Pakistan

Apex committee meetings held to eliminate terrorism: Bugti

Published

2 months ago

October 2, 2023

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ISLAMABAD:

The caretaker government is taking active measures to address the issue of terrorism with several apex committee meetings being held, said Interim Interior Minister Sarfaraz Bugti on Monday, adding that “you will see changes in the days to come”.

Bugti, flanked by Information Minister Murtaza Solangi, was addressing a press conference in Islamabad on the interim government’s performance thus far. His remarks come days after deadly bombings in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on the occasion of Eid Miladun Nabi.

Last Friday, at least 60 people were killed, including a policeman, and several others were injured when a suicide bomber targeted an Eid Miladun Nabi procession in Balochistan’s Mastung district. The interior ministry had said that all fingers point towards India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) for the deadly explosion.

That same day, a second bomb attack in K-P’s Hangu district claimed the lives of at least five people and injured 12 others. The blast, reportedly carried out by the Islamic State Khorasan, was carried out at a police station’s mosque during Friday sermons.

“We have limited time and limited mandate and we want to fix things that are meant for daily basis. I must say we do not have any softness for anyone irrespective of how influential they are,” said Bugti.

Responding to a query, Bugti said that the latest incidents of terrorism were under investigation. “RAW’s involvement had been found in incidents that occurred previously in Balochistan. The current bombing is being investigated and once done, we will share details including its executioners and sympathisers,” he said.

Read Govt cracks down on dollar smuggling

No matter the kind of violence, “our security forces have the capacity and they have won the fight against terrorism by demonstrating courage,” added the interim minister.

“Only the state can exercise violence and this is our consensus. There is zero tolerance for it. You will see changes in days to come,” he vowed, adding that Pakistan was committed to eliminating all terrorists.

“If someone wants to impose their agenda through gunpoint, they are mistaken. Only the Constitution will prevail,” said Bugti.

He added that the recent attacks were not “unexpected” as the country had become a “hardened state” and this “reaction was due”.

Moving onto security for the polls, he said that a meeting was held with the Election Commission of Pakistan today and more meetings will be held in coming days. The government would turn to the state institutions if need for further security arises, he added.

Smuggling

Apart from terrorism, the minister spoke about stringent measures being taken to prevent smuggling and said that no one would be exempt from the law.

The government has taken active measures to control the smuggling of wheat, sugar, petroleum and other items in the past month besides establishing different check posts with assistance of the customs department, Frontier Corps and other institutions, he said.

As many as 1,068 FIRs have been lodged over Hawala Hundi and dollar smuggling, said Bugti, adding that another 242 cases have been registered in connection with narcotics control.

He further apprised that he was present at a recently held meeting where the army chief directed his officers to take strict action against against smuggling and warned that not officers found involved in smuggling themselves would be subjected to both court martial and incarceration. “It would be wrong to say that members of security forces were not involved in smuggling,” he said.

Related Topics:Apex Bugti committee eliminate held meetings Terrorism

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Pakistan

Father of girl killed for ‘honour’ arrested in Kohistan

Published

1 hour ago

November 28, 2023

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Police in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) on Tuesday arrested the father of the girl who was allegedly killed in the name of “honour” in Kohistan, officials said.

The suspect Arsala was presented before a local court which granted a seven-day physical remand. Three suspected accomplices, believed to have aided and advised the accused, have also been taken into custody.

On Sunday, a young girl was murdered and another rescued by the police in a case involving a viral video in which both the girls could be seen dancing with local boys.

The girl was killed in the Barsharyal village of Kohistan’s Palas — 150km northwest of Mansehra — allegedly by her own family members on orders issued by a local jirga.

The boys featured in the video, which went viral on social media around four days ago, had gone into hiding.

According to details, in the case registered under sections 114, 15AA, 302/311/109/34 PPC at Palas police station on November 28, 2023, the arrested suspect, Arsala, son of Mohsin, belonging to the Barsharyal tribe, was presented before the senior sessions judge/ Palas Assistant Commissioner.

The police had requested a 10-day physical remand for further investigation, but the judge approved a seven-day remand. The accused will be interrogated further in connection with the case.

Three other alleged accomplices in this gruesome murder have also been arrested. Among them, one is Arsala’s brother, one is his uncle’s son, and the third is a close relative. They have been apprehended on charges of abetment and will be presented before the court for physical remand.

Meanwhile, the boy, identified as Rahmat Shah, who featured in the viral images, has been rescued safely by the local police from Barsharyal.

The police had recorded his statement, and he will be presented in court for further legal proceedings.

Police teams are actively present in Barsharyal, conducting a thorough investigation into the matter.

Pakistan

PM Kakar arrives in Kuwait on two-day official visit

Published

2 hours ago

November 28, 2023

Admin

KUWAIT:

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Tuesday arrived in Kuwait on a two-day official visit to meet the brotherly country’s leadership.

Upon his arrival at the airport, Kuwait’s Minister for Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy Dr Jassim Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ostad received the prime minister, PM Office said in a press release.

Pakistan Ambassador to Kuwait Malik Muhammad Farooq and other senior diplomatic officials were also present on the occasion.

Read more: Investment worth $10b on the cards

During his visit, the premier will meet Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Al-Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar arrived in Kuwait for his two day official visit, today. Kuwait’s Minister for Electricity, Water and Renewable Enegery, Dr Jassim Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ostad received the Prime Minister upon his arrival. pic.twitter.com/ZmeVlZk3S8
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) November 28, 2023

During the visit, a new era of economic and economic cooperation between the two countries will begin.

A number of MoUs will be signed for mutual cooperation in various sectors including manpower, information technology, minerals and mining, food security, energy and defence, it was further added.

As a traditional Kuwaiti welcoming gesture, the caretaker prime minister was also presented “Kahwa” upon his arrival.

As a traditional Kuwaiti welcoming gesture to welcome guests, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar being presented “Kahwa” upon his arrival in Kuwait. pic.twitter.com/3RP94rclqz
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) November 28, 2023

Earlier this month, the interim federal cabinet gave the nod to seven memorandum of understanding (MoUs) with Kuwait for an investment worth $10 billion.

The MoUs would be signed by PM Kakar during the visit.

The MoUs will be inked for projects in various fields, including expansion of water reservoirs, mining facilities, protection and expansion of mangrove forests for coastal areas, investment in IT sector and food security.

The MoUs between the two countries became possible due to the efforts made by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), according to a statement issued by the PM Office earlier.

It added that the interim premier, who chaired the meeting in the federal capital, and his cabinet members appreciated the efforts of the SIFC and the relevant ministries.

The caretaker prime minister issued directions to the federal authorities concerned to ensure cooperation with the provinces for early and fair execution of the projects.

Pakistan

Govt will support ECP in holding ‘fair polls’

Published

3 hours ago

November 28, 2023

Admin

ISLAMABAD:

Caretaker Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi Tuesday said under Article 218(3) of the Constitution, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) would fulfill its responsibility to conduct fair, transparent and impartial elections and the government would support it.

Talking to media in the federal capital, the interim minister noted that the Constitution comprised 280 articles, adding that it not only had the article pertaining to holding of elections in 90 days but also had Article 254.

“Everyone in Pakistan has freedom to express opinion, complain and criticize,” he said.

The minister maintained that the PML-N also had the same liberty as of the PPP and the other parties.

He said Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar had apprised the people about his visit to the UAE on Monday night through a video message.