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Politics on Panama
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has lashed back at his opponents as they started strong campaign against him after the names of his family members appeared in Panama Papers for having off- shore companies. In a statement, prime minister vowed not to let anyone sabotage the PML-N government’s agenda of people’s development and warned his political opponents of masses’ strong reaction. The prime minister also gave message to his opponents that PML- N would complete its remaining two years in power despite controversies. He has also directed federal ministers to pay full heed towards ongoing development projects instead of replies to their political opponents.
Meanwhile the opposition parties have decided to formulate a combined strategy to give ruling PML-N tough time. A joint meeting of the opposition parties will be convened coming week to devise a strategy in this regard. Meanwhile a few newspapers published the news item that International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) included the name of Prime Minister erroneously and it sought forgiveness from Sharif, but later Director (ICIJ), Royal Gerald denied the report and said that neither they seek apology from the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif nor they were asked to do so by Pakistani government.
Gerald’s statement came on surface when the government started an advertisement campaign in the media from the national exchequer to defend Prime Minister.
Pak-India Relations
Pakistan has once again underscored the need for a structured, sustained and result-oriented comprehensive dialogue process between India and Pakistan. Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry had a meeting with his Indian counterpart where he affirmed that a sustained structured engagement is imperative for resolving the outstanding issues between two countries. During the meeting with his Indian counterpart, he also reiterated Pakistan’s call for fair investigation and trial of the Samjhauta Express Terrorist Attack, which resulted in the death of more than 42 innocent Pakistanis. Aizaz Chaudhry also conveyed Pakistan’s deep concern on the illegal entry into Pakistan by a RAW officer and his involvement in subversive activities in Karachi and Balochistan towards destabilizing the country.
Meanwhile according to media reports Indian Foreign Secretary Jaishankar informed Pakistani counterpart that Islamabad cannot be in denial on the impact of terrorism on relations between the two countries. Jaishankar also rebutted allegations of India’s involvement in Balochistan or other areas. Jaishankar, however, emphasised need for early and visible progress on the Pathankot terrorist attack investigation as well as the Mumbai blasts case trial in Pakistan. The top diplomats of both the countries met for talks in New Delhi after a hiatus of several months following a militant attack on an Indian air base. The low-key meeting between the foreign secretaries, on the sidelines of a regional conference in New Delhi, seeks to restore a dialogue that was derailed by the raid in January on the Pathankot air base that killed seven military men.
Afghanistan on Pakistan
Afghanistan has blamed Pakistan for not taking action against terror groups while Pakistan has strongly rejected allegations leveled by Afghan president, saying Islamabad was taking action against all terror groups without any discrimination.
The Foreign Office statement came a day after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani criticised Islamabad for sheltering terrorists following a deadly attack on Afghan security agency headquarters in Kabul on April 19. An Afghan presidential spokesperson had accused the Haqqani Network of planning the attack in Pakistan with help from foreign intelligence circles.
The Foreign Office Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said Pakistan is making serious efforts for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. He also said the Quadrilateral Coordination Group was constituted to achieve the objective of peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Last week Afghan President Ashraf Ghani while addressing a joint session of the Afghan parliament had said that Kabul will no longer seek Pakistan’s role in the ongoing peace talks with Taliban. His rare address to the joint session was aired live on state and private TV channels. Afghan officials have long accused Pakistan of turning a blind eye to the Taliban, the leadership of which is widely believed to be based in the Pakistani cities of Quetta and Peshawar, near the border. Last month, the Taliban refused to sit face-to-face with the government in Kabul under the quadrilateral process of Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the United States.
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