PESHAWAR: Alleging that the government has not taken any substantial step for holding peace talks, Tehreek1-Taliban Pakistan`s notorious chief Hakimullah Mehsud said that his outfit would not hold dialogue (with the government) through the media. Speaking in a rare interview with the BBC, he said that the Pakistani government should have officially announced initiation of peace talks and sent a tribal Jirga to them for that purpose. The militant also said that if the US agreed to stop drone strikes, the Taliban would also stop their attacks. Dawn, The News, Daily Aaj, Daily Times.
PARACHINAR: Kamil Syed was going to his fields when he hit a landmine planted by unknown miscreants in Pewar locality which exploded with a bang. As a result he sustained wounds and was taken to agency headquarters hospital. Dawn, The Express tribune, Daily Aaj.
PESHAWAR: The Afghan Taliban on Wednesday refuted an announcement by Pakistan that Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar had been set free, saying he was still under detention with worrisome health conditions. The spokesman for the Afghan Taliban urged the Pakistani government to release Mullah Baradar. Pakistan on Sept 21 announced the release of Mullah Baradar, who was taken into custody in Karachi in February 2010. The Afghan government wanted his release so as to encourage peace talks with the Afghan Taliban. Dawn, The News, Daily Aaj, Daily Times.
ISLAMABAD: One of the top Japanese wrestlers of the past Muhammad Hussain Anoki offered to play a role in bringing the government of Pakistan and Taliban on negotiating table to end the violence. Addressing a news conference here at the National Press Club, Anoki, who still commands popularity in Pakistan, said that he was prepared to go to Taliban for peace. He offered his services for clinching a ceasefire between the government and militants. The News.
PARACHINAR: A landmine exploded in Boshehra village, injuring Zareef Khan, a tractor driver. His tractor trolley was passing near Naeem tube-well when it hit the landmine. As result Zareef Khan Dawn, The Express tribune.
KHAR: The authorities imposed a ban on motorcycle riding in Bajaur Agency for an unspecified period owing to security reasons. Local people said that the administration asked the tribesmen through an FM radio, run by security forces, to stop using motorcycles across the agency. `We regret to inform the people of Bajaur Agency that the administration has decided to ban using motorbikes across the agency in the larger interest of the people and, therefore, they are requested to honour the decision and stop using motorcycles in the region from Wednesday,` the radio announced. Ban on motorcycle riding in the agency was lifted on July 10, 2013 after five years. Dawn.
LANDIKOTAL: Tribesmen have slammed TESCO authorities for depriving them of their due share in the power supply. For the last three years, people in all parts of tribal regions have been demanding that the federal government and WAPDA/TESCO authorities provide them with power supply on fair basis and merit as per their share in the national grid station. But they complain that their demand has not been given a patient hearing by the authorities concerned. Daily Times.
DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Unidentified armed men killed a tribal elder in his house in Gomal village, Tank district. A police official at the Gomal police station said the deceased, identified as Naitullah Mehsud, belonged to South Waziristan Agency. Naitullah’s father Muhammad Farooq Mehsud has registered a case against the unidentified accused. The Express tribune, Daily Aaj.
