Pakistan is upfront with the US, it’s time to accept the defeat in Afghanistan
During a brief visit to Islamabad, United States Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson along with his delegation met with Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif along with Pakistan’s top civil and military rulers- where Asif stated that Pakistan will cooperate with the US in the “war on terror” but with a devised policy for Afghanistan that keeps Pakistan’s sovereignty in mind. “There will only be room for improvement, if Washington accepts their defeat, their failures in Afghanistan. They are not ready to accept this,” remarked Asif. The key points discussed were regarding Pakistan’s desire to base their relationship on equality with the US and that they do not require any economic or military material gains but “self-respect” and “dignity” from each other.
Mashal Khan murder case: Prosecutor representing KP government quits legal team
Mashal Khan, a student at the Abdul Wali Khan University in Mardan, was brutally murdered when he was charged at by a mob and shot. The Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) at Haripur indicted 57 people in the case on 19 September and formal hearings on the case began one day after. Zafar Abbas had been appointed as the Deputy Director Prosecution by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for the trial of Mashal Khan’s murder case. Abbas states he quit the legal team due to personal reasons. However, a private lawyer fighting the case on behalf of Mashal’s father said that Abbas only appeared in court for the first hearing. The counsel added that Mashal’s father already had reservations about Abbas’s appointment as he did not have the necessary expertise to contest a criminal case.
Afghanistan refuses to be a part of CPEC unless Pakistan provides trade access, says President Ashraf Ghani
Afghan President Ashraf Gilani stated at the Vivekenada International Foundation, New Delhi, that his country will not part-take in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) until it is given access to Pakistan’s Wagah and Attari borders. He further stated that Kabul will restrict Pakistan’s access to central Asia if it is not given access to India through the CPEC project. Gilani has welcomed India’s new role in Afghanistan as per the new US policy for the region. The comment from Gilani comes a week after representatives from China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the United States met in Oman to discuss the revival of peace talks with the Taliban.
Extremist groups left unchecked in Pakistan threaten security, Tillerson states in India
The United States Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, visited India on Wednesday- during which he stated that the United States is concerned about extremist groups being “left unchecked in Pakistan” as they are becoming a “threat to the stability and security” of the government in Islamabad. After visiting Pakistan, Tillerson arrived in India and is expected to highlight the strong alliance between the two countries, both of whom are intimidated by China’s growing influence.
Imran Khan says he is “in touch with Aamir Liaqat and other opinion makers”
News of Aamir Liaqat Hussain, the TV host, and former MQM leader, joining the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) has been going around following a tweet by PTI leader, Faisal Javed Khan, on Tuesday evening stating, “Dr. Aamir Liaquat to announce joining PTI at a press conference on October 25 in Karachi.” As of yet, Hussain has been silent on the matter. Whereas, PTI chief Imran Khan acknowledged that Hussain had approached the party.
Even Edhi Centres not safe from the mafia
Bilquis Edhi, the wife of renowned social worker Abdul Sattar Edhi, on Wednesday claimed that Edhi welfare centres in several cities and towns of Sindh have been illegally occupied by “influential local figures”. Addressing a press conference in Karachi, she requested the Sindh and the federal government to order the “land mafia” to vacate the properties of Edhi foundation. Bilquis Edhi and her son Faisal Edhi also land mafia enjoyed the patronage of certain political parties. To read more click here