The one-step-forward-two-steps-back theme is typical to the post-9/11 Pak-Afghan relationship. Even as the equation became more rounded — and brought in players like China, US, Nato, etc, to wrap up the war through negotiations — the trend did not seem to change. The Murree talks were a great step forward, but the Mullah Omar leak quickly took the air out of the initiative. Subsequent attempts at breakthrough were also systematically followed by carefully planned attacks…
Posts published in “Day: February 2, 2016”
The National Directorate of Security (NDS) – Afghanistan’s intelligence agency has arrested planners of terrorist attacks in southern Afghanistan. A statement released by NDS on Monday states that the 4-member group was busted in the jurisdiction of the capital city of Kandahar province. The terrorists are identified as Abdul Ghani S/O Abdul Baqi, Mohammad Zarif S/O Abdul Karim, Ezatullah S/O Musa Jan and Rahmatullah S/O Asadullah. According to the statement, the group has accepted involvement…
A group of Taliban militants launched attack on electricity directorate in Pul-e-Khumri, the provincial capital of northern Baghlan province of Afghanistan. The attack was launched by a group of around 50 Taliban militants who have taken position in the electricity directorate in Band-e-Du area of the city. A provincial council member Bismillah Atash confirmed that clash is underway between the Afghan forces and the assailants. He said the attack has been launched with an aim…
KABUL: At least 20 people were killed and 32 others injured when a suicide bomber detonated his explosives-packed vest at the entrance of the Afghanistan National Civil Order Police Headquarters (HQ) in western Kabul on Monday afternoon. In a media statement issued here, the NATO’s Resolute Support said that the suicide attack has left 20 Afghan policemen dead and 32 injured, including seven civilians. Confirming the casualties, Spokesman for the Resolute Support, Col. Michael Lawhorn,…
Washington: Pakistani action against terrorists is “a mixed story,” John Nicholson, the newly appointed U.S Commander in Afghanistan has told the Senate Armed Services Committee. Gen Nicholson said it was difficult to defeat the enemy when he enjoys a sanctuary like in Pakistan. “I view it as a serious problem. And this has been one of the principal challenges. It’s a sanctuary that our enemies, in particular the Haqqani Network, have enjoyed inside Pakistan.” Noting…
Just as the events after Pathankot attacks have started to resemble the events following the 2008 Mumbai attacks – collapse of peace initiatives, escalation in tension, and a Pakistani commitment to investigation – the investigations themselves are following similar paths. Members of the Jaish-e-Mohammed have been taken into “protective custody” – an informal arrest of sorts without the legal consequences – while the Prime Minister’s emphatic words on the subject suggest an impending charge against…
New Delhi: Seven years after the State Department was restructured to ‘de-hyphenate’ U.S. relations with India and with Pakistan, it is considering a reversal of the move. De-hyphenating refers to a policy started by the U.S. government under President Bush, but sealed by the Obama administration, of dealing with India and Pakistan in different silos, without referring to their bilateral relations. It enabled the U.S. to build closer military and strategic ties with India without…
ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly on Monday finalised research recommendations on Pakistan-India relations and opined that in order to sustain progress in the fields of peace and security, both countries should pursue the implementation of the Lahore Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and all Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) relating to security. After deliberation and discussion on Pakistan’s relations with India, the Foreign Affairs Committee suggested policy approaches with specific policy recommendations that…
ISLAMABAD: A panel of the lower house of parliament has advised the government against encouraging any form of armed struggle in Indian-administered Kashmir in a series of policy recommendations on Pakistan-India relations. “Pakistan should not encourage calls for active support of armed, banned, militant groups in Kashmir,” reads the four-page policy paper issued by the National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs on Monday. The panel, headed by PML-N MNA Awais Ahmad Leghari, proposed the…
KARACHI: The glow from a row of lit clay oil lamps reflected on the three beautifully decorated deities of Shitala Mata, Santoshi Mata and Bhavani Mata at the small temple located inside a small home in the quarters near Gate no 5 of Karachi Zoological Gardens. A few overripe bananas as prasad in a thaal lay on the floor in front of the deities but the place was missing its usual rush of devotees. Other…
By Neil Connor, Ailin Tang and agencies Beijing: Authorities in China have arrested 21 people on suspicion of defrauding almost one million Chinese investors of 50bn yuan (£5.3 billion) after an online peer-to-peer lender turned out to be a giant Ponzi scheme, state media has alleged. Police used two mechanical diggers for 20 hours to retrieve 1,200 account books that were buried six feet underground as part of the investigation into one of the biggest…