Tag: Crucial

ISLAMABAD - In a major development in the Afghan peace process, Pakistan's top political and military leadership will hold an important meeting with President Hamid Karzai and other Afghan leaders in Kabul today (Saturday) to pave the way for a conclusive dialogue between the Karzai government and the Taliban, with Islamabad also playing the central role of facilitator.
In an unprecedented move, Pakistan's top political and military leadership will be present in Kabul today with

SANGIN - US Defense Secretary Robert Gates visited the key battleground of southern Afghanistan Tuesday to meet troops ahead of the planned start of foreign force withdrawals from July. Flying into the country on Monday, Gates said that US and coalition forces are "well-positioned" to begin a gradual drawdown in four months' time but he has not given a number for how many US personnel could leave then.
On Tuesday he saw the situation on the ground, visiting the US military base

MILAN - A brilliant performance by Brazilian striker Pato saw AC Milan inflict what could prove to be a fatal blow to Napoli's Serie A title hopes here on Monday as the leaders cruised to a 3-0 win. The 21-year-old - a somewhat controversial omission from last year's World Cup finals squad - set up Ghanaian Kevin-Prince Boateng for Milan's second goal and then added a glorious third two minutes later to give them a five point lead over champions Inter Milan while Napoli are six points

LAHORE - All eyes are set upon the PML-N's crucial meeting in Islamabad today (Friday) that will likely decide the fate of politics of reconciliation and of PPP's ministers in the Punjab government. Following the failure of the PML-N and PPP teams to arrive at a conclusion over the 10-point agenda, the workers referendum, held by Nawaz Sharif in Model Town on Thursday, opposed further negotiations with the PPP and supported the PPP's ouster from the Punjab cabinet.
As a last

ISLAMABAD - Intense lobbying is underway in the Foreign Office for the top slot of the foreign secretary, with two senior diplomats using their connections with the higher authorities to clinch the coveted post, while incumbent Salman Bashir is trying hard to retain the post.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani had already decided to reshuffle the Foreign Ministry, including the change of hands at the foreign secretary's office. In the wake of the decision, various names are being

WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama will welcome President Asif Ali Zardari to the White House on Friday for talks on ties between the uneasy war partners, spokesman Robert Gibbs said. President Zardari is scheduled to discuss diplomatic, economic and security issues with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other top US officials today (Friday). He will also attend a memorial service for US special envoy Richard Holbrooke.
Pakistan's Ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani

ISLAMABAD - The Indo-Pak parliamentarians' dialogue in Islamabad concluded on Friday, with both sides issuing a joint declaration that recognised the parliamentarians' importance in removing the trust deficit between the two countries.
The parliamentarians held constructive, candid and comprehensive dialogue, agreeing that the trust deficit could be removed by building on commonalities and positives, with a view to resume bilateral dialogue and promoting a people's movement for

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan medium fast bowler Tanvir Ahmad has said that coach Waqar Younis has plenty of bowling experience in New Zealand and his advice and help will be crucial in two-Test series commencing January 7 at Hamilton.
"The wickets for the Test matches should be much more helpful to the bowlers than what we all saw in the UAE, which is certainly something that I am looking forward to," Tanvir said. Tanvir expressed confidence that his "preferred length and bowling style"

ROME: Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi warned members of parliament they risked plunging Italy into the middle of the euro zone's debt crisis if they vote against him in a no-confidence vote due on Tuesday.
Speaking in parliament a day before a showdown that could force him from office and trigger early elections, Berlusconi said his government had kept Italy out of the crisis but that the threat of instability remained. "It is madness to initiate a crisis without any

LONDON: Diplomacy is not enough to stop Iran developing nuclear weapons, the head of Britain's foreign spy service said on Thursday, urging an "intelligence-led" approach to stopping nuclear proliferation.
In an unprecedented public speech, MI6 chief John Sawers said that the intelligence activities were responsible for Iran's admission last year of a second enrichment plant, which in turn led to tougher diplomatic pressure on the country.
"Stopping nuclear proliferation

ISLAMABAD
Yousaf Raza Gilani's government is not taking the opposition into confidence over crucial national issues just like the previous regime, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Nisar Ali Khan said on Friday.
Addressing a press conference, Nisar said, "Pakistan's strategic dialogue with the US is very crucial in which the opposition should have been taken into confidence by the government but, Gilani's government did not even share the agenda of the