Islamabad: At least six people were killed and two wounded yesterday during an exchange of fire between two tribal groups over a land dispute in the tribal region of North Waziristan, Dawn News reported.
According to sources, more deaths were feared due to an armed clash between the two tribal groups in the Lowara Mandi area situated in the Dattakhel tehsil of North Waziristan. The cause of strife between the two groups was said to be over a piece of land.
North Waziristan is one of the seven regions in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) governed by tribal laws. An extremist insurgency led by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) plagues the region and the area is known to be infested with militants, including those from Al Qaeda and other armed extremist organizations.
Govt to create food authority
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan government is to establish a first of its kind halal food authority in order to regulate the production of food and non-food items for import and export. This body is to be set up under the Ministry of Science and Technology and run by a board of governors.
Officials at the ministry revealed that the documentation is complete to move forward to fulfil the legislative process. Federal Minister for Science and Technology Zahid Hamid said Pakistan’s share in the export of halal food items is nominal. “This amount in total comes up to $2tr,” said Hamid.
An official at the ministry said the private and public sector companies would be accredited with the halal food authority and efforts would be made to boost the export of halal products through the proposed regulatory authority.
Army hands over 13 inmates
ISLAMABAD: The intermediaries of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have been told that 13 Taliban prisoners who were to be released have been handed over to the government by the army for the purpose.
“However, they will be freed only after knowing how and when the Taliban would reciprocate,” a credible source quoted the government side as telling the Taliban representatives led by Maulana Samiul Haq, who held a session with Interior Minister Nisar Ali.
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