Tag: United States

  • Pakistan wants an all-inclusive settlement in Afghanistan: NSC

    Pakistan wants an all-inclusive settlement in Afghanistan: NSC

    A meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) was held on Monday to deliberate on the emerging situation in Afghanistan. The NSC meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan and attended by senior cabinet members and services chiefs.

    The participants were briefed on the latest developments in Afghanistan and their possible impact on Pakistan and the region.

    “The NSC noted that Pakistan was a victim of the decades-long conflict in Afghanistan and therefore desired peace and stability. Participants reiterated that Pakistan remains committed to an inclusive political settlement as the way forward representing all Afghan ethnic groups. It was reaffirmed that Pakistan would continue to work with the international community and all Afghan stakeholders to facilitate an inclusive political settlement in the country,” read a press release issued after the meeting.

    “The NSC called on all parties in Afghanistan to respect the rule of law, protect the fundamental human rights of all Afghans, and ensure that Afghan soil is not used by any terrorist organisation/group against any country.”

    PM Khan said all possible facilities be made available to repatriate Pakistanis, diplomats, journalists, and staff of international organisations seeking to leave Afghanistan. The committee reiterated Pakistan’s stance that the conflict in Afghanistan never had a military solution.

    “The ideal time to end the conflict through negotiations might have been when the United States (US)/ North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) troops were at maximum military strength in Afghanistan. Continuation of foreign military presence for a longer duration now would not have yielded a different outcome. Therefore, endorsement by the Biden administration of the previous US administration’s decision of troops withdrawal is indeed a logical conclusion to this conflict,” added the press release.

    “It is now time for the international community to work together to ensure an inclusive political settlement for long-term peace, security, and development of Afghanistan/ the region.”

  • Pakistan and US believe that there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan

    Pakistan and US believe that there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan

    Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, during his weekly press briefing, clarified that Pakistan considers the United States (US) a friend and wants broad-based relations to achieve the shared objective of peace and prosperity in the region and beyond.

    Answering the questions on the surging situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan’s relations with the US, Zahid said, “Pakistan and the US have a history of close cooperative relations. This cooperative relationship has served the interests of both the countries.”

    “We both believe that there’s no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan and we both want to see peace in Afghanistan,” added Zahid.

    He reiterated the fact that both Pakistan and the US support an inclusive, broad-based, and comprehensive political settlement in Afghanistan through a process that is owned and led by the Afghans themselves.

    The statement by the Foreign Office comes a day after Prime Minister Imran Khan issued a hard-hitting statement, saying that Washington sees Pakistan only useful in cleaning up the “mess” in Afghanistan.

    “Pakistan is considered only to be useful in the context of somehow settling this mess which has been left behind after 20 years of trying to find a military solution when there was none,” said PM Khan.

    PM Khan also clarified speculations that he was not “waiting” for a phone call from US President Joe Biden.

    “I keep hearing that President Biden hasn’t called me. Well, it’s his option. If he wants to call or not it’s his business. If he thinks it’s necessary or not. Not that I am waiting for any phone call,” said the premier.

  • PM Khan not ‘waiting’ for a phone call from President Joe Biden

    Prime Minister Imran Khan, while talking to foreign journalists at his residence on Wednesday night, said he was not “waiting” for a phone call from United States (US) President Joe Biden.

    “I keep hearing that President Biden hasn’t called me. Well, it’s his option. If he wants to call or not it’s his business. If he thinks it’s necessary or not. Not that I am waiting for any phone call,” he said in response to a question from Reuters journalist, Gibran Peshimam.

    PM Khan’s comments come after National Security Adviser (NSA) Moeed Yusuf had said that Pakistan has other options if Joe Biden continues to ignore the country’s leadership.

    While speaking to Finacial Times (FT), Yusuf categorically said, “If a phone call is a concession, if a security relationship is a concession, Pakistan has options.”

    “We’ve been told every time that . . . [the phone call] will happen, it’s technical reasons or whatever. But frankly, people don’t believe it,” Yusuf added.

    The prime minister also talked about the current situation in Afghanistan, its impact on Pakistan, and the withdrawal of US troops.

    PM Khan further said, “The only solution to Afghan problem is the formation of an inclusive government through a political settlement.”

    He said the prevailing situation in Afghanistan could lead to a civil war in the country resultantly making us suffer being the immediate neighbour. He said it could also affect our geo-economic agenda of improving trade links with Central Asia.

    Prime Minister said, ” Pakistan is ready to work with any government in Afghanistan that is elected by its people.” He once again made it clear that we have no favourites in Afghanistan.

  • US says it recognises and supports Pakistan’s continued efforts to satisfy FATF

    US says it recognises and supports Pakistan’s continued efforts to satisfy FATF

    During a regular press briefing, the United States (US) State Department’s spokesperson Ned Price said, “We do recognise, and we support Pakistan’s continued efforts to satisfy the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) obligations,” reported Geo News.

    This statement comes after Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar admitted that Pakistan is on the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) because of the “efforts of Narendra Modi’s government”.

    When asked to comment over Jaishankar’s admission, Price said that the US encourages Pakistan to continue working with FATF and the international community to swiftly complete the remaining action item.

    “We do further encourage Pakistan to expeditiously implement its new second action plan,” said Price.

    The spokesperson also commented on the alleged abduction of the Afghan ambassador’s daughter. “Afghanistan’s neighbours do have a role to play.”

    Price added, “I would add that tangible and material support for the Afghanistan peace process is vital for its ultimate success, as are the longer-term relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan.”

    “We understand the crucial role that Pakistan has the potential to play in this regard as well,” said the US State Department’s spokesperson.

  • Delta variant dominant worldwide, deaths surge among unvaccinated people: Officials

    Delta variant dominant worldwide, deaths surge among unvaccinated people: Officials

    The Delta variant of Covid-19 is now the dominant strain worldwide, accompanied by a surge of deaths around the United States (US) almost entirely among unvaccinated people, US officials said on Friday.

    US cases of coronavirus are more than 70 per cent over the previous week and deaths are up 26 per cent, with outbreaks happening in parts of the country with low vaccination rates, US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky said during a press briefing.

    “This is becoming a pandemic of the unvaccinated,” Walensky said, adding that 97 per cent of people entering hospitals in the US with Covid-19 are unvaccinated.

    The Delta variant, which is significantly more contagious than the original variant of the virus, has been reported around 100 countries globally and is now the dominant variant worldwide, top US infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci said.

    Read More: Study reveals Pakistanis prayed for India during Covid-19 crisis

    “We are dealing with a formidable variant” of Covid-19, Fauci said.

    Walensky has urged the unvaccinated people to get Covid-19 shots and said Pfizer Inc’s and Moderna Inc’s vaccines have proven to be especially effective against the Delta variant.

    She said people should get the second dose of the vaccine even if they have passed the recommended window of time for receiving it.

  • Pakistan denied US the chance to demand air bases: Moeed Yusuf

    Pakistan denied US the chance to demand air bases: Moeed Yusuf

    National Security Adviser (NSA) Moeed Yusuf has said that Pakistan has not given a chance to the United States (US) to demand airbases after withdrawal from Afghanistan, reports The News.

    In an interview with a private news channel, Moeed Yusuf said it was quite understandable that the US would be in search of airbases after leaving Afghanistan.

    He said an article appeared in New York Times about the issue at hand and Pakistan had to clarify its position.

    Yusuf said Pakistan’s position is that it cannot provide airbases to the US.

    In an interview with Jonathan Swan of HBO Axios, Prime Minister Imran Khan reiterated Pakistan’s stance on the use of military bases and categorically stated that Pakistan will “absolutely not” allow the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to use bases on its soil for cross-border counter-terrorism missions after American forces withdraw from Afghanistan.

    Moeed said the New York Times story was not a coincidence as it created an atmosphere and Pakistan had to clarify its position on the issue.

    The NSA said the world should not consider Pakistan ‘free for all’.

    However, earlier this week, a senior western diplomat said that the US has “at no stage or at any level even asked” Pakistan for military bases, as its forces depart from Afghanistan.

    “Nobody in the entire US administration asked for bases, and yet there is so much focus on the issue in Pakistan,” said the official.

  • US has never asked for military bases within Pakistan,’ says senior western diplomat

    US has never asked for military bases within Pakistan,’ says senior western diplomat

    The United States (US) has “at no stage or at any level even asked” Pakistan for military bases, as its forces depart from Afghanistan, a senior western diplomat has said, reports The News.

    “Nobody in the entire US administration asked for bases, and yet there is so much focus on the issue in Pakistan,” said the official, who was speaking on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to speak publicly on the subject.

    “The recurring debate and the hashtag ‘Absolutely Not’ campaign in Pakistan has left everyone scratching their heads in Washington,” he said.

    Prime Minister Imran Khan in an interview with Jonathan Swan of HBO Axios, in June, reiterated Pakistan’s stance on the use of military bases and categorically stated that Islamabad will not allow it.

    The prime minister was again asked by the US media for his comments on giving access to the CIA to military bases.

    “Will you allow the American government to have the CIA here in Pakistan to conduct cross-border counter-terrorism missions against Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and the Taliban?” Swan asked the premier.

    “Absolutely not,” PM Khan responded.

    Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mahmood Qureshi had said earlier that Pakistan wants a stable Afghanistan, but there are some elements who do not want peace in the region.

    The FM had categorically stated that Pakistan has refused to give military bases to the US and added that he had told all the political parties in a briefing that they have no such intention.

    “Search for bases could be their wish. There’s no question of giving them bases, we have to see our interest.”

  • ‘Bilawal to take his CV to Washington’: Shahbaz Gill

    ‘Bilawal to take his CV to Washington’: Shahbaz Gill

    Special Assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan, Dr Shahbaz Gill, said that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari will be taking his curriculum vitae (CV) along with him to Washington.

    “He [Bilawal Bhutto] will say we are ready to do anything to come into power,” said Gill at a press conference in Karachi.

    “We will not allow such a deal and will not let Bilawal go the United States with any petitions.”

    Gill also tweeted: “Is Bilawal going to Washington like his father to take the next turn of power?”

    

    He further added, “Is this an appeal that if you bring us in power, then even if you demand financial stations or attempt a drone attack, we wouldn’t ask you about it, but in exchange, we want Washington’s blessings.”
    

    “Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari might not know that time, the world and Pakistan have changed now,” added Gill.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
  • 
		
		
    
			
    Apple Watch saves 78-year-old man’s life
    
			
    Apple Watch saves 78-year-old man’s life
    
			
    An Apple Watch saved the life of a 78-year-old man using a fall detection feature after he fell on his driveway. His watch sent an alert to the emergency services after he did not move for 45 seconds.
    

    Mike Yager, from Summerfield in North Carolina, United States fell  unconscious on his driveway. His watch detected the fall and automatically called 911.
    

    “The first thing I asked [the officer] was, ‘How did you guys know to get here?’ and he said, ‘Your watch sent us a message,’ and I said ‘What?’” Mike Yager told Fox8.
    

    Read More: Groom carries bride on shoulders across a flooded river
    

    “The Summerfield Fire Department showed me his log thing and it said, if I remember correctly, male, possibly unconscious. Then it gave the location and then it said reported by Apple Watch. Whenever he showed that to me, I was speechless. I didn’t know what to say,” Mike’s wife Lori said.
    

    The feature in the Apple Watch detects a hard fall, it taps you on the wrist, sounds an alarm and displays an alert. The watch allows you to contact emergency services. If the watch detects movement, it waits for you to respond. However, if you don’t move for a minute, it alerts the emergency services.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
  • 
		
		
    
			
    We accept the Chinese version on Uyghurs in Xinjiang: PM Khan
    
			
    We accept the Chinese version on Uyghurs in Xinjiang: PM Khan
    
			
    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Thursday said that the relationship between Pakistan and China is very deep. “It’s not just the governments, but it’s a people-to-people relationship.”
    

    “Whatever will happen…[the] relationship between our two countries, no matter what pressure is put on us, is not going to change,” PM Khan said in response to a question.
    

    Speaking to Chinese journalists as Beijing marked the centenary of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), the premier said the Chinese version about the treatment of Uyghur Muslims in   Xinjiang was completely different from what was being reported in the western media.
    

    “Because of our extreme proximity and relationship with China, we actually accept the Chinese version,” added PM Khan. 
    

    He said that it was hypocritical that while the Uyghur situation and Hong Kong were being highlighted, attention was not being given to the human rights violations in Indian-Occupied Kashmir.
    

    “It is hypocritical. There are much worse human rights violations taking place in other parts of the world such as in occupied Kashmir. But western media hardly comments on this,” he said.
    

    PM Khan praised the Communist Party.  He said that until now, it was believed that electoral democracy is the best way to bring leaders on merit and hold them accountable.
    

    “But China’s process to hunt talent and then polish it is better than any electoral democracy.”
    

    PM Khan also praised President Xi for his success in the fight against poverty and corruption in China.
    

    “China has lifted 700 million people out of poverty in a few years, which is a great achievement. We want to further develop political, economic and trade relations between the two countries.”
    

    PM Khan said that Pakistanis are impressed by the Chinese president’s fight against corruption and consider him “a great politician of modern times”.
    

    “President Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign is effective and successful.”
    

    PM Khan said that it is unfair of the US and western powers to expect countries like Pakistan to take sides. “Pakistan will not downgrade its relations with China.“
    

    “The United States expects Pakistan to choose a side. This is not appropriate,” he added.