NEW YORK: Minister for Information Pervaiz Rashid says dialogue with Taliban will be taken to its logical conclusion. In an interview‚ he said dialogue was started with the aim to ensure peace and stability in the country. He said some impediments might occur in the way of making the dialogue process fruitful and result-oriented; therefore‚ both parties will have to demonstrate patience and perseverance. The News, The Nation, The Frontier Post.
NEW YORK: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs‚ Tariq Fatemi has reaffirmed Pakistan’s stance to effectively counter the menace of terrorism. Addressing the fourth Ministerial meeting of the Global Counter Terrorism Forum in New York‚ he said the Government of Pakistan has embarked on the implementation of a multi-pronged and comprehensive strategy to counter terrorism. He said there is now a broad based political consensus in Pakistan against terrorism. Tariq Fatemi emphasized the importance of rule of law based mechanisms to counter terrorism on a sustainable basis. The Frontier Post.
CHAKDARA (APP): Chief of JUI-F Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that the APC has mandated the Prime Minister to evolve consensual strategy for holding talks with the militants in order to restore peace in the region. Talking to local reporters here at Fishing Hut, the JUIF Chief said, PM was out of the country and as soon he returned, the process of initiating talks with the militants would resume. He admitted the fact that the fresh wave of terrorism in the country has adversely affected the peace efforts. The Frontier Post.
PESHAWAR: Banned outfit spokesman Shahidullah Shahid has said the government is not sincere with Taliban in conducting peace talks. “Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has changed his tone and style after US yatra as there were no pre conditions when APC offered dialogue for peace. But the spokesman did not however clearly announce to end peace talks with the government. The Frontier Post.
UNITED NATIONS: A day before an important meeting with his Pakistani counterpart, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh accepted Nawaz Sharif`s offer for a new beginning, but at the same time repeated his accusation that Pakistan continued to be an `epicentre of terrorism`. This was the third time in a week that the Indian premier hurled incendiary remarks against Pakistan. Mr Singh`s tirade was in contrast to Prime Minister Sharif`s conciliatory tone the previous day when he made an offer for a new beginning with India in a speech to the UN General Assembly. Mr Singh, however, used the UN forum to once again accuse Pakistan of sponsoring cross-border terrorism in his country. `State-sponsored cross border terrorism is of particular concern to India, also on account of the fact that the epicenter of terrorism in our region is located in our neighbourhood in Pakistan, he said. Dawn, Daily Times.
LAHORE: The Swat chapter of the proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the killing on Sept 15 of a major general, a lieutenant colonel and an army soldier. The two officers and the soldier lost their lives when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Upper Dir. Dawn.
TIMERGARA: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said on Saturday that tribal jirga could play an important role in the government`s talks with Taliban and it should be taken into confidence in this regard. He was talking to local journalists in Chakdara after a meeting with the local leaders of his party. The JUI-F chief said that tribal jirga could not be ignored in the process of negotiations with Taliban. Dawn.
BARA: According to political administration of Bara, the first phase of repatriation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of Bar Qamberkhel Bara to Tirah valley would be started from today (Sunday) as all arrangements for their safe return have been made. Official of local administration informed on Saturday that the IDPs of Bar Qambarkhel of Bara tehsil would start returning to their respective hometowns from Jirma Camp of Kohat and Durani Camp of Sadda. The elders of Bar Qambarkhel expressed willingness to move back to war torn area of Tirah after several Jirga held among elders of Bara and officials of administration and security forces, official sources added. The Frontier Post.
ISLAMABAD: Awami National Party’s spokesman senator Zahid Khan had declared the PTI chief Imran Khan’s statement for the opening of Taliban office a violation of the constitution of Pakistan adding that Imran Khan should be tried under article 6 of the constitution. Talking to The Frontier Post on Saturday senator Zahid Khan said that “It had been provided in the article 256 of the constitution that no private organization was capable of functioning as military organization shall be illegal”. He said that Imran Khan’s statement was the violation of this article of the constitution adding that this proposal was dangerous for the security of the country. “If Imran Khan is not capable to run the affairs of the province in decent manner they could and over it to the Taliban” he said. The Frontier Post.
PESHAWAR (APP): The devastating bomb blasts within a period of six days in Peshawar which claimed more than 100 lives have not only raised security concern, but also mentally traumatized people. The horrifying images and sad stories of the affected families have once again psychologically traumatized Peshawarities who are observing such situations from the last six to seven years. “The church blast its damage and casualty was similar with that of Peepal Mandi blast in Peshawar in2009 which claimed more than 100 lives of mostly women and children, leaving the local people in state of shock, depression and fear,” observed Aftab Ahmad, a city dweller. The Frontier Post.
