Pakistan

10 August 2007 -- Hundreds of Pakistani and Afghan politicians and tribal leaders are meeting in Kabul to discuss improving border security and strengthening bilateral relations. In Afghan capital the second day of the four-day peace conference is in session.

Delegates attending the conference, or "jirga," say Friday's talks will tackle specific issues dividing the South Asian neighbors.

Each blames the other for a recent surge in violence by Islamic militants along their shared border.    » read more »

09 August 2007 -- Hundreds of Pakistani and Afghan delegates are holding a landmark peace conference, or jirga, in the Afghan capital, Kabul. The four-day talks are focused on curbing pro-Taleban violence and improving ties between the two countries. From Kabul, VOA Correspondent Benjamin Sand reports the jirga has already encountered its first major setback.

The jirga opened Thursday morning under a cloud after Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf abruptly canceled a much-anticipated appearance, to deal with political problems at home.    » read more »

12 July 2007 -- Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf is to address the nation Thursday as al-Qaida issues calls to Pakistani Muslims to revolt against the government for its raid against militants in Islamabad's Red Mosque. Security officials say they are prepared for any possible backlash a day after government forces ended an eight-day siege which left 73 militants, nine soldiers and radical cleric Abdul Rashid Ghazi dead.    » read more »

10 July 2007 -- Pakistani security forces stormed Islamabad's Red Mosque Tuesday more than a week after hundreds of militants barricaded themselves inside. The operation began just before dawn Tuesday after negotiations broke down. From Islamabad, VOA correspondent Benjamin Sand reports at least eight soldiers and around 60 militants have been killed, including radical cleric Abdul Rashid Ghazi.

Huge explosions rocked Islamabad's Red Mosque early Tuesday morning as security forces blasted their way into the heavily armed compound.    » read more »

09 July 2007 -- Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has reportedly authorized a final assault on armed militants barricaded inside Islamabad's Red Mosque. Officials say hundreds of women and children are being held hostage by a group of "hard-core terrorists" with possible links to al Qaida. At least 24 people have been killed in the seven-day stand off.

Scores of ambulances have taken up positions around the mosque as military loudspeakers broadcast what officials say is "their last and final warning."    » read more »

29 June 2007 -- Pakistani officials say monsoon flooding has left at least a quarter-million people homeless along the country's vulnerable southern coast. Riots broke out in several locations Friday as desperate victims protested the lack of emergency relief.

Police used tear gas and bamboo clubs to help contain violent riots in the southern city of Talbot Friday, four days after a powerful cyclone hit the surrounding region.

Protesters accuse the government of mismanaging relief operations, leaving thousands of families in the area without food or water.    » read more »

26 June 2007 -- A second deadly storm swept through Southern Pakistan Tuesday just days after heavy rains and floods killed more than 200 people in the region. Tens of thousands of people are being evacuated throughout southern Pakistan.

Cyclone Yemyin made landfall Tuesday afternoon, lashing Pakistan's southern coast with heavy rain and gale force winds.

Officials say several boats have already been sunk with up to 20 others feared missing.

Pakistan's military helped evacuate thousands of families in the southern province o f Baluchistan.    » read more »

24 June 2007 -- Pakistani officials say heavy rains led to the deaths of 228 people in the southern city of Karachi on Saturday.

Officials had earlier said 43 people were killed in the storm, however, the number increased when the bodies of 185 more victims were identified Sunday.

Many people were killed when the roofs and walls of their homes collapsed. Others were killed or injured by power lines downed in the storm.

Weather forecasters expect the heavy rains to continue through Monday.

Source: VOA News

15 May 2007 -- Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has called for an end to outside interference in Iraq and proposed a Muslim peacekeeping force to help stabilize the country.

Speaking at an Islamic conference in Islamabad Tuesday, General Musharraf said a United Nations-backed Muslim force could be looked at if all warring factions in Iraq accept the idea. He also said a political solution is badly needed and that an end to outside interference would help restore stability.

President Musharraf did not identify any of the countries he said were meddling in Iraq.    » read more »

15 May 2007 -- A powerful bomb blast in northwestern Pakistan has killed at least 25 people and seriously injured more than 25 others. The explosion ripped through a crowded hotel lobby in the city of Peshawar. The explosion occurred as the country was still recovering from political violence that rocked the southern city of Karachi on Saturday.

Witnesses say dead bodies and building debris littered the street outside the hotel in central Peshawar Tuesday.

The blast tore through the ground floor of the four-story Marhaba Hotel.    » read more »