First step for return of Khatami

In Tehran, the former president of Iran Mohammad Khatami held an event that people think might be a first step for him back into politics. This is the first time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that so many former Western leaders attended that was not sponsored by the government. Khatami hinted at the fact that he may be running for president against current President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

WB to provide $1.4 billion to Pakistan

The World Bank has pledged to provide $ 1.4 billion support for Pakistan in the current year which can be front-loaded to fast track investment projects and budgetary lending. The amount includes $ 600 million for investment portfolio and $ 800 million for budget support as macroeconomic stabilization program moves forward. The offer, first made by World Bank President Robert Zoellick at a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari last month in New York, was reiterated Saturday as Pakistan’s Adviser on Finance met with the Bank’s Managing Director Ms. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

India, Pakistan and Afghanistan join hands with America to prevent Taliban

Could Pakistan fall to a Taliban-al-Qaida coup? Is India looking at the possibility of a Talibanized neighbour to its west, one with access to nuclear weapons? If Pakistan’s senior minister for information Sherry Rahman is to be believed, Pakistan is in the midst of a serious internal security threat from a collection of Taliban, al-Qaida and J&K terrorist elements who want to take over the country, according to a news report in Times of India dated 15.9.2008.   Indian security sources said they have been receiving reports of a steady infiltration of Taliban and al-Qaida elements in Pakistan’s biggest cities of Lahore and Karachi recently. In fact, in a recent incident which rang alarm bells, there were a number of Taliban posters in Karachi and Taliban spokespersons were quoted promising a better government in Sindh.

Suicide bombings prohibited in Islam: Ulema

LAHORE: Suicide bombings are strictly prohibited in Islam and no Muslim could ever think of killing innocent people, Patron of Jamia Namia, Dr Sarfarz Naeemi, said this, while addressing a press conference here on Tuesday. He also said that government should change its policy on war on terror, which has aggravated the situation and also caused worst law and order situation in the country.

Former global leaders in Iran to support Khatami

TEHRAN, Iran – Former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami is hosting a high-profile conference uniting former U.N. chief Kofi Annan and other dignitaries this week — a rare visit seen as a reformist effort to position him for a comeback ahead of crucial elections. Long an opponent of hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Khatami has stepped up his criticism in recent months. And he is under increasing pressure from moderates to challenge Ahmadinejad in June’s presidential elections. Khatami’s supporters believe a victory by a political moderate would help Iran out of international isolation. But Khatami insists he has made no decision and reacted angrily when asked whether the high-profile visitors reflected backing for a possible presidential bid.