Sajjad Hussain

Stories by Sajjad Hussain

Father of Pakistan's nuclear bomb AQ Khan passes away at 85

Father of Pakistan's nuclear bomb AQ Khan passes away at 85

Rediff.com   10 Oct 2021

AQ Khan, a controversial scientist known as the father of Pakistan's clandestine nuclear programme, passed away here on Sunday after a brief illness. He was 85.

Lt Gen Anjum is new ISI chief, Lt Gen Hameed appointed as Peshawar Corps Commander

Lt Gen Anjum is new ISI chief, Lt Gen Hameed appointed as Peshawar Corps Commander

Rediff.com   7 Oct 2021

In a surprise military shake-up, the Pakistan Army on Wednesday announced that the powerful spy agency ISI chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed has been appointed as Peshawar Corps Commander -- a crucial position in view of the Taliban's takeover of neighbouring Afghanistan.

In 'constant touch' with Taliban, says Pak army official

In 'constant touch' with Taliban, says Pak army official

Rediff.com   21 Sep 2021

Pakistan is in 'constant touch' with the Afghan Taliban for safeguarding the country's security interests, a top military official has said.

First commercial flight lands in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan

First commercial flight lands in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan

Rediff.com   13 Sep 2021

Pakistan's national flag-carrier on Monday ran its first commercial flight to Kabul since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in mid-August.

'Everything will be Okay': ISI chief in Afghanistan

'Everything will be Okay': ISI chief in Afghanistan

Rediff.com   5 Sep 2021

A delegation of senior Pakistani officials led by Inter-Services Intelligence Director General Lieutenant General Hameed arrived in Kabul to conduct discussions with the incoming Taliban government, the Pakistan Observer newspaper reported.

ISI chief dashes to Kabul to help Taliban form Afghan govt

ISI chief dashes to Kabul to help Taliban form Afghan govt

Rediff.com   4 Sep 2021

In a surprise move, Pakistan's powerful intelligence chief Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed on Saturday dashed to Kabul, amidst the Taliban struggling to finalise and install an inclusive government in Afghanistan that would be acceptable to the international community.

US presses Pak to fight Al Qaeda, ISIS in Afghanistan, reveal leaked documents

US presses Pak to fight Al Qaeda, ISIS in Afghanistan, reveal leaked documents

Rediff.com   4 Sep 2021

The Biden administration is quietly pressing Pakistan to cooperate on combating dreaded terrorist groups such as the ISIS-K and Al Qaeda following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, according to a set of leaked documents and diplomatic cables to a prominent US media outlet.

Pakistan to let fully-vaccinated Sikh pilgrims visit Kartarpur Sahib with strict protocols

Pakistan to let fully-vaccinated Sikh pilgrims visit Kartarpur Sahib with strict protocols

Rediff.com   22 Aug 2021

The decision to open Kartarpur shrine was taken by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Saturday due to the approaching death anniversary of Sikhism founder Baba Guru Nanak Dev on September 22.

Pak convinced Taliban to talk to US: Minister

Pak convinced Taliban to talk to US: Minister

Rediff.com   19 Aug 2021

Pakistan's efforts for the peace process in Afghanistan would be remembered for long, he said.

Afghans have broken shackles of slavery: Imran Khan

Afghans have broken shackles of slavery: Imran Khan

Rediff.com   16 Aug 2021

"When you adopt someone's culture you believe it to be superior and you end up becoming a slave to it," PM Imran Khan said, adding that it creates a system of mental salves that is worse than the actual slavery.

Pak SC pulls up authorities for failing to stop attack on Hindu temple

Pak SC pulls up authorities for failing to stop attack on Hindu temple

Rediff.com   6 Aug 2021

The apex court took suo motu notice of the case after patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Hindu Council Dr Ramesh Kumar met the Chief Justice on Thursday.

Pakistan has other 'options', Imran Khan's aide tells US

Pakistan has other 'options', Imran Khan's aide tells US

Rediff.com   5 Aug 2021

"We've been told every time that... (the phone call) will happen, it's technical reasons or whatever. But frankly, people don't believe it," he said. "If a phone call is a concession, if a security relationship is a concession, Pakistan has options," he added, refusing to elaborate.

Imran Khan's party wins violence-marred PoK polls

Imran Khan's party wins violence-marred PoK polls

Rediff.com   26 Jul 2021

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party has won 23 seats while the Pakistan Peoples Party was second with eight seats and the incumbent Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz secured just six seats, the state-run Radio Pakistan reported.

Afghanistan recalls envoy, senior officials from Pakistan

Afghanistan recalls envoy, senior officials from Pakistan

Rediff.com   19 Jul 2021

The diplomatic crisis between Pakistan and Afghanistan deepened on Sunday after Kabul announced that it will withdraw its ambassador and other senior staff from Islamabad after the abduction and torture of the daughter of its envoy to Pakistan.

No need for nuclear arsenal once Kashmir is resolved: Pak PM

No need for nuclear arsenal once Kashmir is resolved: Pak PM

Rediff.com   21 Jun 2021

Pakistan's nuclear arsenal is 'simply a deterrent' to protect the country and there will no longer be any need for it once the Kashmir issue is resolved, Prime Minister Imran Khan has said as he asserted that if the Americans have the resolve and the will, the issue can be sorted out.

Pak cleric threatens to kill Malala, arrested

Pak cleric threatens to kill Malala, arrested

Rediff.com   10 Jun 2021

A Muslim cleric in northwest Pakistan has been arrested under the tough anti-terrorism act for threatening to kill Malala Yousafzai in a suicide attack and instigating people against the Nobel Laureate for her recent comments on marriage, police said.

Banned Pak scribe apologises for remarks against Army

Banned Pak scribe apologises for remarks against Army

Rediff.com   9 Jun 2021

A prominent Pakistani journalist, who was taken off air indefinitely for making hard-hitting remarks against the country's powerful military establishment in the wake of an attack on a fellow scribe, has apologised and said he had no intention to defame the Army.

Pak journalist Hamid Mir barred from hosting TV show

Pak journalist Hamid Mir barred from hosting TV show

Rediff.com   31 May 2021

"Nothing new for me. I was banned twice in the past. Lost jobs twice. Survived assassination attempts but cannot stop raising voice for the rights given in the Constitution. This time I'm ready for any consequences and ready to go at any extent because they are threatening my family," he tweeted.

Indian HC rejects Pak media's claim of spouse of official tested +ve

Indian HC rejects Pak media's claim of spouse of official tested +ve

Rediff.com   24 May 2021

All 12 passengers carried negative Polymerase Chain Reaction COVID-19 reports but they were re-tested in line with the laid down COVID-19 safety protocols in Pakistan.

Pak Opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif placed on no-fly list

Pak Opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif placed on no-fly list

Rediff.com   17 May 2021

The interior minister said Shehbaz had not submitted any medical documents for travelling abroad or specified the treatment for his illness.