Quicktakes

Japan curbs on Pak

TOKYO: Japan is considering easing of sanctions against Pakistan in view of its economic crisis and foreign exchange crunch, but is unlikely to do the same in the case of India, prime minister-designate and foreign minister Keizo Obuchi today said. quot;Japan is at a stage of beginning considerationsquot; for easing sanctions imposed on Pakistan after its nuclear tests as it quot;badly needs financial support from the IMF,quot; Obuchi said shortly before his election as the president of ruling LDP to become the country8217;s nextPrime Minister on July 30.

Benazir arrest

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto8217;s Pakistan People8217;s Party PPP today threatened to take to the streets in protest if the government arrested her on her return from the foreign trip on Sunday. The PPP was responding to local newspaper reports that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif8217;s government had decided to arrest the former prime minister. Meanwhile, Benazir has that there was no change in her travel plans.