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| August 29, 2005 | Monday | Rajab 23, 1426 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
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President says Pakistan had banned extremist organization long before 9/11 events ISLAMABAD, Aug 29 (APP): Vowing to contain extremism in its long-term perspective, President General Pervez Musharraf Monday informed an international gathering that Pakistan had banned extremist organizations fanning extremism before Sept 11, 2001 events as his government had been fully alive to the necessity to curb the malaise. "It did not need us Sept 11 events to see what we had to do", he said at a seminar on global terrorism while dismissing the impression that Pakistan has embarked upon taking steps against extremism under some external influence. Commenting on statements suggesting quick fixes to the problem of extremism in Pakistan, he said, it cannot be addressed militarily and will take years before it is completely curbed. Recounting a range of measures taken to address extremism through immediate actions as well as in a strategic long-term dimension, the President said the Government is resolved not to allow any of the banned organization to re-emerge or resurface with any new name and follow their agenda by collecting donations in the name of Islam. The Government has also launched a crackdown against writing, printing and distribution of hate material through magazines, pamphlets or handbills. Jehad, he said, also includes fighting illiteracy and poverty. He said the Government will also keep a check on the misuse of mosques and mosque loudspeakers for inciting hatred. In the long-term, he said, the Government is addressing the issue of curriculum and syllabus in educational institutions as part of its endevaours to revive and project real values of Islam. He lauded the Madaris for being the NGOs providing boarding and lodging to about one million poorest of the poor children across the country. "However we will not let any madrassah to harbour terrorists or teach extremism and militancy", he said.(Posted @ 17:55 PST)
President says time ripe for Kashmir, Palestine resolution ISLAMABAD, Aug 29 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf Monday made a strong case for uprooting core causes of terrorism-- political disputes- in the interest of durable world peace, underscoring that recent hopeful developments have made long-running Kashmir and Palestinian disputes ripe for resolution. "We must address terrorism holistically and get to the roots, otherwise we will be tampering around political disputes (that) lie at core of the core. Failure is no more an option; their resolution will pull the carpet from under the feet of extremism and terrorism", he told an international seminar on global terrorism. Pinpointing the need to address long-running Kashmir and Palestinian disputes he said, "I personally believe that both the disputes are ripe for solution, today, now one sees beginning to an end." President Musharraf expressed the optimism that Pakistan and India would be able to take the peace process to the settlement of Kashmir. He said Pakistan welcomed Israeli pullout from Gaza strip and expressed Islamabad's support for determined execution of the peace plan for a fair settlement of the Middle East problem.In his wide-ranging address, Musharraf also supported Prime Minister Tony Blair's efforts to address extremism and assimilation of the British Muslims into the mainstream of society.(Posted @ 18:25 PST)
Turkish Cypriot plane flies direct to Azerbaijan NICOSIA, Aug 29 (Reuters) - A Turkish Cypriot airplane made its first direct overseas flight excluding Turkey on Monday, flying to Azerbaijan amid efforts by the enclave to end decades of international isolation. Only Turkey recognises the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus but Azerbaijan, which has very close cultural and political ties with Ankara, has encouraged stronger business ties with Turkish Cypriots. The Turkish Cypriot Airlines plane flew Turkish Cypriot Foreign Minister Serdar Denktash, former president Rauf Denktash and businessmen to Baku without stopping first in Turkey due to international sanctions on breakaway northern Cyprus. "This is a first step. Of course it will continue," Serdar Denktash told the official Turkish Cypriot news agency TAK. "This is an important message of ending the unfair isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community from the international community, primarily from the European Union," he said.(Posted @ 20:25 PST)
Iraq police find 13 bodies in three western towns FALLUJA, Iraq, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Iraqi police said on Monday they had found 13 bodies in three western towns, but they had no details of who they were or how they had died. The bodies were discovered in Falluja, Saqlawiya and Karma.(Posted @ 20:20 PST)
Cricket-Indian board accepts Karachi test proposal KARACHI, Aug 29 (Reuters) - India have accepted Pakistan's proposal to play a test match and a one-dayer in Karachi early next year and “ are now waiting approval from their government to give us a formal yes," Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Shaharyar Khan told Reuters on Monday. On their second test tour of Pakistan in two years starting January, India are scheduled to play three tests and five one-day internationals.They did not play a test in Karachi on their last tour in 2004 .(Posted @ 19:35 PST)
Five dead, over ten missing as bus plunges into Bangladesh river DHAKA, Aug 29 (AFP) - At least five people were killed and more than 10 are missing after a bus plunged off a ferry and into a river in Bangladesh on Monday, police said. The bus carrying more than 20 people lost control and fell into the River Kobotak near Khulna town, police said. Police have recovered five bodies while four managed to swim ashore. The rest are still missing.(Posted @ 19:20 PST)
Afghanistan cuts opium crop for first time since Taliban, says UN KABUL, Aug 29 (AFP) - Afghanistan has reduced the production and cultivation of opium for the first time since the Taliban regime fell in 2001, the United Nations counter-narcotics chief said Monday. The area under cultivation for opium poppies dropped 21 percent over the past year, while the opium harvest fell by just 2.4 percent, Antonio Maria Costa, head of the UN Office for Drugs and Crime, told AFP. But Afghanistan remains the world's biggest producer of opium -- which is used to make heroin -- churning out 87 percent of the global supply, Costa added.(Posted @ 19:15 PST)
India hammer Zimbabwe in one-dayer HARARE, Aug 29 (AFP) - India beat Zimbabwe by 161 runs in the third match of a triangular ODI tournament here Monday. The Indians scored 226-6 in their 50 allotted overs and then dismissed Zimbabwe for 65 runs, Indian fast bowler Irfan Pathan recording best figures of 5-27.(Posted @ 19:15 PST)
Reciprocate Pak effrots : Mirwaiz tell India SRINAGAR, Aug 29 (APP): In occupied Kashmir, Chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, has called upon India to follow footsteps of Pakistan and take positive steps regarding the resolution of Kashmir dispute.Addressing a meeting in Srinagar Mirwaiz said, along with Pakistan, Hurriyat Conference is also interested in having talks with India. He described Hurriyat's Pakistan visit as productive and fruitful.(Posted @ 19:00 PST)
Govt according high priority to development of Gwadar Port ISLAMABAD, Aug 29 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Monday said the government was according high priority to the development of Gwadar Port as it was a vital link in the logistics chain and would open up new vistas of economic cooperation in the region. Presiding over a meeting to review the progress of the Policy Board on Development of Gwadar Port at which he was informed of the list of reputable international consultants short listed for marketing and running the business of the port, the prime minister said that a new International Airport would be constructed and in the meantime the existing airport would be upgraded and improved for daily flights. The meeting decided to appoint an International Port Operator by the end of the year. A Chinese Company is carrying out dredging and deepening of the port from the existing depth of 11.5 meters to 14.5 meters and the Prime Minister directed acceleration of work on access and link roads from Gwadar port and directed that the Gwadar-Quetta-Chamman road be made operational by June 2006.(Posted @ 18:50 PST)
Pakistan delegation to visit Gaza, al-Quds ISLAMABAD, Aug 29 (APP): Pakistan on Monday said modalities were being worked out in consultation with the Palestinian authorities for the first ever visit of a Pakistani delegation to Gaza and Al-Quds. The delegation, comprising emiment personalities and politicians, is going on the request of President of the Palestinian National Authority Mahmoud Abbas who visited Pakistan in May this year, Foreign Office Spokesman Naeem Khan said at the weekly briefing. He welcomed the vacation of Gaza by Israel and expressed hope that the process will continue in the west Bank and legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for establishment of an independent Palestinian state will be realized." He said Pakistan was for the complete vacation of the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel in 1967.Replying to a question the spokesman said there was no pressure on Pakistan regarding Dr A Q Khan and all the information obtained from him has already been shared with "relevant countries. He said the vintage, out-dated parts of a centrifuge sent by Pakistan on the request of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Iran have already been returned by the agency. He said Pakistani experts have discussed the report with the IAEA officials. The report would be submitted to the IAEA Board of Governors and Pakistan has no further role in this regard, he added.(Posted @ 18:35 PST)
CDA demolishes 66 illegal structures in Afghan Katchi Abadi in federal capital ISLAMABAD, Aug 29 (APP): The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has so far razed 66 illegal structures in an operation started recently in the Katchi Abadi (settlement) of Afghan refugees in I-11 sector in the federal capital, a CDA official said Monday. The operation is being carried out in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Ministry of Interior for security concerns and would be completed by September 15 deadline set by the Interior Ministry.Those willing to return to Afghanistan are being provided all assistance for repatriation .The others would be be transferred to camp in Mianwali, he said.(Posted @ 18:15 PST)
Prominent singer Pervez Mehdi passes away ISLAMABAD, Aug 29 (APP): Prominent singer Pervez Mehdi died in Lahore Monday due to cardiac arrest. He was 58. He sang hundreds of songs for film, radio and TV.The deceased was one of the students of Mehdi Hassan.This year, he was selected for Presidential award for distinction, acknowledging his services rendered for promotion of the art, PTV reported.(Posted @ 18:10 PST)
All out efforts being made to send maximum number of people for Hajj : Ejaz ISLAMABAD, Aug 29 (APP): Minister for Religious Affairs, Ejazul Haq said Monday that a total of 150,000 people will perform Hajj this year -- 90,000 under government sponsored scheme and 60,000 under private sector. He said in a tv interview that 140,000 people had applied for Hajj.It was decided earlier that if the number of applicants remains below 90,000 then no draw would be made but now the situation is different. He said the government has decided not to accommodate individuals who have already performed Hajj during the past five years. Similarly priority would be given to applicants who have been applying for the past two years but could not succeeded in the draws. He said provision of enhanced relief to poverty hit people in Sindh and Balochistan through the Zakat fund is being considered.(Posted @ 18:05 PST)
India, Pakistan leaders to meet in New York Sept.14 NEW DELHI, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will hold talks with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf in New York on Sept. 14 to review the peace process between the two nations, the Press Trust of India said on Monday. The meeting will be the first between the leaders since talks in New Delhi in April when they declared the peace process -- which has made slow progress -- was irreversible and pledged to continue talks to resolve the Kashmir dispute. The New York meeting will be held on the sidelines of theU.N. General Assembly conference, PTI quoted Singh as saying inKabul, at the end of his two-day visit to Afghanistan.(Posted @ 17:30 PST)
Taliban commander killed in clash U.S. KABUL, Aug 29 (Reuters) - U.S. forces have killed a senior Taliban commander Payenda Mohammed who was in command of more than 150 Taliban fighters in Uruzgan province. He was killed along with three of his men in a battle last week, a U.S. military spokesman said. Fifteen Taliban fighters were also wounded in the clash in Kandahar province , Yonts said. U.S. A-10 aircraft and attack helicopters were called in after the insurgents took up positions in some caves, he said.(Posted @ 16:45 PST)
Kashmir rebels call for swap of India, Pakistan death row convicts SRINAGAR, Aug 29 (AFP) - A militant sentenced to death for his role in an attack on India's parliament should be swapped for an Indian sentenced to hang for espionage in Pakistan, United Jwehad Council said in a statement published in local newspapers Monday. "The government of Pakistan should seek clemency for Mohammed Afzal from India before pardoning the terror convict Sarabjit Singh”, it said. The statement was issued after a meeting of the alliance chaired by its chief Syed Salahudin, who also heads the region's most powerful militant group Hizbul Mujahedin. "Afzal is innocent and had nothing to do with the alleged attack (on the parliament)," the statement said. "When Indians can seek clemency for a person who had himself confessed conducting multiple bomb blasts, why can't the government of Pakistan seek mercy for innocent Afzal?" (Posted @ 16:25 PST)
Bangladesh starts demolishing high-rises to stop threat to aircraft DHAKA, Aug 29 (AFP) - Bangladesh work crews Monday began bulldozing more than 100 high-rise buildings in the capital Dhaka after authorities said they posed a danger to planes using Dhaka's Zia International Airport because they are too close to the runways and terminal. "We started the demolition drive today and it will continue until October," magistrate Mohammad Helaluddin told AFP. Most of the buildings being knocked down "were constructed without any approval from us," said Shah Alam Chowdhury, a spokesman for Dhaka Development Authority. (Posted @ 16:10 PST)
India, Pakistan hold talks on militants, prisoners NEW DELHI, Aug 29 (Reuters) India and Pakistan began talks on Monday to curb terrorism and drug trafficking and work out prisoner exchanges. The talks will be followed this week by a meeting of the heads of both foreign departments to lay the ground for talks between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf at the U.N. assembly in September. The Indian team at Monday's two-day talks is led by Home Secretary Vinod Kumar Duggal while heading the Pakistani delegation is Interior Secretary Syed Kamal Shah. (Posted @ 13:05PST)
Oil surges over $70 as Katrina churns through Gulf SYDNEY, Aug 29 (Reuters) U.S. oil prices surged to a record above $70 a barrel on Monday as one of the country's biggest storms tore through the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, forcing oil producers and refiners to shut down operations. U.S. crude oil futures soared nearly $5 a barrel in opening trade to touch a fresh peak of $70.80 a barrel, surpassing last week's $68 high to the highest price since the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) began trading contracts in 1983. (Posted @ 09:40 PST)
Building tumbles in India's financial heart, five dead MUMBAI, Aug 29 (Reuters) An apartment complex collapsed in a wealthy area of India's financial and film capital in the early hours of Monday, killing five people and injuring at least nine, less than a week after another building collapse killed 11. (Posted @ 09:40 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 106.00 points: KARACHI, August 29: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 7691.70, up 106.00 points from Friday's close. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:25 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, August 29: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.1 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:25 PST)
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