PESHAWAR: The candidates of ruling PTI were elected nazims in nine districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, followed by four district nazims of its coalition partner Jamaat-i-Islami, as the process of local government elections completed on Sunday in the province.

PML-N secured three slots of nazims, whereas PPP, ANP and JUI-F got two posts of district nazims each in the province. PTI had absolute majority only in few districts where it did not require support of any other party, however, in most of the districts political parties had formed alliances with each other.

The candidates of PTI were elected district nazims in Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Karak, Haripur, Battagram and Torghar.

The ruling party faced setback in Abbottabad where its dissident group emerged victorious against the party candidate with the support of PML-N.

JI grabs four nazim seats, followed by PML-N with three, while PPP, ANP and JUI-F get two seats each

JI managed to secure berth of district nazim in Upper Dir, Lower Dir, Buner and Chitral. PML-N won the post of district nazim in Mansehra, Swat and Shangla. ANP emerged victorious in Swabi and Mardan whereas district nazim of PPP were elected in Malakand and Lakki Marwat. JUI-F won posts of district nazims in Hangu and Kohat.

In Peshawar, PTI candidates Mohammad Asim Khan and Syed Qasim Ali Shah were elected district nazim and as naib nazim respectively.

The tripartite alliance of ANP, PPP and JUI-F boycotted the election process for having some reservations at the schedule of the election.

With the election of nazim and nazib nazims of district, tehsil/town, village and neighbourhood councils, the process of the three-tier local government system took five months to complete. In the new local government system, over 40,000 people were elected for different tiers mostly to the village and neighbourhood councils.

PTI also won the slots of nazim and naib-nazim of three towns in Peshawar while PML-N candidate was elected nazim of Town-IV and JUI-F candidate got the slot of naib-nazim. The party-based elections were conducted through opened division.

Three candidates including Mohammad Asim Khan and Younas Zahir of PTI and Raham Dil Nawaz of PML-N were in the run for Peshawar district nazim. However, prior to commencing of the polling at District Council Hall, Younas Zahir and Raham Dil Nazaz withdrew from the contest. Three other candidates for the slot of naib-nazim also withdrew in favour of Qasim Ali Shah.

However, Osama Ahmed Waraich, the returning officer, insisted to continue the polling because under the rules it was mandatory for the winning candidate to get at least 70 votes.

The Peshawar district council consists of 138 members including 86 of PTI, 14 of ANP, 12 of PML-N, eight each of JUI-F and PPP, seven of JI and three are independent. Out of them, 107 members were present in the hall during the polling and 98 of them voted for Mohammad Asim Khan and Qasim Ali Shah while 11 abstained from voting.

Announcing the results, the returning officer first administered oath to Naib-Nazim Qasim Ali Shah and then to Nazim Mohammad Asim Khan.

In his brief speech, the newly elected district Nazim said that all efforts would be made for the development of Peshawar. He said that the protesting members of the opposition would be persuaded to come to the house.

In Haripur, PTI nominees Adil Salam and Agha Shabbir Ahmed won the slots of district nazim and naib nazim respectively. Each one bagged 53 out of 69 votes. PML-N candidates Javed Khan and Dad Mohammad bagged only 15 votes each. 

Similarly, PTI candidates Tariq Mehmood Khan and Syed Ahsan Shah won tehsil nazim slot by getting 43 votes out of the total 56 votes while two voters didn’t turn up. PML-N candidates Sajjad Khan Jadoon and Raja Ayaz each polled eleven votes. 

Aslam Hayat Khan and Haji Anwer, both PTI nominees for Ghazi tehsil, have been elected unopposed.

In Swat, the six-party alliance of PML-N, ANP, JUI-F, JI, QWP and PPP grabbed majority of votes in the elections for nazim and naib nazim slots.

Mohammad Ali Shah, the candidate of the alliance, was elected district nazim while Abdul Jabbar Shah was elected naib nazim. Both of them grabbed 62 out of 101 votes.

PTI candidate for nazim slot Ali Khan and Mohammadzeb Khan, its nominee for naib nazim slot, secured 37 votes each.

The six-party alliance formed its governments in five tehsils while PTI candidates won in two tehsils.

In Swabi, ANP candidate Ameer Rehman and JUI-F candidate Asar Khan were elected district nazim and naib nazim respectively. Both of them got 57 votes while their rival Azizullah Khan and Asif Iqbal of PTI received only 27 votes.

The PTI candidates won nazim slots in Chota Lahor and Topi thesils while ANP candidate won nazim and JUI-F naib nazim seats in Razar tesil and JI candidate won nazim and ANP nominee got naib nazim slot in Swabi tehsil.

In Nowshera, PTI candidates Liaquat Khattak, the brother of Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, and Ashfaq Khan won elections for district nazim and naib naiz slots repectively.

PTI also got nazim and naib nazim slots in Nowshera, Jehangira and Pabbi tehsils.

In Abbottabad, PTI forward bloc candidate Sardar Sher Bahadar and Shaukat Tanoli got the district nazim and naib nazim slots respectively.

Sardar Sher Bahadar defeated Ali Khan Jadoon, the candidate of his own party, with the support of PML-N.

Sardar Asad Pervez of PLM-N was elected nazim and Habibullah naib nazim of Havelian tehsil by defeating PTI candidates Iftikhar Khan and Habib. In Abbottabad tehsil, PTI nominee M Ishaque was elected nazim and JI candidate Sardar Shuja naib nazim.

In Karak, PTI candidates Umer Daraz, brother of PMA Gul Sahib Khan, and retired Major Sajjad won district nazim and naib nazim slot by securing 21 votes.

JUI-F candidate Abdul Wahab and Jehanzeb won got nazim and naib nazim slots of Karak tehsil respectively. JUI-F candidates Malik Shaukat Ali and Speena Jan Won elections for nazim and naib nazim slots in Banda Daud Shah tehsil.

Re-election will be held in Takht-i-Nusarti tehsil for nazim slot on September 7 as ANP’s Sajjad Ahmad and PTI’s Ataullah both secured four votes each.

In Lower Dir, JI candidates Haji Mohammad Rasool Khan and Abdul Rashid were elected district nazim and naib nazim respectively.

JI also formed governments in five tehsils of the district including Lal Qilla Maidan, Munda, Samaar Bagh, Balambat and Timergara while PTI succeeded to form government in Adenzai tehsil with the support of JI.

In Mansehra, PML-N candidate Said Ghulam won district nazim slot by securing 45 votes against PTI’s Shafaht Ali, who got 40 votes. QWP candidate Ghulam Murtaza was elected naib nazim, who also secured 45 votes.

In Torghar, PTI candidates Noor Mohammad Khan and Shamzad Khan were elected district nazim and naib nazim by securing 14 votes each. Babar Khankhel and Obaidullah Khan of ANP got only nine votes for nazim and naib slots.

In Battagram: Attaur Rehman and Fahim Akbar Khan of PTI were elected district nazim and naib nazim after JUI-F boycotted the elections alleging pre-poll rigging by PTI.

In Buner, JI candidate Dr Obaidullah and ANP’s Yousaf Ali won district nazim and nabi nazim slots respectively by bagging 24 out of total 44 votes.

In Chitral, JI candidate Maghfirat Shah was elected district nazim while Maulana Abdul Shakoor of JUI-F naib nazim.

Both of them polled 22 votes against 15 votes of their rivals in the house of 38.

The two-party alliance of JI and JUI-F clinched nazim and naib nazim slots of Chitral and Mastuj tehsils.

In Kohat, Maulana Niaz Mohammad of JUI-F was elected district nazim and PML-N candidate Malik Taimoor naib nazim.

Shahid Mehmood of JUI-F was elected naib nazim of Kohat tehsil while Ishfaq Qureshi of PTI was elected nazim of Lachi tehsil and JI’s Nazir Gul nazib nazim of the same tehsil.

In Mardan, The alliance of ANP, PPP, JUI-F, PML-N and independent councillors won the district nazim slot. It also won nazim slot of Takhtbai tehsil while PTI, JI and JUI-F (forward bloc) succeeded to form governments in Mardan and Katlang tehsils.

Himayatullah Mayar was elected district mazim and Asad Ali Kashmiri naib nazim by getting 60 votes each out of total 112 votes.

In Charsadda, PTI candidate Fahad Riaz and JI’s Haji Musaweer Shah were elected district nazim and naib nazim respectively.

The tripartite alliance of PIT, QWP and JI also won tehsils nazim slots in Tangi and Shabqadar while tehsil nazim slot in Charsadda was clinched by ANP and naib nazim slot by JUI-F.

In Shangla, PML-N candidate Niaz Ahmed Khan, son of Amir Muqam, was elected district nazim and PPP’s Kamran Iqbal got the slot of naib nazim.

Mohammad Tahir Khan of PML-N was elected nazim Al Puri tehsil and Raja Usman Ali nazim of Poran tehsil.

In DI Khan, PTI candidate Azizullah Khan was elected district nazim. The PTI candidates also won elections for tehsil nazims in Paharpur, Kulachi and Dera nazims. Elections tehsil nazims of Draban Kalan and Prova will be held later.

In Hangu, JUI-F won elections for district nazim and naib nazim as well as tehsil nazims in Hangu and Tall.

In Lakki Marwat, PPP candidate Ishfaq Ahmad Khan Meenakhel and PTI’s Arab Khan were elected district nazim and naib nazim respectively.

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

KARACHI: A gigantic exercise for the registration of all Afghan refugees in the country planned for next month under the National Action Plan will help identify over one million Afghans who the Sindh home department believed were illegally staying in the province, it emerged here on Sunday.

Of the estimated one million Afghan refugees in Sindh, only 67,000 are registered with the relevant authorities.

Most of the unregistered Afghans were living in the sprawling Sindh capital, believed home department officials, pointing out that if the illegal immigrants were identified and registered during the six-month drive, it would show how greater burden Sindh was carrying than what was being shown on papers. They said the Sindh government would make all-out efforts to get every Afghan documented in the planned campaign to rest its case with Islamabad.

The multi-million rupee exercise will be jointly conducted by the Ministry of State and Frontier Regions (SAFRON), Afghan Commissionerate and Afghanistan Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations through the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra). The government had carried out first registration campaign of Afghans through Nadra in 2006.

This year the documentation was to start in July but was postponed on an Afghan government request to extend the deadline for the refugees’ stay in Pakistan for two years. Both the governments are mulling over the Afghan proposal for extension in the deadline.

The officials said Pakistan currently hosted 1.6 million refugees, who had been issued Proof of Registration (PoR) cards by the government and their legal status would expire by the end of 2015.

“We believe that the number of illegal Afghans is much more than a million in Sindh only, but we want to stick to conservative estimates,” said a senior official.

The officials said 18 centres for registration of Afghan refugees had been established in Sindh — seven in Karachi, four in Hyderabad, two each in Sukkur, Benazirabad and Mirpurkhas and one in Larkana. They said the registration campaign would help identify the invisible burden on the Sindh government.

The officials said the registration of undocumented Afghans was part of the National Action Plan made in the wake of attack on the Army Public School Peshawar in December 2014.

They said the campaign would also include the Afghan children, aged five or more, as per a criterion set for the registration process.

It is estimated that 50,000 or more Afghan children are born in Pakistan every year, causing an increase in the number of refugees living here. The number of Afghans repatriating to their country is becoming smaller than their population growth since 2012.

In 2012, a total of 83,423 refugees — more than the number of refugee children born — returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan. Since then the figures are on the decline. The authorities cite security situation in the neighbouring landlocked country that still discourages many refugees to return home.

During his visit to Karachi earlier this year, the Afghan envoy Pakistan said that his government had managed to welcome five million of its refugees from Pakistan and Iran since 2002, which he described as the “largest return of refugees to their homeland in the history”.

The tripartite agreement signed by Pakistan, Afghanistan and the UNHCR, allows Afghan refugees stay in Pakistan till 2015.

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

All those who were wondering about the sudden disappearance of Aamina Sheikh from the glam scene of the industry now have their answer. The popular actor wasn't busy in projects; she was preparing for motherhood! Aamina Sheikh and Mohib Mirza welcomed a baby girl on August 11, revealed the actress in a Facebook post today.

Born on August 11, Meissa Mirza is the firstborn of the star couple who have been married for 10 years. The news came in as Aamina posted a picture of the family on her personal Facebook account:

Thanking those who wished her on her birthday, Aamina said that it was the 'best time as any to share some very special news'.

The picture isn't just adorable as the parents are doting on the little one rather the super cute message 'eat.poop.play.poop.sleep.poop. love.sleep' is enough to tell what's keeping the two busy.

Celebrities like Nomi Ansari, Ahmad Ali Butt, Danish Nawaz congratulated the couple on the delightful news.

Apart from coming in various projects together like drama Hum Tum, Mera Sayeen, Mohib and Aamina both are known for their critically acclaimed film Lamha.

PESHAWAR: At least one man killed and four others sustained injuries Monday in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Khar Tehsil of Bajaur agency.

According to security sources, the vehicle was on the way from Salarzai area to Khar when an IED, planted on the roadside, went off.

The source said that a pro-government elder travelling in the vehicle was the apparent target of the attack but the elder survived the blast while his driver was killed.

Bajaur is one of Pakistan's seven semi-autonomous tribal belt near the Afghan border, where militants were said to have held strongholds.

Read more: IED blast in Bajaur kills three

Pro-government tribal elders have been prior targets in the region for the past few months.

Know more: IED blast in Bajaur kills pro-govt tribal elder, five others

News broke over the weekend that actress Momal Sheikh, daughter of industry veteran Javed Sheikh, has bagged a role in a Bollywood film, which is Tanu Weds Manu director Anand L Rai’s next.

The actress confirms the news to Dawn.com:

"Yes, I have been cast in the movie, which is a rom-com. I play a Pakistani girl in the film."

Momal will be joined by Javed Sheikh in the film's cast, who had been roped in earlier.

"[The director/producer] were looking for an actress for a really long time," Momal reveals, "Baba [Javed Sheikh] had given them a few names of good actresses, but none of them were able to commit to the project for various reasons. When they came to know about me, they asked Baba, but he suggested that I wasn't ready because I had just had my baby. But they approached me anyway, and the director talked to me about Tanu Weds Manu's success, and I read the script, which I found to be really good."

The film, the title of which is yet to be revealed, also stars Abhay Deol and Diana Penty. The shoot will begin in late September, and Momal is flying out in a few days for the first look photography and other initial promotion tasks.

Given the furore surrounding Phantom, isn't Momal nervous about how her debut will be perceived in Pakistan?

"Well, I'd be generally nervous working anywhere internationally, because I'm taking Pakistan's image with me. But I'm confident that the work that I'm doing is positive and will make my people proud," she said.

ISLAMABAD: The chairman of the Gwadar port, Dostain Jamaldini, said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was not just the name of a road or railway system but a mega project.

Speaking to Radio Pakistan, he said the CPEC would not only benefit Balochistan but also prove beneficial for the country’s three other provinces and other countries in the region.

Jamaldini claimed the CPEC would bring more prosperity to Balochistan. He said the government was giving top priority to the development of Balochistan and this project was one of them. He added that the Gwadar port was functional and after the CPEC was completed, Pakistan would have access to central Asian countries and Europe. Economist Dr Shahid Hassan Siddiqui said the CPEC would reduce unemployment in the country. He added that the functioning of Gwadar port will bring an economic revolution and business activities will get a much needed boost.

Analyst Dr Manzoor Khan Afridi said the CPEC was a very important project. He added that it would not only benefit Pakistan but other countries of the region as well. According to Dr Khan, trade statistics have been raised significantly which would ultimately benefit the economy.

He said it was expected that the trade volume would increase after the CPEC was completed. He added that due to this, Gwadar project would become an important seaport as it would be dealing with one-third of the region’s trade activities.

Also read: CPEC projects: status, cost and benefits

Dr Khan claimed that China and Pakistan were committed to taking the project to its maximum height. He said many countries like Afghanistan, Russia and Kazakhstan were also taking an interest to invest in the project for their mutual interests.

The CPEC and its strategic geographical position, he said, would help Pakistan emerge as trading hub. He added that Russia was interested in the project as it would provide them access to warm waters.

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

ISLAMABAD/WASHINGTON: The United States spelt out on Sunday the steps it expected Pakistan to undertake for dealing with the Haqqani network and stressed that these were crucial for Islamabad’s relations with both Washington and Kabul.

The message, described by a senior US official as frank, was conveyed during US National Security Adviser Susan Rice’s visit to Islamabad for delivering an invitation to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for a meeting with President Obama at the White House on Oct 22.

“In Islamabad today, discussed how to deepen cooperation to tackle shared priorities. Encouraged Pakistan to advance regional peace and stability,” Ms Rice tweeted as she left after completing her trip and said that she “conveyed President Obama’s invitation to PM Sharif to visit the White House in October to continue discussions”.

In a statement the Prime Minister’s Office quoted Mr Sharif as having told her that he “was looking forward to his visit to the US in October this year as an opportunity to further strengthen the ties between the two countries”.

The sense emerging from Ms Rice’s meetings with PM Sharif, Foreign Affairs and National Security Adviser Sartaj Aziz and Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif was that counter-terrorism cooperation and more particularly Washington’s perception that Pakistan was not adequately targeting the Haqqani network in the Zarb-i-Azb military operation against militant and terrorist groups in North Waziristan would dominate the agenda awaiting the prime minister in Washington.

The US had doubts about Pakistan taking on the Haqqani network since the start of Zarb-i-Azb last year, but it became more vocal about those concerns after deadly attacks in Kabul earlier this month which, it says, were carried out by the terrorist group (Haqqani network).

Zarb-i-Azb entered its final phase this month as the army launched its ground offensive in Shawal valley.

“Ms Rice expressed concern over the deadly attacks in Kabul, which were perpetrated by the Haqqani network. This is absolutely unacceptable. … We look forward to Pakistan working to reduce this threat,” a senior US official said in a briefing on the visit of the national security adviser.

The official said Pakistan had been conveyed the “specific measures” it was needed to take for stopping the attacks. Ms Rice also explored how the US could collaborate with Pakistan in dealing with the Haqqanis.

The official would not, however, elaborate what steps Pakistan was asked to take.

The US has been gradually increasing pressure on Pakistan on the issue of Haqqani network. Even before the recent attacks in Kabul Pakistan was told by the US that the defence secretary would not be certifying to Congress that the North Waziristan military operation had downgraded the Haqqani network. The move would block disbursement of about $300 million of the Coalition Support Fund. The non-certification was always expected to cloud bilateral ties that were thought to have stabilised over the past couple of years.

Stressing the importance of Pakistan acting against the Haqqani network, the official said the issue had “developed into a key point of regional friction” and “addressing this challenge will be imperative for Pakistan’s relations with its neighbours and with Washington, especially given the recent upsurge in violence in Kabul and the Taliban’s bloody campaign this fighting season in Afghanistan”.

Ms Rice also spoke to her Pakistani interlocutors about downturn in their relations with Kabul after the uptick in violence in Afghanistan this month and the future of the now stalled peace talks with Taliban.

The official said the US was hopeful about the resumption of contacts between Pakistan and Afghanistan for addressing the issues between them so that they could return to “positive climate” that existed over the past few months.

The US believes that death of Taliban chief Mullah Omar created opportunities for peaceful resolution of the conflict in Afghanistan.

“Ms Rice noted that Pakistan should continue to work constructively to take advantage of the death of Mullah Omar and the Taliban leadership transition. They discussed ways that Pakistan, in coordination with Kabul, could further support the Afghan-led reconciliation process at this critical juncture,” the official said.

Pakistan’s aggravating tensions with India and the spike in violence along the Line of Control and the Working Boundary also featured in Ms Rice’s meetings in Islamabad.

“We are interested in hearing from Pakistan about their thoughts and views about addressing the situation,” the official said.

MEETINGS AT FO & GHQ: About Ms Rice’s meeting with Sartaj Aziz, the Foreign Office spokesman said: “Wide-ranging discussions were held on the regional situation, especially in the wake of emerging security environment in Afghanistan and current stalemate in Pakistan-India dialogue process.”

Discussions, the FO spokesman said, were also held on broader areas of cooperation and preparations for the forthcoming visit of the prime minister to the US.

A military spokesman said in a statement on Ms Rice’s meeting with Chief of the Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif: “During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, including security situation in the region, were discussed. Susan Rice acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan Army’s sincere efforts and sacrifices in the war against terrorism.”

In Washington, the United States hopes that Prime Minister Sharif’s visit will “further strengthen the US-Pakistani relationship”, said Ned Price, spokesperson for the US National Security Council, which operates from the White House.

He was speaking about NSA Susan Rice’s visit to Pakistan.

This was the first visit by a US national security adviser to Pakistan since 2010, when the then adviser, Gen James L. Jones, had met former president Asif Ali Zardari. Former CIA director Leon Panetta had also accompanied Gen Jones. Their discussions also focused on the security situation in the region, the shared terrorist threat and fight against extremists.

In her meeting with civil society leaders, Ms Rice commended their work in support of human rights, development and civil liberties in Pakistan and affirmed continued strong US support for their invaluable efforts, the White House said.

At a news briefing in Washington, US State Department spokesman John Kirby said that Afghanistan had many neighbours and the US wanted Kabul to have friendly relations with all neighbours, including Pakistan, India and China.

“I think everybody in the international community could benefit from an Afghanistan that is secure and stable and prosperous, and our message to the other partners is the same as it’s always been, which is we want to make sure that we’re all pulling on the same oars here to get Afghanistan to that better future,” he said.

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

Whenever bands announce that they are parting ways with a prominent member, splitting up, or simply retiring and calling it a day, it’s hard not to cynically start the countdown to their inevitable reunion.

So it wasn't exactly shocking when Junaid Khan, who left pop rock group Call amidst a burgeoning acting career in 2012, announced the band's comeback. Call is back to its pre-split line-up, with Junaid on vocals, Xulfi on guitars, and Sultan on rhythm guitars. Also accompanying the trio are session musicians Farhan Ali and Ken Zeerick on bass and drums respectively.

“A band is a relationship between individuals with opinions and differences. At times, when these differences go beyond a certain level, the relationships break,” says the vocalist, explaining why he parted ways with the group three years ago.

“No relationship is ever [always] smooth,” Xulfi elaborates. “There are ups and downs. And that moment in 2012 was one of the down moments. Our personal busy schedules didn’t help, but that is not what matters anymore. What matters is that the friendship amongst the three of us is stronger than any number of infinite moments that can bring us down.”

So what prompted the reunion? Junaid says their decision to reconnect came about because of one main factor: their fans.

“The love from our fans made me come back [to the band]. Everywhere I used to go, people would ask me where Call was and why [nothing new was] happening. The fans used to request that we keep our differences aside and come back for the love of music. It was then that I realized how much the fans wanted our music, thus the reunion,” he says.

Call hadn’t been very active since Junaid left the group and didn’t do anything of note in his absence. An attempt to revive the band with Yasir Jaswal as the vocalist also didn’t pan out. “Yasir Jaswal is a great friend, has an amazing voice, and he’s an extremely talented songwriter and now, as you would know, a movie director too,” says Xulfi. “Since he got busy with his debut dream project, Jalaibee, it became very difficult to carve out time to jam.”

The trio now seems excited to be back together. Their issues and differences are behind them, the group assures us. They have all grown as individuals and have a better understanding of what a partnership means, and they plan to make the most of this second chance.

“Music bridges distances between people,” says the guitarist. “Once you share the melody, the music in you with like-minded people, there is a connection that is formed. And that connection makes people remember each other. So we could never forget our great journey together and hence today we are more pumped up than ever to give the biggest reason of our reunion, the fans, our heart and soul through our music once again.”

Along with working as a band, the entertainers are still going to continue pursuing their individual endeavours and passions.

Junaid is busy with several acting projects; he currently has two dramas on air – Yeh Mera Deewanapan Hai on A-Plus and Dua on Geo – with a third serial, Kuch Ishq Tha Kuch Majboori, set to be released next month on Hum TV. His solo album, meanwhile, is “parked till Call gets back on its feet”. Xulfi, too, has a number of projects on his plate, including the talent show Nescafe Basement and the score of the upcoming film Yalghaar. “Call is my soul, Nescafe Basement is my mission, and I love doing scores,” he says. “I can’t be unfair to any of them. Music is my priority.”

As for the band itself, “loads of exciting stuff will be revealed with time,” Junaid promises. Among this will be Call’s cover of a popular ‘90s English track. “We are jamming regularly now and you’re going to hear a lot from us,” Xulfi reveals. “In fact, the first day we jammed, we reinvented an iconic English song in our own flavour and you are going to get to hear that very soon!”

ISLAMABAD: Hitting back at the US allegations that Pakistan was not doing enough to tackle the Haqqani network, the military said on Sunday that Pakistan was not alone to blame and that restoring peace in Afghanistan was a shared responsibility.

“It is the responsibility of all sides and stakeholders to work towards peace in Afghanistan,” a security official told Dawn hours after the US side at a briefing said that National Security Adviser Susan Rice had during her Islamabad trip conveyed a list of steps that it required Pakistan to take to eliminate threat posed by the Haqqani network.

Also read: Afghan forces regain control of a symbolic district in Helmand

The security official conceded that Ms Rice had in her meeting with Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif at the General Headquarters talked about the US concerns over the Haqqani network. “There was a frank, candid and intense discussion…. Both sides were open,” the official said, adding that while they raised the issue of Haqqani network, Pakistan too put forward its share of complaints.

Instead of the meeting getting bogged down in a blame game, the official clarified that the focus of the talks was on the way forward.

Indirectly blaming the Afghan government for its role in the suspension of peace talks with Taliban, the official said Ms Rice was reminded that the reconciliation process started in Murree on July 7 was now stuck.

The peace process was suspended a day before the second round of talks was to be held in Pakistan on July 31 because of the disclosure by Afghan intelligence about Taliban chief Mullah Omar’s death. During the development that followed Mullah Akhtar Mansour became the new chief and Haqqani leader Sirajuddin became one of his deputies.

The security official said the US needed to realise that when the strategic direction had been identified it was imperative to move forward on that.

He said Ms Rice had appreciated Pakistan Army’s counter-terrorism operations and acknowledged their impact. There was a consensus at the meeting on closer coordination for peace in Afghanistan, he added.

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Minister of Germany Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier was given assurances by the adviser on national security Sartaj Aziz that the ongoing military action in North Waziristan was against all terrorist organisations, including the Haqqani Network.

“Haqqani network is no longer present in Pakistan, and they have shifted to Afghanistan after the recent military operations in the area,” said Sartaj Aziz during a meeting with Dr Steinmeier.

“The infrastructure supporting Haqqani network in North Waziristan has been dismantled,” added Aziz.

Earlier, the German foreign minister reached Islamabad on Monday on a two-day official visit.

Steinmeier is here to discuss matters relating to bilateral and regional interest with particular focus on peace and stability in the region.

Later, a meeting between Dr Steinmeier and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was held at the PM House.

The German foreign minister expressed deep respect and gratitude for Pakistan’s efforts in the fight against terrorism and encouraged the government to continue the close collaboration with Afghanistan.

“Pakistan and Afghanistan need to work together for peace and prosperity in the region,” stated the German envoy.

He, however, expressed concern over the military courts which have been established to try terror-related cases.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz during a handshake with with the Foreign Minister of Germany, HE Dr. Farank-Walter Steinmeier in Islamabad on August 31, 2015. — PID

Referring to the recent flare-up in tensions between Indian and Pakistan, he urged both countries to resolve their differences through dialogue.

The German Foreign Minister thanked the prime minister for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him during his visit to Pakistan.

“We have directed government departments and institutions to follow the mutually agreed areas of cooperation discussed in my earlier visit to Germany,” said the premier.

“Bilateral relations between Pakistan and Germany are improving and we expect better economic cooperation between the two countries,” said the German foreign minister.

The premier also thanked Germany on the occasion for supporting Pakistan for the GSP-Plus status given by the European Union (EU).

“Pakistan’s economy has experiencing a turn-around and key indicators are improving,” stated the prime minister.

The German foreign minister also met Army Chief General Raheel Sharif at General Headquarters (GHQ) Rawalpindi.

Steinmeier is accompanied by German ambassador and other senior officials of German foreign ministry on this trip.

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-Insaf (PTI) on Monday officially announced a protest rally to be held at D-Chowk on October 4 to announce the plan of action for a possible sit-in to pressurise officials from the Election Commission of Pakistan to tender their resignations.

Previously, PTI chief Imran Khan had demanded resignations or ouster of four provincial election commissioners for what he called their failure to hold free and fair elections in 2013.

PTI's additional secretary information Faisal Javed Khan told DawnNews that the situation seems to be heading towards another sit-in.

During the one-day protest rally, PTI chief Imran Khan is expected to announce a new deadline for the ECP officials to tender their resignations. The plan of action for the possible sit-in will be similar to the party's crucial rally that took place on November 30 last year.

Also read: PTI opts for sit-in if ECP officials don’t resign

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan said last week that his party will hold a sit-in outside the Election Commission’s building in Islamabad on Oct 4 if members of the commission do not tender resignations by then.

Addressing his party’s office-bearers and workers here on Saturday, Imran Khan said that the PTI would take part in by-elections and the coming elections for local governments.

If the Chief Election Com­missioner did not take a decision in one month, Imran Khan said, he would call his party workers across the country to gather outside the ECP office in the capital on Oct 4.

“The party will reveal its future strategy on the same day,” he had added.

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday announced the schedule for by-elections in NA 122 and NA 154 constituencies which were vacated after the Punjab election tribunal's commission had ordered re-election during the past two weeks.

According to the ECP schedule, polling in both constituencies will be held on October 11.

The election process will begin from September 10, when the ECP will start accepting nomination papers of the candidates. The deadline for submitting the nomination papers is September 11.

The ECP will scrutinise the nomination papers from September 14 to September 15.

On September 21, the ECP will issue the final list containing the names of the candidates.

Last week, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) announced it will contest by-elections in NA-122 and NA-154 constituencies, said a report on Radio Pakistan.

Know more: N-league to contest by-polls in NA-122, NA-154 constituencies

Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid invited PTI chairman Imran Khan to contest the by-elections against Sardar Ayaz Sadiq from NA-122 Lahore. Similarly, he said, Jehangir Tareen should contest by-elections from NA-154.

Talking to media persons after a high level meeting of the party leaders in Islamabad on Thursday, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said the party would not seek stay orders against elections in these constituencies. They, however, said the party would seek legal remedies to keep the record straight.

Read: NA-122 election tribunal deseats Ayaz Sadiq, orders re-polling

Previously, Punjab election commission's tribunal ordered re-polling in National Assembly constituency, NA-122, declaring the election in the constituency null and void – accepting Imran Khan's petition challenging the 2013 election result.

PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi, while talking to DawnNews, termed the decision as historic, adding that it would go a long way in ensuring a transparent election system in Pakistan.

Also read: Election tribunal orders re-election in NA-154, deseats PML-N lawmaker

Recently, the tribunal had also announced its verdict in favour of Jahangir Tareen over a petition filed by the former secretary general of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) against alleged rigging in NA-154 (Lodhran).

The tribunal deseated Pakistan Muslim League—Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Muhammad Siddique Khan Baloch and ordered re-election in the constituency.

NA-122 and and NA-154 (Lodhran) were among the four controversial constituencies — the other two being NA-110 (Sialkot), NA-125 (Lahore) — where PTI had demanded for voters’ thumbprint verification in the hopes of finding a solution that might be acceptable to all concerned.

LAHORE: A full bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday banned the live telecast of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain's speeches on TV channels till further orders.

The court, while banning the live broadcast of speeches made by the MQM supremo, also issued notices to the foreign secretary, interior secretary and secretary to the prime minister, seeking details of Altaf Hussain's nationality.

A three-member bench headed by Justice Mazahir Ali Naqvi and comprising Justice Mazhar Iqbal Sidhu and Justice Erum Sajjad Gul, heard a petition seeking proceedings against MQM chief Altaf Hussain and other leaders of the party for alleged treason.

Also read: LHC full bench to take up petition against Altaf today

The petition, filed by advocates Abdullah Malik, Aftab, Maqsood and others, called for a lifetime ban on live telecast of Altaf Hussain's speeches.

The petition maintained that Altaf was in violation of Article 5 which asks for showing loyalty to the state and obedience to the constitution. Hence a case of treason should be registered against the MQM chief under Article 6 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

Additionally, the court sought record of Hussain's speeches in the past from the additional advocate general (AAG) and the advocate general of Punjab.

The hearing was subsequently adjourned till September 7.

Workers and supporters of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement on August 21 had gathered in front of the Karachi Press Club to protest against the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) for allegedly imposing an unannounced ban on airing Altaf Hussain’s speeches on television channels.

Speaking on the occasion, senior MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar had said that the Pemra ban on Mr Hussain’s speeches was unjust. The freedom of expression was being blocked in Karachi as authorities were not willing to tolerate voices of dissent, he had added.

Read: FIRs lodged against Altaf Hussain across Sindh

In July, FIRs were registered in different parts of the country against Altaf Hussain for remarks made by him against the chief of Rangers in Sindh and the paramilitary force in recent speeches.

In the FIRs, Hussain was accused of involvement in cases of criminal conspiracy, waging or attempting or abetting the waging of war against Pakistan and committing acts of terrorism.

Also read: Altaf's remarks on army to be legally pursued: ISPR

In April, Director-General Inter-Services Public Relations Major-General Asim Bajwa had said that earlier statements made by the MQM chief regarding the Pakistan Army would be legally pursued.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairperson and former president, Asif Ali Zardari, on Monday said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has reverted to revenge politics of the 1990s, referring to the recent arrests of high-profile PPP members.

He said first Qasim Zia and Senator Bangash's son were arrested, which was followed by Dr Asim’s arrest by Rangers. Immediately afterwards, warrants for the arrests of former premier Yousuf Raza Gilani and Makhdoom Amin Fahim were also issued, he said.

In a statement from London, Zardari said bureaucrats in Sindh were being harassed by the Federal Investigation Agency and the National Accountability Bureau – pointing out that the chief secretary of Sindh is also currently on bail.

He said actions being taken by federal agencies in Sindh were clear violations of the Constitution.

“If they want to conduct fair accountability, they should first take action against a federal minister who confessed before a magistrate his involvement in money laundering for the Sharif-brothers. Only then we will know how clean followers of N-league are.”

Zardari said a video had surfaced in Punjab, showing provincial minister Rana Mushhood receiving money on behalf of the Sharif brothers but no action had been taken against him.

“All this unmistakably presents a clear pattern of political harassment and revenge,” he said, adding that Sindh had been immobilised under direct orders from the Prime Minister House.

The PPP co-chair said it appeared Nawaz Sharif had not learnt lessons from the past, adding that the politics of revenge should immediately be halted or it will produce disastrous consequences.

“We are not the ones who fled to Jeddah after seeking pardon. The nation very well knows that Nawaz Sharif holds the ‘honor’ of applying for pardon.”

We accepted the results of the 2013 general elections for the sake of democracy, although those elections were “ROs’ elections,” said Zardari, adding that the recent verdicts from election tribunals “proved our point that the PML-N received outside help and was made to win the elections.”

The former president said at a time when “our innocent citizens are being killed by indiscriminate shelling in border villages by the enemy, when Pakistani Army is fighting a decisive war against terrorists… Nawaz Sharif, instead of challenging the real enemy, is targeting Peoples Party and other political opponents.”

Zardari said steps being taken by the government clearly indicate that it is dividing the nation in an attempt to save its natural allies – Taliban and terrorists – and weaken the war against terror.

He said the PPP stands with the army in the ongoing war against terrorism. “We salute our jawans who gave the ultimate sacrifices in this war.”

The former president said today Nawaz Sharif was the prime minister and Shahbaz Sharif the chief minister of Punjab only because the PPP had removed the ban on third terms even though “it was evident to us that it will only serve the interests of the Sharif Brothers.”

Zardari demanded that Justice Najafi’s report on the Model Town killings last year be made public, along with arrests of all those involved in this “gruesome murder of innocent people.”

“Aren’t those who killed 14 people, including women, in the Model Town tragedy terrorists? Why are they not being arrested?”

He also demanded that all characters involved in the Asghar Khan case be apprehended.

Also read: PPP goes into damage-control mode

Pervaiz Rashid responds

Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid assured on Monday that the government has not indulged in politics of revenge, has not done so in the past, and will not indulge in such tactics in the future.

“We as a government are not involved in politics of revenge,” said the federal minister.

“Every case would be referred to the courts, and we would leave it to the independent judiciary of Pakistan to take appropriate measures,” added Rashid.

Rashid also stated that it is the duty of the government to act upon criticism it receives from the opposition.

He said that all political parties, including the PPP, had agreed to an across-the-board operation in Karachi and the operation was launched after all parties had agreed to support it.

“The prime minister has also asked for a report on Asif Zardari’s statement,” stated Rashid.

Earlier, following the arrest of former petroleum minister Dr Asim Hussain and party leader Qasim Zia, PPP had reacted strongly and had explicitly refuted allegations leveled against its office bearers.

The PPP denied the impression it was involved in terror financing, saying the party had itself suffered huge losses in the fight against terrorism. “How can you say that PPP is involved in terror financing?”

The party’s senior vice president Sherry Rehman said the PPP has always been on the front-line in the war against terror.

PPP has always respected the judiciary and will not carry out action that hampers the current democratic setup in the country, she said.

Talking about the ongoing anti-corruption drive in Sindh, Rehman clarified that the “PPP has no objection whatsoever over the operation and will create no hurdle in its implementation”.

Know more: Sindh govt, FIA at loggerheads over raid on Civic Centre

But she said “it looks like politics of revenge is being carried out with the PPP as the sole target.”

“We will keep alive our tradition of struggle for democracy and will face every atrocity,” said the PPP vice president.

It is pertinent to mention here that Muttahida Qaumi Movement has also strongly protested against what it calls extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances and arrests of its workers under the garb of the Karachi operation.

Also read: PTI, MQM battle it out with resolutions in Sindh Assembly

The party, which has resigned from Parliament in protest over excesses being committed during the Rangers-led Karachi operation, criticised the PML-N run federal and PPP-run Sindh governments for not being able to ensure a transparent security operation in the metropolis.

MQM claims it is being targeted under the security operation, a claim now being voiced by the PPP.

But the federal government and the paramilitary force – Rangers – and the army's upper command has on numerous occasions insisted that the security operation in Sindh is apolitical and is targeting only criminal elements.

GILGIT: The newly appointed chief judge of Supreme Appellate Court Gilgit-Baltistan Justice Dr Rana Shamim Ahmad Khan took oath of his office on Monday.

However, the lawyers associations boycotted the oath taking ceremony to lodge their protest against appointment of non-local judges in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Gilgit-Baltistan Governor Barjees Tahir administered the oath to the chief judge at Governor’s House in Gilgit.

The ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Hafeez Hafizur Rahman, members of GB cabinet and judges of Supreme Appellate court besides chief secretary, politicians and senior officials.

The GB Supreme Appellate Bar Association, GB Bar Council, Chief Court Bar Association and district bar associations boycotted the ceremony.

The GB High Court Bar Association also suspended the membership of its four senior members for attending the ceremony. “The membership of former president of the association Manzor, former advocates general Asad Malik, Haq Nawaz and Umer Farooq has been suspended. They would not be able to appear in the court in future,” said Malik Kifayat, the president of the association.

“We had decided not to attend the oath taking ceremony of newly appointed chief judge but some of our fellows violated the unanimous decision,” said Advocate Essa, the president of Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Bar Association. He said that after the protest they would continue to work.

According to him the protest was confined only to the oath-taking ceremony. Shahbaz Khan, the vice president of GB Bar Council, said that the appointment of non local judges in GB was unconstitutional.

“Local judges are appointed in all provinces including Azad Jammu and Kashmir but non-local judges are appointed in GB,” he said.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

PESHAWAR: Several lady health workers on Monday were shifted to the Lady Reading Hospital after they fainted during a sit-in near the provincial assembly building against non-payment of salary over the last three months.

They were shifted to the Lady Reading Hospital, where they received emergency care.

Doctors said LHWs fainted due to hot and humid weather.

Holding banners and placards and shouting slogans against the government, they insisted the government wasn’t sincere about resolving their problem.

Disperse after minister promises early corrective measure

The protesters said they had long been protesting non-payment of salary but the government had yet to take the matter seriously.

They later dispersed after a government representative assured them of early resolution of the matter.

He also said the chief minister would meet representatives of LHWs today (Tuesday).

Also in the day, scores of LHWs demonstrated near the press club to protest non-payment of salary and the government’s apathy towards their misery.

They said they performed the basic role in healthcare system at the community level but the government didn’t recognise their services.

They said payment of salary to them had been delayed since 2012 though they worked diligently.

“More than 13,000 LHWs have been providing vaccination, contraceptive services and primary healthcare to women and children in all districts of the province,” a protester said.

She said the federal government had pledged to provide funds for payment of salary to LHWs until 2017 after workers were put at the disposal of the provincial government in 2012 due to their programme’s de-centralisation in line with the 18th Constitutional Amendment.

The LHWs said they’re poor women and performed a tough job for meagre salary but even then, salary was denied to them.

They said they would continue protest until their demand was met.

According to them, they’ve have helped improve health indicators in the designated areas but even then, the government is unwilling to deal with them on a par with its other employees.

LHWs said they played a primary role in the immunisation of children in areas, where male vaccinators had failed to reach the targeted children.

They refused to listen to a health official, who had shown up to pacify them.

However, they agreed to disperse peacefully only after information minister Mushtaq Ghani reached there and assured them of early corrective step on the delay in payment of salary.

He said he would arrange a meeting of the LHWs’ representatives with the chief minister Tuesday (today) on the issue.

The protest suspended traffic on Grand Trunk Road for few hours.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

ISLAMABAD: Allegations of embezzlement in the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) will be investigated by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Minister of State for National Health Services (NHS) Saira Afzal Tarar said on Monday.

Addressing a press conference held to announce the modalities of the newly-constituted PMDC executive council, she said that the new management will work to streamline all of PMDC’s issues and has been authorised to hire new personnel or carry on with the existing team.

Following a two-year tussle between the PMDC and the health ministry, the former’s executive committee was dissolved through a presidential ordinance, issued on Aug 28.

On Monday, Ms Tarar claimed that the PMDC had never cooperated with the ministry; to the extent that even when the ministry demanded a list of registered medical colleges, PMDC had gone to court, stating that the ministry was interfering in its affairs.

Health minister announces modalities of new law; says ‘everyone knows’ who was behind corruption in the council

“Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Athar Minallah (in Sept 2014) had decided to appoint a commission to look into PMDC’s affairs. The three-member commission consisted of former federal minister Dr Sania Nishtar, former federal secretary Ejaz Raheem and physician Dr Syed Fazl-i-Hadi,” she said.

“The commission made its recommendations after a detailed probe, which the ministry kept in mind while making the proposed law that was promulgated on Friday through a presidential ordinance,” she said.

“Under the new law, the number of executive council members will be reduced from 81 to 35. These will include one each representative from public sector colleges in all four provinces, Fata and Islamabad, as well as one representative each from private sector colleges in the same territories,” she said.

“The chief justice of Pakistan has been requested to nominate one member for the council; two members will represent patients and four nominees of federal government will also be part of the executive council. There will be one member each from the National Assembly and Senate,” she said.

“Of the 35 members, 20 will be elected while 15 will be nominated ex-officio on the basis of their expertise in different fields. The elections will be held under the representative of the chief justice of Pakistan,” she said.

Conflict of interest

“The most important point is that the new law will eliminate conflict of interest. Now, college owners and other stakeholders will not be able to become members of the executive council,” she said.

“Due to the 2012 legislation, the NHS ministry had no role in the PMDC, but under the new law, there is a provision that in the case of any blunder, conflict or controversy, the ministry will be able to step in and address the problem,” she said.

“The basic pre-condition for membership of the management committee is that none of the members should have served in the PMDC during the past five years. This measure is meant to ensure transparency and fore closes the possibility of a conflict of interest arising,” she said.

The Dr Asim connection

At the press conference, reporters repeatedly asked the minister about the speculation around arrest of former PMDC vice president Dr Asim Hussain. However, the minister, without taking any names, said, “Everyone knows who was behind corruption in the PMDC”.

“It was a coincidence that the presidential ordinance came just after Dr Asim’s arrest. The fact is that the Supreme Court ordered us to make a law within two days, so we did,” she said.

Commenting on the minister’s remarks, Young Doctors Association Punjab Spokesperson Dr Amir Bandesha, said: “PMDC was a very credible department until 2006. After Dr Asim Hussain joined, however, everything became worse. The management committee should begin the process of accountability, but they should ensure that the council’s elections are held within 120 days and that the council is handed over to credible medical practitioners.”

During the press conference, the minister was also confident that the government would be able to get the law passed from parliament.

“Although the PPP is against the new law, but we hope it will sail through parliament, even though PML-N doesn’t have a majority in the Senate,” she said.

Ms Tarar said that because of the controversial decisions taken by the council, the standard of education at medical colleges had continued to decline. She said that the new committee would decide who the PMDC registrar will be, but said that the ministry recognised Dr Nadeem Akbar as the legal occupant of that position.

Talking to Dawn, Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Secretary General Dr Mirza Ali Azhar demanded that the new management committee have the PMDC audited through an independent auditor and there should be zero tolerance for corruption.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

KARACHI: Mehmood Ahmed Niazi, a Civil Aviation Authority official who had been killed after being kidnapped from Jiwani airport on Sunday, was laid to rest at the CAA graveyard near Karachi airport on Monday, while the wounded official was admitted to a private hospital here on Stadium Road.

The body of Mr Niazi, in his 50s, was airlifted to the metropolis and taken to his home in CAA flats, situated near the Karachi airport old terminal, a day after the militants had killed him and dumped his body in a mountainous area in Balochistan.

He was was official in charge of Jiwani airport installations.

After his funeral at a mosque near his home, which was also attended by senior officials of the CAA, he was laid to rest at the graveyard near the airport.

He served in the CAA for more than 30 years during which he was mostly posted at airports in Balochistan, family members said.

“He originally hailed from Sargodha but had settled in Karachi decades ago,” said one of the family members. “He was a dedicated worker and neither denied nor opposed his posting at any of the airports in Balochistan despite the security risk and vulnerability.

“He had resumed his duty just 10 days back after staying on leave to attend some family functions,” the family member said.

He is survived by a widow, a daughter and four sons.

Meanwhile, the only CAA official who had sustained wounds in the pre-dawn attack on Jiwani airport, Altaf Hussain, was recovering fast after undergoing an operation at the Aga Khan University Hospital.

The officials said Mr Hussain, who was supervisor at the Jiwani airport, was not in a position to share details of the attack with the investigators.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

ISLAMABAD: Contacts between Pakistan and Afghanistan will resume later this week if Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz leaves for Kabul to attend the sixth Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan (RECCA).

“We are mulling over an invitation to RECCA conference,” a senior diplomat said on Monday.

Two RECCA conferences will be held followed by a ministerial meeting, on Sept 3 and 4.

Also read: Attacks from Afghan soil have Indian involvement: Sartaj Aziz

A meeting between Pakistani and Afghan officials is expected to take place on the sidelines of the events, to address issues that have disrupted the process of normalisation of relations between the two countries.

Ties between Islamabad and Kabul were generally improving until the recent attacks in Kabul adversely affected them.

President Ashraf Ghani accused Pakistan of failing to cleanse its soil of terrorist bases from where attacks were being launched continuously.

He also sent a high-level delegation to Islamabad comprising Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani, Acting Defence Minister Masoom Stanekzai, and Intelligence Chief Rahmatullah Nabil to convey his government’s concerns about terrorist attacks in Kabul.

However, the delegation received a lukewarm reception in Islamabad reportedly because of the allegations levelled at Pakistan by the Afghan government and its intelligence agency NDS.

The latest opportunity to resume contacts comes amid reports of growing international pressure on both the countries to mend their relations.

US National Security Adviser Susan Rice had told Pakistani leaders in meetings on Sunday that her government wished to see “a return to the positive climate” between the two countries.

After his meetings in Islamabad on Monday, German Foreign Minister Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier said that his country was encouraging both Pakistan and Afghanistan to continue the rapprochement process.

However, analysts are not sure if a meeting between Mr Aziz and Afghan leaders would thaw relations.

The latest episode not only caused recrimination to return to bilateral exchanges, but Afghan security intelligence agencies also started harassing Pakistani diplomats in Kabul.

Diplomats at Pakistan embassy in Kabul disclosed that they had informed the Foreign Office about the increasing incidents of harassment, which forced many to shift inside the embassy.

“The staff living outside the embassy premises faced enormous harassment on the way to work. Groups of people would assemble outside their homes and hurl abuses and threats at them. They were also subjected

to intense search on the security pickets while driving to the embassy,” a source said adding the staff had to relocate to the embassy because of security concerns.

In a related development, Afghan Ambassador Janan Mosazai called on defence secretary Lt Gen (retd) Alam Khattak.

The defence secretary briefed the envoy about efforts of the Pakistan government and its armed forces to root out terrorism and dismantle their infrastructure through operation Zarb-i-Azb.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

PESHAWAR: Pakistan People’s Party, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, general secretary Engineer Mohammad Hamayun Khan on Monday said some elements were conspiring against his party at the national level but such intrigues won’t succeed.

Speaking at a meeting at his residence here on Monday the PPP leader said it was only the PPP which rendered matchless sacrifices for the sake of the soil and strengthening of democracy despite intrigues.

He said PPP workers had rendered lives and properties for the party and would continue doing so.

“It’s the only political force, which has always worked for the welfare of the poor, enabled members of low-income groups to raise voice for their rights, and opposed military dictators,” he said.

The Pakistan People’s Party leader said not only PPP workers but other young people too strongly felt Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would steer the country out of crises.

He said PPP workers were united under the leadership of Bilawal and that there were no factions in the party.

“The opposition parties have got worried about their future because PPP will soon gain its past position. It will emerge as the single largest party in the next elections in the country,” he claimed.

Hamayun Khan said it was only the PPP that gave workers the right to openly criticise leaders otherwise leaders of other parties did not have the courage to face criticism from workers.

The PPP leader urged workers to remove differences and step up efforts to re-organise the party at grassroots level as it would be in the best interests of the country’s federation.

He said Bilawal Bhutto was busy holding meetings with party leaders of different wings and areas to know about their problems and reservations and devise an effective strategy to strengthen the party at all levels.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play