Peace talks with the Taliban in Swat valley were not successful Pakistan will hold peace talks with the Taliban only if the militants lay down their weapons first, Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said.
He told reporters the Taliban would not "keep Kalashnikovs... and hold talks".
Both sides have indicated they are open to negotiations, but analysts doubt the insurgents, who are at war with the Pakistani state, would agree to disarm.
No such condition was set for previous talks, which failed to end violence in which thousands have died.
Mr Malik said that the minimum agenda for talks was for the insurgents to give up arms.
"If they think they will keep Kalashnikovs in their hands and also hold talks, that will not happen," he said.
Correspondents say his comments may not reflect official Pakistani policy.
In the past, peace talks with militants in tribal areas near the Afghan border have resulted in short-lived accords and accusations that Pakistan was providing the militants with sanctuary.
The Pakistani army has conducted a series of offensives against strongholds of the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehrik-e-Taliban, along the mountainous and remote border with Afghanistan.
But it has failed to curtail the activities of the group, which is close to al-Qaeda.
Militants in Pakistan have carried out a series of devastating suicide bombings and other attacks across the country since 2007 in an attempt to overthrow the US-backed government.
Earlier this month, a senior Pakistani Taliban leader told the BBC that talks with Islamabad would not succeed until US forces leave Afghanistan in 2014.
Washington is pressing Islamabad to take further military action against the militants.
Bhutto 'kidnap plot'On Tuesday Mr Malik released details of what he said was an plan by militants to kidnap Bilawal Bhutto, the son of President Zardari and murdered Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.
He also confirmed that militants were holding Shahbaz Taseer, son of murdered Punjab Governor Salman Taseer.
Mr Taseer's car was was intercepted by four men in Lahore in August, seven months after his father was killed for opposing the country's blasphemy law.
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Nawaz wants an end to corruption Updated at: 1523 PST, Tuesday, October 18, 2011 Nawaz wants an end to corruptionSHAHDADPUR: PML-N President Nawaz Sharif said Tuesday that we wanted an end to corruption and corrupt officials in the country, Geo News reported. Addressing party workers and flood victims in Shahdadpur, Sharif said he wanted to bring a change in the lives of people and it was his wish that Pakistan should prosper. Sharif added that he felt the pain of the people that is why he was between them. “There is no electricity, gas or employment in the country” Sharif said. The PML-N president told the gathering that a change was about to come in Sindh and those responsible for criminal activity in Karachi should be punished.
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Three killed in drone attack in SWA – GEO.tv.
Three killed in drone attack in SWA |
Updated at: 0935 PST, Saturday, October 15, 2011 WANA: A US drone fired multiple missiles on a house located at a place called Bagar in Tehsin Barmal of South Waziristan Agency killing three persons, Geo News reported Saturday. According to agency sources, the US drones hit nine missiles at a house in Tehsil Barmal early Saturday morning that killed three persons and injured seven others. The death toll is expected to rise. Sources said that the victims belonged to local commander Mullah Nazir group of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). This is the fourth attack in past three days against Taliban hotbeds in Waziristan agencies. In an earlier such attack in North Waziristan, the US officials claimed to kill a key commander belonging to Haqqani network.
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BB murder case: Saud Aziz, Khurram Shahzad’s acquittal plea rejected -GEO.tv.
BB murder case: Saud Aziz, Khurram Shahzad’s acquittal plea rejected |
Updated at: 1339 PST, Saturday, October 15, 2011 RAWALPINDI: The Trial Court has rejected the appeals filed by former Rawalpindi police chief, Saud Aziz and SP Rawal Town, Khurram Shahzad for their acquittal in the former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto murder case, while in this very case the details of the confiscated assets of proclaimed offender General (retd.) Pervez Musharraf was handed over to his wife Sehba Musharraf. Earlier, Rawalpindi Anti-Terrorist Court (ATC)-I had heard the appeal of Sehba Musharraf against the confiscation of Pervez Musharraf’s properties in this case and later it was adjourned until October 22 due to prosecution lawyer’s engagements. The defending party was provided with the details of the confiscated assets on the directive of the court on which the defence lawyer raised an objection for its being unconfirmed. Later, the judge of the court went to Adyala Jail and announced his earlier reserved judgment that rejected the police officers Saud Aziz and Khurram Shahzad’s acquittal pleas and also turned down the pleas relating to restraining their indictments in the case. Further hearing of Benazir Bhutto murder case would now be held on October 22.
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Moin Akhtar to be waxed for Madame Tussauds |
Updated at: 1042 PST, Thursday, October 13, 2011 LONDON: The world famous wax museum Madame Tussauds has expressed its wish to include a statue of a Pakistani actor for the first time. The actor who has made up to the list is none other than the legend comedian late Moin Akhtar. The one of its kind museum is famous for displaying waxworks of historical and royal figures, film stars, sports stars and famous murderers. Considering Akhtar’s extensive work in the field of arts, the museum has contacted his family in Pakistan. With his unmatched acting skills, production and singing, Moin Akhtar entertained the audiences for 44 long years. The late actor will become the first Pakistani whose statue will be included in the Madame Tussauds. Comment: |
Majority wants change: Imran – GEO.tv.
Updated at: 0839 PST, Friday, October 14, 2011
Imran was speaking at a fundraising ceremony organized by his party here in Dallas. He said that major parties have been coming in power via bogus votes. ’37 million votes out of 80 million found fake while more than 35 million are not registered either, over which the Supreme Court has issued verdict.’
‘Pakistan is a very strong country, if it could bear Zardari regime for three years you can imagine its strength.’ Imran noted that PTI would implement a fair tax system in the country.
Dallas PTI President Nadeem Zaman, Event Coordinator Dr Jalil and others also spoke on the occasion. Central Deputy General Secretary Imran Ismail was also with the party chief.
A delegation led by President Women Wing Syeda Nayyara Bukhari met Imran Khan. Nazia Khan moderated the event.
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