H S Rao And Rezaul H Laskar

Stories by H S Rao And Rezaul H Laskar

Talks to resume, Pak FM to visit India in July

Talks to resume, Pak FM to visit India in July

Rediff.com   10 Feb 2011

India and Pakistan have agreed to resume dialogue on 'all issues' and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi will visit New Delhi by July to review progress in the parleys.Unveiling the road-map for resumption of a comprehensive dialogue with Pakistan, India on Thursday announced that the home secretaries of the two countries will hold talks on counter-terrorism, including progress in the 26/11 trial in Rawalpindi court, ahead of Qureshi's visit in July.

Man hurls shoe at Musharraf in London

Man hurls shoe at Musharraf in London

Rediff.com   7 Feb 2011

The man stood up about five minutes after Musharraf began his speech at the meeting in Walthamstow, a district of London with a sizeable population of Pakistani origin, and flung his show at the former military ruler. The shoe fell in the front rows and did not reach the stage, Geo News channel reported

Pakistan PM seeks meaningful dialogue on Kashmir

Pakistan PM seeks meaningful dialogue on Kashmir

Rediff.com   5 Feb 2011

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday asked India to hold a 'meaningful' dialogue with Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue.

Gilani authorised to trim his cabinet

Gilani authorised to trim his cabinet

Rediff.com   4 Feb 2011

The ruling Pakistan People's Party has authorised Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to dissolve his jumbo cabinet and form a smaller council of ministers amid demands for political reforms from the opposition and international donors.

'Pak has always sought normal ties with India'

'Pak has always sought normal ties with India'

Rediff.com   4 Feb 2011

Pakistan on Friday said it is going to the upcoming foreign-secretary level parleys with India with an 'open mind' and was hopeful of a 'constructive attitude' from it so that the stalled peace process can be resumed. Referring to the upcoming meeting between the foreign secretaries of Pakistan and India on the margins of the SAARC Council of Ministers meeting in Bhutan, Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said, "Pakistan is going to Thimphu with an open mind".

Pak court adjourns 26/11 trial till Feb 17

Pak court adjourns 26/11 trial till Feb 17

Rediff.com   4 Feb 2011

A Pakistani anti-terrorism court on Friday adjourned the trial of Lashkar-e-Tayiba operative Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and six others charged with involvement in the Mumbai attacks till February 17 after prosecutors sought more time for the Lahore high court to decide on a related petition. The prosecution team told anti-terrorism court Judge Rana Nisar Ahmed that more time was needed for the high court to decide on its plea.

Pak hails Chidambaram's remarks on Samjhauta probe

Pak hails Chidambaram's remarks on Samjhauta probe

Rediff.com   31 Jan 2011

Pakistan on Monday welcomed Home Minister P Chidambaram's remarks about sharing the findings of the probe into the Samjhauta Express bombing, claiming that the level of cooperation on interaction on security matters had enhanced between the two nations. Welcoming his Indian counterpart's statement in this regard, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said, "I welcome the statement of Mr Chidambaram on Samjhauta Express investigations to be shared with Pakistan."

Won't free American diplomat held for murder: Pak

Won't free American diplomat held for murder: Pak

Rediff.com   30 Jan 2011

Pakistani authorities have rejected the demand of the United States to release an American diplomat who shot dead two youths in Lahore, saying the matter would be handled in court according to the country's laws. Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit told a TV news channel on Sunday that the matter was already in court and the Punjab police were investigating the shooting incident in Lahore on Thursday. "It would not be appropriate to publicly talk on this issue," he said.

Pak wants interview 26/11 witnesses

Pak wants interview 26/11 witnesses

Rediff.com   28 Jan 2011

Pakistan will again seek access to the witnesses of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks to record their statements and a formal request will be filed with India in this regard, according to a media report on Friday. This will be the second time that Pakistan will be making such a request, unnamed officials of the Interior Ministry were quoted as saying by The Express Tribune newspaper.

Afghanistan, Pakistan form panel to share intel

Afghanistan, Pakistan form panel to share intel

Rediff.com   28 Jan 2011

Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to form a Joint Reconciliation Commission comprising the Foreign Ministers and military and intelligence officials as part of enhanced bilateral consultations in the run-up to the reduction US troops in the war-torn country.

Pak Taliban behind blasts in Karachi, Lahore

Pak Taliban behind blasts in Karachi, Lahore

Rediff.com   27 Jan 2011

The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan has claimed responsibility for two suicide bombings targeting Shia processions in Karachi and Lahore that claimed 16 lives on Tuesday.Taliban spokesman Azam Tariq told reporters in the lawless North Waziristan tribal region on Wednesday that the two attacks on Tuesday were aimed against security personnel because "they serve the United States's interests".

Pakistan foreign minister may visit India soon

Pakistan foreign minister may visit India soon

Rediff.com   20 Jan 2011

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday said he may visit India in the first quarter of 2011 if there was a breakthrough in talks between the foreign secretaries of the two countries in Bhutan in February. Qureshi said the foreign secretaries would meet to discuss the agenda for talks and he was likely to visit New Delhi in the first quarter of the year if there was a breakthrough in talks between the top diplomats.

Mullah Omar not in Karachi hospital: Pak

Mullah Omar not in Karachi hospital: Pak

Rediff.com   20 Jan 2011

Pakistan on Thursday dismissed reports that Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Muhammad Omar was being treated in a Karachi hospital, with the help of officials of the Inter Services Intelligence, after he suffered a heart attack."This is hackneyed speculation with no substance whatsoever," said Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit.He said such reports were aimed at maligning Pakistan and creating misgivings.

Indian envoy fought with wife over Christmas tree!

Indian envoy fought with wife over Christmas tree!

Rediff.com   19 Jan 2011

The Indian high commission in London has issued a blow-by-blow account on the alleged wife-bashing by its senior diplomat Anil Verma, who has been transferred back to India, saying the incident was 'provoked' by a row over a Christmas tree gift. Taking a tough stand on domestic violence, the mission said in a statement, "There is no question of condoning domestic violence which is totally unacceptable."

Taseer murder: No warrant against clerics

Taseer murder: No warrant against clerics

Rediff.com   18 Jan 2011

An anti-terrorism court has refused to issue arrest warrants for two clerics whose fiery speeches reportedly incited the police guard who gunned down Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer for criticising Pakistan's controversial blasphemy law. Investigators probing the governor's assassination had submitted an application to Rawalpindi-based anti-terrorism court Judge Malik Mohammad Akram Awan, seeking warrants for the arrest of the unnamed clerics.

UK seeks action against Indian diplomat

UK seeks action against Indian diplomat

Rediff.com   17 Jan 2011

Even as India has transferred its London-based diplomat Anil Verma, Britain disclosed that it had pressed for Verma's diplomatic immunity to be waived which was declined by government.

India should implement J&K troop cut, says Pak

India should implement J&K troop cut, says Pak

Rediff.com   15 Jan 2011

India should demonstrate "seriousness" in implementing its announcements regarding reducing troops in Jammu and Kashmir as a confidence-building measure, Pakistan's Foreign Office Spokesman Abdul Basit said.

U-turn by Pak prosecutors in 26/11 case

U-turn by Pak prosecutors in 26/11 case

Rediff.com   12 Jan 2011

The Federal Investigation Agency has decided to pursue a petition filed in the Lahore high court to challenge an anti-terrorism court's decision not to declare Kasab and Ansari as fugitives.

Pak divided on lifting onion export ban

Pak divided on lifting onion export ban

Rediff.com   10 Jan 2011

The Pakistan government on Monday appeared divided over resuming onion exports to India with the Agriculture Ministry not averse to lifting the ban but the Commerce Ministry has some reservations.

Pakistan: Taseer's killer confesses in court

Pakistan: Taseer's killer confesses in court

Rediff.com   10 Jan 2011

The assassin of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer confessed in a Pakistani court that he had acted alone in killing the politician and that he he had been planning the attack before being deployed to guard him.