Pakistan

Baitullah Mehsud now being seen as a threat to the US

Baitullah Mehsud now being seen as a threat to the USIslamabad, Apr. 3 : Pak-Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud is being seen as a growing threat to President Barack Obama's anti-terror strategies in Pakistan and beyond, experts say.

A day after Mehsud threatened to attack the White House, a US drone fired two missiles at the alleged hideout of one of his commanders, killing 14 people.

Akhtar passes first fitness test

Akhtar passes first fitness testKarachi, Apr. 3 : Controversial Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has managed to pass through the first of series fitness tests before the Pakistan Cricket Board declares him fit for the national duty against Australia.

According to The News, Akhtar looked in great shape during the test.

Chief selector, Abdul Qadir confirmed that Akhtar has cleared the first hurdle, but made it clear that he would need to fair well in all the endurance checks.

Pak Taliban brutally thrash teenage girl 34 times for venturing out without male companion

Pak Taliban brutally thrash teenage girl 34 times for venturing out without male companionIslamabad, Apr. 3 : The Taliban's writ cannot be challenged, as a two minute mobile video has shown.

A teenage girl was whipped continuously by some Taliban fighters for venturing out of her house without her male companion in Matta District located in the Swat Valley.

According to The Nation, the video showed two men holding the girl's arms and feet, while a third one thrashed her continuously.

Over 100 girls’ school destroyed in FATA by Taliban: UN

Over 100 girls’ school destroyed in FATA by Taliban: UNLahore, Apr. 3 : Months of suppressive acts and attacks on educational institutions, teachers, and students has created a `shocking situation' in the Swat Valley with over 100 girls' school being destroyed completely, the United Nations has said.

The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation Director-General Koichiro Matsuura said education suffered a lot due to the Taliban banning girls' from attending schools.

Matsuura said school buildings suffered huge loss due to the spreading `lawlessness' in the valley.

NWFP Minister says Talibanization is a Pak-supported agenda

 NWFP Minister says Talibanization is a Pak-supported agendaPeshawar, Apr. 3 : Information Minister of North Western Frontier Province Iftikhar Hussain has claimed that Talibanization on Pak-Afghanistan border is a Pakistan-supported agenda.

"Its strange that we put others in trouble and think all will be well here, if we kill them its Jihad, if we destroy their schools its Jihad, if we destroy their country it is termed jihad and if all this bounces on us than we wonder why it happened," the Dawn quoted Hussain, as saying.

‘Pak to raise drone attack issue with Holbrooke’

‘Pak to raise drone attack issue with Holbrooke’Islamabad, Apr. 3 : Pakistan will raise the issue of drone attacks on tribal areas with the President Obama's special envoy on Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke, during his forthcoming visit to Islamabad.

"Richard Holbrooke is scheduled to visit Pakistan next week and this issue (drone attacks) would come up for our discussions," The Nation quoted Foreign Office Spokesman Abdul Basit, as saying.

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