Security
FATA
Khyber Agency: Five Peace Committee members killed in Tirah valley
Five volunteers of the Zakha Khel Peace Committee were killed when unknown assailants opened fire on them on 16 November. According to Khasadar officials, the peace committee members came under fire while they were on their way to Gogrina area from Tirah valley. Five of the volunteers were killed on spot while three were injured, who were rushed to a hospital in Landi Kotal. The banned outfit of Lashkar-e-Islam claimed responsibility for the attack.[1]
South Waziristan Agency: Miscreants release kidnapped truck drivers
According to Assistant Political Agenct of South Waziristan Agency, Niaz Muhammad, militants released three truck drivers who were kidnapped on Gomal Zam Road on 23 September, while they were transporting trucks full of apple to Dera Ismail Khan. The drivers were released on 15 November for unknown reasons. Niaz Muhammad added that the administration intends to interrogate the drivers but till now, the reasons for the kidnapping and unexpected release of the drivers are unknown.[2]
Punjab
Bahawalpur: Pakistan ready for negotiations as well as for countering Indian Aggression: PM
The Prime Minister for Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, has said that Pakistan is not only ready for negotiations with India but is also prepared to counter aggression on its part, befittingly. The PM was speaking after the conclusion of war games in which he had witnessed “Raadul Burq” military exercises in the desert area of Khairpur Tamewali located in 70km away from the Indian Border in Cholistan desert.[3]
Socio-economic
FATA
Kohat: IDPs demand early repatriation
Secretary General of Reforms Committee Parachinar, Atta Ullah Ghilji showed resentment over the political administration’s inability to take a serious step for the resettlement of at least 800 families who had been living the lives of IDPs due to the war against terrorism in Kurram agency. The General Secretary Atta Ullah Ghilji and President of Reforms Committee, Haji Sawab Khan demanded that the government should ban extremist elements in the agency who are the root cause of sectarian violence in the region and allocate funds for the affected people of the agency.[4]
Islamabad/FATA: Australia to contribute AU$6 million in education sector of FATA
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Country Director Stephen Gluning welcomed a three-year, contribution of AU$6 million (approximatelyUS$4.5 million) from the Australian Government for an education programme in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Stephen Gluning thanked the Australian Government by stating that, “We are very grateful to the people and Government of Australia for this contribution. The flexibility of this donation has allowed WFP to address the critical education needs in FATA and FR particularly for the returnee communities.”[5]
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Peshawar: Chinese investors express interest in investment in KP
An 18 member delegation led by Chan, the president of Chinese Overseas Investment Union (COIU) visited Khyber Pakhtunkhwas on 16 November and met with Secretary Minerals Development Department Syed Abdul Jabbar Shah. The Chinese delegates showed keenness to invest in the mineral sector of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through Indus Gold small scale projects and other mineral titles.[6]
Foreign Affairs
Islamabad
Turkish President to Address a Joint Parliamentary Session Today
The Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan will address a joint Parliamentary session in Islamabad, today on November 17, 2016. It will be his first address as President of Turkey; he has visited Pakistan twice in the past as Prime Minister.[7]
Pak-Turk Foundation moves against deportation orders
Apropos to the deportation orders issued to Pak-Turk Foundation, the Turkish staff has challenged the orders of expatriation in Islamabad High Court and have requested the extension of visas till the end of ongoing educational session. Pakistan ordered the affiliates of this organization to leave the country before 20 November, after the visit of Turkish President who holds that Pak-Turk Foundation belongs to a Turkish terrorist group that mobilized a coup in Turkey.[8]
References
[1] “Five peace volunteers gunned down” , Dawn E-Paper, November 17, 2016, http://epaper.dawn.com/DetailNews.php?StoryText=17_11_2016_003_004 ; Roznama Akhbar-e-Khyber, November 17, 2016, http://akhbarekhyber.com/epaper/m/21821/582d2be8e4396 ; Khyber News TV, November 16, 2016, http://khybernews.tv/six-peace-committee-volunteers-shot-dead-in-tirah/ ; Radio TNN, November 16, 2016, http://www.radiotnn.com/five-volunteers-of-ti-killed-in-tirah-valley/ ; The News E-Paper, November 17, 2016, https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/165453-Gunmen-kill-five-in-Tirah-valley-attack
[2] “Kidnapped Truck Drivers Released In South Waziristan” , Radio TNN, November 17, 2016, http://www.radiotnn.com/kidnapped-truck-drivers-released-in-south-waziristan/
[3] “Pakistan to Give Befitting Response to Modi,” The News, November 17, 2016. https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/165558-Pakistan-to-give-befitting-response-to-Modi, Jang, November 17, 2016. http://e.jang.com.pk/11-17-2016/Karachi/pic.asp?picname=216028
[4] “Displaced families of Parachinar seek funds for rehabilitation” , Dawn E-Paper, November 17, 2016, http://epaper.dawn.com/DetailNews.php?StoryText=17_11_2016_183_006
[5] “Australia Boosts Girls’ Literacy Through WFP Education Programme In FATA” , Radio TNN, November 16, 2016, http://www.radiotnn.com/australia-boosts-girls-literacy-through-wfp-education-programme-in-fata/
[6] “Chinese keen to invest in KP’s mineral sector” , The News E-Paper, November 17, 2016, https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/165531-Chinese-keen-to-invest-in-KPs-mineral-sector
[7] “Erdogan Addresses Parliament Today for Record Third Time,” Dawn, November 17, 2016. http://epaper.dawn.com/DetailImage.php?StoryImage=17_11_2016_001_005; Jang, November 17, 2016. http://e.jang.com.pk/11-17-2016/Karachi/pic.asp?picname=216039
[8] “Pak-Turk Foundation Challenges Expulsion,” Dawn, November 17, 2016. http://epaper.dawn.com/DetailImage.php?StoryImage=17_11_2016_001_001; Jang, November 17, 2016. http://e.jang.com.pk/11-17-2016/Karachi/pic.asp?picname=216037
