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Nawaz Meets Obama
This week Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif went to the US on much anticipated four- day official visit where he met President Obama to discuss bilateral issues. In a meeting on Thursday Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Barack Obama discussed the continued cooperation against terrorists and extremist groups in Pakistan and Afghanistan. President Obama recognized the role and sacrifices that Pakistani civilians and military personnel have made over the years against militant groups. In turn, the prime minister thanked the United States for its support in bolstering Pakistan’s counter-terrorism capacity.
Both leaders also discussed conflict between Afghan government and Afghan Taliban and ways to promote reconciliation between the two parties. Moreover Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif briefed President Obama about recent conflict between Pakistan and India and steps Pakistan is taking to resume dialogues with its neighbor. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also urged the United States to take Pakistan’s side in its long-standing dispute with India or run the risk of escalating conflict. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also met Senator John Kerry and other officials during his visit.
Pakistan-India
Pakistan- India relationship remains fraught as Shiv Sena’s recent anti-Pakistan outburst has further worsened the dialogue process. In a recent incident, activists of Shiv Sena party broke into the office of Indian Cricket Board just before a meeting between India and Pakistan’s cricket board chiefs in Mumbai who were gathered to discuss the future of Pakistan- India cricket series. Earlier this month, the party forced the cancellation of a concert by Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali. And last week, Shiv Sena activists doused the head of an Indian think-tank in black ink in protest at his support for the launch of a book by a former Pakistani foreign minister. Meanwhile, Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz handed over three dossiers to US Secretary John Kerry about the Indian involvement in the country this week.
Secretary Kerry was briefed about the destabilising role of Indian agencies in FATA, Balochistan and Karachi. The secretary emphasised that Pakistan’s role in taking the reconciliation forward was critical to stabilising Afghanistan. Meanwhile commenting on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to the US, India expressed hope that the anti-terror promises made by Pakistan in US will be delivered soon.
Ashura
Pakistan observed Ashura with due solemnity to pay homage to Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and other martyrs of Karbala amid high security to avoid any untoward situation but despite security measures, two Ashura procession were targeted in Balochistan and Sindh. On Thursday, a suicide attacker blew himself outside an imambargah in Bolan in Balochistan, killing at least 10 people and injuring many others. Meanwhile atleast 20 people were killed in a bomb blast in an Ashura procession in Jacobabad city of Sindh on Friday. The Sindh government had already imposed a ban on pillion riding in Karachi and other cities. Moreover, cell phone services have also been suspended in major cities as a security measure. Meanwhile Shiite clerics demanded the government should take action against banned organisations, supporters and promoters of terrorists.
However Alam, Zuljinah and taazia processions were taken out in all cities and small towns of the country without any unpleasant incident. The gatherings and processions during Muharram mark Imam Hussain’s (RA) martyrdom in the Battle of Karbala, Iraq, in 680 AD.
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