Pakistan, India stop work to watch cricket

Pakistani and Indians crowded around television sets at tea stalls and screens erected in markets and stadiums as the cricket-crazy, fiercely rival nations stopped work on Wednesday to watch their teams vie for a place in the World Cup final.

Banks, offices and shops emptied out as the game began in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and other cities of the country.

The build-up to the match in Mohali has been intense, with unrelenting media coverage and public prayers for the teams. Interest increased further over the weekend when Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani accepted an invitation to attend, raising the prospect of progress in improving ties between the two nations.

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Pakistan, India talk extremism and peace

The two-day talks between the interior secretaries of Pakistan and India to discuss issues ranging from terrorism, narcotics control and counterfeit currency has kicked off in New Delhi on Monday.

The discussions between Pakistan interior secretary Chaudhary Qamar with his Indian counterpart G.K. Pillai Zaman are expected to focus on the Mumbai attacks of 2008.

The two-day meeting has deliberated on a wide range of issues, including prosecution of the Mumbai terror attack suspects, counter-terrorism and visa rules.

According to sources, the talks has also included such issues as measures to control smuggling of drugs and counterfeit currency, visas and progress in India on the investigations into the Samjhota Express blast.

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Pakistan, India heading closer to Cup collision

Rivals India and Pakistan are on a World Cup collision course, but the two neighbours still have quarter-final hurdles to overcome as the marathon tournament enters its sixth week.

India take on defending champions Australia in Ahmedabad on Thursday while a resurgent Pakistan face an inconsistent West Indies in Dhaka to kick-start the last eight stage on Wednesday.

Victory for both Asian giants will set-up a semi-final blockbuster in Mohali on March 30.

But Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi insisted he was not even thinking about the semi-finals.

“Our focus is on the quarter-finals, we have to win that to reach the semi-final, so we are not thinking that far. First we have a must-win match against a dangerous opponent,” Afridi told AFP.

New Zealand and South Africa meet in Dhaka on Friday before Sri Lanka and England clash in Colombo on Saturday as the World Cup, which staged its opening ceremony on February 17, comes down to the world’s eight top-ranked sides.

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Asfandayar condemns NATO attacks inside Pakistan

ANP Central President Asfandyar Wali Khan on Friday underscored the need for building of national unity to counter the menace of terrorism and militancy and provide quick relief to flood-stricken people.

Addressing a press conference here at the Chief Minister House, he said that the country’s was passing through a very critical time and was confronted to the issue of militancy and terrorism besides flood devastation.

All the problems confronted to the countries could be addressed by establishing national unity to take the country out of the current difficult situation, he added. He said it is a time to rise above party political and work hard for the socio-economic emancipation of downtrodden and flood hit people.

He said that democracy had returned to the country’s after matchless sacrifices and the democratic system can move forward if all the institutions should work under its constitutional ambit.

Asfandyar said all constitutional organizations were getting powers from the constitution and if all the institutions worked under the ambit of constitution the democracy will flourish and the country would move on road to progress and prosperity. He said that ANP will strongly oppose any undemocratic and unconstitutional move to sabotage the current system.

Wali said that ANP strongly condemned NATO and drone attacks and termed it against of Pakistan’s sovereignty and International Laws. He said that violation of Pakistan airspace and attacks inside our country was not in the mandate of NATO force and the ANP has strongly condemned it. He said that better trust between regional countries and US will help eliminate the menace of terrorism and militancy.

He said that directives have been issued to expedite flood relief operations in Khyber Pakthunkhwa. The government will provide compensation to flood-stricken people at earliest, saying the devastation of flood is behind imagination.

To a question, Asfandyar said that the ANP is with people of Karachi and will thwart the conspiracies of anti-state elements trying to sabotage peace of the port city. He said that incident of target killing in Karachi are being reported and rejected the impression of quitting Sindh Government.

To a question of Musharraf recent statement about constitutional role of army in governance, he said that role of every institution is fixed in the constitution and every institution should work under the Constitution. He said that Musharraf’s statement is undemocratic and no political worker can endorse it.

Asfandyar Wali Khan said that no body would appreciate the 86 year sentence handed over by US court to Pakistani neurosurgeon Dr. Aafia Siddique. He expressed the hope that Indian Supreme Court will amicably address the Babari mosque issue if petition was filed.

To question, he said that provincial government after came into power has inked agreements with militants in Swat with establishment of durable peace in the scene valley but good well gesture of government was not reciprocated. He said that militants should lay down arms first, accept Govt writ and then they will considered about other options including negotiations.

Asfandyar said that Balochistan issue should be addressed by taking all concerned parties on board. Asked about reducing the share of KP Government in Khyber Pakthunkhwa in Kerry-Lugar Bill, he said that he would take this issue with Centre.

To another question, he said that government would take strong action whenever terrorists were found.

By AAJ News

News provided by AAJ News and edited by News Profession web Team.

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Clinton warns Pakistan to make the rich pay

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is warning that the United States will set tougher conditions on nations receiving US aid.

Singling out major aid recipient Pakistan, Clinton says the tighter scrutiny includes an expectation that rich foreigners will not skip out on their taxes while Americans bankroll programs their nations need.

Clinton’s warning came on Tuesday as she and other Cabinet officials described aid and development policies President Barack Obama announced last week.

She says Pakistan is drafting new tax policies under US pressure.

Until now, the wealthy landowners who comprise the country’s political elite have typically paid little or no taxes.

US non-military aid to Pakistan is roughly $1.5 billion a year.

By AAJ News

News provided by AAJ News and edited by News Profession web Team.

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Pakistan, US discuss cross-border NATO strike: Pentagon

The Pentagon on Tuesday said recent cross-border air strikes by NATO helicopters in Pakistan may have violated procedures and resulted from “communication breakdowns.”

Pakistan on Monday denounced last week’s helicopter strikes as flouting the country’s sovereignty but the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in neighboring Afghanistan insisted its troops had the right to defend themselves.

“I don’t know that I’d call it a disagreement but there are certainly discussions under way between our forces and the Pakistanis about this particular incident,” Pentagon spokesman Colonel Dave Lapan told reporters.

The talks were focused on “what were the communication breakdowns, what happened, what was supposed to happen,” Lapan said.

ISAF forces were not able to notify Pakistani officers about the helicopter strikes until after the operation, he said.

“I think I can say that clearly in these instances things didn’t occur in the way that they’re supposed to. And that’s what we’re trying to get to,” Lapan said.

By AAJ News

News provided by AAJ News and edited by News Profession web Team.

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