Current Update

US drone strike kills six in N.Waziristan

2010-01-19T11:01:00.000-08:00

MIRANSHAH: A US drone missile attack Tuesday killed at least six suspected militants in the 11th such strike targeting Pakistan's northwest Taliban stronghold this month, intelligence officials said.

The strike took place at 6:30pm (1330 GMT) in Degan village, 30 kilometres (18 miles) west of Miranshah, the main town of the tribal North Waziristan district and a known hub of Taliban and Al-Qaeda-linked militants.

“Two missiles fired by a US drone hit a compound which was being used by militants,” a senior security official in the area said. “One missile hit a compound and the other hit a vehicle outside it. Six militants were killed.” The death toll had initially been put at three.

Another security official confirmed the hit and casualties, saying that the nationalities of those killed was not yet known.

“It is also not clear if any high-value target was present in the area at the time of the attack,” he said, adding that the death toll may rise.

A volley of drone strikes has hit the northwest this month, all targeting North Waziristan, a bastion of Al-Qaeda fighters, the Taliban and the Haqqani network.

The drone strikes are a source of friction between the United States and its ally Pakistan, which says they are a violation of its sovereignty.

US officials say the missile strikes are carried out under an agreement with Islamabad that allows Pakistani leaders to decry the attacks in public, but Islamabad denies this. –Agencies

Marshall Plan needed for Pakistan: Zardari

2010-01-17T11:26:00.000-08:00

LAHORE: President Asif Ali Zardari Sunday called on the international community to give more resources to fight terrorism and build a developed Pakistan.
Addressing a reception held for leading citizens in Lahore, the President said, “We have to convince the world to give us the resources to take on the monster of terrorism.”
Pakistan is facing numerous challenges, he said adding this century will belong to Asia and the world is looking towards Pakistan.
“There is a natural instinct in the nation of Pakistan and it is shown by the people and political forces including PPP and PML that they turn their weaknesses into strength,” he remarked.
He said, “Time and again I have been asking the world for a Marshall Plan for Pakistan like the one they had for Europe.”
“Yes, they have not agreed as yet but can I, will I make them agree? I can promise you that one day they will come to our position. One day they will realise that root of all the wars in Afghanistan goes through Pakistan,” he added.
He assured that Pakistan would want to help its neighbourhood and the region as a active participant.
“But they have to look at the situation with a regional outlook. The problems cannot be solved indigenously by Pakistan or any other country. It has to be a collective effort,” the President stressed.
President Zardari said he is dreaming of a Pakistan in which investors come from all over the world to set up projects.
He reiterated that Pakistan wanted better relations and more trade with its neighbouring countries. He urged all the political forces to unite together in the war on terrorism.
He said the people of Pakistan today stand shoulder to shoulder with their brothers in the army, police and paramilitary forces.
“We stand together against the terrorists who want to change our way of life. This far we have come through political maturity and for that I congratulate the Prime Minister, parliament, leader of the opposition and all political forces for political ownership of the war.”
He said the solution to this war is collectiveness and they have collected together under the banner of Pakistan to fight by believing that this is their own war.
“Before the arrival of the democratic dispensation the big question mark was whose war it is. We have found the answer that this is our war as they are killing our brothers and sisters,” he concluded.

Three army personnel injured in blast near Rawalakot

2010-01-16T12:03:00.000-08:00

ISLAMABAD: Three military personnel were critically injured in a suicide attack on an army vehicle near Rawalakot in Azad Kashmir on Saturday.
According to the SSP Rawalakot, Sajjad Hussain, the vehicle was travelling through the Dothan area on the outskirts of Rawalakot when the bomber rammed his vehicle into it.
The injured were shifted to Combined Military Hospital Rawalakot and the area was cordoned off.
Police were collecting body parts of the bomber for further investigation.

Federer faces tough opponents in Australian Open

2010-01-15T09:13:00.000-08:00

MELBOURNE: Roger Federer faces a potential quarter-final against Russian bogeyman Nikolay Davydenko following Friday’s Australian Open draw, as the world number one chases a 16th Grand Slam title. Davydenko, the sixth seed, has beaten the Swiss legend at their previous two meetings and could pose another test as top-seeded Federer goes after a fourth Australian title.
Davydenko beat Federer in straight sets in the semi-finals at Doha this month and also mastered him at the ATP World Tour Finals event in London in November.
Federer will open the tournament against Russian world number 36 Igor Andreev and could face either Lleyton Hewitt or Marcos Baghdatis, both former Australian Open finalists, in the fourth round.
Serb Novak Djokovic, who beat Federer in the semi-finals of the 2008 Australian Open on the way to winning his first Grand Slam, was drawn in the same top half of the men’s draw as the world number one.
Third-seeded Djokovic is drawn to face French Open finalist Robin Soderling of Sweden in the quarters before a potential tilt at Federer in the semis.
In the bottom half of the draw, world number two and defending champion Rafael Nadal could run up against British title contender Andy Murray in the quarters.
Nadal, who beat Federer in last year’s five-set final in Melbourne, opens against Australian Davis Cup player Peter Luczak, while fifth-seeded Murray takes on a qualifier first up.
Another prospective quarter-final looms between US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro, the fourth seed, and Wimbledon finalist Andy Roddick.
Veteran Frenchman Fabrice Santoro, 37, who will become the first player to participate in 70 Grand Slam tournaments stretched over four decades, faces Croatian 14th seed Marin Cilic in the first round.

US ready to review new screening policy: Holbrooke

2010-01-15T09:11:00.000-08:00

LAHORE: US Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrook, said that the United States is ready to review the new screening regime instituted at US airports.
He was speaking to the President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, at the Governor's House in Lahore on Friday.

President Zardari said that the United States' policy of conducting secret drone attacks against militants on Pakistani soil will undermine national consensus on the war against terror.
Richard Holbrooke said that the purpose of his visit was to refocus US policy on the region and to gather support for Pakistan. He appreciated the role Pakistan is playing against global militancy and assured full support in its efforts.
The envoy assured president Zardari of the immediate release of $349 million due as part of the Coalition Support Fund and $125 million for the Tarbela Power Plant upgrade process.
President Zardari stressed the need for basing partnership between the two countries on mutual respect, trust and interest.
The President also called for allowing greater market access to Pakistani goods in the US and European markets.
The president said that democratic stability in the country is dependent upon the development agenda and that a plan was needed to overcome local economic problems.

Pakistan demands compensation for shifted Davis Cup ties

2010-01-12T11:01:00.000-08:00

KARACHI: The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) has filed a compensation claim with the International Tennis Federation (ITF) after losing the right to host three David Cup ties due to the security situation in the country. “We have filed a claim for a total compensation of around $100,000 for the three David Cup ties against Oman, the Philippines and Hong Kong that have been moved from Pakistan since last year,” PTF President Dilawar Abbas said on Tuesday.
The ITF shifted the ties to venues in those three countries after security concerns expressed by Pakistan’s opponents over the scheduling of their matches in Lahore and Islamabad.
The ties against Oman and the Philippines were moved last year while Pakistan are due to travel to Hong Kong to play a Davis Cup Group II first round match in March.
“The ITF initially rejected our compensation claim but...will now consider it again next month at a meeting,” Abbas said.
“If the matter is not resolved by the ITF it can also go the Court of Aarbitration for Sport,” he added.
He said the ITF argued that Pakistan was given a share of the money from international sponsorship of the ties and due to the security situation no country would play in Pakistan. —Reuters

Drone attacks intensified after Khost blast: US

2010-01-12T10:56:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON: A US general, who oversees America’s war efforts in the Pakistan-Afghan region, has acknowledged that there has been an increase in drone attacks at suspected militant targets inside Fata since the assassination last month of seven CIA agents.

Separately, the US military chief has said that a relationship with Pakistan is ‘absolutely critical’ to the United States and that’s why he has invested so much in grooming up this relationship.

“We don’t talk about the source of the explosions in western Pakistan. But certainly, many commentators have noted the considerable pressure that has been brought on the leadership, in particular, of Al Qaeda and also of some other important extremist elements there,” Gen David Petraeus told CNN when asked if the United States had increased drone attacks inside Fata after the CIA blast.

Seven CIA employees were killed and six wounded in Khost on Dec 30 when a suicide bomber associated with Al Qaeda exploded a bomb inside a US base.

US officials later identified the bomber as Humam Khalil Abu Mulal al-Balawi, a Jordanian national with links to both Al Qaeda and the Taliban.

Gen Petraeus was also asked to comment on a video which showed the Jordanian double agent sitting beside the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud.

Balawi claims that he blew himself up in the CIA base to avenge the death of former TTP chief Baitullah Mehsud in a US drone attack.

“Well, first of all, Baitullah Mehsud and his organisation carried out horrific attacks inside Pakistan, and that is what I think should concern the Pakistanis, as certainly it concerns us,” said Gen Petraeus.

Replying to a question, he said: “There will be loss of innocent life in war, but we have got to make sure that we minimise it and that we try to avoid it just about at all costs.”

In an interview to CNN, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen said the campaign in South Waziristan was very challenging and forced Gen Kayani to shift his forces over there.

PML-N demands regulations on security agencies

2010-01-12T10:32:00.000-08:00

ISLAMABAD: Lawmakers demand a comprehensive framework to regulate activities of foreign security agencies in Pakistan including DynCorp, on Tuesday.
The PML-N legislatures moved a bill in the National Assembly demanding regulatory framework for the security agencies.
The bill demanded formulation of the regulatory mechanism at the interior ministry level. It said all personnel of foreign security firms must wear uniforms and should not enjoy diplomatic immunity.
Mover of the bill, Khurram Dastagir, claimed that Blackwater was involved in some illegal acts in Pakistan. He also expressed concern over the activities of other agencies like DynCorp and XE.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik informed the house that laws were available to deal with such agencies.
He revealed that out of around 400 Americans residing in Islamabad, some 300 have the diplomatic status.
He did not disclose the status of rest of the Americans, amid reports of the presence of US Marines in Islamabad.
Presently, the US Embassy is in possession of 189 houses in the federal capital.

Mumbai's glamour

2010-01-11T10:16:00.000-08:00

Awards ceremony, movie premiere and celebrity calendar –the glitz and glamour world of bollywood.

Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor (L) and actress Genelia D’Souza drink tea at a promotion ceremony for the film 'Chance Pe Dance' at Kamlistan Studios in Mumbai.

Indian soldier killed in Kashmir border firing

2010-01-11T10:10:00.000-08:00

SRINAGAR: An Indian soldier was killed on Monday in cross-border firing in Kashmir, the latest in a spurt of violence in the disputed region that has raised tensions with Pakistan, officials said. The incident comes two days after India said rockets were fired from Pakistani territory. At least seven militants have been killed in separate gun battles, and multiple infiltration attempts foiled by troops in the last week, police say.
Monday's incident was the first time in six months that an Indian soldier has been killed in border firing.
“There was an unprovoked firing from across the border in Poonch area, we lost one BSF (Border Security Force) jawan (soldier),” Vinod Sharma, a spokesman for the border guards said.
India accuses Pakistani troops of cross-border firing to help militants cross the disputed border to join the 20-year revolt in Kashmir and violate a 2003 agreement reached between the two armies. Islamabad denies the charge.
Indian police and security experts say violence may go up in Kashmir because hundreds of Pakistan-based militants may have sneaked into India in the past few months.
“It is a desperate attempt by Pakistan to create trouble in Kashmir as India is cutting troops and the general feeling is the situation is getting more and more normal in Kashmir,” said Naresh Chandra, a former Indian envoy to Washington.
India said last month that it is gradually cutting around 30,000 troops in Kashmir and handing over law and order to police as incidents of violence have gone down.
Officials say tens of thousands of people have been killed since a revolt against Indian rule broke out in 1989.

Ten more fall prey to targeted killing in Karachi

2010-01-11T10:05:00.000-08:00

KARACHI: Ten more people, including political activists, were killed in different parts of the city on Sunday, as law-enforcement agencies remained unable to control the recent spate of killings.

The tight measures taken for the security of President Asif Ali Zardari and visiting British foreign minister David Milliband in the city could not prevent the incidents of abduction and killing.

Most of these killings, however, were reported in the early hours of Sunday or after sunset.

Two young men were shot dead by unidentified attackers outside a restaurant in Sector 32-D of Korangi.

The Korangi Industrial Area police said that Sabit Hussain, 26, and Mohammad Rizwan, 30, were sitting outside Sharjah Restaurant when two men riding a motorbike arrived and opened fire on them.

Both the victims died on the spot. The bodies were shifted to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.

“The victims were residents of Rato Dero,” said Sub-Inspector Ismail Lashir, the SHO of the Korangi Industrial Area police station. “The victims appeared to be labourers but we don’t have more details about them now.”

An hour later, some miscreants set a nearby restaurant, Akram Ghazi Hotel, on fire apparently in protest against the killings.

In a similar attack, a 40-year-old trader was shot dead when he was leaving Abbasi Hotel near the CIA Centre within the remit of Saddar police station.

Nisar Ahmed dealt in herbal medicines under Al-Makkah Traders. Two attackers riding a motorbike fired three gunshots at him before fleeing.

“We have suspended the SHO of the Saddar police station for his failure to keep a check on pillion-riding that resulted in the killing,” said SSP Abdullah Sheikh. “He has also been demoted from sub-inspector to assistant sub-inspector.”

In Surjani Town, a 33-year-old resident of Liaquatabad was on his way to a friend when he was gunned down in the early hours of Sunday.

Police said the victim, later identified as Shahid Iqbal, was on a motorbike when he was targeted.

Another resident of Liaquatabad was found dead with severe torture marks on his torso and mutilated head in Lyari.

The victim was shifted to the Civil Hospital Karachi for medico-legal formalities. He was identified as Mubin Sheikh and stated to be a sympathiser of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement. The party said that the victim was abducted when he was visiting the old city area.

A 36-year-old owner of a hotel and activist of the MQM was shot dead in Khamosh Colony, Nazimabad.

Gunmen riding a motorcycle killed Akhlaq Hussain and escaped in the early morning.

The victim was stated to be associated with Unit No 168 of the area’s sector defined under the party’s organisational structure.

The bodies of two unidentified men, aged between 22 and 25, were found within the remit of the Shah Latif police station.

“One of the victims received 25 bullets,” said an official of the Shah Latif police station.

The bodies were shifted to the JPMC for post-mortem examinations. After carrying out medico-legal formalities at the hospital, the bodies were taken to the Edhi morgue at Sohrab Goth for want of identification.

In the Kalakot area, a young man was found killed. Claimed by the MQM as its worker, 19-year-old Zeeshan was reportedly kidnapped along with his 20-year-old cousin, Rehan, while they were returning home from the Chakiwara area.

The unidentified kidnappers killed Zeeshan and tortured his cousin before sparing him. Both the dead man and the injured were shifted to the civil hospital.

The victims were residents of Orangi Town. A man, believed to be in his early 30s, was found dead with multiple bullet wounds and torture marks in the Eidgah area.

The police suspected that the victim was kidnapped before being shot dead by unidentified persons who dumped his body later. “He has been identified as Irfan Lahoti, a resident of Lyari. But, we have not yet found further details,” said an official at the Eidgah police station.

According to Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza, the security measures taken by the government including the arrest of more than 50 suspects will deliver results and lead to controlling the situation within a day or two.

Younis’ selection on the cards for Australia ODI series

2010-01-10T10:10:00.000-08:00

LAHORE: While young in-form batsman from Multan Naved Yasin is very much likely to get the selectors’ nod for the forthcoming five-match One-day International series against Australia, five others including former captain Younis Khan are set to make the squad.

Well-informed sources told Dawn that the national selection committee has almost completed its homework to pick the squad for the ODI series set to begin from Jan 22 after the third Test ends in Hobart on Jan 18, and have decided to give chance to youngsters after the team’s pathetic performance in the Test rubber.

Besides Younis and Naved, the others are Shahid Afridi, Fawad Alam, Rao Iftikhar and Khalid Latif who will join the team Down Under. Misbah-ul-Haq owing to his poor run in Tests, Faisal Iqbal, Danish Kaneria, Mohammad Sami and Khurram Manzoor will return from Australia to adjust the abovementioned six players.

The left-handed Naved has caught the eyes of the selectors by scoring a massive 1055 runs for Multan at a healthy average of 70.33 in the recently concluded Quaid-i-Azam Trophy. In the ongoing Pentangular Cup, he has also scored 93 runs in the lone innings for the Rest of Pakistan squad.

However, Asad Shafiq, who played a key role in Karachi Blues’ Quaid-i-Azam Trophy win this year and being the top scorer of the event with 1104 runs has been ignored, sources said.

Interestingly, Fawad had been recalled by the PCB hurriedly after Pakistan lost the Melbourne Test. Though he was not playing in that Test, Fawad with Abdur Rauf was called back on Jan 1 and now he will again be travelling to Australia.

Sources said Khalid Latif will replace Khurram, whose stay with the squad remained as picnic after only playing the first Test against New Zealand.

Paceman Rao, who has no outstanding performance in ODIs in the recent past, will replace Sami. Younis’ return to the team after taking rest from the series against New Zealand will be demanding much from the seasoned batsman in the series against the world champions.

Former captain Younis, who took rest on the eve of the Test series against New Zealand after losing the ODI series to the same side in the UAE, is struggling for form.

He tried to strike form in domestic cricket but could not play any big innings in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy final, while representing Habib Bank, against Karachi Blues. In the ongoing Pentangular Cup too Younis is yet to play a big knock.

But chief selector Iqbal Qasim had already said on Thursday that Younis was a great player, and regardless of his form in domestic cricket, could be sent to Australia.

Recently, current skipper Mohammad Yousuf has also requested the PCB to send Younis to Australia.

Moreover, sources said there was a question mark over Shoaib Malik’s inclusion in the ODI squad. For it, sources said, Malik will have to play the third Test.

The tour selection committee, sources added, wanted to include Shoaib in the playing XI for the Sydney Test but he was not ready, saying he had a problem in his shoulder.

Similarly, sources said, Kamran Akmal, primarily responsible for Pakistan’s loss in Sydney Younis Khan ... under spotlight once again?

due to his appalling glovework, may also be called back if the tour selection committee goes with him for the third Test, ignoring selectors’ replacement Sarfraz Ahmed who will be leaving for Australia on Saturday.

Meanwhile, sources said an announcement from Abdul Razzaq on Thursday that he had fractured one of his right-hand fingers on the same day (Thursday) while playing a club match, created confusion.

Sources claimed that a PCB doctor Mohammad Riaz had informed the board last Monday that the veteran all-rounder had fractured his finger.

Sources claimed it is a possibility that Razzaq made the announcement after coming to know he would not be chosen for the ODI series; so, it is better to be on the injury list instead of being labelled as ignored.

All-rounder Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, who along with Afridi is already in Australia playing Twenty20 cricket there, is also likely to get a place in the team.

MQM legislators want to part ways with PPP

2010-01-10T10:07:00.001-08:00

KARACHI: In a major development that may have a far-reaching impact on the Pakistan People’s Party-led coalition government at the centre, parliamentarians belonging to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement have told their party high command that they want to quit treasury benches and sit on opposition benches because of what they described as an “irresponsible attitude of the Sindh government”.

An MQM statement issued here on Saturday said that all members of the National Assembly and the Senate belonging to the MQM had urged the party’s coordination committee to allow them to sit on opposition benches in parliament.

They complained that although the PPP was enjoying full powers in the federal and provincial governments, MQM workers had been falling victim to targeted killings in Karachi.

They alleged that Lyari gangsters were behind the killing spree. “They are being supported by certain influential elements of the Sindh government.”

They sought permission of the coordination committee to sit on the opposition benches.

The next session of the National Assembly is to begin on Monday and the government may face embarrassment if the MQM MNAs opt to sit on opposition benches. If the 25 MNAs of the MQM part ways with the PPP, then the government will lose majority in the lower house.

However, well-placed sources in the MQM said that although the coordination committee was considering the parliamentarians’ demand, no final decision had so far been taken.

A senior MQM leader told Dawn that he believed the party would continue to support Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in parliament even if it decided to sit in opposition. “We do not want to derail the democratic system, but we fail to understand as to why the federal government is not trying to check killing of our workers,” he said.

He maintained that the final decision would only be taken by MQM chief Altaf Hussain.

Another senior leader told Dawn that the MQM was ready to quit the Sindh government. “We know the PPP does not need us in the province. Most of us believed that we can play a better and constructive role if we leave the coalition and join the opposition in the province.”

GILANI CALLS ALTAF: An MQM leader confirmed that Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani called Altaf Hussain and discussed the Karachi situation. However, he did not elaborate.

Earlier, Interior Minister Rehman Malik contacted the London-based members of the MQM coordination committee, assuring them that the government would take action against those involved in target killings.

Towards infamy

2010-01-10T09:56:00.000-08:00

Prior to launching into the main subject, the yawning constitutional abyss, I thought it might be suitable, with the country in mourning over the latest non-exploits of its cricket team, to start off on a positive note. A friend has an admirable suggestion.

With Mian Sahib Nawaz Sharif in his state of oppositional hibernation, semi-comatose when it comes to playing the game of an opposition, why not appoint him selector and captain of our cricket team? He plays that game and has ample time to prove himself.

On to the main, the constitution, which has been troublesome from the day it was promulgated and is now under scrutiny by a half-hearted (or incompetent) committee which has been tasked with restoring it to its once pristine condition, to the original 1973 constitution. Our president and prime minister have on countless occasions regaled us with their ‘commitment’ (lacking in the committee) to “restore the 1973 constitution given by the founding leader of the PPP….”

Now, several times in the past, this column has made efforts to explain to readers (hopefully some of them in positions constitutional) the exact spirit in which the grand document was promulgated — in short what were the beginnings and intentions of infamy.

At noon, on Independence Day 1973, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto with joy and jubilation promulgated what has now become a shameful contentious document, the third constitution to be presented to the people of Pakistan. Four hour later, at 1600 hours, Prime Minister Bhutto ordered his appointed president, the meek and gentlemanly Fazal Elahi Chaudhry, to sign an order which was notified in the Gazette of Pakistan, Extra, dated Aug 15 1973, No.F.24(1)/73-Pub.

It reads: “The following Order made by the President on 14th August 1973 is hereby published for general information: — Order. Whereas Article 280 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan provides that the Proclamation of Emergency issued on the 23rd day of November 1971 shall be deemed to be a Proclamation of Emergency issued under Article 232 thereof;

“And whereas clause (2) of Article 233 of the said Constitution provides that while a Proclamation of Emergency is in force, the President may, by Order, declare that the right to move any court for the enforcement of such of the Fundamental Rights conferred by Chapter 1 of Part II of the Constitution as may be specified in the Order, and any proceeding in any court which is for the enforcement, or involves the determination of any question as to the infringement of the Rights so specified, shall remain suspended for the period during which the Proclamation is in force;

“And whereas the aforesaid Proclamation of Emergency is in force; “Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by the said clause (2) of Article 233, the President is pleased to declare that the right to move any court, including the right to move the Supreme Court, vide clause (3) of Article 184, for the enforcement of the Fundamental Rights provided for in Articles 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25 and 27 of the Constitution, and all proceedings pending in any court which are for the enforcement, or involve the determination of any question as to the enforcement, of any of the said Rights shall remain suspended for the period during which the said Proclamation is in force.”

It was signed by Fazal Elahi Chaudhry, president, and by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, prime minister, and countersigned under Article 48(3) of the constitution by Shah Nawaz Khan, joint secretary.

If there is to be a return it must be a return to the constitution that had a four-hour life, from noon to 1600 hours on Aug 14, 1973, not to the shorn and shredded constitution which was operable thereafter for the period needed by the prime minister and chairman of his political party to deal with, or rather to ‘fix’, his political opponents, have them arrested and incarcerated until they were temporarily tamed, men such as Khair Bakhsh Marri, Ghaus Bakhsh Bizenjo, Ataullah Mengal and Wali Khan, worthy political foes, all men of enduring commitment who have no replacements in this barren political landscape in which we are now adrift.

Where were Yousuf Raza Gilani and Asif Ali Zardari, and all their trailing coat tails, in 1973? Gilani’s political journey began during Gen ZiaulHaq’s martial law in 1978 when he joined the Central Working Committee of the Pakistan Muslim League. He was later a cabinet member in the government of Muhammad Khan Junejo. He crossed over to the PPP in timely manner in 1988. Zardari was a mere youth, some 18 years of age, presumably at college before joining his father’s cinematic empire. It was not until his 1987 fortuitous marriage that he leapt onto the political scene. And as for the rest — nowhere. So what do they know of history?

The constitution as it has evolved, with all its wicked amendments (starting with the second) has brought luck and joy to no man who has used it to gain or perpetuate power, nor to the nation in whose name it was made. As the years have passed and it has been amended, re-amended, suspended, put to bed for a while, it has grown more and more open to contentious interpretation, or to many a misinterpretation, so muddied and muddled has it become.

This has just been evidenced in the NRO case with their lordships’, all 17 of them, decision in the matter which has provoked some constitutional experts into bitter criticism against the citing of Eighth Amendment articles — and rightly so. They have no place in a democracy. Theocracy and democracy do not mix.

MQM-PPP Sindh coalition govt in danger

2010-01-09T10:37:00.001-08:00

KARACHI: MQM Parliamentarians asked the party’s Coordination Committee (Rabita Committee) for permission to abandon the coalition government in Sindh and sit on the opposition benches.
In a statement issued by the party, it says despite repeated calls by the MQM the federal and provincial governments have failed to take concrete measures to crackdown on target killings in the Karachi.
The statement also says that some elements in the Sindh Government were protecting gangs in Lyari, who are allegedly involved in the target killings of MQM workers.
Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah admitted that there were differences between the MQM and the PPP over the local bodies system and said that he was working to keep the coalition intact.

I am a world champ from Pakistan, says Amir Khan

2010-01-08T08:35:00.000-08:00

KARACHI: British boxing prodigy of Pakistani descent Amir Khan says as he considers himself a world champion from Pakistan and that his visit should also serve as an assurance that the country is safe for holding sporting activities.
The 23-year-old believes the world community should stop portraying Pakistan negatively because of some incidents of violence. He feels that although there has been some violence in the country, things should not be blown out of proportion.
‘Pakistan is a beautiful country. It is a great sporting nation. The world must support it by coming here for sporting activities. If Pakistan is isolated then the talent here will not be groomed,’ Khan told a press conference on Thursday.
Khan, also known as 'King Khan' for his sensational feat at the 2004 Athens Olympics where he grabbed the silver at the age of 17 after losing to Cuban hero Mario Kindelan in the final, said he will also try to convince English cricketers to visit Pakistan.
Pakistan has seen a slump in international sporting activities since the attacks on the visiting Sri Lanka cricket team in Lahore. Cricket being a high-profile sport was hit badly when International Cricket Council shifted the Champions Trophy to South Africa last years after several countries including England refused to play in Pakistan because of security concerns, while hockey is also suffering owing to violence in the country.
Khan, who turned professional after the Athens Games and became a sensation in the UK and his country of origin Pakistan after winning the WBA light-welterweight title last year, defeating Ukrainian Andreas Kotelnik, is on a visit to Pakistan on an invitation of Pakistan Boxing Federation.
The world champion will watch the Benazir Bhutto international boxing tournament finals on Friday, the first international sports tournament after the attack on the Sri Lankan cricketers.
Raja Iqbal Amir Khan, commonly known as Amir Khan, also a cousin of England cricketer Sajid Mahmood, says he is proud of his Pakistani roots and even considers himself a Pakistani world champion.
‘When I was in London to support the Pakistani cricket team at Twenty20 World Cup final, there were two champions from Pakistan – the Pakistan cricket team and the second one was me,’ said Khan who says he never faced any discrimination or racism in England because of his Pakistani descent.
‘I have never faced any problem, discrimination or racism. People in UK love me and see me as a fellow Briton just like the way Pakistanis see me as their countryman,’ said Khan who is also known as the ‘Golden Boy of UK’ since he became the youngest British boxing Olympic medallist.
Khan promised he will at least fight once in Pakistan in his career but it will not be before 2011 or 2012 because of his professional commitments.
‘I want to promote boxing in Pakistan and I will definitely have at least one fight here in my career but that cannot be expected before 2011 or 2012. But one fight in Pakistan is something I will surely like to happen,’ said Khan in an exclusive interview with Dawn.com.
The Briton, whose boxing idol is legendry former world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, said although professional boxing was exciting, he missed the amateur version of the game as he cannot participate in Olympics being a professional.
‘I must say amateur boxers should come into professional boxing only after some experience, not before that,’ said Khan.
Khan’s Dec 5 fight last year against Dmitriy Salita of the United States was seen in the Western media with much interest as he was a British Muslim while the American was Jewish. The Briton, however, says he never saw the fight as a clash between civilisations or religions.
‘It was all made up in the media. He (Salita) belongs to another religion but I took it professionally rather than making it a religious issue,’ said the world champion who successfully defended his title by thrashing mandatory challenger Salita in just 76 seconds in Newcastle, England, to break the unbeaten record of the American.
Having an impressive record of 22 victories and a loss against Colombian Breidis Prescott, Khan he said would love to have Pakistani boxers train with him at his Bolton academy, adding that he expected enormous improvement in Pakistani boxing within a year.
‘With a younger president of Pakistan Boxing Federation and promotion of the game, I can see huge changes and vast improvement in Pakistani boxing. Boxing is a sport for the brave. You need a brave heart for boxing. Boxing is not poor man’s game in the UK. It is a rich sport. So my advice for Pakistani boxers is to work harder and aim high, and I am sure they will achieve success’ said Khan.
Khan, however, did not agree that Britain can ever become the next Cuba in amateur boxing, saying it was not likely to happen as most of the British boxers turned professional.
‘No, I don’t think Britain can be what Cubans are in the amateur boxing because the British boxers usually turn professional, while Cubans don’t as they have restriction on joining professional ranks,’ said Khan attired in a white coat, jeans and boxing-style white leather shoes.
Khan’s father Shajaad Khan said his son’s achievements came because of his hard work and his parents’ support.
‘We (Khan’s parents) are behind him. If he wants to box, we will never stop him. Whenever he says it’s over, we will never force him to box. But since he is into boxing, he has our support,’ says Shajaad Khan.
‘Amir has always been a down-to-earth kid. He replies each and everyone’s e-mails. Once he sent an e-mail to British champion Prince Naseem Hamed when he was just 11. Naseem never replied. When Amir had a chance to meet Naseem, he asked why he never replied to his e-mail. Now he (Amir) still remembers this and never forgets to reply to e-mails from his fans,’ Khan’s uncle Tahir Mahmood told Dawn.com.
Khan will leave Karachi on Saturday for his ancestral town Rawalpindi where he will spend some time before leaving for UK.

Airline plot ‘buck stops with me’: Obama

2010-01-08T08:30:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama declared Thursday “the buck stops with me” over huge intelligence flaws exposed by an Al-Qaeda attack on a US jet and vowed sweeping and costly new measures to fix them. Obama, speaking before the publication of two first probes into the thwarted Christmas Day bombing, blamed US spy agencies for failing to properly connect and analyze signs an Al-Qaeda affiliate in Yemen was planning the attack.
But, trying to temper criticism that his administration is too soft on terror, he said the United States was “at war with Al-Qaeda” while promising that terrorists would not be able to redefine the American way of life.
“I am less interested in passing out blame than I am in learning from and correcting these mistakes to make us safer,” Obama said in a televised statement in the State Dining Room of the White House.
“Ultimately the buck stops with me. As president, I have a solemn responsibility to protect our nation and our people, and when the system fails, it is my responsibility.”
Obama also signaled that despite a gathering political witch hunt in Washington, there would not be immediate firings or resignations among top spy chiefs over the attempt to bring down the Northwest jet on Christmas Day.
“It appears that this incident was not the fault of a single individual or organization, but rather a systemic failure across organizations and agencies,”he said.
Obama said the US homeland security system and intelligence community broke down in three main ways, allowing 23-year-old Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab to board a jet bound for Detroit with hidden explosives.
He said that US spies failed to “aggressively” combat the Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula group that planned the attack, then failed properly analyze intelligence. He also cited mistakes in the US terror watch list system.
“Rather than a failure to collect or share intelligence, this was a failure to connect and understand the intelligence that we already had,” Obama said.
To remedy the failures, Obama directed that specific individuals or teams must be assigned to follow up on intelligence leads to ensure accountability and close attention to suspected threats.
He said intelligence reports on threats to US security must now be handed around the clandestine community more quickly and better analyzed, and he vowed improvements to watch listing procedures.
Though warning there were no “silver bullets,” Obama also vowed “significant investments” in aviation security. “We are at war,” Obama said.
“We are at war against Al-Qaeda, a far-reaching network of violence and hatred that attacked us on 9/11, that killed nearly 3,000 innocent people, and that is plotting to strike us again.
“We will do whatever it takes to defeat them.”New details, meanwhile, began to emerge of the planning of the plot, blamed by the United States on Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula in Yemen.
The Arab country's Deputy Prime Minister for Defense and Security Affairs Rashad al-Aleemi said Abdulmutallab had met Anwar al-Awlaqi, a US-Yemeni cleric also linked to the Fort Hood massacre.
The United States has accused Awlaqi of terrorist links and said Nidal Hasan, the US military officer accused in the November military base shootings in Texas that killed 13 people, had also been in contact with the cleric.
Aleemi said Abdulmutallab may also have been recruited by Al-Qaeda while at university in London.
Deepening the conundrum in a widening front on the US anti-terror fight, Aleemi also warned that American military intervention in Yemen could backfire and strengthen jihadists. But the US military played down its role.
“Yemen is a sovereign government just like Pakistan is. We want to work with government officials in ways that are helpful to them,” Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said.
Nigeria, smarting from US criticisms of its aviation security procedures, offered to provide Washington's investigators images of Adbulmutallab going through security checks at Lagos airport on December 24 before flying to Amsterdam.
Justice Minister Michael Aondoaaka told reporters the images would prove that security staff had done their job.
Nigeria has demanded it be removed from a US aviation watchlist of 14 countries, including Iran, Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan, introduced after a security review ordered by Obama.
Abdulmutallab was indicted on six counts Wednesday by a US grand jury for attempted murder and trying to use a weapon of mass destruction aboard a US plane and could face life imprisonment.

Drone attacks will continue in Pakistan: McCain

2010-01-08T08:16:00.000-08:00

ISLAMABAD: In a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari here on Friday, US Republican Senator John McCain said that there were some differences between Pakistan and the US regarding drone attacks but that both countries have the same views against terrorism and democratic values, DawnNews reported. The Senator said that drone attacks inside the Pakistani territory will continue to destroy the strong holds of Taliban extremists but that the US has no intentions of incursions in Pakistan.
“The (drone) attacks are imperative to defeat the enemy,” he said. “With an improved decision making process the civilian causalities are totally minimized.”
He maintained that in the past both countries have had a trust deficit, but now the US was confident of building a better relationship with Pakistan.
“We can not succeed in Afghanistan without a stable and prosperous Pakistan.”
He added that the US will not start incursions inside Pakistan. “Whenever such an action is required, we will take the Pakistani government in confidence. It is a fact that terrorists inside tribal areas of Pakistan are real threat for US forces in Afghanistan.”
“The financial assistance through the Kerry-Lugar bill is the US taxpayer’s money and we have to take deep look at how the Pakistani government is going to spend it,” he added.

Charitable Pakistan hand Australia Sydney win

2010-01-06T07:36:00.000-08:00

Test matches are not won in a day and Australia provided a stunning example of it in Sydney. The ever charitable Pakistan were at the receiving end of it. After dominating proceedings for the first three days, the visitors stumbled on the fourth, falling 36 runs short against a target of 176 with over a day to go.

The hosts would not have believed their luck, coming to bowl after a super century by Michael Hussey (134*) and a heroic 38 from fast man Peter Siddle. Combining together at 257-8 on day three, the two men put on 123, although Siddle was given a life today by Kamran Akmal that punctuated his miserable series behind the stumps. While all the rave was about Hussey's knock and his supposed rebirth in test cricket, Siddle deserves more than a pat on the back for his effort. His innings symbolised Australian cricket's spirit, something that has remained present for the past two decades. It also drove home the point that no matter how inexperienced or fragile an Aussie side might seem, they know how to win. After Siddle was dismissed and Doug Bollinger in quick succession, Imran Farhat and Salman Butt walked out chasing a meagre total with over a 100 overs to play, at least.

The Pakistani openers started in customary fashion and for a moment it looked as if a struggle of 15 years was finally going to pay a reward. Their partnership of 34, although nothing to boast about, was big in terms of the target on hand and the ease with which it was achieved. Even as Farhat fell for 22, followed by Faisal Iqbal and Butt for 7 and 21 respectively, things didn't seem too bad. Mohammad Yousuf and Kamran Akmal's presence at the wicket would have given a lot of comfort to the visiting fans, especially as they eased through Nathan Hauritz’s spell before tea to take their side to 77-3. Yousuf creamed the off-spinner thrice for fours going into tea and at that point it seemed like a tactic to derail the opposition before going into a break. The Pakistani captain, however, continued in the same vein, or at least attempted to when he scorched a straight drive right into Hauritz’s left thumb en route to his chest. The bowler held on, blood, broken nail and damaged bone all withstanding. That was a heroic moment, the kind of moment that deflates the opposition and unnerves the shed. There have been quite a few tales of perseverance and 'magic' through the course of the two test matches between Pakistan and Australia but none greater than Hauritz's, a man with seemingly ordinary skill and a lot of humility. He's transformed from a 'should we play him' or 'should we not' to a certainty in the Aussie squad purely for his courage.

Yousuf's departure and Misbah-ul-Haq's formality, which was over after two balls, put the onus squarely on Umar Akmal who not only had the responsibility of scoring the runs put also to protect the tail, which now well and truly includes his brother Kamran. Kamran, as predicted, was the first to go after flirting with danger on many occasions. His misery and the 'oh ah' moments were finally over when he edged a Mitchell Johnson delivery to Brad Haddin.

Mohammad Sami offered resistance and the younger Akmal, who was forced to go for the runs did a fine job with him. He scored 49 off 81 balls, a very patient knock by his standards. Sami's departure left him with no option though and he was dismissed attempting a big shot of Bollinger only to be caught by Johnson who took a great running catch over his shoulder.

Umar Gul and Danish Kaneria played around a bit, but clearly the game had been lost by their batsmen. Kaneria went first and then Gul whose wicket prompted great celebrations at the SCG. It was relief and joy mixed into one, particularly for Ricky Ponting who had faced a lot of flak for his decision to bat first on a green wicket. Memories of the first day were all but wiped clean by a superb effort by the home team, one that is still the top side in the world, although unofficially.

Johnson picked up three wickets, Bollinger two and Hauritz another five-wicket haul against Pakistan, this time a career best 5/53. Already, the critics are calling the Sydney turnarounds one of the most memorable wins for Australia. It was hard earned against a Pakistani side that bowled brilliantly but batted and fielded like club cricketers. They have a lot to learn from Australia and although getting motivated for the Hobart test after such an agonising defeat will be hard, they will have realised a five day game cannot be won by doing well in sessions.

Yemen police capture key Qaeda chief

2010-01-06T07:32:00.000-08:00

SANAA: Yemeni police on Wednesday arrested a key Al-Qaeda chief believed to be behind threats that saw several foreign missions in the capital Sanaa close their doors, a security official said.
Mohammed al-Hanq had evaded arrest on Monday during a security force raid in Arhab, 40 kilometres north of Sanaa, in which two of his relatives were killed and three other people wounded.
“Mohammed al-Hanq and two others who were wounded were captured in a hospital in Amran,” province, north of Sanaa, the official told AFP.
They were found in a hospital in Reedah, in Amran, he said.
The US embassy, which had closed for two days due to security concerns over an Al-Qaeda threat against foreign interests, cited “successful” security operations north of the capital as it reopened for business on Tuesday.
The British and French embassies, which also closed their doors, resumed operations on Wednesday.

SC questions military’s role in missing persons’ case

2010-01-06T07:28:00.000-08:00

ISLAMABAD: In the missing persons’ case’s proceedings on Wednesday, Justice Javed Iqbal, who heads the bench hearing the case, stated that individuals taken by intelligence agencies were considered as missing persons.
The military’s role was also brought into question over the disappearances of these individuals.
Justice Javed Iqbal said in the missing persons’ cases “there is always a mention of brigadiers and majors, who has given them power?”
“Frontier Corps has no rights to arrest and detain any person,” Justice Iqbal said, adding that the court will be satisfied even if one person was recovered and the anxiety of one family was over.
Meanwhile, Justice Raja Fayyaz said “there is a Gestapo-like reign of terror…anyone can come into a house, where is the enforcement of law?”
Incidents involving hundreds of missing persons have been reported to the court in the past four years. Relatives of the missing allege they were picked up by intelligence agencies.

Pakistan on top but Australia fight on

2010-01-05T09:37:00.000-08:00

Pakistan let their foot off the pedal in the final session of the second test against Australia to give the hosts an outside chance of coming back in the Sydney test. The visitors remain in the driving seat, however, after having picked up eight Australian wickets for 286 runs- a lead of 80.

Danish Kaneria's 4-117 from 33 gruelling overs led the Pakistani charge after Umar Gul's initial burst that accounted for a dangerous Shane Watson, Ricky Ponting and Nathan Hauritz. Kaneria could have had another five-for at the SCG had it not been for some shoddy glovework by Kamran Akmal who thrice dropped a determined looking Michael Hussey. Hussey was standing at the crease on 73 after being dropped at 27, 45, 52 along with Peter Siddle who had managed to stand firm for his 10 runs.

Starting the third day at 331-9, Pakistan added just two runs to their total. Australia's second guard looked a lot more assured and barring a few gifts by Pakistan, they looked completely in charge. They were given stability and spunk at the top, particularly by Watson, who looked in ruthless form in his 105-run opening stand with Phil Hughes (37). Watson, who spanked 11 fours and 3 sixes, before falling frustratingly at 97, offered only one chance, at 24 off the bowling of Umar Gul. Danish Kaneria made a meal of it at long leg much to the cheer of the colourful crowd who saw the ball trickle over the rope for six. Karma had its way with Kaneria, although it went a bit too far.

The rest of the Aussie batsmen looked pretty ordinary. Michael Clarke, who has seemed to be in a world of his own during this series, was picked up by a Mohammad Asif in-dipper, a carbon copy of the first innings dismissal expect this time the ball hit the pads rather than the stumps. Opener Phil Hughes, Marcus North, Mitchell Johnson and Brad Haddin were all spun out by Kaneria. The captain could only take the ball out of his leg-spinners hand after the latter apparently suffered cramps. The fact that Pakistan have taken the new ball could mean that Kaneria would not be required to bowl tomorrow. That puts the onus squarely on Asif, Gul and Sami to end the resistance being put up by Hussey and Siddle.

Mohammad Yousuf will be mindful of the fact that any target over a 100 could present a tough challenge, and judging by Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka they do not fancy small totals too much. As ever, Ponting and his men will start day four with the belief that they can still win this test and that is what makes this contest so much more interesting.

Somali pirates free Pakistani vessel: maritime watchdog

2010-01-05T09:07:00.000-08:00

NAIROBI: Somali pirates have freed a Pakistan-flagged vessel and its crew of 29 after using it to hijack a UK-owned car carrier in the Indian Ocean, a maritime watchdog reported on Tuesday. The Shazaib, alternatively known as Shahbaig, and its crew of 29 Pakistanis were released by the pirates on January 2 some 900 nautical miles north of the Seychelles, Andrew Mwangura of the Seafarers Assistance Programme said.
“All 29 crew are well except one who broke his leg,” he said.
The injured crew member has received medical attention onboard the FS Surcouf, a French frigate from the European Union’s anti-piracy mission Atalanta, said Ecoterra International, an environmental NGO monitoring maritime activity in the region.
The Shazaib, a fishing vessel, was seized on December 6.
On January 2, the pirates used it as a “mother ship” from which to launch their small and faster skiffs and captured the more valuable VC Asian Glory.
The UK-flagged, UK-owned car carrier and its crew of 25 – eight Bulgarians, 10 Ukrainians, five Indians, two Romanians – were en route from Singapore to Saudi Arabia with 2,300 vehicles from Korean manufacturers Kia and Hyundai.
The latest release brings to at least 13 the number of foreign vessels held by Somalia’s sea bandits together with close to 300 seamen.
Undeterred by an armada of foreign naval missions, ransom-hunting pirates launched more than 200 attacks in 2009 and hijacked a total of 68 vessels, mainly in the Indian Ocean.
In recent weeks however, they have carried out two successful attacks in the heavily-patrolled Gulf of Aden, one of the world’s busiest and most strategic maritime routes.

Gilani warns against any strategic imbalance in region

2010-01-05T08:34:00.000-08:00

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Tuesday said Pakistan will counter any negative trend, through “all appropriate means” attempts at undermining the strategic stability of the region. Addressing the Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) meeting here at the PM House Gilani said strategic stability in South Asia was a pre-requisite for enduring peace and prosperity for the people of the region.
“We are mindful of the policies and trends that could undermine strategic stability in our region. Pakistan”will be obliged to counter such negative trends by all appropriate means.”
The Prime Minister said “no one should underestimate the strong resolve of the people, political leadership and the defence forces to protect honour, dignity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Pakistan.”
He said Pakistan was a peace-loving country and vowed that “We will continue to endeavour to promote peace, security and stability in our region.”
Gilani said all state institutions were determined to work in union for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan, with the full support of the nation.
“The strength and resilience of our nation has been tested before. I have no doubt that at this particular juncture with Grace of Almighty Allah, we shall overcome all transient challenges and emerge even stronger and victorious.”
The Prime Minister called for the need to review the ongoing counter-terrorism and law enforcement actions.
He appreciated the people and the government of Pakistan for the “exceptional valour, patriotism, and professionalism” of the armed forces, paramilitary forces, police and other agencies that were at the forefront in counter-terrorism.
“Our armed forces and law enforcement personnel continue to render exemplary services and our nation will never forget their heroic sacrifices,” he said.
“I wish to assure you that the whole nation stands firmly united in support of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies.”
He said the government convened All Parties Conference to develop complete national consensus to defeat militancy and terror.
“Our political leadership has shown that it is united in war against terror.”
He said over the recent months considerable success has been achieved against terrorists and militants.
Law enforcement actions in Swat, Malakand, FATA and most notably in South Waziristan have been executed with precision and in record time.
He said Pakistan has utilized its own national capacity to execute the counter terror campaign and said the success of these efforts stand out in sharp contrast to what the Coalition Forces in Afghanistan have been able to achieve over the past nine years.

Pakistan spring batting surprise on second day

2010-01-04T09:49:00.000-08:00

Pakistan sprung a batting surprise on Australia, showing grit and concentration to end with a slight edge on the second day of the 2nd test in Sydney.

Pakistan

reached 331 for nine at stumps on Monday in reply to Australia's 127.

They lost five wickets for 54 runs after the second new ball was taken with Doug Bollinger (3-70), Shane Watson (2-40) and Mitchell Johnson (2-64) leading Aussie attack.

Danish Kaneria was two not out with Mohammad Asif yet to score.

Starting the day in somewhat harmless conditions compared to the first day mayhem, Imran Farhat and Salman Butt displayed application and self assuredness against an entourage of Aussie fast men that looked for blood right from the go. And they were nearly successful too when Peter Siddle induced an Imran Farhat edge that was floored by Marcus North in the slips.

From there on, Farhat and Butt gave the hosts no more chances. The batting was a little circumspect but wise considering the nature of the pitch which still carried a mop of dry, brown grass. Butt, who has a batting average of 41.44 against the Aussies, was more fluent of the two openers scoring 71 from 164 balls while Farhat made a well grinded 53 off 140. The combination of these players seems to have put a foot between the revolving door that is the Pakistani opening slot and good performances against one of the best sides in the world will surely give them a lot of confidence.

Their 109-run partnership was only broken after the introduction of Nathan Hauritz into the attack, who buoyed by some magic words by Shane Warne seems to have found a new life. Farhat was the first to go after top edging a shortish delivery from the spinner to wicket-keeper Brad Haddin. Haddin was also involved in the second dismissal, that of Butt who nicked a full Mitchell Johnson delivery straight through. In the lead up to the first test the captain of Tasmania, George Bailey, had remarked that Salman Butt looked the most threatening of the Pakistani batsmen. Scores of 153 (tour game), 45 and 33 in the first test and 71 so far in this one certainly seem to suggest the batsman is keeping his head.

Faisal Iqbal, who gave good company to Mohammad Yousuf with 27 off 86 balls, then departed after skying one to deep backward point where Shane Watson took a good catch off the bowling of Peter Siddle. That brought to the crease Umar Akmal whose presence almost immediately started producing runs. Out of the first six deliveries that he faced four were boundaries. Hauritz was well and truly spanked. Akmal continued his warrior ways for a good hour, even after the dismissal of captain Mohammad Yousuf who flirted with a wide, short delivery from Johnson after scoring 46 from 56. But just as it seemed the 'pink test' would turn truly red for Ricky Ponting, Akmal bid adieu. His 49 from 48 balls had taken the wind out of the Aussies and would have surely floored them had he stayed for another half-an-hour.

His departure saw a procession of wickets, Misbah-ul-Haq (11) to an attempted pull off Bollinger that travelled only as far as the keeper and Kamran Akmal (14) to a slice to point before Mohammad Sami and Umar Gul fell going for big shots. Brad Haddin picked up five catches behind the stumps.

Pakistan

will look towards Mohammad Asif and Danish Kaneria to add 20-30 quick runs tomorrow to stretch the lead of 204 runs a little bit more. The Australians will be a little annoyed for having to come out to bowl at the last wicket but will need to be completely focused when they eventually take guard.

It was an odd day at Sydney, first because of Pakistan's uncustomary batting and second for Australia's strategy-less bowling. It has put Pakistan in a position where they can entertain some hopes of a win.

Zardari calls for national commitment against terror

2010-01-04T09:44:00.000-08:00

KARACHI: Pakistan is a peace-loving country and believes in peace with honour and does not want an arms race in the region, President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday said in an address after reviewing the Midshipmen Commissioning and SSC Class passing out parade of the Pakistan Naval Academy (PNA).
However, he said “our desire for peace must not be taken as a sign of weakness and our armed forces are ready to meet all challenges”.
He said “we have full faith in our armed forces and the people to defend our country”.
The President said “our armed forces are ready to meet all the challenges and guard against all external and internal threats”.
He stated it was every Pakistani’s duty to fight against external and internal enemies who disrupt the country’s peace and progress.
Zardari also pointed out that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) would not disappoint the nation.
The president, at the occasion, emphasised that a strong navy was necessary to meet any challenge to Pakistan’s maritime security.
He said the recent induction of PNS Zulfiqar and helicopters was intended to strengthen the country’s naval fleet.
Zardari said he was pleased that Pakistan Navy was following the path of self-reliance and the construction of submarines in the country was a significant step forward in this direction.
Zardari urged that there should be optimum use of the national resources.
He said “the country is facing new challenges to its security…extremism is a big threat to our existence. We need a united national commitment to fight and defeat militancy.”
The President pointed out that the government has given political ownership to the fight against militancy and terrorism.
He said Pakistan Navy's participation in the Coalition Maritime Campaign (CMCP) has enhanced the navy's professional capabilities in checking arms, drugs and human smuggling.
President Zardari said it has also improved Pakistan’s capacity to fight the threat of militancy to our national security.
“It is reassuring that Pakistan Navy commanded the Maritime Task Force 150 thrice…it shows our resolve towards international peace,” he said.
On the occasion, President Zardari urged young naval officers to dedicate themselves to their profession and protect the sea lanes of the country's communication.
He said he was pleased to learn that Pakistan Naval Academy was training cadets from the brotherly countries of Kazakhstan, Maldives, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Sudan.
The President also congratulated the passing out Midshipmen and the SSC Class cadets.
The President said he was particularly pleased to note that for the first time women officers were also part of this passing out parade.
He said the women officers’ presence at the ceremony reflected the policy of the government to encourage women to play their role in all areas of the national progress including defence.
The ceremony was also attended by the Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Tariq Majeed and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Noman Bashir.

US, UK close embassies in Yemen

2010-01-04T09:24:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON: The United States and Britain closed their embassies in Yemen on Sunday after receiving information that Al Qaeda is planning attacks at American and British targets in that country.
“We know that they have been targeting our embassy, our embassy personnel,” President Barack Obama’s top counter-terrorism adviser John Brennan told journalists in Washington.
It was not clear when the US or British embassies would reopen.
The US mission in Sanaa was the target of an attack in September 2008, which was blamed on Al Qaeda, and in which 19 people died, including a young American woman.
In Yemen’s capital Sanaa, the US embassy issued a message to American citizens in the country, urging them to remain vigilant.
The embassy said the threats came from an Al Qaeda group linked to the failed Christmas Day aeroplane bombing attempt in the United States.
Mr Brennan, the US Deputy National Security Adviser for Homeland Security and Counter-terrorism, told ABC News in Washington that the group had “several hundred members” in Yemen and was posing an increasing threat there.
“This is something that we’ve known about for a while,” he said. “We’re determined to destroy Al Qaeda, whether it’s in Pakistan, Afghanistan, or in Yemen.”
In London, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown told the BBC: “This is a new type of threat and it is from a new source which is obviously Yemen, but there are many other potential sources Somalia, as well as Afghanistan and Pakistan.”
AFP adds: A government official in Sanaa said that Britain closed its embassy in Yemen on Sunday, following a similar move by the United States, because of threats from a local branch of Al Qaeda.
“The embassy is closed today (Sunday) for security reasons, and out of fear of possible Al Qaeda reactions,” the official said on condition of anonymity.
But he stressed there were “no direct Al Qaeda threats” against the mission.

Deal to sell Pakistan operations has lapsed: RBS

2010-01-04T09:14:00.000-08:00

LONDON: State-rescued lender Royal Bank of Scotland said Monday that a deal to sell its Pakistan unit to MCB Bank for 87 million dollars (62 million euros) had lapsed.

RBS had agreed in August to sell the operations to MCB in a transaction that was expected to be completed in the final quarter of 2009 — but MCB did not manage to gain regulatory approvals, the group said in a statement.

“The agreement with MCB provided that if the necessary regulatory approvals are not obtained and closing of the transaction has not occurred on or by 31 December 2009 then the agreement and the transaction shall lapse,” RBS said.

“The necessary regulatory approvals were not obtained, and closing did not occur, by 31 December 2009 and accordingly the agreement and the transaction have now lapsed,” the bank added.

RBS is 84-per cent owned by the state after receiving a massive bailout from the British government amid the devastating global financial crisis.

Karachi-listed MCB has around four million customers and operates 1,026 branches within Pakistan.

cricket Aamer out as Pakistan announce Sydney squad

2010-01-03T02:04:00.000-08:00

LAHORE: Pakistan have announced their squad for the second test against Australia due to be played in Sydney tomorrow.

The tourists have made three changes, all bowlers, with Mohammad Sami, Umar Gul and Danish Kaneria coming in for Abdur Rauf, Saeed Ajmal and the inform Mohmmad Aamer.

Aamer, Pakistan's most successful bowler in the first test will miss the game after having picking up a groin strain.

“He has a groin injury and though it doesn’t appear serious, we decided not to risk him for the Test,” Abdur Raquib, Pakistan's team manager told Cricinfo. “He had a bowl and the on-tour selection committee decided to leave him out.”

The 17-year-old left-armer bowled a total of 51 overs in the first test and operated consistently at speeds of 144-148 kph.

Critics in Pakistan have blasted the 'over kill' of fast bowlers by 'batting' captains in the past and this latest niggle could bring about some more discussion in the national cricket circles.

Pakistan: (probable) 1 Salman Butt, 2 Imran Farhat, 3 Faisal Iqbal, 4 Mohammad Yousuf (captain), 5 Misbah-ul-Haq, 6 Umar Akmal, 7 Kamran Akmal (wk), 8 Mohammad Sami, 9 Umar Gul, 10 Mohammad Asif, 11 Danish Kaneria

Israel acts like the world’s ‘spoilt child’: Saudi FM

2010-01-03T01:40:00.000-08:00

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia said on Saturday said Israel was the world’s “spoilt child” and got away with what Riyadh said were violations of international law and war crimes without punishment.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal also urged countries to adopt “a firm and serious stance to put an end to the policy of settlements in occupied Palestinian territories and in Jerusalem”.
“Not reaching solutions (for the Middle East conflict) is (the result of) the special treatment Israel gets,” he said at a news conference with visiting Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu.
“When they violate international law, other countries get punished but not Israel ... Israel has become like the spoilt child of the international community.
“It (Israel) gets away with anything it does without accountability or punishment,” he added.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who is backed by Riyadh, has insisted Israel freeze Jewish settlement building before peace talks for a Palestinian state in territory Israel captured in a 1967 war resume. He has rejected a temporary halt to construction ordered by Netanyahu as insufficient.
Israel announced on Monday plans to build nearly 700 new Jewish homes in areas of the occupied West Bank it considers part of Jerusalem, prompting strong US criticism implying they could undermine peace talks.
Prince Saud said the policy of expanding settlements was “a source of deep concern and condemnation for both us and the international community”.
“This policy casts doubts on the seriousness of (Israel’s) commitment to the peace process,” Prince Saud said.
Saudi Arabia floated in 2002 an Arab peace plan that calls for a complete Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and East Jerusalem and a “fair” solution to the crisis of Palestinian refugees in exchange for normalised ties with the Arab world.

Govt urged to scrap Gwadar port deal

2010-01-03T01:32:00.000-08:00

ISLAMABAD: The Planning Commission’s task force on maritime industry has urged the government to cancel the deal with the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) to operate the Gwadar port.
According to a presentation before Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Sardar Aseff Ahmed Ali, the Gwadar port project is a disaster, as the 40-year concession agreement with the PSA has not yielded any results in its first three years.
“The government and the PSA are in default of commitments. No commercial vessel (has) arrived at Gwadar port in three years and there is no possibility of any (docking there) for many years.”
The task force said the port would be made approachable by road in four years, and a rail link would take between 15 and 20 years.
A rail network that could connect the port with Afghanistan, and through Afghanistan, with Central Asian Republics and China, in addition to cities and towns in Pakistan, was badly needed.
The task force said that goods from 72 ships had been unloaded at the port at a rate of Rs2,000 per ton, which translated into a revenue of about Rs220 million for the PSA.
According to the presentation, the government was to purchase 2,281 acres of land on the waterfront for the PSA. This land was to be given to the port operator for 40 years.
“But purchasing the land does not seem possible because doing so would cost at least Rs15 billion,” said the task force. “And without this land, the PSA is unwilling to invest.”
The PSA had undertaken to spend $525 million in five years, but nothing was spent in the last three years. The PSA was not likely to invest even in the next two years, said the task force.
The concession agreement could be revisited. The best option would be to cancel the agreement, said the task force.
If this happened, a penalty of only $8-10 million would have to be paid. Negotiations with the port operator could be initiated on this issue, said the task force.
The use of three berths at the port was the best alternative, according to the presentation.
Building infrastructure was vital for attracting investments in areas like petroleum storage and refining, oil field-related equipment, construction and fabrication.
The concept of a logistics port should be introduced with appropriate industries, using the only Ro-Ro (roll-on, roll-off) berth in Pakistan, said the task force.
If Gwadar was to be used for government cargos, “trans-shipment to Karachi should be considered”. With the existing berth structure, according to the presentation, there “is no possibility of the … port achieving break even and the government will have to subsidise it for many years”.
The Balochistan government was opposed to the concession agreement with PSA because the Baloch people were not gaining anything from it, said the task force.
The port would not be viable for transshipment or transit until the law and order situation in Afghanistan improved and China was connected via road and rail links with Gwadar, according to the presentation.
The task force pointed out that no facility for supporting the oil industry existed even though the port was on the mouth of Gulf. “Due to this, Pakistan is unable to attract investment in Gwadar from Gulf countries … in the oil and gas sector”.

What was the journalistic scoop of the decade?

2010-01-02T06:25:00.000-08:00

What was the greatest journalistic scoop of the past ten years?
Was it the uncovering of a series of systemic and systematic abuses at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq?
The exposure of the CIA's secret rendition flights? Or the UK's MPs expenses scandal?
The BBC's Owen Bennett-Jones brings together a panel to dissect the decade's best examples of investigative journalism.

Heather Brooke: freedom of information activist, and one of the key figures responsible for exposing the UK parliament's expenses scandal.

Sumon K Chakrabarti: voted India's top investigative journalist in 2006.

Nomsa Maseko: awarded South Africa's top journalism prize for her coverage of the 2008 race riots.

Owen begins by suggesting to Heather Brooke that her freedom of information campaign shows just how much information you can obtain through legal means.

Afghan border forces kill three Pakistani shepherds

2010-01-02T06:22:00.000-08:00

QUETTA: Three Pakistani shepherds were killed when Afghan forces opened fire in Zangeer area of the Zhob district close to the border with Afghanistan on Friday.
Sources said that the shepherds were grazing their sheep and goats near Karez Qamaruddin town when the Afghans fired at them, killing the three men.
The sources said that the Afghan troops opened fire without giving any warning. The deceased were identified as Saifuddin, Abdul Malik and Mohammad Rasool Mardanzai, residents of the Kashto area.
Afghan border authorities handed over the bodies to Pakistani border officials in the afternoon.
Mardanzai tribal elders condemned the killing and called upon the government to take up the matter with the Afghan government.
EXPLOSION
Quetta was rocked on Friday night when a bomb exploded in the Sabzal road area.
Sources said the explosive device had been placed near the gate of an under-construction house in Killi Ibrahimzai area.

'No rifts between army and government,' assures Gilani

2010-01-02T06:15:00.000-08:00

ISLAMABAD: Prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has reiterated that the government is '100 per cent' committed to scrap the 17th amendment, emphasising that there are no rifts between the army and the government, DawnNews reported.

The PM was addressing the media after visiting the families of the victims of the 2007 Abpara Blast and 1995 Egyptian embassy blasts.

Gilani also pointed out that the government was committed to protecting the 1973 constitution, stressing that it is "100 per cent serious about scrapping the 17th amendment."

He further said that there is no deadlock in the parliamentary committee on constitutional reforms and that all state institutions are working within constitutional limits.

The PM also announced an increase in compensation from Rs0.5 million to Rs2 million for the personnel of Islamabad police and frontier constabulary who were killed in the line of duty.

He further said that the families of the victims will be given accommodation on ownership basis and the government will ensure that jobs are provided for their children.

Talking about the alleged closure of US-led police training programme, Gilani said that the programme has not been scrapped, but its location has been changed

World welcomes new year with festivities

2010-01-01T04:46:00.000-08:00

SYDNEY: Revellers across the globe began ringing in the New Year but a Bali terror warning and a deadly shooting in Finland stoked security jitters, already high after a failed US bomb plot. Police were on alert in many world cities after the thwarted Christmas Day attack on a US-bound plane, as party-goers from Vanuatu to Vancouver began celebrations to 2010 and closing the door on a decade scarred by wars, terror attacks, natural disasters and financial turmoil.
The party spirit was alive and well in Sydney, where a vast display of fireworks burst into the night sky at midnight.
The US embassy in Indonesia said it had received a warning of a possible attack on the resort island of Bali, the scene of multiple bombings targeting Westerners, but local authorities denied any knowledge of such an alert.
In Helsinki, five people were killed after a lone gunman opened fire at a shopping centre, the third major shooting in Finland in the past two years. A sixth body found was thought to be that of the killer.
For international troops in Afghanistan, it was business as usual, with soldiers maintaining their normal schedule of operations, after two deadly Taliban attacks claimed the lives of eight Americans and five Canadians.
In Australia, an estimated 1.5 million people crowded the harbour foreshore for the high-tech fireworks display on the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Paris’s Eiffel Tower was to be transformed into a multicoloured light show while in Berlin, more than one million revellers were expected on the boulevard leading to the Brandenburg Gate, the symbol of German unity.
Celebrations in Britain centre on the London Eye, the giant wheel across the river Thames from the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, the world’s most famous clock.
A downpour of confetti was to mark midnight at New York’s traditional mass celebration in Times Square in the heart of Manhattan amid security jitters rekindled by the bomb plot against a Detroit-bound passenger jet claimed by Al Qaeda. Undercover police, surveillance cameras, uniformed teams and radiation and biological detection equipment were to monitor the crowds.
“It will be a full fledged deployment of resources,” city police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said. “We assume here that New York is the number one terrorist target in America.” In Sydney, as people gathered for celebrations, police minister Michael Daley urged revellers to keep a lid on their drinking.
Around half a million revellers were expected to crowd Hong Kong’s harbour front to watch 9,000 fireworks.
But in Thailand, police banned fireworks after a New Year’s Eve blaze at a Bangkok nightclub a year ago that killed 65 revellers.
In China, President Hu Jintao praised the past year of 60th anniversary celebrations for the People’s Republic in a televised address, saying: “the people of China became further determined to continue the advance of socialism with Chinese characteristics.” Security was tight in Afghanistan and Pakistan after a year of bloodshed for both countries, which are fighting growing insurgencies from Al Qaeda and Taliban-linked militants.
In Pakistan, hardliners who consider New Year festivities anti-Islamic have in the past gate-crashed luxury hotels and broken up parties.
In Karachi, the young usually welcome in the New Year with gunfire and crackers, but a deadly suicide attack during Muharram mourning this week has dampened enthusiasm.
“It is hard to celebrate when our city and country is passing through such deep trouble,” said Zohaib Memon, 23, a business management graduate.
In Indian Kashmir, locals were set to enjoy some of the first major New Year celebrations since an insurgency broke out 20 years ago, despite protests from Islamic hardliners who object to the “anti-Islamic” partying.

Karachi on strike to mourn Ashura attack

2010-01-01T04:27:00.000-08:00

KARACHI: Pakistan’s commercial capital Karachi nearly shut down on Friday as religious and political leaders called for a strike to protest against violence after a suicide bomber killed 43 people at a religious procession this week. Karachi’s streets were nearly empty. The stock exchange, which normally operates on the first day of the year, was closed.
Police have arrested 18 people since riots triggered by the bombing destroyed hundreds of shops, costing Pakistan’s biggest city an estimated 30 billion rupees in damages.
“We have no information of any specific threats for today,” Karachi police chief Waseem Ahmed told Reuters. Nevertheless, police and paramilitary forces carried out patrols.
Residents were not taking any chances, fearful of new attacks by militants who have killed hundreds of people since October, despite a security offensive in one of their main strongholds.
“We are already losing business and can’t take the risk of going out today and opening our shops,” said Saleem Ahmed, who sells electronics at one of the city’s main markets.
“If something happens or anyone comes and damages, say, one refrigerator or deep freezer, I will lose more money than what I would have earned the whole day, so I better stay home,” he said.
The bloodshed is also frustrating many Pakistanis.
Hundreds of shops were torched in the rampage that followed the bombing that hit Karachi, a teeming city of 18 million.
According to officials, Karachi generates 68 percent of government revenue and 25 percent of Pakistan’s gross domestic product. It is also home to two of the country’s main ports.

Pakistan crumble on final day to hand Australia win

2009-12-30T10:52:00.000-08:00

MELBOURNE: Pakistan lost seven wickets on the last day of the Boxing Day Test match to hand Australia a 170-run victory and 1-0 lead in the three-match series on Wednesday.
The positive intent shown by Pakistan’s batting line-up on the previous day was replaced by reckless shot-selection in the morning of the final day as Australia’s under-pressure spin bowler Nathan Hauritz claimed his first five-wicket haul.
Starting the day on 170-3, Pakistan lost two wickets on consecutive deliveries in the first over of the day by Mitchell Johnson when Umar Akmal and Misbah-ul-Haq were dismissed in similar fashion, caught-behind. Kamran Akmal, however, denied Johnson a hat-trick and went on to support his captain for another 15 overs before he was stumped off Hauritz trying to launch one into the stands.
Mohammad Aamer, who came in next, then provided a hat-trick opportunity to Hauritz when he was caught at leg-slip on his first ball. It was Abdur Rauf this time to deny another Australian hat-trick when he survived the over, only to be dismissed in the next by Doug Bollinger. Yousuf, meanwhile, reached his 32nd Test half-century, fending off the Australian attack from one end while wickets fell regularly at the other.
Yousuf was eventually undone by the off-spinner in his first over after lunch, edging a flighted delivery. He scored 61 runs in his three-and-a-half hour stay at the crease. Saeed Ajmal, who hung around long enough with Yousuf to see off the first session, became Hauritz’s fifth scalp when skied one over midwicket and hand victory to the hosts.

Shane Watson, now a regular opener for Australia, was named man of the match for his contributions of 93 and 120 as the hosts ended a year that saw them lose their top Test ranking, with what captain Ricky Ponting called one of their "best Test wins."
Pakistan captain Yousuf admitted his side did not bat well in the first innings on what was a good wicket.
The second Test starts on January 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Brief scores
First innings
Australia: 454/5 declared (S. Katich 98, S. Watson 93, M. Hussey 82) (M. Asif 2-86)
Pakistan: 258 (Misbah-ul-Haq 65*, U. Akmal 51) (D. Bollinger 3-50, M. Johnson 3-36)
Second innings
Australia: 228-8 (S. Watson 120*) (M. Aamer 5-79)
Pakistan: 251 (M. Yousuf 61) (N. Hauritz 5-101)
Result: Australia won by 170 runs
Man of the match: Shane Watson (Australia)
Series: Australia lead 1-0

23 killed, provincial governor wounded, in twin Iraq attacks

2009-12-30T10:50:00.000-08:00

RAMADI, Iraq: Twin attacks in the western Iraqi city of Ramadi on Wednesday killed 23 people and wounded 30, including the governor of Anbar province, the city's main hospital said.

The first attack struck near a security checkpoint at a road junction leading to the governorate offices in the centre of the Anbar provincial capital at around 9:30 am (0630 GMT).

A separate bombing 30 minutes later at the entrance to the governorate building some 200 metres (yards) away hit the convoy of governor Qassim Mohammed Abid as it was leaving, wounding him.

“The latest toll is 23 dead and 30 wounded,” said a doctor at Ramadi General Hospital, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“The governor is wounded. American forces came and took him for more treatment.” The US military did not immediately confirm that its troops took Abid to a US-run hospital when contacted by AFP.

A source at the hospital said that, after the first attack took place near the provincial headquarters, the governor came out from his office to inspect the damage. It was then that the second attacker struck.

One of the attackers was a man working as a bodyguard for the governor, Al Iraqiya state television reported. Police said that governor Mohammed seemed to be the target of at least one of the attacks.

Wednesday's attacks mirrored coordinated bombings in Ramadi on October 11, when 19 people were killed and more than 80 wounded.

At the time, a bomb went off at midday (0900 GMT) close to the offices of the provincial governor in a civilian car park, speeding the arrival of firemen and police.

A second car bomb then exploded, leading police to seal off the area, which was littered with body parts.

Shortly afterwards at Ramadi General Hospital, where victims had been rushed for treatment, a suicide bomber struck.

Ramadi, 100 kilometres (65 miles) west of Baghdad, was a key insurgent base in the aftermath of the US-led invasion of 2003.

Anbar, Iraq's biggest province, became the theatre of a brutal war focused on the cities of Fallujah and Ramadi, while several towns along the Euphrates river valley became insurgent strongholds and later safe havens for fighters.

But since 2006, local Sunni tribes have sided with the US military. Daily violence has dropped dramatically as Al-Qaeda fighters have been ejected from the region.

Although attacks have dropped markedly across the country compared to last year, violence remains high by international standards.

And while November saw the fewest deaths as a result of violence of any month since the invasion, December has seen higher death tolls, notably as a result of December 8 bombings in Baghdad that killed 127 people.

Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan claim Karachi bombing

2009-12-30T10:45:00.000-08:00

KARACHI: Pakistan's Taliban on Wednesday claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing that killed 43 people in Karachi, and threatened more attacks.
“My group claims responsibility for the Karachi attack and we will carry out more such attacks, within 10 days,” Asmatullah Shaheen, one of the commanders of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), or Taliban Movement of Pakistan, who spoke by telephone to a Reuters reporter in Peshawar.
The prospect of more violence comes at a tough time for embattled President Asif Ali Zardari. He already faces political pressure because corruption charges against some of his aides may be revived.
And Zardari has yet to formulate a more effective strategy against the Pakistani Taliban, despite relentless pressure from Washington, which wants his government to root out militants who cross over to attack US and Nato-led forces in Afghanistan and then return to their Pakistan strongholds.
The scale of his challenges was clear on Monday, when a suicide bomber defied heavy security around a Shia procession, killing 43 people and triggering riots.
In a sign of mounting frustrations, Pakistani religious and political leaders called for a strike for Friday to condemn that attack, one of the worst in Karachi since 2007.
The bloodshed illustrated how the Taliban, whose strongholds are in the lawless northwest, have extended their reach to major cities in their drive to topple the government.
“The bombing itself was bad enough, but the violence that immediately erupted was also very well planned,” said Sunni scholar Mufti Muneebur Rehman, who blamed Pakistani authorities for the chaos.
“We want the government not only to compensate those killed in the attacks, but also those who lost their livelihoods, and so we are calling for a complete strike on Friday,” he said.
The Taliban campaign and their hardline brand of Islam — which involves public hangings and whippings of anyone who disobeys them — angered many Pakistanis.
But the Karachi bomb suggested growing violence has raised suspicions of Pakistan's government.
“The government is using the Taliban as an excuse for everything that is happening anywhere in the country,” said Noman Ahmed, who works for a Karachi clearing agency.
“The organised way that all this is being done clearly shows that the terrorists are being sponsored either by the government itself or some other state that wants to destabilise Pakistan.”
Security policy
Pakistan's all-powerful military sets security policy. So the key gauge of public confidence may be how the army's performance is viewed. In the 1980s, Pakistan's army nurtured militant groups who fought Soviet occupation troops in Afghanistan. The Taliban emerged in the 1990's after a civil war in Afghanistan.
Now Pakistan's army faces home-grown militants.
“I don't buy that foreign hands are involved (in the Karachi attack). They're domestic elements. They're those who were nurtured, trained and protected in late 1990s,” said Sajid Ali Naqvi, head of the influential Shias' Islami Tehrik movement.
The bombing was one of the bloodiest in Karachi since an October 2007 attack on former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on her return to the country that killed at least 139 people.
Shia leaders, as well as Karachi's dominant Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) political party, backed the strike call, which could bring the teeming city of 18 million to a standstill.
The high-profile bloodshed had all the hallmarks of the Taliban, who often bomb crowded areas to inflict maximum casualties. The blast led some Pakistanis to conclude that several hands must have been involved.
“The Taliban, or whoever is behind this, cannot do it without the support of a government,” said Shahid Mahmood, whose perfume and watch shops were torched in the riots.
“They know that Karachi is the heart of Pakistan and if it goes down, the country will go down.”

Pakistan face improbable task on final day

2009-12-29T12:56:00.000-08:00

MELBOURNE: Pakistan's bid to script an improbable win in the first test against Australia looked all but over as they ended day four 170-3 with the target still 252 runs away. Pegged on the back foot, the tourists will look to anchor down and salvage a final day draw.

They would, however, take confidence in the fact that two of their most competent batsmen, Mohammad Yousuf and Umar Akmal (easily the most reliable in the side with only three tests under his belt), are at the crease offering gritty resistance. Yousuf stood on an assured 45 off 70 balls while Akmal raced a flowing 27 from 34 balls punctuated with five boundaries. Pakistan's survival and any hopes of sneaking to victory, however slim they may be, will depend on how long the 19-year-old bats.

Before Pakistan found themselves in that precarious position, it was a day of contentment and relief for the home side as Shane Watson, starting the day on 64, registered his maiden test hundred and in the process became the first Australia batsman to score a century since August of 2009.

For Watson, who has been on the brink with scores of 96 and 89 in the recently concluded Frank Worrell Trophy, it wasn't without incident though. For him Santa Claus did not appear out of a chimney but stood at gully in the form of Pakistani fast bowler Abdur Rauf as he played a streaky cut on 99. Rauf, clearly full on mid-break goodies, fell like an oak tree to his right as the ball thudded into the outer portion of his palms before landing on the grass. As Watson completed the single, MCG stood up in ovation, his parents tearful in joy.

The all-rounder stood at an unbeaten 120 as Australia declared at 225-8. Mohammad Aamer was the strikeforce for Pakistan picking up his first five-wicket haul for 79 hard-to-come-by runs. Touching speeds of 150 kph, he easily the most exciting bowler of both the sides. His ability to seam the ball at high pace, coupled with stinging bouncers and well-disguised slower balls earned the praise of the century-maker Watson.

Mohammad Asif was economical and Saeed Ajmal far too quick and flat to get any spin on the ball. The two managed one wicket each.

The target of 422, when Ricky Ponting declared with 45 overs remaining in the day, seemed an uphill task for the Pakistani batsmen. They were soon down in the dumps when the opener Imran Farhat fell in the seventh over with the score on 18. Salman Butt combined with Faisal Iqbal to put on 62 at a healthy rate of just under four an over before the former was trapped LBW by an incoming Mitchell Johnson delivery. Nathan Hauritz rattled Iqbal's off stump with one that turned sharply after hitting a crack. Iqbal scored 48 to add to his first innings score of 15 and his fate it seems likely hangs in the balance if reports suggesting a Younis Khan call up are true.

If the Hauritz square-turner is anything to go by the final day could well see the home side canter to a win. Pakistan will have to better the best fourth-innings total at the MCG to win a match by nearly a 100 runs.

Secret files show British caution over Bhutto execution

2009-12-29T12:41:00.000-08:00

LONDON: Britain was wary of exerting heavy pressure on Pakistan not to execute Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, the father of late prime minister Benazir Bhutto, in 1979, secret files released Wednesday showed.
Then British premier James Callaghan remained on warm, personal terms with General Zia ul Haq, whose regime hanged Bhutto two years after a 1977 coup.
Although Callaghan did warn Zia against executing Bhutto, other documents reveal that British officials earlier saw it as an internal matter, and for a while, did not even believe it would happen.
Bhutto, founder of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), was hanged in Rawalpindi jail on April 4, 1979 for the murder of a political opponent.
The former premier's trial was condemned by some observers as unfair and was subject to a lengthy appeal process.
When Bhutto was first sentenced to death in March 1978, a senior British diplomat in Islamabad wrote in a telegram to London that life imprisonment, not the death sentence, seems “the most likely outcome”.
Meanwhile, Foreign Office diplomats appeared to be focusing on commercial deals between the two countries, including for buses and tractor production.
Callaghan seemed more worried than officials, on top of a document about one such deal, he wrote: “What does FCO (Foreign Office) propose to do about Bhutto?”His foreign secretary David Owen met Zia's foreign affairs advisor Agha Shahi two days after the death sentence was passed on Bhutto.
Owen told him: “This was an internal matter for the Pakistan government and my concern was with the effect on Anglo/Pakistan relations as a result of public reaction amongst the many here who might feel offended,” according to a note he sent to Islamabad afterwards.
In April 1978, Zia handwrote in green ink a personal letter to Callaghan which showed his confidence that, whatever happened to Bhutto, ties between Britain and Pakistan would not be affected.
“I feel convinced, that the abiding nature of our ties, and friendship will withstand the stress of an agonising moment,” Zia wrote.
That friendship was in evidence when, in September that year, Callghan sent Zia a congratulatory message as he took over as Pakistani president, having previously been chief martial law administrator.
But in February 1979, Britain believed an execution was imminent and sent a telegram from Callaghan to Zia urging clemency.
In it, Callaghan recognised the “many and grave difficulties” Zia faced “with which, if I may say so, you have the sympathy and good wishes of many of your friends in this country as well as elsewhere in the world.”
But he warned that executing Bhutto would be “a grave shock to Pakistan's many friends here”.
“As a soldier yourself you will, I know, remember the truth of the old saying that the grass grows swiftly over a battlefield, but never over a scaffold,” he added.
That same month, Foreign Office minister Evan Luard met Bhutto's son Mir Murtazar Bhutto, who asked if Britain could do anything more to prevent his father's execution, such as suspending aid.
Luard “did not see there was much else we could do”, adding that “blatant pressure” could be “counter-productive”, an official record said.
“We would have to wait and hope for good news during the next few days,” he added.
The day before Bhutto's execution, Callaghan contacted Zia as he made a final decision on the prisoner's fate.
“To decide on the life and death of a human being is a heavy burden to add to the heavy cares of office and I pray that you will be given wisdom in your task,” Callaghan wrote.
“I cannot believe that an execution will encourage that underlying sense of duty which every country needs”.
But he added that he wrote in a “spirit of friendship and mutual respect”.
The documents were released by the National Archives in London under laws which allow the disclosure of classified files to the public after 30 years

‘Destabilising Karachi amounts to destabilising Pakistan’

2009-12-29T12:33:00.000-08:00

KARACHI: Interior Minister Rehman Malik appealed for calm on Tuesday in Karachi, where shop owners surveyed gutted premises a day after a suicide bomber killed at least 40 people and triggered a city-centre riot.
The bombing of a Shia procession in Karachi underscored multiple security challenges facing Pakistan.
“I appeal to the people of Karachi to remain peaceful. This is the economic hub of Pakistan,” Rehman Malik told reporters after attending the funeral of a paramilitary soldier who authorities said pounced on the suicide bomber.
“Anybody trying to destabilise Karachi is actually destabilising Pakistan,” Malik said.
Malik had also ordered a thorough inquiry into the incident.
Speaking after the funeral prayers at the Polo Ground, the minister said experts were analysing the CCTV footage of the blast.
He said the face of the suicide bomber can clearly be seen in the video and authorities were doing their level best to identify the man.
Malik said people who set fire to shops, markets and vehicles after the blast were among the terrorists. He pointed out that arsonists had equipment on hand to set fire to buildings moments after the blast took place.
The minister also urged political leaders to overcome their differences and unite in order to save Pakistan. He also asked the citizens of Karachi to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement agencies.

Australia in command after early collapse in 2nd innings

2009-12-28T06:33:00.000-08:00

MELBOURNE: Australia are in commanding position gaining a lead of 307 runs over Pakistan after an early collapse in their second innings on the third day of the first Test match here at the MCG on Monday.

They were 111 for three when the third day’s play ended with opener Shane Watson (64) and Michael Clarke (21) at the crease.

When Australia started their second innings with a lead of 196 runs, Pakistan fast bowlers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif struck early blows by dismissing three top order batsmen opener Simon Katich (2), captain Rickey Ponting (12) and Michael Hussey (4) for only 40 runs on the board.

Then, Clarke joined Watson to rescue and both gradually took out their team out of trouble. They have so far added 70 runs for their fourth wicket unbeaten partnership.

Earlier, Pakistan resumed at 109-4 this morning and were all out for 258 in reply to Australia's 454 for five declared in the first innings.

The tourists lost five wickets in the afternoon session after going into lunch at 190 for five, and were in danger of not passing the follow-on mark when the lower order slumped to 220 for nine.

However, they succeeded in avoiding the follow-on, thanks to Misbah-ul-Haq’s fighting unbeaten innings of 65.

Teenage batting sensation Umar Akmal (51) looked like the only person who could breathe life into the day, smashing 19 runs from one Peter Siddle over.

He brought up his half century when Johnson replaced Siddle, but then lost his head and his wicket slashing a wide ball straight to Ricky Ponting at slip

Suicide attack in Karachi

2009-12-28T06:14:00.000-08:00

KARACHI: A bomb attack ripped through a procession of Shias on Karachi's M A Jinnah road on Monday, killing 20 people and wounding at least 40 others, police and hospital officials said.
The worshippers were commemorating Ashura, the holiest event on the Shia Muslim calendar, and the parade in Karachi was the biggest in Pakistan.
Pakistan had deployed tens of thousands of police and paramilitary forces, fearing sectarian clashes or militant bombings would target Shia processions.
“It was a suicide attack,” Karachi city police chief Waseem Ahmed told DawnNews.
“Twenty people have been killed and around 40 were injured,” Ahmed said.
Saghir Ahmad, health minister in the government of southern province Sindh, said at least 15 people were killed, but said more than 60 were wounded.
Witnesses said pandemonium broke out after the explosion, with angry mourners throwing stones and firing bullets into the air, restricting the movement of ambulances and sparking calls from the authorities for calm.
Fire broke out after the blast, fanning thick smoke into the sky, and people were running in all directions, an AFP reporter said.
“I appeal on people to vacate the area. This will help us rescue the injured,” said the Karachi police chief.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani swiftly condemned the blast and also appealed on the masses to remain peaceful, his office said.
In Karachi, more than 50,000 Shias had poured into the streets to commemorate Ashura.
“It was a huge explosion. We have reports that a lot of people have been injured. I am on site and I appeal to the people to be calm,” Raza Haroon, a cabinet minister in the provincial government of Sindh, told a private television channel.
It was the second bomb attack to mar Ashura commemorations in Pakistan after a suicide bomber blew himself up outside a main Shia mosque in Pakistani-administered Kashmir, killing seven people late Sunday.
Sectarian violence periodically flares in Pakistan between Shias and Sunnis.
Explosives planted in a gutter ripped through an Ashura procession in Karachi on Sunday wounding 17 people, officials said.

Ten killed as suicide attack hits Shia procession in Karachi

2009-12-28T04:42:00.000-08:00

KARACHI: Ten people were killed when a suicide bomber blew himself up at a Shia procession on Karachi's M.A. Jinnah on Monday, CCPO Waseem Ahmed said.
Meanwhile, hospital sources confirmed that 19 people were killed in the incident.

Witnesses also said there were several casualties. The injured were being shifted to the Jinnah and Civil hospitals.

Television pictures showed a big cloud of smoke over the scene and television reporters said angry worshippers attacked a media vehicle.

The police was urging civilians to move away from the site of the blast.

The procession continued to move forward despite the explosion.

This was the third such incident in the city in the last 48 hours that left several people injured.

Earlier, on Sunday, 30 people including three policemen were injured when a low-intensity bomb exploded during a Muharram procession near Qasba Mor in Orangi town.

Similarly, a procession in Paposhnagar was targeted on Saturday when a Muharram procession was passing through. The incident left 13 people injured, mostly women and children.

Detained Americans had nuclear power site map

2009-12-28T04:33:00.000-08:00

LAHORE: Police reported that the five Americans detained in Sargodha earlier this month had a nuclear power site map in their possession. It is still being determined whether they had planned to attack a complex that houses nuclear power facilities, DawnNews reported.
Senior police officials have said that the men had a map of the Chashma Barrage, a complex that along with nuclear power facilities houses a water reservoir and other structures.
An official stressed that the Americans were not carrying a specific map of a nuclear power plant, but a map of the whole Chashma Barrage.
It was also reported that the detained men had also exchanged emails regarding the area.
FBI agents were granted some access to the men, who are being held in Lahore. The agents were looking into what potential charges the five could face in the US.

Karachi blast leaves four people injured

2009-12-27T08:41:00.000-08:00

KARACHI: At least four people have injured in a low intensity blast in Karachi.

According to CCPO Karachi the blast, which occured in Qasba Colony area, was a low intensity blast and that further investigation is underway to ascertain the nature of the explosion. The injured who sustained minor injuries have been shifted to Abbasi Shaheed hospital.
Soon after the incident eranged mob smashed window panes and pelted on veheicles.
Police and Rangers have been deployed around the area, and are carring out strict nab checking.

Benazir Bhutto's death anniversary

2009-12-27T08:20:00.000-08:00

Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in Rawalpindi on Dec. 27, 2007. Supporters of Pakistan People’s Party and her family members pray and light candles on her second death anniversary around the country.

Iconography of Karbala

2009-12-27T03:58:00.000-08:00

The following pictures are from a procession taken out in remembrance of the Karbala tragedy on the eve of Ashura in Karachi on Wednesday. Dawn.com takes a look at the various symbols prevalent in Muharram processions in Pakistan. Feature by Salman Siddiqui. Photos by WhiteStar/Fahim Siddiqi.

Zuljenah is the name given to Imam Hussain’s horse, which according to Shia believers, stayed by his side until the very end. Artist Naheed Raza also uses Buraaq, the half-woman, half-horse creature in her paintings, which according to Islamic tradition Prophet Mohammad rode upon during his journey to the heavens. The Buraaq in Pakistani art is similar to the Zuljinah, Imam Hussain’s horse, in the sense that both are usually depicted making an ascent towards the skies. Another artist Anjum Ayaz says that there appears to be no clear distinction between the two horses in our art scene.

Renewed clashes reported in Iran

2009-12-26T04:56:00.000-08:00

Iranian security forces and opposition activists have clashed in the centre of the capital Tehran, according to reformist websites and witnesses.

Some reports say shots have been fired in the air to disperse demonstrators.
The opposition had been planning to use Shia religious festivals this weekend to show their continued defiance of President Ahmadinejad's government.
Tensions have risen since influential dissident cleric Grand Ayatollah Hoseyn Ali Montazeri died a week ago aged 87.
Clashes were reported after his funeral in Qom, and in other cities since then.
Police chief Esmail Ahmadi Moghaddam has been quoted as warning that police would crack down hard against any attempts to use Shia religious processions to stage fresh protests against Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's government.
Opponents insist there was massive rigging when Mr Ahmadinejad was re-elected in June - a charge he rejects.

Australia dominate Boxing Day

2009-12-26T04:51:00.000-08:00

MELBOURNE: Openers Shane Watson and Simon Katich fell agonisingly short of centuries, but put Australia in a commanding position against Pakistan in the first Test at the MCG. The Aussie run spree was aided in large part by some shoddy fielding by the visitors.

Australia were 3-305 at stumps on the first day after Watson (93) and Katich (98) posted a stand of 182 and captain Ricky Ponting proved he had recovered from his elbow injury from last week, with 57 from 60 balls.

Michael Hussey finished 37 not out and nightwatchman Nathan Hauritz five not out.

Pakistan started the day on the back foot, with the in-form leg-spinner Danish Kaneria ruled out with a finger injury while Abdur Rauf was favoured over the ‘off colour’ Umar Gul.

Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Aamer, Abdur Rauf and Saeed Ajmal looked good prospects on the bouncy Melbourne pitch, bowling some probing lines and bottling the scoring after the home side won the toss and elected to bat.

Fielding reprieves broke the stalemate, first when Katich was dropped at eight by Umar Akmal at gully off the bowling of Aamer, followed by Misbah-ul-Haq flooring a harmless Watson edge off a Saeed Ajmal doosra while the batsman was on 43.

This triggered an Aussie roller-coaster that powered the home side to 182 in 60 overs. The Pakistani bowlers looked clueless in the face of some aggressive stroke play and the fielders rolled around like moss. At one point, it seemed the day would end without any wickets falling but clearly Simon Katich or Shane Watson or both for that matter weren’t in the mood to further disappoint the Paksitani fans.

In a bizarre incident which saw both men stranded at the striker’s end it came down to the third umpire to decide which batsman he was going to send off. Upon close scrutiny by the television cameras it was clear Watson was the victim of an ill-judged call from striker Katich that, for once, found an alert fielder in the covers. ‘Kato’ followed Watson to the shed soon after and undoubtedly the two would have had a few words on the mix up. The only consolation Katich could have offered Watson would have been the fact that he too did not register a century after getting so close.

This brought Captain Ricky Ponting to the crease, determined face and arm-guard on display. He proved his ‘shortcomings’ were only a mere glitch as he smashed seven boundaries en route his 50^th half-century. He fell to Asif in the slips on 57.

At the end of the day the Pakistani bowlers will argue their good work was undone by the fielders but pitch maps would indicate that they bowled way too short to trouble the batsmen, as is the case with most sub-continental sides touring Australia.

They are up against a potential mammoth if nightwatchman Nathan Hauritz, who’s looked pretty comfortable so far, and Michael Hussey continue to bat the way they have. With Michael Clarke, Marcus North, Brad Haddin to follow it seems highly unlikely the Australians will be bowled out anytime soon on the second day which would put immense pressure on the visiting batsmen when they take their guard.

Amir Khan to visit Pakistan next month

2009-12-26T04:45:00.000-08:00

KARACHI: The British-born Pakistani boxing sensation Amir Khan, who rose to fame after being crowned WBA world light-welterweight champion on July 18 this year, will be visiting Pakistan with his parents from Jan 5 to 10, Dawn has learnt.

Though the itinerary of his maiden visit to Pakistan is being chalked out, Amir will show his world-title belt to the people particularly, the youth, to inspire them towards the sport. He will also share his success with people of the country.

The proposed visit has been arranged by a London-based businessman Dalawar Majid Chaudhry.

Born in Bolton on Dec 8, 1986, the 5’10” pugilist defeated Andrean Kotelnik at the age of 22 to land WBA world light-welterweight title.

Previously, Amir was in the lightweight division where he held the Commonwealth and WBA international titles. He was also the youngest British Olympic boxing medallist when he won a silver medal at the 2004 Olympics.

Sixty injured as Indian police stop Kashmiri Shia procession

2009-12-26T04:40:00.001-08:00

SRINAGAR: At least 60 mourners were injured on Saturday when police used batons, firing in the air and tear gas to break up a procession by hundreds of Shia Muslims in Indian-administered Kashmir's main city, officials said.
During the first Muslim month of Muharram, Shias across the world mourn the death of the Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein in the Iraqi city of Karbala in the year 680.
But in Kashmir, Muharram processions and public gatherings by separatists have been banned since a rebellion against Indian rule broke out in 1989.
“More than 50 people were also detained,” police officer Ali Mohammad said.
Saturday's procession in Srinagar was headed by members of Ittihadul Muslimeen Jammu Kashmir, part of the region's main separatist alliance, the All Parties Hurriyat (Freedom) Conference.
Stone-throwing Shias clashed with police in several parts of Srinagar after the procession was stopped, forcing police to fire tear gas shells, witnesses said.
The mourners were beating their chests with their fists, and chanted “La ilaha illalah” (There is no god but Allah).
“We strongly condemn the police brutality,” said Moulana Abbas Ansari, a leading Shia priest and chief of Ittihadul Muslimeen.
The injured included at least six photojournalists, police said.
Tens of thousands of people have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir, India's only Muslim-majority state since an anti-India insurgency broke out two decades ago.

PPP, MQM leaders meet, discuss concerns

2009-12-26T04:37:00.000-08:00

KARACHI: Promising crackdown against loan write-off beneficiaries, Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Saturday said all politicians should voluntarily declare their loan status. He was addressing the media along with Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Farooq Sattar after a meeting between MQM and PPP leaders at Bilawal House in Karachi.
Farooq Sattar said the MQM delegation shared its concerns with President Zardari over target killings of MQM workers. He said 11 party workers were killed in this month so far, while a total of 69 workers were killed in 2009.
He also said both sides showed resolve to strengthen the country’s democratic institutions.
The issue of local bodies’ election will be decided in future meetings, Sattar further said.
Meanwhile, the Interior Minister said politicians should voluntarily declare that they have never had their loans written off.
He also said Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar's name ended up on the Exit Control List (ECL) due to a technical problem

Christmas in Karachi

2009-12-25T04:44:00.000-08:00

Today, Pakistani Christians, who comprise less than five per cent of the population, celebrate Christmas in churches throughout the country. Karachi's Holy Trinity Church, known for its unusually tall steeple, held midnight Mass on Christmas Eve as well as morning Mass on Friday. Dawn.com visits the church to join in the celebrations.–Photos by Eefa Khalid & Mariam Anwar.

Farhan and Zoya retain squash titles

2009-12-25T04:33:00.000-08:00

KARACHI: Fourth seed Farhan Zaman of the Navy survived a scare when he whipped second seeded Waqas Mehboob (NWFP) in five games to retain boys U-19 crown in the second PST Roshan Khan Junior Open squash championship at the PN Roshan-Jahangir Squash Complex on Thursday.

Farhan, 18, who stunned top seed Shaikh Saquib (Punjab) in the pre-final on Wednesday, registered 11-9, 11-9, 11-13, 8-11, 11-9 victory over his opponent which lasted 39 minutes.

Similarly, defending champion and top seed Zoya Khalid lived up to her top billing imposing 11-7, 9-11, 11-7, 11-7 victory over second seed Rushna Mehboob in all-ZTBL final to retain the girls U-19 title.

Nasir Iqbal of the PAF took 20 minutes to overcome NWFP’s Salman Mohib 11-6, 11-7, 11-2 to claim boys U-17 title. He had won the boys U-15 title in the inaugural edition.

Prodigy Bilal Zakir (PAF), the second seed, dropped second game while chalking up 11-8, 8-11, 11-4, 12-10 victory over top seed Ali Bokhari (Punjab) to grab boys U-15 title.

Israr Ahmed (Punjab) and Ahsan Ayaz (PAF) annexed the boys U-13 and U-11 titles respectively.

The girls U-15 title went to PAF’s Saadia Gul who edged past Sindh’s Faiza Zaffar 11-8, 6-11, 13-11, 11-7 in the final.

At the outset, Farhan seized a commendable 2-0 lead over Waqas in the best of five final taking the first and second games 11-9, 11-9 in seven minutes apiece but was not convincing as he faltered by hitting the tin time and again and saw the lead slipped from his hands. He led 6-1 in the first game.

However, Waqas took advantage of his opponents’ unforced errors and minimised the lead. He drew level at 9-9 before Farhan won the opener 11-9. Similarly, both were tied 6-6 and 9-9 in the second before Farhan consolidate his position winning 11-9.

Waqas, who won the boys U-17 crown in the inaugural event, fought back with vengeance and neutralised the lead taking the next two games 13-11 in 10 minutes and 11-8 in seven minutes.

Farhan, however, opened the fifth and deciding game in convincing fashion and surged to 6-0 lead before wrapping up the game 11-9 in eight minutes.

Farhan received a purse of Rs15,200 and winners trophy while Waqas took home Rs10,400 and runners up trophy from Sindh Sports Minister Dr. Mohammad Ali Shah.

Squash Legend Jahangir Khan and PST’s Muhammad Azhar Dean were also present. The PST had lent a financial support of Rs0.5 million as main sponsor of the event.

Results:

Boys U-19 final: Farhan Zaman (Navy) bt Waqas Mehboob (NWFP) 11-9, 11-9, 11-13, 8-11, 11-9.

Boys U-17 final: Nasir Iqbal (PAF) bt Salman Mohib (NWFP) 11-6, 11-7, 11-2.

Boys U-15 final: Bilal Zakir (PAF) bt Ali Bokhari (Punjab) 11-8, 8-11, 11-4, 12-10.

Boys U-13 final: Israr Ahmed (Punjab) bt Zeeshan Khan (PAF) 11-8, 11-3, 11-9.

Boys U-11 final: Ahsan Ayaz (PAF) bt Sumaid Rashid (Punjab) 11-4, 11-3, 11-4.

Girls U-19 final: Zoya Khalid (ZTBL) bt Rushna Mehboob (ZTBL) 11-7, 9-11, 11-7, 11-7.

Girls U-15 final: Saadia Gul (PAF) bt Faiza Zaffar (Sindh) 11-8, 6-11, 13-11, 11-7

Four die in suicide attack on Peshawar Mall

2009-12-25T04:30:00.000-08:00

PESHAWAR: A suicide bomber blew himself up in the heavily-guarded cantonment area of the city on Thursday, killing at least four people and causing injuries to 24 others.

The bomber was on foot and he ran away when security personnel manning a checkpost asked him to stop.

He detonated the explosives strapped to his body near a missionary school, opposite the offices of the Pakistan International Airlines, on the Mall Road.

Windows of some offices in the nearby State Life building were smashed. The school was closed for Christmas and winter vacations. Police were not sure about the bomber’s real target.

The injured were taken to the Lady Reading Hospital and the Combined Military Hospital. An official of the LRH said five of the injured were in serious condition.

According to police, constable Gul Nawaz from Ormar village near Peshawar and three civilians were killed.

According to bomb disposal personnel, the explosives used by the bomber weighed eight to 10kgs. They said the legs of the bomber had been found.

SSP (Investigation) Ghulam Hussain told Dawn that the bomber had also tied explosives to his legs and appeared to have carried three triggers. He said ball bearings were also found at the site.

“The explosives show that the bombers who have blown themselves up in the city so far belonged to the same militant group,” he said.

People who had gathered at the place said police had fired in the air after the blast. Heavy contingents of police and other security personnel cordoned off the area and stopped traffic on the Arbab Road and Mall Road for some time. All shopping centres and banks in the area and the PIA offices were closed.

Superintendent of Police for Coordination Alam Shinwari said: “Intelligence agencies have told us that there could be more bombings and the number of intending bombers is high.”

The cantonment area, commonly known as Saddar, attracts shoppers from all over the city and is always congested and busy.

This was the second bombing in Peshawar in three days. A suicide bomber had hit the Peshawar Press Club on Tuesday, killing three people, including police constable Riazuddin.

“The threat is now coming from three different regions. It is virtually coming from all directions. These people have dispersed and have formed small cells to attack civilians and law-enforcement personnel,” a security official said.

NWFP Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Husain said frequent bomb blasts had forced people to stay indoors and badly affected the business.

He told journalists that bombers were coming from the Khyber and Kurram agencies and Darra Adamkhel.

Pakistan releases 100 Indian fishermen

2009-12-25T04:25:00.001-08:00

KARACHI: Pakistan Friday released 100 Indian fishermen who had been jailed for three years, as a 'goodwill gesture' to India, its South Asian neighbour, officials said. The fishermen were to be released last Wednesday but Pakistani authorities said they had been forced to delay this because New Delhi had failed to make timely travel arrangements for the detainees.
Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani ordered authorities to hand over the fishermen on Christmas Eve as a 'gesture' to India, more than a year after ties seriously deteriorated following the Mumbai attacks.
The South Asian neighbours frequently seize each other's fishermen, accusing them of violating their respective zones in the Arabian Sea.
"We have released 100 Indian fishermen who were detained in our jail for the last three years," Ashraf Nizamani, superintendent of the Malir District Jail, told AFP.
"The released fishermen included 91 men and nine boys below 18 years age," Nizamani said.
Two large buses carried them from the jail in this southern port city to the eastern city of Lahore where they were expected to arrive Saturday and be handed over to Indian authorities at the Wagah border post.
Nizamani said nearly 500 Indian fishermen were still being held in his jail.
"Originally, they are sentenced for a month or two by our courts for violating our sea border but since they are foreigners we cannot release them until we receive an official order," Nizamani said.
Authorities in Pakistan estimate that nearly 200 Pakistani fishermen are languishing in Indian jails.
In the past, the two countries have released hundreds of detained fishermen in prisoner exchanges.

Singh’s advisers recommend autonomy for Kashmir

2009-12-25T04:23:00.001-08:00

SRINAGAR: High-level advisers appointed by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh are recommending autonomy for Kashmir, where militants have fought for 20 years against rule from New Delhi. Under its accession to India in 1947 upon the country's independence from Britain, Muslim-majority Kashmir was granted autonomous powers over all sectors excluding communications, defence and foreign affairs.
These powers have been eroded over the years. But the advisory group, headed by former supreme court judge Saghir Ahmad, recommended that the prime minister look at various formulations ‘to restore the autonomy to the extent possible’.
The group's report was delivered to the Kashmir chief minister late Wednesday and made public Thursday.
The Kashmir legislative assembly in 2000 passed a resolution favouring full restoration of the state's autonomy. But India's then Hindu-nationalist government rejected the resolution passed unanimously by the assembly.
Autonomy is the main demand of the ruling National Conference, the state's biggest pro-India political party, which had moved the resolution in 2000.
The government has not reacted to the report so far.
‘We will react only after going through the report. It is a long report,’ said Ali Mohammed Sagar, Kashmir's law and parliamentary minister.
Singh had appointed the working group in May 2006 to try to find a permanent solution to the unrest in the scenic Himalayan region, which is split between India and Pakistan.
Most of the militant groups fighting New Delhi's rule want the region to become part of Pakistan. A few support its independence.
India has been dangling the promise of greater autonomy to Kashmiris for many years but the idea has been rejected by the separatists

Battle of rankings on the cards as Pakistan, Australia meet

2009-12-25T04:20:00.000-08:00

LAHORE: Australia will need to beat Pakistan comprehensively in the three-Test series starting in Melbourne on Saturday to retain third position on the ICC Test Championship table. Australia start the series with a difference of 33 rating points against sixth-placed Pakistan and the gap means they are expected to win the series convincingly, information provided by the International Cricket Council (ICC) said. Rankings are weighed to reflect the difference. Australia will drop points in case of failure to win comfortably.
While Australia’s 2-0 win will keep them on 116 rating points and a clean sweep will earn them just two rating points; a 1-0 or 2-1 series win will drop it to 115 rating points and behind Sri Lanka when the ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point.
On the other side, Pakistan’s series win will dent Australia’s hopes of narrowing the gap with the front-runners.
A 1-0 or 2-1 series win for Pakistan will drop Australia to 110 rating points, and if the home team suffer three consecutive defeats, they will slip to 107 rating points, just two ahead of fifth-placed England who are involved in a four-Test series against South Africa.
In ICC Player Rankings for Test batsman, Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf is the highest-ranked batsman from either side. He is on fifth position, just 11 points behind Indian opener Virender Sehwag and as many points ahead of Australia’s vice-captain Michael Clarke.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting is in 14th position, his lowest ranking since October 2002. Batsmen outside the top 20 are Simon Katich (21st), Brad Haddin (28th), Kamran Akmal (32nd), Phillip Hughes (34th), Umar Akmal (36th), Imran Farhat (38th) and Marcus North (42nd). Gautam Gambhir of India heads the batting table with Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardena second and his captain Kumar Sangakkara third.
In ICC Player Rankings for Test bowlers, second-ranked Mitchell Johnson will spearhead bowling responsibilities as he is the only home team bowler involved in the series inside the top 20. Just outside the top 20 are Peter Siddle on 22nd position, Doug Bollinger in 39th place and Nathan Haurtiz is on 43rd spot.
Pakistan have Mohammad Asif (fifth) and Danish Kaneria (13th) inside the top 20 while Umar Gul is on 24th position. Dale Steyn leads the bowlers chart with Muttiah Muralidaran of Sri Lanka third.
The schedule of the series is Dec 26-30,1st Test at Melbourne Jan 3-7, 2nd Test at Sydney Jan 14-18,3rd Test at Hobart

India moves to tighten visa rules, causes confusion

2009-12-24T09:45:00.000-08:00

MUMBAI: Plans to tighten rules for Indian visas following the recent arrest of a Chicago businessman alleged to have prior knowledge of the Mumbai attacks have led to confusion and complaints at the height of the tourist season.
Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram said on Wednesday there were gaps in the visa system, which were exposed in the case of Pakistan-born David Coleman Headley, accused of making five scouting trips to Mumbai for militant Pakistani groups.
Headley allegedly used his associate's business as a cover during his trips to Mumbai.
'The compelling need to create a fool-proof system cannot be overstated,' said Chidambaram.
A draft for new rules 'for facilitating legitimate travellers and strengthening security' is likely to be ready early in 2010.
Among the new rules is a proposal restricting travellers on long-term tourist visas from entering India within two months of their last departure from India, which has led to a storm of protests.
The plan would be a blow for many tourists who use India as a hub to visit other countries in the region, as well as for some businessmen who use long-term tourist visas for regular trips to India to avoid red tape and paperwork delays.
Foreign missions in India have complained of inconsistency and a lack of clarity in the new and proposed rules.
'These new visa and registration regulations are being implemented inconsistently and are not finalised,' the US Mission in India said in a notice on its website, adding it had received complaints from several Americans about the new rules.
Local media reported British Trade Secretary Peter Mandelson, on a recent visit to India, raised the issue with Chidambaram.
'We understand the Indian government is reconsidering its plans. We have written to the government asking for some clarifications,' a British High Commission official said.
There are signs the government may reconsider. The Indian Express paper reported on Thursday the government will allow foreigners to return to India within two months as long as they make a full disclosure of their travel plans.
The move comes on the heels of limits on business visas earlier in the year: India said those working in the country on business visas needed employment permits, which affected hundreds of Chinese engineers working on power projects in the country.
On the latest proposal, travel firms hopeful of greater tourist arrivals into the country after the economic downturn and the Mumbai attacks last year, are awaiting clarity.
'We have not heard anything yet from the government. A lot of things can change, so we will wait before we issue any guidelines,' said a spokesman for Cox and Kings India.

Zardari, Kayani meet, discuss security

2009-12-23T09:36:00.000-08:00

ISLAMABAD: Army chief General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani met President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday and discussed matters of national security with him, DawnNews reported. In the meeting, General Kayani apprised the President about the military's success in the ongoing operation against militants in South Waziristan.
President Zardari and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) also discussed the military's future requirements in its fight against militancy.
Pakistan's military has been battling Taliban militants in the restive NorthWest Frontier Province (NWFP) and the tribal areas. Several militants have been killed and many soldiers have also died during the anti-Taliban drive.

Pakistan not given enough credit, says Mullen

2009-12-22T09:37:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON: Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen has said that Pakistan does not get enough credit for its role in the war against extremists although some of its achievements were ‘pretty extraordinary’.
‘Too many people eagerly and easily criticise Pakistan for what they haven’t done, and when I go to Swat and look at what they did there on the military side I think it’s pretty extraordinary,’ said the US military chief while talking to journalists on Sunday.
A report released on Monday by the American Forces Press Service, noted that last week Pakistani authorities arranged for Admiral Mullen to visit Swat and showed him the areas they had retaken from the Taliban.
‘Swat was in danger, and the Taliban began moving even closer to the Pakistani capital. Admiral Mullen’s visit there showed that the Pakistani military has done a good job of counter-insurgency. The army cleared the valley and is holding it,’ the report noted.
It quoted Admiral Mullen as saying that while Pakistan’s job in Swat was not complete yet, what Pakistanis had achieved so far was remarkable.
The report noted that more than most US officials, Admiral Mullen had a cordial and long-standing relationship with the Pakistani military.
The report pointed out that Admiral Mullen ‘advises patience and humility’ in dealing with Pakistan, a view not shared by some leading Republicans in Congress.
Separately, the Pentagon reported that Admiral Mullen signed guidelines for the US military for 2010, which goes to members of the Joint Staff and informs the joint force.
Al-Qaeda and similar terrorist groups remained the biggest threat to the United States, the admiral wrote in the guidance. ‘The threat is still real,’ he said. Defeating those groups will take more than military power, and the admiral called on the US military to work with other national agencies and international allies to take on the threat.
President Obama’s strategy has the goal of defeating Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan and to prevent the group from threatening America and its allies, he noted.
‘Our main effort now must be to push forces into the theatre as quickly as possible – including shifting the balance of enablers from Iraq,’ the admiral wrote. The enablers include such things as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets, engineers, military police and civil affairs personnel.
All aspects of the joint force needed to act more quickly, he said, urging the Defence Department and the combatant commands to send their very best people to fight the wars.

Suicide bomber targets Peshawar Press Club

2009-12-22T09:25:00.000-08:00

PESHAWAR: A suicide bomber on Tuesday attacked a Pakistan journalists' club, killing three people in the first assault on media offices.
Strapped with explosives, the man walked up to the gate of the press club in the northwestern city of Peshawar, where he blew himself up as police stopped him from entering the building, officials said.
'I was coming out of the canteen when I suddenly heard a huge blast. Smoke engulfed the building immediately and when I reached the spot, I saw human organs littered on the ground,' said television journalist Nisar Mohammad Khan.
The force of the explosion blew out the windows at the press club, damaged the guard hut and ripped through nearby vehicles, said witnesses.
'He was stopped by police deployed outside. When the police official started searching him, the attacker blew himself up,' Peshawar police chief Liaquat Ali told reporters at the scene.
Taliban militants, who are powerful in northwest Pakistan, threatened media in Peshawar, said the president of the press club, Shamim Shahid.
'We beefed up security after the threats and people coming to the club were properly checked,' he said.
Doctors at Peshawar's main Lady Reading Hospital said three people were killed - a policeman, a press club employee and a woman.
Doctor Zafar Iqbal said 17 people were wounded and later clarified that an original death toll of four included the bomber.
Police said four journalists were among the wounded.
Bomb disposal squad chief Tanveer Ahmed said most of the casualties were caused by steel pellets and nails stuffed in the suicide bomber's explosives vest.
North West Frontier Province information minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain, who visited the wreckage, acknowledged that extra security measures in place for the holy Muslim month of Muharram could not totally eliminate attacks.
'We have already taken special measures in view of Muharram but suicide attacks cannot be totally eliminated such incidents cannot be ruled out in future. But we will continue our struggle against terrorists,' he said.

Lebanese prime minister ends landmark visit to Syria

2009-12-20T08:02:00.000-08:00

DAMASCUS: Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri called on Sunday for a renewal of ties with Syria to the benefit of both states at the end of a fence-mending visit to his country's former powerbroker. It was Hariri's first trip to Damascus since the 2005 assassination of his father, ex-prime minister Rafiq Hariri, a killing that he and his US-backed allies in Beirut blamed on Syria.
Regional commentators, including Lebanon's Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, have hailed the visit as an ice-breaker and step toward healing decades of turbulent ties between the two neighbours.
'We want privileged, sincere and honest relations ... in the interest of both countries and both peoples,' the 39-year-old premier told a news conference in Damascus at the end of the landmark two-day visit.
'We want to build ties with Syria based on positive points,' he added, describing his visit during which he had three rounds of private talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as a 'historic'.
Syria dominated its tiny neighbour for nearly three decades until April 2005 when it pulled out its troops from Lebanon under international and regional pressure, two months after the assassination of Rafiq Hariri.
The two neighbours established diplomatic ties for the first time last year, with Syria opening an embassy in Beirut, while Lebanon opened its mission in Damascus in March.
The US- and Western-backed Hariri said his unity government, which includes members of the Syria- and Iran-backed Hezbollah coalition, wanted to take measures with Damascus to develop these ties.
Assad is also 'very attached to sincere relations based on common understanding' between the two countries and spoke “positively” of problems that still need to be resolved, Hariri said.
Foremost is a plan to demarcate the porous border between the two neighbours, he said.
Hariri, whose US- and Saudi-backed coalition clinched victory in a general election over the Hezbollah-led alliance in June, said Saudi Arabia 'played an important role' in paving the way for his visit to Syria.
But Hariri stressed that he did not discuss with Assad a UN-led inquiry into his father's murder nor the Special Tribunal for Lebanon that has been set up to try the suspected killers.
'The tribunal is doing its work and this is what everybody wishes,' he said.
A UN inquiry said it had evidence that Syrian and Lebanese intelligence services at the time were linked to the killing, but no charges have been brought.
Earlier this month, a Syrian court asked 25 prominent Lebanese, including individuals close to Saad Hariri, to appear for questioning over the murder.
Hariri and his US- and Western-backed allies have in the past blamed Syria for the murder and for a string of subsequent political assassinations in Lebanon. Damascus has denied any involvement.

Kamran’s ton helps Pakistan reach 437 against Tasmania

2009-12-20T08:00:00.000-08:00

HOBART: Wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal cracked a brisk century to help Pakistan reach a big score against Tasmania on the second day of their tour game here on Sunday.

Later, Pakistani bowlers reduced Tasmania to 132 runs for six wickets, as the local side is still trailing by 305 runs.

After Salman Butt's solid 153 on Saturday, Akmal increased the pace with 109 off 81 balls as the tourists reached 437 in their first innings.

He was the last man out after hitting three sixes and 17 fours.

The Pakistanis resumed at 270 for four but Umar Akmal (27) and Fawad Alam (33) could only make starts and the best of the bottom four was Umar Gul's five.

Off-spinner Jason Krejza took three for 162 off 28.4 overs.

The Pakistani bowlers enjoyed the conditions with the ball, with Mohammad Aamer striking two early blows in his spell, and when Abdur Rauf chipped in with two of his own Tasmania were 45 for four.

George Bailey steadied things with 50 before being lbw to Saeed Ajmal (two for 56), who had already picked up Tim Paine for 16.

Aamer finished with two for 18 off 10 overs while Rauf had two for 21 off 12 as they made life hard for the locals.

The three-day game, which finishes on Monday, has been a strong hit-out for the tourists ahead of the opening Test against Australia in Melbourne on Boxing Day.

'India not fulfilling commitment to resume talks'

2009-12-20T06:38:00.000-08:00

NEW DELHI: Shahid Malik, Pakistan High Commissioner to India said on Sunday that India was not fulfilling its commitment made in the Sharm-el Sheikh joint statement for resumption of talks between Islamabad and New Delhi. The 'diplomatic vacuum' would not help the cause of peace and by not talking to each other, 'we are strengthening the forces which don't want the two countries to make any progress', he said in an interview with Karan Thapar in Devil's Advocate programme on news channel CNN-IBN.
Referring to actions against suspects of Mumbai attacks, he said Pakistan was not slow in taking action. It was 'looking for credible actionable evidence' to ensure that the case is 'fool-proof', the Pakistani envoy said.
Referring to the July 16 joint statement made by Prime Ministers of both countries in Sharm-el Sheikh, Malik said it mentioned that 'the efforts that we are continuing to do in the context of terrorism and the dialogue process, they have to be delinked and they are not to be bracketed.'
He said he was 'referring to the commitment, the agreement the two Prime Ministers made in Sharm-el-Sheikh on July 16 and if you look at the joint statement, it is very clear that dialogue is the only way forward.'
'We were hoping and still continue to harbour hope that the two countries would get down and talk to each other and discuss all the issues,' he said while responding to a question.
Malik said Pakistan has been asking India to initiate dialogue process but there 'there has been no response.'
Pakistan was looking for 'a result-oriented focused dialogue' between the two countries, he said.
Expressing concerns over the two countries not talking to each other, Malik said, 'My worry is that by not talking to each other, we are strengthening the forces which don't want the two countries to make any progress.'
Asked if the two countries were not communicating with each other, Malik said the foreign offices of the two countries were in constant touch over a variety of issues but 'when it comes to holding a structured composite dialogue, yes, that is not taking place.'
Commenting on the present status of the relations between the two sides, Malik said, 'We are at a stage when we are not talking to each other. There is no diplomatic exchange and there is no dialogue.'
When asked Pakistan was not moving fast enough on investigations in the 26/11 terror attack case, Malik said, 'I would not agree with that... FIR was lodged against the seven accused in February, within four months of the tragedy.
'The trial is continuing and as a matter of fact on October 10, a formal trial against the seven accused has begun,' Malik said.
The Pakistani envoy said his country was looking for 'credible actionable evidence against the individuals (so) that our case is fool-proof and we can argue the case and it will strengthen hands of the prosecutors.'
Commenting on India's demand for early justice in the case, Malik said, 'I don't think the Indian audience wants justice of the law of the jungle to prevail. Pakistan surely doesn't.... the accused has every right to put up their own defence.'
Asked what would Pakistan do to convince India about its actions against terror, Malik said, 'I don't have to convince India... If anybody in India expects that we will be able to get up and prosecute a person, that will not help.'
When asked about action taken against Jamaat-ud-Dawa , he said, 'assets of the operatives of the JuD were frozen. There was restriction on their movement. All the practical steps that were required to be taken by the Pakistan government have been taken.'
On Pakistan government not appealing against Hafiz Saeed's release by a Pakistani High Court, he said that the federal and the Punjab governments had appealed against the court order.

Blizzard-like storm slams East US; region snowed in

2009-12-20T06:35:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON: A blizzard-like storm rocked the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast on Saturday, crippling travel across the region and leaving hundreds of thousands of customers without power.

Five deaths appeared to have been caused by the storm system, which stretched from the Carolinas north to New England and also spread into some Midwestern states. The 16 inches of snow that fell at Reagan National Airport outside Washington was the most ever recorded for a single December day, while about 16 inches had also fallen in Philadelphia.

US defence bill sets aside $1.7bn for Pakistan

2009-12-20T06:21:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON: The US defence budget, approved by Congress on Saturday, includes hundreds of millions of dollars for Pakistan.
The $636.3 billion package, approved by the US Senate by an 88-10 margin, includes two items that will benefit Pakistan: the Pakistan Counter-insurgency Capability Fund and the Coalition Support Fund.
Under the PCCF, Pakistan will receive a total of $700 million. The CSF applies to Pakistan, Afghanistan, Jordan and sometimes Egypt. Pakistan has an outstanding bill of between $1.7 billion and $1.8 billion against this fund.
Pakistani authorities who deal with this process believe that after adjustments, Pakistan should be able to get a little more than a billion dollars from the CSF.
The approval, however, will come after the resolution of the visa dispute. The US State Department said last week that Pakistan had withheld visas for hundreds of US officials and contractors, including some accountants associated with the CSF.
Pakistani diplomats in Washington told Dawn that they hoped the dispute would soon be resolved.
Under the CSF, the United States reimburses Pakistan for fighting militants along the Pak-Afghan border.
Pakistans claims are scrutinized by US accountants in Islamabad and then sent to the Pentagon for further approval.
Meanwhile, the US Congress on Saturday sent US President Barack Obama a massive annual military spending bill for signing that funds current operations in Afghanistan and pays for the troop withdrawal from Iraq.
In a rare weekend vote, the Senate approved the $636.3 billion package by an 88-10 margin. The bill had cleared the House of Representatives 395-34 on Wednesday.
President Obama is expected to send Congress an emergency spending measure of at least $30 billion early next year to pay for his recently announced decision to send 30,000 more US troops to Afghanistan.
The bill includes $101.1 billion for operations and maintenance and military personnel requirements in Iraq and Afghanistan and to carry out the planned withdrawal of all US combat forces from Iraq by August 2010.
The package also funds the purchase of 6,600 new Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) armoured vehicles configured to better resist improvised explosive devices — roadside bombs used to deadly effect by insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The bill includes $80 million to acquire more unmanned ‘Predator’ drones, a key tool in the US air war in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The spending bill upholds Mr Obamas ban on torture of detainees in US custody, continues a general provision forbidding the establishment of permanent bases in Iraq or Afghanistan, and provides no funds to close the prison for suspected terrorists at Guantanamo Bay.

Ulema take out peace rally in Islamabad

2009-12-20T06:16:00.001-08:00

ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Ulema belonging to different schools of thoughts took out a peace rally in the federal capital on Sunday.

The participants of the rally, condemning the suicide attacks, said that the suicide bombers have no connection with Islam.

Addressing the participants before the Parliament House, the Ulema said they endorse the decree issued by Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman against suicide attacks. It may mentioned here that Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman had declared the suicide attacks as un-Islamic.

The participants said that they stand by the armed forces of Pakistan and pay tribute to their jihad.

The participants vowed they would continue their efforts to promote peace.

On this occasion, the interior minister said that the people, who were trained for carrying out suicide attacks, are now escaping from the custody of terrorists.

10 cities that skipped the housing bust

2009-12-20T06:15:00.000-08:00

Unlike most of the country, these metro areas have enjoyed increases in home prices

No one will succumb to pressure and resign: Taseer

2009-12-20T05:53:00.000-08:00

LAHORE: Governor Punjab Salman Taseer Sunday reiterating Pakistan People’s Party’s stance said no one will succumb to pressure from any side and that no member of his party will resign despite allegations.

Talking to media, Salman Taseer said the democracy will stop to function if people indulged in interfering in each others affairs.

“We have struggled hard for the cause of democracy,” he said, adding, “and now I have become the biggest terrorist just because a number of false cases have been built against me.”

Salman Taseer said justice should not only be for PPP but also for the 160 million people of the country.

Dr. Farooq Sattar, Babar Ghauri not on Exit Control List

2009-12-20T05:51:00.000-08:00

ISLAMABAD: A spokesman for the Interior Ministry said that MQM ministers Dr. Farooq Sattar and Babar Ghauri were not on the Exit Control List.

A statement to this effect was issued by the Interior Ministry following the suspension of the Secretary Interior, Chaudhry Qamar Zaman by the Prime Minister. On Friday, the Interior Secretary had stopped the Defence Minister, Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar from travelling to China on an official tour.
Earlier, there were reports that the two MQM ministers' names were on the Exit Control List for being NRO beneficiaries.

FBR warns defaulters to clear dues or face action

2009-12-19T09:21:00.000-08:00

ISLAMABAD: Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Sohail Ahmed said that people who have not paid their taxes should clear the dues before December 31 otherwise FBR would take strong action against them.

Addressing the business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sohail said entrepreneurs are the partners of FBR in improving country’s economy.

He further said that FBR does not want to cause any undue trouble to anyone, however, non-tax payers should demonstrate a responsible attitude and bring themselves under the tax net.

Drone kills 5 in North Waziristan

2009-12-19T09:19:00.000-08:00

MIRAMSHAH: Five people were killed and eight others injured when a suspected US drone fired three missiles on a funeral procession in the Dattakhel tehsil of North Waziristan on Friday.
According to local people, the drones started firing missiles when victims of Thursday’s missile attack were being taken for burial after funeral prayers in Babrak Ziarat near Wazgai village of Dattakhel tehsil.
Nineteen people have been killed and 20 others injured in three drone attacks in the area in two days.
AFP news agency quoting a security official in Peshawar reported that the US drone fired four missiles hitting a house, a compound and some other structures. At least seven militants were killed and five were injured.
‘It looks like some key Taliban or Al Qaeda figures are hiding in this area and that’s why the drones are targeting this area again and again.’
An intelligence official in Miramshah confirmed the death toll and said that eight militants had been injured.
‘Our informers told us that these militants were gathered to attend the funeral prayers of those killed in yesterday’s missile attacks,’ he said.

Butt shines with 153 in tour opener in Australia

2009-12-19T08:59:00.000-08:00

HOBART: Salman Butt ensured Pakistan was in good shape after the first day of its three-day tour match against Tasmania at Bellerive Oval on Saturday.

The crafty left-hander smacked 23 boundaries on his way to 153 as he led the tourists to 4 for 270 at stumps on day one.

Umar Akmal (10 not out) and Fawad Alam were the unbeaten pair at the close of play, the latter yet to get off the mark.

On a cool and cloudy day in Hobart, it was the pacemen that had all the luck with the ball.

Tim Macdonald was the best of the Tigers' bowlers with 2 for 40, while in-form quick Brett Geeves was the man good enough to dismiss Butt when he had the opener caught behind.

China's vice-president arrives in Myanmar for talks

2009-12-19T08:55:00.001-08:00

YANGON: Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping arrived in Myanmar Saturday, an official told foreign news agency, for an overnight visit as part of a regional tour as his country's likely next leader.

Xi landed at 2.15pm (0745 GMT) in Myanmar's economic hub and former capital Yangon and was expected to travel to a gem emporium and later pay homage at the sacred Shwe Dagon pagoda, the official said.

Security was very tight around the city and no media were allowed at the airport or at the Sedona hotel where he is staying.

US senate approves 636.3 bln military budget

2009-12-19T08:53:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON: The US Congress on Saturday sent US President Barack Obama a massive annual military spending bill that funds current operations in Afghanistan and pays for the troop withdrawal from Iraq.

In a rare weekend vote, the Senate approved the 636.3-billion-dollar package, which cleared the House of Representatives 395-34 on Wednesday, by an 88-10 margin.

Obama is expected to send Congress an emergency spending measure of at least 30 billion dollars early next year to pay for his recently announced decision to send 30,000 more US troops to Afghanistan.

The bill includes 101.1 billion dollars for operations and maintenance and military personnel requirements in Iraq and Afghanistan and to carry out the planned withdrawal of all US combat forces from Iraq by August 2010.

The package also funds the purchase of 6,600 new Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) armored vehicles configured to better resist improvised explosive devices -- roadside bombs used to deadly effect by insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The bill includes 80 million dollars to acquire more unmanned "Predator" drones, a key tool in the US air war in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

That campaign deploys unmanned Predator and larger Reaper drones equipped with infrared cameras and armed with precision-guided bombs and Hellfire missiles.

With little public debate in the United States, the pace of the drone bombing raids has steadily increased, starting last year during ex-president George W. Bush's final months in office and now under Obama's tenure.

The spending bill upholds Obama's ban on torture of detainees in US custody, continues a general provision forbidding the establishment of permanent bases in Iraq or Afghanistan, and provides no funds to close the prison for suspected terrorists at Guantanamo Bay.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Saturday praised the bill's passage.

"In addition to giving our troops a pay raise and funding more than 100 million dollars for operation of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, this bill extends unemployment and makes health insurance more affordable for unemployed Americans," Reid said.

"We're keeping our country safe with critical investments in our defense and giving an important boost to our economy."

Reid took a swipe at rival Republicans, accusing them of "political maneuvering" to slow down passage of the bill in order to delay debating health care reform, the next measure the Senate will be handling.

Pentagon admits to festering differences with Pakistan

2009-12-19T08:49:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON: The Pentagon has publicly acknowledged that relationship between the United States and Pakistan is complex and that there are tensions and issues “festering from the past”.

“Certainly, our relationship with Pakistan is complex,” the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Pak-istan and Afghanistan, David Sedney, told reporters after a meeting in Washington last week between the defence delegations of the two countries.

“There have been a lot of ups and downs over the years, and there are a lot of areas where we still have a lot of open questions and where there are, for lack of a better word, issues that continue to fester from the past. While it’s unfortunate, that’s also understandable.”

The 18th Defence Consul-tative Group Session — the first since 2006 — was led by US Under-secretary of Defence for Policy Michele Flournoy and Pakistan’s Defence Secretary Lt-Gen (retd) Syed Athar Ali.

The first such meeting was held in 2002. The next meeting to assess progress will be held early next year in Islamabad.

Conceding that there were tensions on both sides, Mr Sedney said: “There’re things that Pakistan wants that we’re not able to do, things that we want that Pakistan is not able to do.”
The US official, however, played down the differences and insisted that the two sides understood each other’s positions on these issues as well.

Asked if Pakistan would now be more willing to take on the Afghan Taliban, the Pentagon official said the two countries had a “common commitment” to go after the extremists who threatened both. But that ability to go after the extremists, he said, depended on both capabilities and information, “and all of that doesn’t always exist at the same time”.

Asked if the talks also focussed on a new Pakistani offensive in North Waziristan, and against the Haqqani network and the Quetta shura, Mr Sedney said that such offensives were “not a simple, one-step, go-in, attack-and-then-leave” type operations.

“When we have exact information, exact targeting information, we will be providing it to Pakistan, and Secretary (of Defence Robert) Gates is expecting their cooperation.”

13 militants bodies found in Dera Adam Khel

2009-12-19T08:45:00.000-08:00

KOHAT: Thirteen bodies of militants have been recovered in Darra Adam Khel area near Kohat.

Sources said 13 bodies of militants have bee found in Akhorwal graveyard and Indus Highway on Saturday morning. Unknown persons killed them last night, sources added. The bodies have been shifted to hospital.

Six terrorists killed in search operation in S. Waziristan

2009-12-19T08:39:00.000-08:00

As the military offensive continues in South Waziristan, six suspected militants were killed during a search operation in Lawara Punga area near Mana in South Waziristan, an ISPR spokesman informed.
Authorities have also arrested a suspected militant commander, Zahidur Rehman, from the Peshawar airport while he was trying to escape to Dubai.
Terrorists fired rockets and arms at security forces patrolling the area, which they effectively responded to.
According to the Inter-Services Public relations spokesman, security forces have so far secured SAIN Tanga and Malik Shahi areas.
Meanwhile, six suspected militants were also arrested in a clearance operation near Pezu while huge cache of arms and ammunitions were recovered in the Shakai Sector.
A search operation is also underway in MiramShah

Swiss cases reopening challenged in SC

2009-12-19T08:36:00.000-08:00

LAHORE: A petition has been filed in Supreme Court against decision of reopening of cases filed against President Asif Zardari in Switzerland.

Barrister Zafarullah filed the petition in Lahore registry of Supreme Court stated that Supreme Court has no right to order reopening of cases within or outside the country against President Zardari because article 248 of constitution provided indemnity to President of Pakistan like other countries.

Barrister Zafarullah said Supreme Court’s decision of reopening foreign cases is unconstitutional and beyond jurisdiction. Therefore, Supreme Court should review its decision of reopening cases and declare the orders issued in this connection as void.

Babar Awan granted bail by local court

2009-12-19T08:34:00.000-08:00

RAWALPINDI: Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr Babar Awan on Friday submitted two surety bonds amounting to Rs100,000 each at a local court after being granted bail and having his arrest warrants cancelled.
According to details, the owner of local newspaper, Sheikh Iftikhar Adil, filed a case against the minister under sections 365, 398, 389 at New Town Police station in 1998. In the case, it was alleged that Dr Babar Awan intercepted Sheikh Iftikhar Adil at the Double Road and snatched cash, briefcase and other items from him before disappearing.
The arrest warrants were issued for Dr Babar Awan for failing to comply with court orders after he failed to appear before the court despite being summoned several times.
The minister personally appeared before the court soon after getting information about his arrest warrants. The court cancelled its order and accepted his surety bonds and adjourned the hearing till December 21

PPP to face cases revived after NRO verdict: CEC

2009-12-19T08:31:00.000-08:00

ISLAMABAD: The Central Executive Committee of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has passed a resolution putting complete confidence in the leadership of PPP Co-chairman and President Asif Ali Zardari.

The CEC meeting held here at the Presidency on Saturday, decided to defend the cases which stand revived after the Supreme Court’s recent decision of striking down the NRO.

President Asif Ali Zardari presided over the meeting which was attended by Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani besides senior PPP leaders Aitzaz Ahsan, Raza Rabbani, Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Syed Mehdi Shah, Lashkari Raisani, Jehangir Badar, Safdar Abbasi and others.

The meeting reviews the situation arising out of the SC verdict on NRO.

During the meeting, the party leaders also sought the expert opinion from Aitzaz Ahsan.

Team has potential to surprise in World Cup: Bajwa

2009-12-18T09:02:00.000-08:00

LAHORE: Although losing the final of the Challenge Trophy against New Zealand was a great disappointment as Pakistan lost despite executing fine play, the national team still has the potential to cause a big surprise in the upcoming World Cup to be held in India in Feb-March, 2010.

Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Secretary Olympian Asif Bajwa, who returned from Argentina as manager of the Pakistan team, which lost the final 2-4, told Dawn that though there were some gray areas noticed in the performance of the team, the overall display was quite satisfactory as it played the final and gave New Zealand a tough competition.

Pakistan lost the final after conceding two goals in the last five minutes after being tied 2-2 till the 65th minute of play.

The win helped the Kiwis qualify for next year’s Champions Trophy as Pakistan will be missing the world’s toughest hockey competition for the third consecutive time.

“We should have won the tournament because Pakistan were the favourites for the title, but the boys might have lacked due concentration in the dying minutes and paid heavy cost,” Asif said.

“There is more need to improve the mental strength of the boys for high-profile matches and there should be no lack of concentration at any stage,” Asif said.

“But I am sure the team is quite able to spring a surprise in the World Cup as it has the potential to beat any World best team on any given day,” Asif vowed.

He said though the attacking department of the team played well, short-corner defense proved weak as the team conceded eight goals on penalty-corner out of a total of 12 awarded to the rivals.

Asif, however, was satisfied with the conversion rate of Pakistan’s penalty-corner specialist Sohail Abbas.

“Sohail Abbas has a 30 per cent ratio of conversion and that is not bad. Sohail scored in almost every match and he is still our main weapon,” Asif said.

“As Sohail is our main card, ultimately the rival teams have to make a special strategy for him so they work more on him to tackle,” he said.

He said the training camp for the World Cup would start from Jan 5. However, he said, the venue of the camp was yet to be decided.

For the World Cup’s preparations the PHF had deferred the National Championship, which was scheduled from Dec 17.

Defending the decision of postponing the national event, Asif said the boys needed rest after attending long training camps for two international events.

He said it was not possible to exempt the international players from participation in the national championship to attend the training camp, because in that case their departments would have suffered.

Cellphone banking to take Pakistan by storm

2009-12-18T08:56:00.000-08:00

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is working closely with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to develop a unified regulatory framework to connect all banks with cellular operators for mobile transactions.Speaking at a press conference here on Wednesday, PTA Chairman Dr Mohammed Yaseen said the two sides were finalising a draft of ‘Third party mobile banking regulations’ that would allow mobile phone operators and banks to work together.
Dr Yaseen said the telecommunication sector of Pakistan had shown phenomenal growth in the past few years, resulting in the expansion of subscriber base which opened new doors of business opportunities in the sector.
He said currently Pakistan had overall 63 per cent teledensity, while it had significant potential for broadband proliferation. Presently, there were an insignificant 500,000 broadband subscribers in Pakistan. The broadband subscriber base grew by 146 per cent in the last fiscal year.
‘For the first time, broadband connection charges for 1mbps connection dropped below Rs1,000, providing unusual incentive to new broadband customers,’ Dr Yaseen stated.
In response to a question about 3G Services, he said the Ministry of Information Technology and Tele-communication was working on the policy for 3G licensing. The PTA had completed groundwork and would initiate the licensing process soon after it received policy from the ministry.
Commenting on the study named ‘Connectivity Scorecard 2009’ commissioned by Nokia Siemens Networks and written by Prof Leonard Waverman, a fellow of the London Business School and the consulting group LECG, Dr Yaseen underscored that it was always important to have a reference point in order to measure the growth and performance needed to enhance the working strategies of any sector.
Dr Yaseen emphasised the need and importance of local content and applications for information and communication sectors of Pakistan.
He said the PTA was trying to motivate current telecommunication market players to focus on this aspect of the telecommunication sector to take maximum advantage of the given opportunities.
He quoted the example of Bangladesh where the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) had recently launched an English-learning mobile application, which was now popular within the masses.
‘Pakistan also needs such applications with local content, especially in the fields of education and agriculture. The telecommunication sector is ranked at top levels in different categories in several studies carried out by international telecommunication organisations,’ he informed the gathering.
Head of sub-region Gulf and Pakistan for Nokia Siemens Networks, Vaqarul Islam, and Nokia Siemens Pakistan Country Head Saad Rafique, speaking on the occasion, called on the government to stimulate a return to growth with investment in the infrastructure for the 21st Century.
‘The key to improving the economy and productivity performance of every country in the world lies with the greater and better-focussed use of information and communications technology, according to the Prof Waverman study,’ they said.

NRO: SC sets up monitoring cell under Justice Rabban

2009-12-18T08:52:00.000-08:00

ISLAMABAD: The Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has set up at the Supreme Court a monitoring cell headed by Justice Ghulam Rabbani to oversee the hearing of cases restored following scrapping of NRO.

According to a SC announcement, the chief justice of high courts of the four provinces have also set up monitoring cells in line with the 16th December verdict of the apex court.

Qazi Sajid has been made the Coordinator of the monitoring cell at SC.

The announcement said that the monitoring cells at high courts of four provinces will be headed by; Chief Justice Khawaja Sharif at LHC; Justice Sarmad Jalal Usmani at SHC; Chief Justice Faiz Essa at Balochistan and; Chief Justice Aijaz Afzal at PHC.

The latest from Bollywood

2009-12-18T08:46:00.000-08:00

Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan (R) and Kajol smile during a news conference for their forthcoming movie ‘My Name is Khan’ in Mumbai. The movie is directed by Karan Johar

Special training for team’s fielding improvement: Intikhab

2009-12-18T08:26:00.000-08:00

Pakistan cricket team coach Intikhab Alam said that the national team is undergoing special training for bringing an improvement in its fielding so that to enable the team to give a tough fight to Australia during the Test series.

Talking with Geo News from Hobart, Intikhab Alam said that keeping in view the Australian wickets, Pakistani fielders are being practiced for catching in slips so that they do not drop vital catches as they did in the series against New Zealand.

The Pakistan coach said that Australia are the best fielding unit and Pakistani fielders would have to display a better performance in fielding.

Talking on the National Assembly standing committee’s proposals regarding his termination from the post, he said that he did not know about that and thus he cannot say anything in this regard.

Ajmal Kasab denies all charges

2009-12-18T08:15:00.000-08:00

AG seeks Govt directions on Swiss cases

2009-12-18T08:00:00.000-08:00

ISLAMABAD: The office of the attorney general has sought instructions of the federal law ministry for immediate reopening of the Swiss cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.

Sources privy to the law minister told Geo News the attorney general’s office has received the court’s Dec 16 judgment on the National Reconciliation Ordinance.

On this, the attorney general has written a letter to the law ministry, seeking guidelines to reopen money-laundering cases in Switzerland.

A copy of the court’s verdict has also been attached with the letter.

Over 3,000 police to guard Peshawar in Muharram

2009-12-18T07:44:00.000-08:00

PESHAWAR: More than 3,000 policemen will be deployed in Peshawar during Muharram-ul-Haram.

SSP Operation Kareem Khan told GEO News security plan for Muharram has been chalked out and more than 3,000 law enforcers will be on duty during 1st to 10th of Muharram.

According to the SSP, number of security personnel have been increased as compared to last year while police guards will be deputed in all mosques and Imam Bargahs of the city.

Frontier Constabulary will also assist police to maintain peace during Muharram in the metropolis, SSP added.

Mosque suicide blast kills 11 in Lower Dir

2009-12-18T07:38:00.000-08:00

PESHAWAR: A suicide bomber rammed a car into a mosque during Friday prayers, killing 11 people in the town of Timergara in the Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP), police said.
The explosion struck a mosque next to local police headquarters in Lower Dir district, the focus of a spring military offensive to oust militants advancing closer towards the capital Islamabad.
Muhammad Idrees Khan, deputy inspector general of police in Lower Dir, told AFP that the blast hit a mosque next to local police headquarters.
‘Now it has been confirmed that it was a suicide attack. The bomber was riding a car and he rammed his car into the outer gate of the mosque,’ he said.
Local television showed images of a huge plume of smoke rising from a small town in the mountains, while charred cars smoldered beside the blast site.
‘We have received three more dead bodies taking the death toll to 11. There are 29 injured people with us, some of them in a critical condition,’ said Doctor Wakeel Mohammad Khan, head of main hospital in Lower Dir.
‘The local residents told me that some more dead bodies are laying in the houses — we have declared an emergency in the hospital.’
The injured included children, he added, but officials were unable to say how many police were killed or wounded in the attack.
More than 2,700 people have been killed in attacks in Pakistan since July 2007, with the past three months seeing a surge in suicide bombings targeting civilian and security targets by militants avenging the army onslaught

President Zardari meets PM, ministers

2009-12-18T07:32:00.000-08:00

ISLAMABAD: President Zardari on Friday called an emergency meeting of a core group of the Pakistan People’s Party's ministers at the Presidency to discuss the country's current political situation. The meeting being attended by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Rehman Malik, Khurshid Shah, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Babar Awan, Nazir Gondal and other PPP leaders has begun, sources told DawnNews.
The meeting aimed at evolving a strategy to cope with the situation arising out of the Supreme Court's verdict on the NRO, sources said

Miss World 2009

2009-12-17T09:51:00.000-08:00

Miss Gibraltar Kaiane Aldorino won the title for Miss World 2009. Kaiane wore the crown for Miss World while the first runner-up was Miss Mexico, Perla Beltran Acosta, and Miss South Africa, Tatum Keshwar, landed as the second runner-up. The pageant was held in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Top images from the Champions League

2009-12-17T09:37:00.000-08:00

Top images from the last round of Champions League group games played on Wednesday

Oympiakos Piraeus' players celebrate after beating Arsenal during their Champions League soccer match at Karaiskaki stadium in Athens, Greece.

Ulema, Mushaikh declare suicide attacks un-Islamic

2009-12-17T09:32:00.000-08:00

ISLAMABAD: Ulema and Mushaikh belonging to different schools of thought on Thursday unanimously declared suicide attacks in the country un-Islamic and forbidden in Islam.
A large number of Ulema and Mushaikh who attend the 'Ulema Mushaikh Conference' arranged by the Ministry of Religious Affair at National Librarydenounced the killing of innocent people in the name of religion.
They, in particular spoke against suicide attacks. Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Minister for Religious Affairs Allama Hamid Saeed Kazmi and Ulema Mushaikh from across the country participated in the conference.
The interior minister also briefed the Ulema and Mushaikh about the security situation as well as measures taken by the government for curbing the menace of terrorism.
The Ulema said that it is clearly stated in the Holy Quran that killing of innocent people is un-Islamic and it could not be justified in any way.
They said 'The shariah introduced by Hazrat Muhammad (SAW), is complete and adequate for us and we do not need any thing more.'
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Religions Affairs Allama Hamid Saeed Kazmi said that the conference was arranged with an aim to devise a strategy against terrorism.
He said those who launched attacks upon mosques and educational institutions could never be called Muslims. He said Islam does not allow anyone to kill innocent people or attack mosques.
'While those laying down their lives in the fight against terrorism are martyrs as they are fighting to save the motherland,' he said.
The minister said no one in the country could declare suicide attacks as correct. He urged people to join hands with the government against terrorists.
He added that all the demands of the ulema and Mushaikh have been included in the resolution adopted by the conference.
Hamid Kazmi said before launching the military operation in Waziristan all options were used to solve the issue through peaceful way.
'The whole nation witnessed that the government wanted to solve the issue through dialogue and it only opted to use power when the militants started challenging the writ of the government,' he said.
He said there would be no dialogue with the militants unless they surrender. He urged the nation to display unity and work for the progress and prosperity of the country.
He said Islam is a religion of peace, harmony and tolerance and dose not allow to spread hatred.
Prominent religious scholar, Syed Charaghuddin Shah said that Ulema believe that the people who are committing terrorists actives have no link with Islam.
He said the conspiracies of enemies to de-stabilize Pakistan would never succeed.
Naib Ameer Ahl-e-Hadith Zabir Muhammad Zaheer said that the enemies of Islam would not succeed to achieve their evil motives. He said that those wanting to de-stabilize the country would themselves be destroyed.
Speaking on the occasion a representative of Hamid Musvi said that the terrorists who are killing innocent people are the enemies of humanity and Islam.
He also quoted the Holy Quran and proved that killing of innocent people was not allowed in Islam.

NRO beneficiaries on Exit Control List

2009-12-17T09:28:00.000-08:00

ISLAMABAD: The interior ministry, in compliance with the NAB’s directives, has issued arrest warrants against 252 beneficiaries of the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO). The names of the 252 have been placed on the Exit Control List.
The bank accounts of many of the beneficiaries have been frozen and their properties seized.

Troops kill 49 during Fata operations

2009-12-16T08:53:00.000-08:00

ISLAMABAD: The army said Wednesday it had killed 49 insurgents in the northwest, widening the net in the lawless tribal belt.
Ground and air operations hit in the Orakzai and Kurram districts in the centre of the tribal belt, Pakistani officials said.
‘At least 18 militants were killed when helicopters pounded Toorikhel town of Orakzai when militants were holding an important meeting,’ paramilitary spokesman Major Fazlur Rehman said.
Local administration official Riaz Khan confirmed the toll and said four more people were killed in air strikes in the town of Sultanzai in Orakzai.
The military also mounted a ground and air offensive in Dagar, a town in the Kurram district, killing 21 militants, Rehman said.
In its daily briefing on the South Waziristan operation, the army said Wednesday that six militants and one soldier had been killed in the last 24 hours in raids and clashes in the region
Such death tolls supplied by the military are impossible to confirm independently, with the region out of bounds to media and most aid groups.

Iran test-fires medium-range Sejil-2 missile

2009-12-16T08:19:00.000-08:00

A defiant Iran on Wednesday test-fired an improved version of its Sejil 2 medium-range missile which it says can reach targets inside Israel, prompting a sharp rebuke from Britain. "It hit the defined target," state television reported, without giving further details. The two-stage Sejil, powered by solid fuel, is capable according to Iran of travelling 2,000 kilometres (1,240 miles), which would put arch-foe Israel, most Arab states and parts of Europe, including much of Turkey, within range. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the test of the missile was a matter of "serious concern" and makes the case for "moving further on sanctions." Brown is in Copenhagen for the United Nations climate summit, where he discussed the development with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.