Visa accord with India signed, Let’s walk together, Krishna tells Pak, Hina hopes issues of Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek can be resolved

New chapter opens in Pak-India ties

Islamabad—Considered to be the biggest Confidence Building Measure (CBM) after 2008 tragic Mumbai events, Pakistan and India concluded a relaxed visa regime on Saturday opening a new chapter in their relations. Diplomatic circles in Islamabad have viewed this development as very positive as people belonging to different segments of society on two sides of the divide will be able to pay visits with much ease, otherwise a painful exercise with a lot of road blocks.

Taliban denounce US blacklisting of Haqqani network

Kabul—The Taliban denounced Saturday US moves to blacklist the Al-Qaeda-linked Haqqani network as a terrorist organisation, saying it would have no impact on operations and was indicative of US defeat in Afghanistan. In a statement released through micro-blogging site Twitter, it said there was “no separate entity… in Afghanistan by the name of Haqqani”, adding that the network’s founder and its fighters were totally loyal to Taliban supreme leader Mullah Omar.

Won’t allow Pak cricketers to play in Mumbai: Bal Thackeray

Mumbai—Days after his nephew Raj opposed - albeit briefly - a TV show featuring Pak artistes, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on Saturday said he would not allow Pakistani cricketers to play in Mumbai. “I won’t allow them to play here. I have not reneged on my words and won’t do so,” Thackeray said, in the second part of a marathon interview published in the party mouthpiece Saamana. The Sena patriarch also claimed that if he was given charge of the military, he would perform a miracle and set things right in the country within a month.

Dr AQ Khan backed as caretaker PM

Karachi—Mohsin-e-Pakistan Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan graced the reception hosted in his honour by the leading industrialist Ishtiaq Baig and President Make-A-Wish Foundation Pakistan at his place. The host who is also the Hon. Consul General of Morocco lauded the contribution of Dr. A. Q. Khan for Pakistan and said that at the time when the political parties are looking for consensus candidate for caretaker setup, Dr. A. Q. Khan who enjoys undoubted respect and regards of the nation being the saver of Pakistan can be the best choice for the caretaker Prime Minister. He expected that all the political parties will have the consensus on Mohsin-e-Pakistan.

Rimsha airlifted from Adiala Jail

Rawalpindi—Rimsha Masih, a 14-year-old Christian girl accused of blasphemy, was released from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on bail and sent to an unknown location through a helicopter on Saturday. Under tight security arrangements, Rimsha was transferred to the helicopter via a bullet-proof car on being released. The helicopter was present in a ground opposite the jail. Rimsha’s family has already been shifted to that location.

Govt to reserve seats in NA for overseas Pakistanis: Kaira

Barcelona—Minister for information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira said government would reserve seats for overseas Pakistanis in National Assembly (NA). “We have given the right to vote to overseas Pakistan. Now we will allocate seats for them in NA”, Kaira was addressing Meet the Press programme in Barcelona at Spain. He urged overseas Pakistanis to play their due role for economic development of their country. “Pakistan is federation. We have given due rights to the provinces. We have given them their economic rights”. Kaira said lamenting “still people criticise us”. When we came to power we tendered apology to people of Balochistan first of all and gave provincial autonomy to Balochistan”, he stated. PPP has given the rights to Haris by pursuing the mission launched by Benazir, he added.

US not branding Pak a state sponsor of terrorism

Washington—There is no move by the US to begin the process of designating Pakistan as a state sponsor of terrorism, officials said, after the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton informed the Congress that the Haqqani network is being designated as a global terrorist organisation. Such a statement from senior US officials, who spoke to journalists on the condition of anonymity, came as a top Pentagon official had last year termed the Haqqani network as a veritable arm of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan.