Tahir Ali In Islamabad

Stories by Tahir Ali In Islamabad

Pak analysts dub Zardari's India visit a 'breakthrough'

Pak analysts dub Zardari's India visit a 'breakthrough'

Rediff.com   8 Apr 2012

Pakistani analysts and former diplomats have termed the Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari's visit as a breakthrough and believe that it will positively affect the future relations of Islamabad and New Delhi. Tahir Ali reports.

What could Zardari's mannat at Ajmer Sharif be?

What could Zardari's mannat at Ajmer Sharif be?

Rediff.com   8 Apr 2012

Rediff.com's Tahir Ali reads behind the lines on Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari's private pilgrimage to Ajmer Sharif and analyses the decline of Sufism in Pakistan

Pak religious groups scoff at bounty on Hafiz Saeed

Pak religious groups scoff at bounty on Hafiz Saeed

Rediff.com   4 Apr 2012

Following the announcement of $10 million bounty on Lashkar-e-Tayiba founder Hafiz Saeed by the United States, religious groups across Pakistan have strongly condemned the decision, and have termed it as an attack over 'Islam' and 'Muslims'.

In new video, Mehsud vows to continue jihad in Pakistan

In new video, Mehsud vows to continue jihad in Pakistan

Rediff.com   2 Apr 2012

Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan's chief Hakimullah Mehsud has severely criticised the Pakistani justice system and its 'pro-American policies'. In a recently released video, he also vowed that the TTP will continue its struggle until Islamic Shariah is implemented in the country.

Pak Hindus pin hopes on SC ruling in conversion case

Pak Hindus pin hopes on SC ruling in conversion case

Rediff.com   26 Mar 2012

Rinkle Kumari's case was one of the many incidents of conversion in Pakistan, but relentless struggle by the Hindu community has brought it into the limelight, says Tahir Ali

'Taliban chief never sought talks with Obama'

'Taliban chief never sought talks with Obama'

Rediff.com   4 Feb 2012

The Afghan Taliban have refuted claims that reclusive Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar had written a letter to United States President Barack Obama last year, expressing an interest in holding talks. According to the Afghan Taliban, the claims made by some US officials is merely a ploy to divert people's attention from their "powerful position", which they have attained after fighting an almost ten-year-old "successful war".

Voice of America journalist killed in Pakistan

Voice of America journalist killed in Pakistan

Rediff.com   17 Jan 2012

A journalist working for Voice of America Pashtu radio was shot dead by gunmen claiming to be belonging to Tehrik Taliban Pakistan in Mohmand Agency on Tuesday.

Pakistan's envoy to US resigns over 'memogate'

Pakistan's envoy to US resigns over 'memogate'

Rediff.com   22 Nov 2011

Pakistan's ambassador to United States Hussain Haqqani on Tuesday tendered his resignation after appearing before the country's civil and military leadership and explaining his position on the controversy over a secret memo. Haqqani expressed his readiness to face an enquiry before Pakistan's top military and political leadership at the Presidency.Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has accepted Haqqani's resignation after the Pakistani envoy answered all questions.

Taliban to Pak: Keep US drones and your troops on leash or...

Taliban to Pak: Keep US drones and your troops on leash or...

Rediff.com   12 Nov 2011

A top Taliban commander in Pakistan's restive North Waziristan tribal region has threatened to scrap an unofficial peace deal with the army, citing recurring American drone attacks and demolition carried out by the military in Miranshah.

Plot to kill Rabbani hatched in Quetta: Karzai

Plot to kill Rabbani hatched in Quetta: Karzai

Rediff.com   30 Sep 2011

On Friday, Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai claimed that former president Burhanuddin Rabbani's killing was plotted in the Pakistani city Quetta.

APC declaration offers full support to Pak's armed forces

APC declaration offers full support to Pak's armed forces

Rediff.com   30 Sep 2011

The APC declaration rejected the recent assertions and allegations made against Pakistan and its spy agency- ISI. It said the Pakistani nation affirms its full solidarity and support for the armed forces of Pakistan in defeating any threat to national security. Tahir Ali reports.

We don't rely on ISI, US is in disarray: Afghan Taliban

We don't rely on ISI, US is in disarray: Afghan Taliban

Rediff.com   27 Sep 2011

The Pashtu-language message, posted on the taliban website alemara.com, states that the US allegations are merely propaganda through which Washington wants to show that the Taliban are disintegrating and send out the message that the mujahideen are not indigenous but the product of Pakistani secret agencies.

Sectarian violence: Balochistan situation worsens

Sectarian violence: Balochistan situation worsens

Rediff.com   27 Sep 2011

Although sectarianism is very common in Pakistan but these days, Balochistan province is much under the influence of this menace where people from Sunni and Shia sects are targetting each other.

'Haqqani network is too strong for Pak to take on'

'Haqqani network is too strong for Pak to take on'

Rediff.com   24 Sep 2011

The already tense relations between the United States and Pakistan further deteriorated when Admiral Mike Mullen on Thursday accused the Inter-Services Intelligence agency for supporting the Haqqani network in planning and executing an assault on the US embassy in Afghanistan.

Hopes of peace in Afghanistan may have died with Rabbani

Hopes of peace in Afghanistan may have died with Rabbani

Rediff.com   21 Sep 2011

Tahir Ali examines the consequences of the assassination of former president Burhanuddin Rabbani on attempts to broker peace in Afghanistan

Dengue threatens to turn into an epidemic in Pak

Dengue threatens to turn into an epidemic in Pak

Rediff.com   17 Sep 2011

Pakistan, a member of the global nuclear club, is struggling to defeat dengue fever as disease is spreading like wildfire across the country.

Khyber Agency: A land of death

Khyber Agency: A land of death

Rediff.com   20 Aug 2011

A young boy of around 15-16 entered Mandokhel Masjid in Khyber Agency through a window and exploded himself in the main hall during Friday prayers that resulted in the killing of at least 55 people while another 123 tribesmen injured during this incident.

Pak introduces political reforms in tribal areas

Pak introduces political reforms in tribal areas

Rediff.com   13 Aug 2011

The Pakistan government has finally introduced its much awaited reform package in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. The Pakistani constitution is not fully applicable in its lawless tribal areas; these areas are ruled as per the Frontier Crimes Regulation that was introduced by the British centuries ago. On Friday, a major plan of political reforms and development was unveiled in FATA. These measures aim to blunt the appeal for militancy.

Mullah Omar alive, phones, website hacked: Taliban

Mullah Omar alive, phones, website hacked: Taliban

Rediff.com   20 Jul 2011

Afghan Taliban has denied reports that their leader Mullah Omar is dead and said that their website and phones were hacked and false news was delivered to the media.

Ilyas Kashmiri may be alive after all. Here's why

Ilyas Kashmiri may be alive after all. Here's why

Rediff.com   16 Jul 2011

Ilyas Kashmiri, the head of Harkat-ul Jihad al Islami and Al Qaeda's 313 Brigade, is reportedly alive in spite of being declared killed in an American drone strike on June 3 in South Waziristan.The 'death' of Kashmiri was a source of relief for the United States, Pakistan, India and many other nations across the world. But security officials of the United States and Pakistan have failed to confirm reports of Kashmiri's death and he is reportedly still active.