Clinton arrives today to mend fences

Updated at:Thursday, October 20, 2011
 ISLAMABAD: United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is due in Islamabad today (Thursday) to mend the broken fences with Pakistani leadership, Geo News reported.
Secretary Clinton and her entourage after finishing diplomatic business in Kabul will land in Pakistan to call on civil and military top brass.

President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, and Chief of the Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani are on her meeting list.

US media are touting her visit as “a list-ditch effort” to stop US-Pakistan partner-ship form running aground.

Analysts say she is going to zero in on the Haqqani network stressing Pakistan to deal a decisive blow to it.

Mark Grossman Special Representative for Afghanistan-Pakistan, CIA Director David Petraeus, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen Martin Dempsey, and Under-Secretary of Defence for Policy Michele Flournoy will also sit next to her in Islamabad parleys.

Regular troops deployed at Afghan border’

Updated at:Wednesday, October 19, 2011  ISLAMABAD: Director General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Athar Abbas said on Tuesday that regular Army and FC troops have been sent to border areas with Afghanistan to stop militant attacks. Talking to the state-run radio, he said Pakistan will not allow militants to carry out attacks on its checkposts and border villages and kill civilians. The military spokesman said the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) in Afghanistan was informed about these cross-border attacks and hideouts of the militants were also pinpointed but no action has so far been taken against them. He said apparently it seems that there is no presence of the Afghan army or Isaf in the vast area from where militants are operating against Pakistan. He said about 100 personnel of the police, levies and paramilitary forces have so far been martyred in militant attacks from across the border during the last four months. Athar said about 37 security personnel were martyred in the Chitral attack, which was the first such attack, and is a matter of great concern for Pakistan. To a question, he said there is a report that the militants had launched an attack in Bajaur, but no casualty was reported there. He said Dir is the area most affected by militant attacks and the terrorist group which fled from Swat is involved in these attacks so that they can come back to Swat via Dir. “We have strengthened all border checkposts and increased their number in Dir,” he said. He said militants have safe havens in Kunar, Nooristan and Nangarhar provinces of Afghanistan and there are no security forces in most of these areas. “It seems the militants are being supported locally and operating freely,” he added. He said Pakistan cannot launch operations across the border in Afghanistan. He said Pakistan took up the issue with the Afghan army personnel and Isaf, but no effective operation was seen in that area.

Shahid Afridi withdraws retirement decision

Updated at:Tuesday, October 18, 2011
 KARACHI: Former Pakistan cricket team captain Shahid Afridi has canceled his decision of retiring from international cricket and said that he is available to play for the country, Geo News reported Tuesday.

According to sources, Afridi said that the situation has improved after the appointment of new Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief.

He added that he is now ready to play under any captain and is available to play for the country.

Railways employees' protest enters 2nd day

 Updated at:Tuesday, October 18, 2011
 LAHORE: The Pakistan Railways (PR) remained partially paralysed on Tuesday second day as employees observed a wheel-jam strike against the non-payment of salaries, Geo News reported.

The employees unions had called a strike until the payment of salaries. Today, PR employees took control of the engine shed at 08:00 am ensuring that no train left for any destination. As a result, train operations came to a standstill, including those already on the move.

The Pakistan Railways Employees Union (PREM), Senior Vice President Sheikh Mohammad Anwar and Rail Mazdoor Ittehad President Sarfaraz Khan said that the protest would go on until the salaries are paid.

Passengers at all major railway stations across the country were stranded and seen sitting at platforms, waiting areas and even railway lines with their luggage amidst poor facilities at railway stations. Most passengers demanded a refund of their tickets.