Sunday, June 30, 2013
Quetta: need for a new security paradigm — Hasan Naser
From the recent terrorist attacks it has become evident that the Taliban want the government to negotiate with them on their terms and conditions
The terrorist attacks in Quetta bring to spotlight the issue of ever diminishing state writ in the province. The serene Quetta is drenched in blood once again. It was only months ago that the Hazara community suffered militants’ wrath. But no action was taken against the perpetrators. The militants have enough space to operate freely and spread mayhem.
For instance, the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) took no time to claim the responsibility of the attack on the students of the women university. But the state has not condemned the banned outfit unequivocally, let alone taking any punitive action. It is worth noting that the terrorist outfit enjoys close nexus with the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP). But the state’s appeasement policy vis-à-vis the TTP is bewildering. Let it be clear now that there are no good or bad Taliban. Making a distinction between them is catastrophic on the part of security establishment.....
Twin blasts near Imambargah kills 24 in Quetta
June 30th, 2013 by Tahir Khan
Two bomb blasts near an Imambargah killed at least 24 people in Quetta late Sunday, police and rescue teams said.
The blasts near Abu Talib Imambargah at Hazara town area also injured over 50 persons, they said.
A roadside bomb targeted a convoy of security forces at Badabhir area killing 17 people including security men. Several other people were injured.
A bomb attacked killed three soldiers in Mir Ali, a main town in North Waziristan. Official sources said that 15 more soldiers were injured in the bomb attack.
A rocket attack killed two people in South Waziristan on Sunday, security sources said.
News Pakistan
Two bomb blasts near an Imambargah killed at least 24 people in Quetta late Sunday, police and rescue teams said.
The blasts near Abu Talib Imambargah at Hazara town area also injured over 50 persons, they said.
Firing was also reported after the blasts. Some security sources said the first blast was a suicide attack.
The injured were shifted to nearby military and civil hospitals.
Hospital sources said that women and children were among the dead and injured. Sources said that 20 injured were registered critical.
Hazara Democratic Party condemned the bomb attacks and said that the security agencies have failed to improve monitoring system to foil terror acts.
TV footage showed the injured were being shifted to hospitals in private and emergency ambulances.
No group claimed responsibility for the twin blasts. Sectarian and Taliban groups are blamed for such attacks.
Sunday was a bloody day as two earlier blasts and rocket attacks killed 22 more people near Peshawar, North Waziristan and South Waziristan.
The injured were shifted to nearby military and civil hospitals.
Hospital sources said that women and children were among the dead and injured. Sources said that 20 injured were registered critical.
Hazara Democratic Party condemned the bomb attacks and said that the security agencies have failed to improve monitoring system to foil terror acts.
TV footage showed the injured were being shifted to hospitals in private and emergency ambulances.
No group claimed responsibility for the twin blasts. Sectarian and Taliban groups are blamed for such attacks.
Sunday was a bloody day as two earlier blasts and rocket attacks killed 22 more people near Peshawar, North Waziristan and South Waziristan.
A roadside bomb targeted a convoy of security forces at Badabhir area killing 17 people including security men. Several other people were injured.
A bomb attacked killed three soldiers in Mir Ali, a main town in North Waziristan. Official sources said that 15 more soldiers were injured in the bomb attack.
A rocket attack killed two people in South Waziristan on Sunday, security sources said.
News Pakistan
Quetta: Hazara Town blast leaves 10 dead, 40 hurt
June 30, 2013 - Updated 2040 PKT
From Web Edition
Police said militants targeted security forces convoy in the attack.
The dead and injured were rushed to Lady Reading Hospital. Condition of six injured is said to be critical.
From Web Edition
QUETTA: Ten people lost their lives while 40 others sustained wounds in a high-intensity suicide blast near an Imam Bargah in Aliabad area of Hazara Town here on Sunday, Geo News reported quoting rescue sources.
According to sources, the dead bodies and injured were rushed to Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Bolan Medical Centre and Civil Hospital.
The attack once again targeted the Quetta area despite presence of heavy security and it is being feared that the death toll could mount.
According to an eye witness, the blast took place near an Imam Bargah followed by firing. The area plunged into darkness after the thunderous explosion that disrupted the power supply.
Earlier in the day, at least 17 people including a child were killed and 32 others sustained injuries in a powerful blast near Badaber police station in Peshawar.
According to sources, the dead bodies and injured were rushed to Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Bolan Medical Centre and Civil Hospital.
The attack once again targeted the Quetta area despite presence of heavy security and it is being feared that the death toll could mount.
According to an eye witness, the blast took place near an Imam Bargah followed by firing. The area plunged into darkness after the thunderous explosion that disrupted the power supply.
Earlier in the day, at least 17 people including a child were killed and 32 others sustained injuries in a powerful blast near Badaber police station in Peshawar.
Police said militants targeted security forces convoy in the attack.
The dead and injured were rushed to Lady Reading Hospital. Condition of six injured is said to be critical.
Loud explosion heard in Quetta’s Hazara town
SYED ALI SHAH
At least five dead, several more casualties feared in the blast that has occurred near an Imambargah.
Published 2013-06-30 21:10:14
QUETTA: At least five people have been killed and several more casualties are feared in a powerful explosion near an Imambargah on Kirani road of Quetta’s Hazara town.
A police official who requested not to be named told Dawn.com on the telephone that five people were killed and around 20 were seriously injured in the blast. He said that the blast occurred in a crowded area. “We fear an increase in the number of casualties,” he said.
Babul Baloch, a rescue worker told Dawn.com that aid workers were not being allowed to reach the explosion site. He said that most of the aid workers were stranded on different streets leading to Hazara Town and Kirani road. “The blast seems to be a suicide attack,” Baloch said while quoting eye witnesses.
Para-military troops and police were dispatched in the area to control the situation. The initially injured were being taken to civil hospital Quetta for medical treatment.
At least five dead, several more casualties feared in the blast that has occurred near an Imambargah.
Published 2013-06-30 21:10:14
QUETTA: At least five people have been killed and several more casualties are feared in a powerful explosion near an Imambargah on Kirani road of Quetta’s Hazara town.
A police official who requested not to be named told Dawn.com on the telephone that five people were killed and around 20 were seriously injured in the blast. He said that the blast occurred in a crowded area. “We fear an increase in the number of casualties,” he said.
Babul Baloch, a rescue worker told Dawn.com that aid workers were not being allowed to reach the explosion site. He said that most of the aid workers were stranded on different streets leading to Hazara Town and Kirani road. “The blast seems to be a suicide attack,” Baloch said while quoting eye witnesses.
Para-military troops and police were dispatched in the area to control the situation. The initially injured were being taken to civil hospital Quetta for medical treatment.
Friday, June 21, 2013
A YOUNG HAZARA REFUGEE MAKES A NEW LIFE IN AUSTRALIA, AND ENCOURAGES US TO SHOW COMPASSION TO REFUGEES
20 JUN 2013
A young Hazara refugee makes a new life in Australia, and encourages us to show compassion to refugees
June 20 is World Refugee Day – a time to celebrate the positive contributions made by refugees to Australian society. The theme for this year is restoring hope. For one young Australian her hope is to be a bright star offering guidance and assistance to those in need.
Marziya Mohammadi arrived in Australia aged 14, six years after her father, a Hazara man from Afghanistan, made the perilous journey by boat to seek asylum in Australia after his life was threatened by the Taliban. She told her story to Catherine Zengerer, and why she thinks we shouldWalk Together on June 22nd.
A young Hazara refugee makes a new life in Australia, and encourages us to show compassion to refugees
A young Hazara refugee makes a new life in Australia, and encourages us to show compassion to refugees
June 20 is World Refugee Day – a time to celebrate the positive contributions made by refugees to Australian society. The theme for this year is restoring hope. For one young Australian her hope is to be a bright star offering guidance and assistance to those in need.
Marziya Mohammadi arrived in Australia aged 14, six years after her father, a Hazara man from Afghanistan, made the perilous journey by boat to seek asylum in Australia after his life was threatened by the Taliban. She told her story to Catherine Zengerer, and why she thinks we shouldWalk Together on June 22nd.
A young Hazara refugee makes a new life in Australia, and encourages us to show compassion to refugees
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Kabul blast ahead of Afghanistan security handover
A suicide attacker is believed to have targeted a prominent Afghan politician just as Nato formally hands over command of security responsibilities to Afghan forces.
The bomb struck the convoy of Haji Mohammad Mohaqiq, a prominent member of parliament and leader of the Hazara ethnic minority, in west Kabul.
Mr Mohaqiq was reportedly unhurt, but three people were killed and six injured.
Nato forces are handing over control of the last 95 districts.
A ceremony is due to be attended by President Hamid Karzai and Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. The location of the event has not been given.
The switch of security duties to the 350,000-strong Afghan National Army is a milestone on the road to the final withdrawal of international combat troops at the end of next year.
The handover of security control by the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) started with Bamiyan in 2011.
The final districts to be handed over include 13 in Kandahar province - the birthplace of the Taliban - and 12 each in Nangarhar, Khost and Paktika, all bastions of insurgent activity along the border with Pakistan.
Monday, June 17, 2013
’سکیورٹی اداروں کا کنٹرول،کوئٹہ پھر بھی دہشت گردی کا شکار‘
آخری وقت اشاعت: پير 17 جون 2013 , 08:35 GMT 13:35 PST
پاکستان کے وزیرِداخلہ چوہدری نثار علی خان نے سکیورٹی اداروں کی کارکردگی پر سوال اٹھاتے ہوئے کہا ہے کہ کوئٹہ شہر میں سکیورٹی اداروں کا جتنا کنٹرول ہے کسی اور شہر میں نہیں تو پھر کوئٹہ کیوں بار بار دہشت گردی کا نشانہ بنتا ہے۔
انہوں نے یہ بات پیر کی صبح قومی اسمبلی کے اجلاس کے دوران کہی۔
پاکستان کی سرکاری ٹیلی ویژن پی ٹی وی کے مطابق وزیرِداخلہ چوہدری نثار علی خان نے کہا کہ ’ایک سوال انٹیلیجنس اور سکیورٹی اداروں سے ہے کہ کسی شہر میں اس سے زیادہ سکیورٹی اداروں کا گھیرا نہیں ہو سکتا جتنا کوئٹہ میں ہے تو کیا وجہ ہے کہ بار بار کوئٹہ شہر دہشت گردوں کے نشانے پر ہے اور وہ شہر میں جہاں چاہے جس طرح سے چاہے حدف کو نشانہ بناتے ہیں۔‘
انہوں نے کہا کہ جگہ جگہ چیک پوسٹیں قائم ہیں تو پھر دہشت گرد کیسے کھلے عام گھوم پھر سکتے ہیں۔
چوہدری نثار علی خان نے آئی جی کے گھر کے قریب دھماکے کا ذکر کرتے ہوئے کہا کہ اس دھماکے سے گورنر ہاؤس سمیت پورا علاقہ ہل گیا تھا۔
ان کا کہنا ہے کہ اگر سکیورٹی ادارے ’ریڈ زون کا تحفظ نہیں کر سکتے تو حکومت سکیورٹی اداروں کو اور کیا دے گی۔‘
"ایک سوال انٹیلیجنس اور سکیورٹی اداروں سے ہے کہ کسی شہر میں اس سے زیادہ سکیورٹی اداروں کا گھیرا نہیں ہو سکتا جتنا کوئٹہ میں ہے تو کیا وجہ ہے کہ بار بار کوئٹہ شہر دہشت گردوں کے نشانے پر ہے اور وہ شہر میں جہاں چاہے جس طرح سے چاہے حدف کو نشانہ بناتے ہیں"
چوہدری نثارعلی خان
وفاقی وزیر نے کہا کہ کوئٹہ میں بس اور بولان میڈیکل کمپلیکس پر حملوں میں چودہ طلبات چھ سولین اور سکیورٹی فورسز کے چار اہلکار ہلاک ہوئے جبکہ 34 افراد زخمی ہو گئے تھے۔ تاہم انہوں نے اس بات کی تصدیق نہیں کی کہ پکڑا گیا مشتبہ شخص حملہ آوروں کا ساتھی ہے۔
انہوں نے کہا کہ کوئٹہ میں بس میں خود کش دھماکہ ایک خاتون نے کیا تھا اور بولان میڈیکل کمپلیکس میں چار عسکریت پسندوں نے حملہ کیا تھا۔
انہوں نے مزید کہا کہ سکیورٹی رپورٹس کے مطابق عسکریت پسندوں کو اس بات کا علم تھا کہ سینیئر افسران بولان میڈیکل کمپلیکس جائیں گے تو انہوں نے وہاں پوزیشن سنبھالی اور کارروائی کی۔
چوہدری نثار علی خان نے کہا کہ زیارت ریزیڈنسی پر حملے کے بارے میں سکیورٹی اداروں کی مشترکہ تحقیقاتی رپورٹ کو پارلیمان میں پیش کیا جائے گا۔
انہوں نے کہا کہ زیارت ریزیڈنسی پر حملے کے معاملے میں دو سکیورٹی گارڈز کو انتظامیہ کو اس حادثے کے بارے میں فوراً مطلع نہ کرنے پر حراست میں لیا گیا ہے۔
ان کا اصرار تھا کہ واردات کے بعد زیارت سے نکلنے کے راستے ایک یا دو ہی ہیں اور اگر بروقت ان راستوں کو بلاک کیا جاتا تو شاید حملہ آوروں کو پکڑا جاسکتا تھا۔
انہوں نے سوال اٹھایا کہ ’یہ واقعہ ہونے کے بعد باہر جانے کے راستوں کو کیوں بلاک نہیں کیا گیا۔ اس بات کو جاننے کی ضرورت ہے کہ اس میں کوئی اندرونی ہاتھ تو نہیں تھا۔‘
ان کا کہنا ہے کہ اس واقعے کی تحقیقات کے لیے ڈی آئی جی کی سربراہی میں ایک مشترکہ تحقیقاتی ٹیم بنائی گئی ہے جس میں خفیہ ادارے بھی شامل ہیں۔
وزیرِ داخلہ نے کہا کہ’میں وعدہ کرتا ہوں کہ ہم کسی چیز کو چھپائیں گے نہیں اور مشترکہ تحقیقاتی ٹیم کی رپورٹ ایوان میں پیش کیا جائے گا۔‘
انہوں نے کہا کہ زیارت بلوچستان کا پْرامن ترین علاقہ ہے جہاں جرائم نہ ہونے کے برابر ہے۔
چوہدری نثار نے کہا کہ 2008 تک زیارت ریزیڈنسی کی ذمہ داری گورنر بلوچستان کے پاس تھی اور 2008 میں اسے بلوچستان کی آرکیالوجی ڈیپارٹمنٹ کے حوالے کر دیا گیا۔
ان کا کہنا ہے کہ ریزیڈنسی کی حفاظت کے لیے جو نجی دو سکیورٹی گارڈ معمور کیے گئے تھے وہ در حقیقت غیر مسلحہ چوکیدار تھے جو حملے کی رات ریزیڈنسی میں موجود نہیں تھے بلکہ قریب کوارٹر میں تھے۔
وزیرداخلہ نے کہا کہ چوکیداروں نے بتایا کہ ریزیڈنسی میں پہلے دھماکے کے بعد جب وہ باہر نکلے تو تین سے چار آدمی ریزیڈنسی کی دیوار پلانگ کر بھاگ رہے تھے۔
انہوں نے کہا کہ جب پولیس والا باہر نکلا تو اس کو عسکریت پسندوں نے گولی مار کر ہلاک کر دیا۔
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Deputy Commissioner killed in Bolan Medical Complex blast
June 15, 2013 - Updated 1558 PKT
From Web Edition
QUETTA: A blast has taken place at the Bolan Medical Complex here on Saturday. The blast took place in the casualty ward.
Geo News correspondents have reported that firing is taking place in the area. Security forces have launched an operation against the attackers who are present in and around the medical complex. The Deputy Commissioner Quetta, Abdul Mansoor was also killed in the attack. The assistant commissioner, an FC captain, DSP, sub-inspector and reporter for a private news channel are among those injured.
Speaking to Geo News, Dr Saifullah who is present inside the medical complex said firing was still continuing. He added that due to the situation, medical treatment for the injured students had been stopped.
Earlier, the injured and deceased from the women's university blast were rushed to the Bolan Medical Complex. At least 12 female students were killed in blast. According to police, the explosives were planted on a university bus.
From Web Edition
QUETTA: A blast has taken place at the Bolan Medical Complex here on Saturday. The blast took place in the casualty ward.
Geo News correspondents have reported that firing is taking place in the area. Security forces have launched an operation against the attackers who are present in and around the medical complex. The Deputy Commissioner Quetta, Abdul Mansoor was also killed in the attack. The assistant commissioner, an FC captain, DSP, sub-inspector and reporter for a private news channel are among those injured.
Speaking to Geo News, Dr Saifullah who is present inside the medical complex said firing was still continuing. He added that due to the situation, medical treatment for the injured students had been stopped.
Earlier, the injured and deceased from the women's university blast were rushed to the Bolan Medical Complex. At least 12 female students were killed in blast. According to police, the explosives were planted on a university bus.
11 female students killed, 22 injured in Quetta blast
June 15, 2013 - Updated 1442 PKT
From Web Edition
QUETTA: At least eleven female students were killed and several others injured when a blast hit a bus near a women's only university on Baruri road, Geo News reported.
From Web Edition
QUETTA: At least eleven female students were killed and several others injured when a blast hit a bus near a women's only university on Baruri road, Geo News reported.
According to police, the bomb was planted inside the bus parked on the premises of the university. Quetta police chief said 22 people had been injured in the blast.
An emergency was announced in the Bolan Medical Compelex where the dead and injured were shifted after the blast. Hospital sources said several were in critical condition.
An emergency was announced in the Bolan Medical Compelex where the dead and injured were shifted after the blast. Hospital sources said several were in critical condition.
An hour after the women’s university blast, another blast took place in the Bolan Medical Complex. According to reports security forces have launched an opeation against militants inside the medical complex
The attack comes hours after militants attacked Quaid-e-Azam residency in Ziarat area of Balochistan, resting place of Pakistan's founding father Muhammad Ali Jinnah, with rocket attacks.
According to reports, a larger portion of the building was destroyed in the attack.
Friday, June 7, 2013
UNESCO and Italy launch new cooperation to restore and conserve cultural heritage in Bamiyan, Afghanistan
Most people know Bamiyan as the site where giant statutes of the Buddha were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001. But it is the location of other important archaeological sites too, such as Shahr-i-Zohak (Red City), an impressive mass of ruins that was once the fortress protecting the entrance to Bamiyan in the 12th and 13thcenturies. Now this site will be restored and conserved as part of a new project in Afghanistan sponsored by UNESCO and the Government of Italy.
UNESCO’s Director-General, Irina Bokova, and Italy’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Luciano Pezzotti, made the announcement during the Director-General’s recent mission to Kabul (17 and 18 May). Bamiyan contains numerous Buddhist monasteries as well as forts from the Islamic period that testify to the interchange of Indian, Greek, Roman, Sasanian and Islamic influences.
The project - totalling 900,000 Euros - will include training in heritage management and awareness-raising of other archaeological sites that are on the Tentative List of UNESCO’s World Heritage, including Herat, Balkh and the Gardens of Babur. Herat dates back to the Avestan times and has a number of historic sites, including the Herat Citadel and the Mosallah Complex. Balkh is an ancient city and centre of Zoroastrianism in northern Afghanistan. The Garden of Babur is an historic park in Kabul.
UNESCO and the Governments of Italy and Afghanistan have cooperated on heritage protection for more than five decades thanks to the work of Italian organizations and universities. Activities include expert missions to the Minaret of Jam and Herat, led by UNESCO with expert guidance from Professor Andrea Bruno, as well as excavations led by Professor Giuseppe Tucci, founder of the Italian Archaeological Mission in Ghazni. UNESCO-Italy collaboration gained new impetus after 2002, when Italy rehabilitated the Mausoleum Abdul al-Razzaq in Ghazni, protected of the Minaret of Jam from seasonal flooding, and took emergency measures to protect the Fifth Minaret in the Musalla Complex in Herat.
In her recent visit to Afghanistan, the Director-General of UNESCO expressed the Organization’s gratitude to Ambassador Pezzotti. The ambassador emphasized Italy’s commitment to international support for cultural development in Afghanistan. This new initiative will complement existing funding from the Government of Japan and Swiss Development Cooperation to safeguard the World Heritage site of Bamiyan. The coordinated approach will engage a range of international and Afghan institutional partners to safeguard Afghan heritage and stimulate development at the Bamiyan Valley.
Photo of Sahrh-i-Zohak cliff taken in 2102 show the urgent need to safeguard the cultural heritage of Bamiyan
UNESCO will coordinate the project which will target the conservation and development of the ancient Islamic remains of Shar-e- Gholghola in Bamiyan involving the Ministry of Information and Culture of Afghanistan, the Délégation archéologique française en Afghanistan (DAFA), and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS Germany) with the scientific expertise of Professor Andrea Bruno. An audio-visual record of conservation works will also be developed as integral part of the project by Italian TV journalist and documentary film maker Duilio Giammaria in order to raise awareness both inside and outside Afghanistan on the importance of heritage protection and cultural development.
As part of UNESCO’s coordination role in the culture sector in Afghanistan, Italy has also agreed to host two important meetings convened by UNESCO later this year: on the history, art and archaeology of Ghazni in Naples, and the 12th Bamiyan Expert Working Group in Orvieto. These coordination mechanisms aim to advise the Afghan authorities on issues of conservation, archaeology, urban development, management and planning for heritage sites.
Italy will also lend its financial support to UNESCO and the Ministry of Information and Culture of Afghanistan to organize the Second International Conference for the Safeguarding of Afghanistan’s Cultural Heritage in September 2013. The conference will bring together a range of national and international partners, communities and government representatives to highlight the role and potential of culture as a pillar of sustainable development in Afghanistan.
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