PTI, PAT declares to react together against police action

PTI Azadi March in ISB

ISLAMABAD - Though two different crowds of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) are sitting at the Constitution Avenue some feet away from each other, yet it looks both are ready to react together in case of any severe action from the government or law enforcement agencies.
It is not clear what is the binding force between the two of them or which force had bound both of them to protest separately but react together in case of any action from the government.

As the rumours of a police operation started spreading on Thursday noon, the leaders of the both protesting parties went on to say publicly that they would act together in case of any action taken against one of them.
PTI Chief Imran Khan was the first who came on the stage in the afternoon and said that he had conveyed a message to PAT Chief Dr Tahirul Qadri that in case of any police action against both of them or anyone of the protesting parties, both would act together and agitate against this action.

Addressing his speech in the day before a thin crowd, Khan said that the government has removed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Aftab Cheema who had refused to obey illegal orders of the government. “He was dutiful police officer who heard the voice of his conscience and refused to take severe action against the protestors,” Imran said.

Imran said the government was planning a police operation early in the morning when the number of the crowd was thin. He said that Khalid Khattak had been made acting IGP Islamabad and asked, “Khalid Khattak hear your voice of conscience as the rulers will not live in Pakistan for a long time.

“But this is not the game of Khalid Khattak as this is the game of Secretary Interior Shahid Khan who is a courtier of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and has been given this post as a reward for rigging the election,” Khan alleged and warned secretary interior in a bizarre way to avoid any action against his workers otherwise he would not spare him. “In case of police attack on us, we will be united,” he stressed.

Khan said that on one hand, the government was talking about negotiations and on the other hand the police had started gathering here in the morning to start an action.

“Hear me the government of Nawaz Sharif, never try to do this foolish mistake,” he said
As Imran Khan ended his speech, the sound system of the PAT was switched on and a senior leader of the party said if the government took any police action against them or the PTI protestors, both of the protesting parties would act together. He said though both the parties were staging their separate sit-in, yet both were same in case of any action.

PTI Vice-chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi in his speech said that the government was forcing the TV channels to stop their live coverage and asking them to remove their DSNG vans from the protest venue.
He said this would an attack on the freedom of expression. Similar kind of words came from the PAT about the freedom of expression after Qureshi’s speech. Nation News

Snail-paced marchers snowballing on capital

Azadi March by PTI Going to Islamabad

LAHORE - Chanting slogans of change and waving banners, high-spirited marchers of PTI and PAT set off for the capital late Thursday night with dreams of changing the system.

PTI chairman Imran Khan and PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri led two separate processions from Lahore and attracted larger crowds as they headed towards Ravi Bridge on their way to Islamabad.

Imran Khan set out with the aim of making Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to resign from his office and Dr Qadri left his Model Town residence pledging to restore real democracy.

“I ask you to resign, Mr Prime Minister, before the Azadi March reaches Islamabad”, said Imran Khan as he led thousands of party activists from his Zaman Park residence. He also demanded resignation from Election Commission members for allegedly assisting the ruling party in stealing people’s mandate in 2013 polls.

Imran covered 4km distance from his residence to Faisal Chowk, the main venue of the drive, in more than six hours. Imran’s sons Qasim and Suleman besides his other close relatives were also with him on a specially prepared container.

Mr Qadri wished the countrymen a happy Independence Day before leaving from his residence.
“The Revolution March will ensure constitutional and democratic rights to the oppressed of this country,” he said.

In case of Azadi March it was pre-decided that PTI workers would be allowed to move out, but government initially had a different policy vis-à-vis PAT activists. It was after prolonged negotiations with Dr Qadri involving MQM chief Altaf Hussain, Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad and Punjab Governor Ch Sarwar that Revolution March was allowed to proceed. The PAT chief held out assurance to the mediators that he would keep the march peaceful.

Imran launched his long march from his Zaman Park residence at 1pm, after offering special prayer along with the marchers for their success. PTI top leaders including Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Javed Hashmi, Asad Umer, Ijaz Ch, Dr Arif Alvi, Naeemul Haq and Shafqat Mehmood were also on the container. A bullet-proof vehicle closely followed the special container which was to be used by party chief if needed.

Addressing the charged party workers after reaching Faisal Chowk, Imran said: “I brought victory for the people of Pakistan in the World Cup and I will win the match in Islamabad to restore real democracy in the country.” He said the people of Lahore by joining the Azadi March have established that electoral match of 2013 was fixed.

The PTI chairman said he would die for the cause of freeing the working classes from the slavery of dynastic politics, and he asked the people living along GT Road and beyond it to join the Azadi March on its way if they desired a real change.

Imran while saying that he was going to create a new Pakistan warned that any Gullu Butt confronting PTI march would be held accountable and sent to jail when PTI would be voted to power. Calling the ruling family and their close associates a group of Gullu Butts, he warned they would be put behind the bars for their crimes to end Gullu Butt culture for good.

“I will reach with a million marchers to the capital and get resignation from the prime minister,” Imran declared. He said: The ruling family kings are preparing their princes and princesses to enslave the masses but I will not let them do so. My sons will not dictate the affairs of the state if PTI will be voted to power.

The PTI chief also pledged: I will not maintain my assets abroad but bring the looted public funds from the foreign banks. The ‘begging bowl’ would be broken when the ruling elite, specially the ruling family, pay their taxes, he added.

Large crowds of PTI flag-waving workers gathered at Faisal Chowk to receive and join the march. There were men, women and children of all ages all around. Youth danced to party songs and raised slogans. Food stalls, PTI badges, flags and bands stalls were also set up there. The route from Zaman Park to Faisal Chowk and onwards was crowded with PTI banners and posters inviting the masses for Azadi March.

On the other hand, Dr Qadri in his address to his supporters said that restoration of real democracy and poverty-alleviation were the main aims of his struggle. He promised accountability of the corrupt and establishment of an egalitarian society where all segments of society would enjoy their social and legal rights without any kind of discrimination.

As part of his 10-point charter, Qadri ruled out any space for martial law. He said his revolution would remove terrorism and extremism while provision of efficient justice and devolution of power would also be ensured. He also promised creation of an environment where there will be no misery, poverty and unemployment.

The allied leaders accompanying Qadri included Ghulam Mustafa Khar, Sardar Asseff Ahmad Ali, SIC chief Hamid Raza, MWM leader Nasir Abbas Jafri, Raheeq Abbasi and Khurram Nawaz Gandapur. Ch Pervaiz Elahi-led PML-Q workers joined the march several hours later, after 4pm, near FC College at Canal road. Pervaiz Elahi in his speech said they would not return till resignation of Nawaz Sharif and registration of murder case of 14 innocent people killed in the Model Town tragedy.

The PAT marchers, taking the route from Model Town to Muslim Morr, Canal Road and Dharampura, had reached Azadi Chowk at the time of filing of this report. They were to proceed to Islamabad via GT Road crossing the Ravi Bridge at Shahdara. Nation News

Airbases in Quetta targeted, 10 militants killed

Pakistani security forces arrives to take position near the military airbases after an attack by militants in Quetta late on August 14, 2014. —AFP photo

QUETTA: Security forces early on Friday killed 10 militants attacking Samungli Air Base in Quetta.

Imran Qureshi, the Superintendent of Police told Dawn the operation was completed in the early hours of Friday.

Security forces also detained five suspects in connection with the attack targeting Samungli Air Base.

One militant in injured condition was also arrested by security officials and shifted to an unknown place for interrogation.

"Police are interrogating the suspects,” Qureshi said.

The dead militants seem to be 25 to 30 years of age.

"All dead terrorists seem to be Uzbeks,” Sarfaraz Bugti, the Home Minister Balochistan told Dawn.

Police said five militants were killed by security forces during the attack on the Samungli air base and five were killed at the Khalid Air Base located in the heart of Quetta cantonment.

A thorough search operation was conducted in the areas surrounding the Samungli base.

More than 20 huge explosions were heard during the operation, police said, adding that the blasts were followed by intense firing.

In the meantime, Quetta Airport was also closed for all kinds of flight operations. Security was tightened in and around the airport to avert any untoward incident.

Khan Wasey, a spokesman for Frontier Corps, told Dawn that the militants opened fire at the air base and hurled grenades.

He said security forces quickly responded and two militants were killed on the spot.

Wasey stated that the attackers also fired seven rockets that landed in the premises of the Khalid air base located in Quetta cantonment and in the Samungli air base area.

The injured policemen and ASF personnel were rushed to Civil Military Hospital Quetta for medical treatment. Emergency was imposed in the hospital to treat the injured.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

Police and personnel from other security agencies had conducted a joint operation a month ago and arrested 100 suspects from Samungli, Kharotabad and other surrounding areas of the airport. Dawn

Won’t let anyone steal our mandate: PM

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif - File Photo

ISLAMABAD - Terming democracy the only way forward, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made it loud and clear that no one would be allowed to sabotage the government’s development agenda.

Addressing the launch of Pakistan Vision 2025 programme here at Convention Centre, aimed at transforming Pakistani into an economically strong and prosperous country, Premier Shairf said, “I am at loss to understand the logic behind revolution,” adding they wanted a Libya-like revolution.

Prime Minister said, “The nation has given us a mandate and we do not want to disappoint them. We have been given a mandate by the people of Pakistan as they want an end to lawlessness, protection of fundamental rights, end to energy crisis and the country’s progress in all areas.”
He said the government will not let anyone steal people’s mandate.

The prime minister said the nation must decide that the only way out for Pakistan was through democracy and vote. “Dictatorship has only brought us misery and trouble. Today the United States, Germany, France and other countries are progressing only because they have democracy,” he said.
Nawaz Sharif further said, “Pakistan has no option but to opt for democracy.” He, however, said that it is also necessary that democracy also delivers and the masses are served.

Mentioning the show of Tahirul Qadri, the PM said a person from Canada is here with the claim to bring about a revolution in the country. He regretted that with an ability to get only around 200 votes, how he one can make tall claims of bringing about a revolution.

“They should have contested the election and come to the parliament if they wanted to bring about a change,” he said. He repeated his offer to talk to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chief Imran Khan and resolve all matters amicably. He reminded that he had visited his residence in the past as well.

He regretted that some people had not learnt a lesson from the experiences of the past 65 years, saying the country had immensely suffered because of dictatorship that hindered development.

“Who is responsible for sowing the seeds of terrorism in the country, will they be held accountable for it?” the prime minister questioned.

Nawaz Sharif said he was committed to the progress of the country and he had accepted the same challenge in the 90s, and the country witnessed rapid progress in all areas. He mentioned the nuclear tests that Pakistan conducted following similar tests by India.

Sharif said he desired better ties with India and the then Indian prime minister visited Pakistan with the same desire. He recalled the standoff between Pakistan and India when President Musharraf was in power and said it was in contrast to what happened when the PML-N government was in power when the Indian Prime Minister visited Lahore in the friendship bus.

The prime minister lauded Planning, Development and Reforms Minister Ahsan Iqbal for the Vision 2025 said it was in contrast to what Tahirul Qadri presented his “Vision 14 August” in Lahore on Sunday.

“We are talking of ending poverty, creating employments and eliminating power shortages, but they are planning how to beat policemen, how to attack police stations and hold Nawaz Sharif responsible if anything happened to them,” the PM said.

“What are the reasons, the logic and the agenda behind this revolution?” the prime minister asked and said they were pursuing the agenda of certain vested interests.

“This government has come through a vote and with the vote the former government left. This is the real revolution. We happily bid them farewell and they welcomed us with the same spirit,” he said.
Nawaz Sharif said Korea was far behind Pakistan in 1960 but today Pakistan’s exports are only US $ 25 billion as compared to their exports of US $ 560 billion. He said the reason for the poor progress was that the governments have not been allowed to work for the masses in the past.

He said Pakistan was focusing on energy generation that was neglected in the past and mentioned that over 10,400MW projects were in the pipeline. He said his government was committed to building the country’s third largest water reservoir at Diamir Bhasha to help meet water and energy needs.

Prime Minister Sharif regretted that despite tall claims the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had failed to show any significant progress in any area.

The PM mentioned the government’s success to bring down the price of dollar and said it had succeeded in selling euro bond in the international market and had got a US $ 2 billion response.

He said Rs 55 billion had been released for acquisition of land for a motorway from Lahore to Karachi and promised to turn Gwadar into an international port, generation of energy through coal and other sources to get 10,400MW. He said in next five years the country will progress with leaps and bounds.
He urged the youth to stand together for the Vision 2025 and support the government’s efforts with the slogan of, “Let’s work harder, better and smarter.”

The prime minister also launched Rs 10 billion National Human Development Endowment Fund which would be used for provision of scholarships to 50,000 students and creation of Rs 5 billion Technology Innovation Fund for 8,000 PhDs.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said the prediction that Pakistan would default in 2014 had proven wrong due to the effective measures and an integrated plan adopted by the government. He said the government addressed the vulnerable sections on priority and within 13 months increased the cash grant from Rs 1,000 per month to Rs 1,500. He said the country’s reserves have risen to US 14.3 billion and the foreign investors had started investing in Pakistan.

Planning, Development and Reforms Minister Ahsan Iqbal said the Vision 2025 was designed to put Pakistan on way to sustainable economic growth trajectory, creating a globally competitive and prosperous country by providing a high quality of life for all citizens.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will address the nation on Tuesday (today) to take it into confidence on the current political situation marked by the protest calls from PTI and PAT. The decision of the PM’s address came after consultations with PML-N’s top leadership. Nation News

Conspirators to be defeated at every cost: PM

PM Nawaz - File Photo

LAHORE/ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Sunday that the government will protect democracy and foil those conspiring against it at any cost. He said those who are doing politics of violence and confrontation are enemies of development and prosperity.

In a meeting with his brother Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to chalk out plan of action to deal with anti-government campaigns of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan, the PM said the journey of development started after the general elections would continue. “If some people think they will oust a popular government through protest or sit-in, they are mistaken,” he said.

Both the leaders resolved to deal with the political situation administratively, while agreeing that the atmosphere of anarchy and lawlessness would not be tolerated in the country while the operation Zarb-e-Azb is going on in North Waziristan. The PM also said the unity showed by country’s political parties in the National Security Conference would help eliminate terrorism from the country.

The PM and his brother CM agreed that the law enforcement will be ensured in any case. It was decided that strict action will be taken against those who took the law into their own hands. The meeting decided that the protection of property and lives of the citizens during the long march will be ensured.

Earlier, Punjab CM strongly condemned the violence on police by Minhajul Quran workers. Shahbaz Sharif expressed grief and anger over killing of two policemen amid violent clashes between police and PAT workers, vowing that the culprits cannot escape the grip of law. Sympathising with the families of the deceased policemen, he assured that the blood of the martyrs will not go in vain, adding that the perpetrators will meet their fate.

Meanwhile,  PPP co-chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari said that his party would play its role in protecting and promoting democracy.

In a message issued in connection with the Minorities Day (August 11), Zardari said, “On this day, the PPP pledges to play its role in protecting and promoting democracy, promoting tolerance and harmony and ending violence against our non-Muslim brethren. The Party reiterates its pledge to resist any attempt to derail democracy on any pretext whatsoever.”

He further said, “The PPP strongly condemns the recent spurt in violence against different minorities’ communities in the country.”

He said, “The Minorities’ Day today is an occasion to pause and ponder on the causes of increasing intolerance towards them and its inevitable consequences for the state and society. It is also an occasion to vow to bring to an end the siege laid around the minorities by the intolerant and the bigots. The PPP recognises and respects the important role played by the minorities in Pakistan in nation building and the sacrifices rendered by them. It is committed to protect them against fanatics and zealots, reverse the trend of systematic erosion of their rights and to draw them fully in the mainstream of national life.

PPP Information Secretary Qamar Zaman Kaira has strongly condemned the government of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif for overreacting to a simple situation and creating an atmosphere of siege throughout the province causing untold miseries to the ordinary people, commuters and daily wage earners in the province.

In a statement issued here on Sunday, he said that the PPP is shocked at the manner in which Shahbaz has overreacted to Tahirul Qadri’s call to pay homage today to the martyrs of Model Town incident recently in which PAT workers were killed due to unwise, thoughtless and arrogant police action. Qadri may be a demagogue deserving no sympathy whatsoever but it makes no sense to punish the ordinary people for what Qadri may be doing, he said.

He also said that roads in major provincial cities have been blocked by placing containers, patients have been dying on roadsides for not been able to reach hospitals, gas stations and shops of daily food items are shut and public and private transport has come to a standstill. It is beyond comprehension as to why the provincial government has so overreacted and achieved nothing but betrayed its sense of fear, paranoid and sheer desperation, Kaira said.

The PPP Information Secretary recalled that not long ago former President Asif Ali Zardari and the PPP government in Islamabad also dealt with Qadri’s week long march and dharna in the federal capital in such a way that Qadri himself concluded that it was best to call off the march and dharna without use of force and without even a minor untoward incident.

The provincial government should immediately lift the blockade of ordinary people in the province and seek to deal with Qadri in ways that are ingenious and non violent. Nation News

Awami and Tsunami marches to go together

Chairmen an Leader of Pakistan Awami Tehreek Dr. Tahir ul Qadri

LAHORE - The Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT) will start its ‘Revolution March’ from the Punjab capital on August 14, the day on which the PTI is already committed to launching their ‘Azadi March’, Dr Tahirul Qadri announced on Sunday evening.

“Both the marches will go simultaneously and (the participants thereof) will not come back till the ouster of the 14-month government”, said the firebrand leader in his two-hour speech before a charged and responsive crowd encamped near his Model Town residence for the last few days.

Important leaders from the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Pakistan Muslim League-Qaid (PML-Q), Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), Awami Muslim League (AML) and All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) were also present on the occasion.

The willingness of the two parties to go together is a major breakthrough, the credit for which goes to the tireless efforts made by the PML-Q leaders Chaudhry Shujaat Husain and Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and AML leader Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Qadri said.

Before starting his speech, Dr Qadri led dua for forgiveness of those who lost their lives at the hands of police in Model Town on June 17 and the soldiers martyred during the ongoing military operation in North Waziristan.

The schedule for the ‘Revolution March’ was made public a day before the corps commanders conference, which is expected to discuss it at length on Monday.

Dr Qadri told his supporters that he has received information that rulers had plotted to assassinate him and he could be killed any time. If he was assassinated, he said, they should take revenge on Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif. None of them should be spared, said the PAT chief, whose address was telecast live by all TV channels.

To ensure that the PAT and PTI chiefs stayed in the federal capital along with their supporters till the success of the mission, Dr Qadri said any one who retreated should be eliminated. All the supporters already present at Model Town pledged to stay there for another three days during which Quran Khwani would be offered for those martyred on Sunday.

Before announcing the march date, Dr Qadri highlighted the significance of martyrdom and the reward promised by Almighty Allah to those who lay down their lives for sacred causes. “It’s either revolution or martyrdom”, he said, making it clear that there was no other option.

The PAT leader said political parties alone could not bring about the revolution. He urged the nation to play its role for the sacred cause. He said those who would be participating in the march could have to starve for three days. Advising them to go for fasting, he declared that the marchers would remain peaceful in all situations.

He rejected all allegations of money laundering and tax evasion against him or PAT’s involvement in the death of a police constable. The government, he alleged, wanted to provoke the PAT workers to cause clashes. But, he said, the PAT would keep calm and endure the oppression. “In spite of state aggression, brutality and terrorism, we’ll remain non-violent”. He said the government had blocked all roads leading to the PAT Secretariat, causing serious problems for the people.

Those present on the occasion included Mahmoodur Rashid (PTI), Chaudhry Shujaat Husain and Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi (PML-Q), Sheikh Rashid Ahmed (AML), Rashid Godail (MQM), Ahmed Raza Kasuri (APML), Sahibzada Hamid Raza (SIC), Amin Shaheedi (MWM), and Malik Ghulam Mustaf Khar (PML-Functional).

PTI senior leader Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed in his address admired the determination of PAT workers and said rulers would not be able to face the ideological people. He said he wanted to tell the Sharifs that no one could stop the change after the deaths of so many innocent people. The PTI leader, who is also opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly, said Model Town looked like ‘Karbala’ due to the rulers’ tyranny.

MQM leader Rasheed Godail said protests and public gatherings were democratic right of the people and no government could deny this right to anyone. He said whosoever talked of the change, the MQM would support him. He said feudal mindset has to go now. He said they wanted a system where poor could reach the parliament.

AML chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said oppressors, dacoits and corrupts people were in occupation of the country. If people came out with Dr Qadri and Imran Khan, stiff-necked Sharif would sober up. Rejecting reports that the army was with the government, the AML leader said facial expression of Gen Raheel at Saturday’s meeting belied this impression. He said now the issue was not of recounting of votes of four or ten seats, rather it was issue of getting rid of the government. Nation News

Azadi March at all costs, says Imran

PTI Chairmen Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD - Rejecting reports of likely breakthrough between the government and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has ruled out any chance of calling off the Azadi March on August 14.

"No force can stop the (Azadi) march, whatever you read in the newspapers is baseless," Imran said while addressing a press conference at his Bani Gala residence Friday. He also ruled out possibility of putting off the long march on the promise of opening of election results of some constituencies.
"We will hold rally and sit-in here in Islamabad at any cost. We will give our demands within the ambit of Constitution. I will personally sit here and the sit-in will continue till the fulfilment of our demands," Khan said.

Flanked by senior party leadership including Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, he said PTI would demand strengthening of democracy, and ending monarchy and dictatorship in the country. Khan stressed that whatever security threats he would be facing he would hold the Azadi March and warned that if the army intervened, it would be only because of the actions of Nawaz Sharif and Punjab government. "Our protest will be peaceful... Sharifs are panicked," he said. The government will invite intervention of army by stopping the way of peaceful march. Khan also welcomed the decision of Lahore High Court to release all confiscated motorbikes.

The PTI chairman said it was unfair that government was claiming mandate after the rigged elections and questioned what is difference between the rulers and Husseni Mubarak of Egypt and Colonel Gaddafi of Libya who also claimed having their peoples’ mandate.

Khan said rigging was proved in all 14 constituencies that were opened for verification and all other petitions were disposed of by election tribunals without making a decision. “Our aim is to hold march to rectify the electoral system of Pakistan and to bring to book those who rigged elections. Why the government did not offer to open election results of four constituencies in the last twelve months before," he reminded.
Before issuing 46-page white paper against PML-N government, he said that Nawaz Sharif warned Punjab Police in February last not to indulge in illegal actions and now what was Punjab Police doing by breaking into houses of PTI workers. "There will be a war on August 14 between two ideologies, on one side will be monarchs whose children are waiting to replace them and on other side will be democrats."

Reading out the white paper, Khan alleged: “A son of Nawaz Sharif has foreign property worth about Rs40 billion in the name of Flagship Investment while another is living in Rs80 million flat. Sharifs got gift of 30 million dollars in the Khudad Mills case.”

He questioned as to why 70 cases against Sharifs were pending with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). He went on: “PM Nawaz made 14 foreign tours costing Rs680 million. Govt ad in today's papers claiming to have achieved highest progress during the last year was wrong.”

The PTI chief alleged that during the one-year PML-N tenure, the country faced worse economic crunch than the five year PPP regime.

“Inflation stands 9.8 per cent that was 5.8 percent during last five years and the country witnessed lowest 13 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) during the last year and exports too decreased.”
He said Sharifs’ family and friends were enjoying major portfolios while the government did not appoint heads of 80 per cent state enterprises.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar's son gave Rs500 million loan (Qarz-e-Hasna) to his father, Khan said showing his surprise. Terming the Metro Bus project a futile one, Khan said the project supervisor was Hanif Abbasi who is facing Ephedrine trial. He alleged that a relative of Sharif family was doing business with the Turkish company that would provide Metro buses.

To a question about PML-N’s handling of Dr Tahirul Qadri’s call, Khan said the Punjab government was maltreating the matter. He said no FIR has been lodged against Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif in Model Town killings so far.

He said: “I will tell my workers that police have no right to stop peaceful protest. Police have been used as Nawaz Sharif’s henchmen, and Nawaz has been Pakistan as his personal state.”

Violent clashes erupted between police and PAT workers

File Photo of PAT Protest in Punjab

LAHORE - Violent clashes erupted between police and PAT workers in Lahore’s Faisal Town neighbourhood on Friday after the followers of Dr Tahirul Qadri attacked the on-guard cops to clear the barriers placed around in bid to avert gathering of more activists in the area.

Qadri, a cleric who wants to topple the present regime within weeks, has announced to observe August 10 as Youm-e-Shuhda (in the memory of those killed by police in Model Town in June). Police is trying to prevent his followers from gathering at the Minhajul Quran Secretariat, from where the Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT) chief plans to march on Islamabad.

The planned demonstrations of PAT and Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Isaf (PTI), which has its separate plan of dislodging the government through their ‘Azadi March’ on August 14, have unnerved Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's (PML-N) fledgling government. Qadri says the government is corrupt and Khan says it is failing to investigate election irregularities.

Eyewitnesses said the clashes broke out when hundreds of Qadri’s supporters, all of a sudden, started pelting police with stones in a bid to remove shipping containers placed to block the roads and restrict the movement of agitators. They also brought a crane to move the containers blocking off the residence of Qadri and Minhaj Secretariat. Police responded with firing tear-gas shells and batte
ning the protesters.

Lahore DIG (Operations) Dr Haider Ashraf confirmed to TheNation that more than 150 PAT workers were arrested after violent clashes in Faisal Town. “The situation is under control at this moment and heavy police contingents are on-guard to keep the things under control,” he said late Friday.

Dozens of policemen including three station house officers (SHOs) sustained head injuries and were rushed to the Jinnah hospital, where they were being treated. A number of protesters were also wounded in the clashes and some others fell unconscious because of massive tear-gas shelling.

The clashes were not restricted to Lahore alone as at least one PAT worker was killed and dozens injured in battles with police in different other cities of Punjab. A PAT activist was reported killed and seven injured by police firing in Bhakkar. Abdul Majeeb, 26, was shot dead during clashes between Qadri supporters and police in Bhakkar, Dr Saad Ahmad of Nishtar hospital in Multan told the media.

The PAT workers also clashed with police in Dipalpur town of Okara district that left over a dozen injured. The police managed to arrest 300 protesters after the clash in Okara. Charged Qadri supporters reportedly also set a police station on fire in Quiadabad area of Khushab. Policemen fled the station when the PAT workers stormed it. However, police claimed that four personnel, including a DSP, were held hostage by the workers. Police also claimed that PAT workers looted the police weapons.

Earlier in the day, Qadri urged his followers to remove all barriers and overcome all obstacles and continue converging at his residence to join the march on the federal government to overthrow the government. All the entry and exit points of Lahore were sealed and snap-checking was intensified on Friday evening to keep a check on the activities of the PAT activists.

The fight between police and PAT workers began at Faisal Town road near Kotha Pind and spread to the entire locality. At one movement, the policemen were left with no choice but to flee from the place of duty to save their lives. The PAT workers chased the cops and again attacked them near Captain Qazi Jawad Shaheed Chowk. A number of PAT workers were seen beating a policeman as he pleaded to the protesters to spare him.

When the situation seemed totally out of hand, more police contingents were called in. Within an hour, hundreds of policemen reached there on buses and retaliated with massive tear-gas shelling and firing rubber bullets. The PAT activists responded by pelting the police with stones and bricks. The local residents had to confine themselves to the four walls of their homes. Eyewitnesses said that a few tear-gas shells also landed inside the houses. Police also claimed of seizing a tractor-trolley loaded with bricks from the possession of PAT workers which they believed were to be used against them.

Lahore police Wednesday had booked the PAT chairman for ‘waging war’ against the state, hurling threats, and inciting violence. Official sources say they believe Qadri’s public sermons and statements come under the ambit of civil disobedience, which is why a case was registered against him.

Police on Thursday lay siege on his house and nearby party secretariat besides blocking main roads leading to the area by erecting barriers and placing containers in Lahore’s Model Town neighbourhood. Soon after the police registered a criminal case against Qadri, heavy police contingents were deployed around Minhajul Quran Secretariat to cope with any emergent situation. Several police pickets were also set up in the locality and barriers were erected to restrict the movement of PAT workers.

Some unconfirmed reports said the provincial hierarchy was planning to launch an even bigger operation at the PAT Secretariat to arrest Qadri. A private TV channel claimed that the government, in principle, had decided to arrest Qadri and police could launch the ‘Capture Qadri’ operation anytime.
The Nation News

Indian BSF soldier arrested on Pakistani soil

File Photo

SIALKOT: An Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldier was arrested after crossing the working border into Pakistani territory near Kuleil village in Sialkot's Bajwat sector on Wednesday.

Intelligence sources confirmed that the Indian soldier was taken into custody by Chenab Rangers after he entered Pakistani territory .

He was later shifted to an undisclosed location for further questioning.

A spate of cross-border skirmishes, exchange of fire and incidents of deaths have been reported on both sides of the Pak-India border this year. Multiple incidents have been reported specifically from Sialkot.

On July 21 this year, at least one person was killed and three others injured during an exchange of fire across the border near Silakot's Charwah and Mirajkey sectors.

On July 16, two Pakistani soldiers were wounded in an exchange of fire between Indian and Pakistani forces in Charwah sector near Sialkot.

The sporadic, ongoing attacks have raised tensions between India and Pakistan, who have fought three wars since independence from Britain in 1947. Dawn New

300 Tehreek-i-Insaf leaders, activists may be detained before rally

File Photo

RAWALPINDI: The Special Branch has provided a list of 300 leaders and active workers of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (#PTI) to the Punjab government to detain them to thwart the August 14 rally on Islamabad.

A senior official of the city district government Rawalpindi (CDGR) told Dawn that the list was prepared after the Punjab government sought the details of the active leaders and workers of the PTI. However, the government has so far not issued any instructions to detain them, said the official.

On the other hand, the PTI workers claimed that the police had started harassing their leaders. “I and our MPAs, including Arif Abbasi, Rashid Hafeez, Asif Mehmood, Col Amjad, Wasiq Qayyum and Chaudhry Zubair, have received threatening calls from the Punjab police and there are reports that we would be arrested soon,” said PTI north Punjab president Sadaqat Abbasi while talking to Dawn.

He said some police officials visited the residences of Qaisar Abbas and Chaudhry Zubair on Monday night. He said the party had decided that all the leaders would remain at an unknown place to avoid arrest.

The senior CDGR official said the Special Branch had prepared the list of 300 PTI workers and sent it to the Punjab government, stating that they would play a major role in bringing the people out to participate in the march on Islamabad.

He said the local administration had sought the help of the provincial government to take action to stop the march but the government was of the view that it would issue final instructions within two days.

A senior PML-N leader said the provincial government and the PML-N had directed all the party leaders and workers to spend more time in their union councils and constituencies to convince the people to take part in the Independence Day celebrations instead of joining the PTI’s Azadi march.

When contacted, former MNA Malik Shakil Awan said: “We have started distributing national flags in every house and the local leaders have started door-to-door campaign to contact the citizens in this regard. The people will enjoy fireworks and illuminations in their localities where artists would also sing national songs on August 14.”

He said the PTI and its supporters should stop the unnecessary marches otherwise the government would seal the twin cities.

PTI Punjab vice-president Raja Tariq Mehboob Kiani said there were reports about the expected detention of PTI leaders but the party had chalked out its plan to lead the people towards Islamabad on the call of Imran Khan.

He said the PTI would hold a workers’ convention on August 9 in the Rawalpindi city. However, the venue of the convention would be announced soon. He said the party had completed arrangements to hire vehicles and also prepared a list of people who would join the march.

“Approximately, over 50,000 people have confirmed that they would arrive in Islamabad from different union councils of Rawalpindi city alone,” he said.

When contacted, District Coordination Officer (DCO) Sajid Zafar Dall said the provincial government had not issued any instructions to detain the PTI leaders.

He said the local administration had also not decided to impose Section 144 in the district. However, he said arrangements were being made for the Independence Day celebrations. Dawn News

Imran Khan to start murder case against PM Nawaz if army or police open fire at PTI workers

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairperson Imran Khan. PHOTO: INP

KOHAT: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairperson Imran Khan told Express News that he will start a murder case against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif if army or police open fire at his party workers during the August 14 rally.

PTI is planning to hold a ‘tsunami march’ against alleged rigging in the May 11 general elections last year at D-Chowk in Islamabad.

The PTI chief also said that Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has contacted him and told him that he was ready to meet PTI’s demands.

PTI has demanded that the government should tell the nation the following:

1) Who scripted the victory speech of Nawaz Sharif on May 11, 2013;
2) What was the role of caretaker Punjab chief minister Najam Sethi;
3) What was the role of the then-chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry;
4) And lastly why returning officers were not present under the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Imran remarked that the army should not support the government and should stay neutral.
He also said that he can make Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Tahirul Qadri join him but he does not agree with Qadri’s ‘revolution’ agenda.

The PTI chief stated that his party’s doors are always open for Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, adding that he is the only one in Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) who is not a “darbari“.

Imran further stated that he will challenge the imposition of Article 245 in Islamabad in the Supreme Court. Article 245

The article which deals with the functions of the armed forces states:
(1) The armed forces shall, under the directions of the federal government, defend Pakistan against external aggression or threat of war, and, subject to law, act in aid of civil power when called upon to do so.
(2) The validity of any direction issued by the federal government under Clause (1) shall not be called into question in any court.
(3) A high court shall not exercise any jurisdiction under Article 199 in relation to any area in which the armed forces of Pakistan are, for the time being, acting in aid of civil power in pursuance of Article 245: Provided that this clause shall not be deemed to affect the jurisdiction of the high court in respect of any proceeding pending immediately before the day on which the armed forces start acting in aid of civil power.
(4) Any proceedings in relation to an area referred to in Clause
(3) instituted on or after the day the armed forces start acting in aid of civil power and pending in any high court shall remain suspended for the period during which the armed forces are so acting. The Express Tribune

Militants’ countrywide communication network disrupted

LAHORE - On-the-run members of outlawed TTP and al-Qaeda have almost stopped communicating with each other through electronic means to avert interceptions by the intelligence agencies and they are now using sleeper cell couriers’ to contact one another, The Nation has learnt.

Highly-placed security establishment sources privy to the revelations of some neutralised members of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and al-Qaeda in Punjab told this correspondent on Friday that operatives of these terror networks are now trying their utmost to avoid using electronic communications.

They informed that terror network members told their interrogators that some of the major ‘blow-up operations’ against their partners-in-crime became successful in Operation Zarb-e-Azb and in other parts of the country because of leading intelligence agencies’ electronic communication interceptions.

The neutralised terror operatives revealed that on-the-run militant leaders have directed their associates to maintain ‘radio silence’ means no electronic communication whether through satellite phones or cell phones. They revealed that remaining cadres of the terrorists have reverted to old, less-efficient yet safer method of using sleeper cell couriers, who mostly carry verbal instead of written messages.

Security establishment sources told this scribe that they were depending on the ‘human intelligence network’ and chain of informants across Punjab and other provinces of the country to get actionable intelligence against the terrorists. They added that in some areas their informers have successfully penetrated the terror organisations and they are providing valuable information. Most of these informers are locals who belong to different walks of life.

They informed that human intelligence network had gathered some tremendous pieces of information about the terror factories of outlawed TTP and al-Qaeda before the launch of Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan and helped in pre-emptive actions in Punjab and Karachi. They added that several operations to neutralise the terror grids, including the sleeper cells, became successful owing to timely and actionable information provided by the human intelligence web.

A member of a leading security service revealed that some of the high-value terrorists had crossed the Durand Line before the launch of the Zarb-e-Azb. He informed that Omar Khalid Khurasani, leader of the TTP’s Mohmand Chapter who masterminded some of the deadly attacks against the state institutions, has also crossed into Afghanistan.

When asked how these targets could be effectively taken out, he said Pakistan has asked the Afghan government to arrest Mullah Fazalullah and others and hand them over to Pakistan for their crimes against the state and people. “Our government hopes that Kabul would respond positively on this matter.” Asked about the hiding place of such top militants, he informed that Kunar province was the safe haven now a days for Fazalullah, Khurasani and others.

About the mode of neutralising the mentioned high-value targets if not apprehended, he said that state security special units possess the professional capability to silence the enemies of the state on the other side of the Durand Line provided the Afghan government extends its cooperation on this count or launches a joint operation with Pakistani forces. Nation News

Govt puts army in charge of capital’s security

ISLAMABAD - Just weeks ahead of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI)’s announced march in Islamabad, the federal government has decided to deploy army in the federal capital in aid to police and civil administration, citing threat of backlash from Taliban who are facing a ruthless military operation in North Waziristan.

The decision has been taken in the light of Article 245 of the constitution. The government, on the demand of the provincial governments, has also decided to deploy army throughout the country to help police and civil administration in maintaining security ‘where needed’.

Official sources in interior ministry informed that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had taken this decision while chairing a security meeting in first week of July to enhance security at sensitive installations across the country. The ministry had been asked to go into the legal and administrative aspects of the decision before issuing a formal notification, they added.

However, it not clear yet whether sufficient troops would be available for different parts of the country at a time when military had started operation Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan Agency (NWA). For the last few weeks some army units and civil armed troops are already on the disposal of local administration of Islamabad that had been requisitioned by the government under Section 5 of Anti-Terrorism Act 1997.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan here on Friday, in an informal talk with the reporters at the Parliament House, said that keeping in view the extraordinary security situation, the government had decided to deploy army in the federal capital for a period of three months. He said that interior ministry had sent a request of requisition to defence ministry in this connection.

The minister further said that security had been kept on high alert throughout the country to avert any backlash of ongoing military operation Zarb-e-Azb and provincial governments had been given special instructions in this regard. He said that provinces had been asked to keep the police and the security agencies on high alert.

About the PTI march, Nisar said, "The decision to permit PTI to hold march (in the capital) or not would be taken after the return of PM from abroad (Saudi Arabia)." He however informed that PTI had not submitted any application with Islamabad Deputy Commissioner office for a formal permission to hold march in Islamabad. He said the consultation would be made in this connection after the local administration would receive the application.

Later in the evening, the interior ministry in a statement clarified that capital was not at all being ‘handed over’ to army and media reports in this connection were contrary to the fact. The statement said that army had been called for a specific period in aid to police and civil administration to avert any untoward incident.

The ministry said that formal notification to deploy army under Article 245 in the country was issued on Thursday after the government thoroughly went through the constitutional, legal and administrative aspects of this step over last few weeks. It said army troops would support police and civil administration at the Islamabad airport and at some sensitive and important installations of the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).

"The army troops will perform the duties here as Rapid Response Force." The statement clarified that the decision had no relation with the month of August, when creation of the country is celebrated. The ministry spokesman informed that army troops would also be deployed in other parts of the country where needed under the same model and procedure.

The Article 245 that deals with the functions of the armed forces states:
(1) The Armed Forces shall, under the directions of the Federal Government, defend Pakistan against external aggression or threat of war, and, subject to law, act in aid of civil power when called upon to do so;
(2) The validity of any direction issued by the Federal Government under clause (1), shall not be called in question in any Court;
(3) A High Court shall not exercise any jurisdiction under Article 199 in relation to any area in which the Armed Forced of Pakistan are, for the time being, acting in aid of civil power in pursuance of Article 245; Provided that this clause shall not be deemed to affect the jurisdiction of the High Court in respect of any proceeding pending immediately before the day on which the Armed Forces start acting in aid of civil power;
(4) Any proceeding in relation to an area referred to in clause (3) instituted on or after the day the Armed Forces start acting in aid of civil power and pending in any High Court shall remain suspended for the period during which the Armed Forces are so acting. Nation News

Azadi march will be a conclusive battle: Imran Khan

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan.—File photo

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan stated here on Thursday that his party’s ‘Azadi March’ would not be a 20-20 match but a series of Test matches.

“Nobody should misunderstand that the PTI is going to hold a simple protest public gathering in Islamabad,” he warned.

Speaking after the inauguration of his party’s Lahore office on Thursday, Mr Khan said the ‘Naya Pakistan’ would only be created after coming out on roads as was the case of winning the cause of independent judiciary. “The Azadi March (from Lahore) will be a final battle to root out the corrupt and bring in a fair system in the country,” he said.

The PTI chief referred to PML-Q president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain’s reply to a media person’s question whether the nuclear bombs could be used in trying times – “The nuclear bombs are not to be fired on Shab-i-Bara’at”.

Mr Khan hinted that in his speech in Islamabad he would expose the whole team that had fixed the general election match.

He said his party had been looking for justice against the wrongs done in last year’s general elections, but all its efforts went in vain only because of the corrupt system in the country.
He said PTI candidate Hamid Zaman had spent Rs6 million to identify the rigging, but he did not get justice despite having presented evidences of rigging.

Mr Khan said his party’s secretary general Jahangir Tareen had also spent Rs20m, but the authorities concerned did not allow recounting of votes in his constituency.

He said National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq had been hiding behind a stay order for nine months against rigging charges in NA-122, but the vote recount in a few polling stations in PP-147, which fell under his constituency, would continue to serve as a litmus test of transparency of the elections.

“The PTI had contested the elections in an honest manner against those who did not know what honesty is. They have never played with neutral umpires.”

He said the Azadi March would not be only against the rigging in general elections but the whole ‘rotten’ system that had been continuing to push the masses to the wall. Under the existing corrupt election system, he said, honest candidates could never defeat those coming to power through backdoors.

The PTI chief did not say a word about the Rs20 billion libel notice served on him by former chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry. Dawn News

PPP is not supporting PTI or PAT’

PPP leader says dharnas and long marches are part of the democratic system.

The Pakistan Peoples’ Party is not supporting the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s  ‘#Azadi March’ or Pakistan Awami Tehrik leader Tahirul Qadri’s ‘inqilaab’, party leader Faisal Karim Kundi said on Tuesday.

The former Deputy Speaker National Assembly said the PPP will not be a part of any movement aimed at derailing the country’s democratic system and urged Imran Khan to postpone his long march on August 14, saying it was a day for national unity.

The PPP leader said dharnas (sit-ins) and long marches are part of the democratic system but must be carried out within a constitutional ambit.

Kundi said there was ‘no harm’ in the government giving in to Imran Khan’s demand for a recount in four constituencies. He said the formation of a committee on election reforms is a positive step and urged PTI to put forward reservations and suggestions to the Electoral Reforms Committee.

“The president, prime minister or ministers cannot influence the election commission or order the recounting of votes in any constituency and the ECP is an independent body to take a decision in this regard,” Kundi said. The Express News Tribune

Amid instructions: Bank to centralise loan system for youth scheme

Nawaz Sharif. PHOTO: FILE

The National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) has decided to centralise the loan approval system at the head office level to avoid unnecessary delays in the disbursement of loans for Youth Scheme.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) – which aims at the immediate disbursement of loans to potential beneficiaries – regional heads have been directed to facilitate all successful applicants of the PM Youth Business Loan Scheme (PMYBLS) by establishing dedicated counters in all NBP branches.

The statement revealed that a monitoring team – headed by adviser to the chairperson MNA Leila Khan – conducted surprise visits to various branches of NBP to review the disbursement status of PMYBLS. The assessment was conducted on the directives of the PMYP chairperson Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
During the visit, the monitoring team was updated by the senior management about the overall progress and loan disbursement status of the scheme.

The NBP’s executives informed the team that the PMYBLS was moving on the right track as per the vision of the political leadership. It was told that the procedure for the disbursement of loans to the youth has been streamlined on the directives of the PMYP’s chairperson to ensure a beneficiary-friendly approach.

The PMYP Team was also apprised on the region-wise status and progress of the PMYBLS.
It was decided that a proper monitoring mechanism would be installed to provide regular status updates for loan beneficiaries and track the progress of loan disbursement by the bank. The Express New Tribune

PML-Q leader calls for joint Islamic army

Muslim countries should form a joint 'Islamic Army' on the lines of Nato to halt Israeli atrocities on the innocent people of Palestine, says Salma Hashmi.—AFP/File photo

QUETTA: A PML-Q leader has called for Muslim countries to form a joint '#Islamic Army’ on the lines of Nato to halt Israeli atrocities on the innocent people of #Palestine.

In a statement on Sunday, Salma Hashmi said, “Israeli fighter jets and military tanks have been killing hundreds of innocent Palestinian people including...women and children but the governments of Muslim countries have been issuing just condemning statements”.

She said all Muslim countries must take immediate measures to form a joint army like Nato if they were serious to retaliate against brutal Israeli attacks on Palestinian people.

“When Western countries, including the USA, Britain, France, Canada and others, could join hands to protect their interests by forming a joint military alliance in the shape of Nato then why are Muslim countries reluctant to form a joint Islamic army which should be funded jointly by all Muslim countries,” she said.

Ms Hashmi said that if billions of dollars that the Arab countries had deposited in American, Swiss and French banks withdrew a big financial crisis would emerge in Western countries.

She also urged the Muslim countries to form their joint bank like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, adding that Arab monarchs and elite classes should transfer their money from Western banks to the proposed joint Islamic bank. Dawn news

8 FC men, 5 militants dead in Jamrud post attack

KHYBER AGENCY - Eight soldiers of the Frontier Corp (FC) were martyred and five militants killed when a group of militants Thursday night attacked a security checkpoint in tehsil Jamrud of Khyber Agency.

It was midnight when militants equipped with sophisticated arms attacked the check post situated at Malik Shaga, Ghundi area. Four FC soldiers were also wounded in the assault that continued for at least two hours.

The militants bombarded the checkpoint with rocket-propelled grenades, two senior military officials said, before overrunning and ransacking it. The paramilitaries came under fire by militants at around 1:00am local time, a senior security official said.

In the retaliatory action security forces claimed of killing five militants and arresting three others. Two vehicles of the security forces were also destroyed in the fight, official sources said. Another official said that around a dozen attackers escaped from the scene.

Soon after the incident the security forces imposed curfew in the area and a door-to-door search was started. The people of the area were asked to remain in their homes. In the morning, the forces began a full-fledged search operation in the area to trace out the suspected militants. Eleven suspected persons were arrested in the search operation so far, sources said.

The FC personnel killed or injured were from Swat Scouts and have been deployed for the security of Shagai and Jamrud areas, official sources said. It has also been learnt from the local sources that the attackers might have fled to Regi area of Peshawar after committing the crime; however, the official sources did not confirm it.

Jamrud area of Khyber Agency has been a hot bed for militant activities in the last few months, which has disturbed the authorities and the local population as well. The government employees, particularly those serving in forces, have been warned by militants either to leave jobs or face the consequences.
The attack, for which no militant group has so far claimed responsibility, comes amid a military offensive to push the Taliban out of North Waziristan, a remote northwestern region near the border with Afghanistan. North Waziristan was considered the key stronghold of the Taliban after other areas in Pakistan had been mostly cleared of militants.

But residents say most militants moved out before the Pakistani army announced its offensive last month, raising fears that they may now be beefing up their presence in other areas. "The militants displaced from North Waziristan have returned to the Khyber Agency and started attacks on security forces," said one security official.

The Khyber Agency is part of the semiautonomous areas where tribal law holds sway instead of Pakistan's judicial system, and the government is represented by a political agent. Khyber is about 48 km north of North Waziristan, and also borders Afghanistan. Analysts have warned that the operation would likely lead to reprisal attacks in Pakistan's major cities at the hands of sleeper cells of militant outfits linked to the Taliban.

INP adds: A jawan of Frontier Constabulary (FC) martyred in militants attack on security check post in Jamrud was laid to rest in Kohat with military honours.

A large number of people including family members, relatives and security officials attended the funeral prayers of the martyred Israr Khan.

The family members of Israr Khan said that they were proud of him as he sacrificed his life to defend the country and its people. Nation News

US drone strike kills eleven in northwest Pakistan

A US drone strike targeting a Pakistani Taliban compound killed eleven insurgents in the country's restive northwestern tribal region near the border with Afghanistan, officials said.

File photo of a US Predator drone in Afghanistan. (AFP/Bonny Schoonakker)

MIRANSHAH, Pakistan: A US drone strike targeting a Pakistani Taliban compound on Saturday killed eleven insurgents in the country's restive northwestern tribal region near the border with Afghanistan, officials said.

The attack came in North Waziristan, where for the past month the Pakistani military has been fighting to wipe out longstanding bases of Taliban and other militants.

"The drone fired eight missiles on the compound around 2:00am (2100 GMT) on Saturday killing eleven members of the Punjabi faction of the Pakistani Taliban," a senior security official in the region told AFP.

The official said the dead included two "important" commanders of the Pakistani Taliban, but he refused to reveal their identities. An official had earlier given a lower death toll of eight militants dead.

The strike took place in the Mada Khel suburb of Data Khel, a town that lies around 22 miles (36 kilometres) west of North Waziristan's capital Miranshah.

Pakistan's semi-autonomous tribal areas on the Afghan border have for years been a hideout for Islamist militants of all stripes - including Al-Qaeda and the homegrown Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as well as foreign fighters such as Uzbeks and Uighurs.

Washington pressed Islamabad for years to take action to wipe out sanctuaries in North Waziristan, which militants have used to launch attacks on NATO forces in neighbouring Afghanistan.

Jets and artillery began hitting rebel targets in mid-June to try to regain full control of the district and ground forces moved in on June 30.

US drone strikes have picked up since the military offensive in Waziristan after a near six month hiatus. Since 12 June at least four drone strikes have been reported in the tribal areas.

The assault by Pakistan's military was launched after a dramatic attack by militants on Karachi airport which killed dozens of people and marked the end of a faltering peace process with the Pakistani Taliban.

More than 400 militants and 25 soldiers have been killed in the assault so far, according to the military, though the area is off-limits to journalists, making it impossible to verify the number and identity the dead independently.

Pakistan routinely protests against US drone strikes, which have been targeting militants in the tribal areas since 2004, saying they are a violation of sovereignty and counterproductive in the fight against terror.

Military officials have also strongly denied suggestions that there has been collusion with the US on drone strikes.

More than 800,000 people have been forced to flee from North Waziristan by the assault, with most ending up in the nearby town of Bannu.


There have been fears that many top militants also fled, including fighters from the feared Haqqani network which is blamed for numerous bloody attacks in Afghanistan. Channel One Asia

Read Also: Pak - US Airstrike killed 55 militants in NWZ

Won’t let anyone create unrest on Aug 14: Prime Minister

ISLAMABAD - Refuting the demand of resignation by what he said politically bankrupt politicians Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif came up with firm caution that no one would be allowed to create anarchy in the country on August 14.

Addressing a public gathering near Chakwal after laying down the foundation stone of the Chakwal-Sohawa and Chakwal-Mandra Road Project, Premier Sharif said that those who had announced to resign in case of bringing down of dollar below Rs100 were not demanding his resignation and made it clear that neither he would resign nor bow to the unconstitutional demands of these elements who did not want to see the country’s march on road to progress and prosperity.

Premier Sharif, portraying the dismal condition when they took over the control of government said that the national exchequer was empty and almost everything was in tatters. In just one year his government had taken concrete steps toward resolution of the problems, which had been ignored by the successive government for almost couple of decades, he claimed.

He said that it was his government which had constructed motorway from Islamabad to Lahore but no successive government even thought about extending the project to other cities and once again it was in the credit of their government that they had planned its extension up to Karachi.

The prime minister said that it was not the time for holding protests and agitation because the armed forces of the country were fighting war against militancy and future of the nation is linked to its success. He said that in next four years they would bring revolution in the lives of common people and people would start reaping the fruits of the economic progress.

The inauguration ceremony of the project was also attended by the Minister of State for Communications Abdul Hakim; MNAs Sardar Mumtaz Tamman, Javed Ikhlas and Tahir Iqbal; Lt General (r) Abdul Qayyum and local dignitaries. The Premier was briefed by NLC DG about the project details.

The PM was told that the 130 kilometre long road project would benefit the people of Chakwal, Khushab, Sohawa, Talagang, Mianwali and DI Khan and would be completed in 18 months. The project would cost Rs8.5 billion and both roads would be constructed as dual carriageways.

The prime minister said that the project is of vital importance for the local people and its construction should be carried out at fast pace. He directed to extend the width of the road and complete the construction work in one year. He also announced to make Chakwal Bypass part of the project so that the intra-city traffic density could be minimised.

Addressing the gathering at the occasion, PM Nawaz Sharif said that their government has made a comprehensive development package for whole of Pakistan. “We have initiated several road infrastructure projects, energy projects, railway upgradation projects and new railway track projects in the country and these projects are not limited to a specific area but cover whole of Pakistan.”
The PM said that 10 coal power projects in Gadani, 2 coal power projects in Port Qasim, 4 power plants in different locations of Punjab, 10 coal power projects in Thar, Dasu Dam, Diamer Dam and Civil Nuclear power project in Karachi speak volumes about our commitment to resolve the energy crisis being faced by the country.

“We are striving for long term as well as short term coal, hydel and nuclear power projects so that cheap and abundant electricity is available to people of Pakistan in next few years,” he explained. The power crisis could not be resolved overnight as the previous governments did not take any concrete measures to resolve the issue and “it is now our government that has taken up this task on war footing”.

“We started the concept of motorways in Pakistan and now a large area of our population is taking its benefit. It is our government, which has decided to extend the motorway up to Karachi,” he added. The new railway track from Islamabad-Muzaffarabad, announced by the government, is the only new track envisaged by Pakistan Railways since last many years, PM said.

“Such are the steps taken by our government to put Pakistan back on path to progress that the confidence of multilateral donors in country’s economy has started to build up. “The economic indicators of our economy are positive, while the recent Moody’s rating has also rated Pakistan better in economic standings,” he added.

The prime minister said that these are achievements of “only our first year in government and u can well imagine that destiny of our country will change in next four years, if the developmental activities continue with same pace. We have a commitment of development with our people and we stand by it. We have solution to all the problems faced by our country and we are going step by step to resolve them”.

Nawaz Sharif further said, “We have taken strong and united stand against terrorism, be it law and order situation in Karachi or terrorism issue. Results of our efforts are obvious.” Premier also paid tribute to the people of Chakwal whose soldiers have played an important role in protection of the motherland and called it a city of Ghazis and Shuhadaa. Nation News