Main Page                                                 Archives

Riaz Khan to be Pakistan's new foreign secretary

     Islamabad: Pakistan's Ambassador to China, Riaz Mohammad Khan, will assume charge as the country's new foreign secretary. According to the Dawn, Khan will replace Riaz Khokhar sometime next month. Incidentally, Khokhar who completed his tenure on December 31, has reportedly been asked to continue in office till the 13th Saarc Summit scheduled for Feb 6 to 7 in Dhaka as well as accompany Aziz on his official visit to Iran later next month. Khan though is officially expected to take charge in the second half of April. Khan, a seasoned career diplomat, is considered a thorough professional, having rich experience in multilateral diplomacy, with postings as Pakistan's ambassador to Belgium and Kazakhstan and briefly served as the foreign office spokesman following the September 11, WTC twin tower attacks. His appointment carries significance as his name, in 2003, topped the list of candidates nominated by the Foreign Office for the key post of Pakistan's High Commissioner to India.

Pak to induct Chinese JF-17 fighters in 2006 (Go To Top)

     Islamabad: Pakistan's Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Kaleem Saadat, has said that the air force will begin induction of JF-17 (Thunder) fighter aircraft next year. Pakistan and China have jointly manufactured JF-17 (Thunder), also known as the "next generation aircraft". The aircraft had its maiden flight early this year and the officials believe the aircraft will help PAF overcome shortage of combat aircraft. The PAF has inducted Chinese origin F-7 PG aircraft, additional Mirages, CASAs CN-235 aircraft and MI-171 helicopters to its inventory, he added. India has been opposing delivery of the jets to Pakistan, which says that proposed induction of the F-16s is part of modest acquisition program. The US administration had recently approved three weapon deals worth 1.2 billion dollars for Pakistan, which includes eight P-3C surveillance aircraft for Pakistan Navy.

BCCI announces venues for Indo-Pak series (Go To Top)

    Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday announced that Mohali, Ahmedabad and Bangalore would host India's three Test matches against Pakistan next month. The BCCI also said that Kochi, Vishakhapatnam, Kanpur, Jamshedpur and Delhi would be the venues for the five one-day internationals to be played after the Test series. "The venues will now have to be cleared by the Indian Government and the dates would be finalised soon," BCCI Secretary S K Nair and Morarka said. Morarka said the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will send their security team to India on January 25 to inspect the venues. The Pakistan cricket team however would arrive either on February 24 or 25 for the tour expected to last till April 10 or 11.