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CIA says Pak may use N-weapons against India

     New Delhi: According to a threat assessment report, prepared by the CIA, Pakistan could use nuclear weapons to counter India`s larger conventional forces if a war breaks out. The report said that Pakistan could use nuclear weapon, although both countries know the likely price to be paid for starting a conflict. "India and Pakistan appear to understand the likely prices to be paid by triggering a conflict. But nationalistic feelings run high and are not likely to abate," said the report. "Under plausible scenarios, Pakistan might use nuclear weapons to counter success by the larger Indian conventional forces, particularly given Pakistan`s lack of strategic depth," outlined the report, brought out by the National Intelligence Council and the CIA. The report, named "Mapping the Global Future: Pervasive Insecurity", points out that many countries in Asia and the Middle East, which do not possess nuclear weapons at the moment could decide to seek them. "The assistance of proliferators, including former private entrepreneurs such as the A Q Khan network, will reduce the time required for additional countries to develop nuclear weapons", it said. In the coming 15 years, the report said, a number of countries will "continue to pursue their nuclear, chemical (CW) and biological (BW) weapons programmes and in some cases will enhance their capabilities."

Nationwide strike against VAT tomorrow (Go To Top)

     New Delhi: Intensifying the ongoing nationwide agitation of the trading community against VAT provisions, traders associations throughout the country will observe a nationwide protest against VAT tomorrow. "The agitation is aimed to raise traders voice primarily with the motive to help the crores of unorganised consumer citizens from paying higher value of the essential commodities," Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) Praveen Khandelwal said. Traders will campaign against VAT provisions by placing tableaus on the theme of a trader shackled with multiples laws of chain, working in adverse circumstances without necessary infrastructure, paying more than 22 types of taxes. This nationwide tableau protest movement will be launched tommorrow from New Delhi and trade organisations across the Country will place such tableaues in their respective Cities, he said. VAT is scheduled to be implemented from April 1 and still more than 10 States have yet to frame VAT Act and more than 20 States have yet to come with VAT rules, he said. He informed that following such tableau demonstrations, a nationwide VAT Protest "Rathyatra" will be held in March and a meeting of the National trade Leaders will be held on Feburary 27 at Jhansi. Wholesale and retail traders in the national capital will participate in the one-day nationwide strike tomorrow to protest the proposed implementation of VAT by the Central and State Governments. A 'Forum of Delhi Traders Association' statement, quoting Coordination Committee of Apex Trade Organisations' decision, today said that commercial establishments and traders in the capital would observe a strike tomorrow and all important markets across the city would remain closed.

Pak cricket team to reach India on Feb 28 (Go To Top)

      New Delhi: Pakistan cricket team will be reaching India to play three tests and six one-day matches on February 28, three days behind schedule. The 50-day tour of the team was announced officially today. Announcing the tour, the BCCI Secretary, S.K.Nair said, "The Pakistan Cricket Board has confirmed the tour programme as suggested by BCCI". Mohali would host the first Test (March 8-12), Kolkata the second (March 16-20) and Bangalore the third and final match (March 24- 28). The first one-day international would be played on April 2 at Kochi, while the last one will be played in New Delhi on April 17. India has earlier, decided to issue 10,000 visas to Pakistani cricket fans to watch the series. The decision to allow the citizens of the neighbouring country to watch the series comes after both the countries gave fresh impetus to their peace process by agreeing to start a historic bus service linking Srinagar and Muzzafarabad. Earlier, Pakistan refused to play test match at Ahmedabad citing security concerns, which had endangered the whole tour. The visiting team was earlier scheduled to arrive in India on February 25 to play three tests and five one-day internationals. But later Pakistan agreed on playing a one-day at Ahmedabad. Pakistan Cricket Board's media advisor Abbas Zaidi Abbas praised BCCI for accepting Pak's reservations over playing the match in Ahmedabad and showing flexibility by coming up with a good alternative.

     The BCCI's working committee met in New Delhi on Thursday to finalise the tour agenda and other issues, and offered Ahmedabad as the venue for a sixth one-day international. Just as India had expressed reservations about playing a Test match in Karachi during its March-April 2003 tour of Pakistan, Pakistan expressed serious doubts and even refused to play in Ahmedabad citing security concerns. Based on a recent report by PCB security team, the PCB had so far delayed the announcement of the final tour schedule and the names of the players who will tour India from February 25. In the wake of the 2002 communal riots in Ahmedabad and in other parts of Gujarat following the Godhra train carnage, which claimed nearly 2000 lives, the PCB so far said that political compulsions and security concerns could endanger its tour of India. Worse, Hindu fundamentalists also voiced their anger at the proposed visit and a few of them threatened to disrupt the matches. But, all is well that ends well. Now Pakistan are set to play three Tests and six One-day Internationals on their first full tour of India since 1999. The announcement of the final schedule is likely to be made soon.

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