SECURITY
Fool Proof Security will be provided to Mosques at Landi Kotal
Khyber Agency: At a grand Jirga arranged by political administration and security forces, it was stressed that fool proof security would be provided to mosques in Landi Kotal. Security forces along with Khassadar would march in the streets at nights in order to ensure security in the area. People belonging to area also ensured their cooperation in this regard. Akhbar-e-Khyber
Iranian Mortar Kills Civilian in Panjgur
Panjgur: A civilian was killed when a mortar shell fired by Iranian security forces from across the border hit his vehicle in a border village in Panjgur district. Confirming the incident, official sources said that two mortar shells were fired from across the border. One of them hit the moving vehicle and the other landed in an open area. They said the incident took place in Nukkar village, close to the Pak-Iran border. Dawn, The News, The Express Tribune, Akhbar-e-khyber
Five Activists among Nine Held in Rangers` Raids
Karachi: Pakistan Rangers, Sindh claimed to have arrested nine suspects, including five workers of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-London and MQM-Pakistan. The paramilitary force apprehended five suspects from Mobina Town, Surjani Town and Khawaja Ajmer Nagri. Three of them were identified as Junaid Ahmed Khan, Sher Muhammad and Jehanzeb. They were associated with the MQM-L, a Rangers spokesperson said. Dawn
POLITICAL
Seminar Speakers Hold Government Insincere Regarding FATA Reforms
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Shaheed Bhutto Foundation, had organized a seminar on Fata reforms in Islamabad press club. Speakers at the seminar said that the federal government was not sincere in the implementation of Fata reforms adding that center itself was creating hurdles in mainstreaming tribal areas. Shahji Gul Afridi, while addressing at the seminar, said that the insincerity of the Federal Government was clear from the point that Prime Minister House had neither forwarded the reforms bill to the President nor was it approved by the National Assembly. PPP general secretary Farhatullah Babar said that if the government was sincere in the reforms process it would have discussed the issue in the federal budget. Radio TNN, Dawn
FATA Reforms not Possible in 2018: Governor
Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor, said that it was not possible to introduce reforms in FATA by 2018. He said that reforms would be implemented after complete rehabilitation of displaced people in phase wise manner. He announced the establishment of a bank and a rescue centre in Orakzai Agency and said that Levies personnel would be given a status equivalent to police. Radio TNN, Akhbar-e-Khyber
FATA should be made a Separate Province
Maulana, Muhammad Arif Haqqani and Maulana Sami Ullah (Members of JUI-F Mohmand Agency), said that FATA should be given the status of a separate province. They further said that imposing unilateral decision on conflict affected people of FATA would not solve their problems but will add further fuel to their already existing problems. It was in the best interests of the people to arrange referendum in order to find out their opinion on the issue. Akhbar-e-Khyber
Movement against Nawaz after Eid, resolves LHCBA
Lahore: Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) will launch a formal movement after Eid-ul-Fitr to make Prime Minister tender resignation as its seven-day ultimatum issued to the premier for stepping down has lapsed. During Ramazan, the Bar would continue with its limited protest every Thursday as resolved at the May 20 lawyers’ representative convention. Dawn
SOCIO-ECONOMIC
Rs26.9 Billion Allocated for FATA in Fiscal Budget 2017-18
The federal government has allocated Rs26.9 billion for FATA in the fiscal budget 2017-18. According to Finance Minister, Ishaq Dar, Rs45.65 billion has been earmarked for development projects in Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and FATA. The allocated budget for FATA is not enough because of destruction caused by conflict in entire FATA and its huge population. Radio TNN, Akhbar-e-Khyber
Farms Services Centre Reopens in Bara
The Farms Services Centre in Akakhel area of Bara sub-division in Khyber Agency, which was destroyed in 2009 during militancy in the area, has been reconstructed. It provides help to the local farmers and resolves their problems. The Centre will guide the farmers on modern methods of farming as well. Radio TNN
Irregularities in Developmental Projects will not be tolerated
Malik Nasirullah and Pir Aqual, te tribal elders, while addressing a press conference said that any kind of wrongdoings in developmental projects in post-conflict North Waziristan Agency would not be tolerated. According to them, previous developmental projects were being sold at 35% commission while this would not happen again. Akhbar-e-Khyber
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Border Crossing with Afghanistan in Chaman Reopens
Pakistan reopened the Friendship Gate border crossing with Afghanistan in Chaman district of Balochistan on humanitarian grounds. The gate was reopened a day ahead of the beginning of Ramazan at the request of Afghan authorities to provide relief to the people living on both sides of the border. Pakistan has its area under effective control having pushed back Afghan border police troops. Dawn, The News, The Express Tribune
Pakistan, Afghanistan, China Discuss Cooperation
China, Afghanistan and Pakistan noted that the cooperation among three countries was conducive to peace, stability and development of Afghanistan and the region. As the first round of China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Trilateral Practical Cooperation Dialogue was held in Beijing, the three sides exchanged in-depth views on trilateral cooperation in a friendly atmosphere and agreed to promote practical measures for that. The News
