Priyanka Tikoo And Rezaul H Laskar

Stories by Priyanka Tikoo And Rezaul H Laskar

Pak army chief rules out military coup: Statement

Pak army chief rules out military coup: Statement

Rediff.com   23 Dec 2011

Pakistan's powerful army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Friday dismissed speculation of a military takeover as "misleading", saying they are being used as a "bogey" to divert the focus from "real issues".

Pakistan Army rejects US report on NATO air strike

Pakistan Army rejects US report on NATO air strike

Rediff.com   23 Dec 2011

The Pakistani Army on Friday rejected a United States-led inquiry report into a cross-border North Atlantic Treaty Organisation air strike that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers in November, saying it is "short on facts." "The Pakistan Army does not agree with the findings of the US/NATO inquiry as is being reported in the media. The inquiry report is short on facts," chief military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said.

Pak stops seeking reimbursements from US: Report

Pak stops seeking reimbursements from US: Report

Rediff.com   20 Dec 2011

Pakistan has stopped seeking reimbursements from the United States for its expenses on the war on terror since the May 2 American raid in Abbottabad that killed Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden. The decision is likely to put additional burden on the country's resource-strained budget.Pakistan used to claim between $100 million and 1$40 million a month as reimbursements from the US.

Former US top official says memo document was not credible

Former US top official says memo document was not credible

Rediff.com   17 Dec 2011

The retired American general who delivered an alleged memo that sought United States help to stave off a feared coup in Pakistan has said that he believes the document was "not credible".

Zardari sets up president's office in Dubai?

Zardari sets up president's office in Dubai?

Rediff.com   16 Dec 2011

Some secretarial staff from the presidency have flown to the United Arab Emirates amid speculation that a presidential camp office was being set up at Pakistan's ailing President Asif Ali Zardari's private residence in Dubai. This is the second batch of officials from the presidency to go to the UAE since Zardari travelled to Dubai on December 6 to seek treatment for a heart condition

Gilani hints at Memogate conspiracy by lawmaker

Gilani hints at Memogate conspiracy by lawmaker

Rediff.com   15 Dec 2011

Pakistan Prime Minister Yosuf Raza Gilani has accused an unnamed lawmaker of being in touch with 'memogate' scandal blower Mansoor Ijaz, hinting that there was a conspiracy against President Asif Ali Zardari

Zardari feared threats in Pak, hence went to Dubai, says Gilani

Zardari feared threats in Pak, hence went to Dubai, says Gilani

Rediff.com   15 Dec 2011

The government and the president's family convinced Zardari to go to Dubai for treatment because there was a risk he would be attacked if he was admitted to a Pakistani hospital, Gilani said while speaking in the senate or upper house of parliament on Wednesday

If I go elections will not be held in our lifetime: Pakistan PM

If I go elections will not be held in our lifetime: Pakistan PM

Rediff.com   15 Dec 2011

Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has warned that any move to oust the Pakistan Peoples Party-led government could imperil democracy and the election process in the country

Khar blames Afghan refugees for Rabbani's assassination

Khar blames Afghan refugees for Rabbani's assassination

Rediff.com   14 Dec 2011

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has blamed Afghan refugees living in Pakistan for the assassination of former Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani and said they are responsible for various other problems.

Pak envoys for dumping Musharraf's legacy in ties with US

Pak envoys for dumping Musharraf's legacy in ties with US

Rediff.com   14 Dec 2011

Following a brainstorming session on foreign policy revamp in the wake of a deadly NATO strike on Pakistani troops, the envoys recommended that the government should make a fresh start in cooperating with the US in the war on terror by setting aside understandings and agreements forged during Musharraf's regime, including those on drone strikes and use of Pakistani facilities like Shamsi airbase

We will retaliate against all future attacks, Khar warns US

We will retaliate against all future attacks, Khar warns US

Rediff.com   13 Dec 2011

As Pakistan brainstorms to revamp its foreign policy after last month's deadly strike by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said the country will retaliate against all future attacks, but also made it clear that Islamabad is not taking its ties with the United States to a point of no return. Khar made the remarks as she presided over a session of the two-day meeting of envoys convened to frame recommendations for a foreign policy revamp

Zardari needs two weeks of rest before returning to Pak: PM

Zardari needs two weeks of rest before returning to Pak: PM

Rediff.com   12 Dec 2011

Asif Ali Zardari, who is undergoing treatment in Dubai for heart complications, would need two weeks of rest before returning home, Pakistan Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani has said, dismissing rumours about a "quiet coup" and the President's offer to resign.

Pak leaders, military, envoys discuss foreign policy revamp

Pak leaders, military, envoys discuss foreign policy revamp

Rediff.com   12 Dec 2011

Pakistani envoys posted in key world capitals, including New Delhi and Beijing, gathered in Islamabad on Monday with top political and military leaders for a meeting that will provide inputs for a proposed foreign policy revamp.

Pak airspace may be closed for US: Gilani

Pak airspace may be closed for US: Gilani

Rediff.com   12 Dec 2011

Admitting a "credibility gap" between Islamabad and Washington, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has not ruled out closing Pakistan's airspace to United States and said the blockade of the United States supply lines into Afghanistan would stay in place for weeks.

Pak to deploy air defence weapons on Afghan border

Pak to deploy air defence weapons on Afghan border

Rediff.com   9 Dec 2011

Pakistan will deploy air defence weapons on the border with Afghanistan to pre-empt fresh attacks by NATO forces in the wake of a "pre-planned" air strike that killed 24 soldiers, a top military official has said.

MFN status for India by Oct: Pakistan

MFN status for India by Oct: Pakistan

Rediff.com   9 Dec 2011

Pakistan could grant the Most Favoured Nation status to India by October next year, a senior official of the Foreign Ministry said.

Bilawal Bhutto assumes larger role in PPP's affairs

Bilawal Bhutto assumes larger role in PPP's affairs

Rediff.com   9 Dec 2011

President Asif Ali Zardari's son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has quietly stepped in to assume a larger role in the affairs of the ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP) as his father recovers from a heart condition in a hospital in Dubai.

Pak Parliament to decide contours of future ties with US: Khar

Pak Parliament to decide contours of future ties with US: Khar

Rediff.com   9 Dec 2011

Pakistan's parliament will decide the contours of future relations with the United States and its allies after November's cross-border NATO air strike, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said on Thursday.

Rehman Malik thanks Taliban; is grateful to them

Rehman Malik thanks Taliban; is grateful to them

Rediff.com   7 Dec 2011

Interior Minister Rehman Malik caused consternation on Tuesday by thanking the Taliban for maintaining peace during Muharram, for which authorities had deployed tens of thousands of security personnel across Pakistan to prevent any sectarian attacks.

Pakistan summons envoys to Islamabad to review foreign policy

Pakistan summons envoys to Islamabad to review foreign policy

Rediff.com   6 Dec 2011

Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has summoned envoys in key world capitals for a meeting to review Pakistan's strategy on important foreign policy issues like the war on terrorism and relations with countries like the United States and India. Pakistan's envoys to the US, India, Afghanistan and several European countries are among those who have been asked to provide recommendations for forming strategies in the wake of the cross-border NATo raid.