Musharraf Swears In Pakistan Cabinet Full Of Foes

By REUTERS ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf swore in 24 members of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani's cabinet on Monday, six weeks after opposition parties won a general election. (The New York Times)

Pakistan's deposed judge gets hero's welcome on tour

By Kamran Haider
QUETTA, Pakistan (Reuters) - Pakistan's deposed top judge who has became a focus for opposition to President Pervez Musharraf got a hero's welcome in his hometown of Quetta on Monday at the beginning of a tour of the country to meet lawyers.(The Washington Post)

Sharifs Brother Set to Lead Pakistans Punjab

By REUTERS LAHORE, Pakistan (Reuters) - Pakistan's former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, overthrown by President Pervez Musharraf in a coup, nominated his brother Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday to return to his old job as head of Punjab province. (The Washington Post)

Hayden: Pakistan Border Poses Danger

By HOPE YEN
WASHINGTON -- The situation in the border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan where al-Qaida has established a safe haven presents a "clear and present danger" to the West, the CIA director said Sunday. (The Washington Post)

Pakistan PM Pledges Terror Talks

By LAUREN FRAYER
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Pakistan's new prime minister vowed Saturday to make the war on terror his No. 1 priority, but said peace talks and aid programs could be more effective than weapons in fighting militancy in tribal areas along the Afghan border.(The Washington Post)

Pakistan PM Pledges Terror Talks

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) -- Pakistan's new prime minister vowed Saturday to make the war on terror his No. 1 priority, but said peace talks and aid programs could be more effective than weapons in fighting militancy in tribal areas along the Afghan border. (The New York Times)

US - Afghan - Pakistan Border Center Opens

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS TORKHAM, Afghanistan (AP) -- U.S., Afghan and Pakistani officers opened the first of six joint military intelligence centers along the Afghan-Pakistan border Saturday, an effort to cut down on militants' movement in a region of rising terrorist activity. (The New York Times)

Editorial: Sense and Insensitivity in Pakistan

The talk among leaders of Pakistan’s new coalition government about reviewing Pakistan’s role in the Washington-led war on terrorism is very worrying.(The New York Times)

U.S. offers Pakistan assistance

By Augustine Anthony
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - A senior U.S. official visiting Pakistan held out the prospect of increased assistance for the new government on Friday, while stressing the need to work together to fight al Qaeda and Islamist militancy.(The Washington Post)

Like the Wild, Wild West. Plus Al-Qaeda

By Nicholas Schmidle
Picture Wyatt Earp sashaying down the streets of Tombstone in a turban, and you begin to get the idea.(The Washington Post)

News Analysis: A New Diplomatic Order in Pakistan

By JANE PERLEZ The deputy secretary of state bore the brunt of a range of complaints that Pakistanis now feel freer to air with the end of military rule by President Pervez Musharraf. (The New York Times)

U.S. Must Give New Pakistani Leaders Time: Reports

By REUTERS ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - The United States should give Pakistan's new government time to work out its strategy on terrorism, newspapers said on Thursday, with some criticizing a visit this week by two U.S. envoys to sound out civilian leaders. (The New York Times)

A Celebration of Pakistani Culture

By Eve Zibart
Dierdre Kelly Lavrakas has taught master classes in acting for young people all over Asia (including Pakistan) and the Middle East. So last October, when she saw 14-year-old Bazil Tariq arriving with a group of other Pakistani middle and high school students to audition for "Kite on the Wind: A Tale...(The Washington Post)

World Bank: Pakistan Risks Crisis

By STEPHEN GRAHAM
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Pakistan's new government must take urgent action to prevent the country's economy from tipping into crisis, the World Bank warned Thursday.(The Washington Post)

U.S. Steps Up Unilateral Strikes in Pakistan

By Robin Wright and Joby Warrick
The United States has escalated its unilateral strikes against al-Qaeda members and fighters operating in Pakistan's tribal areas, partly because of anxieties that the country's new leaders will insist on a scaling back of military operations in that country, according to U.S. officials.(The Washington Post)

Pakistan PM Urges Comprehensive Security Strategy

By REUTERS ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan backs the U.S.-led campaign against terrorism but a comprehensive approach that includes political solutions is needed to tackle the problem, Pakistan's new prime minister told President George W. Bush. (The New York Times)

US Envoys Visit Pakistani Frontier

By LAUREN FRAYER
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Senior U.S. envoys traveled to Pakistan's volatile northwest frontier Wednesday to drop in on U.S.-funded border guards who are struggling to secure an area where Osama bin Laden may be hiding.(The Washington Post)

Pakistan to Try New Approach to Militants

By JANE PERLEZ Pakistan’s new government says it intends to negotiate with militants, and use force only as a last resort. (The New York Times)

Next Pakistani PM to be revealed over weekend

By Kamran Haider
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Set to lead Pakistan's incoming coalition government, the party of assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto will nominate its candidate for the premiership by Sunday, a spokesman said.(The Washington Post)

India Holds War Games Near Pakistan

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS POKHARAN, India (AP) -- The Thar desert boomed with artillery guns as tanks kicked up dust and fighter aircraft flew on bombing runs.(The New York Times)

Hope in Pakistan

By Richard Holbrooke
Pakistan's problems are real, but so is the progress being made.(The Washington Post)

Flashy Lawmakers Take Seats in Pakistan

By LAUREN FRAYER
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Gold-trimmed SUVs idle outside parliament. Among new female lawmakers, black Muslim veils are out and Gucci bags are in.(The Washington Post)

Pakistan: 1st Female Parliament Speaker

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) -- Legislators elected Pakistan's first female speaker of parliament Wednesday, seating a follower -- and lookalike -- of assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.(The New York Times)

Legal battle looms over sacked Pakistan judges

By Kamran Haider
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistani judges dismissed by President Pervez Musharraf can only be reinstated if an incoming government strikes down constitutional changes he introduced, the attorney general said on Tuesday.(The Washington Post)

U.S. Adapts Cold-War Idea to Fight Terrorists

By ERIC SCHMITT and THOM SHANKER Officials believe that a combination of efforts could establish something akin to a posture of deterrence adapted to the global jihadi terrorist movement. (The New York Times)

New Pakistani Parliament Set to Challenge President

By Candace Rondeaux
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, March 17 -- Pakistan swore in its newly elected Parliament on Monday, setting the stage for a political clash with the government of President Pervez Musharraf a month after voters handed a victory to the country's major opposition parties.(The Washington Post)

A New Pakistan

PAKISTAN IS on the verge of taking a major step toward consolidating a centrist, secular democracy -- the best antidote to the Islamist extremism threatening the country. The crucial remaining question is whether President Pervez Musharraf, and his allies in the Bush administration, will allow it to...(The Washington Post)

Editorial: Leaving Musharraf Behind

Pakistan’s new civilian leaders are undeniably flawed, but they deserve Washington’s support as they try to set their country on a new course. (The New York Times)

US Tones Down Praise for Musharraf

By FOSTER KLUG
WASHINGTON -- Just months ago, the United States publicly championed Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf as an "indispensable" ally. (The Washington Post)

U.S. Transfers Bin Laden Aide

By Joby Warrick
A former translator for Osama bin Laden alleged to have helped the terrorist leader escape from Afghanistan's Tora Bora mountains in 2001 was recently transferred to the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, after lengthy interrogation by the CIA at a secret prison, U.S. officials said...(The Washington Post)

US-Led Coalition Fire Kills Civilians

By HASBUNALLAH KHAN and STEPHEN GRAHAM
TANGRAI, Pakistan -- U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan fired across the border into Pakistan in a strike targeting Taliban militants, and the Pakistani army said Thursday that civilians were killed.(The Washington Post)

Thousands Protest Pakistan Deaths

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS KHAR, Pakistan (AP) -- The deaths of five civilians during a clash between government troops and militants have sparked a demonstration of more than 2,000 villagers in northwest Pakistan.(The New York Times)

Pakistan Court Dismisses Graft Case Against Zardari

By REUTERS ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - A Pakistani court dismissed one of two corruption cases against the widower of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto on Wednesday, his lawyer said, in a step towards clearing the way for him to hold government office. (The New York Times)

Pakistan asks India to explain death of cricket fan

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan has asked India to explain why one of its nationals, who went to India to watch a cricket match in 2005, was arrested and later died in an Indian prison, a Foreign Office spokesman said on Wednesday.(The Washington Post)

From Prison to Zenith of Politics in Pakistan

By JANE PERLEZ The widower of Benazir Bhutto now sits at the pinnacle of Pakistani politics, a startling comeback for a man was once one of Pakistan’s most ostracized figures. (The New York Times)

Food and Energy Shortages Stoke Inflation, Anxiety in Pakistan

By Candace Rondeaux
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- The line for cooking oil was nearly a block long, just a few miles from the Parliament building. Saida Bibi, fistful of rupees in hand, elbowed her way to the front of the angry crowd shoving its way into the government food shop.(The Washington Post)

Coalition Pact a New Blow for Musharraf

By MATTHEW PENNINGTON
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- President Pervez Musharraf is running out of options. Legal complexities may save him in the short-term, but few expect him to hold on for long, raising fresh uncertainty over Pakistan's support for the aggressive U.S. approach to fighting radical Islamic groups.(The Washington Post)

Pakistan's Sharif to join Bhutto party in coalition

By Kamran Haider
BHURBAN, Pakistan (Reuters) - Former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif said on Sunday he would join the late Benazir Bhutto's party in a coalition, raising the prospect of a government hostile to President Pervez Musharraf.(The Washington Post)

Lawyers Rally Against Musharraf Government

By JANE PERLEZ The lawyers are planning a week of anti-Musharraf demonstrations, called Black Flag Week after the protesters’ flags and armbands. (The New York Times)

Indian Freed by Pakistan: I Was a Spy

CHANDIGARH, India -- An Indian man freed after spending 35 years in Pakistani prisons for espionage has admitted being a spy, leading the Pakistani minister who organized the release to say it would now be harder to free other prisoners.(The Washington Post)

Musharraf Says Will Back New Pakistan Coalition

By REUTERS ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said on Friday he would support an incoming coalition government that could potentially seek his resignation, so long as peace was maintained. (The New York Times)

Way paved for Musharraf call new Pakistan assembly

By Zeeshan Haider
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan's Election Commission paved the way for President Pervez Musharraf to convene a new parliament by completing the results of February 18 polls with the allocation of reserved seats for women and non-Muslim minorities.(The Washington Post)

Pakistan Party Discusses Prime Minister

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) -- The party of slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto on Thursday deferred a decision on who should become Pakistan's prime minister, deepening uncertainty about how a new government will handle President Pervez Musharraf. (The New York Times)

Candidates for Pakistan Prime Minister

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- The party of assassinated opposition leader Benazir Bhutto is expected to nominate one of the following candidates to become Pakistan's next prime minister:(The Washington Post)

Musharraf Is Still Focus in Pakistan

By CARLOTTA GALL Energized by their victory two weeks ago, members of the incoming Parliament are questioning with new vigor President Pervez Musharraf’s continuation in office. (The New York Times)

Top US Officer Meets Pakistan Army Chief

By SADAQAT JANThe Associated Press Tuesday, March 4, 2008; 6:06 AM
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- The chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff held talks Tuesday with Pakistan's army chief, whose troops have been battling a growing insurgency along the border with Afghanistan. (The Washington Post)

The Afghan threat

March 2 2008

The war in Afghanistan is not going well, and there appears to be no easy answer to the challenge the Taliban and al-Qaida present there. (The Baltimore Sun)

Pakistan Frees Indian Spy Suspect

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) -- Pakistani authorities on Monday freed an Indian man who spent 35 years in prison, most of them on death row, after he was accused of spying. (The New York Times)

Top US Officer Visits Troubled Pakistan

By JASON STRAZIUSO
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- The top U.S. military officer landed in Pakistan on Monday for talks with embattled President Pervez Musharraf and the military leadership _ his second visit to the increasingly violent country in a month.(The Washington Post)

Op-Ed Contributor: Afghanistan. Pakistan. Forgotten.

By JOE BIDEN If Afghanistan fails or Pakistan falls to fundamentalism, America will suffer a terrible setback. (The New York Times)

US to Train Pakistan Military Officers

By JASON STRAZIUSO
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- U.S. trainers will travel to Pakistan this year to teach military officials counterinsurgency techniques to aid soldiers along the Afghan border in the fight against al-Qaida and Taliban militants, U.S. officials said Sunday. (The Washington Post)

Secularists Face Tests In Northwest Pakistan

By Candace Rondeaux
NAWAGAI, Pakistan -- Parliamentary elections have come and gone in this village of mud-brick homes, but signs of unrest still abound. In the council hall, the walls have been stained by blood, evidence of a preelection bombing at a political rally. In the village cemetery, the graves of more than...(The Washington Post)

U.S. Plan Widens Role in Training Pakistani Forces

U.S. Plan Widens Role in Training Pakistani Forces By ERIC SCHMITT and THOM SHANKER A plan would send about 100 American trainers to work with a Pakistani paramilitary force that is the vanguard in the fight against Al Qaeda. (The New York Times)