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Taliban declares indefinite ceasefire
After Oscars, it’s Disney time for
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LTTE’s ceasefire offer is ‘hilarious’
Military aid for Pak ‘underfunded’
Pak to abolish NSC
Bilawal nicknamed ‘Mr 10 pc jr’
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Taliban declares indefinite ceasefire
The outlawed Tahreek-i-Taliban Swat (TTS) on Tuesday formally accepted the Swat accord and declared an indefinite ceasefire in Swat. It also promised to release all security personnel in its custody “unconditionally”.
The ‘shoora’ (advisory council) of the TTS that met under Taliban commander Maulana Fazlullah at an undisclosed place in Matta area of Swat region affirmed the accord’s main clause on ceasefire for an indefinite period. The outfit had initially declared it would halt fire for 10 days. The Swat peace accord appeared progressing substantially with life returning rapidly to normalcy in Swat’s main cities. In a domino effect, the militants in Bajour agency also declared unconditional ceasefire and halted all attacks on security forces. A Taliban spokesman described it as “unilateral”, but informed sources said the militants struck a secret deal with the army before making the announcement. In a parallel move anticipating fresh pressure from Obama administration and the Pakistan army, the three feuding warlords of Waziristan, known as FATA, have closed ranks and formed an united front. They announced reconciliation and merger under the rubric of Shura Ittehad Mujahideen (SIM). Heretofore known as the divided house of the Taliban movement, the three warlords, Baitullah Mehsud, Maulvi Nazir and Hafiz Gul Bahadur, issued a pamphlet that vowed the targeting of Al Qaeda’s three enemies: “Obama, Zardari and Karzai”. Having been freed from its engagement in Swat and Bajour, Pakistan army is likely to refocus full attention on tribal militants along the Afghanistan border. Pakistan has been trying to take advantage of the rifts in Waziristan. It backed Maulvi Nazir against Baitullah Mehsud for a time but could not maintain the tactic for long because Nazir would not give up striking across the Durand Line and attracting America’s missiles. The TTS spokesman declared: “We are releasing all prisoners unconditionally. To begin with, four paramilitary soldiers were freed on Tuesday.” The meeting has also decided not to attack security forces and government property.
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After Oscars, it’s Disney time for ‘Slumdog’ kids
Chicago, February 24 Slumdog’s Jamals - Ayush Mahesh Khedekar and Tanay Hermant Chheda, Salims - Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail Sheik and Ashutosh Lobo Gajiwalan, and Latikas - Rubiana Ali and Tanvi Ganesh Lonkar lived the dream of every child as they visited Universal Studios and Disneyland in California. Apart from getting pictures clicked with iconic Disney stars, including Mickey and Minnie Mouse, the children enjoyed rides and movie-making action at the studios. During their four-day long stay in the US, it has been a whirlwind trip for the children, two of whom - Ali and Ismail — live in Mumbai’s slums. The group is scheduled to return home today, where celebrations are being planned for the movie’s Oscar wins, the NBC Universal reported. The ‘Slumdog’ child actors were the cynosure of all eyes at the star-studded 81st Annual Academy awards. Dressed to the tee in tuxedos and chic dresses, the children went from one TV camera to another giving interviews, waving to an excited audience and basking in their newfound glory. The young stars were hotly pursued by paparazzi, met idols like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, and partied the night away after their film's winning streak at the Oscars. — PTI
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LTTE’s ceasefire offer is ‘hilarious’
Colombo, February 24 “It has been the modus operandi of the LTTE to pressurise the international community and cease the current humanitarian operation to liberate trapped civilians,” Defence Affairs spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said. “The international community has fully acknowledged the nature of the LTTE, though they should pressurise the LTTE to surrender and release civilians,” he said. “The country and the world are quite aware of the nature of the LTTE. It is a ploy used by the LTTE over two decades when it is about to be militarily defeated. Every time the LTTE is on the verge of defeat militarily and losing weapons and equipment, then it calls a truce,” Rambukwella told the state owned Daily News. The LTTE has written a letter to the UN, the UK, Japan, Norway and the US indicating its readiness to agree to a ceasefire with the government. — PTI
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Military aid for Pak ‘underfunded’
Washington, February 24 The conclusion, included in an assessment by the Government Accountability Office, highlighted the stark challenges facing the Obama administration as it tried to salvage the war effort. The Defence Department's “Security Development Programme” is aimed at training and equipping more than 10,000 Pakistani "Frontier Corps" fighters for counterinsurgency tasks and is considered a top priority among US officials. The programme received $62.5 million so far this budget year, which began on October 1. The Defence officials say $ 167.5 million more is needed before the next budget year begins in eight months, according to the GAO. The accountants do not say why the programme's budget is in trouble. The report states only that as of the end of 2008, "no existing security assistance funds have been redirected" to the programme, and without "dedicated long-term funding" the training and equipping of Pakistani forces could slow down by March. The Defence Department had no immediate comment. — AP
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Pak to abolish NSC
The ruling coalition has decided to abolish the National Security Council (NSC) for which a bill would soon be introduced in Parliament, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani told mediapersons here on Tuesday.
He said the NSC was created by former President Pervez Musharraf, with overwhelming presence of the military and his four nominated provincial Governors. It superimposed civilian structure ostensibly designed to ensure military’s interference in the national affairs.
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Bilawal nicknamed ‘Mr 10 pc jr’
Islamabad, February 24 “A freshly shaven and widely beaming Asif Ali Zardari hosted a dinner for the international media at one of his many sumptuous London mansions and announced: 'I'm proud to say that my son Bilawal Bhutto, Pak Prez-in-training is contesting the Oxford union polls for the post of treasurer,” read a satirical story titled "Mr Ten Percent Jr to run for treasurer post in Oxford union polls" on thespoof.com. — PTI
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