One of Pakistan’s most respected journalists has been barred from leaving the country after reporting on government concerns that the military’s support for jihadi groups was leaving the country internationally isolated. “I am on the list – I have seen it and I have been told not to go to the airport,” he said. According to Dawn, Akhtar was told Pakistan could only avoid international isolation if it took action against Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the Haqqani network. India and the US have consistently alleged that all three groups receive clandestine ISI support, a claim Pakistan denies. The government has repeatedly denied the story and announced on Monday that the matter had been discussed in a meeting with Sharif, Akhtar and the army chief, Gen Raheel Sharif.

Source: The Guardian October 10, 2016 22:24 UTC