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Pakistan
Statement:2014
Read more...
Date
Incidents
January - 1 
Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on January 1 asked all Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) factions opposing the peace process to grow out of their mindset and respond positively to the gestures of both the Government and the entire political leadership of the country, reports Daw
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Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on January 1 asked all Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) factions opposing the peace process to grow out of their mindset and respond positively to the gestures of both the Government and the entire political leadership of the country, reports Dawn. Expressing the Government’s resolve to establish peace in the affected areas through talks with the TTP during a meeting with Jama’at-e-Ulema-Islam-Fazlur Rehman (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman who called on him, the Minister said that the Government was sincerely pursuing the path of dialogue. “It is incumbent upon the other side to react positively,” Nisar said.
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January - 1 
Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) and Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) on January 1 opposed the proposed talks between the Government and TTP, reports Daily Times. SIC Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza, MWM Secretary for Political Affairs Syed Nasir Abbas Sherazi and Voice of Shuhada-e-Pakistan (VoSP) spokes
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Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) and Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) on January 1 opposed the proposed talks between the Government and TTP, reports Daily Times. SIC Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza, MWM Secretary for Political Affairs Syed Nasir Abbas Sherazi and Voice of Shuhada-e-Pakistan (VoSP) spokesperson Senator Faisal Raza Abidi expressed their opposition to the talks while addressing a joint press conference at the MWM office. The MWM and SIC central leadership claimed that they would not allow the Government to hold talks with the terrorists at the cost of the Constitution. They said the Government should not hold negotiations with the TTP who neither recognise the country’s Constitution nor respect its sovereignty.
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January - 1 
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on January 1 said that he planned to strengthen the National Security Council (NSC) and make it an institutionalised forum with the power to take relevant decisions, reports Dawn. In the past, he said, stakeholders spoke differently, but now everyone should come and spea
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Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on January 1 said that he planned to strengthen the National Security Council (NSC) and make it an institutionalised forum with the power to take relevant decisions, reports Dawn. In the past, he said, stakeholders spoke differently, but now everyone should come and speak at this forum and then implement decisions taken there. He also said that the Government was moving in accordance with decisions taken by an all-party conference about a peace initiative. The best option is to achieve peace through talks. But “when we start dialogue, drones derail everything”, he added. “We have to adopt a multi-pronged policy to address the challenge of extremism and terrorism. We have also decided that Pakistan’s and Afghan soil or territory would not be allowed to be used in activities against each other,” he said.
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January - 3 
Inspector General Frontier Corps (IGFC) Balochistan Major General Mohammad Ejaz Shahid said on January 3 that 60 to 70 Farari camps, or insurgent camps, were operating in the province, reports The Express Tribune. However, he added that it was difficult to crack down on these camps because they keep
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Inspector General Frontier Corps (IGFC) Balochistan Major General Mohammad Ejaz Shahid said on January 3 that 60 to 70 Farari camps, or insurgent camps, were operating in the province, reports The Express Tribune. However, he added that it was difficult to crack down on these camps because they keep changing location according to the weather.
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January - 5 
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has said that the targeted operation in Karachi will continue till the elimination of criminals and terrorists on January 5, reports Daily Times. The minister said that our Law Enforcing Agencies (LEAs) are doing a commendable job in the operation and a
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Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has said that the targeted operation in Karachi will continue till the elimination of criminals and terrorists on January 5, reports Daily Times. The minister said that our Law Enforcing Agencies (LEAs) are doing a commendable job in the operation and a large number of criminals and militants have been arrested. He said that after the operation against terrorists, another operation would be carried out against ‘terrorists making factories’. Memon said that talks could not be held with terrorists, but doors of negations were always open for political parties.
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January - 6 
Terming reports about presence of Afghan Taliban as baseless and far from reality, Balochistan Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti on January 6 said that there is no Taliban Shura in Quetta, reports Dawn. “No sign of Afghan Taliban factor in the province,” he said, adding that foreign hands were involv
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Terming reports about presence of Afghan Taliban as baseless and far from reality, Balochistan Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti on January 6 said that there is no Taliban Shura in Quetta, reports Dawn. “No sign of Afghan Taliban factor in the province,” he said, adding that foreign hands were involved in the prevailing unrest in Balochistan, Pakistan's least developed and area wise the biggest province.
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January - 7 
Saudi Arabia made it clear on January 7 that it has nothing to do with former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf’s high treason case and Riyadh does not want to interfere in internal matters of Pakistan, reports Daily Times. Addressing a press conference along with Adviser to the Prime Min
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Saudi Arabia made it clear on January 7 that it has nothing to do with former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf’s high treason case and Riyadh does not want to interfere in internal matters of Pakistan, reports Daily Times. Addressing a press conference along with Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal denied he had brought any message for the Pakistan Government with regard to Musharraf’s trial. The Saudi Foreign Minister was asked about rumors that Saudi Arabia might intervene to secure the release of Musharraf. “Musharraf’s trial is an internal matter of Pakistan,” Prince Saud said. He said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy historic and deep-rooted relations and added that designs of those who were plotting to damage Pakistan-Saudi relations should be thwarted. “We are friends and friends do stand with each other in all circumstances. It is a visit of friendship,” he said. He said his country would extend cooperation to Pakistan in energy and other sectors. Saud Al-Faisal also said there was need for joint efforts to eradicate the menace of terrorism.
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January - 8 
A source in Balochistan Home and Tribal Affairs Department said on January 8 that the Commission on enforced disappearances has received 209 cases of missing Baloch political workers from Balochistan, reported Dawn. He said that 61 missing persons have been recovered and 24 mutilated dead bodies fou
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A source in Balochistan Home and Tribal Affairs Department said on January 8 that the Commission on enforced disappearances has received 209 cases of missing Baloch political workers from Balochistan, reported Dawn. He said that 61 missing persons have been recovered and 24 mutilated dead bodies found in different parts of Balochistan up till now. He said 44 cases of missing persons were disposed off following lack of required documents. Apart from this, 144 cases of missing persons were under trial before Supreme Court of Pakistan. “The Chief Minister has strictly directed the concerned quarters to expedite the cases of missing persons,” the official said. He said that all deputy commissioners were instructed to inform the Home Department about the missing persons' cases on priority basis. “Without the recovery of missing persons, situation in the province cannot be improved,” said the Chief Minister Abdul Malik Baloch.
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January - 8 
Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz during a book launch at the Institute of Strategic Study in Islamabad on January 8 said that America is fighting the “wrong war with wrong methods against the wrong people”, reports Daily Times. Sartaj Aziz said Pakistan
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Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz during a book launch at the Institute of Strategic Study in Islamabad on January 8 said that America is fighting the “wrong war with wrong methods against the wrong people”, reports Daily Times. Sartaj Aziz said Pakistan has been protesting against the drone attacks at all levels, as these are un-productive and violate Pakistan’s sovereignty. He said that Pakistan has got support from the international community on its stance on drone attacks. Further, he said a resolution by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has also been adopted to condemn the drone attacks, which reflects the international public opinion. He said this also speaks of legality and illegality of the use of drones. Reiterating Pakistan’s position on the drone attacks that they violate sovereignty of the country and cause collateral damage, Aziz said Pakistan will continue to protest against these attacks at all levels. He said according to the United States drone strikes have achieved the desired results, as high value targets have been killed in these strikes, therefore, now these drone attacks should be stopped. He said Pakistan’s next move will be to approach the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) in Geneva against drone attacks and make efforts for adoption of a similar resolution there.
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January - 8 
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on January 8 strongly condemned the killing of six men at a shrine in Karachi and demanded meaningful steps to put an end to killing of citizens by the extremists, reports Daily Times. HRCP Chairperson Zohra Yusuf said in a statement that the brutal kil
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The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on January 8 strongly condemned the killing of six men at a shrine in Karachi and demanded meaningful steps to put an end to killing of citizens by the extremists, reports Daily Times. HRCP Chairperson Zohra Yusuf said in a statement that the brutal killing of six young devotees in Karachi apparently for visiting a shrine was a proof that staying alive in Pakistan today was a privilege reserved for those who unthinkingly and without question comply with the whims of cold-blooded killers who are religious fanatics.
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January - 8 
Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) chairman Nasrullah Baloch said that the officials were deliberately showing less number of missing persons. He claimed that so far his organisation has received 2,781 cases of missing persons from different parts of Balochistan. The officials, however, contrad
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Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) chairman Nasrullah Baloch said that the officials were deliberately showing less number of missing persons. He claimed that so far his organisation has received 2,781 cases of missing persons from different parts of Balochistan. The officials, however, contradicted the VBMP claims and said that the number of missing persons was less.
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January - 9 
Additional Inspector General (AIG) of Police Sindh Shahid Hayat on January 9 said that targeted operation against the anti-social elements would continue to maintain peace in Karachi, reports Daily Times. He said that investigations have been ordered to nab the culprits involved in the killing of Po
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Additional Inspector General (AIG) of Police Sindh Shahid Hayat on January 9 said that targeted operation against the anti-social elements would continue to maintain peace in Karachi, reports Daily Times. He said that investigations have been ordered to nab the culprits involved in the killing of Police Officers. Condemning the attacks on Police Officers, he said that Chaudhry Aslam laid down his life in the line of duty, adding that the operation will continue in Karachi.
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January - 9 
Pakistan Teheek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan on January 9 reiterated his stance of negotiating with TTP following the killing of SP CID Chaudhry Aslam Khan in Karachi, which was claimed by the terrorist group, reported Dawn. While condemning the attack he said that prevailing violence and killings
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Pakistan Teheek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan on January 9 reiterated his stance of negotiating with TTP following the killing of SP CID Chaudhry Aslam Khan in Karachi, which was claimed by the terrorist group, reported Dawn. While condemning the attack he said that prevailing violence and killings in the country would not end without pulling out from ‘someone else’s war’. He said that people were fed up with terrorism and suggested dialogue was a better option than fighting with the militants. “Dialogue is a better option than fighting against Taliban.” “At least those (Taliban) groups which are ready to negotiate peace should be contacted for talks,” he said.
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January - 11 
JuD ‘chief’ Hafiz Mohammad Saeed on January 11 warned the Pakistan Government over striking a "secret deal" with India on the Kashmir issue, reports Authintmail.com. "We cannot leave the Kashmiri people at the mercy of India. Kashmiris have not sacrificed lives to divide Kashmir," he said during a m
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JuD ‘chief’ Hafiz Mohammad Saeed on January 11 warned the Pakistan Government over striking a "secret deal" with India on the Kashmir issue, reports Authintmail.com. "We cannot leave the Kashmiri people at the mercy of India. Kashmiris have not sacrificed lives to divide Kashmir," he said during a meeting with supporters in Lahore. "We will not allow the government to have a secret deal with India on the Kashmir issue. Kashmir belongs to Kashmiris and any decision without taking them on board will not be acceptable to them or to the people of Pakistan", he added.
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January - 12 
Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on January 12 stated that negotiations with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were the Government’s top priority and serious efforts are being made in this regard, but warned that the militants unwilling to hold talks will be dealt with sternl
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Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on January 12 stated that negotiations with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were the Government’s top priority and serious efforts are being made in this regard, but warned that the militants unwilling to hold talks will be dealt with sternly, reports Daily Times. Nisar said the Government was entrusted with holding talks with the Taliban by the political leadership of the country during the all-parties conference. He said that the country was passing through a delicate phase and there was a need to have complete unanimity of views and consensus on the strategy to deal with the challenge of terrorism and violence. The Interior Minister called upon the Taliban factions opposing the peace process to grow out of their mindset and respond positively to the gestures of the Government. “I urge Taliban groups who are refusing to hold dialogue that the path of Islam is the path of welfare and peace, and not of bullet,” Nisar said. He said that both talks and military operation against the Taliban are difficult tasks, as they are not a party or force which is in front of us. He said we are tolerating a lot of unjustified criticism for talks with TTP. The minister said negotiations are underway with different groups and hoped for a good outcome. He said the government welcomes those Taliban groups who respond to talks’ offer positively, but those who will resort to arms‚ the Government will wage a war against them. He said the government would go after them wherever they are. “The desire for talks should not be considered as a weakness of the Government,” the Minister said. “No one should have any misgivings that we would let terrorists coerce us into accepting their unconstitutional terms. We will do everything under the constitution,” the Interior Minister said, adding that the “use of power would be the last option”.
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January - 14 
The Director General Rangers Major General Rizwan Akhter on January 14 expressed concern over the news circulating in the media regarding high-level postings in the Police department, and said that the Rangers wanted that present Police setup in the city should continue for a year. During a high-lev
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The Director General Rangers Major General Rizwan Akhter on January 14 expressed concern over the news circulating in the media regarding high-level postings in the Police department, and said that the Rangers wanted that present Police setup in the city should continue for a year. During a high-level meeting held in Pakistan Rangers Sindh Headquarters, the option of discontinuing targeted operations in Karachi was also discussed, said a handout issued. The statement added that there was a consensus that the current setup of Karachi Police should continue for at least another year so that the ongoing operation against target killers, extortionists and criminals in the city could reach its conclusion.
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January - 15 
PM Nawaz Sharif, during his visit to Swat on January 15, approved in principle and announced a brigade-level cantonment for Swat and Malakand, reports The News. The PM gave the approval during a briefing given to him. He also lauded the role played by the Pakistan Army in restoring peace and stabili
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PM Nawaz Sharif, during his visit to Swat on January 15, approved in principle and announced a brigade-level cantonment for Swat and Malakand, reports The News. The PM gave the approval during a briefing given to him. He also lauded the role played by the Pakistan Army in restoring peace and stability in the area. “Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has in principle approved and announced a brigade level cantonment for Swat and (adjacent) Malakand areas,” his office said in a statement, adding that the approval came during his visit to Swat. “The prime minister lauded the role played by the army in bringing peace and stability to the area.”
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January - 15 
The Balochistan Government has approached all political forces in the province for an all parties’ conference (APC) which is likely to be held at the end of January in Quetta, a provincial Government spokesperson said on January 15, reports The Express Tribune. The APC was scheduled to be held in De
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The Balochistan Government has approached all political forces in the province for an all parties’ conference (APC) which is likely to be held at the end of January in Quetta, a provincial Government spokesperson said on January 15, reports The Express Tribune. The APC was scheduled to be held in December, 2013 but could not take place due to the local Government elections in the province. The conference is being held to seek suggestions from all political forces on how to restore peace in the volatile region. Besides insurgency and sectarian violence, the issues of kidnapping for ransom will also be discussed in the APC.
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January - 15 
The Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on January 15 vowed to continue the targeted operation in Karachi against criminals, reports Daily Times. At a meeting with members of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), he shrugged off the rumours about halting the operation in Karachi. “Ther
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The Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on January 15 vowed to continue the targeted operation in Karachi against criminals, reports Daily Times. At a meeting with members of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), he shrugged off the rumours about halting the operation in Karachi. “There is no plan to compromise on the operation,” he said and added that the authorities were standing by the prime minister’s word on restoring peace to the commercial hub of the country.
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January - 15 
The Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif on January 15 said it was not imperative that only the Government will hold talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and it will welcome Imran Khan, Maulana Samiul Haq, Munawar Hassan and others if they can make progress in this regard, reports The News.
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The Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif on January 15 said it was not imperative that only the Government will hold talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and it will welcome Imran Khan, Maulana Samiul Haq, Munawar Hassan and others if they can make progress in this regard, reports The News. Speaking to Saleem Safi, the host of the Geo News programme ‘Jirga’, which is to be telecast today (January 16), the PM said he will contact other leaders, including Imran Khan, over the issue of talks with the TTP. He said the presence of the head of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in the All Parties Conference (APC) proved that the military and the nation were on the same page. “This will help in the negotiations process,” he said. Nawaz said the Army also endorsed the decisions of the APC and accepted them. “Even today, the Army wants the political leadership to handle the issue of talks with the TTP,” he said. He said the Government wants all the parties to work collectively on this issue.
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January - 16 
Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif on January 16 directed the authorities that the Karachi operation should continue at all costs till the restoration of peace in the city, reports The News. While talking to the Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan at the PM House, Nawaz Sharif obser
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Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif on January 16 directed the authorities that the Karachi operation should continue at all costs till the restoration of peace in the city, reports The News. While talking to the Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan at the PM House, Nawaz Sharif observed that the targeted operation in Karachi was fruitful in restoring peace in Karachi. He expressed satisfaction over the ongoing operation against the criminal elements in him about the Karachi operation. He also apprised him about progress in the dialogue process with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The Government will provide resources needed for continuation of the operation and next phase would be conducted in accordance to the plan. It is understood that the two have also discussed the situation arising due to difference of opinion between the civil administration and authorities carrying out the operation. The situation in the wake of assassination of SSP Chaudhary Aslam Khan also reportedly figured in the meeting. PM Nawaz Sharif eulogized the efforts of the Interior Ministry for overcoming the law and order situation in various parts of the country.
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January - 16 
Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan while addressing 170 senior civil and military officers participating in the National Security and War Course at the National Defence University (NDU) in Islamabad on January 16 said that the National Security Policy was in final stages of format
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Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan while addressing 170 senior civil and military officers participating in the National Security and War Course at the National Defence University (NDU) in Islamabad on January 16 said that the National Security Policy was in final stages of formation which will help the Government in effectively combating militancy and eradicating extremism in Pakistan, reports Dawn. The Minister said that enemy of the country was vague and divided, adding that the security policy is proactive in nature which will address the problems being faced by Pakistan. He said the new security policy will have three components covert, strategic, and operational. He further said that National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) will be the focal point of the government for counter-terrorism and a Joint Intelligence Directorate will be established under this agency for intelligence analysis and coordination among various intelligence agencies. The Interior Minister said that the Government has again started the process of dialogue with the militants. He said the Government wants a durable solution to eradicate terrorism from the country and the use of force will only be the last resort. “It has been categorically communicated to the United States that drone strikes are counterproductive and must immediately be stopped,” said Nisar, adding that this continues to be an irritant in Pakistan-US relationship.
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January - 17 
Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on January 17 expressed his reluctance to hold peace talks with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) saying he lacks authority to do so, reports Dawn. Speaking at a press conference, Khan said he cannot hold talks with TTP as neither his party is in power a
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Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on January 17 expressed his reluctance to hold peace talks with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) saying he lacks authority to do so, reports Dawn. Speaking at a press conference, Khan said he cannot hold talks with TTP as neither his party is in power at the centre nor he has any authority over the services. “What powers we have because of which we are being asked to hold talks?” he asked referring to the Government’s proposal that Imran Khan and other leaders should hold talks with TTP. He said the All Parties Conference (APC) held on September 9 gave mandate to the Government to hold talks with the militants. The US drone attack (that killed former TTP ‘chief’ Hakimullah Mehsud) sabotaged these talks, he remarked.
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January - 18 
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan said on January 18 that despite the complexity of missing person’s cases, the Government, through court orders, has ensured at least 1,270 of them reached their homes, reports The Express Tribune. Another 1,086 have been identified at no
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The Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan said on January 18 that despite the complexity of missing person’s cases, the Government, through court orders, has ensured at least 1,270 of them reached their homes, reports The Express Tribune. Another 1,086 have been identified at notified internment centres in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Some 3,033 people have been traced to various locations in the region. Justice Khan said that the Human Rights Directorate set up by him for those who cannot afford to hire a lawyer, has received more than 9,000 cases so far. Of these 7,000 were decided instantly, with the aggrieved getting justice in less than 72 hours.
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January - 19 
Law Minister Anisul Huq on January 19 called upon the countrymen to boycott JeI, its wings and institutions in order to "uproot" the party from Bangladesh forever, reports The Daily Star. He observed, “I agree that JeI should be banned. But, what if the party returns to politics with a different nam
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Law Minister Anisul Huq on January 19 called upon the countrymen to boycott JeI, its wings and institutions in order to "uproot" the party from Bangladesh forever, reports The Daily Star. He observed, “I agree that JeI should be banned. But, what if the party returns to politics with a different name? Rather, they should be despised and boycotted socially. Otherwise, they cannot be uprooted.”
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January - 19 
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ‘spokesman’ Shahidullah Shahid on January 19 said that TTP were ready for a “meaningful dialogue”, reports Daily Times. However, the militant group asked the Government to “prove its authority and sincerity with dialogue process”. In a letter issued to the media on J
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Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ‘spokesman’ Shahidullah Shahid on January 19 said that TTP were ready for a “meaningful dialogue”, reports Daily Times. However, the militant group asked the Government to “prove its authority and sincerity with dialogue process”. In a letter issued to the media on January 19 the TTP also said, “TTP wants to give clear-cut message to people of Pakistan that our war is for implementation of Sharia’h and we will never give up principles of Sharia’h.”
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January - 19 
Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, on January 19 held Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, responsible for the terrorist attacks on Security Forces of Pakistan, and said, "Maulana Fazl-ur-Rahman or Sami-ul-Haq alone cannot get the Taliban peace talks off the ground. The Prime Minister
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Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, on January 19 held Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, responsible for the terrorist attacks on Security Forces of Pakistan, and said, "Maulana Fazl-ur-Rahman or Sami-ul-Haq alone cannot get the Taliban peace talks off the ground. The Prime Minister should take the lead in this regard”, reported The News. He said that if he were the Prime Minister he would be spearheading the peace talks. "Had I been Nawaz Sharif, I would have taken the charge long ago", said Khan.
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January - 20 
Pakistan on January 20 expressed disappointment over the Consolidated Appropriations Bill 2014 approved by the United States (US) Congress, which links USD 33 million in assistance to Doctor Shakil Afridi’s detention, reports The Express Tribune. According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign
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Pakistan on January 20 expressed disappointment over the Consolidated Appropriations Bill 2014 approved by the United States (US) Congress, which links USD 33 million in assistance to Doctor Shakil Afridi’s detention, reports The Express Tribune. According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the Government said that Dr Afridi’s case was sub-judice and that he remains entitled to due process under the law. “Consequently, any linkage of US assistance to this case is not in keeping with the spirit of cooperation between the two countries,” the statement read. “However, we are disappointed that the bill proposes to withhold USD 33 million from assistance on account of Dr Shakil Afridi’s detention,” the statement further said. The Consolidated Appropriations Bill 2014, approved by US Congress, was signed into law by US President Barack Obama on January 17, 2014. As an omnibus legislation, it contains respective Appropriation Bills for all Government Departments, including the Department of Defence and the Department of State. The State Department will now undertake the process of making allocations, including those for Pakistan.
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January - 21 
Feeling the growing pressure from the sympathisers of those affected by the crippling polio disease, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has officially distanced itself from some of the recent attacks on polio vaccinators in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Karachi, saying it has nothing to do with these kil
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Feeling the growing pressure from the sympathisers of those affected by the crippling polio disease, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has officially distanced itself from some of the recent attacks on polio vaccinators in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Karachi, saying it has nothing to do with these killings, Dawn reported on January 22. TTP ‘spokesperson’ Ehsanullah Ehsan said that the militant outfit was “in principle” not targeting polio workers. “We have been holding detailed deliberations on the polio issue for some time and have been consulting trustworthy Muslim medical experts. Some of our doubts have been removed,” he said. The statement is much in contrast to the situation either some prominent member or one of the affiliated militant outfits had openly claimed responsibility for such attacks or the TTP had decided to remain silent after such killings.
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January - 22 
Inspector General Frontier Corps (IGFC) Major General Ejaz Shahid while briefing the Senate’s Standing Committee on January 22 said that 360 paramilitary personnel were martyred in Balochistan since 2007, reported The News. IGFC said those fighting with Security Forces should not be called as ‘enrag
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Inspector General Frontier Corps (IGFC) Major General Ejaz Shahid while briefing the Senate’s Standing Committee on January 22 said that 360 paramilitary personnel were martyred in Balochistan since 2007, reported The News. IGFC said those fighting with Security Forces should not be called as ‘enraged elements’ but as ‘militants’. Major General Ejaz Shahid said the FC arrested a politician from Quetta and recovered 1.5 tonnes of explosive material. He further warned the Government that lack of equipment and scarcity of funds may deal a devastating blow to his force’s fight against separatists in Balochistan. “We are struggling to establish the writ of the government along Balochistan’s western border. We are quite far away from even playing the national anthem in state-run schools in Panjgur, Turbat [Kech] and adjacent cities in Makran Division,” he said. The IGFC complained that of PKR 28.5 billion promised to the FC Balochistan for 2013-14, the Government had released only PKR15 billion so far. He said a further 30 per cent had been slashed by the finance division.
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January - 22 
Soon after the military operation Maulana Sami-ul-Haq who has close ties to the Taliban on January 22 said that he would no longer act as a government-backed peace broker with the militants after airstrikes killed 40 people in a tribal district, reports Daily Times. “The Government does not seem ser
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Soon after the military operation Maulana Sami-ul-Haq who has close ties to the Taliban on January 22 said that he would no longer act as a government-backed peace broker with the militants after airstrikes killed 40 people in a tribal district, reports Daily Times. “The Government does not seem serious and concerned. I had requested them to avoid a military operation and use of force but yesterday it started bombing in North Waziristan and tribal areas,” Haq, who is also chief of his own faction of the religious Jama’at Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-S) party, said in a statement. “Both sides (Taliban and government) are in a state of war. Innocent citizens and soldiers are dying,” he said in the statement.
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January - 23 
A spokesman of the Government on January 23 said that Maulana Sami-ul-Haq, the head of Jama’at Ulema-e-Islam-Sami-ul-Haq (JUI-S), had not been given any “specific mission” by the Government regarding measures to address the issue of terrorism, reports Daily Times. He said, “Instead, he was asked in
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A spokesman of the Government on January 23 said that Maulana Sami-ul-Haq, the head of Jama’at Ulema-e-Islam-Sami-ul-Haq (JUI-S), had not been given any “specific mission” by the Government regarding measures to address the issue of terrorism, reports Daily Times. He said, “Instead, he was asked in general to use his good offices and cooperation in this regard”. He dispelled the impression created by the Maulana that the Government had not paid heed to him. “Even three weeks after the meeting, he did not inform (the Government) about any progress,” the spokesman added. The Prime Minister’s House also clarified that the Government had not tasked the JUI-S chief with initiating dialogue process with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The statement issued by the Prime Minister’s House denied that the prime minister had assigned the Maulana any task to initiate dialogue with Taliban militants. Sami-ul-Haq on January 22, 2014 announced that he was dissociating himself from the proposed peace talks between TTP and the Government, saying the Centre was not serious in holding dialogue. He said that the Prime Minister had assigned him the task of initiating talks with Taliban and the process of dialogue had begun on January 1, 2014.
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January - 23 
Pakistan on January 23 ruled out the possibility of releasing Doctor Shakil Afridi, who had helped the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in tracking down slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden at the request of the United States (US), reports The Express Tribune. “There is no possibility of Dr Shakil
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Pakistan on January 23 ruled out the possibility of releasing Doctor Shakil Afridi, who had helped the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in tracking down slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden at the request of the United States (US), reports The Express Tribune. “There is no possibility of Dr Shakil Afridi’s release at the US’ request. The matter is sub judice,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tasnim Aslam. Her reaction came in response to a recent move by US Congress withholding USD33 million aid for Pakistan until the release of Afridi. “If the courts exonerate him, that would be a different matter. But he has been convicted and the review process is taking place,” she said. In response to a question, Tasnim said that Pakistan might raise the issue of linking aid with Afridi’s release at the upcoming ministerial level strategic dialogue scheduled to take place in Washington next week. “This issue [of Afridi] could be taken up in the context of the linkage that has been made between the allocation of USD33 million with Dr Shakil Afridi’s detention,” she said.
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January - 23 
Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) chief Tahir Orakzai said on January 23 that at least six thousand families have moved out of North Waziristan Agency of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) after the Government forces began retaliating to the recent militant attacks on national
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Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) chief Tahir Orakzai said on January 23 that at least six thousand families have moved out of North Waziristan Agency of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) after the Government forces began retaliating to the recent militant attacks on national security installations, reports Daily Times. “5,000 to 6,000 families have left their homes in North Waziristan due to escalating tension on the ground,” he said. These families have taken shelter with relatives in Bannu and other districts, the PDMA chief added.
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January - 23 
The United States (US) Ambassador to Pakistan Richard G Olson on January 23 said that United States will be supportive of Pakistan whatever course of action it takes against the Taliban and other terrorist groups. Olson said it was the internal matter of Pakistan whether to take military action agai
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The United States (US) Ambassador to Pakistan Richard G Olson on January 23 said that United States will be supportive of Pakistan whatever course of action it takes against the Taliban and other terrorist groups. Olson said it was the internal matter of Pakistan whether to take military action against the Taliban or to hold peace talks with them. “This is up to the Government of Pakistan, and the United States will support it,” the US ambassador said in a televised interview on Pakistan TV. He said the US wishes Pakistan success in coping with the challenges related to its internal security.
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January - 24 
Officials on January 24 said that Pakistan suspended buses carrying Shia Muslim pilgrims from travelling through Balochistan Province to neighbouring Iran due to security concerns, reports Dawn. “We have temporarily suspended the movement of buses on the highway until the security situation improves
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Officials on January 24 said that Pakistan suspended buses carrying Shia Muslim pilgrims from travelling through Balochistan Province to neighbouring Iran due to security concerns, reports Dawn. “We have temporarily suspended the movement of buses on the highway until the security situation improves,” a senior official of the Provincial Government said.
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January - 26 
The Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has called upon the Government to stop using force against militants and hold negotiations for restoring peace in the country, reports Dawn. Addressing a public meeting in Hashtnagri on the G.T. Road in Peshawar, provincial capital of
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The Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has called upon the Government to stop using force against militants and hold negotiations for restoring peace in the country, reports Dawn. Addressing a public meeting in Hashtnagri on the G.T. Road in Peshawar, provincial capital of KP on January 26, the Maulana said his party set up a FATA jirga (council/assembly) which could play an effective role if all other efforts for peace in KP and the tribal region failed. “The people hiding in forests should be convinced to lay down arms and accept the writ of law,” he said, adding that the peace process should be given a chance to end the bloodshed on a permanent basis.
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January - 26 
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Pervez Khattak on January 26 said his party would oppose a military operation if the Government failed to implement the resolution of the All-Party Conference regarding talks with militants, reports The News. Talking to reporters, Khattak said that the
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The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Pervez Khattak on January 26 said his party would oppose a military operation if the Government failed to implement the resolution of the All-Party Conference regarding talks with militants, reports The News. Talking to reporters, Khattak said that the Federal Government’s ‘inaction’ over what he called ‘the Taliban’s repeated offers for talks’ was a matter of concern.
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January - 26 
The President Mamnoon Hussain on January 26 said the Army is fully ready for an operation against the terrorists, and only awaiting a green signal from the Government, reports The News. Talking to a senior journalist, the President regretted obduracy on TTP’s part which, he said, had hampered the Go
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The President Mamnoon Hussain on January 26 said the Army is fully ready for an operation against the terrorists, and only awaiting a green signal from the Government, reports The News. Talking to a senior journalist, the President regretted obduracy on TTP’s part which, he said, had hampered the Government’s sincere efforts for dialogue. “We are forced to do the operation for protecting people’s lives and property, besides our own standing.”
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January - 26 
The Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah on January 26 said that Pakistan Protection Ordinance is to curb the terrorists and to control the miscreants who believe in creating chaos and fear among the masses through crackers and hand grenades, reports The News. Speaking to media men at the seventh
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The Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah on January 26 said that Pakistan Protection Ordinance is to curb the terrorists and to control the miscreants who believe in creating chaos and fear among the masses through crackers and hand grenades, reports The News. Speaking to media men at the seventh convocation of Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur, he informed that as many as 15000 alleged terrorists had been arrested by Police and rangers in a targeted operation and trials of around 1000 alleged terrorists were underway in the antiterrorism courts.
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January - 26 
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ‘spokesman’ Shahidullah Shahid in a statement said on January 26 that it once again offers ‘serious’ and ‘meaningful’ dialogue to the Government, reports Daily Times. The TTP, however, demanded that the Government ensure a “conducive environment” for talks. The T
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The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ‘spokesman’ Shahidullah Shahid in a statement said on January 26 that it once again offers ‘serious’ and ‘meaningful’ dialogue to the Government, reports Daily Times. The TTP, however, demanded that the Government ensure a “conducive environment” for talks. The TTP spokesman added that the Government was making statements through media outlets to confuse the public, while the TTP has responded positively to every delegation sent by the Government, including Maulana Samiul Haq. It is government’s job to pave the way for the dialogue process, Shahid said in a statement, adding that the TTP is always ready for ‘meaningful, strong and serious’ negotiations.
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January - 27 
Federal Minister for Interior, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on January 27 apprised the National Assembly that the Government was decisively consulting all stakeholders including the politicians and security agencies to heed afresh offer of dialogue from Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), reports Dawn. “As
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Federal Minister for Interior, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on January 27 apprised the National Assembly that the Government was decisively consulting all stakeholders including the politicians and security agencies to heed afresh offer of dialogue from Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), reports Dawn. “As the nation seemed to be forging unity on the issue of terrorism, they once again showed willingness for dialogue. We will have to decide as how to move forward. But for this, we should set aside our political motives and associations,” he said.
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January - 27 
Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif said on January 27 that we have to rebuild the image of Pakistan as a peace-loving country and this can be achieved only through hard work and combined efforts of all the stakeholders, including parliamentarians, civil society, executive, judiciary and defence forces
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Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif said on January 27 that we have to rebuild the image of Pakistan as a peace-loving country and this can be achieved only through hard work and combined efforts of all the stakeholders, including parliamentarians, civil society, executive, judiciary and defence forces, reports Daily Times. Prime Minister Nawaz said that the Government would take every possible step to bring peace and stability in the country to save the future generations. “Without eliminating terrorism and extremism, we cannot place Pakistan on fast track of development,” the PM said
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January - 27 
The advisor to the Prime Minister (PM) on Foreign Affairs and National Security, Sartaj Aziz said on January 27 that the Pakistan’s security worries should be addressed as the US winds down the war in Afghanistan over the next year, reports Dawn. He reminded US diplomats that Pakistan will face the
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The advisor to the Prime Minister (PM) on Foreign Affairs and National Security, Sartaj Aziz said on January 27 that the Pakistan’s security worries should be addressed as the US winds down the war in Afghanistan over the next year, reports Dawn. He reminded US diplomats that Pakistan will face the brunt of any instability that could engulf Afghanistan after 2014, when the Obama Administration has pledged to end the combat mission. The White House currently is weighing whether to leave up to 10,000 troops for so-called advise-and-assist missions in Afghanistan after December. But the Obama Administration is deeply divided on how many troops, if any, should remain.
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January - 27 
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan extended support to the Government on countering terrorism but demanded repeatedly to take all political forces in the country into confidence on the progress. “I second the stance of Chaudhry Nisar. His sincerity to resolve the issue is above boar
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The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan extended support to the Government on countering terrorism but demanded repeatedly to take all political forces in the country into confidence on the progress. “I second the stance of Chaudhry Nisar. His sincerity to resolve the issue is above board. Terrorism has been swelling over last nine years and it is a complicated issue,” he said in National Assembly in response to the Interior Minister’s speech. He also assured no politicking on the issue, however, demanded that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should ensure leadership to the nation.
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January - 27 
The United States (US) Secretary of State John Kerry on January 27 told Pakistan it had the potential to become a future economic tiger as he backed reforms and inclusion of women and minorities, reports The News. The US and Pakistan were meeting for the first time since October 2010 for their "stra
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The United States (US) Secretary of State John Kerry on January 27 told Pakistan it had the potential to become a future economic tiger as he backed reforms and inclusion of women and minorities, reports The News. The US and Pakistan were meeting for the first time since October 2010 for their "strategic dialogue." Kerry, said the United States wants "stronger ties with the people of Pakistan -- I emphasize, with the people of Pakistan" as the Afghan war which forged their partnership winds down.
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January - 27 
TTP ‘spokesman’ Shahidullah Shahid on January 27 stressed the need for taking serious steps instead of indulging in politics of allegations and deceit, reports The News. In a statement, the TTP spokesman warned that the country could descend into severe chaos in case wars continued to be waged again
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TTP ‘spokesman’ Shahidullah Shahid on January 27 stressed the need for taking serious steps instead of indulging in politics of allegations and deceit, reports The News. In a statement, the TTP spokesman warned that the country could descend into severe chaos in case wars continued to be waged against tribes. He regretted that similar to the previous regimes the incumbent Government also used the option of negotiations as a weapon for war.
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January - 28 
Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani on January 28 said that it was clear from the Supreme Court’s July 31, 2009, verdict that the constitution was violated by imposition of emergency on November 3, 2007, reports Dawn. A 14-member larger Supreme Court bench, headed by the Chief Justice, was hearin
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Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani on January 28 said that it was clear from the Supreme Court’s July 31, 2009, verdict that the constitution was violated by imposition of emergency on November 3, 2007, reports Dawn. A 14-member larger Supreme Court bench, headed by the Chief Justice, was hearing the review petition filed by former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf against the Supreme Court verdict which maintained the sacking of superior court judges and other actions taken by him, under imposition of emergency, null and void.
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January - 28 
Jama’at Ulema-e-Islam-Sami-ul-Haq (JUI-S) chief Maulana Sami-ul-Haq on January 28 opposed a military operation against the Taliban and said the government “does not seem serious for dialogue with the Taliban”, reported Daily Times. A military operation never resolves problems but it multiplies them,
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Jama’at Ulema-e-Islam-Sami-ul-Haq (JUI-S) chief Maulana Sami-ul-Haq on January 28 opposed a military operation against the Taliban and said the government “does not seem serious for dialogue with the Taliban”, reported Daily Times. A military operation never resolves problems but it multiplies them, he said. He said that dialogue with the Taliban was the only way to restore peace in the country, adding that Nawaz Sharif has apparently been stopped from holding talks with the TTP. He said that he would oppose any military action against the TTP. “A military operation will never be supported as 13,000 residents of North Waziristan have already migrated from the area,” he added.
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January - 28 
People like the late al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden do not die but stay alive in the hearts of people, stated Jama’at-e-Islami (JeI) Ameer (chief) Syed Munawar Hasan in Islamabad on January 28, reports The Express Tribune. Hasan added that death of the al Qaeda leader was considered a big victory f
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People like the late al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden do not die but stay alive in the hearts of people, stated Jama’at-e-Islami (JeI) Ameer (chief) Syed Munawar Hasan in Islamabad on January 28, reports The Express Tribune. Hasan added that death of the al Qaeda leader was considered a big victory for 60 per cent of the countries around the world, but the US is afraid that bin Laden will come back alive after the withdrawal of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) troops from Afghanistan.
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January - 28 
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during a meeting with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on January 28 said that no decision on launching an offensive in North Waziristan Agency (NWA) of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) would be taken without consensus of all stakeholders and any
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Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during a meeting with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on January 28 said that no decision on launching an offensive in North Waziristan Agency (NWA) of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) would be taken without consensus of all stakeholders and any such decision would be taken in the best national interest, reports Daily Times. Sources said the Prime Minister exchanged views with the COAS on matters of national security, future course of action over dialogue with the Taliban, Karachi operation, missing persons and other issues. Nawaz Sharif said, “Cancer of terrorism needs to be treated before it eats up our country”. He said that no concession would be given to those who challenge the writ of the state and are creating lawlessness in the country.
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January - 29 
Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif on January 29 announced a new four-member non-political team to help Government in its efforts for peace with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), reports Daily Times. “Entire nation will stand by Government if it decides to eliminate terrorists by force, I know it. How
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Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif on January 29 announced a new four-member non-political team to help Government in its efforts for peace with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), reports Daily Times. “Entire nation will stand by Government if it decides to eliminate terrorists by force, I know it. However, we want to give peace another chance since offer of talks has come from the other side,” the PM told the National Assembly. The committee announced by the PM comprises his Adviser on National Affairs Irfan Siddiqui, Major (retired) Aamir, senior journalist Rahimullah Yousafzai and former ambassador to Afghanistan Rustam Shah Mohmand – two journalists, one former intelligence man and a former diplomat.
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January - 29 
Sharifuddin Pirzada, former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf’s leading counsel in the review petition against the Supreme Court’s July 31, 2009, judgment, on January 29, said that ex-Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry’s hostility towards Musharraf influenced July 31, 2009, judgemen
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Sharifuddin Pirzada, former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf’s leading counsel in the review petition against the Supreme Court’s July 31, 2009, judgment, on January 29, said that ex-Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry’s hostility towards Musharraf influenced July 31, 2009, judgement against Musharraf, reports The Express Tribune. “There was hostility between General Musharraf and former Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry. The judge who influenced others was chief justice Chaudhry,” he added.
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January - 29 
US President Barack Obama has declared that he has imposed “prudent limits” on the use of drones that target militants in Pakistan’s tribal areas, Dawn reports on January 30. Obama linked the use of drones to America’s efforts to “actively and aggressively pursue terrorist networks” but said that th
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US President Barack Obama has declared that he has imposed “prudent limits” on the use of drones that target militants in Pakistan’s tribal areas, Dawn reports on January 30. Obama linked the use of drones to America’s efforts to “actively and aggressively pursue terrorist networks” but said that the time had come for reviewing the policies that began after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the US soil. He also outlined his plan to wind down the war in Afghanistan by removing most troops and completing the mission by the end of this year.
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January - 29 
Welcoming Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s decision to form a four-member committee for talks, TTP ‘spokesperson’ Shahidullah Shahid said on January 29 that the peace can be achieved if dialogue is carried out in every sense of the word, avoiding blame games and politics of deception, reports The Expre
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Welcoming Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s decision to form a four-member committee for talks, TTP ‘spokesperson’ Shahidullah Shahid said on January 29 that the peace can be achieved if dialogue is carried out in every sense of the word, avoiding blame games and politics of deception, reports The Express Tribune. He reiterated that the TTP had always wanted to resolve disputes through dialogue. “However, the governments of Musharraf and Zardari had used talks as a cover for using force, which is why negotiations failed,” he added. Therefore, it is imperative that certain measures be taken that create a conducive environment for peace and dialogue, said Shahidullah Shahid. He reminded that the peace accords of Swat and Wana, South Waziristan, should be kept in mind if dialogue is to be pursued.
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January - 30 
Newly appointed British High Commissioner to Pakistan Philip Barton on January 30 described terrorism a big challenge for Pakistan and pledged to work jointly with the militancy-torn country to cope with the challenge, reports Daily Times. The British envoy also pointed at ‘weak’ judicial system in
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Newly appointed British High Commissioner to Pakistan Philip Barton on January 30 described terrorism a big challenge for Pakistan and pledged to work jointly with the militancy-torn country to cope with the challenge, reports Daily Times. The British envoy also pointed at ‘weak’ judicial system in Pakistan which is often exploited by the terrorist elements to skip the clutches of law. “We are helping Pakistan to make its judicial system effective so that arrested terrorists get convicted,” Barton commented. He also outlined his agenda during the expected three-year stay in Pakistan. “I will work to enhance Pak-UK cooperation in the fight against terrorism, education and trade.” He said it had been agreed during British Prime Minister’s visit to Pakistan that measures would be taken to enhance bilateral trade volume to three billion pounds by the year 2015. He said Britain would continue helping Pakistan in this sector. “UK and European markets are open for Pakistan, particularly after getting GSP Plus status,” he added. The high commissioner said his country is sponsoring a good programme for promotion of education. He said his Government wants to upgrade standard of education in Pakistan.
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January - 30 
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on January 30 directed the authorities to form a committee for initiating a reconciliation process and negotiations with disgruntled Baloch nationalists, reports Dawn. He said the committee should be constituted in consultation with the political leadership of Balochistan
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Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on January 30 directed the authorities to form a committee for initiating a reconciliation process and negotiations with disgruntled Baloch nationalists, reports Dawn. He said the committee should be constituted in consultation with the political leadership of Balochistan to initiate peace dialogue with the nationalists as part of the reconciliation process. He said that both civil and military leadership would play a joint role and evolve a comprehensive strategy to restore peace in Balochistan. He also underlined the need for offering job opportunities to angry Baloch youth, besides launching mega development projects to remove the sense of deprivation among people.
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January - 30 
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ‘spokesman’ Shahidullah Shahid on January 30 said that their objective is enforcement of Shari’ah (Islamic Law) in the country, reports Dawn. He said what mattered was enforcement of Shari’ah, “whether through peace or war”. He expressed satisfaction over the formati
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Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ‘spokesman’ Shahidullah Shahid on January 30 said that their objective is enforcement of Shari’ah (Islamic Law) in the country, reports Dawn. He said what mattered was enforcement of Shari’ah, “whether through peace or war”. He expressed satisfaction over the formation of a four-member team by the Government for talks. He said that a session of the central Shura (Council) of the TTP had been in progress since January 29, 2014, on the Government’s offer.
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January - 30 
The Government told the National Assembly on January 30 that Pakistan’s armed forces would not lower their guard against terrorism and would continue their “high alert” despite a new move for dialogue with Taliban militants, reports Dawn. The assurance came from Minister of State for Interior Moham
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The Government told the National Assembly on January 30 that Pakistan’s armed forces would not lower their guard against terrorism and would continue their “high alert” despite a new move for dialogue with Taliban militants, reports Dawn. The assurance came from Minister of State for Interior Mohammad Balighur Rehman who said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s announcement of giving the militants “another chance” to a peaceful settlement did not mean that “our forces will become negligent of their mission” and “move back”. “That will not happen” and the forces would maintain their “high alert”, he said.
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February - 2 
Federal Minister for Interior Nisar Ali Khan on February 2 termed Taliban’s announcement of dialogue committee a positive development, but said it still needs to be explained what is the mandate and powers of the committee and to what extent the Taliban would follow its decisions, reported Daily Tim
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Federal Minister for Interior Nisar Ali Khan on February 2 termed Taliban’s announcement of dialogue committee a positive development, but said it still needs to be explained what is the mandate and powers of the committee and to what extent the Taliban would follow its decisions, reported Daily Times. “It is a matter of great satisfaction that both sides have announced their negotiating teams after many years and this reflects that both sides want to make peace through negotiations and dialogue”, he stated.
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February - 2 
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on February 2 offered to provide security and protection to members of the negotiating committees in areas under its control, reports Dawn. In a statement issued to the media TTP ‘spokesman’ Shahidullah Shahid said the political Shura (council) of Taliban would guide
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Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on February 2 offered to provide security and protection to members of the negotiating committees in areas under its control, reports Dawn. In a statement issued to the media TTP ‘spokesman’ Shahidullah Shahid said the political Shura (council) of Taliban would guide the five-member committee nominated by it. He said that Taliban sincerely wanted peace talks with the Government. The TTP spokesman said the Government should not repeat the mistakes of its predecessors when negotiations were used as a weapon against the Taliban and, therefore, peace could not be restored. He said the TTP’s central Shura had decided after deliberations to form a committee that could easily approach the Government team and also represent the Taliban’s point of view in a better way. The committee comprises Maulana Sami-ul-Haq, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, Lal Masjid Khateeb (speaker/orator) Maulana Abdul Aziz, Jama’at-e-Islami’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Prof Muhammad Ibrahim and former Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Mufti Kifayatullah of the Jama’at-e-Ulema Islam-Fazlur Rehman (JUI-F).
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February - 3 
Federal Minister of Interior, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan told the American Ambassador to Pakistan, Richard Olson on February 3 that Pakistan’s interests in regional security in the post-2014 scenario must be respected, reports The Express Tribune. In a statement the Minister and the American Ambassador
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Federal Minister of Interior, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan told the American Ambassador to Pakistan, Richard Olson on February 3 that Pakistan’s interests in regional security in the post-2014 scenario must be respected, reports The Express Tribune. In a statement the Minister and the American Ambassador discussed issues pertaining to bilateral relations with particular reference to the security situation in the region and review of the recently concluded strategic dialogue. Nisar said Pakistan wants to further strengthen its relations with the US, based on mutual trust and transparency. He reminded Olson that Pakistan has an important role to play in the post-2014 scenario and hoped that the US will respect its interests in regional security. Olson expressed his satisfaction over the recently concluded fourth round of ministerial strategic dialogue which recently took place in Washington. He added that a very positive interaction took place between the two delegations with understanding of each other’s positions.
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February - 4 
Former United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) Commonwealth spokesperson Mujeebur Rehman Bhutto (35) admitted to being the leader of a kidnapping gang in Pakistan, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported on February 4, reports The Express Tribune. He confessed to being the ‘boss’ of the
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Former United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) Commonwealth spokesperson Mujeebur Rehman Bhutto (35) admitted to being the leader of a kidnapping gang in Pakistan, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported on February 4, reports The Express Tribune. He confessed to being the ‘boss’ of the gang in order to avoid the risk of being deported to Pakistan and being given the death penalty. He made his confession in 2005 at a UK court and was given a seven-year-sentence. “You came to the UK to avoid the risk of detection in Pakistan, where kidnapping is a capital offence,” said Judge Martin Steiger when sentencing him. Bhutto took 56,000 pound sterling in ransom money in Manchester from a high-profile kidnapping by his gang in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, in June 2004.
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February - 4 
Pakistan’s former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf “intends” to appear before a Special Court set to try him for high treason, his spokesman Raza Bukhari said on February 4, after speculation he could escape trial by going abroad for medical treatment, reports Dawn. “We can confirm that
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Pakistan’s former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf “intends” to appear before a Special Court set to try him for high treason, his spokesman Raza Bukhari said on February 4, after speculation he could escape trial by going abroad for medical treatment, reports Dawn. “We can confirm that former President Musharraf has posted bail and intends to appear in the special treason court on February 7, 2014,” said Bukhari in a press statement. According to the press statement, Musharraf wrote on the bail bond “I do not recognize the authority of this special treason court, but I am complying for the greater good of the rule of law.” He said, “It is extremely relevant to note the formation, composition, jurisdiction, impartiality, independence and lawful authority of the special treason court is itself under question and under review in superior courts of Pakistan.” The former general's name is on the official “exit control list,” meaning he cannot leave Pakistan.
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February - 4 
The planned peace talks with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) stumbled as they began on February 4, with Government negotiators missing a preliminary meeting citing doubts over the militants’ team, reports Daily Times. Teams representing the Taliban and Government had been due to gather in Islamabad
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The planned peace talks with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) stumbled as they began on February 4, with Government negotiators missing a preliminary meeting citing doubts over the militants’ team, reports Daily Times. Teams representing the Taliban and Government had been due to gather in Islamabad at 2:00 p.m. on February 4 to chart a “roadmap” for talks. But the Government delegation did not show up. One of its members, senior journalist Rahimullah Yusufzai, said they wanted to clarify who was on the Taliban team and what powers they had. “We told them we are ready to meet them after we get an explanation about one issue, that their committee will consist of three members,” Yusufzai said, adding, “We also seek explanations on other issues, like how powerful this committee is.” The head of the Taliban team, Maulana Sami-ul-Haq, accused the Government of not taking the talks seriously. “Today it has been exposed how serious the Government is about talks,” Haq said, adding, “They are making a joke of talks and joking with the nation. On one side they are saying they are talking to the Taliban and on the other side they are making joke of these talks.” Haq said that the Government-constituted committee was powerless and certain powerful forces are bent on sabotaging the peace process with the TTP. He said that the TTP was serious about holding talks with the Government, while the Government, through its behaviour, has proved that it is powerless. The TTP’s ‘spokesman’ Shahidullah Shahid said that Haq and his two colleagues had their blessing. “The three-member committee is final now and we have our full confidence in it to hold talks,” he said.
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February - 5 
A Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant, Mufti Hasaan Swati, claiming to be the Peshawar District ‘chief’ of the outfit has accepted responsibility for February 4-evening’s suicide attack at a restaurant in the Koocha Risaldar area of Qissa Khawani Bazaar in Peshawar, the provincial capital of K
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A Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant, Mufti Hasaan Swati, claiming to be the Peshawar District ‘chief’ of the outfit has accepted responsibility for February 4-evening’s suicide attack at a restaurant in the Koocha Risaldar area of Qissa Khawani Bazaar in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), reports Dawn. Mufti Hasaan Swati said that the bombing had been carried out to avenge an attack on a seminary in Rawalpindi in November 2013. “It was carried out to avenge the death of innocent students of Madrassah Taleemul Quran.” He said the attack on the hotel, mostly used by visitors from Parachinar, was part of revenge attacks that included the killing of Tehreek Nifaz Fiqah-i-Jafria Pakistan leader Ali Asghar and a bank manager from a particular sect in different parts of Peshawar District. “The attacks were carried out to fulfil the wish of our central deputy emir Shaikh Khalid Haqqani to avenge the death of innocent students in Rawalpindi,” Hasaan said. Hasaan is a member of the TTP’s supreme Shura but it is not clear when he was appointed the Peshawar ‘chief’ of the group. The TTP’s ‘central spokesman’ Shahidullah Shahid had earlier stated that his group had nothing to do with the attack. Nine people were killed and over 40, including children and women, were injured in this sectarian attack.
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February - 5 
Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif on February 5 reiterated Pakistan’s firm support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in their ‘legitimate struggle’ for their inalienable right to self-determination, reports Dawn. Addressing the legislative assembly of Pakistan occupied Kashmir on Kashmir Solid
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Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif on February 5 reiterated Pakistan’s firm support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in their ‘legitimate struggle’ for their inalienable right to self-determination, reports Dawn. Addressing the legislative assembly of Pakistan occupied Kashmir on Kashmir Solidarity Day, he stated, “The peaceful people of Jammu and Kashmir continue to suffer. Not only the right to self-determination is being denied to them but they are also being subjected to the worst kind of human rights abuses, violence and suppression. This is an occasion to reiterate our firm support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their legitimate struggle for their inalienable right to self-determination. On this day we reaffirm our resolve to stand by our brothers and sisters in their valiant struggle for their just cause.” Sharif also urged the international community to play its due role in ‘securing’ for Kashmiris their ‘right’ to self-determination. He also extended an invitation to the Indian leadership to resolve the Kashmir issue through dialogue. The PM said conflicts and uncertainty would linger on in the region if the Kashmir dispute wasn’t resolved.
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February - 5 
The head of the caretaker committee of the TTP, Qari Shakil, on February 5 said that the roads were too hazardous and a helicopter should be used to protect the dialogue committee from any danger, reported The News. "I do not want any force to harm them on their way or any kind of delay to take plac
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The head of the caretaker committee of the TTP, Qari Shakil, on February 5 said that the roads were too hazardous and a helicopter should be used to protect the dialogue committee from any danger, reported The News. "I do not want any force to harm them on their way or any kind of delay to take place in the holding of dialogue", he said. According to sources, Qari Shakil made telephonic contact with a member of the Taliban committee Maulana Abdul Aziz, the Khateeb of Lal Masjid in Islamabad, and said that the TTP caretaker negotiation team was waiting for the arrival of the dialogue committees for an early initiation of peace talks. Qari Shakil said that the Taliban wanted to start a meaningful and result-oriented dialogue as early as possible. Maulana Aziz told Qari Shakil that he would inform the Government committee about this threat. The committees constituted by the Government and Taliban agreed to hold talks within 72 hours in Islamabad and the clauses for the talks would be finalized. The Government sources revealed that both sides would give a written guarantee that they would not resort to any kind of violence against each other until something conclusive comes out of the peace process. The Taliban-nominated committee would formulate their demands while remaining within the ambit of the Constitution and present the same to the Government committee, which would put them before the prime minister for deliberation.
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February - 5 
There is no chance of peace in Pakistan until the Government embraces Sharia (Islamic Law) and United States (US)-led forces withdraw completely from Afghanistan, said negotiators representing Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on February 5, reports The Express Tribune. Maulana Sami-ul-Haq, the head
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There is no chance of peace in Pakistan until the Government embraces Sharia (Islamic Law) and United States (US)-led forces withdraw completely from Afghanistan, said negotiators representing Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on February 5, reports The Express Tribune. Maulana Sami-ul-Haq, the head of the TTP’s three-man talks team, said there could be “no peace” in the region while there were still US troops across the border. Another TTP negotiator Maulana Abdul Aziz, said, “Without Sharia law, the Taliban won’t accept (the talks) even one percent. If some factions accept it, then the others won’t accept it. Their real agenda is Sharia. All secular courts based on the common law system be abolished. I don’t think the Government will accept this but they should, because war isn’t the way forward.”
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February - 6 
Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasneem Aslam, on February 6 said Pakistan wants complete halt of United States (US) drone attacks instead decrease in the frequency, reports The News. She said Pakistan’s stance on drone attacks is they are unacceptable, kill innocent people and violate the country’s sov
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Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasneem Aslam, on February 6 said Pakistan wants complete halt of United States (US) drone attacks instead decrease in the frequency, reports The News. She said Pakistan’s stance on drone attacks is they are unacceptable, kill innocent people and violate the country’s sovereignty. She said Pakistan has consistently discussed this issue with US and demanded that these violations of territory should stop. The spokesperson said, “Our voice on drones has also been endorsed by the international community.”
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February - 7 
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) said on February 7 that the negotiations with the Government will be aimed at imposing Sharia (Islamic law) in the country, reports The News. Shahidullah Shahid, the central ‘spokesman’ for the TTP, told media from an undisclosed location that they had fought for Sha
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Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) said on February 7 that the negotiations with the Government will be aimed at imposing Sharia (Islamic law) in the country, reports The News. Shahidullah Shahid, the central ‘spokesman’ for the TTP, told media from an undisclosed location that they had fought for Sharia. He said that had any other law except Sharia been acceptable to TTP, they would not have waged war. TTP wouldn’t be waging a war against the Government if they followed a law or a constitution other than Islamic Sharia. He said that the issue of Maulana Abdul Aziz’s warning about staying away from talks would be discussed at a meeting with the members of committee representing the TTP. Earlier, Maulana Abdul Aziz, one of the TTP intermediaries, has refused to attend future meetings with Government negotiators until the implementation of Sharia law is on the agenda. “I’ll remain part of this [Taliban intermediary] committee — but, yes, I will not sit for future talks until my demands are met,” Aziz told journalists in Islamabad on February 7 after a meeting of his Shura in Lal Masjid. “Peace talks may be delayed because the Government wants the talks within the limits of the Constitution but the Taliban believe only in the Holy Quran and Sunnah,” he added. Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairperson Imran Khan told Bloomberg that the peace negotiations between the Government and the TTP will probably fail and a resulting military operation would lead to more violence, The Express Tribune reported on February 8. Imran commented, “The most likely result is that the negotiations will start, there will be about three or four big explosions and terrorist attacks and the negotiations will be called off.” “There will be people baying for blood and the operation will start,” he claimed.
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February - 10 
Six soldiers and one officer were injured in two acts of terrorism in the Dattakhel area of North Waziristan Agency (NWA) in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) on February 10, reports Dawn. Sources said that an improvised explosive device exploded near a military truck in Dattakhel near Afgh
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Six soldiers and one officer were injured in two acts of terrorism in the Dattakhel area of North Waziristan Agency (NWA) in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) on February 10, reports Dawn. Sources said that an improvised explosive device exploded near a military truck in Dattakhel near Afghan border, injuring six soldiers. The truck, part of a convoy, was destroyed in the blast.
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February - 10 
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) sees no urgency to reach an agreement with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s Government, Maulana Abdul Aziz, one of the three negotiators representing the TTP, said on February 10, reports Pakistan Today. In an interview at his Islamabad seminary, where some 1,300 fe
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The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) sees no urgency to reach an agreement with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s Government, Maulana Abdul Aziz, one of the three negotiators representing the TTP, said on February 10, reports Pakistan Today. In an interview at his Islamabad seminary, where some 1,300 female students are studying, Aziz said, “You should know that at the moment they (TTP) have at least 400 to 500 female suicide bombers in Waziristan and other tribal areas”. Aziz said the TTP is most interested in implementing Sharia (Islamic Law) in Pakistan. The US military’s presence in Afghanistan is “a very minor factor” in the fight, he said. “They are fighting for the implementation of Sharia,” Aziz mentioned, “the government should realise the situation and their demands”. It’s the law of nature that people who don’t get their rights, pick up arms, he said. “The Taliban are in no hurry,” Aziz said, when asked whether the group wanted a deal soon to avoid a military strike. “They (TTP) say they are not worried about it. They have been in a state of war for the past 10 years”. Aziz justified the use of suicide bombers, saying that they believed in the cause and were willing to sacrifice themselves for it. “If the military has weapons and air power, they have suicide bombers,” Aziz said of the TTP. “You cannot match them. Suicide bombers even destroyed the power of America in Afghanistan,” he asserted.
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February - 13 
Irfan Siddiqui, coordinator of the committee formed by the Government to hold talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), said that they had told the Taliban committee through a letter that terror activities will adversely affect the atmosphere needed for negotiations, reports Daily Times. Earl
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Irfan Siddiqui, coordinator of the committee formed by the Government to hold talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), said that they had told the Taliban committee through a letter that terror activities will adversely affect the atmosphere needed for negotiations, reports Daily Times. Earlier, the Taliban committee complained that they had not received the letter sent by the Government committee. However, the letter was faxed to the Taliban committee and Maulana Yousuf Shah had received it.
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February - 14 
The Government and Taliban negotiators on February 14, expressed concern over a wave of deadly attacks in the country, agreeing that both militants and Security Forces (SFs) should refrain from actions which undermine ongoing peace efforts, reports Daily Times. “Both the committees expressed deep gr
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The Government and Taliban negotiators on February 14, expressed concern over a wave of deadly attacks in the country, agreeing that both militants and Security Forces (SFs) should refrain from actions which undermine ongoing peace efforts, reports Daily Times. “Both the committees expressed deep grief and regret over anti-peace activities and declared that such incidents would have a negative impact on the peace efforts,” a joint statement said after Government and Taliban committees meeting. “Referring to the recent incident in Karachi, the Government committee adopted the stance that it would become difficult to continue the peace talks when anti-peace activities continue,” it said. “Therefore the Taliban must be asked to make an announcement that they are stopping all kinds of anti-peace activities and implementation of this announcement should be ensured,” the statement quoted the Government side as saying. It said that the Taliban committee “agreed” to the demand and asked the Government to also make an announcement that it will not take any action which would create unrest. “For lasting peace no side should use force,” the statement quoted the Taliban side as saying. The Taliban committee and TTP ‘spokesman’ Shahidullah Shahid made telephonic contact during the meeting of committees. According to reports, the Taliban committee apprised Shahidullah of the demand of Government committee for ceasefire. Shahidullah also said he would apprise the Taliban Shura (council) of this demand and would get back to the committee.
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February - 16 
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on February 16 claimed to have killed 23 Frontier Corps (FC) personnel kidnapped in June 14, 2010 from Shoonkri Post of Mohmand Agency in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), reports Daily Times. According to reports, the TTP Mohmand Agency ‘spokesman’, Om
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The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on February 16 claimed to have killed 23 Frontier Corps (FC) personnel kidnapped in June 14, 2010 from Shoonkri Post of Mohmand Agency in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), reports Daily Times. According to reports, the TTP Mohmand Agency ‘spokesman’, Omar Khurasani said that the kidnapped FC personnel were killed as revenge because the Government was continuously killing their men in different parts of the country, including Karachi, Peshawar and Swabi. He said if the Government does not stop killing the TTP supporters, they would also continue to kill Security Forces’ personnel. After the TTP claim, it was decided that the Government committee and TTP negotiators will not be meeting on February 17, reports The Express Tribune. Senior journalist Rahimullah Yousafzai, who is one of the members of the Government committee, said it was necessary to discuss the killings with the Government before the state committee meets TTP negotiators. TTP also confirmed that the meeting, which was scheduled to take place at 11am today, will not be held.
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February - 17 
The peace talks with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) broke down on February 17 following execution of 23 Frontier Corps (FC) soldiers by Mohmand Agency Chapter of TTP, reports Daily Times. The four-member government negotiating committee cancelled a scheduled visit to Akora Khattak for a meeting wi
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The peace talks with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) broke down on February 17 following execution of 23 Frontier Corps (FC) soldiers by Mohmand Agency Chapter of TTP, reports Daily Times. The four-member government negotiating committee cancelled a scheduled visit to Akora Khattak for a meeting with the Taliban committee. “It is a unanimous decision. I myself phoned Yousaf Shah and informed him that we are not coming,” Advisor to Prime Minister and coordinator of Government committee Irfan Siddiqui said. “We do not want to play meetings,” he said, and added that the martyrdom of FC personnel is a highly condemnable act that cannot be tolerated. “We regret to say that things are not moving in the right direction. Peace talks are purposeless after the sad and condemnable murders,” Siddiqui said. The ‘spokesman’ of the TTP Shahidullah Shahid on February 17 said that the Taliban in Mohmand Agency might have avenged the killing of their colleagues, reported Dawn. Shahid said custodial killings could further complicate the dialogue process. He alleged that 23 people who were in Government custody had been killed over the past three days 16 in Nowshera District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and seven in Karachi (Sindh). “The killing of 16 people belonging to the Mohmand Agency might have enraged the Taliban in the region and they killed the 23 soldiers,” he said. The spokesman said the government should stop its operation and avoid obstructing peace talks. Moreover, a letter posted on the social media, by ‘chief’ of Mohmand Agency chapter of TTP, Umar Khalid Khurasani claimed that the soldiers had been slain to avenge what he called killing of their fighters in custody in several parts of the country. The security official rejected the claim by TTP, termed the allegation unfounded and baseless. “The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan is just lying. No terrorist has been killed in the custody,” according to security official. Umar Khalid Khurasani, is a journalist-turned-jihadi ‘commander’ whose declared objectives as a staunch follower of Osama bin Laden are to overthrow the Government of Pakistan, impose Sharia, seize nuclear weapons and wage jihad until the Caliphate is established, reported The News quoting journalist Amir Mir. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on February 17 condemned the killing of FC by terrorists and termed it a “heinous and brutal” act, reports Daily Times. He said the incident would have a negative impact on the talks process, initiated for a peaceful resolution of the issue. Also, the Army on February 17 described the killing of 23 FC soldiers, a “blatant” and “highly provocative” act of terrorism, reported Daily Times. “The martyrdom of security officials is a blatant act of terrorism. It’s highly condemnable and provocative,” a security official said on condition of anonymity. Later, the Opposition leader in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah on February 17 said it is high time to take a firm decision regarding the talks with the Taliban because they are continuously attacking citizens, civilians and damaging public installations, reports Daily Times. Shah criticised the Taliban for continuously attacking security personnel despite being in dialogue with the Government. He said it seems that the Taliban wanted to carry on talks after weakening the Government’s position. Talking to media, he said the Taliban did not stop the attacks despite a letter by the government for no more casualties and destructions.
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February - 19 
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on February 19 offered to observe a ceasefire to allow the resumption of stalled peace talks provided Security Forces stop killing and arresting them, reports Daily Times. “We are ready for the ceasefire if the government assures us that bodies of our colleagues
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The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on February 19 offered to observe a ceasefire to allow the resumption of stalled peace talks provided Security Forces stop killing and arresting them, reports Daily Times. “We are ready for the ceasefire if the government assures us that bodies of our colleagues will not be found in gunny bags and they will not be killed in encounters and arrested in raids,” TTP ‘spokesman’ Shahidullah Shahid said. “The Government has killed more than 60 TTP cadres since the start of the peace talks, in Karachi and the rest of Pakistan, under a secret operation codenamed Operation Root Out,” Shahid said. “The killings of soldiers in Mohmand were in response to the onslaught on TTP cadres by Security Forces during the talks between Government and TTP committees,” he added.
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February - 19 
The United States (US) on February 19 said that it would continue its security assistance to Pakistan in order to keep bilateral relations on “solid footing”, reports Dawn. The commitment was conveyed by US Central Command (CentCom) Commander General Lloyd J. Austin III to his Pakistani interlocutor
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The United States (US) on February 19 said that it would continue its security assistance to Pakistan in order to keep bilateral relations on “solid footing”, reports Dawn. The commitment was conveyed by US Central Command (CentCom) Commander General Lloyd J. Austin III to his Pakistani interlocutors. The CentCom commander was quoted by the Defence Ministry as having told the defence secretary that “continued support in training, education and Coalition Support Fund (CSF) will act as tools necessary to keep relations on solid footing”. According to the US Embassy, in his meetings General Austin “reaffirmed the importance of the US-Pakistani security relationship to regional stability and agreed to continue to work together in order to build a stronger partnership and further common objectives”. He told the defence secretary that US viewed Pakistan as a “vital partner for regional security” and praised Pakistan’s role in facilitating the drawdown of US and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) forces from Afghanistan.
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February - 19 
At least 460 people have been killed in terrorist attacks across the country since the Government held an All-Parties Conference (APC) on September 10, 2013, to mull ways and means to end bloodshed in the country, reported Daily Times, quoting an unnamed security official on February 19. “The dead i
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At least 460 people have been killed in terrorist attacks across the country since the Government held an All-Parties Conference (APC) on September 10, 2013, to mull ways and means to end bloodshed in the country, reported Daily Times, quoting an unnamed security official on February 19. “The dead include 308 civilians, 114 military personnel and 38 Policemen,” the official said. He said that some 1,264 people were injured in the terrorist attacks by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in the same period. “The injured include 684 civilians, 531 military personnel and 49 Policemen,” he added.
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February - 19 
Federal Minister of Information Pervez Rashid on February 19 referring to the militants’ action of killing 23 FC personnel said, “People favouring enforcement of Sharia should tell what treatment captives deserve according to the Sharia …… and the treatment those (FC men) received was in accordance
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Federal Minister of Information Pervez Rashid on February 19 referring to the militants’ action of killing 23 FC personnel said, “People favouring enforcement of Sharia should tell what treatment captives deserve according to the Sharia …… and the treatment those (FC men) received was in accordance with the Islamic laws or not.”
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February - 20 
At least 40 militants were killed on February 20 as fighter jets targeted suspected insurgent hideouts in Dattakhel, Shawal and Mir Ali tehsils (revenue unit) of the North Waziristan Agency of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), reports Dawn. The bombardment comes a day after Tehreek-e-Talib
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At least 40 militants were killed on February 20 as fighter jets targeted suspected insurgent hideouts in Dattakhel, Shawal and Mir Ali tehsils (revenue unit) of the North Waziristan Agency of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), reports Dawn. The bombardment comes a day after Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) said a ceasefire can be negotiated upon if the Army stopped targeting its members. Other military sources said that the militants involved in the Peshawar cinema blast (February 10) and killing of an Army officer (February 18) in frontier region Peshawar two days ago were targeted in their hideouts situated in Khyber Agency. Improvised explosive device (IED) making factories and prepared explosives were also destroyed in the strikes. After being convinced by the top Army leadership, Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif gave a go ahead for the airstrikes, reports Dawn. High level civil military consultations continued for three days which culminated on these strikes. Army Chief, General Raheel Sharif and intelligence heads briefed the PM over rapid developments in the tribal areas and also shared images of militant hideouts procured through their own spy drones. Authorisation of the PM was sought for more strikes at other locations, which according to the sources has been granted. The News adds that Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Pervaiz Rasheed, on February 20 said the TTP in unequivocal terms commented “If you talk with us, we will respond with greater enthusiasm. But, if you would strike once, we would strike twice”. Pervaiz Rasheed said in a statement, soon after the Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhary Nisar announced that PM Nawaz Sharif in consultation with the military leadership has linked the peace talks to a halt to the bloodshed. Further, referring to the talks with the TTP, Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhary Nisar said, “Dialogue and violence cannot take place side by side. The military has been asked to retaliate in self-defence, which is their right. This [self-defence] is the right of the armed forces, which cannot be taken away from them,” he said. Members of the government’s peace committee were also consulted in this regard, the interior minister added. “We have burnt the midnight oil,” he said, explaining how the Government had worked overtime on how to resolve the issue. Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief and member of the TTP talks committee Mohammad Ibrahim on February 20 condemned the shelling in North Waziristan Agency and Khyber Agency and described it as an action against innocent citizens, reports Dawn. In a statement issued by the JeI, he said that the air strikes would further complicate the situation, adding that the ultimate sufferers would be the innocent people because random firing and shelling could never prove useful for restoration of peace.
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February - 21 
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on February 21 made it clear that the Government is ready to hold dialogue only with those who have respect for the Constitution and integrity of the country, reports Dawn. “We are ready for talks for stability and peace in Pakistan but let me make it clear we are willing
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Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on February 21 made it clear that the Government is ready to hold dialogue only with those who have respect for the Constitution and integrity of the country, reports Dawn. “We are ready for talks for stability and peace in Pakistan but let me make it clear we are willing to hold a dialogue only with those who have regard for the Constitution and integrity of the country...” he said. Separately, Rahimullah Yousufzai, a member of Government’s committee, on February 21 said that the Taliban, during the talks, did not abnegate the Constitution and had agreed to hold talks within the framework of the Constitution, reports The News. He said that the Taliban later changed their view and expressed will to hold negotiation in accordance with the Quran and Sunnah. However, Yousufzai said that talks were not halted over the issue of the constitution or Quran and Sharia’h. Meanwhile, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on February 21 refused to announce a ceasefire, calling on the Government to do so first, reported The News. TTP ‘spokesman’ Shahidullah Shahid said a ceasefire cannot be announced as the Government has been fighting against the Taliban. “We have been waging war for several years,” Shahid said. “If the Government cannot negotiate a ceasefire, how can talks be held with a handful of people” Shahid questioned. He said, “Our doors are open for talks… [but] the government needs to stop killing our comrades,” the TTP spokesman Shahidullah Shahid said in a joint news conference, alongside TTP South Waziristan Chapter leader Azam Tariq Mehsud, adding, “Since the Government started the war against us, it should declare ceasefire before asking us to do so,” adds The Express Tribune.
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February - 21 
The Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) General Raheel Sharif on February 21 maintained his force was ready to counter any internal or external threat, reports Daily Times. “Let there be no doubt that Pakistan’s armed forces are battle hardened and fully capable to counter any internal or external threat pos
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The Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) General Raheel Sharif on February 21 maintained his force was ready to counter any internal or external threat, reports Daily Times. “Let there be no doubt that Pakistan’s armed forces are battle hardened and fully capable to counter any internal or external threat posed to the integrity and sovereignty of our beloved country,” the Army commented. General Raheel recounted successes of the security forces in various operations against Taliban wherein several affected areas were cleared of the terrorists. “With the help of local population and support of the entire nation, security forces cleared vast areas,” the Army chief said, and added that efforts and determination of all troops and law enforcement agencies were commendable. “We are fully prepared to confront any challenge in future as well,” the Army chief reaffirmed.
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February - 25 
The Government on February 25 decided to continue surgical strikes against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) alongside efforts to engage the terrorists in peace dialogue, reports Daily Times. The cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Shari
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The Government on February 25 decided to continue surgical strikes against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) alongside efforts to engage the terrorists in peace dialogue, reports Daily Times. The cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif, told the militants to announce and implement an unconditional ceasefire if they were serious in resolving the issue through talks, as the Government reiterated its commitment to establish writ of the state in the troubled areas at all costs. The Federal Cabinet also passed National Security Policy. Under the new security policy, a joint intelligence directorate will be set up to make the exchange of information more effective on federal and provincial levels. The National Counter-Terrorism Authority (NACTA) will act as the focal organisation for national security. Heads of the armed forces will also be among members of the authority. The meeting decided that all decisions regarding fight against terrorism will be taken at the highest levels. Meanwhile, the TTP on February 25 rejected the Government’s call for an unconditional ceasefire, reports Dawn. “If this is what we have to do, we would have done it 10 years ago,” TTP’s central ‘spokesman’ Shahidullah Shahid said. “It is the government which has waged a war against us and it is for the Government to end it now. Let the Government hold fire and we shall follow suit,” he added. He blamed intelligence agencies for February 24’s killing of its senior ‘commander’ Asmatullah Shaheen Bhittani. Further, Shahidullah on February 25 said that TTP were ready for the consequences of military operation, reports The News. In a statement, he said military operation will incur less loss to TTP and that the rulers must fulfil their will for compiling the statistics. Separately, the Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) on February 25 asked all the militant outfits including TTP to immediately stop suicide attacks and bomb blasts and demanded that Sharif play his role for the success of dialogue with the TTP, reports Daily Times. The PUC made this demand at a peace conference which was held under the chairmanship of PUC Chairman Tahir Ashrafi. It was attended by more than 28 religious and political parties as well as representatives of the minority community.
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February - 26 
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on February 26 claimed that its popularity is on the rise in Pakistan, reports The News. "An ever increasing number of Pakistanis are joining hands with us adding more and more firepower to our jihadist capabilities. The graph of our popularity is going north", S
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The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on February 26 claimed that its popularity is on the rise in Pakistan, reports The News. "An ever increasing number of Pakistanis are joining hands with us adding more and more firepower to our jihadist capabilities. The graph of our popularity is going north", Shahidullah Shahid, the TTP 'spokesman' said in a statement. "We are dying to see the "glorious" results of a "grand" onslaught that the "valiant" armed forces of Pakistan are preparing to launch against us", he said, adding, "Instead of pulling the "trigger", if the government of Pakistan focuses on removing the "triggers" of this war the TTP’s anti-state activities will reduce drastically".
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February - 27 
Federal Minister for Interior, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on February 27 said that if the peace dialogue with the Taliban fails the Government will use other options to establish durable peace, reports Daily Times. Nisar said that the Government was in contact with some militant groups, as talks with t
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Federal Minister for Interior, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on February 27 said that if the peace dialogue with the Taliban fails the Government will use other options to establish durable peace, reports Daily Times. Nisar said that the Government was in contact with some militant groups, as talks with the main Taliban faction remained stalled. Chaudhry Nisar said dialogue was still a priority as the Government tries to end its seven-year insurgency that has killed thousands. “We will talk to those groups who are not against Pakistan,” he said, adding, “We are in contact with groups that have never attacked Pakistan’s interests, we have dialogue for them.” “Those who believe in Pakistan and accept government’s writ are our friend and those do not believe in Pakistan and Government’s writ are our enemy,” the Minister declared. “There will no politics on national issues including peace and all available resources would be utilised to achieve this objective for which our people, politicians, security forces and media persons had sacrificed their lives,” he further stated.
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February - 28 
About 20,000 people, mostly women and children, have been displaced during the Army operation against the Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP) in North Waziristan Agency of FATA and the United Nations is ready to help them. UN Secretary General's Spokesman Martin Nesriky told reporters at a briefing on February 2
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About 20,000 people, mostly women and children, have been displaced during the Army operation against the Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP) in North Waziristan Agency of FATA and the United Nations is ready to help them. UN Secretary General's Spokesman Martin Nesriky told reporters at a briefing on February 28, reports Dawn. “Although the Government of Pakistan has not requested international assistance so far, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is in contact with the authorities and is following the situation closely.” He said some local non-government organisations are providing emergency aid including food supplies and medical assistance to the displaced.
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February - 28 
Promising minimum possible collateral damage, the Government said on February 28 that surgical airstrikes against hideouts of militants will continue in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), reports The Express Tribune. No military operation was going on in FATA and only targeted action was be
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Promising minimum possible collateral damage, the Government said on February 28 that surgical airstrikes against hideouts of militants will continue in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), reports The Express Tribune. No military operation was going on in FATA and only targeted action was being carried out, adds Dawn. “We are aware of the miseries of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the need to avoid collateral damage in the targeted areas,” Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan told the National Assembly.
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March - 2 
The Federal Government on March 2 announced to suspend airstrikes in the tribal areas that have left more than 100 terrorists dead so far, reports Daily Times. The Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan said Government considered TTP’s announcement of ceasefire as a positive developme
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The Federal Government on March 2 announced to suspend airstrikes in the tribal areas that have left more than 100 terrorists dead so far, reports Daily Times. The Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan said Government considered TTP’s announcement of ceasefire as a positive development. “After the positive announcement yesterday by the TTP, the Government has decided to halt the air strikes which were continuing for the past few days,” Nisar Ali Khan said in a statement. However, he warned that Government would ‘effectively’ retaliate to any act of violence by the TTP. “Government and the Army reserve the right to effectively respond to any act of violence,” the statement maintained.
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March - 3 
The United States (US) Principal Deputy Special Representative on Afghanistan and Pakistan Beth Jones said on March 3 that however Pakistan chooses to deal with the issue of militancy – through negotiations or the use of force – it remains an ‘internal’ issue and the United States is primarily conce
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The United States (US) Principal Deputy Special Representative on Afghanistan and Pakistan Beth Jones said on March 3 that however Pakistan chooses to deal with the issue of militancy – through negotiations or the use of force – it remains an ‘internal’ issue and the United States is primarily concerned with curbing the menace of terrorism in both Pakistan and Afghanistan, reports The Express Tribune. Jones, who is also her country’s ambassador to Pakistan, said Washington is ‘supportive of the Pakistani Government’s efforts in counter-terrorism’. When asked how Washington views the dialogue with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Jones said the US ‘does not take sides’. Jones said, “We are very much in support of counter-terrorism.”
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March - 3 
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on March 3 expressed concern over Government’s refusal to allow right activists and media personnel to visit Totak area where human bodies were found in unconventional graves, reports Dawn. “Concerns and apprehensions of human rights organisations and
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The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on March 3 expressed concern over Government’s refusal to allow right activists and media personnel to visit Totak area where human bodies were found in unconventional graves, reports Dawn. “Concerns and apprehensions of human rights organisations and civil society have increased after the discovery of mass graves in Totak and denial to these institutions to visit Totak and quake-hit areas of Awaran,” the meeting of the HRCP Presided over by its Balochistan Chapter Chairman Tahir Hussain Khan observed.
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March - 3 
The senior officials on March 3 briefed Parliamentary party leaders about the law and order situation and said 39 militant outfits were operating in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while 20 other groups functioning in the garb of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were involved in extortion, kidnapping for ransom
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The senior officials on March 3 briefed Parliamentary party leaders about the law and order situation and said 39 militant outfits were operating in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while 20 other groups functioning in the garb of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were involved in extortion, kidnapping for ransom and other criminal activities, reports Dawn. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Nasir Durrani and Home and Tribal Affairs Secretary Akhtar Ali Shah briefed political leadership about the Provincial Government’s counter terrorism strategy.
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March - 4 
Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif on March 4 said that a durable and permanent peace was the top priority of the Government for which all-out efforts would be continued, reports Daily Times. The PM stated this while talking to members of the Government’s negotiating committee, which called on him at
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Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif on March 4 said that a durable and permanent peace was the top priority of the Government for which all-out efforts would be continued, reports Daily Times. The PM stated this while talking to members of the Government’s negotiating committee, which called on him at the PM’s House. The meeting was attended by Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Affairs Irfan Siddiqui, Major (retd) Mohammad Amir, Rustum Shah Mohmand and Rahimullah Yusufzai. Earlier, a meeting of the Government negotiating committee was held. The committee reviewed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s ceasefire announcement and attacks in Khyber Agency and Islamabad.
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March - 5 
District West and Central Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Javed Odho on March 5 revealed that the two suspected target killers who were killed in an encounter with the Police on March 3, 2014, were also involved in the attacks on the office of Express Media Group, reports The Express Tribune. “The cr
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District West and Central Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Javed Odho on March 5 revealed that the two suspected target killers who were killed in an encounter with the Police on March 3, 2014, were also involved in the attacks on the office of Express Media Group, reports The Express Tribune. “The cross-matching of ballistics reports has confirmed the two suspects were involved in the first two attacks on Express Media group last year,” he said. The suspects were identified as members of Sipah-e-Muhammad Pakistan (SMP), an outfit believed to be involved in over 300 target killings. DIG Odho said that Police investigators had confirmed that the suspects were involved in 17 target killing cases and the majority of their targets had been Policemen.
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March - 5 
The leader of Opposition, Khursheed Shah while addressing the National Assembly said that it was dangerous to include a serving Army official in the peace negotiations, reports The Express Tribune. He stated that the inclusion of such an official in the peace talks will have serious consequences if
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The leader of Opposition, Khursheed Shah while addressing the National Assembly said that it was dangerous to include a serving Army official in the peace negotiations, reports The Express Tribune. He stated that the inclusion of such an official in the peace talks will have serious consequences if the negotiations failed. The Government was considering reconstituting its four-member negotiating committee in a bid to make the nascent peace process more ‘effective and result-oriented’.
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March - 6 
Al Qaeda continues to operate from Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Commander of the United States (US) Central Command General Lloyd J. Austin said on March 6 in his testimony before House Armed Services Committee while adding that the long-lasting tensions between India and Pakistan ove
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Al Qaeda continues to operate from Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Commander of the United States (US) Central Command General Lloyd J. Austin said on March 6 in his testimony before House Armed Services Committee while adding that the long-lasting tensions between India and Pakistan over Kashmir are a threat to regional stability, reports The News. "Long-standing tensions between Pakistan and India also threaten regional stability as both states have substantial military forces arrayed along their borders and the disputed Kashmir Line of Control (LoC)," General Austin said. He said that the US faced a host of challenges in Pakistan that have long hindered the efforts of the Pakistan Government to fight terrorism and America's ability to provide needed assistance. "Central to Pakistan's struggles is its poor economy and burgeoning 'youth bulge'. Given these conditions, radicalism is on the rise in settled areas and threatens increased militant activity and insurgency in parts of Pakistan where the sway of the state traditionally has been the strongest," he said, adding, "At the same time, terrorist attacks and ethno-sectarian violence threaten the Government's tenuous control over some areas. Further
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March - 6 
Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on March 6 announced that direct peace negotiations would be held with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to make the process result-oriented, reports Daily Times. He said the Government’s target is to start direct negotiations from next week. He s
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Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on March 6 announced that direct peace negotiations would be held with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to make the process result-oriented, reports Daily Times. He said the Government’s target is to start direct negotiations from next week. He said a new Government negotiating team is being constituted which will also have one representative of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government, as the province has been bearing the brunt of terrorism. The Minister said the Committee would contact the other side to make parameters of the dialogue absolutely clear so as to remove the misconception that the talks are taking place at the expense of the constitution or from a weaker position. The Interior Minister said that the desired objectives were achieved through precision strikes and the Government position would continue to be the same in case any terrorism activity by the militants. He told the House that the Government has asked the TTP to condemn the Islamabad attack and help identify the perpetrators. Nisar said that majority of the militant groups have supported negotiations as the only way to maintain peace in the country. He said Parliament would be taken into confidence as and when a positive development takes place with regards to the talks with the TTP.
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March - 6 
Pakistan on March 6 said that while it would facilitate reconciliatory talks in Afghanistan, it clarified that it was playing no role behind the scenes, reports The Express Tribune. The Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Tasnim Aslam Khan said that the reconciliation process has to be Afghan-led and A
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Pakistan on March 6 said that while it would facilitate reconciliatory talks in Afghanistan, it clarified that it was playing no role behind the scenes, reports The Express Tribune. The Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Tasnim Aslam Khan said that the reconciliation process has to be Afghan-led and Afghan-owned. “We will give whatever assistance Afghanistan requests us for and whatever we can possibly do,” he said. She pointed out that Pakistan was not involved behind the scenes. “Behind the scene, we are not involved,” she clarified. Asked about securing the Western border with Afghanistan about the post-2014 scenario, the spokesperson said it is not clear what will happen beyond 2014 but Pakistan hoped to see reconciliation efforts that would stabilise the country. “Whether there will be a draw down or complete withdrawal. Elections are going to take place, hopefully peaceful elections,” she said. She further added, “We do not want to see and it is our hope as well there will be no civil war in Afghanistan which would have very serious impact on Pakistan. We are in contact with the Afghan authorities as well for better management of our border. Our Secretary Interior was in Afghanistan and he had very useful discussions and both are working on initiatives that would ensure that our border is managed and monitored better.”
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March - 7 
A full-scale military operation against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in the tribal areas near the Afghanistan border can be launched as early as this month in case of violation of ceasefire by the militants, Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif said on March 7, reports The News. The Minis
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A full-scale military operation against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in the tribal areas near the Afghanistan border can be launched as early as this month in case of violation of ceasefire by the militants, Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif said on March 7, reports The News. The Minister told “It will not take months now. We’ll have to march in the month of March. If there is a ceasefire, it has to be complete. Without that, we just can’t afford to have talks with the Taliban. We won’t just take this lying down." “If we are attacked, the state is attacked, civilians are attacked, military personnel are attacked, we will retaliate. We will retaliate in kind”, he added. Further, Asif said that dialogue would be held only with the factions of the TTP who wanted peace in the country, reports Dawn. He said the Government would hold consultation with all political parties and stakeholders before taking any “hard step” against the elements disturbing the peace process.
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March - 7 
A total of 1,710 people have been killed in sectarian strife across the country since 2008, the Federal Interior Ministry said on March 7 in a written reply to a question in the Senate, reports The Express Tribune. The figures covering all provinces and collated year-wise from 2008 to February 15, 2
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A total of 1,710 people have been killed in sectarian strife across the country since 2008, the Federal Interior Ministry said on March 7 in a written reply to a question in the Senate, reports The Express Tribune. The figures covering all provinces and collated year-wise from 2008 to February 15, 2014 seem to be missing a number of high profile killings, according to opposition members in the upper house. Pakistan People’s Party’s Senator, Sughra Imam, who had filed the question and other members from opposition benches protested against what they called ‘misleading and incomplete’ reply. According to government’s figures, Balochistan remained the worst hit province with 675 sectarian killings, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 431, Sindh 204, Punjab 146 and FATA with 194 sectarian killings recorded during the mentioned period. Around 100 people became victims of sectarian violence in Gilgit-Baltistan while five in the national capital territory Islamabad.
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March - 9 
Worried over perceived threat posed by the national security policy to madrassas (seminaries), the secretary general of Wifaq-ul-Madaris Al-Arabia Maulana Hanif Jalandhari said no compromise will be made over the independence of madrassas, Dawn reported on March 10. He announced that rallies would b
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Worried over perceived threat posed by the national security policy to madrassas (seminaries), the secretary general of Wifaq-ul-Madaris Al-Arabia Maulana Hanif Jalandhari said no compromise will be made over the independence of madrassas, Dawn reported on March 10. He announced that rallies would be organised across the country to protect the independence of madrassas and spread awareness about the syllabus being taught there.
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March - 9 
Provincial Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti on March 9 said that Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Malik Baloch is in contact with some of the ‘angry Baloch leaders’ for initiating a process of dialogue to resolve issues faced by the Province, reports Dawn. He said that the Federal Government a
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Provincial Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti on March 9 said that Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Malik Baloch is in contact with some of the ‘angry Baloch leaders’ for initiating a process of dialogue to resolve issues faced by the Province, reports Dawn. He said that the Federal Government and Balochistan Assembly had empowered the Chief Minister to approach Baloch insurgent leaders and work out a process of dialogue for reconciliation.
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March - 10 
Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said on March 10 that no Army representative will be included in the new committee for talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), reports The News. He, however, added that the armed force backed the panel, which he said would be announced wi
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Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said on March 10 that no Army representative will be included in the new committee for talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), reports The News. He, however, added that the armed force backed the panel, which he said would be announced within two to three days. He said that the committee will consist of three or four bureaucrats to hold direct talks with the TTP. The minister clarified that the Army at no stage had expressed concerns over the talk committee or negotiation process. “Army’s behaviour has always been positive,” he said and added that Maulana Samiul Haq’s committee will move forward the process.
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March - 10 
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and al Qaeda terrorists have planned an assassination attempt on former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf, the Interior Ministry said in a letter sent to the Home Secretary Punjab, the Islamabad Police Chief, the Chief Commissioner and other officials on M
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Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and al Qaeda terrorists have planned an assassination attempt on former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf, the Interior Ministry said in a letter sent to the Home Secretary Punjab, the Islamabad Police Chief, the Chief Commissioner and other officials on March 10, reports Dawn. In the letter, the Interior Ministry warns that terrorists affiliated with the TTP and al Qaeda have planned to target Pervez Musharraf in the near future. According to the letter, the ministry warns that the attackers have planned to assassinate Musharraf inside or outside the Court.
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March - 12 
Funding will not be an issue if the Government decides to go for a military operation because terrorism has to be eradicated from the country, regardless of the cost, says Finance Minister, Ishaq Dar on March 12, reports Dawn. “Funding is no issue to get this nation, this country and the people out
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Funding will not be an issue if the Government decides to go for a military operation because terrorism has to be eradicated from the country, regardless of the cost, says Finance Minister, Ishaq Dar on March 12, reports Dawn. “Funding is no issue to get this nation, this country and the people out of this menace but we want to give peace a last chance. We cannot tolerate this (terrorism) to continue,” he said. He said all institutions of the state, military or civilian agreed with the Prime Minister that they would have to work hard to cope with the security challenge and to solve economic and energy problems. He said the Government had not yet taken a decision about a military operation in Waziristan because it wanted to give peace process a chance before opting for an operation, the cost of which would depend on its extent and scope.
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March - 12 
No Pakistani civilians were killed by United States (US) drones in 2013, said United Nations (UN) Investigator Ben Emmerson while presenting his latest report on drone strikes to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on March 12, reports The Express Tribune. “I am pleased to be able to repor
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No Pakistani civilians were killed by United States (US) drones in 2013, said United Nations (UN) Investigator Ben Emmerson while presenting his latest report on drone strikes to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on March 12, reports The Express Tribune. “I am pleased to be able to report a very significant de-escalation in the use of armed drones by the United States in… Pakistan,” said Ben. The total number of recorded strikes in 2013 was down to 27 from a peak of 128 in 2010, he said, adding, “But perhaps most significantly, for the first time in nine years there were no reports of civilian casualties during 2013 in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) area of Pakistan,” he added. Last May, US President Barack Obama raised the bar for launching attacks. But despite the change of tack in Pakistan, Emmerson said that the picture in Afghanistan and Yemen was “much bleaker”. Citing a report by the UN Mission in Afghanistan, he said that there was a threefold increase in drone-related civilian casualties between 2012 and 2013. A total of 45 Afghan civilians died in drone strikes in 2013, he said, adding, “And the picture in Yemen remains cause for serious concern. The frequency of armed drone strikes appears to have intensified, particularly during the closing months of 2013, with a sharp escalation in the number of reported civilian casualties,” Emmerson informed.
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March - 13 
Sindh Chief Minister, Qaim Ali Shah on March 13 directed the heads of Sindh Police and Rangers to prepare a comprehensive contingency plan for conducting a specific surgical operation with full force to root out gangsters from Lyari, reports Daily Times. He said that any delay in this action would c
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Sindh Chief Minister, Qaim Ali Shah on March 13 directed the heads of Sindh Police and Rangers to prepare a comprehensive contingency plan for conducting a specific surgical operation with full force to root out gangsters from Lyari, reports Daily Times. He said that any delay in this action would cause a negative impact on the achievements made during the ongoing targeted operation in Karachi. “Enough is enough! The government will not tolerate killing of innocent people,” the Chief Minister said.
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March - 13 
States (US) Marine Corps and current Commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and U.S. Forces Afghanistan (USFOR-A), Major General Joseph Dunford on March 13 said that allied and Afghan forces are putting a greater focus on the Haqqani Network, which has threatened to disrupt
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States (US) Marine Corps and current Commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and U.S. Forces Afghanistan (USFOR-A), Major General Joseph Dunford on March 13 said that allied and Afghan forces are putting a greater focus on the Haqqani Network, which has threatened to disrupt Afghanistan’s Presidential elections scheduled for April 2014, reports The News. He said that the effort includes a move by the US to "crank up the heat" on the group’s financing and freedom of movement. Dunford said that Haqqani militants have been more active in the past few months. The US has repeatedly pressed Pakistani authorities to move more aggressively against the militants, who are based in North Waziristan Agency of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and routinely conduct attacks against US and coalition troops.
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March - 14 
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on March 14 that the ‘operation’ in Karachi will continue and he would himself monitor it, reports The Daily Times on March 15. Chairing a high-level meeting to review the law and order situation in Karachi the Prime Minister directed that the ban on recruitment in t
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Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on March 14 that the ‘operation’ in Karachi will continue and he would himself monitor it, reports The Daily Times on March 15. Chairing a high-level meeting to review the law and order situation in Karachi the Prime Minister directed that the ban on recruitment in the civil armed forces be lifted. The meeting was also attended by Sindh Governor Dr Eshratul Ibad, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, and other high ranking officials.
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March - 14 
Prime Minister’s Advisor on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said on March 14 that the United States (US) had not stopped drone attacks in tribal areas as part of any reconciliation between the two countries, reports The News. He said that the US had not stopped the drone attacks as
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Prime Minister’s Advisor on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said on March 14 that the United States (US) had not stopped drone attacks in tribal areas as part of any reconciliation between the two countries, reports The News. He said that the US had not stopped the drone attacks as a facility for Pakistan to hold talks with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). He said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during his visit to US had told President Barack Obama about ineffectiveness of drone attacks. “Although the US has not announced formally to stop drone attacks and it will not do so, it seems Barrack Obama has understood Pakistan views on use of unmanned aircraft”, he added.
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March - 14 
The United States (US) Congressman Dana Rohrabacher on March 14 called on the Government to stop Pakistan’s aid as “Islamabad is not a US ally”, reports The News. In his address at the US House of Representatives, the Congressman said that Pakistan’s aid should immediately be stopped as the US funds
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The United States (US) Congressman Dana Rohrabacher on March 14 called on the Government to stop Pakistan’s aid as “Islamabad is not a US ally”, reports The News. In his address at the US House of Representatives, the Congressman said that Pakistan’s aid should immediately be stopped as the US funds were used against Washington or its friends in Afghanistan. Reacting to Secretary of State John Kerry’s appeal for financial aid for Islamabad, Rohrabacher dubbed Pakistan’s war against militants as bogus and a ploy to receive US dollars. He was quoted by US media as saying that behaviour of Pakistan’s military establishment had not been friendly with regard to US interests.
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March - 14 
While chairing a high-level meeting to review the law and order situation in Karachi, provincial capital of Sindh on March 14, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that the operation in Karachi will continue and that he would himself monitor it, reports Daily Times. “Karachi operation will continue. The
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While chairing a high-level meeting to review the law and order situation in Karachi, provincial capital of Sindh on March 14, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that the operation in Karachi will continue and that he would himself monitor it, reports Daily Times. “Karachi operation will continue. The sacrifices rendered by our security agencies are invaluable. Karachi operation is not a routine issue for the government and I will regularly monitor and supervise operation and will help the provincial government in resolving their issues,” the Prime Minister said. He directed that the ban on recruitment in the Civil Armed Forces be lifted. On the recommendation of Rangers Director General, Prime Minister Nawaz directed that in order to ensure merit and transparency, army recruitment centres be engaged to facilitate recruitment in Police. “Recruitment should be purely on merit, without any favouritism,” he said. Further, he directed the Sindh Government to expedite the establishment of isolated high security prisons in Sindh for internment of terrorists. The meeting agreed in principle that additional Police Stations would be established in Lyari Town of Karachi. The Prime Minister directed the Interior Ministry to expedite the blocking of illegal mobile phone SIMs and use of biometrics system for issuance of SIMs in the future. He also asked the Sindh Government and Rangers to take action against land mafia, which is illegal occupation of state lands. He said Police and Rangers should use new anti-terrorism laws to combat terrorism, extortion and land-grabbing.
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March - 16 
The Federal Interior Ministry on March 16 approved a new security plan for Islamabad, giving Rangers the responsibility for providing additional security, reports Central Asia Online. The plan, which calls for the Rangers and Police to conduct joint patrols, should be visible by April 15, 2014 said
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The Federal Interior Ministry on March 16 approved a new security plan for Islamabad, giving Rangers the responsibility for providing additional security, reports Central Asia Online. The plan, which calls for the Rangers and Police to conduct joint patrols, should be visible by April 15, 2014 said Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. Nisar ordered various reforms to implement the strategy, such as recruiting retired army veterans to join the Police and giving Police better training.
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March - 17 
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister (CM) Pervez Khattak on March 17 announced a raise in the salaries of the provincial Police, reports Daily Times. The CM said he is proud of provincial police, as hundreds of Policemen have sacrificed their lives for the security of the people, and they remain steadf
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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister (CM) Pervez Khattak on March 17 announced a raise in the salaries of the provincial Police, reports Daily Times. The CM said he is proud of provincial police, as hundreds of Policemen have sacrificed their lives for the security of the people, and they remain steadfast. He announced incentives and measures for improvement in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police. The CM affirmed that recruitments in the Police department would be done on merit. He said that all the Police system will be computerised. CM Khattak said that to make patrolling and vigilance better, PKR 50 million have released for the purchase of sniffer dogs. He stressed upon making model Police stations and asked Policemen to serve the masses well.
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March - 17 
The spokesman of the TTP, Shahidullah Shahid, said on March 17 that the Security Forces had established hundreds of secret detention cells in FATA, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, reports The News. He said that they had handed over a list of their non-combatant prisoners to the TTP negotiation c
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The spokesman of the TTP, Shahidullah Shahid, said on March 17 that the Security Forces had established hundreds of secret detention cells in FATA, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, reports The News. He said that they had handed over a list of their non-combatant prisoners to the TTP negotiation committee. Shahidullah Shahid said that confirming the names in the list was the responsibility of the government. He said that the TTP would give another list with more names of the detainees once progress was made in the peace talks. Further, Shahidullah Shahid said that Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Asif was unaware of the persons held in detention by security agencies, reports Dawn. He said that if the Defence Minister was unaware about the location of detention centres in the country, then how he could be informed about the number of people being held at such facilities. Khawaja Asif earlier on March 16 had rejected a major demand of the TTP — release of non-combatants – saying there were no women and children in the custody of Security Forces. In addition, the Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah on March 17 called on the TTP to provide evidence of incarceration of women and children, reports Daily Times. Sanaullah says if there are any prisoners they will be released, and that this issue will not be allowed to become the reason for a deadlock in the talks.
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March - 17 
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on March 17 asked the Government to earmark a “free peace zone” where militant leaders could come without any fear for holding peace talks with the Government committee, reports Dawn. Talking to BBC Urdu in Akora Khattak, head of TTP negotiators’ committee Maulan
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The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on March 17 asked the Government to earmark a “free peace zone” where militant leaders could come without any fear for holding peace talks with the Government committee, reports Dawn. Talking to BBC Urdu in Akora Khattak, head of TTP negotiators’ committee Maulana Samiul Haq said Frontier Constabulary (FCB) and other law-enforcement agencies had set up checkposts in many areas, leaving the TTP unable to move about freely. He said there would be frequent rounds after formal talks started for which there should be a free peace zone so that dialogue could progress without hindrance. Maulana Haq said at present the TTP leadership was underground for fear of arrest. In reply to a question, he expressed ignorance about the whereabouts of TTP chief Mullah Fazlullah.
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March - 17 
TTP negotiating committee member Professor Muhammad Ibrahim said on March 17 that the TTP’s list of 300 women and children prisoners has been given to Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, reports Daily Times. He cautioned that the release of women and child prisoners can be the bigg
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TTP negotiating committee member Professor Muhammad Ibrahim said on March 17 that the TTP’s list of 300 women and children prisoners has been given to Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, reports Daily Times. He cautioned that the release of women and child prisoners can be the biggest issue in the dialogue process. He said the TTP have provided a 300-person list of women and children of TTP members who are assumed to be in the custody of law enforcement agencies. Prof Ibrahim said that most of these women and children belong to the tribal areas and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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March - 18 
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid on March 18 said the Government committee will contact the agencies concerned about the list of prisoners given by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and then a reply would come up about their fate, reports The News. He said the comm
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Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid on March 18 said the Government committee will contact the agencies concerned about the list of prisoners given by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and then a reply would come up about their fate, reports The News. He said the committee would collect information on the list of prisoners handed over by the TTP and then the TTP and the media would be informed about the response. To another query about the possibility of action against the TTP in the Punjab, Rashid said this issue was being confronted by the entire Pakistan and not a particular province.
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March - 18 
Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said on March 18 that the political and military leadership has held a detailed discussion on the Internal Security Policy, reports Daily Times. The Minister said the leadership was informed about the dialogue with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (
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Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said on March 18 that the political and military leadership has held a detailed discussion on the Internal Security Policy, reports Daily Times. The Minister said the leadership was informed about the dialogue with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the participants expressed their confidence in the process. He said that the political and military leadership are on the same page on issues of national security. He added that the Internal Security Policy would be implemented according to the set timelines. Nisar said the leadership focused on issues of capacity building of Security Forces and increasing coordination among 26 intelligence agencies working in the country. A joint intelligence directorate would be set up to coordinate activities of the intelligence agencies, he added. The minister said the objective of all the efforts was to make Pakistan secure. In the meeting, the Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif has directed immediate establishment of a National Intelligence Directorate (NID) under the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) to pool national and provincial intelligence resources. The PM also approved establishment of a Rapid Response Force at the Federal and Provincial levels, having highly trained and skilled manpower. Sharif also directed fast-track establishment of high security prisons in all provinces. He directed the provinces to utilise the options available in the Protection of Pakistan Ordinance, saying this law had made electronic evidence admissible, allowed video link trial with provision for transfer of trials and prisoners to other provinces, and preventive detention of enemy aliens. Further, Nawaz Sharif asked the TTP to deal with the militant groups opposing the Federal Government’s peace dialogue with them, reports The News.
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March - 18 
Head of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) dialogue committee Maulana Samiul Haq on March 18 said the Army is with us for the success of talks and the TTP have not yet put up their demands, reports The News. He said both TTP and Government committees are in contact to mark out a “peace zone” for t
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Head of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) dialogue committee Maulana Samiul Haq on March 18 said the Army is with us for the success of talks and the TTP have not yet put up their demands, reports The News. He said both TTP and Government committees are in contact to mark out a “peace zone” for the sake of continuation of talks. “Both committees are likely to reach an agreement on a peaceful location for continuation of talks,” Haq said. He added both committees are likely to meet in the next 48 hours to discuss certain things. He expressed concern over statement of Defence Minister Khawaja Asif that no women and children are in custody of the country’s armed forces, as claimed by TTP. Haq urged both sides to avoid such statements which may vitiate conducive atmosphere for talks. He said there is no formal announcement from the Government to reject any demand of TTP. “We are hearing a lot through media that TTP demands have been rejected but it’s not true,” he said. Asked should military operation be carried out against militants if talks fail, he strongly opposed the option of military operation and said it should never be launched and efforts should be made to revive the dialogue.
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March - 18 
The Balochistan Government on March 18 extended special powers granted to the Frontier Corps (FC) for another two months, reports Dawn. According to an announcement by the Provincial Home Secretary Syed Asadur Rehman Gilani, the paramilitary force will continue to exercise police powers for two more
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The Balochistan Government on March 18 extended special powers granted to the Frontier Corps (FC) for another two months, reports Dawn. According to an announcement by the Provincial Home Secretary Syed Asadur Rehman Gilani, the paramilitary force will continue to exercise police powers for two more months to maintain law and order in the province. The FC was first given the powers to carry out raids and detain and interrogate suspects in January 2012 after the provincial coalition Government led by Nawab Aslam Raisani was sent home and Governor rule was imposed in Balochistan on the demand of Hazara Shia community.
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March - 18 
The Director General (DG) Rangers Sindh Major General Rizwan Akhtar on March 18 said that the power granted to the Rangers was a mere ‘piece of paper’, reports Pakistan Today. He said that the power of the paramilitary force, granted after a suo moto notice of the Supreme Court on August 24, 2011 do
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The Director General (DG) Rangers Sindh Major General Rizwan Akhtar on March 18 said that the power granted to the Rangers was a mere ‘piece of paper’, reports Pakistan Today. He said that the power of the paramilitary force, granted after a suo moto notice of the Supreme Court on August 24, 2011 does not hold any significance due to lack of proper proceedings, the criminals held in raids by the force are handed over to the Police who later let them go. He further said that Lyari was not the only area rife with criminal elements, adding that Karachi has various areas where the law and order situation resembled that of Lyari.
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March - 19 
Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan while meeting United Kingdom High Commissioner to Afghanistan Richard Stagg on March 19 said that the international community should come up with an integrated and coherent policy regarding Afghanistan in the post-2014 scenario, reports The Expre
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Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan while meeting United Kingdom High Commissioner to Afghanistan Richard Stagg on March 19 said that the international community should come up with an integrated and coherent policy regarding Afghanistan in the post-2014 scenario, reports The Express Tribune. The Minister added that the situation in Afghanistan is complex and calls for thorough debate among members of the international community. Nisar said Afghanistan will be undergoing massive transformation during 2014, adding that the solutions to the problems being faced by the country must come from within. He reiterated that Pakistan is maintaining a non-partisan policy in regional matters.
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March - 19 
senior MQM leader Farooq Sattar on March 19 said that the Government must fulfil its responsibility of recovering missing workers of the party, reports Dawn. He said that the writ of the state and Government was not visible in Karachi. The senior MQM leader mentioned the recovery of three MQM worker
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senior MQM leader Farooq Sattar on March 19 said that the Government must fulfil its responsibility of recovering missing workers of the party, reports Dawn. He said that the writ of the state and Government was not visible in Karachi. The senior MQM leader mentioned the recovery of three MQM workers' mutilated dead bodies from Nooriabad and Hyderabad
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March - 19 
Slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden claimed responsibility for masterminding September 11, 2001 (also known as 9/11) attacks on the night of the incident, his son-in-law Suleiman Abu Ghaith (48) said on March 19 as he testified at his federal trial in New York city on terror charges, reports Dawn.
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Slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden claimed responsibility for masterminding September 11, 2001 (also known as 9/11) attacks on the night of the incident, his son-in-law Suleiman Abu Ghaith (48) said on March 19 as he testified at his federal trial in New York city on terror charges, reports Dawn. Abu Ghaith, who married bin Laden's daughter Fatima, recounted a meeting with Laden in an Afghanistan cave complex on the night of September 11, 2001. “Did you learn what happened? We are the ones who did it,” Bin Laden declared, according to Abu Ghaith. Abu Ghaith also denied trying to recruit people for al Qaeda, as prosecutors have alleged. “There is no one recruiting, but Osama Bin Laden. My intention was not recruiting anyone,” he said. And, asked by his lawyer if he ever wanted to kill Americans, he responded “No.” “My intention was to deliver a message I believed in,” he said.
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March - 20 
Chief Minister of Balochistan Malik Baloch on March 20 announced the formation of a Special Task Force (STF) to arrest culprits involved in the murder of journalists in the Province, reports Dawn. Over 30 journalists were killed in the Province during the last seven years, according to the Balochist
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Chief Minister of Balochistan Malik Baloch on March 20 announced the formation of a Special Task Force (STF) to arrest culprits involved in the murder of journalists in the Province, reports Dawn. Over 30 journalists were killed in the Province during the last seven years, according to the Balochistan Union of Journalists. “I order the formation of a task force to bring the killers of journalists to the book,” the Chief Minister assured the protesting journalists outside the Assembly. However, the President of Balochistan Union of Journalists Irfan Saeed said “Despite repeated assurances, the killers of journalists are still at large”.
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March - 20 
Tassaduq Hussain Jilani on March 20 said that he was shocked that DG Rangers Sindh had complained that he had limited powers, reports Daily Times. He said that DG Rangers statement gave an impression that Law Enforcement Agencies were not on same page. Major Ishfaq, Law Officer of the Rangers told t
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Tassaduq Hussain Jilani on March 20 said that he was shocked that DG Rangers Sindh had complained that he had limited powers, reports Daily Times. He said that DG Rangers statement gave an impression that Law Enforcement Agencies were not on same page. Major Ishfaq, Law Officer of the Rangers told the court that Rangers had no power of investigation. He said that it was proposed to set up five stations in each District of Karachi for investigating the criminals but neither station was set up nor they were provided with investigation powers. He added that during the past six month, 517 people arrested by the Rangers were released by local courts. The bench directed DG Rangers to submit a report within 3 days, highlighting their reservations regarding their limited powers.
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March - 21 
Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said on March 21 that preliminary but formal direct talks between the Government committee and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) would take place during the next few days, reports Daily Times. “All initial homework and consultations have been
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Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said on March 21 that preliminary but formal direct talks between the Government committee and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) would take place during the next few days, reports Daily Times. “All initial homework and consultations have been completed for the first direct contact with the TTP,” he informed, adding “some forces still want to sabotage the dialogue process by way of terrorist activities”. Addressing a news conference after chairing a meeting of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) board, the Interior Minister said that there had been progress in the TTP-Government talks, which have entered a sensitive stage. Direct mediation between the two sides would take place shortly.
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March - 21 
Lawyers for former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf called on March 21 for his treason trial to be suspended because they claim the Government is colluding with elements of the judiciary to “fix and manipulate” the proceedings, reports Dawn. The legal team said it based its claim on “lea
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Lawyers for former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf called on March 21 for his treason trial to be suspended because they claim the Government is colluding with elements of the judiciary to “fix and manipulate” the proceedings, reports Dawn. The legal team said it based its claim on “leaked secret communication” from an unnamed source in the office of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. In a statement issued in London, the lawyers called for an “immediate and unconditional suspension of the Special Court and a comprehensive investigation” into their claims. The lawyers said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has “manipulated the Pakistani legal process and used unlawful influence on the... judiciary to bring a barrage of unsubstantiated charges” against Musharraf, his long-time political rival. They gave no specific details of their new claims, but said they had submitted them to the office of United Nations (UN) Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay. Musharraf's lawyers have already written to the UN urging it to intervene to stop what they call a “show trial”, claiming Sharif has handpicked the three judges hearing the case.
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March - 21 
One of the members of the Government’s first committee formed to negotiate peace with the TTP, Major (retired) Amir on March 21 said that Army are the real stakeholders on the matter and their leadership should decide the future course of the dialogue for achieving better results, reports Dawn. He a
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One of the members of the Government’s first committee formed to negotiate peace with the TTP, Major (retired) Amir on March 21 said that Army are the real stakeholders on the matter and their leadership should decide the future course of the dialogue for achieving better results, reports Dawn. He added that the Army should be on the driving seat in the peace process because they are not only “affected but also capable.” Amir said that after the formation of new Government committee, the previous one has been dissolved as it was an uphill task to keep it going due to continuous attention of the media on its members.
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March - 23 
Number of civilian’s deaths from US drone attacks in Pakistan is far bigger than Washington admits, Russian media said on March 23, reports The News. In a documentary on US drones, the Russian media said over 3000 people half of them civilians have been killed in 350 aerial strikes in Pakistan. The
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Number of civilian’s deaths from US drone attacks in Pakistan is far bigger than Washington admits, Russian media said on March 23, reports The News. In a documentary on US drones, the Russian media said over 3000 people half of them civilians have been killed in 350 aerial strikes in Pakistan. The Russian media called US term ‘Signature Strikes’ as worrying since in this procedure suspects are killed in US drone attacks without any substantial evidence. They said the US drone attacks are tantamount to war crimes and sheer violation of international laws.
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March - 23 
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced on March 23 that his Government is working day and night for peace and would be holding direct talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and the process would kick-start in a day or two, reports Daily Times. “The country needs peace to put economy on the
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Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced on March 23 that his Government is working day and night for peace and would be holding direct talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and the process would kick-start in a day or two, reports Daily Times. “The country needs peace to put economy on the right track,” he stressed. Nawaz opined terrorism in the country was a result of wrong policies of the past. “Even those countries who were lagging behind Pakistan in development have taken a lead, as we are engulfed in terrorism,” he added. “For the last 10-15 years not a single considerable developmental project was launched in any part of the country,” he regretted. Sharif noted that the economy has lately shown signs of improvement, and exports are on the rise.
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March - 25 
Additional Inspector General of Police (AIGP), Karachi range, Shahid Hayat on March 25 said “1,500 more phones were snatched in the city when compared with the corresponding period before the operation,” reports The News. He said that mobile snatching is on the rise in Karachi and the situation coul
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Additional Inspector General of Police (AIGP), Karachi range, Shahid Hayat on March 25 said “1,500 more phones were snatched in the city when compared with the corresponding period before the operation,” reports The News. He said that mobile snatching is on the rise in Karachi and the situation could improve if supply was curtailed and those individuals selling the phones were arrested. He further said that the targeted operation had brought the number of homicides in the city down, which would further decrease by 50 per cent at the end of 2014.
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March - 26 
Referring to the abduction and killing of one of the five Iranian guards the Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasneem Aslam on March 26 said, “Our investigations have neither corroborated nor established the entry into or presence within Pakistani territory of the Iranian border guards,” reports Dawn. He
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Referring to the abduction and killing of one of the five Iranian guards the Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasneem Aslam on March 26 said, “Our investigations have neither corroborated nor established the entry into or presence within Pakistani territory of the Iranian border guards,” reports Dawn. Her comments followed remarks by Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Marzieh Afkham that her Government considered Pakistani Government responsible for the safety of the kidnapped guards. “Unfortunately, terrorist groups have utilized Pakistani soil in the past few months to carry out terrorist acts against Iranian citizens and Iran’s national interests,” said Afkham. According to details, five Iranian border guards were abducted on February 6, 2014 from Pakistan-Iran border by an Iranian militant group Jaish al-Adl which is accused of having sanctuaries in Pakistan’s Balochistan Province. The outfit claimed to have killed one of the guards, identified as Jamshid Danaeefar. The Iranian Foreign Ministry called for immediate capture of the terrorists and their extradition to Iran.
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March - 26 
Sardar Sanaullah Zehrion, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Parliamentary leader March 26 made an announcement that the Balochistan Government is setting up the Shuhada Foundation to assist the families of security personnel killed in the war against terror, reported Dawn.
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Sardar Sanaullah Zehrion, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Parliamentary leader March 26 made an announcement that the Balochistan Government is setting up the Shuhada Foundation to assist the families of security personnel killed in the war against terror, reported Dawn.
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March - 26 
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, on March 26 announced that in order to ensure safety of Policemen in Karachi, the Karachi Police, according to the Sindh Emergency Procurement Bill, 2014, will purchase security related equipments, including 300 bombproof Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs), bu
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Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, on March 26 announced that in order to ensure safety of Policemen in Karachi, the Karachi Police, according to the Sindh Emergency Procurement Bill, 2014, will purchase security related equipments, including 300 bombproof Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs), bullet-proof vans and jackets, worth PKR 8 billion, reports The News. The Government and the opposition in the Sindh Assembly supported the Sindh Emergency Procurement Bill, 2014, and it was was unanimously passed on February 7, 2014. The law allows the Law Enforcement Agencies to procure latest weapons, bombproof vehicles and other material by putting existing procurement rules in abeyance for one year.
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March - 26 
The Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on March 26 informed the National Assembly that Punjab recorded the highest number of kidnapping-for-ransom cases that were registered over the past one year among all Provinces and territories, reports The Express Tribune. According to deta
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The Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on March 26 informed the National Assembly that Punjab recorded the highest number of kidnapping-for-ransom cases that were registered over the past one year among all Provinces and territories, reports The Express Tribune. According to details, Punjab was followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Sindh, while Gilgit Baltistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) ranked at the bottom. Except for KP, all Provinces and territories had a higher number of persons recovered than the number of cases registered, reflecting the resolution of cases from previous years.
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March - 27 
The talks between Government and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have hit a stalemate and unless some quick decisions are taken, it will be difficult to prolong the ceasefire, Dawn reports on March 28. The ceasefire is to expire on March 31. According to an insider, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakist
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The talks between Government and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have hit a stalemate and unless some quick decisions are taken, it will be difficult to prolong the ceasefire, Dawn reports on March 28. The ceasefire is to expire on March 31. According to an insider, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has set two conditions for continuation of the peace talks. One is the creation of a demilitarised peace zone in mountainous Shaktoi in South Waziristan Agency of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), to allow freedom of movement and two, the release of non-combatants. The insider said the five-member militants’ committee sought written guarantees before they could commit to an extension in the month-long ceasefire. “For nearly seven hours, we talked to them about the destruction wrought by over a decade of violence, the loss of lives and property and displacement of people. We said ‘let bygones be bygones, let’s bury the hatchet and make a new beginning’,” the insider said. “Nothing seemed to appeal to them. I have come back really disappointed. The chances of success and continuation are not terribly bright. This is a non-starter,” he said. “We couldn’t offer any written guarantees. It was not our mandate, so we came back without winning any commitment either for an extension of ceasefire or the release of non-combatants in their custody,” he said. “The militants have tied the continuation of the peace talks or extension of ceasefire on acceptance of their demands.” He described the situation as a stalemate, adding it was now for the federal government to reply. He said that militants had handed them over a list of 250 non-combatants. The list includes names of women, children and the elderly. The military has already denied they have women, children and the elderly in their custody. “We told them we will investigate the matter,” the insider said. The militants’ committee also handed the committee representing the state a list of some seven hundred combatants for a possible release.
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March - 28 
Pakistan's Ambassador Zamir Akram while talking to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) said, "The purpose of this resolution is not to shame or name anyone, as we are against this approach,” adding, "It is about supporting a principle." The Resolution was adopted by a vote of 27 states in favour to
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Pakistan's Ambassador Zamir Akram while talking to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) said, "The purpose of this resolution is not to shame or name anyone, as we are against this approach,” adding, "It is about supporting a principle." The Resolution was adopted by a vote of 27 states in favour to six against, with 14 abstentions. The United States, Britain and France voted against.
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March - 28 
Prime Minister’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz on March 28 said that the United States (US) has not formally announced to stop drone attacks in Pakistan, reports The News. He said that Nawaz Shahrif had told President Barack Obama that the drones were causing damage in
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Prime Minister’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz on March 28 said that the United States (US) has not formally announced to stop drone attacks in Pakistan, reports The News. He said that Nawaz Shahrif had told President Barack Obama that the drones were causing damage instead of any benefit. However, the US officials had not informed Pakistan about as to how long the drone attacks would not be launched, he said.
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March - 28 
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) negotiating committee member and Jama’at-e-Islami (JeI) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Muhammad Ibrahim on March 28 said that there was no deadlock in the dialogue process, reports The News. He said that the TTP and Government had not refused demands put forward by each s
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Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) negotiating committee member and Jama’at-e-Islami (JeI) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Muhammad Ibrahim on March 28 said that there was no deadlock in the dialogue process, reports The News. He said that the TTP and Government had not refused demands put forward by each side, adding that confidence will increase if prisoners were released.
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March - 29 
The federal Government may set free during the current week around half a dozen Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) prisoners against whom there is lack of strong evidence of having been involved in terrorism, reported The News on March 31. A source, who was present in March 29, 2014, joint meeting of
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The federal Government may set free during the current week around half a dozen Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) prisoners against whom there is lack of strong evidence of having been involved in terrorism, reported The News on March 31. A source, who was present in March 29, 2014, joint meeting of the Government committee and TTP intermediaries, chaired by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, said, “Six to ten such detained persons are likely to be released in the first phase.”
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March - 29 
The Punjab Union of Journalists announced that it would hold a protest in front of the Punjab Assembly on March 29, 2014 (today). “We [journalists] will continue to speak the truth and not back down,” Rumi said, adding “Politicians will not benefit from remaining quiet while journalists are muzzled
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The Punjab Union of Journalists announced that it would hold a protest in front of the Punjab Assembly on March 29, 2014 (today). “We [journalists] will continue to speak the truth and not back down,” Rumi said, adding “Politicians will not benefit from remaining quiet while journalists are muzzled…these bullets will target them tomorrow if they do not take notice today.” He further said, “There will be no security or governance left in Pakistan
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March - 30 
Prime Minister (PM) Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on March 30 said the talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are moving forward in the right direction and the nation will soon be given good news, reports The News. The PM hoped that the dialogue process with the TTP would bring about the desir
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Prime Minister (PM) Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on March 30 said the talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are moving forward in the right direction and the nation will soon be given good news, reports The News. The PM hoped that the dialogue process with the TTP would bring about the desired results. He said that development of the country was connected with peace, which would be restored at all costs. The PM directed the Punjab Chief Minister to improve the law and order situation of the province, adding that it was the first priority of the Government.
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March - 30 
The TTP’s negotiating committee member, Mohammad Ibrahim, said on March 30 that the TTP had expressed willingness to release some high-profile people as a goodwill gesture, reports Dawn. Ibrahim did not rule out release of Ali Musa, Shahbaz Taseer and Ajmal Khan, the former vice-chancellor of Islami
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The TTP’s negotiating committee member, Mohammad Ibrahim, said on March 30 that the TTP had expressed willingness to release some high-profile people as a goodwill gesture, reports Dawn. Ibrahim did not rule out release of Ali Musa, Shahbaz Taseer and Ajmal Khan, the former vice-chancellor of Islamia College University, Peshawar. He criticised the Pakistan's Peoples party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Awami National Party (ANP) for their stance on the ongoing talks between the Government and the TTP and claimed that these parties did not want the process to succeed so that a situation arose for a military operation in North Waziristan. He said these parties advocated use of force to solve problems in tribal areas, though such actions had always proved to be an exercise in futility in the past.
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April - 1 
The Commander of the Southern Command, Lieutenant General Nasser Khan Janjua on April 1 said that the process to resolve the Balochistan issue through talks is under way and the Army has been cooperating with the Provincial Government in its efforts to restore peace, reports Dawn. He said steps had
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The Commander of the Southern Command, Lieutenant General Nasser Khan Janjua on April 1 said that the process to resolve the Balochistan issue through talks is under way and the Army has been cooperating with the Provincial Government in its efforts to restore peace, reports Dawn. He said steps had been taken to end unrest because development of the province was linked to peace.
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April - 1 
The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on April 1 called upon the Punjab Government to take action against ‘150 sleeper cells’ of the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) in the Province, reports Dawn. Fawad Chaudhry, the media adviser of PPP Chairman, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the party had taken serious noti
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The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on April 1 called upon the Punjab Government to take action against ‘150 sleeper cells’ of the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) in the Province, reports Dawn. Fawad Chaudhry, the media adviser of PPP Chairman, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the party had taken serious notice of a threatening letter sent by the LeJ to Bilawal Bhutto. Ali Sufian who claimed to be a 'spokesperson' of LeJ threatened in the letter that his group would kill the Bilawal for his hostile stance against militants. Fawad Chaudhry said: “The LJ was involved in the attack on Bilawal Bhutto’s security guards in Karachi and we believe that members of this group were hiding in Punjab.” He further said that the presence of ‘150 sleeper cells’ of LeJ had been disclosed by the Federal Ministry for Interior. Chaudhry accused the Provincial Government of being reluctant to take action against the LeJ and said that the PPP could not rely on the Punjab Government’s security plan for Bilawal Bhutto during his visit to Lahore. PPP Punjab’s Information Secretary Raja Amer accused the Punjab Government of having close links with the LeJ and, therefore, not interested in acting against the banned group. He accused Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah of working as the mouthpiece of the LeJ.
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April - 2 
A member of TTP Political Shura (Council) Azam Tariq on April 2 said that the statements of TTP ‘spokesperson’ Shahidullah Shahid and Mohmand Agency ‘commander’ Khalid Khorasani regarding ceasefire do not reflect the stance of the whole outfit, The News. Tariq said that the statements of Taliban lea
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A member of TTP Political Shura (Council) Azam Tariq on April 2 said that the statements of TTP ‘spokesperson’ Shahidullah Shahid and Mohmand Agency ‘commander’ Khalid Khorasani regarding ceasefire do not reflect the stance of the whole outfit, The News. Tariq said that the statements of Taliban leader on the matter of ceasefire are their personal opinions and media would be informed about the TTP's stance soon.
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April - 2 
Ahmed Raza Kasuri, counsel of Musharraf, on April 2 claimed that an attempt had been made to lure his client with a secret deal to stay away from the country for a period of five years, reports The News. “President Pervez Musharraf was offered to sign a 5-year bond and not return (till the date of i
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Ahmed Raza Kasuri, counsel of Musharraf, on April 2 claimed that an attempt had been made to lure his client with a secret deal to stay away from the country for a period of five years, reports The News. “President Pervez Musharraf was offered to sign a 5-year bond and not return (till the date of its expiration),” Ahmed Raza Kasuri said. However, he went on to say that his client, Musharraf had turned down the deal of secret agreement.
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April - 2 
In response to the former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf’s request for removal of his name from the Exit Control List (ECL), the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), after two days consultation with party members and military leadership, on April 2 refused to give Pervez Mushar
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In response to the former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf’s request for removal of his name from the Exit Control List (ECL), the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), after two days consultation with party members and military leadership, on April 2 refused to give Pervez Musharraf a safe passage, reports Daily Times. “The Federal Government is unable to accede to your requests in public interest,” according to a statement released by the Federal Ministry for Interior, adding, “The requests have been considered on the basis of record pronouncements of the superior courts on the cited subject and pending criminal cases in the various courts.” The Special Court convicted Pervez Musharraf on five counts on March 31, 2014. Musharraf’s lawyer Dr Farogh Naseem said that he would move the Supreme Court if the Government did not respond favourably.
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April - 2 
Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid on April 2 refuted Ahmed Raza Kasuri's claim that the Government attempted to lure Pervez Musharraf with a secret deal to stay away from the country for a period of five years, reported The News. "Ahmed Raza Kasuri tried to gain attention of former military ruler
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Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid on April 2 refuted Ahmed Raza Kasuri's claim that the Government attempted to lure Pervez Musharraf with a secret deal to stay away from the country for a period of five years, reported The News. "Ahmed Raza Kasuri tried to gain attention of former military ruler General (retired) Pervez Musharraf by telling a lie," Rashid claimed. The minister further said that the Government made no offer to Musharraf, claiming that the former President ousted Kasuri from his defence counsel team that is why he lied to gain Musharraf’s attention.
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April - 2 
Iran on April 2 said that the five border guards kidnapped by militants are in good health, disputing a report that one of them had been killed, reports Dawn. The guards were abducted by Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice) militants while patrolling the frontier with Pakistan on February 6, 2014. “The ki
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Iran on April 2 said that the five border guards kidnapped by militants are in good health, disputing a report that one of them had been killed, reports Dawn. The guards were abducted by Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice) militants while patrolling the frontier with Pakistan on February 6, 2014. “The kidnapped Iranian border guards are safe; there is no verified information to substantiate the terrorists’ claim of murder of one of the kidnapped soldiers,” official news agency Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) quoted Deputy Foreign Minister Ebrahim Rahimpour as saying on April 2.
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April - 2 
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a meeting with United Kingdom (UK) National Security Advisor Kim Darroch on April 2 in Islamabad assured that its soil will not be used against Afghanistan and that it supports the democratic process in Afghanistan, reports The Express Tribune. He said, “Our soil will
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Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a meeting with United Kingdom (UK) National Security Advisor Kim Darroch on April 2 in Islamabad assured that its soil will not be used against Afghanistan and that it supports the democratic process in Afghanistan, reports The Express Tribune. He said, “Our soil will not be used against Afghanistan and we support the democratic process in Afghanistan”. Further, Prime Minister Nawaz said that Pakistan believed in policy of non-interference, especially with regards to Afghanistan. “In order to tackle the issue of terrorism we have evolved consensus, amongst all the stakeholders, for dialogue,” he said, adding that that Pakistan do not wish to fall into arms race and want peace and stability in the region. Meanwhile, in his meeting with Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Sir Darroch said that the British Government is committed to provide more support to Pakistan in all fields, particularly countering terrorism. Talking about post 2014-Afghanistan, Nisar said the two neighbouring countries have to work together, with the support of the international community, to ensure peace and stability in the post-2014 Afghanistan. Nisar said that Pakistan has adopted a holistic regional approach by following a non-partisan policy in Afghanistan as well as improving relations with India. Separately, Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif during his meeting with Sir Darroch on April 2 said that both political and armed forces’ leadership was on the same page over all matters including the internal security situation of the country, reports Dawn. He said, “This unanimity is proving as our strength and will help bring us out of our problems”. He said that violence in any form was undesirable and Government was privy to it, adding, “We want to give peace a chance.”
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April - 2 
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ‘commander’ in Mohmand Agency, Khalid Omar Khorasani on April 2 said that the TTP has not announced an extension in the ceasefire and that the war will start again, reports The News. In a statement, Khalid Khorasani claimed that the Government had breached its promis
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Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ‘commander’ in Mohmand Agency, Khalid Omar Khorasani on April 2 said that the TTP has not announced an extension in the ceasefire and that the war will start again, reports The News. In a statement, Khalid Khorasani claimed that the Government had breached its promise during the period of ceasefire and held the state, military and political parties responsible for ‘the losses suffered’. He said all the influential sections of the society are in favour of the persistence of war. On Pakistan cricket team’s recent defeat against Bangladesh in World Twenty20, he said ‘Allah has always let this nation cry without a break’.
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April - 2 
TTP ‘spokesman’ Shahidullah Shahid on April 2 said that TTP has not extended a month-long ceasefire but are still open to pursuing peace talks with the Islamabad Government, reports Daily Times. He accused the government of continuing to kill Taliban during the ceasefire, especially in Karachi. “We
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TTP ‘spokesman’ Shahidullah Shahid on April 2 said that TTP has not extended a month-long ceasefire but are still open to pursuing peace talks with the Islamabad Government, reports Daily Times. He accused the government of continuing to kill Taliban during the ceasefire, especially in Karachi. “We gave this list and names of our civilian prisoners as a test case and wanted to see if the Government was serious,” one commander said, adding, “But we felt that the Government is either powerless or not serious in talks.” However, Government negotiators were not available to comment on whether talks would continue.
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April - 3 
The newly appointed chief of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Sirajul Haq said on April 3 that the next stage of peace talks with the TTP should be held in Islamabad, reports The Express Tribune. “Maulana Samiul Haq, 80-year-old man, cannot be expected to go into the mountains to negotiate,” he said, adding tha
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The newly appointed chief of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Sirajul Haq said on April 3 that the next stage of peace talks with the TTP should be held in Islamabad, reports The Express Tribune. “Maulana Samiul Haq, 80-year-old man, cannot be expected to go into the mountains to negotiate,” he said, adding that if the Federal Government could not arrange for this, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Government could facilitate the talks.
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April - 4 
Four Iranian soldiers abducted by Jaish-al-Adl (Army of Justice) militants on February 6, 2014, returned home after being held for two months. A spokesperson for Frontier Corps (FC) in Balochistan on April 5 rejected the notion that the kidnapped Iranian guards were present on Pakistani soil, report
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Four Iranian soldiers abducted by Jaish-al-Adl (Army of Justice) militants on February 6, 2014, returned home after being held for two months. A spokesperson for Frontier Corps (FC) in Balochistan on April 5 rejected the notion that the kidnapped Iranian guards were present on Pakistani soil, reports The Express Tribune. He further said that the guards were released inside Iran after mediation by an elder of the Shah Bakhsh tribe. “They have not been released in Pakistan. We don’t know where they were kept or released. We have no indication that these Iranian border guards were kept in Pakistan,” said Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam. According to details, on April 4, 2014, it was reported that the Iranian border guards captured by Jaish-al-Adl militants were freed. According to a media report, only four of the five abducted guards were handed over to Iranian officials in Pakistan alive. They were accompanied by the body of the fifth, which the rebels had executed. “The soldiers were handed over some hours ago by the small terrorist group Jaish-al-Adl to Iranian representatives in Pakistan,” said the Fars News Agency (FNA), quoting an unnamed security official. However, Pakistani officials could not confirm the release.
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April - 4 
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on April 4 extended the ceasefire until April 10, the outfit's spokesman Shahidullah Shahid said in a statement, adding that the TTP shura (council) would be meeting after the 10th to decide a future course of action, reports Dawn. The extension comes a day after
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The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on April 4 extended the ceasefire until April 10, the outfit's spokesman Shahidullah Shahid said in a statement, adding that the TTP shura (council) would be meeting after the 10th to decide a future course of action, reports Dawn. The extension comes a day after the interior ministry announced that it had released 19 non-combatants TTP as a goodwill gesture for bolstering the peace process with the TTP. In a statement issued to the media, Shahid said the group was awaiting the Government's reply on its demands. Shahid said the TTP shura has extended the deadline and would sit after April 10 to decide about the future of talks.
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April - 6 
Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif said on April 6 that Pakistan would not only help and support Afghanistan strengthen democracy but would also work in collaboration with the new leadership in that country to bring peace and tranquility in the region, reports Daily Times. Sharif congratulated Afghan
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Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif said on April 6 that Pakistan would not only help and support Afghanistan strengthen democracy but would also work in collaboration with the new leadership in that country to bring peace and tranquility in the region, reports Daily Times. Sharif congratulated Afghan President Hamid Karzai and the people of Afghanistan on successfully holding and completing the election process for the President’s office. He said that the Afghan people’s effort to make decisions through the ballot boxes reflects their determination and keen interest in adopting a democratic culture. “Participation in the democratic process by the Afghan people would play a significant role in bringing peace and stability in the region,” Nawaz emphasised.
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April - 7 
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader, Aitzaz Ahsan on April 7 called upon the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants to set free Ali Haider Gilani, the abducted son of former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, and slain Punjab Governor Salman Taseer’s son Shahbaz Taseer, reports The News. “I don
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Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader, Aitzaz Ahsan on April 7 called upon the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants to set free Ali Haider Gilani, the abducted son of former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, and slain Punjab Governor Salman Taseer’s son Shahbaz Taseer, reports The News. “I don’t think the ongoing negotiations with the Taliban will yield a positive result,” he said, adding, that the Taliban should also release the non-combatants. Ali Haider Gilani was abducted on May 9, 2013, while Sahbaz Taseer was kidnapped by TTP on August 26, 2011.
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April - 7 
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on April 8 announced it will challenge the Pakistan Protection Ordinance (PPO) Bill that was passed in the National Assembly on April 7, 2014, in the Supreme Court, reports The Express Tribune. The law permits the Security Forces (SFs) to shoot suspects on sight, detai
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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on April 8 announced it will challenge the Pakistan Protection Ordinance (PPO) Bill that was passed in the National Assembly on April 7, 2014, in the Supreme Court, reports The Express Tribune. The law permits the Security Forces (SFs) to shoot suspects on sight, detain them at secret locations for up to 90 days and carry out raids without search warrants. The SFs can also carry out secret trials. The opposition termed the Bill as regressive and extra-constitutional. “This law will turn Pakistan into a Police State,” said PTI Vice Chairperson Shah Mehmood Qureshi. “We have decided to take this law to court and challenge its anti-human rights stance.” Qureshi said, adding that his party had the support of the Jama’at-e-Islami (JeI) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). The main opposition, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), also led protests against the law in the National Assembly.
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April - 7 
The ‘official’ website, UmarMedia.com, launched by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on April 5, 2014 was taken down on April 7, reports Dawn. According to investigation into the domain’s registered records on April 7 revealed that the website was hosted by a company from Punjab. The owner of th
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The ‘official’ website, UmarMedia.com, launched by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on April 5, 2014 was taken down on April 7, reports Dawn. According to investigation into the domain’s registered records on April 7 revealed that the website was hosted by a company from Punjab. The owner of the company, said that he had no idea who the client was. “The domain was registered in November 2013, and until yesterday, we had no idea as to what the content on the website would be,” he said, adding, “The order for the domain and the website were placed through an address from Karachi, and the client always used proxy servers to access the online administrative panel.” He further added, “The address was apparently fake.” The website is now inaccessible and shows a ‘404 - Not Found’ error. The public Domain Name System (DNS) records which were updated on April 6, 2014, shortly before the website went down now list an inactive phone number and an address, most likely fake, from Buffer Zone in Karachi.
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April - 8 
A complete shutter-down strike was observed in parts of Balochistan on April 8 in response to a strike called by the Baloch National Front (BNF) protesting the military operation in Kalat District on April 7, 2014, reports The Express Tribune. A BNF spokesperson said that SFs had launched the operat
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A complete shutter-down strike was observed in parts of Balochistan on April 8 in response to a strike called by the Baloch National Front (BNF) protesting the military operation in Kalat District on April 7, 2014, reports The Express Tribune. A BNF spokesperson said that SFs had launched the operation against locals after suffering a defeat ‘at the hands of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) in Kalat and Nushki Districts’. BLA ‘spokesperson’ Mirak Baloch said his armed men brought down a gunship helicopter in Kalat and killed several SFs personnel in response to the operation. “After facing tough resistance, the SFs carried out shelling on the local population and targeted innocent Baloch people,” Mirak said. He claimed that none of the BLA’s members were killed in the operation. A Baloch Republican Army (BRA) ‘spokesperson’ also issued a similar statement.
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April - 8 
Secret Agencies have alerted the Police that militants opposed to the Government and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) peace talks are planning terrorist activities in Islamabad, Peshawar and Quetta, reports Dawn quoting Police and Interior Ministry Officials on April 8 (today). They did not know wh
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Secret Agencies have alerted the Police that militants opposed to the Government and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) peace talks are planning terrorist activities in Islamabad, Peshawar and Quetta, reports Dawn quoting Police and Interior Ministry Officials on April 8 (today). They did not know when the militants would strike, but the officials said that a new group Ansar-ul-Hind would claim responsibility for the attacks. “Although peace talks are in progress, we are taking necessary measures to counter terrorism in the cities,” said one official, adding, “Law enforcing agencies will be the main target of the terrorists, and in the case of their failure, any other official installation or public place.” “TTP will choose the targets and the informal groups under its umbrella will provide support to the Ansar-ul-Hind activists with weapons and other materials,” he added.
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April - 8 
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on April 8 said that it is a matter of concern that the Government is delaying on TTP's three key demands while the Taliban are seriously holding a ceasefire, reports The Express Tribune. The TTP has called for the establishment of a ‘peace zone’, release of ‘non-com
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Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on April 8 said that it is a matter of concern that the Government is delaying on TTP's three key demands while the Taliban are seriously holding a ceasefire, reports The Express Tribune. The TTP has called for the establishment of a ‘peace zone’, release of ‘non-combatant prisoners’ and an end to crackdown against Taliban members across the country, TTP ‘spokesperson’ Shahidullah Shahid said in a two-page letter addressed to the media on April 8, 2014. “We handed over a list of our non-combatant prisoners to the Government [negotiating] committee but still no prisoner has been released while statements of Government negotiators and senior officials on ‘peace zone’ show a lack of confidence among Government Departments,” he said. Unabated action against TTP members their arrests, torture in custody and mutilated bodies has raised questions about the ceasefire, Shahid said, adding that the Taliban showed flexibility to provide an environment conducive for negotiation…but in response, the TTP has only received dead bodies, arrests and torture of its members. Further, the coordinator of TTP’s intermediary committee, Maulana Yousaf Shah, appealed to both the TTP and the Government to extend the ceasefire for an indefinite period for fruitful dialogue. He said the committee has succeeded in the first two phases of peace initiative – the coordination stage and the face-to-face meeting. “The third phase involves practical steps, and the Government has assured us that it’ll take practical steps,” Shah said in a meeting in Shabqadar tehsil (revenue unit) of Charsadda District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “In the last meeting, the Government assured us that it’ll release Taliban non-combatants before the second round of face-to-face talks,” Shah said. “[But] the 19 prisoners the Government freed didn’t figure on the list provided by the TTP. They were Mehsud tribesmen who were detained on suspicion and released by South Waziristan’s Political Agent.” He said that the Taliban have handed over a list of 765 non-combatant prisoners, hailing from tribal regions and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and were mostly relatives of the Taliban. Thirty of them have been cleared and might be released, he added.
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April - 9 
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ‘spokesperson’ Shahidullah Shahid condemned the blast and said that it was haram (unlawful) and illegal to attack innocent people in public places, adds The Express Tribune. Later, Police arrested a suspect from the location of the blast, reports Dawn. Earlier, on Ap
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Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ‘spokesperson’ Shahidullah Shahid condemned the blast and said that it was haram (unlawful) and illegal to attack innocent people in public places, adds The Express Tribune. Later, Police arrested a suspect from the location of the blast, reports Dawn. Earlier, on April 3, secret agencies had alerted the Police that militants opposed to the Government-TTP peace talks are planning terrorist activities in Islamabad, Peshawar and Quetta. The ceasefire will end on April 10, 2014.
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April - 10 
Pakistan on April 10 said that peace talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were its “internal matter” and dismissed the allegations of the Afghan Military Commander Major General Muhammad Sharif Yaftali about cross-border export of terrorism from Pakistan to Afghanistan and the adverse imp
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Pakistan on April 10 said that peace talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were its “internal matter” and dismissed the allegations of the Afghan Military Commander Major General Muhammad Sharif Yaftali about cross-border export of terrorism from Pakistan to Afghanistan and the adverse implications of the peace parleys on Afghanistan, reports Daily Times. “I would not like to comment on some commander’s adverse comments or allegations. Our actions during the elections, and even before that, speak for themselves and are out there for everyone to see,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasneem Aslam Khan said when asked to comment on the accusations levelled by senior Afghan Military official Major General Muhammad Sharif Yaftali about Pakistan sponsoring terrorism in Afghanistan and that the ongoing talks between the Pakistani Government and the Taliban were causing escalation in the Haqqani Network’s activities in Afghanistan. “Talks with TTP are Pakistan’s internal matter. There have been indications that Afghan Government itself may be talking to the Taliban. It is not very clear what these accusations are leading to,” she said.
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April - 10 
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on April 10 warned that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif may himself one day become a victim of the Protection of Pakistan Ordinance (PPO) if it is passed in its current form, reports Dawn. The anti-terror law gives comprehensive powers to Sec
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Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on April 10 warned that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif may himself one day become a victim of the Protection of Pakistan Ordinance (PPO) if it is passed in its current form, reports Dawn. The anti-terror law gives comprehensive powers to Security Agencies to infringe the fundamental rights of the citizens guaranteed under the Constitution. Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) also criticised the legislation, tabling a resolution in the Sindh Assembly against it. “The MQM rejects the Protection of Pakistan Ordinance. We will continue to protest against this black law as long as our workers are alive,” said MQM Chief Altaf Hussain. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi says his party will challenge the law in court. Senator Farhatullah Babar of the PPP said that the Bill is under the review of the Senate, and that his party will try to amend the law. Babar said that if the law is passed while retaining its current shape, it will provide legal cover to enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings would become the norm. However, the Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz (PML-N) Government argues that the legislation is necessary to curb the rising terrorism and militancy across the country. The Bill was passed late on April 7, 2014.
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April - 10 
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on April 10 said, “Impose martial law if you want destruction in Pakistan,” reports The News. He said that martial law would be destructive for Pakistan, adding that martial law is imposed for a brief period in a country in the wake of problems but
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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on April 10 said, “Impose martial law if you want destruction in Pakistan,” reports The News. He said that martial law would be destructive for Pakistan, adding that martial law is imposed for a brief period in a country in the wake of problems but in reality the military coup aggravates the problems.
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April - 11 
According to Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Vice Chairperson Tahir Hussain Khan, nearly 30,000 members of the Hazara community have migrated in the last five years from Balochistan to other parts of the country, reports The Express Tribune on April 12. Khan said that the flow of migrati
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According to Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Vice Chairperson Tahir Hussain Khan, nearly 30,000 members of the Hazara community have migrated in the last five years from Balochistan to other parts of the country, reports The Express Tribune on April 12. Khan said that the flow of migration increased as nearly 1,000 members of the Hazara community have been killed in targeted attacks since 2009. Members of the Hazara community leaving Quetta and other parts of the province comprise businessmen, highly educated workers and senior government officials, amongst others, he added. While discussing sectarian violence in the Province, Khan warned, “This conflict can turn into a civil war if it is not addressed properly at this stage.” Further, Khan, who is also the President of HRCP’s Balochistan Chapter, added that more than 10,000 Hindus have also fled the province as abductions-for-ransom have become routine over the last three years here.
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April - 11 
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif during his visit to the Sonmiani firing Range near Karachi on April 11 said that due to the multidimensional threats faced by the country, the military needed to have a “high state of preparedness at all times”, reports The Express Tribune. According
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Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif during his visit to the Sonmiani firing Range near Karachi on April 11 said that due to the multidimensional threats faced by the country, the military needed to have a “high state of preparedness at all times”, reports The Express Tribune. According to a statement from the Inter-services Public Relations (ISPR,) the Army Chief had gone to view the Air Defence Firing Exercise. Full range of air defence weapons including Guns and surface to air missiles were used in the exercise. Appreciating the professionalism and standards of the participating units, General Sharif emphasised that highest standards of training and professionalism must remain the military’s hallmark to accomplish the given mission.
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April - 13 
Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on April 13 said that the Government had held consultations with the Army over the issue of freeing Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) prisoners, reports Dawn. He said that the Government wanted the immediate release of non-combatants held captive
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Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on April 13 said that the Government had held consultations with the Army over the issue of freeing Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) prisoners, reports Dawn. He said that the Government wanted the immediate release of non-combatants held captive by the TTP and added that the TTP had not demanded the release of militant's and neither would they be freed. He said that the release of combatant prisoners would take place at a later stage, adding that the holding of talks with the Taliban, which had entered its third stage, was a difficult task. Nisar said that there was no deadlock between the Taliban and the Government and it had been decided earlier only that the next round of talks would take place after April 13, 2014. Meanwhile, the Government on April 13 acknowledged that there were certain misunderstandings between it and the Army, but the issue was never as serious as depicted by the media, reports Daily Times. Nisar Ali Khan said that coordination and harmony between the Government and the armed forces in the past ten months has been historically the best ever. He further said that both the institutions were on the same page on national affairs. He also said that the Government and military were in agreement on the issue of talks with the TTP. Dispelling the impression that the army was not happy with the release of Taliban prisoners, Nisar said: “Let me tell you, the release of non-combatant prisoners was not possible without the consent of the military. All 19 prisoners were released from army’s internment centre. Can it be possible to free people from army’s custody without its assent?” The prisoners were earlier released on April 3, 2014. Nisar asked while promising that 13 more non-combatant Taliban prisoners will be released soon. He, however, said that their release will not come before the next direct talks between the Government and Taliban representatives.
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April - 13 
The Shura (council) of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on April 14 met at an unknown location in North Waziristan Agency of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) to discuss the fate of the peace talks and the extension in ceasefire, reports Dawn. According to sources, key Taliban leaders,
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The Shura (council) of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on April 14 met at an unknown location in North Waziristan Agency of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) to discuss the fate of the peace talks and the extension in ceasefire, reports Dawn. According to sources, key Taliban leaders, including peace committee head Qari Shakeel and Azam Tariq, attended the meeting while the TTP’s 'deputy Ameer' (chief) Khalid Haqqani chaired it. The key issues being discussed during the meeting were the extension of ceasefire and the exchange of non-combatants. Apart from these, infighting among two rival TTP factions was also on the agenda. In a statement issued on April 13, 2014, TTP ‘spokesman’ Shahidullah Shahid said that the differences and clashes between the two groups had been blown out of proportion in the media, adding that these were not of much importance. He had also said that the various groups of the TTP were united and on one page when it came to talks with the Government. However, independent as well as intelligence sources said that the delay over the ceasefire issue was due to internal strife within TTP ranks.
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April - 15 
A leader of the TTP Karachi Chapter, Haji Dawood, on April 15 said that a delegation of senior Taliban ‘commanders’ would soon visit Afghanistan to meet TTP chief Maulana Fazlullah to seek his directive about the infighting between the Mehsud Taliban groups, reports Dawn. He said the Shura took the
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A leader of the TTP Karachi Chapter, Haji Dawood, on April 15 said that a delegation of senior Taliban ‘commanders’ would soon visit Afghanistan to meet TTP chief Maulana Fazlullah to seek his directive about the infighting between the Mehsud Taliban groups, reports Dawn. He said the Shura took the decision after three days of deliberations. He said the infighting between the groups of Sheryar Mehsud and Khan Said alias Sajna was an urgent issue for the Shura which decided to refer the matter to Maulana Fazlullah. He said the delegation would put forward opinions of both groups and the decision of the TTP ‘chief’ would be acceptable to them.
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April - 15 
Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Sardar Mehtab Khan Abbasi, affiliated with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), during his oath taking on April 15 said that there is no harm in granting amnesty to militants if they submit to the Constitution, reports Dawn. He said that people involved in mi
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Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Sardar Mehtab Khan Abbasi, affiliated with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), during his oath taking on April 15 said that there is no harm in granting amnesty to militants if they submit to the Constitution, reports Dawn. He said that people involved in militancy had become hostage to the situation and their families were facing severe hardship. Many of them might be fed up with the situations, but were not able to find a way out, he added. “I think the Government should grant a general pardon,” the Governor suggested.
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April - 15 
Pakistan’s former President General (retired) Pervez Mushararf said on April 15 that he imposed the November 3, 2007 emergency on the advice of the then Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, after consultation with civil and military aides and that not in his discretion, reports The News. In a statement issu
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Pakistan’s former President General (retired) Pervez Mushararf said on April 15 that he imposed the November 3, 2007 emergency on the advice of the then Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, after consultation with civil and military aides and that not in his discretion, reports The News. In a statement issued through his lawyers, Musharraf claimed, “imposition of emergency by the Army Chief was merely a legal understanding of Ibrahim Satti and he was not asked to submit that before the top court on behalf of his client”. Ibrahim Satti, one of the lawyers from the legal panel of Musharraf, submitted a clarification with the Supreme Court, backing off from his earlier contention that his client had imposed the emergency in his personal discretion. Satti prayed the court to make his clarification a part of record.
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April - 16 
According to Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ’s) 2014 Global Impunity Index, Pakistan showed a modest improvement with the conviction of six men for the assassination of Geo News Journalist Wali Khan Babar on January 13, 2011, reports The Express Tribune. CPJ while referring to Wali Khan Babar’
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According to Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ’s) 2014 Global Impunity Index, Pakistan showed a modest improvement with the conviction of six men for the assassination of Geo News Journalist Wali Khan Babar on January 13, 2011, reports The Express Tribune. CPJ while referring to Wali Khan Babar’s case, noted that Pakistan has shown improvement with regard to punishing the culprits responsible for slaying journalist and moved to 9th place on Impunity Index Rating, where it had ranked 8th last year. The report highlighted that despite six people being convicted in the case, justice is far from complete as two convicts are still at large and mastermind of the killing is yet to be identified. The report also mentions that during the trial, five more people linked to the case were also murdered including witnesses, informants, and investigators. The conviction seems to have had scant impact on those who are targeting the media in Pakistan.
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April - 16 
The Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M), Jehanzeb Jamaldini, on April 16 said that Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif has failed to honour his commitment to resolve the Balochistan issue according to the wishes of Baloch people, reports Dawn. He said t
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The Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M), Jehanzeb Jamaldini, on April 16 said that Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif has failed to honour his commitment to resolve the Balochistan issue according to the wishes of Baloch people, reports Dawn. He said that BNP-M leader Sardar Akhtar Mengal and the Prime Minister had discussed the Balochistan issue at a meeting and the PM had assured Mengal that the issue would be resolved in a political and peaceful way. Jamaldini regretted that during the nine months of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Government, no change had been witnessed in conditions prevailing in the province. Rather, he said, the situation had deteriorated. He said they had expected that Sharif and Chief Minister Abdul Malik Baloch would resolve the Balochistan issue but their performance had caused disappointment. He said if the federal and provincial governments could not satisfy the BNP-M leadership, how they could engage militants in negotiations. He further said that “hidden” elements wanted to isolate the BNP-M, adding that party workers were being harassed and attacked in different areas of the Province. “Recently some activists have been killed in targeted attacks in Khuzdar, Panjgur and Naseerabad areas.”
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April - 16 
The Special Court trying former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf for high treason was on April 16 told by the prosecutor, Akram Sheikh, that “there are no co-accused” in the matter nor has any evidence been found to this effect, reports Daily Times. He said the matter was investigated an
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The Special Court trying former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf for high treason was on April 16 told by the prosecutor, Akram Sheikh, that “there are no co-accused” in the matter nor has any evidence been found to this effect, reports Daily Times. He said the matter was investigated and material for prosecution was available only against Musharraf hence the complaint was filed against him. Sheikh said that the FIA “found evidences only against the former President” regarding proclamation of November 2007 emergency. While submitting his written answer to the Special Court, the chief prosecutor said that in accordance with the law “the person signing a document is solely responsible for the act”, and in this matter the FIA found no documentary evidences or summary signed by the then Prime Minister regarding the imposition of emergency in November 2007. He further submitted that “no record of the cabinet’s approval was found” and if Musharraf was advised by someone to impose emergency in 2007, then he should inform the court. Sheikh said it was the responsibility of the accused to provide evidences to verify the claim regarding the involvement of abettors or facilitators during imposition of emergency. The chief prosecutor said that implicating someone without any evidence was unconstitutional and against the fundamental right of a fair trial. The court adjourned the hearing of the treason case to April 24, 2014, and said that the decision regarding the appointment of the prosecutor would be announced on April 18, 2014.
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April - 17 
In response to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) decision to not extend the ceasefire, the Government after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on National Security on April 17 decided to ‘slow down’ the dialogue process and adopt the ‘wait and see’ policy, reports Daily Times. The meeting was chair
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In response to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) decision to not extend the ceasefire, the Government after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on National Security on April 17 decided to ‘slow down’ the dialogue process and adopt the ‘wait and see’ policy, reports Daily Times. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The committee decided that dialogue with militants would only be held if held peacefully without terror attacks launched by the TTP, otherwise force would be used. This was confirmed by an unnamed high ranking official. Separately, the head of TTP negotiation committee, Maulana Sami-ul-Haq on April 17 termed delays and arguments as part and parcel of talk process and that efforts were afoot for an extension in ceasefire and achieving progress in other issues, reports The News. In a statement, Haq urged the TTP and Government to observe patience and magnanimity in the prevailing circumstances, as ‘ups and downs, arguments and delays are a usual phenomenon for dialogue processes. Meanwhile, TTP intermediary Muhammad Ibrahim on April 17 said that the peace talks will not be successful without a ceasefire, reports The Express Tribune. Muhammad Ibrahim said that they will contact the Government regarding the TTP concerns which have come forward through the media. He reiterated that they will meet the TTP leadership to persuade them to extend the ceasefire.
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April - 17 
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education informed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on April 17 that at least 160 primary and middle schools had been closed down across the province due to lawlessness, natural disaster, unavailability of teachers and land disputes, reports Dawn. The Provin
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The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education informed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on April 17 that at least 160 primary and middle schools had been closed down across the province due to lawlessness, natural disaster, unavailability of teachers and land disputes, reports Dawn. The Provincial Government admitted that 13 primary and middle schools for boys and girls had been shut down on the outskirts of Peshawar due to militancy. According to the details, 28 schools have been closed down in Battagram, 14 in Charsadda, 24 in Kohistan, 15 in Hangu, 15 in Dera Ismail Khan, three in Swabi and two in Tank. It said 39 schools had been shut down in Swat since 2010 when flash floods played havoc with the area, while two more schools had been abandoned due to militancy in the District. However, opposition Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Mufti Syed Janan, said figures provided by the Department were incorrect. He said that 47 schools had been declared dysfunctional in Peshawar only due to militancy and shortage of teachers. Further, he pointed out that the Department had submitted written reply to the Assembly Secretariat in February, 2013, in which 385 schools, including 295 for girls, were declared dysfunctional in the Province. Janan demanded action against officials for producing wrong data about schools. The Education Department came under fire for providing wrong information about schools to the Assembly and its poor performance.
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April - 18 
Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Amir (chief) Sirajul Haq says the Government should give serious consideration to the TTP demands if it does not want more bloodshed in the country, reports Dawn. He said the TTP were simply demanding a peace zone for talks where there was no danger of attack and the release of
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Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Amir (chief) Sirajul Haq says the Government should give serious consideration to the TTP demands if it does not want more bloodshed in the country, reports Dawn. He said the TTP were simply demanding a peace zone for talks where there was no danger of attack and the release of about 300 non-combatants. He said there was no harm in accepting these demands for freeing the country from terrorism.
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April - 18 
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif while addressing the Cabinet Meeting in Islamabad on April 18 said that USD 1.6 billion will be spent on different development projects in Balochistan, with Gwadar being developed as a model city, reports Dawn. The Prime Minister said that the development in Balochistan w
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Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif while addressing the Cabinet Meeting in Islamabad on April 18 said that USD 1.6 billion will be spent on different development projects in Balochistan, with Gwadar being developed as a model city, reports Dawn. The Prime Minister said that the development in Balochistan was a priority for the Government and development plans to put the most neglected Province on road to progress, “were being implemented expeditiously.” He said that Gwadar was being developed as a model city and a socio-economic package has been planned for it, adding that Gwadar Airport and Sea Port were being developed on modern lines. He told the Cabinet that USD 1.6 billion will be spent on these projects and added that he himself will monitor these projects.
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April - 18 
The Government is planning a fresh round of talks with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) negotiators at the weekend, Federal Interior Ministry official said on April 18, despite the militants' refusal to extend a ceasefire called to help peace efforts, reports Dawn. Federal Minister of Interior Chaud
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The Government is planning a fresh round of talks with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) negotiators at the weekend, Federal Interior Ministry official said on April 18, despite the militants' refusal to extend a ceasefire called to help peace efforts, reports Dawn. Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said in a statement that he has called a meeting with the TTP’s talks committee on April 19 (today) to decide how to proceed. He said only dialogue could overcome reservations and objections, but warned there was little chance of progress without a ceasefire. “If Taliban have certain objections, we also have reservations,” he said, adding the government pushed forward the peace process against serious logjams. “(But) I don't think the talks process will move forward in the absence of a ceasefire,” said Khan, who has been an ardent supporter of the talks. He will meet the TTP's three-man talks committee, led by Maulana Samiul Haq. Members of the Government negotiating team are also likely to attend Saturday's talks, a senior official said. Meanwhile, cautioning the Government that certain forces may take advantage of its decision to call off the ceasefire, the TTP on April 18 said that it will not be responsible for any attacks on public places, reports The Express Tribune. At the same time, however, the group said it reserved the right to act in ‘self defence’. “I want to caution the government… some forces may carry out attacks on public places while taking advantage of our refusal to extend the ceasefire,” TTP ‘spokesman’ Shahidullah Shahid said. “The Taliban will not be responsible for attacks on public places… [but] we have the right to launch attacks in self defence,” he added.
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April - 18 
Pakistan on April 18 warned the Haqqani Network and the Afghan Taliban not to co-operate with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), The News reported on April 17. The warning was prompted by the alleged growing co-operation among the Afghan Taliban, the Haqqani Network and the TTP. The TTP already h
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Pakistan on April 18 warned the Haqqani Network and the Afghan Taliban not to co-operate with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), The News reported on April 17. The warning was prompted by the alleged growing co-operation among the Afghan Taliban, the Haqqani Network and the TTP. The TTP already have admitted their financial support from the Afghan Taliban, TTP spokesman Shahidullah Shahid said.
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April - 18 
Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Mushahidullah Khan on April 18 said that the Government will opt for tit-for-tat response if the TTP carry out their activities, reports The News. He said that the Government would not let anybody to challenge its writ.
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Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Mushahidullah Khan on April 18 said that the Government will opt for tit-for-tat response if the TTP carry out their activities, reports The News. He said that the Government would not let anybody to challenge its writ.
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April - 21 
The Member of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) talks committee Professor Muhammad Ibrahim has held the Government responsible for deadlock in peace talks, saying that delay in release of non-combatant TTP prisoners gave rise to the crisis, The News reports on April 22. He said that as per announceme
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The Member of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) talks committee Professor Muhammad Ibrahim has held the Government responsible for deadlock in peace talks, saying that delay in release of non-combatant TTP prisoners gave rise to the crisis, The News reports on April 22. He said that as per announcement Government’s committee for peace talks hasn’t yet held meeting with TTP committee due to which the deadlock emerged. He said that Federal Minster of Interior Chaudhry Nisar in a press conference had stated that Government has decided to release some of the TTP prisoners but it has not been implemented despite passage of several days.
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April - 22 
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Shahbaz Sharif has earmarked funds for modern resources, such as forensic laboratories, in the province, which prove the government’s commitment to dealing with terrorists, Dawn reports on April 22. The Punjab government has detained and prosecuted about 700 militants invo
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Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Shahbaz Sharif has earmarked funds for modern resources, such as forensic laboratories, in the province, which prove the government’s commitment to dealing with terrorists, Dawn reports on April 22. The Punjab government has detained and prosecuted about 700 militants involved in sectarian violence over the last six months. In 2013, law-enforcement agencies in the province registered nearly 3,500 cases on charges of misusing loud speakers, delivering hate speeches, disseminating incendiary material and trying to cause divisions among different segments of society. The information was released by the Director General of Public Relations (DGPR) Punjab in response to a story carried in Dawn, calling attention to the presence of proscribed organizations’ sleeper cells in and around Lahore and the provincial Government’s lukewarm response to these developments. Referring to the arrest of a group of militants involved in high-profile attacks, including last month’s attempt to assassinate TV anchor Raza Rumi, the statement claimed, “All terrorists involved in high-profile sectarian attacks committed in Punjab have been arrested, including sectarian target killers in Lahore.” “Sectarian attacks reported in cities such as Chakwal, Bhakkar, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad were successfully investigated and the perpetrators arrested over the course of the past few months. “By keeping these terrorists off the street, incidents of sectarian (violence) in Punjab have also been significantly reduced,” it said.
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April - 22 
The Federal Ministry of Interior told the sub-committee of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that 50 per cent of arms licenses were yet not verified in Pakistan and it is expected the process of verification would be completed by next month, The News reports on April 23. The sub-committee took up
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The Federal Ministry of Interior told the sub-committee of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that 50 per cent of arms licenses were yet not verified in Pakistan and it is expected the process of verification would be completed by next month, The News reports on April 23. The sub-committee took up audit par as relating to Interior Ministry for fiscal year 2009-10 as the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) revealed that PKR 551.510 million related to arms licences was not reconciled with the Government receipt. During the examination of the audit para, Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed observed that all the weapons in the country are illegal as not a single weapon license was attested. The officials of the Ministry told the sub-committee that the Government imposed a ban on issuance of weapons license in 2002 and since then around 126,000 license forms were printed and 71,000 license booklets were also issued, 35,000 of which were verified. They told the committee that around 71,000 arms license tokens were issued in the country and 21,000 of them were of prohibited weapons. The officials of the Interior Ministry told the committee that process of verification was going on and it is hoped that these would be verified by June 30 after which unverified licences would be canceled.
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April - 22 
The Peshawar High Court on April 22 summoned the Secretary Defence and Secretary Interior in the missing persons’ cases on May 14 to explain the non-compliance of the court orders in the enforced disappearance cases, reports The News. A two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel
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The Peshawar High Court on April 22 summoned the Secretary Defence and Secretary Interior in the missing persons’ cases on May 14 to explain the non-compliance of the court orders in the enforced disappearance cases, reports The News. A two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel and Justice Ikramullah Khan directed the two Federal Secretaries to appear in person in the court. “We are stating with great concern that no proper assistance is being made in the missing persons cases by the Deputy Attorney General Office as the ministries and agencies since 2012 made no progress in the missing persons’ cases. We in such circumstances are compelled to put on notice the Attorney General of Pakistan and the secretaries of Defence and Interior to appear and explain non-compliance with the court orders,” the bench stated in the order.
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April - 22 
Balochistan Chief Minister (CM) Abdul Malik Baloch on April 22 conceded that there are law and order problems in Panjgur, Kech and Kacchi Districts and said that the Government is taking measures to curb the lawlessness, reports Dawn. He was speaking during a session of the Balochistan Assembly.
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Balochistan Chief Minister (CM) Abdul Malik Baloch on April 22 conceded that there are law and order problems in Panjgur, Kech and Kacchi Districts and said that the Government is taking measures to curb the lawlessness, reports Dawn. He was speaking during a session of the Balochistan Assembly.
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April - 22 
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister (CM) Pervez Khattak warned on April 22 that the “third unseen power” can take benefit of the suspension of peace negotiations and end of ceasefire between the Government and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), reports Daily Times. Though he did not mention the “third
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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister (CM) Pervez Khattak warned on April 22 that the “third unseen power” can take benefit of the suspension of peace negotiations and end of ceasefire between the Government and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), reports Daily Times. Though he did not mention the “third unseen power”, he referred to the recent terrorist incidents in the country in this respect.
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April - 23 
The Senate was informed by the Federal Ministry of Interior on April 23 that the sectarian violence had claimed at least 2,090 lives over past five years, with militancy hit Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) on top with 867 killings, reports The Express Tribune. The figures were revealed in
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The Senate was informed by the Federal Ministry of Interior on April 23 that the sectarian violence had claimed at least 2,090 lives over past five years, with militancy hit Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) on top with 867 killings, reports The Express Tribune. The figures were revealed in a written reply from the Federal Ministry of Interior during the question hour. Balochistan, which has seen deadly attacks on the resident Shia Hazara community, witnessed 737 killings. Sindh, where a number of doctors, professors religious leaders belonging to their sect have been targeted in recent years, 252 were killed over sectarian differences between January 2008-January 2009. Punjab, which saw some of the worst riots in the country last year following a clash of two groups in Rawalpindi on Ashura that resulted in a curfew, 104 people were killed in sectarian violence over five years. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa witnessed 22 killing. Gilgit-Baltistan, which has belied its largely peaceful outlook with incidents of sectarian violence, saw 103 people falling victim to sectarian violence. Five people lost their lives in Islamabad in sectarian attacks.
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April - 24 
Sectarian killings rose by more than a fifth in Pakistan in 2013, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said on April 24, warning of an alarming increase in violence against religious minorities, reports The Express Tribune. HRCP said 687 people were killed in more than 200 sectarian attacks la
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Sectarian killings rose by more than a fifth in Pakistan in 2013, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said on April 24, warning of an alarming increase in violence against religious minorities, reports The Express Tribune. HRCP said 687 people were killed in more than 200 sectarian attacks last year, a rise of 22 per cent on 2012, while 1,319 people were injured, a 46 per cent rise on 2012. The HRCP warned that ongoing peace talks between the Government and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) could make minorities even more vulnerable. Violence against Shias, who make up around 20 per cent of the population, has been growing in recent years, much of it led by extremist sectarian groups such as Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ). The country’s small Christian, Hindu and Ahmadi communities also suffer discrimination and occasional outbursts of violence.
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April - 25 
Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said on April 25 that the one-sided media trial of the Army and Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) should end, reports Daily Times. Nisar said it was the Federal Government’s constitutional and legal responsibility to protect the dignity of the Pak
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Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said on April 25 that the one-sided media trial of the Army and Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) should end, reports Daily Times. Nisar said it was the Federal Government’s constitutional and legal responsibility to protect the dignity of the Pakistan Army and intelligence agencies, and there should be no ambiguity or fallacy in that respect. The Minister said media should show responsibility regarding sensitive issues. Saying that the Jang Group will have to retrace its steps in the greater national interest, the Interior Minister said the media trial of the top intelligence agency of the country over TV journalist Hamid Mir’s attack would have to end otherwise anti-state elements would take advantage of the situation.
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April - 25 
Prime Minister (PM) Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on April 25 said that the Balochistan people faced huge excesses in the past but it would not happen now, reports The News. He termed democracy a self-regulated system of accountability and said the democratic norms were flourishing in the country. He said t
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Prime Minister (PM) Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on April 25 said that the Balochistan people faced huge excesses in the past but it would not happen now, reports The News. He termed democracy a self-regulated system of accountability and said the democratic norms were flourishing in the country. He said the Government wanted to ensure economic and political independence of the people and vowed to eliminate unemployment, inflation, illiteracy and sense of insecurity from the country. “Pakistan free from these evils is our goal,” the PM said.
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April - 25 
The Government on April 25 confirmed that it had received a video message of Ali Haider Gilani the abducted son of former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and that Ali Haider Gilani’s abductors are not Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, reports The News. Federal Minister of Interior Chaudh
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The Government on April 25 confirmed that it had received a video message of Ali Haider Gilani the abducted son of former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and that Ali Haider Gilani’s abductors are not Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, reports The News. Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that the abductors had demanded PKR 500 million for the release of Ali Haider Gilani after an earlier demand of PKR two billion. Nisar said Ali Haider could be seen in the video bound by chains. According to Nisar, Ali Haider Gilani said in the video that his abductors were not affiliated with the TTP and his family was not taking serious steps for his release. Ali Haider Gilani further says in the video that if measures are not taken for his release within one month he will be killed. Ali was earlier kidnapped from Multan (Punjab) on May 9, 2013 from outside a Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) office.
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April - 27 
If the Government enforced Sharia’h (Islamic law) in accordance with the Constitution, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) would abide by the Constitution, claimed member of the Taliban peace committee and Provincial Chief of Jama’at-e-Islami (JeI) Muhammad Ibrahim Khan on April 27 in Peshawar, the
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If the Government enforced Sharia’h (Islamic law) in accordance with the Constitution, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) would abide by the Constitution, claimed member of the Taliban peace committee and Provincial Chief of Jama’at-e-Islami (JeI) Muhammad Ibrahim Khan on April 27 in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reports The Express Tribune. He refuted the view that one cannot negotiate with a group that does not recognise the Constitution. He further said that formal talks between the Government and the TTP are yet to start, reported Dawn. He said that the negotiation process was under way but formal talks had not started yet which had caused a deadlock. Both the government and the Taliban were responsible for the stalemate, he added.
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April - 27 
The Federal Government on April 27 directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to curtail the operations of Afghan cellular phones in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) because of security issues, reports Dawn. Informed sources said that more
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The Federal Government on April 27 directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to curtail the operations of Afghan cellular phones in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) because of security issues, reports Dawn. Informed sources said that more than 40,000 SIMs (Subscriber Identification Module) of Afghan mobile telephone companies were operating inside Pakistani territory and using international roaming services. Apart from this, the SIMs also work on their local Afghan networks in certain regions of FATA which are close to the Afghan border. It was revealed that the Afghan SIMs have been used in many kidnapping-for-ransom cases in Pakistan. “PTA has been directed to curtail these operations,” said Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, adding, “During December 2013, around 17,000 Afghan SIMs were recovered by FIA after a raid on an illegal Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) set-up in Peshawar”. He confirmed that Afghan cellular SIMs were being used inside Pakistani territory and were suspected of being used in serious crimes such as extortion threats, illegal VoIP activity and by terrorist networks for communication.
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