Story Highlights
Kerry in Pakistan
Top story of this week was the visit of US Secretary of State John Kerry following cross border firing and escalating tension between India and Pakistan. The two-day talks held in Islamabad mainly focused on bilateral relations and other issues of mutual interest including terrorism.
In a press conference at the conclusion of talks, Kerry said Pakistan must fight the militant groups to bring peace and stability to the region. He also encouraged Pakistan not to give up and keep fighting the elements causing instability in the region. Senator Kerry also assured enhanced security and intelligence sharing with Pakistan. Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz also assured Kerry that Pakistan will take action against all terror outfits without any discrimination.
John Kerry also held meetings with the prime minister and Chief of Army Staff. He also visited school in Peshawar where Taliban killed hundreds of students in a deadly attack.
PTI on Election Rigging
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has once again warned the government of launching street protests across the country if judicial commission is not made to probe rigging in the 2013 general elections. PTI chief Imran Khan also announced “Dharna Convention” on January 18th to announce party’s next strategy if government doesn’t meet his demands.
While talking to media Imran Khan said that the inquiry report on vote verification detects 34, 376 bogus votes in National Assembly’s constituency NA- 122. He also pointed out at various violations of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) rules during the general elections. Imran Khan once again demanded the formation of judicial commission to investigate the rigging and threatened not to let government function. Imran Khan, on various occasions, has reiterated that government wants to make a biased judicial commission to cover rigging.
Musharraf Indicted
An anti terrorism court (ATC) in Quetta has indicted former president Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf in murder Nawab Akbar Bugti, a Baloch nationalist. Pervez Musharraf has not appeared before court even once since the start of this case in 2013. The court also indicted former Federal Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao and Home Minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani in the murder case of Nawab Bugti. The anti terrorism court also expressed its displeasure over the absence of Musharraf from the proceedings.
Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti was killed in a military operation in August 2006 ordered by the then President and Army Chief Pervez Musharraf.
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