Whether Islamabad sees it as acceptable or unacceptable, lawful or unlawful the US drone strikes would continue in the tribal areas of Pakistan, writes Tahir Ali
As suspense mounted over holding of the Indo-Pakistan National Security Advisor-level talks after both sides hardened their positions on the issue of Kashmiri separatists, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday called a press conference in New Delhi.
Pakistan summoned a senior Indian diplomat to register a strong protest over India's decision.
India has sought a meeting between External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York, diplomatic sources said.
Pakistan's Opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday nominated himself for the post of prime minister, while Imran Khan's party threatened to withdraw its lawmakers from Parliament if the former Punjab chief minister was allowed to contest the election for the top post on Monday.
Pakistan on Thursday said that the United States probe report on the last month's North Atlantic Treaty Organisation air attack that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers is "not based on facts".
Besides, Charge d'Affaires Sudhir Vyas, among those asked to leave is First Secretary Rahul Rasgotra.
Pakistan could grant the Most Favoured Nation status to India by October next year, a senior official of the Foreign Ministry said.
India and Pakistan in a surprise announcement said on February 25 that they have agreed to strictly observe all agreements on ceasefire along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and other sectors.
Did you know Dev Anand worked as a clerk at a salary of Rs 85 before he became an actor?
While India has indicated that it may restart the foreign secretary level talks with Pakistan, Islamabad maintains that it would accept nothing short of resumption of comprehensive 'composite dialogue' with New Delhi.
Security forces tightened their cordon around a forest area in the higher reaches of Doda district on Tuesday evening following an encounter with hiding terrorists, officials said.
India on Tuesday firmly told Pakistan to uphold the sanctity of the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir in the backdrop of the recent firing incidents over which the two countries engaged in a blame game.
Pakistan's foreign office spokesman expressed disappointment at the Commonwealth's ultimatum, and said that decisions of vital importance would be taken in accordance with Pakistan's national interests, and not on the basis of artificially set external timelines.
Pakistan on Thursday sought the early resumption of the stalled dialogue process with India but acknowledged forward movement was unlikely before the upcoming Indian general elections.
Disengagement from the LAC will remain a chimera because China has given enough indications that the PLA will not move back any more. China has even deployed drones to monitor and deny any patrolling by Indian troops even in the buffer zones which are all in Indian Territory, explains Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (retd).
Pakistan on Thursday criticised Home Secretary G K Pillai's remarks that the country's efforts to persecute the perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai attacks are a "facade", saying such comments were "misleading".
The Indian prime minister had earlier said that India will actively pursue talks with Pakistan and is sincere about discussing and resolving all issues, including Kashmir.
'Motivated comments' not welcome: India after US, Pak remarks on Hijab row
Pakistan on Tuesday dismissed as "baseless accusations" National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon's remarks that David Headley was linked to the Pakistani establishment and intelligence agencies.
Days after terror suspect Zabiuddin Ansari's revelations about the November 26, 2008 Mumbai attacks being controlled and facilitated from Karachi, Pakistani authorities have claimed 40 Indian nationals were involved in the terrorist incident.
Pakistan has welcomed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's willingness to resume bilateral dialogue on all pending issues. "Dr Singh's statement is a welcome reiteration of the understanding reached at the Sharm-El Sheikh summit between Pakistan and India," The Dawn quoted Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit as saying.Basit said Pakistan welcomes India's readiness to discuss all outstanding issues, especially the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
Pakistan on Monday said it is 'not hesitant' about solving terror-related issues with India, though the Kashmir dispute will have to be settled to ensure absolute peace in the region.
The Indian mission has already taken up the issue strongly with the Pakistani authorities.
Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Shahid Malik arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday for consultations to finalise the country's response to the Indian dossier on the Mumbai attacks, which is expected to be handed over this week. The High Commissioner is expected to meet Interior Ministry chief Rehman Malik, Law Minister Farooq Naek and Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir to discuss India's response, to questions Pakistan had posed after receiving the Indian dossier, sources said.
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday said the government is mulling a possible ban on Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party following the attacks by his supporters on military installations after the former prime minister's arrest.
Pakistan has denied allegations leveled by Indian Army Chief General VK Singh about the existence of terrorist training camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Operation Meghdoot was launched on April 13, 1984, when the Indian Army and IAF advanced to the Siachen Glacier to secure the heights dominating the northern Ladakh region
Pakistan is hopeful that the upcoming talks with India will lead to a "meaningful and sustained process of engagement" that will bridge the trust deficit between the two countries and help resolve all outstanding issues, including Kashmir.
Pakistan has tightened security at the Indian embassy in Islamabad following a 'note verbale' by New Delhi asking for greater security for the mission and its staff in view of Ajmal Kasab's hanging.
Pakistan made it clear that it would not allow US or other foreign troops to conduct operations on its soil, saying such a move would amount to crossing the "red lines" set by the country for cooperating in the war against terrorism.
Pakistan remains committed to the peace process and composite dialogue with India, which is now in its fourth round, Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said.
Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday said there is a possibility that he will meet his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Summit to be held in Trinidad in November.
Striking a note different from the established line, Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has spoken of the need for an "out-of-the box" solution to the Kashmir issue, saying that militancy would not help in resolving the long-standing dispute with India.
Pakistan on Thursday demanded an investigation into the assault on Pakistani prisoner Sanaullah Ranjay, who died of multi-organ failure in an Indian hospital almost a week after he was injured in a jail in Jammu.
Describing India's massive militarisation as dangerous for peace in the region, Pakistan has said that its military doctrine was purely defensive.
Pakistan's Foreign Office apparently sent an official known for his ability to read faces to receive Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao on her arrival in Rawalpindi in a bid to find out what was on her mind.
China on Thursday voiced its opposition to India's reported plans to hold the next year's meeting of G-20 leaders in Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistan on Wednesday night suggested there should be a permanent ceasefire between Indian authorities and militant groups in Jammu and Kashmir.
Taken by surprise when heavily armed men ambushed their convoy but quickly gathering themselves, jawans of the 22 Garhwal regiment fired more than 5,100 rounds to protect their injured colleagues and forced the terrorists to retreat into Kathua's wooded hills, officials said.
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