SECURITY
ISAF Helicopters Intrude into Khyber Agency
Khyber Agency: Two helicopters of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) violated Pakistan’s airspace and intruded into Khyber Agency. These helicopters entered into the border areas in the Landikotal tehsil of Khyber Agency. However, the helicopters returned to Afghanistan after staying for a few minutes in Pakistani territory. Radio TNN, Akhbar-E-Khyber
63 Militancy-Affected Villages Cleared in Khyber Agency
Khyber Agency: The security forces have declared 63 villages of Khyber Agency clear of militant elements. The law and order department of FATA Secretariat has sent a communiqué in this regard to the political administration of Khyber Agency. The communiqué said the displaced persons from 63 villages can now return to their native areas. Radio TNN
Militants Killed as Security Forces Foil Attack on Check Post in Tank
Tank: The security forces foiled an attack on a check post in Tank and killed two militants. Militants attacked a security check post near Deewana Baba shrine which was foiled by the security forces. Radio TNN
Search Operation in South Waziristan
South Waziristan Agency: During intelligence based operations in South Waziristan Agency, the security forces have recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition from village Maidankai of the agency. Khyber News
North Waziristan Agency: The security forces conducted intelligence based operations in North Waziristan in the village of Zarkai in which huge quantity of arms and ammunition were recovered. Khyber News
POLITICAL
Hashmi Warned against Disqualifying Nawaz at someone’s Behest
According to Javed Hashmi, the Panama Paper Case was not meant for probing into the financial affairs of the Prime Minister but could be a means to disqualify and ouster him from power at the behest of someone else. He further said that they should be accountable but the Panama Paper Case was not for accountability. The News
Kulbushan Won’t be executed until ICJ’S Final Judgment: Abdul Basit
According to Pakistani High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit, Pakistan would not execute Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav until the International Court of Justice (ICJ) proceedings on the matter come to an end, even if it takes years. Jadhav have right to make an appeal against his execution orders in Pakistan. In case the Court of Appeals rejects a plea of the convicted RAW agent against his death sentence, Jadhav would be able to appeal for clemency to Pakistan Army Chief and the President Mamnoon Hussain. Khyber News, The Express Tribune
Gen (R) Raheel Issued NOC as per Rules: Sartaj
Sartaj Aziz had said that the government issued no-objection certificate (NOC) to General (Retd) Raheel Sharif in accordance with the rules. According to him the policy regarding Pakistan’s participation in different activities of the alliance will be decided by the government after the TORs (terms of reference) have been finalized and in consultation with the parliament. It was not possible to call former chief retired Gen Raheel Sharif back to the country because he had taken up the command of an international coalition set by Saudi Arabia for fighting terrorism in his personal capacity and had not been deputed by the government. Dawn, Khyber News, The News, Akhbar-E-Khyber
No New Delimitation for 2018 Elections: ECP
The Election Commission of Pakistan planned for delimitation of national and provincial assembly constituencies appears to be in shambles, as the chief statistician told the ECP that it would not possible to share final census data with the commission before April 2018. Dawn
Malik Denied Covert Deal with Prime Minister on Panama Paper Case
Former Interior Minister, Rehman Malik, said that no deal had been reached between Prime Minister and Asif Ali Zardari, over the Panama Paper Case. According to him he will speak truth before the JIT probing money laundering allegations against Nawaz Sharif. Dawn
President Seeks NDU Strategy for OBOR Challenges
President, Mamnoon Hussain, has urged the National Defense University to play a role as a think tank to develop a new strategic doctrine in view of future challenges the country could face as a part of the One Belt, One Road Plan and the China Pakistan Economic Corridor. According to him the roots of militancy and terrorism will be eliminated from Pakistan very soon. Dawn, Akhbar-E-Khyber
SOCIO-ECONOMIC
MNA Urges IG FC to Allow Restoration of Cellular Service in Mohmand Agency
Member National Assembly (MNA) from Mohmand Agency, Bilal Rehman has demanded of the security forces to allow the restoration of suspended mobile phone service in the agency. He sent a letter to Inspector General FC and pointed out towards the tribal people sufferings after the suspension of mobile phone service some two months ago. According to security officials the mobile phone service was suspended in the agency due to security concerns. Radio TNN
Special IPV-OPV Campaign Conducted to Vaccinate Nomadic Children in South Waziristan
On the directives of Governor KP a three days special oral polio vaccination (OPV) and injectable/inactivated polio vaccination (IPV) campaign in four tehsils of South Waziristan Agency (SWA) for vaccinating the nomadic/ high risk mobile population children, was completed under the supervision and security provided by political agent and armed force. This special campaign was carried out in Shakai, Birmal, Wana and Toi Khula tehsils of South Waziristan Agency wherein total of 1113 children were vaccinated by 15 skilled EPI technicians. Khyber News
TDPs from Khyber Agency Repatriated
According to FDMA, ninety thousand and five hundred families belonged to Khyber Agency have repatriated into their homes up till now. Thirty five thousand are being paid to every family as a financial compensation. Akhbar-E-Khyber
Official Seek Uplift Package for Mohmand Border Areas
Hundreds of Essakhel tribesmen have returned into their native areas after the government writ was restored in the border areas Biazai Subdivision, where various development projects have also been completed approved by KP government in 2015. Developmental projects will help to provide employment to the conflict torn people of the border areas. Dawn
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Australia Announces Humanitarian Assistance for Afghan Refugees in Pakistan
Australian government has announced $ 15 million humanitarian assistance to support Afghan refugees in Pakistan on the World Refugee Day. Australia’s assistance will provide vital protection services, healthcare and nutrition to Afghan refugees in Pakistan, people returning from neighboring countries, people displaced by conflict and host communities in Pakistan. It will focus on protecting the most vulnerable, including women and children and people with disabilities. Radio TNN
Pakistan not being isolated said US Lawmaker
According to Congresswoman, Sheila Jackson Lee, so far, there are no indications that Pakistan is being isolated in US. She further said that Trump administration was reviewing its policies towards Pakistan and Afghanistan but it had yet to come to Congress for discussion. Dawn
Chaos in Afghanistan as a Result of Competing Strategic Interests
According to Kathy Gannon, a senior correspondent and bureau chief for the Associate Press, chaos in Afghanistan is the result of competing strategic interests of neighboring states. According to her Pakistan had much to do with the issue of competing strategic intersts being played out on Afghan soil. Dawn
COAS Discussed Regional Security Situation with Turkish President and Defense Minister
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa called on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and discussed matters of mutual interest and regional security. The COAS thanked the President for perennial Turkish support to Pakistan and its role in bringing peace and stability in the region. The Turkish President acknowledged the sacrifices made by Pakistan and the contributions of Pakistan Army in the fight against terrorism and militancy. They discussed regional security and bi-lateral security cooperation. Khyber News, The News
Pakistan will remain neutral in Saudi-Qatar row: Aziz
Pakistan will not take any sides in the recent political stand-off between Saudi Arabia and Qatar. According to Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz told the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Pakistan does not want to interfere in other countries’ matters and will stick to its non-partisan policy on the Middle East issue. The Express Tribune
