Story Highlights
Commission On Rigging
The judicial commission formed to investigate allegations of systematic rigging in 2013 general elections begins the process of recording testimonies of witnesses and evidences by political parties. While the parties were asked to produce the evidence, Pakistan Peoples Party decided to rely upon evidences that are to be provided by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. Earlier, the commission had issued a questionnaire regarding rigging and asked the parties to submit material to support their allegations and responses in questionnaire to identify the perpetrators . Political parties, including Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) and Mohajir Qaumi Movement has already filed written replies to the questionnaire sent by the commission.
In its written reply, JI stated that “In Karachi Division and Hyderabad the rigging plan was made by the MQM in collaboration and with the help of staff of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)”. JI also alleged that, “Activists of MQM throughout remained in the polling stations by posing themselves as polling staff”.
Meanwhile, in consultation with all the counsels representing the political parties it was decided that the political parties may provide list of witnesses that they wish the commission to summon, along with brief statement of the purpose for which they are to be examined.
War Against Terror
Operation against militants in Waziristan and other parts of the country continues amidst militant attacks on civilians and security officials. On Thursday, five soldiers including a captain and 27 militants were killed in clashes in Tirah valley of Khyber Agency. According to media reports security forces have gained control of some areas which were held by Tehreek-e-Taliban since 2010. According to media reports, ground forces targeting militant positions were supported by intense artillery firing and aerial shelling by helicopter gunships which forced militants to take refuge in areas close to Afghan border
Meanwhile army chief General Raheel Sharif on Wednesday talked about operation in Karachi against criminals. During his visit to Corps Headquarters, he said that the Karachi operation is bringing relief in terms of target killing and extortion. He also said that ongoing operation will remain across the board and indiscriminate, and continue till its logical conclusion.
Meanwhile Afghan president Ashraf Ghani called for regional cooperation to defeat militants, saying he wants to ‘make Afghanistan a graveyard of terror’ but needs help from India, Pakistan and other neighbours. Ashraf Ghani made his comments after meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Nepal Earthquakes
Nepal’s devastating earthquake of 7.9 magnitude had been largely covered by international media as well as Pakistani media. Saturday’s earthquake is said to be the worst in the history of the country which left thousands dead while death toll is expected to rise as information of damage from far-flung villages and towns has yet to come in. As relief work continues, people stranded in remote villages and towns are still waiting for aid and relief to arrive days after the tragedy. The government has yet to assess the full scale of the damage as it is unable to reach mountainous areas. According to The United Nations, 8 million people were affected by the quake and 1.4 million people were in need of food. A series of aftershocks, less resources and a lack of funds have also complicated rescue efforts in the country.
Meanwhile Pakistan comes forward to help its neighbor by sending fresh relief goods including tents and medicines and setting up a field hospital in Bakhtapur area of Nepal while army search teams are also taking part in search and rescue operation in Kathmandu. According to media reports, Pakistan’s Embassy in Nepal, has evacuated 95 Pakistanis by Pakistan Air Force aircraft in the last few days.
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