BY ANSAR MAHMOOD BHATTI

Once in a complete mess and mayhem, Karachi the city of lights is fast regaining it peace and stability – hats off to the armed forces of Pakistan and the Federal government who have worked in tandem to win peace in the troubled business hub of Pakistan. Ostensibly it was the Pakistan Army that decided to tackle the challenge head-on by waging a full-fledged war against all those who had deprived the city of Karachi and people living there, of their peace and happiness. Until recently gloom and doom ruled supreme in Karachi as day in and day out terrorists and miscreants were taking heavy toll on the hapless people. But now the situation has shown good signs of improvement. Army Chief, during his recent visit to Karachi not only approved establishment of more military courts, but vowed to continue struggle till the elimination of terrorists and their supporters. To this end, a number of high profile arrests have also been made while many other are on the cards.

ISLAMABAD, SPET 03 (DNA) – Ambassador of Tajikistan to Pakistan Sherali Jononov has Tajikistan will host CSTO summit this month in which all six members will participate .The ambassador told this while giving a briefing to a select group of media persons about the forthcoming meeting of Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) to be held in Dushanbe in the second week of September. Heads of State and government from six members’ countries will attend the meeting.Ambassador further informed the CSTO meeting apart from other things, will also discuss the terrorism related issues and how to deal with this threat. He informed ISIS issue will also come under discussion.

ISLAMABAD, AUG 14(DNA) – British High Commissioner to Pakistan Philip Barton has said it is up to the British police to look into Altaf Hussain’s statements whether they are inflammatory or not and the British government has nothing to do with this issue.The British government is however fully aware of sentiments of Pakistani people because of Altaf Hussain’s statements, Philip Barton said while giving an interview to a private TV channel.
He further said he had a number of meetings with Pakistan interior minister Ch. Nisar Ali Khan however he will not share details of these bilateral meetings. He admitted to had met other high ranking Pakistani officials also on Altaf Hussain issue.

The first week back from a holiday brings a fresh perspective and a new impetus to your work. While of course the day-to-day business of diplomacy goes on – as witnessed by the successful visit to Pakistan by the Secretary of State for Defence, Michael Fallon – it is a chance to step back and reflect.From outside Pakistan, you get a clearer view of how the country is perceived by the wider world. There is no point in mincing words: Pakistan is too often seen as synonymous with terrorism and violence. Every diplomat has their own story to tell of being asked “Did they make you go to Pakistan?” or “Isn’t that a war zone?” and having to explain what a great place Pakistan is to live in. Nevertheless, this perception is deeply embedded and makes it hard for Pakistan to make the most of the global marketplace and the benefits of global opportunities.

Cyprus, an island inhibited by Greeks and Turks, got independence from Britain in 1960. For the first three years of independence both the communities somehow managed to co-exist however in 1963 disturbances started. According to the Turkish Cypriots, the then leadership of Greek Cyprus denied even basic rights to the Turkish community and started killing them. The tense situation continued on the island and a time came in 1974 when the Greek leadership tried to have enosis (reunion of the island with Greece). Then the Turkish forces landed at the island on July 20, 1974 to prevent this enosis. Since then the North side celebrates July 20 as the peace and operation day. I had a chance to attend these celebrations. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan was the chief guest on the occasion.