KARACHI: The Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) has agreed on a ‘three-step political process’ in a bid to resurrect a moribund peace initiative in Afghanistan, Daily Express has learnt from top government sources in Islamabad.

The quartet – which consists of Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, and the United States – has also agreed to enlist help from influential clerics and religious scholars to bring the Afghan Taliban to the negotiating table. The QCG met in Oman’s capital Muscat earlier this month but didn’t release any statement, leading observers to believe that the session could not make any breakthrough in its efforts to revive the Afghan peace process. It was the sixth meeting of the quartet which was convened after a hiatus of more than a year.

Taliban deny former Canadian captive’s claims of murder, rape

“The political process will involve three steps: communication, ceasefire, and peace talks,” a source told Daily Express. “The QCG decided in its meeting on October 16 to form committees and assigned them these tasks.” Interestingly, the Afghan Taliban had stayed away from the Muscat conclave, saying neither they had been invited nor would they participate in the meeting. The insurgent group says it would not negotiate until the US-led foreign forces pulled out of Afghanistan. It also seeks official recognition for its “political office” in Doha, Qatar, which it wants to use as a diplomatic mission.

According to sources, Islamabad made it clear during the Muscat meeting that dialogue was the only way to resolve the Afghan conundrum and to bring peace in the strife-torn country. Islamabad also reiterated its commitment to an Afghan led and Afghan owned peace process.

However, the strategy US President Donald Trump announced in August, this year, seeks a military victory in Afghanistan. A second source said the QCG would convene another meeting soon where it would ponder the Taliban’s preconditions for peace talks. Moreover, the source added that the QCG’s efforts to reach out to the Taliban would be kept away from the media spotlight. A formal announcement would only be made if the Taliban responded positively to peace overtures, according to the source.

“However, if the quartet fails to convince the Taliban to sit across the table with Afghan government officials, then the QCG would form a committee and the insurgents would be asked to do the same for indirect talks,” the source told Daily Express. “The two committees would meet at a neutral venue.” A third source said China and Pakistan were making all-out efforts for the revival of Afghan peace talks.

Pakistan has made it clear to the Trump administration in recent meetings that it would help in the Afghan reconciliation process only if its legit concerns vis-à-vis US policy for Afghanistan were addressed. Trump’s Afghan strategy envisages a greater role for India, Pakistan’s arch rival, in Afghanistan – something that is not acceptable to Islamabad and the same has been conveyed to top US officials in recent meetings. Trump’s aides are said to have assured Pakistani officials that their fears and concerns would be addressed.

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The strain in Pakistan-US officials set off by Trump’s unsavoury criticism of Pakistan apparently eased after Pakistan Army earlier this month rescued a Canadian-American couple and their three children from the Taliban-allied Haqqani network in Kurram Agency soon after they crossed over from neighbouring Afghanistan.

President Trump praised Pakistan for the safe rescue of the hostages which, according to him, would mark the dawn of new relationship between the two countries.

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RICHMOND, VA, US: Barack Obama is returning to the political arena for the first time in months after keeping a low profile and avoiding direct confrontation with his White House successor.

The 56-year-old former president is scheduled to attend campaign rallies in New Jersey and Virginia on Thursday to support Democratic party candidates for governor.

Voters in both states will decide the gubernatorial contests on November 7, one year after Donald Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton and stormed into the White House on a wave of anti-establishment fury.

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The races are a potential indicator of voter sentiment ahead of the 2018 midterm elections, which will be a major test for Trump and his Republican party.

“There are only two big elections this year, for governor in NJ and VA,” political science professor Larry Sabato told AFP. “What’s at stake is bragging rights headed into the 2018 midterm elections.”

It is unclear what Obama’s message will be. The former US leader has remained largely detached from the political debate since leaving office on January 20, in keeping with presidential tradition.

Trump has meanwhile used his first nine months in the White House to methodically demolish key Obama administration policies.

After three months of vacation Obama began writing his memoirs. He has said little in public and granted almost no interviews. The few times Obama broke his silence was to comment on issues of national importance, such as immigration, health care and climate change.

But the 44th president may be tempted on Thursday to take aim at Trump, who has frequently and publicly excoriated his predecessor.

In New Jersey, the post of governor will almost certainly go to Democrat Philip Murphy, who would succeed Chris Christie, a Trump ally whose popularity has plummeted to record lows. New Jersey “is a runaway win for the Democrats, so Virginia is the only competitive contest.

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Obama is needed much more in Richmond than Trenton,” said Sabato, referring to the capitals of the two states.

Virginia is a pivotal state and the only southern US state that Clinton won in 2016. Its importance is amplified by its proximity to the US capital.

“If the GOP loses in Virginia, Trump will be widely blamed since he is so unpopular in a state carried by Hillary Clinton,” Sabato said. “Should the Republicans win Virginia’s governorship, then Trump will not be viewed as such a liability for the GOP in 2018.”

In Richmond, Obama will back Ralph Northam, a former military doctor who was credited Wednesday with a slight lead over Republican Ed Gillespie in a Quinnipiac poll.

Obama’s impending arrival in the city of over 220,000 people sparked long lines of people seeking tickets to the campaign event.

Well aware of the importance of the vote, Trump has backed Gillespie and accused Northam of “fighting for the violent MS-13,” a Hispanic gang, as well as “sanctuary cities” that offer shelter to illegal immigrants.

Gillespie, a former advisor to president George W. Bush who has become a millionaire lobbyist, has so far kept a cautious distance from the mercurial Trump, whose backing recently failed to ensure the election of his pick in a Republican Senate race in Alabama.

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SIALKOT: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested eight people from Sialkot International Airport, who were trying to travel abroad on fake visa and travel documents.

Two arrested with fake travel documents

FIA Divisional Deputy Director Khalid Anees said the accused passengers identified as Usman, Nadeem, Idrees, Zeeshan Khalid, Asrar Aziz, Muazzam Maqsud, Irfan Anwar and Shahzaib Tariq were carrying fake visa documents.

He said the accused were trying to travel to Azerbaijan, Ukraine via Dubai from Sialkot International Airport by an international airline. He said cases had been registered against them while further investigation was underway.

Offloaded: Man arrested with fake travel documents

Meanwhile, the FIA also arrested an accused for defrauding with people on the pretext of sending them abroad for employment.

FIA Divisional Deputy Director Khalid Anees said accused Muhammad Munir Butt had been arrested from Sambrial for taking money from people fraudulently.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 19^th, 2017.

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MULTAN: Scores of students from different government colleges staged a protest demonstration against the Punjab government for imposing a ban on the allocation of College Teacher Interns (CTI) in the province. The CTIs were selected through a given procedure of interview.

The students gathered at Chungi number 6 in Multan and shouted slogans against the provincial government.

While speaking to The Express Tribune, Shehzad, a student of BS Mass Communication said, “There is only one teacher to teach journalism in our department. The names of the teachers were notified after the selection last week but due to the imposition of ban on CTIs, the teachers did not take over their jobs.”

Higher purposes of a university education

Mehnaz, another student termed the ban unlawful and said that the Punjab government should reconsider its decision of imposing the ban. “Our parents have invested in our education, but we are not even provided with teachers in colleges,” she said.

Irfan, another student termed the decision a failure of education system in the country. He said, “Teachers were banned on political basis. Politicians should worry about the education of youth instead of fulfilling their ulterior motives.”

He added, “We cannot afford fee of private colleges and thus got admission in government colleges. But the non-availability of teachers in colleges and sudden ban on CTIs is affecting our education.”

Students in Multan suffer as Punjab govt bans CTIs

The students demanded that the ban on CTIs should be removed immediately and all the teachers selected after interviews and submission of their credentials should be appointed.

Meanwhile, Director Colleges Syed Haider Abbas Gardaizi told The Express Tribune that the decision of banning the CTIs was taken by Punjab government and teachers cannot be appointed without the permission of the government. He said that the teachers would be deployed right after the orders of the provincial government.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 19^th, 2017.

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MULTAN: Civic education should be made part of the curriculum to enable youth comprehend their fundamental rights as well as obligations towards the state.

This was said by former National Assembly speaker Syed Fakhar Imam on Wednesday.

Education: a solution for Pakistan

He said, “Special courses on civic education were taught at our educational institutions around three decades ago and I think this practice should resume in accordance with contemporary requirements.”

He added that easy access to quality education could enlighten youth on their fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution. “Our Constitution says provision of quality education from age 5 to 16 is the responsibility of the state,” the veteran politician said.

Higher purposes of a university education

He maintained, “The more our youth is enlightened the more they will be aware of their democratic, social, legal, and economic rights. And this way, education also serves as the key to make people perform best in their respective fields.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 19^th, 2017.

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BAHAWALPUR: In the Naushera Jadeed police jurisdiction of Moza Garwaan, a case was registered against the act of vani, while the police arrested four people, including the prime suspect. An investigation commenced immediately afterwards.

Abdul Samad stated in his complaint that a case was registered against his son Ubaidullah on September 24 on the complaint of Muhammad Akram. Ubaidullah was charged with abduction and rape, while he was arrested for the same and put in jail.

9-year-old girl married off to man under ‘Vani’ in Dera Ghazi Khan

Meanwhile, on September 30, a panchaiyat was held under the supervision of Haji Muhammad Akbar. It was decided that in retaliation to Humera Fatima’s alleged abduction and rape, his daughter Ume Haani should be married to Muhammad Akram’s son Mehtaab.

Abdul Samad said he was not present at the time of panchaiyat’s decision and neither was any member of his family. He added the suspect Muhammad Akram, along with others, forcefully entered his home the following evening and attempted to kidnap his daughter. She was ultimately saved by him and other family members. He added there were neither his nor his daughter’s signatures on the vani document.

Under ‘vani’: Minor girl married off to 50-year-old

Police registered the case against four people, including Muhammad Akram, and arrested them before starting an investigation.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 19^th, 2017.

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MONTREAL: Canada’s Quebec province Wednesday prohibited government workers and anyone receiving government services from covering their face, in a move critics say unfairly targets Muslim women who wear a niqab veil.

Norway proposes ban on full-face veils in schools

The legislation applies to bureaucrats, police officers, teachers, and bus drivers, as well as doctors, midwives and dentists who work in publicly-funded hospitals or clinics. Exceptions, however, can be made on a case by case basis.

“I should see your face, and you should see mine,” Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard said of Bill 62. Speaking to reporters, he cited improved “communication, identification and safety” as reasons for the ban. The government insisted that the law applies to all face coverings and does not target Muslim women.

China sets rules on beards, veils to combat militancy in Xinjiang

But critics say it will effectively marginalize them by limiting their access to government jobs and services. The National Council of Canadian Muslims said in a statement the law “boils down to ugly identity politics” ahead of a general election in Quebec next year.

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