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| April 13, 2006 | Thursday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 14, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Slained leaders of Sunni Tehreek laid to rest KARACHI, April 13 (APP) - The slained Central leaders of Sunni Tehreek, Maulana Abbas Qadri, Iftikhar Bhatti, Akram Qadri and Dr Abdul Qadeer were laid to rest here Thursday evening. Earlier, Namaz-e-Janaza of these leaders was offered at M.A. Jinnah Road near Eidgah area after Maghrib prayer. The renowned religious scholar and Chairman Ruet Hilal Committee Maulana Munibur Rehman led the Namaz-e-Janaza which started at 2020 hours. The bodies of Maulana Abbas Qadri and Iftekhar Bhatti were lowered into their respective graves after Isha prayer. The Janaza prayer was attended by thousands of workers of Sunni Tehreek and people belonging to various walks of life as well as prominent leaders of various religious and political parties. Before Janaza prayer, Mufti Munibur Rehman made a brief address based on a Quranic Verse and advised the grieved people to exercise patience, and maintain peace and discipline. He said Allah is with those who exercise patience and peace. Earlier the funerals of Maulana Abbas Qadri, Iftekhar Bhatti, Akram Qadri and Dr Qadeer Abbasi were taken out from their respective residences. Before the start of funeral processions, thousands of people queued up to have a last glimpse of their beloved leaders. Their bodies were accompanied by thousands of people when these were being brought to M.A. Jinnah Road for Janaza prayer. They were reciting Kalama Tayyaba. Thousands of people reached M.A. Jinnah road from various parts of the city. On the occasion strict security arrangements had been made with deployment of Police and Rangers in full strength besides posting of plain cloth police. The people coming to attend the last funeral rites were being physically searched by plain cloth police as well as ST workers. At the request of Provincial Government, Army was also called out in aid of civil administration to help maintain law and order in case of any eventuality.(Posted @ 21:54 PST)
Suicide bomber's photo released; army deployed in Karachi KARACHI, April 13 (Reuters) Pakistani police released a photograph on Thursday of a suspected suicide bomber, and the army was ordered onto Karachi's streets to prevent rioting. No group has claimed responsibility for Tuesday's blast, which targeted a congregation of 15,000 people celebrating the birthday of Prophet Mohammad. "We definitely know that the bomber blew himself up, but what needs to be known is that whether he was alone or not," Niaz Siddiqui, Karachi police chief, said. "There are three bodies and a body-less head which are still to be identified." The photograph showed a heavily bearded man's head propped on a pillow, bound by string to keep it together as one portion of the face had been blown away. Both eyes were half open. Police were also questioning a wounded man from Baltistan who said he was at the scene with an Afghan national, a police official said. Soldiers were deployed at the request of the local government in the city. "The army is in a forward position. It is a precautionary measure," Jehangir Mirza, Sindh province's police chief said. Funerals were scheduled for later on Thursday for several leaders of Jamaat-e-Ahle Sunnat. In some neighbourhoods, youths burned tyres and pelted passing vehicles, and a couple of parked cars were set ablaze, according to the fire department. An AFP report said two buses were torched and shops in the city were forced to close, witnesses said. But roads were generally quiet, with much reduced traffic as public transport had virtually stopped and most petrol filling stations had closed. (First Posted @ 11:47 PST Updated @ 12:59 PST)
Prime Minister Aziz hints headway in probe into Nishtar Park tragedy KARACHI, April 13 (APP) Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Thursday hinted headway in the probe into the bomb blast at Nishter Park. He was talking to newsmen here after a meeting with Ulema and Mashaikh at the Governor House here. The Prime Minister told the media representatives that the federal as well as the provincial government was endeavouring to find out who were behind the incident. He said that his current visit to Karachi was in connection with the Nishter Park blast. Aziz said that he along with the Interior Minister, Aftab Ahmed Sherpao, and Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Ejazul Haq, held a number of meetings with the Sindh Governor, Chief Minister, Home Minister as well as senior officials of the federal and provincial law enforcement agencies. He urged the people to exercise restraint, and maintain peace. (Posted @ 14:42 PST)
President, PM meet, directs federal intelligence agencies to investigate Nishtar Park blast RAWALPINDI, Apr 13 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf has directed the federal intelligence agencies to carry out a thorough investigation into Tuesday's terrorist act in Karachi in order to ascertain those responsible for the heinous crime and bring them to justice. He said this during a meeting with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, who called on the President. The two leaders expressed the government's determination to award exemplary punishment to the culprits of the heinous crime. The President and the Prime Minister said the government would not allow the extremists and terrorists to play with the lives of innocent citizens. During the meeting they reviewed the overall law and order situation in the country especially in the context of the dastardly act of terrorism in Karachi on the 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal. The President and the Prime Minister appealed to the people to show restraint and calm and assist the government in its efforts. The Prime Minister exchanged views with the President regarding his visit to Karachi and discussions with the political leadership. He said he has directed the provincial government to take all possible measures to ensure security and maintenance of law and order.(Posted @ 22:30 PST)
Pakistani officials hope wanted al Qaeda man killed in North Waziristan raid NAGAR, Pakistan, April 13 (Reuters) There was a good chance that a senior al Qaeda leader was among the seven militants killed in an air strike by the Pakistan army near the Afghan border, a senior military official said on Thursday. A private Pakistani TV channel said that an Egyptian-born al Qaeda member, who was wanted for his role in the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in East Africa, died in the attack by Cobra helicopter gunships on a militant hideout in the North Waziristan region. "At least seven militants have been killed," a senior intelligence official said, adding that five of them were buried immediately after the attack and were believed to be foreigners. He said one of the slain foreigners was identified as Abdur Rehman alias Abu Mohajir, who was supplying weapons to local militants. "We have no information on this," military spokesman Major-General Shaukat Sultan said in response to the local TV report. The attack was mounted just before midnight on Wednesday after the army received information about the presence of foreign fighters at a compound in Nagar, six km south of Miranshah, Sultan said. Wali Mohammad Khan, a commander of local militants in Nagar, however, denied that any foreigners were hiding in the compound or were killed in the attack. "They were all local tribesmen and the five bodies were immediately buried," he said. The funeral of two others killed in the attack would be held later in the day, he added.( First Posted@10:34 PST Updated@ 14:41 PST)
Iran refuses to suspend sensitive nuclear work TEHRAN, April 13, 2006 (AFP) - Iran repeated Thursday after talks with the head of the UN atomic watchdog Mohamed ElBaradei that it would not bow to demands it freeze uranium enrichment. Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani told reporters that the UN Security Council's call for Iran to return to a freeze on the sensitive work "was not very important".(Posted @ 22:02 PST)
Nepal's king calls for general election KATHMANDU, April 14, 2006 (AFP) - Nepal's King Gyanendra called for general elections in the Maoist-insurgency wracked nation in an address on state-run media Thursday after a week of anti-royal protests."It is... our desire that with the active participation of all political parties committed to peace and democracy, a meaningful exercise in multi-party democracy be initiated through an exemplary democratic exercise like the general elections," the king said in his Nepali New Year broadcast. Nepal has seen a week of protests against the king, who sacked the government and seized direct control 14 months ago. Gyanendra reiterated a call to political parties to "bear responsibility of -- and contribute to -- activating the multi-party democratic polity," the king said in the short statement broadcast on Nepal Television.(Posted @ 23:48 PST)
First batch of female para troopers graduate from Academy RISALPUR Apr 13 (APP): The first ever batch of two lady aviation cadets completed their Para Trooping Training Thursday from Para Training Squadron, PAF Academy, Risalpur.Aviation Cadet Bisma Naseem and Aviation Cadet Fatima Khalil underwent a rigorous Para trooping training of three weeks alongwith 5th Basic Para Trooping course which consisted of nine officers, 10 Cadets (including two female cadets) and 29 Airmen. The Para course culminated Thursday after completion of pre requisite of five Para Jumps. Aviation cadet Bisma Naseem and Aviation Cadet Fatima Khalil are undergoing training at College of Aeronautical Engineering, PAF Academy, Risalpur, said a press release. Paratrooper Training is a part of their General Service Training. Para Training Squadron at PAF Academy Risalpur conducts various basic and advance Para courses which also include advance military Free Fall Training.(Posted @ 23:44 PST)
Iraq Car bomb kills 13 near Baghdad BAGHDAD, April 13 (Reuters) - A car bomb exploded near a market on the outskirts of Baghdad on Thursday, killing at least 13 people, Interior Ministry sources said. The blast in the mostly Shi'ite Saba'a al-Bor area northwest of Baghdad came one day after a car bomb killed 29 people in a town north of the capital.(Posted @ 23:20 PST)
Pakistan, Belgium finishes 2-2 in world-cup qualify match CHANGZHOU, (China) April 13 (APP): Pakistan-Belgium hockey match in the world cup qualifying round ended in a draw, 2-2 here Thursday Pakistan had taken a comfortable 2-0 lead just 10 minutes before the end with two field goals by Adnan Zakir (50th) and skipper Muhammad Saqlain in the 59th minute. The rival team narrowed the deficit three minutes later through Jean Philippe Brule's penalty corner. Later, Belgium, trailing 1-2, snatched the dramatic equaliser in the final seconds. However, Pakistan's officials protest against Belgium over a disputed equalising goal of their Group "A" men's World Cup Qualifier. (Posted @ 22:40 PST)
Gunmen kill brother of top Iraqi Sunni politician BAGHDAD, April 13 (Reuters) - Gunmen killed the brother of a top Sunni Arab politician in Baghdad on Thursday, members of his Iraqi Islamic Party said. Mahmoud Ahmed, brother of Tareq al-Hashemi, was gunned down in central Baghdad. Hashemi is being tipped as the speaker of the new parliament, which is scheduled to meet on Monday. The killing comes at a time of growing sectarian tension.(Posted @ 22:06 PST)
Pakistan, US discuss trade relations ISLAMABAD, Apr 13 (APP): Assistant US Trade Representative, Douglas Alan Hartwick called on Commerce Minister, Humayun Akhtar Khan here on Thursday to discuss trade relations between the United States and Pakistan. Issues concerning Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) and Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) were discussed at length. The Commerce Minister urged the AUSTR to convene the TIFA council meeting as soon as possible with highest level participation from the US to boost trade relations between the two countries, according to a press release issued here.(Posted @ 22:04 PST)
Militant killed near Afghan capital, rocket strikes near palace KABUL, April 13 (AFP) - Afghan forces killed a suspected militant in a swoop on a village outside Kabul while a rocket fired into the capital struck a defence compound near the presidential palace, security officers said Thursday. Security forces rounded on Tagab village, about 50 kilometres northeast of Kabul, on Wednesday after intelligence that militants were holed up and planning an ambush, a defence ministry spokesman said. They killed a suspected militant in a shootout and wounded another. Three others were captured, a ministry statement said. In another incident, a rocket fired by unknown attackers late Wednesday struck a few hundred metres from the presidential palace and landed in a defence ministry compound, the interior ministry. The rocket caused no casualties, ministry spokesman Yousuf Stanizai said Thursday. The defence ministry compound is near the palace, where President Hamid Karzai lives and works.(Posted @ 17:40 PST)
British RAF doctor who refused tour of duty in Iraq jailed for eight months LONDON, April 13, 2006 (AFP) - A British Royal Air Force doctor was sentenced to eight months in jail Thursday after being found guilty in a court martial of refusing to obey an order to deploy to Iraq. Flight Lieutenant Malcolm Kendall-Smith, who believed that military action in the Gulf was illegal, will also be dismissed from the RAF, the panel of five RAF officers sitting in Aldershot, southeast England, ruled.(First Posted @ 16:12 PST Updated @ 17:38 PST)
Prime Minister urges people, ulema to supplement government's efforts KARACHI, April 13 (PPI): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Thursday addressed Ulema belonging to various schools of thought at the Governor House in Karachi, and said the federal and the provincial governments and other agencies are taking all steps to apprehend the culprits behind Tuesday's tragedy at Nishtar Park. ``We are moving forward in a very disciplined and determined manner so that the real culprits can be taken to task.'' The prime minister appealed to the people to remain peaceful and support the government efforts in this connection. ``We all have to make joint efforts to foil the nefarious designs of those elements who are creating differences and sectarian disharmony and indulging in terrorism.''(Posted @ 17:36 PST)
Pakistan must have access to civil nuclear energy : President Musharraf RAWALPINDI, April 13 (APP): President Pervez Musharraf Thursday stressed that Pakistan must have access to civil nuclear energy and looked forward to international cooperation in this regard. Talking to Senator Chuck Hagel, who called on him, the President said Pakistan's fast growing energy requirements would be met through a variety of sources, including nuclear power generation. He outlined Pakistan's views on the US-India nuclear agreement and stressed that there were concerns on its implications for regional stability and security. On bilateral ties, President Musharraf underlined the importance of a broad-based, long-term and mutually beneficial Pakistan-US relationship. Senator Hagel said the United States greatly values its multifaceted cooperation with Pakistan. He said the "US Congress viewed Pakistan as a valuable friend and ally and would continue to support initiatives to strengthen bilateral cooperation." He appreciated Pakistan's role in fighting extremism and terrorism.(Posted @ 17:18 PST)
Chadian president declares victory following rebel attack on the capital N'DJAMENA, Chad, April 13 (AP) _ President Idriss Deby declared victoryThursday following a rebel attack on the capital, assuring Chadians that his government was in control of the country. Following three hours of fighting, which included attack helicopters, tanks and artillery, Deby said on state-run radio that his troops had destroyed a rebel column that attempted to infiltrate the N'djamena before dawn.``The situation is under control,'' Deby said. Only sporadic gunfire could be heard around the capital following the announcement. Residents in the eastern part of the city said fighting there had completely stopped, while in the northeast, residents said government troops were conducting mop-up operations, pursuing suspected rebels. Deby also reiterated his claim that the rebels were mercenaries hired by Sudan to overthrow him, a charge the Sudanese have denied.(First Posted @ 16:04 PST Updated @ 16:50 PST)
Indian Bollywood star gets bail in gazelle poaching case JODHPUR, India, April 13 (AFP) - Bollywood superstar Salman Khan was released on bail Thursday while he appeals a five-year jail sentence handed down this week for poaching an endangered gazelle in western India, a court official said.(Posted @ 16:18 PST)
Sri Lanka Tigers seek to postpone Swiss talks COLOMBO, April 13(AFP) - Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels Thursday called for a postponement of ceasefire talks scheduled for next week in Switzerland amid an upsurge in violence that has killed 38 people this week. "We requested Norway to postpone to talks until after the 22nd (of April)," LTTE spokesman Daya Master said. "We need some time to discuss the ground situation with our commanders in the east." LTTE conveyed the decision during talks Thursday with Ulf Henricsson, the chief of a Scandinavian commission monitoring a truce in place since 2002.(Posted @ 16:14 PST)
Afghan leader, Indian PM urges joint fight against terrorism NEW DELHI, April 13, 2006 (AFP) Afghan President Hamid Karzai Thursday ended a trip to India during which leaders of both sides called for a pooling of resources to fight terrorism and urged that Pakistan join their efforts. "Terrorism today has acquired new dimensions and I find in our region even Pakistan is not immune from terrorism," Singh told reporters. "So, there is need for pooling our knowledge, our experience, our intelligence-gathering activities in this region to deal effectively with this menace," Singh said. "All of us in this region are affected. And I very much hope that all of us in this region will join hands to fight this menace," Karzai said. During the visit, India also promised Afghanistan an extra 50 million dollars in aid, boosting India's contribution to relief and rehabilitation to 650 million dollars. (Posted @ 15:09 PST)
Traders observe shutter down in Lahore to mourn Karachi tragedy LAHORE, Apr 13 (APP) All the major markets and business centres remained closed Thursday in the provincial capital to mourn the killings of innocent people in Tuesday's blast at Karachi. The main markets which remained closed today included Akbari market, Azam cloth market, Shah Alam market, Urdu Bazaar, Beadon Road and Suha Bazaar bullion market. The Lahore Chapter of Pakistan Qaumi Tajir Ittehad (Pakistan National Traders Alliance) had given the call for the shutterdown to express solidarity with the bereaved families. (Posted @ 15:09 PST)
UN nuclear chief holds talks with Iran TEHRAN, April 13, 2006 (AFP) The head of the UN's atomic watchdog Mohamed ElBaradei opened talks with senior Iranian officials Thursday to press demands the Islamic republic freeze its nuclear programme. The 24-hour visit by the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) comes two days after Iran announced its scientists had successfully enriched uranium to make nuclear fuel. "We hope to convince Iran to take confidence-building measures including suspension of uranium enrichment activities until outstanding issues are clarified," ElBaradei said. (Posted @ 14:47 PST)
Mobs rampage in Indian tech city after Rajkumar dies BANGALORE, India, April 13 (Reuters) Mobs torched buses, attacked company offices and stoned police on the streets of India's technology hub on Thursday ahead of the funeral of film icon Rajkumar, whose death has triggered widespread mourning. Officers retaliated with tear gas and baton-charges as thousands converged on a stadium in the centre of Bangalore where the actor's body had been put on view in a transparent coffin. The police said later the situation was under control. The state government of Karnataka announced a public holiday, as authorities prepared for Rajkumar's cremation on Thursday. (Posted @ 14:42 PST)
Turkey's secular order under threat, says president ANKARA, April 13 (Reuters) Turkey faces a growing threat from fundamentalists who want to destroy its secular system of government, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said. "Religious fundamentalism has reached alarming proportions. Turkey's only guarantee against this threat is its secular order," Sezer told a gathering of military officers late on Wednesday. "Religious reactionaries are trying to infiltrate politics, education and the state. They are systematically trying to erode the values of the republic, above all nationalism and secularism, espoused by most of our society," Sezer said. (Posted @ 14:42 PST)
Afghan, coalition forces launch major anti-Taliban operation KABUL, April 13, 2006 (AFP) Thousands of Afghan and coalition troops backed by US and British warplanes continued strikes Thursday on targets in a major new operation in eastern Afghanistan. About 2,500 troops launched Operation Mountain Lion Wednesday with a series of predawn air and ground assaults in eastern Kunar province. The operation started in Kunar's Pech River Valley, "an area notorious for terrorist activity," the military said in a statement. F-15 Eagle fighter jets, A-10 Thunderbolt ground support planes and massive B-52 heavy bombers "are providing close-air support for troops on the ground," it said. Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers were also providing combat support and Global Hawk and Predator unmanned aerial vehicle aircraft were supplying intelligence and surveillance information. "However long it takes to rid this area of extremist activity, we'll be there," said James Redmore, the command sergeant major of the US-led Task Force Spartan. (Posted @ 14:40 PST)
China to send envoy to Iran, urges restraint BEIJING, April 13 (Reuters) China will send a top envoy on arms control to Iran and Russia in an effort to defuse Iran's nuclear standoff with the West, a ministry spokesman said on Thursday, urging restraint on all sides. Assistant Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai would visit Iran and Russia from April 14-18, the spokesman told a regular news conference. "We hope the relevant parties can exercise restraint and not take measures that will escalate the situation," he said. (Posted @ 13:07 PST)
New anti-terrorism laws introduced in Britain LONDON, April 13 (Reuters) New anti-terrorism laws came into force across Britain on Thursday following months of political debate. The Terrorism Act 2006 allows groups or organisations to be banned for glorifying terrorism and distributing publications promoting terrorist acts. The most controversial element of the act, allowing terror suspects to be detained for up to 28 days instead of 14, will come into force later this year. (Posted @ 13:07 PST)
Saudi Arabia supports Singapore trade pact with Gulf council SINGAPORE, April 13, 2006 (AFP) Saudi Arabia has expressed support for a free trade agreement (FTA) between Singapore and the Gulf Cooperation Council, an official joint statement said Thursday at the ongoing official visit of Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Adbdul Aziz to the city-state. It said the two countries "affirmed the benefits of global free trade and regional trade agreements" and that Singapore congratulated Saudi Arabia on its accession to the World Trade Organisation. The Saudi crown prince is on an official visit to Singapore from April 10-15. (Posted @ 10:59 PST)
Nepali police arrest 70 lawyers as anti-king protests shake nation KATHMANDU, Nepal, April 13, 2006 (AFP) Police arrested 70 lawyers shouting slogans Thursday as Nepal was gripped by its worst political crisis since King Gyanendra took absolute power 14 months ago, witnesses said. Around 100 lawyers protested outside the Supreme Court, chanting anti-king slogans, before being bundled into waiting police vans. Police fired tear gas and most of the crowd dispersed, an AFP reporter said. More protests were slated for later Thursday in the capital suburb of Gongabu. (First Posted @ 10:56 PST Updated @ 16:26 PST)
Australian PM says unaware of firm broke Iraq sanctions SYDNEY, April 13 (Reuters) Australian Prime Minister John Howard said on Thursday he was aware Saddam Hussein had broken sanctions in U.N. oil-for-food deals, but he did not know that any Australian company was involved. Howard was testifying to an official inquiry into reports the country's monopoly wheat exporter AWB Ltd. had allegedly paid multi-million-dollar kickbacks to Saddam's Iraqi regime. "There was absolutely no belief, anywhere in the government, at that time that AWB was anything other than a company of high reputation," he said. (Posted @ 09:53 PST)
Pakistani-American on trial in US over alleged terrorism activities SACRAMENTO, Calif., April 12 (Reuters) A 23-year old Pakistani-American, Hamid Hayat, on trial on charges of attending a terrorist training camp "believes heart and soul in jihadi violence," a U.S. prosecutor alleged on Wednesday in closing arguments. The federal prosecutor told the jury that the government proved during the seven-week trial that Hayat went to Pakistan for terrorist training and lied about it to the FBI when he returned to the United States. Hayat's attorney argued throughout the trial that during the interrogation her client was tired and eventually told his questioners what they wanted to hear. She said that a government paid informant Naseem Khan initiated the conversations and manipulated Hamid Hayat to make statements. About the video confession, the attorney said: "When he was being arrested he didn't even know what was happening." (Posted @ 09:53 PST)
More dead in Bangladesh farm clashes DHAKA, April 13, 2006 (AFP) Five people were killed in northern Bangladesh when thousands of farmers protesting inadequate power supply clashed with police and paramilitary troops, state-run BSS news agency said Thursday. Police confirmed only two deaths in Wednesday's clashes with up to 12,000 farmers in which they fired live ammunition, rubber bullets and tear gas. "The situation is very tense in the villages. The farmers are armed with machetes and sticks. We could not go there to confirm how many died," a local police chief said. (Posted @ 09:51 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 68.76 points: KARACHI, April 13: At close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 12060.99, up 68.76 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 02:30 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, April 13: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.13 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 11:00 PST)
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