Rezaul H Laskar In Islamabad

Stories by Rezaul H Laskar In Islamabad

22 killed in blast near mosque in northwest Pakistan

22 killed in blast near mosque in northwest Pakistan

Rediff.com   1 Feb 2013

A suicide bomber blew himself up outside a Shia mosque in Pakistan's restive northwest region on Friday, killing 22 people and injuring over 50, officials said. The attacker detonated his explosives in a narrow alley near the Imambargah at Pat Bazar in Hangu town of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.

PML-N demands judicial probe into Kargil conflict

PML-N demands judicial probe into Kargil conflict

Rediff.com   31 Jan 2013

Amid claims that a group of four generals led by the then army chief Pervez Musharraf masterminded the Kargil operation, Pakistan's main opposition Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz, which was the ruling party at that time, on Thursday demanded a judicial inquiry into the 1999 conflict with India.

LoC violence fall-out: India, Pak postpone water talks

LoC violence fall-out: India, Pak postpone water talks

Rediff.com   27 Jan 2013

Talks between the water secretaries of India and Pakistan, which were scheduled to be held in Islamabad during January 28-29, have been put off against the backdrop of tensions between the neighbours over ceasefire violations along the Line of Control. "The talks have been postponed. New dates for the talks are yet to be decided," said an official of Pakistan's Foreign Office.

Anti-graft official committed suicide: Cops tells SC

Anti-graft official committed suicide: Cops tells SC

Rediff.com   26 Jan 2013

Pakistani police on Saturday informed the supreme court that anti-graft investigator Kamran Faisal, found dead in mysterious circumstances while probing corruption charges against the Prime Minister, had apparently committed suicide.

50 terrorists killed as Taliban, another group clash

50 terrorists killed as Taliban, another group clash

Rediff.com   25 Jan 2013

Over 50 terrorists have been killed in clashes between the Taliban and another banned group in the restless Khyber tribal region of northwest Pakistan, according to media reports on Friday.

Pak government has failed to deliver: UK envoy

Pak government has failed to deliver: UK envoy

Rediff.com   25 Jan 2013

In an unusual blunt remark, British envoy Adam Thomson has said Pakistan needs "radical change" as the government has failed to deliver, but cautioned against any "unconstitutional" move against the democratic set-up, including a prolonged caretaker administration.

Want to resolve LoC tension through talks: Pak

Want to resolve LoC tension through talks: Pak

Rediff.com   24 Jan 2013

Amidst strain in bilateral ties arising out of ceasefire violations, Pakistan on Thursday said it wants to resolve all issues with India, including tensions along the Line of Control, through talks, as dialogue is the best way to address such matters.

Pak SC wants another case registered against PM

Pak SC wants another case registered against PM

Rediff.com   24 Jan 2013

In further trouble for Pakistan Prime Minister, the supreme court on Thursday gave the country's anti-corruption watchdog time till January 30 to file a case against Raja Pervez Ashraf and Interior Minister Rehman Malik over alleged graft in a state-run firm.

Pak security agencies holding at least 700 without trial

Pak security agencies holding at least 700 without trial

Rediff.com   24 Jan 2013

Pakistani security agencies are holding at least 700 people indefinitely without trial in connection with the 'war on terror', the country's top law officer informed the supreme court on Thursday.

Pak SC forms bench to inquire death of officer probing PM

Pak SC forms bench to inquire death of officer probing PM

Rediff.com   23 Jan 2013

Pakistan's supreme court on Wednesday formed a bench to inquire into the "shocking" death of an officer who was probing corruption allegations against Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and other senior political figures.

Malik apologises for comparing Qadri to the Pope

Malik apologises for comparing Qadri to the Pope

Rediff.com   22 Jan 2013

Days after he angered Christians by comparing fiery cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri to the Pope, Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik met a delegation of the minority community's leaders and extended "heart-felt apologies" for hurting their feelings by his "uncalled for" remarks.

'Foreign ministers should meet, Pakistan tells India'

'Foreign ministers should meet, Pakistan tells India'

Rediff.com   22 Jan 2013

Pakistan has conveyed to India at the diplomatic level that their foreign ministers should meet to discuss the ceasefire violations on the Line of Control that triggered tensions, a media report said on Tuesday. The suggestion for talks was initially made through the media by Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar to gauge the possible reaction from India. Subsequently, the message was taken up through diplomatic channels, The News quoted its sources as saying.

LoC tension: Pak commerce minister calls off India visit

LoC tension: Pak commerce minister calls off India visit

Rediff.com   20 Jan 2013

Pakistan Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim has called off a scheduled visit to India to attend a business meet later in January, against the backdrop of tensions between the two countries over ceasefire violations along the Line of Control.

Pak investigator probing PM graft case found dead

Pak investigator probing PM graft case found dead

Rediff.com   18 Jan 2013

A senior Pakistani investigator probing graft charges involving Premier Raja Pervez Ashraf was found dead in mysterious circumstances at his official accommodation in Islamabad on Friday, police said, amid reports that he was "under pressure" due to the high-profile case.

Pakistan govt holds talks with rabble-rousing cleric

Pakistan govt holds talks with rabble-rousing cleric

Rediff.com   17 Jan 2013

The Pakistan government on Thursday formed a four-member committee to hold talks with cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri shortly after he announced a fresh deadline for action on his demands for the government to resign and to dissolve the national and provincial assemblies.

Pakistan PM unlikely to be arrested soon

Pakistan PM unlikely to be arrested soon

Rediff.com   16 Jan 2013

Pakistan Prime Minister Raja Parvez Ashraf is unlikely to be arrested soon on graft charges despite a Supreme Court order for the same as sources and government on Wednesday 4maintained that the court had not set any deadline.

Will hold polls by May 15: Pakistan government

Will hold polls by May 15: Pakistan government

Rediff.com   16 Jan 2013

Amid protests by cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri for the dissolution of Parliament, the Pakistan government on Wednesday said it is determined to complete its five-year term and to hold the polls by May 15.

'Pakistan committed to resolve issue of LoC violations'

'Pakistan committed to resolve issue of LoC violations'

Rediff.com   15 Jan 2013

Pakistan on Tuesday said it did not want to vitiate the 'already tense situation' along the Line of Control by making 'irresponsible statements' in the wake of a string of violations of a nine-year-old ceasefire.

11 security personnel killed in attacks in Pakistan

11 security personnel killed in attacks in Pakistan

Rediff.com   15 Jan 2013

At least 11 Pakistani security personnel were killed in a militant attack on a check0post and a roadside bomb explosion in restive regions of the country. In the first incident, six security personnel were killed and 16 others injured when militants attacked a check post in the restive Khyber tribal region of northwest Pakistan.