M Zulqernain &Amp; Rezaul H Laskar

Stories by M Zulqernain &Amp; Rezaul H Laskar

Pakistan govt launches crackdown on LeJ; 50 held

Pakistan govt launches crackdown on LeJ; 50 held

Rediff.com   24 Feb 2013

Police in Pakistan's populous province of Punjab have detained over 50 people in a crackdown on the banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan that was launched in the wake of terror attacks on the minority Shia community. The crackdown has focused on the southern part of Punjab, where several militant groups like the LeJ and Jaish-e-Mohammed have strongholds and support bases.

26/11 case: Pak judicial panel's visit may be delayed

26/11 case: Pak judicial panel's visit may be delayed

Rediff.com   23 Feb 2013

A Pakistani judicial commission's visit to India in connection with the Mumbai attacks case is likely to be delayed as an anti-terrorism court on Saturday sought an assurance that members of the panel will be allowed to cross-examine key Indian witnesses.

Terrorist freed after IC 814 hijack to revive JK militancy

Terrorist freed after IC 814 hijack to revive JK militancy

Rediff.com   23 Feb 2013

Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar, one of three militants released by India in 1999 in exchange for passengers of a hijacked Indian Airlines flight, has decided to revive an "armed struggle" in Jammu and Kashmir while using Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as the base for his Al Umar Mujahideen group.

Pak's finance minister resigns ahead of polls

Pak's finance minister resigns ahead of polls

Rediff.com   20 Feb 2013

Abdul Hafeez Shaikh on Tuesday resigned as Pakistan's Finance Minister amid mounting speculation that he would play a key role in the caretaker administration that is expected to oversee the next general election scheduled for mid-May.

Pak signs deal to handover Gwadar port to Chinese firm

Pak signs deal to handover Gwadar port to Chinese firm

Rediff.com   18 Feb 2013

Pakistan and China on Monday signed an agreement to hand over control of the strategic Gwadar deep sea port to a Chinese company, with President Asif Ali Zardari saying the move would give new impetus to bilateral relations and economic cooperation.

Militants storm govt complex in Peshawar; 5 killed

Militants storm govt complex in Peshawar; 5 killed

Rediff.com   18 Feb 2013

At least four persons were killed and seven others injured on Monday when militants, including suicide bombers, stormed a government complex in the restive Peshawar city of northwest Pakistan, officials said.

Pakistan to hold general election by May 16

Pakistan to hold general election by May 16

Rediff.com   17 Feb 2013

Pakistan will hold general election by May 16 after the national and provincial assemblies are dissolved on completing their five-year term, a senior minister announced on Sunday.

Blast death toll rises to 81 in Pakistan's Quetta

Blast death toll rises to 81 in Pakistan's Quetta

Rediff.com   17 Feb 2013

The death toll in a devastating bomb attack that targeted Shia Hazaras in Quetta city of southwestern Pakistan on Sunday rose to 81 as several persons died in hospital and bodies were pulled out of the rubble of collapsed buildings, officials have said.

Pak court seeks information on two Indian prisoners

Pak court seeks information on two Indian prisoners

Rediff.com   15 Feb 2013

A Pakistani court on Friday asked the secretaries of the interior and foreign ministries to respond to a petition seeking the release of two Indian prisoners who are languishing in jail despite having completed their terms. Justice Shujaat Ali Khan of the Lahore high court issued notices to the two officials in response to a petition filed by lawyer Awais Sheikh seeking the release of Indian prisoners Mangal Singh and Ram Das.

Pak: Indian official needed for autopsy on prisoner

Pak: Indian official needed for autopsy on prisoner

Rediff.com   15 Feb 2013

An autopsy to establish the cause of death of Indian national Chambail Singh, allegedly beaten to death by prison staff, would be carried out only when an Indian official is present to witness the procedure, Pakistani officials said on Friday.

US diplomat's vehicle collides with bike in Pak; 1 dead

US diplomat's vehicle collides with bike in Pak; 1 dead

Rediff.com   15 Feb 2013

A United States diplomat's vehicle collided with a motorcycle in the Pakistani capital, leaving a man dead and another injured, police officials said on Friday.

Pak Taliban rejects govt's call for ceasefire before talks

Pak Taliban rejects govt's call for ceasefire before talks

Rediff.com   15 Feb 2013

The Pakistani Taliban have rejected Interior Minister Rehman Malik's demand that any peace talks should be preceded by a ceasefire, saying any truce will follow the dialogue process.

Militant groups vow revenge for Afzal's execution

Militant groups vow revenge for Afzal's execution

Rediff.com   13 Feb 2013

In a show of strength in the Pakistani capital, several banned anti-India militant groups, including the Lashkar-e-Tayiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, on Wednesday vowed to take "revenge" for the execution of Afzal Guru and step up their "Jihad" in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pak, Iran begin talks on gas pipeline

Pak, Iran begin talks on gas pipeline

Rediff.com   12 Feb 2013

Pakistan and Iran have begun discussions on the engineering and construction of a $1.5 billion gas pipeline, with an Iranian firm set to build the Pakistani section of the venture within 16 months.

US starts using Pakistan route for Afghanistan pullout

US starts using Pakistan route for Afghanistan pullout

Rediff.com   11 Feb 2013

Kicking-off the first phase of the American pullout from Afghanistan, the United States has started using Pakistani land routes to withdraw its military hardware from Afghanistan, with 50 shipping containers moved over the weekend.

Pakistan concerned about 'high-handed measures by India'

Pakistan concerned about 'high-handed measures by India'

Rediff.com   11 Feb 2013

Pakistan on Monday reacted cautiously to the execution of Afzal Guru, who was hanged on Saturday for his role in the 2001 Parliament attack, saying it did not want to "go into details" of his trial.

Mumbai attacks: Pak court directs Saeed to establish case

Mumbai attacks: Pak court directs Saeed to establish case

Rediff.com   8 Feb 2013

A Pakistani court on Friday directed Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed to establish his case that the government should defend him in a US lawsuit filed by relatives of Jewish victims of the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

No room for any delay in polls: Pakistan PM

No room for any delay in polls: Pakistan PM

Rediff.com   7 Feb 2013

Amid continuing speculation that elements backed by the security establishment are working to delay Pakistan's general election, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Thursday said there could be 'no room for any delay' in holding the polls.

Pak: Qadri approaches SC, seeks restructuring of EC

Pak: Qadri approaches SC, seeks restructuring of EC

Rediff.com   7 Feb 2013

Fiery cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri, who recently led a protest against the Pakistan government to push for electoral reforms, on Thursday approached the supreme court to seek the restructuring of the election commission.

40 killed as rains, snowfall wreak havoc in north Pak

40 killed as rains, snowfall wreak havoc in north Pak

Rediff.com   6 Feb 2013

At least 40 people were killed as heavy rains and snowfall wreaked havoc in the northern parts of Pakistan, snapping road links and forcing people to remain indoors at many places.