MOSUL: A pre-dawn attack on an army encampment guarding an oil pipeline in northern Iraq killed 15 soldiers on Tuesday as authorities grapple with near-daily attacks and running battles with militants. The latest bloodshed comes with unrest at its worst in Iraq in nearly six years, and has fuelled fears that, with elections due in April, the country is on the brink of slipping back into the sectarian violence that plagued it in the years following the 2003 US-led invasion. Foreign leaders have urged the Shia-led government to do more to reach out to the disaffected Sunni Arab minority but Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has taken a hard line and trumpeted wide-ranging operations against militants.
Delhi CM takes on India tycoon over gas pricing
NEW DELHI: Delhi’s chief minister ordered criminal cases to be filed on Tuesday against India’s richest man, Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, and government policymakers for conniving to fix higher gas prices to boost profits. Arvind Kejriwal sent shockwaves through the Indian political system in December when his Aam Aadmi, or Common Man, Party (AAP) won the Delhi state election with promises to fight graft and the vested interests blighting the country. Kejriwal has long had Ambani in his sights, having accused him of buying government favour.
We had no choice when South Africa backed out: Sri Lanka Cricket
COLOMBO: Sri Lanka has defended its decision to tacitly support a controversial shakeup of cricket’s world body, saying it was left with no choice after South Africa broke ranks over the move. Sri Lanka, Pakistan and South Africa all opposed the revamp of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) governance and structure when it was debated last month. But Sri Lanka decided to abstain from voting on the move during an ICC board meeting on Saturday, along with Pakistan, after South Africa switched to vote in favour.
Huge scope for Tajikistan, Pakistan Cooperation in Energy; other sectors
SHERALI JONONOV
Ambassador of Tajikistan talks to Centreline and DNA
Ansar Mahmood Bhatti
Mr. Sherali Jononov is a career diplomat. Ever since his appointment as Ambassador to Pakistan, he has undertaken a number of steps to further strengthen relations between Tajikistan and Pakistan. The construction of Tajik Embassy building inside the diplomatic enclave has already started, which speaks volumes for the close relationship between the two brotherly countries. Mr. Jononov is keen in further expanding and diversifying bilateral relations. His country is especially keen to help Pakistan in the energy sector. Here are excerpts from his interview for readers’ interest.
NW Operation: The Ideas of March
BEYOND MOUNTAINS
Fakhar Kakakhel
There are speculations about operation in North Waziristan. If there are negotiations what kind of negotiations going on and on what conditions?. If there would be operation what kind of operation it would be? And what would be the aftermath? These are the burning questions giving birth to speculations, arguments and counter arguments.
Changes in the priorities
Muhammad Mehdi
Iran’s landmark accord should not be bracketed with solely America. Russia and China are also the main players. Iran cannot neglect them and afford a complete bent merely on the US. In this perspective, a debate has intensified that Pakistan must follow the footsteps of Iran and learn a lesson from its well-knitted pact. However, before this awesome pact is judged by its spiral benefits, tipping point is how it affects Iran-Saudi Arab relations.
EVERGREEN BUT NEVERGREEN
ALI SUKHANVER
Separation of the East Pakistan from the West Pakistan seems one of the most favourite topics of our friends in India. They always eagerly spend a lot of time in highlighting the reasons, the circumstances and the aftermaths rather the after shocks of this unfortunate incident. For the people of Pakistan this incident would always remain a chapter of painful memories; a tale of brutal conspiracies and a story of unshed tears but for our Indian friends it is a glimmering symbol of victory and achievement. They made a plan and succeeded in materializing it with the help of their hereditary ‘skill and talent’ but at the same time their success owes to the inborn innocence of our brothers in Bangladesh. We, the Pakistanis, as a nation, are trying our best to act upon an old wise saying, ‘let bygones be bygones’.
GSP PLUS STATUS: Don’t squander EU goodwill
Imtiaz Gul
The Generalised System of Preferences Plus (GSP Plus) that the European Parliament recently granted to Pakistan for three years underscores an unusual level of goodwill for the conflict-hit country. The status has evoked considerable optimism, embedded in the potential of increased partially zero tariff exports to the European triggered. This also prompted Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar to speculate that theoretically the GSP Plus could add up to $2 billion to Pakistan’s exports to the EU, which are currently valued at about $5.6 billion a year, with textiles accounting for the majority of it (the duty on textile exports will be reduced to zero from existing level of 9.6 percent).
Asian youth ministry officials to convene in India
London, 4 February 2014 – Senior government officials from Commonwealth countries in Asia convene in Chandigarh, India this week to review their priorities for youth development.Representatives of Bangladesh, Brunei, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Singapore and Sri Lanka will attend the senior officials meeting on 5 and 6 February, which is being convened by the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP). India’s head of delegation is Mr Rajeev Gupta, Secretary for Youth at the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
