KABUL: Afghan President Hamid Karzai has given US special forces two weeks to leave a key battleground province after some US soldiers there were found to have tortured or even killed innocent people, the president`s spokesman said on Sunday. The decision by Mr Karzai could further complicate negotiations between the United States and Afghanistan over the presence of Americans troops in the country once most Nato forces leave by the end of 2014. Speaking at a news conference in Kabul, Mr Karzai`s spokesman Aimal Faizi said villagers in Wardak province had lodged a series of complaints about operations conducted by US special forces and a group of Afghans working with them. The decision was reached at a Sunday meeting of the Afghan National Security Council, chaired by President Karzai, Mr Faizi said. Dawn, The Frontier Post, The Nation, Daily Times.
LANDI KOTAL: At least seven militants were killed and some of their hideouts destroyed in air strikes and a clash in Tirah and Bara areas of Khyber Agency on Sunday. Officials said that fighter planes bombed Taliban positions in Kukikhel area of Tirah. The aerial bombing resulted in killing of four Taliban and destruction of threeof their hideouts in Sra Vella and surrounding localities, officials claimed. In Bara, security forces conducted a day long search operation in Nala and Arjali Nadi localities. Officials said that in a shootout with militants in Nala, three activists of Lashkar-i-Islam were killed as the forces made advances into the area. Dawn, The News, The Frontier Post, The Nation.
PESHAWAR: Governor Engineer Shaukatullah on Sunday said the recent amendments to the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) were in line with the aspirations of the tribal people and the future changes in the British-era law would also be made in accordance with the wishes of the tribesmen. Addressing jirgas of tribal elders hailing from Khyber, Bajaur, South Waziristan, and Kurram agencies, who separately called on him at the Governor’s House, he said he felt proud of the unflinching commitment of the tribespeople towards the country. Shaukatullah said the creation of an atmosphere conducive to holding the polls was a must as it would give an opportunity to the people to elect their representative in accordance with their choice. The News, The Frontier Post, The Nation.
PESHAWAR: A police head constable was gunned down by some unidentified men on Sunday morning, police confirmed. Head Constable Farman Khan, residence of Tauheed Abad, Yakatoot was going for Fajr prayer when some armed assailants raiding a motorbike opened indiscriminate fire upon him, killing Farman Khan on the spot. He was a head constable in CID Police. The News, The Frontier Post.
PESHAWAR: A doctor was kidnapped from Ring Road in jurisdiction of Bhanamari Police Station on Sunday evening. Police said Dr Niaz Bacha belonging to the Qambarkhel was kidnapped along with his son Imran from Ring Road near Landi Arbab. The News.
LAHORE: The PML-Q has announced to participate in a grand tribal moot convened by JUI-F to discuss Fata situation and search out ways and means for restoring peace in the region. The PML-Q top brass, including party president Ch Shujaat Hussain and Deputy Prime Minister Ch Pervaiz Elahi, made the announcement during a media briefing after meeting with JUI-F ameer Fazlur Rehman, who called upon him at the Chaudhrys’ residence here Sunday. The JUI-F chief visited the Chaudhry’s residence in Lahore to invite them to the APC to be held on February 28 in Islamabad. The News.
NOWSHERA: Provincial Head of Pakistan People Party Anwar Saif Ullah Khan has made it clear that his party would extend full support to proposed All Party Conference (APC) if called by Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman to bring peace in war torn society before general election. “Though election time is too near and political parties had started peace endeavor very late but Pakistan People Party would extend full support to propose APC of Maulana fazl-ur-Rehman as it is matter of peace to be brought before general election” said PPP provincial president while addressing a public gathering at Kahi, Nezampure area on Sunday. The Frontier Post.
LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami will participate in the All Parties Conference (APC) being hosted by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) on February 28, at Islamabad to discuss the FATA situation and search out the ways and means for restoring peace. This was announced by the Ameer, Jamaat e Islami, Pakistan, Syed Munawar Hasan, at a joint press talk with the JUI-F chief, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who visited Mansoora to invite the JI leadership at the APC. The Frontier Post.
PESHAWAR: The Awami National Party (ANP) senior leader Senator Haji Adeel has said his party is ready to forgive Taliban for the bloodshed of its martyrs for the sake of restoration of peace. Talking to media persons here on Sunday, Haji Adeel urged the Taliban and military to announce ceasefire and hold dialogues which seems to be only way to resolve the issue.He said Taliban have sought the guarantee of Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Mian Nawaz Sharif and Syed Munawar Hassan for dialogues but the question arises that who will provide their guarantee that they would follow the agreement chalked out after negotiations. The News, The Frontier Post, The Nation.
BANNU: The police defused an explosive device planted under a bridge in Mamashkhel village on Sunday, sources said.The sources said that acting on a tip-off, the police and bomb disposal unit personnel reached the Mamashkhel village and defused five-kilograms of explosive device planted by unidentified persons. The News.
ISLAMABAD (NNI): Pakistan and Afghanistan had agreed to hold a conference of the religious scholars in Kabul in March to forge a united front in the fight against attacks on civilians but a controversy on whether to invite or not the Taliban has now cast doubts over its fate. Pakistani clerics said that a joint organizing committee had agreed in its meeting in Islamabad on Feb. 12 to extend invitation to the Afghan Taliban but a member of the Afghan delegation rejected the idea in remarks he made in his return to Kabul. Chairman of the Pakistani Scholars Council, Allama Tahir Ashrafi, said that anti-Taliban statement by member of the Afghan clerics council, Aminullah Muzaffary, and his claim that Taliban will not be invited, is violation of the understanding reached in the Islamabad’s meeting. The Frontier Post.
RAWALPINDI: The Afghan border will be closed on the day of polling and refugees restricted to their camps for three days as a security measure during the coming general election. The decisions were taken at a meeting presided over by Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim where safety and administrative arrangements for the election were discussed. According to sources, the government will be asked to keep the Afghan refugees confined to their camps on the day of polling and the days before and after it. A spokesman for the Election Commission said the decision had been taken to ensure peaceful election and the standard operating procedures would be followed in this regard. Dawn.
NAWAF KHAN, SHARAFAT ALI CHAUDHARY
