#lt gen chaudhry

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[ad_1] Terrorists used satellite phones to communicate with supporters and masterminds in Afghanistan: Lt-Gen Ch ISPR chief warns attack ‘changes rules of the game,’ vowing terrorists will be hunted down and brought to justice UN, EU, China, US, Germany, Russia, UK, Turkiye, Norway and Iran condemn Jaffar Express attack RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD/QUETTA: Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt-Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said on Wednesday announced “successful completion” of the clearance operation launched a day earlier for “safe recue of passengers” after unprecedented hijacking of Jaffar Express by terrorists in Balochistan’s Bolan Pass, saying that all terrorists, 33 in total, at the site of the attack had been killed. “All 33 terrorists have been sent to hell…. Four Frontier Corps personnel embraced martyrdom during the clearance operation,” said Lt Gen Chaudhry in an interview with a private news channel. However, he added, before the clearance operation, 21 passengers were martyred by the terrorists. According to “railway officials and security sources,” “on March 11, terrorists targeted a rail track in Bolan Pass around 1pm and blew it up to halt Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express moving from Quetta with 440 passengers onboard.” The banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack, but DG ISPR Lt-Gen Chaudhry did not mention this. Elaborating on the details of the “final clearance operation” on Wednesday, the ISPR DG said: “All hostage passengers were recovered as this operation was conducted with great skill and care since terrorists were using them as human shields.” Chaudhry said the army, air force, Frontier Corps (FC) and the Special Services Group had taken part and recovered the hostages. He said the area where the incident took place was difficult to approach as it was far away from civilisation and road networks. “The terrorists used hostages, including women and children, as human shields. The recovery operation was immediately started,” he added. “These terrorists were in contact with their supporters and masterminds in Afghanistan during the operation via satellite phone. You saw that around 100 passengers were safely rescued yesterday evening from the terrorists, and today as well, a large number of passengers have been recovered,” he said, adding that the process continued intermittently. Questioned whether he was confirming the operation’s end with all terrorists killed, the DG ISPR said: “Yes, all present terrorists there have been sent to hell and their total number was 33.” He added that no passenger was hurt in the final clearance operation, but before that, “the number of passengers who fell victim to the barbarism of the terrorists is 21.” Lt-Gen Chaudhry further said that three FC personnel stationed on the railway picket were martyred, while one FC soldier was martyred during yesterday’s operation. The military’s media wing chief said that the bomb disposal squad was conducting further clearance and inspecting the train and the surrounding area as per standard operating procedures. He said the passengers held hostage, who had fled to the surrounding area during the operation, were also being gathered. “No one can be permitted to make innocent people of Pakistan the victim of their barbarism in the streets, trains, buses or markets because of their misleading ideas and instructions and facilitation of foreign masters. “Whoever does this, let me say it very clearly, will be hunted down and brought to justice. Let me also say that this incident of Jaffar Express changes the rules of the game.” He said the terrorists had nothing to do with Islam, Pakistan and Balochistan. Presenting a monochromatic drone footage of the incident, he pointed to three black blots or blobs on the screen and said they were the groups of passengers the terrorists had gathered. “Suicide bombers were sitting amid the passengers’ groups, as well as next to them,” he said, adding that it was the reason for the “slow and careful” progress of the military. He said the operation commanders had first taken out these suicide bombers in today’s exercise, following which the passengers fled to nearby areas. After this, Lt Gen Chaudhry said the operation party entered the train and proceeded to take out the suicide bombers aboard and began clearing it out bogey by bogey. ‘Some elements sacrificing national interest for power lust’ The DG ISPR criticised the flow of misinformation online and on social media amid the incident, particularly from India, saying that this openly displayed the “nexus between the terrorists and their masters to the whole world.” “Interestingly, some specific political elements in Pakistan also partake in such activities enthusiastically and activate their social media [teams], and instead of standing with the state, they can be seen creating baseless justifications and reasons for this horrible terrorist act,” he said. “Sadly, some elements are sacrificing the national interest due to their lust for political power,” he said. However, Chaudhry asserted that the discerning nation was not only observing and understanding the unfolding events but also recognising the forces driving “this anarchic politics”. Questioned about criticism of security agencies for misfocused priorities, the DG ISPR said law enforcement and intelligence agencies were carrying out over 160 operations daily against terrorism. President, PM and Interior Minister laud armed forces on successful operation President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the security forces for completing the operation on the Jaffar Express and expressed deep sorrow and regret over the martyrdom of 21 passengers and four FC personnel. “The president praises the bravery of the security forces for killing 33 terrorists in an effective operation and appreciates the professionalism of the security forces for rescuing civilians and passengers,” separate statements from PMO and President’s House read. Both the PM and President Zardari conveyed their prayers for the martyrs and expressed his determination to establish peace in Balochistan and eradicate terrorism from the country. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also paid tribute to security forces for successfully rescuing all of the hostages on the Jaffar Express, according to a statement posted by the interior ministry on X. “[The] interior minister lauds security forces’ professionalism in eliminating all 33 terrorists,” the statement read. “Security forces took extreme precautions to save the lives of women and children.” Naqvi expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of 21 passengers and four FC personnel. “All our sympathies are with the families of the martyrs and the injured. This incident of terrorism is extremely heartbreaking,” the post said. “Using innocent children and women as human shields is an extremely inhumane act.” The statement quoted Naqvi as saying, “Terrorists are a burden on this land, and with the support of the nation, it is time to eradicate this scourge once and for all. “Along with terrorists, facilitators will also be dealt with an iron fist,” he said. Freed hostages Earlier in the day, state media, “citing security officials,” had said that at least 190 passengers had been freed after terrorists hijacked the Jaffar Express. The hostage situation began on Tuesday near the Mashkaf Tunnel, about 157 kilometres from Quetta, when terrorists attacked the Jaffar Express and took more than 400 passengers hostage, including numerous security personnel. According to Radio Pakistan, of the rescued passengers, 37 were injured and had been sent for medical treatment. There was no confirmation of the total number of casualties, but officials said that at least 30 people — including the driver of the locomotive and eight security personnel — had lost their lives as the forces engaged in a gun battle. It was not immediately clear whether these people had been freed as the result of kinetic military action or were among those allegedly freed by the armed assailants. The hijacking was a first-of-its-kind event, as terrorists had never attempted to attack or take an entire train and its occupants hostage earlier. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in a post on X that he had spoken to the Balochistan chief minister and been briefed on the operation. “The entire nation is deeply shocked by this dastardly act and saddened by the loss of innocent lives — such cowardly acts will not shake Pakistan’s resolve for peace,” the PM wrote. “I offer my heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyrs … and [may God] and bless those injured with a swift recovery. Dozens of the terrorists have been sent to hell,” he added in his post. Condemnation from far and wide The United Nations (UN), European Union and several countries – including China, the US, Germany, Russia, the UK, Turkiye, Norway and Iran – condemned Jaffar Express attack. The UN condemned the incident.  “We’ve just seen the reports. We, of course, condemn any hostage taking, and we call on those who’ve taken people hostage to release them at once,” Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told a press briefing. “We strongly condemn the attack on the Jaffar Express train, and the hostage-taking of passengers in Kacchi, Balochistan, claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army, a US-Specially Designated Global Terrorist group,” the US Embassy in Islamabad posted on X. “We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the victims, their families, and all those affected by this horrific act. The Pakistani people deserve to live free from violence and fear. The United States will remain a steadfast partner of Pakistan in its efforts to ensure the safety and security of all its citizens. We stand in solidarity with Pakistan during this difficult time.” China also denounced the attack and vowed to continue its firm support to Pakistan in combating terrorism, maintaining solidarity and social stability and protecting the safety of civilians. “We noted the reports and strongly condemn this terrorist attack,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said during her regular briefing in response to a question regarding a terrorist attack on the train. She said that China firmly opposes terrorism in any form. She added, “We will continue to firmly support Pakistan in combating terrorism, maintaining solidarity and social stability and protecting the safety of civilians.” China stands ready to strengthen counter terrorism and security cooperation with Pakistan and jointly keep the region peaceful, secure and stable, she maintained. German Ambassador to Pakistan Alfred Grannas also strongly condemned the incident and extended his solidarity. “The use of violence for political purposes by anyone is unacceptable, even more so when innocent civilians are targeted,” Grannas said in a post on X today. Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ismail Baghaei condemned the “terrorist act” and expressed deep concern over the endangerment of innocent civilians. In a statement, Baghaei recalled Iran’s “principled stance […] in condemning all forms and manifestations of terrorism and violent extremism”. He added that Iran was ready to “provide any assistance necessary to bring an end to this terrorist incident”. The Iranian embassy in Islamabad denounced the assault, stating that the violent measures against civilians and disturbing vital transportation system is a cowardly crime against humanity. According to Norwegian embassy spokesperson, Norway strongly condemned the deadly attack and expressed sympathy with the victims. The spokesperson said: “Many innocent lives were lost, including women and children. Many people were injured in the incident. Our deepest sympathies and condolences are with the victims and their families.” British Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned the train terrorism on social media. David Lammy said: “We condemn the terrorist attack in Balochistan. Our thoughts are with the families who lost their loved ones EU Ambassador Riina Kionka condemned the attack in a post on social media platform X, stating, “We strongly condemn the terrorist attack in Balochistan on March 11.” She extended sympathies to the Pakistani people and the affected families, expressing deep concern for the hostages and calling for their immediate release, as the situation remains uncertain.   70 to 80 terrorists involved in the attack: Talal Ch Earlier Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry told a private TV channel that about 70 to 80 terrorists were involved in the attack. “The handlers of these terrorists are in a neighbouring country; those giving them dollars are in another country, while our arch enemy India will definitely support this,” he said. “But what is unfortunate is that even in Pakistan, there were social media statements and tweets that made it seem like they were supporting terrorism and discouraging the security forces. “The government will handle these social media statements the way it is handling the terrorists,” he warned. Chaudhry acknowledged the need for strict action. “We have previously tried to take local stakeholders into confidence, and we will try again. “But you cannot say, ‘the government does not communicate with us, they don’t take us into confidence.’” Responding to a question, he said: “I agree with you, that this insurgency, this terrorism, it cannot be wiped out until the political forces behind the security forces stand together with one voice.” They are not ready to talk: CM Bugti Meanwhile, speaking on the floor of the Balochistan Assembly, Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti talked about the train attack and separatism in the province, lamenting that there was nobody to advocate for the victims. “Why don’t they (separatists and their advocates) talk about the realities?” Bugti asked. “Parliament has given them rights. The problem is that there’s nobody to talk about victims of violence and terrorism. “If the BLA is running a jirga, will we take part?” he asked the provincial assembly. “They want to impose their ideology with a gun and violence. Should we allow them to take people off buses and kill them? The CM further emphasised that the train was carrying soldiers headed home while on leave; thus, they were unarmed. “There are rules in war, and there are laws,” Bugti added. “What will history say, that innocent teachers, barbers and doctors were murdered?” Bugti continued: “Whoever commits acts of violence against the state, whoever tries to partake in it, whoever takes up arms, the state will punish them unequivocally.” “By attacking soft targets, they have created this environment,” he said. “If they want to fight, we have cantonments and other hard targets. But they attack passengers on buses and target them on ethnic grounds.” Referring to dialogue, the chief minister said that nobody was heading efforts to establish talks with separatist groups because “they are not ready” to sit at the table. “There are two kinds of people: murderers with guns and those who advocate for them and glorify them on TV and social media,” Bugti stressed. “No country allows this except for ours. They talk about breaking apart our state and call it solidarity.” CM Bugti also chaired a meeting on law and order and on the Jaffar Express attack. “The attack is intolerable, and strict action should be taken,” CM Bugti said. “Terrorists can’t occupy even an inch. The terrorist attack aims to create an impression of a violent environment,” he told the participants of the meeting. “The dream of anti-national elements to cut Pakistan like a cake can never be realised. We must rid ourselves of any confusion and fight the war against terrorism,” he said. CM Bugti said that the enemies of Balochistan would not be allowed to succeed at any cost. He directed that all resources be provided to security institutions to protect the people. “There will be strong action against the facilitators of terrorists,” he said. “There will be no compromise on the law and order situation in Balochistan, and tough decisions must be made.” He directed the law enforcement agencies to bring the perpetrators of the hijacking to justice soon. Balochistan Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan, Inspector General of Police (IG) Moazzam Jah Ansari, and Railways IG Rai Tahir, among other officials, attended the meeting.   Suspension of Railways services Following the Jaffar Express attack, Pakistan Railways suspended its entire operations from Punjab and Sindh to Balochistan and vice versa. The railways also announced setting up a “Help Desk” at Rawalpindi Railway Station for families to seek information about their loved ones onboard the train. The help desk, which the Pakistan Railways said was in constant contact with the control rooms in Quetta and Peshawar, can be contacted on 051-9270831, 051-9270834 and 051-9270835. An “Emergency Cell” was also set up at Quetta Railway Station for information on the passengers and can be reached at 081-9201210, 081-9201211, and 117. The train operation to Quetta has been temporarily suspended and will be restored after security clearance, Pakistan Railways reiterated. 57 passengers shifted to Quetta: Railways official Earlier in the day, Quetta Railways Hospital’s Dr Hasan Naqil told the media at the city’s railway station that 57 passengers had been shifted to the provincial capital after being rescued. He said that 23 of them were residents of Balochistan’s Machh and Sibi districts and that a relief train was to depart for Machh after getting security clearance. “We do not have any information about the dead and the injured,” the doctor told reporters. He highlighted that the route where the train was stopped was a harsh terrain and “accessing it was difficult”. Imran Hayat, the Railways Divisional Superintendent (DS) in Quetta, said 10 people — including the driver of the locomotive and eight security personnel — had lost their lives. Furthermore, in a statement carried by PTV News on Wednesday, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said he was in constant contact with Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti regarding the attack and reaffirmed “every kind of support” from the government to the province. Naqvi and CM Bugti reiterated their pledge to bring the assailants to an “exemplary end”, PTV News reported. The incident was widely condemned by leaders, including President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and the chief ministers, among others. President Zardari earlier said the “Baloch nation rejects those who attack and take hostages innocent passengers”, while PM Shehbaz asserted that the “beast terrorists” did not deserve any concession.   Details of attack on passenger train Sharing details about the attack on the train, railway officials said the Peshawar-bound train left Quetta onboard with 450 passengers in nine bogies, around 9am. However, around 1pm, they received information that the train had come under attack between the Paneer and Peshi railway stations, near Railway Tunnel No 8, located near Mashkaf. The Mashkaf Tunnel is located around 157km from Quetta and approximately 21km from Sibi. Although the Quetta-Jacobabad N65 highway and the railway line run mostly side-by-side through the Bolan region, they diverge near the town of Mashkaf. From here, the railway line takes a more direct path, cutting through the mountains and running along the Bolan River, rejoining the main road near Mach. The Mashkaf Tunnel is located in a very isolated part of the area, with the nearest station located at Pehro Kunri. The next stop on the line towards Quetta is the stop at Paneer, just short of the Paneer Tunnel.   “Armed men fired rockets at the locomotive and opened fire, which caused the train to stop. The driver of the locomotive was seriously injured,” officials had said, adding that a heavy exchange of fire took place between security personnel and the attackers. Rising BLA attacks and violence In its report, the Islamabad-based think tank Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), revealed that in 2024, the banned BLA emerged as a key perpetrator of terrorist violence in Pakistan. In August last year, dozens of militants affiliated with BLA launched province-wide attacks, in which at least 50 people, including 14 security men, lost their lives, while in response, the security forces had neutralised 21 militants. Earlier that month, then-Panjgur deputy commissioner Zakir Baloch was shot dead on the Quetta-Karachi National Highway. In October 2024, the report said, a suicide bombing near Karachi airport killed two Chinese nationals and a Pakistani citizen, for which two BLA suspects were sent to jail on judicial remand while a probe body was formed as well. It said the group also claimed responsibility for the Quetta railway suicide bombing in November last year, in which at least 26 people, including 16 security personnel, lost their lives and 61 others were injured. Last month, the BLA claimed responsibility for an attack in Balochistan’s Barkhan, where seven Punjab-bound passengers were offloaded from a bus and shot dead. [ad_2] Source link

[10bmnews]

Jaffar Express siege ends

QUETTA/ISLAMABAD: Security forces stormed the hijacked Jaffar Express on Wednesday, bringing a dramatic end to a 30-hour siege in the rugged Bolan area of Balochistan, killing all 33 terrorists, while successfully rescuing more than 300 passengers. Lt-Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the chief military spokesperson, revealed that 21 hostages lost their lives during the day-long standoff. However, the…

[lahore-division-updates]

With the compliments of, The Directorate General Public Relations,

Government of the Punjab, Lahore Ph: 99201390.

No.1577/QU/Mujahid

HANDOUT (A)

SAMIULLAH CHAUDHRY MPA CALLS ON CM PUNJAB

LAHORE, September 24:

Samiullah Chaudhry MPA called on Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar at his office to discuss different matters.

The CM repeated that the development of Bahawalpur is an important agenda adding that the foundation stone of the south Punjab secretariat in Bahawalpur will be laid early. I do not believe in the one-man show as the past and decisions are made with consultations; he said and maintained that every promise has been fulfilled by the government. I take everybody along; he asserted and maintained that the intention of the government was in the right direction. Meanwhile, the defeated elements have resorted to conspiracies from the day first but their every effort has failed due to the people-centric politics, he said. Those engaged in leveling baseless allegations have no future and the propagandists should realize that people cannot be served with hollow slogans, concluded the CM.

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No.1578/QU/Mujahid

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CM CONDOLES DEATH OF ACTOR TALAT IQBAL

LAHORE, September 24:

Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar has condoled the death of famous actor Talat Iqbal and termed him a versatile actor whose TV dramas are still popular. In a statement, the CM extended sympathies to the heirs and prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace.

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No. 1579/QU/Mujahid

HANDOUT (A)

LALA MUHAMMAD TAHIR RANDHAWA MPA CALLS ON CM PUNJAB

LAHORE, September 24:

Layyah's MPA Lala Muhammad Tahir Randhawa called on Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar at his office to expound on the development schemes.

The CM pointed out that a comprehensive development package has been framed for every backward district and added that elevation of Chowk Azam as tehsil will be reviewed. Work is in progress to carve out new districts and tehsils while a universal health coverage program has been initiated in Layyah which is a great boon for the impecunious strata. The parliamentarians are my lieutenants and no one will be allowed to hinder the solution of genuine problems, he emphasized. The people of Layyah were beguiled through tall claims but the incumbent government will fulfill the agenda of composite development by spending resources on the development of deprived areas, he continued. Deprivations of the people were compounded due to the past government's apathetic attitude but the incumbent government has extended the composite development process to all such backward areas, the CM concluded.

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No.1581/QU/Mujahid

HANDOUT (A)

PARLIAMENTARIANS CALL ON CM PUNJAB

LAHORE, September 24:

Provincial Minister Nauman Langrial, MPAs Abdul Haye Dasti and Kh. Dawood Sulemani met with Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar at his office to discuss their constituency related problems.

Talking on this occasion, the CM stated that his doors are open to all, adding that PTI is fully united under the leadership of PM Imran Khan. Politics of revenge is not a policy of the government and no injustice will ever be done with anybody, he maintained. We all belong to Tehrik-i-Insaf and fully believe in the dispensation of justice, he continued.

The CM regretted that the opposition tried to score points and pointed out that its three-year record is contrary to the national interest. In fact, the opposition parties have wreaked havoc with the national interest on every occasion, the CM concluded.

Minister Nauman Langrial said that parliamentarians will remain united. Abdul Haye Dasti said Usman Buzdar has always listened to the parliamentarians and he is their chief minister. Dawood Sulemani reposed full trust over the leadership of CM Usman Buzdar.

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No.1582/QU/Mujahid

HANDOUT (A)

CM CONDOLES DEATH OF LT GEN (R) ASHFAQ NADEEM

LAHORE, September 24:

Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar has condoled the death of Lt Gen (R) Ashfaq Nadeem. In a statement, the CM extended sympathies to the bereaved heirs and prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace.

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No.1583/QU/Umer

HANDOUT (A)

CM SEEKS REPORT FROM RPO SHEIKHUPURA

LAHORE, September 24:

Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar has sought a report from RPO Sheikhupura about an incident of torturing and unleashing dogs on the polio team by housing scheme staff and a house owner of SA Garden Housing Scheme. The police have arrested house owner Adil Ejaz, employees Kazim Abbas and Tauqeer Abbas after registration of the case against them. The CM has termed the incident highly condemnable, as well as intolerable, and directed to take special measures to protect polio teams. He has also directed strict action against the accused.

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No.1584/QU/Umer

HANDOUT (A)

CM CHAIRS 7TH WALLED CITY OF LAHORE AUTHORITY MEETING TO REVIEW PROGRESS

LAHORE, September 24:

Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar chaired the 7th meeting of the Walled City of Lahore Authority at his office to review progress.

The meeting was told that a ceremony will be held in Lahore in November to declare Lahore and Baku city of Azerbaijan as twin cities. The establishment of the heritage institute was approved in principle along with the approval of extension in the contract of DG WCLA Kamran Lashari. The meeting reviewed implementation on the master conservation plan and deliberated upon proposals to shift the rim market outside the city.

Three years performance report was presented before the meeting and DG WCLA Kamran Lashari briefed that six projects have been completed while ten other projects valuing Rs. 50 crore are under completion adding that four projects are in progress including restoration of dilapidated historic buildings of the walled city. The drainage system has been restored with four billion rupees with assistance from France and WCLA will also carry out historic buildings’ restoration projects in Zhob, Mardan and Muzaffarabad, he added.

Chief Secretary, ACS, chairperson heritage conservation board of WCLA Yousaf Salahuddin, commissioner Lahore, secretaries of auqaf and information departments, consultant of Aga Khan Cultural Services Pakistan and others attended the meeting.

The meeting made an in-principle decision to bring Badshahi Mosque under the purview of WCLA. The CM gave in-principle approval to restore the historic grandeur of Bhatti Gate adding that WCLA will revamp Badshahi Mosque, Bibi Pak Daman, Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya, Hazrat Shah Rukan-e-Alam, Hazrat Shah Shams Tabrez and Khawaja Ghulam Fareed. Similarly, historic worship places, including that of minority communities, will also be restored in different cities by the WCLA. It will carry out Dilkash City in Lahore, Bahawalpur, Multan, Muridke and Faisalabad while historic Bradley Hall in Lahore and Barkat Ali Khan Hall will be opened after necessary repair work. The CM directed to take steps for opening Roshnai Gate to the public and further directed to restore the hundred-year-old building of DC office Sargodha. The restoration work on the mausoleum of Mir Chakar Azam Rind in Okara be expedited and the park, museum and shops be established around it, he added.

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[thenorthlines]

The Churn in Af-Pak

The Churn in Af-Pak

Lt. Gen Prakash Katoch Events in the Af-Pak region are moving at very fast pace with 90 percent of US troop withdrawal already complete. The Pakistani establishment is ecstatic over the Taliban blitzkrieg in Afghanistan. On July 15 Pakistan confirmed Taliban were in control of the border town of Spin Boldak with Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokesman stating, “They (Taliban)…

[awamiitala]

ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry Friday revealed the reason behind Prime Minister Imran Khan absence from the national security briefing by the military leadership at the Parliament House.

Talking to Geo Pakistan earlier today, the information minister said, “the prime minister was scheduled to attend the national security meeting, but Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif had conveyed to the NA Speaker that if the PM came to the briefing, he would not attend,”

A day prior, the closed-door meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security was held at the National Assembly that lasted for over eight hours.

Director General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed had briefed the parliamentarians for over two hours with a focus on Afghanistan and the regional security scenario.

The meeting — jointly chaired by Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani and National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser — was attended by 29 members of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security and 16 other parliamentarians, including federal ministers and parliamentary leaders.

Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, National Security Adviser Dr. Moeed Yousuf and the four chief ministers had also attended the meeting.

Echoing the talking points from a day earlier, Fawad said the government hopes and prays that there is a peaceful transfer of power in Afghanistan.

“We are pushing for negotiations in Afghanistan,” he said.

“There are three million Afghan nationals in Pakistan — if another three million are pushed in, it will put a lot of pressure on our economy,” he said.

“It won’t be so easy for the Taliban to take over the government,” Chaudhry said on the prospects for peace in the war-torn neighbour. “We want that the Afghan Taliban and the Ghani government negotiate [a way out].”

“We are only concerned when India uses Afghan territories against us,” he added. “[Meanwhile, we will continue to try and mediate between the Afghan Taliban and the Ghani government.”

Courtesy: THE NEWS

The post Fawad reveals why PM Imran Khan did not attend military briefing appeared first on Awami Itala.

[everythingshouldbereality]

BRO proves its mettle again! Commences opening of Baralacha La Pass ahead of schedule

BRO proves its mettle again! Commences opening of Baralacha La Pass ahead of schedule

Image Source : FILE BRO commences opening of Baralacha La pass The Border Roads Organisation has begun opening the Baralacha La Pass much before the schedule to gain strategic advantages over the adversaries. Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhry, VSM DGBR intimated that this has been planned for the first time in history to open the pass ahead of time. The air recce for air induction of the Snow Clearance…

[newsmatters]

BRO proves its mettle again! Commences opening of Baralacha La pass ahead of schedule

BRO proves its mettle again! Commences opening of Baralacha La pass ahead of schedule

Image Source : FILE BRO commences opening of Baralacha La pass The Border Roads Organisation has begun opening the Baralacha La Pass much before the schedule to gain strategic advantages over the adversaries. Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhry, VSM DGBR intimated that this has been planned for the first time in history to open the pass ahead of time. The air recce for air induction of the Snow Clearance…

[pakistantalkshow]

Nawaz should also be placed on ECL as Durrani, says Fawad Chaudhry | Pakistan

Nawaz should also be placed on ECL as Durrani, says Fawad Chaudhry | Pakistan

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Fawad Chaudhry. Photo: File

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry said on Monday that PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif’s name should also put on the Exit Control List with Lt Gen (retd) Asad Durrani.

Addressing a press conference at the Chairman Secretariat, he said that Nawaz and Durrani have violated their oath.

“Nawaz has also lied like Durrani on national issues.…

[zohaibinfo]

Nawaz should also be placed on ECL as Durrani, says Fawad Chaudhry

Nawaz should also be placed on ECL as Durrani, says Fawad Chaudhry

Fawad Chaudhry. Photo: File

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry said on Monday that PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif’s name should also put on the Exit Control List with Lt Gen (retd) Asad Durrani.

Addressing a press conference at the Chairman Secretariat, he said that Nawaz and Durrani have violated their oath.

“Nawaz has also lied like Durrani on national issues. Both…

[newspress-fan]

Nawaz should also be placed on ECL as Durrani, says Fawad Chaudhry

Nawaz should also be placed on ECL as Durrani, says Fawad Chaudhry

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Fawad Chaudhry. Photo: File

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry said on Monday that PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif’s name should also put on the Exit Control List with Lt Gen (retd) Asad Durrani.

Addressing a press conference at the Chairman Secretariat, he said that Nawaz and Durrani have violated their oath.

“Nawaz has also lied like Durrani on national issues.…

[powerplaypkblog-blog]

Lt. Gen. (R) Amjad Shoaib’s Response On Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan’s Press Conference Lt. Gen. (R) Amjad Shoaib's Response On Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan's Press Conference

[awesome-qb-news-5-us]

Shibli Faraz appointed information minister, Lt Gen (retd) Asim Bajwa replaces Dr Firdous Awan - SUCH TV

Shibli Faraz appointed information minister, Lt Gen (retd) Asim Bajwa replaces Dr Firdous Awan – SUCH TV

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Senator Shibli Faraz was appointed as the Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting while Chairperson CPEC Lt Gen (r) Asim Saleem Bajwa was appointed as the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting in place of Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan.

The development was announced on Monday, with the Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry taking…

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Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced his cabinet comprising 21 members, the majority of whom previously held key posts in the regime of former military dictator General (retd) Pervez Musharraf. Out of the 21 names announced, 16 will be ministers while five others will perform their duties as advisers to the prime minister, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf spokesman Fawad Chaudhry said. According to the list shared by Chaudhry on his Twitter account, Shah Mahmood Qureshi has been appointed as foreign minister, Pervaiz Khattak as defence minister and Asad Umer as finance minister.  Qureshi, the vice president of the party, was the foreign minister from 2008 to 2011 under the Pakistan Peoples Party government. Asad Umar is the son of former Lt Gen Mohammad Umer who was part of the Pakistan Army during 1971 war with India. Khattak served as the chief minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province from 2013-18.  The newly-announced cabinet is expected to take oath tomorrow at the President’s House.  At least 12 members of Khan’s Cabinet served under General (retd) Musharraf, The News reported.  The new cabinet includes a former spokesperson of Musharraf, his attorney and several members of his cabinet and core team, the paper said. It said that five of the new cabinet members, including Khattak and Qureshi, had served as ministers in past Pakistan Peoples Party governments.    The Rediff.com : 19th. Aug,18

WHY IMRAN KHAN’s NEW CABINET PACKED WITH MUSHARRAF’s MINISTERS ? Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced his cabinet comprising 21 members, the majority of whom previously held key posts in the regime of former military dictator General (retd) Pervez Musharraf. 

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Aizaz Chaudhry calls on US National Security Adviser

Aizaz Chaudhry calls on US National Security Adviser

WASHINGTON: Pakistan ambassador to the United States, Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, called on the US National Security Adviser (NSA) Lt. Gen. McMaster on Thursday afternoon at the White House.

Aizaz Chaudhry and Lt. Gen. McMaster discussed bilateral relations in the wake of NSA’s recent visit to Pakistan. Peace in Afghanistan and broader regional stability also came under discussion during the…

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Nawaz should also be placed on ECL as Durrani, says Fawad Chaudhry | Pakistan

Nawaz should also be placed on ECL as Durrani, says Fawad Chaudhry | Pakistan

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Fawad Chaudhry. Photo: File

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry said on Monday that PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif’s name should also put on the Exit Control List with Lt Gen (retd) Asad Durrani.

Addressing a press conference at the Chairman Secretariat, he said that Nawaz and Durrani have violated their oath.

“Nawaz has also lied like Durrani on national issues.…