the possibility of our data being misused. In Pakistan, the largest and most comprehensive database of citizens’ personal information is maintained by NADRA. This data…
Posts published in “Day: October 20, 2016”
ISLAMABAD – Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed yesterday said National Counter-Extremism Policy for Pakistan would be formulated under the framework of legal order and the Constitution. This was stated by him while addressing the first meeting of the steering committee formed by National Counter-Terrorism Authority (Nacta) to formulate the National Counter-Extremism Policy for Pakistan (NCEP). The committee was established under the banner of Nacta, the country’s premier authority, with the mandate to evaluate the recommendations received…
ISLAMABAD: After two decades of battling the menace of sectarianism and religious-based violence, the country is now looking to bring all provinces and stakeholders on board to develop a national counter-extremism policy. A steering committee established recently to work on formulating the National Counter Extremism Policy (NCEP) met for the first time on Wednesday with Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed in the chair. In a statement issued in conjunction with the meeting, the National Counter Terrorism…
ISLAMABAD: The government should follow the seniority rule while appointing the new army chief, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah said on Wednesday. Talking to media persons at the Parliament House, he suggested that the government should appoint the senior-most general as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC) and second most senior as the new army chief. “We wonder why the government is reluctant to follow the…
The writer is a senior journalist. The timing of Dawn-story-gate, more aptly Memogate II, could not have been worse for a vulnerable democratic setup. India is on a diplomatic offensive to castigate Pakistan as the “mothership of terrorism”. Imran Khan is bent upon breaking down the constitutional order by forcing a shutdown of the capital. The Supreme Court is proceeding with the Panama leaks case involving the prime minister’s children. All this is happening at…
ISLAMABAD: British Army Chief of General Staff (CGS) Sir Nicholas Patrick Carter on Wednesday lauded the Pakistan Army’s war against terrorism. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), General Carter called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif at the General Headquarters on Wednesday. The visiting dignitary acknowledged the sacrifices and achievements of the Pakistan Army in bringing peace and stability to the region. Security sources told Daily Times that both the military…
A dissident Taliban faction led by Mullah Abdul Manan Niazi on Wednesday said that Pakistan made deliberate attempts to take the Afghan peace process hostage, adding that Taliban will no longer take directions from the Pakistani military generals. Referring to a recent peace agreement signed between the Afghan government and Gulbuddin Hekmatyar-led Hizb-e-Islami party, Niazi called the move a plot by Pakistan. In reference to Niazi’s allegations, meanwhile, a Hizb-e-Islami official has rejected the assertions…
LANDI KOTAL: Security forces have established proper checkposts along Afghan border in Tirah valley of Khyber Agency after successfully clearing the mountainous region of militant groups, officials told Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra here on Wednesday. In his maiden visit to the region, the government went to the frontline security posts in Sara Waila area bordering Afghanistan in Tirah valley and met army soldiers. The 27 Brigade commander, Brigadier Rahat Naseem, briefed the governor…
The writer has served as ambassador to Afghanistan and is a former interior secretary. On the 15th anniversary of the US invasion of Afghanistan, talks between representatives of Taliban and the Afghan Government have taken place in Doha, Qatar. Several rounds of talks had been held in late September and early October. The Afghan side was led by Mr Stanikzai, Afghan chief of Intelligence, while the Taliban team also included brother of the late Mullah…
The news about the engagement of the Taliban in peace talks with the Afghan government can only be termed a positive development. Reportedly, representatives from both sides held two rounds of secret meetings during September and early October in Qatar. Afghan intelligence chief Mohammad Masoom Stanekzai reportedly led the discussions with Mullah Abdul Manan Akhund, brother of the deceased Taliban founder and long-time leader, Mullah Omar. It has been reported that during these discussions, Afghan…
Hours after the story broke that the Taliban and representatives of the Afghan government have restarted secret talks in the Gulf state of Qatar, rejections came pouring in. First, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid rejected any reports of talks or meetings and maintained the stance of no negotiations till all foreign troops leave the country. Soon after, Afghan officials also chimed in, rejecting the sources cited by the newspaper that first published the story.he reports may…