Pakistan

Taleban now controls Swat’s emerald mines

Taleban now controls Swat’s emerald minesLondon, Mar. 25 : A pact between the Pakistan Government and the Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi (TNSM), a Pakistani militant organisation with Wahabi and Deobandi leanings, has allowed the Taleban to take control of emerald mines in the Swat Valley.

According to the BBC, emeralds of international quality are produced in these mines, and they have now been taken over by the Taleban following a ceasefire between TNSM-affiliated militants and the government.

‘Islamabad suicide attack was Taliban’s revenge for Lal Masjid operation’

Pak-Taliban chief Baitullah MehsudIslamabad, Mar. 25 : Pak-Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud might be involved in Monday's suicide attack on the offices of the police's Special Branch in Islamabad to avenge the July 2007 Lal Masjid operation, investigators have said.

The preliminarily investigation suggests that the same group of militants that had carried out an attack in Rawalpindi on March 16 carried out the latest attack, sources told the Dawn.

The office of the Anti-Terrorism Squad has been targeted before, but this time, the investigators suspect that the bomber wanted to hit the residential quarters.

Russia says only shutting of terror havens in Pak can lead to Afghan peace

Russia says only shutting of terror havens in Pak can lead to Afghan peaceMoscow, Mar. 25 : Joining the international community's concern over the increasing extremism in Pakistan and its precarious political situation, Russia has said that peace can not be established in Afghanistan until Pakistan is stabilized.

Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Sergei Ivanov said that Moscow is `very much concerned' about the security of Pakistan's nuclear armaments.

Ex-terror suspect acting as mediator between Solecki’s kidnappers and Pak Govt.

Ex-terror suspect acting as mediator between Solecki’s kidnappers and Pak Govt.London, Mar. 25 : Pakistan is using ex-terror suspect Hyarbyar Marri as a mediator between the terror outfit which kidnapped UN official John Solecki and the government to get the American citizen released.

Marri, recently acquitted of terrorism charges in the UK, was approached by Pakistan's Interior Ministry to use his influence with the kidnappers, Dawn reports.

Sources claimed that it was Marri who successfully persuaded the Balochistan Liberation United Front to extend the deadlines.

Miandad backs China to become respected cricket playing country

Miandad backs China to become respected cricket playing countryKarachi, Mar. 25 : Former Pakistan cricket captain Javed Miandad believes that China has the ability to compete with the best teams of the world on the cricket field.

Miandad, who returned from Beijing after a six day visit as Pakistan''''s cricket ambassador to China, expressed hope that China would become a cricket playing nation in near future.

"They definitely have potential, the interest and resources to become a respected cricket playing nation," The News qouted Miandad, as saying.

Zardari’s parliamentary address will be crucial for PPP, PML-N ties

Zardari’s parliamentary address will be crucial for PPP, PML-N tiesIslamabad, Mar. 25 : Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari's upcoming address to a joint session of the parliament would decide his party's future relations with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.

The PML-N is waiting for the upcoming presidential address to parliament before making a decision on the future of its relations with the ruling Pakistan People's Party.

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