Afghan Taliban closer to international recognition: Amir Khan Muttaqi

The Taliban are inching closer towards international recognition but any concessions Afghanistan's new rulers make will be on their terms, the regime's foreign minister clamed in an interview with AFP.

In his first interview since returning from talks with Western powers in Oslo, Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi also urged Washington to unlock Afghanistan's assets to help ease a humanitarian crisis.

No country has formally recognised the government installed after the Taliban seized power in August as US-led forces withdrew following a 20-year occupation.

But Muttaqi told AFP late on Wednesday that Afghanistan's new rulers were slowly gaining international acceptance.

“On the process of getting recognition ... we have come closer to that goal,” he said.

“That is our right, the right of the Afghans. We will continue our political struggle and efforts until we get our right.”

The talks in Norway last month were the first involving the Taliban held on Western soil in decades.

While Norway insisted the meeting was not intended to give the hardline group formal recognition, the Taliban have touted it as such.

Muttaqi said his government was actively engaged with the international community — a clear indication, he insisted, of growing acceptance.

“The international community wants to have interaction with us,” he said.

“We have had good achievements in that.”

Under pressure

Muttaqi said several countries were operating embassies in Kabul, with more expected to open soon.

“We expect that the embassies of some of the European and Arab countries will open too,” he said.

But Muttaqi said any concessions the Taliban made in areas such as human rights would be on their terms and not as a result of international pressure.

“What we are doing in our country is not because we have to meet conditions, nor are we doing it under someone's pressure,” he said.

“We are doing it as per our plan and policy.”

The Taliban have promised a softer version of the Islamic rule that characterised their first stint in power from 1996 until 2001.

But the new regime has been swift to bar women from most government jobs and close the majority of girls' secondary schools.

Still, despite clear evidence to the contrary, Muttaqi insisted the new regime had not sacked any employees of the previous US-backed government.

“None of the 500,000 employees of the previous regime, men or women, have been fired. They all are getting paid,” he said.

But on the streets of Kabul and elsewhere in the country, thousands of people say they have lost their jobs or that they have not been paid for months.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/world/item/111262-afghan-taliban-closer-to-international-recognition-amir-khan-muttaqi.html

13 terrorists killed during clearance operation after attacks in Naushki, Panjgur: ISPR

Security forces killed 13 terrorists in Balochistan's Panjgur and Naushki areas after successfully repulsing separate attacks last night, the military's media wing said on Thursday.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that after fending off the attacks, "security forces carried out a clearance operation to hunt down terrorists hiding in the area."

In Naushki, the security forces encountered and killed five more terrorists, bring the number of total killings to nine, the ISPR said, adding that four soldiers, including an officer, embraced martyrdom while repulsing the attack.

Meanwhile, in Panjgur, four terrorists have so far been killed while at least four to five are encircled by security forces, the statement said.

The ISPR said the operation in Panjgur to eliminate fleeing terrorists "is continuing".

"As per initial investigation, intelligence agencies have intercepted communications between terrorists and their handlers in Afghanistan and India," the statement added.

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday paid tribute to the "brave" security forces for repulsing terrorist attacks in Balochistan the previous night as he acknowledged their "great sacrifices".

Terrorists had attempted to attack security forces' camps in Balochistan's Panjgur and Naushki in two separate attacks late on Wednesday evening, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The attacks had been "successfully repulsed" while dealing heavy damage to the terrorists, although one soldier was martyred in the Panjgur incident, the military's media wing had reported.

The prime minister today said: "We salute our brave security forces who repulsed terrorist attacks against security forces' camps in Panjgur & Naushki, Balochistan. The nation stands united behind our security forces who continue to give great sacrifices to protect us."

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid provided an update on the number of terrorists killed and the soldiers martyred. In a video message on Twitter, he said nine terrorists were killed and four soldiers martyred in Naushki, whereas six terrorists died in the Panjgur attack.

"The terrorists were repulsed from both places and the Pakistan Army kept its tradition [of defeating terrorism] alive. A few — four to five people — are surrounded by them (the army) in Panjgur which the Pakistan Army will defeat. This is a great success that the Pakistan Army has achieved against terrorism."

The interior minister paid tribute to the security forces and said they were fully capable of fighting against any kind of terrorism.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo also praised security forces for thwarting the attacks, saying: "Terrorists cannot intimidate our brave security forces with cowardly attacks. Our security forces are making history."

"Terrorists should remember that their competition is with the best army in the world which will defeat them on all fronts," the chief minister said, adding that their sacrifices were a source of pride for the nation, which stood beside them.

He also extended his condolences and sympathies to the family of the martyred soldier.

Last night's attacks were claimed by the banned Baloch Liberation Army. The incidents are the latest in a string of attacks in Balochistan and come a week after ten soldiers were martyred in a terrorist attack on a security forces' checkpost in the province's Kech district.

According to the ISPR, the "fire raid" by terrorists in Kech had occurred on the night of Jan 25-26.

"During intense exchange of fire, one terrorist was killed and several injured. While repulsing terrorists' fire raid, 10 soldiers embraced martyrdom," the statement had said.

Two days after the attack, three Levies Force personnel along with a Bugti clan elder were martyred and eight others injured in twin bomb blasts in the Sui area of Dera Bugti.

On Jan 30, 17 people, including two policemen, were injured in a grenade attack in Dera Allahyar town of Jaffarabad district.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/balochistan/item/111261-13-terrorists-killed-during-clearance-operation-after-attacks-in-naushki-panjgur-ispr.html

4 soldiers martyred,15 terrorists killed in Panjgur and Naushki: Interior minister

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid on Thursday has told that nine terrorists in Naushki whereas six terrorists have been killed in Panjgur.

In a statement, the minister deplored the terrorist attacks on the camp of security forces in Naushki and Panjgur and said that four security personnel have also embraced martyrdom in retaliation. We salute the brave officers over repulsing the attacks, he expressed.

Sheikh Rashid said that our security forces are well trained to foil any kind of terrorist attack.

Earlier, security forces had successfully repulsed terrorist attacks at military camps in Panjgur and Noshki districts of Balochistan, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

ISPR said that terrorists attempted to attack security forces camps at two locations, Panjgur and Noshki, in Balochistan late Wednesday evening. Both attacks were successfully repulsed while inflicting heavy casualties to terrorists.

The ISPR statement said that in Panjgur, terrorists tried to enter security forces camp from two locations. However, timely response by troops foiled terrorist attempt.

During intense exchange of fire one soldier has been martyred. Terrorists have fled while their casualties are being ascertained, the ISPR statement read.

“In Noshki, the terrorists attempted to enter an FC camp which was promptly responded,” it said, adding that four terrorists have been killed while one officer has been injured during the shootout, the ISPR added.

“Intermittent firing was continuing, “the statement added.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/111260-4-soldiers-martyred-15-terrorists-killed-in-panjgur-and-naushki-interior-minister.html

Pakistan reports 42 more corona deaths in a day

Pakistan has reported 42 deaths in the last 24 hours by novel coronavirus as the number of positive cases has surged to 1,442,263. The nationwide tally of fatalities has jumped to 29,372 on Thursday.

According to the latest figures by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) 5,830 persons tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.

Punjab remains the worst-hit province in terms of deaths followed by Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Till now 13,201 individuals have lost their lives to the epidemic in Punjab, 7,849 in Sindh 6,023 in KP, 982 in Islamabad, 760 in Azad Kashmir, 368 in Balochistan, and 189 in GB.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/111258-pakistan-reports-42-more-corona-deaths-in-a-day.html

Pak-China relations higher than Himalayas, deeper than oceans: Fawad Chuadry

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhary has expressed the confidence that the visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to Beijing will further expand Pakistan-China relations.

Briefing the media persons in Islamabad today (Thursday) ahead of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit, he said Pakistan-China relations are higher than the Himalayas and deeper than the oceans.

The Information Minister said Prime Minister Imran Khan will hold meetings with the Chinese President and the Chinese Premier. In addition, he said the Prime Minister is scheduled to meet the Chinese investors and businessmen.

He said more Chinese businessmen will come and shift their industries to Pakistan after the visit of the Prime Minister.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/111257-pak-china-relations-higher-than-himalayas-deeper-than-oceans-fawad-chuadry.html

Fakhar Zaman, bowlers help Lahore Qalandars secure 29-run win over Peshawar Zalmi

Fakhar Zaman and bowlers joined hands to help Lahore Qalandars defeat Peshawar Zalmi by 29 runs in match number nine to push their team to the second spot in the ongoing Pakistan Super League's (PSL) points table.

The Qalandars had set a 200-run target for Peshawar after Wahab Riaz opted to bowl first against Lahore.

Early in the Peshawar innings, Lahore skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi set the tone for his team by dismissing Zalmi opener Hazratullah Zazai for zero in the third ball of the innings.

The loss of the early wicket put Zalmi on the backfoot and regular wickets by Lahore never allowed Peshawar to take control of the game.

For Zalmi, Kamran Akmal and Haidar Ali made 41 and 49 runs, respectively, but the team was unable to catch up to the high required run rate.

Zaman Khan took three wickets for Lahore, while skipper Shaheen and David Weise took two wickets each. Rashid Khan took a wicket as well.

Zalmi ended their 20 overs with 170-9 helping Lahore register a 29-run victory. Peshawar would have been all out in the last over had David Weise's hattrick wicket not overturned by the review.

Earlier, Lahore openers Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique set the tone for Qalandars' batting as they took the Peshawar Zalmi bowlers to the cleaners.

Fakhar made his third successive fifty-plus scores by reaching his half-century in the 10th over. However, in the same over, Usman Qadir dismissed Shafique for 41 runs to break the opening stand.

Fakhar continued his attack on the Zalmi bowlers before being dismissed by Hussain Talat in the 13th over for 66. By the time the left-hander was dismissed he had given the platform to his team to set up a huge target for Peshawar.

In the next few overs, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hafeez, and Rashid Khan’s cameo propelled Lahore to end their innings at 199-4.

For Peshawar, Salman Irshad took two wickets while Usman Qadir and Hussain Talat picked one each.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/sports/item/111249-fakhar-zaman-bowlers-help-lahore-qalandars-secure-29-run-win-over-peshawar-zalmi.html

IMF approves $1bn loan tranche for Pakistan: Shaukat Tarin

The International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Executive Board has approved the $1 billion loan tranche of their programme for Pakistan.

Taking to Twitter, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin confirmed.

I am pleased to announce that IMF Board has approved 6th traunche of their programme for Pakistan.

— Shaukat Tarin (@shaukat_tarin) February 2, 2022

"I am pleased to announce that IMF Board has approved 6th tranche of their programme for Pakistan," he wrote.

The IMF’s Executive Board held a meeting today in Washington DC to consider Pakistan’s request for completion of the sixth Review and release of a $1 billion tranche under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

In order to meet another condition of the IMF, the government had successfully managed to get the State Bank (Amendment) Bill, 2021, cleared from the Upper House of Parliament — which was the last stumbling block in reviving the stalled programme.

Following the clearance of the bill, all prior conditions of the Fund had been fulfilled by Pakistan, including the approval of the mini-budget and SBP bill.

Keeping in view the requests from Pakistan, the IMF had postponed its Executive Board meetings thrice this month.

The IMF board meeting was postponed last time from January 28 to February 2, 2022. The loan programme has been stalled since April 2021, hence, the sixth review will be completed after nine months.

Meanwhile, the next review (seventh) under the $6 billion EFF programme will be due in April 2022. The last and final eighth review is expected to be done in September 2022.

$6 billion deal with IMF

In May 2019, Pakistan and the IMF reached a staff-level agreement on economic policies for a three-year Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

Under the agreement, Pakistan was to receive about US$6 billion for a period of 39 months.

Islamabad had accepted the IMF’s conditions to reduce the primary deficit to 0.6%, granting more operational autonomy to the SBP, placing a flexible exchange rate and further tightening the monetary policy and hiking electricity tariff.

In its official announcement, the IMF had stated that "decisive policies" and reforms together with significant external financing were necessary to reduce vulnerabilities faster, increase confidence, and put the economy back on a sustainable growth path, with stronger private sector activity and job creation.

“Financing support from Pakistan’s international partners will be critical to support the authorities’ adjustment efforts and ensure that the medium-term programme objectives can be achieved,” the IMF had stated.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/business/item/111248-imf-approves-1bn-loan-tranche-for-pakistan.html