KHI 21-06-2013_Layout 1 6/21/2013 2:06 AM Page 2
02
N NEWS Friday, 21 June, 2013
PAkistAn biggest host for refugees: unhCr ISLAMABAD APP
Pakistan hosts the largest number of refugees - about 1.6 million- according to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). The total population of concern added up to almost 2.5 million at the end of 2012. Refugees, according to the UNHCR definition, include individuals granted complementary forms of protection or those enjoying temporary protection. The refugee population also includes people in a refugee-like situation. Pakistan hosts the largest number of refugees in the world comprising mostly Afghans who settled on Pakistani territory and lived on a hand-tomouth earning basis. The figure saw a drop as the US-led invasion into Afghanistan began but return rates have stabilised since then. The UNHCR has been assisting in the return of these refugees through cash donations going up to $157 per person but many are not ready to leave in the near future. According to the report called Displaced Persons in the 21st Century, Pakistan hosted the largest number of refugees in relation to its economic capacity. The number of asylum claims lodged in Pakistan came up to 4,000, while Kenya (the second biggest refugee base in the world) saw some 20,000 claims.
PM, sPy Chief vow to uProot terrorisM ISLAMABAD ONLINE
Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General (DG) Lt Gen Zahirul Islam called on Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif on Thursday and both reaffirmed their commitment to mobilising all resources to curb the scourge of terrorism. According to statements, Islam and Sharif exchanged views on a set of issues including terrorism, regional stability, challenges facing national security and other matters of national interest. They also discussed the law and order situation in Karachi and expressed sorrow over loss of life in terror related incidents at Quetta and Mardan. The ISI chief also briefed the premier on the performance of his institution.
haqqanis to join omar’s taliban in us peace talks ISLAMABAD
SHAIQ HUSSAIN
A
S the US plans to hold formal peace talks with the Mullah Omar-led Taliban in the next few days, another very powerful insurgent group, the Haqqani network, will also sit across the negotiations table alongside the Afghan Taliban, a significant development that brightens the chances for peace and stability in the wartorn neighbouring state of Afghanistan. The representatives of Sirajuddin Haqqani-led Haqqani network have already participated in some past preliminary discussions between the US and Taliban in Doha, Qatar. These preliminary discussions were held with intervals for some months before they were suspended early last year. One of the Haqqanis’ representatives was said to be a close relative of Siraj Haqqani, son of former Afghan Mujahideen commander, Jalaluddin Haqqani, who had founded the Haqqani network and later announced allegiance to Mullah Omar. The US officials, for the last couple of days, have been expressing hope about the participation of Haqqanis in Doha talks after the opening of the Taliban office in the Qatari capital but
File photo
diplomatic sources in the Pakistani capital said important aspect of peace talks on future of Afghanistan had already been taken care of and now the Haqqani network’s representatives would also take part in peace negotiations whenever they take place. “Haqqanis have never distanced themselves from the Mullah Omar-led Taliban and they have always said that they would follow the word and command
of the Taliban supreme commander (Mullah Omar). As for Doha talks, the Haqqani network’s negotiators will also be there, there is all likelihood of that,” a source seeking anonymity said. Meanwhile, the sources said US officials were trying their best to impress upon Afghan President Hamid Karzai to withdraw his announcement about the boycott of Doha talks and suspension of security agreement talks with the United
Kayani says army to stay in Waziristan to ensure peace SOUTH WAZIRISTAN
ONLINE
President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday visited Benazir Bhutto’s grave on the eve of her birth anniversary and laid a floral wreath as PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged the PPP to reiterate its commitment to the democratic values Benazir had fought for all her life. President Zardari was accompanied by his
AfghAnistAn urges PAkistAn to free tAlibAn leAders
AGENCIES
KABUL
Pakistan Army will stay in Waziristan till complete peace is restored in the region. According to a Radio Pakistan report, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Kayani said, “The army is engaged in the area to bring peace and provide protection to the people so that they could live peacefully.” Kayani was speaking during the inauguration ceremony of 50-kilometre-long road from Wana to Angoor Adda. The army chief further said that due to the efforts of the army, the operation against terrorists was completed within a month. He went on to appeal to the people of the area to return to their homes and resume their life. General Kayani added that the government was working on a plan to
ONLINE
ensure development of the area by providing civic amenities to the people and con-
struction of roads to link the area with the rest of the country.
President visits Benazir’s grave on her birth anniversary GARHI KHUDA BUKHSH/KARACHI
States. President Karzai made that announcement after protesting over the title of ‘Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’ that the Taliban opted for as their newlyopened office’s name in Doha and also the flag that was hoisted at that building. The sources, however, said President Karzai was actually perturbed over the proposed direct talks for peace between the US officials and Taliban representatives and he (Karzai) feared that eventually he would be left alone and out of the whole process. A diplomatic source said Pakistan, which played a key role in the opening of the Taliban office in Doha and also the agreement between Washington and the Taliban for peace dialogue, was likely to set free some more Taliban prisoners in the days to come to facilitate the Afghanistan reconciliation process. However, the source said the fate of the detained Taliban leader, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who is Mullah Omar’s deputy, was hanging in the balance. “The decision on Baradar has yet to be made by Islamabad,” he said. The source said the US was also against the release of Baradar at the current stage and in case Pakistan decided to let him go, the US would like to have a pre-notification about his release from the prison.
younger daughter Aseefa Bhutto Zardari. He also visited the graves of the PPP founder, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Nusrat Bhutto, Murtaza Bhutto and Shahnawaz Bhutto. Meanwhile, addressing party workers on the eve of his mother’s birth anniversary, PPP Chairman Bilawal called upon them to reiterate their commitment to the democratic values Benazir had stood and fought for all her life.
He reminded them that his mother’s birthday celebrations this year coincided with yet another triumph of democracy and that was the nation witnessing for the first time ever, a peaceful, legal democratic transition in the country. “We are proud that a dream of her has come true,” Bilawal said, adding, “ It was a measure of her commitment to democratic ideals that she decided to pursue the path of democratic struggle
when party mandate was stolen was limited to only seventeen members in National Assembly.” “She strengthened parliament through active participation and refused to listen to those who wanted her to reject the Parliament and adopt the path of agitation,” he said. Bilawal said treading in her footsteps, the party would play an active role as the opposition.
Afghanistan Foreign Ministry on Thursday urged the government of Pakistan to free Taliban detainees from Pakistani jails. The foreign ministry, following a statement, said freedom of Taliban detainees from Pakistan’s jails was crucial to the government of Afghanistan’s peace negotiation efforts with the Taliban group, according to Afghan media reports. The statement added that all Taliban leaders were based in Pakistan, and Islamabad should assist the government of Afghanistan in the freedom and return of these members. The statement went on to say that at this critical juncture, Pakistan should take practical steps for success of the Afghan peace process, and prove to the world that it is truly supporting peace talks. The statement comes in the backdrop of Islamabad welcoming opening of the Taliban political office in Qatar. The office was opened in Qatar’s capital Doha on Tuesday, however the government of Afghanistan had issues with Taliban naming the office ‘Taliban’s Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’ and boycotted peace talks with the Taliban group.