Learning perhaps from the Kargil debacle, Musharraf tried hard to evolve as a statesman in his dealings with India, recalls Rana Banerji, who headed the Pakistan desk at RA&W.
'He's charismatic, a populist, very popular, and indeed a cult of personality.' 'That ensures a powerful reaction from his support base -- even if it's not sustained, it will be quite intense, and that's worrisome for stability.'
The idea of weaponization got a fillip from an unexpected quarter. In the last week of October 1985, Rajiv met US President Ronald Reagan. Reagan told Rajiv, 'Pakistan has already made a bomb.' When Rajiv started talking about disarmament, the US president cut him short, 'Don't talk theory, think of your own protection.'
But it is less adventurous. It seems, at last, that in its eighth decade, Pakistan has settled into being a parliamentary democracy just like Bangladesh has and like we have always been, observes Aakar Patel.
In his address at the meeting of the foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Benaulim, Goa, Jaishankar said the channel of finances for terror activities must be blocked without any distinction even as Bhutto Zardari raised the issue of "violation of international law" which was seen as an apparent reference to Kashmir.
Subhash K Jha is not recommending Pakeezah and Umrao Jaan. They are beyond recommendation, he says.
Zombies, high society, avenging monkeys, reincarnation, twins, meteor strikes, you'll be spoiled for choice on OTT this week. Sukanya Verma makes her recommendations:
Pakistan's former military dictator General Pervez Musharraf is hospitalised in the United Arab Emirates after his health deteriorated and is going through a 'difficult stage where recovery is not possible', his family said on Friday amidst speculation about his condition.
'As Rana is not an Indian citizen, our leverage on the US system -- whether it's their judiciary or the executive -- is very limited in that sense.'
Musharraf, 79, was suffering from amyloidosis, a rare disease caused by a build-up of an abnormal protein called amyloid in organs and tissues throughout the body, The Express Tribune reported.
Priyanka Chopra honoured South Asian talent at a pre-Oscar event in Beverly Hills on March 24.
All the behind the scenes drama and the between the lines intrigue from Pakistan, a day before the presidential poll.
Shehbaz Sharif, the joint opposition's candidate for the post of prime minister, on Sunday vowed that the new government in Pakistan want to 'move forward' and not indulge in 'politics of revenge'.
Pakistan on Friday told the United Nations General Assembly that Islamabad looks forward to the resumption of the composite dialogue process with New Delhi and wants friendly relations with India.
Pakistan's Interior Ministry has given its approval for the process of obtaining a Red Corner Notice from Interpol for the arrest of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said.
Senator Faisal Javed, who was injured when a bullet grazed his face, said that a party worker was killed during the attack, while another was severely injured.
The Pakistan army is staring at the greatest, scariest, existential threat to its power in their country. This threat has come from a populist riding democratic power, observes Shekhar Gupta.
There has always been a risk-taking edge to Imran Khan. Like him or hate him, it had to be someone like him to finally threaten to demolish the Pakistani establishment, explains Shekhar Gupta.
'We welcome (you) back to the purana Pakistan,' top Opposition leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Sunday, as he took a jibe at ousted Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan following the adoption of a no-confidence vote against him.
'With Punjab and Kashmir in flames, it would not have been politically wise to alienate the West.' 'It would have inclined Western countries towards Pakistan.' 'It would have been a self-goal.'
Khan, 69, was not present in the lower house at the time of voting. His party lawmakers staged a walkout.
The South African team is scheduled to play two Tests and three T20 matches in Lahore.
The Power Of The Dog and Dune lead the pack while films like King Richard, Belfast and West Side Story grab quite a few noms.
Rawalpindi's anti-terrorism court has issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for former President Pervez Musharraf in the Benazir Bhutto assassination case, Geo TV reported.
Slain former premier Benazir Bhutto's 24-year-old son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday made his formal entry into Pakistani politics, pledging to protect his country and its fledgling democratic system from dictators and terrorists.
A quick look at the winners of the 94th Annual Academy Awards.
The then Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf was responsible for the murder of his mother and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, her son and Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said. "He (Musharraf) murdered my mother (Benazir Bhutto). I hold him responsible for the murder of my mother," Bilawal Bhutto said.
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari's sudden return home from Dubai could be only for a "cameo appearance" before the fourth death anniversary of his wife Benazir Bhutto and would leave the county permanently.
'He will be constrained if and when he tries to set the foreign policy agenda that is not to the liking of the army.'
In the book, 'Where Borders Bleed: An Insider's Account of Indo-Pak Relations', Rajiv Dogra says that a judge had told him of this.
Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan on Tuesday said slain former premier Benazir Bhutto had faced a threat from the Taliban and al-Qaeda because she had pledged to take action against the two groups but there is no similar danger to him.
'In all such cases of assassinations, the opportunity to act, and access to the target, are the most important aspects. Once these two are available and there are guns for hire, the rest is easy as a matter of patient waiting, or a speedy arrival and quick escape.'
Osama bin Laden was involved in former premier Benazir Bhutto's assassination and the perpetrators of her murder have been identified, Interior Minister Rehman Malik claimed on Tuesday.
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto had said after the 2002 elections that the United States had decided to 'do away with' Pakistan and to get her eliminated, according to a senior Pakistan People's Party leader.
Noor, niece of Congress stalwart A B A Ghani Khan Choudhury, have quite often been taking stands which were not in line with that of the party's state leadership.
'The India-Pakistan relationship is in a deep freeze, though it could be a lot worse had there not been a new LoC ceasefire a year ago.' 'The India-Pakistan relationship will only start to thaw if the Pakistani military decides it's prepared to push for detente.'
The United Nations on Tuesday delayed till April 15 the release of its probe panel's report on the assassination of former Pakistani premier Benazir Bhutto following a request from Islamabad.
Fatima had the first launch of Songs of Blood and Sword: A Daughter's Memoir at Clifton Gardens at the exact spot in the port city of Karachi where her father Mir Murtaza Bhutto was killed nearly 14 years ago.
The PIA plane PK-661 with 48 people, including famous pop singer-turned-Islamic preacher Junaid Jamshed, his wife and Deputy Commissioner Chitral Osama Warraich, on board crashed on Wednesday in Saddha Batolni village near Havelian while en route to Islamabad from Chitral in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.
Pakistan's decision to withdraw troops from Kargil on the advice of the United States left Sharif 'weakened and embarrassed', Bhutto wrote in Benazir Bhutto: Reconciliation, Islam, Democracy & the West, released both in London and Islamabad on Tuesday.
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