GEM STONE
A raw form of Ruby gem is seen on display in Neelum valley, Pakistani administered Kashmir, yesterday. Reports state Pakistani authorities have discovered reserves of gem stones including Ruby and Turmalin in Neelum Valley.
Pakistan-US ties improved in 2012
Pakistan’s ties with the United States appear to be improving gradually as the year 2012 ends, creating space for a relationship built on ground realities rather than unrealistic expectations. When the year began, the relationship was held hostage by two major incidents in 2011, the US raid in Abbottabad that killed Osama bin Laden and the Nov 24 US air attack that killed 22 Pakistani soldiers in Salala. Pakistan also had a new ambassador in Washington, Sherry Rehman, who was still struggling to create a space for herself in the US capital’s power circles. But the changing situation in the Pakistan-Afghan region forced both nations to have a fresh look at their ties.
UN chief condemns violence in Pakistan
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was “appalled by the escalating terrorist violence in Pakistan,” after 19 Shia pilgrims died in a car bomb and 21 kidnapped soldiers were killed. Ban “condemns in particular the continued violent targeting of religious minorities,” according to a statement from his spokesman, Martin Nesirky. He “also strongly condemns the killing of 21 members of a government-backed tribal police force,” kidnapped this week after near Peshawar, in the troubled northwest of the country. “These cruel acts of violence cannot be justified by any cause or grievance,” the statement emphasised, saying the perpetrators “should be brought to justice.”
Government girls’ school blown up
Extremist elements blew up a government girls’ middle school with explosive material in Tehsil Jamrud of Khyber Agency while a man was also killed due to the blast, Pakistan’s Geo News reported yesterday. According to security forces, the extremists had fixed explosives inside a government girls’ middle school that caused blast and destroyed the school building completely in Bakharabad area of Jamrud. The watchman of the school got killed in the explosion. More than 70 educational institutions have been destroyed in Khyber Agency over the past four years. Meanwhile, a man was seriously injured when extremists fired a rocket.
Most Pakistanis indifferent to New Year celebrations
As the world prepares to celebrate the arrival of New Year, it is business as usual in most parts of Pakistan. Some ideologically reject the concept of celebrating the occasion terming it a Western tradition, whereas others advocate celebrating it according to Islamic calendar. Although the International media report on preparations for the New Year across the globe, Pakistani media focus more on yearly analysis of social and economic situation in the country which continues to be unsatisfactory and only adds to an already tense environment. Terrorist activities and loss of life as a result of such unfortunate events further dampens the morale of the people.