Pakistan blames “Afghan commander” for Nato attack: BBC

KARACHI: According to a BBC report, Pakistan’s military officials on Monday blamed an Afghan commander for the November 26 Nato strike on Salala check post in Mohmand agency, FTNews reported.

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported that the accused Afghan commander conspired on the instructions of Indian and Afghan intelligence to dismantle Pakistan’s ties with US and Nato.

According to the published report, Pakistani military officials were probing the incident on their own and also handed few details of the investigative report to their Nato counterparts across the border on Monday.

Pakistani officials demanded action against the accused Afghan National Army commander by Nato officials in Afghanistan.

Pakistan’s investigative report did not indicate involvement of any American officials in the attack.

According to the report Afghani troops, without any prior notice, were patrolling an area at Pak-Afghan border which required 72 hours prior notice to Pakistani forces.

The troops deployed at Salala check post opened fire on Afghan patrol team considering them militants and subsequently Nato air defence helicopters, came to afghan team’s rescue, attacked the Pakistani post.

According to Pakistan officials, Afghans knew exact location of the post hence calling Nato for help was a pre-planned scheme.

However the ISPR rebuffed the BBC report calling it inaccurate.

Read more »

Posted in: NATIONAL

Nawaz vows to resolve Balochistan crisis

KARACHI: Eminent Baloch leader, Sardar Ataullah Mengal said that the Pakistan Army has taken Balochistan to the point of no return and if Nawaz Sharif was able to resolve the Balochistan crisis he will no longer live in exile.

Mengal was talking to the head of PML-N, Nawaz Sharif at his residence in Karachi. Talking to media persons, Nawaz Sharif vowed to fight for the case of Balochistan on all fronts and said that there will be no progress on the issue if the killers of Nawab Akbar Bugti were not arrested.

Nawaz Sharif also admitted that Balochistan is facing cruelty.

Mengal added that past mistakes should not be repeated in Balochistan. He stressed the need for accountability of those involved in atrocities in the province.

Read more »

Posted in: NATIONAL

Kayani, Zardari phone call focused on president’s health: ISPR

KARACHI: An Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) spokesman issued an explanatory statement of the telephonic conversation between President Asif Ali Zardari and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, FTNews reported on Monday.

The spokesman said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani received a phone call from the president while meeting with the COAS General Ashfaq Kayani.

Zardari asked to convey his well wishes to Kayani. The COAS in return talked to the president, spokesman said.

During the conversation, General Kayani inquired after the president’s health, the spokesman said, adding that rumour mongering over the subject should stop.

The spokesman moreover said that events that took place in the country during the last 72 hours should not be linked to this conversation.

Read more »

Posted in: NATIONAL