At least three killed, 21 injured in Lahore's Johar Town explosion - Investigation implicates RAW

[MenInG]

A bomb explosion in Lahore's Johar Town residential area on Wednesday killed at least three people and caused significant damage to surrounding residences and parked vehicles.

At least 21 people were wounded in the attack. Some of those, including children, are in critical condition, a hospital spokesman said.

Inspector General Punjab Police Inam Ghani said the attack was conducted using a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED). A car parked close to a house had exploded, setting ablaze nearby cars and motorcycles, a witness, Fahim Ahmad, told reporters at the scene.

Among those wounded in the powerful blast were some police officers manning a checkpoint next to the house of Hafiz Saeed, the jailed chief of Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD).

"Apparently what we see is that our law enforcement agencies are the target," Ghani told reporters. "You can see our police officials are also wounded." Not ruling out the possibility of foreign involvement in the attack, the province’s top cop said the police has received 65 threat alerts recently.

Ghani said police were investigating whether the explosives were detonated remotely or by a suicide bomber. If not for the police checkpoint, the car could have reached Saeed's house, he added.

"Our investigators and officials from bomb disposal squad are working to find out any clue to what exactly happened," city police chief Ghulam Mahmood Dogar told reporters.

The injured were shifted to nearby medical facilities as a tight security cordon was established around the area by law enforcers.

Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar took notice of the blast and directed the province's top police official to submit a report on the incident.

Buzdar also instructed the concerned authorities to provide the best possible medical treatment to the injured.

Earlier in April, four children and a woman were killed and 12 other people injured after a gas leak caused an explosion in Lahore's Burki area.

Two houses collapsed due to the explosion. A gas leakage occurred in a house during the night. The gas accumulated in rooms due to closed doors and when someone woke up in the morning and turned on the light of a washroom, a spark in the switch caused an explosion, due to which the roof of the house collapsed.

Similar explosions took place two years ago in the Defence area and six months ago at a bank near Chauburji. No casualties were reported but nearby buildings were damaged and panic spread in the areas after the earlier incidents.

Express Tribune

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Media in India reporting that this attack was outside Hafiz Saeeds house and he was a potential target.
How much of truth in that we will never know.

 

[sweep_shot]

Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun.

I hope the culprit will be caught.

 

[Ryw]

Media in India reporting that this attack was outside Hafiz Saeeds house and he was a potential target.
How much of truth in that we will never know.

It might be true, seems like a stressed attack and missed the target killing innocent lives.

 

[mazkhan]

Pacifist government and army

Expect this to continue , trousers down and get spanked from india and usa , too scared to do anything because imf support will be withdrawn and we will be sanctioned and won't be able to sell adidas footballs and Chadees to the eu market. Kashmir weeps and our military is opening a fauji meat plant they have now entered the butcher market .

Like I said before even the peasant militia called the taliban have more balls than us they took un a combined usa nato force for over 20yrs and didn't fold and have taken over vast areas with nothing more than ak47s and rpgs.

 

[King_Kohli]

Lahore Johar Town blast: CTD conducts raids in Punjab's cities

LAHORE: The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Thursday conducted raids across different cities of Punjab in connection with the Johar Town blast.

Three people were killed and scores injured when a vehicle laden with explosives blew up in the city's Johar Town near Hafiz Saeed's residence. Police said militants had targeted police in the explosion.

CTD and intelligence agencies have collected the evidence from the crime scene, said sources, adding that ball bearings, pieces of iron and the vehicle's parts have been preserved.

Investigative agencies have also started geo-fencing the area to help with the blast probe, confirmed sources.

CTD has taken into custody several suspicious persons after yesterday's blast, added sources.

Three killed, 21 injured in Lahore's Johar Town blast
A preliminary report of a probe by investigative agencies was submitted to Inspector General Punjab Inam Ghani, sources told Geo News Wednesday.

The report will be presented to Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar shortly, sources had added.

More than 30kg of explosives were used in the blast, according to the initial report, which adds that "foreign-made materials" were used.

Ball bearings, nails and other explosives were among the objects used in the bomb.

The initial report states that the material had been planted onto a car and the device was detonated remotely.

A 3-foot deep and 8-foot wide crater has formed at the site of the blast, the report had also said.

The blast had caused damage within a ​​100-square-foot radius.

Was Hafiz Saeed the target?
IGP Ghani has surmised that police had been targeted in the attack. While speaking to the media shortly after the blast, he had advised people to not pay any heed to rumours related to the blast.

The IGP had the media that the CTD is probing the incident and a detailed report will be shared about the nature of the blast and the material used.

"We are not sure what caused the explosion or whether it was a planted device [that caused the explosion], or a suicide blast," he had said at the time.

In response to a question whether Hafiz Saeed — the leader of the outlawed Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) was the target — Ghani had said: "There is a police picket near the house of a high value target, which is why the vehicle could not have gone near the house." This is why he believes the police were targeted, reported Geo News.

He did not provide any further information on the high value target.
"You should be thankful to the police," he had said.
Ghani vowed to arrest those behind the terrorist act.

https://www.geo.tv/latest/356675-lahore-johar-town-blast-ctd-conducts-raids-in-punjabs-cities

 

[saeedhk]

Why was Hafiz Saeed in a house, shouldn’t he have been in prison? He was sentenced to prison.

 

[Bewal Express]

Why was Hafiz Saeed in a house, shouldn’t he have been in prison? He was sentenced to prison.

So no condemnation of the terrorist attack and How do you know he was inside the house? More Hindutva disinformation and trolling.

 

[MenInG]

Interior minister Sheikh Rashid on Thursday said that Punjab police had made significant headway in the Johar Town blast investigation and was close to identifying the suspects involved in the attack.

"Punjab police will soon give good news to the people and is close to arresting the culprits," Rashid said in a video statement.

"Those who want to spread unrest [in Pakistan] and want to bring the country under pressure will fail," he remarked.

Pakistan, Rashid asserted, will never come under any sort of pressure.

"During the tenure of Prime Minister Imran Khan, political and economic stability has been brought to the country," the minister said and added, "Pakistan's enemies don't like this at all."

He further stated that the enemy had resorted to terrorism, but they would be defeated.

"Pakistan's people will continue the journey of peace, stability and progress in the country alongside the military," he said.

The interior minister further said that 86 per cent fencing on the Afghan border and 46 per cent fencing on the Iranian border had been completed.

A day ago, on Wednesday, three people died and 21 others, including women and children, sustained injuries when an explosives-laden vehicle exploded near the house of Hafiz Saeed, leader of the banned Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), in Lahore’s Johar Town neighbourhood.

Top police officials were uncertain about the nature of the blast, while medics said that the injured were hit by ball-bearing shrapnel. Punjab police chief Inam Ghani, who described the blast as an “unfortunate terrorist act”, said the nature of the explosion would be determined after a thorough analysis by experts.

Several buildings and vehicles near the scene of the explosion were damaged, witnesses said. They added that several victims were lying in a pool of blood and crying for help, as the area was filled with dust immediately after the blast.

According to investigators, a preliminary investigation suggested that around 25-30 kilogrammes of explosives could have been used in the blast, as it had left a three feet deep and five feet wide crater at the spot, while shrapnel flew as far as 500 metres.

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has condemned today’s terrorist incident that claimed at least three lives in Lahore while warning that the country could see an increase in such attacks due to the “flawed Afghan policy” of the current government.

While speaking to the media at the Parliament House in Islamabad on Wednesday, Bilawal said that such incidents could increase as Pakistan’s policy in Afghan peace process “is not correct” and added that some terrorist organisations are also active across the border.

Earlier in the day, a bomb explosion in Lahore's Johar Town residential area killed at least three people and caused significant damage to surrounding residences and parked vehicles.

At least 21 people were wounded in the attack. Some of those, including children, are in critical condition, according to a hospital spokesperson.

“I had demanded on the floor of the [National] Assembly that whatever this government is doing covertly and through the backdoor should be brought before the representatives of the people. The government should tell us what its policy is,” he said while referring to Pakistan’s role in brokering peace deal between Afghan Taliban and United States.

Bilawal said NA Speaker Asad Qaiser has also accepted his demand and after conclusion of the ongoing budget session, opinion of other parties on this matter will also be made known.

Regarding meeting of former president Asif Zardari with PML-Q leader Pervez Elahi, Bilawal said they are grateful that Elahi visited the PPP leader to inquire after his health.

“We had achieved many successes in government with Pervez Elahi's party and when we increased the supporting price of wheat, PML-Q not only appreciated it but itself demanded an increase in the price thus benefitting growers in Punjab as well,” the PPP chairman added.

The PPP chairman said that the federal government has done injustice to the people of Pakistan and the business community by introducing legislations beyond the demands of FATF.

Bilawal said FATF-related laws have created more difficulties for the business community and common man. This legislation was forcibly passed and also could not take Pakistan out of the grey list, he added.

“The business community was already suffering due to Covid-19 and continues to do so now because of this legislation.”

The PPP chairman said that he discussed the matter of election reforms with PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and added that PTI-led government wanted to rig the elections in the country by amending election laws.

“The opposition needs to work together against it. We should not allow the government to rig the elections,” he added.

Bilawal said that he was planning to visit Punjab soon, adding that people are approaching him from all over Pakistan to join the PPP. He said that his party’s doors are open for everyone who wants to get rid of the “failed and incompetent government”.

 

[MenInG]

LAHORE: Law enforcement agencies (LEAs) have expanded the scope of investigation into the Johar Town blast and suggested placing the provincial capital and Islamabad on high alert after initial reports suspected a “foreign hand” behind the terrorist activity.

The LEAs raided the house of the arrested suspect, Peter Paul David, and recovered important documents that apparently linked the incident to external elements. Moreover, two local facilitators were taken into custody from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Lahore.

An official privy to the investigation told Dawn that the security agencies located David’s residence in Mehmoodabad, Karachi South. They seized a Pakistani passport that showed him frequently visiting and living in the United Arab Emirates as well as a National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistani (Nicop).

Two local facilitators taken into custody from KP, Lahore

They discovered he held another country’s nationality, the official said, adding that David had visited an Arab country where he is said to have been tasked with carrying out the blast. He further said the bomb blast had been discussed in the backdrop of the changing political and security situation in Afghanistan at some high-level meetings, fearing more such attacks.

He also revealed that local facilitators were running secret auto workshops in Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Peshawar where they fitted vehicles with explosives.

The LEAs were closely observing the foreign trips of David and the people he met there to reach his “foreign handlers”. They suspected the handlers could be operating from a neighbouring country, and were also tracing the funding for Wednesday’s attack.

David had shifted his family from abroad to Karachi in 2010. He had visited Lahore thrice during the last month. He ran a scrap and hotel business in a foreign country and visited it last a month and a half back, the official source said.

Meanwhile, a report submitted to Chief Minister Usman Buzdar stated that the blast occurred at 11:15am and a local resident had reported it to the police. Around 12 vehicles parked near the blast site were completely and partially damaged.

Quoting intelligence and surveillance staff, the report, a copy of which is available with Dawn, confirmed that the blast was carried out through a remote control. It caused severe damage to seven nearby houses and some shops, while police were awaiting the forensic report to determine nature of the explosive material used.

“No banned organisation has claimed responsibility yet,” the report reads.

The official source said the prime suspect who had parked the car on Maulana Shaukat Ali Road, Johar Town and disappeared after the blast was also said to be a foreigner.

CCTV footage showed him slowing down his car near a private hospital along the canal in Johar Town and inquiring from someone the directions to his destination. He seemed to be completely unaware of the area, as he stopped several times to seek help from passersby.

After the blast, the suspect reached the Sherakot Bus Stand and left the city through a passenger bus, and the LEAs were tracing where he travelled next.

To a question, the source said the blast also exposed security lapses at the exit-entry points where armed personnel cleared the car to enter the city. “When the car was stopped at Babu Sabu Interchange, police didn’t check its trunk,” he said, suggesting an inquiry to revisit the security arrangements to prevent such attacks in the future.

Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2021

 

[MenInG]

ISLAMABAD: Investigators have achieved a breakthrough in the Johar Town blast case as a suspect, believed to be the man who parked the explosive-laden vehicle, has been arrested from Rawalpindi.

According to Geo News sources, suspect Eid Gul was taken into custody in a raid by the CTD Punjab from Rawalpindi and is being shifted to Lahore.

Three people were killed and scores were left injured when a vehicle laden with explosives blew up in the city's Johar Town near Hafiz Saeed's residence last week. Police said militants had targeted police in the explosion.

Law enforcement agencies had conducted raids in Punjab cities and Karachi and made arrests.

Last Friday, the security agencies had carried out a raid at a man's residence in Karachi for his suspected involvement in the deadly blast.

The investigation had revealed that the man, Peter Paul David, had visited Lahore three times in the last one-and-a-half months and resided there for a total of 27 days.

The agencies, according to sources, have found evidence that he had met several people, while they have also obtained his immigration data. The car used in the blast was also registered to him.

David runs a scrap and hotel business in Bahrain and moved his family from the Middle-Eastern country to Pakistan in 2010, sources said, adding that he had arrived in the country a month-and-a-half ago, during which, he went to Lahore three times.

IGP Ghani surmised that police had been targeted in the attack. While speaking to the media shortly after the blast, he had advised people to not pay any heed to rumours related to the blast.

The IGP had the media that the CTD is probing the incident and a detailed report will be shared about the nature of the blast and the material used.

"We are not sure what caused the explosion or whether it was a planted device [that caused the explosion], or a suicide blast," he had said at the time.

In response to a question whether Hafiz Saeed — the leader of the outlawed Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) was the target — Ghani had said: "There is a police picket near the house of a high-value target, which is why the vehicle could not have gone near the house." This is why he believes the police were targeted, reported Geo News.

He did not provide any further information on the high-value target.

"You should be thankful to the police," he had said.

Ghani vowed to arrest those behind the terrorist act.

GEO

 

[Last Monetarist]

https://www.dawn.com/news/1631982/hostile-intelligence-agency-involved-in-lahore-blast-punjab-cm

Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar disclosed on Monday that a "hostile intelligence agency" was involved in the blast in Lahore's Johar Town last week in which three people were killed and 24 others injured.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Buzdar said terrorists involved in the blast were arrested in the last four days during raids.

The chief minister said that he himself had gone to visit the injured people and orders were given to provide them treatment.

"The Punjab government established an investigation team. I am satisfied to tell you that the investigation was started by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and the suspects were identified within 16 hours. In four days, the terrorists were arrested in raids in the country."

Buzdar termed the arrests a "big success" of the Punjab government and thanked all law enforcement agencies (LEAs) for their efforts.

"It was found that a hostile intelligence agency was involved which provided financial help to this network," he shared. All high-profile cases have been traced and suspects arrested, the chief minister added.

Giving details of the investigation, Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Inam Ghani said the police tried to go beyond identifying the car used in the blast and within a few hours, the police had reached the people who owned the car and gained information about how they had gotten it.

"Within hours we had unearthed this whole network and went to arrest [the suspects]. The lynchpin who arranged all this has been arrested, those who arranged the car and those who repaired the car and those who filled the car with explosive material as well — we have all of them.

"We have close to 10 Pakistani citizens — men and women — who were involved in this and who executed it," he revealed.

Ghani said the police had also identified the masterminds behind the explosion who belonged to hostile intelligence agencies. "We have shared [the information] with the federal government and intelligence agencies. A joint investigation team (JIT) has been formed and it will look into [the matter]."

The IGP said the police would investigate what previous cases the suspects were involved in and the hostile intelligence agencies they were linked to, expressing the hope that the police would prosecute the case in a "good way" so those involved would be convicted.

He refuted reports that the name of one of the suspects had been placed on the Fourth Schedule — a list of proscribed individuals who are suspected of terrorism and/or sectarianism under Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997.

Ghani said he had seen a media report stating that the car used in the blast was snatched in 2010. However, the car had been recovered within months and it was later being used on "superdari" (custody) for which the owner had the proper documents, he added.

The car had "original number plates", the official said.

Responding to a question about the suspect, the IGP said he was originally from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but he was born and raised in Punjab and spoke fluent Punjabi.

When asked which country the hostile intelligence agency was from and whether its agents were operating in Pakistan, he replied that it would "not be appropriate" to mention them.

"These hostile agencies cannot come inside Pakistan because of how our agencies and immigrations [department] are working. They find agents in Middle East countries. So, no person of an external agency comes and carries out [attacks] himself."

In response to a question about whether any threat alert had been issued ahead of the blast, Chief Minister Buzdar said threat alerts are regularly issued but no threat alert regarding Johar Town had been put out.

He said he had previously announced that compensation would be provided and formalities were being completed in this regard.

Responding to another question, the IGP said police had complete footage from the day of the blast, adding that no one had reported the car.

"The target was the same two police pickets and our people were injured. No one gave any report that any car was there and they had alerted police. When the car entered Punjab, it had original number plates and there was nothing in the car. If we start checking the trunk of every car, the [number of cars travelling on the] motorway will be halved."

Ghani shared that police were successful in stopping between 20 and 25 such attacks from happening every year.

When asked whether any family had approached the police before the blast to warn them, he said: "This is all speculation. No family came to us. No police constable got all this information you are mentioning. This is all speculation."

The IGP was then asked whether a big network had become active against Pakistan to which he replied that "all hostile agencies are continuously working against Pakistan and trying to embarrass it."

He noted that the blast had taken place during a plenary session of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), saying "we think the basic target was to embarrass Pakistan but that did not happen."

"We were successful in not only unearthing [the suspects] but also connections with hostile intelligence agencies are clear. The hope is that our agencies and Foreign Office will reach them and get them punished," he concluded.

On Wednesday, a powerful blast near the residence of Jamaatud Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed in Lahore's Johar Town had killed three people and injured 24 others, including a police constable.

Six-year-old Abdul Haq, his father Abdul Malik, 50, and a young passerby died in the explosion that left a four-foot-deep and eight-foot-wide crater on the road and damaged several houses and shops nearby.

Quoting intelligence and surveillance staff, a report submitted to the chief minister had confirmed that the blast was carried out through remote control. It caused severe damage to seven nearby houses and some shops, while police were awaiting the forensic report to determine the nature of the explosive material used.

 

[Last Monetarist]

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2307926/fm-qureshi-seeks-international-probe-into-terror-financing

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi expressed concerns on Tuesday over the involvement of anti-state agencies behind the Johar Town blast and sought an international probe by anti-terror financing investigation agencies in this regard.

In a statement today, the minister urged the agencies - such as the Financial Action Task Force - to conduct a comprehensive inquiry to expose elements involved in financing terror operations in Pakistan.

On Monday, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar revealed that “an intelligence agency of an enemy country” was “directly involved” in last week’s blast in Lahore and that all the alleged culprits behind the bombing as well as their facilitators had been apprehended.

Qureshi felicitated law enforcement agencies for exposing those responsible for destabilising Pakistan.

He commended intelligence agencies, Punjab's counter-terrorism department and police for conducting a scientific and prompt probe into the incident.

The minister expressed concerns that some elements in Afghanistan were playing the role of spoilers and wanted to sow instability in Pakistan.

He added that Pakistan had rendered unprecedented sacrifices against terrorism and had set a direction for the future.

Qureshi further said that a meeting on national security will be held on Thursday, which will be attended by members of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security.

The meeting is aimed at briefing the participants about the situation in Afghanistan and the region, he added.

"Pakistan desires peace and stability in Afghanistan and Islamabad is playing its conciliatory role in the the process".

Concluding, the minister reiterated that Pakistan had been acting diligently to stop money laundering and terror financing.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I instructed my team to brief nation on findings of Johar Town, Lahore blast investigation today. I appreciate the diligence & speed of Punjab Police’s Counter Terrorism Dept in unearthing the evidence & commend the excellent coordination of all our civil & mly Intel agencies.</p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1411679479286493184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This coordination led to identifying the terrorists & their international linkages. Again, planning & financing of this heinous terror attack has links to Indian sponsorship of terrorism against Pak. Global community must mobilise int institutions against this rogue behaviour</p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1411679482314821632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Bewal Express]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I instructed my team to brief nation on findings of Johar Town, Lahore blast investigation today. I appreciate the diligence & speed of Punjab Police’s Counter Terrorism Dept in unearthing the evidence & commend the excellent coordination of all our civil & mly Intel agencies.</p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1411679479286493184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This coordination led to identifying the terrorists & their international linkages. Again, planning & financing of this heinous terror attack has links to Indian sponsorship of terrorism against Pak. Global community must mobilise int institutions against this rogue behaviour</p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1411679482314821632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The press conference today about Ind terrorism in Pk deserves a separate thread. Our security services made mince meat out of the Ind cell. My condolences go out to the 3 innocent people that lost their lives.

 

[Last Monetarist]

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2308821/indian-raw-orchestrated-lahore-terrorist-attack-nsa

Pakistani investigation into the last month’s Lahore blast aiming at a "high value target" has concluded that the attack was orchestrated by the Indian intelligence agency, Research and Anlaysis Wing (RAW).

"I want to make sure that our message is heard very clearly that this particular incident on 23rd of June in Lahore we have concrete evidence and intelligence including financial and telephone records that point to direct Indian sponsorship of these terrorists," revealed by National Security Adviser (NSA) Dr Moeed Yousaf at a joint news conference with Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry and Punjab Police IG Inam Ghani on Sunday.

On June 23, a powerful blast near the residence of banned Jamaatud Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed in Johar Town had killed three people and injured 24 others, including a police constable.

Sharing details of the investigations, Moeed said Pakistan had identified the main mastermind and the handlers through "forensic analysis, electronic equipment which has been recovered from these terrorists."

"We have identified the main mastermind and the handlers of this terrorist attack and we have absolutely no doubt or reservation in informing you that the main mastermind belongs to RAW, the Indian intelligence agency, is an Indian national and is based in India," Moeed said.

"I would also like to say that very unusually we have evidence of thousands of attempts of cyber attacks against our critical investigative infrastructure right after this attack on 23rd June in Lahore."

"These attacks and the number and sophistication in some cases leave no doubt the state sponsorship and state linkage in this case. Our cyber security is strong enough that we were able to thwart these attempts," Moeed added.

He went on to explain "but why they were being conducted? They were being conducted because our enemies wanted to buy time to deflect attention and to avoid the attention and capture of these terrorists we managed to do."

The NSA also said the India "drama" of drone attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) was an attempt to divert attention from the Lahore attack.

"I would also like to point out there has been a whole drama about some mysterious drones flying here and there in IIOJK. What was the logic is now very clear and again with confidence we can put it out that was deflection tactic trying to divert the attention of the world from the fact and they knew at that time we have not only apprehended culprits but we knew exactly what it had been done behind the scene and who was behind it."

The NSA further said India had been using territory and people of "third countries" to carrot terrorist attacks in Pakistan, although he did not mention those countries by name.

He told that the terror financing, made to execute the Lahore Blast, links were directly originating from India where the money was transferred through third country to Pakistan.

Moeed said India state sponsorship of terrorism in Pakistan was not new as the country in November last year presented a detailed dossier against New Delhi.

"European DisInfo Lab report [which is] an international reputed organisation showed how hundreds and thousands of fake outlets were being used to malign Pakistan, to spread misinformation about Pakistan and to hide what is actually a clear terrorist sponsorship by a state against the state in our region.

While commenting on the main suspect Eid Gul who parked the car in Johar Town, the NSA said the man was of Afghan origin and had been raised in Pakistan possessing a local national identity card being issued to Afghan refugees

"Let me also say the main executor Eid Gul has an Afghan origin, was here lived in Pakistan executed this attack and we as a state of Pakistan has been constantly telling this to the world that millions of law abiding Afghan refugees are given a bad name and Pakistan is blamed when these actors go and hide in these refugee settlements and then Pakistan is questioned why 1 or 2 or 3 people who are terrorists who are miscreants could not be apprehended.

"We have been constantly reminding the world of their duty to find a way for dignified return of all Afghan refugees and then question what we were asked."

Moeed further said the prime minister had instructed his team to use all possible political and legal means to get to the people outside Pakistan who were part of this international terrorist network.

"We therefore sharing all the evidence with the international community and exposing the nefarious and real face of a state in our neighbourhood that has constantly sponsored terrorism against our innocent civilians,"

"Finally, I think it is high time that the international community stop turning a blind eye and play a constructive and the legally binding role for the safety of innocent Pakistanis if they really serious about peace and stability in this region," he said.

“Pakistan will not remain silent on its people’s death and if the international community remains silent then they don't have interest in peace,” Dr Moeed said

He added that if the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) was apolitical forum then it should hold India accountable for terror financing.

Earlier, IG Punjab shared findings of the investigation into the Lahore blast. Ghani said all those were involved in this attack were apprehended. He credited this "remarkable" achievement to the Punjab Counter-Terrorism Department.

The IG Punjab identified Peter Paul, Pakistani as the "linchpin" that connects this attack outside Pakistan.

"Peter has arranged the car used in the blast. We have the details of his financing, his WhatsApp calls and all other record is with us," the provincial police chief added.

He added that the police tried to go beyond identifying the car used in the blast and within a few hours, the police had reached the people who owned the car and gained information about how they had gotten it.

"Within hours we had unearthed this whole network and went to arrest [the suspects]. The lynchpin who arranged all this has been arrested, those who arranged the car and those who repaired the car and those who filled the car with explosive material as well — we have all of them,” he told.

Ghani said the police had also identified the masterminds behind the explosion who belonged to hostile intelligence agencies. "We have shared [the information] with the federal government and intelligence agencies.

About the suspect Eid Gul, the IGP said he was originally from Afghanistan but he was born and raised in Punjab and spoke fluent Punjabi.

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry also said there was no ambiguity about the Indian linkage with Lahore terrorist attack.

He said the entire network behind this incident had been busted thanks to the collective effort of civil and military authorities including the ISI and MI.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has appreciated law enforcement agencies for unearthing evidence of the Lahore terrorist attack and called upon the world community to take note of Indian “rogue behaviour”.

“I appreciate the diligence and speed of Punjab Police’s Counter Terrorism Department in unearthing the evidence and commend the excellent coordination of all our civil and military intelligence agencies,” he wrote in a tweet soon after the NSA press conference.

The premier said planning and financing of this “heinous terror attack” have links to Indian sponsorship of terrorism against Pakistan. “Global community must mobilise international institutions against this rogue behaviour,” he added.

 

[Lego20]

Zero evidence so far.

 

[cricketjoshila]

The press conference today about Ind terrorism in Pk deserves a separate thread. Our security services made mince meat out of the Ind cell. My condolences go out to the 3 innocent people that lost their lives.

Lol. Just like those dossiers to UN, which made no difference to anyone at the UN.

 

[cricketjoshila]

The NSA of pakistan names an NGO to buttress his claims of Indian propoganda against Pakistan. Well, is fatf also propoganda? Or are the UN sanctions on pakistani organization and people propoganda?

RAW financed this attack? Please present the evidence to UN,FATF etc and get India sanctioned.

Not too long ago pakistan claimed that they have given a dossier to UN? What happened? Nothing.

Pakistan makes these wild claims to play to the galleries and deflect responsibility but when the time comes to prove it at the international forum, they lack credibility.

 

[Bewal Express]

Lol. Just like those dossiers to UN, which made no difference to anyone at the UN.

That maybe the case but also know the truth and as with Yadav being caught red handed, this cell is the same. And its heartening to see your celebrations on the death of 3 innocent people. Good work.

 

[Bewal Express]

The NSA of pakistan names an NGO to buttress his claims of Indian propoganda against Pakistan. Well, is fatf also propoganda? Or are the UN sanctions on pakistani organization and people propoganda?

RAW financed this attack? Please present the evidence to UN,FATF etc and get India sanctioned.

Not too long ago pakistan claimed that they have given a dossier to UN? What happened? Nothing.

Pakistan makes these wild claims to play to the galleries and deflect responsibility but when the time comes to prove it at the international forum, they lack credibility.

Are you saying Yadav isn't your man?

 

[ahsan17]

The NSA of pakistan names an NGO to buttress his claims of Indian propoganda against Pakistan. Well, is fatf also propoganda? Or are the UN sanctions on pakistani organization and people propoganda?

RAW financed this attack? Please present the evidence to UN,FATF etc and get India sanctioned.

Not too long ago pakistan claimed that they have given a dossier to UN? What happened? Nothing.

Pakistan makes these wild claims to play to the galleries and deflect responsibility but when the time comes to prove it at the international forum, they lack credibility.

1. FATF has nothing to do with state sponsorship of terrorism. I think you have been told this many times before, but you intentionally obfuscate and muddy the waters.
2. India has never been able to prove state sponsorship of terrorism from Pakistani state at UN either. Yes, non-state actors, but not the state. Pakistan is accusing the Indian state here.

 

[cricketjoshila]

1. FATF has nothing to do with state sponsorship of terrorism. I think you have been told this many times before, but you intentionally obfuscate and muddy the waters.
2. India has never been able to prove state sponsorship of terrorism from Pakistani state at UN either. Yes, non-state actors, but not the state. Pakistan is accusing the Indian state here.

1. If FATF has nothing to do with state sponsorship,why is the state under sanction?

2. Pakistan has accepted that it supports terrorism in India. Musharaff did it in an interview to a german media outlet. That's only one example.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Are you saying Yadav isn't your man?

Is he a terrorist?

 

[Bewal Express]

Is he a terrorist?

Yes.

 

[ahsan17]

1. If FATF has nothing to do with state sponsorship,why is the state under sanction?

2. Pakistan has accepted that it supports terrorism in India. Musharaff did it in an interview to a german media outlet. That's only one example.

1. Because of failing to control money laundering and terrorism financing by non state actors, although FATF's credibility is now also questionable because Pakistan addressed almost all the concerns. Regardless though, your point doesn't stand. I do find it interesting though that this has been mentioned to you over and over again but you conveniently keep forgetting this.

2. So is your goal post UN sanctions for terrorism or leadership admitting terrorism? If the latter, Ajit Doval basically admitted supporting terrorism in Pakistan. What timeframe was Musharraf talking about anyway? If the 80s, then you could say that was just retaliation for supporting terrorism in East Pakistan / BD in 1971.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Yes.

According to Pakistan? According to whom terrorists in Kashmir are freedom fighters and where UN sanctioned terrorists roam free.And who are in FATF grey list for terror funding.

 

[ahsan17]

According to Pakistan? According to whom terrorists in Kashmir are freedom fighters and where UN sanctioned terrorists roam free.And who are in FATF grey list for terror funding.

According to the fact that he was found with a genuine Indian passport with a fake identity. Meaning Indian government intentionally gave him a fake identity. That's a smoking gun.

 

[Bewal Express]

According to Pakistan? According to whom terrorists in Kashmir are freedom fighters and where UN sanctioned terrorists roam free.And who are in FATF grey list for terror funding.

He is in our prison begging for mercy. He was sent on a mission, just like the guys in Lahore, he failed. Poorly trained and easily found.
The Kashmiris are fighting to be free from your tyranny, it's the reason you need a million solider to keep them down. And you know as well as I that FATF is a political tool. And if you don't maybe, you need to read up and see what the Americans are demanding. If we offer basis to them, we will be out tomorrow. Just look at your humilation in Afghanistan where the Americans have you left your billion dollar investment worthless.

 

[ahsan17]

According to Pakistan? According to whom terrorists in Kashmir are freedom fighters and where UN sanctioned terrorists roam free.And who are in FATF grey list for terror funding.

It seems all your arguments in this thread are about what certain countries or organizations think of Pakistan. I have seen you on countless thread where organizations or countries speak negative about India, and you immediately start calling them propaganda or questioning their credibility. It appears your hypocrisy is through the roof here.

 

[street cricketer]

1. Because of failing to control money laundering and terrorism financing by non state actors, although FATF's credibility is now also questionable because Pakistan addressed almost all the concerns. Regardless though, your point doesn't stand. I do find it interesting though that this has been mentioned to you over and over again but you conveniently keep forgetting this.

2. So is your goal post UN sanctions for terrorism or leadership admitting terrorism? If the latter, Ajit Doval basically admitted supporting terrorism in Pakistan. What timeframe was Musharraf talking about anyway? If the 80s, then you could say that was just retaliation for supporting terrorism in East Pakistan / BD in 1971.

Lol, is this what is taught in Pakistan studies..

That East Pakistan seceded from Pakistan because of "Indian terrorism" in East Pakistan?

 

[cricketjoshila]

According to the fact that he was found with a genuine Indian passport with a fake identity. Meaning Indian government intentionally gave him a fake identity. That's a smoking gun.

How did you know it was not a fake passport? Was the genuineness of it confirmed by India?

AFAIK the only thing that was confirmed was that he is an Indian citizen and his name is Kulbhusan Jadhav and he is a retired navy officer.

Rest are claims by pakistan.

 

[cricketjoshila]

It seems all your arguments in this thread are about what certain countries or organizations think of Pakistan. I have seen you on countless thread where organizations or countries speak negative about India, and you immediately start calling them propaganda or questioning their credibility. It appears your hypocrisy is through the roof here.

FATF or UNSC are not random NGOs or media outlets.

When UNSC sanctions Indians, do let me know.

 

[cricketjoshila]

He is in our prison begging for mercy. He was sent on a mission, just like the guys in Lahore, he failed. Poorly trained and easily found.
The Kashmiris are fighting to be free from your tyranny, it's the reason you need a million solider to keep them down. And you know as well as I that FATF is a political tool. And if you don't maybe, you need to read up and see what the Americans are demanding. If we offer basis to them, we will be out tomorrow. Just look at your humilation in Afghanistan where the Americans have you left your billion dollar investment worthless.

He is in pakistani prison. So? That makes him a terrorist? There are many Pakistanis in Indian prisons.

According to the op, the guy in Lahore was Eid Gul? Afghan living in pakistan. How is he Indian?

Again all these pakistani narrative of FATF being political, US needing bases, Russia needing ports are just that, pakistani narrative to help their people sleep. All based on unnamed "sources" in media.

Or has the US state department or pentagon made a statement?

If US wants to pressurise pakistan, they dont need FATF. A direct US sanction like on Iran will effectively kill pakistani economy.

 

[ahsan17]

How did you know it was not a fake passport? Was the genuineness of it confirmed by India?

AFAIK the only thing that was confirmed was that he is an Indian citizen and his name is Kulbhusan Jadhav and he is a retired navy officer.

Rest are claims by pakistan.

How does any country know a passport is real or fake, when you are traveling at an airport in that country? This passport thing was mentioned initially but didn't get much coverage in the onlje world. It's always been a major smoking gun.

 

[ahsan17]

FATF or UNSC are not random NGOs or media outlets.

When UNSC sanctions Indians, do let me know.

It seems like you are deciding the goal posts of whom should be listened to based on your opinion. FATF credibility should be questioned for reasons not relevant to this thread.

In any case, what Pakistan is accusing India of doing, FATF or UNSC have not accused Pakistan of doing either. So your goal post doesn't even meet your own requirement.

 

[ahsan17]

Lol, is this what is taught in Pakistan studies..

That East Pakistan seceded from Pakistan because of "Indian terrorism" in East Pakistan?

What Pakistan studies are you talking about? I haven't been in Pakistani schools since 6th grade and don't remember anything from Pakistani schools.

Nothing to do with separation of BD here. It's pure and simple because India supported Mukhti Bahni there.

 

[street cricketer]

What Pakistan studies are you talking about? I haven't been in Pakistani schools since 6th grade and don't remember anything from Pakistani schools.

Nothing to do with separation of BD here. It's pure and simple because India supported Mukhti Bahni there.

Well that happened because the refugees from East Pakistan started flooding into India when the entire crisis started.

If the Mukti Bahini which seeked to liberate East Pakistan from Pakistan were terrorists, why should the Kashmiri rebels who seek to liberate Kashmir from India not be considered terrorists too?

 

[ahsan17]

He is in pakistani prison. So? That makes him a terrorist? There are many Pakistanis in Indian prisons.

According to the op, the guy in Lahore was Eid Gul? Afghan living in pakistan. How is he Indian?

Again all these pakistani narrative of FATF being political, US needing bases, Russia needing ports are just that, pakistani narrative to help their people sleep. All based on unnamed "sources" in media.

Or has the US state department or pentagon made a statement?

If US wants to pressurise pakistan, they dont need FATF. A direct US sanction like on Iran will effectively kill pakistani economy.

Your goalposts seem to be whatever you find convenient - in this case, US government needs to approve a statement before it can considered reliable.

The FATF being a political tool is a genuine argument based on merit. You disregard it without any merit, purely on the basis that it's against Pakistan. US sanctions are like a hammer - it's very blunt and US still needs to keep a relationship with Pakistan.

 

[Hitman]

What Pakistan studies are you talking about? I haven't been in Pakistani schools since 6th grade and don't remember anything from Pakistani schools.

Nothing to do with separation of BD here. It's pure and simple because India supported Mukhti Bahni there.

Yea, Operation Searchlight launched on East Pakistan where 90,000 women were raped and 3 million people killed was also launched by India.

 

[ahsan17]

Well that happened because the refugees from East Pakistan started flooding into India when the entire crisis started.

If the Mukti Bahini which seeked to liberate East Pakistan from Pakistan were terrorists, why should the Kashmiri rebels who seek to liberate Kashmir from India not be considered terrorists too?

Sure. And by the same token, if Mukhti Bahni were freedom fighters, what about Kashmiri rebels?

In any case, we are getting into a discussion that is not relevant. I was merely asking which decade Musharraf was talking about, and why 80s was different.

 

[ahsan17]

Yea, Operation Searchlight launched on East Pakistan where 90,000 women were raped and 3 million people killed was also launched by India.

Please google strawman argument.

 

[Hitman]

Please google strawman argument.

Please google Operation Searchlight.

 

[street cricketer]

Sure. And by the same token, if Mukhti Bahni were freedom fighters, what about Kashmiri rebels?

In any case, we are getting into a discussion that is not relevant. I was merely asking which decade Musharraf was talking about, and why 80s was different.

It's literally in my post you've quoted. They are rebel fighters/militants.

And besides, why would Musharraf be talking about the 80s anyway when he was not in charge affairs during that decade. He only rose to the big stage during the end of the 90s.

 

[UzmanBeast]

If Imran Khan has the evidence to tie a direct link to India supporting and financing these terrorist activities, then this information should be presented to appropriate watchdogs and also to the general public if possible.

Personally, I believe that though the incident with Kulbhushan Yadav was allegedly linked to India's RAW organization, I think that this incident had to do with Afghanistan.

My reason is because Pakistan has almost completed fencing the border, and Imran Khan made it clear even back then that he would not interfere with Afghanistan's issues anymore. Now, the Taliban won't have an issue with that for now, but they will try to expand their operations into Pakistan, which is why the border is being fenced. The other Afghanistan government will have problems with Pakistan's decision, especially if they can overcome the Taliban and reach a settlement.

Pakistan is arguably in one of the most difficult geographical locations right now. Afghanistan is a haven for terrorists who won't even blink at the thought of entering Pakistan to carry out their horrible acts. India is also a threat given the disputes over Kashmir. In the midst of all this, we also have to deal with our own problems.

Imran Khan needs to do one thing now. He needs to focus on Pakistan. Once this evidence is sent to a watchdog, he needs to direct his attention towards the issues that need solving in our own country. We need to make sure that we can stand on our feet in case this pandemic lasts longer.

 

[MenInG]

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Monday that Pakistan would raise the issue of India financing terror activities in the country at the international level.

"We expect the international community to take notice of solid evidence provided by Pakistan about Indian involvement in Johar Town, Lahore terror incident," the foreign minister said in a statement.

On June 23, at least three people died and 21 others, including women and children, sustained injuries when an explosives-laden vehicle exploded near the house of Hafiz Saeed, leader of the banned Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), in Lahore’s Johar Town neighbourhood.

The country's investigation into the blast aiming at a "high-value target" concluded on July 4 that the attack was orchestrated by the Indian intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).

Today, Qureshi further said that Pakistan was taking every possible step against terrorism and for the protection of its borders.

"We have carried out border fencing and cleared our tribal areas of terrorists," he said. "Development work has also been commenced in the tribal districts."

The country's top diplomat maintained that Pakistan had enacted legislation to check terror financing and has taken steps against money laundering.

"Pakistan desires the honourable return of Afghan refugees to their homeland. For this purpose, we will require the support of the international community."

A comprehensive, time-bound and well-resourced plan be carved out for the return of Afghan refugees, the foreign minister stressed.

Earlier, National Security Adviser (NSA) Dr Moeed Yousaf, in a joint news conference with Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry and Punjab Police IG Inam Ghani, said that "I want to make sure that our message is heard very clearly that this particular incident on June 23 in Lahore, we have concrete evidence and intelligence including financial and telephone records that point to direct Indian sponsorship of these terrorists."

 

[Bewal Express]

He is in pakistani prison. So? That makes him a terrorist? There are many Pakistanis in Indian prisons.

According to the op, the guy in Lahore was Eid Gul? Afghan living in pakistan. How is he Indian?

Again all these pakistani narrative of FATF being political, US needing bases, Russia needing ports are just that, pakistani narrative to help their people sleep. All based on unnamed "sources" in media.

Or has the US state department or pentagon made a statement?

If US wants to pressurise pakistan, they dont need FATF. A direct US sanction like on Iran will effectively kill pakistani economy.

He wasnt in Baluchistan for a holiday-What makes him a terrorist is where he was found. For years we have said that the BLA( which is terrorist organisation) has been backed by India and low and behold Yadav is caught red handed. Just imagine what you would be saying if an ISI officer was caught anywhere in India.
If you know your stuff you would know what is going on with the Americans in Afghanistan where the taliban have kicked their backside after spending 2 trillion dollars. They want to maintain a foothold and they want leverage and that leverage is FATF. For sanctions they will need concrete reasons- not giving bases isnt a reason for sanctions, so this is a back door way.

 

[Napa]

Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun.

I hope the culprit will be caught.

Unfortunately the culprit who was responsible for killing 166 civilians got away.

 

[MenInG]

ISLAMABAD: The government on Tuesday said the second biggest Indian-sponsored terrorist network was unearthed which was involved in the recent blast in Lahore. It also decided to hold talks with the angry Baloch tribals who had never sided with India during the insurgency in Balochistan.

It also decided to establish camps on the border with Afghanistan in anticipation of an influx of refugees due to the ongoing violence in the country.

These decisions were taken in a federal cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday.

“This is the second biggest Indian terrorist network after Kulbhushan Jadhav (Indian spy in Pakistan’s custody); we have also managed to control the insurgency in Balochistan,” Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry announced in his post-cabinet meeting press conference.

He said security forces had traced links of the terrorists and their handlers involved in the recent bomb blast in Lahore with India. Three lives were lost and 22 people were injured in the explosion on June 23 in Johar Town area of Lahore outside the residence of Jamaatud Dawa chief Hafiz Mohammad Saeed.

The minister said Punjab police and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) had jointly “exposed the network”, adding that more details, including bank accounts, names of people involved and the banks in New Delhi through which money was transferred would soon be shared.

Insurgency in Balochistan

The minister said the government was ready to hold talks with the annoyed Baloch tribes to address their grievances and achieve permanent peace and progress in the province.

“But those having links with India and involved in unrest in the province will not be considered for negotiations,” he added.

During his visit to Gwadar on Monday, Prime Minister Imran Khan had said he was considering holding talks with insurgents in Balochistan, adding that he had always planned that whenever his party came to power, it would pay attention to the province.

“When the province progresses and there is peace, the people of Balochistan will understand that Pakistan is also theirs and will say that we will fight for the country because it has thought about their basic needs and problems. If development work had been carried out in the province, we would never have had to worry about insurgents,” he had said.

“It may be that they had grievances in the old times and may have been used by other countries [...] India may have used them to spread chaos but the situation [now] is not the same,” the prime minister had said in his address at an event.

PM Khan said the federal government had planned to execute 131projects worth Rs731 billion in Balochistan while the provincial government’s development programme for this year was Rs180bn.

“Balochistan is close to Imran Khan’s heart,” Fawad Chaudhry said in the press conference.

Afghan refugee camps

The information minister said the cabinet feared an influx of Afghan refugees into Pakistan and had therefore decided to set up camps on Pak-Afghan border areas.

“Due to international obligations we have to accommodate Afghan refugees if they seek refuge in Pakistan due to war in their country,” the minister said, adding that however this time they would not be allowed to sneak into other parts of the country.

VIP protocol

Mr Chaudhry said Prime Minister Khan had announced that he would no longer go to any private function with protocol and security to save taxpayers’ money and avoid inconvenience to the public.

The prime minister had also tweeted that he was reviewing the protocol and security available to ministers, governors and chief ministers belonging to the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) “to decide how we can minimise expenditure and end public inconvenience”.

He said the federal cabinet would decide on a comprehensive policy in this regard next week.

“We will put an end to the colonial legacy of pomp and glory used to overwhelm the people,” the prime minister tweeted.

The minister further said a four-member ministerial committee had been constituted to ensure appropriate testing mechanism for new recruitments on vacant posts in public-sector departments.

“The existing testing system was faulty, and there was a need to have a better and transparent system,” he added.

No account deficit

Fawad Chaudhry said Pakistan would get a relief of $3.7bn in repayment of foreign loans.

According to the latest index issued by the Bureau of Statistics, prices of daily-use items were stabilising, the minister said, adding that in the last 10 years, the current account was surplus for the first time.

He said the textile sector was working to its full capacity which showed that it had revived while forex reserves of the State Bank had reached $5.7bn.

“An amount of Rs300bn is being invested in the construction of new factories and tax collection has touched Rs4.6 trillion mark, which would further increase by next year,” he added.

Mr Chaudhry said there would be good news soon with regard to reduction in prices of small cars.

He said since coming to power in 2018, the federal cabinet held 141 meetings during which 3,776 decisions were taken.

He said 3,444 decisions had been enforced while 66 were in the process of implementation, adding that the ratio of implementation of cabinet decisions was 91 per cent.

The cabinet also decided to expand and upgrade Skardu and Gilgit airports to make them all-weather facility for tourists.

In a major development, the minister said the cabinet accorded approval to the proposal of converting the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) into a regulatory body and setting up of a new institution to handle services at airports.

He said the prime minister also issued directives that 3G and 4G Internet services be provided to A-category districts of erstwhile Fata as the population of those areas could not be deprived of such facilities due to security issues.

During the meeting, the minister for religious affairs and interfaith harmony proposed that prayer leaders (Imam) of mosques in the federal capital be given monthly stipends on the pattern of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar informed the meeting that an international magazine, The Economist, had rated Pakistan among the top three countries along with New Zealand and Hong Kong for apt handling of coronavirus.

The cabinet congratulated the National Command and Operation Centre for the “landmark achievement”, Fawad Chaudhry added.

He said Minister for Science and Technology Shibli Faraz briefed the cabinet about the progress on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), adding that it would be ready by July 15.

Published in Dawn, July 7th, 2021

 

[Napa]

The death of 166 civilians in the 2008 Mumbai attacks is not to be forgotten, I hope the mastermind is brought to justice.

 

[MenInG]

New Delhi: India on Thursday slammed Pakistan for alleging New Delhi’s hand in the blast that took place recently near the house of UN-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed. At the weekly press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi reacted to the Pakistan National Security Adviser’s remarks that India was behind the bomb blast in Lahore.

The MEA spokesperson said there was nothing new in baseless propaganda carried out by Islamabad against New Delhi. Bagchi said the world knows Pakistan’s credentials as far as tackling terrorism is concerned.

“It is not new for Pakistan to engage in baseless propaganda against India. Pakistan would do well to expend the same effort in setting its house in order and taking credible action against terrorism,” the spokesperson told the press briefing.

“The international community are well aware of Pakistan's credentials when it comes to terrorism. This is acknowledged by none other than its own leadership which continues to glorifiy terrorists like Osama bin Laden as martyrs,” he added.

It may be noted that Saeed is the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and he heads the Jamaat-ud-Dawah organisation, which is the front of terror group Lashkar-e-Toiba.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Arif Alvi have also trained their guns on India over the powerful blast.

Meanwhile, the MEA Spokesperson reiterated the statement given out by the Indian Embassy in Afghanistan that the country’s missions in the central Asian state continue to remain functional. There had been reports to the contrary following the US troops’ withdrawal from the country earlier this week.

“Our embassies in Kabul and Kandahar are functional. We are carefully monitoring the security situation in Afghanistan, and also looking after the security of Indian nationals in Afghanistan,” the spokesperson said.

Here are some other highlights from the MEA presser:

- We hope that with the vast improving Covid-19 situation, countries would ease restrictions. We've taken up the issue with foreign ambassadors such as resumption of flights. We're actively trying to help Indians who need to travel back to countries across the world - MEA on visa issue

- We conveyed that OICC should be watchful and the platform should not be used for anti-India propaganda by vested interests - MEA spokesperson on OICC Secretary-General's meeting with Indian ambassador

- No immediate update on legal proceedings underway, we will continue to follow the developments - MEA spokesperson on fugitives Mehul Choksi and Nirav Modi

https://www.timesnownews.com/india/...n-blast-near-hafiz-saeed-s-lahore-home/782202

 

[ahsan17]

So it doesn't seem like they denied it. Rather they are deflecting. Typical India.

 

[cricketjoshila]

So it doesn't seem like they denied it. Rather they are deflecting. Typical India.

Go prove it to UNSC and FATF. Making statements to pakistani press doesn't prove anything.

 

[ahsan17]

Go prove it to UNSC and FATF. Making statements to pakistani press doesn't prove anything.

I think we have discussed that ad nauseam. No point discussing it again.

 

[MenInG]

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Sunday categorically rejected Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s terrorism-related allegations against Pakistan as completely baseless.

The Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement that Pakistan had shared incontrovertible evidence with the international community of India’s state sponsorship of terrorism and subversion against Pakistan.

“India uses terrorism as an instrument of state policy. This year alone, India has been involved in terrorist attacks in Johar Town, Lahore and against Chinese and Pakistani workers at Dasu,” he said.

The spokesperson said the ruling BJP-RSS combine had a clear anti-Muslim and anti-minority agenda. They target Pakistan with false propaganda campaigns for both ideological reasons and political expediency.

He recalled that India’s so-called surgical strikes and ill-conceived misadventure in Balakot in February 2019 were exposed as based on nothing but lies and deceit.

Pakistan restored the strategic balance in the region by retaliating against India in a measured and firm manner, he said.

The spokesperson said that understanding of reaffirming of 2003 ceasefire in February 2021 only demonstrated that Pakistan was a responsible state that wanted to maintain peace in the region despite irresponsible Indian behaviour.

“Our desire for peace notwithstanding, Pakistan will resolutely defend itself against any aggressive Indian designs,” he resolved.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2021

 

[cricketjoshila]

So why is international community not interested in the incontrovertible evidence?

Why did UNSC sanctioned a pakistani for the Pulwama attacks?

 

[IMMY69]

So why is international community not interested in the incontrovertible evidence?

Why did UNSC sanctioned a pakistani for the Pulwama attacks?

India have a complete disregard for the UN and it's resolutions and it's paid IT bots, like yourself, only quote UNSC when it fits your agenda.

I don't know why I even bothered replying, Common sense and diplomacy didn't work then with Hitler and it certainly won't work now.

 

[topspin]

The NSA of pakistan names an NGO to buttress his claims of Indian propoganda against Pakistan. Well, is fatf also propoganda? Or are the UN sanctions on pakistani organization and people propoganda?

RAW financed this attack? Please present the evidence to UN,FATF etc and get India sanctioned.

Not too long ago pakistan claimed that they have given a dossier to UN? What happened? Nothing.

Pakistan makes these wild claims to play to the galleries and deflect responsibility but when the time comes to prove it at the international forum, they lack credibility.

You're not being sincere about this because you and I both know if India was behind this attack, UN wouldn't bat an eyelid.

We don't know who is behind it but it's very obvious and very disturbing that you would support the act if it was orchestrated by India.

 

[cricketjoshila]

You're not being sincere about this because you and I both know if India was behind this attack, UN wouldn't bat an eyelid.

We don't know who is behind it but it's very obvious and very disturbing that you would support the act if it was orchestrated by India.

Why wouldn't UN bat an eyelid? Is UN ICC now?

 

[Napa]

We don't know who is behind it but it's very obvious and very disturbing that you would support the act if it was orchestrated by India.

While I do not know about Indian involvement, apparently the target of the bomb was a terrorist responsible for organizing an attack that killed 166 Indian civilians.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

While I do not know about Indian involvement, apparently the target of the bomb was a terrorist responsible for organizing an attack that killed 166 Indian civilians.

Imagine the outrage that would erupt if Pakistan intelligence organised bombing campaigns in India.

 

[Bewal Express]

While I do not know about Indian involvement, apparently the target of the bomb was a terrorist responsible for organizing an attack that killed 166 Indian civilians.

But they killed civilians that were nearby. And are you saying our intelligence services can take revenge on Inds because RAW has supported proxies from Afg and Balochistan.

 

[Bewal Express]

Imagine the outrage that would erupt if Pakistan intelligence organised bombing campaigns in India.

According the LNG guy he would be quite happy

 

[Napa]

Imagine the outrage that would erupt if Pakistan intelligence organised bombing campaigns in India.

A bombing campaign is no different from the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The Pulwama attack was claimed by Pakistan-based terrorist group, Jaish-e-Mohammed.

I am reasonably sure that if the ISI could, it would do many more attacks. However the pushback from the India and the international community has dissuaded it from making a habit of it.

 

[Last Monetarist]

https://nation.com.pk/25-Sep-2021/rehman-malik-urges-govt-to-move-un-interpol-against-india

Former Interior Minister and Chairman Institute of Research and Reforms, Senator Rehman Malik yesterday urged the government to move the United Nations and Interpol against India for supporting terrorism.

He asked the government to explain why the alert issued by a terrorist was not verified and why it was not kept secret. He also said that in the past, many wireless sets had been stolen from the police which are being used by terrorists and criminal elements and they listen to the police conversations.

In a statement, Malik said that Ehsanullah Ehsan had re-released a video in which he confessed that he had issued the alert about the threat to the New Zealand cricket team. “Now that he has confessed to the crime and the government has evidence of India’s involvement, why doesn’t the government go to the United Nations and Interpol against India and Ehsanullah Ehsan,” he questioned.

Rehman Malik urged the government to immediately take up the issue with the United Nations and Interpol that “India wants to sabotage peace through terrorists and use them against Pakistan. He also demanded that in order to arrest Ehsanullah Ehsan, the government should put pressure on Turkey through the United Nations and Interpol.

The Pakistan People’s Party leader said that cricket should be considered as a game and everything should not be taken on the nerves of the government or the nation. He said that everyone was shocked by the cancellation of the New Zealand cricket team’s tour of Pakistan but such matters should be looked at wisely instead of emotionally so as to minimise the damage. “Instead of blaming others, we need to fix the flaws in our security system,” he said.

The former interior minister said that he had said long ago that our information technology system is insecure and India hacks more than 3,000 web sites in Pakistan every day as it had hacked our Election Commission’s website and stole important national data. “We have not yet built a strong firewall and the PTA should build a strong firewall on an emergency basis and ensure cyber security,” he said.

He said that it was unfortunate to predict that the value of US dollar will go up to 180 and then to 200 rupees. He said that everyone knows that a mafia is involved in devaluing the rupee, including SBP officials and if the government wanted, it can prevent the rupee from depreciating further.

Rehman Malik said, “Most of our laws are weak and even if there is a law, it lacks implementation.” He said that it is a crime to run fake news but the government should not introduce any media policy which would affect the freedom of press and freedom of expression. He said that Imran Khan has already been included in the red list for freedom of expression.

On the issue of Afghanistan, Rehman Malik said that the international community should not wall off the Taliban but should accept their government and bring them into the international mainstream. He said that if the Taliban’s government was not accepted, the situation in Afghanistan will get worse and the whole country will become a hotbed of terrorists.

 

[globalcitizen]

https://nation.com.pk/25-Sep-2021/rehman-malik-urges-govt-to-move-un-interpol-against-india

So this Ehsanullah Ehsan is in Pakistan and that establishes link with India? I am confused by what this interior minister is saying.
Few days back ministers were accusing Indian using Ehsanullah Ehsan id to send a post and now same guy confesses to the post. what a sham intelligence this is lol

 

[MenInG]

The Punjab Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) claimed to have arrested the mastermind as well as the facilitator of the Johar Town bomb blast from Balochistan.

The arrests came during an intelligence-based operation carried out by the CTD with the coordination of the top intelligence agencies.

Talking to the media at the Central Police Office on Thursday, Punjab CTD DIG Afzaal Ahmed Kausar and Operations DIG Kamran Adil identified the mastermind of Johar Town blast as Samiul Haq and facilitator as Uzair Akbar.

On June 23, 2021, a blast near the residence of Jamaatud Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed in Johar Town had killed three people and injured 24 others, including a police constable. Days after the incident, the then information minister Fawad Chaudhry and National Security Adviser Dr Moeed Yusuf told a press conference that the mastermind of the attack was “an Indian citizen and he is associated with [Indian intelligence agency] RAW”.

On Thursday, Mr Kausar and Mr Adil said the law enforcement agencies recovered from the alleged terrorists the currencies of Iran, UAE, Turkey, Afghanistan and Pakistan, laptops and other electronic devices used by them to carry out the blast.

Afzaal Kausar insisted that the possibility of involvement of foreign elements in the incident could not be ruled out.

Giving the details, he said the CTD Lahore teams had left for Balochistan on a tip-off on April 24. The team arrested the suspects from Kundi checkpost on the RCD Highway, Quetta. He added that the terrorists were returning to Pakistan after crossing the international border.

Mr Kausar said Peter Paul David was earlier arrested from the airport and he had Samiul Haq alias Adnan who assigned him the target. He added that Samiul Haq, Uzair Akbar and some foreign elements had visited Dubai and held a meeting with another terrorist Eid Gul Khan.

After a week, Eid Gul Khan came to Pakistan. Later, Samiul Haq gave David three mobile phones and Rs600,000, asking him to reach Lahore to hit the target.

Both Samiul Haq and Uzair also sent some more money to David and Eid Gul through the known company. The DIG said David had told the CTD about the involvement of Ziaullah, Eid Gul, a woman, Ayesha, and Sajjad who were arrested on June 29, 2021.

DIG Kausar said the court had already awarded Eid Gul, Sajjad Hussain, Ziaullah, Peter Paul David death sentence. Ayesha Eid Gul had been sentenced to five years imprisonment.

To a question, the DIG CTD Punjab said another fugitive in the case, Muhammad Naveed Akhtar Khan, would also be arrested soon.

He said security had been raised in Punjab like other provinces after the Karachi University incident. To a question, he declared that the CTD Punjab had nothing to do with the arrest of the Baloch student from the Punjab University.

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2022