SECURITY
Two FC Soldiers Killed in IED Blast in North Waziristan
North Waziristan Agency: At least two soldiers of Frontier Constabulary (FC) were killed in an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion in Spinwam tehsil of North Waziristan Agency. The vehicle was also destroyed in the explosion. The security forces started search operation in the area but no one was arrested. Radio TNN
Afghan Forces Attack Torkham border after Chaman clashes
Khyber Agency: After clashes between the Pakistani and Afghan troops at Chaman border, the Afghan forces also fired at Torkham border which was effectively retaliated from Pakistani side. During the exchange of fire, a driver standing near the parked vehicles on the Afghan side was killed, while another was injured. Four vehicles were also destroyed when they caught fire during the clash. However, the political administration said no decision about closure of the border or imposing curfew was taken as yet. Radio TNN, Dawn
Chaman Standoff Continues After Second Day of Talks
Quetta: The situation on the Afghan border remained calm but the security forces on both sides remained alert and there was no traffic between Chaman and Kandahar for the second day. Pakistan had closed the border after attacks by Afghan forces on census staff and security personnel escorting them left 12 people dead and 40 others injured. Dawn, Daily Mashriq, The Express Tribune
Four Injured in Indian Firing along LoC
Azad Jammu and Kashmir: Four members of a family were injured in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) when Indian troops resorted to heavy shelling from across the Line of Control (LoC). The casualties occurred in Dharoti Mohra village of the Nakyal sector in Kotli district. Dawn, Daily Mashriq
POLITICAL
Seminar Held for Awareness of Tribal Women about FATA Reforms
A seminar ‘Role of Women in Socio-economic Development of Tribal Areas’ was organized in Bajaur Agency to create awareness among tribal women regarding FATA reforms. The seminar was organized by tribal areas students’ organization in collaboration with a non-government organization, Centre for Governance and Public Accountability (CGPA).Naila Akhtar, FATA Female Students Organization head, said that the government has replaced FCR law with Riwaj Act in FATA reforms bill which was unacceptable to FATA people. Radio TNN
Parties Announced May 20 for FATA Reforms
Representatives of Tribal Areas and main political parties have expressed concern over the delay in the implementation of proposed FATA Reforms and have threatened to march on Islamabad if the government does not convene a special session of the National Assembly and the Senate by May 20 to carry out the necessary legislation. The Multiple Parties Conference asked the government to convene a special session of the National Assembly before the budget session, with a single point agenda: ‘To take the administrative, financial and legal steps required for the merger of FATA with KP. Dawn
We will fight for Giving FATA Status of a Separate Province: Mufti Abdul Shakur
Ameer of JUI-F (FATA), Mufti Abdul Shakur said that his party would fight to give FATA a status of a separate province till their last breath. He further said that merging FATA with KP would not change its fate. Akhbar-e-Khyber
SOCIO-ECONOMIC
Blocking ID Cards of Tribal People Become a very Serious Problem
NADRA continued to block the ID Cards of Tribal people. Despite instructions from the interior ministry, the process of blocking ID Cards still continued which multiplied problems of the conflict inflicted people. Akhbar-e-Khyber
Government Urged to Award Scholarships to Tribal Students
Speakers at a seminar, Education in FATA, have urged the government to take pragmatic steps for ensuring education facilities in post-conflict Tribal region. According to them, it was the responsibility of government to support needy students by granting them scholarships. Hashim Khan Afridi, Director Education Department of FATA, urged the civil society organizations and philanthropists to come forward and extend financial support to the needy students in backward localities. Dawn
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Afghan Situation: Peace in the Region Discussed with US
Washington: As the Trump administration finalizes its Afghan policy, Pakistan held the third round of talks with the White House on its role in the regional peace and stability. Pakistan is ready to work with the United States for regional peace and stability as well as to pursue our shared interests in the economic domain. Dawn
