in pakistan. now, it seems your suspension came about after you delivered a fiery speech at the end of may to the national press club. when you talked about the forces that were targeting journalists in pakistan, you spoke out after one particularjournalistjust a few days before had been attacked in his own home in islamabad. you suggested that these forces, if they continued, would face retaliation from journalists. what did you mean by "these forces" and what kind of retaliation were you talking about? stephen sackur, you see, i survived many assassination attempts in pakistan, and i never gotjustice. i was involved in many fake cases and the pakistani courts, they cleared me and i was involved in fake cases again and again. i was threatened again and again. but you see, when our information minister fawad chaudhry spoke to you in your show, the same day, on may 28th, when the day i delivered a speech, he said that "there are some journalists "in pakistan, who stage dramas just to get asylum "ou

pakistan has lived with _ their role in this? pakistan has lived with this _ their role in this?is? pakistan has lived with this challenge ever i their role in this? pakistan has - lived with this challenge ever since the soviet union invaded afghanistan, and the reality is they have between 1.5 and 3 million afghan refugees on their soil, and they have had for many years now. so from their perspective, they are invested in the outcome. certainly invested in the outcome. certainly in my engagements with my pakistani opposite number, i am in no doubt that he is very genuine when he says he wants a stable and moderate afghanistan. d0 he wants a stable and moderate afghanistan-— he wants a stable and moderate afghanistan. do you not see this unfoldin: afghanistan. do you not see this unfolding into _ afghanistan. do you not see this unfolding into a _ afghanistan. do you not see this unfolding into a terrible - unfolding into a terrible humanitarian tragedy in the next weeks and months to come? i humanitarian tragedy in the next weeks and months to come? i think we have already — we

again, i think the events _ that from pakistan. again, i think the events of _ that from pakistan.nk the events of the past _ that from pakistan. again, i think the events of the past few - that from pakistan. again, i think the events of the past few weeks | the events of the past few weeks would make the assertion that we have been hearing for years now of our linkages with the taliban as i would say completely audacious and unfounded, because we can say that successive afghan governments have used unfortunately and are detractors in the region to malign pakistan and create those linkages. we do have relationships with the taliban and you can see all that today also. pakistan, no matter what the political orientation of those living in afghanistan is, for many, pakistan is still the destination of choice. 0urfate and destiny �*s have beenjoined and choice. 0urfate and destiny �*s have been joined and that is what motivates us to work even harder to secure peace in afghanistan. we have suffered. 80,000 lives after afghanistan. pakistan is one country and we will suffer more if thi

nefarious players inside pakistan? i'm just interested in whether you can share your level of death con concern. well, i can certainly say this, you know, you can deliver a nuclear warhead on a jeep. you can put it in the hold of a tramp steamer and sail it into a harbor. so the physical separation from an f 16 or, or even a ballistic missile, doesn't really tell you a lot, i think within pakistan itself. and this is something we became concerned about right after $911.00. i went with secretary state pal to his on his 1st visit to pakistan after 911 and my job at the time involved getting a better sense of what pakistan's control over that nuclear arsenal was. i would say this, not that worried about one or 2 weapons slipping away, slipping into the hands of terrorist. i worry about it, but i think the pocket studies understand how much it's in their interest that they not lose control. that way. what i'm more worried about is the prospect that the entire government of pakistan falls into the hands of radicals, pakista

pakistan released one of the leaders of the taliban, who was in custody in pakistan. it has had a relationship, certainly, with the taliban, but that relationship, i would argue, at this stage, is not seamless. it is a complicated one. the taliban does not trust the pakistan intelligence agency. the taliban has become powerful. it has relationships with other countries, including iran. it also has, because of this international legitimacy it has gained with its travel toguest:. this kind of military independence that he gained makes it less reliance upon back standing -- upon pakistani support. host: this on twitter from jordan, an independent film maker showing an independence day protest in kabul. he said they marched past taliban soldiers with some of them screaming back at the protesters. some of the video filmed by that filmmaker. what does that seen -- scene tell you? guest: that is a striking development and it shows you, tells you that afghanistan of 2021 is not the same as the afghanistan of 1990 six or even 2001. there are these -- afghanistan of 1996 or eve

let me bring in the pakistan piano. iran con. this is what he said on a us bull cough. pbf news our about where he was asked about his, his thoughts about women and how before because if they all and if they would ever be the reason why they would be a victim. so he was asked that question quite diary, why did you say that? he said he was taken out of context and then he said some more. take a look. no matter whatever. hum, how much ever a woman is provocative or whatever. she wears the, the person who commits great, he is fully responsible, but you look at the situation of pakistan even now. i mean look at the rape cases. yeah. compared to western country. minuscule compared to them. yes, we have issues. we have the culture problems every nation has that. but that comes with cultural level lucian with education. but as far as a woman's dignity goes respect, i can say office going all over the world. this society gives more respect and dignity to women. how is that an experience you have in pakistan, a very respectful society tow

they will never try to _ go into pakistan. they will never try to get — go into pakistan. too far. try to get to europe, it isjust too far~ many— try to get to europe, it isjust too far. many afghans will try in western_ far. many afghans will try in western afghanistan will go across as it did _ western afghanistan will go across as it did before into iran and, you know, _ as it did before into iran and, you know. these _ as it did before into iran and, you know, these two countries... i think it would _ know, these two countries... i think it would hear— know, these two countries... i think it would bear united states and european allies, whether through the eu or— european allies, whether through the eu or britain, going it alone, examining what diplomacy over the next decade should be with iran and pakistan _ next decade should be with iran and pakistan. 30 next decade should be with iran and pakistan. 5; :: , _, , ., next decade should be with iran and pakistan. ,’:ii , , ., pakistan. 30 seconds or so, janet, i'm pakistan. 30 seconds or so, janet, i'm afraid. — pakist

you have brought up pakistan. we havejust been without a fight. you have brought up pakistan.peaking to the british mp tobias ellwood who has said pakistan has a lot to answer for. has said pakistan has a lot to answerfor. you have given has said pakistan has a lot to answer for. you have given some background there that people are also saying pakistan will play a key role in the future of afghanistan. yes, indeed. everyone accepts and the british in the western countries because some will say the road to kabul go is via a slam are bad because they have a huge influence in afghanistan. the north—west of pakistan the southern eastern part of pakistan are dominated by tribes who lived on both sides of the border. there are historic connections and they never respected the orders because people were moving across and marrying. —— borders. forthem it moving across and marrying. —— borders. for them it is only one community living across. but what happened during the soviet invasion in the late 1970s and in 1980s many pakistanis were blaming the us for supplying weapons to the moon

number 2, pakistan, pakistan is playing. actors understand and the international communities to address these challenges in pakistan to make sure that that is not expanded. $1200.00 and part of the world. number 3. yes, the now does this intervene enough kind of not only for the safety of the kind of sun, but the safety and security of the world? do you think that now there is no threats from up into the words? it's absolute. is there the level of the threats now? you know, it's much more higher than it was in 2001. and so the telling awful summer a lot of not bring any things. so the right legacy of the legacy and identity of terrorism, spelled data, and i, one of them will thank you for that. andrew bass of its president of the quincy institute for responsible for crap. and how she me, what are you are afghanistan analysts, you're in washington, d. c. thanks to both of you for being with us today. so what's the bottom line? 20 years ago, america had no choice but to attack those who attacked that on 911. but war is complicated, and in afghanistan, the united states and its partners ra

that way is pakistan. that way is pakistan, about 70 kilometres up north.pakistan border is, which lies in the middle of the area, which is of geographical value. at nearly 500 metres above sea level, the highest point allows us a dramatic view of this geological phenomenon, the desert of kutch, which continues into pakistan. i wanted to get up closer to this natural wonder. it's quite incredible, this sand. it's just crystals, it's hard crystals, white salt. you can probably taste it. really unusual to see something like this. the further out i walked, the less lovely it became. it's actually quite incredible! it's more like snow or sludge than white sand or white crystals. when it gets wet around here, i'm getting really deep into it. whoa! today, this shimmering wilderness is a healthy source of income for the region, thanks mainly to a 3—month long festival throughout the winter. it is amazing what was a vast barren landscape has been transformed into this colourful complex, where by night, there's live music and other performances and by day, there's p

>> currently it does not pose a serious threat to pakistan.ure, if the khorasan province is able to increase, it could possibly become a threat. >> according to a congressional research service report, it outlines that many of its initial members were fighters with the taliban in palestine. give us some context to that. >> in january 2015 when the khorasan province was launched, defectors from the pakistan taliban joint to form the khorasan wing. there were a number of pakistani taliban militants who joined and switched their allegiance to khorasan. they were able to attack pakistan from connections with local groups. in may 2019, they decided to work on an individual basis instead of collaborating with other local militant groups. >> the taliban and isil-k are not the only groups operating around afghanistan. al qaeda has been a primary u.s. target in afghanistan since 2001. a report by the u.s. defense department said the group poses a limited threat because it is focused on survival. there is also a semi-autonomous component of the afghan t

china may want pakistan to have a servile relationship with it, and dominate pakistan, and keep pakistann life support economically. other states, the united arab emirates and the saudis could make pakistan contingent in order to go after those groups. then we have to prevent the worst from happening, a collapse in pakistan that would give jihadist terrorist to the most destructive weapons on earth. and the other worst that could happen is jihadist terrorists being able to initiate sectarian violence in india, and this would interact with hindu nationalist policies which are already creating anger in muslim communities in india. think about the horror of violence in the middle east, and think of that in a small part of india. anything small in india is big. stopping the spread of jihadist terrorism, trying to arrest the spread of it as it emanates out of southeast asia, this terrorist ecosystem ought to be a top priority. this requires a wide range of actions. we have to redouble our efforts against jihadist terrorists, because these groups are connected from southeast asia across south

he is focused on pakistan, that we underestimate the magnitude of the challenge of pakistan.ld you advise to move forward on pakistan? rep. davidson: well, i think john bolton summarized the threat. the key that did not get mentioned is china. china is very instrumental in cash going into afghanistan by mining operations, not just rare earth minerals, but copper. you look at their one belt, one road initiative, it goes through pakistan. the nexus could involve iran. we really have to be focused on our actions there. we should not be doing things that strengthen iran, like this administration has talked about, who should be focused on our adversaries, and iran, china, pakistan, they all run through that area. we should be focused on making sure there are no sanctuaries for terrorists. let's not forget when we found bin laden in 2011, he was in afghanistan. tom: warren davidson, thank you. of the eighth district in ohio, just west of ohio. right now we change gears. we have been speaking with ambassador bolton and congressman davidson from ohio. now, lisa abramowicz has been so

sarah atiq, bbc news, torkham, on the pakistan—afghanistan border. capturing the world's headlines, so check out our website for all the latest news and development, plus analysis from our team on the ground. that's at bbc.com/news. you're watching newsday on the bbc. still to come on the programme... desperation in haiti as hundreds of thousands hit by a massive earthquake five days ago say there's still no assistance. the big crowds became bigger as the time of the funeral approached. as the lines of fans became longer, the police prepared for a huge job of crowd control. idi amin, uganda's brutal former dictator, has died at the age of 80. he's been buried in saudi arabia, where he lived in exile since being overthrown in 1979. two billion people around the world have seen the last total eclipse of the sun to take place in this millennium. it began itsjourney off the coast of canada, ending three hours later, when the sun set over the bay of bengal. this is newsday on the bbc. i'm karishma vaswani. 0ur headlines: there have been chaotic scenes out

, iran, pakistan and afghanistan. should it be may, june? now that takes the lead. i think the best way forward would have been a multi lateral or regional solution to this because the region is invested in the stability at the central asian country, the china and russia. but i don't think i ever have an appetite for any combat rule in the sun. and the point just been, i was the buckets on the because it catches a call back that ends up sneezing very rapidly. but isn't that, isn't this when i mean i off this is a special envoy, isn't it a win win for washington? d. stabilizers pakistan which is allied closely with majoring in chinese investment . it re stabilizes russia. obviously the taliban is allied to those china consumers. terrorists are destabilization. jang, this is all good for some policymakers in washington. yes. well, i don't subscribe to conspiracy anywhere. but i why would china wanted take on the responsibility of such a big venture? i mean this is like eating. so with the pork their foreign policy follo

i'm in pakistan at the moment. _ are your thoughts? i'm in pakistan at the moment.pakistan | at the moment. the taliban... they have had relations ever since, so anything in the west now that they want to do, pakistan is going to be crucial. �* ., , ., , ., , ., crucial. but does that history also make pakistan _ crucial. but does that history also make pakistan have _ crucial. but does that history also make pakistan have divided - make pakistan have divided loyalties? some people here feel that the west got what they deserved and that they have been warning the west for years that... so some feel strongly about that... so some feel strongly about that. it's a question now about how much... inaudible. christina, i am holding on, hoinu inaudible. christina, i am holding on. heping that _ inaudible. christina, i am holding on, hoping that the _ inaudible. christina, i am holding on, hoping that the line _ inaudible. christina, i am holding on, hoping that the line with - inaudible. christina, i am holding on, hoping that the line with get i on, hoping that the line w

for two for pakistan. pakistan is something thatis for pakistan.roups. and it is now also well documented —— sanction. logistical support to the taliban over many years. there is a sense of satisfaction. that pakistan strategic policy with regard to afghanistan has paid off. as i said, there is also concerned because pakistan believes that the rise of the taliban in afghanistan could embolden otherjihadist groups not least the pakistani taliban. who have been waging a campaign against the pakistani state. let’s have been waging a campaign against the pakistani state.— the pakistani state. let's move on to china, their _ the pakistani state. let's move on to china, their strategic _ the pakistani state. let's move on to china, their strategic interest i to china, their strategic interest in afghanistan? i to china, their strategic interest in afghanistan?— to china, their strategic interest in afghanistan? i think there are reall two in afghanistan? i think there are really two main _ in afghanistan? i think there are really two main concerns - in a

pakistan has long had an interest in afghanistan. the haqqani network is in pakistan.now the taliban is going to be running afghanistan again? >> reporter: well, i think, michael, what's happening right now in pakistan is that its leaders, both civilian and military, are very concerned. they've said it consistently about what's going to happen with the pakistan taliban. now, we know according to -- you know, we do know that the pakistan taliban, which have known to operate out of afghanistan, have been responsible for a lot of attacks here in pakistan. and we also know, like you said, is that pakistan has had its own relationship with the afghan taliban. there's always been that dichotomy. the question is now arising who are the good and bad taliban anymore? i mean, you know, cnn interviewed the head of the pakistan taliban recently to talk about, you know, whether they'll have better relations with the afghan taliban, and they said that they would. so the concerns here in pakistan are about security, about what this new relationship with the afghan taliban is going to

sarah atiq, bbc news, torkham, on the pakistan—afghanistan border.ns, mps from all sides have criticised the prime minister for the government's role in afghanistan. the former prime minister theresa may said it was �*incomprehensible' that the uk was not doing more to maintain a presence, and mps who've served in the armed forces spoke up for veterans who fought there and who now question what it was all for. but borisjohnson argued that nato's "core mission" in afghanistan had succeeded. here's our political correspondent ben wright. prime minister, have you let down afghanistan? _ a statement was written, the explanation prepared — borisjohnson headed to parliament, brought back from its summer break. prime minister! the chamber was crammed, shoulder—to—shoulder now restrictions are lifted. the sacrifice in afghanistan is seared into our national consciousness, with 150,000 people serving there from across the length and breadth of the united kingdom. no matter how grim the lessons of the past, the future is not yet written. and at this bleak turn

that is why we see the people waiting to enter into pakistan.tan -- had checked its side of the border prior to the taliban takeover. it has been the main point of refugees in flux into pakistan for decades, but amid the increasing violence across the border in recent years, the country has been fencing itself off from afghanistan. but, whatever happens on the others of the board will always resonate here. this market, just a few kilometers away, is frequented by many who fled to pakistan. >> a lot of people are not happy with the taliban. the people who live in villages have been around them. those who come from cities are not happy because they are not used to restrictions. >> almost 3 million afghan refugees, half of them unregistered, have been living in pakistan for decades. the u.n. is asking islam upon to reopen its corders to afghans -- its borders to afghans. but the government insists it cannot receive any new wave of refugees from the war-torn country. >> we can go back to my colic, the jihadist media specialist -- wean go back to my

it could be someone like qatar, pakistan or even turkey.a taliban spokesperson today sort of 256r7ered down on that -- tampered down on that idea, and at the airport -- and that the airport will soon be under control of the taliban. a once critical lifelining of airvaccuations cease on tuesday, and this is going to create a difficult scenario for afghan civilians. the united nations estimates up to half a million people could flee on foot simply looking to escape the taliban. eric: all right, trey, thanks so much. the pentagon says the threat from isis-k remains active and dynamic after thursday's deadly bombing outside the airport. the president promises to make those terrorists pay for that attack. lucas tomlinson has more on the u.s. drone strike that took out two isis-k operatives and had a back and forth with john some officials say the two ices high-profile tears were fighting were attacking, upgraded just three days present when is deadline and your screen describing the u.s. forces feel. >> the last facilitator and patterning of 100

pakistan also has legitimate security concerns about afghanistan. the problem is that the tools it uses to manage those security concerns are highly dangerous and not terribly controllable. going to the point that you made, it may surprise some people, but pakistan was actually waging jihad in afghanistan from 19 73, not 1979, as many people believe. prior to that, pakistan was using a religious group, cultivating their ties in afghanistan as essentially an influence operation or some way managing the developments in afghanistan, so pakistan has been doing this for about as long as pakistan has been interfering in india as well. david: apologies for interrupting. that's all we have time for. we appreciate you making time for us in your evening. let's talk about the market applications of all of this, if any at all. [indiscernible] >> it did, it has to because clearly, there was some market reaction. safe haven did move, did gain, but one of the things i mentioned in our morning call was if you look at a typical safe haven, it was not necessarily a b

that way is pakistan. that way is pakistan, about 70 kilometres up north.pakistan border is, which lies in the middle of the area, which is of geographical value. at nearly 500 metres above sea level, the highest point allows us a dramatic view of this geological phenomenon, the rann, or desert of kutch, which continues into pakistan. i wanted to get up closer to this natural wonder. it is quite incredible, the sand. i mean, it'sjust crystals, it's hard crystals — white salt. you can probably taste it. really unusual to see something like this. the further out i walked, the less lovely it became. it's actually quite incredible! it's more like snow or sludge than white sand or white crystals. when it gets wet around here, i'm getting really deep into it. whoa! today, this shimmering wilderness is a healthy source of income for the region, thanks mainly to a three—month—long festival throughout the winter. it really is amazing. what was a vast, barren landscape has been transformed into this colourful complex, where by night there's live music and other perfo

. impact 2 thirds of students in the world live in pakistan. and afghanistan in the past has a separate threat to practice done. studies also deeply fear that's kind of on becoming an ally of india against pakistan. so all of these things mean that basically every pakistani government has to take a deep interest in r, as in recent weeks we seem full run baset as even the a to a secretary general talking about bach is not being a responsible, international player in what ever happens to i've got it's done in 2021 and beyond . how does pakistan extricate itself from the blame that it's influencing the taliban and it's takeover of the country because that's sort of the implicit accusation. i don't think it did. some need to extricate itself from math that had a bunch of one of the west is not dealing with the trailer by this has no choice in the matter. and pakistan is going to be useful to the west in dealing with the with the taliban. also, of course, pakistan in west still has a common interest in preventing international terrorism from afghani

, iran, pakistan and afghanistan. should it be managing now to take the lead? i think that the best way forward would have been a multi lateral or regional solution to this because the region is invested in the stability. so the central asian country, the china and russia, but i don't think either has an appetite or any com back in the sun. and the point just been over this box on easy because it catches the goal that ends up sneezing very rapidly. but isn't that, isn't this a when i mean i asked, this is a special envoy. ended a win win for washington. d stabilizers pakistan which is allied closely with managing and janie's investment it re, stabilizes russia. obviously the taliban is allied to those china considers. terrorists are d, stabilizing, jin chang. this is all good for some policy makers in washington. yes. well, i don't subscribe to conspiracy anywhere. but i, why would china want to take on the responsibility of such a big bench? i mean, this is like eating. so with the pork, their foreign policy follows

there has been a lot of international debate over the role of pakistan in this conflict. afghanistan government has long accused pakistan of harboring militants who direct attacks there but pakistan denies this as the prime minister responded that he is disappointed that they've been blamed for what's going on in this week the pakistan national security advisor added that they are beginning to see a very conscious and deliberate effort i the afghan government to skate out pakistan. i have been speaking about this with the former canadian ambassador to afghanistan, chris alexander. this is his view of the role of pakistan in the conflict. >> it's the missing piece of the puzzle when we look at why piece has not come there. there has been a peace process for two years, direct talks and over the longer-term, contacts were 10 years. why is there no permanent cease-fire? in my view it is because they are still proxies, still an armed force set by pakistan as part of its obsession with india to turn afghanistan back into a virtual province under their authority, which it was fo

, it's pakistan next work -- — afghanistan, it's pakistan next work —— next door as well, which _ work as well, which has extremist current wilhin— which has extremist current within society. the afghan taliban, _ within society. the afghan taliban, there are transnational jihadists taliban, there are transnationaljihadists inside pakistan, so this could become a sort — pakistan, so this could become a sort of— pakistan, so this could become a sort of singular battle space in a worst—case scenario where the border— in a worst—case scenario where the border between afghanistan and pakistan is disregarded. as was the — and pakistan is disregarded. as was the case with isis when they— was the case with isis when they moved back from syria and iraq~ _ they moved back from syria and iraq~ i'm — they moved back from syria and iraq. i'm not saying that will happen— iraq. i'm not saying that will happen here, even if it has it's problems, but i can see large — it's problems, but i can see large parts of pakistan on into westerrr— large parts of pakistan on into western flank becoming the scene