Top tribal chief of NWA, driver, bodyguard killed

 

MIRANSHAH: Unidentified gunmen shot dead a prominent tribal elder, designated by the government as the chief of North Waziristan, along with his driver and a bodyguard in Miranshah, North Waziristan Agency, on Thursday.
A senior government official said Malik Qadir Khan was on his way home in a car when armed men opened fire on them near the Chashma Pul.It is the same place where a senior local journalist Malik Mumtaz Khan was killed by unidentified people two years ago.

Malik Qadir Khan belonged to the Madakhel tribe. He was among the leading tribal elders and someone who tried to maintain peace in North Waziristan. He was the head of the tribal Jirga constituted by Maulana Fazlur Rahman’s JUI-F to promote peace talks with the militants. However, the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif didn’t use the services of the tribal Jirga much to the annoyance of Maulana Fazlur Rahman.

Due to security concerns and following the targeted killing of tribal elders, Malik Qadir Khan had shifted his family from his native North Waziristan to Lakki Marwat district in the southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province a few years ago.

Most of his tribe continued to live in North Waziristan, a volatile tribal region where local and foreign militants are active.“He used to come to Waziristan to help settle local disputes and would return home after spending some time,” the government official said. Pleading anonymity, he said the three men died on the spot.

A local elder said the killing of the noted tribal elder, Malik Qadir Khan, had contributed to the concerns of the people in North Waziristan. “He was widely respected and had no enmity. We don’t know who would have done it,” he said.The government had given Malik Qadir Khan the status of the chief of Waziristan as he wielded considerable influence among the tribes.

Govt, media, army must work together for country: Nawaz

 

LONDON: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that the government, media and army must work together for the country to take Pakistan out of the multifarious and serious crises facing the motherland.
Answering a question from ‘The News’ after addressing a conference of investors here, the premier said that all the institutions, including the media and security institutions, had a vital role to play. “We all have to join hands to move forward. Be it the media or Pakistan’s armed forces, the government or the security institutions, we all will have to work together. Pakistan is surrounded by crises and we have tried to put it back on track since coming to power,” he said.

The prime minister was asked about the Jang and Geo appeal to him and the Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani. It was feared that justice, fairplay and impartiality could not be expected from a dysfunctional and weak body like Pemra and that the allegations levelled by the Ministry of Defence were so defamatory, scandalous and serious that an independent Supreme Court Commission should be formed to inquire into these allegations.

The premier said that the Judicial Commission was set up by the Supreme Court of Pakistan on his request to look into various aspects of the attack on senior anchor Hamid Mir. “A commission comprising three judges has been formed; let the commission complete its work to find out the facts.”

Nawaz Sharif appealed to all sides to focus their efforts on Pakistan’s betterment. He said that Pakistan’s industry had halted but now it was running two to three shifts and production was increasing.“I believe that we have to resolve these matters. We should make matters easy and resolve issues amicably. Pakistan is at such a stage where it faces many difficulties,” the premier said.

He said that it was due to his economic policies that Pakistan would get more than $30 billion of investment in the next a few years. “This is unprecedented investment, mainly from Chinese and also Pakistani investors. This will boost Pakistan’s energy sector. Pakistan will become a corridor for investment and growth in the region. We have to understand that almost 3 billion people live in this region. There is so much we can gain and our nation can benefit through our policies,” he said adding that the future of the world lay in this region.

He stressed: “We should not entangle ourselves in these issues. We shall not be distracted.”Speaking to ‘The News’, senior Foreign Office Minister Baroness Sayeeda Warsi said that Britain believed in the freedom of speech and held these values in high esteem. She said that Pakistan faced tough circumstances and it was important that all the institutions should work together to find a way out. “I want to take this opportunity to say that our thoughts and prayers are with Hamid Mir. He is a respected journalist. The whole world is waiting for his recovery and we fully support freedom of press.”

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, while speaking to ‘The News’, said that Pakistan’s independent media had asserted itself through sacrifices and a long struggle for its rights. He said that freedom of independent media could not be questioned because it had been obtained through a lot of sacrifices. But, Shahbaz Sharif urged all media channels to adhere to journalistic principles and always present all sides of the story. “It should not be one sided. I am talking about all media. It is important that moderation is adopted in current circumstances.”

Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik said that his party’s position was very clear on the current standoff. “We are for freedom of speech. We have worked to get this much freedom for media. I am completely in favour of media freedom. Our policy is crystal clear about it. We will not support anyone who suppresses freedom of speech.

Balochistan chief minister added: “Pakistan faces tough circumstances. It is the responsibility of media and all other institutions to work together to make Pakistan a progressive society.”APP/INP add: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif appreciated UK strong support for grant of GSP Plus status to Pakistan by the European Union (EU) and continued development assistance provided through Department for International Development (DFID) particularly in health and education sectors.

The Prime Minister was talking to British Foreign Secretary William Hague who called on him here. He is currently in London on an official visit to review and further strengthen the strategic relations between the two countries.

Speaking about his government’s priorities, the prime minister said his government was committed to enhancing the welfare and security of its people by reviving the economy, overcoming energy shortage, eradicating extremism and promoting human rights and good governance.

Secretary Hague appreciated the economic reforms agenda of the government and offered UK’s assistance and cooperation in its implementation. He also offered support to Pakistan in meeting its obligations under the GSP Plus regime.

The post election situation in Afghanistan including security environment in the post 2014 withdrawal scenario was also discussed.Secretary Hague welcomed the Pakistan government’s efforts to establish cordial and cooperative relations with India.

Meanwhile, British Defence Secretary Philip Hammond called on Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif in London and discussed at length the existing level of defence and security cooperation between Pakistan and the UK.

The prime minister appreciated UK’s offer of assistance in the areas of training and capacity building of Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies especially in the field of countering Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Prime Minister hoped that this relationship could be further strengthened and taken to a higher level where both the sides could undertake joint defence production ventures.

It was agreed that defence and security cooperation between the two countries had assumed increased significance in view of the forthcoming withdrawal of Nato forces from Afghanistan later this year. The two sides expressed satisfaction with the bilateral cooperation under the framework of Enhanced Strategic Dialogue (ESD) and hoped that the targets set under the framework would be achieved within the given timeframe. Both the sides also agreed that the Defence Equipment Cooperation MoU signed in 2005 needed to be renewed and revitalised under the Defence Cooperation Forum.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik, Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi and acting High Commissioner Muhammad Imran Mirza also attended the meeting.

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif lauded the British government’s ongoing cooperation and assistance to Pakistan in spheres of security and counter terrorism.

The prime minister said this while talking to British Home Secretary Theresa May who called on him. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to fight extremism and militancy and pointed out the unprecedented sacrifices rendered by the country in terms of human lives and economic losses. He updated Secretary May on the National Internal Security Policy (NISP) and the dialogue process with the Taliban.

The prime minister shared his government’s plans to improve the working of counter terrorism organisations at the federal level and creation of similar organisations at the provincial level. He also underlined the need for enhanced cooperation between the two countries in all spheres. The Home Secretary said the British government recognised Pakistan’s commitment and sacrifices in the global war on terror. She said the United Kingdom would extend all possible help to strengthen Pakistan’s capacity in dealing with extremism and terrorism.Both sides expressed their resolve to continue benefiting from each other’s expertise in relevant areas.

Pervez Rashid terms army chief remarks on media as positive

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervez Rashid has termed Army Chief’s remarks about media as positive.

In his brief media talk after the Youme-Shuhda ceremony at the General Headquarters, the minister said that there should not be any ambiguity after the speech of Chief of the Army Staff.

Talking to Geo News, Defence Secretary Yasin Malik said that the army chief expressed positive views abut media and media should also adopt a positive behavior.

Asif says he signed application against Geo

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said on Wednesday that the application moved against Geo in PEMRA was signed by him.

He said that as a defence minister it was his responsibility to send the application.

Speaking to media after attending Youm-e-Shuda ceremony at the General Headquarters, the minister said that talk of tension between the government and the military was baseless.

Replying a question he said that his meeting with Opposition Leader Syed Khursha Shah was aimed at discussing electricity issues.

Workers killing: MQM to observe day of mourning Friday

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has announced to observe a peaceful day of mourning in Sindh on Friday against killing of party workers, Geo News reported.

This was announced by MQM leader Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui while addressing a press conference here Thursday.

Earlier, the identity of the four bodies, recovered from Memon Goth a day earlier, was ascertained as MQM workers.

The bodies have been identified as Sameed, Ali Haider, Faizan and Salman Qureshi.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) spokesman has claimed that all the four were party’s workers.

The MQM spokesman further claimed that all four deceased were arrested by Rangers and police from Country tower and Gulshan-e-Maymar on April 13 and were brutally tortured to death.

Militant attack in Afghanistan kills 4 policemen

KABUL: Officials say a militant attack on a security post in eastern Afghanistan has killed four policemen.

The Khost provincial government says in a statement Thursday that two members of the national police and two border police died in the attack the previous night in Ali Shir district.

It says three militants were killed in the battle and one was captured.

The deputy police chief for Khost, Yaquob Khan, says the battle for the post lasted two hours. He says the attackers were from the Haqqani network. (AFP)

Blast reported in Karachi

KARACHI: A blast has been reported in Qasba colony of Karachi, Geo News reported.

SSP Irfan Baloch has confirmed the initial reports and said the explosion occurred in the cylinder shop.

Will resist any move to topple govt: Fazl

ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has stated that they would back the government and prevent it from topple if anyone tried do so, Geo News reported.

Talking to media here Thursday, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said they did not accept foreign agenda in Pakistan, adding that objectives could not be achieved through power.

He criticized the role of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), saying it should be accepted that the commission seemed totally helpless in the polls.

Fazl said it is the responsibility of the government to take the coalition partners into confidence over the issues.

Ebola outbreak under control, says Guinea president

GENEVA: Guinea's Ebola outbreak is under control, but the death toll could rise above the current 74 because sick patients remain in hospital, the president said Wednesday.

"For the moment the situation is well in hand, and we touch wood that there won't be any new cases," President Alpha Conde told reporters during a visit to Geneva, home of the World Health Organization (WHO).

However he warned that with a number of people still in hospital suspected to be suffering from the deadly virus, the death toll may yet rise.

"There haven't been any new cases. But of those who remain in quarantine, there certainly will be some who will die," he said.

Working with the UN health agency and aid groups, Guinea remains on high alert against the virus, an incurable disease that can kill up to 90 percent of its victims.

On Tuesday, the health ministry said that 74 people had died so far this year in one of the worst ever outbreaks of the virus, with 121 confirmed cases. A larger number of people have been diagnosed with haemorrhagic fever, but not all those cases have been confirmed as Ebola.

No new cases have been recorded since Sunday, although four people are receiving treatment in the capital Conakry, and six in Gueckedou, in the south, which has seen one of the most serious outbreaks.

There is no vaccine or cure for Ebola, which can be caught from handling the blood or the bodily fluids of sick or dead forest animals.

Researchers in the United States have confirmed that the Guinea outbreak began after contact with bats caught for their meat in the country's southern forests, Conde noted.

It then spread in the hunters' communities and to health workers who initially failed to identify the risk posed by feverish patients.

To try and limit the outbreak, the government has advised Guineans to stop eating bats and avoid other "bush meat" when possible, and has also striven to apply infection-control measures by monitoring potential cases and those they have come into contact with.

The disease has spread to neighbouring Liberia, with suspected cases reported in Mali and Sierra Leone sparking fears it could spread throughout the region.

But in a sign of subsiding concerns, Senegal, which had closed its border with Guinea, reopened the frontier on Tuesday, Conde said.

The WHO has described the outbreak as one of the most challenging since the virus emerged in 1976 in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Ebola leads to haemorrhagic fever, causing muscle pain, weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea and, in severe cases, organ failure and unstoppable bleeding.

There is no vaccine or cure for the virus, which can easily spread among humans through contact with infected blood, bodily fluids and tissue.

Its spread can be stopped only by isolating suspected cases in ultra-clean conditions and quarantining those who have been in contact with them.

 

Gooch removed as England’s batting coach

LONDON: Graham Gooch has been sacked as England´s batting coach with immediate effect, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Thursday, as the fallout from the Ashes drubbing continued.

The former England captain joined the team as a consultant batting coach in late 2009 before taking up a fulltime role in early 2012. His departure was announced two weeks after Peter Moores returned as England coach in place of Andy Flower, who resigned following the whitewash Down Under in January.

"After discussions with (captain) Alastair Cook, he informed me that he was in favour of change," Gooch, 60, said in an ECB statement.

"Although this was sad news, I respect his, and new coach Peter Moores, right to implement this change of direction."

A veteran of 118 tests in which he scored 8,900 runs, Gooch said Cook was still the best man to lead England despite presiding over the 5-0 Ashes rout.

"In my opinion Alastair is the right man to captain England, he commands respect and will always put his body on the line for his country," Gooch said.

"He will face many challenges and have many more tough decisions to make before his journey ends."

Over the last decade or so he has been the ultimate professional to work with and it has been an honour to see him develop.

"ECB managing director Paul Downton thanked Gooch for being an "outstanding coach".

"Graham´s record as a player speaks for itself but as a coach his ability to mentor and develop players has helped England achieve a huge amount in recent years," he said.

"I have no doubt that we will continue to see his influence on this current generation of England players and future generations can learn a lot from his passion and dedication to the game." (Reuters)