Musharraf calls up Karzai, again

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf spoke to his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai over the phone for the second time in three days on Thursday, to cap a spate of allegations from Kabul that top Taliban leaders had regrouped in Pakistan and were operating from there. Pakistan has made it clear that it wants Afghanistan’s stability, prosperity and progress of Afghans, Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed told private TV channels.

The President made it clear to his Afghan counterpart that some irresponsible statements from Afghan officials are not appropriate, he said, adding, ‘‘We are not involved in any acts which can lead to instability in Afghanistan…. President Musharraf’s phone call to President Karzai was to reiterate it once again. Pakistan has also sealed the border with Afghanistan,’’ he said. ‘‘We are supporting the Karzai government. If any person is involved in illegal activities, action could be taken against him under the law. But leveling allegations against the Government, Pakistan or its institutions, is unjust and this should not happen,’’ Rashid said.

Khan N-market closed, says US

WASHINGTON: A senior Bush administration official said on Thursday, he was confident the nuclear black market run by Abdul Qadeer Khan of Pakistan ‘‘has been put out of business,’’ said Robert Joseph, Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security.

Khan, once hailed as a national hero for his role in Pakistan’s nuclear programme, confessed to spreading sensitive technology to Iran, Libya and North Korea without government authorisation. —AP/PTI