• Eight terrorists sponsored by India were killed in an intelligence-based operation carried out by security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan province, security sources said on Sunday.

The operation was begun after sources said that intelligence assessments had suggested the presence of militants in the region. The operation left eight members of the group, including three of its top commanders, dead.

Security sources stated they had retrieved a considerable number of guns and ammunition and foreign currency from the insurgents.

Sources said that the operation was conducted under the government’s Azm-e-Istehkam vision to fight terrorism and to provide enduring peace and stability in the country.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the security forces for an excellent and timely operation against the extremists.

“The entire nation is behind the security forces in their fight against terrorism,” the prime minister added. He underlined the government’s intention to continue its operations against Fitna al-Khawarij until the menace of terrorism is removed.

Elimination of terrorism was vital for peace and stability in the country, the prime minister stated.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also praised the security forces for the successful operation against militants in Dera Ismail Khan.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has claimed that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march will not be allowed to enter Islamabad.

Rana Sanaullah while talking to media after talks at the Parliament House stated that the talks were mostly about the law and order and terrorism situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He stated that the administration had asked the province government to play an effective role in the war against terrorism but the opposition was not ready to collaborate on the subject.

Rana Sanaullah claimed the government has shown flexibility on talks with PTI founder Imran Khan but the two sides could not reach consensus on other crucial topics.

He made it clear that the scheduled PTI long march will not be allowed to enter the confines of Islamabad.

The adviser said everyone knew the points on which the two parties could not reach an agreement. But he added, the door to future conversations might be kept open if collaboration was increased in the battle against terrorism.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has launched a fundraising campaign for its planned long march, with party workers beginning to contribute to the campaign.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi also participated in the fundraising activity in Peshawar, where workers were seen making contributions for the planned mobilisation.

The PTI has scheduled its long march for Oct. 4. According to reports, the procession is planned to begin from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with the party having finalised arrangements for the mobilisation.

Speaking during the fundraising activity, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said he had not yet received details of the government’s negotiations. He said the party’s demands had already been conveyed to PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan.

Afridi said Barrister Gohar was travelling to Peshawar and would brief the media about the situation later on Friday.

The fundraising campaign comes as government and opposition representatives held talks on Friday over the political situation and the PTI’s planned Oct. 4 protest. The first round of talks concluded with both sides agreeing to continue the dialogue on Saturday. 

The PTI has maintained that its Oct. 4 mobilisation will go ahead, although the exact arrangements and route have been subject to discussions within the party. Recent reports said the party had considered launching the march from southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa before finalising the route. 

The march was initially planned for Sept. 27 but was subsequently postponed to Oct. 4. PTI leaders have linked the mobilisation to demands concerning party founder Imran Khan and other political issues. (The Express Tribune)