 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bomb Blasts in FATA, 2008 
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Bomb Blasts in FATA, 2008
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Shopkeepers want goodwill amount back
 |
 |
| Shopkeepers want goodwill amount back |
|
 |
|
| Saturday, January 17, 2009 By Bureau report |
| PESHAWAR: Shopkeepers expelled from Parachinar during the recent spell of sectarian violence have demanded of the government to pay compensation for the losses they suffered and seal the shops they left behind. Addressing a news conference at Peshawar Press Club on Friday, Rahim Shah and Rehmat Shah said their houses and shops were looted and burnt during the sectarian violence and they were expelled from the agency. "After expulsion from the agency, we took shelter in Kohat district," Rahim said. The shopkeepers said they had submitted a huge amount of advance with the landlord of their shops. "We know that our shops have been looted and our houses burnt. But now the landlords of our shops have rented the shops out further and refused to repay our advances amounting to Rs1.2 million to us," they said. They demanded of the NWFP governor and political administration of Kurram Agency to ensure repayment of the advance to them.. "We are compelled to live a refugee life in our own country. We have nothing to lead our life smoothly. Therefore, the government should pay us compensation so that we could restart our life with new zeal," they said. Hussain Shah Bangash, vice-president PML-Q and Dr Pir Alamsher Bangash of PML-N were also present on the occasion. |
 |
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Fw:
 Sectarian strife |
|
|
 |
| Tuesday, January 13, 2009 The renewed clashes in the Hangu district of NWFP, where 40 people have been killed within three days, brings back memories of the terrible fighting in the area, along sectarian lines, that has already claimed hundreds of lives in recent months. Tribes, broken up into Sunnis and Shias, have once more been battling each other. Tensions seem to have risen with the advent of the Muslim month of mourning – Muharrum – an occasion that has repeatedly triggered violence over the past decade. This is of course immensely sad, given the sanctity of the month for Muslims of all sects. So far, tribal elders attempting to mediate between the fighting tribes have failed to restore peace in Hangu. Even if they do achieve a breakthrough, one fears that it will be short-lived. This, after all, is what has happened each time in the past. Periods of peace have been followed by resumed phases of intense fighting. The sectarian violence in areas such as Parachinar in the Kurram Agency has resulted in what amounts to a brutal ethnic cleansing. It is said large pockets of Shias have been entirely wiped out or else have fled, fearful of death. It is unfortunate that this should still happen in a day and age that is described as 'civilised'. We have seen too many episodes of repeated sectarian violence. The government needs to step in and act. It is senseless to simply ignore what is happening or hope that it will just go away. Even if another period of peace is enforced, the risk is that at some point in the future the underlying tensions will erupt once more. What we need is a policy to address the root causes of sectarian hatred. Through curriculums, through the immensely powerful media and by enforcing the laws that exist to safeguard against the dissemination of hate, a concerted effort to turn back the clock must be initiated. It is true that sectarian strife was a reality in Hangu even decades ago, but the degree of violence has increased markedly since then. It must be stopped before it tears apart the fabric of a society that has forgotten the need to tolerate each other and to live together in peace, regardless of belief, race or other similar factors. You can share topics like culture, beauty, people, and sights of parachinar kurram agency. so PLEASE SEND your fotos and videos about parachinar. Ali Zai, Sada, Zeran, Malana, Pewar, Kerman.... love, beuty, Thanks |
Monday, January 12, 2009
46 Die in Taliban Attack on Pakistani Troops
Published: January 11, 2009
At the same time, a separate and equally deadly battle played out just 60 miles to the south. Gangs of Sunnis and Shiites fought each other, rampaging through the villages of the Hangu district over the weekend, destroying dozens of homes and leaving at least 40 people dead between the rival groups, according to reports from authorities carried by Pakistani news media and accounts from local residents. Hundreds of Taliban fighters rushed in to support Sunni gangs, as government attack helicopters hovered overhead, trying to intimidate gunmen into withdrawing.
“Both sides are trying to overrun each other’s villages,” said Abdul Rehman, a Sunni and resident of Hangu. He estimated that 60 people had died and said the incoming Taliban fighters appeared eager to drive Shiites out of the region. “They seem to be bent on settling this Shia question for good.”
Taken together, the battles underscored the persistent lawlessness in Pakistan’s border region with Afghanistan, where Taliban militants and other warlords have tightened their grip despite the Pakistani military’s attempts to make inroads in the past year.
The assault in Mohmand was particularly troubling. In the past, militants have often pulled away from high concentrations of Pakistani troops, only to return later. But this time, an estimated 600 Taliban fighters directly assaulted a paramilitary base at Mamad Gatt, according to Frontier Corps officials.
The western tribal areas have been a haven for Pakistani Taliban forces who stage attacks in Afghanistan, and they have been a focus for American diplomats, who have pressed the Pakistani government to do more to disrupt the flow.
But this attack involved mostly Taliban from the Afghan side of the border, who flooded into the mountainous area and joined with Pakistani fighters in the assault.
Armed with rocket-propelled grenade launchers and machine guns, the militants swarmed the Mamad Gatt fort on Saturday night and fought heavily through the morning, according to one Frontier Corps officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release information. By Sunday afternoon, he said, most militants had left, though there were still scattered skirmishes.
The battle took place in a district formally known as the Mohmand Agency, one of seven semiautonomous agencies along the border. Mohmand is northwest of Peshawar, the frontier hub city of three million that has come under increasing pressure from Taliban encroachment.
The Frontier Corps’ estimate of 40 dead militants could not be independently confirmed. According to some local reports, a number of Pakistani soldiers were captured, in addition to the six killed and seven wounded.
According to a Pashto-language television channel, one Taliban fighter who was killed was a midlevel commander in his 20s, Muslim Khan, also known as Garang, who was responsible for detaining a reporter and photographer for The New York Times in Mohmand in July.
The fighting over the weekend also followed the Pakistani military’s decision in late December to move about 5,000 troops abruptly from deployments in western Pakistan eastward to locations that would allow the military to defend the border with India more quickly if armed conflict broke out. Pakistani officials say more than 100,000 troops remain in the west.
The separate violence, in the Hangu district, involved a flaring of sectarian tensions after Shiites protested that a curfew forbade them from turning out for an important religious procession.
According to local residents, a large number of Shiites who live on the road from Hangu to Kohat marched toward Hangu to confront authorities about the curfew. Fighting then erupted with Sunnis who live in the area.
Hundreds of Taliban fighters — some in pickups with truck-bed-mounted machine guns — flooded into Hangu from the neighboring Orakzai district prepared to fight on the side of the Sunnis, despite reports that an assembly of local tribal elders had agreed to a cease-fire on Sunday. Sunni guerrillas fired on Shiite enclaves with mortars and reportedly seized a Shiite mosque and madrasa.
The Taliban from Orakzai Agency are under the command of Hakimullah Mehsud, a lieutenant of the warlord Baitullah Mehsud. Most of the Sunnis in Hangu belong to the same tribe as the Orakzai fighters.
The Shiites got help from members of the Turi tribe from another adjoining district, Kurram Agency, some residents said.
“Our force consists of young and inexperienced boys who are educated and as such don’t know the art of fighting heavily armed Taliban,” said one Shiite resident, Muzaffar Khan
Click to join parachinar616
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
Hangu under curfew for fourth consecutive day
Updated at: 1545 PST, Friday, January 09, 2009 HANGU: The curfew remained continued for fourth consecutive day in Hangu whereas closure of Kohat- Parachinar road created problems for the masses.According to official sources, the curfew was imposed in the area on Tuesday to maintain law and order during Muharramul Haram. Entry and exit routes have been closed for traffic. Local administration said curfew would continue for indefinite period. Yum e Aashur peacefully observed in NWFP, Fata amid tight security
Associated Press Of Pakistan ( Pakistan's Premier NEWS Agency )
PESHAWAR, Jan 8 (APP)- Like other parts of the country ‘Yum-e-Ashur’, the 10th of Moharram, commemorating the sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions at Karbala, was observed peacefully across the NWFP and tribal agencies on Thursday with religious fervor amid tight security measures adopted by the law-enforcing agencies.
The law enforcing agencies had sealed the areas close to the Imambargahs in the Provincial Capital to avoid the possibility of any mishap and no stranger was allowed to enter those areas while there was total shutter down and traffic was off the road throughout the day.
Security in-charge Peshawar, Capital City Police Chief Sifwat Ghayyur had made elaborate arrangements to ensure peaceful observance of the Holy occasion as previous two Muharrams in the provincial capital were marred by deadliest blasts which also claimed the life of the then city police chief Malik Saad and scores of others civilians.
Sensitve spots in Peshawar like Qissa Khwani, Kocha Risaldar, Kohati Gate, Mohallah Khudadad, Nasir Khan Chowk, Chowk Shahbaz, and Bijori Gate were duly covered by the law enforcers and had occupied all the roof tops of the houses in these areas to monitor the Zuljinah processions. Whereas all the entry and exit points to the city were effectively blocked. Over a dozens Alam and Zuljinnah processions were taken from various Imam Bargahs in Peshawar on 10th of Muharram.
In Peshawar, over s dozen Alam and Zuljinnah processions were taken out from various Imam Bargahs. The main procession was taken out from Imam Bargah Alamdar Karbala near Qissa Khawani Bazaar this afternoon. The procession after passing through its traditional routes terminated at its starting point. Similar processions were also taken out in different areas of the province including D.I.Khan, Kohat, Haripur, Hangu and Parachinar.
Ulema and Zakireen addressed the participants of procession at various points and highlighted different aspects of the philosophy of the tragedy of Karbala. Sham-e-Ghariban will be held tonight. Ulema and Zakireen will address the mourners and highlight sacrifices rendered by Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A) and his companions for the supremacy of Islam.
Quick Response Force is patrolling on different sites round the clock to thwart any untoward incident.
Small and big Zuljinnah processions were taken out all around the frontier province to pay homage to Hazrat Imam Hussain and his companions-the martyrs of Karbala. The processions after passing through their traditional routes terminated at the main Imambargahs. Ulema and Zakireen highlighted the spirit and teachings of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and the need for forging unity to meet the present challenges.
Imambargahs and places where Majalis were being held are under strict security cover, while control rooms have also been established at different places to monitor deployment, co-ordination and patrol between officials performing field duties. Peace Committees are also closely monitoring the law and order situation.
The Federal Government had already declared public holidays on 9th and 10th of Moharram to help observe the day with reverence. Regional and local newspapers brought out special supplements while Radio and TV Channels present special programs as well as “Shaam-e-Ghribaan” symbolizing the day.
The administrations of various city hospitals had made special arrangements to deal with any emergency during Ashura. Additional staff has been deputed in emergency and surgical wards, while life-saving and other medicines have also been made available. Mobile medical units and ambulances would provide first aid during the Zuljinnah processions.
In other districts and tribal agencies, Zuljinnah processions were taken out amid tight security arrangements and curfew was imposed in Hangu district, dominated by Ahle tashi. Similarly over 20 mourning procession appeared in DIKhan and peacefully culminated after parading their traditional routes. Howver the DIKhan police defused a rocket on receiving information.
In Kurram agency, main Zuljinnah procession was taken out from Markazi Imambargah Parachinar and terminated at the same point after marching on Kurram Milita, Tori Qabristan and Hazara Qabristan. Over 300 mourners’ procession were held in Kurram Agency.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Israeli brutalities flayed
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Our Parachinar correspondent adds:
Israel attack on Gaza strip was the worst example of terrorism while the silence of Arab nation over the atrocities added insult to the injury.
This was stated by central leader of Imamia Students Organisation Haider Ali and others here Saturday. Addressing a press conference, they said hundreds of Muslims in Gaza were killed while the forerunners of human rights were watching the gory episode like silent spectators in the West.
Activists of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Charsadda chapter, staged a sit-in here Saturday at Farooq Chowk to condemn the Israeli aggression against Palestinians and US drones� attacks in troubled tribal region.
Addressing the gathering, Member National Assembly (MNA) and district chapter Ameer JUI-F Maulana Gohar Shah and former MNA Ghulam Mohammad Sadiq criticised US for backing Israel in its attacks against innocent Palestinians, asking the government to end all its diplomatic ties with the US. The speakers also came down hard on the government for fighting the US proxy war against its own people.
They stressed that the government should respond to the US drones� attacks that had killed scores of people.
The JUI-F leaders also expressed concern over the persistent and hours-long power breakdown in the province in particular and the country in general. They held the provincial government responsible for the prevailing chaos, saying that Awami National Party-led government had failed in controlling the situation.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Taliban execute ‘kidnapper’
| January 02, 2009 | Friday | Muharram 04, 1430 |
PARACHINAR,
Jan 1:
The Taliban publicly executed an alleged ring leader of a gang of kidnappers in the Kurram tribal region on Thursday.
The militants had charged Mohammad Yaqoot Khan with kidnapping two Sikh men in Tora Warai area of Central Kurram.
A large crowd watched the hanging of the man in the main Sadda bazaar. Later the militants sprayed his body with bullets.
It is the first incident of public execution in Lower Kurram.
Meanwhile, Political Agent Arshad Majeed told journalists here that fool-proof security arrangements had been made for Muharram.
He said all points linking Kurram with Afghanistan would be sealed from Jan 4. Besides, paramilitary forces were being deployed in sensitive areas and at places of worship.
People have also set up peace committees and deputed volunteers at Imambargahs.
