Pakistan’s political stalemate ended in a Peshawar school, an outrage that will renew efforts against the Taliban in the courts and on the ground
Pakistan has endured another year of political instability, as bickering between politicians and the military clouded the national narrative on urgent issues, most notably a seven-year war with Taliban insurgents, and a decade of detente with India shattered by months of border skirmishes.
However, there were more encouraging signs. A consensus was reached between key political protagonists – army chief of staff General Raheel Sharif, prime minister Nawaz Sharif, and Imran Khan, the firebrand opposition leader. In turn, that will cement agreement on Pakistan’s national priorities in the next 12 months.
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In the aftermath of the horrific Taliban attack on a Peshawar school on December 16, the war on terror now sits firmly at the top of Pakistan's list of priorities. In 2015, the military will retake the last tribal area strongholds of the Pakistani Taliban, forcing the exit of remaining foreign militant groups. The border with Afghanistan will be secured, with ongoing support of US intelligence assets based there, including CIA drones deployed to eliminate Pakistani and other militant insurgents on either side of the Durand Line.
The dramatic warming of relations with Kabul, following Hamid Karzai’s exit from power in September, may result in an Afghan Taliban agreement, at Pakistan’s urging, to participate in China-hosted peace talks with the Afghan government.
The Pakistani government and opposition look set to collaborate to provide legislative support for a nationwide crackdown against the militants, several thousand of whom have been apprehended in a massive counter-intelligence operation, launched in parallel to the military's decisive June offensive in tribal areas. Militants will be tried in courts specially empowered to pass summary sentences, and the government will quickly carry out death sentences passed against them, and in large numbers.
By working together on national security issues, it is possible that relations between prime minister Sharif and his nemesis, Imran Khan, will improve. Since August, Khan has mounted a campaign to publicise his unsubstantiated allegations that the May 2013 general election, which brought Sharif to power, was massively rigged. Sharif's government almost fell following violent protests in Islamabad, and survived only because of a backlash of support from parliament. Khan has called off a renewed wave of protests after the Peshawar school attack, but he will press demands for a judicial investigation of those polls and continue to agitate for fresh elections.
HOSTS
T20 WORLD CUP
2024: US and West Indies; 2026: India and Sri Lanka; 2028: Australia and New Zealand; 2030: England, Ireland and Scotland
ODI WORLD CUP
2027: South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia; 2031: India and
Bangladesh
CHAMPIONS TROPHY
2025: Pakistan; 2029: India
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EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
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Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
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How to improve Arabic reading in early years
One 45-minute class per week in Standard Arabic is not sufficient
The goal should be for grade 1 and 2 students to become fluent readers
Subjects like technology, social studies, science can be taught in later grades
Grade 1 curricula should include oral instruction in Standard Arabic
First graders must regularly practice individual letters and combinations
Time should be slotted in class to read longer passages in early grades
Improve the appearance of textbooks
Revision of curriculum should be undertaken as per research findings
Conjugations of most common verb forms should be taught
Systematic learning of Standard Arabic grammar
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder
Power: 220 and 280 horsepower
Torque: 350 and 360Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT
On sale: now
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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
RACECARD
6pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 – Group 1 (PA) $50,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
6.35pm: Festival City Stakes – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,200m
7.10pm: Dubai Racing Club Classic – Listed (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 2,410m
7.45pm: Jumeirah Classic Trial – Conditions (TB) $150,000 (T) 1,400m
8.20pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 – Group 2 (TB) $250,000 (D) 1,600m
8.55pm: Cape Verdi – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,600m
9.30pm: Dubai Dash – Listed (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,000m
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
The Buckingham Murders
Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
Director: Hansal Mehta
Rating: 4 / 5
The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Where to buy
Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
