All issues with SC to be resolved amicably: Pak PM

Lahore, May 21 (ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilaniis hopeful that all issues with the Supreme Court will be settled soon.

Gilani denied any rift between his government and the judiciary on the issue of upholding the sentence of Interior Minister Rehman Malik by the Lahore High Court and awarding of the presidential remission soon after.

He said the government would accede to and act upon the Supreme Court verdict whatever it was in the original case, adding that all issues with the apex court would be resolved amicably.

Replying to o a question, he said there was no confrontation among the two state institutions.

Gilani said his government would look into the matter of extension in the service of Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani, as and when the time comes, the Daily Times reported.

During the meeting with senior journalists, Gilani shared his opinion on a number of national and international issues and also discussed policies of the coalition government. (ANI)

Committee to probe Benazir Bhutto assassination crime scene to spark row: Editorial

Islamabad, Apr 26(ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s decision to form a committee to probe the hosing down of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination crime scene is likely to spark more controversy rather than clearing the muddle.

The committee was formed after Pakistan Army Chief General Kayani met the Prime Minister.

It is believed that the military is troubled by the naming of its serving and retired personnel in the UN Commission of Inquiry Report and has moved to clear their names.

The current committee will focus on whether Major General Nadeem Ijaz, who was then-Military Intelligence Director General, ordered the hosing down of the crime scene.

According to a leading Pakistan daily, apart from the ‘hosing down’, there are many other questions that need thorough investigation.

“Why did Rehman Malik, who was in charge of Benazir’s security, along with Babar Awan, immediately leave the scene in the back-up vehicle meant for her? Why was an autopsy not carried out on Benazir despite it being a requirement of the law? It could have provided important indicators about the exact cause of her death and the kind of weapon used,” an editorial in the Daily Times said.

“Moreover, whoever ordered the washing of the crime scene, did he do of his own volition or was it part of a coordinated plan? Who was the mastermind behind the systematic elimination of crucial evidence and, by implication, the assassination?” it added.

The editorial further said that it would not be logical to focus on just one aspect and leave out the rest.

“The present committee’s findings, at best, will be perceived as partisan if they are not augmented by a wider inquiry into all these questions,” it said. (ANI)

Committee to probe Benazir Bhutto assassination crime scene to spark row: Editorial

Islamabad, Apr 26(ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s decision to form a committee to probe the hosing down of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination crime scene is likely to spark more controversy rather than clearing the muddle.

The committee was formed after Pakistan Army Chief General Kayani met the Prime Minister.

It is believed that the military is troubled by the naming of its serving and retired personnel in the UN Commission of Inquiry Report and has moved to clear their names.

The current committee will focus on whether Major General Nadeem Ijaz, who was then-Military Intelligence Director General, ordered the hosing down of the crime scene.

According to a leading Pakistan daily, apart from the ‘hosing down’, there are many other questions that need thorough investigation.

“Why did Rehman Malik, who was in charge of Benazir’s security, along with Babar Awan, immediately leave the scene in the back-up vehicle meant for her? Why was an autopsy not carried out on Benazir despite it being a requirement of the law? It could have provided important indicators about the exact cause of her death and the kind of weapon used,” an editorial in the Daily Times said.

“Moreover, whoever ordered the washing of the crime scene, did he do of his own volition or was it part of a coordinated plan? Who was the mastermind behind the systematic elimination of crucial evidence and, by implication, the assassination?” it added.

The editorial further said that it would not be logical to focus on just one aspect and leave out the rest.

“The present committee’s findings, at best, will be perceived as partisan if they are not augmented by a wider inquiry into all these questions,” it said. (ANI)

Pak armed forces exhibit capability in targeting drones

Bahawalpur (Pakistan), Apr 19(ANI): The Pakistan Army and the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) have effectively targeted a drone aircraft, displaying their capability as part of the Azm-e-Nau III military exercise that is being conducted in a desert near Bahawalpur.

The massive firepower show included effectively targeting an indigenously developed drone flying at a certain height and speed with the help of the radar directed Orlikon Anti Aircraft gun.

The Air Defence of the Pakistan Army has also exhibited the accurate targeting of an enemy aircraft with precision through shoulder-operated system of Anza-II Missiles, The Daily Times reports.

The first phase of the exercise culminated with an Impressive Integrated Fire Power Exercise.

The spectacular firepower was witnessed by Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Tariq Majid, Army Chief General Ashfaq Kayani, services chiefs, foreign defence attaches and a number of retired and serving military officers.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Gilani said he was sure the feat could not be rivalled by any military in the world.

He said the exercise was the epoch making professional activity of the Pakistani armed forces, which marks the culmination of a year-long training process conceived and executed by them. (ANI)

Pak armed forces exhibit capability in targeting drones

Bahawalpur (Pakistan), Apr 19(ANI): The Pakistan Army and the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) have effectively targeted a drone aircraft, displaying their capability as part of the Azm-e-Nau III military exercise that is being conducted in a desert near Bahawalpur.

The massive firepower show included effectively targeting an indigenously developed drone flying at a certain height and speed with the help of the radar directed Orlikon Anti Aircraft gun.

The Air Defence of the Pakistan Army has also exhibited the accurate targeting of an enemy aircraft with precision through shoulder-operated system of Anza-II Missiles, The Daily Times reports.

The first phase of the exercise culminated with an Impressive Integrated Fire Power Exercise.

The spectacular firepower was witnessed by Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Tariq Majid, Army Chief General Ashfaq Kayani, services chiefs, foreign defence attaches and a number of retired and serving military officers.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Gilani said he was sure the feat could not be rivalled by any military in the world.

He said the exercise was the epoch making professional activity of the Pakistani armed forces, which marks the culmination of a year-long training process conceived and executed by them. (ANI)

Karzai calls for joint Pak-Afghan anti-terror strategy

Islamabad, Mar. 15 (ANI): Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai has called for a “common strategy” against terrorism for Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Karzai expressed these views during his telephone conversation with Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.

He also expressed grief over the loss of innocent lives in the recent terrorist attacks in Lahore and Mingora, the Daily Times reports.

According to a press release issued by Prime Minister’s office, Karzai told Gilani that the circumstances in neighbouring countries were ‘so similar’ that an act of violence in one country is followed by an act of violence in the other.

He was referring to the recent terror attack in Kandahar.

Karzai said that both countries needed to coordinate efforts in order to strengthen cooperation against terrorism and militancy.

Separately, Karzai telephoned President Asif Ali Zardari and thanked him for the warm hospitality accorded to him and his delegation during their recent visit to Islamabad.

He said he looked forward to continued mutual cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan in all areas. (ANI)

Pak’s latest flip-flop: Admits no Baloch dossier given to India

Islamabad, Sep.12 (ANI): In yet another evidence of Pakistan’s flip-flops, Islamabad, for the first time has admitted that it has not handed any dossier regarding Baloch insurgency to India.

In an interview with Outlook magazine, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, in an apparent volte-face, said Pakistan actually never handed any dossier to India during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s meeting with Yousuf Raza Gilani on the sidelines of the NAM summit at Sharm-el-Sheikh in July.

“No, we didn’t. Actually, we flagged the issue on Balochistan. We asked for a positive attitude and asked for non-interference inside Balochistan,” The Nation quoted Qureshi, as saying.

While Islamabad, till now, has continuously been claiming that it has handed a dossier to India regarding latter’s involvement in the Baloch insurgency, New Delhi has out rightly rejected the claims.

Following Pakistan’s ‘baseless’ claims, the UPA Government faced severe criticism from the opposition for allowing some damaging concessions to the neighbour country.

Prime Minister Manmohan had to clarify the government’s stand in parliament and he said that no such dossier were given by Pakistan during the meeting in Egypt.

“No dossier on Balochistan has been handed over to me,” Singh said during his speech during the monsoon session of the Lok Sabha.

Trying to corner the government over the alleged ‘sell off’ to Pakistan in Egypt, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Yashwant Sinha alleged that India has committed a blunder by agreeing to de-link action against terror by Pakistan to the resumption of the composite dialogue.

Pakistani media had described that the Baloch dossier’s claims as true and added that it had been presented to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with details of India’s alleged role in fomenting trouble in Balochistan and other areas.

According to the Pakistani media, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani himself mentioned the dossier’s presence. (ANI)

Gilani’s silence suggests his involvement in massive corruption : PML-Q

Islamabad, Sep.8 (ANI): The Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q) has condemned Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani for refusing to take notice of involvement of his cabinet ministers in large scale corruption.

Senior PML-Q leader Makhdoom Faisal Saleh Hayat said Gilani’s reluctance to take action on such charges against his ministers indicates that he too is a artner in crime, The Daily Times reports.

“The PM’s silence regarding the corruption of his ministers despite repeated pointation by the opposition proves he is also involved in various shady deals,” a press statement released by Hayat said.

Referring to the reports regarding the purchase of a house by Water and Power Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf in London for a whopping 4.4 million pounds, Hayat claimed that Ashraf had misappropriated funds from rental power project deals to earn huge money.

Hayat appealed to the Supreme Court to take suo motu notice of this ‘blatant corruption’ and direct the government to stop the rental power projects. (ANI)

Pak is losing ground on ‘insufficient evidence’ claim

Islamabad, Sep. 7 (ANI): Even as Pakistan continues to claim that India has not provided enough evidence in the Mumbai terror attack case, Interpol has suggested otherwise by issuing an arrest warrant against Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed.

The world agrees with India that Pakistan is not showing seriousness in the matter of punishing the perpetrators of the 26/11, the Daily Times reports.

And Interpol’s arrest warrant is the latest proof of the fact that Pakistan is losing ground.

Does it mean that the evidence Pakistan considers inadequate has been accepted as valid by Interpol, the report questions.

In this case, Interpol seems to have agreed with India on the definition of what is credible evidence?

Meanwhile, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said “a delay in the resumption of Indo-Pak talks will only benefits the terrorists.”

However, Indian Foreign Minister S M Krishna has said that Pakistan must “satisfy” India first by taking action against the terrorists it has caught.

The paper notes, “let us not kid ourselves that the terrorists’ gain because of lack of dialogue will be equally harmful to India and Pakistan.”

“All in all, any balanced assessment would be that Pakistan may lose more if the dialogue with India doesn’t resume on a new basis,” the paper concludes. (ANI)

Gilani says minimum nuclear deterrence will be maintained at all costs

Islamabad, Aug. 29 (ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has expressed optimism over the capability of the country’s military thwarting any challenge to its security and sovereignty, and urged minimum nuclear deterrence to be maintained at all costs.

Gilani said that Pakistan didn’t harbour any aggressive designs against any country.

He expressed these views during a meeting with the Chairman, Joint Chief of Staff Committee, General Tariq Majeed, on Friday.

According to sources, a host of issues came up for discussion regarding the overall security situation, Development plan of the Armed Forces 2025, war against terrorism, Pak-Afghan border situation, defense needs etc..

Gilani assured that all defense needs of the Armed Forces wouldl be fulfilled under Development Plan of the Armed Forces 2025, the Dawn reports.

General Majeed also briefed Gilani about his visit to Brunei and Vietnam. (ANI)

Eight people injured in Rawalpindi blast

Rawalpindi Aug 21 (ANI): At least eight people, including four policemen, were injured in a powerful blast which took near a police patrol car on the Misryal road here on Thursday.

City Police Officer Rao Iqbal said initial investigation suggested that some policemen were on patrol in a private car when probably a grenade was hurled at them from a distance.

All the injured have been admitted to the DHQ hospital, where doctors described one of the injured, Mohammad Imran’s condition as critical.

Another injured person, Mohammad Arif, said after receiving a call from his brother that he has been stopped by police on the Misryal road, he (Arif) along with his friends reached the spot for verification of certain documents when suddenly the blast occurred.

“It looked as if lightning had struck from the sky,” Arif said.

The injured policemen were identified as Aftab, Yousaf, Malik Liaquat and Saeed, The Dawn reports. (ANI)

No peace with India until Kashmir issue is resolved: Pak PM

Lahore, June 29 (ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that it is not possible to have peace with India until the Kashmir issue is resolved, and added that Islamabad always wanted cordial relations with all neighbouring countries.

“I want to say again that Pakistan has always wanted to have cordial relations with all neighbouring countries, including Afghanistan, India and Iran, but talks between India and Pakistan without resolution of the Kashmir issue would be fruitless,” he told reporters here.

He said a solution to the Kashmir issue was the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy, the Online reported.

Commenting on the drone attacks in the northern areas, Gilani said they were an attack on the integrity of Pakistan and were forcing tribesmen to join extremist elements.

The Daily Times quoted him, as saying that the US was working towards understanding Pakistan’s view on the drone attacks.

Gilani said all anti-Pakistan elements were terrorists, and had no religion or geographical boundaries.

Replying to question about Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s statement on dialogue with the Taliban, he said that while Fazl was a coalition partner of the government, his views on the Taliban were a personal statement, and added the entire nation wanted peace by eliminating the terrorists forever.

Gilani said the Pakistan Army was taking decisive action against the Taliban in FATA and other tense areas, adding this was not the time for dialogue with extremists.

“Our army is fighting very efficiently against the cowards who strike through ambushes. These anti-social and anti-Pakistan elements are working on foreign agendas,” he added. (ANI)

Taliban might launch retaliatory attacks across Pakistan, says Gilani

Taliban might launch retaliatory attacks across Pakistan, says GilaniIslamabad, May 23 (Xinhua) Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said Saturday that terrorists might carry out retaliatory attacks in the country as they have suffered heavy losses in the wake of the military offensives in North West Frontier Province (NWFP).

“There are intelligence reports that terrorists can carry out attacks in any part of the country as reaction,” Gilani told reporters in Lahore, the capital of Punjab province.

“But terrorists cannot hold us hostage,” Gilani said, adding that the operation against the militants is progressing well.

“We order operation where the writ is challenged, and when a parallel government is established. Armed forces assist the civil administration as and when they are required,” he said.

When asked by a reporter about the US drone (pilotless aircraft) attacks in the Pakistani tribal areas, Gilani said the American strikes were counter productive and affected the anti-terror strategy.

“We are hopeful the US would review its policy. If these attacks would have benefited, we would have supported it,” he said.

At least 20 people have been killed in two separate bomb blasts in northwestern Peshawar city this week, raising concerns of the safety of people in other Pakistani areas.

Media reports said over 1,000 Taliban militants have been killed in the offensives launched by the Pakistan Army in the Swat Valley and in other areas of NWFP.

British prime minister in Pakistan for anti-terror talks

Islamabad – British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his Pakistani counterpart on Monday put aside diplomatic tensions over the planned expulsion of 11 Pakistani students arrested in a suspected bomb plot, as they held talks on fight against terrorism. British authorities arrested 12 men, 11 of them Pakistanis, all of which were later released without charge, but the Pakistani nationals, including 10 with student visas, were now facing possible deportation.

Pakistan has strongly reacted to the decision at diplomatic level, and demanded that Britain respond affirmatively to the applications for review.

“We do not comment on individual applications. The police is still looking into the matter,” Brown said during a joint press conference with Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in Islamabad, where he had arrived from Kabul.

“The applications will be considered in a normal way,” Brown said.

Gilani said thousands of Pakistani students including his own two sons and the president’s daughter were also studying in Britain.

Gilani insisted study should not be disrupted for the students, who were detained this month during hasty raids after one of Britain’s top anti-terror officers Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick was photographed carrying secret documents.

But Brown said his country’s law-enforcement agencies would move whenever there is a threat.

“We welcome the students but when there is problem, we will take action.”

Brown said the two countries face the “shared challenge” of terrorism and the two countries will work together to defeat it.

“We will stand up against terrorism together and we will take them on,” the visiting prime minister said.

He lauded Pakistan’s security operation against Taliban militants in north-western Lower Dir district, where the paramilitary troops have killed 46 rebels over the last two days.

Meanwhile, Brown pressed Pakistan to do more to eliminate Islamist insurgents launching cross border attacks on international forces in Afghanistan.

Pakistan has been reiterating its resolve to fight extremism and terrorism, but says its Western allies must aid its efforts.

“Pakistan will continue to make efforts to promote stability in Afghanistan,” said Gilani, and “eliminate the menace of terrorism” through a comprehensive approach.(dpa)

Zardari assures judicial probe in Baloch leaders’ killing

Islamabad, Apr. 14 (ANI): Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has assured a judicial investigation into the killing of the three Baloch leaders that caused rampant riots in Balochistan.The government will leave no stone unturned to expose the culprits involved in the murder of the Baloch leaders,” The Nation quoted Zardari, as saying.

Zardari, along with Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani interacted with PPP parliamentarians from NWFP at Monday at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

Some of the members informed Zardari about the issues confronting the NWFP, the problems being faced by the people of their areas and also suggested remedial measures.

Zardari asked them to take up their issues with the Awami National Party leadership, who were the leading coalition partners in the Province, and parliamentarians supported the efforts to bring normalcy in the violence-hit Province.

“They also supported the government move to take Parliament into confidence on the issue of Nizam-e-Adl Regulation,” sources said.

According to the sources, the meeting was a part of the consultative dialogue. he President apprised them of the current regional and political situation and invited their suggestions.

“We have worked out a comprehensive strategy to resolve all these outstanding issues,” Zardari said. (ANI)

Dangerous political brinkmanship pushing Pak over the edge: Expert

Washington, Mar.15 (ANI): The people of Pakistan have suffered enough instability and uncertainty over the last two years and deserve more maturity and less dangerous brinksmanship from their political leaders, feels an expert on South Asian affairs.

According to Lisa Curtis, Senior Research Fellow, Asian Studies Center, The Heritage Foundation, Pakistan’s civilian leaders are falling back into confrontational, zero-sum politics, and that the country is slipping closer toward the cliff, at the bottom of which is a failed state.

“Coming in the wake of a severe economic crunch, an onslaught by Taliban militants in the northwest, and simmering tensions with historical foe India, the political uncertainty is fueling a sense of chaos there and opening the door for Islamist extremists intent on destabilizing the country,” she warns.

Claiming that the situation in Pakistan is already fraught with challenges for U.S. policymakers, she says that the current political crisis will add one more layer of uncertainty.

Instability in Pakistan, she adds, has become a major source of international concern, especially since Pakistan is one of a handful of countries that possess nuclear weapons.

Curtis if of the opinion that the current political turmoil will certainly distract the government from dealing with the multiple challenges facing Pakistan, including spreading Talibanization in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP).

he is of the view that Pakistan’s Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani understands the perils of political confrontation and is working hard to defuse the crisis, and therefore, he should be encouraged.

“If Nawaz and Zardari continue to proceed on the assumption that politics in Pakistan is a zero-sum game, all Pakistanis will lose,” she concludes. (ANI)

Pak tells Holbrooke it wants more aid from the U.S.

Islamabad, Feb.11 (ANI): Pakistan expects more from the United States in return for its cooperation against al-Qaeda and the Taliban, and this message was amply conveyed to President Obama’s Special Envoy on Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke during his meetings with the leadership here.

Statements issued by both Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Primeinister Yousaf Raza Gilani after their respective meetings with Holbrooke, emphasized the need to “expedite” a new, multi-billion dollar U.S. aid package, and “the importance of enhanced cooperation in defense and intelligence sharing.”

Holbrooke said only that he was there “to listen and learn the groundealities of this critically important country.”

According to the Washington Post, the Obama administration sees the Holbrooke visit as a first step to a complex and delicate effort to stabilize Pakistan’s civilian democracy even as it strengthens the Pakistani military and brings it more in sync with U.S. counter-terrorism goals in the region and the war effort in Afghanistan.

According to the paper, the new administration in Washington is formulating a more regional strategy it hopes will arrest the deterioration in the seven-year Afghan war and allow it to move more aggressively against al-Qaeda.

“Not having patience makes all the sense in the world in terms of thefghanistan threat,” Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Michaelullen said in a recent interview.

But in Pakistan, he said, “there is not a quick answer,” and any new U.S. strategy will have to “recognize the tension” between near- and far-term objectives.

The next step, U.S. and Pakistani officials said, will be a visit to the United States later this month by Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.

Since last year, senior U.S. military officials have assiduously courted Kayani as the key to making up lost ground in the relationship and persuading the Pakistani military to turn its attention away from the perceived threat from India and toward extremist sanctuaries on the Afghan border.

Pakistan’s weak civilian government is doing its own balancing act.

The Pakistani public is increasingly anti-American and Zardari’s political opponents charge that he is too close to Washington.

Increased U.S. military and civil assistance, the government has argued, will improve Pakistan’s counter-terrorism performance, make it easier to cooperate with U.S. goals, and ensure the survival of the civilian government. (ANI)

Pak to reveal report on Mumbai attack on Monday: Gilani

Lahore/New Delhi, Feb. 6 (ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said today Pakistan will reveal report on Mumbai attack on Monday.

He said that he will receive the report on investigation into the Mumbai attacks on Monday and its findings will be made public thereafter.

The findings of the report will be shared with India and the world community, the PM told reporters at the airport after arriving here from Islamabad.

The facts will not be kept concealed, The News quoted, Gilani as saying.

Regarding Pakistan’s stand on Kashmir, Gilani said Pakistan is not silent on the issue and wants it to be resolved in accordance with the “wishes” of the Kashmiri people.

Relations between the both countries have been strained since militants killed 179 people in Mumbai terror attacks.

Earlier, Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma has said that Pakistan must stop pointing to red herrings and drawing attention away from the central issue of action against those responsible for the Mumbai terror attacks.

Reacting to reports from Pakistan’s investigators that Bangladesh based terror outfit Harkat-ul-Jihad-al Islami (HuJI) could be connected to the Mumbai attacks, Sharma said, “Pakistan must stop obfuscations, deflections and pointing to red herrings. There has to be a demonstrated action against the organization and individuals that have been named.”

India has already sent a dossier containing the confession of a surviving attacker, satellite phone intercepts between the attackers and their handlers in Pakistan and a list of Pakistani-made weapons used by the militants to Islamabad. (ANI)

Indian Air Force prepared to meet any eventuality: Air Chief Marshal

New Delhi, Jan 12 (ANI): Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major today said that the IAF is prepared to meet any eventuality.

He was visiting the National Cadet Corps (NCC) camp here today.

The camp has been organised for the NCC cadets participating in the Republic Day parade to be held here later this month.

Replying to a question regarding India’s war preparedness in the wake of the recent Mumbai attacks, Air Chief Marshal Major said that his force is ready for all options.

“The Air Force has its plans ready at all times irrespective of the situation. So there is no reason to think. We have always been ready. We will always be ready for all options that the country exercises,” said Major.

India accused elements in Pakistan for the Mumbai attacks.

On Saturday, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said that while keeping its all options open India has not exhausted its diplomatic options in its attempt to bring the Mumbai attack plotters to justice.

Mukherjee also said that India had enough evidence to support a statement made by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh earlier last week that “official agencies” in Pakistan were involved in the November attack.

Pakistan has rejected the Indian allegations.

Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Saturday reiterated an offer that Pakistan would cooperate in investigations, but said its forces were ready to defend the country. (ANI)

BJP asks Central Govt. to urge US to stop financial aid to Pakistan

Bhopal, Jan 11 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has asked the Central Government to urge US to stop financial aid to Pakistan, accusing Islamabad of supporting terror outfits.
“I expect from the Indian Government, which considers US its strategic partner after the India-US civil nuclear deal, to urge America to stop providing economic aid to Pakistan, which is still proving it a two billion dollars aid per year,” BJP chief Rajnath told reporters here on Saturday.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said that New Delhi had enough evidence to support a statement made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh earlier this week that “official agencies” in Pakistan were involved in the attack.

India has become increasingly frustrated at what it sees as Pakistan’s failure to take strong action against those it blames for the Mumbai attacks.

Pakistan has rejected the Indian allegations.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani reiterated an offer that Pakistan would cooperate in investigations, but said its forces were ready to defend the country.

Islamabad said on Friday it had sent New Delhi a response to a dossier of evidence from the Mumbai attacks, but India’s Foreign Ministry denied receiving any reply. (ANI)