Pakistan And U.S. Ties to Remain Close: Military Official

By REUTERS SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Defense ties between Pakistan and the United States will remain strong through the next administration despite tough talk from U.S. presidential candidates looking to review the relationship, a top Pakistan military official said on Saturday. (The New York Times)

Bhutto Dealt Nuclear Secrets to N. Korea, Book Says

By Glenn Kessler
Former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto, on a state visit to North Korea in 1993, smuggled in critical data on uranium enrichment -- a route to making a nuclear weapon -- to help facilitate a missile deal with Pyongyang, according to a new book by a journalist who knew the slain politician...(The Washington Post)

NATO Chief in Afghanistan Says Pakistan's Tack on Militants Is Not as Expected

By CARLOTTA GALL Gen. Dan K. McNeill voiced concern on Thursday that Pakistan had not tackled militancy on its border and had recently stopped its cooperation with NATO on border issues. (The New York Times)

U.S. questions Pakistan force's allegiance, funding

By Kristin Roberts
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S.-backed paramilitary force in Pakistan's lawless border area may be aiding Taliban fighters, according to American officials who say the support may cause Congress to freeze some security funds for Islamabad.(The Washington Post)

Off the Track: In Britain, Rape Cases Seldom Result in a Conviction

By Mary Jordan
LONDON -- After Linda Davies reported to police that her 15-year-old daughter had been raped, it took three months -- plus two dozen phone calls and a threat of legal action -- before police questioned the suspect, a 28-year-old neighbor.(The Washington Post)

US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 436

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS As of Wednesday, May 28, 2008, at least 436 members of the U.S. military had died in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan as a result of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001, according to the Defense Department. The department last updated its figures May 24 at 10 a.m. EDT. (The New York Times)

Pakistan: Musharraf denies resignation rumors

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- President Pervez Musharraf has dismissed media speculation that he is preparing to quit.(The Washington Post)

Senator reassured over Pakistani peace deals

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - A senior U.S. senator said on Wednesday that he had been reassured that whatever peace accords were reached with militants, Pakistan would not tolerate them making cross-border attacks on Western forces in Afghanistan.(The Washington Post)

Sen. Feingold wants Pakistan's judges restored

By NAHAL TOOSI
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- A top U.S. senator on Tuesday urged Pakistan to quickly restore dozens of judges ousted by President Pervez Musharraf, wading into a subject that has pushed the country's new coalition government to the verge of collapse.(The Washington Post)

Democrat questions US aid to Pakistan

By ANNE FLAHERTY
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. should rethink a multimillion-dollar program aimed at training and equipping a paramilitary force in Pakistan unless the country does more to keep terrorists from crossing the Afghan border, a Democratic senator said Tuesday.(The Washington Post)

Chertoff urges anti-terror fight in Pakistan

By RAHIM FAIEZ
BAGRAM, Afghanistan -- The U.S. homeland security chief called on Pakistan's new government Monday to strike back against terrorism in its regions bordering Afghanistan or face more attacks of the kind that killed ex-premier Benazir Bhutto.(The Washington Post)

Pakistan talks lead to more Afghan attacks: NATO

By Jon Hemming
KABUL (Reuters) - Peace talks between the Pakistani government and Taliban militants have already led to an increase in insurgent attacks in Afghanistan, NATO said on Sunday.(The Washington Post)

World Briefing | Asia: Pakistan: Afghan Fight to Go On

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS A Pakistani militant leader said that he would maintain a cease-fire with Pakistan’s new government but would also keep fighting foreign forces in neighboring Afghanistan. (The New York Times)

Afghanistan Adds Hunger to Its Worries

By Pamela Constable
KABUL, May 20 -- By 7 a.m., the bakers of Sang Tarashi Street have been hard at work for hours, shaping globs of dough, slapping them into a hot clay oven and flipping them out at just the right second. A stack of fresh flat bread called naan sits invitingly by the window, and the familiar mornin...(The Washington Post)

New Choice for Pakistan

By THE NEW YORK TIMES Maj. Gen. Jay W. Hood’s assignment as the top American officer in Pakistan was canceled after media there criticized his work as commander of the military prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. (The New York Times)

Pakistan party moves to cut Musharraf powers

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Pakistan's main ruling party has drafted a set of constitutional amendments that would erase the legacy of President Pervez Musharraf, its leader said Friday.(The Washington Post)

Official: Pakistan frees 96 Indian fishermen

KARACHI, Pakistan -- A prison official says 96 Indian fishermen are one their way home after being freed from a Pakistani jail.(The Washington Post)

Embassy of Pakistan (Washington D.C.) presents

Text and photos by Rana Fawad

WASHINGTON: The Embassy of Pakistan (Washington D.C.) in association with the Cultural Tourism D.C., organized Embassy Open House on May 17 (Saturday) from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. on the embassy premises.The event was a part of an annual celebration of international culture that gives an opportunity to the diplomatic community Iin the US capital to share their culture with each other through different presentations of their choice. Pakis tan’s embassy chose to showcase an art exhibition contributed by Jimmy Engineer, Samina Qureshi, and Qaisar Iqbal whereas the Ladies Corner brought bangles, henna (mehndi), and a variety of clothes. A lot of visitors, particularly from other parts of the world, showed interest in mehndi booth, Pakistani food, furniture and jewelry. However, chaarpaaee (bed) and takiya (pillow) made the visitors’ day in the perfect DC weather. These activities were punctuated by the screening of Shoaib Mansoor's film Khuda Ke Liye (In the name of God) whereas famous singer Ibrar ul Haq entertained in the evening.

Following are some of those moments when a part of Pakistan's culture organized by the embassy staff captivated the international community in Washington D.C.. Together they pose: Charkha (spinning wheel), hooka (smoking pipe), tanga (horse cart), bel gaaree (Ox cart), etc., on display: Click here for photos

Pakistan and Taliban Agree to Army's Gradual Pullback

By JANE PERLEZ The accord, one of a series being secured by the new Pakistani government with Islamic extremists, calls for the enforcement of Sharia law. (The New York Times)

Pakistan may ask UN to probe Bhutto assassination

By STEPHEN GRAHAM
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Pakistan's government said Thursday it is ready to ask the U.N. to investigate the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, a move opposed by President Pervez Musharraf.(The Washington Postakistan)

Pakistan signs peace pact with militants in Swat

By Faris Ali
PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) - Pakistan's government promised to "gradually" pull out troops from the northwestern valley of Swat after signing a peace agreement with Taliban militants on Wednesday.(The Washington Post)

India, Pakistan peace talks resume

By NAHAL TOOSI
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Pakistan said it would release nearly 100 Indian prisoners in a goodwill gesture as it resumed peace talks with India on Tuesday for the first time since Islamabad's new civilian government took over from military rule.(The Washington Post)

Taliban claim responsibility for Pakistan bombing

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) -- A Taliban militant group claimed responsibility Monday for a suicide bombing that killed at least 11 people at the gate of an army base in Pakistan's volatile northwest. (The New York Times)

Bush and Pakistan's Gilani pledge to fight terror

By Tabassum Zakaria
SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt (Reuters) - President George W. Bush and Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Sunday pledged to fight terrorism with strong relations between the two nations in the aftermath of elections that seated new leaders in Islamabad.(The Washington Post)

Pakistan seeks to allay West's fears of army pull out

By Simon Cameron-Moore
DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan (Reuters) - The Pakistan army sought on Sunday to allay Western fears that plans to pull back some troops from tribal lands meant it was relaxing its fight against a Pakistani Taliban commander.(The Washington Post)

Open House at Pakistan's Embassy in Washington DC

Chaarpaaee (bed) and colourful takiya (pillow) catch visitors’ attention

Pakistan's ambassador to Afghanistan freed

By STEPHEN GRAHAM
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Pakistan's ambassador to Afghanistan was freed unharmed three months after he vanished in a tribal area in Pakistan's border region, a foreign ministry official and a relative said Saturday.(The Washington Post)

Pakistan protests suspected US missile strike

By ZARAR KHAN
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Pakistan's army lodged a formal protest Friday to "allied forces" in neighboring Afghanistan over a suspected U.S. missile strike this week that killed 14 people in a Pakistani border village.(The Washington Post)

Haqqani Back in D.C., Where Everybody Knows His Name

By Robin Wright
Most ambassadors gain real influence only after years of working Washington's corridors of power -- and often only with the help of expensive lobbying firms. But Husain Haqqani, the ambassador-designate from Pakistan, already knows almost everyone who counts.(The Washington Post)

Residents: missile strike hits Pakistan village

By HABIBULLAH KHAN
KHAR, Pakistan -- A suspected missile strike late Wednesday destroyed a house and killed about a dozen people in a Pakistan border village that was targeted by the U.S. military two years ago in the hunt for al-Qaida's No. 2 leader.(The Washington Post)

Partner Leaves Pakistan's Cabinet

By JANE PERLEZ The move, in response to an impasse over Supreme Court judges, was a sign of the fragility of the new government. (The New York Times)

In Pakistan, Major Party Quits Cabinet

By Pamela Constable
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, May 12 -- Pakistan's fragile governing coalition cracked open as one of its major parties withdrew from the cabinet on Monday, less than three months after elections that had united rival factions opposed to President Pervez Musharraf.(The Washington Post)

Pakistani Parties Set to Miss Deadline on Judges

By REUTERS ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - A deadline for Pakistan's coalition partners to reinstate judges sacked by President Pervez Musharraf was expected to pass on Monday, rekindling speculation the government might collapse. (The New York Times)

Pakistan leaders fail to reach accord on restoring judges

By ZARAR KHAN
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Pakistani leaders failed Sunday to reach a deal on restoring judges sacked by President Pervez Musharraf, increasing the likelihood the ruling coalition could shatter after just six weeks in power and plunge the country back into political turmoil.(The Washington Post)

Embassy of Pakistan (Washington D.C.) presents

Washington: The Embassy of Pakistan (Washington D.C.) in association with the Cultural Tourism D.C., has organized Embassy Open House on May 17 (Saturday) from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. on the embassy premises (3517 International Court N. W. Washington D.C.).

The organizers will showcase an art exhibition put together by Jimmy Engineer, Samina Qureshi, and Qaisar Iqbal whereas the Ladies Corner will bring bangles, henna (mehndi), and a variety of clothes.

Balloons and face painting will be available to entertain children.

Moreover, the activities will be punctuated by music performance of Annie and screening of Shoaib Mansoor's film Khuda Ke Liye (In the name of God).
(R. F.)

Gandhi, Churchill, and the British Withdrawal from India

Washington: The American Enterprise Institute will hold an event titled "Gandhi, Churchill, and the British Withdrawal from India" on June 2, Monday, at Wohlstetter Conference Center, Twelfth Floor, AEI1150 Seventeenth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036.

The event will feature Arthur Herman, author of the New York Times bestseller How the Scots Invented the Modern World. He'll discuss his new book Gandhi and Churchill: The Epic Rivalry That Destroyed an Empire and Forged Our Age.

Political Foe of Musharraf Is Released in Pakistan

Political Foe of Musharraf Is Released in Pakistan By SALMAN MASOOD By releasing Sardar Akhtar Mengal, the newly elected government fulfilled one of its major promises to release political detainees. (The New York Times)

U.S. Said to Shift Plans For Top Brass In Pakistan

By REUTERS WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. military has dropped plans to assign the former commander of the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to Pakistan, after sharp criticism of his Guantanamo command in Pakistani media, the New York Times reported in its Friday editions. (The New York Times)

Cease-fire in Pakistan's Swat Valley

By RIAZ KHAN
PESHAWAR, Pakistan -- Pakistani authorities and pro-Taliban militants declared a cease-fire Friday in the volatile Swat Valley in the latest bid to curtail an explosion of violence along the Afghan border, officials said.(The Washington Post)

Medics brace as raids pick up in Afghan southeast

By Luke Baker
KHOST, Afghanistan (Reuters) - The announcement over the military address system echoed ominously across the U.S. base in southeastern Afghanistan, freezing soldiers in their tracks.(The Washington Post)

Islamic Divorce Ruled Not Valid in Maryland

By Ruben Castaneda
After his wife of more than two decades filed for divorce in Montgomery County Circuit Court, Irfan Aleem responded in writing in 2003, and not just in court.(The Washington Post)

Democrats question $6 billion in Pakistan aid

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democrats are sharply questioning a U.S. aid program that has reimbursed Pakistan's military $6 billion since 2001 for anti-terrorism operations along its Afghanistan border, contending the program has grown too costly. (The New York Times)

Police and Army Officers Tied to Attempt on Karzai's Life

By CARLOTTA GALL The defense minister, Rahim Wardak, said one of the men may have been a sympathizer and the other was probably motivated by money. (The New York Times)

Turkish Schools Offer Pakistan a Gentler Vision of Islam

By SABRINA TAVERNISE Turkish educators are offering an alternative approach to religious schools that could reduce extremists’ influence. (The New York Times)

Pakistan Stays Execution Of Indian

By REUTERS ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - The Pakistani government has deferred the execution of an Indian man condemned to death for spying and carrying out bombings in 1990, the Foreign Ministry said on Saturday. (The New York Times)

Taking Back The Frontier

By Ahmed Rashid
Almost every global terrorist plot traces back to Pakistan's tribal areas.(The Washington Post)

orld Briefing | Asia: Pakistan: Doctor Released After 2 Years

By SALMAN MASOOD A Pakistani-American doctor has been released after being held by the authorities for more than two years, the local news media reported. (The New York Times)

Pakistan to Reinstate Judges Deposed Under Musharraf

By Candace Rondeaux
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, May 2 -- Pakistan's coalition government has agreed to reinstate the country's chief justice and 60 other judges deposed last year under a controversial order by President Pervez Musharraf, a move that could threaten Musharraf's tenuous grip on political power.(The Washington Post)

PU to have SAARC Media Chair

Lahore: South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Media Chair will be created at the Punjab University's Institute of Mass Communication. This was announced by Member Academic Higher Education Commission Dr Riazul Haq during his visit to the Institute the other day.

According to the IMC news release, Chairman IMC Prof Dr Mugheesuddin and former chairman (of the then Department of Mass Communication) Prof Dr Miskeen Ali Hijazi, faculty members and students were also present on the occasion.

Pakistani coalition calms fears of break-up over judges

By Firouz Sederat
DUBAI (Reuters) - Leaders of Pakistan's month-old ruling alliance narrowed differences on Thursday over the reinstatement of judges ousted by President Pervez Musharraf to calm fears that the coalition was about to break up.(The Washington Post)