Monthly archive

By Wajid Ali Syed – Washington Correspondent for Asian Tribune

The US military chief expressed concern Tuesday about Taliban advances in Pakistan and said that, "we are ready to assist Pakistanis in their fight against this common enemy of ours." The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at a news conference said, "I am gravely concerned about the progress they have made in the south and inside Pakistan," adding that "the consequences of their success directly threaten our national interests in the region and our safety here at home. This isn't about 'can-do' any more; this is about 'must-do.'"

M.A. Qader-Our Correspondent in Bangladesh

Bangladesh Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina on Monday provisionally approved a draft memorandum of understanding with Russia on installation of a nuclear power plant, officials with knowledge of the matter said on Monday. Bangladesh and Russia finalized the draft to sign an agreement after the three-day negotiations in April in Dhaka on installation of a nuclear power plant. Ministry officials said they expect an agreement to be signed later this month when a Russian minister is expected to visit Dhaka. The capacity of the power plant would be finalized in the final deal but the government decided to set up two plants each with 1000 megawatt capacity.

Sri Lanka and Canada enjoy a longstanding and multi-faceted relationship, which has been strengthened through their common membership of the Colombo Plan, the Commonwealth and the United Nations System. Sri Lanka greatly appreciates Canada’s support in its counter-terrorism efforts, notably by its proscription of the LTTE in 2006, as well as the subsequent listing of front organizations of the LTTE. The people of Sri Lanka also recall with gratitude and affection, the spontaneous and generous assistance provided by the Canadian Government and people in the aftermath of the tsunami disaster which struck Sri Lanka in December 2004.

M.A Qader-Our Correspondent in Bangladesh

The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) will launch on Tuesday a series of scheduled programmes to protest power, water, and gas crises and 'worsening security' in the country. On April 23, Secretary-general Khandaker Delwar Hossain declared the programmes at BNP chairperson's Gulshan office, which will run from May 5 through to June 2, he added. Party activists will hold processions and rallies in Upazila, districts and, metropolises to put pressure on the government to press the issues.

Kosh Raj Koirala – Asian Tribune Correspondent in Nepal

Pushpa Kamal DahalNepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal tendered his resignation on Monday after President Dr Ram Baran Yadav blocked his decision to sack Nepal Army Chief Rookmangud Katawal. Prime Minister Dahal blamed President Dr Yadav for creating a ‘parallel power center against the popularly elected government.’ The Maoist-led government on Sunday had unilaterally taken a decision to sack army chief Katawal despite protest from all other coalition partners. A cabinet meeting held on Sunday morning had appointed second-in-command in the army Kul Bahadur Khadka as acting chief of the national army.

By Nasim Yousaf

On May 9, 1958, Dr. Khan Sahib (former Chief Minister of West Pakistan) was assassinated, marking a grim milestone in Pakistan’s history. What is perhaps equally appalling; however, are the events that followed. In the aftermath of Khan Sahib’s death, renowned patriot Allama Mashriqi was arrested and falsely charged with having planned the murder. Furthermore, Mashriqi’s son and followers were imprisoned and his party was banned. The subsequent victimization of the aging statesman, under the pretenses of Khan Sahib’s murder trial, revealed the widespread corruption among the ruling class and pushed the country into serious turmoil, a fate from which the nation has yet to recover.