H S Rao And Rezaul H Laskar

Stories by H S Rao And Rezaul H Laskar

'India wants more action from Pak on 26/11'

'India wants more action from Pak on 26/11'

Rediff.com   26 Jun 2010

Home Minister P Chidambaram said that India wants more action from Pakistan against those involved in the Mumbai terror attacks and expressed confidence of a "positive outcome" in the matter after his meeting with his counterpart Rehman Malik.

Pak gets three upgraded F-16 jets

Pak gets three upgraded F-16 jets

Rediff.com   26 Jun 2010

Pakistan has received the first three upgraded F-16 fighter aircrafts with an official saying the aircraft could be used to deal with "all internal and external threats". An official spokesman claimed Pakistan would be the only country besides Israel to get the latest version of the F-16, reflecting the strategic relations between Islamabad and Washington.

Pak court adjourns 26/11 trial during PC's visit

Pak court adjourns 26/11 trial during PC's visit

Rediff.com   26 Jun 2010

The trial of seven suspects accused of involvement in the Mumbai terror attacks was adjourned for a week apparently due to concerns among Pakistani authorities that any adverse developments in the proceedings could impact ongoing talks with India. When lawyers defending the suspects, including Lashkar-e-Tayiba commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, reached Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where the trial is being conducted, they were informed that Judge Awan was on leave.

Pak bans 17 websites; to monitor Google, Yahoo

Pak bans 17 websites; to monitor Google, Yahoo

Rediff.com   25 Jun 2010

The Pakistan government on Friday directed authorities to totally block 17 lesser known websites with blasphemous and anti-Islamic content, even as it asked them to monitor seven other major portals, including Google, Yahoo, Amazon and YouTube, for sacrilegious material. The instructions were issued to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority after an inter-ministerial committee met to evaluate websites with anti-Islamic content.

India must focus on realistic approach: Pak media

India must focus on realistic approach: Pak media

Rediff.com   25 Jun 2010

India and Pakistan must focus on a creative and realistic approach as they begin the long haul of normalising relations following a constructive meeting of their Foreign Secretaries, the Pakistani media and analysts said on Friday. News reports of the coordial meeting between Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir dominated the front pages of the dailies.

Pak sends 'face reader' to receive Nirupama Rao

Pak sends 'face reader' to receive Nirupama Rao

Rediff.com   23 Jun 2010

Pakistan's Foreign Office apparently sent an official known for his ability to read faces to receive Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao on her arrival in Rawalpindi in a bid to find out what was on her mind.

Pak court orders ban on Google, Yahoo, Hotmail

Pak court orders ban on Google, Yahoo, Hotmail

Rediff.com   23 Jun 2010

A Pakistani court has reportedly ordered a ban on nine leading websites, including Google, Yahoo and Hotmail, for allegedly posting blasphemous material.Media reports said the Bahawalpur bench of the Lahore high court on Tuesday directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to immediately block nine websites -- including Google, Yahoo, MSN, Hotmail, YouTube, Bing and Amazon -- for publishing and promoting sacrilegious and blasphemous material.

'Pak, India should resolve outstanding issues'

'Pak, India should resolve outstanding issues'

Rediff.com   22 Jun 2010

Pakistan and India should move forward together to resolve their outstanding issues through dialogue as wars offer no solutions, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said days ahead of Foreign Secretary-level talks between the two countries.

Thousands participate in London Rath-yatra

Thousands participate in London Rath-yatra

Rediff.com   21 Jun 2010

The devotees pulled three 40-foot high colourful chariots carrying the sacred deities of Lord Jagannatha, Lady Subhadra and Lord Balarama from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square. The giant chariots were accompanied by a procession of singers, musicians and dancers. At Trafalgar Square, where the procession concluded, thousands of people had gathered to witness cultural and educational displays and exhibitions linked to the Rath-yatra.

'Pak will not forget Kashmir issue during talks'

'Pak will not forget Kashmir issue during talks'

Rediff.com   18 Jun 2010

Pakistan will try to find a 'common denominator' during the upcoming talks with Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, without 'forgetting' outstanding issues like Kashmir, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir has said. "We do not have a prepared agenda. We will see what can be identified as doable and then take it to the foreign ministers' level. In this meeting, we will try and find a common denominator," Bashir said, referring to talks he will hold with Rao in Islamabad.

UK may cut 11.5-b pounds from utility services

UK may cut 11.5-b pounds from utility services

Rediff.com   18 Jun 2010

Facing a whopping budgetary deficit of 157 billion pounds, the Conservative-led coalition Government in the UK has signalled a cut in grants totalling 11.5 billion pounds to public utility services like hospitals, libraries, leisure projects and roads.

No role in resolving Indo-Pak water row: US

No role in resolving Indo-Pak water row: US

Rediff.com   18 Jun 2010

The United States on Friday described as 'completely inaccurate' media reports that it had offered to mediate between India and Pakistan to resolve their differences over the sharing of river water.Reports in the Pakistani media on Friday suggested that the water dispute between India and Pakistan had come up during the first meeting of the Water Working Group of the US-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue, which was held on Thursday.

Taliban take 35 Pak soldiers hostage

Taliban take 35 Pak soldiers hostage

Rediff.com   17 Jun 2010

More than 35 Pakistani soldiers went missing on Thursday after a fierce attack by the Afghan Taliban on a border check-post in the country's restive tribal belt. The militants have claimed that they are holding ten Pakistani soldiers hostage.

Military hardware only for defensive use, says Pak

Military hardware only for defensive use, says Pak

Rediff.com   11 Jun 2010

Pakistan has assured the US administration that American military hardware provided to it will be used solely for defensive purposes, a top US official said on Friday.

Pakistan dismisses media reports on Headley

Pakistan dismisses media reports on Headley

Rediff.com   10 Jun 2010

Pakistan dismissed reports that Lashkar-e-Tayiba operative David Headley had linked serving Pakistani army officers to the 2008 Mumbai attacks, saying they were based on "misguided leaks" aimed at maligning the country.

UK govt moves to axe ID cards

UK govt moves to axe ID cards

Rediff.com   10 Jun 2010

The UK has initiated moves to scrap the controversial 5 billion pounds national Identity Card scheme, with the new Home Secretary Theresa May declaring it "intrusive, bullying and ineffective."

I am disenchanted with India, says Pak President

I am disenchanted with India, says Pak President

Rediff.com   29 May 2010

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said that he is 'disenchanted' with the way India handled the bilateral relations in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attacks as he expected New Delhi to 'behave much more maturely'. "This new-age terror has created a phenomenon where a few people can take entire states to war. The fact that these people happen to belong to Pakistan or India or Bangladesh is immaterial. They are non-state actors, and states should behave like states."

UK's new govt to forge 'enhanced ties with India'

UK's new govt to forge 'enhanced ties with India'

Rediff.com   25 May 2010

Britain's new Conservative- Liberal Democrat coalition government in its first policy pronouncement on Tuesday promised to "enhanced partnership" with India, but said that restrictions will be imposed on the entry of non-European Union immigrants.

Pak continues to support Kashmir cause: Pak PM

Pak continues to support Kashmir cause: Pak PM

Rediff.com   24 May 2010

During a meeting with Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir "president" Raja Zulqarnain Khan and "prime minister" Raja Muhammad Farooq Haider, Gilani said, Pakistan will "continue to support the just cause of the people of Kashmir."

China to give 4 trainer aircraft to Pakistan

China to give 4 trainer aircraft to Pakistan

Rediff.com   24 May 2010

Seeking to cement its close defence ties with Islamabad, China today agreed to provide four trainer aircraft and US $ 9 million to Pakistan to train its armed forces. The two countries signed agreements to implement decisions made during a meeting between Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar and his Chinese counterpart General Liang Guangile in Islamabad.