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Quetta blast death toll goes up to 50

     Islamabad: At least 50 people were killed and over 100 injured in a suicide bomb blast at a shrine of a Shiite Muslim saint in Pakistan's southwest Baluchistan province. The blast came even as the army was deployed in the gas-rich town of Sui of the troubled region to ward off attacks from nationalist rebels. The powerful blast occurred late on Saturday night during the annual pilgrimage of the shrine, built in memory of revered saint Pir Rakhel Shah, 300 km from Baluchistan capital Quetta. Media reports said 50 people were killed and over 100 injured, but officials put the toll at around 32. The explosion took place outside the shrine where food was being distributed to people, reports from Quetta said, adding thousands of pilgrims had come to the shrine. Quoting officials from Quetta, Pakistan's local Geo TV reported that it was a suicide bomb attack. Some reports said the Baluchistan National Army (BLA), claiming to be fighting for the rights of Baloch people, claimed responsibility for the bombing, but officials here do not rule out the involvement of banned sectarian outfits. Sayed Kamal Shah, a close relative of the custodian of the shrine, was quoted as saying that he feared the death toll could go upto over 100 as dozens of people were injured. Meanwhile Federal Interior Minister, Aftab Khan Sherpao, announced that army has been deployed in the troubled Sui town as a security measure.

Pakistan appoints new envoy to China (Go To Top)

     Islamabad: Pakistan has appointed senior diplomat Salman Bashir as its new Ambassador to China. Bashir, who arrived in Beijing on Friday, will present his credentials to Chinese President Hu Jintao, sources said. He replaces Riaz Mohammad Khan who left here last month after being appointed as Pakistan's Foreign Secretary. Bashir's appointment comes ahead of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's scheduled visit to Pakistan in early April. Wen is also expected to visit India and at least two others countries in South Asia. Prior to his Beijing posting, Bashir had served as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad. His previous diplomatic assignments include stints at the Pakistani missions in Geneva, Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) Secretariat, Jeddah, and Denmark.

Condoleezza Rice arrives in China (Go To Top)

     Beijing: US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in Beijing today for a two-day visit, which will include talks with the top Chinese leadership. The Taiwan issue, North Korean nuclear talks and the situation in South Asia are likely to figure prominently in the talks. Rice, who is on the last leg of her visit to six Asian nations, including India and Pakistan, will have official talks with her Chinese counterpart Li Zhaoxing. She will also call on Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao. Her schedule includes meetings with Vice Premier Wu Yi and State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan. Sources said Rice would also exchange views with the Chinese leadership on the Indo-Pak relations as well as the situation in Nepal. Previously, Rice, who arrived in Beijing today from South Korean capital Seoul, visited China in February 2002 and July 2004 respectively as the US National Security Advisor. Her Beijing visit comes nearly a week after the Chinese parliament overwhelmingly passed the controversial Anti-Secession Law to prevent Taiwan from declaring independence. Washington has criticised Beijing's move, saying the enactment of such a legislation runs counter to recent trends toward a warming in cross-Strait relations. Beijing is also likely to be pushed to put more pressure on North Korea to return to the six-party talks mechanism aimed at resolving Pyongyang's nuclear issue through diplomacy. Rice is also expected to touch upon the Tibet issue and prod the Chinese leadership to resume talks with the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, diplomatic sources said.

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