PAKISTAN

WORLD

Taliban opens office in Doha to hold peace talks

June 18, 2013, 8:30 pm | Press Trust of India WORLD

Washington: In a major breakthrough, the Taliban on Tuesday announced the opening of its office in Doha, which would hold peace talks with the Afghan government and separate direct parleys with US that could boost Afghan reconciliation process after 12 years of war. The Obama Administration, however, adopted a cautious approach, given its bitter past experience and well aware of the tough negotiations and the "long road" that lies ahead, and termed it as a "significant first step" in the overall goal of achieving peace in the war-torn country. Speaking on condition of anonymity, senior administration officials appreciated the "constructive" role played by Pakistan in bringing the Taliban to the negotiation table, noting that over the years Islamabad has

INDIA

'Pak must take action on terror groups to improve ties'

June 18, 2013, 5:50 pm | Press Trust of India INDIA

Pune: Holding that a "peaceful and stable" Pakistan was in India's interest, Defence Minister AK Antony on Tuesday said that the neighbouring country must initiate strong action against terrorist groups operating from its soil, in order to improve Indo-Pak ties. "We are concerned about terrorist groups in Pakistan. They should take strong action against them which will help improve our relations," he told reporters here when asked whether change of government in Pakistan could spell a better relationship between the two countries. Describing Pakistan as "our closest neighbour", Antony said Indian government wanted friendly relations with it as a "peaceful and stable" Pakistan was in India's interest. On Indo-China relations and border situation, the defence minister said, "the

CRICKETNEXT

Whatmore eyes World Cup after Pakistan flop

June 18, 2013, 4:57 pm | AFP CRICKETNEXT

Karachi: Pakistan coach Dav Whatmore said on Tuesday the team would be reviewed with an eye on building for the 2015 World Cup after their dismal showing at the Champions Trophy in England. Abysmal batting led to Pakistan's defeat in all three matches as they failed to post a single total above 170 runs. Pakistan's failure in the Champions Trophy has prompted calls from former players, media and fans to overhaul the system and ditch Whatmore and under-performing players. Asked about the need to overhaul the team, Whatmore said he will give a report on the team's performance. "The question of selection should be directed to the selectors but I will give my review, both verbal and written,

CRICKETNEXT

Asad Shafiq says sorry after Pakistan's Champions Trophy debacle

June 18, 2013, 1:32 am | Press Trust of India CRICKETNEXT

Karachi: Pakistan's young batsman Asad Shafiq on Monday apologised to the country's fans on arrival in Karachi after the side's disastrous outing in the ICC Champions Trophy in the United Kingdom. "I am sorry," Shafiq, the first Pakistani player to return home after the national team's depressing showing, said at the Karachi International Airport. They struggled in a one-day series against minnows Ireland besides losing all their three group matches of the Champions Trophy. Members and officials of the Pakistan team have decided to return in small groups after the angry reaction from fans and cricket community in the country. Head coach Dav Whatmore has been defiant in the face of strong criticism. But Whatmore's

WORLD

Pakistani leader slaps hostess for delaying water, gets her arrested

June 17, 2013, 2:39 pm | IANS WORLD

A provincial leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) allegedly slapped a bus hostess for not serving water swiftly and later had her arrested for making death threat. The incident occurred as Nighat Sheikh, a member of Punjab provincial assembly of the PML-N, was travelling by a private bus from Islamabad to Lahore and asked bus hostess to bring her water. Though she complied but the leader turned furious over the delay and beat her up, Online news agency reported Sunday. As passengers intervened and sought a legal action against the lawmaker, the driver took the bus to a local police station. But the PML-N leader managed to lodge a complaint against the hostess, accusing her of making death

CRICKETNEXT

Imran Khan damaged Pakistan cricket: Aamir Sohail

June 17, 2013, 5:06 am | Press Trust of India CRICKETNEXT

Karachi: In the aftermath of the crushing defeat to India, former skipper Aamir Sohail has launched a scathing attack on one of Pakistan's greatest cricketers, Imran Khan, saying the World Cup-winning captain is responsible for the current state of sport in the country. "I want to say clearly, and for once we must face the truth, that Imran is responsible for the state of affairs in our cricket," Sohail said. With his statement that is clearly a fallout of Pakistan's disastrous campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy in England, where they lost all their three group matches, Sohail left the other two guests on the show - Zaheer Abbas and Younis Khan - surprised. "Imran damaged Pakistan

INDIA

'Illegal Bangla migrants using Punjab border to enter Pak'

June 17, 2013, 3:31 am | Press Trust of India INDIA

Jalandhar: The international border with Pakistan in Punjab is slowly emerging as the preferred area for illegal Bangladeshi migrants to cross over into Pakistan as the first step towards finding employment in the Middle-East, Border Security Force officials said in Jalandhar. In the last four-and-a-half years, BDF has apprehended 72 illegal Bangladeshi migrants who had arrived in Punjab looking to cross the border. "Alert BSF jawans posted at the international border in Punjab have over the past few years foiled several bids by illegal Bangladeshi migrants to cross over into Pakistan," BSF (Punjab Frontier) Inspector General Aditya Mishra told PTI. Two such migrants have been arrested so far this year while trying to cross the border. "Since we have

PAKISTAN

Woman LeJ suicide bomber hit Quetta university bus: police

June 16, 2013, 6:56 pm | Press Trust of India PAKISTAN

Islamabad: A woman Lashkar-e-Jhangvi suicide bomber carried out the devastating attack on a university bus carrying women and her male accomplice struck a hospital in Pakistan's southwestern city of Quetta, police said, as the death toll on Sunday rose to 26 in the multiple strikes. The banned sectarian outfit Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) has claimed responsibility for Saturday's attacks on the bus and at the Bolan Medical Complex, saying they were carried out in retaliation for a raid against the group by security forces. A senior security official today said the first blast was carried out by a woman suicide bomber on the bus of the Sardar Bahadur Khan University for women medical students in which fourteen students were killed.

CRICKETNEXT

Former Test cricketers want Pakistan shakeup

June 16, 2013, 2:52 pm | Associated Press CRICKETNEXT

Islamabad: Former Test cricketers called for drastic changes to the Pakistan team Sunday after its shambolic performance in the Champions Trophy. Pakistan lost all three group matches to be eliminated from the tournament as their batsmen crumbled against West Indies, South Africa and arch rivals India with the scores of 170, 167 and 165 respectively. Fast bowling great Wasim Akram told Geo Television that Pakistan used to give India a tough fight during his playing days, and he was surprised to see Pakistan struggling on a batting-friendly wicket at Edgbaston on Saturday. "We didn't used to play like what I saw on Saturday as our batsmen fell like a pack of cards," Akram said. "Someone has to

PAKISTAN

Pakistan blasts: One arrested for attack at hospital

June 15, 2013, 7:36 pm | CNN-IBN PAKISTAN

Islamabad: Twin blasts in Pakistan's southwestern city of Quetta on Saturday afternoon have killed 20 people, including eleven female students, a police officer and three soldiers who died in gunfire, and injured at least 20 others. The first blast took place on a bus carrying students of a women's university while the second bomb exploded at the hospital where the injured of the bus blast were taken for treatment. There are reports that armed terrorists are still holed up in the hospital, Bolan Medical Complex. One person has been arrested for carrying out the attacks on the Bolan Medical Complex in Quetta. Commandos have been called in to rein in the terrorists after they fired at the police outside.

PAKISTAN

Pakistan: Terrorists destroy Jinnah's historic residence

June 15, 2013, 6:19 pm | Press Trust of India PAKISTAN

Islamabad: A historic 121-year-old building used by Pakistan's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Balochistan was destroyed after terrorists targeted it with bombs and gun fire that triggered a blaze. The terrorists of the Balochistan Liberation Army targeted the Quaid-e-Azam Residency in Ziarat, a holiday resort located about 120 km from the provincial capital of Quetta, at 1:15 am. They planted and set off five bombs and then opened fire. The explosions and gunfire triggered a blaze that was extinguished after four hours. A policeman was killed in the shooting, officials said. The wooden parts of the building, furniture and memorabilia associated with Jinnah were destroyed by the blaze. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said the Residency was

PAKISTAN

Pakistan: Twin blasts kill 11 women students

June 15, 2013, 4:32 pm | CNN-IBN PAKISTAN

Quetta: Twin blasts in Pakistan's southwestern city of Quetta on Saturday afternoon have killed 11 students and injured at least 20 others. The first blast took place on a bus carrying students of a women's university while the second bomb exploded at the hospital where the injured of the bus blast were taken for treatment. There are reports that armed terrorists are still holed up in the hospital, Bolan Medical Complex. The first blast occurred within the campus of Sardar Bahadur Khan Women's University at Brewery Road. Students and faculty members were in the stationary bus when a bomb planted inside went off. They were waiting to go home after the end of classes. Police officials said 11

INDIA

Amarnath Yatra under threat from Pakistan terrorists

June 15, 2013, 1:53 pm | CNN-IBN INDIA

Kashmir: The Amarnath Yatra beginning on June 28 is under threat from Pakistan terrorists. Intelligence sources and the Army have observed the increased militant attempts to penetrate the counter insurgency grid in South Kashmir's Anantnag area. In the last one month, seven terrorists were intercepted and killed in Anantnag but the sources admitted that some of the terrorists have got through and may have merged with the local population. Intensified Army operations in north Kashmir could also be driving Pakistan terrorists to south Kashmir.

CRICKETNEXT

Ind v Pak, Champions Trophy: as it happened

June 15, 2013, 1:41 pm | Cricketnext CRICKETNEXT

India take on Pakistan in a high-voltage fixture at Edgbaston. India are yet to register a victory over their arch-rivals in Champions Trophy. India have already qualified for the semi-finals with consecutive victories over South Africa and West Indies whereas Pakistan would be playing for pride as losses to South Africa and West Indies have pushed them out of the tournament. In cricketing terms, it's going to be a match between India's batting and Pakistan's bowling. It's been like that historically too, but the Indian batsmen are in the zone in England - not something many expected considering the drubbing on the last English tour in 2011.

PAKISTAN

Pakistan envoy discusses trade ties with Anand Sharma

June 15, 2013, 4:15 am | IANS PAKISTAN

New Delhi: Pakistan High Commissioner Salman Bashir on Friday met India's Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma in Delhi and discussed economic and trade relations between the two countries. Bashir had a "useful exchange of views on a broad range of subjects pertaining to economic and trade cooperation between Pakistan and India", the Pakistan High Commission said in a statement. Sources said both countries wanted to resume talks on commercial and trade cooperation as a new government headed by Nawaz Sharif is now fully ensconced in Islamabad after pivotal elections in May 2013. Pakistan is yet to implement its decision to accord New Delhi the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to normalise trade.