Pakistan denies Nato was under fire before attack

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military on Monday denied reports that Nato forces in Afghanistan came under fire before launching a cross-border attack that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers over the weekend.

“This is not true. They are making up excuses. What are their losses, casualties?” said army spokesman Major-General Athar Abbas in a text message.

A report, citing Afghan and Western officials, had said that fire from a Pakistani military outpost into Afghanistan prompted the air strikes.

Abbas said Nato forces’ regret on the incident was not enough and said the incident could result in serious consequences.

He recalled that such activities had been carried out in the past, adding that he did not think that such activities would be tolerated anymore.

Abbas said the top leadership would decide how to further take up this incident.

He informed the media that seven or eight attacks by Nato forces had resulted in the deaths of 72 soldiers during the past three years, adding that more than 250 security personnel had also been wounded.—FTNews

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Imran reiterates holding Karachi public meeting

KARACHI: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on Monday said he would hold a public meeting in Karachi on December 25 “come what may”, FTNews reported.

Addressing a press conference in Sukkur after the inclusion of two nephews of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani in his party, Khan claimed that his opponents would face more blows in the near future.

He said the country’s educated and intellectual class was joining his party.

Khan lamented that the country had almost defaulted because of theft and corruption and said the right leadership would rectify all wrongs.

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Zardari, Altaf condemn Mohmand attack

KARACHI: President Asif Ali Zardari and Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain strongly condemned the killing of soldiers in an attack by Nato forces on a Pakistani check post in the Mohmand tribal region, FTNews reported.

The two leaders paid tribute to the martyrs during their telephonic conversation. They also exchanged views on different national issues and the country’s overall situation.

The president welcomed the MQM for celebrating the ‘national unity and stability day’ and said that the same enthusiasm and unity was required to counter the challenges facing Pakistan.

Referring to the Mohmand incident, Hussain said such an attack on Pakistan’s sovereignty would not be tolerated.

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