ISLAMABAD: For the first time since the Nawaz Sharif-led government took over, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it had initiated ‘necessary’ work to take up the issue of illegal US drone strikes at the United Nations. “The All Parties Conference (APC) has recommended that the federal government may consider the possibility of taking the drones issue to the United Nations. The News, The Express Tribune, The Frontier Post, Daily Mashriq.
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif and US Ambassador Richard Olson on Thursday inaugurated the 17.4MW capacity Gomal Zam Dam project in South Waziristan Agency (SWA). Khawaja Asif, Richard Olson and Wapda Chairman Syed Raghib Shah appreciated the completion of the Gomal Zam Dam project. The dam will boost the region’s electricity supply, irrigate farmlands and protect South Waziristan from seasonal flooding. The News, The Frontier Post, The Express Tribune, Dawn.
ISLAMABAD / KABUL: Once a ruthless fighter and a friend of Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar, Abdul Ghani Baradar may now hold the key to Afghanistan’s peace – or so his minders believe. The Express Tribune.
ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Ch Nisar Ali Khan has warned that some influential groups and forces have become active to sabotage the APC-approved and military-backed dialogue process with local militants. The News, Daily Ausaf.
ISLAMABAD: The government has so far not appointed a permanent head of the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta) that was supposed to be the lead agency for this massive national task. The News.
GUJRANWALA: The ATC on Thursday awarded life imprisonment on eight counts to Muhammad Shafiq for killing four policemen in the jurisdiction of Gujrat Sadr police. Muhammad Shafiq and his son told police they had martyred the policemen on the directions of the defunct TTP in retaliation to the army operation in Waziristan. They said that the defunct TTP had provided them arms and ammunition to complete the task. The News.
PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak on Thursday said it was the responsibility of the federal government to initiate peace talks with the Taliban in light of the recommendations of the September 8 All Parties Conference held in Islamabad. He said “Our coalition government in the province will support centre for beginning negotiations with the Taliban to bring lasting peace to the region”. Dawn.
LANDIKOTAL: Unknown people set on fire a NATO consignment -carrying trailer in Sadukhel area of Landikotal Tehsil in Khyber Agency. Assistant Political Agent Landikotal, Tayyab Abdullah, said that an Afghanistan-bound truck (9912-JU was parked on the roadside in Sadukhel area. He said unidentified miscreants poured petrol on the engine of the truck and set it on fire. The Khasadar force personnel deployed to provide security to the truck opened fire on the miscreants but they fled. The News, Dawn.
GHALLANAI: Unidentified persons killed a school watchman in Halimzai tehsil of Mohmand Agency on Wednesday night. The sources said watchman Usman Khan, brother of local journalist Noor Muhammad Mohmand, was on duty at the Government Primary School in Malik Ajan Killay when unidentified persons forced their entry into the school at night and shot him dead. The News.
KHAYBER AGENCY: Six people arrested as being alleged of smuggling the narcotics carried on the camels to Afghanistan. The six ton narcotics were being caught by the Swat Scouts who have also found arms with the arrested people. Daily Ausaf.
PESHAWAR: Peace Talks between Taliban and government are reportedly entered into its initial stage as the first round of Peace talks is going to be held today on Friday at Sara Rogha, South Waziristan Agency. The Frontier Post.
ISLAMABAD: Senior Pakistani Taliban commanders opened discussions on how to respond to an invitation from the government on talks to end an insurgency that has killed thousands of people. Leaders in the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) are expected to continue consultations for several days at an undisclosed location in the semi-autonomous northwest along the Afghan border. The News, Daily Ausaf, The Express Tribune, Dawn.
PARACHINAR: The political administration defused explosive device planted on roadside in Chinarabad village in Kurram Agency. The sources said that acting on a tip-off, the political officials and bomb disposal unit reached Chinarabad village and defused an device planted on roadside. The News.
FRC Report:
PARACHANAR: The concerned tribal people and traders have protested against the imposition of multiple increase in the electricity bills and have stated it a gruesome measure taken against them. They have told FRC in a press conference that they will appeal the court against the step taken by the concerned authority and have taken the decision of not paying their electricity bills. The united press conference of traders and important tribal personals included Haji Kamal, Haji Imran, Ali Gulam, Nawab Hussain and Rajab Ali.
