Pakistan’s quest for peace must not be misconstrued as sign of weakness: PM

<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Merriweather; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><img alt="Pakistan’s quest for peace must not be misconstrued as sign of weakness: PM" src="https://www.thenews.com.pk/assets/uploads/updates/2016-10-27/l_160334_045959_updates.jpg" style="background-color: transparent;" /><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><i><u>ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, strongly condemning the recent unprovoked ceasefire violations on the Working Boundary and LOC by Indian forces, on Thursday said that Pakistan’s quest for peace must not be misconstrued as a sign of weakness.</u></i></span></span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> “I strongly condemn the recent unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Indian forces at the Working Boundary in Chaprar and Harpal sectors and on the LoC (Line of Control) in Bhimber sector resulting in shahadat of two civilians and injuries to nine civilians. These violations, if continued, will not go unpunished,” he added.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> “We have exercised maximum restraint; our quest for peace must not be misconstrued as a sign of weakness. We are a peace loving nation; we believe in resolution of all the outstanding issues and disputes through dialogue,” the Prime Minister said.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> He said, “As a responsible sovereign state, we have been endeavoring for regional peace and stability for the collective betterment and prosperity of the residents of South Asia. It is unfortunate that our initiative and efforts have not been reciprocated by India.”</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> “India should investigate the recent incident and share the findings with Pakistan, instruct its troops to respect the ceasefire in letter and spirit, and refrain from intentionally targeting the villages and maintain peace on the Working Boundary and the LoC,” he added.</div>

Pakistan’s quest for peace must not be misconstrued as sign of weakness: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, strongly condemning the recent unprovoked ceasefire violations on the Working Boundary and LOC by Indian forces, on Thursday said that Pakistan’s quest for pea…

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Pakistan reeling at 47-2 as England eye series leveling win

<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> <img alt="Pakistan reeling at 47-2 as England eye series leveling win" src="https://www.thenews.com.pk/assets/uploads/updates/2016-07-25/l_137548_122739_updates.gif" style="background-color: transparent;" />MANCHESTER: James Anderson struck twice on his Lancashire home ground as England eyed a series-levelling win in the second Test against Pakistan at Old Trafford on Monday.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> Pakistan were 47 for two at lunch on the fourth day, needing a further 518 runs to reach their unlikely victory target of 565.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> Anderson, England´s all-time leading wicket-taker, removed both Shan Masood (one) and Azhar Ali (eight) in a spell of two wickets for four runs in eight balls.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Mohammad Hafeez was 24 not out and Younis Khan 12 not out.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> Left-handed opener Masood fell to Anderson for the sixth time in Tests when he edged the paceman straight to England captain Alastair Cook at first slip.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> Anderson, returning to Test cricket after missing Pakistan´s 75-run win in the series opener at Lord´s with a shoulder injury, then had Azhar plumb lbw as the batsman aimed across the line to leave Pakistan 25 for two.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> They should have been 32 for three when Younis, then on three, edged all-rounder Ben Stokes only for the normally reliable Cook to drop a seemingly routine two-handed slip chance.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> Earlier, Cook (76 not out) and Joe Root (71 not out) took England to 173 for one in their second innings before the skipper declared.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> England, already with a huge lead of 489 runs, resumed on 98 for one after Cook had decided against enforcing the follow-on on Sunday.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> Cook, who scored 105 in England´s mammoth first innings 589 for eight declared, was 49 not out and vice-captain Root, whose Test-best 254 was the cornerstone of that total, 23 not out.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> Left-handed opener Cook cover-drove Rahat Ali for the seventh boundary of his innings to complete a 55-ball fifty. It was his fastest in Tests, surpassing a 56-ball effort against India in Mohali in 2008.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> Root struck three legside fours in four balls from left-arm quick Rahat before another boundary, a slog-sweep off leg-spinner Yasir Shah, took him to a 38-ball fifty.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> Root´s 10th four, a reverse sweep off Azhar, saw England´s second-wicket duo complete a century partnership. The stand was worth 105 in 85 balls when Cook called a halt after he and Root had added 75 runs in just nine overs on Monday.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> Shah, who took 10 wickets at Lord´s, finished with second-innings figures of none for 53 in nine overs following his first-innings return of one for 213 in 56 overs.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />That gave him an expensive match haul of one for 266.</div>

Pakistan reeling at 47-2 as England eye series leveling win

MANCHESTER: James Anderson struck twice on his Lancashire home ground as England eyed a series-levelling win in the second Test against Pakistan at Old Trafford on Monday. Pakistan were 47 for two at…

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PPP Leadership Decided to Extend Special Powers to Rangers in Sindh

<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 26px;"> <img alt="Rangers" src="http://i1.wp.com/thepakmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/5666cda340499.jpg?resize=696%2C418" style="background-color: transparent;" />The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leadership in a meeting held the other day in Dubai has decided to extend special policing powers of the paramilitary Rangers force.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 26px;"> Former president and PPP’s co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari chaired the meeting with Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and gave approval for the long overdue decision of extension of the Rangers’ stay in Sindh.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 26px;"> According to PPP officials, it was also decided in the meeting to provide special policing powers to Rangers as well.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 26px;"> Extending policing powers to Rangers has become a bone of contention between the provincial and federal governments.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 26px;"> Zardari directed the Sindh Government to approve a summary related to the extension of Rangers’ powers in Karachi immediately.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 26px;"> Rangers and the Sindh government are at crossroads over several cases including the arrest of former PPP minister Dr Asim Hussain who has been in the paramilitary custody for almost a year now.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 26px;"> However, the row deepened when Asad Kharal, an alleged ‘front man’ of the key party leaders was arrested by the paramilitary force near Hyderabad.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 26px;"> Muhammad Ali alias Asad Kharal was accused of corruption worth millions of rupees.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 26px;"> The move was followed by CM Sindh Shah expressing dissatisfaction in a meeting with Corps Commander Karachi Lieutenant General Naveed Mukhtar over the Rangers exceeding powers in Sindh.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 26px;"> Since 2013, forces leading an operation against criminals in Karachi under powers bestowed on the paramilitary force under Article-147, the Pakistan Rangers Sindh conducted multiple targeted operations in interior Sindh during which 533 suspects were arrested. Those detained were handed over to the Police and various law enforcement agencies.</div>

PPP Leadership Decided to Extend Special Powers to Rangers in Sindh

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leadership in a meeting held the other day in Dubai has decided to extend special policing powers of the paramilitary Rangers force. Former president and PPP’s co-ch…

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Amjad Sabri laid to rest in Karachi

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGyNBriFImlF2L5gcB3bKXxnuC5sw_Zr6mqamAkgRyGb_WE1E06AK6UkGxef5CkTbLtF_TedWG97sAc64e7C0Is6hW1wp4cytHuHfDCORSZczuAktEjrBluVTKOgsAIhUdBrrGMNpWX5U/s1600/l_130093_095141_updates.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGyNBriFImlF2L5gcB3bKXxnuC5sw_Zr6mqamAkgRyGb_WE1E06AK6UkGxef5CkTbLtF_TedWG97sAc64e7C0Is6hW1wp4cytHuHfDCORSZczuAktEjrBluVTKOgsAIhUdBrrGMNpWX5U/s640/l_130093_095141_updates.jpg" width="640" /></a><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">KARACHI: Thousands showed up to pay their final respects and offer funeral prayers for slain qawwal Amjad Sabri on Thursday, who was laid to rest in a graveyard in the city.</strong><br /> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> Funeral prayers for slain qawwal Amjad Sabri were offered at Liaquatabad road, one day after he was gunned down in the city. Afterwards, the qawwal was laid to rest in Karachi's Paposh Nagar graveyard. </div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> The body of the deceased was shifted from the morgue to his house, where his friends, family and relatives will paid their final respects. </div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> Amjad Sabri had been provided the ritualistic <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">ghusl</em> or purifying bath before burial this morning. </div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> The ambulance carrying Sabri's body was thronged by hundreds of supporters, who wanted to see a glimpse of the legendary singer. The atmosphere was one of grief and tragedy, as almost everyone gathered to pay their respects were in tears. </div>

Amjad Sabri laid to rest in Karachi

KARACHI: Thousands showed up to pay their final respects and offer funeral prayers for slain qawwal Amjad Sabri on Thursday, who was laid to rest in a graveyard in the city. Funeral prayers for slain …

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Renowned Qawwal Amjad Sabri gunned down in Karachi

 <img alt="Renowned Qawwal Amjad Sabri gunned down in Karachi" class="attachment-large wp-post-image" src="https://www.geo.tv/assets/uploads/updates/2016-06-22/l_108265_044633_updates.jpg" style="width: 100%;" title="Renowned Qawwal Amjad Sabri gunned down in Karachi" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">KARACHI: Thousands showed up to pay their final respects and offer funeral prayers for slain qawwal Amjad Sabri on Thursday, who was laid to rest in a graveyard in the city.</strong><br /> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> Funeral prayers for slain qawwal Amjad Sabri were offered at Liaquatabad road, one day after he was gunned down in the city. Afterwards, the qawwal was laid to rest in Karachi's Paposh Nagar graveyard. </div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> The body of the deceased was shifted from the morgue to his house, where his friends, family and relatives will paid their final respects. </div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> Amjad Sabri had been provided the ritualistic <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">ghusl</em> or purifying bath before burial this morning. </div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> The ambulance carrying Sabri's body was thronged by hundreds of supporters, who wanted to see a glimpse of the legendary singer. The atmosphere was one of grief and tragedy, as almost everyone gathered to pay their respects were in tears. </div>

Renowned Qawwal Amjad Sabri gunned down in Karachi

 KARACHI: Thousands showed up to pay their final respects and offer funeral prayers for slain qawwal Amjad Sabri on Thursday, who was laid to rest in a graveyard in the city. Funeral prayers for slain…

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Khawaja Asif calls Shireen Mazari a ‘Tractor Trolley’

<img alt="Khawaja Asif calls Shireen Mazari a ‘Tractor Trolley’" src="http://www.thenews.com.pk/assets/uploads/updates/2016-06-08/l_126259_095156_updates.gif" title="Khawaja Asif calls Shireen Mazari a ‘Tractor Trolley’" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly witnessed a ruckus on Wednesday when outspoken federal minister Khawaja Asif called names on the central leader of PTI Shireen Mazari.</strong><br /> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> Khawaja Asif called Mazari a ‘tractor trolley’ while speaking in the house over the issue of load-shedding. “Mr. Speaker! Tell the tractor trolley to be quit,” the minister said.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> While briefing the National Assembly about power situation in the country, he said there is no load-shedding in the country during Iftar and Sehr. In the meantime, PTI MNAs rejected the minister’s claims and raised voice. On that, Khawaja Asif called Shireen Mazari as tractor trolley and called her aunty. On hearing harsh comments, tears rolled down from Shireen Mazari’s eyes.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> Shireen Mazari said men should not be allowed to refer to women by using such insulting words.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;">  “the members of the National Assembly (NA) must know the code of ethics of the session and I hold no reservations against the speaker as he always gives due time to party members to speak,” she said.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> To calm down the situation, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq expunged the words from the assembly proceeding on request of Pakistan Peoples Party’s senior leader Naveed Qamar. Khawaja Asif, however, has not taken back his words as demanded by opposition members.</div>

Khawaja Asif calls Shireen Mazari a ‘Tractor Trolley’

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly witnessed a ruckus on Wednesday when outspoken federal minister Khawaja Asif called names on the central leader of PTI Shireen Mazari. Khawaja Asif called Mazari a ‘tr…

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Pak envoy in India barred from entering a diplomatic meeting

<img alt="Pak envoy in India barred from entering a diplomatic meeting" src="http://www.thenews.com.pk/assets/uploads/updates/2016-06-08/l_126255_090524_updates.jpg" title="Pak envoy in India barred from entering a diplomatic meeting" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">NEW DELHI: Pakistani High Commissioner in India Abdul Basit was not allowed to enter a diplomatic gathering in Nagpur, Indian media reported on Wednesday.</strong><br /> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> The diplomatic gathering was arranged by United Nations and Pakistani High Commissioner was invited to attend the meeting.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> The justification given by the authorities was that the Hindu extremist organisation RSS had threatened against allowing the Pakistani high commissioner into the gathering.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> Officials at Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi say that this is fourth time the invitation has been canceled.  It is also said that this is against the diplomatic norms.</div>

Pak envoy in India barred from entering a diplomatic meeting

NEW DELHI: Pakistani High Commissioner in India Abdul Basit was not allowed to enter a diplomatic gathering in Nagpur, Indian media reported on Wednesday. The diplomatic gathering was arranged by Unit…

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Operation Zarb-e-Azb to be completed this year, vows COAS

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoU-xr1g0r-3zQWFLyPQjOszDrJjAzfr9-9qJPs9AZ6XN_MVaMeOar6g3XIcRAipi85HCOEIYBrx9qGu3MxNYP1fnA1RVHmj2UHTSA8mkUMnK1IhWSUtJ1GDnmLOoWKjPG3-9ZJUM12U/s1600/l_107079_093256_updates.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoU-xr1g0r-3zQWFLyPQjOszDrJjAzfr9-9qJPs9AZ6XN_MVaMeOar6g3XIcRAipi85HCOEIYBrx9qGu3MxNYP1fnA1RVHmj2UHTSA8mkUMnK1IhWSUtJ1GDnmLOoWKjPG3-9ZJUM12U/s640/l_107079_093256_updates.jpg" width="640" /></a><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Wednesday said that failure was not an option in the war against terrorism and vowed that Operation Zarb-e-Azb would be completed this year.</strong><br /> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> In an informal conversation with media at the Parliament House, the army chief reflected on the ongoing activities of the Pakistan army and said that the operation to root out terrorism was progressing successfully.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> “I have earlier said that 2016 will mark the elimination of terrorism,” he said.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> Gen Raheel Sharif said that 99 percent terrorism had been brought under control and that the remaining one percent would be eradicated as well.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> Talking about Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in the north-western FATA region, he said that the return of 56 percent IDPs has been completed.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> He said that the system of governance needs to be established in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and the army has assured the people of FATA that terrorists will never return to the region.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> He added that long-term peace and rehabilitation of IDPs is the highest priority. </div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> The army chief said that drone attacks violate Pakistan’s sovereignty.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> Gen Raheel Sharif said that Pakistan army’s efforts against terrorism were lauded during his recent visit to Turkey where he witnessed multinational military exercises. </div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> The army chief said that Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman is making efforts for the resumption of the US-Pakistan deal to purchase at least eight F16 fighter jets, amounting to $700 million.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14pt;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">COAS meets Parliamentarians</strong></span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> The COAS in a visit to the Parliament House on Wednesday met with the executive parliamentarians in the capital.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> The army supremo met with Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and exchanged civilities.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> Gen Raheel also met with other politicians including Chairman Senate Raza Rabbani, Speaker National Assembly Murtaza Javed Abbasi and other parliamentarians.</div>

Operation Zarb-e-Azb to be completed this year, vows COAS

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Wednesday said that failure was not an option in the war against terrorism and vowed that Operation Zarb-e-Azb would be completed this ye…

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NEC meeting approves Rs1675 bn development budget

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkLGa3LTmqxep2kbqGFNW6q1YzsjwTv7e2t7p4IEvw12MtpK60Al4S68rwMTxSK1cUGWpQmINde0WHS9hDLvq8st7vAUILn_DRMy5sqPFnSWMOppvISEXLsKTCs88toMK2Ss1Fp43G54/s1600/l_123977_021332_updates.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkLGa3LTmqxep2kbqGFNW6q1YzsjwTv7e2t7p4IEvw12MtpK60Al4S68rwMTxSK1cUGWpQmINde0WHS9hDLvq8st7vAUILn_DRMy5sqPFnSWMOppvISEXLsKTCs88toMK2Ss1Fp43G54/s640/l_123977_021332_updates.jpg" width="640" /></a><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">London: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday presided over a meeting of the National Economic Council through a video link from London where he is to undergo an open heart surgery on Tuesday.</strong><br /> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> The NEC meeting considered the proposed Annual Development Plan (ADP) and the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> Sources said the meeting approved development budget of Rs 1675 billion for the fiscal year 2016-2017.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> The meeting was attended by federal ministers, chief ministers of the four federating units, governor and chief minister of Gilgit Baltistan and others.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> The prime minister applauded Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and his team for preparing a development plan in line with the economic growth of the country. He said the China Pakistan Economic Corridor has the potential to raise the GDP.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> Chief ministers of Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Ahsan Iqbal, Zafar Iqbal Jhagra interacted with the prime minister and conveyed their wishes for his speedy recovery from ailment.  </div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> Following the NEC meeting, the prime minister presided over the meeting of his cabinet and approved budget proposals.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"> Later on, he told media outside the Pakistan High Commission that he was not staying in London on his own accord. He said Pakistan would have achieved GDP target if it had not missed on targets in agriculture, expressing hope that economic situation would improve due to government's policies.</div>

NEC meeting approves Rs1675 bn development budget

London: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday presided over a meeting of the National Economic Council through a video link from London where he is to undergo an open heart surgery on Tuesday. The NEC…

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'US-led coalition troops assisting Kurds in new offensive'

<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqhvw2dueX2aT2M3qGLWrg1GTFEmjPI0tSyyXJ4kf-oav9Ph9Vc-q4mimJrQ1LieUbs_H2O9erm75-rGsAim9iqpsNZvxpnK-W7gsDd4TXs2kehNy9H55Z8ORuAXM1Ni1QU_2kqEtCCZg/s1600/l_106888_115449_updates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqhvw2dueX2aT2M3qGLWrg1GTFEmjPI0tSyyXJ4kf-oav9Ph9Vc-q4mimJrQ1LieUbs_H2O9erm75-rGsAim9iqpsNZvxpnK-W7gsDd4TXs2kehNy9H55Z8ORuAXM1Ni1QU_2kqEtCCZg/s640/l_106888_115449_updates.jpg" width="640" /></a>BAGHDAD: Servicemen from the US-led coalition are assisting Kurdish Peshmerga forces in a new offensive in Iraq that aims to retake a handful of villages from Daesh (Islamic State) east of their Mosul stronghold, a coalition spokesman said.</strong></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> Soldiers were seen loading armored vehicles outside the village of Hassan Shami, a few miles east of the frontline, a Reuters correspondent reported. They told people present not to take photographs.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> They spoke in English but their nationality was not clear. Reuters had earlier reported that they were American but this could not be confirmed officially.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> "US and coalition forces are conducting advise and assist operations to help Kurdish Peshmerga forces," US Army Colonel Steve Warren, the spokesman for the US-led coalition in Baghdad told Reuters, commenting on the ground deployment of coalition soldiers seen near the battle front.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> He said he could not confirm which country those seen by Reuters were from.</div>

'US-led coalition troops assisting Kurds in new offensive'

BAGHDAD: Servicemen from the US-led coalition are assisting Kurdish Peshmerga forces in a new offensive in Iraq that aims to retake a handful of villages from Daesh (Islamic State) east of their Mosu…

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Noushki drone attack case registered against US officials

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuz6Bv-XA51P2SH6kf9ihMT5T5aFRsC_C5d_I8mAJO75AkAD3OTt6xbpPxIEN6-I3_sSY57zc9uTC-7D9xv0AfR_PXi-aXaakRvW9a8_dEMv-wLeKpNQQ2znQ80Rq0-HMrxxJiH32akTw/s1600/l_106882_104852_updates.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuz6Bv-XA51P2SH6kf9ihMT5T5aFRsC_C5d_I8mAJO75AkAD3OTt6xbpPxIEN6-I3_sSY57zc9uTC-7D9xv0AfR_PXi-aXaakRvW9a8_dEMv-wLeKpNQQ2znQ80Rq0-HMrxxJiH32akTw/s640/l_106882_104852_updates.jpg" width="640" /></a><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">QUETTA: Pakistani officials on Sunday registered a case against American officials for the US drone strike that killed Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour in Noushki area of Balochistan earlier this month.</strong><br /> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> The FIR, however, does not mention any US officials by name.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> The FIR, a copy of which is available with Geo News, was lodged at the Levies police station in Mal Noshki area of Balochistan, some 30 kilometers from the site of the drone attack, on behalf of Mohammad Qasim, a brother of driver Mohammad Azam who was allegedly bringing the militant commander in his taxi from Iran to Pakistan.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> Driver Mohammad Azam also perished in the missile attack.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> The complainant has sought legal action against US officials, who he said claimed responsibility for the attack through the media.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> The FIR has been lodged on different counts including murder, terrorism and laws that deal with explosives.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> Muhammad Qasim complained that he was informed on May 21 at 3:00 pm that the vehicle was blown up in an explosion that killed his brother and passenger Wali Muhammad, a false identity assumed by Mansour.</div>

Noushki drone attack case registered against US officials

QUETTA: Pakistani officials on Sunday registered a case against American officials for the US drone strike that killed Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour in Noushki area of Balochistan earlie…

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Seeking 'clarification' of US strike on Afghan Taliban leader: foreign office

<img src="http://www.thenewstribe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/NAFEES-ZAKARIA-1-660x330.jpg" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani Foreign Office said it was "seeking clarification" about a US drone strike against Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour, the foreign ministry spokesman said on Sunday, after US officials said Mansour was likely killed in an air strike.</strong><br /> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> "I have seen the reports. We are seeking clarification," Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said in a statement.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> He added that Pakistan wanted the Afghan Taliban to return to the negotiating table to end the long war in Afghanistan.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> "Military action is not a solution," he added.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Sunday that Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was notified of the air strike which took place a day earlier, but declined to elaborate on the timing of the notification.</div>

Seeking 'clarification' of US strike on Afghan Taliban leader: foreign office

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani Foreign Office said it was "seeking clarification" about a US drone strike against Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour, the foreign ministry spokesman said on Sunday, …

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Afghan Taliban leader likely killed in US drone strike near Pak-Afghan border

<img height="480" src="http://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Mullah-Akhtar-01-10-650x488.jpg" width="640" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">The United States conducted a drone strike on Saturday against the leader of the Afghan Taliban, likely killing him close to the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region in a mission authorised by US President Barack Obama, US officials said.</strong><br /> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> The death of Mullah Akhtar Mansour, should it be confirmed, could further fracture the Taliban—an outcome that experts cautioned might make the insurgents even less likely to participate in long-stalled peace efforts.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> The mission, which included multiple drones, demonstrated a clear willingness by Obama to go after the Afghan Taliban leadership now that the insurgents control or contest more territory in Afghanistan than at any time since being ousted by a US-led intervention in 2001.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook confirmed an air strike targeting Mansour in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region but declined to speculate on his fate, although US officials speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters he likely was killed.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> "We are still assessing the results of the strike and will provide more information as it becomes available," Cook said.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> The US drones targeted Mansour and another combatant as the men rode in a vehicle in a remote area, said another US official speaking on condition of anonymity.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> US special operations forces operated the drones in a mission authorized by Obama that took place at about 6 am EDT (1000 GMT), the official said. That would have placed it at Saturday at 3 pm in Pakistan.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14pt;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Afghan govt, intelligence confirms Taliban chief's death</strong></span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> Afghan government Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah issued the highest level confirmation that Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour had been killed in the attack by US.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> Abdullah said Mansour was killed in a drone strike when his car was attacked at 04:30 pm on Saturday.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> Afghanistan's main intelligence service, the National Directorate for Security also said that it had confirmed Mansour's death.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> Pakistan's Foreign Office said it was "seeking clarification" about the US drone strike against the Afghan Taliban leader.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> "I have seen the reports. We are seeking clarification," Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said in a statement.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> He added that Pakistan wanted the Taliban to return to the negotiating table to end the long war in Afghanistan.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> "Military action is not a solution," he added.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Also read: <a href="https://www.geo.tv/latest/106387" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; outline: none !important; text-decoration: none !important; transition: all 0.3s;">Bodies recovered from burnt down car in Noshki</a></em></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14pt;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Pakistan, Afghan leaders notified: Kerry</strong></span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> Meanwhile, US Secretary of State John Kerry said that Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour posed a "continuing imminent threat" to US personnel in Afghanistan and to Afghans, and was a threat to peace.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> "Yesterday, the United States conducted a precision air strike that targeted Taliban leader Mullah Mansour in a remote area of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Mansour posed a continuing, imminent threat" to US personnel and Afghans, Kerry told a news conference in the Myanmar capital.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> "This action sends a clear message to the world that we will continue to stand with our Afghan partners as they work to build a more stable, united, secure and prosperous Afghanistan."</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> Kerry said the leaders of both Pakistan and Afghanistan were notified of the air strike but he declined to elaborate on the timing of the notifications, which he said included a telephone call from him to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14pt;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Confirmation from Senior Taliban commander</strong></span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> Meanwhile, a Taliban commander close to Mansour, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, denied Mansour was dead.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> "We heard about these baseless reports but this not first time," the commander said.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> "Just wanted to share with you my own information that Mullah Mansour has not been killed."</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> But news agency the Associated Press reported that a senior Taliban commander had confirmed Mullah Akhtar Mansour's death in the drone strike.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> Mullah Abdul Rauf, who recently reconciled with Mansour after initially rebelling against his ascension to the leadership, said that Mansour died in the strike late Friday "in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border area," the Associated Press reported.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> In December, Mansour was reportedly wounded and possibly killed in a shootout at the house of another Taliban leader near Quetta in Pakistan.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> "The opportunity to conduct this operation to eliminate the threat that Mansour posed was a distinctive one and we acted on it," a State Department official said.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> There has been no official confirmation from US authorities.</div>

Afghan Taliban leader likely killed in US drone strike near Pak-Afghan border

The United States conducted a drone strike on Saturday against the leader of the Afghan Taliban, likely killing him close to the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region in a mission authorised by US Presid…

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US House decides on conditional military aid for Pakistan

<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.65; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px;"> <img alt="US House decides on conditional military aid for Pakistan" height="384" src="http://i.dawn.com/medium/2016/05/573e8aac018d4.jpg" width="640" />WASHINGTON: The United States (US) House of Representatives on Thursday voted 277 to 147 in favour of a defence policy bill seeking to increase restrictions on military aid for Pakistan unless certain conditions are met.</div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.65; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px;"> The House, expressing frustration over what they term Islamabad's failure to crack down on the Haqqani network, passed the $602 billion National Defense Authorization Act 2017, or NDAA late on Wednesday.</div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.65; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px;"> The NDAA will block $450 million in aid to Islamabad unless it does more to fight the militant group, which lawmakers see as a major threat to US forces in Afghanistan.</div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.65; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px;"> The bill requires the Pentagon to certify that Pakistan is conducting military operations to disrupt the Haqqani network, not letting the network use North Waziristan as a safe haven and actively coordinating with Afghanistan's government to fight the network along their border.</div>

US House decides on conditional military aid for Pakistan

WASHINGTON: The United States (US) House of Representatives on Thursday voted 277 to 147 in favour of a defence policy bill seeking to increase restrictions on military aid for Pakistan unless certai…

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Rs0.5m and up: What salaries and perks are parliamentarians asking for?

<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.65; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px;"> <img alt="Rs0.5m and up: What salaries and perks are parliamentarians asking for?" height="384" src="http://i.dawn.com/medium/2016/05/573dc2719ae6a.jpg" width="640" />ISLAMABAD: Parliamentarians on Thursday proposed an exponential increase in salaries and perks 'commensurate with their status', bringing their wages to par with those of BS-22 officers, with a monthly allowance of at least Rs470,000.</div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #252525; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 1.28571rem; line-height: 1.65; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px;"> The set of recommendations presented in the National Assembly (NA) by Acting Chairman of the Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges Chaudhry Mehmood Bashir Virk was unanimously adopted as a motion by parliamentarians.</div>

Rs0.5m and up: What salaries and perks are parliamentarians asking for?

ISLAMABAD: Parliamentarians on Thursday proposed an exponential increase in salaries and perks 'commensurate with their status', bringing their wages to par with those of BS-22 officers, with a month…

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Kidnapper leaves child at Edhi Centre Karachi

<img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWOUcCqrG7FTmgDVHhkAmLRTDyv1dtkVj3QU1rNxnUGjbK8AG50NcPsSdn3eJ48fW-0Lyf-GYZb5QItNaTIdxjWpKnYyAACJyVo8ALfmZhag5aaw1QfHvwFL55W4bo4F5GMrAZvmqLGM/s640/l_106098_104912_updates.jpg" width="640" /><strong style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">KARACHI: A three-year-old girl was left at the Edhi Centre by her alleged kidnapper on Wednesday.</strong><br /> <div class="post-138 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-nulla entry-box" id="post-138" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 30px;"> <div class="entry-content entry-full-content clearfix" itemprop="text" style="box-sizing: border-box;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;"> The girl was handed over to her father by Edhi officials.</div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;"> According to reports a fight broke out between a rickshaw driver and the child’s parents on Tuesday. When the fight got dirty the rickshaw driver picked up the girl and fled, police said.</div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;"> Her parents filed a complaint at the Samanabad Police Station.</div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 30px;"> <div id="div-gpt-ad-rectangle_belowpost_btf" style="background-color: #f2f2f2; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px auto; text-align: center; width: 336px;"> <div id="google_ads_iframe_/1063725/geo_english/articlepost/rectangle_belowpost_btf_0__container__" style="border: 0pt none; box-sizing: border-box;"> <iframe frameborder="0" height="280" id="google_ads_iframe_/1063725/geo_english/articlepost/rectangle_belowpost_btf_0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" name="google_ads_iframe_/1063725/geo_english/articlepost/rectangle_belowpost_btf_0" scrolling="no" style="border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; vertical-align: bottom;" title="3rd party ad content" width="336"></iframe></div> </div> </div>

Kidnapper leaves child at Edhi Centre Karachi

KARACHI: A three-year-old girl was left at the Edhi Centre by her alleged kidnapper on Wednesday. The girl was handed over to her father by Edhi officials. According to reports a fight broke out betwe…

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Sparks fly as NA starts debate on Panama Papers scandal

<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> <img border="0" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDcm8tFK5RJwwEvz1K7X0OsdoIL-LzFefrH2VufsaTnyg0VoHL4aZsyVFPhDjFc-Slbbw_jF1Z5kXly7O8almnRPQ8-ldjfGpyeWd-tpHOV7Xu5-zZe9Sg_LI6lh_MJ-SizAZft7o30Q/s640/l_106099_105237_updates.jpg" width="640" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">ISLAMABAD: Opposition and government lawmakers delivered fiery speeches and took jibes at each other on the floor of the National Assembly on Wednesday as the House began its debate on the Panama Papers scandal.</strong></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> Opposition lawmakers returned to the House today, ending their boycott following Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's speech in the National Assembly earlier this week.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> At the start of the session today, NA Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq informed the House that it was decided in a meeting of parliamentary parties to suspend the Question Hour as the members wanted to discuss the Panama Papers scandal.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> Leader of the Opposition Khursheed Shah criticized the prime minister, saying questions being raised against Nawaz Sharif were because of his own family’s mistakes.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> "Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should have asked his children to come forward and explain,” said Shah, who was the first to speak on the floor of the House today.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #606060; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> </div>

Sparks fly as NA starts debate on Panama Papers scandal

ISLAMABAD: Opposition and government lawmakers delivered fiery speeches and took jibes at each other on the floor of the National Assembly on Wednesday as the House began its debate on the Panama Pap…

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