W O R L D

A Q Khan’s release
US Congressman moves House
Washington, February 14
Describing A Q Khan’s release from house arrest in Pakistan as “a blow” to global security, an influential lawmaker has introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives, saying the disgraced scientist’s case should be “a guiding element” in determining US policy towards Islamabad.

32 die in drone attack in Pak
Islamabad, February 14
A US drone today fired missiles in Pakistan’s restive tribal belt targeting a stronghold of local Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud, killing 32 persons, including two foreigners.

Kanishka Probe
Fresh evidence sparks new debate
Toronto, February 14
Fresh evidence in the inquiry into the 1985 Air India bombing that killed all 329 people on board has revealed a better effort by Canadian Security and transport agencies could have averted the disaster.

Kidnappers of UN official release video
Islamabad, February 14
The kidnappers of an American working for the UN refugee agency in Pakistan have released a video in which the captive is shown blindfolded and seeking the world body’s help for his release.

B’desh nabs two 1971 war crime suspects
The Bangladesh police arrested two people yesterday on charges of committing war crimes during the 1971-war of independence. This is the first case of arrests made on these grounds in over 35 years.

A Q Khan’s release
US Congressman moves House

Washington, February 14
Describing A Q Khan’s release from house arrest in Pakistan as “a blow” to global security, an influential lawmaker has introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives, saying the disgraced scientist’s case should be “a guiding element” in determining US policy towards Islamabad.

“This is a blow to justice and international security,” said Republican Congressman Ed Royce, who introduced the resolution in the House.

Pakistan’s mishandling of the nuclear scientist’s case should be a “guiding element in the determination of US policy towards that country, including bilateral assistance,” the resolution said.

It condemned Khan’s release and declared the nuclear scientist to be a continuing proliferation threat who should be required to give a full accounting of his activities to outsiders.

The resolution introduced on Thursday also declared Pakistan’s behaviour as “incompatible” with its status as a “major non-NATO ally” of the US.

“With this move, Pakistan is making it clear that it does not want to be a responsible actor. There is no reason to believe that the A Q Khan network has been put out of business. This cannot go unchallenged,” said Royce, a ranking member of the terrorism, non-proliferation and trade subcommittee in the House.

The House should immediately consider the resolution, demonstrating to Islamabad the seriousness of the mistake they have made by releasing Khan, Royce said.

In 2004, Khan confessed to running an illicit nuclear proliferation network, supplying North Korea, Libya, Iran and possibly others with nuclear technologies and designs. — PTI

32 die in drone attack in Pak

Islamabad, February 14
A US drone today fired missiles in Pakistan’s restive tribal belt targeting a stronghold of local Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud, killing 32 persons, including two foreigners.

The drone fired two missiles at the home of a tribesman named Roshan Mehsud in the Ladha area of South Waziristan Agency early this morning, TV channels reported.

The area in which the attack occurred is considered a stronghold of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Mehsud.

Officials and the Taliban told TV channels that 25 persons were killed and at least four more were injured in the attack.

Some reports said two foreigners were among the dead.

This was the second time in recent months that the area inhabited by the Mehsud tribe was targeted by the drones.

Pakistan’s tribal belt bordering Afghanistan has witnessed a wave of missile attacks by US drones believed to be operating from Afghanistan. Several top Al-Qaida and Taliban operatives have been killed in these strikes, along with many civilians.

The civilian casualties have sparked an angry reaction from the Pakistan government, which says the missile strikes are counter-productive for the war on terror and a violation of the country’s sovereignty. — PTI

Kanishka Probe
Fresh evidence sparks new debate

Toronto, February 14
Fresh evidence in the inquiry into the 1985 Air India bombing that killed all 329 people on board has revealed a better effort by Canadian Security and transport agencies could have averted the disaster.

The new documents - delivered to the inquiry committee by government officials last autumn was made public this week - indicate that Canada conducted minimal monitoring of the AI's security arrangements in the months prior to the bombing, lawyers for the victim's family have said.

Other documents suggest AI managers themselves were confused about some security measures the day the flight left Toronto. — PTI

Kidnappers of UN official release video

Islamabad, February 14
The kidnappers of an American working for the UN refugee agency in Pakistan have released a video in which the captive is shown blindfolded and seeking the world body’s help for his release.

John Solecki, the head of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in Quetta, was kidnapped from the southwestern Pakistani city on February 2.

“It is a message for the United Nations. I am not feeling well. I am sick. I am in trouble,” Solecki said, speaking slowly, in the video released yesterday.

The kidnappers set three demands for Solecki’s release - the release of 141 Baloch women within 72 hours, the recovery of 6,000 “missing” Baloch nationals, and the solution of the problems of Balochistan province through the UN Charter. — PTI

B’desh nabs two 1971 war crime suspects
Ashfaq Wares Khan writes from Dhaka

The Bangladesh police arrested two people yesterday on charges of committing war crimes during the 1971-war of independence. This is the first case of arrests made on these grounds in over 35 years.

The two men, along with another 17 others from the area, are accused of murdering 15 freedom fighters during the war. But,the rest of the accused have gone into hiding.

The two men - Daud Hossain, aged 70, and Nur-e Anwar, aged 65 - are supporters of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in Rajshahi.

"We are looking for the other accused who are still absconding in the case," said Asaduzzaman Milon, the Officer-in-Charge of the local police station.

The case was filed by the son of a liberation war martyr, who accused the 19 men of directly assisting Pakistani forces to kill 15 Bengali 'freedom fighters' at Bogpara Mugroil village of the upazila on November 30, 1971.