SECURITY
Indian, Afghan Spies Facilitate Attacks to Destabilize Pakistan
Islamabad: The Pakistan Army released a recorded statement of former Taliban spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan claiming that Indian and Afghan intelligence services funded and facilitated Afghanistan-based Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Jamaat-ulAhrar (JuA) for terrorism in Pakistan. Dawn, The News, The Express Tribune, Akhbar-e-Khyber
CIA Busts Gang ‘Threatening Safe City Body’
Lahore: The Crimes Investigation Agency (CIA) claimed to have arrested four suspects and busted an illegal gateway exchange being used to make threatening calls to Punjab Safe City Authority for releasing CCTV footage of the Charring Cross blast that led to arrest of the alleged facilitator of the attack. Dawn
Journalist among Four Injured in Gujranwala Attack
Gujranwala: Four persons were injured as armed men attacked and ransacked the local office of Urdu daily Khabrain in Gujranwala district. The wounded were identified as former president of Gujranwala Union of Journalists Yasir Ali Jatt, Jahangir, Haris Zafar and Sajid Ali. The News
Weapons Found in Karachi
Karachi: The Sindh Rangers conducted a raid and recovered a large cache of sophisticated weapons and ammunition from a house in Central District of Karachi. The recovered weapons were four light machine guns (LMGs), two submachine guns (SMGs), 80 bullets and a pistol. The News, The Express Tribune
19 People Arrested under Collective Responsibility Law after Kurram Blast
Kurram Agency: The political administration of Kurram Agency has arrested 19 people under the collective responsibility law after the recent bomb blast which killed 14 people. The administration said the security forces have cleared the area after search operation. It said the arrested persons will be released after payment of fines. Radio TNN
Six Militants have been Killed in Tirah Air Strikes
Khyber Agency: Sleeping cells of Islamic State have been destroyed at Sattar Kalay and Narai Nau areas of the Rajgal Valley in Khyber Agency during airstrikes carried out by security forces. During the strikes six militants were killed while seven others injured. Akhbar-E- Khyber, Dawn
POLITICAL
Delay in FATA Reforms Resented
The all Political Parties Alliance has resented the unnecessary delay in the enforcement of the proposed reforms for FATA. They urged the government to ensure the speedy action on the process meant for the region development. Dawn
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Indian HC Files Appeal in FO against Jadhav’s Death Penalty
Islamabad: The Indian High Commission submitted an appeal to the Foreign Office against the death penalty awarded to Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav by a military tribunal. Appeal was filed by High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale with Pakistan`s Foreign Secretary in Islamabad. There was no word from the FO on the issue. Dawn, The News, The Express Tribune
Asif Raises Kashmir Issue at Moscow Security Moot
Islamabad: Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said that the 21st century was an era of multiple power centers, renewed economic interdependencies and realignment of politico-strategic alliances. Addressing a conference on international security in Moscow, he said the Kashmir issue was a strategic flashpoint in South Asia and, if left unresolved, it had the potential to threaten the stability and peace of the entire region. Dawn
SOCIO-ECONOMIC
Russia, India Looking to Tap Pakistan Gas Market
Islamabad: As Russia fears loosing markets in European Union (EU) because of the on ongoing tussle with United States (US) and European Union (EU) over the Ukraine issue, India is looking to capture Pakistan’s market for gas by laying an offshore pipeline. The Express Tribune
Shia, Sunni Tribal Elders Hold Jirga to Defuse Tension in Kurram Agency
In order to defuse tension in the region arose following the recent landmine explosion on a passenger van, the Sunni and Shia sects’ tribal elders of Kurram Agency held a Jirga to maintain peace and stability in the agency. According to IG FC Mazhar Shaheen, some foreign hostile elements want to spread hatred among local sects; however, they would never be allowed to succeed in their heinous designs. He urged all the sects in the agency to live peacefully. Radio TNN
Second Phase of Sixth Housing, Population Census Starts in Mohmand
Mohmand Agency: The second phase of sixth housing population and census has been started here at the Mohmand tribal region under high security. According to the local administration, foolproof security arrangements have been provided to the local teams. 2000 security personnel have been deployed for that purpose and on each tehsil. Moreover, one QRF (Quick Response Force) and Immediate Response Team formed in the region to respond to any untoward incident. Radio TNN
PRC Launched Enrolment Drive in Mohmand Agency
Mohmand Agency: Pakistan Red Crescent Fata Mohmand agency branch distributed furniture to schools and kicked off an enrolment drive in two schools of Shaheed Banda area in Pandiali tehsil of Mohmand agency. PRC Fata managing board Haji Tahir Akbar Mohmand said that Education can play a vital role in the area development. Radio TNN
Construction of Small Dams in FATA has been Started: Iqbal Jagrah
According to KP governor, the main source of earning in FATA is agriculture. Keeping in mind this reality the construction of small dams in FATA has been started at various points. These dams will provide water for irrigation to the farmers inside FATA. This move will also boast their income level. Akhbar-E-Khyber
Those who will not Participate in Census will not be Financially Supported
South Waziristan Agency: According to PA of South Waziristan Agency, Zafar Ul Islam Khattak, those who will not participate in the current census will not be financially compensated. He further said if families did not come to Waziristan from cities for census, the government would not provide financial support to them for the reconstruction of their destroyed homes. Akhbar-E-Khyber
Government Urged to Open NWA Trade Route
Traders and exporters from North Waziristan Agency have expressed concern over the prolonged closure of Ghulam Khan Transit Route and urged the federal government to open the route for boosting trade activities between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Dawn
CHINA-PAKISTAN ECONOMIC CORRIDOR
Chinese Companies Investing in CPEC to Get Tax Breaks
Washington: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has admitted that Chinese companies investing in China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would get heavy tax breaks to the tune of billions of rupees per annum but maintained that it was a conscious decision of the government taken after careful calculations of costs and benefits. The News
