Motorway rape case: IG Punjab dismisses reports regarding suspects arrest

Inspector General of Punjab Police Inam Ghani on Saturday dismissed reports that a suspect in the Lahore motorway rape case had been arrested, terming them as incorrect.

“News on the arrest of a suspect on TV channels and social media are incorrect,” said IGP Ghani, adding that he would share any 'success' in the case with media as he was monitoring the investigation himself.

“Such unconfirmed news affects the case and is also misleading for the public,” said Punjab's top cop. He also said that pictures of the woman and the suspect of the case being shared on social media were fake.

The police officer urged media not to run reports before confirming them and urged people to have trust in the police.

“We will soon arrest the accused and bring them to justice,” vowed IGP Ghani.

25 suspects with criminal record missing in villages around the motorway

During the investigation of the incident, it emerged that 25 suspects with criminal records were missing from Karol and adjoining villages.

According to police, a search and sweep operation is underway in the 5km near the Eastern Bypass – where the horrific incident took place.

On the other hand, the police have taken DNA samples of 53 people from three villages – all of whom are between the ages of 20 and 35 years.

Besides, IG Punjab Inam Ghani said that information was also being sought from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) regarding the case.

Saying that false news should not be spread regarding the case and ongoing investigations, Ghani clarified that no ring has been found and no suspects have been arrested. Moreover, the victim's ATM card has not been used as of yet.

IG Punjab said that no DNA match has taken place yet and that the information would be made public if any progress is made in this regard.

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Lahore motorway rape case: Police complete geo-fencing of surrounding villages

olice on Friday completed the geo-fencing of the villages surrounding the motorway within a five-kilometre radius where a mother of three was raped earlier this week, sparking anger and protest across the nation.

According to reports, police recovered the gold ring of the woman which was found in the fields where she was reportedly taken and raped in front of her children. The attackers had taken Rs100,000 cash and other valuables of the victim with them while fleeing.

A special investigation team (SIT) visited the crime scene on Friday and restructured the heinous act. However, the investigators could not find any tangible clue to the culprits.

Lahore Police have completed the criminal profiling of 15 suspects who could be involved in the crime. Police is using both traditional and modern methods to probe the case. A member of the investigation team told that DNA [deoxyribo-nucleic acid] samples of suspects are being sent to the Forensic Science Agency. The reports will take some time to match with the victim.

Additional security on Lahore-Sialkot Motorway

Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Inam Ghani said that teams of Punjab Highway Patrol (PHP) and Special Protection Unit (SPU) had been deployed for security duties on the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway.

He said the PHP and SPU teams would patrol the motorway 24 hours a day in three shifts, which would ensure safety of lives and property of citizens and help curb criminal acts.

Reacting to news in a section of the media about the main culprit being arrested, the termed it as "fake news".

However, the IGP Punjab and Shahbaz Gill said there was no such development, adding that once the suspects would be arrested, they would be presented in front of the entire world.

The IGP directed Additional IGP PHP Captain (retd) Zafar Iqbal Awan to conduct field visits to inspect and monitor the security arrangements of the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway.

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Afghan govt, Taliban to begin historic peace talks today

The Afghan government and the Taliban will sit today for historic peace talks after two decades of fierce warfare resulted in hundreds of thousands getting killed in the country.

The US-backed negotiations come six months later than planned owing to bitter disagreements over a controversial prisoner swap agreed in February.

Talks will begin a day after the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks which led the US to invade Afghanistan and topple the Taliban regime that had been sheltering Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

The two sides must flesh out "how to move their country forward to reduce violence and deliver what the Afghan people are demanding — a reconciled Afghanistan with a government that reflects a country that ins't at war," said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who will attend the talks' opening.

President Donald Trump, up for re-election in November, has pushed hard to end America's longest war and wants all foreign forces to leave Afghanistan by next year.

A comprehensive peace deal could take years, and will depend on the willingness of both sides to tailor their competing visions for the country.

The Taliban, who have refused to recognise President Ashraf Ghani's government, will push to reshape Afghanistan into an Islamic "emirate".

Ghani´s administration will seek to maintain the Western-backed status quo of a constitutional republic that has enshrined many rights including greater freedoms for women.

Ending the war

"My beard was black when the war began, it is snow white now and we are still in war," said Kabul resident Obaidullah, 50.

"I don´t believe the war will end that soon, I am sceptical about the talks because both sides want their full agenda and their system enforced," added the retired civil servant.

Many Afghans fear any Taliban return to power — partial or in full — could lead to a return of controversial laws.

The insurgents claimed victory in February after signing a Qatari-mediated deal with Washington that laid out a timetable for talks.

Qatar has quietly led mediation efforts which have been complicated by violence in Afghanistan and the coronavirus crisis, with Doha's chief negotiator Mutlaq al-Qahtani stressing on Thursday "the power of diplomacy".

Doha invited the Taliban to open a political office in 2013 and helped broker February´s troop withdrawal deal between Washington and the Taliban.

The arrangement has led to tense moments like when the Taliban raised their flag above the office, sparking fury in Kabul.

On Friday two Afghan national flags were carried into the Doha luxury hotel that will host the talks as turbaned Taliban queued alongside media and caterers to have coronavirus tests ahead of the gathering.

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Lahore motorway rape case: Police complete geo-fencing of surrounding villages

olice on Friday completed the geo-fencing of the villages surrounding the motorway within a five-kilometre radius where a mother of three was raped earlier this week, sparking anger and protest across the nation.

According to reports, police recovered the gold ring of the woman which was found in the fields where she was reportedly taken and raped in front of her children. The attackers had taken Rs100,000 cash and other valuables of the victim with them while fleeing.

A special investigation team (SIT) visited the crime scene on Friday and restructured the heinous act. However, the investigators could not find any tangible clue to the culprits.

Lahore Police have completed the criminal profiling of 15 suspects who could be involved in the crime. Police is using both traditional and modern methods to probe the case. A member of the investigation team told that DNA [deoxyribo-nucleic acid] samples of suspects are being sent to the Forensic Science Agency. The reports will take some time to match with the victim.

Additional security on Lahore-Sialkot Motorway

Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Inam Ghani said that teams of Punjab Highway Patrol (PHP) and Special Protection Unit (SPU) had been deployed for security duties on the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway.

He said the PHP and SPU teams would patrol the motorway 24 hours a day in three shifts, which would ensure safety of lives and property of citizens and help curb criminal acts.

Reacting to news in a section of the media about the main culprit being arrested, the termed it as "fake news".

However, the IGP Punjab and Shahbaz Gill said there was no such development, adding that once the suspects would be arrested, they would be presented in front of the entire world.

The IGP directed Additional IGP PHP Captain (retd) Zafar Iqbal Awan to conduct field visits to inspect and monitor the security arrangements of the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway.

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Afghan govt, Taliban to begin historic peace talks today

The Afghan government and the Taliban will sit today for historic peace talks after two decades of fierce warfare resulted in hundreds of thousands getting killed in the country.

The US-backed negotiations come six months later than planned owing to bitter disagreements over a controversial prisoner swap agreed in February.

Talks will begin a day after the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks which led the US to invade Afghanistan and topple the Taliban regime that had been sheltering Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

The two sides must flesh out "how to move their country forward to reduce violence and deliver what the Afghan people are demanding — a reconciled Afghanistan with a government that reflects a country that ins't at war," said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who will attend the talks' opening.

President Donald Trump, up for re-election in November, has pushed hard to end America's longest war and wants all foreign forces to leave Afghanistan by next year.

A comprehensive peace deal could take years, and will depend on the willingness of both sides to tailor their competing visions for the country.

The Taliban, who have refused to recognise President Ashraf Ghani's government, will push to reshape Afghanistan into an Islamic "emirate".

Ghani´s administration will seek to maintain the Western-backed status quo of a constitutional republic that has enshrined many rights including greater freedoms for women.

Ending the war

"My beard was black when the war began, it is snow white now and we are still in war," said Kabul resident Obaidullah, 50.

"I don´t believe the war will end that soon, I am sceptical about the talks because both sides want their full agenda and their system enforced," added the retired civil servant.

Many Afghans fear any Taliban return to power — partial or in full — could lead to a return of controversial laws.

The insurgents claimed victory in February after signing a Qatari-mediated deal with Washington that laid out a timetable for talks.

Qatar has quietly led mediation efforts which have been complicated by violence in Afghanistan and the coronavirus crisis, with Doha's chief negotiator Mutlaq al-Qahtani stressing on Thursday "the power of diplomacy".

Doha invited the Taliban to open a political office in 2013 and helped broker February´s troop withdrawal deal between Washington and the Taliban.

The arrangement has led to tense moments like when the Taliban raised their flag above the office, sparking fury in Kabul.

On Friday two Afghan national flags were carried into the Doha luxury hotel that will host the talks as turbaned Taliban queued alongside media and caterers to have coronavirus tests ahead of the gathering.

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China to impose restrictions on all US diplomats

Beijing will impose “reciprocal restrictions” on all American diplomats on Chinese soil in response to curbs on its embassy personnel in the United States, China’s foreign ministry said Friday.

China’s latest move comes days after Washington announced new restrictions on staff working for Beijing’s foreign missions, such as a requirement to seek approval for university visits or meetings with local officials.

“The Chinese side has recently sent a diplomatic note announcing reciprocal restrictions on the US embassy and consulates,” the ministry said in a statement.

It added that the unspecified countermeasures will apply to all US embassy and consulate staff, including the consulate-general in Hong Kong and its personnel.

“It must be stressed that these measures are China’s legitimate and necessary response to the erroneous US moves,” the ministry said, urging the US to “immediately correct its mistakes” and lift the earlier curbs.

A tit-for-tat dispute over foreign missions flared up in July when Washington ordered the closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston, prompting Beijing to shutter the American presence in Chengdu.

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China to impose restrictions on all US diplomats

Beijing will impose “reciprocal restrictions” on all American diplomats on Chinese soil in response to curbs on its embassy personnel in the United States, China’s foreign ministry said Friday.

China’s latest move comes days after Washington announced new restrictions on staff working for Beijing’s foreign missions, such as a requirement to seek approval for university visits or meetings with local officials.

“The Chinese side has recently sent a diplomatic note announcing reciprocal restrictions on the US embassy and consulates,” the ministry said in a statement.

It added that the unspecified countermeasures will apply to all US embassy and consulate staff, including the consulate-general in Hong Kong and its personnel.

“It must be stressed that these measures are China’s legitimate and necessary response to the erroneous US moves,” the ministry said, urging the US to “immediately correct its mistakes” and lift the earlier curbs.

A tit-for-tat dispute over foreign missions flared up in July when Washington ordered the closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston, prompting Beijing to shutter the American presence in Chengdu.

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