Pakistan Arrests Ended UN Talks With Taliban: ex-UN envoy

LONDON: The arrest of key Taliban leaders in Pakistan put a halt to secret peace talks with the United Nations, the former UN special representative to Afghanistan said Friday in an interview.

Kai Eide, who stepped down from the post earlier this month, confirmed for the first time that he had held talks with senior Taliban figures but said these ended when Pakistan made a series of high-profile arrests. 


"Of course I met the Taliban leaders during the time I was in Afghanistan," said the Norwegian diplomat, talking to the broadcaster at his home in Oslo. Full Story

Full Story

"The first contact was probably last spring, then of course you moved into the election process where there was a lull in activity, and then communication picked up when the election process was over, and it continued to pick up until a certain moment a few weeks ago."

Face-to-face talks were held in Dubai and other locations, and he described the discussions as "in the early stages... talks about talks."

Such negotiations would have been impossible without the authorisation of the movement's leader, Mullah Omar, the diplomat believes.

The process had accelerated a few months ago, but Eide said it had come to a standstill after a top Taliban military commander and other figures from the militia were captured in Pakistan.

"The Pakistanis did not play the role they should have played. They must have known about this," he said.

"I don't believe these people were arrested by coincidence. They must have known who they were, what kind of role they were playing -- and you see the result today."

Pakistani officials have insisted the arrests were not aimed at wrecking the talks, media reported.

Taliban military commander Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar was captured last month in the southern Pakastani city of Karachi in Pakistan, in what US media said was a joint operation with American spies.

Other senior Taliban commanders have also reportedly been captured in Pakistan recently.

Senior US general David Petraeus last month hailed "important breakthroughs" and detentions in Pakistan, as he visited the country.

The developments were interpreted in the US as a sign of success in efforts to persuade Pakistani authorities to act against Afghan Taliban leaders on its territory.

Power Outage Continues Across the Country

LAHORE/HYDERABAD: Severe load shedding continued across the country as prolonged power cuts made common man’s life miserable. Hyderabad, Sukkur, Khairpur, Noshehro Feroz, Ghotki, Obaro, Nawabshah, Jaccobabad, Mirpur Khas and Larkana experiencing eight-hour load shedding in urban areas and 18- hour load shedding in rural areas. More than ten-hour load shedding affected industrial activities in Sialkot and Faisalabad whereas daily life also affected in different areas of Punjab due to 12 to 14 hours load shedding. Balochistan, NWFP and Azad Kashmir also passing through prolonged power cuts. Common expressed anger over organizations responsible for electric supply and demanded stern action against them and reduction in the duration of load shedding.

PCB central contracts, stipends to 37 players

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has awarded central contracts to 37 players but it ignored five senior cricketers Shoaib Akhtar, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and former captains Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf and Shoaib Malik while announcing the central contracts here on Friday. The PCB has placed 18 players in three categories while 19 cricketers have succeeded in getting special monthly stipends. Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal, Umar Gul, Salman Butt, Abdul Razzaq, Mohamamd Asif and Danish Kaneria were placed in "A" category and they will earn Rs250,000 a month. Umer Akmal, Mohammad Aamir, Saeed Ajmal, Faisal Iqbal, Misbah-ul-Haq and Imran Farhat have been given "B" category and they are entitled to a monthly salary of Rs175,000. Fawad Alam, Yasir Arafat, Mohammad Hafeez, Wahab Riaz and Abdul Rehman have been placed in "C" category, which brings a monthly salary of Rs100,000.

Rangers in Faizabad as violent protests on

RAWALPINDI: Violent protests continued in Faizabad and Murre-Bara Kahu Road against hike in fares of public transport. Protestors set bon fires and pelting stones at police as police resort tear gas shelling. On the other hand, Rangers have been called in Faizabad to bring situation under control. Angry protestors smashed windowpanes of shops and vehicles, set ablaze a car and blocked the road. Five policemen sustained injuries during the protest. Expressway and Murree Road have been closed for traffic. Police have arrested several protestors as severe shelling and Ariel firing on in these areas. Sporadic clashes have also been reported. Protestors blamed that administration has been failed to rein transporters who charged increased fares, which is th

China, Hits out at UK human rights repor

China has accused Britain of putting on a political show after a UK review of human rights around the world was highly critical of Beijing. The report, issued on Wednesday, named China as one of some 20 nations where there was cause for serious concern about human rights. Burma, Zimbabwe and North Korea were also named as countries of concern. The report said there had been a marked deterioration in some areas of human rights in China.

Red shirt' leaders say Bangkok protests to go on (Thai)

Thai 'red shirt' opposition demonstrators say they plan to stay in Bangkok indefinitely, albeit in smaller numbers.

US healthcare bill 'will reduce deficit by $138bn

The US Congressional Budget Office says the final version of the Democrats' healthcare plan will cut the federal deficit by $138bn over 10 years. The non-partisan body said the proposed legislation, which the House is expected to vote on at the weekend, would cost about $940bn over a decade. President Barack Obama said the bill represented the most significant effort to reduce the deficit since the 1990s. He has delayed a trip to Asia until June to help lobby wavering Democrats. The reforms would deliver on Mr Obama's top domestic priority by providing insurance to some 30 million Americans who currently lack it. They would increase insurance coverage through tax credits for the middle class and expanding of the Medicaid programme for the poor. If approved, they would represent the biggest change in the US healthcare system since the creation in the 1960s of Medicare, the government-run scheme for Americans aged 65 or over.

Jerusalem's African quarter (In pictures)

Islamabad

Agitators Stage Protest, Block Kashmir Road in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Infuriated mob continued protest late on Thursday night in Barah Kaho locality of federal capital Islamabad against the raise in public transport fares by Islamabad administration. According to sources, agitators rampaged with shops, had them closed through use of force and pelted stones on traffic at Aabpara Chowke and also blocked Kashmir Road for traffic.

Karachi UN visits Karsaz Blast Place

KARACHI: A UN investigation team, probing into the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, arrived late here and visited the Karasaz place where several blasts hit Benazir caravan when she returned home, Geo news reported. Strict security measures were adopted on the occasion with heavy contingents of police and rangers’ personnel deployed at Karsaz suicide blast place.

s ! Sports News ! World News ! Christmas Gifts Browse > Home / Pakistan Breaking news / Blaze ravages chemical factory in Industrial State at Lahore

Lahore, Pakistan:- Chemicals and machinery worth of millions of rupees were destroyed when a huge fire broke out in a chemical factory in Green Town, Lahore. Fire brigade is trying to contain the fire. Fire brigade sources said that the blaze broke out late night in the factory, they added that the cause of the fire could not be immediately ascertained, though an electric short-circuit was believed to have caused it. 10 to 12 fire brigade engines were pressed into service to contain the fire; however it is feared that the fire cannot be put out until the entire quantity of chemical is burnt. The fire fighters are trying to stop the fire from reaching neighboring factories.

Asthma relief in Pakistan salt mine

KHEWRA: A centuries-old salt mine in Pakistan is offering experimental asthma therapy, attracting patients from all over the world. Khewra, billed as the world's second largest salt mine, has for centuries extracted the crucial mineral for export and has become a tourist attraction complete with a salt mosque and an electric train. Now, the mine is cashing in on salt therapy, already a draw in the salt mines of eastern Europe and a synthetic clinic in Britain. Clinics claim that asthma patients and sufferers of other respiratory illnesses benefit from inhaling antibacterial salt particles in a sterile environment, helping loosen mucus and clear the lung passages. "We don't use any medicine, because the asthmatic allergy patients recover through the air, so we provide them an environment in which their breathing can improve," said Akhlaq Bukhari, head doctor at the Khewra clinic. Although there have been few clinical studies, salt caves are seen by some as a therapeutic alternative to drugs and there are natural and synthetic salt caves springing up all over the world. While other clinics offer treatment for bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, and even ear infections, Shah says the Khewra clinic only treats patients whose asthma is triggered by allergies. "I have come here all the way from Canada. I could not recover there through medicine, but I am feeling better since my arrival here," said Naeem Shamsher, a civil engineer from Canada. Shamsher had tried medicine doled out by doctors back home but felt little relief and struggled to walk far without becoming breathless, so relatives in Pakistan suggested he visit the Khewra Mines. "Now I can run and even play soccer just after spending three days in the mine," said Shamsher, who says he feels 60 percent better after the treatment.

Goundamani Dead, Goundamani Dead? (Tamil comedian Goundamani Latest News Updates): Veteran comedian Goundamani was reported to have been admitted in Apollo Hospital in Chennai after complaining of chest pains. But some of the latest discussions on twitter and online discussion forums have mentioned that the South Indian comedian is dead while some others have reported that it is a rumor. But as per wikipedia page on Goundamani, the famous comedian died today, 18th March, 2010. We are trying to confirm the news right now and we wish it is a rumor. Born in Kannampalayam, a village in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, Goundamani came in the Tamil Film industry with strong theatrical background. He was seen in numerous films and some of them were very popular, including Sathyaraj, Karthik, Rajinikanth, Arjun, Parthiban, Jayaram, Kamal Hassan, Vijay, Ajith Kumar, Sarath Kumar and Prabhu.

Obama : America Is Having Good Relations With Israel:

President Barack Obama said that keeping Tehran without a nuclear weapon is one of his highest priorities. He added that US is having good relations with Israel. Obama says a nuclear-armed Iran could trigger an arms race in the Middle East, something his administration wants to avoid.

Karachi Attack: Three Buses Put On Fire

KARACHI PAKISTAN : Some unidentified people set three buses alight on Thursday morning to protest the murders of four MQM (H) members the other day, which sparked unrest in the metropolitan. Chaos enveloped parts of the city while buses were being torched at Natha Khan Pul, MA Jinnah Road and Kala Pul in Defence. However, police said that no life loss was occurred.

British child Sahil handed over to family

ISLAMABAD: The British boy kidnapped two weeks ago has been handed over to his his father at the British High Commission in Islamabad. On Thursday British High Commissioner in Pakistan, Adam Thomson, said Sahil and his father had been reunited at his house, along with other relatives who had brought the boy to Islamabad. "I can imagine it's a very emotional moment for them all," he said. Sahil was seized while visiting his family in Pakistan on 3 March and freed 13 days later.

2010 Earthquake Los Angeles

Earthquake Los Angeles 2010, Earthquake Los Angeles : An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.4 in the Los Angeles area this morning around 4:04. Millions of people from southern California was awaken by the quake. See details below of the earthquake by the U.S. Geological Survey. The AP is reporting that a 4.4 magnitude earthquake tore across Los Angeles, California just before sunrise this morning. Thankfully, there are no reports of damage or injuries in conjunction with the California earthquake. According to the US Geological Survey, the 4.4 magnitude earthquake epicenter was about 10 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. There is a minor chance that this 4.4 magnitude California earthquake foreshadows a larger earthquake.

Spain Child

The three accused involved in the abduction of a UK-based child Sahil have been arrested in Spain today. Sources said the accused were traced through their phone calls they made to their accomplices in Pakistan. Some criminals have also been arrested from Pakistan in this regard and they were being grilled. Pakistan has contacted Interpol for the kidnappers’ extradition.

P. Zardari signs human organs transplant bill

Lahore, Pakistan :- President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday became the first President to donate all his body organs, after signing a landmark bill to regulate transplant of human organs in the country. The President made the announcement of “donating his whole body”...

Malik sees Punjabi Taliban prop up TTP

Updated at: 1404 PST, Wednesday, March 17, 2010 ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik said Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is receiving strength from Punjabi Taliban, Geo News reported Wednesday.He was speaking at a special cabinet session to review the law and order situation in the country. The session is currently in progress.Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani is presiding over the session being attended by Azad Kashmir Premier, Chief Ministers of four provinces,

Power crisis deepens across country

AHORE: Electricity crisis once again resurfaced across the country as power shortfall reaches 3,500 MW, leading to increased number of powerless hours. The demand of electricity has climbed to 11,500 MW against total power generation which presently stands at 8,500 MW.