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Karachi Operation
Following Karachi operation by Rangers, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) is now facing challenges on political front as well. While only Pakistan People’s Party on its side, rest of the major political parties are giving tough time to MQM. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan has also launched a fresh spell of tirade against MQM chief Altaf Hussain, saying that his days were numbered now. He also announced to hold next rally in Karachi as a show of power and to put MQM under pressure. Meanwhile MQM strongly condemned Khan’s remarks, saying they were akin to a threat. MQM leader Farooq Sattar said that Imran Khan can never replace MQM in Karachi as people will not support him. Sattar also said that PTI serves as a political wing for the Taliban.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said there had been a considerable decrease in incidents of street crime, kidnapping for ransom and target killing in Karachi since the start of operation. Prime Minister also said that operation in Karachi was focused on restoring law and order situation and was aimed at elimination of militias engaged in criminal activities. He reiterated that the operation was carried out with the consensus of all political parties with an aim to free Karachi of criminals.
Earlier this month the paramilitary Rangers raided MQM head office and surrounding areas, and seized a huge quantity of illegal weapons and arrested number of suspects including some convicts.
War Against Terror
Operation against militants by Pakistan army has been intensified in FATA region of Pakistan. According to media reports Pakistani jet fighters killed 30 Taliban militants in a missile attack in northwestern Khyber region on Wednesday. The air force has been pounding positions in the Tirah Valley for days and according to military scores have been killed in airstrikes. The 30 killed in attack were from the Lashkar-e-Islam, which announced an alliance with the Taliban earlier this month. Meanwhile Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Sunday reiterated that military operations would continue to eliminate terrorists from the urban as well as remote areas at all costs to bring peace and prosperity in the country.
Meanwhile two drone attacks were carried out on Tuesday in Afghanistan near Pakistani border. First drone strike killed nine militants in the Nazyan area of Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province. The intelligence officials said the nine belonged to the Pakistani Taliban and Lashkar-e-Islam. 11 Pakistani Taliban militants killed in the second drone attack, hours after the first strike, in Kunar province in northeastern Afghanistan.
Pakistan Day
The nation celebrated Pakistan Day on Monday with the pledge to defeat the terrorism and work hard for the prosperity and stability of the country. The day started with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salutes in provincial capitals. Various political, social and literary organisations held functions to highlight importance of Pakistan Resolution that paved the way for the creation of an independent country for Muslims of the Subcontinent.
Pakistan Day functions were also held at Pakistani missions abroad where ambassadors and high commissioners hoisted the national flag. National day parade in Islamabad was telecasted on national television and seen by millions across the country with enthusiasm as it was held after a gap of seven years. President Mamnoon Hussain was the chief guest while Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, senior ministers and chiefs of air force, army and navy attended the parade. Personnel from all three services, Pakistan army, navy and air force, Strategic Command, Rangers, FC, Police, Boys and Girls Guides participated in the parade and presented a salute to the president of Pakistan. Meanwhile while addressing the gathering, President Mamnoon Hussain said that no force could ever defeat the nation having the forces with a determination to render sacrifices for the national security.
Later in a ceremony at the Presidency in the afternoon, President Mamnoon Hussain conferred awards and medals on prominent personalities for their outstanding performance in their respective fields.
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