SECURITY
Two Militants Killed in Kech Encounter
Kech: Two suspected militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in Kech district. Official sources said that personnel of the Frontier Corps accompanied by intelligence officials launched a search operation in the Bal Nagor area on a tip-off about the presence of activists of a banned organization there. When security personnel reached the area and got close to the place where the militants were holed up, they came under fire. The place was cordoned off and a shootout started which culminated in the death of two militants. Dawn
Three Killed as Two Groups of Peace Committee Clashed in Landi Kotal
Khyber Agency: At least three volunteers were killed and eight others injured in a clash between two groups of the pro-government militia Tauheed-ul-Islam in Zakhakhel area of Landi Kotal. The incident took place at Bazaar Zakhakhel when members from the Aman Lashkar Tauheed-ul-Islam’s Khan Muhammad and Mehmood Khan Groups clashed and both sides suffered casualties. Radio TNN, Dawn, Akhbar-E-Khyber
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Pakistan Fears Indian Influence in Afghanistan, Say US Spy Chiefs
The US intelligence community, in a rare acknowledgement of Pakistan’s concerns, has informed Congress that Islamabad does not want heavy Indian influence in Afghanistan and will likely turn to China to offset New Delhi’s sway on its western borders. The discussion on Pakistan’s interests in Afghanistan was part of a recent congressional hearing on the Afghan war and is linked to a general debate in Washington on the issue. The Trump administration is finalizing a new policy for Afghanistan and the ongoing consultations in the White House have generated much interest in the US media and think tanks. Dawn
40pc Decline in US Visas for Pakistanis
Despite not being on the list of President Trump’s “Muslim ban” countries, Pakistan is experiencing a significant decrease in number of non-immigrant US visas issued to its nationals under the new administration. An analysis of newly released official figures show non-immigrant visas granted to Pakistanis are down by 40 per cent in March and April this year compared to the 2016 monthly average. The News
POLITICAL
Panama Leaks Case: JIT Grills Hussain Nawaz
Islamabad: The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) probing offshore properties of the Sharif family in line with the verdict of the Supreme Court (SC) in the Panama Leaks case interrogated Hussain Nawaz, the son of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, at the Federal Judicial Academy (FJA). The JIT, during the course of hearing, observed that the probing team was legal until the Supreme Court (SC) gave verdict on the objections raised by Hussain Nawaz on the two JIT members. The News
Imran, Nawaz Two Sides of Same Coin: Khursheed Shah
Islamabad: Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan were the two sides of same coin. The opposition leader said that situation of the country foretells that both the leaders would be disqualified. First Nawaz Sharif, then Imran Khan would be disqualified, Khursheed said. The News
FATA Lawmaker Announces Sit-In in Islamabad against Delay in Reforms Implementation
Al-Haaj Shah Jee Gul Afridi, FATA Parliamentary Leader, has announced to stage sit-in in Red Zone, Islamabad over delay in implementation of FATA Reforms. He said that the federal government had disappointed the tribal population over the reforms process and the people of FATA would now show their might by blocking the whole capital city. Radio TNN
Merging of FATA with KP should be announced at Joint Session of Parliament
Sardar Khan, Ameer JI (FATA Chapter), said that the decision of merging FATA with KP should be taken at joint session of Parliament. He said that despite the consensus among all the political parties, it was beyond understanding that why the reforms were being delayed. Akhbar-e-Khyber
SOCIO-ECONOMIC
Damage Assessment Survey Starts in Bara
The survey of damaged houses began in Baz Gharha Kamakhel area of Bara. Six-member survey team was formed in consultation with Council of Elders. Mohammad Arif, the Assistant Political Agent of Khyber Agency, instructed the newly formed team to conduct the survey impartially and to carefully examine the damage caused to personal properties. Dawn
Problems of North Waziristan TDPs not solved
Problems of TDPs of North Waziristan Agency are not solved even in the post-returning period as well. They are still facing the problem of electricity, drinking water, basic health facilities, and education in the post-conflict period. The conflict inflicted people demanded from the concerned authorities to fulfill all their fundamental needs of life in post-conflict North Waziristan Agency. Akhbar-e-Khyber
People from Bajaur Agency Criticized FATA Budget
Conflict inflicted people from Bajaur Agency criticized the current FATA budget 2018. According to them, approved budget would not solve the financial problems of FATA. If federal government had awarded them their due share in NFC award, it might have helped to solve their problems. Akhbar-e-Khyber
