Athar Abbas

Pakistan arrests halt UN contacts with Taliban

DEB RIECHMANN AP News

Mar 19, 2010 12:49 EDT

Former UN envoy to Afghanistan says arrests of Taliban leaders stymie talks with insurgents. The arrests of top Taliban figures in Pakistan abruptly halted secret U.N. contacts with the insurgency at a time when the efforts were gathering momentum, the U.N.'s former envoy to Afghanistan said Friday.

Pakistan to ask for more understanding at US talks

KATHY GANNON AP News

Mar 19, 2010 10:43 EDT

Pakistan wants more recognition for its part in the fight against terrorism ar talks with US. Claiming that it has bowed far enough to U.S. interests, Pakistan will use next week's high-level talks with the Obama administration to seek more recognition for its part in the fight against terrorism and get Washington to acknowledge its concerns about rival India.

Pakistan Taliban deny leader Hakimullah killed

Saad Khan Reuters US Online Report World News

Jan 31, 2010 12:02 EST

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) - Pakistan's Taliban denied a report on Sunday that their leader Hakimullah Mehsud had been killed in a U.S. drone aircraft strike.

Pakistan Taliban deny leader Hakimullah killed

Saad Khan Reuters US Online Report Top News

Jan 31, 2010 12:02 EST

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) - Pakistan's Taliban denied a report on Sunday that their leader Hakimullah Mehsud had been killed in a U.S. drone aircraft strike.

Pakistan investigates report Taliban chief is dead

ASIF SHAHZAD AP News

Jan 31, 2010 11:11 EST

Pakistani government investigates reports Pakistani Taliban leader killed in missile strike. The Pakistani government was investigating reports Sunday that Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud died from injuries sustained in a U.S. drone missile strike launched in mid-January after he helped orchestrate a deadly bombing against the CIA in Afghanistan.

Car bomb attack kills four in Pakistan

AFP AFP South Asian Edition

Jan 23, 2010 11:55 EST

A suicide bomber killed at least four people including two children on Saturday while militants destroyed a NATO tanker in a region of Pakistan known for harbouring Al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

Gates vows to build trust with Pakistan after US 'mistake'

AFP AFP South Asian Edition

Jan 22, 2010 15:26 EST

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates on Friday said Washington had let down Pakistan in the past and vowed to restore trust with the vital ally in the fight against Al-Qaeda.

Gates stresses common cause with Pakistan

ANNE GEARAN AP News

Jan 22, 2010 14:18 EST

Gates tells Pakistani military students the US has no designs on their country. The United States has no designs on Pakistan's nuclear weapons or "a single inch of Pakistani soil," U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates told Pakistani military officers Friday, adding that fighting terrorists along the Afghan border is in Pakistan's interest as well as Washington's.

Gates vows to build trust with Pakistan after US 'mistake'

AFP AFP American Edition

Jan 22, 2010 13:15 EST

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Friday said Washington had let down Pakistan in the past and vowed to restore trust with the vital ally in the fight against Al-Qaeda.

Helicopters pound Pakistan militant hideout: officials

AFP AFP South Asian Edition

Jan 22, 2010 12:07 EST

Pakistani gunship helicopters on Friday pounded a suspected militant hideout in a northwestern tribal area known for sheltering Taliban and Al-Qaeda fighters, officials said.