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| February 6, 2006 | Monday | Muharram 7, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
President, PM condole death of Maulana Asad Madni ISLAMABAD Feb 6 (APP): President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Monday expressed profound sorrow and grief over the death of Maulana Asad Madni, Head of Jamiat-e-Ulema Hind. In their separate messages, they said that Maulana Asad Madni was a renowned religious scholar, who throughout his life rendered invaluable services for the advancement of the Muslims and propagation of Islam.(Posted @ 00:12 PST)
Israeli air strike on car in Gaza, 2 dead -sources GAZA, Feb 6 (Reuters) - An Israeli military aircraft fired at least one missile at a car in the northern Gaza Strip on Monday, killing two Palestinians, security and medical sources said. There dead were not immediately identified. Israel killed five Gaza militants in two similar air strikes over the weekend. An Israeli military spokeswoman had no immediate comment on the latest operation.(Posted @ 00:05 PST)
Cylinder explodes in bus, kills 15 in central India NEW DELHI, Feb 6 (Reuters) - A gas cylinder exploded in a crowded bus on Monday, killing 15 people in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, police said. The accident occured in the state's Morena district, about 340 km (210 miles) north of state capital Bhopal, an official at the police control room in Bhopal told Reuters over phone. "Our preliminary information is 15 people were killed when a cooking cylinder kept inside a bus exploded," he said. "It may also have been kept on top of the bus." A police official in Morena town said around 12 passengers were also injured in the explosion, which caused a fire in the bus.(Posted @ 23:28 PST)
Three Afghan protestors killed in cartoons protests KABUL, Feb 6, 2006 (AFP) - Two people were killed near Afghanistan's capital in a protest Monday against blasphemous cartoons, an official said, taking the death toll from a day of countrywide demonstrations to three. The two were killed and five wounded in gunfire from among the protestors at the main gates of the US-led coalition's Bagram Airbase headquarters, 60 kilometres north of Kabul, Bagram district chief Kabir Ahmad said. "There were some people among the protestors who had weapons and they opened fire at police and police also shot in the air to control the mob," Ahmad said adding that two protestors were killed, eight police and five demonstrators were wounded. The third protestor died after being shot during a demonstration in eastern Laghman province. An official said police had fired into the air to control the crowd but police said the gunfire had come from among the demonstrators.(First Posted @ 12:45 PST Updated @ 21:00 PST)
White House proposes 2.77 trillion-dollar budget WASHINGTON, Feb 6, 2006 (AFP) - The White House Monday proposed a 2.77 trillion-dollar budget for the next fiscal year that boosts defence and homeland security spending while trimming many social programs. The deficit for fiscal 2007 would be 354 billion dollars. It boosts defence spending 6.9 percent to 439.3 billion dollars, and increase homeland security spending 3.3 percent to 33.1 billion. Other "discretionary" spending -- those programs not required for mandatory retirements or health care -- would be cut 0.5 percent to 398.3 billion dollars.(Posted @ 20:50 PST)
Pak-Oman Foreign Secretaries discuss economic, bilateral and international issues ISLAMABAD, Feb 6 (APP): Foreign Secretaries of Pakistan and Oman in their first round of talks reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations including economic, commercial, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.The talks were in pursuance of the Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations signed during the Prime Minister's visit to Oman in March 2005. The foreign secretaries also discussed regional and international issues of common interest.(Posted @ 20:44 PST)
Balochistan Governor’s Press conference QUETTA, Feb 6 (PPI): Balochistan Governor Owais Ahmad Ghani said Monday there was no need for any military operation in the province nor military would be called. He said Frontier corps was discharging its obligations in a very responsible manner. Addressing a Press conference at Balochistan House at Karachi he said it is no hidden fact that a foreign hand is involved in such matters in Balochistan. He said heavy weapons were being smuggled into the province, most of it from neighbouring Afghanistan. He said in reply to another question that not a single civilian was killed in FC firing in actions against ferari camps. Whatever deaths had occurred, these were due to firing by feraris. He also said that certain ferari camps were not attacked by FC as civilian population was located close to them. He maintained that action against feraris camps would be continued. Governor Owais said the government believes in resolution of problems through talks, but made it clear that no talks would be held with those involved in violence. He said there was law and order problem in only two districts of Kohlu and Dera Bugti while the remaining 26 district were peaceful. Balochistan Governor said that federal government was paying special attention to the development of the province and Rupees 140 billion were being spent for this purpose. He said foreign investment was pouring into Balochistan. Australia was making investment in copper project in Chagai district and plans to spend 1.5 billion dollars over the next 10 years when Pakistan would fall in top 10 copper producing countries of the world. Similarly Chinese were making investment in lead in Lasbella district. He said gas reserves have been discovered in Khost and Jhal Magsi. Gas drilling would start in Noshki next week while similar drilling would also start in Khuzdar soon.(Posted @ 20:38 PST)
Rocket attack during Musharraf’s Quetta visit QUETTA Feb 6 (PPI): A rocket attack was made on President General Pervez Musharraf during his visit to Quetta last December, Balochistan Governor Owais Ahmad Ghani told a Press conference at Balochistan House in Karachi Monday. He said the rocket was fired when the President was visiting Quetta Garrison on Dec 14. The rocket landed just 200 yards away from the President, the Governor added. Despite the rocket attack, the President flew to Kohlu and announced Rupees 1.5 billion development package for the area. In Kohlu too, there was the rocket attack, the Governor added.(Posted @ 20:10 PST)
Blasphemous sketches jeopardize interfaith harmony: PM ISLAMABAD, Feb 6 (PPI) Condemning the publication of blasphemous sketches in some European newspapers, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Monday such acts seriously jeopardize endeavour for enhancing inter-faith harmony and cooperation between various cultures. Talking to Ms. Margherita Boniver, the visiting Italian Deputy Foreign Minister, he said publication of these sketches has profoundly hurt the sentiments of Muslims all over the world. Rejecting the pretext of freedom of press for publishing such caricatures, he said freedom of expression does not mean absence of any values, ethics or laws, but rather, amongst other things, demands protection and respect for the rights of individuals as well as their religious and social values. The two leaders discussed in detail the regional and international issues. The Prime Minister said Pakistan is working for peace and stability in the region but stressed that durable peace will come only with the solution of the Kashmir issue in line with the aspirations of Kashmiris. Shaukat Aziz also called upon the world community to do more to assist Afghanistan speed up its reconstruction activities. The Prime Minister discussed the issue of better market access for Pakistani products and asked the Italian Deputy Foreign Minister to support Pakistan in European Union in this regard. On this occasion, Ms. Margherita Boniver handed over keys of an Italian mobile hospital in Mansehra district to the prime Minister.(Posted @ 19:58 PST)
11 killed in attack by suspected Maoists in eastern India NEW DELHI, Feb 6, 2006 (AFP) - At least 11 security personnel were killed and 17 injured in a series of attacks by suspected Maoists in the eastern Indian state of Chattisgarh Monday, police said. "Nine jawans (soldiers) were killed and an equal number were injured when the Maoists triggered a blast on their vehicle," district police told PTI news agency. The battle was still raging, it said. In a separate incident, suspected Maoists hurled explosives and fired on a police post in the north of the state, killing two policemen and wounding eight. The state chief of police told PTI that about 150 people attacked the police post, seizing a large quantity of arms and ammunition. In the neighboring state of Jharkand, Maoists blew up part of a railway station, but caused no casualties, police said.(Posted @ 19:22 PST)
Iran boosts air defences with locally made missile TEHRAN, Feb 6, 2006 (AFP) - Iran's defence minister Sunday launched the domestic mass production of a new shoulder-fired air defence missile. The defence ministry said in a statement faxed to AFP that Misagh- 2 missile was "capable of tracking and destroying aerial targets that fly at low altitudes and in the blind spot of radar systems". The ministry said the "advanced missile" could also be used for "electronic warfare". "This missile gives our forces, army and Revolutionary Guards a drastic advantage, agility and flexibility in defending our air defences," Defence Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said in the statement. "The space industry of the defence ministry currently mass-produces surface to air, surface to surface and air to surface missiles which have strong capabilities," he added.(Posted @ 19:14 PST)
Pakistan’s conditional welcome to Indian troops withdrawal report ISLAMABAD, Feb 6 (APP): Pakistan Monday said it would welcome the proposed withdrawal of Indian troops from occupied Kashmir, if it was part of the significant reduction from the disputed territory. Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam however said the government has not yet received any intimation about the troops pull out. About President Musharraf's statement that he was disappointed with the pace of peace talks progress, she said the talks with India have not been up to Pakistan's expectations but "it does not mean that no progress has been made." Replying to a question she said, under the agreement between the two countries, the consulates at Mumbai and Karachi would open simultaneously. She said Pakistan was trying to open its Consulate in Mumbai, but there were problems in acquiring a proper building. She said the government had made the initial payment of Rs 2 crore for a building, but on the objection of neighbours, the deal was called off.(Posted @ 19:04 PST)
Kashmir Solidarity Day In UK LONDON, Feb 6 (APP): British Kashmiris have expressed solidarity with the struggling Kashmiris and said being the principal party to the dispute, people of Kashmir should be the main beneficiaries of the current dialogue between Pakistan and India. A resolution at a meeting of the British Kashmiris at Justice Foundation late Sunday said "Kashmiris are the principal party to the dispute and must therefore be principal beneficiaries of this process." Those who attended the meeting included Prof. Nazir Shawl Executive Director Justice Foundation Kashmir Center, Mahmoud Riaz, President Muslims Conference UK, Mohammad Khan MLA for overseas Kashmiris in Britain, Mohammad Sharif, Tehreek e- Kashmir, Dr. Zulfikhar Ali, President of JKFC UK , Raja Mohammad Ayub, Zafar Khan , Raja Ishaq Khan , Choudhary Farooq and Mohammad Seeraz.(Posted @ 18:40 PST)
30 persons injured as bus plunges into nullah LAHORE, Feb 6 (APP): Thirty passengers including women and children were injured when aChunian-bound bus plunged into a nullah near 'Tabligi markaz', Raiwind road Monday. Police said the bus driver lost control while saving a motorcyclist and fell into the nullah, resulting in injuries to 30 passengers who were rushed to hospital.(Posted @ 18:34 PST)
Khaleda Zia to visit Pakistan from Feb 12-14 ISLAMABAD, Feb 6 (APP): Prime Minister of Bangladesh Begum Khaleda Zia will visit Pakistan from February 12-14. Foreign office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam Monday said that during her stay, Begum Khaleda will call on President General Pervez Musharraf, and hold talks with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on a whole range of Pakistan-Bangladesh relations, followed by signing of several agreements and MoUs. She will also visit the earthquake relief camp in Islamabad. Begum Khaleda Zia's official visit is part of regular high-level exchanges between Pakistan and Bangladesh, the spokesperson said adding that both countries have convergence on regional and international issues and have worked closely on bilateral level as well as in international forums like the OIC, Commonwealth, NAM, D-8, and SAARC. To a question Tasneem Aslam said details of President Musharraf's visit to China and President Karzai's visit to Pakistan would be notified later.(Posted @ 18:32 PST)
Iran informs IAEA of resumption of sensitive nuclear work TEHRAN, Feb 6, 2006 (AFP) - The International Atomic Energy Agency has been formally notified of Iran's decision to resume full-scale uranium enrichment work, the country's top national security official was quoted as saying Monday. "In a letter to the IAEA, we have announced this date," Ali Larijani was quoted as saying by the ISNA news agency in response to a question on when enrichment work would restart. "Their inspectors will come to Iran for this purpose in the next few days," said Larijani, apparently referring to the procedure whereby agency seals are removed in the presence of IAEA inspectors.(Posted @ 18:04 PST)
Police fire shots, Danish embassy closed as protests spread in Indonesia SURABAYA, Indonesia, Feb 6, 2006 (AFP) - Police fired warning shots outside the US consulate here Monday while the Danish embassy was closed as protests over blasphemous spread in the world's most populous Muslim nation. TV footage showed about 30 Indonesian police firing a volley of shots into the air outside the US consulate in Surabaya as some of them attempted to pry off its exterior coat-of-arms plaque. In Jakarta, the Danish embassy remained shuttered and a short telephone message said it would stay closed indefinitely. However, several hundred protestors rallied for about an hour outside. In Bandung, about 1,500 people from various organisations marched to the local parliament demanding that the Indonesian government cut diplomatic ties with Denmark. Another protest rally was held in the university town of Yogyakarta, Antara reported.(First Posted @ 10:00 PST Updated @ 17:50 PST)
US soldier killed in Afghanistan KABUL, Feb 6, 2006 (AFP) - A US soldier was killed when his patrol came under attack in Laghman province Monday while a militant was killed in a separate incident in Khost province, the military said. "The patrol quickly pursued the enemy, returning fire and requesting close air support. The enemy fled the area," it said in a statement. In eastern Laghman province meanwhile, Afghan and US forces engaged two enemy fighters near the border, killing one and wounding the other. Two border policemen also were wounded, the statement said.(Posted @ 17:35 PST)
'Al-Qaeda' bomber caught at Afghan governor's office MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan, Feb 6, 2006 (AFP) - Security forces stopped a suspected Al-Qaeda suicide bomber from blowing himself up Monday at the offices of the governor of northern Afghanistan's Balkh province, the governor said. The attacker, a Mali national, arrived at the governor’s offices in Mazar-i-Sharif with explosives strapped to his body and a bomb in his mobile phone, governor Atta Mohammad told reporters. Guards stopped him as he was about to enter the building where he had an appointment with the governor. As they tried to arrest him, he shouted "Allah Akbar" and tried to detonate his explosives but was overpowered and disarmed, the governor said.(Posted @ 17:30 PST)
Thai south schools close after three killed YALA, Thailand, Feb 6, 2006 (AFP) - More than 100 schools were closed in Thailand's south Monday after at least six suspected Muslim militants gunned down three members of the security forces at a market, police said. The gunmen shot dead two police officers as they shopped at the market in Yala province and then killed a paramilitary officer at the scene who opened fire in retaliation, district police officer Sarawoot Mahardchai said. Education Minister Chaturon Chaisaeng said that more than 100 schools in Yala would be closed for one week starting from Monday as teachers have become the main target of the attacks.(Posted @ 17:25 PST)
World's first face-transplant patient appears before the media AMIENS, France, Feb 6, 2006 (AFP) - The first person to receive a face transplant appeared before the media on Monday, declaring that she was poised to live a normal life after the historic operation nine weeks earlier. At a press conference Isabelle Dinoire, 38 -- whose name had previously been kept secret under French law -- said she was making good progress since the ground-breaking surgery, and hoped to return to work. Dinoire received a triangular-shaped graft, comprising the nose, lips and chin from a brain-dead donor, to replace parts of her face that had been mauled by a dog in May. She appeared to wear a thick makeup to disguise the scars of the operation, and a lack of movement in her lips forced her to speak with a heavy lisp, but she was otherwise comprehensible. The November 27 operation was conducted by surgeon Bernard Devauchelle, a professor of facial surgery at the Amiens hospital.(Posted @ 17:22 PST)
New Delhi students clash with police over blasphemous cartoons NEW DELHI, Feb 6 (AP) _ Riot police fired tear gas shells and water cannons Monday at hundreds of Indian students protesting the publication of blasphemous cartoons in European newspapers. At least four students were injured. Separately, angry Muslims in occupied Kashmir called a strike that shut down Srinagar and other towns. Police arrested at least 12 students in New Delhi as protesters chanted slogans and burned Danish flags, said Shams Perwaiz, president of the students union of New Delhi's Jamia Millia Islamia University. Srinagar came to a standstill Monday as shops, businesses and schools remained closed because of the strike, which was also supported by government employees' unions, traders' associations and separatist groups.(Posted @ 17:00 PST)
Anonymous woman donor London, Feb.06 (PPI): An anonymous woman donor has contributed pound sterling 50,000 to help victims of the Pakistan earthquake after reading about the efforts of Wycombe charity Five Pillars in the Bucks Free Press. The woman approached the charity run by High Wycombe magistrate Arif Hussain some time back and called again two weeks ago before the cheque arrived, and asked him if he knew how much it would be for. Mr Hussain said: "I told her it didn't matter. Anything she donated would be gratefully accepted. She told me it was for Sterling Pound 50,000." (Posted @ 15:55 PST)
Reconstruction work in quake ravaged areas in March: ERRA Chief Islamabad, Feb.06 (PPI): Chairman Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority Lt. General Muhammad Zubair said Monday that reconstruction work is expected to start in the third week of next month. Addressing Rural Housing Reconstruction Conference in Islamabad, He said the government has successfully managed the first two phases i.e. the rescue and relief, but the most challenging tasks are yet to take off. He said it is an opportunity to build back the area in a better way. Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance Dr. Salman Shah said a strategy has been evolved for the early reconstruction and rehabilitation of quake affectees in NWFP and Azad Kashmir. A comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system has been developed to monitor the reconstruction programme including the rehabilitation of the devastated infrastructure, communication network, houses, education and health system. (Posted @ 15:50 PST)
Prime Minister appreciates volunteers contribution in relief operation ISLAMABAD, Feb 6 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz appreciating the role of both national and international volunteers in providing help and assistance after October 8 earthquake, said that United Nations should have a Permanent Standing Fund for disaster relief management. Addressing the launching ceremony of Volunteers Scheme of United Nations, he said the government will take steps to channelize voluntarism and streamline human resource capacity in the country. (Posted @ 15:35 PST)
Seven killed, 19 injured in Jammu road accident JAMMU, Feb 6 (APP):Seven people, including a woman and her eight-month-old son, were killed and at least 19 others injured, in a road accident in Poonch, reports Kashmir Media Service. The driver of the passenger bus lost control and the vehicle fell into a deep gorge near Bhimber Gali in Poonch district, reports said. (Posted @ 15:30 PST)
Cricket-Tendulkar completes 14,000 one-day runs, sets new record PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Feb 6, 2006 (AFP) India's Sachin Tendulkar on Monday set new world records by completing 14,000 one-day runs and hitting his 39th century in the opening one-day international against Pakistan here. Tendulkar, who turns 33 next month, achieved the milestone in his 359th match when his score reached 91. His tally of 359 matches and 39 one-day hundreds are both world records. He finally fell for 100 in India's 328 all out in 49.4 overs after India were sent into bat at the Arbab Niaz stadium in Peshawar. (Posted @ 14:30 PST)
Eleven arrested for suspected links to Pakistani bus bombing QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) Police have arrested 11 people with suspected links to a bus bombing that killed 13 people and wounded 20 others late Sunday near Quetta, Balochistan, an official said Monday. The men were arrested in raids in various places in Quetta late Sunday and before dawn Monday, the police chief in Balochistan said. He said they were suspects in other bombings in the province, but that there was no evidence directly linking the men with Sunday's bus attack. No group or individual has yet claimed responsibility for the bombing. (Posted @ 14:25 PST)
India makes slight reduction in Occupied Kashmir troop level NEW DELHI, Feb 6 (Reuters) India has withdrawn at least 3,000 troops from Occupied Kashmir, the country's defence minister and army chief said on Monday. Earlier, government and military officials said a total of 15,000 troops would be withdrawn in phases. But Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said only a brigade was being moved for now, at least 3,000 troops, according to army officials. "One brigade, we are not withdrawing as such but re-deploying them to the north-east," Mukherjee told reporters. "It is a routine exercise and, of course, the decision has been taken in view of the fact that the level of violence has come down."(First Posted @ 10:20 Updated @ 03:00)
Iraqi policeman killed, another wounded in Kirkuk BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) Drive-by gunmen killed one policeman and wounded another in Kirkuk on Monday, while police also uncovered the bullet-riddled bodies of two men in Baghdad, police said. (Posted @ 12:25 PST)
Israeli artillery batters north of Gaza Strip JERUSALEM, Feb 6, 2006 (AFP) Israeli artillery early Monday opened up with barrages against the north of the Gaza Strip, a military source said. The head of Israel's internal security service was quoted Monday by Israeli public radio as saying that Israeli forces had in the past week arrested no less than 12 Palestinian activists. (Posted @ 11:45 PST)
Bombing marks day two of Nepal political strike KATHMANDU, Feb 6, 2006 (AFP) A suspected rebel bomb killed one policeman and wounded four others in Nepal on Monday on the second day of a general strike called by Maoist guerrillas to disrupt local elections this week. The latest violence came as most shops were shuttered in Kathmandu, after the beginning of the strike on Sunday brought towns across the Himalayan kingdom to a standstill. (Posted @ 11:45 PST)
Fire at Indian rail depot destroys goods meant for Pakistan AMRITSAR, India (AP) A massive fire at a rail depot near India's border town of Amritsar on Monday destroyed large stocks of trade and quake-relief goods destined for Pakistan, a railway official said. Goods worth millions of rupees were destroyed when the depot at the Attari railroad station caught fire early in the morning, the official added. There was no loss of life or injuries from the accident. The cause of the fire was not immediately known, but the official ruled out any foul play. (Posted @ 10:50 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 74.63 points: KARACHI, Feb 06: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 10801.09, up 74.63 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:30 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, Feb 06: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 59.9 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:30 PST)
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