Nawaz, Karzai discuss NWA operation

 

ISLAMABAD: Afghan President Hamid Karzai has discussed with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif developments on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan in the wake of the ongoing military operation in the bordering tribal areas of North Waziristan Agency(NWA) against the terrorists.
The Afghan president made a telephone call to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on late Thursday evening. He reportedly assured the premier of support of his administration in the military operation.

It was the second direct telephonic contact between the two leaders in about five days. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called Hamid Karzai on the day he announced the launch of the military operation and sought Afghan cooperation for the action. It has been officially stated that Thursday’s call by the Afghan president followed up after the visit of special Pakistani envoy Mehmood Khan Achakzai, chief of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) and Member National Assembly to Kabul on Tuesday where he had a detailed meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and discussed security cooperation with him.

Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhary also accompanied him in the visit. Spokesperson of the Foreign Office Tasneem Aslam has confirmed that Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Member of Parliament, visited Afghanistan on 17-18th June as the special envoy of the prime minister to seek Afghanistan’s cooperation in eliminating terrorism.

Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan Janan Mosazai had an important meeting with the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif at the GHQ on Wednesday. The ISPR reported that during the meeting, the ongoing operation in the North Waziristan Agency and matters of mutual interest including measures to improve the security along the Pak-Afghan border were discussed.

Nawaz chairs meeting to discuss situation arising after Alatf’s arrest

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday chaired a high level meeting to discuss situation arising after the arrest of MQM chief Altaf Hussain in London.

Sources said that speaking at the meeting the prime minister said that the arrest of Mr Hussain was a legal affair and the government was extending its “legal and moral assistance” in this regard.

He told the meeting that Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad had assured him that law and order would be maintained in Karachi.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan briefed the meeting about the government strategy to maintain law and order in Karachi.

He said that the federal government would extend cooperation to the Sindh government to maintain peace in the city.

Corps commanders discuss security situation

 

RAWALPINDI: The corps commanders on Friday undertook a comprehensive review of the prevalent internal and external security situation of the country.According to a press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations, the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Raheel Sharif, chaired the 172nd Corps Commanders Conference held here at the General Headquarters (GHQ).Professional matters were also discussed on the occasion.

PM, COAS, US envoy discuss regional situation

 

RAWALPINDI: The US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, James Dobbins, called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif respectively on Friday.
Besides matters of mutual interest, they discussed the regional security situation, the US drawdown and reconciliation process in Afghanistan. They also discussed the post-Afghan election scenario and situation on the Pak-Afghan border.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and US Ambassador Richard Olson attended the meeting.US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan James Dobbins also called on the Chief of the Army Staff, General Raheel Sharif, in Rawalpindi.

Besides matters of mutual interest, they discussed the Pak-US defence cooperation, security situation of the region, the US drawdown and situation on the Pak-Afghan border.According to the ISPR, during the meeting, issues of mutual interest were discussed. While the success of Afghan presidential elections was noted with satisfaction, the importance of stable and democratic Afghanistan was emphasized for regional security.

PM summons meeting to discuss national security

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has summoned a high-level meeting to discuss national security on Thursday.


The meeting will review the dialogue process with the Taliban and the situation arising in neighbouring Afghanistan following the presidential election. Sources add that relations with Iran will also be on the agenda.

The country’s top military and civilian leadership will be present during the meeting.

PM’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Defence Minister Khwaja Asif, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar and Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid will be present from the civilian leadership.

The heads of the armed forces, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, DG ISI and DG IB will also be in attendance.

 

Corps commanders discuss Isaf drawdown impact

 

RAWALPINDI: The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Raheel Sharif, has appreciated the troops for taking additional security measures along the Pak-Afghan border to assist the Afghan brethren in the conduct of smooth presidential elections.
The corps commanders’ conference on Wednesday undertook a comprehensive review of the prevailing external and internal security situation, especially along the western border. The COAS, Gen Raheel Sharif,The issue of drawdown of International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) from Afghanistan with its concomitant implications on the security situation along the bordering region was also discussed.

The forum also comprehensively reviewed the Pak Army’s large-scale involvement on security, development and rehabilitation works in various parts of the country. The COAS commended the efforts despite serious security and administrative challenges.

 

PM, Akhtar Mengal discuss Balochistan

ISLAMABAD: Former Chief Minister, Balochistan, Sardar Akhtar Mengal had a detailed meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif here at the PM House Thursday and discussed with him problems concerning the province.

Officially no word has been given about the meeting but Sardar Akhtar told ‘The News’ in a brief chat later that it was a meeting after a fairly long gap between them and he briefed the prime minister on situation prevailing in Balochistan.

He said that no improvement had taken place in Balochistan in recent months and years rather things were getting worse in the province.To a query, Mengal said that he found Nawaz Sharif sincere with the cause of democratic forces but unfortunately he didn’t possess the authority to alter the situation prevalent in the province.

He referred to the question of missing persons and said if the premier could lend help in this matter, it would demonstrate his authority.To another question, he said in a lighter tone that he had given the prime minister yet another year to resolve the problems of his province.

“We will see what happens to the demands we have given to the prime minister and we will wait for another year,” he said.

Sardar Mengal who has come to the federal capital after about six month interval had meetings with certain important political personalities during his stay here.When asked about his meeting with the prime minister that if it was disappointing, his reply was, “You cannot say it was remarkable as far as outcomes are concerned.”

He said with another broad laughter that “we all are with hope (Hum sab umeed say hain).” He talked high of Nawaz Sharif and said the prime minister had proved always accommodating and nice in talk but certain forces didn’t let him do what he was authorised for and wished to do.

In the meanwhile, sources in the PM House said that the meeting between the former chief minister Balochistan and Prime Minister Nawaz was held in a pleasant and excellent atmosphere where the two leaders discussed overall problems of the people.

The prime minister has been appreciative throughout of the political sagacity of Sardar Akhtar Mengal.INP adds: Meanwhile, talking to a private news channel, Akhtar Mengal said nothing had changed in Balochistan despite assurances of the government.

He said the matter had surpassed from dead bodies to the mass-graves now. Despite the promises of the government no steps were being taken for restoration of peace in the province, Mengal claimed.“We are democratic people. Don’t close the doors of politics and democratic paths on us,” Mengal emphatically said.

Nawaz, Nisar discuss peace talks, Musharraf affairs

 

 

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had an important and extensive meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif here at the Prime Minister’s House on Monday.
The minister had to skip the National Assembly session for the meeting, and it is understood that the two leaders have evolved a strategy to deal with the upcoming developments with regard to dialogue with the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the former military ruler General (retd) Pervez Musharraf.

The leaders had discussions pertaining to the next round of dialogue with Taliban in the wake of so-called ceasefire expiry from today (Tuesday). It was a scheduled meeting, and the Prime Minister’s Special Secretary Fawad Hasan Fawad was also took part in the discussions. Fawad is also an important member of the government committee that ventured direct talks with Talban in North Waziristan last month.

Well placed sources of the Prime Minister’s House told The News here on Monday evening that Chaudhry Nisar Ali had a scheduled meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The primary subject of the meeting was to chalk out a strategy regarding talks with Taliban, but Pervez Musharraf case also came under discussion as part of the current issue. The sources indicated that the prime minister is determined to follow the verdicts of the judiciary in the case of Musharraf. It is unlikely that the government would grant him permission to leave the country without obtaining certain assurances, the sources said. It is expected that Prime Minister Nawaz will take the matter in the federal cabinet if the government will have to consider any relaxation for the retired General.

Meanwhile, the government is ascertaining the health condition of Pervez Musharraf’s ailing mother through diplomatic channels. The report is likely to reach Islamabad in the wee hours of Tuesday. It will also help in reaching conclusion for the government, the sources said.

A meeting between the civil and military leadership will be held in two days here in Islamabad where the issue of talks with Taliban would be discussed. Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif will also attend the meeting. The meeting would be concentrating exclusively on the dialogue with Taliban, the sources said.

PM Nawaz, Nisar discuss Taliban talks

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif here on Saturday.

During the meeting the future strategy for dialogue with the Taliban and steps required for peace in the country were discussed.

The interior minister met with Prime Minister Sharif ahead of his scheduled meeting with the government and Taliban committees.

UN chief, Venezuela FM to discuss deadly protests

CARACAS: Venezuela's foreign minister will meet Tuesday with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Geneva to discuss three weeks of deadly protests that have rattled the oil-rich country.
Fresh anti-government demonstrations took place Saturday, with protesters calling for the release of dozens of activists who have been arrested in the protests that have left 18 people dead.
The demonstrators, joined by opposition lawmaker Maria Machado, formed a convoy of some 500 cars and motorcycles and toured the city against government "torture and repression."
The move came after fresh violence on Friday saw pitched battles between security forces and demonstrators.
Ban had urged the Venezuelan government and opposition earlier this week to make concrete steps toward meaningful dialogue to reduce the country's polarization.
The talks between Ban and Foreign Minister Elias Jaua will be held in the framework of a meeting of the UN Commission on Human Rights.
It "will be an excellent opportunity to explain how the government is advancing the peace process and what measures are being taken so that Venezuela recovers from these disturbances, these acts of violence," Venezuela's UN Ambassador Jorge Valero told news agency Noticias 24.
Protesters vowed to boycott Venezuela's annual carnival celebrations as a mark of respect to the dead.
"We honor the dead. No carnival, there is nothing to celebrate," engineering student Argenis Arteaga told AFP at the protest.
At least 41 people, including several foreign journalists, were arrested during Friday's clashes.
National Guard security forces used water cannons and tear gas to break up student-led demonstrations in the city's wealthy Chacao district.
Hooded protesters set up barricades and responded with a steady barrage of Molotov cocktails.
Maduro has labeled the protests that began on February 4 as a Washington-backed attempted "coup."
He claims that radical opposition leaders have joined students angered by high inflation and goods shortages in plotting to topple his nearly year-old government.