April, 2017
IN THE NEWS: PAKISTANI DOCTOR WHO HELPED LOCATE BIN LADEN MARKS 6 YEARS IN JAIL (APRIL 30, 2017)
Selected by Olivier Immig & Jan van Heugten Pakistani Doctor Who Helped Locate Bin Laden Marks 6 Years in Jail SOURCE: Gandhara Sunday, April 30, 2017 By PAUL ALEXANDER and NAFEES TAKAR *Afridi was convicted in May 2012 of treason for allegedly providing financial support to a local militant group in tribal regions adjacent to […]
IN THE NEWS: 2 TALIBAN COMMANDERS REPORTEDLY KILLED IN US STRIKE IN PAKISTAN (APRIL 30, 2017)
Selected by Olivier Immig & Jan van Heugten 2 Taliban commanders reportedly killed in US strike in Pakistan SOURCE: The Long War Journal Sunday, April 30, 2017 By BILL ROGGIO Two Pakistani Taliban commanders were among seven jihadists reportedly killed in a suspected US drone strike that took place on April 29 in Pakistan’s tribal […]
IN THE NEWS: HEKMATYAR RETURNS TO PUBLIC LIFE AFTER EXILE (APRIL 29, 2017)
Selected by Olivier Immig & Jan van Heugten HEKMATYAR RETURNS TO PUBLIC LIFE AFTER EXILE SOURCE: Newsweek Pakistan Saturday, April 29, 2017 *Infamous Afghan warlord urges Taliban to lay down weapons, join government Notorious Afghan warlord and ex-prime minister Gulbuddin Hekmatyar returned to public life on Saturday after more than 20 years in exile, calling […]
IN THE NEWS: HEKMATYAR’S RETURN MET WITH MIXED REACTIONS (APRIL 29, 2017)
Selected by Olivier Immig & Jan van Heugten Hekmatyar’s Return Met With Mixed Reaction SOURCE: TOLO News Saturday, April 29, 2017 The return to Afghanistan of Hizb-e-Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar – who signed a peace deal with Afghan government last year – was on Saturday met with mixed reaction among analysts, businessmen and university lecturers. […]
IN THE NEWS: AFGHAN TALIBAN ANNOUNCE START OF ‘SPRING OFFENSIVE’ (APRIL 28, 2017)
Selected by Olivier Immig & Jan van Heugten Afghan Taliban announce start of ‘spring offensive’ SOURCE: Dawn Friday, April 28, 2017 The Afghan Taliban launched their “spring offensive” Friday, heralding fresh fighting in the drawn-out conflict as embattled security forces struggle to recover from a devastating attack on a military base one week ago. Operation […]
IN THE NEWS: HANDLING EHSANULLAH EHSAN (APRIL 28, 2017)
Selected by Olivier Immig & Jan van Heugten HANDLING EHSANULLAH EHSAN SOURCE: Newsweek Pakistan Friday, April 28, 2017 By EJAZ HAIDER *THE MILITARY SHOULD SHOW THE FORMER PAKISTANI TALIBAN SPOKESMAN FOR THE ANIMAL HE IS, RATHER THAN A REFORMED ASSET Ehsanullah Ehsan, now in the custody of the Pakistan Army, is a notorious terrorist. As […]
IN THE NEWS: UNAMA RENEWS ITS CALL FOR WARRING PARTIES TO PROTECT CIVILIANS (APRIL 27, 2017)
Selected by Olivier Immig & Jan van Heugten UNAMA Renews Its Call For Warring Parties To Protect Civilians SOURCE: TOLO News Thursday, April 27, 2017 *In its first quarter report for 2017, UNAMA stated that Kabul province had the highest number of civilian casualties due to suicide and complex attacks In a new report issued […]
IN THE NEWS: EX-SPOKESMAN SPILLS THE BEANS ON TTP ACTIVITIES (APRIL 27, 2017)
Selected by Olivier Immig & Jan van Heugten Ex-spokesman spills the beans on TTP activities SOURCE: Daily Times Thursday, April 27, 2017 By TAHIR KHAN * Ehsanullah Ehsan confirms TTP * Jamaat-ul-Ahrar receive money from RAW, Afghan intelligence * Militants want to lay down arms, return to Pakistan ISLAMABAD: Ehsanullah Ehsan, the former spokesman for […]
IN THE NEWS: THE NEW DIVIDE (APRIL 26, 2017)
Selected by Olivier Immig & Jan van Heugten The new divide SOURCE: The News International Wednesday, April 26, 2017 By SANAULLAH BALOCH Pakistan’s socio-economic landscape is shockingly divided. Eastern Pakistan, comprising Punjab and Sindh, is more developed, with a higher rate of literacy and quality education, 99 percent of Pakistan’s industrial base, access to water […]
IN THE NEWS: BISP CASH TRANSFERS AND EMPOWERMENT (APRIL 26, 2017)
Selected by Olivier Immig & Jan van Heugten BISP cash transfers and empowerment SOURCE: The Express Tribune Wednesday, April 26, 2017 By AMBER ZUBERI Earlier this year, the World Bank published a report evaluating the impact of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) on women empowerment. The programme has two primary policy goals: eradication of […]