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Muhammad Amir Rana February 24, 2019 Facebook Count PAKISTAN can by no means leave the task of countering terrorism unaccomplished. For that, it will have to adopt a policy mechanism to control all shades of militant groups. In retrospect, Pakistan has already taken some measures that have put pressure on militants and their supporters. This pressure should remain sustained and be expanded across the board, reflecting the state’s resolve that no militant group will be allowed to operate here. First, militants should not be allowed to hide behind the state’s religious-nationalist paradigm. Secondly, these groups should not have any space in the political or strategic calculus of the state. As far as denying physical space to militant groups is concerned, implementing the National Action Plan and the National Internal Security Policy would do the trick. At times, changing the behaviour of some sectarian or militant groups can confuse the state’s response, especially when

Surabhi   Mumbai | Updated on  February 24, 2019 Despite a lively debate in recent weeks on whether food prices have now moved to being structurally low, analysts believe that this is only a transient phenomenon and food prices, on a sequential basis, have already begun to rise. Retail inflation may be at an 18-month low but prices, especially of food items, are likely to see a pick-up over the next few months with average inflation expected to be at about four per cent in 2019-20. Despite a lively debate in recent weeks on whether food prices have now moved to being structurally low, analysts believe that this is only a transient phenomenon and food prices, on a sequential basis, have already begun to rise though they may be in the negative in a year-on-year comparison. An exact timeline on when prices will begin to rise is difficult to predict, they said but believe that it is likely in the next three to four months. “This is a transitory behaviour of food inflation as s

Staff Reporter: 25 February, 2019 Critical of Central government’s attitude; vows to resist eviction The All India Kisan Mazdoor Sabha (AIKMS) is planning a nationwide campaign to expose the Narendra Modi-led Central government’s “anti-forest dweller” attitude and its “collusion” with corporate houses that may lead to eviction of lakhs of tribals and others from their traditional habitat. Through a statement, the central executive committee of AIKMS has strongly opposed the recent order of the Supreme Court to evict people from forests, whose claims as forest dwellers under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, has been rejected. It has demanded immediate review of the order and vowed to resist eviction. ‘Bring ordinance’ “We have also demanded that the Central government bring in an ordinance to stop eviction of forest dwellers,” said AIKMS national secretary Bhala Chandra Shadangi. The Kisan Sabha was critical of the Central government for not arguing in favour of forest dwellers

24 February,2019 by Special correspondent  It’s business as usual, says Pakistan newspaper. Hafiz Saeed’s extremist groups continue to function in  Pakistan  despite a recent ban, a leading Pakistani newspaper has reported. Days after the government of Imran Khan reimposed a ban on Jamat-ud-Dawa and its charity arm Falah-e-Insaniyat Foundation (FIF) against the backdrop of the Pulwama terror attack, the  Daily Times of Pakistan  reported that the groups continue to operate with impunity in various parts of Pakistan. The paper reported that JuD and FIF outlets have put up new banners outside offices and collection centres and are continuing to work as before. In various places, the two organisations have re-branded themselves as Al Madina and Aisar Foundation. The weekend report stated that it was driven to prove the need for a genuine will of the Pakistani state to counter and control extremist organisations within its own territory. Pakistan has more than 130 names i