Pakistan

Under pressure Pak to shift 6,000 troops from border with India to Afghan side

 Lal Masjid chief defiantly calls for imposition of Islamic law in PakNew York, Apr. 30 : Under immense pressure from the United States and the international community, Pakistan has decided to shift around 6000 troops from its eastern border with India to the western Afghan border, The New York Times reports.

The newspaper, quoted a Pakistani official as confirming the movement of forces to a pre-Mumbai attack position.

White House, Congress at loggerheads over unrestricted aid to Pak

White House may scrap Health Czar’s postWashington, Apr. 30 : The Obama administration is attempting to head off efforts in Congress to place tough conditions on the multi-billion dollar assistance package it is seeking for Pakistan.

According to Politico, senior Pentagon officials told lawmakers yesterday that conditions being proposed by both Democrats and Republican in Congress could “severely constrain” the U. S. strategy for Pakistan.

Ethnic violence erupts in Pakistan's financial hub, 27 killed

Ethnic violence erupts in Pakistan's financial hub, 27 killedIslamabad - At least 27 people were killed and around three dozen more injured in ethnic violence in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi, police and health officials said Thursday.

The clashes between activists of ethnic Urdu-speaking Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the minority-Pashtun population erupted Wednesday when gunmen shot dead two MQM supporters in the shanty-town neighbourhood of Khwaja Ajmair Nagri.

Obama “gravely concerned” about “ fragile” Pak government

US President Barack ObamaWashington, Apr. 30 : The ‘existential threat’ that Pakistan is facing currently from the ever advancing Taliban has US President Barack Obama seriously worried.

Talking to media persons at a prime-time news conference on the occasion of completing 100 days in office, Obama said he is “gravely concerned” about the stability of the Pakistani government.

Obama termed the Zardari regime in Pakistan as “very fragile”.

Quetta based Taliban leaders move to Karachi, Peshawar fearing drone attacks

PakistanPeshawar, Apr 30 : A large number of Taliban leaders have shifted from Quetta to Karachi, Peshawar and other cities and are maintaining a low profile fearing fresh US drone strikes.

Taliban leaders after discussing in detail the situation, caused by recent threats of drone attacks by the United States, United Kingdom and other allies, have decided to vacate Quetta with immediate effect, sources have said.

The sources said that majority of the top leaders have shifted to Karachi, Peshawar and other areas of Pakistan and are now living in a low profile.

‘Pak Army fears disintegration if it counters Taliban seriously’

PakistanLahore, Apr 30 : The Pakistan Army is afraid that its entire force would disintegrate if it orders the rank and file to fire and counter the Taliban in a more serious manner, according to a senior Obama Administration official.

Bruce Riedel, who chaired the Obama administration’s recent review of policy towards Afghanistan and Pakistan, expressed concern about whether the Pakistani Army would be willing to kill large numbers of Taliban militants.

Taliban leaders had faked a withdrawal from Buner to impress the media and the peace deal with the government in the Swat valley was also a trick, he added.

Pages