Subject: South Asia Daily: Pakistan Suspends ARY News License; Modi Urges SAARC to Work Together; Record Poppy Harvest in Afghanistan
From: "Foreign Policy" <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 21 Oct 2014 08:52:02 -0400 (EDT)

Pakistan Suspends ARY News License; Modi Urges SAARC to Work Together; Record Poppy Harvest in Afghanistan

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Pakistan Suspends ARY News License; Modi Urges SAARC to Work Together; Record Poppy Harvest in Afghanistan

Pakistan Suspends ARY News License; Modi Urges SAARC to Work Together; Record Poppy Harvest in Afghanistan

   <p>  <b>Pakistan</b>  </p><br><p>  <i>Pakistan suspends ARY News license</i>  </p><br><p>  The Pakistan  Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Monday suspended <i>ARY News</i>' license for 15 days (<a href="http://link.foreignpolicy.com/5253172ac16bcfa46f6bd4c71x2xv.134k/VEZWeMPoFvUvXwnwA52db style="font-weight:bold;color:#ea1414" target="blank">NYT</a>,  <a href="http://link.foreignpolicy.com/5253172ac16bcfa46f6bd4c71x2xv.134k/VEZWeMPoFvUvXwn1A04a7 style="font-weight:bold;color:#ea1414" target="blank">AP</a>,  <a href="http://link.foreignpolicy.com/5253172ac16bcfa46f6bd4c71x2xv.134k/VEZWeMPoFvUvXwn6A0d6b style="font-weight:bold;color:#ea1414" target="blank">BBC</a>, <a href="http://link.foreignpolicy.com/5253172ac16bcfa46f6bd4c71x2xv.134k/VEZWecPoFvUvXwn_Ae9f8 style="font-weight:bold;color:#ea1414" target="blank">Dawn</a>,  <a href="http://link.foreignpolicy.com/5253172ac16bcfa46f6bd4c71x2xv.134k/VEZWecPoFvUvXwoEA7323 style="font-weight:bold;color:#ea1414" target="blank">RFE/RL</a>).  The channel, which supports opposition politician Imran Khan, was suspended for  defamation and fined 10 million rupees ($97,000). The suspension was reportedly  related to the network's coverage of the opposition protests organized by Khan  and cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri this summer, and it banned <i>ARY News</i>' Sunday anchor Mubashir Lucman from appearing on national  television on any network. PEMRA's ruling was preceded by a decision by the  high court of the eastern city of Lahore. A spokesman for PEMRA stated: "We  just obeyed the orders of LHC [the court] and the ban will remain in force till  hearing of the case on Nov 11 when the detailed judgment will be issued."  </p><br><p>  <i>Pakistani Taliban sacks spokesman</i>  </p><br><p>  The Pakistani  Taliban fired its spokesman, Shahidullah Shahid, who had recently pledged  allegiance to the Islamic State and its leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, according  to media reports on Tuesday (<a href="http://link.foreignpolicy.com/5253172ac16bcfa46f6bd4c71x2xv.134k/VEZWecPoFvUvXwoJA5e49 style="font-weight:bold;color:#ea1414" target="blank">Dawn</a>,  <a href="http://link.foreignpolicy.com/5253172ac16bcfa46f6bd4c71x2xv.134k/VEZWecPoFvUvXwoOA2f05 style="font-weight:bold;color:#ea1414" target="blank">BBC</a>). The  announcement of Shahid's firing was released on the Taliban's website, Omar  Media. The announcement stated that Shahidullah Shahid is the nomme de guerre  of whoever is the current spokesman, but that Abu Omar Sheikh Maqbool has  continued to use it despite his removal from the position. The announcement  also reaffirmed that Mulla Fazlullah, the Pakistani Taliban leader, has not  pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and remains loyal to Afghan Taliban  leader Mullah Omar. Maqbool has not commented on the announcement.  </p><br><p>  <i>Cross-border firing from Afghanistan  kills one</i>  </p><br><p>  At least one  civilian was killed in Pakistan's Bajaur Agency on Tuesday by cross-border  firing from Afghanistan (<a href="http://link.foreignpolicy.com/5253172ac16bcfa46f6bd4c71x2xv.134k/VEZWecPoFvUvXwoTAca07 style="font-weight:bold;color:#ea1414" target="blank">Dawn</a>).  Pakistani officials confirmed that the firing hit the house of a tribesman  named Sheene, killing one person and injuring two others. Militants were  reportedly responsible for the firing. <i>Bonus  Read: "The Afghan Roots of Pakistan's Zarb-e-Azb Operation," Umar Farooq (<a href="http://link.foreignpolicy.com/5253172ac16bcfa46f6bd4c71x2xv.134k/VEZWecPoFvUvXwoYA2648 style="font-weight:bold;color:#ea1414" target="blank">South  Asia</a>)</i>  </p><br><p>  <i>-- David Sterman</i>  </p><br><p>  <b>India</b>  </p><br><p>  <i>Modi urges SAARC to work  together</i>  </p><br><p>  Nepalese Foreign Minister  Mahendra Bahadur Pandey met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, and  handed him a formal invitation from Nepalese Prime Minister Sushil Koirala to  attend the upcoming South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)  Summit in Kathmandu on November 26-27 (<a href="http://link.foreignpolicy.com/5253172ac16bcfa46f6bd4c71x2xv.134k/VEZWecPoFvUvXwodA7395 style="font-weight:bold;color:#ea1414" target="blank">Economic Times</a>,<a href="http://link.foreignpolicy.com/5253172ac16bcfa46f6bd4c71x2xv.134k/VEZWecPoFvUvXwoiAa74f style="font-weight:bold;color:#ea1414" target="blank"> Hindustan Times</a>). SAARC is an economic and geopolitical  cooperation between South Asian nations, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh,  Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. During the meeting,  Modi committed India's full support to the SAARC summit, and emphasized that  South Asian countries should identify specific areas of common heritage,  challenges, and opportunities to foster region-wide cooperation.  </p><br><p>  During her meeting with  Pandey, India's Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj conveyed India's willingness to  give logistical support to Nepal during the SAARC summit. Nepal had requested  India to provide bullet-proof cars and other vehicles for state heads and government  officials during the summit. On Tuesday, India and Nepal are expected to sign a power  trade agreement, which will facilitate cross-border transmission lines. &nbsp;  </p><br><p>  <i>Indian government clears  ordinances for coal blocks</i>  </p><br><p>  The Indian government  issued an ordinance on Monday to acquire the land of nearly 214 coal blocks  cancelled by the Indian Supreme Court last month (<a href="http://link.foreignpolicy.com/5253172ac16bcfa46f6bd4c71x2xv.134k/VEZWecPoFvUvXwonA3e00 style="font-weight:bold;color:#ea1414" target="blank">NDTV</a>). The Supreme Court cancelled 214 out of 218  coal block allocations in September, which were declared illegal and arbitrary  by the court in its August 25, 2014 verdict (<a href="http://link.foreignpolicy.com/5253172ac16bcfa46f6bd4c71x2xv.134k/VCLGqsPo8oId8jKIAa689 style="font-weight:bold;color:#ea1414" target="blank">NDTV</a>,<a href="http://link.foreignpolicy.com/5253172ac16bcfa46f6bd4c71x2xv.134k/VCLGqsPo8oId8jKNA2f0f style="font-weight:bold;color:#ea1414" target="blank"> BBC</a>). The remaining four blocks allowed to continue  belong to major state power projects. The companies, whose shares fell  significantly since the court's decision, were granted six months to shut down  their operations, and the government has been given "breathing space to  manage the emerging situation" (<a href="http://link.foreignpolicy.com/5253172ac16bcfa46f6bd4c71x2xv.134k/VCLGqsPo8oId8jKSA504e style="font-weight:bold;color:#ea1414" target="blank">The Hindu</a>).  </p><br><p>  Indian Finance Minister  Arun Jaitley told reporters: "The Cabinet has recommended promulgation of an  ordinance to the President [Pranab Mukherjee] in order to resolve the pending  issues, particularly the situation arising out of the Supreme Court judgment  quashing the allocation of the coal blocks. A key need for the ordinance was to  ensure proper transfer of land from the existing owner to the successful bidder  to whom the land is to be allotted" (<a href="http://link.foreignpolicy.com/5253172ac16bcfa46f6bd4c71x2xv.134k/VEZWecPoFvUvXwosA5112 style="font-weight:bold;color:#ea1414" target="blank">Indian Express</a>). The government cleared the ordinance so that  coal mines can be allotted to state-owned companies and to private entities (<a href="http://link.foreignpolicy.com/5253172ac16bcfa46f6bd4c71x2xv.134k/VEZWecPoFvUvXwoxA5835 style="font-weight:bold;color:#ea1414" target="blank">Livemint</a>). The private sector will bid for such mines  through an e-auction. Although India is one of the largest coal producers in  the world, the country has not been able to meet consumer demands for  electricity.  </p><br><p>  <i>Delhi gang-rape: rapists  jailed for life</i>  </p><br><p>  A New Delhi court on Monday ordered life imprisonment to the five accused  in the abduction and gang-rape of a call center female worker in 2010 (<a href="http://link.foreignpolicy.com/5253172ac16bcfa46f6bd4c71x2xv.134k/VEZWecPoFvUvXwo2Aba92 style="font-weight:bold;color:#ea1414" target="blank">BBC</a>,<a href="http://link.foreignpolicy.com/5253172ac16bcfa46f6bd4c71x2xv.134k/VEZWecPoFvUvXwo7A9572 style="font-weight:bold;color:#ea1414" target="blank"> Economic Times</a>,<a href="http://link.foreignpolicy.com/5253172ac16bcfa46f6bd4c71x2xv.134k/VEZWecPoFvUvXwpAA252c style="font-weight:bold;color:#ea1414" target="blank"> Daily Mail</a>).  The victim was attacked after an office cab dropped her off near her home in  the early morning. In his judgement, Additional Sessions Judge Virender Bhatt  said: "The convicts are psychopaths, having no regard for the honour and  dignity of women in the society and thus are a threat to the whole society. It  is the demand of justice that they be kept away from the society as long as  possible" (<a href="http://link.foreignpolicy.com/5253172ac16bcfa46f6bd4c71x2xv.134k/VEZWecPoFvUvXwpFAe0a0 style="font-weight:bold;color:#ea1414" target="blank">Indian Express</a>).  The court convicted the five accused on October 14, relying on the victim's  testimony and on the basis of their DNA reports.  </p><br><p>  <i>-- Neeli  Shah and Jameel Khan</i>  </p><br><p>  <b>Afghanistan</b>  </p><br><p>  <i>Bonus Watch: "Last Week With John Oliver:  Translators" (<a href="http://link.foreignpolicy.com/5253172ac16bcfa46f6bd4c71x2xv.134k/VEZWecPoFvUvXwpKA1a69 style="font-weight:bold;color:#ea1414" target="blank">HBO</a>)</i>  </p><br><p>  <i>Wonk Watch: "Afghanistan's Fate" (<a href="http://link.foreignpolicy.com/5253172ac16bcfa46f6bd4c71x2xv.134k/VEZWecPoFvUvXwpPA8c85 style="font-weight:bold;color:#ea1414" target="blank">Cairo Review</a>)</i>  </p><br><p>  <i>Afghanistan has record poppy harvest</i>  </p><br><p>  Afghanistan had  its all-time highest poppy harvest in 2013 despite the United States spending  $7.6 billion to prevent poppy production according to a report released on  Tuesday by the Special Inspector for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) (<a href="http://link.foreignpolicy.com/5253172ac16bcfa46f6bd4c71x2xv.134k/VEZWecPoFvUvXwpUA148e style="font-weight:bold;color:#ea1414" target="blank">RFE/RL</a>,  <a href="http://link.foreignpolicy.com/5253172ac16bcfa46f6bd4c71x2xv.134k/VEZWecPoFvUvXwpYA7911 style="font-weight:bold;color:#ea1414" target="blank">Mother  Jones</a>, <a href="http://link.foreignpolicy.com/5253172ac16bcfa46f6bd4c71x2xv.134k/VEZWecPoFvUvXwpeAcaf5 style="font-weight:bold;color:#ea1414" target="blank">Post</a>).  According to data from the United Nations cited in the report, 209,000 hectares  were used for cultivation in 2013 compared to the previous record of 193,000 in  2007. SIGAR stated that the record production "calls into question the  long-term effectiveness and sustainability" of efforts to prevent production.  </p><br><p>  <i>Kabul blast kills four soldiers</i>  </p><br><p>  A bomb blast in  Kabul killed four Afghan Army soldiers and wounded twelve others including  three civilians on Tuesday, according to local officials (<a href="http://link.foreignpolicy.com/5253172ac16bcfa46f6bd4c71x2xv.134k/VEZWecPoFvUvXwpjAcce3 style="font-weight:bold;color:#ea1414" target="blank">Pajhwok</a>,  <a href="http://link.foreignpolicy.com/5253172ac16bcfa46f6bd4c71x2xv.134k/VEZWecPoFvUvXwpoA86d1 style="font-weight:bold;color:#ea1414" target="blank">TOLO  News</a>). The remote control mine was detonated in the Aqa Ali Shams area of  Kabul's district seven. Najib Danish, a deputy spokesman for the Ministry of  Interior stated: "The problem is this that intelligence organizations need to  increase their efforts and equipment in searching for mines." The Taliban  claimed responsibility for the attack.  </p><br><p>  <i>Ghani seeks to connect Afghanistan to  Europe via Uzbekistan</i>  </p><br><p>  Afghan President  Ashraf Ghani stated his interest in connecting Afghanistan to European markets  via Uzbekistan during meetings on Monday with Uzbek and Tajik diplomats at the  presidential palace in Kabul (<a href="http://link.foreignpolicy.com/5253172ac16bcfa46f6bd4c71x2xv.134k/VEZWecPoFvUvXwptA038f style="font-weight:bold;color:#ea1414" target="blank">Pajhwok</a>).  Ghani's discussions with Uzbek and Tajik diplomats also focused on energy and  his desire to seek support from Uzbek construction experience as well as the  threat of terrorism in the region.  </p><br><p>  <i>-- David Sterman</i>  </p><br><p>  <i>Edited by Peter Bergen</i>  </p><br> 

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