Pak-US strategic talks ruled out

The US government sources told News Trends that there was no possibility of the talks till the US government is satisfied that Pakistan has adopted measures in this regard.

The sources further disclosed that the issues including defence, regional peace, nuclear non-proliferation and eradication of terrorism would be on the top agenda of the talks while issues like economic stability, trade, energy, science and technology, education, agriculture, health and interaction with the masses will be included in the agenda only to enhance the range of the dialogue .

The sources added that the whole process was affecting due to the differences between both the countries on issues like defence and eradication of terrorism.

The issue also came under discussion during US special envoy Mark Grossman’s recent visit to Pakistan but no breakthrough came to the fore regarding strategic dialogue.

However, the sources ascertained that the USA was not pondering to end ties with Pakistan.

Leaders battle for deal to boost OSCE powers

Leaders battle for deal to boost OSCE powers

(AFP) – 2 hours ago

ASTANA: OSCE member states were Thursday battling to thrash out a compromise on an action plan that would bolster the clout of the trans-Atlantic security group after its first summit in over a decade.

World leaders at the summit, hosted by Kazakhstan in its glitzy new capital Astana, have acknowledged the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)’s reactions to prevent conflicts in Europe and the ex-USSR have slowed in recent years.

But the 56 member state group operates by consensus, meaning any single country could torpedo a final communique and framework for action that diplomats hope will define its future role.

“I hope that in the remaining moments we can agree a declaration and overcome the differences,” Kazazkh President Nursultan Nazarbayev told the

Pakistan went out of way for peace’ with India: President Zardari

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s president has said India failed to respond positively to peace overtures from Islamabad, after US President Barack Obama urged both countries to resolve their differences.

Pakistan’s civilian government “went out of the way in our peace overtures towards India,” President Asif Ali Zardari told a South Asia media conference in Islamabad, according to a statement from his spokesman late Sunday.

“It would have been most helpful if our initiatives had been welcomed and responded to in a positive manner.”

Zardari acknowledged that the 2008 attacks on Mumbai, which killed 166 people and were blamed on Pakistan militants, “undermined efforts for peace”.

But he said: “Pakistan is cooperating in unearthing and bringing to justice the perpetrators of militant acts.”

On the second day of a visit to India, Obama ventured into the

Pakistan went out of way for peace’ with India: President Zardari

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s president has said India failed to respond positively to peace overtures from Islamabad, after US President Barack Obama urged both countries to resolve their differences.

Pakistan’s civilian government “went out of the way in our peace overtures towards India,” President Asif Ali Zardari told a South Asia media conference in Islamabad, according to a statement from his spokesman late Sunday.

“It would have been most helpful if our initiatives had been welcomed and responded to in a positive manner.”

Zardari acknowledged that the 2008 attacks on Mumbai, which killed 166 people and were blamed on Pakistan militants, “undermined efforts for peace”.

But he said: “Pakistan is cooperating in unearthing and bringing to justice the perpetrators of militant acts.”

On the second day of a visit to India, Obama ventured into the

Intikhab denies differences with Waqar

Staff Report

KARACHI: Pakistan’s newly appointed team manager Intikhab Alam has said that there is no truth in rumors about his differences with national coach, Waqar Younis.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday named Intikhab Alam the new team manager for the upcoming UAE tour, where Pakistan is to play a Test and ODI series against South Africa.

He was stripped from his coaching job following Pakistan’s victory-less tour of Australia.

“I have accepted this job as a challenge,” he told a cricket website after assuming his new responsibility.

“There is no dispute with Waqar Younis. I have very good relations with all team members.”

Alam has replaced Yawar Saeed, who came under scathing criticism due to the scandal-hit tour of England. SAMAA

High Court dismisses plea on Aamir Khan starrer Dhobi Ghat

Few months ago, when Shah Rukh Khan starrer Billu was all set to release, a section of the barber’s community tried to stop the release as they were upset since the film was earlier called Billu Barber. SRK amicably sorted out the differences and eventually dropped the word ‘Barber’ from the film’s title.

Now Aamir Khan’s Dhobi Ghat, directed by his wife Kiran Rao, finds itself in a similar soup as the Dhobi community is offended with the title of the film. Mr. Vinod Kumar Kanojia, Chairman of Hindustan Kanojia organization of Dhobis has filed a case against director Kiran Rao in the Delhi High Court asking for a change in the title. In his opinion, the makers of Dhobi Ghat have zeroed in on such a title to make a mockery and hurt the feelings of the Dhobi community.

However, The Delhi High Court today dismissed a plea challenging the title ‘Dhobi Ghat’ on the ground that it offended the sensitivity of a particular ‘caste’. Rejecting the petitioner’s contention, the court said that ‘Dhobi Ghat’ is a geographical description of a place and is not offensive. Holding that the PIL is ‘an abuse of process of law’, the court also imposed a cost of Rs. 25,000 on the petitioner and asked him to deposit the amount in Blind’s Relief Association.

Taliban may launch attacks on relief workers

PESHAWAR: The Taliban hinted on Thursday they may launch attacks against foreigners helping Pakistan respond to the worst floods in the country’s history, saying their presence was “unacceptable.”

The UN said it would not be deterred by violent threats.

The militant group has attacked aid workers in the country before, and an outbreak of violence could complicate a relief effort that has already struggled to reach the 8 (m) million people who are in need of emergency assistance.

Pakistani Taliban spokesman Azam Tariq claimed the US and other countries that have pledged support are not really focused on providing aid to flood victims but had other motives he did not specify.

Foreign countries have pledged nearly 800 (m) million US Dollars and provided aid workers to help Pakistan cope with floods that began almost a month ago with the onset of the

Altaf committed treason by inviting army: Mian Iftikhar

Staff Report

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Mian Iftikhar has said that Altaf Hussain has committed treason to the country by inviting the army to impose martial law in Pakistan, SAMAA reported on Thursday.

During a news conference in Peshawar, Mian Iftikhar added that the Chief of Pakistan Army himself wishes to see a strong parliament in the country.

He further added that our country is experiencing the worst natural disaster and turmoil; at such a critical time talks of martial law can not be tolerated.

The Information Minister condemned the statement of Muttahida Qaumi leader, Altaf Hussain, and said that after the approval of the 18th amendment, inviting martial law is treason to the country.

“Donor institutes carry no doubt on the credibility of the government, but they fear that the aid funds can go into the hands of

Provincial governments obstacle for Flood Relief Commission: Kaira

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Federal Information Minister Qamar-uz Zaman Kaira has said that the provincial governments are hurdles in establishing the Flood Relief Commission.

While talking t the media persons on Thursday, he said that provincial governments have authority to establish commission after the 18th Amendment. He said that the differences exist among the provinces on the issue; therefore, the provinces have not recommended the names yet.

Kaiara was of the view that no one can raise fingers on the transparency of the present government.

Replying to a question, Kaira said that the state cannot survive without democracy. He said that it is not the time to talk about martial law. SAMAA

UN Council urges Iraqis to form govt. ”Quickly”

UNITED NATIONS: U.S. troops will begin their drawdown in Iraq at the end of this month, but there still is no government in place and violence is on the rise. On Wednesday, the U.N. Security Council urged Iraq”s recently-elected legislature to form a government quickly.

Iraq has been mired in a political stalemate since legislative elections in March left Shi”ite political factions vying for dominance, and the right to form a government and to choose a prime minister.

With the impasse unlikely to be resolved before the end of this month, when U.S. troops will drop to their lowest levels in Iraq since the war began in 2003, the U.N. Security Council pressed the legislators to work through their differences in “the national interest” and form “as quickly as possible, a government that is inclusive and represents the will of the Iraqi people.”

The U.N.”s top diplomat in Iraq, Ad Melkert, echoed the council”s call, saying the delays are contributing to uncertainty and creating conditions that could be exploited by elements opposed to the country”s democratic transition.

In a briefing to the Security Council, he noted that the delays are also affecting the rebuilding of the country”s basic infrastructure and services. “Recent protests in a number of cities denouncing the lack of electricity is a sign of potentially growing disillusionment and anger over what has become a situation of daily life for the average Iraqi citizen,” said Melkert.

Melkert said blackouts continue to persist nationally on average about nine hours a day. He also noted that national reconciliation needs to be a priority of the new government.

“This includes Arab-Kurdish relations, particularly as they relate to disputed internal boundaries, revenue-sharing, legislation related to hydrocarbons, the federal framework and the constitutional review process,” he said.

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