Pakistani society careless about kids' safety

The primary responsibility for protection of children falls on the family -- but families in Pakistan seem to be the "nodal point" for child abuse, two leading Pakistani dailies said Monday. The News International said the Pakistani society was "remarkably careless" about children's welfare and safety. It said a report published by the Madadgar National Helpline "makes truly shocking reading" and was a "shameful indictment" of the authorities and families for failing to protect children. In the first six months of 2012, there were 2,331 cases of reported violence against minors. Forced marriage, rape, sodomy, honour killing and torture all feature among the cases. Many minors committed suicide, or were trafficked. Many were kidnapped for ransom or revenge, and a total of 367 were murdered. Punjab led with 1,059 cases, Sindh had 687 cases, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had 382 and Balochistan had 203. "Although these figures are in themselves shocking, they represent the tip of a much larger iceberg of abuse," the News International said. "Children everywhere are being abused sexually and their civil rights as individuals trampled upon. Pernicious cultural practices allow the abuse to continue unchecked, and encourage rather than discourage appalling acts against children." There was little or no child protection legislation, and children continue to be abused in schools, madrassas, workplaces and, primarily, in their homes "by the very people on whom the primary duty to protect devolves - their parents". The Dawn said it was the duty of the provinces to pass laws concerning children's welfare. But there has been a "lack of intent and capacity" to pass such laws. "Legislation is only a first step. What is needed most is compassion at the societal level for vulnerable children, and the realisation that children have inviolable rights -- rights that society denies them in a brutal fashion," the daily said. It said children in the country face many challenges -- malnutrition, exposure to violence and diseases like polio. For children living on the streets, the risks are even greater -- substance abuse and routine sexual violence. The threat of HIV among street children was an emerging concern, it said. Unless the Pakistani society reforms itself and "the state moves beyond rhetoric" and takes practical steps for the welfare of children, "we will only be bequeathing misery to the next generation", the Dawn lamented.

Afghanistan 'insider' attacks pose threat to West's exit strategy

As the 10th American this month is slain by a supposed Afghan ally, the wider repercussions of the shootings come into focus.

They've been cut down while working out in makeshift gyms, as they bedded down for the night in remote combat outposts, after shrugging off heavy packs and sweat-soaked body armor when they returned from patrol. At the height of this dusty summer, American troops are dying at unprecedented rates at the hands of their Afghan allies. And both sides are struggling to explain why, even as they search for ways to stem what are known in military parlance as "insider" attacks. This month, at least 10 U.S. troops — including a U.S. service member shot Sunday and five members of America's elite special-operations forces slain earlier — have been killed by Afghan police, soldiers or civilian workers at military installations. As of Sunday, that accounted for a stunning 32% of the 31 American military fatalities in Afghanistan reported thus far in August by the monitoring website icasualties.org. Aside from the devastating emotional blow dealt to families of the slain service members and the effect on morale in field units, insider shootings have wider-ranging repercussions. They have provided a propaganda bonanza to the Taliban, and could threaten a linchpin of the Western exit strategy: training Afghan security forces in preparation for handing over most fighting duties to them by 2014. The military says only a very small share of insider attacks is carried out by Taliban "sleepers" in the police or army. But that opens the way to perhaps an even more alarming conclusion: that the majority of the assailants are undertaking what are in effect spontaneous, self-assigned suicide missions, because many insider shooters are killed on the spot in return fire. The military says it is working to address the threat. Changes in recent months have included the posting of armed Western troops — so-called guardian angels — to watch over others in mess halls, sleeping tents and gyms. Last week, the American commander of the NATO force, Gen. John Allen, ordered that NATO troops across Afghanistan keep a loaded magazine in their weapons, even when on base. This year, an Army captain described an informal buddy system at his base of troops signaling each other to keep a close watch on armed Afghans nearby, especially if one of their comrades was diverted by some task. "'Shona-ba-shona,' OK," the captain said, invoking the "shoulder-to-shoulder" slogan of the NATO force and its Afghan partners. "But also: 'Eyes on, all times.'" In public, Western military officials in Afghanistan have consistently sought to play down the overarching significance of such attacks, describing them as an occasional violent anomaly in an otherwise effective and mutually respectful working relationship between Afghan security forces and the NATO troops training them. "Every day, you have 500,000 soldiers and police working and fighting side by side — you talk to these guys, and they tell you they are building trust and friendship," said Brig. Gen. Gunter Katz, a spokesman for NATO's International Security Assistance Force, referring to the approximate combined numbers of Afghan and Western forces. But disquiet is being expressed in high echelons. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panettatold reporters in Washington last week that he was "very concerned" about the recent spate of insider attacks, and he called President Hamid Karzai over the weekend to talk about the need for tougher selection standards for the Afghan armed forces. How to guard against such attacks is the subject of considerable debate in military leadership circles, because overtly heavy-handed measures can send a signal to the Afghans that they are not trusted, which can be taken as an insult. And in traditional Afghan culture, perceived insult can swiftly lead to exactly the sort of violence the attacks represent. Efforts on the Afghan side include assigning undercover intelligence officers to some battalions, and stricter scrutiny of recruits, including the collection of biometric data to compare against a database of known insurgents. Some observers, though, believe the safeguards built into the recruitment process, including the requirement that village elders vouch for those who want to join the army, are routinely bypassed in many provinces. "It all goes to the vetting process, to the hurry the international community is in to produce soldiers," said Daoud Sultanzoy, a former member of parliament and broadcaster. Many explanations have been floated for Afghans turning their guns on members of the U.S.-led North Atlantic Treaty Organization force: stress, battle fatigue, personal antagonism, cultural misunderstandings, copycat psychology, heat-of-the moment disputes in a society where arguments are often settled with a Kalashnikov. The phenomenon is so pervasive that the killings have their own evolving nomenclature. Previously, the military called them green-on-blue attacks, a color-coded reference to Afghan and Western forces. Now the preferred, more encompassing term is "insider threat," stemming from the fact that assailants have included not only uniformed police and soldiers, but also civilian members of the Afghan security apparatus, or simply someone with access to a coalition base, even in a low-level capacity. The Taliban movement has noted the rising number of insider shootings with ill-concealed delight, boasting of having infiltrated all branches of the Afghan security forces. In the past, the Taliban leadership claimed responsibility for virtually every such attack, but lately the group's publicity machine often cites individual initiative by those without links to the insurgency. "Our fighters are in the ranks of the police, army and intelligence service, but there are also some who carry out attacks on foreign troops only because they are Afghans and Muslims and act on their religious obligation to protect their country from invading forces," said Zabiullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the group. "It is an indication of utter hatred against the foreigners." Motivation for the attacks remains opaque in many instances, either because the shooter is killed or manages to escape, in some cases with the suspected collusion of local authorities. Family members generally shed little light on what might have caused a relative to turn his gun on Western mentors. "He had very good relations with the foreigners, and he was trusted and liked by them," said Shamsullah Sahrahi, a tribal elder whose policeman son, Assadullah, stands accused in an insider attack this month in Helmand province. Local officials said Assadullah had invited a group of U.S. Marines to one of the nighttime meals that observant Muslims eat during the dawn-to-dusk fasting month of Ramadan, where three were shot dead and a fourth wounded. Among Afghans, particularly those serving in the security forces, the reaction to news of yet another insider attack can vary. Some express genuine-seeming shock and sadness; others voice fears that the assaults will accelerate the Western pullout and leave them unprepared to take on the Taliban alone; others suggest that foreign troops bring it on themselves. "It's not good when these things happen," said a 21-year-old Afghan army recruit waiting in line at a Kabul military induction center. "But well, maybe it's because of the Koran-burning," a reference to the accidental incineration of Muslim holy books by U.S. troops in February, which set off days of deadly rioting. Higher-ranking Afghan officials are much more likely to offer an unequivocal condemnation of the attacks, sometimes in florid terms. "I wish I could open up my chest and show the pain I feel in my heart," Col. Mohammad Akbar Stanikzai, an intelligence officer at the Afghan army's recruitment headquarters in Kabul, said when asked about the phenomenon. Some analysts believe part of the problem is the sheer longevity of the war, now in its 11th year. In the conflict's early stages, such attacks were an extreme rarity. "I wouldn't say it's normal, but I think it's understandable in a war situation which is lasting for more than a decade," said Fabrizio Foshini of the Afghan Analysts Network. "The conflict has been becoming worse, nastier — and the presence of foreign troops doesn't seem in the eyes of many Afghans to have brought positive changes."

Zardari extends heartiest greetings to entire nation on festive occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr

AAJ TV

President Asif Ali Zardari has said that thanks to Allah Almighty, Who granted with us an opportunity to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr. I extend my heartiest greetings to the entire nation on this festive occasion. In his message while recalling countrymen, he said that Eid-ul-Fitr is a day that concludes the blessed month of Ramazan, marking it with a note of thankfulness. To express gratitude before Allah Almighty, we need to spend our lives in line with His true, glowing and balanced teachings. This is the righteous way that leads to attainment of success in the life here and hereafter, and makes one’s self get closer to Allah Almighty. Dear countrymen, we can feel the real happiness of Eid only when we join our poor relatives, neighbours and needy brothers and sisters on this occasion. This is only possible by shaping our lives in accordance with the golden principles of Islam and shun hatred, animosity, greed and malice. Moreover, we need to promote in our ranks love and affinity, tolerance, generosity and endurance. By following these ethical standards, a society can be reformed which is truly in line with the aspirations of Islam. Dear countrymen! We should keep in mind that incidents of sectarianism and violence like the recent attack on the passenger buses in Lulusar (Gilgit Baltistan) are completely against the teachings of Islam. Similarly the terrorist attempts in Kamra which were foiled by the courage and valour of our armed forces, clearly violate the spirit of Islam. We have to reject the negative propaganda of misguided forces by promoting the great Islamic teachings. A society developed on these lines will be helpful in resolving our problems. I pray that may Allah Almighty bless us with real pleasure and bliss of Eid. Amen. Pakistan Paindabad.

Contempt case: ‘Govt to seek adjournment till end of Zardari’s tenure’

The Express Tribune

Punjab Governor Sardar Latif Khan Khosa on Saturday said the government will request the court on August 27 to postpone the case against the prime minister till the end of the tenure of President Asif Ali Zardari. The government’s plea will be based on Article 248 of the Constitution, Khosa said, while talking to journalists at an Iftar dinner reception held at Governor House. Khosa said that Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf will not be present in the court, but the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Irfan Qadir will submit the reply on his behalf. He said the AGP, citing Article 248, would request the court to postpone the hearing till the end of President Zardari’s tenure. When the tenure ends, the issue of writing the letter to Swiss authorities will be self-executed, he said. He said that former premier Yousaf Raza Gilani did not take the same approach when he was summoned by the court; rather, he emphasised on the fact that he did not commit any contempt of court. When the court asked Gilani to address the issue of Article 248, Gilani categorically replied that he wanted to focus on his contempt issue and his lawyer, Senator Aitzaz Ahsan, was busy arguing that Gilani did not commit any contempt of court. “I hope Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, who is heading the Supreme Court bench hearing the NRO implementation case, after getting this positive plea from the government will accommodate PM Ashraf,” he said. Asked to define the term ‘accommodate,’ Khosa said: “SC may postpone the hearing of the case for an indefinite time period.” If the court does not accept the plea, Khosa said a new prime minister will be elected by parliament. Khosa also said Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry should stop addressing gatherings and conferences where he issues ‘fatwas’ against parliament and the incumbent PPP-led coalition government. The chief justice’s recent statement that government has failed to address the people’s issues and the nation is disappointed from the current regime is very pessimistic, he said. Such statements from an eminent personality spread unrest and uncertainty in the country, Khosa added. The state and parliament are interlinked and are supreme, while institutions like the judiciary are derived from parliament, he said. He said the chief justice’s theory, that parliament is not supreme, disgraces the nation. The chief justice should perform his role in strengthening the state, not destabilising institutions, Khosa added. The governor also disclosed that negations were underway with opposition Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz’s disgruntled leader Senator Zulifqar Khan Khosa, and he is quite likely to join the PPP. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and PML-N chief Nawaz do not have the moral courage to apologise to Khosa over their attitude; so Khosa, along with his three sons, may join the PPP, the governor added.

Down's Syndrome Pakistani girl accused of blasphemy

A Christian girl with Down's Syndrome has been arrested on blasphemy charges in Pakistan, accused of burning pages inscribed with verses from the Koran, police and activists said on Sunday. Police arrested Rimsha, who is recognised by a single name, on Thursday after she was reported holding in public burnt pages which had Islamic text and Koranic verses on them, a police official told AFP. A conviction for blasphemy is punishable by death in Pakistan. The official said that the girl, who he described as being in her teens, was taken to a police station in the capital Islamabad, where she has been detained since. Angry Muslim protesters held rallies demanding she be punished, said the official, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case. "We had to register the case fairly quickly to prevent any unpleasant situation," he added, referring to the demonstrations. Rimsha was produced before a court on Friday and remanded in custody for 14 days, another police official said. She is expected to go before the court again by end of this month. The girl's plight is likely to reignite debate about growing religious intolerance in Muslim-majority Pakistan, where strict anti-blasphemy laws make defaming Islam or the Prophet Mohammed, or desecrating the Koran, a capital offence. Human rights activists say the law is often used to settle petty disputes, but in the face of huge public support for the legislation, the government says it has no plans to change it. The girl's alleged behaviour sparked Muslim anger in Mehrabad, an area of the capital where she lives with her parents and where up to 800 Christians reside. Christians there were forced to leave amid mounting fury. "These Christians had sought shelter with their relatives in other parts of the city but now they are gradually returning to Mehrabad," a senior official of All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA), Tahir Naveed Chaudhry, told AFP. He said that the girl had Down's Syndrome -- a condition which causes various degrees of learning difficulties -- and disputed the age given by police. "She was just 11 to 12 years old," he said, adding it was a hugely sensitive issue and "we would not like it to be mishandled and would rather want to resolve it amicably". Women's Action Forum (WAF), a leading Pakistani organisation fighting for the rights of women, condemned Rimsha's arrest. "WAF is outraged at the total inhumanity of the men who lodged the First Information Report (FIR) in the police," WAF spokeswoman Tahira Abdullah said, demanding Rimsha's immediate release. Police should have dealt with the case under the Juvenile Justice System and not the serious allegation of blasphemy, she said, accusing police of not allowing lawyers or civil society representatives to visit the girl in custody.

4 Afghans, 3 NATO troops killed in holiday attacks

The carnage in Afghanistan continued unabated on a major Muslim holiday on Sunday, as attackers killed two pairs of brothers with links to the government, and three NATO service members. The targeted killings are part of a spate of similar attacks on those associated with the government, further complicating efforts by international forces in country to hand over security responsibility to Afghans as foreign combat troops withdraw. In the first attack, a bomb hidden in a cemetery in the southern province of Helmand killed a police chief and his brother who were visiting a family grave for the Eid al-Fitr holiday. Seven of the men's family members were wounded in the early-morning blast in the provincial capital of Lashkar Gah, said Helmand Deputy Police Chief Ghulam Rabbani. No one immediately claimed responsibility, but the attack was consistent with the Taliban's strategy to target authorities and others who align themselves with the government or international forces. The two men were brothers of a lawmaker for Helmand province, Abdulwadood Popal, who was not at the cemetery at the time of the blast. The family was visiting the grave after attending a morning prayer service for the holiday, which ends the month-long Ramadan fasting period. Later on in the western Farah province, gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire on the car of an intelligence service official as he was driving home from a family visit, killing him and his brother who worked for the customs service. Another relative was wounded, provincial deputy police chief Ghulam Ghows Malyar added. In central Afghanistan, meanwhile, three NATO service members were killed when a vehicle struck a roadside bomb, officials said. Bamiyan Gov. Habiba Sarabi said the blast happened in Kohmard district while the troops were out on patrol. NATO forces confirmed that three coalition service members were killed in a bombing, but did not provide their nationalities or other details. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement. Including Sunday's deaths, at least 41 international troops have been killed so far this month in Afghanistan. In a speech marking the holiday, President Hamid Karzai condemned the repeated attacks that took place during Ramadan. "The enemies of Muslims ... during the holy month of Ramadan treated the nation of Afghanistan cruelly: bombs, explosions in mosques, suicide attacks in mosques," Karzai said. If the Taliban were not responsible for such attacks, he said, they must disavow them. "If you are not behind this, it is being done in your name. As Muslims, as Afghans, raise your voice and say that you did not do it," he appealed. In a message ahead of Eid al-Fitr, Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar instructed his fighters once again to avoid killing or wounding Afghan civilians. "Employ tactics that do not cause harm to the life and property of the common countrymen," he said in an eight-page message released to news organizations last week. The Taliban have said previously, however, that they do not consider those who collaborate with the government to be civilians. Targeted killings of Afghan civilians have surged this year, according to the United Nations. Civilian deaths from targeted killings and assassinations jumped 34 percent for the first six months of 2012 to 255 killed, from 190 in 2011, the U.N. said in a report issued earlier this month. The U.N. report said 1,145 civilians were killed and 1,954 injured during the first half of the year, most of them by militants. Also on Sunday, officials said that an airstrike by coalition forces in the northeast killed a large group of Taliban fighters and a local insurgent leader. At least two dozen insurgents were killed in the attack in Kunar province, said NATO forces spokesman Maj. Martyn Crighton. Kunar Gov. Sayed Fazlullah Wahidi said the strike killed as many as 50 insurgents who had massed in a remote area of the province. He said it was not clear why they had gathered.

Drone attacks pound northern Pakistan, killing 13 in two days

A flurry of drone attacks pounded northern Pakistan at the weekend, killing 13 people in three separate attacks, officials and witnesses said on Sunday. The attacks came as Pakistanis celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan with the festival of Eid al-Fitr. A drone killed five people and injured two in North Waziristan early on Sunday morning, an intelligence official said. He said the death toll was based on intercepted conversations between the militants. Later on Sunday, another drone attack killed two people and injured two others near the site of the previous attack, said two intelligence officials. On Saturday, a drone attack killed six people and injured two. The dead were local Taliban and fighters from the southern province of Punjab, said security officials and a tribal source. Drone strikes are controversial in Pakistan, where many politicians condemn them as a violation of sovereignty. But the United States sees them as a key tool in the fight against terrorism.

President Bashar al-Assad Performed Eid al-Fitr Prayers

President Bashar al-Assad performed Eid al-Fitr Prayers Sunday morning at Al-Hamad Mosque in Mohajirin Quarter, Damascus. Top party and State officials, a number of MP's, the Mufti, and a number of Islamic Religion Scholars and citizens performed the Prayers along with H.E. President al-Assad. President al-Assad was received upon his arrival to the Mosque by Minister of Endowment( Religious Affairs), the Mufti, Assistant Regional Secretary of the Ba'ath Arab Socialist Party, Chairman of the People's Assembly (Parliament), and by the prime Minister.Sheikh Mohamad Khir Ghantous delivered the ceremony of Eid al-Fitr asserting the sublime meanings of the blessed Eid al-Fitr, pointing out to the importance of amity, tolerance, closeness and cooperation among Syrians in building their Homeland, Syria.''The Prayer of Eid is but a characteristic of Islamic unity where the nation in its elderly, junior, chairmen, and subordinates discuss the affairs of the nation,'' Sheikh Ghantous said.Sheikh Ghantous asserted that the conspiracy and terrorism against Syria by an American,Zionist, western, Arab, Wahabi, and expiatory alliance will never defeat the faith, Islam, and determination in Syria and Bilad al-Sham, which God blessed.Sheikh Ghantous pointed out that the happiest for the ongoing in Syria are the enemies including Zionists, Americans, and their supporters, who were not able to face us as united together-Syrians-, so they wanted to dismember us setting the flame of war and sedition among us. Sheikh Ghantous called for return to the path of right, reason, and tolerant Sharia for peace and conciliation as to restore safety and security to Syria, praying to God for benefit, unity , amity and for welfare at the hands of H.E. President al-Assad.

Zardari takes notice of arrest of minor Christian girl

President Asif Ali Zardari has taken serious note of the arrest of a minor Christian girl in Islamabad on the charges of blasphemy and called for a report from the Interior Ministry. According to reports, 11-year-old Rimsha was arrested and sent to jail for allegedly desecrating pages of the Holy Quran. Some reports also said that the girl was burning used papers collected from the garbage for cooking when someone entered her house and accused the family of burning the pages of Holy Quran. This provoked people of the katchi abadi who gathered and beat the mother and sister of Rimsha and also threatened to burn some houses of the Christians. While the Christian population is reported to have fled the area the police arrested the mother and sister of Rimsha, sending the latter to Adiala jail. President’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar said that President Zardari has called for a report within 24 hours and directed the authorities to protect the life and property of the minority community.

Pakistan: Mobile phone services go off

Mobile phone services were suspended in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad Sunday night. The mobile phone services were suspended at 8.00pm, Sunday. Accoding to reports the services will remain suspended till 11am Monday. Earlier, Interior Minister Rehman Malik giving warning about possible terror attacks at occasion had said that mbile phone services could be suspended for sometime in emergency to foil terror bids. The interior minister says terrorists can strike on the occasion of Eid and security agencies have been put on high alert. He apologised to public in advance in case mobile phone services had to be blocked in certain areas in case of emergency. No negligence would be tolerated by the law enforcement and security agencies, he said. His said his team was working 24 hours a days.

Pakhtunkhwa:IDPs spend Eid without families in camp

The Express Tribune

Rather than celebrating with their families, the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at Jalozai Camp will observe this Eid far from their homes.

Ten-year-old Dawrana’s family left their house a year ago because of ongoing operations against militants in Khyber Agency. She was carrying old shoes in her hands to get repaired them for Eid. “My father bought new clothes for all of us, but could not buy new shoes because he did not have enough money,” Dawrana said. She remembered Eid in her village where they used to visit her uncle’s house and play different games. “We used to visit our relatives and collect Eidi, but in the camp we cannot go anywhere,” she explained. Dawrana’s family is just one of 13,000 families who now live as IDPs in temporary shelters at the camp in Nowshera. In previous years, families were given special packages to help them celebrate Eid. However, no welfare organisation or government body has yet announced a special package for them this Eid. “My father used to bring new clothes and shoes every Eid but this year, we could not afford it,” said Jamshed, another child at the IDP camp. Jamshed too wore worn-out clothes. He was on his way to collect flour from the distribution point. “I am collecting flour because my mother said that she will make special bread for me on Eid,” Jamshed said, ecstatic at the thought. Rasool Jan, another IDP, said that those who could afford cost of transport could go spend Eid with their relatives. He said that some people even went back to their areas where peace has partially been restored. Jan said that on previous occasions, social welfare organisations distributed Eid packages among them but this time nothing happened. Adnan Khan, spokesman for the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), said that some local NGOs would likely to donate packages. Similarly, he said that some affluent people were also expected to distribute these packages amongst the IDPs. He added that the PDMA has a plan to distribute Eid packages among the school children, that included books, pencils and sweets.

Pakistan: Christians flee slum as scavenger girl is charged with blasphemy

A large number of poor Christian residents of the Mehrabad slum near Islamabad’s G-11 Sector have reportedly fled the area fearing religious violence after an 11-year-old scavenger girl was charged under the blasphemy law two days ago. According to reports, Rimsha, daughter of Misrak Masih and suffering from Down Syndrome, has been charged with allegedly burning pages of a Noorani Qaida, a booklet used to learn the basics of Arabic and the Holy Quran. A case No 303/12 under Section 295-B of the Pakistan Penal Code was registered against Rimsha at the Ramna Police Station on August 17 after a local man named Al-Syed Muhammad Ammad complained that he had seen the girl burning the Noorani Qaida along with other garbage. Soon after the incident, residents of the area gathered to register their protest. They also blocked the Kashmir Highway and demanded immediate arrest of the 11-year-old. Some of the protesters reportedly beat up Rimsha and her mother, while the rest of the girl’s family managed to escape. The police arrived at the scene and took the girl into custody. She has been sent to the Adiala Jail on judicial remand. According to local sources, over 1,000 Christian residents of the slum have left the area fearing violence as some local religious groups are reportedly threatening to burn down the Christians’ homes. A Christian rights activist, asking not to be named, told Pakistan Today on the phone from Islamabad that they visited Ramna Police Station on Saturday to seek information about the incident, but found the officials there “extremely hostile”. “The duty officer asked us why we wanted to pursue the case,” the activist said. “The girl has desecrated the Holy Quran and has been rightly charged with the crime…you should leave lest the people come for you,” he quoted the duty officer as saying. The activist said that Christian leaders, including Minister In-charge of National Harmony Dr Paul Bhatti were in contact with Muslim religious leaders to prevent any further violence in the area. Dr Bhatti’s phone went unanswered. “A large number of Christians of the slum have sought refuge with their relatives in other areas of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, and it could not be said when they would be able to return to their homes,” said the activist. Officials at the Ramna Police Station told Pakistan Today that the 11-year-old “had admitted to her crime”. “Rimsha admitted that she set the holy pages on fire and a case was registered against her after that; due process of law was followed in the case,” said Muhammad Ahmed, the investigating officer of the case. Section 295-B makes willful desecration of the Holy Quran, or use of an extract in a derogatory manner, punishable with life imprisonment.

Pashto Eid Music.... اختر مو مبارک شه

Pakistan: US missiles kill 7 militants in NW

Pakistani intelligence officials say missiles fired from unmanned American spy planes have hit two vehicles near the Afghan border, killing at least seven militants. Three intelligence officials said the strike on Sunday came in the Mana area of North Waziristan. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to the media. The officials say the area is dominated by Hafiz Gul Bahadur, a commander whose forces often target U.S. troops in Afghanistan, but they did not know whether his men were targeted. A U.S. drone strike Saturday also in North Waziristan killed five Gul Bahadur allies. Most Pakistanis feel the strikes violate the country's sovereignty and kill innocent civilians. The U.S. maintains they are directed against militants and necessary to combat groups like al-Qaida.

Pakistan’s own war

WILL we or won’t we? Or is it a question of not if, but when? The mixed messages that have been emerging from the Pakistani and American security and foreign policy establishments about an operation in North Waziristan leave these questions unanswered. But the ISPR statement on the recent visit of the American military’s regional chief makes one thing clear: at the moment, at least, the Pakistani security establishment is more concerned about declaring its independence in the face of American pressure and denying the possibility of American boots on the ground than it is about building its own case for going into North Waziristan. But that tribal agency is now a bigger problem for Pakistan than it is for the Americans. Not just a possible launching pad for Haqqani network attacks in Afghanistan, it is a refuge and training and planning ground for a number of groups whose attacks and criminal activities are carried out on Pakistani territory. The military leadership has been pointing out in recent days that any operation there will require political backing, which is another way of saying that public sentiment in favour of it would have to be drummed up. Such support has been created before, most notably for the Swat operation in 2009. And for North Waziristan, the case could not be easier to make. Reports are emerging that those who attacked the airbase in Kamra may have been trained in North Waziristan. Hafiz Gul Bahadur has banned polio vaccinations there. The Bannu jailbreak has been linked to the agency. Security forces posted there continue to be targeted. And these are just a handful of examples; as home to militant groups squeezed out of other tribal agencies, the agency has become a major source of instability at home. Why, then, the focus on America instead? Maybe establishing that the operation will not be dictated by the US was a strategic move, an initial, and perhaps required, public-relations step before laying out Pakistan’s own reasons. And Gen Kayani took an important step on Aug 14 when he declared in general terms that the war is Pakistan’s own, and that it has to be fought. But if the decision to go into North Waziristan has essentially been made, it is time to start focusing publicly on our own reasons for doing so. The agency has been left to its own devices for far too long, and there is no shortage of arguments on the basis of which Pakistanis can be convinced that the area poses a security threat to their own country that should no longer be ignored.

Parliament final authority for legislation

The Punjab Governor has said that only parliament has the authority to legislate and make amendment in the constitution. Punjab Governor Sardar Latif Khosa says only parliament has the authority to legislate and make amendment in the constitution. He was addressing at an Aftar Dinner in Lahore last night. He said that Parliament is the only difference between Democracy and the dictatorship.

Pakistan: Bhasha versus Dasu

EDITORIAL

The government, according to news reports, has contemplated shelving the plans for building the Diamer-Bhasha Dam due to financial constraints as a result of paucity of resources and uncertainty about financial assistance from multilaterals and FoDP (Friends of Domestic Pakistan). Earlier this month, the Senate Standing Committee on Water and Power was informed that the World Bank has indicated its support for the run of the river Dasu dam with an installed capacity of 4320 MW, a support that greatly implies that the construction of the Diamer-Bhasha dam with a capacity of 4500 MW may be delayed by 10 years. This pre-supposed limited resources which constrain the government from undertaking even one of these two mega hydel projects with its own finances. Chairman Wapda had taken strong exception to this and categorically and unambiguously stated that it is the prerogative of the Bank's member country to identify its project priorities and not that of the multilateral donor. No one can challenge the inherent relevance of his contention. Multilaterals too accept this which explains why they reiterate time and again in their loan proposals that a project or a programme loan would be at risk if it is not driven by the borrowing country; or, in other words, multilaterals acknowledge that the success of any lending is contingent upon all the stakeholders in a proposed project being taken on board including the government, the political leadership, the civil society as well as the beneficiaries/affected people of any specific project. Until and unless there is a broad consensus the success of any project or programme support would be negligible, if any. In the matter of Diamer-Bhasha dam there are reports that multilaterals have requested the government of Pakistan to first get approval for the construction of the dam from India - a strange request given that the 1960 Indus Water Treaty gives exclusive use of the waters of the western rivers to Pakistan. The main reason for Chairman Wapda's preference for Diamer-Bhasha as opposed to Dasu, apart from the difference in energy output of around 180 MW, is the fact that Dasu, as the run of the river dam, does not provide for any water storage capacity in marked contrast to Diamer-Bhasha which, in turn, envisages four major outputs that are sorely needed in Pakistan today: (i) 4,500 MW of electricity; (ii) store an extra 8,500,000 acre feet (10.5 km3) of water for Pakistan that would be used for irrigation and drinking; (iii) extend the life of Tarbela dam located downstream by 35 years; and last but not least (iv) control flood damage by the River Indus downstream during high floods. However, it is also prudent to acknowledge that donors - bilateral as well as multilateral - have to adhere to safeguards that are approved by their parliaments/board of directors. Failure to comply with these safeguards in their lending proposals would lead to an automatic rejection by parliaments/board of directors. The two safeguards most commonly used to deny lending for hydel projects to member countries are those related to mitigating the impact of the project on environment and resettlement. A look at the environmental impact assessment of the Diamer-Bhasha dam reveals the following: (i) 31 villages would be affected, (ii) 4,100 houses would be affected, (iii) 35,000 people would be displaced, (iv) 1,500 acres of agriculture land would be submerged as a result of the dam's construction and 25,000 acres would be under reservoir. The government proposed 9 model villages, resettling 28,000 people, building new physical and social infrastructure, and development of a tourism industry however issues with the affected people of the project remain. Diamer-Bhasha and Dasu were no doubt proposed as energy projects critical to Pakistan's economy to the World Bank. However, the Bank opted for Dasu with a lower total cost and assessed environmental impact as well as lower resettlement cost. Resources of multilaterals are not limitless and perhaps this is a lesson learned: to propose a limited number of projects that can be processed based on the envisaged country strategy of each multilateral.

Pakistan: 2331 cases of violence against children

http://statesman.com.pk

The rights of children are being taken as granted in Pakistani society, with the incidents of violence, abuse and torture against them on rise. In the first six months of the current year as many as 2331 cases of violence against children were reported from the different parts of the country, says a report of Madadgaar National helpline. Children are considered amongst the most vulnerable sections of society and protecting them against the violence and abuse considered as the prime responsibility in the civilized societies. However, the situation is quite different in our country. Madadgaar National helpline is working to eliminate the violence against women and children with support of Plan international-Pakistan. Madadgaar National helpline’s Database documented 2331 incidents of violence against children from January to June, 2012. These cases include all type of corporal punishment, harmful traditional practices such as forced marriages, rape, sodomy, honor killing, torture and other cruel, inhuman and shameful acts. According to Madadgaar database, in these six months 367 children were murdered, 164 raped, 117 sodomised, and 211 became the victim of torture. As many as 273 children were trafficked, 122 went missing, 136 committed suicide, 91fell prey to Karo-kari (honor killing) and 107 to vani. As many as 226 children were married forcibly. Moreover, 329 kidnapping cases were also reported. This statistics paints a dismal picture of basic children’s rights in Pakistan. Out of these 2331 cases of violence against children, 203 cases were reported from Balochistan, 382 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and 687 from Sindh. Punjab remained foremost with 1059 cases of violence and abuse of children. The authorities in Pakistan seem frequently unwilling or unable to protect children from abuses, and bring perpetrators to justice which promotes a culture of violence through impunity granted to perpetrators. In order to curb this, Madadgaar is advocating sustained efforts through better training, awareness and sensitization provided to law enforcement officers. In order to truly safeguard human rights, government agencies and civil society organizations must make genuine joint efforts. The children have the right to survive and the right to be protected from violence and abuse. Children should be treated as human being and they have right to be respected as thinking, feeling beings. All form of violence against children must be forbidden. Zia Ahmed Awan, President Lawyers for Human Rights & Legal Aid said Pakistan has ratified the Convention on the Rights of Child (CRC) and also ratified optional protocols which focus on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict and the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography. After ratifying the CRC and optional protocols, the State is accountable to evolve effective mechanisms for the purpose of preventing violence against children and providing protection and all required services to the survivors, but unfortunately children’s rights are not recognized at government level and the issue of child protection has not given required attention. The Madadgaar National Helpline data shows that children are being murdered, raped, abused, trafficked and abducted with impunity which is very clear indication of failure of government in implementing CRC and other national laws to protect children. Awan has expressed grave concern over the startling situation of violence against children and demanded that the Government should make a strategy to protect children from all kind of violence and abuses in Pakistan, adding children should receive no less protection than adults.

Why is the PML-N blind?

By: ST Hussain The Express Tribune

According to a media report, the PML-N opposition leader in the National Assembly, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, has said that the military should not launch any operation against terrorists in North Waziristan. The opposition leader has said this despite the fact that Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani declared in a speech at the Pakistan Military Academy on August 13 that the fight against extremism and terrorism was Pakistan’s own war and that the nation needed to support the military in it. The PML-N leader seems to think that the Pakistan Army is fighting America’s war. Why have the PML-N’s leaders ignored the fact that in the past, the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), through videos and press statements has revealed its agenda to impose Sharia law through the use of force in Pakistan? It is the duty of every Pakistani to support the Pakistan Army’s fight against terrorism and extremism, and play its role in educating the people about the threats posed by the TTP. Every political party’s leader should get a briefing from the army about the ground realities before making a statement against the military decision to eradicate the menace of extremism and terrorism, which is challenging the very existence of Pakistan and making it a theocratic state — against the vision of its founder Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. The leaders of the PML-N, who claim to be the flag holders of Jinnah’s political party, should at least respect the Quaid-e-Azam’s ideology of Pakistan and listen to his speech of August 11, 1947 in the Constituent Assembly before deciding to support the TTP’s ideology.

HAPPY EID FROM PUKHTUNKHWA TIMES اختر مو مبارک شه

Pashto Eid song: 'Eid in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday'

THE NEWS

Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Sunday (August 19), Senior Minister Bashir Bilour made the formal announcement on behalf of the provincial government. The Minister regretted that once again the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee did not take into account the witnesses reports confirming the sighting of the moon coming from every part of the province. He said 23 reports for sighting of Shawwal moon were received from eyewitnesses in various parts of the province including Dera Islmail Khan, Bannu and Bajaur.

NATO, Taliban in war of words over Afghan deaths

http://news.yahoo.com

A suicide bombing at a wedding, a deadly airstrike on a village, grenades in a mosque — hundreds of Afghan civilians are dying violently this summer, while the Taliban and the NATO coalition wage verbal warfare. A U.N. report says 1,145 civilians were killed and 1,954 others injured during the first half of the year, 80 percent of them by militants. But like other aspects of this decade-long war, facts are often obscured by perception and propaganda. That has left both sides locked in a battle of words, crafted to win the Afghan public's support. The foreign forces and Taliban fighters have been issuing dueling statements ever since the conflict began more than a decade ago. Civilian casualties are the latest focus of the information war. In a message ahead of Eid al-Fitr, the feast that marks the end of Ramadan this weekend, Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar instructed his fighters once again to avoid killing or wounding Afghan civilians. "Employ tactics that do not cause harm to the life and property of the common countrymen," the one-eyed chieftain of the insurgency said in an eight-page message released to news organizations. It came days after at least 50 people were killed in bombings and gun battles that erupted on either end of the country in the deadliest day of violence for civilians this year. The Taliban has not yet claimed responsibility for carrying out the attacks Tuesday in Kunduz and Nimroz provinces, but the coalition wasted no time in hanging the blame on Omar's shoulders. "Omar once again writes that his thugs should 'pay close attention to the protection of life, property and honor ... employ tactics that do not cause harm to life and property of the common countrymen,'" U.S. Gen. John Allen, the commander of American and NATO forces in Afghanistan, said Friday in his written response to Omar's message. "Yet, as we saw in Nimroz and Kunduz provinces just days ago, Omar sent his assassins to slaughter dozens of innocent Afghan men, women and children." "Either Omar is lying, or his henchmen are not listening to him." The U.N. figures represented a 15 percent decrease in overall deaths and injuries from the previous year, but U.N. officials cautioned that civilian casualties were spiking as summer fighting continues. Those attributed to foreign and Afghan forces declined as both groups strengthened policies to protect civilians, the U.N. said — 165 civilians killed in the first half of the year, down 35 percent from 255 in 2011. The majority — 127 — came from airstrikes, though that was also a reduction from the previous year. Beyond statistics, however, the conflict is as much a "war of perceptions" as it is a fight on the battlefield, said Thomas Ruttig, who co-directs the Afghanistan Analysts Network in Kabul. "The Taliban are attacking what they consider legitimate targets," such as the Afghan police and army, foreign troops as well as Afghan government officials and their supporters, he said. "When they are attacking what they say are legitimate targets, they often do not care about bystanders." Insurgents aren't bothered by civilian casualties, even during Ramadan, said Khalid Pashtun, a member of parliament from Kandahar province, the spiritual birthplace of the insurgency. Many insurgents actually consider Ramadan appropriate because they believe any foe they kill will go to hell while a civilian fatality will go to heaven, he said. "I've heard them say many times that the civilians who get killed will go to heaven — that this is good," he said. The Taliban say that international soldiers' mere presence in Afghan cities and towns puts citizens at risk. The insurgents denounce coalition aerial attacks that have inadvertently killed civilians. And they condemn international forces for razing villages in the south — areas the coalition claims were impossible to otherwise clear because they were so booby-trapped with bombs. The Taliban exploited a rapid-fire succession of coalition setbacks earlier this year to further their information war: —In January, a video purportedly showing American Marines laughing and urinating on the corpses of Taliban fighters surfaced on the Web. —In February, Muslim holy books were burned at a U.S. base, sparking deadly riots across the nation. —In March, a U.S. soldier allegedly went on a shooting rampage in two villages in Kandahar province, killing nine children, four men and three women and burning some of their bodies. —In June, Allen flew to Logar province to personally apologize for the deaths of 18 women, children and village elders killed in an airstrike during a pre-dawn raid to capture a Taliban operative. "Your troops mercilessly martyr women and children in our country, destroy villages and houses, desecrate our religious sanctities, vilify our national honors and culture, set fire to our houses and green orchards or bulldoze them until they become leveled with the ground," Omar's statement said. Stepping up its war of words with the Taliban, the coalition has issued a dozen or more statements in recent weeks accusing the Taliban of civilian carnage. After a suicide bomber blew himself up last month at a wedding in Samangan province in northern Afghanistan, killing 23 people including an Afghan lawmaker who was the father of the bride, Allen said: "Once again the Taliban have murdered Afghans in cold blood with complete disregard for innocent life or to the sanctity of a wedding. Their depravity clearly knows no bounds." In June, after Taliban gunmen stormed a lakeside hotel near Kabul, leaving 18 dead, Allen said: "There is no doubt that innocent Afghan civilians were the intended targets of this unspeakably brutal attack," Allen said. Earlier this month, a bomb exploded in a mosque in eastern Nangarhar, injuring 21 people including the mullah who was addressing the worshippers. The explosion, which shattered windows, doors and the roof of the mosque, occurred near where the mullah was standing and most of the other people injured were elders in the front rows. Allen condemned what he said was a "senseless act of terror against Afghans who were simply trying to practice their faith" during Ramadan. Mohammad Nahim Lalai Hamidzai, another legislator from Kandahar, said the Taliban consists of several factions, some of which care more about civilian casualties than others, he said. The Haqqani network, which is affiliated with al-Qaida, is aligned with the Taliban, yet often operate independently. "The ordinary Taliban don't want to kill civilians — they are fighting an emotional battle against the foreigners," he said. "When civilians get killed everybody blames the Taliban, but we have a network of insurgents and nobody knows for sure who is doing which killings." Arturo Munoz, an Afghan expert at the RAND Corporation, said the key issue is whether Afghans accept and are swayed by the coalition's condemnations of civilian deaths caused by militant attacks. "It does seem that the Afghan people are reacting negatively to the terrorist tactics used by the Taliban and the Haqqani network, which undeniably kill and maim far more civilians than U.S. or coalition operations," Munoz said. But he said the coalition's attempt to highlight civilian casualties caused by militants has been hampered by incidents like the Quran burnings, which sparked more public outrage across Afghanistan than the shooting rampage in Kandahar province. "Attacks on people can be seen as a normal part of war, but an attack on Islam is not normal and is not excusable," Munoz said, adding that the U.S. was right to apologize and taking steps to prevent future desecration of Muslim holy texts. "Nonetheless, the legitimacy of the U.S. presence in Afghanistan was damaged."

Pakistan: Nation shocked at Shia community killings

Governor KP has said the whole nation has been deeply shocked by killing of innocent Shia community. Talking to the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah on telephone on Saturday, Governor Barrister Masood Kausar said that the worst type of inhuman act of terrorism indeed speaks the cruel mindset of the culprits who could no more remain at large and would be brought to justice. Indeed the joyous occasion of the ensuing Eid-ul-Fitr for the countrymen in general and like Gilgit- Baltistan, the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA in particular will be equally over shadowed by the shocks of the tragic incident, he added. He also requested the Chief Minister GB to convey deep sympathies on behalf of the people of the province and FATA, besides his own-self to the bereaved families and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls. Meanwhile, the Governor has also telephonically talked to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal, Tahir Rafique Butt and while strongly condemning the terrorist attack has also highly eulogized the timely and courageous response of the security forces to foil the cowardly act of terrorism. He has also expressed his deep sympathies with the bereaved families of the martyr soldiers and prayed for the eternal peace of the martyrs.

Organ trade:Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa developing bill to curb illegal transplants

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) health department is developing a bill to curb illegal organ transplants. The department has completed the first draft of the bill, titled the ‘Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Human Organs and Tissue Transplantation Act 2012’. It is expected to be finalised after Eidul Fitr, following a meeting with health experts across the province. The bill will then be forwarded to the law department for approval before it is tabled in the provincial assembly to be passed as legislation. “Many people have made organ transplants a profitable business, putting the lives of thousands of people at risk,” Special Secretary for Health Dr Noorul Iman told The Express Tribune. He said a special ethics committee would also be formed, adding that it will include representatives from all religions so that the minorities may not be deprived of their rights. “Some people go to China for liver transplants, which cost $35,000. This is a loss for our country. If all transplants are done inside the province with special care, then patients will spend their money here ,” Dr Iman maintained. He said those donating organs, particularly kidneys, to earn money should also be punished in order to discourage other people from doing so. Dr Iman, who did not disclose details of the draft of the act, said that both private and state-run transplant centres would be streamlined by the government and a close eye will be kept on their activities. Regarding the punishment of those involved in the illegal transplants, the special secretary said that increased fines would be imposed. He added, however, that this did not mean that those involved in the illegal business will be let off in exchange for money. “Life imprisonment will be included among the punishments mentioned in the act” he said. Earlier on August 1, the Supreme Court of Pakistan directed the federal and provincial governments to legislate the issue of illegal human organ and tissue transplants with an awareness drive and ordered them to submit their report within two weeks.

#IftikharPCO ka ziada bhola beta Dr. Arslaan

Let Us Build Pakistan -by Malick Ashter

بھولے باپ کا زیادہ بھولا بیٹا۔ڈاکٹر ارسلان ۔۔۔۔از۔۔۔۔۔مالک اشتر

تو جناب حالیہ ٹریپ ااور عدلیہ کے خلاف ’’سازش‘‘ کا شکار ہونے والے سیدھے سادھے ، بھولے بھالے ’’معصوم‘‘ ڈاکٹر ارسلان کا کردار سمجھنے کے لیے ضروری ہے کہ پہلے ان کے انتہائی ایماندار ،شریف النفس اور بے حد قابل والد ماجد کی ذات گرامی کا کچھ احاطہ کیا جائے تاکہ اس ’’سازش ‘‘ کو بے نقاب کرنے میں کچھ مدد ملے ۔ کسے معلوم تھا کہ 12 دسمبر 1948کو پیدا ہونے والا یہ عظیم سپوت ایک دن وطن عزیز پاکستان کا 18واں چیف جسٹس ہی نہیں بلکہ میڈیا کا تخلیق کردہ ہیرو ، شریف برادران اور تحریک انصاف کی آخری امید اور لعل مسجد والے اسلام کا خلیفہ بھی ثابت ہوگا۔ بہرحال یہ اعزاز قدرت نے سرزمین پاکستان کو ہی بخشا بسرو چشم۔ ابتدائی ریکارڈ نام افتخار محمد چوہدری، میٹرک تھرڈ ڈویژن، انٹرمیڈیٹ دوبار فیل (پاس کرنے کا کوئی ریکارڈ دستیاب نہیں ہوسکا کہ کہاں سے کیا۔ فقط ایک بیان حلفی موجود ہے جس میں چیف صاحب معترف ہیں کہ وہ انٹرمیڈیٹ میں دو مرتبہ فیل ہوئے تھے لیکن بعد میں گریجویشن کرلیا) بی اے تھرڈ ڈویژن ، جائے پیدائش مشکوک، ان کے اپنے بیان کے مطابق وہ کوئٹہ میں پیدا ہوے جبکہ معتبر ذرائع جائے پیدائش لائیل پور (فیصل آباد ) بتاتے ہیں۔ ایل ایل بی کا امتحان جامشورو سندھ سے پاس کیا۔ 1989میں وزیراعلیٰ بلوچستان جناب اکبر بگٹی مرحوم نے انہیں بلوچستان کے کوٹہ پر ایڈوکیٹ جنرل مقرر کیا ۔قسمت کی دیوی یہیں سے مہربان ہونا شروع ہوئی۔ اپریل 1999میں چیف جسٹس بلوچستان مقرر کئے گئی۔ پی سی او کے تحت حلف جنوری 2000میں ڈکٹیٹر پرویز مشرف نے پی سی او کے تحت ججوں سے حلف لینا چاہا تو چیف جسٹس سعید الزمان صدیقی سمیت چار ججوں نے انکار کردیا اور مستعفی ہوگئی۔ چوہدری صاحب کی گویا لاٹری نکل آئی ۔ بھولے بھالے افتخار چوہدری نے مشرف کو ’’یس باس ‘‘ کہا اور سپریم کورٹ کے جسٹس مقرر ہوگئی۔ 2005میں مشرف نے انھیں بہتر خدمات کے عوض چیف جسٹس آف پاکستان مقرر کیا۔ کرپشن کے الزامات اور معطلی 2007میں چوہدری صاحب کو کرپشن ،اقربا پروری اور سینئر وکلاء و ججوں کے ساتھ بدسلوکی کے الزامات پر معطل کردیا گیا۔ یہ ملکی تاریخ کا پہلا واقعہ تھا۔اور اس میں بھی بنیادی وجہ ’’ارسلان چوہدری‘‘ ہی بنا۔ جنرل الیکشن کے بعد 24مارچ 2008کو یوسف رضا گیلانی نے بطور وزیراعظم پاکستان کا حلف اٹھایا اور پہلے ہی دن چوہدری صاحب کی ہائوس اریسٹ سے رہائی کا حکم جاری کیا۔ بطور چیف جسٹس ان کی بحالی کے لیے اعتزاز احسن ، حامد خان ، علی احمد کرد، منیر اے ملک، اور عاصمہ جہانگیر نے تحریک چلائی ۔بدقسمتی سے یہ تمام کردار آج ’’چوہدری گردی‘‘ کا شکار ہیں۔ ارسلان کے کارنامے حضرت ارسلان چوہدری صاحب کے بڑے صاحبزادے اور میجر جنرل ضیاء الحق کے داماد ہیں ۔ والد گرامی کے نقش قدم پر چلتے ہوئے انٹرمیڈیٹ میں ’’سی‘‘ گریڈ حاصل کیااور چیف منسٹر کے کوٹہ سے بولان میڈیکل کالج کوئٹہ میں داخل ہوئی۔ جون 2005میں میڈیکل آفیسر تعنیات ہوئی۔ والد گرامی کی سفارش پر صرف 26روز کے اندر محکمہ صحت میں سیکشن آفیسر مقرر ہوگئی۔ محض چند روز بعد ’’ڈاکٹر صاحب‘‘ نے ڈاکٹری اور محکمہ صحت کو خیرباد کیا اور ’’ابا جی زندہ باد‘‘ کا نعرہ لگاتے ہوئے اسسٹنٹ ڈائریکٹر ایف آئی اے مقرر کرا دیے گئی۔ جہاں عام آفیسر 10سال بعد بھی ترقی کی راہ تکتا اور دعائیں مانگتا ہے یہ ’’ہونہار‘‘ سپوت ایک سال سے بھی کم عرصہ میں میرٹ کی دھجیاں اور آئین و قانون کو ہوا میں اڑاتے ہوئے گریڈ 18میں ڈپٹی ڈائریکٹر ایف آئے اے مقرر کیاگیااور وہاں سے نیشنل پولیس اکیڈمی میں ٹریننگ کے لیے بھیج دیا گیا۔ یاد رہے کہ یہ تمام حقائق سپریم جوڈیشل کونسل ریفرنسمیں موجود ہیں اور انہیں پر ارسلان کو استعفیٰ دینا پڑا تھا (بحوالہ ایکسپریسجون7 )Express 7 June 2012 رسی جل گئی بل نہ گیا۔ فرزند ارجمند کی حرام ذرائع اور دوسروں کا حق غضب کرکے حاصل کی جانے والی نوکری ختم ہوجانے کے بعد بھی چوہدری جی نے کوئی نصیحت حاصل نہ کی ۔ اور اب اسے راتوں رات کروڑ پتی بنوانے کی ٹھانی ۔ اس ’’کارخیر‘‘ کے لیے ملک ریاض کا انتخاب کیا گیا۔’’فضل ربی‘‘ نے اپنا کام دکھایا اور’’رحمت‘‘ کے خزانے برسنے لگی۔ ملک ریاض نے آخر کار وہی کیا جو شکرہ بلبلوں کے ساتھ کرتا ہی۔ اور آج اسی حرام کی سیاہی ملے باپ بیٹا دونوں عبرت کا نشان بن گئی۔ قلمکاروں کی فنکاریاں جسٹس ڈوگر نے ایک مسئلہ پر بیٹی کی سفارش کی۔ انصار عباسی جیسے رائٹ ونگ کے کالم نگاروں کا’’اسلام‘‘ فوری حرکت میں آیا۔ ڈوگر عدالت کے خطابات دیئے گئے اور اولاد کے اعلمال سے صرف نظر کرنے کی مذمت میں آیات عذاب اور احادیث کی بارش برسنے لگی۔اور آج جب افتخار صاحب کی پے درپے سفارشوں اور ہوس زر نے بیٹے کو ڈاکٹر سے مجرم بنادیا ہے تو نہ صرف وہ تمام آیات و احادیث فراموش کردی گئی بلکہ الٹا چوہدری صاحب کو ’’خلیفہ‘‘ بنانے کی سعی لا حاصل جاری و ساری ہی۔ ایک اور مسخرہ کردار ایکسپریس کا لکھاری جاوید چوہدری ہے ’’قلم برائے فروخت‘‘ کا اشتہار سجائے یہ صاحب ایک دن کالم ملک ریاض کے حق میں اور دوسرے دن چوہدری صاحب کے حق میں لکھتے ہیں ۔ ادھر مال اور ادھر اختیار دل نہ اسے چھوڑنے پر آمادہ نہ اسے اسدا للہ غالب صاحب اس دوڑ میں جاوید چوہدری سے بھی آگے نکل گئے ۔ سعودی کرنل نے ائیرپورٹ پر سیکورٹی سٹاف آفیسر کو گالی دی اور احتجاج پر زناٹے دار تھپڑ جڑ دیا ۔ سیکورٹی آفیسرنے جوابا قومی غیرت کا بھرپور ثبوت دیااور عربی کرنل صاحب کے کھنے سینک دیئے ۔ اس پر غالب صاحب نے اتنے کالم لکھے کہ خود سعودیوں کو شرم آگئی اور انھوں نے کالم نگار کا شکریہ ادا کیا۔ اب غاقلب صاحب ملک ریاض کو ایدھی سے تشبیہ دے رہے ہیں اور امید ہے کہ ملک صاحب بھی ان کا ٹھیک ٹھاک شکریہ ادا کریں گی۔ بدترین کون ۔فیصلہ آپ کا: اس سارے قصہ میں ’’بدترین کردار‘‘ کا ووٹ آپ کس کو دیں گے ۔ افتخار چوہدری جو راتوں رات بیٹے کو اعلیٰ درجے کو بیورکریٹ یا کروڑ پتی بزنس مین بنانے کی کوشش کرتا رہا نااہل بیٹا جو اپنی نالائقی عیاں کرنے کے ساتھ ساتھ باپ کے کرتوت بھی آشکارا کرگیا۔ میڈیا کے وہ قابل نفرت کردار جو ہوس زر کے لیے مجرموں کو تحفظ دیتے اور دین پر عمل پیرا ہونے کے بجائے دین کو اپنے ’’سانچہ ضرورت ‘‘ میں ڈھالنے کی کوشش کرتے ہیں ۔

Pakistan:Christian Nurses poisoned to Punish drinking tea during Muslims Ramadan

http://www.pakistanchristianpost.com

Christian staff nurses of Civil Hospital Karachi were poisoned as punishment to drink tea in their Hostel rooms during Holy Month of Ramadan being observed these days by Muslim majority community of Pakistan. Among Eleven (11) poisoned Christian nurses (3) were rushed to Intensive Care Unit ICU of Civil Hospital Karachi were remaining (8) are being treated in emergency ward. Civil Hospital Karachi is under ministry of health of Sindh government where Christian medico staff was in majority till 1985. Staff Nurses Rita, Anila and Rafia were in serious condition in ICU ward of CHK while staff nurse Rita was later transferred on life saving equipment. There are reports that FIR have been registered against unknown person on poisoning Christian nurses in Aram Bagh Police Station of Karachi and non was arrested so far. According to Ramadan Ordinance of Provincial Sindh Government, to eat in Public places is prohibited and restaurants and vendors will remain closed during timing of Ramadan. The Ramadan Ordinance is not imposed on Five Star Hotels in Sindh Province and allows minority community individuals to take meals in indoor facilities. After independence of Pakistan in 1947, all restaurants have to put curtain on their doors where Muslim and other religious communities were free to dine and smoke during Holy Month of Ramadan but laws of total ban or closure were made after Islamization of Pakistan during Zia-ul-Haq rule. The poisoning incident of 11 Christian nurses have spread wave of fear among religious minorities of Pakistan and rising extremism in society.

Where Pakistani Christians to migrate while Hindus to India?

When President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari was claiming “Minorities are enjoying equal rights and fully protected in Pakistan” addressing a gathering in President House to mark Minorities Day, the electronic media was telecasting images of train at Jacobabad railway station boarding 250 Pakistani Hindus migrating to India. There was 20% Hindu population in Pakistan in 1947, when it became independent state after division of sub-continent of India but millions migrated to India when East Pakistan fought for independence from West Pakistan and Hindus were targeted on allegation of supporting Mukti-Bahni. The majority of Hindus was based in Sindh province of Pakistan which was doubted loyalties and targeted by establishment after formation of Bangladesh from East Pakistan in 1971, which forced migration of Hindus to India. The migration of Hindus was slow and steady for decades and went unnoticed by Pakistani administration. The long desert border of Thar with India made a way for persecuted Hindus to migrate to India. The government of Pakistan to deny representation of Hindus never accepted their population ration and gazette showed them 2% of population. In same way, Pakistani Christians who were 13% of population of Pakistan were denied their due presence to avoid their representation in democratic institution of Pakistan and resources of state. The Pakistani Hindus lost their total confidence in Pakistan when Supreme Court of Pakistan not ensured justice in case of enforcedly converted of Islam of Hindu girls “Rinkle Kumari and others” this year when Pakistani apex court against will of Hindu girls ordered to go with their Muslim husbands who have abducted them. In “Rinkle Kumari and others case”, there was one Hindu girl from Jacobabad and one from Larkana which forced Hindu to migrate from Pakistan for safety of their life and protection from Islamic Sharia law which protects kidnapers of Christians and Hindu women and to convert them to Islam by force. Dr. Nazir S Bhatti, President of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC have raised question that where Pakistani Christians shall migrate after rising violence against them by Islamists in Pakistan? “There are widespread incidents of gang rape, abduction and enforced conversion of Christian women by Muslims in Pakistan; there are attacks on Christian’s life and properties, there are arrests under blasphemy laws, there are attacks on worship places while Muslim culprits are protected by administration which makes Pakistani Christians a genocide situation” said Nazir Bhatti Nazir Bhatti, Chief of PCC said that Pakistani Christians not feel safe and secure in Pakistan but they have no place to migrate like Hindus who can migrate to India. Bhatti invited international intervention to stop genocide of Christians, Hindus and Ahmadiyyia in Pakistan and urged US administration to condition US aid to Pakistan with human rights.

11-year-old Christian girl accused of blasphemy

An 11-eleven-year old Christian girl has been accused of blasphemy and arrested for burning pages of the Holy Quran in Islamabad on Saturday. The news emerged when a website called “Christians in Pakistan” reported the incident saying that the girl named Rimsha Masih, who has Downs syndrome, was accused of blasphemy for burning 10 pages of the Holy Quran. A police official at the Ramna Police Station, when contacted by The Express Tribune, confirmed that an FIR has been registered against the girl. The website report stated that Rimsha, daughter of Misrak Masih, is a resident of Umara Jaffar, sector G12/0 Islamabad, and was arrested on August 17 (Friday) by a women police station. The report added that the complaint was filed by Alsyed Muhammad Ummad.

Pakistan: What Next After the Judicial Coup, My Lord?

D Suba Chandran Director, Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies email: subachandran@gmail.com

While everyone was expecting that there would be a compromise between the judiciary and the legislature in the contempt case against Yusuf Gilani, the Supreme Court disqualified the Prime Minister. Though the parliament and the President have accepted the verdict, the problem has just begun and is likely to take different forms and raise multiple questions. What is the judiciary likely to do next? Will this tussle between the judiciary, legislature and executive help Pakistan build its institutions and maintain the democratic form of government? Many within Pakistan, including the critics of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the supporters of judicial activism of the Supreme Court, consider that the higher judiciary has gone overboard by disqualifying Gilani. The civil society seems to be deeply divided over the issue; a section supports the judiciary, while another section, though not supporters of the PPP, oppose the extreme form of judicial assertion. There is also a third section, which is pro-PPP and considers that the judiciary is pursuing a political vendetta against the party, and in particular against President Zardari for delaying the restoration of the judiciary in 2008. Is the Judiciary playing to a gallery? Undoubtedly, PPP is not the darling of the people in Pakistan. People love to hate Zardari and he has become the scapegoat for everything that has gone wrong with the country. The military have silently taken a back seat allowing the PPP-led government to take all the blame – from a failing economy to the reopening of the NATO supply lines. Unfortunately for the PPP, there is no single success story for them, either on the domestic front or in its external relations. Perhaps, the only success for the government has been the length of its tenure. The judiciary, in addition to its popular appeal, also has the support of a majority within the media. While, the print media is relatively moderate, the electronic and social media have gone overboard in presenting one side of the story. The judiciary in many developing societies, including Pakistan, has become assertive whenever there is a weak government. The judiciary in Pakistan is not only aware that the government is weak and unlikely to get confrontational, but is also aware of its popular support base, especially for its Chief Justice. Would the judiciary have remained this assertive had the ruling party commanded absolute majority? Would it have a delivered a similar judgment against Nawaz Sharif had he been the Prime Minister? Zardari has avoided a confrontational course until now, and is unlikely to pursue such a strategy. So, the judiciary is likely to continue its assertion and remain even more active. Can an activist judiciary directly govern Pakistan? This is a larger question that both the judiciary and those who support its activism have to ponder. In any democratic society, where the constitution is supreme, the three primary institutions – legislature, executive and judiciary - have well defined functions and responsibilities. There is not only separation of powers, but also checks and balances. Undoubtedly in Pakistan, both the legislature and the executive have failed to perform their duties. Now the question arises as to whether the judiciary can intervene and take the role of other institutions because they have failed to discharge their responsibilities. Two more questions arise: Is the judiciary capable of governing and administering Pakistan? And in a democratic set up is it desirable? Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who is the most efficient of them all? A serious introspection of the entire judicial machinery is also imperative. Many within the legal fraternity would agree that the lower judiciary is extremely corrupt and inefficient. The level of pending cases and the judgments in the last six decades would attest this fact. The social system in Pakistan has begun to favour feudalism and the Taliban-style justice because the mainstream judicial system has failed to deliver. If people of Swat and Malakand demanded the imposition of Sharia, the primary reason was not that they were in love with a religious system, but because the mainstream legal system is corrupt, slow and inefficient. Justice in many parts of Pakistan is not only delayed, but also denied. In fact, Pakistan would not have reached this position had the judiciary, from the lower level to the Supreme Court, discharged its duties justly and efficiently. Advantage judiciary Given the fact that Pakistan needs accountability, what is happening presently is not essentially a bad development. This should have, in fact, happened in the late 1970s, if not during mid-1950s. The judiciary should have stood up against Zia and declared his military coup to be unconstitutional. Similar measures should have been taken against Musharraf as well in 1999. Having started late, will the judiciary now ensure that all the political institutions remain intact and the larger good of the society is not compromised? Judicial activism should help improve the process of governance, and not pit one institution against the other. After using the doctrine of necessity against the military rulers, the same yardstick should perhaps be used vis-à-vis the political leadership as well.

Afghan bazaar bomb kills Eid shoppers

A bomb exploded Saturday in a bazaar in western Afghanistan crowded with people shopping to celebrate the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, killing four civilians, an official said. A dozen other people were wounded by the bomb which was placed under a bridge in Shindand district of Herat province, provincial spokesman Mohiuddin Noori told AFP. It came after a bicycle bomb Wednesday wounded at least 14 people at a busy market in Herat city, the capital of the province. "This morning a bomb placed under a bridge in a bazaar exploded and killed four civilians and wounded 12 including three police", the spokesman told AFP, adding an investigation was under way. Abdul Rahouf Ahmadi, a spokesman for security forces in western Afghanistan, confirmed the casualties and blamed "enemies of Afghanistan", a term used by officials to refer to Taliban insurgents fighting foreign forces in the country. A recent United Nations report found the number of Afghan civilian casualties had fallen by 15 percent in the first half of 2012. However, the country has recently been witnessing an increase in attacks on civilians. On Tuesday, a series of suicide and bomb attacks killed up to 50 people across the war-torn country. The bloodshed came as the nation prepared to celebrate the end Ramadan, with many of the victims shopping in bazaars for Eid celebrations.

Pakistan: Sectarian scourge

Thursday morning’s brutal sectarian massacre of 22 passengers travelling through the Babusar Top area of Mansehra district was a bloody iteration of a chilling pattern of attacks against religious minorities, including members of Muslim minority sects. In the early hours of the morning, terrorists ambushed four buses, hauled off passengers, checked their national identity cards and summarily executed the Shias. A spokesman for the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the killings. While there was legitimate outrage across the country over Thursday’s Kamra airbase attack and the subsequent loss of lives and damage to national assets, the slaughter of innocent civilians belonging to the Shia community was not met with quite the same amount of indignation. In fact, if the past is a benchmark, the 22 victims of Babusar Top will have died as insignificantly as they had lived, with no one held responsible or answerable for their deaths. In a state where the concept of national security does not yet incorporate the crucial element of human security, the symbols of state authority seem to matter more than the citizens whose protection and well-being constitutes the very raison d’être of the state. Thus, while the airbase attack unleashed a debate about the militants’ determination to target Pakistan’s most sensitive installations and raised questions about their safety, the more elemental questions were lost in the cacophony: are Pakistan’s citizens safe? Can Pakistan protect its minorities? Is any part of Pakistan free from the scourge of sectarian terror? As things stand, this is the third attack this year that has specifically targeted Shias on buses. Meanwhile, Hazara Shias are routinely murdered in Balochistan, including the three more killed on Thursday, while sectarian violence has become a regular feature of life in Mansehra District, Kurram Agency, Dera Ismail Khan as well as south and central Punjab. The country’s financial hub of Karachi too has witnessed more than its fair share of sectarian attacks in recent days, with a blast near a bus carrying Shias to a rally on Friday killing at least one. The thick sectarian tide in the overall wave of militancy sweeping Pakistan can be explained by the fact that sectarian groups here have linked up ideologically with global jihadism. Overtly sectarian and jihadi elements are also increasingly seen occupying the same stage as mainstream religious parties. Meanwhile, those behind repeated acts of violence - such as the banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi - are rarely caught or punished. Indeed, killing minorities in Pakistan seems to have become fair game while those responsible for securing citizens remain helpless, leaving minority communities to believe the security establishment is protecting the perpetrators. The mysterious escape of the local head of the LeJ, Usman Saifullah, and a key leader, Shafiq Rind, from a very well guarded Anti-Terrorist Force jail in Quetta Cantonment, is a case in point. A deadly pattern is emerging: terrorists are on a murderous rampage against Pakistan’s minority sects while the authorities have failed to prove themselves capable of taking them on. Virtually all terrorist outfits operating in Pakistan have donned the religious cloak. It is this criminal abuse of religion that the state must check against. And yet, the state is doing nothing to identify, capture, prosecute and punish those involved in sectarian terrorism. Thus, the scandal here is not just that Shia after Shia is being killed; it is that the state has become a silent onlooker in the massacre. Flaccid behaviour is too often empowering for a cunning enemy. Today, this logic is creating a dangerous moment in Pakistan where those on a killing spree are asserting themselves for little reason beyond the conviction that they can, while those who can stop them do nothing. In Pakistan, the triumph of evil may have become more and more possible under a silent, impotent state emasculated by religious extremists.

Pak preparing for military push in north Waziristan?

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Preparations for a military push against militants in North Waziristan appeared to be underway, as a top US army commander held talks with Pakistani military officials on better cooperation along the border with Afghanistan. Residents of the lawless Waziristan tribal region said they had noticed "abnormal movement of military convoys in the area" and this had caused fears of another showdown between the army and tribal militants affiliated with al-Qaida , The Express Tribune reported. The top military leadership cancelled holidays for the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr for troops deployed in the region and directed them to stay alert, the report said. The preparations for a possible campaign against militants emerged as general James Mattis, commander of the US Central Command, held talks in Islamabad on Thursday with Pakistan army chief general Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani. Officials were quoted by the Tribune as saying that Mattis and Kayani would discuss how to eliminate their "common enemy" — Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Hakimullah Mehsud . A statement issued by the US embassy said the two commanders had discussed common security issues, including steps to improve cross-border cooperation. Surveillance craft hit in base attack ASaab-2000 airborne early warning aircraft of the Pakistan air force was damaged during the terrorist attack on Kamra airbase, defence minister Naveed Qamar has said. The nose of the aircraft was damaged terrorists stormed the airbase in Punjab province. 2 killed in fresh attack on Shias Two persons were killed and 19 others injured in a gun and bomb attack on a group of Shia students in the port city of Karachi on Friday, a day after 25 community members were pulled out of three buses and shot dead by masked gunmen in Pakistan's northwest.

Bahraini teenager killed in clash with police

A 16-year-old protester died after what opposition activists in Bahrain said was a "brutal attack" by security forces, but the Bahrain government described as a defensive response to a petrol bomb attack on police. Opposition parties in Bahrain say more than 45 people have been killed in protests since June 2011, when the government lifted the martial law it imposed to help quash pro-democracy demonstrations by its Shi'ite Muslim majority inspired by revolts against repressive dynasties across the Arab world. The interior ministry says protesters have injured more than 700 police officers in clashes and that the police, who do not use live fire, are practising restraint. The protester's death after the protest on Friday night came as the United States, an ally of Manama, expressed concern over Bahrain's jailing of a prominent opposition activist, Nabeel Rajab, for three years. The government identified the dead youth as 16-year-old Hussam al-Haddad, and said he had been among protesters throwing petrol bombs at police and had died after being taken to hospital. The opposition Bahrain Centre for Human Rights said witnesses had seen the security forces firing gunshot pellets at Haddad before men in plainclothes kicked him repeatedly as he lay on the ground while police stood by. The main opposition Wefaq movement said in a statement in Arabic that Haddad had been "martyred after being brutally attacked". The government said police were acting in self defense. "Terrorists launched petrol bombs at close range, forcing the police to take the necessary actions to defend themselves and innocent bystanders from the potentially lethal attack," the government Information Affairs Authority said in an emailed statement in English. "Despite warning shots by the police the attack continued; so security personnel dealt with the case according to its legal authority," it added, citing the police chief of Muharraq district where the incident took place. Rights groups have accused the government of firing teargas canisters at close range and into confined spaces as a weapon instead of using the gas solely to disperse protests, something the government has denied. Bahrain's Shi'ites say they have been marginalized in the tiny island kingdom's political and economic life, but the Sunni-led government denies this. The ruling family has rejected the main opposition demand for an elected parliament with full powers to pass laws and form governments, but has carried out reforms to increase parliamentary scrutiny over ministers and has said it will reform the police. The U.S. Fifth Fleet is based in Bahrain, on the west of the Gulf, a transshipment route for 40 percent of the world's seaborne oil exports and bordered to the north by Iran. On Friday the U.S. State Department said it was "deeply concerned" at the jailing of Rajab, a prominent opposition leader, on charges of leading illegal gatherings. "We have repeatedly urged the government of Bahrain to take steps to build confidence across Bahraini society, and to begin a meaningful dialogue with the political opposition and civil society. Excessive punishment for peaceful expression... will not contribute to those efforts," it said in a statement.

Kamra attackers trained in Waziristan

The terrorists who attacked a key Pakistan Air Force base had been trained in the Waziristan tribal region where plans for the raid could be traced, interior minister Rehman Malik has said. Four of the nine terrorists involved in Thursday's attack on Kamra airbase in Punjab province had been identified, Malik said during an interaction with the media on Friday as he described the North and South Waziristan as a hotbed for criminals. He claimed the attack had been foiled and all the terrorists were killed because of an advance warning about a possible attack on PAF installations. The attackers had been trained in Waziristan tribal region bordering Afghanistan and the raid "could be traced back to North and South Waziristan", he said. The Taliban were harbouring criminals from all over the country and there is a need to trace the mastermind who sent the terrorists to Kamra, he added. His hard comments about terrorists harbouring in Waziristan come as speculation mounted here about a military offensive in the offing in the region. Nine terrorists and two PAF personnel were killed during the attack. A rocket-propelled grenade fired by the attackers damaged a Saab-2000 surveillance aircraft. The banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was carried out to avenge the killing of Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud and Osama bin Laden. Answering a question from reporters, Malik said no decision had been taken as yet about launching an operation against militants in North Waziristan. Such a decision will not be taken under foreign pressure, he said.

Afghan militants storm Kalash Valley, steal herd of goats

The Express Tribune News Network.

Dozens of Afghan militants crossed into the Kalash Valley of Chitral on Friday, made off with a herd of goats and kidnapped a shepherd. According to an official of the Chitral Scouts, the militants came from the Nuristan province of Afghanistan. The official had rushed to the site and chased the militants up to the border following the incursion. The official said that the militants attacked the Dobazha pastures in the morning and took away around 700 goats with them. “They also kidnapped a shepherd identified as Abd Khun, a resident of Kara Kaarh area of Bamboret in Kalash, for showing resistance,” the official said. He added that before the arrival of the scouts, the residents of the area also followed the militants in efforts to release the herds and the shepherd, but the residents said that the militants had crossed the border immediately and had also killed at least 20 goats. The residents expressed concern over the continuous border incursions of militants into the Garmai pastures of Bamboret, the stealing of their herds and kidnappings of shepherds. They demanded the security forces in Chitral to stop living in plains and move into their check posts in the mountains to guard the borders. According to a local, the armed residents of Bamboret who chased after the militants had crossed the border into Afghanistan and had successfully taken back their goats and the shepherds. Pakistani security officials say that militants from banned outfits, who have found a safe haven in Afghanistan, have sporadically carried out attacks on the security forces in Pakistan. Pakistani government officials have repeatedly urged the Afghan government to stop the cross border attacks and take action against the militant factions who are constantly targeting security forces and civilians, but the Afghan government denied the incursions and instead blamed Pakistan for violating its border. Both the countries claim that they would work on these issues and would put pressure on the enemy that operates along the border to put an end to the incursions.