#taliban minister rashid khan

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T20 World Cup: अफगानिस्तान की ऐतिहासिक जीत के बाद झूमा तालिबान, विदेश मंत्री ने राशिद खान को दी बधाई; देखें VIDEO

X @ACBofficials मुत्ताकी ने अपनी बातचीत “मुबारक” के साथ शुरू की, जब उन्होंने किंग्सटाउन, सेंट विंसेंट के अर्नोव वेले ग्राउंड में अपने आखिरी सुपर 8 मैच में अफगानिस्तान की बांग्लादेश पर रोमांचक जीत के ठीक बाद राशिद खान को एक संदेश भेजा। तालिबान के विदेश मंत्री आमिर खान मुत्ताकी ने लाखों अफगानिस्तान क्रिकेट प्रशंसकों की भावनाओं को दोहराया जब उन्होंने मंगलवार, 25 जून को राशिद खान से वीडियो कॉल पर…

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Qasim Rashid at Let's Address This:

In Afghanistan, the Taliban's Minister of Education has announced that girls' schools are likely to remain closed permanently, affirming what was allegedly a temporary decision in 2022. Additionally, the Taliban has now banned women from so much as speaking in public. As a Muslim let me be explicitly clear. This is apartheid, vile, and inexcusable. It is completely contrary to the Islamic tenets of seeking education. Adding to the injustices Afghan women face are the now centuries of imperialism and western interventionism. A return to justice is key to protect Afghan women now, and in the future. Let’s Address This.

Islam’s founder Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) declared, "It is incumbent upon every Muslim male and every Muslim female to attain education." In his Farewell Address, the last public address he delivered before he passed away, he declared, "Do treat women well, and be kind to them, for they are your partners." In doing so he emphatically crushed the patriarchal claim that women are somehow subservient to men, but instead established that women and men are equal partners. More than words, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) ‪exemplified these teachings with his actions. His first wife was a wealthy CEO named Khadija—and she was also his employer. While the Taliban has forbidden women from attaining education or playing any public role in society, Khadija was a well-known and well-regarded entrepreneur who ran a thriving trading business. Far from condemning such behavior, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) praised his wife Khadija as the example for women to follow—proud, confident, educated, wealthy, innovative, compassionate, all while also choosing to be a wife and mother.

[...] And adding to this oppression of Afghan women is the immeasurably harmful impact of imperialism and western interventionism. Much has been written by the devastating role Russia played in attempting to invade Afghanistan, and the response from the United States in arming the Mujahideen. Washington Post managing Editor Steve Coll details this extensively in his book, Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and Bin Laden, from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001. Indeed, less than a decade before the horrific events of 9/11, who can forget when western media praised Bin Laden as an “Anti-Soviet warrior on the road to peace?”

[...] The roughly 43 million people, and 22 million women and girls in Afghanistan are living under gender apartheid. The past attests to examples when Afghan leaders have afforded basic rights to women in Afghanistan. For example, in 1957, four years after becoming Prime Minister, the pro-Soviet Gen. Mohammed Daoud Khan allowed women to attend university and enter the work force. In 1975, Khan proposed a new Afghan constitution that granted women additional basic rights. A volatile series of military coups, followed by the U.S. Government arming the Mujahideen in the 1980s to combat Soviet communism ultimately ensured those rights would never come to fruition. And thus the cycle today is not new, but a repetition of the atrocities imposed upon Afghanistan, and Afghan women in particular, for centuries.

Afghanistan institutes further repression of women by barring them from speaking in public.

[starlightshadowsworld]

You make me do

Fatima Jinnah

Known as Madar-e-Millat or mother of the nation. She was crucial in the Pakistan's fight for independence.

And founded Jinnah Medical College for Girls.

Too much labour

Yasmeen Lari

Pakistan's first female architect. She went from designing shiny corporate structures such as Karachi's finance and trade center.

To helping build shelters for those affected by earthquakes (since 2005) with the resources they had available.

All day everyday

Zennat Haroon Rashid

Founding member of the Woman's national guard in Pakistan.

Her daughter created the "Zeenat Haroon Rashid Writing Prize for Women" in her honour. Which works to support women who want to pursue writing as a career.

Therapist Mother Maid

Azra Haq

A member of the Woman's national guard in Pakistan who helped to support and aid women who had been abandoned during the partition.

Nympth and a virgin

Sheherezade Alam

A renowned ceramist who themed her work around the earth. Founder of LAAL, an artistic movement to promote and preserve Pakistani art and culture.

Nurse than a servant

Mehnaz Rafi

One of the first members of the Woman's Action Forum (WAF) who worked to help woman fight for their rights.

Just an apandage

Madeeha Gauhur

Pakistani actress, playwright and director. Founded the Ajoka theatre in 1984, which stages social themes in theatres, on the street and other places in the public.

Live to attend him

Bapsi Sidhwa

Pakistani world renowned author, essayist and playwright. Well known for her novels which reflect her personal experiences of Partition, her life in Lahore, diasporic stories, identity etc.

So that he never lifts a finger

Begum Ra’ana Liaqat Ali Khan

The 1st First Lady of Pakistan, became the first Muslim female delegate to United Nations. In 1954, she became the first woman ambassador of Pakistan and was sent to Netherlands. In 1973, she became the first female governor of Sindh and later on, the first Chancellor of Karachi University and Sindh University.

Begum Ra’ana was awarded Nishan-e-Imtiaz. She was also given Order of Merit of Italian Republic, Order of Orange Nassau, Netherlands and the UN Human Rights Award 1978.

24/7 baby machine

Dr Sania Nishtar

She is the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection and the Leader of Global Health and Sustainable Development.

Since 2018, Dr Sania has been the leader of the poverty reduction program in Pakistan called Ehsas, which strives to provide livelihood and improve the social situation of many people in the country.

So he can live out

Muniba Mazari Baloch

Due to suffering a spinal cord injury at 21, Muniba used it as fuel to encourage women and girls that have experienced discrimination or violence to not fear or fight the pain.

She is as Pakistan’s first National Ambassador.

His picket fence dreams

Asma Jahangir

Pakistani politician, lawyer, and human rights activist. She chaired the Bar Association of the Supreme Court. She has won numerous awards for her work on human rights, including the Martin Ennals Award.

It's not an act of love if you make her

Tahira Qazi

A beloved Pakistani principle who was held hostage at her school with her students by terrorists.

Although she had the opportunity to escape and save her own life, she chose to save her students.

"They are my children and I am their mother.”

She fought for them but unfortunately lost her life that day, on December 16th 2014.

You make me do too much labour

Malala Yousafzai

Pakistani activist for women's rights to education. Fighting for her right to education since she was a child, getting shot in the head by the Taliban for her efforts.

She continues to fight and was the youngest person to be awarded a Nobel peace prize.

[asianrecordercom]

Pakistan Prime Minister gains a clear PR victory in his maiden US visit

When Head Of State Imran Khan was preparing for his initial journey to the US after taking office, he was not certain of what to expect provided US Head of state Donald Trump's uncertain nature and his previous diatribe against Pakistan. The head of state was recommended to step cautiously as everyone would have their eyes on this event and any kind of bad move can threaten the visit. Talking at the US Institute for Peace, Imran reaffirmed that he was "swamped with advice from all quarters" regarding what to go over with the US Head of state. Even the Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid, who is famous for his repartees, before the head of state's trip remarked: "Both Imran and Trump are same. God assist us, I am terrified." His words were implied to recommend that provided the unpredictability of both the leaders, anything can happen. In the middle of this backdrop, when the head of state entered inside the White House and was welcomed by Head of state Trump, the various other members of the Pakistani delegation were full of fear. Even Imran could be seen as being extra cautious. Inside the Oval Office, the 2 leaders sat down for a media event and brief remarks. Trump started by saying that he was honoured to invite to the White House a person who is amongst the greatest athletes of all times and now a popular leader. The media session was meant to be short yet with Trump on the steering wheel, most likely nothing will go as planned. The session continued for over 40 minutes where Trump unknowingly and perhaps accidentally handed Imran and Pakistan a major Public Relations success. In events such as this which are held between the heads of 2 alienated allies, visuals constantly matter. Trump's statement on Kashmir was not just unexpected for Pakistan but likewise shook India and its chauvinistic media considering that it had constantly bragged of an informal bond between Head of state Narendra Modi and Trump. They were anticipating Trump to talk Modi's language with Imran. Yet unlike India's expectations, Trump not just appreciated Pakistan's efforts for assisting in the Afghan peace discussions yet likewise offered to mediate on the Kashmir issue. What shocked every person was Trump's disclosure that Modi himself had lately asked for his assistance to mediate between Pakistan and India over the Kashmir dispute. His revelation led to an uproar in India, which immediately turned down Trump's assertion that Modi had asked for arbitration. The contention resonated in the Indian parliament where the opposing parties demanded a clarification from Modi himself regardless of the Indian external affairs ministry's rejection. Before the trip, every person was anticipating the matter of Afghanistan to dominate the conversations. It definitely did, yet not many had anticipated that Kashmir and Pakistan-India affair would take the spotlight. It is certainly a PR success for Pakistan because India, under the Modi leadership, has been working to quarantine Pakistan around the world for a fairly long time. The Indian media proudly asserts that the Trump administration is biased towards New Delhi over Islamabad. Michael Kugelman, a senior associate specializing on South Asia at the Washington-based Wilson Center, summarized Imran-Trump meeting in his following tweet: "At any rate, my main takeaway is that Trump’s comments here, for the most part, are exactly what Pakistan wanted to hear. An unintended PR win for Islamabad." Imran as well as his staff members, that most likely visited the White House with a great deal of hesitation, returned with an achievement that Pakistan would certainly be quite glad with. Imran himself had actually recognized that he as well as his delegation were 'blown away' by Head of state Trump's friendliness as well as straight talk. Nonetheless, eventually what establishes the future of the Pak-US relationship or Trump-Imran rapport is just how much Islamabad will have the ability to fulfill the two vital US needs that consist of convincing Afghan Taliban for a long-term ceasefire as well as sway them for an intra-Afghan dialogue. Source Read the full article

[fastworldnews1]

Not in my knowledge if talks have been initiated with TTP: Interior Minister

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed expressed on Monday ignorance about the government starting talks with the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), just days after Prime Minister Imran Khan confirmed in an interview with Turkish broadcaster TRT World that talks with some factions of the banned outfit were underway.

Replying to a question during a press conference in Islamabad, Ahmed said, "The Ministry of Interior has no role in this [talks with the TTP], and if the Taliban are engaged in any dialogue then it is not in my knowledge."

He added that "nothing is final as to how this will end up".

To another question about whether he wanted talks to be held with the TTP, he replied that decisions on such matters were taking "at the highest level" by the prime minister.

"The Ministry of Interior does not make these decisions," he reiterated.

Acknowledging that army soldiers had been sacrificing lives in the fight against terrorism, he further stated that the prime minister had clarified that talks would be held with only those groups who would lay down their arms and would abide by the law and Constitution of Pakistan.

"Those who are terrorists and have caused harm to the country will not be engaged in dialogue."

Ahmed repeated that this was the prime minister's decision and his ministry was not involved in the matter.

The interior minister's stance on the matter comes amid growing criticism by the opposition over the government deciding to hold talks with the TTP and offer some factions of the banned outfit amnesty.

President Arif Alvi was the first one to hint at the possibility of the government giving amnesty to those members of the TTP who had not remained involved in "criminal activities" and who would lay down their weapons and agree to adhere to the Constitution.

Such an amnesty could be one of the ways to "establish peace", the president had said.

His remarks were followed by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi expressing similar sentiments in an interview on September 15.

He had said the government would be "open to giving" a pardon to members of the TTP if they promised not to get involved in terrorist activities and submit to the Constitution.

"But as long as they do not come and start undertaking terrorist activities [in Pakistan]. That is our concern," the minister had emphasised.

This followed PM Imran saying in the recent interview with the TRT World that "there are different groups which form the TTP and some of them want to talk to our government for peace. So, we are in talks with them. It’s a reconciliation process."

Later, Ahmed, too, had clarified that the amnesty offer was only for the "good Taliban".

“The case of those who were involved in incidents like the APS is different. And the case of those who left the country for different reasons is different,” he had said in reply to a question about the merit and mechanism of talks with the TTP. “We are not surrendering to anyone and this process is at a very early phase. No one needs to jump to conclusions at this stage.”

The move has drawn a strong reaction from the opposition, which had questioned why it had not been taken into confidence on the matter.

After PM Imran's interview, PPP leaders had said the move was akin to "sprinkling salt on the wounds of martyrs' families."

The party had called for the government to clarify in parliament the terms under which the talks were being held.

More recently on Sunday, opposition parties again asked the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government to take the parliament into confidence over the terms of engagements with the banned terrorist outfit and expressed concern over the government’s act of keeping the talks with the TTP secret.

Online visa service for Afghans

While speaking to the media on Monday, Ahmed also announced the launch of an online visa service for Afghanistan in three weeks, which would replace the visa-on-arrival system.

He further said 20,000 people from Afghanistan had entered Pakistan since August 15 and 6,000 had left for the former.

The minister added Integrated Border Management Systems had been installed at 16 terminals at the Chaman border and the system would later be installed at five more terminals.

https://ift.tt/3ivtm8K

[salam2050]

Pak Minister On Talks With Terror Group

Pak Minister On Talks With Terror Group

The TTP has been involved in various attacks in Pakistan for more than a decade (File) Islamabad: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid has defended the government’s move to hold talks with banned terror group Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for “reconciliation”, saying the negotiations are for “good Taliban”. Mr Rashid’s remarks came after Prime Minister Imran Khan in an interview with…

[lahoreherald]

Pakistan May Adopt The "Iranian Model" To Not Open The Frontier For Afghan Refugees

As American and NATO soldiers are departing from Afghanistan and the Taliban are gaining more territory, a migratory flood to Pakistan is inevitable. But this time, Islamabad seems not willing to open its borders and, if the case so needs of Islamabad, seems willing to think of “The Iranian model.”

“We chose not to open up our refugee border; assistance agencies on the other side may also help people who are in need,” stated Sheik Rashid Ahmed, the interior minister.

“But, if things deteriorate, we will create border villages that are strictly checked and monitored, banning migrants from entering the mainland,” he continued.

“It would even adapt the Iranian model to confine and properly manage migrants in these camps.”

In the eighties, there were roughly 800,000 Afghanistan refugees in Iran, according to the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), but they were all compelled to stay in Teheran-style refugee camps close to the Afghan frontier to prevent their settlement in urban and city centers.

On the other hand, a top official in the administration said that the issue was being addressed on Sunday night by Prime Minister Imran Khan with Iranian president-elect Ebrahim Raisi.

PM Khan expressed worry about the deterioration of the security situation in Afghanistan as he congratulated Mr. Raisi on his election triumph, and said the effects might be felt in Pakistan and Iran.

“Being spoken about Afghanistan, both parties agreed to work on Iran’s model,” he said, adding, “it was decided to visit Iran soon to understand the effective implementation of a high-level team of officials from the interior ministry, security agencies, and other competent departments.”

There are now two main frontier crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan: Chaman in Balochistan and Torkham in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa plus several smaller commercial posts. Most of the Afghan border was fenced and it was impossible for illegal transit.

The Chief Commissioner for Afghan Refugees, Saleem Khan, stated that the situation on the border was not at present worrying at all, but would alert Islamabad if it worsened.

Mr. Khan stated that although Pakistan has been a decent neighbor for more than four decades, housing more than three million Afghan refugees, despite not being a party to the 1951 United Nations Convention on Refugees or the 1967 Refugee Protocol.

The Head Commissioner remarked that “it’s also praiseworthy that in Pakistan there has been no friction between Afghan refugees and locals; all refugees in government clinics and schools are treated equally in Pakistan.”

“At several Pakistani sports schools and sports centers, there are even international cricket players in Afghanistan that have mastered the game,” he added.

Saleem Khan feels that after all the stakeholders, including the provinces, are engaged, a comprehensive strategy should be established.

Officials from many provinces, including Gilgit-Baltistan, voiced concern but declined to identify the influx of Afghans into their areas.

The Gilgit Baltistan Assembly elected delegate remarked, “Our worst concern is that Afghans might contribute to the power of the sectary militants, who have been defeated by the army.”

A cabinet member in the government of Sindh stated similar feelings that most migrants would come to Karachi, but the city had already overburdened its municipal infrastructure, where numerous districts had problems with peace and order.

One senior source, though, said there were several other aspects to be considered, while Pakistan was worried about the humanitarian issues in the area, notably Afghanistan.

“Any choice to let Afghans who are fugitive must be regarded isolating and must retain an acknowledgment of our economic and political condition, social elements, and security issues before we take any decision.

Read Also: FO replies to rumors of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Pakistan

Published in Lahore Herald #lahoreherald #breakingnews #breaking

[toldnews-blog]

New Post has been published on https://toldnews.com/world/pakistans-dilemma-what-to-do-about-anti-india-militants/

Pakistan's dilemma: What to do about anti-India militants

Image copyright AFP/Getty

Image caption Maulana Masood Azhar founded JeM in 1999 – and is in “protective custody”

Standing guard at the gate of a madrassa on the outskirts of Islamabad was a stern-looking young man, armed with what appeared to be a powerful automatic rifle, and missing one eye.

Inside, one of those involved in running the religious school acknowledged it is “said to be run by Jaish-e-Mohammad” – the militant group which claimed responsibility for last month’s suicide attack in Indian-administered Kashmir’s Pulwama district which killed some 40 troops and sparked a conflict between Pakistan and India.

But the cleric said the allegations were untrue and the madrassa was, in fact, just another ordinary Islamic school.

A small poster on the wall behind him, however, depicted an assortment of guns alongside a slogan evoking a famous battle from Islamic history. In the dusty street outside, a poster advertising a rally on behalf of the Kashmiri cause was emblazoned with the distinctive white and black flag of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).

As part of a “crackdown” on militants in Pakistan, hundreds of seminaries and other buildings allegedly linked to groups, including JeM, have been taken over by the government in recent days.

The brother of JeM founder Masood Azhar has been taken into “preventative detention” alongside another relative and dozens of others. No-one from the security forces had contacted this madrassa in Islamabad however. Azhar himself is believed have been in protective custody in Pakistan since 2016 – though he has continued to release audio messages to supporters.

“It is our resolve that our soil will not be used to harm anyone else,” Pakistan’s Interior Minister Shehryar Khan Afridi told reporters earlier this week, stressing that the action was not due to any “external pressure” but had already been planned by the authorities.

But there have been other highly publicised crackdowns on such groups before too, often when Pakistan has been in the international spotlight, only for the mosques and religious schools to be handed back to their previous owners, and those detained to be later released due a “lack of evidence.”

Image copyright Reuters

Image caption The suicide attack in Pulwama was the single deadliest attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir since the insurgency began

As a result some are sceptical that this latest action really means the Pakistani state will put an end to the activities of India-focused militant groups, long believed to have enjoyed the support of the country’s intelligence services. Indian officials told the BBC they had “seen all of this before”.

Jaish-e-Mohammad was founded by Masood Azhar in 2000, shortly after he was released from prison in India following the hijacking of an Indian airline by fellow militants.

Azhar had been an influential militant figure in the 1990s with links to the conflicts in both Afghanistan and Kashmir.

Pakistani analyst Ahmed Rashid says in those early days JeM jihadists were “highly trained and highly motivated” fighters. And because they were not overtly linked to the Pakistani state, India had “no clear answer” on how to respond to their attacks. Pakistan retained an element of plausible deniability.

Another militant group focused on Kashmir, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), is also believed to have enjoyed the patronage of the security services.

With the international community increasingly focused on the threats from jihadist groups after the 9/11 attacks, Pakistan banned both JeM and LeT. However, their leadership has never been convicted of any crime, and both organisations took on new names, with Lashkar-e-Taiba becoming Jamaat-ud-Dawa (though they claim they are separate.)

In 2007, the Pakistani state’s uneasy relationship with jihadist groups was finally shattered by a bloody standoff between militant supporters and the security forces in Islamabad.

After that, jihadists grouped themselves into either “anti” or “pro” Pakistan camps. The former targeted Pakistani security forces and civilians, killing thousands. The latter remained focused on fighting American forces in Afghanistan, and Indian forces in Indian-administered Kashmir.

The leaders of Jamaat-ud-Dawa, and Jaish-e-Mohammad remained loyal to the Pakistani state, although many of their fighters, particularly from JeM, defected to anti-state groups.

One senior commander with the Pakistani Taliban, which has been fighting against the Pakistani army, told the BBC that many JeM members joined their “jihad” against the government. Although many later changed their minds, he said, there remain a number of former JeM militants within the organisation and other groups such as al-Qaeda.

Image copyright Planet Labs Inc./Handout via Reuters

Image caption Satellite images have raised questions over India’s claim to have demolished JeM training camps in Pakistan

Pakistan’s security forces have been remarkably successful in reducing the capabilities of anti-state militants. The number of those killed in terrorist attacks in Pakistan dropped from close to 2,500 in 2013, to 595 in 2018 according to the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies.

However, that leaves the question of what to do with the more loyal groups such as JeM and LeT/JuD, who are alleged to have continued to launch attacks on India.

JeM is believed to have carried out two major attacks in Indian-administered Kashmir in 2016, while Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed has been accused by Indian authorities of orchestrating the 2008 Mumbai attacks – though he denies that.

Media playback is unsupported on your device

Media captionHafiz Saeed tells the BBC that Washington is unfairly targeting him

At the time it was alleged the Pakistani intelligence services were complicit, and although they denied that, legal action against those suspected of involvement has been suspiciously slow.

Viewpoint: Will Pakistan mend its ways on terror?

The cop who cheated death in Mumbai attacks

But now the activities of these militant groups seem to be an obstacle to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s stated aim of improving the country’s relationship with India; and perhaps more crucially they have also contributed to Pakistan being placed on the Financial Action Task Force “grey list” for not doing enough to tackle the financing of militant organisations.

A “grey list” designation can make international businesses think twice before conducting business in a country, and Pakistan’s economy is in need of foreign investment.

Pakistani officials, however, have expressed concern that directly confronting JeM or JuD could provoke another spike in violence.

Last year, analysts and Pakistani military figures floated the idea of “mainstreaming” some of those linked to militant groups.

Shortly afterwards, ahead of the elections that Imran Khan won, supporters of JuD (and LeT) founder Saeed created a political party. Although they were unable to win a single seat, they may still prove easier to deal with than JeM.

Media playback is unsupported on your device

Media captionKashmiris from both sides told the BBC about their disrupted lives during shelling in the region

Over the years Saeed has managed to establish a large charity network of ambulances and basic healthcare facilities. Many of them are now being taken over by the government, but analyst Amir Rana from the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies says the authorities have “very little concerns about retaliation” from his supporters. JuD have signalled they will challenge the moves in court.

By contrast, Mr Rana told the BBC, officials are worried about the potential of violence from the more secretive JeM – the group responsible for the Kashmir attack. After JeM was banned in 2002, splinter elements of the group tried to assassinate the country’s then military ruler Pervez Musharraf.

At a recent closed meeting between the head of the Pakistani Army and a group of politicians, a source told the BBC that military leaders gave assurances that the militants would be tackled. However the military officials warned there were too many to completely eliminate by force alone, and instead suggested some be mainstreamed.

Early proposals by the government reportedly include establishing de-radicalisation centres for members of these groups, and finding them jobs, including somewhat bizarrely using them as a kind of “paramilitary” force.

A senior politician told the BBC that there was now an understanding in Pakistan that the use of “proxy” forces in Kashmir is counter productive, distracting from allegations of Indian “human rights abuses”. But, he added, the preference would be to engage with militants peacefully if possible.

The latest takeovers of madrassas and mosques linked to militants will give the Pakistani government some favourable headlines, but it’s what they do next that will count. Will there be actual prosecutions? Will the groups really be prevented from carrying out activities across the border? Are attempts at “mainstreaming” really aimed at weaning jihadists away from violence? Or are they simply a way to give them a veil of legitimacy?

I visited another madrassa, in another poor Islamabad suburb, that was taken over last year by the government from Hafiz Saeed’s charity, JuD.

The staff in charge there remains the same. They tell me the only change is that a local government official carries out regular inspections, and that they are now funded by the government rather than by donations.

The traditional shalwar kameez garment worn by the security guard at the madrassa is even still embroidered with the now officially banned group’s name: JuD.

Image caption The government took over the mosque but little has changed

[investmart007]

ISLAMABAD | Pakistan party: Jailed ex-PM needs to be taken to hospital

New Post has been published on https://is.gd/1Sy5eF

ISLAMABAD | Pakistan party: Jailed ex-PM needs to be taken to hospital

ISLAMABAD — The political party of Pakistan’s jailed former prime minister asked authorities on Monday to urgently move Nawaz Sharif to a hospital, saying his health was deteriorating rapidly and that he needed to be treated by his own doctors.

The request by Pervaiz Rashid, spokesman for the Pakistan Muslim League party, came shortly before a team of doctors visited the jail in the garrison city of Rawalpindi where Sharif is detained to examine the ousted leader.

Sharif, who has a history of heart disease, underwent open-heart surgery at a hospital in London in 2016. He has been held at the jail since July 13, when he returned from London to face a 10-year prison sentence on corruption charges. He has appealed that verdict.

The party, Rashid said, is not “seeking any concession” for Sharif but insists he should have the right to be treated by his doctor.

“Sharif should be allowed to be treated at a medical facility of his choice under the supervision of his doctor,” Rashid told The Associated Press, adding that the party was extremely worried about Sharif’s health.

Pakistan’s mostly ceremonious President Mamnoon Hussain also appealed on Sharif’s behalf, asking caretaker Prime Minister Nasir-ul-Mulk to ensure the jailed former leader gets adequate medical treatment.

The development came as candidates in the country’s parliamentary elections were wrapping up their campaigning, which is to end at midnight.

Pakistanis will go to the polls on Wednesday to elect the 342-seat National Assembly, the law-making lower house of parliament, and the four provincial legislatures.

Opposition leader and legendary cricket player Imran Khan and Shahbaz Sharif, the brother of the jailed former premier, as well as other candidates were expected to address their final rallies in eastern Punjab province, Pakistan’s most populous.

Nawaz Sharif has been barred from holding public office following his ouster last July by the country’s Supreme Court over corruption charges.

In an audio message from his prison cell, Sharif called on people to vote for his Pakistan Muslim League party.

“Vote massively for PML-N to change the fate of the country and to defeat the forces who have played havoc with justice in this country,” said Sharif.

His party has alleged that Pakistan’s powerful military establishment was supporting Khan for the post of next prime minister — an allegation the military denies, stressing it is not interfering in politics or backing any one party.

Wednesday’s vote has been marred by stepped-up violence. A Taliban suicide bombing on Sunday in northwestern Pakistan killed a candidate running for a seat in the provincial assembly from Khan’s party and his driver and wounded three other people. The slain candidate, Ikramullah Gandapur, was buried Monday in Dera Ismail Khan.

Earlier this month, a provincial assembly candidate was killed in a massive suicide bombing in Mastung district in southwestern Baluchistan province, along with 148 people. Also, in the northwestern city of Peshawar, a suicide bombing this month killed another provincial assembly candidate and 20 others.

By MUNIR AHMED ,  Associated Press

[visionmpbpl-blog]

New Post has been published on http://www.visionmp.com/two-time-prime-minister-bhutto-was-killed-along-with-more-than-20-people-in-an-attack-on-dec-27-2007/

Pakistan court declares Musharraf fugitive, jails 2 officers in Benazir Bhutto murder case

Islamabad: Pakistan’s former dictator Pervez Musharraf was on Thursday declared a fugitive by an anti-terrorism court which ordered seizure of his property and sentenced two senior police officers to 17 years in jail in the Benazir Bhutto murder case, nearly 10 years after her assassination.

Bhutto, the Pakistan Peoples Party chief and a two-time prime minister, was killed along with more than 20 people in a gun and bomb attack in Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh during an election campaign rally on December 27, 2007. She was 54.

The case was registered soon after her assassination and the trial went through many ups and down until it concluded on Wednesday in Rawalpindi.

Judge Asghar Khan announced the verdict, declaring Musharraf a proclaimed offender and ordered seizure of his property.

Musharraf, 74, has been living in Dubai since last year when he was allowed to leave Pakistan on pretext of medical treatment.

The judge sentenced former Rawalpindi CPO Saud Aziz and former Rawal Town SP Khurram Shahzad — suspects out on bail — to 17 years in prison and ordered to pay a fine of Rs 5 lakh each.

Both police officers – who were present in the court, have been arrested from Adiala Jail.

Five Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) suspects have been acquitted over lack of evidence.

The suspects – Rafaqat Hussain, Husnain Gul, Sher Zaman, Aitzaz Shah and Abdul Rashid – were arrested soon after the crime and have been in jail. They had denied the charges.

All accused were present at the time of announcement of trial except Musharraf.

The trial of five suspects started in January 2008, while Musharraf, Aziz and Shahezad were implicated in 2009 after fresh probe by Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

[nebris]

Afghanistan: It’s Too Late

Ahmed Rashid

When Donald Trump’s secretary of defense, James Mattis, was called before the Senate Armed Services Committee this week to testify about the conflict in Afghanistan, he was unusually blunt: “We are not winning in Afghanistan right now,” he said. The Taliban have been on a dramatic offensive, he acknowledged, the security situation continues to deteriorate, and the Afghan government holds considerably less territory than it did a year ago. In other words, prospects for any sort of positive outcome are as remote as they have been in this sixteen-year war—the longest war in American history.

Yet Trump—and Mattis’s—solution to this unwinnable war seems to be once again to send more troops. On Tuesday, Trump announced that the military itself would be given full authority to decide how many troops it needs. (By leaving all decisions in the hands of the military, he has abandoned the usual inter-agency consultations, especially with the State Department.) And Mattis is talking about a review to be completed in July that could add as many as 5,000 troops. It may be too late.

Afghanistan now faces a far deeper crisis than many seem to understand. Warlords and politicians—including cabinet members—are calling for the resignation of President Ashraf Ghani and his security ministers, accusing them of incompetence, arrogance, and stirring up ethnic hatred. There are as many as ten public demonstrations a day in the streets of Kabul, carried out by young people and by relatives of those killed in recent bomb attacks.

In early June multiple suicide bombings in Kabul killed over 170 people and wounded some 500. Terrorists managed to get a massive truck bomb into the heavily guarded diplomatic quarter, where it exploded, killing mainly civilians—a clear indication of collusion with security officers. Neither the Taliban nor the Islamic State claimed responsibility. The Taliban have now launched ground offensives to take more territory and to capture the northern city of Kunduz, a city of almost 300,000 that they tried twice last year to seize. If it falls now to the Taliban it would be the first major city they have re-occupied.

Afghanistan’s neighbors, meanwhile, are becoming increasingly restive about the US-led counterinsurgency: Pakistan continues to give sanctuary to the Taliban leadership, including the Haqqani group—the most vicious arm of the Taliban—while Iran and Russia are also providing support (the exact amount is unknown) to the Taliban. These regional powers believe that the Taliban could provide a bulwark against the spread of ISIS into their territories and do not want Pakistan to monopolize influence over the Taliban. They want to limit US power in the region. The influence of ISIS in Afghanistan, which was once relegated to the single eastern province of Nangarhar, is now expanding, and the group claimed responsibility for a horrendous early March attack on Kabul’s military hospital in which fifty patients and doctors were killed and ninety wounded.

Still, even more dangerous than the deteriorating security situation is the political crisis now unfolding in Kabul. The lack of trust between president Ashraf Ghani and his CEO or prime minister, Abdullah Abdullah, has led to a paralysis in governance and social services. Senior officials in the army and bureaucracy are choosing sides. Many bureaucrats and teachers have not been paid for months due to the lack of funds. Prominent warlords now turned politicians are increasingly siding with the opposition and demanding that Ghani resign and fresh elections be held.

Ghani is deeply unpopular. Many Afghans now regard the government as illegimate, a regime that would not survive at all if it were not propped up by the US and NATO, who jointly have some 13,000 troops in the country. Two years ago the US brokered a coalition government between Ghani and his rival Abdullah Abdullah in order to paper over a heavily rigged election. (It was rigged by both candidates and the two candidates bickered for months about who actually won, before the Americans stepped in.)

But Ghani, a Pashtun, has never fully shared power with Abdullah, a Tajik, and has been accused of stuffing the government with his fellow Pashtuns. Cabinet members such as the foreign minister and a special representative of the president, and warlords such as the influential Ismail Khan from Herat—all once loyal to the coalition—are now demanding Ghani’s resignation and fresh elections because they are fed up with his seeming incompetence, his arrogance, and his unwillingness to work with the coalition.

Until now, Western forces have been able to keep the government in power by financing the budget and paying salaries and maintaining the Afghan army in the field. But it has become increasingly difficult, with the Taliban advancing in many parts of the country making US and NATO forces look increasingly irrelevant. Opposition politicans have been willing to contradict the Americans, but that may be changing.

In view of the growing brazenness of Taliban attacks, there are now deep fissures in the US National Security Council between those, including Mattis, who want to send thousands more US troops in a last-ditch effort to save the regime from collapse and those, such as adviser Steve Bannon, who want the US to walk away from what is clearly a failing military endeavor and a failed state. But Trump’s decision this week to hand over the troop decision to the military itself suggests that those arguing for a new troop surge will get the upper hand. This is a hopeless strategy.

No matter how many troops Mattis decides to send this summer, it will not rectify the political crisis in Kabul. In the absence of clear engagement with the Afghan government, or demands that Ghani create a more inclusive coalition government and yield some of his powers, more US troops will only make things worse.

Nobody in Washington appears interested in exerting more political pressure on the Kabul regime, Pakistan, and the Taliban to begin negotiations that could lead to a ceasefire and a political agreement. To continue seeing the conflict only through the prism of war and troop numbers as the US does will only lead to continuing erosion of the government’s legitimacy. and loss of territory. Taliban attacks will increase, there will be continued loss of territory, and the government may collapse. This is a recipe for failure.

June 18, 2017, 9:00 am

http://www.nybooks.com/daily/2017/06/18/afghanistan-its-too-late/

[investmart007]

LAHORE, Pakistan | The Latest: Pakistan pol condemns bombing near rival's rally

New Post has been published on https://is.gd/Y2bnVE

LAHORE, Pakistan | The Latest: Pakistan pol condemns bombing near rival's rally

LAHORE, Pakistan — The Latest on Pakistan’s upcoming national elections and the return of Nawaz Sharif (all times local):

1:30 p.m.

Former Pakistani lawmaker Imran Khan, who hopes to become the next prime minister, has condemned a bombing near the election rally of a rival candidate, where four of the candidate’s supporters were killed.

Khan in a tweet says there seems to be a conspiracy to sabotage the July 25 vote. But he says the people of Pakistan will not allow anything to prevent “historic” elections from taking place.

Four people were killed and 20 others wounded in the bombing near the rally of Akram Khan Durrani, who is running for a seat in parliament from the northwestern city of Bannu. Durrani was about to leave the rally at the time.

Khan is facing tough competition from Durrani, who is the candidate of an alliance of religious groups.

___

12:10 a.m.

Pakistani police say a bomb near the election rally of an Islamist candidate running for a seat in parliament has killed at least three people and wounded 20 others.

Local police chief Rashid Khan says candidate Akram Khan Durrani, running for a seat from the northwestern city of Bannu, was not harmed in Friday’s bombing.

He said the bomb went off after Durrani finished his speech and was preparing to leave.

Durrani is running in the July 25 vote against popular former lawmaker Imran Khan.

He is a member of  Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, an election alliance of radical religious groups.

___

11:20 a.m.

Pakistani police say a bomb has exploded near the election rally of a senior politician from an Islamist party running for parliament from the northwestern town of Bannu.

Police say the explosion wounded 20 people and the candidate escaped unharmed.

Local police chief Rashid Khan says candidate Akram Khan Durrani had just finished his speech when the bomb exploded near his rally on Friday.

Durrani is running in the July 25 vote against popular former lawmaker Imran Khan.

He is a candidate of Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, an election alliance of radical religious groups.

No one claimed responsibility, but the bombing came days after a suicide bomber dispatched by the Pakistani Taliban killed secular politician Haroon Ahmed Bilour and 20 others at his rally in the northwestern city of Peshwar.

___

8:30 a.m.

Officials say disgraced ex-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will be whisked away by helicopter to the federal capital of Islamabad when he returns to Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore from London to face a 10-year jail sentence on corruption charges.

Sharif is to return at 6 p.m. Friday from London where he has been visiting his ailing wife. He is to be accompanied by his daughter Mariam, who was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Sharif’s son-in-law is currently serving his one-year prison sentence.

Sharif is expected to appeal his conviction and seek bail.

Ahead of his return, police swept through Lahore, arresting scores of Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League party workers to prevent them from greeting him at the airport.

__

By Associated Press

[investmart007]

LAHORE, Pakistan  | The Latest: Bomb explodes near Pakistan pol's election rally

New Post has been published on https://is.gd/AYr8Qa

LAHORE, Pakistan  | The Latest: Bomb explodes near Pakistan pol's election rally

LAHORE, Pakistan  — The Latest on Pakistan’s upcoming national elections and the return of Nawaz Sharif (all times local):

11:20 a.m.

Pakistani police say a bomb has exploded near the election rally of a senior politician from an Islamist party running for parliament from the northwestern town of Bannu.

Police say the explosion wounded 20 people and the candidate escaped unharmed.

Local police chief Rashid Khan says candidate Akram Khan Durrani had just finished his speech when the bomb exploded near his rally on Friday.

Durrani is running in the July 25 vote against popular former lawmaker Imran Khan.

He is a candidate of Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, an election alliance of radical religious groups.

No one claimed responsibility, but the bombing came days after a suicide bomber dispatched by the Pakistani Taliban killed secular politician Haroon Ahmed Bilour and 20 others at his rally in the northwestern city of Peshwar.

___

8:30 a.m.

Officials say disgraced ex-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will be whisked away by helicopter to the federal capital of Islamabad when he returns to Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore from London to face a 10-year jail sentence on corruption charges.

Sharif is to return at 6 p.m. Friday from London where he has been visiting his ailing wife. He is to be accompanied by his daughter Mariam, who was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Sharif’s son-in-law is currently serving his one-year prison sentence.

Sharif is expected to appeal his conviction and seek bail.

Ahead of his return, police swept through Lahore, arresting scores of Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League party workers to prevent them from greeting him at the airport.

__

By Associated Press