Issues

Taleban Leader Protests Bin Laden's Innocence Taleban Leader Protests Bin Laden's Innocence- The text of a message from the Taleban's supreme leader, in which he protests Bin Laden's innocence. Pakistani Traders Wary Pakistani Traders Wary- Financial market regulators in Pakistan are about to decide whether the country's stock markets should reopen for trading on Thursday. Pakistan Warns of 'Destruction' Pakistan Warns of 'Destruction'- President Musharraf says Pakistan is facing its worst crisis for 30 years over its support for the US action against Osama Bin Laden. India Angered by Musharraf 'Tirade' India Angered by Musharraf 'Tirade'- India reacts to remarks by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf telling Delhi to "lay off" exploiting the current crisis in his country. Analysis: Afghan Ruling on Bin Laden Analysis: Afghan Ruling on Bin Laden- The BBC's Islamic affairs analyst, Roger Hardy, examines the significance of the clerics' decision to ask the Saudi-born radical to leave the… Indian Muslims Oppose US Action Indian Muslims Oppose US Action- There is growing concern among India's 120 million Muslims about the degree of support Delhi is offering the US for its campaign against Osama bin… Pakistan Militants Step Up Protests Pakistan Militants Step Up Protests- Islamic hardliners across Pakistan rally against President Musharraf's decision to support the US in a possible strike on Afghanistan. Tajikistan Shuts Out Afghans Tajikistan Shuts Out Afghans- After talks with Russia, Tajikistan closes its border to Afghan refugees who are fleeing their homeland for fear of US retaliatory strikes. The Language of Conflict The Language of Conflict- BBC Middle East and Islamic affairs analyst Roger Hardy explains why the use of language has become so sensitive in the current international crisis. BBC Increases Service in Afghan Area BBC Increases Service in Afghan Area- The BBC World Service has increased its broadcasts serving Afghanistan and the surrounding region. Afghan Exodus Still Growing Afghan Exodus Still Growing- The number of people fleeing troubled Afghanistan tops one million, as fears grow of US attacks on the country. US Rejects Bin Laden Ruling US Rejects Bin Laden Ruling- The US demands that Osama Bin Laden be handed over to "responsible authorities", rejecting an apparent Taleban compromise move. India Says Taleban Recall Kashmir Militants India Says Taleban Recall Kashmir Militants- India's Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh says the Taleban leadership is calling on Afghan fighters in Kashmir to return home ahead of a … Afghans Hooked on the BBC Afghans Hooked on the BBC- BBC World Service Pashto and Persian language radio broadcasts are one of the primary sources of news for Afghanistan. Pakistan Protests Turn Violent Pakistan Protests Turn Violent- Four people are killed in Karachi as thousands of Taleban supporters protest against government support for the US. Congressmen Back Lifting Pakistan Sanctions Congressmen Back Lifting Pakistan Sanctions- The heads of the foreign relations committees in the US Congress support easing sanctions against Pakistan following its pledge to hel… Kashmiri Protests Against US Action Kashmiri Protests Against US Action- A general strike in Indian-administered Kashmir turned violent as Muslims took to the streets to protest against possible US attacks on Afghan… Aid Agencies Prepare for Afghan Tragedy Aid Agencies Prepare for Afghan Tragedy- International relief agencies gear up to fend off a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Afghan Opposition Flexes its Muscles Afghan Opposition Flexes its Muscles- In northern Afghanistan's Panjshir Valley held by the opposition, there is a sense of expectation as pressure builds up on the Taleban. Bin Laden's Options Bin Laden's Options- Terror suspect Osama Bin Laden has many options in fleeing from justice, explains the BBC. When the West is Unfashionable When the West is Unfashionable- Pakistan's population is not convinced by assurances that the US is targeting terrorism, not Islam, reports the BBC. War Fears Hurt Indian Economy War Fears Hurt Indian Economy- Fears of an imminent US strike against Afghanistan hits the Indian economy which was already in the middle of a slowdown. Pakistan Sticks by Taleban Ties Pakistan Sticks by Taleban Ties- Pakistan rules out cutting links with the Taleban in Afghanistan, saying it would damage the aid effort. Eyewitness: Taleban Prepare for US Attack Eyewitness: Taleban Prepare for US Attack- The BBC's John Simpson, thought to be the only western reporter in Taleban-controlled Afghanistan, reports on the mood there. Russia Talks to Afghan Opposition Russia Talks to Afghan Opposition- Russia makes no secret of its support for the Afghan opposition as top-level talks are held over the border in Tajikistan. Eyewitness: Taleban in Crisis Eyewitness: Taleban in Crisis- The BBC's John Simpson, smuggled into Afghanistan dressed as a woman, finds support ebbing away from the Taleban. Pakistan's Fear of Refugee Flood Pakistan's Fear of Refugee Flood- Pakistan, home to one of the world's biggest refugee populations, is increasingly reluctant to take more Afghans. South Asian Games Postponed South Asian Games Postponed- Pakistan has postponed the South Asian Games, which were due to be held in the capital, Islamabad, next month. Carter Cancels Bangladesh Visit Carter Cancels Bangladesh Visit- Former US President, Jimmy Carter, calls off plans to take part in monitoring the general election in Bangladesh because of the terror strikes. US Military Threats Dismissed US Military Threats Dismissed- The Taleban's supreme leader rejected US threats of action, as Osama Bin Laden reportedly urged Pakistan's Muslims to fight "the American crusade". Afghan Opium Prices 'Crash' Afghan Opium Prices 'Crash'- UN officials in Pakistan say the price of Afghan opium has collapsed following the terror attacks on the United States. Taleban Seize Afghan Food Aid Taleban Seize Afghan Food Aid- Afghanistan's ruling Taleban confiscated 1,400 tonnes of food aid, as the UN braced itself for a massive humanitarian crisis. US Pakistan Sign Debt Deal US Pakistan Sign Debt Deal- An agreement to reschedule Pakistan's nearly $400m of debt to the United States has been signed in Islamabad. Analysis: Afghanistan's Future Analysis: Afghanistan's Future- Islamic affairs analyst Roger Hardy examines whether or not President Bush is committed to the overthrow of the Taleban. Text of Taleban Leader's Speech Text of Taleban Leader's Speech- Text of a speech by the Taleban supreme leader Mullah Mohammad Omar. Sri Lanka Backs US Sri Lanka Backs US- The Sri Lankan Government has formally announced its fullest backing for the United States following the attacks in New York and Washington. Taleban Retreat in Heavy Fighting Taleban Retreat in Heavy Fighting- The Taleban, under threat of US air strikes, admit losing ground in battles against opposition fighters in northern Afghanistan. Afghan Challenge Awaits US Military Afghan Challenge Awaits US Military- The BBC's George Arney listens to Pakistan analysts' views on a possible US invasion of Afghanistan, where those who have gone before have fai… Pakistan Warns of Afghan Instability Pakistan Warns of Afghan Instability- Pakistan says imposing a government on Afghanistan in place of the Taleban would only increase the suffering of Afghans. Taleban Face Total Isolation Taleban Face Total Isolation- The Taleban are left virtually isolated after Saudi Arabia cuts off ties with the Afghan regime, which faces US-led action over Osama Bin Laden. UN Braced for Refugee Flood UN Braced for Refugee Flood- Plans are being drawn up to cope with up to a million refugees if the US-led coalition launches strikes against Afghanistan. Afghan Neighbours Key to US Success Afghan Neighbours Key to US Success- Reports why Washington needs Afghanistan's northern neighbours to mount a successful operation against the Taleban. Afghanistan's Clandestine Army Afghanistan's Clandestine Army- A revolutionary group run by Afghan women finds itself in the media spotlight following the terror attacks against the US. Karachi Tense in Calm Before Storm Karachi Tense in Calm Before Storm- Pakistan's commercial capital, battered by a decade of terrible violence, fears the worst as it anticipates an attack on Afghanistan. Blair Puts Pressure on Taleban Blair Puts Pressure on Taleban- The US-led coalition against terrorism builds up pressure on the Afghan Taleban rulers as Saudi Arabia, their last Arab ally, severs ties. Taleban Say Attacks Avenged US 'Cruelty' Taleban Say Attacks Avenged US 'Cruelty'- The Taleban leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar, tells the US public the terror attacks were retaliation against "cruel" US foreign policy. The Wild Border Town of Quetta The Wild Border Town of Quetta- Thousands of Afghan refugees are likely to pour into the Pakistani town of Quetta, already struggling with poverty and tensions of its own, reports… Pakistan Refuses to Open Borders Pakistan Refuses to Open Borders- Pakistan says it will not open its border with Afghanistan to new refugees despite a plea by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. Afghans Torch US Embassy Afghans Torch US Embassy- Pro-Taleban demonstrators set fire to cars and buildings in the vacant US embassy compound in the Afghan capital, Kabul. Fighting Rages in North Afghanistan Fighting Rages in North Afghanistan- Fierce fighting is said to continue in northern Afghanistan between Taleban forces and the opposition Northern Alliance.