What’s Happening?
The news stories today report on developments in FATF’s review of Pakistan’s anti-money laundering and terror financing measures, killing of two policemen in Islamabad and Tehreek Labbaik Pakistan’s call for Jihad in Kashmir. Op-eds discuss the Afghan peace process and views on alleged subversive activities of Ahmadi community.
Today’s Stories
Tehreek Labbaik Pakistan starts social media campaign for jihad in Kashmir
The Tehreek Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) has started a social media campaign for jihad in Kashmir. TLP’s hashtag ‘Kashmir Jihad’ went viral on social media as hundreds of accounts affiliated with TLP tweeted under the hashtag. TLP leader Khadim Hussain Rizvi said that the only solution to the Kashmir dispute is ‘Jihad Fi Sabeelillah’ (Fighting in the path of Allah). TLP leaders while speaking at rallies to express solidarity with Kashmiriis have also urged the government to send Pakistan Army to liberate Kashmir.
Read more in Daily Ummat
Pakistan likely to exit FATF’s grey list by Oct
The Asia-Pacific Group, a regional affiliate of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), has adopted Pakistan’s third Mutual Evaluation Report (MER) on strengthening of anti-money laundering and countering financing terrorism safeguards and is expected to make public its assessment shortly. All pointers coming out of the meeting suggest positive outcome for Pakistan’s grey-listing status with the increased prospect of plenary meeting in mid-October in Paris likely to deliver its final verdict favourable for Islamabad putting it in “white” category.
Two policemen killed in Islamabad
Two policemen were killed and another injured in an attack on a picket in Islamabad on Wednesday. The police officials were deployed to scan suspicious vehicles. A police officer told the media it was yet not clear how many attackers were there and whether they came on a motorcycle or were on foot. Separate teams have been constituted under the supervision of SSP Counterterrorism Force and SP Investigation to probe the incident.
Read more in Dawn
Opinion
India and ISIS
Imran Jan opines that India is supporting the so-called Islamic State (IS) in Afghanistan to delay US withdrawal from the war-ridden country. He says the US exit from Afghanistan and subsequent rise of Afghan Taliban to power would end Indian influence in Afghanistan which, the writer says, it enjoyed though its stooge; the Kabul government. He writes that the strategy is simple; US is leaving Afghanistan on Taliban’s assurance that the Afghan soil will not be used against US and they have to prove through the IS that the Taliban are not capable of delivering on that promise.
Read more in Express Tribune
The new ‘Qadiani’ strategy
This opinion piece by Dr. Umar Farooq Ahrar in Daily Islam says that the Qadianis (Ahmadiyya community) have introduced a new strategy to stay relevant in our society after failing to prove their veracity in religious debates with Islamic scholars. He says Qadianis are now more focused on political activities and are in close contact with world leaders, INGOs and important stakeholders who speak for their rights and create hue and cry over their alleged persecution. He says there are dozens of minority communities in Pakistan but world powers only speak for Qadianis. He urges religious groups and parties to play their role to counter the alleged conspiracies.
Read more in Daily Islam
