PKK to start laying down arms in early July
The move comes just six weeks after the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) announced it was ending more than four decades of guerrilla warfare in a conflict that claimed over 40,000 lives.
Turkey's Kurdish minority is hoping the PKK's decision will pave the way for a political settlement with Ankara that will herald a new openness to the Kurds, who make up about 20 percent of Turkey's population of 85 million Citing two sources in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Rudaw said the move would be both a "trust-building step" and a "goodwill gesture" to advance the reconciliation process with Turkey.
According to the sources, the ceremony would take place in Sulaimaniyah, Iraqi Kurdistan's second-biggest city.
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Express Tribune
19 hours ago
- Express Tribune
PKK to start laying down arms in early July
Militants from the PKK will begin laying down their weapons at a disarmament ceremony in Iraqi Kurdistan in early July, the Kurdish media outlet Rudaw reported on Monday. The move comes just six weeks after the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) announced it was ending more than four decades of guerrilla warfare in a conflict that claimed over 40,000 lives. Turkey's Kurdish minority is hoping the PKK's decision will pave the way for a political settlement with Ankara that will herald a new openness to the Kurds, who make up about 20 percent of Turkey's population of 85 million Citing two sources in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Rudaw said the move would be both a "trust-building step" and a "goodwill gesture" to advance the reconciliation process with Turkey. According to the sources, the ceremony would take place in Sulaimaniyah, Iraqi Kurdistan's second-biggest city.
Business Recorder
24-06-2025
- Business Recorder
PARTLY FACETIOUS: ‘The US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran, have we condemned it?'
'The Man Who Must Remain Nameless and Faceless got it wrong.' 'You have to narrow it down – he has got many things wrong.' 'Except that he has emerged as the most popular leader in the country today.' 'Indeed, but in France the most popular leader is the Far Right leader Marine Le Pen, in Germany it is Alice Weidel, another Far Right leader and…' 'And one is barred from elections for five years, and in Germany Weidel's party has been labelled as Extreme Right by German Intelligence, intelligence that is under the control of the ruling coalition…' 'So much for democracy based on popularity! But what did The Man Who Must Remain Nameless and Faceless get wrong?' 'He said he was ousted from power by the US and cited a cypher….wait, let me finish…. But look at the US history of how a regime change was effected – not by bombs and certainly not by cyphers but through boots on the ground. In Iraq and Libya and recently Syria US troops secured the regime change so bombing nuclear sites in Iran is not likely to change the regime if you will.' 'I heard that the plan is to splinter Iran – the Kurdish speakers to form an autonomous region like in Iraq or form greater Kurdistan, which would anger the Turks and need I add the Turks must know that after Iran the next target could be Turkey, some to go to Azerbaijan and…and…wait, Iranian Baluchistan to…' 'All I will say is that I have it on very good authority that during lunch the subject didn't come up.' 'OK so democracy must be redefined: the deep state retains control defined as taking all decisions that are important to it, the elected leadership can ignore the wishes of the public till the next elections and/or deal with the popular leaders and…' 'One question: the US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran, have we condemned it?' 'I think so, though I am not sure.' 'If so, have we withdrawn our recommendation for the Nobel Peace Prize?' 'Shut up, it's not as if the Nobel Committee is going to listen to our views?' 'No but…Shut up'. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
28-05-2025
- Business Recorder
Brothers in arms: PM Shehbaz addresses Pakistan-Turkiye-Azerbaijan Trilateral Summit
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that Turkiye and Azerbaijan were 'Pakistan's brothers in arms who had stood by the country as 'impregnable rocks' and were trusted 'without second thoughts'. He said this in his address to Pakistan-Turkiye-Azerbaijan Trilateral Summit, alongside presidents Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ilham Aliyev. Addressing Azerbaijan president, the PM thanked him for the hospitality shown to him and his delegation, noting that today's summit 'reflects the meeting of hearts and souls of genuine friends and sincere well-wishers'. The premier further said that we are now eagerly looking forward to taking our trilateral partnership to new heights that 'would be in consonance with the wishes and desires of our people'. PM Shehbaz, President Aliyev reaffirm strategic ties in Lachin meeting 'This would be no surprise to anyone as Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Turkiye are bound together by deep historical, cultural and spiritual ties forged through centuries of shared values and mutual support.' 'This historical relationship has been further strengthened as we have stood by each other, whether it be on Karabakh, Kashmir or northern Turkish Cyprus. Our strength lies in our solidarity and mutual respect,' the PM said. Addressing Erdogan, PM Shehbaz felicitated the Turkish president for 'very skillfully resolving the issue' of the PKK, referring to the Kurdish rebels' recent decision to disband. 'That goes to explain in volumes, my brother, your diplomatic skills to resolve this issue and by virtue of this, you have earned a high place and influence not only in the region, but beyond.' Referring to the recent conflict with India, PM Shehbaz said, 'We could not but be mesmerised by the intensity of the fervour and enthusiasm of our common citizens during Pakistan's recent conflict with India.' He noted that India 'not only failed to bring any credible evidence against Pakistan but also rejected our sincere and generous offer of a neutral, transparent investigation into the so-called incident in Pahalgam by any international body'. 'The world we live in faces numerous grave challenges, including armed conflict, climate change, diseases and economic crises. This is why the three of us have assembled here today, opting for compassion while rejecting conflict. We are confident that patience and wisdom will ultimately usher in peace and prosperity.
