Rezaul H Laskar In Islamabad

Stories by Rezaul H Laskar In Islamabad

Indo-Pak problems should be dealt bilaterally: US

Indo-Pak problems should be dealt bilaterally: US

Rediff.com   22 Jan 2010

United States Defence Secretary Robert Gates on Thursday ruled out the possibility of his country playing a role in facilitating the resumption of the composite dialogue between Pakistan and India, which has been stalled since the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

'Don't blame Pak if something happens in India'

'Don't blame Pak if something happens in India'

Rediff.com   21 Jan 2010

Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Thursday asked New Delhi and Washington to share any information they have about possible terrorist attacks in India by Pakistan-based militant groups.

I am alive and uninjured: Pak Taliban chief

I am alive and uninjured: Pak Taliban chief

Rediff.com   16 Jan 2010

Pakistani Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud on Saturday issued a new audio recording saying he was alive and well, dismissing reports that he was killed in a United States' drone attack in the tribal belt bordering Afghanistan. The recording was provided by the Taliban to the media in northwest Pakistan a day after another audio message -- in which Mehsud said he was alive but did not mention Thursday's drone strike in Waziristan tribal region -- triggered reports of his death.

Pak court adjourns trial of 26/11 accused

Pak court adjourns trial of 26/11 accused

Rediff.com   16 Jan 2010

A Pakistani anti-terror court on Saturday adjourned for a week the trial of seven men, including Lashker-e-Tayiba commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, accused of involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks as an application filed by them is pending with the Lahore High Court.

Pak asks US to review aviation security policy

Pak asks US to review aviation security policy

Rediff.com   15 Jan 2010

The strict measures put in place by American authorities to screen air travellers from Pakistan have emerged as a major irritant in relations between the two countries, with President Asif Ali Zardari, on Friday, asking the US to review its new security policy.

No plan to roll back nuclear programme: Pak

No plan to roll back nuclear programme: Pak

Rediff.com   12 Jan 2010

The Pakistan government has no plans to roll back the country's atomic programme and is committed to maintaining a minimum nuclear deterrence, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Babar Awan said Tuesday. The Pakistan People's Party-led government will not compromise on the country's defence and sovereignty, he said in the National Assembly or lower house of Parliament.

No need for India in Afghan council: Pakistan

No need for India in Afghan council: Pakistan

Rediff.com   10 Jan 2010

Gilani said the move to include India might compromise Pakistan's interest. He also discussed the alleged use of Afghan soil by India for "subversive activities in Pakistan" and asked allied forces to address Islamabad's concerns.

US asks Pak to hunt down Ilyas Kashmiri

US asks Pak to hunt down Ilyas Kashmiri

Rediff.com   6 Jan 2010

Suspecting the hand of Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami commander Ilyas Kashmiri in coordinating the suicide strike on the top secret Central Intelligence Agency base in eastern Afghanistan, United States authorities have asked Pakistan to hunt down and extradite the dreaded terrorist.

Pakistan plays the Kashmir card again

Pakistan plays the Kashmir card again

Rediff.com   5 Jan 2010

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday said the world's superpowers will have to soon make 'serious decisions' about the Kashmir issue, claiming that regional peace is closely linked to the resolution of the decades-old issue with India."The time will soon come when all the world's superpowers (and countries) in this region will have to sit and talk about Kashmir and make serious decisions. I believe the victory will be that of the Kashmiris," he said.

'Water issue can trigger next Indo-Pak war'

'Water issue can trigger next Indo-Pak war'

Rediff.com   3 Jan 2010

The sharing of river waters between India and Pakistan is a "sensitive issue" that has the potential for triggering a war between the two countries, an adviser to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said.

Bhutto probe: Pak denies access to top officers

Bhutto probe: Pak denies access to top officers

Rediff.com   1 Jan 2010

The United Nations probe into the killing of former premier Benazir Bhutto has hit a roadblock with the Pakistan government denying access to top military officials, including powerful army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The UN inquiry commission headed by Ambassador Heraldo Munoz had submitted a written request some time ago for access to senior military officials, including Kayani, former Inter Services Intelligence chief Lieutenant General Nadeem Taj.

Pak court adjourns 26/11 case hearing

Pak court adjourns 26/11 case hearing

Rediff.com   24 Dec 2009

A Pakistani anti-terror court on Thursday adjourned till January 6 next year the proceedings against seven suspects, including Laskar-e-Tayiba commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, charged with involvement in the Mumbai terror attacks even as a notice was issued to one of the defence lawyers.

Repatriation of fishermen after formalities: India

Repatriation of fishermen after formalities: India

Rediff.com   23 Dec 2009

Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has announced the release of 100 Indian fishermen, who were apprehended by Pakistani authorities for violating the country's maritime limits, as a 'goodwill gesture'.According to sources, Gilani has instructed the interior ministry to make necessary arrangements for their repatriation to India, which will take place on December 24.Jails Deputy Inspector General Mumtaz Burney confirmed the release of 100 Indian fishermen.

248 people face anti-graft hammer in Pak

248 people face anti-graft hammer in Pak

Rediff.com   17 Dec 2009

Offices of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) across Pakistan reopened cases closed under National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), a controversial law issued by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf that was declared void by the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

'For US, India is strategic ally, Pak a hired gun'

'For US, India is strategic ally, Pak a hired gun'

Rediff.com   14 Dec 2009

Khan said Zardari does not want to 'ruffle any feathers in New Delhi' or blame India for being involved through Afghanistan for terrorist attacks in Pakistan. 'He basically does what Americans want him to do. He is petrified of anything where he would get Americans upset,' Khan told his biographer Frank Huzur in an interview.

Legal setback for Musharraf in Benazir death case

Legal setback for Musharraf in Benazir death case

Rediff.com   11 Dec 2009

The court order came after Musharraf and the three other persons did not file representations in the court despite repeated notices issued to them. During the last hearing, the court had also warned that it would go ahead with ex-parte proceedings against three more persons named in Aslam's petition

Pak slams world powers for helping India's N-plans

Pak slams world powers for helping India's N-plans

Rediff.com   10 Dec 2009

Pakistan on Thursday accused some world powers of enabling India to pursue its nuclear programme to the detriment of regional peace and stability and said it would take all possible steps to protect its security interests.

Attack on Pak nuke agency's workers, 2 injured

Attack on Pak nuke agency's workers, 2 injured

Rediff.com   8 Dec 2009

Two employees of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission were injured when the vehicle they were traveling in was targeted with a roadside bomb in the country's troubled northwestern region on Tuesday. The blast occurred in Lakki Marwat district of the North West Frontier Province, officials were quoted as saying by the Geo News channel. A technician and the vehicle's driver were injured in the attack, they said. Both men sustained minor injuries.

Pak CJ constitutes 17-judge bench for Zardari case

Pak CJ constitutes 17-judge bench for Zardari case

Rediff.com   3 Dec 2009

Pakistan's supreme court chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry constituted a 17-judge bench on Thursday, to hear petitions challenging the amnesty granted to President Asif Ali Zardari and close aides under a controversial law that expired last month.

Twelve terrorists killed in Pak's Swat valley

Twelve terrorists killed in Pak's Swat valley

Rediff.com   3 Dec 2009

At least 12 militants, including two key commanders, have been gunned down and 180 suspects arrested by troops in Pakistan's restive Swat valley, where a fresh crackdown was launched against insurgents following the killing of an North West Frontier Province legislator in a suicide blast two days ago.