Tahir Ali In Islamabad

Stories by Tahir Ali In Islamabad

What Pak legal experts say about Kasab verdict

What Pak legal experts say about Kasab verdict

Rediff.com   3 May 2010

For Lashkar-e-Taiba, Ajmal Kasab's conviction is nothing, but good news. At least that is what lawyers in Pakistan -- who defend the likes of Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi feel. "Kasab's conviction at Indian court means I have won the case of Lakhvi and other accused," a lawyer told rediff.com. Shahbaz Rajpoot, lawyer for Lakhvi and other accused said, "The verdict against Kasab has eased down my case, now there is no difficulty to prove my clients' innocence."

Pakistan reacts cautiously to Singh-Gilani meet

Pakistan reacts cautiously to Singh-Gilani meet

Rediff.com   29 Apr 2010

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistani PM Yousuf Raza Gilani's meeting at Bhutanese capital Thimphu is a positive development but the meeting could not be called as a big breakthrough' as neither any agenda for further talks nor was ant decision to resume the composite dialogue taken, say Pakistani experts

We aren't deterred by Sena threat: Malik's family

We aren't deterred by Sena threat: Malik's family

Rediff.com   3 Apr 2010

The marriage of Shoaib Malik and Sania would bring the two archivals - India and Pakistan - closer and despite Shiv Sena's threat, the marriage will take place in India, Shoaib Malik's brother-in-law said.

Exclusive: Taliban suicide squad chief speaks

Exclusive: Taliban suicide squad chief speaks

Rediff.com   31 Mar 2010

Qari Hussain Mehsud, warns of a new wave of suicide attacks in Pakistan.

Taliban strikes at Pak intel agency

Taliban strikes at Pak intel agency

Rediff.com   8 Mar 2010

According to a Taliban source, "When the suicide attacks got momentum and it was almost impossible for the government to control the situation, talks between the representatives of Taliban and the government took place in Peshawar--that resulted in a halt in the attacks. Apart from few key commanders no one else was aware about the nature of the agreement,"the source said.

US drone 'takes out' Lashkar-e-Jhangvi chief

US drone 'takes out' Lashkar-e-Jhangvi chief

Rediff.com   26 Feb 2010

Zafar, who was linked to Al-Qaida, was wanted by the US in connection with a March 2006 suicide attack on the US consulate in Karachi that killed an American diplomat and three Pakistanis.

India, Pak must talk, keep US out: Scholar

India, Pak must talk, keep US out: Scholar

Rediff.com   25 Feb 2010

Addressing a seminar organised by South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA) in Islamabad, Bose said: "The resumption of talks between India and Pakistan is a good sign. We are optimistic about its positive outcomes but how can we take this process forward? The US is deciding the fate of other nations. It is also sad that both Pakistani and Indian government are involved with the Americans."

'Long-term Indo-Pak dialogue the key'

'Long-term Indo-Pak dialogue the key'

Rediff.com   25 Feb 2010

Indo-Pakistan talks can be useful only if both the countries agreed over an agenda for dialogues in future, says Dr. Hasan Askari Rizvi, a top defense analyst in Pakistan.

New video on Taliban justice surfaces

New video on Taliban justice surfaces

Rediff.com   25 Feb 2010

The new video comes even as the world condemned the Taliban for beheading two Sikhs in the same area a few days back.

Iran arrests Jundullah chief for Qaeda links

Iran arrests Jundullah chief for Qaeda links

Rediff.com   23 Feb 2010

Pakistan has arrested Iranian Jundullah leader Abdul Malik Rigi, citing his ties with the Al Qaeda network, intelligence sources said.

Baradar is 'useless,' Taliban mocks US

Baradar is 'useless,' Taliban mocks US

Rediff.com   22 Feb 2010

While the United States is terming the arrest of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Afghan Taliban No 2, as a big success that could provide 'a wealth of information,' it sounds strange to many that the arrested militant commander was sacked from his post by the Taliban central shura well before from his arrest.

The ISI-Afghan Taliban honeymoon may be over

The ISI-Afghan Taliban honeymoon may be over

Rediff.com   17 Feb 2010

The arrest of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the second-in-command of the Taliban forces operating in Afghanistan, is being seen as a dramatic shift in the policies of Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence agency, which had hitherto covertly supported some of the organisation's top leaders.But experts warn that by helping the Central Intelligence Agency nab Baradar, the Pakistan government and the ISI will lose the sympathies of Mullah Omer-led Afghan Taliban.

'Baradar's arrest won't affect Taliban insurgency'

'Baradar's arrest won't affect Taliban insurgency'

Rediff.com   16 Feb 2010

In a major success, a top militant commander considered to be a close aide of elusive Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Mohhamad Omar was captured from Pakistan's port city of Karachi.Mullah Baradar was captured from Karachi in a joint raid by personnel of the Inter-Services intelligence and the Central Intelligence Agency. But Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid rejected the news, saying, "Baradar has not been arrested; it is a rumour."

'India can easily sustain US pressure for talks'

'India can easily sustain US pressure for talks'

Rediff.com   15 Feb 2010

Muhammad Asad Durrani, former director general of Inter-Services intelligence and Pakistan's Military Intelligence, says India's move to resume peace talks is a wise decision.

Hakimullah is safe, reiterates Pak Taliban

Hakimullah is safe, reiterates Pak Taliban

Rediff.com   10 Feb 2010

Rejecting the news that its chief Hakimullah Mehsud died in Punjab en route to Karachi for treatment, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) says that Hakimullah never left the tribal belt either for shelter or for medication.

Post-Taliban, Swat valley swings the other extreme

Post-Taliban, Swat valley swings the other extreme

Rediff.com   9 Feb 2010

The Taliban had earlier banned music and video centres in the area. But now even pornography is freely available at video centres and mobile shops and sell like hot cakes. Though a number of indigenous movies are the talk of the town, three movies are, to use a Bollywood-ism, a super hit

Mehsud, Qari Hussain alive: Taliban

Mehsud, Qari Hussain alive: Taliban

Rediff.com   5 Feb 2010

'First they claimed the death of Hakimullah Mehsud in a drone strike followed by Qari Hussain's killing. Such news has become a daily affair and no one believes such reports.'

American soldiers killed in Pakistan

American soldiers killed in Pakistan

Rediff.com   3 Feb 2010

The three Americans killed in a suicide attack in Pakistan's Lower Dir district on Wednesday were neither journalists nor employees of the United States Agency for International Development, as reported by the media. The three victims, who were killed when a suspected suicide bomber targeted a security convoy in the restive area, were US soldiers.

Pak: 4 USAID workers among 15 killed in blast

Pak: 4 USAID workers among 15 killed in blast

Rediff.com   3 Feb 2010

The USAID workers were on a visit to a girls' school in the Koto area, located some 15 km from Lower Dir's headquarters in Timargarah, when the remote-detonated bomb went off. More than 70 persons have been injured in the blast. The slain girls were in their classroom when the bomb was detonated. So it is believed that the toll could go higher.

'If needed, we will send a Mehsud video'

'If needed, we will send a Mehsud video'

Rediff.com   2 Feb 2010

Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan's Shura (the supreme council) has decided that Hakimullah Mehsud will not directly meet the media as it would help spy agencies locate him.