Terrorists Want to Destroy Pakistans Peace: Nawaz

trendpk.com: PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif said that terrorists wanted to push back the nation to the brink of collapse.

Addressing a Christmas ceremony in Lahore, he said that terrorists wanted to destroy peace of Pakistan. He said that religious harmony should be promoted as no religion of the world allowed to promote terrorism.

Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif said that Christians gave a number of sacrifices for Pakistan. He lauded the role of Christians in the progress of Pakistan.

Dr Imran Farooq’s parents meet British police

Staff Report

LONDON: Parents of slain MQM leader Dr Imran Farooq met with top officials of British Police here on Saturday.

The British police informed Dr Farooq’s parents about the progress made so far regarding investigation of their son’s murder.

Dr Imran Farooq was stabbed to death outside his residence in London on September 17.

Sources say that deceased’s parents requested the British Police to release their son’s dead body as early as possible.

Dr Shumaila Rana, the widow of the murdered MQM leader, was also present on this occasion. Trend Pk

Dr Imran Farooq’s parents meet British police

Staff Report

LONDON: Parents of slain MQM leader Dr Imran Farooq met with top officials of British Police here on Saturday.

The British police informed Dr Farooq’s parents about the progress made so far regarding investigation of their son’s murder.

Dr Imran Farooq was stabbed to death outside his residence in London on September 17.

Sources say that deceased’s parents requested the British Police to release their son’s dead body as early as possible.

Dr Shumaila Rana, the widow of the murdered MQM leader, was also present on this occasion. Trend Pk

Third round of Pak-US strategic talks opens today

Staff Report

WASHINGTON: The third round of strategic talks between Pakistan and the United States is set to begin in Washington today (Wednesday).

A high-level Pakistani delegation led by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi is in Washington to attend the talks. The US team will be headed by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

The three-day talks will mull over various proposals aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation in 13 different sectors, including agriculture, energy, education and health.

In addition, the two sides will also review the progress made during the last session of talks between Pakistan and the US.

Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani will also hold talks with top American military and civil officials. SAMAA

Obama to hold meeting in White House on Afghan, Pakistan

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama has convened a monthly Situation Room meeting with his top national security aides at the White House wherein peace talks with the Taliban and Pakistan’s actions in the war against terrorism are expected to be discussed.

“I anticipate, as in the past, that will be a big topic tomorrow,” the White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters at his daily news conference.

“Reconciliation, led by the Afghans, has been a topic of many of the past meetings. I expect that we’ll get an update from General David Petraeus (Commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan), (US) Ambassador (to Afghanistan, Karl) Eikenberry, and others on where they see the progress on those talks and their hopes for seeing that progress continue,” Gibbs said.

The meeting is likely to be attended by secretary of state Hillary Clinton, National

COAS Gen. Kayani visits South Waziristan, Kurram Agency

Staff Report

RAWALPINDI: The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited South Waziristan and Kurram Agencies on Tuesday. He appreciated the morale of troops and their efforts to bring normalcy to the area.

According to an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release, the COAS stopped over at Jandola and Spin Jamat in South Waziristan Agency and was briefed by the local commanders about security operations in the area.

He also visited various Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) being undertaken by Frontier Works Organization (FWO) for the development of Waziristan Agency. These projects include 104 km. long Tank-Jandola-Makeen and 106 km. long Tank-Gomal-Tanai-Wana roads.

He expressed satisfaction over the progress on these two-way blacktop roads which will open new opportunities for locals, besides facilitating movement in the

Gen. Kayani visits flood affected areas of Punjab and Sindh

Staff Report

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited the flood affected areas of southern Punjab and Sindh on Tuesday.

According to an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release, he flew over the flooded areas and stopped in Multan, Nawabshah, Kotri Barrage and Thatta; and witnessed relief activities.

Local military commanders briefed him about the progress of rescue and relief operations by the army.

The COAS appreciated the efforts of army formations and emphasized the need to continue assisting the civil administration with the daunting task of relief and rehabilitation.

He also met the Aviation Team of United Arab Emirates and Civil Defense Rescue Team of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who are engaged in rescue and evacuation.

He lauded the response of friendly countries in providing

Earthquake rattles Vanuatu: USGS

SYDNEY: A strong 6.2 earthquake shook the Pacific nation of Vanuatu on Thursday but there was no immediate tsunami warning, scientists said.

The quake struck at a depth of 35 kilometers (22 miles) about 120 kilometers from the town of Luganville on Santo Island, the US Geological Survey said. There was no alert from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre.

Vanuatu lies in the “Pacific Ring of Fire” known for its seismic and volcanic activity. On July 2, a 6.4 earthquake hit a similar distance from Luganville without causing serious damage.

US resumes ties with Indonesian special forces: Pentagon

JAKARTA: The United States announced Thursday it was resuming military ties with Indonesian special forces after a 12-year pause, during a visit by US Defence Secretary Robert Gates to Jakarta.

“We will begin a gradual, measured process of working with Kopassus,” a senior US defence official said, referring to the elite Indonesian military unit with which Washington suspended ties in 1998.

The decision was made “in light of the progress that Indonesia and its military has made in terms of reform and professionalisation since the fall of Suharto as well as recent pledges of reform,” he said.

India not mentally prepared for talks: Qureshi

ISLAMABAD: India is not yet mentally prepared for the resumption of dialogue process with Pakistan and is just interested to discuss only some specific issues instead of talking on all outstanding issues between the two countries.

This was stated by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi while talking to newsmen here at Foreign Service Academy after attending the certificate distribution ceremony to the newly trained probationers of the Foreign Service.

Replying to a question about any ‘dead lock’ in Pak-India foreign minister level talks held here at Islamabad yesterday, Qureshi said,” India is not seen mentally ready for the resumption of talks.”

He said although the Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna have positive approach and thinking for resuming the talks, but there are some other problems being faced on part of Indian leadership for the revival of dialogue process.

Qureshi said Pakistan is always ready to resume talks with India with open heart, but the dialogue process should be substantive, meaningful and result oriented.

He said the progress achieved in the dialogue process started in 2004 and continued till 2008 should not be wasted due to some unknown reasons.

Those issues and segments for which modalities have been already decided between the two countries should not be reopened, he said.

Next Page »