PESHAWAR – The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has formally advised the federal government not to give further extension to Afghan refugees to stay in Pakistan, as their official stay period is going to expire on June 30 (tomorrow). The KP government has sent its recommendations, saying the province has been suffering a lot because of Afghan refugees and is unable to bear their burden anymore, official sources told The Nation on condition of anonymity. Prime Minister…
Posts published in June 2016
LAHORE – Tracing NDS footprints in the Punjab, the security services have spotted Afghan intelligence agency’s bids to create a subversive spying network in the province through their refugees, The Nation learnt through sources in the security agencies. Against the backdrop of possible encirclement of Pakistan by Kabul, New Delhi and some western powers in the region, Afghanistan’s key intelligence service has made bids to erect a network of its agents in the Punjab. The…
WASHINGTON: The United States strongly supports India’s role in global institutions, like the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and the United Nations Security Council, says a statement the State Department shared with Dawn. The statement, attributed to the US ambassador in New Delhi, reinforced the US desire to “continue to work constructively” with the NSG members to admit India into the organisation. At a Monday briefing in Washington, State Department spokesperson Elizabeth Trudeau also welcomed India’s…
It is more than likely that the question that forms our headline is also being asked across the border — how serious is Pakistan? India is in a dynamic phase, with a prime minister that is active on the international as well as global stage, membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group still sought despite a recent denial, and membership of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) now achieved. This will clearly feed through to support…
As July 1 approaches, a protest rally will convene soon in Hong Kong. This has become an annual event held by the Hong Kong opposition since Hong Kong’s return to China. This year, the procession, according to organizers, will be presided over by controversial figures Lam Wing-kee, Ching Cheong and Lau Shan-ching. They are labeled as “ex-prisoners of conscience.” Lam, a bookseller, was arrested by mainland police last October for selling books full of political…
Residents of the city of Xiantao in Central China’s Hubei Province on Tuesday accused the local government of not collecting garbage in a move they said put “pressure” on their massive protest against a waste incineration plant project. Over 10,000 residents took to the street on Saturday and Sunday to protest against a waste incineration plant they fear will cause severe pollution, despite the local government’s claim that it will suspend the project. Some residents…
A “major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics” has taken shape since Xi Jinping became the top leader in late 2012. Following are 26 key words or phrases that relate to this new style of diplomacy. AIIB The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), a new development bank proposed by China, started operation on Jan. 16, 2016. The new global multilateral financial institution, to support infrastructure projects in Asia, was formally established in Beijing on Dec. 25, 2015.…
The writer is a retired Lieutenant Colonel. The geo-strategic situation of our region is changing rapidly, which can be attributed to the fact that the world powers are now redefining their roles in the region. Old loyalties are changing and new alliances are being formed. In the post-cold war era, the proximity of our region to the oil rich heartland i.e.Central Asia as well as being part of the relatively recently derived concept of the…
ISLAMABAD: After lifting of sanctions on Iran in February, Pakistan is yet to normalise business activities with the country. On Tuesday, Commerce Minister Khurram Dastagir Khan directed representatives of banks to furnish viable proposals for facilitation of banking transactions for trade with Iran within a month. The directive came from the minister in a meeting with the officials of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and private banks for exploring banking channels available for trade with…
LONDON – Ali Haider Gilani, son of former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, broke his silence about his kidnapping ordeal on Tuesday, stating he was abducted by Al-Qaeda, which wanted the release of some women from the family of Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zwahiri in exchange for his freedom. Speaking to BBC at his Lahore residence, Gilani said he was in al Qaeda’s captivity for three years. Ali Gilani was recovered last month in a joint…
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has no plan to ink the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) that India signed the other day and has become member of the ‘elite club.’ It has been announced by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) for Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi during Q&A session in discussion on “Is Pakistan Isolated? Regional Challenges and Opportunities,” under the auspices of the Institute for Policy Reforms (IPR) here on Tuesday. To a query he…