Qureshi denied contact for hours with US officials

Islamabad, Jun 1 (ANI): The Pakistani Government's big claims that it had easy access to senior American officials was exposed when Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had to wait for hours to contact any of them.

Qureshi had been trying to contact American Special Representative to Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke and Secretary of State Hilary Clinton since Monday morning. However, he was denied early access to both till the evening, the sources said.

They added that because of this reason, Qureshi kept himself away from media persons until Monday evening.

After he failed to contact Holbrooke and Clinton, Qureshi contacted US Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W. Patterson, and requested her to contact the Israeli Administration for the early release of three Pakistanis, who were on board when the Israeli Army attacked the aid ship.

" I have talked to US Ambassador to Pakistan Anne Patterson to ask Obama Administration to use its influence on Israel for early release of the stranded Pakistanis; including veteran journalist Talat Hussein" The Nation quoted Qureshi, as saying.

The Foreign office spokesperson said the Foreign Minister had talked to Holbrooke, who had assured his help on the issue. He further said that in Tel Aviv there was no Pakistani among the dead.

A group of Pakistanis, including journalists had been travelling with the flotilla.

The Foreign Office further informed that diplomatic efforts were being made to ascertain the whereabouts and safety of Pakistani nationals, including senior journalist Syed Talat Hussain, Raza Mahmood Agha and President Khubaib Foundation Islamabad, Nadeem Ahmad Khan. (ANI)

|Peter Crouch, Abbey Clancy 'to tie the knot in Italy'|Sports[London{London, June 1 (ANI): English footballer Peter Crouch and his lingerie model fiancee Abbey Clancy are reportedly set to tie the knot in Italy.

Clancy, 24, is said to have chosen Lake Como as the location for her marriage to Crouch, 29, and that plans are underway for it to take place after the World Cup.

The model is also planning on shipping thousands of pounds worth of red roses from Liberty of London to Italy for the do.

"Abbey asked to see, and smell, a selection of roses and they gave her a sample to take home for free for Peter's opinion. She told them money was no issue," the Daily Star quoted a fellow shopper as revealing. (ANI)