Tag: kpk

  • CM KP Gandapur says negotiations with terrorists ‘is the only solution’

    CM KP Gandapur says negotiations with terrorists ‘is the only solution’

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has stated that ‘negotiations’ is the only way to move forward in dealing with terrorism.

    Addressing a press conference, the CM KP said, “Imran Khan stated that we should not become a part of somebody else’s war and that negotiations are the only solution.”

    Gandapur also added that “whatever we have done before has not yielded any results but rather we have suffered.”

    It should be noted that the Imran Khan-led government, after the Afghan Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021, pursued infamous “peace deals” with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) which failed.

    Historically, Pakistan has tried to negotiate at least a half dozen of these ‘peace deals’ with the TTP and every single one has failed.

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has stated that the former Chief of Army Staff Qamar Javed Bajwa and the ex-spymaster General Faiz Hamid should be held accountable for their policy of allowing the Taliban to return to Pakistan.

    According to Asif, ‘generals painted a rosy picture’ of a new era if the TTP were allowed back in the country.

    The Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) annual report revealed that more than 1500 people lost their lives in 2023 due to terror attacks.

    Pakistan has witnessed a stark increase in terror attacks since the Afghan Taliban came into power in the neighbouring country.

    Pakistan continues to blame Afghanistan for their inaction against anti-Pakistan elements and even conducted surgical strikes inside Afghanistan in March 2024 targeting hideouts of commanders of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

    Social media reactions were mostly mixed regarding the CM KP’s statement.

  • Serious lapses in security protocol of slain Chinese nationals

    Serious lapses in security protocol of slain Chinese nationals

    Since a tragic terror attack in Shangla claimed six lives including five Chinese citizens, a decision to constitute an investigative committee was taken by the government.

    The attack exposed serious lapses in the security detail of the Chinese engineers and a disregard for standard operating procedures (SOPs).

    The committee was shocked to find out that the bus carrying the Chinese officials was not bulletproof, let alone bombproof, which is the requirement under the security SOPs.

    It pointed out multiple significant flaws in the security detail due to which the incident took place.

    They further said the company “that was required to provide bullet- and bombproof vehicles to transport Chinese workers, and duly paid for, failed to meet its contractual obligations.”

    Moreover, according to the SOPs, the District Police Officer in Upper Kohistan was supposed to be informed about the movements of the foreign nationals in advance which did not happen.

  • Is PTI getting cozy with the establishment again?

    Is PTI getting cozy with the establishment again?

    Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) Ali Amin Gandapur visited Corps Commander House Peshawar on an Iftar invitation and received a security briefing on the province from military officials.

    Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, Advisor to the Chief Minister KPK on Information, clarified to Geo News that it was an iftar invitation and denied rumors on social media that the provincial government held a cabinet meeting at Corps Commander House.

    After the Iftar, mutual discussion on the security situation was held between them.

    More importantly, according to Geo News, Imran Khan was apprised of the said meeting and taken into confidence. Imran Khan displayed complete trust in Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.

    Party leadership, especially CM Gandapur, is being criticized by their devout followers on social media for attending this meeting.

  • Senate elections delayed in KPK

    Senate elections delayed in KPK

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday postponed Senate elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after opposition members filed a plea for postponement because of an issue with the provincial government over oath-taking of MPAs on reserved seats.

    Interestingly, polling is underway in the National Assembly, Punjab and Sindh assemblies.

    KP speaker Babar Saleem Swati did not comply with the Peshawar High Court’s (PHC) recent order to administer the oath to the legislators-elect and filed a review petition in court on the eve of polling.

    An official from the ECP pointed out that elections were postponed in KPK because of a delay in oath-taking ceremonies of MPAs-elect, as per the PHC order.

  • Chinese military offers help to Pakistan in fight against terrorism

    Chinese military offers help to Pakistan in fight against terrorism

    After the recent terrorist attack targeting Chinese nationals near Besham in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Chinese military has offered assistance to Pakistan in dealing with various security challenges including terrorism.

    Five Chinese and one Pakistani were killed in the attack in Shangla on Tuesday.

    China’s Ministry of National Defence spokesperson Colonel Wu Qian said: “The Chinese military is willing to work with Pakistani side to continuously enhance our capability of tackling various security risks and challenges especially our ability to responding to terrorist attacks and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.”

    Pakistan and China are all-weather strategic partners and have supported each other through thick and thin, he said. Both are “iron-clad brothers,” he responded to a question regarding PLA participation of the PLA tri-services contingent in the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad on March 23.

    Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir reacted to the Shangla terrorist attack by stating that the military “shall not leave any stone unturned to ensure that every foreign citizen, especially the Chinese nationals — contributing to the prosperity of Pakistan — is safe and secure in the country”.

  • Rain-related death toll exceeds 30 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; dozens injured

    Rain-related death toll exceeds 30 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; dozens injured

    The number of people killed in rain-related accidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has increased to 27, including 18 children, on Sunday, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has reported.

    Apart from the fatalities, at least 38 people, inc­luding 20 children, have been injured.

    PDMA has issued a report on accidents in the province during the last five days, highlighting that 346 houses were partially destroyed while 46 houses were completely destroyed. Additionally, 76 cattle too, have died.

    Goods were distributed among the victims of Charsadda, Dir Lower, Dir Bala, Bajaur, Khyber Nowshera, Peshawar by PDMA.

    More rains are reportedly expected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

  • ‘Pakistan’s economy performed best under Nawaz Sharif’: Bloomberg

    ‘Pakistan’s economy performed best under Nawaz Sharif’: Bloomberg

    An analysis by Bloomberg Economics reveals that Pakistan’s economy witnessed its best performance in the past three decades under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif, who served as Prime Minister thrice.

    The report compares economic indicators during Sharif’s tenure with those of his rivals, including Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), using a misery index that combines inflation and unemployment rates.

    According to Bloomberg Economics, the analysis utilized an average of the misery index values over the years when each major political party ruled Pakistan since 1990.

    The results indicate that Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) outperformed both PTI and PPP in managing economic challenges.

    With general elections scheduled for February 8, Bloomberg suggests that Nawaz Sharif seems poised to return to power for the fourth time, especially as Imran Khan faces legal issues and incarceration.

    Despite Khan’s popularity, with a 57% approval rating according to a recent Gallup poll, Sharif has experienced a surge in popularity from 36% to 52% in the past six months.

    The past three decades saw the PML-N rule Pakistan four times under Sharif and his younger brother Shehbaz Sharif. The PPP under the Bhutto dynasty has held power three times, while Khan was in office for a four-year term ending in April 2022 when he was ousted from power in a parliamentary no-trust vote.

    “Bloomberg Economics used an average of the index values over the respective years when each of the major political parties ruled the country since 1990. A higher value indicates more economic hardship for citizens,” the publication said, explaining its conclusions.

    Bloomberg Economics Misery Index Results for Pakistan showed the Pakistan Muslim League scored 14.5 percent, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf 16.1 percent, and the Pakistan Peoples Party 17.2 percent.

    Pakistan is currently grappling with economic challenges, including seeking a financial bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    Inflation is close to 30 percent in Pakistan, the currency was Asia’s worst performer last year and foreign exchange reserves have slumped.

    The incoming government, as per IMF conditions, will need to implement potentially unpopular policies such as withdrawing subsidies and raising taxes. The IMF forecasts a 2% growth in Pakistan’s economy for the current fiscal year after experiencing a contraction in the previous year.

    Despite the positive economic indicators during Sharif’s governance, the report underscores the formidable tasks awaiting the new government in addressing the country’s economic hardships.

  • Harassment of Pakhtuns in Punjab unacceptable; Aimal Wali Khan warns government

    Harassment of Pakhtuns in Punjab unacceptable; Aimal Wali Khan warns government

    Aimal Wali Khan, the President of Awami National Party (ANP) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has accused Punjab authorities of engaging in harassment against Pakhtuns in the province.

    “The Punjab government has initiated a crackdown on Pakhtuns from KP and Balochistan, who live there for work, trade, and business. If it doesn’t stop harassing Pakhtuns, we won’t allow the presence of non-locals in our province even if they’re government employees,” the ANP leader told a public meeting in the Titwalan area of Martung tehsil on Thursday.

    Highlighting the right of individuals with national identity cards issued by NADRA to live or work anywhere in the country, Khan emphasized that Pakhtuns should enjoy the same rights as people from other ethnic backgrounds.

    He urged the central government to release due funds to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa promptly.

    Khan further addressed economic disparities, stating that while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa produced 6,000 megawatts of electricity and sold it to the center at a nominal rate, its residents were compelled to purchase the same electricity at a significantly higher cost.

    The ANP leader said the people shouldn’t sell votes for “plastic pipes, water tanks and electricity poles” and should instead vote for the ANP for their and next generations’ development.

    He regretted that many coal miners from Shangla lost their lives due to a lack of safety measures at work. He blamed the issue on “bad governance and the corrupt system.”

    He said coal mine workers significantly contributed to economic development but the state and government had neglected their welfare and development.

    “As a lawmaker, I’ll strive for the workplace protection and welfare of miners,” he said.

    The ANP leader said in the upcoming elections, the people should reject those, who had been making false promises to them for the last over a decade, and should vote for the ANP for their development.

    ANP candidates Aurangzeb Khan (NA-11), Faisal Zeb Khan (PK-30), Altaf Khan (PK-29), district president Azam Khan and leader Gulab Shahpuri also addressed the meeting.

  • Terrorists attack police station in Dera Ismail Khan

    Terrorists attack police station in Dera Ismail Khan

    Suspected terrorists attacked a police station on Monday in Dera Ismail Khan, the third terrorist attack in the district since Friday. The militants attacked the Gul Imam police station in Tank area. 

    One police official was injured as a result of attack.

    Police Constable Waheed Gul was injured in the exchange of firing. He was then urgently shifted to District Headquarters Hospital in Tank.

    With reinforcement personnel,District Police Officer (DPO) Tank Iftikhar Ali Shah reached the spot immediately, and then a search operation was started to wipe out militants.

    On Sunday evening, another policeman was injured in a terrorist attack on a checkpost in the Roori area of the Kulachi tehsil.

    Earlier, At least six people were killed and 20 injured after a blast in Dera Ismail Khan targeting a police van on Friday.

  • Six people killed in DI Khan blast

    At least six people have been killed and 20 injured after a blast in Dera Ismail Khan targeting a police van on Friday.

    Law enforcement authorities have confirmed that gunshots were also heard after the blast.

    Caretaker Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Information Minister, Firdous Jamal Shah, stated that the blast took place in Tank Adda near a police van, confirming that 22 injured people were being shifted to hospital.

    There are two police officials and two women among the injured, the minister confirmed.

    “Those elements involved in the explosion and terrorism will be brought to justice,” assured the minister.

    Two blasts occurred last month in KP and Balochistan on the day of Eid Milad un Nabi — the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).