Friday, September 17, 2021
#Pakistan #PPP - Bilawal calls amnesty offer to terrorist outfits an "insult to victims of terrorism"
Pakistan People’s Party Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Friday took to Twitter to slam the government for offering to pardon Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan members provided they renounce violence and follow the Constitution.
Bilawal tweeted, “The unilateral decision to offer amnesty to terrorist groups within Pakistan is an insult to the thousands of victims of terrorism.”
The young chairperson was responding to foreign minister's comments a day earlier in which he said the government was "open to pardoning" the group provided they renounce violence.
"If those guys [TTP] come [from Afghanistan] and start creating problems for us over here, it will affect innocent lives and we don't want that," he said in the video interview, excerpts of which are posted below.
On Wednesday Pakistan's President Arif Alvi made similar comments about pardoning men not involved in criminal activities.
As Dawn cautioned in its editorial on Friday, any "amnesty should be for some individuals, not the entire outfit, as a general amnesty is a dangerous idea. For example, low-ranking cadres that may have been ‘misguided’ and agree to lay down their arms and live according to the law of the land can be considered for an amnesty."
It also called for them to enter deradicalization programs but said "even these individuals would have to be watched by the state, for there are examples from foreign countries’ deradicalisation programmes that indicate some ‘rehabilitated’ extremists often relapse into violence."
Earlier this month, TTP claimed responsibility for an attack in Mastung in which four security personnel were martyred.
#Pakistan #PPP - Bilawal Bhutto rejects increase in prices of petroleum products
https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/619981-Bilawal-Bhutto-rejects-increase-in-prices-of-petroleum-products
England cricket tours of Pakistan could be off after NZ pulls out over 'security alert'
New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White says "player safety is paramount and we believe this is the only responsible option".England cricket tours of Pakistan could be called off after the New Zealand team pulled out over a "security alert". Both the England men's and women's teams are due to play there next month, but the England and Wales Cricket Board said it was liaising with its "security team on the ground in Pakistan to fully understand the situation".It will decide whether to proceed in the "next 24-48 hours", it added.New Zealand were due to play in the first of three one-day internationals in Rawalpindi this evening, before moving to Lahore for a five match T20 series.But following what officials described as an "escalation in the New Zealand government threat levels for Pakistan", it was decided that the players should fly home. "Arrangements are now being made for the team's departure," a statement continued. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Pakistani government said "foolproof security arrangements" had been put in place and the Kiwis had been "assured" of that. But David White, chief executive of New Zealand Cricket (NZC), said withdrawing was the "only responsible option". He added: "I understand this will be a blow for the PCB, who have been wonderful hosts, but player safety is paramount." Heath Mills, who heads the New Zealand Cricket Players' Association, said his organisation was "fully supportive of the decision", adding: "The players are in good hands - they're safe, and everyone's acting in their best interests."NZC said it would not be commenting on the "details of the security threat nor the updated arrangements for the departing squad".Pakistan's prime minister, Imran Khan, has spoken to Jacinda Ardern, his counterpart in New Zealand, the PCB said in a statement.Mr Khan apparently told Ms Ardern that Pakistan has "one of the best intelligence systems in the world and that no security threat of any kind exists for the visiting team"."The security officials with the New Zealand team have been satisfied with security arrangements made by the Pakistan government throughout their stay here," the statement went on. Pakistan government minister Asad Umar told Sky News: "It's rather perplexing why they would not share details with the Pakistan authorities, so the Pakistan authorities do not know what specifically the threat was supposedly about. We have no such information." He went on: "The security arrangements that are made are exceptionally high-level arrangements and with Imran Khan the prime minister, being the cricketer that he is, has personal interest in the matter and you can imagine the kind of priority that was assigned to this." Mr Umar added: "Frankly, we're all lost." But Ms Ardern said that while the cancellation was disappointing, she supported the decision to pull out. "When I spoke with the prime minister of Pakistan I conveyed our thanks for taking care of the New Zealand Cricket team," she said. "I know how disappointing it will be for everyone that the game hasn't gone ahead, but we totally support the decision that's been made. Player safety has to be paramount."
https://news.sky.com/story/england-cricket-tours-of-pakistan-could-be-off-after-nz-pulls-out-over-security-alert-12410378
New Zealand abandon Pakistan tour after security alert
By Asif ShahzadNew Zealand abruptly abandoned their tour of Pakistan on Friday citing a security alert in a massive blow to the South Asian country's hopes of staging regular international cricket. The tour was due to get underway with the first of three one-dayers in Rawalpindi on Friday but New Zealand did not travel to the stadium. New Zealand Cricket (NZC) then issued a statement announcing their decision to call off the tour. "Following an escalation in the New Zealand Government threat levels for Pakistan, and advice from NZC security advisors on the ground, it has been decided the Blackcaps will not continue with the tour," it said. NZC declined to share details of the security threat and said arrangements were being made for the team's departure. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told her Pakistan counterpart Imran Khan that the cricket team could have been attacked, Pakistan's Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed told reporters. Pakistan security agencies did not have any such information, he added. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said NZC had "unilaterally decided to postpone the series" despite "foolproof security arrangements" made for the matches."The Pakistan Prime Minister spoke personally to the Prime Minister of New Zealand and informed her that we have one of the best intelligence systems in the world and that no security threat of any kind exists for the visiting team," the PCB said in a statement."PCB is willing to continue the scheduled matches. However, cricket lovers in Pakistan and around the world will be disappointed by this last minute withdrawal." Newly-appointed PCB chairman Ramiz Raja, a former Pakistan captain, said they would approach the International Cricket Council (ICC) over what transpired on a "crazy day".
"Walking out of the tour by taking a unilateral approach on a security threat is very frustrating. Especially when it’s not shared!! Which world is NZ living in?? NZ will hear us at ICC," Raja tweeted.
PM BACKS PULLOUT
New Zealand, minus several frontline players, were visiting Pakistan for the first time in 18 years and were also due to play five Twenty20 matches in Lahore.
Top teams have largely shunned Pakistan following an attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in 2009 that killed six policemen and two civilians.
https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/new-zealand-unilaterally-suspends-odi-series-pakistan-after-security-alert-2021-09-17/