WASHINGTON, MAY 17: The United States Central Command (Centcom) has praised Pakistan for its cooperation in counterterrorism operations, describing Islamabad as a “critical counterterrorism partner” in the regional fight against Daesh.

In a briefing to a US Senate committee, Centcom chief Admiral Brad Cooper, said that the strong military-to-military relationship between the United States and Pakistan has led to tangible operational results, including actions against high-value targets linked to attacks on American personnel.

“Pakistan, especially, is a critical CT partner that is central to the fight against [Daesh] in the region.”

Pakistan had a major role in the arrest of Daesh operative Mohammad Sharifullah, who was arrested by Pakistan earlier in 2025.

Then-Centcom Chief General Michael Kurilla had said in June 2025: “They [Pakistan] have extradited back Jaffar, who was one of the key individuals behind the Abbey Gate bombing.”

Centcom added that this collaboration has been instrumental in disrupting militant networks operating across the Afghanistan-Pakistan region.

“Our strong military-to-military (mil-to-mil) partnership with Islamabad has produced tangible results against high-value individuals with American blood on their hands.”

The command also highlighted Pakistan’s role in humanitarian response efforts, noting that bilateral coordination was key to delivering US assistance following severe flooding in Pakistan last September.

“…It was also key to US [Centcom] humanitarian support following catastrophic flooding in Pakistan last September.”

Centcom described these combined security and humanitarian efforts as evidence of an “enduring friendship and shared resolve” between the two countries.

It may be noted here that the Daesh operative allegedly helped carry out the 2021 suicide bombing outside Kabul airport during the chaotic US military withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Citizens are also questioning CDA’s priorities and planning failures. Many argue that every commercial building, plaza, hotel, or hospital should have been required to provide adequate parking space before receiving construction approval. Yet, most of the buildings in the extended Blue Area were allowed to operate without proper parking arrangements

ISLAMABAD, MAY 17 /DNA/ – The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has once again found itself under criticism after imposing a Rs100 parking fee in Islamabad’s extended Blue Area, a decision that is creating serious inconvenience for ordinary citizens, patients, visitors, and businesses alike. What was once promoted as a modern commercial extension with accessible public facilities is now becoming increasingly difficult for people to visit due to the added financial burden.

The extended Blue Area was developed with the promise of creating a vibrant commercial hub featuring hotels, hospitals, coffee shops, restaurants, and corporate offices. For years, visitors could enter the area freely, making it attractive for families, patients, tourists, and office workers. However, the sudden decision to charge Rs100 as parking fee per visit has changed the situation dramatically.

The most troubling aspect of the policy is its impact on hospitals and medical centers operating in the area. Patients and their attendants, many already burdened by medical expenses, are now forced to pay parking charges every single time they visit a hospital. In cases where patients require regular treatment or repeated consultations, the parking fee becomes an additional and unnecessary hardship.

Coffee shops, cafes, and small businesses are also feeling the impact. Owners complain that customers are now avoiding the area because they do not want to pay hefty parking charges simply to sit for a short meeting or enjoy a cup of coffee. The reduced footfall is hurting businesses that were already struggling under rising operational costs and economic uncertainty.

Citizens are also questioning CDA’s priorities and planning failures. Many argue that every commercial building, plaza, hotel, or hospital should have been required to provide adequate parking space before receiving construction approval. Yet, most of the buildings in the extended Blue Area were reportedly allowed to operate without proper parking arrangements. Critics ask a valid question: where was CDA when these plazas and commercial buildings were being constructed without sufficient parking facilities?

Instead of holding powerful builders and plaza owners accountable, the burden is now being shifted onto ordinary citizens. The developers and owners who earned millions from commercial projects appear untouched, while visitors are forced to bear the cost of CDA’s poor urban planning.

Islamabad residents believe the policy reflects a deeper governance problem where authorities prefer easy revenue collection over practical public service solutions. Rather than introducing punitive parking fees, CDA should focus on building proper parking plazas, enforcing construction regulations, and ensuring that commercial projects meet basic urban planning standards.

If corrective measures are not taken, the extended Blue Area risks losing its attractiveness as a public-friendly commercial center, ultimately harming both businesses and the people it was meant to serve.=DNA

President Ilham Aliyev also emphasized that Azerbaijan-Pakistan relations are currently developing within a trilateral framework involving Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Pakistan.

DNA

BAKU:  President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received a delegation led by Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Chief Minister of the Punjab Province of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Maryam Nawaz Sharif conveyed the greetings of her father, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, and Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to the head of state.

President Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude for the greetings and asked that his own greetings be conveyed to the Prime Minister of Pakistan and Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. The head of state recalled the friendly relations between National Leader Heydar Aliyev and Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.

Expressing satisfaction with participating in the 13th session of the UN World Urban Forum (WUF13), the Chief Minister thanked President Ilham Aliyev for the invitation and praised the excellent organization of the event. She emphasized that important global issues related to urban planning would be discussed in Baku.

Noting that the beauty of Baku had deeply impressed her, Maryam Nawaz Sharif described the Azerbaijani capital as a remarkable example of harmony between culture and modern urban planning.

Maryam Nawaz Sharif also stated that during her visit to Baku, she visited the grave of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, the founder of modern Azerbaijan, and honored his memory with deep respect and reverence.

During the meeting, the sides commended the development of fraternal relations and strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Pakistan. They discussed cooperation in political, economic, diplomatic, defense, and other fields, while also highlighting the importance of interregional cooperation and the strong potential for further expanding trade ties. It was additionally noted that centers based on Azerbaijan’s “ASAN Khidmet” experience have been established in Pakistan.

President Ilham Aliyev also emphasized that Azerbaijan-Pakistan relations are currently developing within a trilateral framework involving Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD, MAY 16: Five terrorists were killed during separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district, who were involved in attacks on security forces and civilians, a police officer said on Saturday.

Regional Police Officer (RPO) Sajjad Khan told the media that IBOs are continuing in different areas following the Fateh Khel police checkpoint attacks.

A vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (IED) attack carried out by terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij targeted a police check post in Bannu district, martyring 15 policemen and injuring four others, including a civilian, last week.

In the IBOs, law enforcement agencies neutralised five terrorists in Bannu, said the RPO, adding that the killed terrorists were involved in attacks targeting security forces, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), and civilians.

Following the deadly assault on Fateh Khel check post, Pakistan had summoned the Afghan Charge d’Affaires and lodged a strong demarche with the Afghan Taliban regime.

A crane removes a burned armored vehicle from a damaged police checkpost site following a car bombing attack by militants in the Fateh Khel area of Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on May 10, 2026. — AFP
A crane removes a burned armored vehicle from a damaged police checkpost site following a car bombing attack by militants in the Fateh Khel area of Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on May 10, 2026. — AFP
Pakistan conveyed that evidence gathered during a detailed investigation, along with technical intelligence, indicated that the attack had been masterminded by terrorists residing in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

The Foreign Office reiterated Pakistan’s serious concerns over the continued use of Afghan soil for terrorist activities against Pakistan and stressed that the Afghan Taliban regime must fulfil its commitments to prevent militant groups from operating from their territory.

Islamabad also warned that Pakistan would not compromise on its national security or the protection of its citizens if terrorist outfits continued to find safe havens across the border.

Pakistan has seen a sharp increase in cross-border terrorist incidents, particularly in the bordering provinces of KP and Balochistan, since the Afghan Taliban grabbed power in Afghanistan in 2021.

Islamabad has repeatedly urged Kabul to prevent its soil from being used by terrorist organisations to carry out attacks inside its territory.

However, the Afghan Taliban regime refused to act against terror groups involved in countless attacks on Pakistani security forces and civilians.

Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq in February this year, months after the two countries agreed to a ceasefire in October 2025, following clashes triggered by unprovoked gunfire by the Afghan Taliban regime at multiple border points.

Despite many rounds of talks, both countries have so far failed to reach an agreement due to the Afghan Taliban regime’s reluctance to take action against terrorist outfits operating from its soil.