Islamabad denies Delhi reports about force pull-out from eastern border

Islamabad: Pakistan's military yesterday denied reports from India that it had withdrawn tens of thousands of troops from the border to deploy them against militants in restive tribal areas.

Top military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad said Pakistan did not station troops along the recognised international border with India during peacetime.

But he said Pakistan did have troops deployed on the Line of Control, the de facto border with India in disputed Kashmir, as well as on the Siachen glacier in the Himalayas.

"Not a single soldier had been pulled back from these two deployments," he said.

Pakistan last week moved 2,500 troops into Swat in the North West Frontier Province to counter a firebrand religious leader who is demanding Sharia law in the one-time tourist resort. The militants have seized more than two-thirds of the key tourist valley.

Envoy summoned over visa issue

Pakistan on Wednesday summoned the Indian deputy ambassador to the foreign ministry and lodged a protest over the denial of a visa to a cabinet minister, officials said. Railways Minister Shaikh Rashid said on Tuesday that the Indian High Commission (embassy) in Islamabad had granted visas to other officials to attend a cricket match but declined his request for one.

"The Indian Deputy High Commissioner was summoned to the Foreign Office and a strong protest was lodged with regard to [the] refusal of visa," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Rashid was planning to visit the Indian city of Mohali as a gesture of support for Pakistan's cricket team.

US aid under review

Congress and the US government are taking a second look at American aid to Pakistan after President Pervez Musharraf's declaration of emergency rule and a crackdown on his political opponents.

However, US officials are concerned about going too far in rebuking a close ally or damaging its ability to pursue terrorists within its borders. The administration of US President George W. Bush is seeking $800 million (Dh2.9 billion) for Pakistan for the current budget year. Since 2001, the US has given Pakistan an estimated $9.6 billion.

Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte was scheduled to testify Wednesday about Pakistan before the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee. It was unclear whether he would announce any changes to US policy.

London call to set election date

Britain called on President Pervez Musharraf yesterday to set a specific date for the elections, and warned that the current crisis could impact on British aid to the country. Foreign Secretary David Miliband also called for the release of political prisoners, the easing of restrictions on the media and for Musharraf to honour a commitment to stand down as head of the army.

Calling the situation "dangerous and fast-moving", he added that the possibility of suspending Pakistan from the Commonwealth would be discussed at a meeting in London, if the current impasse continues.