LONDON — Cricketer turned politician Imran Khan called Thursday for the army to withdraw from Pakistan's tribal areas and for talks with the Taliban, warning that the country faced "catastrophe" otherwise.
Khan said the US-Pakistan military offensive in the areas bordering Afghanistan was turning locals massively against the United States and boosting support for the militants.
US drone strikes on militants were sparking "anger and hatred" in the area, said Khan, who leads the marginal Tehrik-e-Insaf (Movement for Justice).
"The solution is to hold a dialogue with the militants," he told an audience at the Chatham House foreign policy thinktank in London. "The solution is to win them onto our side, not to bomb them with airstrikes."
Otherwise, he warned: "If we continue with this military operation we are facing a catastrophe."
The militants operating in the tribal areas did not share the beliefs of the Afghan Taliban, who wanted to create an Islamist state, he said.
"In my opinion, they are political Taliban, they are not religious Taliban.
"They will fade away as soon as the Pakistan army moves back and dialogue is held," he added.
Khan said that Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf once described him as "a terrorist without a beard" for suggesting talks with the militants, but now it was an idea being promoted by others.
"Now even (Afghan President) Hamid Karzai considers (Taliban supreme leader) Mullah Omar to be a brother," Khan added, to laughter from the audience.
He also criticised the tactics of the US military surge in Afghanistan.
"The only way I see the surge being effective is if they use their muscle to get the Taliban to the negotiating table.
"If they use the surge for more bloodshed, I can guarantee they will leave behind -- because they will leave -- a far more radical government than the one it replaced."
A US drone strike in the lawless northwest border area Thursday targeted Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud, officials said, although the militia denied reports that he was among 10 killed.

The Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf has branded team-mate Salman Butt "selfish" after being run out by the opener to leave the tourists in a seemingly hopeless position at the end of day two of the third Test against Australia. Butt not only ran out his captain and his team's best batsman in the last 30 minutes of play but then compounded his error by doing the same shortly after to his team's next-best batsman, Umar Akmal.
The two costly run-outs left Pakistan on 94 for four at stumps at Bellerive Oval in reply to Australia's massive first-innings total of 519 for eight declared, still needing another 226 runs to avoid the follow-on.The Australia captain, Ricky Ponting, said after the end of play he would likely enforce the follow-on given the forecast of rain for each of the last three days of this match.
"We are not playing for self, we are playing for country," said Yousuf, who also branded Butt "lazy", at the close of play. "I am 35 years old, he is 25 years old, why not take three runs?"
The Yousuf run-out occurred after the Pakistan captain had played a splendid off-drive off Doug Bollinger and, having run two, called for an easily-achievable third run. But, despite the fact it was Yousuf that was running to the danger end, Butt stood his ground at the non-striker's end, leaving his captain stranded - as he would also do later when Akmal called for a single off the bowling of Nathan Hauritz. Yousuf lingered for what seemed an eternity after the run-out as he glared at his partner before trudging from the field.
"I just stopped there and didn't say anything but I was very sad because of him," said Yousuf. "He is just 25 years old and he can't run and that is why I was just standing there."
Yousuf said Butt, who ended the day not out on 34 - and along with not-out batsman Shoaib Malik is the team's last remaining specialist batsman - now owes his team a big innings when play resumes tomorrow.
"We will try to lift him and play out the whole day tomorrow," he said of Butt. "We are not out of the match still and maybe both players can bat until tomorrow evening."
But Yousuf admitted his team faced a huge task to prevent a record 12th successive Test defeat at the hands of Australia. "It will be difficult for us to save the game now but it's a very flat wicket. And if we play for country and try to survive sessions and not go for runs then maybe we can save the game."

ISLAMABAD: Federal Health Minister Makhdoom Shahabuddin told the National Assembly on Tuesday that the swine flu vaccine would reach Pakistan within a week.

In contrast with the widely accepted medical opinion, he said, swine flu was not that harmful and could easily be cured adding sufficient medicine was available with the government to cure the virus.

“In Pakistan, the first case was detected in August 2009 and the government has taken the necessary preventive measures,” said Shahabuddin.

The health minister told the House that Tammy Flu, a curative capsule has
been distributed across the country and 50,000 capsules have been provided to Punjab, 30,000 to Sindh and 8,000 each to Balochistan and the NWFP.

He said the vaccine would reach Pakistan within one week, as only 12 companies in the world were manufacturing this preventive vaccine and supply it only to governments through the World Health Organisation, not any individual. Shahabuddin told the House that an awareness drive was being initiated to inform the general public about preventive measures.

US asked to 'review footprint in Pakistan'

US missile strike kills 16 in Pakistan

US can't win Afghan war without Pakistan: Gilani

Plan to attack parliament foiled: Rehman Malik

232 suicide attacks took place during eight years: Senate told Associated Press

KARACHI: In an effort to curb the spate of violence in Karachi, a meeting between representatives of the Pakistan People’s Party and Muttahida Qaumi Movement at the Governor’s House on Sunday resolved that all those behind targeted killings in the city would be dealt with sternly without regard to their political affiliation.
By the time the meeting ended on Sunday night at least 10 people had been gunned down in the city, taking the death toll in four days of violence to more than 35.

The meeting was convened by Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad and was attended, among others, by federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah (who represented the PPP) and federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Dr Farooq Sattar (who and the governor represented the MQM).
Announcing the decisions taken at the three-hour meeting, Mr Malik said the nature of the ongoing violence was neither political nor ethnic because criminals were behind it. In the main, land grabbers, drug barons, human traffickers and other criminals who wanted to destabilise the provincial metropolis were killing people under the garb of various peace committees, said Mr Malik.
The minister said such elements were misusing their purported links with the PPP or MQM to drive a wedge between the two coalition partners in Sindh. However, it had been decided that stern action would be taken against all the elements behind the killings, regardless of their political affiliations, if any.
Mr Malik announced that in matters relating to the violence and the subsequent dialogue between the two parties, only he and Chief Minister Shah had been authorised to speak on behalf of the PPP and Dr Sattar and Governor Ibad on behalf of the MQM.
He said that during the meeting, participants held consultations with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and MQM chief Altaf Hussain.
Mr Malik said every issue of importance was discussed thoroughly because Karachi was the country’s economic hub and the government wanted to spare no efforts to restore peace.
Dr Sattar said the interior minister had assured the MQM that all those who were involved in targeted killings would be arrested and given due punishment and there would be no discrimination or favour.
The government had also promised to use all its resources to jointly foil any future conspiracies, he said. The Baloch living in Karachi would never be left at the mercy of drug barons and land grabbers.
Dr Sattar expressed the hope that all decisions taken at the meeting would be implemented in letter and spirit.
Chief Minister Shah said some people involved in the killings had been claiming that they were PPP or MQM loyalists. All such elements would be dealt with strictly.He said additional powers had been given to Rangers to maintain law and order in the city.
Syed Sardar Ahmad, Babar Ghauri, Adil Siddiqui and Dr Saghir Ahmad represented MQM at the meeting and PPP was represented by Manzoor Wassan, Rafique Engineer, Syed Murad Ali Shah, Mian Rashid Rabbani and Ali Mardan Shah.

Tags: mqm,ppp,karachi violence

Meanwhile, a senior officer in Jammu said a BSF jawan Shurvir Singh was killed in cross- border firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of IHK on Monday. There was a heavy cross-border firing from Pakistan on Sabzain Forward Defence Location (FDL) along LoC in Poonch district around 1130 hours today, the Army officer alleged. There were also reports of firing of two rockets on the forward post in the same area at 1135 and 1145 hours respectively, he alleged.

 

HOBART: Young Pakistani middle order promising batsman Umar Akmal has come to fitness problems due to muscle pull amid practice session here in Hobart on Sunday evening, Geo news reported.

He was a due inclusion in third cricket Test match against Australia to be played here from 14 January due to his constant performance in all forms of cricket.

It may be mentioned during his short Test cricket career, the stylish and brave Umar has struck one brilliant century and four half centuries, averaging in 60s. 

FAISALABAD: Value Added Textile Sector has welcomed the federal Cabinet Committee's decision to cap export of cotton yarn and termed it a right decision towards a right direction and partial solution of the prevailing crisis. Speaking at a joint press conference at Pakistan Textile Exporters Association headquarters here on Saturday, Khurrum Mukhtar chairman, Sohail Pasha Vice chairman PTEA, Rana Mushtaq Khan central chairman Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association (PHMA) and Rana Ikhlaq Ahmed chairman Pakistan Cotton Power Looms Association said that for the first time in the history of Pakistan, requirements of VATS have been officially recognized at the highest forum. It was said the cabinet decision will help increase the immediate availability of yarn by 20 percent. They said that average cotton yarn export during the last three years was calculated at 40.59 million kilogram per month. However, contrary to this, cabinet committee has capped its export at 50 million kilogram per month. This decision would only fulfill the requirement of the VATS partially. However, government's attitude and direction to handle this issue is appreciable, they said and particularly thanked President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Finance Minister Shaukat Tareen and Textile Minister Rana Mohammad Rafooq Saeed Khan for officially accepting the demand of VATS at highest forum. Lamenting over the jugglery of figures, they said that some vested interests have succeeded convincing cabinet committee to cap the export of cotton yarn at exaggerated limit of 50 million kilogram per month. "We have discretion to challenge these figures for its revision in according to the actual export of last three years," they added. They said that capping of cotton yarn export at 50 million kg per month would help to partially ease the situation but for its permanent solution government will have to revise this figure to actual average export of last three months. "We are waiting for the impact of this decision on local market," they said and added that VATS would be forced to revise the export limit if this decision failed to yield positive result in the local markets. Khurram Mukhtar clarified that VATS was not against spinning sector. It is backbone of the VATS and we want its steady growth subject to the availability of yarn at reasonable rates to the VATS. It was in this respect that we support demand of 2% subsidy for the spinning sector, they added. Regarding load shedding of electricity, they said that they are in contact with the concerned quarters and hopefully this issue would also be resolved within next few days. Rana Mushtaq Khan central chairman PHMA said that decision of the cabinet committee had already been notified while Trade Development Authority of Pakistan has been entrusted task to monitor the export of cotton yarn on first come first serve basis. Reiterating other demands of VATS, they demanded withdrawal of cross subsidies on gas to bring down the prices of gas for the textile sector.

WASHINGTON: The U.S. military does not intend to put ground troops in Yemen, a country where al Qaeda operatives have become an increasing threat, Gen. David Petraeus said while talking to a US-based news channel in an interview to be aired Sunday. However, the United States plans to more than double its security assistance funding to Yemen, from $70 million to more than $150 million, Petraeus, head of U.S. Central Command, told CNN's Christiane Amanpour at CENTCOM headquarters in Tampa. Petraeus, who recently returned from his visit to the Arab nation, said Yemen's foreign minister was "quite clear that Yemen does not want to have American ground troops there. And that's a good -- good response for us to hear, certainly." Asked on whether there were plans to send troops there, he replied, "No, of course, we would always want a host nation to deal with a problem itself. We want to help. We're providing assistance." "Again, we haven't discussed the assistance that we have provided in Yemen, and I'm afraid I won't here today," he said. The general said the United States has been concerned about al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula for several years, saying, "Without question, it has ramped up over the course of the last year or more in particular, with training camps and so forth there." Still, in comments made off camera, Petraeus said the group "isn't industrial strength." Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh has told the United States that Yemen rather handle al Qaeda on its own, and the United States plans to honor that, Petraeus said. "It threatened the embassies of various countries that are important to Yemen and, in fact, assassinated some government officials," Petraeus said, referring to the al Qaeda branch in Yemen. "So there is an enormous incentive here for President Saleh and the government of Yemen, indeed, to confront al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and the growth that we have seen in its training camp structure and the other infrastructure that they've been able to establish in recent years." Petraeus said al Qaeda's growth in Yemen became increasingly worrisome for him two years ago. Washington began to view the ancestral home of al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden as a possible haven for the group as early as 2001. As al Qaeda was pushed out of Saudi Arabia -- and under pressure in Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan -- they took refuge in Yemen, he said. Last Sunday, the United States decided to briefly close its embassy in Yemen after intelligence suggested that four al Qaeda operatives may be planning an attack on the compound. The embassy reopened Tuesday. Britain, too, closed its embassy Sunday, citing security concerns, while other foreign embassies beefed up security or closed to the public. Yet, Petraeus said Yemen is not the most important locale in the U.S. war on terror. "That would likely still be the western Pakistan-Afghanistan border area," he said. "We have not devoted the kind of resources to it that is necessary. I know what it takes. We built an intelligence structure, we built an entire organization overall in Iraq to conduct counterinsurgency operations. And it requires a significant commitment. "We are now making that kind of commitment to Afghanistan, but we had not before." The general added that strides have been made in the fight against terrorists. "I think there's been progress overall over the course of the last year against al Qaeda," Petraeus said. "I think that in general its capability has diminished, but that's only, again, a relative judgment ... Al Qaeda does still have an ability there to carry out periodic horrific attacks, and so we must maintain the pressure on Al Qaeda wherever it is found."

KARACHI: Unknown assailants have shot dead another 11 persons in last 15 hours in separate parts of Karachi while according to police calculation, the death toll by target killings in Karachi has risen to 39 people in last 3 days and scores another sustained injuries, Geo news Sunday reported. According to police sources, the incidents of fierce clashes and indiscriminate firing remained continuous in Lyari, Garden and many others parts of metropolis on Saturday while in the latest incidents, a total of 11 more people have been gunned down. The areas witnessed the target shootings included Lyari, Garden, Surjani Town, Kharadar, Aaram Bagh and Eid Gah localities in metropolis city as 3 persons, identified as Aamir Baloch, Shakir Baloch and Nawaz Baloch, were lately gunned down in Lyari. Najmi Alam, president PPP Karachi division told Geo news, three fell victims to target killing yesterday belonged to PPP city area and called on government for arrest of responsible assailants. Police and rangers officials also claimed presence of rising tension in many parts of Karachi including Lyari, Garden, Kharadar, Aagra Taaj and Usmanabad areas besides arrests of many suspected youths who are being investigated.

KARACHI: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad has called a meeting of ruling parties as the tension mounted between the PPP and MQM due to current wave of target killings in Karachi. According to sources, the meeting will take place at the Governor House on Sunday. It may be reminded that the meeting has been called in the backdrop of harsh statements exchanged by the leaders of PPP and MQM against each other. Earlier, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah also stopped PPP’s ministers from giving statements against the MQM.

The blast happened in Balida Town, a poor neighbourhood of the southern city, Pakistan's commercial hub.
The blast's cause was not immediately known, but police said explosives had stored at the house may have gone off.
In December, a suicide bomb attack on a Shia Muslim march in Karachi, claimed by the Taliban, killed 43 people and injured dozens more.
"There was a blast in a house in [Karachi's] Balida Town in which six people were killed. The house collapsed. We are trying to ascertain the exact nature of the blast," senior police official Abdul Majeed Dasti told the AFP news agency.
He said hand grenades and a Kalashnikov rifle had been found at the site of the explosion.
Karachi police chief Waseem Ahmad said explosives stored in the house appeared to have caused the explosion.
"It seems that the house was being used by terrorists. We are taking utmost care in removing the rubble," Mr Ahmad.
It was not clear whether the dead were residents of the house or were passers-by.
Pakistan has seen an upsurge in violence in recent months.
Hundreds of civilians have died in bomb attacks as Pakistan's army concludes an offensive against Taliban militants in South Waziristan and surrounding areas.

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has allowed the country’s military to carry out air strikes on the identified Taliban havens located in the intricate mountain terrains in Tribal Areas.

During his meeting with Pakistani Army Chief Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Thursday, Zardari, in his capacity as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, approved the coordinated efforts of the armed forces against militants.

“Matters related to operational preparedness of Pakistan Army, security situation and the ongoing drive against militancy and extremism came under discussion,” The Nation quoted a statement released after the meeting, as saying.

Earlier, Kayani briefed Zardari about the operational decisions taken during the meeting of high command of the Pakistan Army on Thursday, wherein the Air Chief was also present.

Kayani also told Zardari about the situation arising after a recent statement by the Indian army chief about the Indian potential to confront both Pakistan and China at the same time.


Sources said Zardari was also briefed about the decisions at the cabinet committee of defence under Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani about the maintenance of minimum deterrence.

KARACHI: Pakistan is a peace-loving nation and we are willing to go an extra mile to resolve all our issues through dialogue. We sincerely hope that the solutions we achieve are just, principled and long lasting. However, our desire for peace must not be taken as a sign of weakness.

ISLAMABAD: The parliamentary committee on constitutional reforms continued on Wednesday to chip away at the president’s discretionary powers and agreed to bind the president and governors to consult public office holders before appointing caretaker governments.

The committee, which met under Senator Raza Rabbani at the Parliament House here, reviewed articles of the Constitution (222 to 226) relating to the electoral process, sources told Dawn.

On Tuesday, the committee had agreed to abolish the presidential powers to appoint chief election commissioner (CEC), besides extending the CEC’s term from three to five years.

Article 224(1) states: “Provided that on dissolution of an assembly on completion of its term, the president, in his discretion, or, as the case may be, the governor, in his discretion but with the previous approval of the president, shall appoint a caretaker cabinet.”


Former president Ziaul Haq had amended the constitution in 1985 to empower the head of state to dissolve the National Assembly. Governors got powers to dissolve provincial assemblies.

It was removed through the 13th Amendment in 1997. The clause was re-introduced by Gen Pervez Musharraf through the 17th Amendment in 2003.

According to the 1973 Constitution, the president or the governors could not dissolve assemblies before the completion of their five-year term and only the prime minister or the chief minister of a province could advise the president or the governor to dissolve the assembly before time.

The parliamentary committee had already agreed to abolish Article 58-2(B) from the Constitution.

The committee will meet again on Thursday morning to review the articles dealing with Islamic provisions.

It is also expected to discuss articles relating to the proclamation of emergency and suspension of fundamental rights.
Tags: onstitutional reforms committee,Raza Rabbani

Back-to-back missile strikes on a training camp in Pakistan's lawless tribal region killed at least 13 militants Wednesday, the latest in a string of apparent U.S. attacks on Taliban targets in the wake of last week's suicide bombing at a CIA base in Afghanistan, U.S. and Pakistani officials said.
Pakistani sources said both missiles were fired by what appeared to remote-controlled drone aircraft. The CIA has staged more than 50 such strikes in the past year in Pakistan's autonomous tribal belt, long a sanctuary to Taliban militants and, U.S. officials believe, al-Qaeda's top leadership.
Wednesday's attacks brought to five the number of strikes against Taliban targets since Dec. 30, when a suicide bomber killed eight U.S. and allied intelligence operatives and wounded six others at the CIA's Forward Operating Base Chapman in eastern Afghanistan.
The CIA declines to comment on such strikes, and U.S. counterterrorism officials cautioned Wednesday against linking the latest attacks to last week's suicide bombing.

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Wednesday approved in principle the regularisation of over 4,000 Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) employees who have served for more than nine months, and decided to regularise others after they have completed this prescribed service length.

Syed Sumsam Bukhari, minister of state for information, told reporters after the meeting that the cabinet was also briefed on the status of wheat, flour and sugar stocks. He said the prime minister had directed the authorities to stabilise the prices of these essentials.

He said the cabinet also considered a report on the affairs of the Industrial Development Bank of Pakistan (IDBP) and the case for its corporatisation and restructuring. The cabinet was told that the bank’s current, negative net worth was Rs 28.17 billion, while total deposits stood at Rs 3.836 billion. It was decided that those responsible for the bank’s losses, imprudent lending and loan waivers would be held accountable. A committee – headed by the minister for law and justice and including representatives of the State Bank of Pakistan, an independent banker and an auditor – was formed to scrutinise a random sample of written-off loans to establish their propriety.

A committee of the ministers for finance and revenue, law and justice, and industries and production recommended restructuring IDBP as Industrial Development Bank Limited (IDBL). The meeting also ratified the decisions made by the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation. The ratified decisions include adequate government representation on the boards of privatised entities. Under a new policy, 12 percent shares would be reserved for workers of the privatised entities.

The cabinet also ratified the decisions made by the ECC on December 15. In a bid to undertake scientific, technological and socio-economic research on climate change, the cabinet approved a proposal to establish the ‘Global Change Impact Studies Centre’ as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Environment.

NEW DELHI: Condemning suicide attacks across the Line of Control (LoC) in Rawlakot and Srinagar, Pakistan on Wednesday called for an early resolution of the Kashmir dispute to end the bloodshed and instability in the region.

Talking to reporters after her interactions with Kashmiri pro-freedom leaders, National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza said the issue could not be put on the “backburner” and the government as well as the country’s parliament was committed to resolving the issue peacefully.

Departing from demands of seeking an alternative resolution of the issue, as envisaged by the moderate faction of the All-Parties Hurriyat Conference and former president Pervez Musharraf, Fehmida reiterated that Pakistan “wants a resolution of the issue by granting the right of self-determination to the people of Kashmir under UN resolutions. We cannot put the Kashmir issue to the backburner,” she said.

Jugular: Supporting President Asif Ali Zardari’s tough stance on Kashmir, she called Kashmir the “jugular vein” of Pakistan, saying there was no question of leaving the issue and the Kashmiri people in a lurch.

On her meetings with Kashmiri leaders, Fehmida said she listened to all of them and conveyed the stance of Pakistan’s parliament to the leaders.

Earlier, a four member delegation of the APHC, led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and consisting of Syed Ali Geelani and JKLF chief Mohammad Yasin Malik called on Fehmida at the Pakistan High Commission.

Later, Mirwaiz said he had urged an early resumption of the composite dialogue process, adding that regional peace was imperative to the resolution of the Kashmir dispute, which is part of the composite dialogue process.

Sources said he also sought support of Pakistan for his “quite talks” with the Indian government.

Resolution: Without mentioning the recent attack on his colleague Fazl Haq Qureshi, Mirwaiz told Fehmida that APHC’s interactions with the Indian government were part of their agenda for a resolution of the Kashmir issue and improving the climate for the larger India-Pakistan relations.

Addressing a ceremony in honour of the visiting speaker, Pakistani High Commissioner Shahid Malik said normalisation was critical for a peaceful and prosperous neighbourhood.

“We want close and friendly relations with India and a sustained engagement will bring fruits of peace and prosperity,” he said.

Malik said peace did not accrue from treaties and joint statements but from hearts and minds.

Fehmida said it was necessary to keep channels of communication as well as bilateral dialogue open.

She recalled the statement issued by the Indian and Pakistani prime ministers at of Sharm El Sheikh in July last year, where they agreed that dialogue was the only way forward to resolve all outstanding issues between the two countries.

The speaker also reiterated the commitment of her parliament, government and the people of Pakistan to fight and defeat terrorism as well as help in building an environment of peace and stability for the prosperity of people in the region.

 KARACHI: At least four persons, suspected of involvement in Karachi carnage, have been nabbed from locality of Shah Faisal Colony here in metropolis on Tuesday, Geo news reported.

According to police sources, the arrested persons, identified as Zamir Ali alias Shah Ali, Tariq Aziz, Mubashir Ahmed and Nazar Pathan, are being investigated.

Later on contacting from Geo news, the investigation officials confirmed the arrests, saying that under arrest four suspects belong to a banned religious outfit.

It may be mentioned that intelligence agencies, including CID, are investigating them.

 ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has summoned an all-important meeting of the Federal Cabinet on Wednesday (today) to review the gas, sugar and power crises besides prevailing law and order situation.

According to PM house Sources, host of issues of national interest like overall security situation, daily wages employees, economic affairs, defense, trade and other matters and projects are expected to take place in this regard.

Sources say that the performance of some of the departments while Industrial development Bank performance also will be monitored in length.

Cabinet will look carefully on load shedding, gas and prices of Sugar as masses are facing immense difficulties to cope with such unremitting problems since last many months.

Important decisions are likely to take place during the course of the Federal cabinet meeting, Sources added.

Pakistan set 176-run target to win

SYDNEY: Australia were dismissed for 381 runs in second innings setting Pakistan 176-run target to win second Test of three match series here at SCG on Wednesday.

Pakistan took two quick wickets shortly after lunch break dismissing Bollinger and Siddle – two Australian tail-enders.

Michael Hussey remained unbeaten for 134 runs while Danish Kaneria claimed 5 wickets to complete his 250 wickets in test matches.

 KARACHI: Governor Sindh Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan, on a sudden visit to Karachi’s Bolton market, said the investigation into Karachi incidents is underway.

He said a committee has already been formed to estimate the losses of the Bolton market.

Ebad said important evidence has also been obtained while weapon is also recovered from the area and a suspect is arrested in this regard.

It may be noted that CCPO Karachi had revealed that police have reached to the culprits of Karachi incident and they will be presented before media within a week.

With the release of Nexus One, Google Inc. is looking to flip the cellular world on its head by offering what it is calling the world’s first “super phone.”
But super or not, the device is not yet available in Pakistan.
“We want to gradually roll out Nexus One to gain customer feedback gradually and make sure the ordering process works smoothly,” said Wendy Rozeluk, a spokeswoman for Google Pakistan.. “The only countries in which it will be shipping is the U.S., the U.K., Hong Kong and Singapore. Those are our first test markets.”
The company would not say when the phone would be made available to Pakistanis.
In a first for cellphone makers, Google will not be selling Nexus One through wireless-service provides, which in Pakistan was be companies like Rogers or Bell. Instead, it will sell the phones through its website, www.google.com/phone, and allow customers to pick which network they want to operate their phone on.
The flashy new device, which made its debut at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Tuesday, is expected to finally give Apple Inc.’s iPhone a run for its money in the smartphone arena. The Nexus phone is as slim as a pencil, weighs about as much as a cigarette lighter (130 grams) and has a surface area similar to a deck of cards.
Nexus One, which works on both GSM and CDMA phone networks, has a slightly larger screen than the iPhone, is capable of taking five-megapixel photographs and has the ability to record DVD-quality videos. The phone is also voice activated, allowing people to speak names, numbers or messages, which will then be turned into text by the phone and either dialed or e-mailed automatically. Similarly, by simply speaking an address, the phone’s built-in GPS will find the location and provide directions.
“It really brings the web, the computer and your phone together. That is where the Nexus name actually comes from,” said Rozeluk. “A Nexus is really a convergence point. This is about making people’s lives easier.
Nexus One, which is manufactured by phone maker HTC Corp., runs Google’s popular Android operating system. Android offers users a touch-screen interface and the ability to run multiple applications at the same time. Apple’s iPhone can only run one application at a time.
Android also offers a large application store — similar to Apple’s App Store — called the Android Market. However, unlike Apple, all of the applications made available for Android are free.
The phone garnered instant praise from industry observers, including Steve Hilton, head of enterprise research for Analysys Mason Research in Boston, who called the device the “Ferrari” of the smart phone world.
The new device extends Google’s grasp on consumers and tie together its numerous service offerings including Internet search, Gmail, Google Docs, Google Voice, Google Messenger and others, so they can be accessed from a single portable device wherever people might be.
“With this device, Google will be able to extend their products to consumers (and business) on the go,” said Amit Kaminer, a research analyst with the SeaBoard Group in Toronto.
What remains to be seen is how the Nexus One could be used with Google’s new Google Voice application, which is now being tested in the United States.
Google Voice automatically links certain cellphones with home and business lines, bypassing existing cellular networks. Users must be within range of a wireless Internet connection for it to work. In cities such as Boston and Toronto, where Wi-Fi Internet networks will soon blanket the urban area, the software will allow consumers to say goodbye to monthly cellphone bills entirely.

After 15 overs in the morning session, the home side had reached 8 for 323, a lead of 117, with Hussey unbeaten on 104 and Peter Siddle lending a hand with 16 not out.
After leg spinner Danish Kaneria brought Australia's middle order to its knees in the final session on Tuesday, Hussey conquered batting with the tail and a turning pitch to keep the home side's innings alive.
The left-hander resumed on 73 and he and Siddle took advantage of Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf's passive field placements and a fourth-day pitch that looked ideal for batting on.
Yousuf's men were pushed back, presumably to allow the batsmen to take quick singles to rotate Siddle to the strike, and the Australians did just that, cautiously making runs when they could.
The pair brought up their 50 partnership in 109 balls when Hussey turned a single off Umar Gul, and the left-hander opted not to let Shane Watson's "90s nerves" transfer to his innings.
Hussey faced just 11 balls between 90 and 100, striking three elegant boundaries including a deliberate jab over the slips cordon and the shot that brought up his ton.
Watson said yesterday that if Hussey and Siddle can keep building a lead for Australia, anything is possible.
"I definitely think we're still in it, obviously not the day that we really were hoping for," he said.
"It would have been nice to get at least 200 in front, I think while Mike Hussey and Peter Siddle are there we're still a chance," he said.
"Best-case scenario I reckon maybe 150 would be a target that would, I think, if everything goes well and we bowl well, there's a chance that we could give ourselves an opportunity to win the game."
Australia's steady, patient ninth-wicket stand is staving off what could become Pakistan's first win in Australia in more than 14 years.
The last time it was victorious in this country was in November 1995 at this ground, when Wasim Akram's team won by 74 runs thanks in part to a first-innings 137 by Ijaz Ahmed.

PM says Pakistan mindful of policies that could undermine stability in region
* Peace in Afghanistan a matter of interest to Pakistan

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Strategic stability in South Asia is a pre-requisite for lasting peace and prosperity for the people of the region, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Tuesday.

Presiding over a meeting of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet, Gilani said, “We are mindful of the policies and trends that can undermine strategic stability in our region. Pakistan will be obliged to counter such negative trends by all appropriate means”.

The meeting was held to evaluate the security situation in the light of global and regional developments and their impact on Pakistan.

Gilani said there was a need to review the country’s ongoing counter-terrorism and law enforcement actions.

He said Pakistan had utilised its national capacity to execute the campaign on counterterrorism and success of its efforts stood out in sharp contrast to what the coalition forces in Afghanistan had been able to achieve over the past nine years.

He said the people responded generously to his appeal for contributions and Rs 2.4 billion were raised through the Prime Minister’s Special Fund for Relief of Victims of Terrorism.

Gilani also appreciated the solidarity and support by the international community for the country’s efforts to help the displaced persons.

He said Rs 10.2 billion were released to the NWFP government in the last six months as cash grant for food and relief and rehabilitation.

He said Rs 2.6 billion had been released for South Waziristan, adding that the funds were being utilised for cash assistance, relief and rehabilitation in a transparent manner.

Separately, he said the government had provided Rs 7.1 billion to the NWFP government for capacity building of law enforcement agencies as well as for compensation payments.

Rs 332 million had been given to the Interior Ministry to help meet its security-related expenses.

A total of Rs 20.2 billion had been sanctioned during the last six months for the aforementioned purposes, he said. “The total allocation from our budget for relief, rehabilitation and capacity building is Rs 50 billion,” Gilani said.

The federal government would contribute Rs 500 million to the “Shuhada Trust Fund” with Rs 50 million for each province.

In recognition of the sacrifices rendered by the country’s armed forces, the government had already announced an increase in their salaries, the prime minister said.

Legitimate interest: He said Pakistan was a peace-loving country. “We will continue to endeavour to promote peace, security and stability in our region. We have for over three decades shouldered the burden of 3.5 million Afghan refugees. We continue to be directly impacted by the conflict in Afghanistan. Restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan is a matter of direct and legitimate interest to Pakistan. We will continue to play a constructive role in this regard,” he added.

MUZAFFARABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari urged the world community on Tuesday to pay attention to the Kashmir issue and expressed the hope that superpowers would take a decision in favour of the people of Kashmir.
“If the world is attentive towards Pakistan and its issue(s) then it will have to talk about the Kashmir issue,” he said in an address to a special joint sitting of the AJK Legislative Assembly and AJK Council during his first visit to Muzaffarabad as president.
Pakistan, he said, considered that peace in Kashmir was linked to peace in the region. “I think time is near when superpowers and countries of this region will have to make serious decision about Kashmir.”
The president said Pakistan never objected to India’s friendship with the United States and did not grumble about anything else because it knew that neighbours could not be changed. But they (India) too should accept this reality.
“We are a very prominent neighbourhood. We happen to be 180 million Pakistanis who have the heart of lions with Kashmir leading them,” he said.
President Zardari regretted that whenever dictators and oppressors came to power in Pakistan they pursued a policy of “appeasement” whereas “we have always talked about dialogue with India on equal terms” with emphasis on the rights of Kashmiris.
He said “today’s developed democratic India” vainly believed that it could suppress any nation by force.
“Perhaps they think Kashmiris are a weak nation. But they have seen for themselves that Kashmiris have sacrificed their sons and daughters but did not quit their popular slogan of Kashmir becoming Pakistan.”
Referring to the Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s famous statement that we will fight for Kashmir for 1000 years, Mr Zardari said he and Bilawal Bhutto would guarantee that.
However, he repeatedly stated that the war would be of thoughts, willpower and patience and avoided any mention of armed conflicts.
“Zulfikar Ali Bhutto did not say that he won’t fight with pen and mouth.”
In the same context, Mr Zardari said the imprisonment he had undergone for years was a war of patience for democracy.
“Democracy stands for giving rights to oppressed and downtrodden people and also to the Kashmiris,” he said.
“If Kashmiris say that whatever they do for Pakistan is not a favour then I am compelled to say that we don’t extend any favour to them either. Fighting your war is our duty from day one. It’s our own movement,” he added.
He said his attention had been drawn to the felling of trees in AJK which fetched up to Rs300 million a year to the state exchequer.
“Your trees keep waters flowing in Pakistan. I will ask this assembly to pass a resolution to completely ban timber felling and we will meet the shortfall,” he declared.
Referring to demands earlier raised by AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider, the president said Kashmiris had the right over the waters flowing from their area.
“We will convey this issue of yours to the parliament. We have to make both Pakistan and Kashmir greener,” he said.
He declared that there would not be cut in AJK’s budget and Islamabad would ensure that this region got the maximum share.
Mr Zardari said that electing the AJK prime minister was the business of its assembly and Islamabad’s job was to work for Kashmir cause.

Tags: Azad Kashmir,Muzaffarabad,Kashmir issue,Raja Farooq,Azad Jammu and Kashmir Assembly

ISLAMABAD: Former President Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), Ali Ahmed Kurd has observed that the issue of Balochistan cannot be solved until solving the issue of missing people.
Talking to a private TV channel while reacting on remarks of Justice Javed Iqbal during hearing of missing people, Ali Ahmed Kurd said that the issue of missing people is a big challenge for the Supreme Court of Pakistan and expressed his optimism regarding positive outcome on the issue.
Responding to a question, the lawyer’s leader said that the issue of missing person not only a sensitive issue of Balochistan but to the entire country.
He said that the issue of missing people is against the nature of people of Balochistan, therefore, a strong reaction is being seen in the province.
Commenting on restoration of deposed judges, Ali Ahmed Kurd said that the judges were restored due to historical struggle of the people of the country and the current judges owed to the people. He said that SC took some good decisions.
He said that without solving the issue of missing people, the logical end of struggle for judges’ restoration cannot be possible.
He informed that the number of missing people in hundreds, saying a list of 1000 missing people was handed over to Chief Minister Balochistan.

KARACHI: Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Friday that incidents of arson within minutes of the deadly blast which hit an Ashura procession in Karachi were carried out under a pre-planned conspiracy to cripple the country economically. Addressing traders and businessmen at the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), he said the objective of targeting business activities in the country’s financial hub was to destroy the national economy and state institutions.
He said that there were forces who want to break up Pakistan because they were not happy with its nuclear programme.
The minister drew the attention of the business leaders to news report that initially a little-known leader of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Asmatullah Shaheen, claimed responsibility for the blast, but later another militant leader disowned the claim.

If the TTP was not owning the blast, he said, there must be other forces bent upon destroying the country.
He said that it was obvious that the people behind the heinous crime wanted to cripple the economy which contributed taxes and revenue on which other state organs, including security forces, depended.
The minister said that without economic activities the state would not be able to collect taxes which were needed for national defence, development, health and education.
Therefore, the attack on Karachi’s businesses was carried out under a programme to bring the commercial and business hub to a standstill.
The minister admitted that the government might have made some mistakes, but said that one should keep in mind the wrong policies of successive governments, including the involvement in Afghan war against the Soviet Union.
At present, he said, many forces were working against Pakistan and were carrying out suicide blasts, adding that the role of Jash-i-Mohammad, Lakshar-i-Janghvi and India was known to everyone.
Mr Malik said that President Asif Ali Zardari had already warned of non-state actors who were bent upon destroying Pakistan.
He said the president must have made the statement on the basis of credible information because he had access to such developments and reports. “It’s now up to us how we look at this”.
The minister said that such attacks could not be carried out by Muslims because there could be no justification for killing innocent people participating in a religious procession.

Tags: Rehman Malik,Karachi blast,Karachi arson

GUJRANWALA: Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Sunday said the CIA had agreements with Blackwater with respect to Afghanistan and Iraq but there was no such agreement regarding Pakistan.
Talking to media in Gujranwala, Rehman Malik said if the government found any clue of any agency's contacts with Blackwater then it will take action against it.
He said al-Qaeda, Taliban and banned religious outfits were involved in recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan. 
Rehman Malik also said the Taliban were fundamentally hired and professional assassins.
To a question, Rehman Malik said the government has clear evidence of Indian involvement in militant activities inside Balochistan.
About the arrested US nationals, he said they have been taken into custody on the information of US intelligence agencies and are being interrogated. — DawnNews

Tags: Rehman Malik,India Balochistan,RAW,Balochistan issue,Pakistani Taliban,Blackwater

QUETTA: Zakir Majeed Baloch’s sister on Sunday demanded of human rights groups to take notice of the ‘enforced disappearance’ of her missing brother.
Addressing a press conference at the Quetta Press Club, she said Zakir Majeed Baloch, Senior Vice Chairman of BSO (Baloch Students Organisation) Azaad, was picked up by intelligence agencies on June 8, 2009 in Balochistan’s Mastung area.
She said since then they received no knowledge on Zakir’s whereabouts. Police refused to register the First Information Report (FIR) which proves the local police station’s involvement in Zakir’s disappearance, she said.
She also demanded of the United Nations to take notice of her brother's ‘enforced disappearance’. — DawnNews 

Tags: Zakir Majeed Baloch,BSO - Azaad,Balochistan issue