Sindh all set to elect Murad Ali Shah as new CM today

KARACHI: Sindh is all set to elect its new chief executive today, with Syed Murad Ali Shah, the nominated candidate of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party, certain of an easy win in a provincial assembly vote being boycotted by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.

Shah, who until the resignation of Qaim Ali Shah as chief minster on Wednesday was working as senior minister for finance, has only one rival candidate from the opposition benches, i.e. MPA Khurrum Sher Zaman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

The PPP, which has taken a lot of flak for its poor show of governance in the province, has replaced octogenarian Shah with a relatively young leader as part of a campaign to ready itself for the 2018 general election.

Friday’s contest is sure to become a one-sided affair given the statistics of lawmakers in the house being highly in favour of the PPP. The provincial assembly session has been summoned by the governor at 3pm to elect the new chief minister.

The legislature comprises 168 members, but at present there are 165 MPAs as three seats are vacant.

The PPP has 91 members, a number big enough to give Murad Ali Shah a comfortable majority to win and form a cabinet of choice. 

Only three lawmakers of the party are not likely to turn up to take part in the polling, i.e. Sharjeel Inam Memon, Syed Owais Muzaffar and Barrister Hasnain Mirza. The first two has been out of the country while Hasnain Mirza has not been reportedly approached by the parliamentary leadership of the PPP to vote owing to a row between the party and his father and former home minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza. 

Another senior MPA, Ali Nawaz Shah, could also abstain from the voting process owing to his reported ill health. 

PTI candidate Khurrum Sher Zaman has no chance to sail through the election with his party having only four lawmakers in the house. And of these four, only three would cast their votes because MPA Syed Hafeezuddin had announced his quitting the party and resigning as MPA to join Mustafa Kamal-led Pak Sarzameen Party. His resignation is yet to be accepted. 

PTA lawmaker Samar Ali Khan signed Zaman’s nomination papers as proposer of his candidature, while the only female lawmaker of the opposition party in the house, Dr Seema Zia, seconded the papers. 

Of the total 168 votes, Murad Ali Shah is likely to easily get 85. The house will elect the new leader of the house through the open system of polling instead of using the secret ballot process as either the house members would cast their votes through a show of hands or by taking part in the process of division of the house for conducting the polls. 

Four candidates nominated for CM slot

There are four candidates in the field -- Murad Ali Shah and Khurrum Sher Zaman, Dr Sikandar Ali Mandhro and Jam Mehtab Dahar. 

Mandhro and Dahar are both from the ruling PPP. Mandhro, who was the environment minister until the resignation of Shah as chief minister, and Mehtab Dahar was the health minister in the just-dissolved cabinet, are considered to be two covering candidates for the main PPP contender, Murad Ali Shah. Both covering candidate are likely to announce withdrawal of their candidature anytime on Friday before the start of the polling process in the house. 

Speaker Sindh Assembly Agha Siraj Durrani told newsmen on Thursday evening before the display of the final list of candidates that the assembly secretariat had received all the seven nomination papers for the election and all were found to be in order. 

Of the seven nomination papers, four belonged to Murad Ali Shah, while one set of nomination papers each belonged to PTI’s Khurrum Sher Zaman and PPP’s Jam Mehtab Dahar and Dr Sikandar Mandhro. 

Qaim Ali Shah was the proposer while Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, who was also a senior minister in the dissolved cabinet, seconded the nomination papers of Murad Ali Shah. 

The process of issuance and receiving the nomination papers in the office of the secretary of the provincial assembly continued from 9am till 5pm on Thursday. The final list of candidates was displayed after 7pm after due process of scrutiny of the nomination papers of all the candidates in the field. 

MQM opts out of voting process

Syed Sardar Ahmed, the parliamentary party of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, the main opposition party of the province, has decided not to take part in the process to elect the new CM. The MQM with 50 lawmakers in the house is the main opposition party with MPA Khawaja Izharul Hassan as leader of opposition. 

The parliamentary leadership of the opposition announced on Thursday that the party’s lawmakers would remain neutral as they would neither support nor oppose the election of Murad Ali Shah as the new chief executive. 

The MQM’s parliamentary leader and the leader of opposition said that earlier their party had supported the candidature of Qaim Ali Shah to become chief executive for the second consecutive time, but that decision didn’t augur well for the urban areas of the province. 

Ahmed said that the PPP’s continued rule in the province had caused the division between the rural and urban parts of Sindh to widen. They said the ruling party had been in the practice of make decisions by using its majority in the house in a brute and cruel manner, which didn’t augur well for the dwellers of the province. 

He said that with Murad Ali Shah becoming the new CM of Sindh, the PPP would continue with its rule replete with bad governance. 

PML-N not to support PPP candidate

One of the other opposition parties in the house, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, also announced it would not support the PPP candidate. 

“After deep deliberation and discussion it was decided that the PML-N will participate in the election proceedings of the Sindh Assembly which is to be held tomorrow. But the PML-N will not support the candidate of the Pakistan Peoples Party for the election of leader of the house because we believe that the PPP government who has been ruling over Sindh for the last eight years only promotes corruption, bad governance, nepotism, favouritism, etc,” said a statement issued by Muhammad Ismail Rahoo, who is the parliamentary leader of the PML-N in the house. 

A similar stance is likely to be taken by another opposition party, PML â€"Functional, whose 11 lawmakers in the house will neither support nor oppose the candidature of Murad Ali Shah. 

Soon after the decision of a top-level meeting of the PPP in Dubai on July 24 to bring a new CM in Sindh, Murad Ali Shah and other lawmakers of the party met in Dubai with PML-F chief Pir Pagara to get his blessings for his nomination by the ruling party to become chief minister. 

Earlier, TV news channels reported that efforts had been made by the PPP leadership to persuade the PTI not to field its candidate for the CM’s poll so as to enable Shah to become chief minister unopposed. But the PTI snubbed all such efforts. 

Murad to announce policy in speech after getting elected

Later, talking to journalists, CM-designate Shah said that as such there was no concept of getting elected CM unopposed as in case there was no other contesting candidate in the field, the loner contender had to secure a vote of confidence from the assembly, showing that he commanded a majority in the house.

He said that after getting elected he would deliver a speech in the assembly to present in detail his policy statement about how he would govern the province. Regarding the controversial issue of extending the special policing powers of the Sindh Rangers in Karachi, Shah said the stabilisation of peace in Karachi was the need of the hour and everyone would made efforts for achieving that goal, but for this cause civilian institutions had to be strengthened. 

He said that the Rangers would be delegated powers in accordance with law and the constitution. He said that no negotiations had been under way to persuade the MQM to become part of any coalition set-up in the province. 

PTI lawmaker Khurrum Sher Zaman said that he was in the field to end the chapter of politics of compromising on principles in the province for the sake of the welfare of the citizens of Sindh. 

He said he was hopeful to get support from the lawmakers of other political parties in the house too for the sake of closing the chapter of politics of making compromises on the rule of law. He said that once elected by the house to become the new chief executive of the province, he would immediately issue a decree to extend the special policing powers of the Rangers to all of the province before taking other steps for the welfare and development of the province. 

Order for Rauf

The Sindh Assembly speaker has written a letter to the inspector-general of police and the prisons department to bring the imprisoned MQM MPA, Abdul Rauf Siddiqui, to the assembly so he could take part in the polling process. 

Earlier, MQM parliamentary leader Syed Sardar Ahmed had written a letter to the speaker, containing a request for issuing orders Siddiqui be allowed to cast his vote. 

â€"Originally published in The News

 

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Erdogan wants army under president's control after coup: Turkish official

ANKARA/ISTANBUL: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan wants the armed forces and national intelligence agency brought under the control of the presidency, a parliamentary official said on Thursday, part of a major overhaul of the military after a failed coup.

Erdogan's comments came after a five-hour meeting of Turkey's Supreme Military Council (YAS) - chaired by Prime Minister Binali Yildirim and including the top brass - and the dishonorable discharge of nearly 1,700 military personnel over their alleged role in the abortive putsch on July 15-16.

According to media reports, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) declared Fethullah Gulen's party a terrorist organisation, with the Egyptian representative expressing concern over the decision.

After the meeting, Erdogan approved the council's decisions to keep armed forces chief Hulusi Akar and the army, navy and air force commanders in their posts, making few changes to the top brass, Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin told reporters.

Erdogan, who narrowly escaped capture and possible death on the night of the coup, told Reuters in an interview last week that the military, NATO'S second biggest, needed "fresh blood". The dishonorable discharges included around 40 percent of Turkey's admirals and generals.

Turkey accuses U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen of masterminding the coup and has suspended or placed under investigation tens of thousands of his suspected followers, including soldiers, judges and academics.

In the aftermath of the coup, media outlets, schools and universities have also been closed down.

"The president said that ... he would discuss with opposition parties bringing the General Staff and the MIT (intelligence agency) under the control of the presidency," the parliamentary official said.

Such a change would require a constitutional amendment, so Erdogan's Islamist-rooted AK Party would require the support of opposition parties in parliament, Turkish media said.

Both the General Staff and MIT currently report to the prime minister's office. Putting them under the president's overall direction would be in line with Erdogan's push for a new constitution centered on a strong executive presidency.

Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag repeated Ankara's request to the United States to swiftly extradite Gulen, once a powerful ally of Erdogan. He cited intelligence reports suggesting that the 75-year-old preacher might flee his residence in rural Pennsylvania.

Gulen has condemned the coup and denies any involvement.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said more than 300 personnel in his ministry had links to Gulen and that it had dismissed 88 employees.

Separately, Turkey's biggest petrochemicals company Petkim said its chief executive had resigned and the state-run news agency Anadolu said he had been detained in connection with the failed coup.

Anadolu also said Ankara prosecutors requested the seizure of the assets of 3,049 judges and prosecutors detained as part of the investigation into the coup attempt.

Western concerns

Western governments and human rights groups have condemned the coup, in which at least 246 people were killed and more than 2,000 injured. But they have also expressed disquiet over the scale and depth of the purges, fearing that Erdogan may be using them to get rid of opponents and tighten his grip on power.

The government said on Wednesday it had ordered the closure of three news agencies, 16 television channels, 45 newspapers, 15 magazines and 29 publishers. This announcement followed the shutting down of other media outlets and detention of journalists with suspected Gulenist ties.

In Washington, State Department spokesman John Kirby said the United States was "deeply concerned" about the latest reports of Turkish closure of news media outlets and was seeking clarification from the government about the action.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel became the latest Western leader on Thursday to urge restraint, while underlining Turkey's need to take action against the rebels.

"In a constitutional state - and this is what worries me and what I am following closely - the principle of proportionality must be ensured by all," she told a news conference in Berlin.

Cavusoglu told broadcaster CNN Turk that some prosecutors with links to Gulen had fled to Germany and he urged Berlin to extradite them. He also said he saw "positive change" in the attitude of the United States towards Ankara's request to extradite Gulen to Turkey.

Even before the failed coup, Turkey was struggling with major security challenges including attacks by Kurdish militants and Islamic State, a grim reality underscored by tourism data on Thursday showing a 40 percent fall in foreign visitors in June.

Turmoil in Turkey's armed forces raises questions about its ability to contain the Islamic State militant threat in neighboring Syria and the renewed Kurdish insurgency in its southeast, military analysts say.

The AK Party, founded by Erdogan and in power since 2002, has long had testy relations with the military, which for decades saw itself as the ultimate guardian of Turkey's secular order and legacy of the nation's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. The military has ousted four governments in the past 60 years.

However, Erdogan says the armed forces have been infiltrated in recent years by Gulen's supporters. "The army has to stop being the army of the Fethullah Gulen terrorist organization," Justice Minister Bozdag said.

Exerting control 

In a symbolic sign of how civilian authorities are now firmly in charge, Thursday's military council meeting was held at the prime minister's office rather than General Staff headquarters.

Yildirim accompanied senior military officers to pay respects at Ataturk's mausoleum in Ankara ahead of the meeting.

"We will surely eliminate all terror organizations that target our state, our nation and the indivisible unity of our country," Yildirim said in televised remarks at the mausoleum.

Changes since the coup include bringing the gendarmerie, which is responsible for security in rural areas, and the coast guard firmly under interior ministry control rather than under General Staff control.

CNN Turk has reported that more than 15,000 people, including around 10,000 soldiers, have been detained so far over the coup, citing the interior minister. Of those, more than 8,000 were formally arrested pending trial, it said.

Extradition urgent

This month's events have exacerbated strains in Turkey's relations with the United States. Washington has responded cautiously to the request to extradite Gulen, saying it must provide clear evidence of his involvement in the coup plot.

Bozdag said Turkey was receiving intelligence that Gulen might flee, possibly to Australia, Mexico, Canada, South Africa or Egypt. Egypt said it had not received an asylum request.

Gulen built up his reputation as a preacher with intense sermons. His movement, known as Hizmet, or "Service" in Turkish, set up hundreds of schools and businesses in Turkey and later abroad. His philosophy stresses the need to embrace scientific progress, shun radicalism and build bridges to the West and other religious faiths.

The United States and European Union, which Turkey aspires to join, have both urged Ankara to exercise restraint in its crackdown on suspected Gulen supporters and to ensure those arrested have a fair trial.

Amnesty International has said detainees may have suffered human rights violations, including beatings and rape - an accusation roundly rejected by Ankara.

The EU has also bridled at talk in Turkey - from Erdogan down - of restoring the death penalty, a move Brussels said would scupper Ankara's decades-old bid to join the bloc.

Tourism, a pillar of the economy, has been badly hit by a series of deadly bombings in Turkey, including one at Istanbul's airport in June that killed 45 people, and by tensions with Russia. Data showing a 40 percent drop year-on-year in June in the number of foreign visitors to Turkey is further bad news for the government. The decline was the biggest in 22 years.

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Three of a family electrocuted in Lahore

LAHORE: Three people of the same family were electrocuted on Friday at Shadara Bagh area.

The family was trying to dismount a charpoy from the rooftop when it hit an electric pole and electrocuted an 11-year-old girl.

Her father and brother who tried to save her got electrocuted in the process, rescue services said.

 

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A town near Peshawar where guns sell cheaper than smartphones

DARRA ADAMKHEL: Gunfire echoes through a dusty northwest tribal town, the soundtrack to Pakistan´s biggest arms black market, where Kalashnikovs welded from scrap metal are cheaper than smartphones and sold on an industrial scale.

Darra Adamkhel, a town surrounded by hills some 35 kilometres (20 miles) south of the city of Peshawar, was a hub of criminal activity for decades. People smugglers and drug runners were common and everything from stolen cars to fake university degrees could be procured. 

This generations-old trade in the illicit boomed in the 1980s: The mujahideen began buying weapons there for Afghanistan´s battle against the Soviets, over the porous border. 

Later, the town became a stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban, who enforced their strict rules and parallel system of justice -- infamously beheading Polish engineer Piotr Stanczak there in 2009.

Now Darra is clean of all but the arms, yet the gunsmiths in the bazaar say the region's improved security and authorities´ growing intolerance for illegal weaponry are withering an industry that sustained them for decades. 

"(The) Nawaz Sharif government has established checkpoints everywhere, business is stopped," said Khitab Gul, 45.

Gul is known in Darra for his replicas of Turkish and Bulgarian-made MP5 submachine guns, one of the most popular weapons in the world, widely used by organisations such as America´s FBI SWAT teams.

The MP5 can retail for thousands of dollars. Gul´s version, which comes with a one-year guarantee, costs roughly 7,000 rupees, or $67 -- and, he claims, it works perfectly. 

Gul then puts on a demonstration, test-firing his MP5 in the small outer yard of his workshop -- first the single shot mode, then firing in a burst. 

A Darra-made Kalashnikov, Gul says, can sell for as little as $125, cheaper than most smartphones. "The workers here are so skilled that they can copy any weapon they are shown," he explains.

"In past 10 years I have sold 10,000 guns, and had zero complaints," he claims.

[post_gallery]

Wild West no more 

In Gul´s sweltering workshop, employees shout over the roar of electrical generators as they expertly cut and drill through metal brought from the shipyards of Karachi, far to the south on the Arabian Sea.

The main bazaar which cuts through the town used to hold nothing but tiny gun shops crammed together, their gleaming wares displayed openly on racks as customers test-fired into the air above.

Trade was illegal, unlicensed and unregulated, but long tolerated by authorities with little power in the tribal areas between Afghanistan and Pakistan, where militants once operated with impunity.

Residents, for their part, viewed the market as legitimate in an area dominated by Pashtun traditions, where gun culture is deeply embedded in male identity.

But in recent years the military has cracked down on extremism, particularly in the tribal areas, and security is the best it has been since the Pakistani Taliban were formed in 2007.

Every second or third shop in Darra now sells groceries or electronics instead of weapons, the gunsmiths lament. The Wild West atmosphere is fading as the town embraces modern conveniences.

Before the crackdown Gul´s workshop -- just one of hundreds in the town -- could produce more than 10 weapons a day, he says.

Now they only produce four. "Demand has decreased," he says. 

Customers are scared

Gunsmiths put the blame squarely on the Pakistani government and military, particularly checkpoints on the way to Darra halting customers who once travelled to the town openly.

Foreigners have been banned for security reasons.

The military has not yet objected to the gun market in Darra directly, but residents say they have had to give sureties they will not harbour militants, and a half-hearted attempt at licensing is now also being made.

Police and paramilitary officers were prominent at entry and exit points to the area during a recent AFP visit there.

"I have been working here for 30 years but now I have no work to do," says Muzzamil Khan, sitting idle outside his workshop. "I am ready to sell my lathe machine."

Muhammad Qaisar, making cartridges at his shop in the main bazaar, said at one point there had been up to 7,000 shops there -- but now almost half have closed.

If the government does not change its policies, he says, "I fear... Darra will be finished".

Darra trade union leader Badam Akbar confirmed that some 3,000 shops have closed, and said skilled workers are attempting to learn new trades. "Nothing is left in this bazaar now," he says. 

Hundreds of gun shops still cram the narrow streets around the bazaar and the sound of gunfire still pierces the air -- albeit intermittently -- but the gunsmiths say it is not enough.

"We have no electricity, no water, no business," Akbar warns.

"Life has became very difficult."

 

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Future of Mohajir politics

As the new chief minister Syed Murad Ali Shah takes oath today, never before a strong urban force such as MQM rather Mohajirs faced an uncertain political future.

The party, with whom the Mohajirs remained associated with for the past 32 years, has been facing serious challenges since its birth in 1984. Unlike in the past, the establishment has practically put an 'X’ for any negotiations with them unless they fulfill some preconditions as confidence-building measures.

What the establishment really wants from MQM? Sources say it’s minus Altaf, complete overhaul of the party, dissociating with ‘militants’ which they believe also include some senior leaders, making party more open and closing 24/7 service at Nine Zero and Khursheed Memorial Hall, particularly after midnight.

The minus Altaf formula is the toughest for MQM to accept, but sources say it is the key for any future relief for the party. If the party does not reconsider or review its position, it may face some more tough measures in the coming months.

All the MQM protest rallies still revolve around ‘Jeaye Altaf’ and, if you can see, the recent walk chalking in urban Sindh ‘Altaf Our Spiritual Father’. The party flags show ‘Jeaye Altaf’ slogan. So, the MQM has yet to discard its original position â€" ‘Manzil Nahi Rahnuma’.

The question remains that why the MQM considers Altaf Hussain as integral part of its politics and is not ready to give up. "It is our party and only we have the right to decide our future. Altaf is our destiny," said a hardcore MQM leader on condition of anonymity.

However, the MQM’s own leadership for the past three years has also remained concerned about Altaf Hussain's speeches and remarks against the military establishment, which led to a ban on his live or recorded addresses on TV, something which caused MQM an irreversible loss.

As a result, the political leadership and governments in Sindh and Centre also distanced themselves from MQM. It would be interesting to see whether Murad Ali Shah visits Nine Zero or not.

So, what options the MQM leadership is left with and what alternate its strong Mohajir vote bank has? If the circumstances force MQM to withdraw its nominated candidate for the Karachi mayor, Waseem Akhtar, and if it also receives a setback in the elections of chairmen and deputy chairmen, it would not be difficult to judge as what has pushed MQM to the wall.

The MQM leadership, particularly of London, has decided to internationalise the human rights violations during the operation, which include custodial deaths, missing MQM activists, thousands of cases and arrest of two former ministers and a mayor candidate.

The most dramatic development is the planned visit of the MQM chief to the United States in October, depending on the outcome of the cases against him in London. Though they still have three months before his visit, it indicates that the MQM's overseas leadership has decided to use ‘victimisation of Mohajirs’ as an issue after it failed in getting support of mainstream political parties in the country and is not very optimistic about getting any relief from the Sindh government despite the change of chief minister. On the contrary, it fears Syed Murad Ali Shah may take a more hard position and back Rangers operations in Karachi.

The MQM had used this option in 1992 and 1995 as well. But this time round, it may also face counter attack from its dissidents, including Mustafa Kamal and his Pak Sarzameen Party. Even last week, the supporters of the two factions held protest and counter protest.

There appears to be some disconnect between the MQM London and the MQM Pakistan over party's reform agenda. There are organisational problems as well as internal differences over the counter strategy.

The MQM leaders in Pakistan say they are finding it extremely difficult to motivate workers, secure the jobs of thousands of Mohajirs who may be fired on one account or the other.

Thus, all this made the local government elections most important for them, which they won despite difficulties, and are now in a position to get their mayor elected. However, the Sindh government had curtailed the major powers of the mayor, chairman and deputy chairman, including financial and the authority to dismiss the mayor.

The manner in which seven police officers made their own joint investigation team (JIT) and later claimed that Waseem had admitted his role in May 12, 2007 killings generated a sharp reaction from none other than Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah. "How this can be called JIT. The Sindh government must take notice of it. The government constitutes a JIT," he said.

Without going into details, it was clear that the Malir police took his remand in another case within 24 hours of his arrest, followed by reopening of multiple cases including the one concerning the high-profile May 12 killings, which exposed the real intention behind the move.

Thus, the MQM leadership received a strong message. Even when he was nominated, there were reports that his selection as mayor would not be acceptable to certain quarters because of his tough position on the Karachi targeted operation and certain political matters.

Moreover, the MQM is also facing difficulties in keeping its strength of UC chairmen, deputy chairmen intact.

It also claims that hundreds of its alleged militants are in custody, with thousands of others finding it difficult to stay at home due to raids, and some of its top leaders are abroad for security and safety reasons.

The MQM leadership made some changes in the party setup and abolished their controversial sector and unit in-charges, replacing them with UC in-charges. They also decided not to resist the arrest of those who were allegedly involved in the militant activities in the past.

However, it appears as if the decision has been taken ‘somewhere’, not to give any major relief to the party, and as a result, the MQM Pakistan ran out of options.

Irrespective of the fate of Altaf Hussain-led MQM which has practically been pushed to the wall, the future of Mohajirs in politics also looks quite uncertain.

What options Mohajirs do have now? Reverting to their old parties like Jamaat-e-Islami? But Jamaat looks towards PTI which could not consolidate its position after 2013. Or will there be other options such as the Pak Sarzameen Party led by Mustafa Kamal and Anis Qaimkhani?

However, none of these parties have come out with any programme to address the political and economic rights of Mohajirs. Though Mohajirs are also disappointed with MQM, they still vote for MQM and in the name of Altaf Hussain whom they still consider as the one who gave them identity.

It seems that some of the MQM policies are creating vacuum and space. Thus, it’s a race between MQM and other parties before the next general elections. MQM is down, but certainly not out.

The powerful Mohajirs in urban Sindh are watching the recent political developments. The vast majority of any ethnic entity has never before remained associated with a party for three decades. Whether it was the right decision to have the party of their own or they should have remained with some mainstream parties, it will not be easy for them to look for an alternate unless it comes out with a plan to safeguard their rights. Perhaps, they may still support MQM but certainly want a more democratic party with major reforms.

- Originally published in The News

(The writer is a senior columnist and analyst of Geo, The News and Jang.)

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A town near Peshawar where guns sell cheaper than smartphones

DARRA ADAMKHEL: Gunfire echoes through a dusty northwest tribal town, the soundtrack to Pakistan´s biggest arms black market, where Kalashnikovs welded from scrap metal are cheaper than smartphones and sold on an industrial scale.

Darra Adamkhel, a town surrounded by hills some 35 kilometres (20 miles) south of the city of Peshawar, was a hub of criminal activity for decades. People smugglers and drug runners were common and everything from stolen cars to fake university degrees could be procured. 

This generations-old trade in the illicit boomed in the 1980s: The mujahideen began buying weapons there for Afghanistan´s battle against the Soviets, over the porous border. 

Later, the town became a stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban, who enforced their strict rules and parallel system of justice -- infamously beheading Polish engineer Piotr Stanczak there in 2009.

Now Darra is clean of all but the arms, yet the gunsmiths in the bazaar say the region's improved security and authorities´ growing intolerance for illegal weaponry are withering an industry that sustained them for decades. 

"(The) Nawaz Sharif government has established checkpoints everywhere, business is stopped," said Khitab Gul, 45.

Gul is known in Darra for his replicas of Turkish and Bulgarian-made MP5 submachine guns, one of the most popular weapons in the world, widely used by organisations such as America´s FBI SWAT teams.

The MP5 can retail for thousands of dollars. Gul´s version, which comes with a one-year guarantee, costs roughly 7,000 rupees, or $67 -- and, he claims, it works perfectly. 

Gul then puts on a demonstration, test-firing his MP5 in the small outer yard of his workshop -- first the single shot mode, then firing in a burst. 

A Darra-made Kalashnikov, Gul says, can sell for as little as $125, cheaper than most smartphones. "The workers here are so skilled that they can copy any weapon they are shown," he explains.

"In past 10 years I have sold 10,000 guns, and had zero complaints," he claims.

[post_gallery]

Wild West no more 

In Gul´s sweltering workshop, employees shout over the roar of electrical generators as they expertly cut and drill through metal brought from the shipyards of Karachi, far to the south on the Arabian Sea.

The main bazaar which cuts through the town used to hold nothing but tiny gun shops crammed together, their gleaming wares displayed openly on racks as customers test-fired into the air above.

Trade was illegal, unlicensed and unregulated, but long tolerated by authorities with little power in the tribal areas between Afghanistan and Pakistan, where militants once operated with impunity.

Residents, for their part, viewed the market as legitimate in an area dominated by Pashtun traditions, where gun culture is deeply embedded in male identity.

But in recent years the military has cracked down on extremism, particularly in the tribal areas, and security is the best it has been since the Pakistani Taliban were formed in 2007.

Every second or third shop in Darra now sells groceries or electronics instead of weapons, the gunsmiths lament. The Wild West atmosphere is fading as the town embraces modern conveniences.

Before the crackdown Gul´s workshop -- just one of hundreds in the town -- could produce more than 10 weapons a day, he says.

Now they only produce four. "Demand has decreased," he says. 

Customers are scared

Gunsmiths put the blame squarely on the Pakistani government and military, particularly checkpoints on the way to Darra halting customers who once travelled to the town openly.

Foreigners have been banned for security reasons.

The military has not yet objected to the gun market in Darra directly, but residents say they have had to give sureties they will not harbour militants, and a half-hearted attempt at licensing is now also being made.

Police and paramilitary officers were prominent at entry and exit points to the area during a recent AFP visit there.

"I have been working here for 30 years but now I have no work to do," says Muzzamil Khan, sitting idle outside his workshop. "I am ready to sell my lathe machine."

Muhammad Qaisar, making cartridges at his shop in the main bazaar, said at one point there had been up to 7,000 shops there -- but now almost half have closed.

If the government does not change its policies, he says, "I fear... Darra will be finished".

Darra trade union leader Badam Akbar confirmed that some 3,000 shops have closed, and said skilled workers are attempting to learn new trades. "Nothing is left in this bazaar now," he says. 

Hundreds of gun shops still cram the narrow streets around the bazaar and the sound of gunfire still pierces the air -- albeit intermittently -- but the gunsmiths say it is not enough.

"We have no electricity, no water, no business," Akbar warns.

"Life has became very difficult."

 

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Pakistan takes exception to Facebook ignoring IOK HR violations

ISLAMABAD: The derogatory policy of Facebook and its owner Mark Zuckerberg who has put monetary gains over human rights in the Indian occupied Kashmir did not go unnoticed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which said that “all options are being considered for dealing with this situation”, and sought the attention of the international social media organisations where their employees from India or other nationals of Indian origin are manipulating and violating the freedom of rights and expression.

“I have seen the regrettable reports (regarding Facebook). This should be an eye-opener for the international social media organisations where their employees from India or other nationals of Indian origin are manipulating and violating the freedom of rights and expression. Facebook, as a neutral social media, should take note of such exploitation and take necessary measures, including punitive action against such elements,” the spokesman at the Foreign Office responded to a query during the weekly media briefing.

He called for more balance and objectivity in the approach of Facebook in dealing with internationally-recognised disputes, and reiterated that continued violation of Kashmiris’ right to live and freedom of expression by the Indian occupation forces in occupied Kashmir (IoK) remains a matter of grave concern to Pakistan.

He pointed out that the international community could not fail to note the presence of around 800,000 Indian troops in the IoK, which is a clear example of forced occupation and imposition of control against the wishes of the Kashmiri people and to terrorise those who have been demanding their fundamental rights and do away with the illegal Indian occupation.

“It is unfortunate that the call for the implementation of UNSC resolutions, which enable their inalienable right to self-determination, is seen by India a sin of the Kashmiri people,” he commented.

Pakistan says the Indian government has been indulging in state-terrorism as a tool to suppress the just struggle of Kashmiris. “We condemn the killings and human rights violations in IoK. We also condemn the detention and house arrest of the Hurriyat leadership and urge the Indian government to release the Hurriyat leaders,” he added.

The spokesman lauded the voices from inside India who have expressed concern over the violation of human rights in Kashmir.

“We have noted the concerns expressed by saner voices from within India over the blatant human rights violations by the Indian forces, calling into question the killing of innocent and unarmed Kashmiris, especially over the serious injuries to eyes of several hundred Kashmiri youth. India should heed to these voices,” he advised.

There are strong possibilities that Pakistan and India on the sidelines of the Saarc meeting in Islamabad next week would push for a bilateral meeting with Indian Minister of Home Affairs Rajnath Singh.

“On such occasions, there is an expectation of meetings on the sidelines. However, I am not aware if there is any between Pakistan and India on the table. Both countries will discuss issues of their concern and work towards solutions, if the meeting on the sidelines takes place,” he added.

Pointing to the now suspended Composite Dialogue, the spokesman said, “In any dialogue with India, Kashmir will be the core issue.”

Pakistan says that it will raise the issue of Kashmir in the UN this year as well.

“This year will be no exception. We always emphasise in our interactions on the implementation of UN resolutions and on the blatant violations of human rights by Indian forces,” said the spokesman.

Finding itself between a rock and a hard place, Pakistan says that as far as the Turkish requests to close down the Turkish schools here, it is aware of Turkish concerns.

“Both the countries’ authorities are in touch with each other to address the Turkish concerns while also remaining cognizant of the importance of avoiding disruption in the academic activities of a sizeable number of students. In essence, in keeping with the cordial relations between the two countries, we are maintaining a close contact with Turkey to address the issue in a manner that fully addresses Turkey’s concerns as also of the students,” he explained.

Commenting on the Pak-Afghan relations to a query, the spokesman said that representatives of Pakistan, Afghanistan and the US had met in Kabul to discuss issues pertaining to border management and security.

“This is the first interaction of DGMOs of the two countries at the technical working level since the setting up of high-level consultation mechanism. The two sides welcomed the creation of the mechanism and agreed for continued engagement,” he said.

He added that the meeting took place because of Pakistan’s concern at cross border movement into Pakistan, which is responsible for the many terrorist attacks in Pakistan.

“Likewise, Afghanistan and the US have concerns regarding cross border movement from this side. Therefore, it was essential to evolve a mechanism to regulate cross border movement,” he said.

â€"Originally published in The News

 

 

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Blast in Peshawar injures three

PESHAWAR: An explosion early on Friday injured three people including a policeman near Charsadda Adda, police said.

According to police, one-and-a-half kilogram of explosive material was used in the bomb.

The explosive material was planted in the centre of the road, police added.

Earlier in July, one person lost his life while three others were injured in a hand-grenade attack near the Customs Chowk in Peshawar.

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Blast in Peshawar injures three

PESHAWAR: An explosion early on Friday injured three people including a policeman near Charsadda Adda, police said.

According to police, one-and-a-half kilogram of explosive material was used in the bomb.

The explosive material was planted in the centre of the road, police added.

Earlier in July, one person lost his life while three others were injured in a hand-grenade attack near the Customs Chowk in Peshawar.

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CJP asks: Who controls objectionable material on social media?

KARACHI: The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (SC), Anwar Zaheer Jamali, on Thursday asked the government who controlled the objectionable material on the social media and the government responded that it had no such mechanism in place.

During the hearing of the case pertaining to Karachi?s law and order under a suo moto notice, he announced to stay out of the larger bench after extensive criticism on him and his family on the social media. ?It is not appropriate to stay on the bench further as my family and I have been a target of criticism on social media,? said Justice Jamali in his remarks.

On the other hand, the bench took due deliberations on the CCTV system of the city. This particular topic had emerged as of pivotal importance after terrorists had kidnapped Barrister Syed Owais Ali Shah and transported him to Tank for their escape into Afghanistan but he was safely recovered after the Pak Army troopers deployed on a check-post killed the kidnappers and got Shah, the son of Sindh High Court Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, released. No footage was available to record the kidnapping of Shah.

Sindh Chief Secretary Siddique Memon presented a detailed report in the SC on the installed CCTVs in the port city of Karachi.

According to the report, three different agencies in Karachi operated and controlled 2,321 CCTVs and these agencies are the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), the Sindh Police and the Sindh government. The reports reads that the KMC had in 2008 installed 168 CCTVs of 2 mega pixel, 910 of 2 mega pixel in 2014 and 225 CCTVs of 5 mega pixel in 2015. In 2011, the IT Department of Sindh Police had installed 198 CCTVs on 46 locations and those were of 5 mega pixel. The Sindh Police had also installed 280 CCTVs of 2 mega pixel in 2012 but today only 17 were in working condition.

The Sindh chief minister had on the recommendation of the Sindh Finance Ministry and on a summary of KMC approved to place all the KMC CCTVs under the Sindh Police control. The report claimed that the technical committee was responsible for awarding a contract to the CCTV installation firm for installing CCTVs of 2 mega pixel and that survey and consultation reports were missing in this context. The report further reads that the Sindh government has earmarked Rs500 million for installation of CCTVs on 164 different locations from the Karachi airport and for this the Inspector General of Sindh Police has constituted three committees.

All CCTVs presently controlled by different institutions would be placed under the Sindh Police control from October 2016 so that traffic management, law and order and security measures could be improved under one roof. On one occasion, the attorney general apprised the SC that steps for providing the Sindh Police with a GSM locator facility was in the offing.

- Originally published in The News

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Media freedom attacked again, Geo put on last numbers in Karachi

KARACHI: In another attack on the freedom of the media, Geo News was taken out of the access of people in the provincial capital last night by moving it to the last numbers which have made it totally inaccessible in many areas.

A Geo News spokesman stated that when Geo News was completely shut down in April 2014 and its access became possible after a long time, people took a long time to find the numbers Geo News and its channels were running on. The impact of these actions still continues which amounts to the virtual closure of the channel. The spokesman said that the ratings of Geo News had been ahead of the total rating of all other channels before April 2014. Even after the restoration, the spokesman lamented, distribution and ratings were continuously obstructed due to which the channel could not secure the restoration of its pre-ban rating. However, with the Almighty’s grace and people’s support, Geo News left many big channels behind once again, he added.

The spokesman said, “During the ban, not only traditionally baseless and false accusations of treachery and acting against the state were heaped on us to damage our reputation, but also losses of billions of rupees were inflicted on the group’s business. Death threats were also hurled. For remedy, our innumerable cases have been pending with the courts and are proceeding at a traditional pace. That’s why we had to file a case in London also which is proceeding apace and the decision is expected by year-end.”

He added: “Despite such a huge loss, we did not lay off any employee, rather the group went beyond its resources and ran the affairs through borrowing from friends and banks which have become impossible for us now.”

He said that in 2014, the channel was fined Rs 20 million by Pemra and was kept blocked for a long time, though officially it had been shut down for only a month.

The spokesman made it clear that if the curbs imposed on media freedom were not lifted by the evening today, the group would not only move the court with full force but also strongly raise the issue on the streets, and sensitize local and international forums.

He said, “We would be compelled to reveal the entire situation and incidents, with all proof, which we had to face during the recent days, weeks and months. We will also make public the list of those journalists for whom we have faced pressure. All demands being made to us and the conditions being imposed to pressure us would also be made public which would expose the affiliations of many so-called respected notables. We would also make public the content that they had been finding extremely objectionable. ”

The spokesman made it clear that if this restriction was not taken off the channel by tomorrow, people would be apprised of the actual facts at a press conference with senior journalists. 

The spokesman said, “What has been done in Karachi is the continuity of the same situation which we have been facing in some secure and sensitive areas where Geo News is practically blocked completely. And Pemra is helpless despite its new chairman.”

The spokesman repeated the demand made in 2014 to the prime minister and the chief justice for the formation of an independent commission to investigate all affairs including the false allegations and ban on Geo News.  

The spokesman said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is responsible for this state of affairs because he is the chief executive and head of all national institutions. It is his duty to not only justice but also to act according to the law and constitution because he would be held to account in this world and the hereafter, before God, for handing over his authority and others’ rights to someone else. The spokesman said how would the prime minister save democracy and his government if he doesn’t ensure people’s rights are not violated?

The spokesman appealed to journalists, lawyers, and particularly the masses, to support the channel because “we keep you informed in all circumstances due to which we face restrictions, pressure and financial losses.”

- Originally published in The News

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Media freedom attacked again, Geo put on last numbers in Karachi

KARACHI: In another attack on the freedom of the media, Geo News was taken out of the access of people in the provincial capital last night by moving it to the last numbers which have made it totally inaccessible in many areas.

A Geo News spokesman stated that when Geo News was completely shut down in April 2014 and its access became possible after a long time, people took a long time to find the numbers Geo News and its channels were running on. The impact of these actions still continues which amounts to the virtual closure of the channel. The spokesman said that the ratings of Geo News had been ahead of the total rating of all other channels before April 2014. Even after the restoration, the spokesman lamented, distribution and ratings were continuously obstructed due to which the channel could not secure the restoration of its pre-ban rating. However, with the Almighty?s grace and people?s support, Geo News left many big channels behind once again, he added.

The spokesman said, ?During the ban, not only traditionally baseless and false accusations of treachery and acting against the state were heaped on us to damage our reputation, but also losses of billions of rupees were inflicted on the group?s business. Death threats were also hurled. For remedy, our innumerable cases have been pending with the courts and are proceeding at a traditional pace. That?s why we had to file a case in London also which is proceeding apace and the decision is expected by year-end.?

He added: ?Despite such a huge loss, we did not lay off any employee, rather the group went beyond its resources and ran the affairs through borrowing from friends and banks which have become impossible for us now.?

He said that in 2014, the channel was fined Rs 20 million by Pemra and was kept blocked for a long time, though officially it had been shut down for only a month.

The spokesman made it clear that if the curbs imposed on media freedom were not lifted by the evening today, the group would not only move the court with full force but also strongly raise the issue on the streets, and sensitize local and international forums.

He said, ?We would be compelled to reveal the entire situation and incidents, with all proof, which we had to face during the recent days, weeks and months. We will also make public the list of those journalists for whom we have faced pressure. All demands being made to us and the conditions being imposed to pressure us would also be made public which would expose the affiliations of many so-called respected notables. We would also make public the content that they had been finding extremely objectionable. ?

The spokesman made it clear that if this restriction was not taken off the channel by tomorrow, people would be apprised of the actual facts at a press conference with senior journalists. 

The spokesman said, ?What has been done in Karachi is the continuity of the same situation which we have been facing in some secure and sensitive areas where Geo News is practically blocked completely. And Pemra is helpless despite its new chairman.?

The spokesman repeated the demand made in 2014 to the prime minister and the chief justice for the formation of an independent commission to investigate all affairs including the false allegations and ban on Geo News.  

The spokesman said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is responsible for this state of affairs because he is the chief executive and head of all national institutions. It is his duty to not only justice but also to act according to the law and constitution because he would be held to account in this world and the hereafter, before God, for handing over his authority and others? rights to someone else. The spokesman said how would the prime minister save democracy and his government if he doesn?t ensure people?s rights are not violated?

The spokesman appealed to journalists, lawyers, and particularly the masses, to support the channel because ?we keep you informed in all circumstances due to which we face restrictions, pressure and financial losses.?

- Originally published in The News

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India home minister to visit Pakistan for SAARC summit

NEW DELHI: Home Minister Rajnath Singh will travel to Pakistan next week for a one-day regional meeting, Indian Ministry of External Affairs said Thursday, and not for bilateral talks.

Rajnath Singh will attend a meeting of home ministers from countries belonging to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in Islamabad but will not hold a one-on-one meeting with his Pakistani counterpart, the Indian foreign ministry said.

It comes days after India lashed out at Pakistan, accusing its neighbour of fanning violent protests in Indian-administered Kashmir that have claimed more than 50 lives this month.

"There is no such proposal (for a bilateral meeting)," foreign ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup said in New Delhi.

"We want a peaceful, cooperative relation with Pakistan. We are prepared to discuss all outstanding issues with Pakistan but in an atmosphere free of terror and violence," he said, without specifying which issues would be raised in the August 4 meeting.

The SAARC group includes India, Pakistan, Nepal, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

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Indonesia halts execution of Pakistani drug convict Zulfiqar Ali

ISLAMABAD/JAKARTA: Indonesia has halted the execution of Pakistani drug convict Zulfiqar Ali, Pakistan's ambassador in Jakarta confirmed on Thursday, hours before the Lahore resident was set to face a firing squad.

Zulfiqar Ali, 52, was transferred Monday to Nusakambangan prison island off Java where executions take place, and Indonesian authorities had told Pakistani officials his execution was imminent.

But, speaking to Geo News from Jakarta, Pakistani ambassador to Indonesia M. Aqil Nadeem said Indonesian authorities had halted the execution of the Pakistani citizen.

Rights groups including Amnesty International had expressed serious concerns about Ali's conviction, alleging it arose out of beatings and torture and he did not have a fair trial.

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COAS resolves to break nexus between terrorism, corruption

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif on Thursday reiterated Pakistan Army?s resolve to break the nexus between the terrorists, criminality and corruption.

Speaking at a ceremony by Chinese embassy at the 89th anniversary of the founding of People?s Liberation Army, he said that operation Zarb-e-Azb will continue to act versus terrorist of all hue and colour.

According to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), COAS said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a game changer not only for Pakistan but for the entire region.

He said that the project would bring significant improvement in lives of hundreds of millions of people of the region.

 ?CPEC?s security is our national undertaking, [Pakistan] will leave no stone unturned to ensure its timely completion and uninterrupted success?, ISPR quoted General Raheel Sharif as saying.

In their speech, Chinese officials paid gratitude to Pakistan Army for an indiscriminate and highly successful operation to wipe out terrorism from Pakistan and the region.

They also thanked Pakistan Army for creating a secure environment for making CPEC possible and then protecting it.

COAS further said,? PLA was the most formidable force that reminds power of peoples' unity for which no goal was too high, no distance too long and no task too hard.?

 

 

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COAS resolves to break nexus between terrorism, corruption

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif on Thursday reiterated Pakistan Army’s resolve to break the nexus between the terrorists, criminality and corruption.

Speaking at a ceremony by Chinese embassy at the 89th anniversary of the founding of People’s Liberation Army, he said that operation Zarb-e-Azb will continue to act versus terrorist of all hue and colour.

According to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), COAS said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a game changer not only for Pakistan but for the entire region.

He said that the project would bring significant improvement in lives of hundreds of millions of people of the region.

 “CPEC’s security is our national undertaking, [Pakistan] will leave no stone unturned to ensure its timely completion and uninterrupted success”, ISPR quoted General Raheel Sharif as saying.

In their speech, Chinese officials paid gratitude to Pakistan Army for an indiscriminate and highly successful operation to wipe out terrorism from Pakistan and the region.

They also thanked Pakistan Army for creating a secure environment for making CPEC possible and then protecting it.

COAS further said,” PLA was the most formidable force that reminds power of peoples' unity for which no goal was too high, no distance too long and no task too hard.”

 

 

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Two suspects nabbed over Army personnel killing in Karachi

KARACHI: Law enforcement agencies  took custody of two suspects allegedly involved in the martyrdom of two Pakistan Army personnel in Karachi, sources said on Thursday.

The personnel, Lance Naik Razzaq and sepoy Khadim, were gunned down Tuesday when unidentified gunmen opened fire on their vehicle in the congested, downtown Saddar area of the port city.

The attack took place near the Saddar Parking Plaza near Empress Market, one of the busiest markets in the metropolis.

According to reports, the attackers on motorcycles managed to escape after they opened fire on the vehicle of the security personnel, injuring both of them.

Sources close to case investigation said the LEAs took custody of the suspects during raid in Baldia Town and Abyssinia Lines.

They said that the terrorists had properly planned the attack, adding that the shooters had used 'brass catcher' therefore no bullet shell could be recovered from the crime scene.

Sources said that statements of 20 people have been recorded thus far and several video footages have also been obtained.

They further said that the route taken by the shooters is being detected with the help of video footage.

This was not the first time that security personnel have come under attack in Karachi.

In December last year, two Military Police personnel were gunned down by attackers on motorcycles in an ambush near Gul Plaza on the busy M A Jinnah Road, less than a kilometre from the scene of Tuesday's gun attack.

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Two suspects nabbed over Army personnel killing in Karachi

KARACHI: Law enforcement agencies  took custody of two suspects allegedly involved in the martyrdom of two Pakistan Army personnel in Karachi, sources said on Thursday.

The personnel, Lance Naik Razzaq and sepoy Khadim, were gunned down Tuesday when unidentified gunmen opened fire on their vehicle in the congested, downtown Saddar area of the port city.

The attack took place near the Saddar Parking Plaza near Empress Market, one of the busiest markets in the metropolis.

According to reports, the attackers on motorcycles managed to escape after they opened fire on the vehicle of the security personnel, injuring both of them.

Sources close to case investigation said the LEAs took custody of the suspects during raid in Baldia Town and Abyssinia Lines.

They said that the terrorists had properly planned the attack, adding that the shooters had used 'brass catcher' therefore no bullet shell could be recovered from the crime scene.

Sources said that statements of 20 people have been recorded thus far and several video footages have also been obtained.

They further said that the route taken by the shooters is being detected with the help of video footage.

This was not the first time that security personnel have come under attack in Karachi.

In December last year, two Military Police personnel were gunned down by attackers on motorcycles in an ambush near Gul Plaza on the busy M A Jinnah Road, less than a kilometre from the scene of Tuesday's gun attack.

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Taliban are a terrorist group, says Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan has said he considers the Taliban a terrorist group, rubbishing allegations that he supports "extremism" in Pakistan.

"Yes they are [a terrorist group]. Anyone who kills innocent people are terrorists," he said in an interview with foreign news channel Al Jazeera.

The cricketer-turned-politician, whose party governs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, has long supported negotiations with the Pakistani Taliban as an effective way to an end to the long-running insurgency.

But Khan rejects allegations that he supports extremism.

"This is absolute nonsense. It's just not true. All you have to do is look at my statements for the past ten years," he said in the interview responding to allegations that he 'supports' the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.

Khan also responded to accusations from former President Asif Ali Zardari, who last month accused the PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government of "legitimising militancy and militant Taliban" by allocating Rs 300 million to Darul Uloom Haqqania, a privately-owned seminary notorious for its alleged links with the Taliban.

Zardari had said that the funds should have been spent on human development instead of "legitimising a private seminary known for promoting private jihad project".

"This is totally out of context," said Khan, explaining that the intentions of his party were "to get the madrassa system into the mainstream".

Khan said that "if it [the Haqqania seminary] was a university for jihad, it should have been shut down" by previous governments.

Khan said Zardari's statement was "like so many of the Muslim corrupt rulers, ex-rulers, trying to win Western support by saying how liberal they are and how anti-Taliban they are".

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Taliban are a terrorist group, says Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan has said he considers the Taliban a terrorist group, rubbishing allegations that he supports "extremism" in Pakistan.

"Yes they are [a terrorist group]. Anyone who kills innocent people are terrorists," he said in an interview with foreign news channel Al Jazeera.

The cricketer-turned-politician, whose party governs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, has long supported negotiations with the Pakistani Taliban as an effective way to an end to the long-running insurgency.

But Khan rejects allegations that he supports extremism.

"This is absolute nonsense. It's just not true. All you have to do is look at my statements for the past ten years," he said in the interview responding to allegations that he 'supports' the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.

Khan also responded to accusations from former President Asif Ali Zardari, who last month accused the PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government of "legitimising militancy and militant Taliban" by allocating Rs 300 million to Darul Uloom Haqqania, a privately-owned seminary notorious for its alleged links with the Taliban.

Zardari had said that the funds should have been spent on human development instead of "legitimising a private seminary known for promoting private jihad project".

"This is totally out of context," said Khan, explaining that the intentions of his party were "to get the madrassa system into the mainstream".

Khan said that "if it [the Haqqania seminary] was a university for jihad, it should have been shut down" by previous governments.

Khan said Zardari's statement was "like so many of the Muslim corrupt rulers, ex-rulers, trying to win Western support by saying how liberal they are and how anti-Taliban they are".

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Latest injury setback leaves England?s Stokes devastated

England all-rounder Ben Stokes has said he is "devastated" after his calf injury ruled him out of the third test against Pakistan.

The 25-year-old tore his right calf muscle during England’s series-levelling 330-run win against Pakistan at Old Trafford on Monday, in his first appearance since undergoing a knee surgery in May.

"Devastated about the injury especially with all the hard work put in by myself and others to get me back to FULL fitness," Stokes tweeted on Thursday.

Devastated about the injury especially with all the hard work put in by myself and others to get me back to FULL fitness

â€" Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) July 28, 2016

But he suggested he was optimistic about returning soon, adding: "Another couple weeks of rehab and hoping to finish off what has been great summer so far for @ECB_cricket.

Another couple weeks of rehab and hoping to finish off what has been great summer so far for @ECB_cricket

â€" Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) July 28, 2016

"The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has said Stokes will be assessed next week.

The third test in the four-match series against Pakistan begins on Aug 3 at Edgbaston.

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CM Punjab forms high-level committee to probe Samia Shahid murder

LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif on Thursday formed a committee to probe the murder of Samia Shahid, a British national allegedly killed in ?honour killing? in Pakistan.

According to details, the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) police Abu Bakr Khuda Bux would head the inquiry committee.

The committee would present its report after investigation to the CM in 72 hours.

Samia Shahid, 27, married Syed Mukhtar Kazam, less than two years ago, against her family's wishes and went to live with his family in Dubai.

This month Samia Shahid, originally from Bradford, went to visit her father in a village called ?Poteh? near Dina on the 14th of July.

Her family, who are also British nationals, were in Pakistan following a bereavement within the family.

Earlier today, sources close to the case told Geo News that police showed negligence in the initial investigation of the murder probe.

As a result, the case is getting complicated with pressure mounting on the Pakistan government by authorities in the United Kingdom, they added.

They said that the report filed by the medico-legal officer is vague. It took four days for the police to register an FIR of the incident.

It is understood that after marrying Syed Mukhtar Kazam, the couple had faced death threats.

A family source told The News that Samia Shahid?s sister asked her to come to Pakistan citing her father?s illness.

After Samia?s death in mysterious circumstances, her husband was told she died of a heart attack but the parents lodged a statement saying she committed suicide.

Her husband lodged a First Information Report (FIR) in Jhelum alleging foul play. In the FIR seen by The News, the husband alleged that his wife was buried without his knowledge.

 

 

 

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CM Punjab forms high-level committee to probe Samia Shahid murder

LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif on Thursday formed a committee to probe the murder of Samia Shahid, a British national allegedly killed in ‘honour killing’ in Pakistan.

According to details, the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) police Abu Bakr Khuda Bux would head the inquiry committee.

The committee would present its report after investigation to the CM in 72 hours.

Samia Shahid, 27, married Syed Mukhtar Kazam, less than two years ago, against her family's wishes and went to live with his family in Dubai.

This month Samia Shahid, originally from Bradford, went to visit her father in a village called “Poteh” near Dina on the 14th of July.

Her family, who are also British nationals, were in Pakistan following a bereavement within the family.

Earlier today, sources close to the case told Geo News that police showed negligence in the initial investigation of the murder probe.

As a result, the case is getting complicated with pressure mounting on the Pakistan government by authorities in the United Kingdom, they added.

They said that the report filed by the medico-legal officer is vague. It took four days for the police to register an FIR of the incident.

It is understood that after marrying Syed Mukhtar Kazam, the couple had faced death threats.

A family source told The News that Samia Shahid’s sister asked her to come to Pakistan citing her father’s illness.

After Samia’s death in mysterious circumstances, her husband was told she died of a heart attack but the parents lodged a statement saying she committed suicide.

Her husband lodged a First Information Report (FIR) in Jhelum alleging foul play. In the FIR seen by The News, the husband alleged that his wife was buried without his knowledge.

 

 

 

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Ireland trio set for Pakistan return

LONDON: Ireland are set to welcome back Niall O?Brien, Craig Young and Boyd Rankin for their forthcoming one-day international series against Pakistan.

The trio all missed the recent drawn series against Afghanistan but will be available for next month?s two ODIs with Pakistan at Malahide, near Dublin.

O?Brien, who struck 72 in Ireland?s 2007 World Cup win over Pakistan, is fit following a calf problem, while Young is back after an elbow injury.

Meanwhile Rankin is set to make his return to Irish cricket, having briefly represented England in just one Test, against Australia at Sydney in 2014.

"It?s great to have an almost full-strength squad to choose from," said Ireland coach John Bracewell on Thursday.

"The bowling unit performed superbly against Afghanistan with the younger seamers in particular putting their hands up," the former New Zealand off-spinner added.

"The return of Boyd and Craig adds to that department and gives us plenty of options which is exactly what a coach wants.

"The return of Niall adds experience to the top order. We tried a few different permutations with the batting order last week -- some of which worked and some which didn?t.

"Ed Joyce was obviously the stand-out performer in his new role as opener, and it was great to see Gary Wilson return to form.

"It should be a fantastic series -- there?s a great recent history between the two countries with some great matches over the past decade, and I?m certain it?ll be two tough games when we meet in Dublin next month."

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Ireland trio set for Pakistan return

LONDON: Ireland are set to welcome back Niall O’Brien, Craig Young and Boyd Rankin for their forthcoming one-day international series against Pakistan.

The trio all missed the recent drawn series against Afghanistan but will be available for next month’s two ODIs with Pakistan at Malahide, near Dublin.

O’Brien, who struck 72 in Ireland’s 2007 World Cup win over Pakistan, is fit following a calf problem, while Young is back after an elbow injury.

Meanwhile Rankin is set to make his return to Irish cricket, having briefly represented England in just one Test, against Australia at Sydney in 2014.

"It’s great to have an almost full-strength squad to choose from," said Ireland coach John Bracewell on Thursday.

"The bowling unit performed superbly against Afghanistan with the younger seamers in particular putting their hands up," the former New Zealand off-spinner added.

"The return of Boyd and Craig adds to that department and gives us plenty of options which is exactly what a coach wants.

"The return of Niall adds experience to the top order. We tried a few different permutations with the batting order last week -- some of which worked and some which didn’t.

"Ed Joyce was obviously the stand-out performer in his new role as opener, and it was great to see Gary Wilson return to form.

"It should be a fantastic series -- there’s a great recent history between the two countries with some great matches over the past decade, and I’m certain it’ll be two tough games when we meet in Dublin next month."

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Murad Ali Shah to face PTI nominee in run for CM office

KARACHI: Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader Syed Murad Ali Shah today filed his nomination papers for the election of new Leader of the House in the Sindh Assembly scheduled for Friday.

Shah will face Khurram Sher Zaman of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) in the run for chief minister's office. Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) announced to boycott the election, while Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) preferred to maintain silence on the matter.

"We won?t give a walkover to Syed Murad Ali Shah," PTI candidate Khurram Sher Zaman announced after filing his nomination papers.

The deadline to submit nominations for the election has been expired, while the process of scrutiny has also been completed. On the whole, seven nomination papers were filed and none was rejected.

Shah submitted four nomination papers, with Sikandar Mandhro and Murad Dahir as his covering candidate, said the Secretary Sindh Assembly Umar Farooq.

The speaker of the Sindh Assembly would now seek confirmation of the nominations by the candidates, he added.

The election for the new Sindh CM will be held tomorrow at 3 pm and the newly-elected CM would then take oath at the Governor House.

The PPP has got majority in the provincial legislature and can easily get its candidate elected to the top provincial office.

The PML-F and the PML-N have not fielded their candidates against Murad Ali Shah, while MQM decided not to take part in the election as 10 of its members were abroad and one was in police custody.

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Lack of exercise costs world $67.5 billion and 5 million lives a year

LONDON: A study of one million people has found that physical inactivity costs the global economy $67.5 billion a year in healthcare and productivity losses, but an hour a day of exercise could eliminate most of that.

Sedentary lifestyles are linked to increased risks of heart disease, diabetes and cancer, researchers found, but activity - such as brisk walking - could counter the higher likelihood of early death linked with sitting for eight or more hours a day.

Such inactivity is estimated to cause more than 5 million deaths a year - almost as many as smoking, which the World Health Organization (WHO) says kills 6 million a year.

Giving details of their findings at a briefing in London, the international team of researchers warned there has been too little progress in tackling a "pandemic of physical inactivity".

Ulf Ekelund, a professor at the Norwegian School of Sports Sciences and Cambridge University, said that WHO recommendations for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week was probably not enough.

A quarter of adults worldwide do not meet even the WHO?s recommendations.

"You don?t need to do sport or go to the gym ... but you do need to do at least one hour a day," he said, giving walking at 5.6 km an hour (km/h) or cycling at 16 km/h as examples of what was needed.

People who sat for eight hours a day but were otherwise active had a lower risk of premature death than people who spent fewer hours sitting but were also less active, suggesting that exercise is particularly important, no matter how many hours a day are spent sitting.

The greatest risk of premature death was for people who sat for long periods of time and did not exercise, according to the findings, published in The Lancet on Wednesday.

In another of the series of four studies, researchers estimated healthcare costs and productivity losses for five major diseases linked to lack of exercise - heart disease, stroke, diabetes, breast cancer and colon cancer - cost $67.5 billion globally in 2013.Melody Ding of the University of Sydney, who led this part of the research, said the costs occur largely in wealthier countries, but as poorer countries develop, so too will the economic burden of chronic diseases linked to inactivity.

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Murad Ali Shah to face PTI nominee in run for CM office

KARACHI: Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader Syed Murad Ali Shah today filed his nomination papers for the election of new Leader of the House in the Sindh Assembly scheduled for Friday.

Shah will face Khurram Sher Zaman of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) in the run for chief minister's office. Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) announced to boycott the election, while Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) preferred to maintain silence on the matter.

"We won’t give a walkover to Syed Murad Ali Shah," PTI candidate Khurram Sher Zaman announced after filing his nomination papers.

The deadline to submit nominations for the election has been expired, while the process of scrutiny has also been completed. On the whole, seven nomination papers were filed and none was rejected.

Shah submitted four nomination papers, with Sikandar Mandhro and Murad Dahir as his covering candidate, said the Secretary Sindh Assembly Umar Farooq.

The speaker of the Sindh Assembly would now seek confirmation of the nominations by the candidates, he added.

The election for the new Sindh CM will be held tomorrow at 3 pm and the newly-elected CM would then take oath at the Governor House.

The PPP has got majority in the provincial legislature and can easily get its candidate elected to the top provincial office.

The PML-F and the PML-N have not fielded their candidates against Murad Ali Shah, while MQM decided not to take part in the election as 10 of its members were abroad and one was in police custody.

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Extension of COAS tenure is Pakistan's internal matter: US ambassador

ISLAMABAD: US Ambassador in Pakistan, David Hale, has said that the extension in tenure of Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif is Pakistan's internal matter.

Speaking to Geo News in an interview with Capital Talk host Hamid Mir, the ambassador said that the United States fully supports democracy in Pakistan and that stability in the South Asian Muslim-majority nation is closely linked to democracy in the country.

"We vigorously support Pakistan's flourishing democracy," he said during the interview.

"I'm a newcomer to Pakistan. As I said earlier, my background is in the Middle East. I'm learning every day and I'm watching. And I'm very impressed by how lively, frankly, politics are in this country."

The US ambassador said he believed general elections in Pakistan would take place in 2018, as scheduled.

"We've seen a peaceful transition from one elected government to another elected government. There is no reason to not expect there to be elections coming up in 2018. We support that," he said.

"I can't speak to the past but I can tell you today that we do believe in Pakistan's democracy and we do believe that it is the soundest basis for stability and prosperity," he added.

The US ambassador further added that the US does not support "those people who want to derail democracy in Pakistan".

The US ambassador, however, avoided any comment on a reported statement by US Senator John McCain during his recent visit to Pakistan that he wants to see General Raheel Sharif to continue as the chief of the army staff.

"I was out of the country when Senator McCain was here. I can speak for the [US] administration.

"These kinds of questions are for Pakistan and Pakistanis, and these are not issues that we [the US] would ever take a position on," he said when asked if Senator McCain had discussed the extension of the military chief.

US Ambassador David Hale's complete interview will be broadcast in Geo News program Capital Talk tonight at 8:05 PM.

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Extension of COAS tenure is Pakistan's internal matter: US ambassador

ISLAMABAD: US Ambassador in Pakistan, David Hale, has said that the extension in tenure of Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif is Pakistan's internal matter.

Speaking to Geo News in an interview with Capital Talk host Hamid Mir, the ambassador said that the United States fully supports democracy in Pakistan and that stability in the South Asian Muslim-majority nation is closely linked to democracy in the country.

"We vigorously support Pakistan's flourishing democracy," he said during the interview.

"I'm a newcomer to Pakistan. As I said earlier, my background is in the Middle East. I'm learning every day and I'm watching. And I'm very impressed by how lively, frankly, politics are in this country."

The US ambassador said he believed general elections in Pakistan would take place in 2018, as scheduled.

"We've seen a peaceful transition from one elected government to another elected government. There is no reason to not expect there to be elections coming up in 2018. We support that," he said.

"I can't speak to the past but I can tell you today that we do believe in Pakistan's democracy and we do believe that it is the soundest basis for stability and prosperity," he added.

The US ambassador further added that the US does not support "those people who want to derail democracy in Pakistan".

The US ambassador, however, avoided any comment on a reported statement by US Senator John McCain during his recent visit to Pakistan that he wants to see General Raheel Sharif to continue as the chief of the army staff.

"I was out of the country when Senator McCain was here. I can speak for the [US] administration.

"These kinds of questions are for Pakistan and Pakistanis, and these are not issues that we [the US] would ever take a position on," he said when asked if Senator McCain had discussed the extension of the military chief.

US Ambassador David Hale's complete interview will be broadcast in Geo News program Capital Talk tonight at 8:05 PM.

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A secret library in Syria provides hope to victims of war

Who would have thought of creating a library at a warzone where bombs  and death surround people? But a few book lovers have stocked an underground library in Syria with manuscripts rescued from bombed sites.

Hidden from flying shrapnel, underneath a bullet ridden building, down a steep flight of stairs over 1400 books have been stored in a secret library at Damascus, the BBC reported.

"We saw that it was vital to create a new library so that we could continue our education. We put it in the basement to help stop it being destroyed by shells and bombs like so many other buildings here," says Anas Ahmad, a former civil engineering student who was one of the founders.

Over four years ago this Damascus suburb Darayya found itself in the middle of a war between government and rebel forces. Anas and other volunteers whose studies were halted in the middle of this war decided to create this library which for them became a symbol of hope amidst misery.

"In many cases we get books from bomb or shell-damaged homes. The majority of these places are near the front line, so collecting them is very dangerous," he says.

"We have to go through bombed-out buildings to hide ourselves from snipers. We have to be extremely careful because snipers sometimes follow us in their sights, anticipating the next step we'll take."

The library is frequented by doctors who look up ways to treat war wounds of patients they receive every other day. Teachers look them up to prepare classes.

About 8,000 of Darayya's population of 80,000 have fled. But nobody can leave now.

Since May shells and barrels have fallen every day. The area is off access for journalists or aid workers. Interviews for the story were conducted through Skype and phone calls, routinely interrupted by explosions so loud that they distorted the studio?s speaker, the BBC reported.

The location of the library is a secret as its founders feel it will be attacked if it is discovered.

Fourteen-year-old Amjad who lives next door spends several hours reading books inside the library. For him underground is much safer than spending time outside.

"I've read some books by French writers but I like Hamlet the best," says Abdulbaset Alahmar, another visitor in his mid-20s.

"Shakespeare's style of writing is simply beautiful. He describes every single detail so vividly that it's like I'm in a cinema watching a film in front of me. To be honest I became so obsessed with Hamlet that I began reading it at work. In the end I had to tell myself to stop!"

But wouldn?t it make more sense to look for food in war torn area.

"I believe the brain is like a muscle. And reading has definitely made mine stronger. My enlightened brain has now fed my soul too," he replies.

 

 

 

 

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Private torture cell unearthed in Rahim Yar Khan

RAHIM YAR KHAN: A torture cell was unearthed on Thursday belonging to influential people in Rahim Yar Khan’s Satellite Town.

Several secret videos depicting severe torture being inflicted on the victims emerged. It was found out that the prisoners are brutally made to suffer in the prison cells, which are guarded by heavily armed men.

It was learnt that people were brought to the cells over issues ranging from property disputes to settling personal scores.

An alleged victim of the torture cell also surfaced today and narrated his ordeal. The victim said that after a small argument he was imprisoned in the cell and subjected to brutal torture.

The victim alleged that in the cells people were physically abused through punches, sticks and kicks.

“Kamran alias Kami Shah and his accomplices subject people to most ruthless torture,” the victim said.

“The influential people accused me of verbally abusing their son and tortured me at the Dera,” he added.

The victim also said that more than 10 people torture a prisoner on gun point.

Earlier in April, the army initiated an operation against the notorious Chotu Gang in the Rajanpur area, which borders Rahim yar Khan. The gang â€" led by Ghulam Rasool also known as Chhotu, a longtime criminal active in the border areas of the provinces of Punjab and Sindh â€" was blamed for hundreds of cases of kidnapping for ransom, murder and robbery.

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Qawwali night to mark Amjad Sabri's Chehlum today

KARACHI: It has been forty days since the world lost renowned Qawwal Amjad Sabri in a murder which shocked the nation. For the chehlum, Sabri’s family has arranged a Quran Khwani and Fateha Khwani at his residence.

Before Isha prayers a formal ceremony will be held for the ‘dastarbandi’ of the son of the late Amjad Sabri.  A qawwali session will also be held after Isha prayers.

Pakistan’s heartthrob Sabri known for his trance-inducing qawwali continues to live in the memories of millions of fans in Pakistan and abroad. His most memorable works include Bhar de jholi meri and Tajedar-e-Haram.

Amjad Sabri was gunned down in the last days of Ramzan on June 22 by unknown assailants in Karachi's Liaquatabad area. Sabri was shot multiple times and succumbed to his wounds on his way to a local hospital, police said.

He was the son of renowned Qawwal of the 1960s, Ghulam Farid Sabri, and the nephew of Qawwali icon Maqbool Sabri, who passed away in 2011.

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Remembering Amjad Sabri: Qawwal legend?s chehlum on July 28

KARACHI: It has been forty days since the world lost renowned Qawwal Amjad Sabri in a murder which shocked the nation. For the chehlum, Sabri?s family has arranged a Quran Khwani and Fateha Khwani at his residence.

Before Isha prayers a formal ceremony will be held for the ?dastarbandi? of the son of the late Amjad Sabri.  A qawwali session will also be held after Isha prayers.

Pakistan?s heartthrob Sabri known for his trance-inducing qawwali continues to live in the memories of millions of fans in Pakistan and abroad. His most memorable works include Bhar de jholi meri and Tajedar-e-Haram.

Amjad Sabri was gunned down in the last days of Ramzan on June 22 by unknown assailants in Karachi's Liaquatabad area. Sabri was shot multiple times and succumbed to his wounds on his way to a local hospital, police said.

He was the son of renowned Qawwal of the 1960s, Ghulam Farid Sabri, and the nephew of Qawwali icon Maqbool Sabri, who passed away in 2011.

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Indonesia rejects international pleas to halt executions of Pakistani drug convict

CILACAP: Indonesia on Thursday rejected appeals from the UN and EU to halt the execution of 14 drug convicts including a Pakistani, as speculation mounted they could face the firing squad in a matter of hours.

The group, including foreigners from Nigeria, Pakistan, India and Zimbabwe as well as Indonesians, have been placed in isolation on a prison island where Jakarta carries out executions.

Zulfiqar Ali, a resident of Mughalpura area, Lahore was arrested in a drug smuggling case in 2004. He met his mother today one last time at an Indonesian prison hours before he is expected to be executed.

Authorities stepped up preparations with ambulances carrying coffins seen crossing over to Nusakambangan island. Family members say they have been told the convicts will be executed on Thursday night, according to a lawyer and diplomat -- who were angry as it was earlier than they thought was allowed.

The attorney general's office, which oversees executions, could not be contacted for comment.

Indonesia last carried out executions in April 2015 when it put to death eight drug convicts, including two Australians, sparking international outrage.

But President Joko Widodo has defended the use of the death penalty to combat rising narcotics use.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra´ad Al Hussein on Wednesday called on Indonesia to end the "unjust" use of the death penalty, while the European Union urged Jakarta to stop the "cruel and inhumane punishment, which fails to act as a deterrent".

Indonesian foreign ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir defended the looming executions as "pure law enforcement".

"I need to emphasise that all the legal processes of the convicts have been completed, all their rights have been fulfilled -- we target the drug traffickers and not users," he said.

Jakarta faced accusations of breaking its own laws by apparently planning to hold the executions on Thursday.

Diplomats and lawyers say they were given the legally required three days notice of the plan on Tuesday afternoon and believed the earliest it could happen was Friday.

"I am very concerned -- this cannot happen," Ricky Gunawan, a lawyer for a Nigerian convict set to face the firing squad, told AFP.

"It is clearly against the law. This execution has been completely under secrecy from the start."

Syed Zahid Raza, the deputy Pakistani ambassador in Jakarta, said the family of a Pakistani man, Zulfiqar Ali, had been informed he would be executed Thursday night.

Spokesman Nasir said his ministry had fulfilled all their obligations by notifying foreign representatives.

Pakistan has been angered about the planned execution of Ali -- whom rights groups claim was beaten into confessing -- and summoned Indonesia´s ambassador in Islamabad this week to convey their concerns.

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Turkey dismisses military, shuts media outlets as crackdown deepens

ANKARA/ISTANBUL: Turkey on Wednesday deepened a crackdown on suspected followers of a U.S.-based cleric it blames for a failed coup, dismissing nearly 1,700 military personnel and shutting 131 media outlets, moves that may spark more concern among its Western allies.

So far, tens of thousands of people - including police, judges and teachers - have been suspended or placed under investigation since the July 15-16 coup, which Turkey says was staged by a faction within the military loyal to the Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen.

Gulen, who lives in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania but whose movement has a wide following in Turkey where it runs a large network of schools, has denied any involvement in the failed putsch.

Western governments and human rights groups, while condemning the abortive coup in which at least 246 people were killed and more than 2,000 injured, have expressed concern over the extent of the crackdown, suggesting President Tayyip Erdogan may be using it to stifle dissent and tighten his grip on power.

Erdogan, who narrowly escaped capture and possibly death on the night of the coup, denies the crackdown has wider aims and says the Gulen movement threatened democracy by attempting to build a "parallel state" within the military, media and civil service.

On Wednesday, the military dishonourably discharged 1,684 of its personnel, a Turkish government official said, citing their role in the failed coup. Of those, 149 were generals and admirals, said the official, who requested anonymity. Data show that would represent roughly 40 percent of all generals and admirals in Turkey's military.

Broadcaster CNN Turk has reported that more than 15,000 people, including around 10,000 soldiers had been detained so far over the coup, citing the interior minister. Of those, more than 8,000 were formally arrested pending trial, it said.

In addition, the government said in its official gazette that three news agencies, 16 television channels, 45 newspapers, 15 magazines and 29 publishers have been ordered shut down.

These moves, which follow the closure of other media outlets with suspected Gulenist ties as well as the detention of journalists will further stoke concerns among rights groups and Western governments about the scale of Erdogan's post-coup purges.

The United States said on Wednesday it understood Turkey's need to hold perpetrators of the attempted coup to account, but said the detention of more journalists was part of a "troubling trend".

Journalists detained

Turkey ordered another 47 journalists detained on Wednesday, singling out columnists and other staff of the now defunct Zaman newspaper, the government official said. Authorities in March shut down Zaman, widely seen as the Gulen movement's flagship media organisation.

"The prosecutors aren't interested in what individual columnists wrote or said," said the official, who requested anonymity. "At this point, the reasoning is that prominent employees of Zaman are likely to have intimate knowledge of the Gulen network and as such could benefit the investigation."

However, the list includes journalists, such as Sahin Alpay, known for their leftist activism who do not share the religious worldview of the Gulenist movement. This has fuelled the concerns that the investigation may be turning into a witch-hunt of the president's political opponents.

The media reported on Monday that arrest warrants had been issued for 42 other journalists, 16 of whom have so far been taken into custody.

Alpay is a former official of Turkey's left-leaning, secularist main opposition CHP party. The Dogan news agency said police raided his home in Istanbul early on Wednesday and detained him after a 2-1/2-hour search of the property.

Separately, Turkey's capital markets board said it had revoked the licence of the head of research at brokerage AK Investment and called for him to face charges over a report he wrote to investors analysing the coup.

Spirit of unity

Erdogan's ruling Islamist-rooted AK Party and opposition parties, usually bitterly divided, have demonstrated a rare spirit of unity since the abortive coup and are seeking consensus on constitutional amendments partly aimed at "cleansing" the state apparatus of Gulenist supporters.

A senior AK Party official said on Wednesday the parties were discussing plans to increase parliamentary control of a key state body that appoints judges and prosecutors.

Also on Wednesday a government official said Turkish special forces were still hunting in the hills around the Mediterranean resort of Marmaris for a group of 11 commandos who are believed to have tried to capture or kill Erdogan on the night of the coup, when he was on holiday in the area.

In testimony provided following his detention, Major General Mehmet Disli, the brother of a prominent ruling party lawmaker, strongly denied allegations that he was involved in the coup, saying he had been forced by the plotters to mediate with the chief of the military's General Staff on July 15.

General Staff head Hulusi Akar was held hostage for hours by the plotters, but refused to join their coup.

Erdogan, a popular but polarising figure who has dominated Turkish politics for more than a decade, will chair an annual meeting of the Supreme Military Council (YAS) on Thursday after vowing to restructure the armed forces following the coup.

The General Staff said 35 planes, including 24 fighter jets, 37 helicopters, 74 tanks and three ships had been used by the coup plotters, NTV reported. It put the number of soldiers from the Gulenist network involved in the attempted putsch at 8,651, or about 1.5 percent of the armed forces.

In Greece, authorities on Wednesday postponed hearings for eight Turkish soldiers who sought asylum there after fleeing Turkey. The men - three majors, three captains and two sergeant majors - deny being involved in the coup, but Ankara has branded them "traitors" and is demanding their extradition.

Erdogan has also signalled the country might restore the death penalty in the wake of the failed coup, citing strong public support for such a move, though the European Union has made clear this would scupper Turkey's decades-old bid to join the bloc.

Pivot to Moscow

Turkish officials have complained of what they perceive as a lack of support from the EU over the coup, while European leaders have urged Ankara to show restraint and a sense of proportion in bringing those responsible to justice.

The attempted coup has also tested Turkey's ties with its NATO ally the United States, where Gulen has lived in self-imposed exile since 1999. Responding to Turkey's request for Gulen's swift extradition, Washington has said Ankara must first provide clear evidence of his involvement in the coup.

Gulen lives in a secluded compound in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains, but Erdogan has reason to worry about the reclusive cleric's reach inside Turkey. In 2013, his followers in the police and judiciary opened a corruption probe into business associates of Erdogan, then prime minister, who denounced the investigation as a foreign plot.

The strains with the EU and the United States have coincided with Turkey's renewed push to repair ties with Russia, badly hurt last November by the Turkish downing of a Russian jet involved in military operations in Syria, and Moscow's subsequent imposition of trade sanctions.

On Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek said talks with Russian officials this week on improving bilateral relations had taken place "in a very positive atmosphere".

Simsek, respected by Western investors as a safe pair of hands in guiding the Turkish economy, also said he saw no reason to downgrade Turkey's credit rating following the coup.

Standard & Poor's recently revised the country's sovereign debt outlook to negative from stable and Moody's has said it will review the rating for a possible downgrade.

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