4 Iraqi soldiers killed fighting with IS in Tikrit

BAGHDAD - Four Iraqi soldiers were killed in street fighting with Islamic State militants in Tikrit overnight as they advanced slowly into the city, a Sunni jihadist bastion, in the wake of coalition air strikes, a security official said.

The troops entered Tikrit’s southern Shishin and northern al-Qadisiya neighbourhoods on Friday, after the U.
S.
-led international alliance carried out air strikes against Islamic State, the officer from the Salahuddin province operation command told Reuters on Saturday.
The campaign was slowed on Friday evening by clashes with Islamic State that killed of four and wounded 11 other soldiers, the security official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Most of the Iranian-backed Shi’ite paramilitaries, which Iraqis call the Popular Mobilization Committees, or Hashid Shaabi in Arabic, are openly hostile to the United Statesand have opposed coalition air strikes.

The groups continue to hold their positions around the city’s borders but, with the exception of the Badr Organization, are boycotting the current Iraqi military foray in protest against the coalition’s involvement.

The force of more than 20,000 fighters and military personnel, the majority of them from Iranian-backed Shi’ite militias, launched the offensive on March 2, but it stalled two weeks ago, with officials citing high casualties among the fighters and concerns about civilians trapped in the city.
Iraqi military commanders called for coalition air strikes to break the deadlock, but Shi’ite militia leaders said they did not need help, least of all from the United States, which some view as their enemy and even accuse of aiding Islamic State.

Iraqi officials, speaking in private, described the U.
S.
government as unhappy with a Shi’ite militia-led assault on one of the largest Sunni Muslim cities in Iraq.
Sunnis have accused the Shi’ite militia fighters of displacing civilians and carrying out extra-judicial killings in areas they have liberated from Islamic State, including in eastern Diyala province and the farmlands surrounding Baghdad.
The decision by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to request U.
S.
-led air strikes on Tikrit came even though many Iraqi politicians believed he could not risk going against the wishes of the paramilitary fighters on the ground.
U.
S.
military officials, mindful of the controversy around their joining a fight in which Iran has provided critical military support, have describe the ground offensive as involving Shi’ite fighters not aligned with Iran.

Egypt calls for unified Arab force

SHARM EL SHEIKH/ADEN/CAIRO - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi told an Arab League summit on Saturday that Cairo backed calls for a unified Arab force to confront regional security threats.
Sisi also said Egypt’s participation in a military campaign against Shi’ite Houthi militias in Yemen, which has beenled by Saudi Arabia, aimed to ‘preserve Yemen’s unity and the peace of its territories.’ Saudi-led air forces struck a convoy of Yemeni Houthi fighters advancing on Aden from the east on Saturday, residents said, and the Saudi navy evacuated diplomats from the southern port city.
The Iranian-allied Shi’ite Muslim Houthi fighters, seeking to overthrow the Western- and Saudi-allied President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, have continued to make gains since the Saudi-led coalition launched air strikes against them early on Thursday. Yemen’s President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi arrived in Egypt on Friday for the 26th Arab League summit which will focus on the Saudi-led military campaign against his Houthi militia opponents.
Hadi left his refuge in Aden for Saudi Arabia on Thursday, as Houthi fighters battled with his forces on the outskirts of the southern port city. Yemen’s Houthi rebels made broad gains in the country’s south and east on Friday despite a second day of Saudi-led air strikes meant to check the Iranian-backed militia’s efforts to overthrow Hadi.
Muslim Houthi fighters and allied army units gained their first foothold on Yemen’s Arabian Sea coast by seizing the port of Shaqra 100km (60 miles) east of Aden, residents told Reuters. The advances threaten Hadi’s last refuge in Yemen and potentially undermine the air campaign to support him.
The losses came as the spokesman for the Saudi-led operation, Brigadier General Ahmed Asseri, told a press conference in Riyadh that defending the Aden government was the campaign’s ‘main objective.’ Warplanes targeted Houthi forces controlling Yemen’s capital Sanaa and their northern heartland on Friday. Asseri said that planes from the United Arab Emirates had carried out their first strikes in the past 24 hours. In a boost for Saudi Arabia, Morocco said it would join the rapidly assembled Sunni Muslim coalition against the Houthis. Pakistan, named by Saudi Arabia as a partner, said it had made no decision on whether to contribute.
‘Each of these countries would bring a different capability,’ said Aaron Reese, the deputy research director at the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War. ‘The Jordanians are well known for their special forces capability - the Egyptians of course have the most manpower and bases close to Libya.’
Before Egyptian air strikes in February targeting the Islamic State group (IS) in Libya, the United Arab Emirates, which shares Cairo’s antipathy towards Islamists, had reportedly used Egyptian bases to launch its own air strikes there. Egypt had sought UN backing for intervention in Libya, dismissing attempted peace talks between the rival governments in its violence-plagued North African neighbour as ineffective.
The Sharm el-Sheikh summit is being held under tight security, with extra police and army on the streets of what is normally a tourist resort and with military aircraft patrolling its skies. The Israeli-Palestinian peace process, as in every Arab summit, also figures on the agenda, with the IS penetration in Iraq, Syria and Libya another high priority.
    Moreover, Saudi Arabia’s navy evacuated dozens of diplomats from Yemen and the United Nations pulled out international staff on Saturday after a third night of Saudi-led air strikes trying to stem advances by Iranian-allied Houthi fighters.
Residents reported heavy clashes between the Houthis and mainly Sunni tribal fighters in the south of the country, while the Saudi-led air campaign sought to stall a fresh offensive by the Shi’ite Muslim group on Aden from the east.
Riyadh’s intervention, a surprise move from a conservative monarchy better known for flexing its muscle in oil markets than through military might, is planned to last a month but could extend for five or six, a Gulf diplomatic source said.
Dozens of diplomats were shipped out of Aden to the Red Sea port of Jeddah, Saudi television said, escaping the city where President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi had taken refuge until Thursday, when he left for Egypt to shore up Arab support for his crumbling authority.
The director general of Yemen’s Health Ministry, al-Khadher Laswar, said more than 62 people had been killed and 452 wounded in the city since Wednesday. Explosions at the city’s largest ammunition depot on Saturday left at least nine badly wounded, he said. Moreover, an Arab alliance attacking Shi’ite Muslim Houthi forces in Yemen initially plans a month-long campaign, but the operation could last five or six months, a Gulf diplomatic official said on Saturday.
The official, from a country that belongs to the alliance, said Shi’ite Iran, the Houthis’ main foreign ally, was likely to retaliate indirectly, by encouraging pro-Iranian Shi’iteactivists to carry out armed attacks in Bahrain, Lebanon and eastern Saudi Arabia. Iran, in a tug-of-war with Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia for influence across the Middle East, has denied supporting the Houthis militarily, and has criticised the Gulf Arabs for their military action.
Since the Saudi-led coalition launched air strikes against them early on Thursday, the Houthis, seeking to overthrow the Western- and Saudi-allied President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, have continued to make gains. But the official, who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter, said the attacks would go on until Yemen was able to resume a U.N.-backed political transition interrupted by the Houthis’ seizure of Sanaa in September.
He said Gulf Arab concern over the Houthis’ influence in Yemen had been heightened in January by satellite imagery showing Houthi forces repositioning long-range Scudmissiles in northern districts near the Saudi border. The Scuds, with a range of between 250 km (150 miles) and 650 km (400 miles), were aimed northwards at Saudi territory.
He said Yemen’s military had about 300 Scuds, the bulk of which were believed to be in the hands of the Houthis and allied military units loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, and that the campaign so far had destroyed 21 of them.
Yemen, by far the poorest country on the Arabian peninsula, has struggled to regain stability since mass protests in 2011 that eventually unseated Saleh after 33 years in power. Hadi led a national dialogue that was discussing a new constitution when the Houthis took the capital and pushed him aside. The Gulf diplomatic official said the coalition would not accept that the Houthi ‘coup’ had succeeded, and wanted Yemenis to push for a resumption of the U.N.-backed process.
He said it could take five or six months for the campaign’s aims to be realised, but there was room for everyone, including Houthis, in that process of forging a new constitution. The official said Houthi forces were being trained and supported on the ground by about 5,000 experts from Iran and its regional allies, the Hezbollah group in Lebanon and Iraqi Shi’ite militias.
In the meanwhile, Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi called the Shi’ite Houthi militia ‘Iran’s puppet’ at an Arab League summit inEgypt on Saturday. ‘I tell Iran’s puppet, ‘You are the one that destroyed Yemen with your political immaturity’,’ Hadi said in Sharm el-Sheikh. Tehran denies providing money and training to the Shi’ite Houthi fighters, as alleged by some Western and Yemeni officials.

Lankan president’s brother axed to death

COLOMBO - The youngest brother of Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena died in hospital Saturday after being attacked by an axe wielding acquaintance two days earlier, police said.
Priyantha Sirisena, 42, suffered severe head injuries in his hometown of Polonnaruwa, 215 kilometres (134 miles) north-east of the capital Colombo, police said.
The local businessman’s death came as the President was in China on a state visit.

The President’s office said he had completed his visit and was due to return on Sunday as previously arranged and would be back in the country in time for Monday’s funeral.
‘A personal dispute between the president’s brother and a person known to him ended in tragedy,’ an official at the president’s office told AFP.
‘We have no reason to suspect anything other than that.
’
Sirisena ended a three-day official visit to China on Friday and stayed on to address the Boao Forum on Saturday, officials said.
Police said they arrested a man in connection with the attack and an investigation was underway.
No further details were given.
The government in a statement said Priyantha, a father of three, was ‘attacked during an altercation with a friend’ on Thursday evening.
  Official sources said Priyantha Sirisena was the youngest in a family of 12 children.
He was flown to the capital for emergency treatment, but his head injuries were so severe that, despite a four-hour surgery, he did not recover, doctors said.
Sirisena came to power following bitterly fought January presidential elections.
Unlike most former Sri Lankan leaders, President Sirisena has not extended personal security for his siblings and extended family and is known to have drastically scaled down his own protection unit.

FC kills four BRA militants; council chairman abducted

QUETTA: The Frontier Corps (FC) has reportedly killed at least four suspected militants belonging to banned Baloch Republican Army (BRA) during a search operation in Kalat district of Balochistan, spokesperson for FC Balochistan said on Saturday.
According to an FC spokesperson, security forces acting on a tip-off launched a massive search operation in Mangocher area of Kalat. “The FC used helicopter and ground forces during the operation,” the spokesperson said. There was an exchange of fire between militants and security forces, which lasted for hours.
The FC seized 500kg explosives, 150 rockets and 1,500 detonators, while automatic weapons were also recovered, he said.
Meanwhile, a group of armed men kidnapped the chairman of Kharan District Council near Patken area of Kharan district on Saturday.
According to a senior official of Balochistan Levies, newly elected Kharan District Council Chairman Sagheer Badini was going to a friend’s house for offering fateha when a group of armed men intercepted his vehicle in Patken area and kidnapped him.

Army will go behind terrorists everywhere in country: COAS

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif has said that the armed forces were are taking the menace of terrorism head-on and will go anywhere in the country to eliminate it in totality.
Addressing the third convocation of Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Lahore Medical College on Saturday, he said, “We have to collectively put in efforts to give our next generation a terror-free country, to provide them a conducive environment, to help them apply their knowledge and creativity to achieve optimum effects for national growth.”
General Raheel said the Pakistan Army, besides performing its role as custodian of national frontiers, had always been a forerunner in terms of its contribution in national development.
He said that the entrenched role of Army Medical Corps in the forefronts of serious disasters, calamities and military operations against evil of terrorism and extremism had been highly impressive, according to a press release. The COAS said that physical, mental and social health was a prelude to a strong nation and provision of professional health services to the common man must be everyone’s priority. He said that extensive and continuous research was a national need without which no institution could achieve excellence.

Azhar Ali to be named Misbah's successor as ODI captain

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to name Azhar Ali, one of Pakistan’s most consistent batsman at the Test level as the new One-Day International (ODI) captain of Pakistan while World Cup hero Sarfaraz Ahmed will be his deputy.
“Azhar Ali will be the new one-day captain while Sarfaraz will be his understudy,” a senior PCB official told The Express Tribune.
“The board feels Azhar Ali is the right man to take the team forward while in the meantime Sarfaraz will be groomed as well,” the official added.
Azhar will be vice-captain in Test matches to Misbah while Sarfaraz will be deputy of Shahid Afridi in the T20 format.
Azhar has played 14 ODIs for Pakistan and last played in the format two years ago.
The batsman has scored 452 runs in 14 outings at an average of 41.09 in the 50-over format and was tipped to be the new captain by outgoing skipper Misbahul Haq and coach Waqar Younis.
The second contender for the post, wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed has been named the vice-captain for ODIs and T20s.
Sarfaraz has established himself as an important member of the Pakistan team after consistent performances throughout 2014 while he starred in the World Cup – notching up Pakistan’s first century in the mega event after 2007 edition.
Earlier, The Express Tribune had learnt the PCB was considering Sarfraz Ahmed and Azhar Ali for the post.
“Azhar and Sarfraz are front-runners for the ODI captaincy as the PCB’s top management feels that they are both capable of leading Pakistan,” a senior PCB official told The Express Tribune. “Azhar is perhaps the strongest contender because he has got a good track record and a lot of experience in international cricket.”

Moin Khan sacked from chief selector post

Further, chief selector Moin Khan was removed from his post despite insisting he has done the right things in his tenure in a one-on-one meeting with PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan.
“The chairman has told Moin that he is being removed as Chief Selector. Haroon Rasheed will be the new chief selector but he will have to give up his Game Development post,” the official added.
Further, the official said, “Haroon is the one man who has got the players on his finger tips and we need someone like him.”
The PCB chairman was determined to removed Moin from his post despite opposition from senior board officials in this regard who backed Moin.
The 1992 World Cup winner was asked to return to Pakistan midway in the tournament as a controversy regarding his visit to a casino in Brisbane embroiled.
“Meanwhile, the members will include Saleem Jaffar, Kabir Khan and Azhar Khan while the official announcement will be made later,” he added.
An official statement in this regard will be made on Tuesday.
Previously the committee headed by Moin Khan, included Muhammad Akram, Shoaib Muhammad, Wajahatullah Wasti, Saleem Yousuf and Ejaz Ahmed as members.
Further, the PCB met with former cricketers Salahuddin ahmed, Saleem Jaffar and Wasim Bari to devise a strategy to improve domestic cricket and produce quality players.
However, this decision does not mean Moin’s time in the cricket board is completely over. He could be given another important portfolio in the board to compensate for an ill-timed axe.
“Moin is likely to be given a strong post in the PCB because his services are still required by the board,” the official stated.
Shaharyar to question Waqar as well once he returns
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shaharyar Khan is all set to question Waqar Younis on the handling of the team in the World Cup once he returns from Australia on April 5.
It has been learnt that the PCB Chief is unhappy with some of the decisions and comments made by the team management and Waqar was key part of the planning.
There had been severe criticism by media for constant snub of Sarfaraz Ahmed and misuse of Younis Khan and Yasir Shah in the World Cup.
In addition, Waqar also tried to put blame on the selection committee when he remarked in a press conference that he did not know if Sarfaraz was an opener.
It should be mentioned here that the selection committee had selected Sarfaraz as third opener and he performed really well once he got the chance bagging two man of the matches award out of three he played.
“Shaharyar Khan will question Waqar regarding his handling of the team and controversial comments,” a PCB official seeking anonymity told The Express Tribune.
“He had stayed in Australia and will be returning on April 5 and then the Chairman will meet him to have a detailed discussion as to what happened in the World Cup.”

Countrywide sweeps: 727 ‘hardcore terrorists’ arrested since December 24

ISLAMABAD: Around 32,347 suspects, including 727 hardcore terrorists, have been rounded up in nationwide raids since December 24 last year under the National Action Plan against terrorism.
Authorities have stepped up counterterrorism operations since Taliban gunmen massacred 150 people, mostly schoolchildren, in a brazen attack on Peshawar’s Army Public School on December 16, 2014.
A law enforcement report submitted on Saturday to the prime minister based on information till March 25 states that the security agencies have conducted 28,826 operations throughout the country under the NAP aimed at ridding the country of extremism and terrorism.
Of these, 14,791 raids were carried out in Punjab; 5,517 in Sindh; 6,461 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P); 84 in Balochistan; 405 in Islamabad; 1,394 in Azad Kashmir; 83 in Gilgit-Baltiststan (G-B); and 91 operations were in conducted in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).
During the crackdowns, the security agencies arrested 2,798 suspected criminals from Punjab; 6,467 in Sindh; 18,619 in K-P; 3,483 in Balochistan; 762 in Islamabad; nine in Azad Kashmir; 30 from G-B and 179 in Fata. Another 37 criminals were killed.
Of the executions carried out since the lifting of the moratorium on death penalty, 61 convicts have been hanged with 47 in Punjab, 11 in Sindh, one in K-P and two in Azad Kashmir.
For loudspeaker violations, the police have arrested 3,938 people with 3,214 in Punjab, 176 in Sindh, 451 in K-P, 94 in Islamabad and three in Balochistan. Another 887 cases have been registered for hate speech with 918 people arrested and around 70 shops sealed for selling hate literature.
Similarly, 18,855 Afghan refugees have been deported with 11,216 sent back from Azad Kashmir, 5,996 from K-P, 798 from Balochistan, one from Islamabad, two from G-B and 842 from Fata. Another 354,672 have been registered
The State Bank has, meanwhile, frozen 120 accounts with a balance in sum of Rs10.1 billion. In the same period, the FIA registered 64 cases for money transfer through illegal means and arrested 83 people while recovering Rs101.7 million. Another nine cases were registered for suspicious transactions and 57 cases for money laundering with 50 people detained. Similarly, in cooperation with NADRA, the cellular service providers have verified 59.47 million SIMs.

PTI to delay intra-party elections

ISLAMABAD: In defiance of a tribunal recommendation to hold intra-party elections within a period of three months, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders have said it would not be able to do so until December 2015.
“We are unable to hold intra-party elections this year. We still have a lot of work to do,” a senior party leader.
“Hold the intra-party elections within a period of three months in such manner that the new office-bearers stand elected within that period of three months,” reads the tribunal’s order.
Naeemul Haq, on behalf of PTI chief Imran Khan, wrote to the tribunal head Justice Wajihuddin on March 13 and stated that “the chairman requests the tribunal to consider granting an extension for holding the intra-party elections.”
Citing the extraordinary political circumstances over the last six months, Haq said, the chairman feels it is not possible for the party leadership to start preparations for holding the intra-party elections in the light of your judgment and the Tasneem Noorani report.”
Party leaders also stated that MNA Dr Arif Alvi is currently examining a number of issues which need to be addressed before the intra-party elections can commence. The party still has to prepare and finalise the voters list of PTI members, they admitted.
“Party legal brains are also working on the impending changes within the PTI constitution,” said MNA Alvi. These issues require further time to be addressed satisfactorily, he added.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan has expressed hope that the new Chief Election Commissioner Tasneem Noorani will work independently and added that all party resources are at his full disposal for the implementation of free and fair elections. “There is consensus on Tasneem Noorani, who has credibility within the party, as CEC, especially after the excellent work he carried out in the Noorani report,” Imran tweeted.
Meanwhile Imran has also requested that Justice Wajihuddin reconsider his decision pertaining to the issuance of a show-cause notice to his party’s secretary general Jahangir Tareen.
“The chairman has requested that the tribunal reconsider its decision to issue a show cause notice to Jahangir Tareen—the impression that Jahangir Tareen attempted to undermine the work of the Tribunal is not correct. A full implementation of the Tribunal’s decision of 17 October 2014 was put on hold at the request of the Chairman who along with the entire party leadership was totally preoccupied with the Dharna,” Haq wrote to the tribunal on March 18.
The tribunal in its finding states that Tareen, being the chief executive of the party “failed to implement our Order, may be also, for mala fide reasons. Tareen is, accordingly, required through the order to show cause, within 7 days, as to why his basic membership should not be taken away.  Acting on this principle, we require all concerned to make fortnightly reports to us on the progress each functionary is required to make.”
Haq further wrote that Tareen’s interaction with the tribunal as secretary general remained very limited and was with full knowledge and approval of the chairman. On few occasions when he did contact the tribunal, it was to seek clarity on certain issues which were relevant to the functioning of PTI, he said.

Moin sacked as chief selector, Azhar tipped as ODI captain

Pakistan's embattled chief selector Moin Khan, reprimanded by the cricket board for visiting a casino in New Zealand during the World Cup, has been be sacked from his position after a meeting of top officials on Saturday, a highly-placed source confirmed to DawnNews sports correspondent Emmad Hameed.
Moin, who received more flak publicly for his casino visit than his contentious team selection for the World Cup, has been offered another position in the PCB with his contract yet to expire.
PCB chairman Shahryar Khan met with former captain Wasim Bari, Salahuddin Ahmed, Azhar Khan, Haroon Rashid and Salim Jaffer during the meeting, raising speculation that Moin would be replaced by one of the men as the next chief selector.
The meeting also discussed potential candidates to take over as ODI captain after Misbah-ul-Haq's retirement from the limited-overs squad at the end of Pakistan topsy-turvy World Cup campaign. Wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed, Test batsman Azhar Ali, Mohammad Hafeez and Wahab Riaz's were being touted as possible contenders for the spot. But a source present at the meeting revealed that Azhar is all set to be announced as the new skipper of the ODI side while Sarfraz would be his deputy.
The 30-year-old Azhar, who played his last ODI in 2013 but is a regular of the Test side, was recommended by coach Waqar Younis and Misbah-ul-Haq as the best choice to lead the limited-overs side.
The Lahore-born top order batsman has played 39 Tests, scoring 2851 at average of 41.31, and 14 ODIs in which he has notched up 452 runs at 41. His strike-rates of 39 and 64 in Tests and ODIs have already prompted fans to liken him to Misbah.
Moin's chapter closed
Shahryar had earlier declared "chapter closed" in the Moin 'casino controversy' after a formal apology from the chief selector but it seems the former wicketkeeper's night out has cost him much more than he bargained for.
Shahryar said the PCB investigation found nothing contrary to Moin's statement that he had visited the casino in Christchurch, New Zealand, to have dinner with friends.
The 43-year-old Moin's presence with Pakistan's World Cup squad was subject to severe criticism in the local media and it was widely being reported that former captain was 'too involved' in the selection of the playing XI.
Moin was the chief selector and manager of the Pakistan team but relinquished the latter role before the World Cup.
He had been Pakistan's head coach for two months till the end of the 2014 World T20.

Govt vows to safely evacuate Pakistanis stranded in Yemen

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry confirmed that preparations have been made to safely bring back Pakistanis stranded in Yemen, and that the government would leave no stone unturned in ensuring the safety of its citizens.
While addressing a press conference in the federal capital late Saturday, Aizaz said that a special ship of the Pakistan Navy will leave for Yemen on Sunday, while a PIA aeroplane is also ready and waiting for the go-ahead from Yemeni authorities, DawnNews reported.
The foreign secretary said that Pakistani authorities are in constant contact with Saudi authorities to ensure the safe return of Pakistanis from Yemen. “The situation in Yemen is turning bad and it's our priority to safely evacuate our people. There are around 3,000 Pakistanis residing in Yemen, of which around 1,000 are trying to leave the country and come back to Pakistan,” he explained.
The Pakistani convoy travelling from Yemeni capital Sanaa will reach Al-Hadid in a few hours, from where it will be evacuated to safety, said Aizaz. “Pakistanis can also be shifted to Oman if need arises.”
Aizaz Chaudhry said that following the worsening situation in Yemen, the Pakistani embassy had already advised its citizens to think about leaving the country.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday had ordered the Pakistani mission in Yemen to take steps for the immediate evacuation of stranded Pakistani families in the troubled country.
He said people living in Yemen are vulnerable to all sorts of crimes including kidnapping as the state system there has collapsed.
According to diplomatic sources, Saudi Arabia has also assured its cooperation for the safe evacuation of Pakistanis stranded in Yemen.
Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies launched military operations including air strikes in Yemen to counter Iran-backed forces besieging the southern city of Aden, where the US-supported Yemeni president had taken refuge.
Gulf broadcaster al-Arabiya TV reported that the kingdom was contributing as many as 150,000 troops and 100 warplanes to the operations and that allies Egypt, Jordan, Sudan and Pakistan were ready to take part in a ground offensive in Yemen.

Security forces kill four militants in Kalat, weapons recovered

QUETTA: Frontier Corps (FC) on Saturday claimed to have killed four militants during exchange of fire in Balochistan's Kalat district and recovered huge cache of explosives and weapons from the possession of these miscreants.
FC Spokesman Khan Wasey told DawnNews that four miscreants were killed by forces during exchange of fire in Kalat's Mangochar area and 500 kilogrammes explosives, 150 rocket launchers, 1500 detonators and other weapons were recovered from their possession. Security forces were also backed by helicopter surveillance provided by interior ministry, he added.
“The miscreants belonged to a defunct Baloch militant organisation and were involved in acts of terrorism and attacks at security forces in Kalat,” said Wasey.
In a separate incident, armed men abducted Kharan District Council chairman Mir Sagheer Badini and his guards from Kharan, Levies sources told DawnNews.
A search operation was launched by security forces for the recovery of kidnapped official.
Security forces have intensified their actions in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan after the announcement of National Action Plan to combat terrorism in the country.

Dream to crush MQM won’t come true: Altaf

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain has declared that his party will not accept the ‘minus-one formula’ and said the dream to crush it will never come true.
“I have called you at 3 in the night because we are at war.... We are being killed because the forces favouring status quo want to crush MQM with state powers. But their dream will never come true,” said Mr Hussain while speaking by phone from London to his followers gathered at the MQM’s Nine Zero headquarters early on Saturday.
In a hard-hitting speech in which he mainly criticised Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan, the MQM chief asked why the Rangers raided his Karachi residence only when the Supreme Court had observed that the Jamaat-i-Islami, Awami National Party, Pakistan Peoples Party, Sunni Tehreek and other parties too had militant wings.
Those attending the meeting replied in the negative when Mr Hussain asked whether the residence or headquarters of any other party had been raided by law enforcement agencies.
He said the process to “crush the MQM” had begun on March 11 when the Rangers raided its headquarters under the leadership of the captain of Karachi operation, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, who enjoyed full support of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.
MQM leader Amir Khan and arrested workers of the party were produced in court blindfolded as if they were prisoners of war, Mr Hussain said.
In a unique example in world history a death-row prisoner was allowed to make a video statement and neither the Supreme Court nor the government took notice of the illegal and unconstitutional act, the MQM chief said.
“Why did the police not raid Mian Nawaz Sharif’s home to arrest PML-N worker Gullu Butt? The raid on Nine Zero made Imran Khan, Shireen Mazari and other PTI leaders very happy, but today when the houses of PTI leaders Shibli Faraz and Azam Swati were raided the same Imran Khan condemned the raids and declared them undemocratic and illegal,” he remarked.
He regretted that instead of clarifying his position over a purported phone conversation between him and Arif Alvi, the PTI chief began abusing him (Altaf). He asked anchorpersons and television analysts to criticise the policies and decisions of and lack of discipline, if any, in the MQM, but to refrain from levelling “false and concocted” allegations against the party.

Qatar LNG agreement silent on price

ISLAMABAD: The agreement signed with Qatar for the import of liquefied natural gas is silent on the price of LNG, the quantity to be supplied, as well as the date of expiry.
According to a copy of the agreement, available with DawnNews, Qatar can cancel the agreement any time after serving a 90-day notice.
The agreement has laid down no uniform price for LNG consignments to be shipped from Qatar to Pakistan. The prices will vary for different consignments and are to be specified through a confirmation notice.
Surprisingly, this agreement is similar to spot purchasing instead of a state-to-state deal. The deal will become ineffective in case of a war that lasts 30 days, floods, civil disobedience or natural calamity faced by either country.
The Managing Director of Pakistan State Oil, Shahid Islam, and the CEO of Qatar Gas Operating Company, Khalid bin Khalifa al Thani, signed the agreement.
A senior official of the petroleum ministry said the accord comprised strict conditions ostensibly due to the poor financial health of PSO.
The “master agreement” shall become effective upon the date of its execution by the parties and shall remain in full force and effect until terminated by either party. Either party may terminate the deal by giving to the other party no less than 90 days notice. If a confirmation notice has been executed by the parties and not fully performed, termination shall only be effective once all obligations set forth in such confirmation notice and in the master agreement are met.
“The parties may from time to time, by executing a confirmation notice in the form set forth, agree upon the sale and purchase of LNG upon the terms and condition set out in this Master Agreement and the further terms set out in such confirmation notice,” the agreement reads.
Pakistan shall make payment for LNG before the tenth day after completion of the loading process.
If either party fails to pay an amount due under any invoice, default interest shall be paid at a rate of two per cent per annum above the base interest rate.
The contract price (in US$/MMBTU) of LNG sold and purchased under this agreement shall be the price specified in or determined in accordance with the confirmation notice.
Any disputes, controversy or claim arising out of or in relation to the deal, or the breach, which cannot be resolved by discussion in good faith between the parties within 60 days of the party giving notice of such disputes shall be settled by arbitration under the UNCITRAL (United Nations Commission on International Trade Law) Rules of arbitration in force on the date of the dispute.

600 Pakistanis on way to Yemen port for evacuation

ISLAMABAD/KARACHI: The Foreign Office said on Saturday a convoy of about 600 Pakistanis was close to Yemeni port city of Al-Hodeida from where they would be evacuated.
“A convoy of 600 Pakistanis including Pakistani ambassador in Yemen Dr Irfan Shami is moving towards Al-Hodeida, where arrangements for their brief stay before their return journey to Pakistan have been made,” Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry said.
A PIA aircraft, he said, was ready for departure to Yemen and clearances were being obtained because of the no-fly zone imposed by Saudi Arabia on Yemeni airspace.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif discussed the issue of evacuation of Pakistanis from Yemen with his Saudi counterpart Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
There are some 3,000 Pakistanis living in different cities in Yemen. Mr Chaudhry said about 1,000 were willing to return home.
He said Pakistan Navy would send two ships — one on Sunday and the other on Monday — to bring back people from the Al-Hodeida port.
Moakala, another Yemeni city, was also being considered as a possible route for evacuation.
The situation in Aden, the foreign secretary said, was critical because of the fighting taking place there. Evacuation from the city would begin once fighting there stopped.
A statement issued earlier in the day from the Prime Minister’s Office said: “As state system is collapsing in the war-torn country, most airports are no more functional.
“Therefore, some families would also be safely taken, in the form of convoys, to Yemen’s neighbouring countries and airlifted to Pakistan from there.”
Meanwhile, a Crisis Management Cell has been established at the Foreign Office to coordinate the arrangements for evacuation.
Bhagwandas adds: The largest aircraft in PIA’s fleet, a Boeing 747 Jumbo, has been readied at the Jinnah International Airport so that it may be rushed to Yemen to bring back Pakistanis stranded there as soon as the necessary clearances have been obtained.
Answering queries from Dawn, the national carrier’s spokesman Haneef Rana said the ministry of foreign affairs had asked PIA in the morning to keep an aircraft ready so that it could be sent to Yemen.
He said the aircraft would be sent to the Hodeida International Airport, which is around 150 kilometres from Sanaa.
The flight time between the Hodeida airport and Karachi airport is about three and a half hours.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz discussed the situation in Yemen by telephone late on Friday night, according to the official Saudi Press Agency.
The agency claimed that Mr Sharif had assured King Salman of Pakistan’s “strong military support” in the fight against rebels in Yemen.
However, there was no statement from the Prime Minister’s Office on the conversation.
A source said a Pakistani delegation led by Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif would travel to Saudi Arabia on Monday.
The departure of the delegation, which was to originally visit Riyadh on Friday, was delayed because of Saudi leadership’s preoccupation with Arab League summit in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

India shows interest of selling LNG at cheaper rates to Pakistan

New Delhi- India’s Petroleum minister said, New Delhi is willing to sell gas to Pakistan.
“Our public sector units are strong enough to sell LNG to Pakistan’s domestic sector at a cheaper rate than what the neighboring nation is buying at currently,” Pradhan said, Business Line newspaper reported.
Due to diplomatic and geopolitical issues involved the proposal to sell gas to Pakistan is on hold, Pradhan said. According to the deal, the LNG to be sold to Pakistan would be imported through terminals in Maharashtra or Gujarat and transported to Jalandhar, using GAIL’s existing pipeline network. It would then have to be gasified to send to Pakistan.

Prime Minister assures timely evacuation of Pakistanis from Yemen

Islamabad- Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif today directed the concerned authorities to take steps for immediate evacuation of Pakistani families stranded in Yemen.
On the directives of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, a comprehensive plan has been devised to evacuate Pakistanis stranded in Yemen.
PIA has earmarked two airplanes which are ready for departure as soon as they receive clearance from aviation authorities and the Embassy of Pakistan in Sanaa.
As state system is collapsing in the war-torn country and most of the airports are not functional, only some families will be safely airlifted to Pakistan.
In a statement, Prime Minister said, “Our hearts beat with our brothers and sisters in distress, and (we have) directed the Embassy of Pakistan in Yemen as well as other concerned departments to take all possible measures for ensuring safety of each and every member of the Pakistani community living in Yemen.”
The Prime Minister is himself monitoring the situation and has asked to be kept updated on hourly basis.

Electricity shortfall creating larger loadshedding durations

Islamabad- Electricity shortfall across Pakistan has reached 3400 MW, as temperature has started to rise in most parts of the country. According to National Transmission and Despatch Company Limited (NTDCL) sources, power supply in the country is 9600 MW against the demand of 13000 MW.
Gap between power supply and demand is widening day by day, due to which the duration of power cuts in urban areas has reached six hours, while rural areas are suffering from eight hours of loadshedding.
Moreover, the process of unannounced and prolonged loadshedding besides the announced power cut from LESCO, is creating severe problems for the citizens.

Status quo frightened by PTI, Khan doubts transparency in bye-election

Islamabad- PTI chief Imran Khan believes the people are witnessing what he calls as ‘mukmuka’ by two political parties.
Nawaz Sharif has withdrawn his party candidate in favor of Asif Zardari’s PPP candidate in the Mirpur bye-election scheduled for tomorrow. Khan called it a way to protect billions stashed abroad under the title of democracy.
PTI chairman said the status quo is petrified of the PTI and its increasing strength amongst the masses.
Imran Khan urged the voters to turn up in huge numbers to defeat the status quo.

Lights switched off to mark earth hour

Islamabad - At 8:30pm, individuals, businesses, cities and landmarks around the world switched off their lights for one hour to raise awareness about climate change.
As the lights went out, the earth hour supporters stood out to contribute real climate solution to combat the globe’s biggest environmental challenge.
All unnecessary lights in the National Assembly, Election Commission of Pakistan, Supreme Court of Pakistan, Shah Faisal Mosque, Pakistan National Monument, Pak-China Friendship Centre, Damn-e-Koh, Lake View Park, Convention Centre, CDA buildings, Cabinet Block, Jinnah Avenue, Nazim-ud-Din Road, 9th Avenue, 7th Avenue, D-Chowk, Constitution Avenue, Enercon, Centaurus Mall, Fazl-e-Haq Road and Islamabad Highway were switched off in order to participate in the earth hour.
The Worldwide Fund for Nature-Pakistan, a non-profit organisation working to preserve, conserve and save environment and natural resources, celebrated largest symbolic environmental event earth hour across the country.
Since its origin as a symbolic lights-off event in Sydney in 2007, WWF’s earth hour has grown into the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment igniting public awareness and action on climate in more than 7,000 cities across the world.
Pakistan joined the world in celebrating earth hour in 2010.
It was also celebrated in Karachi and Lahore to pledge to fight against climate change and global warming.
This year’s celebrities included Ayesha Omar, Hamza Ali Abbasi, Ayesha Khan, Saba Hameed, Ali Noor, Saeed Ajmal, Deepak Perwani and Nazir Sabir.
Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General WWF-Pakistan, in a special message said, “Pakistan is among the top ten countries affected by climate change and this environmental challenge can have a serious impact on our water economy.
On this earth hour, join WWF and millions of people around the world to show your commitment to our one and only planet.
Switching off lights for one hour on Saturday, 28th March, is a symbolic gesture.
All of us should pledge to take action in our capacity as an individual, business and policy and decision-maker to reduce our footprint, conserve nature and protect the environment.
The WWF-Pakistan is sensitizing the corporate sector, policymakers, business community, educational institutions and political leaders for earth hour activities since 2010.
The WWF-Pakistan mission to educate people to use natural resources sustainably, create environmental reforms and implement greener laws are as important as human rights laws.
The earth hour is more about changing lifestyles and consumption patterns to ensure the use of earth’s finite resources in a sustainable way and create awareness of environmental issues that our country faces today, such as energy shortfall and food and water security.

Party-based LB polls may benefit Punjab Opp parties more

LAHORE - Given the political situation in Punjab, party-based local government elections seem benefiting the opposition parties more than that to the ruling one.
Law has been framed to conduct party-based LG polls, however, lack of will is quite evident on the part of PML-N to put the elections on that line although the party had promised party-based LG polls in its manifesto for the general elections 2013.
It was the court intervention which forced the government to reverse the earlier decision when the judiciary had not come into picture without loud voices raised by the Opposition for party-based elections last year.
It is a bizarre feature about the LB polls that their conduct has been a top most priority when a military regime is in place while an elected political government has always been dragging its feet on the same since inception of the Constitution in 1973 which necessitates election at this basic level under all circumstances.
The Constitution envisions the LB polls as a fundamental democratic step which enables a common man to have a forum at his doorstep to get his problems and grievances redressed, as it is in vogue in every civilized state on the globe.
The elected governments loathes holding the LB polls for the reason they challenge the power position of the rulers and they do not like to share authorities with a subordinate forum but to use the same for their own and political benefits.
As such the government loves to fill in the LB vacuum through bureaucratic machinery which acts partner of the rulers in fiscal and power misuse side by side retaining a superior authority over the LBs.
The non-holding of LB polls also keeps the party legislators cheered up through the distribution of development funds which otherwise is the prerogative of the LB representatives.
The past shows that if at all any government tended to hold LB polls, its preference has been holding it on non-party basis, for, such elections leave a lot of room for the ruling clique to manipulate the situation in its favour by winning over loyalties of the local winners through greed and pressure.
Despite the non-party option, hardly any government in past tried to go for LB polls considering it a big risk for its power base.
However, now things appear different from the past as the Supreme Court, after testing its patience for five long years on LB election, has put its food down to see the LB polls in Punjab on September 20, a date which Election Commission has also accepted on the condition of getting two state-of-the art printing machines available to it to print 500million ballot papers for Punjab only.
Election in Punjab has to be held on political basis yet they are going to take place on non-party basis in 53 cantonment boards of the country.
A petition to see the party-based polls in the boards too, is being adjudicated upon by the court and if the same is accepted, the involvement of political parties in the LB polls of the boards will surely set the ball rolling for them to assess their worth and organize for the September 20 large-scale polls in Punjab.
Sources close to the PML-N say that at the party level a total silence prevails about the LB polls as the party leadership has kept the same far behind its priorities after dealing the current terror, energy and other problems.
Believably any bolt from the blue may come in to either take the LB polls beyond the set date or postpone indefinitely, they add while expressing wish being harboured by a section in the party.
On the other hand, the PTI, the PPP, JI, and even PAT have given the call to workers to get ready for the LB polls.
Notwithstanding the fact that recently surfaced party election-related dispute has bit slowed down the process for the time being, the over-enthusiastic PTI has started searching for the suitable LB candidates.
It may be noted that the PTI government in Khyber PK has announced to hold polls on May 30 next.
From the observers’ point of view, given the situation when a sharp division of political supporters is there with entry of new players in the field, the LB polls can tilt the balance of power in the elections.
If situation remains normal and the LB polls take place on due date, then their four-year tenure will pass through the term of the sitting government.
For the Opposition parties, it will be a good opportunity for better organization, increase following as well as put up strong voice against the official policies.
If no traditional political animosity creeps in the affairs to deny rights of the opposition parties on public funds, a proper use of development funds by them at the local level, will also build their image and win hearts of the people.
In the current scenario when the PTI is hitting hard at the government for the alleged election rigging and is threatening to come again to the streets if probe commission was not set up for the election audit, LB constituencies in Punjab may put a new life to its demands if not now then after September 20.
At the same time, observers say, the situation may also turn to advantage of the government if the PTI counted its chickens before they are hatched and enhanced pressure on the government for the acceptance of demands which now range from setting up of the judicial commission to early general elections in the year instant.

IDPs repatriation from 31st

PESHAWAR - The repatriation process of Internally Displaced Persons to North Waziristan will begin on March 31, with a conditional agreement drafted by North Waziristan's political administration and some tribal elders.
The eight-page draft of agreement contains two parts: one for the political administration and the other for IDPs to abide by after they return to their homes.
The agreement was drafted by the political administration but it is yet to be agreed upon.
The initial draft of the agreement stated that after IDPs return to North Waziristan, they are to abide by the Constitution of Pakistan, Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) and local customs and traditions at any cost.
  It further said that the IDPs are not to shelter or protect enemies of Pakistan or allow their soil to be used by any foreigners or locals to destabilise the country.
Furthermore, the draft stated that whoever is involved in supporting or helping banned organisations will be arrested and handed over to law enforcing agencies and that the locals will not be allowed to let any banned outfit operate in their areas.
The document also stated that identifying and handing over miscreants to law enforcing agencies will be the responsibility of the locals; otherwise the local will be exiled and the property of miscreants will be sealed by law enforcing agencies.
The drafted agreement also suggests ban on heavy arms, and the local will be responsible to hand over the ammunition.

Khasadars gun down smuggler

KHYBER AGENCY  - An alleged smuggler was shot dead by Khasadar force when he did not stop his vehicle at the Bagyar Check Post of tehsil Jamrud, Khyber Agency on Saturday.
Sharing details, Assistant Political Agent Jamrud Fahad Wazir said the on-duty Khasadar troops were busy in their routine duty when they signaled a Shahkas-bound car (LKL-333) from Peshawar for checking.
He said that the alleged smuggler instead to stop sped away the car.
Then, he said, the Khasadar personnel opened firing and shot him dead.
“During search of the vehicle, 26kg heroin were recovered from hidden cavities of the car.
The contraband item and the car were taken into legal custody and case was lodged,” he added.
The deceased was identified as Pezwan son of Rund of Zakha Khel tribe.

Khasadars gun down smuggler

KHYBER AGENCY  - An alleged smuggler was shot dead by Khasadar force when he did not stop his vehicle at the Bagyar Check Post of tehsil Jamrud, Khyber Agency on Saturday.
Sharing details, Assistant Political Agent Jamrud Fahad Wazir said the on-duty Khasadar troops were busy in their routine duty when they signaled a Shahkas-bound car (LKL-333) from Peshawar for checking.
He said that the alleged smuggler instead to stop sped away the car.
Then, he said, the Khasadar personnel opened firing and shot him dead.
“During search of the vehicle, 26kg heroin were recovered from hidden cavities of the car.
The contraband item and the car were taken into legal custody and case was lodged,” he added.
The deceased was identified as Pezwan son of Rund of Zakha Khel tribe.

Court releases jirga members

Upper dir - A local court has released eight members of a jirga on bail, who were arrested by Dir police in a Swara case.
It is learnt that a four-year-old girl Kalsoom was given to an 18-year-old boy Zakria in marriage to settle dispute between the rival families in Hatan Dara area of Upper Dir.
The local jirga members, including Shahzada, grandfather of a four-year-old girl, were arrested by the police from Hatan Dara area on the complaint of Bacha Gul, maternal uncle of the girl.
  The police registered a case under section 310 of PPC.
 However, the court released them on bail to settle the dispute through mutual understanding in a peaceful manner.

Pakistan to continue serving UN ‘noble cause’

UNITED NATIONS - Pakistan, one of the top contributors to UN peacekeeping, told the first-ever United Nations Chiefs of Defence Conference on Friday that it will keep contributing to world body’s flagship activity aimed at helping to build a peaceful world.
“Pakistan is committed to the noble cause of peacekeeping,” Lt.
Gen.
Ghayur Ahmed Awan, leader of the Pakistan delegation, said.
The historic conference brought together chiefs of defence and senior military officials from more than 100 Member States to discuss issues central to UN Peacekeeping as part of a wider process of engagement by the UN with member states to expand the peacekeeping partnership and promote effective and efficient implementation of mandates.
The Indian delegation was represented by Army Chief Gen.
Dabir Singh Suhag.
Several participants said they were looking forward to meeting Pakistan’s Army Chief, Gen.
Raheel Sharif, and expressed disappointment that he could not come to the conference.
Held in the ECOSOC Chamber, the conference was opened by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Hervé Ladsous, and Atul Khare, Under-Secretary-General for Field Support, also spoke.
In his intervention, Gen.
Awan said that 160,000 Pakistani personnel in 42 UN peacekeeping missions around the world had served the UN since 1960.
“Pakistani men and women have served with distinction and professionalism in one of the most difficult and demanding environments,” he said.
Over the past five decades, 142 Pakistani peacekeepers have made supreme sacrifice while serving the United Nations peacekeeping missions, he told military delegates packing ECOSOC Chamber.
Gen.
Awan said Pakistan was firm supporter of the basic principles of peacekeeping - impartiality, consent of all parties and non-use of force except in self-defence and in the defence of mandate.
”We believe that, there is no room for addition, deletion, alternation or amendment within their scope and interpretation of these principles.
”
Pakistan, he said, was of the view that UN peacekeeping requires genuine partnership between the Security Council, the troop contributing countries and the UN Secretariat during mandate formulation its renewal or closing of the missions.
Gen.
Awan also supported the UN efforts for providing latest technology keeping in view the basic principles of peacekeeping to the UN troops to add to their performance on ground.
  In his remarks, Ban, the UN chief, told the gathered soldiers that threats to peacekeepers were on the rise, with more deaths year-on-year now than ever before.
“Before 2000, there were four times when more than 100 peacekeepers lost their lives in a single year.
Since then, we have suffered that tragic toll ten times.
Consecutively, 10 times.
”
After a moment of silence was marked for fallen peacekeepers, the secretary-general went on to stress the dangers faced by UN peacekeepers as they protect innocent lives “on the front lines of human misery” in some of the world’s most dangerous places.

“Over the past two decades, the Security Council has given peacekeepers increasingly challenging mandates,” he said, pointing to Mali and Central African Republic.
“Even in traditionally static missions, such as UNDOF, in the Golan Heights, there can be sudden changes in the operating environment.
”
The role of peacekeeping was first and foremost to protect civilians from violence, he said, adding that they also helped with stabilisation, the extension of state authority, strengthening of the rule of law, addressing gender equality and protecting human rights.
“With such diverse responsibilities, peacekeepers can bring comprehensive stability – when they have the right capabilities and political will to succeed,” the secretary-general said.
“The needs are rising – but the resources fall short.
I have appointed a High-Level Independent Panel to address the serious difficulties we face.
”
More than 130,000 military, police and civilian staff from around the world serve in the UN’s 16 peacekeeping operations.
He said peacekeepers should be able to rapidly deploy into active conflicts that may escalate at any moment, with capacity to move peacekeepers quickly and safely to where they are most needed, and with intelligence capabilities and other support to enable them to fulfil their mandates
“This is our largest deployment in history.
It must be matched by a stronger international partnership for peacekeeping,” he said.
“Peacekeeping is a shared global responsibility that advances the world’s common interests.
”
Closing the Conference, the Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson, said that peacekeeping operations remain one of the Security Council’s most substantive and dynamic tools to respond to conflict and post-conflict situations.

“When peacekeeping missions are deployed in post-conflict situations, countries are 50 per cent less likely to experience renewed conflict,” he said.
“This saves lives, protects infrastructure and fosters development.
”
He pointed to the UN’s efforts to adapt its approach to peacekeeping in the face of evolving demands through the Peace Operations Review, which Eliasson said was expected to provide appropriate options and concepts for the future but he added that peacekeeping had a “timeless purpose” at its heart.
The deputy secretary-general talked of the role played by peacekeeping missions in promoting successful transition to sustainable peace and inclusive governance, and to protecting civilians.
He also drew attention to the “new and diverse ways” in which peacekeepers were being deployed in different contexts.
“The Security Council’s high expectations and great demands testify to its faith in peacekeeping as a tool for maintaining international peace and security,” Eliasson said.
“We hope we will also be given the necessary resources to meet these demands.
”
He called on the gathered military officers to provide the capabilities needed to fulfil peacekeeping mandates, to unite politically behind peacekeeping missions and to continue working towards a common understanding of peacekeeping and to build support for it.
“We hope that your governments will continue to engage actively in this renewed international dialogue on peacekeeping,” he said.
“The risks in peacekeeping will always be high.
The stakes are life-and-death.
When we succeed, we prove to the world’s most vulnerable people that, fundamentally, the most powerful soldiers are those without enemies.
We show that true strength is built on universal values laid down in the UN Charter.
”

Three shot dead in Charsadda

PESHAWAR : Three persons were killed and two others sustained injuries when unidentified armed men opened firing at a car in Charsadda district on Saturday.
According to detailed, unknown gunmen ambushed a car at Talashah village in the jurisdiction of Umerzai locality and killed three persons and injuring two others.
Sources said that one of the three deceased was wanted by police in several cases.
They said two of the killed persons were residents of Peshawar while the third one belonged to Charsadda district.
Cause behind the killings was not ascertained till filing of the report.
However, police started search to nab the culprits.

PM’s blessing behind 90 raid, says Altaf

KARACHI - Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain has said that the raid conducted by the Rangers at the MQM headquarter - Nine-Zero - was executed with the blessing of Prime Minister, Interior federal Minister and Sindh Chief Minister.
“The process of dismantling MQM began from March 11 when wanted criminals were brought to Nine-Zero and portrayed as they were arrested from there.
MQM chief warned that discriminatory attitude with MQM can plunge the country into civil war.
He expressed these views in his late night address at party headquarters Nine-Zero.
MQM chief on the occasion presented the frequently rumored Minus-Altaf formula which party workers rejected by raising slogans in his favor.
Speaking on the occasion MQM Chief said that the raids on MQM headquarter was a conspiracy to finish the party but the dreams of those who want to finish the MQM would never come true.
One of the Rangers official said that MQM`s Amir Khan was a guest and the very second day Amir Khan was produced before a court like a war criminal.
He said MQM had repeatedly expressed reservation regarding the law enforcement agencies action against the party in the guise of targeted operation.
He said that PM Nawaz announced to form monitoring committee to oversee the operation which was not established yet.
He further urged PM and federal interior minister not to issue anti-MQM statements.
Criticising PTI chairman Imran Khan, Altaf said that PTI workers celebrated the raid at Nine Zero.
He said other party leaders’ residents were never raided to arrest Gullu Butts while authorities also remained silent when Imran released arrested PTI activists from Police custody.
A video was also shown during the speech showing PTI chairman using offensive language against Pak-army generals.
Talking about the prevailing situation in Middle East, MQM chief said that the international situation was changing while Pakistan should play its role in resolving the issue through dialogues.
MQM chief told that the he has talked to PPP co-chairman and has explained his viewpoint that Saudi-Yemen issue shall be dealt with dialogues and Pakistan should not interfere in others wars.
During the conversation they agreed to take decision only in the interest of the country while MQM chief suggested to call All Parties Conference (APC) immediately to discuss and decide the issue of Pakistan`s involvement in Saudia  Araiba war.

Fazl calls on Zardari, discusses Yemen

Karachi - Jamiat Ulemai Islam Fazl’s Chief, Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Saturday called on former President and Pakistan people’s Party Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari at Bilawal House in Karachi.
  Both leaders discussed the current political situation in the country and around the region.
Latest situation in Yemen also came under discussion at the meeting.
Asif Ali Zardari said he will consult other political parties in this regard.
PPP Co-Chairman demanded of the government to ensure immediate and safe return of Pakistani citizens stuck in Yemen.
The former president called for taking the parliament on board over the issue and take a consensus decision over sending troops in Yemen.
“The government should convene an All Parties Conference before any decision,” he said.
  Fazlur Rehman also agreed on APC.
Meanwhile, PPP MNA Mir Munawwar Ali Talpur, Sher Muhammad Balalani and Ejaz Hussain Jakhrani while expressing concern over the surfaced audio tape of Pakistan Tehreek-e Insaf Chairman Imran Khan Niazi and PTI MNA Dr Arif Alvi regarding attack on Pakistan television, demanded the  government to nominate them in FIR and tried in military court.
While expressing their premonitions, they had doubted the ‘Third Umpire’ might once again meddle into the legal affair to save Imran Khan Niazi.
 and if this would happen, it would be tantamount to placing rule of justice under the disposal of the influential.
They said that such an act would leave the biggest question mark on Pakistan’s history of law and justice and style of government.
“This would also leave the nation in a state of utter despondence and it won’t forgive the rulers for twisting the constitution and law of the country in their favour”, they said.
The PPP MNAs while addressing the Minister for Interior Affairs Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan once again said that the Model Town Tragedy was compromised, both politically and administratively and hence the entire nation was anxiously waiting to see the outcome of PTI’s terror attack on PTV.

Foreign intervention won’t settle ME unrest: Lodhi

UNITED NATIONS - Pakistan has called for an "effective" narrative to offset the "fatal attraction" of some terrorist groups for disaffected youth in the Middle East and beyond that historically-oppressed Muslims can regain their rights only through violent means.
"Military and police action can deal with the symptoms of the phenomena, but not the disease," Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan's permanent representative to the UN, told the UN Security Council during a high-level debate on victims of attacks and abuses on ethnic or religious grounds in the region, chaired by French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius.
"This requires a more comprehensive approach – one that offers a path for the constructive involvement of youth in the economic, social and political life of their societies and states, she said.
"Most importantly, it requires an effective and thoughtful response to the narrative of many of these extremist groups: that Muslims have been historically oppressed and can regain their rights and freedoms only through violent means.
"
The Pakistani envoy made it clear that the current chaos in the Middle East will not be overcome by foreign intervention.
"The sovereignty and the territorial integrity of countries will have to be fully respected," she emphatically stated.
"Ultimately, durable peace can be restored through national reconciliation in each affected state, encouraged and promoted with regional and global support.
"
"The current chaos in the Middle East contrasts sharply with its history and ethos," Ambassador Lodhi said.
The Middle east, she said, is a cradle of major religions and civilisations, replete with examples of what true Islam preaches - love, brotherhood, tolerance and humanity.
As such, the Pakistan envoy said the recent escalation of violence and terrorism in the Middle East was an affront to humanity and all civilised norms.
Deeply offensive and unacceptable were attempts by some vested interests to blame Islam as the source of the current chaos.
It was clear that disorder and the collapse of State authority across North Africa and the Middle East had turned the Arab Spring into a “brutal winter”, Ambassador Lodhi said.
The partial or complete breakdown of State authority in Iraq and Syria had allowed the rise of violent groups, such as Daesh, inured by extremist ideologies and radical agendas, she said.
“The quest for power by cynical and brutal leaders, wrapped in religious cloaks, is not surprising in the circumstances.
”
"What is surprising and alarming is the fatal attraction of some of these groups for disaffected and alienated youth within and outside the Middle East.
"
Military and police action could deal with the symptoms of the phenomenon, but not the disease, Ambassador Lodhi said.
That required a more comprehensive approach, one that offered a path for the constructive involvement of youth in the economic, social and political life of their societies and States.
Most importantly, it required an effective and thoughtful response to the narrative of many extremist groups: that Muslims had been historically oppressed and could regain their rights and freedoms only though violent means.
"This narrative will not be neutralised by solemn declarations alone," she said, while calling for "genuine efforts" to resolve the underlying political problems: among them a solution for the Palestine issue and other conflicts raging across the Levant and beyond.

"The Security Council can contribute to restoring peace and defeating the extremist and violent groups by helping to evolve a global consensus on the principles and structure for the solution of the challenges confronted in Iraq, Syria, Yemen and, most importantly, in Palestine," the Pakistani envoy said.
"In this, the Council cannot but adhere to the principles of the UN Charter and its own unimplemented Resolutions"
Opening the debate, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said millions of lives in the Middle East – and the very social fabric of entire countries – are at stake.
“I am deeply concerned about the grave dangers faced by minorities in parts of the Middle East.
Currently, thousands of civilians are at the mercy of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, (ISIL), also called Daesh,” Ban said.
“Its fighters kill systematically members of ethnic and religious minorities, those who do not share their misinterpretation of Islam and anyone who opposes their apocalyptic conception.
They prey on women and children with unspeakable brutality.
They destroy religious and cultural symbols that are the heritage of humanity,” the secretary-general stressed.
The acts have spread to Syria, Iraq and now Libya and even in Yemen, where the bomb attacks perpetrated against mosques last week have further fuelled sectarian violence.
Condemning all acts of persecution, regardless of the reason - religious, ethnic, national, racial or other, the UN chief urged all parties to spare innocent lives.
Meanwhile, abuses in counter-terrorism are morally wrong and strategically counterproductive, Ban said, adding that combating terrorism never absolves governments of their responsibility to honour human rights.

Four militants killed in Kalat shootout

QUETTA : At least four militants were killed in a shootout with law enforcement agencies in Manguchar area of Kalat district, some 120 kilometres off here on Saturday.
According to the Frontier Corps (FC) spokesman, on a tip-off, teams of law enforcement agencies carried out a search operation in the area as some unidentified militants opened fire on the officials.
  In retaliation by LEAs, at least four militants were killed and 500 rockets, 1500 detonators and 500 kilogram explosives were seized from the abode of the killed militants.

12-kg bomb defused in Dera Ismail Khan

DERA ISMAIL KHAN : A remote controlled bomb was found and defused in a home in Zaffarabad Colony here on Saturday morning.
The bomb, weighing 12 kg was found in the home of Lal Muhammad which was defused by the Bomb Defusal Squad (BDS).
As soon as the bomb was found, security forces and the BDS arrived at the scene and cordoned off the area.
The forces also conducted a search operation in the area for locating suspected terrorists after the bomb was discovered.

IMF suggests steps to further boost economy

ISLAMABAD - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has commended ‘strong performance’ of Pakistani authorities and noted progress in restoring economic stability, improving growth prospects and reducing crisis risks.
The Executive Board of the Fund approved release of 7th tranche loan of $501.
4 million on Friday and urged the country to enhance central bank independence and increase gas prices for better allocation of supply and enhance production.
Following the approval of the tranche, Acting Chair and Deputy Managing Director Mitsuhiro Furusawa issued the following statement:
The authorities’ strong performance under Pakistan’s Fund-supported program is to be commended.
Progress has been made in restoring economic stability, improving growth prospects, and reducing crisis risks.
It will be important to build on these gains and continue determined efforts to implement the reform agenda to achieve economic transformation and higher sustainable growth.
Fiscal consolidation is underway through efforts to broaden the tax base and reduce costly and inefficient electricity subsidies.
Scope remains to increase tax compliance and enforcement and further reduce energy subsidies, while continuing to protect the most vulnerable.
Enhanced public debt management remains a priority, together with further efforts to diversify fiscal financing and reduce reliance on central bank borrowing.
Monetary policy remains prudent and foreign exchange reserves are increasing.
However, legislation to enhance central bank independence remains crucial and should conform to international best practices.
Efforts to improve central bank functioning should also continue, including through improved functioning of the interest rate corridor, effective open market operations, and strengthened risk management and internal operations.
The financial sector remains stable and profitable and progress in bank capitalisation is satisfactory.
Further reforms are needed to safeguard financial stability, and a number of legislative actions are underway in this regard.
Commendable efforts to combat terrorism financing, money laundering, and tax offenses have been made and would need to be sustained.
Structural reforms are progressing, albeit with some difficulties.
While the power sector regulatory reform continues, progress in the gas sector has been uneven.
Implementation of gas price rationalisation should help better allocate current supply and encourage new production.
The current environment of lower oil prices provides an opportunity to speed-up electricity tariff rationalisation while continuing to improve the operations and collections of energy companies.
The authorities remain committed to privatisation of public sector enterprises, as well as to trade policy and business climate reforms.
After this review and disbursement, the total disbursements under the current bailout program would now reach $3.
7 billion.
The country’s foreign exchange reserves would enhance to $16.
7 billion next week with release of this tranche.
The State Bank of Pakistan’s reserves would increase to $11.
6 billion.

Imran’s politics revolves around ex-spymasters: Pervaiz

ISLAMABAD - Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid Saturday said that PTI chief Imran Khan was doing politics of destruction and his politics revolved around former spy masters, jobless bureaucrats and renegade politicians.
Talking to media during lunch given in honor of newly elected Senators, he said that objectives of sit-in was to destroy the country.
The minister said that PTI chief Imran Khan used to criticize MQM leader Altaf during day time, but waited for his call at night.
Pervaiz Rashid said Imran Khan from the container accused MQM of rigging the elections in Karachi, but when he planned to hold a public rally in the city of the Quaid, he begged support of MQM.
This fact showed double standards of Imran’s politics, the minister emphasized.
He said the disclosure of audio tape has exposed the real  agenda of Imran Khan.
Imran Khan had sympathies with terrorists when the nation was planning operation against enemies of the state and now when a brother Islamic state was facing threats, Imran has sympathies with its opponents.
Pervaiz Rashid said that Karachi operation against criminal elements would continue as all political forces including MQM had made a consensus decision on it.
He added that indiscriminate action against criminals in Karachi would continue irrespective of any political affiliation with any party or personality.
The minister said as one of PTI candidates was defeated in Sheikhupura and entire PTI would face same fate soon.
Pervaiz Rashid said that Pakistan would stand with Saudi Arabia in case any foreign aggression on its soul.
He said that Saudi Arabia is brotherly country and defending it against any aggression is Pakistan’s obligation.
The minister said that holiest places of Muslim Ummah are in Saudi Arabia.
To a question, he said that steps on emergency basis were being taken to repatriate Pakistanis from the conflict-ridden Yemen.
The minister said that Pakistanis living in troubled parts of Yemen would be rescued safely.

Soldiers kill 15 militants in Khyber

Agencies - Soldiers killed 15 militants in a clash early Saturday in the Khyber tribal region near the Afghan border as part of a major anti-insurgent offensive, the military said.
It said a group of militants were spotted near a military post in Mastak Sub Sector in the Tirah Valley.
“Troops on post valiantly engaged terrorists and surrounded them, intense gun battle took place.
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.
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15 terrorists were killed, three soldiers were also injured in action,” the military said in a statement.
Khyber is one of seven autonomous tribal districts along Pakistan’s mountainous western border which became a hotbed of militants following the US-led invasion of neighbouring Afghanistan in 2001.
The military launched its latest offensive in Khyber in October 2014, four months after a similar operation began in North Waziristan district, triggered by a bloody Taliban attack on Karachi airport that sank faltering peace talks.
Air strikes, artillery, mortars and ground troops have all been used to take back territory.
Both conflict zones are off-limits to journalists, making it difficult to verify the number and identity of those killed.
According to Reuters, security forces killed 30 militants in gun battles in the mountainous northwestern Khyber region on Saturday, a senior official said, but a spokesman for the militants denied suffering any losses.
Both sides have been making conflicting claims about their success in clashes in Tirah Valley.
“The security forces had started advancement towards the hilltops where the terrorists had established sanctuaries,” a senior security official in Peshawar, who requested that he not be identified, said.
“So far, 30 terrorists have been killed and a number of their compounds destroyed.
”
He said “fierce” fighting was continuing.
The bodies of 10 Taliban fighters were taken away along with weapons and ammunition, the military said in a statement.
Three soldiers were also wounded, it said.
The air force, struggling to reclaim land lost to the militants years ago, has been pounding positions in the Tirah Valley for days and the military said before Saturday’s clashes it had killed more than 100 militants.
At least seven soldiers had also been killed, it said.
Salahuddin Ayubi, a spokesman for the Lashkar-e-Islami, which announced an alliance with the Pakistani Taliban earlier this month, denied suffering losses on Saturday.
Ayubi said fighting between their fighters and Pakistani forces started early on Saturday in parts of the valley.
“We didn’t suffer human losses.
Our fighters are engaged in fighting and didn’t vacate their posts in Tirah,” he told Reuters.
Taliban sources said that leaders had urged fighters to get to the valley and support Lashkar-e-Islami.
The Pakistani and Afghan Taliban share a similar jihadist ideology but operate as separate entities.
The Pakistani Taliban are focused on toppling the state and establishing strict Islamic rule.
  A military official said on condition of anonymity on Friday that it would be extremely difficult for Pakistan to commit troops to a Saudi-led coalition in Yemen as it was already overstretched on its own borders.

Imran slams N-PPP ‘muk muka’ over Mirpur by-election

ISLAMABAD - Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan Saturday criticised Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) after the former withdrew its candidate against the latter in by-election of Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
The PTI chairman in a statement said that once again the people are witnessing muk muka by PML-N and PPP.
“Nawaz Sharif has withdrawn its candidate in the Mirpur by-election, which is being held today, in favour of Asif Zardari’s PPP candidate,” he said.
“This is supposedly being done in the name of the ‘Charter of Democracy’ but is in fact yet another muk muka by Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari, whose only ideology is to protect their billions stashed abroad,” Imran Khan said, adding that the status quo is petrified of the PTI and its increasing strength amongst the masses and so it always gangs up when threatened by this PTI’s power of the people.
Imran Khan urged the voters to turn up in huge numbers today for the Mirpur election to defeat the status quo.
Staff Reporter from Mirpur adds: All is set for holding by-election to Mirpur city seat - LA-III of AJK Legislative Assembly today.
The election campaign by the candidates ended at midnight of March 27 and 28, 48 hours before the polling.
After the whirlwind withdrawal of PML-N AJK candidate Arshad Mehmood Ghazi in favour of PPP candidate - Chaudhry Muhammad Ashraf, a neck-and-neck contest among PPP’s Ch Ashraf, PTI’s Barrister Sultan Mehmood and independent candidate Ejaz Raza is expected.
A total of 10 candidates belonging to various political parties including Muslim Conference, Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu Kashmir People’s Party, PPP (Shaheed Bhutto) and two independent candidates are in the run for the slot.
Local administration has taken all measures to maintain complete peace and order during the polling.
Rangers have been called in to assist the local civil administration to maintain peaceful environment during polling.
The AJK Election Commission has warned that if any of the candidate or their supporter was found involved in creating disturbance, the candidate concerned would be disqualified.
The seat fell vacant after the former AJK Prime Minister and sitting Member of the AJK Legislative Assembly Barrister Sultan Mehmood Ch resigned from the seat after he joined Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
NAWAZ CONSTRUCTING ROADS FOR MAKING COMMISSIONS: IMRAN
Riaz Mayar adds from Mardan: PTI chief Imran Khan strongly criticised Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif for wasting public money on road projects in which billions of rupees commissions have been made for corrupt people.
He expressed these views while addressing a meeting after the inauguration of computerised land record system at the distinct courts of Mardan.
Provincial Minister for Revenue Ali Amin Gandapoor, Provincial Minister for Higher Education Mohammad Atif Khan and Bella Evidente, OIC Country Program Manager of UN-HABITAT also addressed the meeting.
“Construction of road and building is being considered a change in which billions of rupees commissions have been received,” he added.
He said that if this is the criterion of change then Malik Riaz, owner of Bahria Town, should be made prime minister of the country because he constructed more buildings and roads.
Imran Khan said that computerised system will save record of lands and no one would make any change in it.
He said that owing to the computerised system of land the buying and selling of lands will become easy.
He said, “Today we take this step from Mardan district and till 2017 we will computerize all the land record of the province.
”
He said that Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan People’s Party took several turns but they failed to computerize the land record because they made money and property through Patwaris.
He said that there will be mistakes in the computerised system but with the passage of time it will be corrected.
He said that corruption and mafia do not want change.
“Except chief minister all our team in the province is new and with the passage of time they will gain experience,” he added.
He said, “We have changed the culture of police station of the province and started online FIR registration system and also established reconciliation committee at police stations to solve the public’s disputes.
He said that PTI has brought the system of reward and punishment in the province.
“We are also bringing change in health sector and very soon masses of the province will feel this change,” he added.
He said that majority of the vice chancellors were appointed on political basis.
He said that with the help of Dr Atta-ur-Rehman, a well-known scientist we will appoint vice chancellor in the universities of the province on merit.

Future generations to get terror-free Pakistan, says COAS

LAHORE - Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif has said that future generations of Pakistan will get a terrorism-free Pakistan and the army will rid the country of the menace of terrorism.
Addressing the third convocation of Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Lahore Medical College here on Saturday, he said “We have to collectively put efforts to give our next generation a terror-free country, to provide them conducive environment, to help them apply their knowledge and creativity to achieve optimum effects for national growth.
” Gen Raheel said Pakistan army had a critical role in securing the borders of the country and the internal progress of Pakistan.
“We are taking menace of terrorism head on and will go anywhere in the country to eliminate it in totality,” army chief pledged.
Gen Raheel said Pakistan Army, besides performing its role as custodian of national frontiers, had always been a frontrunner in terms of its contribution to national development.
He said the entrenched role of Army Medical Corps in the forefronts of serious disasters, calamities and military operations against evil of terrorism and extremism had been highly impressive.
The COAS said that physical, mental and social health was a prelude to a strong nation and provision of professional health services to the common man must be everyone’s priority.
He said that extensive and continuous research was a national need without which no institution could achieve excellence.
He emphasised the need to have greater faith in the young generation as the future belonged to them.
Later, the COAS awarded degrees and medals to the passing-out students.

Two Czech women kidnapped in Balochistan freed

PRAGUE - Two young Czech women kidnapped in Balochistan in 2013 have been freed and have returned home, Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said Saturday.
“I can confirm that Hana Humpalova and Antonie Chrastecka have already returned to the Czech Republic,” Sobotka told the CT24 news channel.
He added that the two 26-year-old women were freed with the help of the Turkish Muslim humanitarian organisation IHH.
“I would like to ask the media to respect the women’s privacy,” Sobotka added.
Turkey’s state-run Anadolu news agency quoted Chrastecka as saying: “I still can’t believe I am here.
Even now, I fear this is a dream.
” The agency said Chrastecka and Humpalova had arrived in the eastern Turkish province of Van late on Friday following two months of “intense” talks.
Izzet Sahin, the IHH official leading the negotiations with the kidnappers, told the agency the families of the victims had contacted the Turkish charity as a last resort after exhausting all other means to save the pair.
“We have put into use every tool at our disposal to get them back.
We have delivered them to their families safely today,” Sahin told Anadolu, adding that the charity still did not know why the Czechs had been kidnapped.
Humpalova and Chrastecka, both psychology students, were kidnapped on March 13, 2013, in the Balochistan while being escorted by a tribal policeman after crossing into Pakistan from Iran on holiday.
In a video released shortly after the kidnapping, the two young Czechs pleaded for the release of Pakistani neuroscientist Aafia Siddiqui, jailed in 2010 in the United States on charges of terrorist links.
In another video shot in August 2013 and released two months later, Humpalova called on the Czech government to exert pressure on Islamabad to return her to her homeland “as soon as possible”.
Speaking to Anadolu, Humpalova said: “It was very hard.
For the first time in our lives we saw weapons and armed men.
”
“We still do not know why we were taken.
There were weapons fired and bombs going off.
But we got used to it in time.
” She said the worst part of their two-year ordeal was being apart from their families.
“From the first moment I was kidnapped, I wanted to be with them.
I am so happy right now and so excited,” Chrastecka said.
Kidnappings plague parts of Balochistan and northwest Pakistan, where criminals looking for ransoms snatch foreigners and locals, sometimes passing their hostages on to the Taliban and Al-Qaeda-linked groups.

PM offers ‘all Pak Army potentials’ to Saudi King

ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has assured all-out support to Saudi Arabia in the operation ‘determination storm’ reiterating that any threat to the territorial integrity of the kingdom would evoke strong response from Pakistan.
In his telephonic conversation with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Premier Sharif discussed recent developments in the region with specific reference to the escalation regarding the ongoing military operation against rebels in Yemen, reports Saudi Press Agency.
However, the media section here at Prime Minister’s House was completely silent about the telephonic contact.
Reportedly the contact was made on Saturday wherein Premier Sharif extended full support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in the operation ‘determination storm’ placing “all potentials of the Pakistan Army at the disposal of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”.
King Salman thanked the Nawaz Sharif for his feelings and stressed on the depth of relations between the two countries, the report said.
In another development Prime Minister himself talked to Pakistan Ambassador in Yemen and directed him to take all possible measures to ensure safety and security of each and every member of Pakistani community till their evacuation from the war-torn country.
Speaking at a hurriedly-convened news conference on Saturday night, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry said Pakistan was ‘very much’ concerned over what is happening in Yemen which he said was posing threat to the territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia.
He said Pakistan would extend all out support to Saudi Arabia including sending troops in wake of the turmoil in Yemen to protect the land of the two Holy Mosques, adding no Muslim would tolerate any aggression against kingdom housing two holiest places of Islam.
Denying media reports that Pakistan has already sent its fighter jets which are taking part in the ongoing operation in Yemen, the secretary said any decision to become part of the war will be taken after visit of Pakistan’s high level delegation to Riyadh, due in a couple of days.
He further said that as per the statement of the Defence Minister in National Assembly, the parliament would also be taken into confidence on any such decision.
“The fact is that our leadership is in constant contact with the Saudi leadership and a high level delegation will be visiting Riyadh in the next 24 to 48 hours to assess the situation”, he said.
He said the delegation will comprise Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, PM Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Satraj Aziz and representatives of the armed forces.
Reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to the security and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia, as pledged by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Saudi King during telephonic conversation earlier in the day, he said the prime minister conveyed to the king that security and protection of the Saudi territorial integrity was very important for Pakistan and that Islamabad is ready to send its troops if the situation turns against the Saudi integrity.
But he stated that, at present, the top priority of the government is to ensure safe exit of the stranded Pakistanis from the war-torn Yemen for which the government is in contact with all the neighbouring countries of Yemen including Saudi Arabia.
The foreign secretary said that a special PIA plane is ready to leave for Yemen to bring back the first batch of Pakistanis and a convoy of 600 Pakistanis was currently on their way to Hudaidah form where they will be airlifted to Pakistan.
He pointed out that since Saudi Arabia has declared a no-fly zone and Pakistan is in contact with Saudi authorities to ensure safe air route for the PIA fights.
He said that Pakistan defence minister also spoke with his Saudi counterpart and urged to cooperate in evacuation of the Pakistanis.
“At present we are waiting for the turmoil to subside so that we could be able to safely evacuate Pakistani people”, he said.
Mr Chaudhary said that a Pakistan Navy ship will also leave for Yemen on Sunday to take part in the evacuation operation while another ship will be leaving on Monday.
Currently, there are around 3,000 Pakistanis residing in Yemen, of which around 1,000 are trying to leave the country and come back to Pakistan, he added.
Aizaz Chaudhry said that Pakistan is also in contact with Oman to ensure evacuation of some Pakistanis to that country.
He said that following the worsening situation in Yemen, the Pakistani embassy had already advised its citizens to think about leaving the country.