With India-Pakistan tensions still running high, China has stepped in to try and defuse a crisis that is rocking stability in Asia, and indeed across the world. The Chinese intervention is a reminder of just how acute anxiety is over the ferocious war of words between Islamabad and New Delhi that erupted a month ago, following the terrorist attacks in Mumbai. In Islamabad, the Chinese vice foreign minister met virtually every civilian and military leader of any note, including the president, the prime minister and the chief of army staff...

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SIGNIFICANT NEWS REPORTS:

Saturday, December 06, 2008

Lead Stories:

The reports about the car bomb blast in Peshawar killing 30 and wounding 140 persons, US drone attack in Mir Ali area of North Waziristan killing 4 and injuring 2 persons, President Zardari and Karzai’s pledge to evolve joint efforts to combat terrorism and ISI Chief’s briefing to PM Gilani have been flashed by the print media as their lead stories today.

President:

 Trilateral talks between Presidents of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Turkey open in Turkey; Turkish PM hosts an open air luncheon in honour of President Zardari and President Karzai. (All papers)

 President Zardari, Karzai pledge to evolve a joint strategy to combat terrorism, work for regional peace, security and stability, while burying the past differences; Zardari says, evidence not yet provided regarding Mumbai attacks: Address at joint press conference in Istanbul...

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The bomb that exploded at the funeral of a Shia cleric in Dera Ismail Khan brought to a climax the flurry of sectarian violence seen in the town ahead of the attack. The cleric being buried had been shot a day earlier; hours before his funeral took place the caretaker of a Shia mosque was gunned down outside his home. The bombing at the funeral, in which ten people died and 43 were injured triggered violence by mobs that rampaged through the streets setting vehicles ablaze...

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