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Ghani Accepts Invitation to Visit Pakistan
President Ashraf Ghani has accepted invitation to visit Pakistan, Afghan Ambassador Dr Omar Zakhilwal told Daily Times on Thursday. “President Ghani indeed accepted the invitation after it was extended to him by Gen (Qamar Javed) Bajwa on behalf of the Government of Pakistan,” Zakhilwal, who was part of President Ghani’s high-level delegation in talks with the Pakistan’s army chief, said. When asked about the timing of the Afghan leader’s visit, he said “no timing of the visit has been finalized so far.” Speaking at an anti-corruption conference in Kabul on Thursday, President Ghani once again pushed for increased dialogue with Pakistan to secure peace and stability. “We must secure peace. I call, once again, on Pakistan to intensify the state-to-state dialogue with us to secure regional peace and security,” he said in comments posted by the presidential palace on official Twitter account. Mixed messages are coming from Afghanistan after General Bajwa visited Kabul last week at a time when the relationship is at its lowest ebb amid deep mistrust. Gen Bajwa renewed Pakistan’s long standing offer to impart training to the Afghan security personnel. However, Kabul is seemed to have declined the offer. Afghan Defense Ministry Spokesman Dawlat Waziri told reporters in Kabul after the visit of the Pakistan army chief that Afghanistan will not send army officers for training in Pakistan in view of what he called mutual mistrust. “Pakistan should deal with us as a sovereign state. Pakistan should not consider us its 5th province. There is no chance to send our army cadets to Pakistan unless the environment of trust is developed. If this happens there will be no hurdle to send our army men for training to Pakistan as we are sending them to India, Russia, China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and other countries," Waziri told a news conference in Kabul this week. Afghanistan had sent six Afghan National Army cadets to receive training at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) in...
All Together Now… One More Time
A day before his meeting with Pakistan’s foreign minister, Khawaja Asif, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis upped the ante by telling a House Armed Services Committee hearing that the administration would try “one more time” to work with Pakistan in Afghanistan before President Trump turned to options to address Islamabad’s alleged support for militant groups. In a separate hearing the same day, Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, minced no words when he said, “it is clear to me that the ISI has connections with terrorist groups.” This sounded like a replay of 2011, when US Navy Admiral Mike Mullen had told Congress that the Haqqani network was a “veritable arm” of the ISI directorate, followed by the network’s designation as a terrorist organization in 2012. By implication, the US administration holds Pakistan solely responsible for its as well as President Ashraf Ghani’s woes in Afghanistan. They also believe Pakistan, because of its leverage with the groups, holds the key both to the Taliban’s continued resistance and their participation in the peace talks. It is safe to assume that demand for “action against the Haqqani Network and delivering the Taliban for talks” remain a fundamental irreconcilable constant in Washington’s narrative on Pakistan Fundamental irreconcilables Regardless of what transpires in the Pak-US meetings, it is safe to assume that demand for “action against the Haqqani Network and delivering the Taliban for talks” remains a fundamental irreconcilable constant in Washington’s narrative on Pakistan. This also warrants a look at some basic fault lines of this troubled relationship and which are key to any qualitative change in bilateral relations. Pakistan, on the other hand, is constrained by its own non-negotiable constants. Firstly, while continuing its crackdown against all non-state actors, Pakistan will never wage war against the Afghan Taliban on its soil. It needs political space to gradually turn the back on all...
Sabawoon Showcase: September 15, 2017
The latest episode of Taroon (Bond) focused on traffic rules and regulations in Peshawar. One can often observe the violation of traffic rules in Peshawar, why people are not following the rules and regulations of traffic despite there being an effective system of traffic wardens? In most cases the traffic sergeants punish and fine violators of traffic rules. The program was recorded in Sadder Bazaar of Peshawar city, where several drivers of public transport, ordinary citizens and on duty traffic wardens took part in the discussion. “I have sold my passenger bus due to excessive punishment and charges fined by the traffic police and am now driving a small car. The traffic police harass and penalize us without any reason,” stated a taxi driver. In the middle of Peshawar Saddar bazaar, a mobile van of traffic police was awarding driving licenses to those who did not have this basic document and were running their vehicles without license. “We have arranged this activity for those drivers who have not a valid driving license. The activity will help to improve rule of law in the society. This is an open platform and everyone can apply for driving license,” said Anwar Khan, Incharge Traffic Warden Education Peshawar. “With the introducing of traffic warden system, there is significant improvement in attitude of traffic police and now we are following the practice of ‘pehle salaam –phir kalam’ with people” said a traffic warden while performing his duties on FC Chowk Peshawar. Citizens of Peshawar and traffic officials suggested that there is a dire need of awareness programs regarding traffic rules and regulations and the involvement of media is crucial in this regard. There were four calls received during the show. About Sabawoon: Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). It is designed to highlight the local issues and promote the fundamental governance values, such as democracy, rule of law, women’s rights, and equal...
Sabawoon Showcase: September, 18, 2017
Real Position of Developmental Work of KP government in the Province. The latest episode of Jarga Maraka (debate and council) shed light on the needs, impact and real situation of completed or in process development work of KP government. Moreover, program shed light on the importance of some mega projects and reasons for delay in the progress of different developmental works in the province and specifically in Peshawar. Arif Yousef, Advisor to CM KP and a senior journalists Aziz Bunery were the studio guests in the show. Mr. Yousef claimed that one can see cleanliness, greenery, flowers and change on GT Road and exit point of motor way to Peshawar. He also mentioned that on a mega project of around 49 billion rupees, rapid bus, speedy work is in progress. He also pointed out that the overhead bridge (Bab e Peshawar) near Hayatabad is near completion and that up gradations of Schools, Hospitals and other institutions are in process. Aziz Bunery, claimed that the contract of growing flowers on GT Road Peshawar, was given to a relative of CM KP illegally. He also criticized the way patients were dealt with in different hospitals of the province. There were a lot of calls and complaints put to Mr. Arif Yousef. We aired 09 calls live and received 14 calls off air. About Sabawoon: Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). It is designed to highlight the local issues and promote the fundamental governance values, such as democracy, rule of law, women’s rights, and equal citizenry. The show airs Monday through Thursday every week under four themes on FM-101.5 Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan 711 KHZ from 3:20 PM to 4:00 PM. On Monday, Jarga Maraka covers current affairs and important regional issues with an input from government and other senior officials. On Tuesday, Da Simay Jaaj gives an overview of the top stories from KP and FATA regions. Jwandai Jazbey airs on Wednesday and deals with issues of relevance to, and...
Sabawoon Showcase: September 14, 2017
Importance of Book Reading. The latest episode of Ranra (light) focused on the importance of book reading and why our youngsters are moving away from reading in the context of their culture and tradition. Importance of book reading and lack of guidance given to students. to read about history was mentioned in the show. Students are reluctant to read course books due to poor quality education and the internet has also diverted their attention from reading. The culture of reading is dying due to which our youngsters are unaware of their cultural values. There is also a need of community libraries to further motivate people to develop the habit of reading. Moreover, the program also highlighted the role of Baacha Khan Educational Foundation which arranges study circles every month in which participants are given two books and at the end of the month they hold discussions to review the books. Ms. Wagma Feroz, member of Baacha Khan Trust Educational Foundation, Peshawar, took part as studio guest in the show. Ms. Wagma Feroz said: “Social media is now considered as the most powerful source of disseminating information and we are utilizing this tool for expanding our study circle and to engage more and more people into book reading.” A radio report was made part of the radio program. The report highlighted the causes behind the dying trend of book reading. Seven listeners took part in the program through live calls. They talked about the educational system. About Sabawoon: Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). It is designed to highlight the local issues and promote the fundamental governance values, such as democracy, rule of law, women’s rights, and equal citizenry. The show airs Monday through Thursday every week under four themes on FM-101.5 Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan 711 KHZ from 3:20 PM to 4:00 PM. On Monday, Jarga Maraka covers current affairs and important regional issues with an input from government and...
Sabawoon Showcase: September 13, 2017
Working Women’s Contributions towards Society . The latest episode of Jwandai Jazbey (alive spirits) focused on the contribution of working women towards society. Women are playing a vital role in the development of the country. Due to their contribution, society is getting better day by day and they are serving the community by working in different fields. In the past, they were facing cultural barriers but the trend is changing as they are now taking part in active politics. Moreover, the program highlighted the role of parents, husbands and brothers that they must support their daughters, wives and sisters. Ms. Rozia Bashar, Instructor at Provincial Institute for Teachers Education, Peshawar, took part as the studio guest in the show. Ms. Bashar said: “My message to females is to have faith in Allah and work hard for their ambition with high spirits and good will and they will achieve their goals.” A radio report was made part of the program. The report highlighted the views of females about their contribution towards the society. One listener that took part in the program suggested that all the male members of society should play an active role in educating girls. About Sabawoon Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). It is designed to highlight the local issues and promote the fundamental governance values, such as democracy, rule of law, women’s rights, and equal citizenry. The show airs Monday through Thursday every week under four themes on FM-101.5 Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan 711 KHZ from 3:20 PM to 4:00 PM. On Monday, Jarga Maraka covers current affairs and important regional issues with an input from government and other senior officials. On Tuesday, Da Simay Jaaj gives an overview of the top stories from KP and FATA regions. Jwandai Jazbey airs on Wednesday and deals with issues of relevance to, and significance for, youth, students and women. Socio-cultural affairs are discussed in Ranra on Thursday....
Pak-Afghan détente : Are Fundamentals Changing?
The Afghan President Ashraf Ghani met with General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the head of the Pakistan army, at his palace – Arg – in Kabul on Oct 1. Ghani branded this ice-breaking meeting as a “new season of relationships between Afghanistan and Pakistan” and that both countries should get the most out of the current situation[1]. Such encounters usually trigger hopes and raise expectations for the better. Both agreed to engage for rubbing off mistrust and focus on counter-terrorism. But this particular meeting begs the question as to whether any of the fundamentals that divide Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and the US have changed at all? And whether stakeholders can really get some thing , if not most, out of it, without any forward movement on those fundamentals? Context It would not be out of place to contextualise the Kabul meeting ahead of the arrival (Oct 2) in the US of Pakistan’s foreign minister Khwaja Mohammad Asif for first formal official talks, which are likely to mostly focus on Afghanistan. The Ghani-Bajwa meeting took place to the a week after Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqaan Abbasi’s terse encounter with vice president Mike Pence meeting in Washington,[2] last week, and US Defence Secretary James Mattis’s latest talks in New Delhi with Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Although, according to a Pakistan’s Foreign Office statement, both sides “ agreed that the two countries would stay engaged with a constructive approach to achieve shared objectives of peace, stability and economic prosperity in the region,” yet there was more than met the eyes. Both – Abbasi’s meeting with Pence as well his interactions elsewhere were a sort of “hard talk,” an assertive Pakistani perspective on issues such as Afghanistan and India. It certainly laid bare the faultlines that already exist in the tempestuous bilateral relations.[3] As expected, Abbasi regurgitated Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts and also recalled that the country suffered huge losses as...
Sabawoon Showcase September,12, 2017
Regional Review on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) The latest episode of Da Simay Jaaj (regional review) discussed several public issues, such as importance of the skills of women, women centers, forest, water and communication in different district and Agencies in KP and FATA. The first report highlighted the importance of women skill education and role of government institutions in this regard. Report mentioned the dire need of women skill centers in KP, particularly in Swat. Moreover, program shed discussed the hurdles due to the lack of clean drinking water, and other basic facilities in Kohat. The local public staged a protest against the elected representatives of KP and District assemblies for not taking interest and failing to provide basic facilities in the area. The third report highlighted the poor condition of the dangerous and out of dated bridges in District Charsadda. There are five rivers in district Charsadda and several bridges that are there to connect Charsadda with the surrounding districts and cities. Unfortunately some of the bridges are more than eighty years old and expired, but government has paid no attention to repair and strengthen it or replace it with new ones. The overloaded and heavy transport has made the bridges more dangerous while passing it. In the final report the reporter mentioned the favorable weather and atmosphere for the very precious olive tree. Report mentioned that in South and North Waziristan agencies the atmosphere is very good for olives, but there is still no attention being given by the forest department to increase the ratio of this valuable and precious tree in the area. There were 19 feedback calls in the show; 11 calls were aired live in the show. Callers also discussed their local problems and tried to draw the attention of the authorities through CRSS provided network facility. About Sabawoon: Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal...
Capitol Hill Offers No Rosy View on Afghan Situation
Trump Administration’s Afghanistan Strategy continues to remain subject to controversy and confusion. There are conflicting messages coming out of Washington DC. While the President says ‘we will win’, his secretary of state Rex Tillerson’s position can be summed up: ‘we may not win, but neither will you, and at some point, we have to come to the negotiating table and find a way to bring this to an end’. Discussions with officials at the Capitol Hill suggest that despite the obvious difference in connotation, both Trump and Tillerson are in agreement on one issue – most of the point men assigned for political reconciliation at the State Department are being shown the door. No replacements are envisaged either – at least for the moment after their contracts run out in the coming days. Most of the permanent employees at the State Department, too, are being posted out for other tasks. This has also triggered speculation as to whether the doors have been slammed on the political option for the time being with a view to ‘beat Taliban into weakness and force them into talks’. But will this also mean the demise of the Taliban’s political office in Doha, Qatar? Some of the officials around Tillerson, particularly those with military background, believe that Doha office has lost its relevance. To justify this position, they point to little progress in peace talks and an apparent disconnect between the political office and Taliban commanders on ground in Afghanistan. The latest meeting between US Defence Secretary James Mattis and Indian Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman further lends credence to the view that a more aggressive approach towards the Taliban is in the offing. In the meeting in New Delhi, both officials agreed to enhance the Indian role in counter-terrorism training of Afghan troops as well as capacity building of the police force in the fight against the Taliban, who according to US officials control or contest some 45 per cent of Afghan districts at the...
Pak, Afghan Military Leaders Set to Hold Security Dialogue
Top Pakistan and Afghan military leaders are set to hold high-level dialogue in Kabul in a few days that could mainly focus on each other’s security concerns. Chief of Army Chief General Qamar Bajwa is scheduled to travel to Kabul most likely at the weekend that will be his first visit to Kabul since he has assumed office in November last year, sources told Daily Times. The top general will hold official talks with his Afghan counterpart and is likely to meet Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. Although there may not be a breakthrough during the visit in view of the deteriorating relations and widespread mistrust, the visit will mark resumption of the high level military talks. In Afghanistan, political commentators argue that the Pakistan Army and intelligence agencies have a major role in Afghan affairs and they could play a key role in restoration of peace. Afghanistan leading Tolo TV has quoted the Afghan defence ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri as saying his government will reiterate its call to Pakistan to take action against “terrorist hideouts and safe havens inside Pakistan territory.” Kabul and American military leaders allege Afghan Taliban leaders have been living in Pakistan. Although the military media wing ISPR has not yet commented on General Bajwa’s visit, Pakistan side is most likely to share its serious concerns over the presence of the Pakistani Taliban armed groups TTP, Jamaatul Ahrar and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. They are blamed for terrorism in Pakistan. Security officials had long been insisting that the Pakistani leaders operate from the Afghan soil of the border, mostly in Nangarhar, Kunar, Nuristan, Paktia, Paktika and Khost. They say the Pakistani militants have fled to Afghanistan in view of the military operations in the tribal regions and Malakand in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Pakistan Army said on Saturday that a soldier was killed when terrorists opened fire from across the border on a newly established border post in Rajgal, Khyber Agency....
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I am also a member of National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting. Recently, we held a meeting with the Director General of Radio Pakistan and we told them to initiate such local programs (like Constituency Hour) in regional languages to educate and inform people. Even Indian Radio can be heard in FATA which is being used for propaganda purposes and must be closed. Therefore, we should launch some standard and quality programs like CRSS that will change the taste of the listeners.