‘Do not panic’,we’ll not capitulate to Taliban: Pak to US

Pakistan's foreign minister asked US officials not to panic over Taliban advances along Pakistan's border with Afghanistan.

Pakistan’s foreign minister asked US officials not to panic over Taliban advances along Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan,a region British Prime Minister Gordon Brown called a “crucible of terrorism.”

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan has sent militants in its tribal areas a “clear signal” that they must lay down arms,as he sought to quell Western fears raised by a recent peace deal between militants and the government.

“We mean business,and if we have to use force,we will use force. We will not hesitate,” Qureshi said on the sidelines of meetings with his Afghan and Iranian counterparts.

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US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last week said Pakistan was “basically abdicating to the Taliban and the extremists,” though she later said Pakistan was beginning to realise the threat militants posed.

“My response is: ‘Please do not panic,'” Qureshi said in response to Clinton’s comments. “We have now a common enemy,and we’ve devised a common strategy to deal with the enemy.

We will not surrender,we will not capitulate,and we will not abdicate.”

Brown visited British troops in southern Afghanistan during a one-day trip. He later flew to Islamabad.

Modi will address a rally in the district and open the Purnea airport that will provide air connectivity to several metro cities, fulfilling a longstanding demand in the Seemanchal region.

PM Modi to open Purnea airport, launch Makhana Board in Monday’s visit to poll-bound Bihar

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PM Modi will visit Purnea, Bihar, on Monday to inaugurate projects worth Rs 36,000 crore, including an airport and launch the National Makhana Board. The visit is aimed at boosting development and addressing the neglected Seemanchal region. PM will also announce projects worth Rs 35,461 crore and distribute benefits to beneficiaries under different schemes.

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