ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday emphasised the need for coordination among regional countries on Afghanistan for regional stability. Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani, while talking to Iran’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Affairs Hassan Kazmi Qomi, said Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries have a key role to play in the region’s peace and stability. According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, …

UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has formally told the UN Security Council that it has “clear evidence” that the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is supported by “our main adversary” and has been given free rein to conduct cross-border attacks against Pakistan’s border outposts and other installations. This revelation, which came during a Wednesday afternoon debate on a UN report on Afghanistan, also …

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Thursday downpla­yed the Afghan Taliban admi­nistration’s invitation to Mau­lana Fazlur Rehman, leader of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F), in a bid to reduce tensions with Pakistan, characterising the gesture as a personal visit and emphasising lack of official knowledge about the initiative. “That question may be best addressed to the Afghan au­­t­h­orities because we are not aw­­are of …

WASHINGTON: In a two-hour engagement with US scholars and policymakers on Tuesday, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen Syed Asim Munir highlighted Pakistan’s desire to develop as a hub of economic connectivity without getting involved in bloc politics and the US-China rivalry. “Pakistan is a country of consequence both from geopolitical and geoeconomic perspectives and wishes to develop itself …

PESHAWAR: The ruling Afghan Taliban have confirmed inviting Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman to play a mediator’s role between Afghanistan and Pakistan. In a brief Pashto audio message shared with Pakistani journalists by the media department of the Afghan government, chief spokesman for the regime Zabihullah Mujahid said the ‘Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’ had officially invited the JUI-F leader …

ISLAMABAD: Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the head of the Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam (JUI-F), has been invited by the Afghan government to travel to Kabul in a bid to alleviate escalating tensions between the neighboring countries due to cross-border terrorist activities. The formal invitation from the Afghan government was delivered to the JUI-F chief by the Afghan envoy, who met him in Islamabad …

ISLAMABAD: In a stern warning issued on Friday, Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti unveiled the government’s plan to deport foreign nationals found participating in political activities within Pakistan. Addressing the media in Islamabad, the interim minister disclosed that 10 Afghan nationals were in the process of being expelled due to their involvement in political activities. Additionally, Bugti revealed that more …

Modi govt believes India belongs to Hindus, who continue to marginalise other minorities

  By Dr Hussain Yasa Abstract The APTTA renewal between Pakistan and Afghanistan has always increased concern in the light of developing political scenario. This article evaluates the forthcoming challenges and hurdles during the renewal process of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA).The agreement expires on February 11, 2021. The article evaluates the two major hurdles First, the technical and procedural problems, …

By Kazim Ali Gulzari Since 2001, ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan have remained quivering and the misunderstandings caused troubles not only to a single country but to the region as a whole. Countries of the world, with much bigger problems, resolved their issues in the past and are now living next to each other with peace and prosperity. In last …