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| August 29, 2006 | Tuesday | Sha'aban 4, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
No-confidence motion fails in NA ISLAMABAD, August 29: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz comfortably survived no-confidence motion when the combined opposition polled just 136 votes, 36 short of the required 172 votes, in the 342' seat national assembly late Tuesday night. It was an eventful day when almost all the leaders of the opposition parties took the floor and emphasized and elaborated the points raised in the no-confidence motion, charging the prime minister and his government of corruption and mis-rule. They included leader of opposition Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Qazi Husain Ahmad, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Itezaz Ahsan, Imran Khan etc. Members of the treasury benches came out in strong defence of the prime minister who finally took the floor and rebutted the opposition’s accusations, almost point by point, and covering almost all major issues raised by the opposition. Finally, the speaker Amir Husain ordered the division which showed only 136 votes in favour of the motion. The speaker announced the result amidst loud thumping of the desks by the majority party and its coalition partners. (Posted @ 22:22 PST)
Bombs, riots rock Pakistan after killing of tribal chief QUETTA, Pakistan, Aug 29 (AFP) - Troubled Balochistan province witnessed Tuesday its worst violence since the weekend killing of tribal chieftain Nawab Akbar Bugti as mobs set buildings ablaze and four people died in a large bomb blast. The explosion at a hotel in Hub, an industrial town some 30 kilometers northwest of Karachi, injured six others, police official Ghulam Ali Lashari said. Earlier Tuesday, a crowd firing weapons into the air had rampaged through the streets of Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, following funeral prayers for Bugti. The mob torched a local bank and set a district government building alight. Four makeshift bombs exploded in shops near the venue of the prayers. Police fired teargas as well as rounds in the air to try to bring the situation under control, police official Abdul Khan said. Paramilitary troops were brought in to quell the violence. A policeman and eight protesters were injured in the gunfire, a police officer said, adding that around 100 people were detained during the day's rioting. The mobs set ablaze some two dozen shops belonging to settlers in Quetta city and blocked roads by burning old tyres, residents said. Thousands of people including former ministers and provincial governors attended the mass prayers in a local sports stadium for Bugti. Violence was also reported in several other areas in Baluchistan on Tuesday, including the coastal town of Turbat where protesters were said to have torched three shops and one bank. (Posted @ 21:04 PST)
Rioting, gunfire wound two policemen after funeral service for Nawab Bugti QUETTA, Pakistan, Aug 29 (AP) Gunfire and rioting broke out for a fourth straight day Tuesday after more than 10,000 mourners attended the funeral service for Jamhori Watan Party(JWP) chief, Nawab Akbar Bugti, held at a sports stadium in Balochistan’s provincial capital Quetta. Two policemen were wounded and dozens of shops destroyed in the violence. Two banks, three roadside restaurants and a courier company were set on fire elsewhere in Quetta. Hundreds of club-wielding protesters also burned shops, banks and cars in the towns of Khuzdar, Turbat and Gawadar. A police official initially said two bombs exploded outside the Quetta stadium where the service was held, but later said that the blasts were caused by gas cylinders that exploded inside some of the 20 shops set alight by protesters after the ceremony. Police have made at least 500 arrests. Groups of young men also smashed windows throughout the stadium and burned a security guard post. Mir Maqbool Ehmat Lehri, Quetta's mayor and a member of the country's ruling Pakistan Muslim League faction, was chased away on foot from the stadium by Bugti supporters, a reporter said. Bellowing through a loudspeaker, Bugti's son-in-law, Senator Agha Shahid Bugti, appealed for calm, saying: ``Anyone who is looting and damaging other's property has nothing to do with us. We are peaceful. They are our enemies.'' Meanwhile, the late leader's son, Talal, after arriving in Quetta said ``The body may be lying in a hospital. They are telling a lie that it is still in the cave. This is my personal thinking''. (First Posted @ 10:19 PST Updated @ 14:37 PST)
Nawab Bugti not targeted, was killed in explosion inside the cave: DG ISPR ISLAMABAD, Aug 29 (online): Director General Inter Service Public Relations Maj. Gen Shaukat Sultan Tuesday said that chief of Jamhori Watan Party Nawab Akbar Bugti was not targeted and was killed in an unexplained explosion inside a cave in which he was hiding and all efforts are being made to dig the bodies out of the rubble. He said at a press briefing that on Aug 26 security forces found a cave whose mouth was closed by a huge boulder. Security troops entered the cave along with Bugti guides. All of a sudden a loud explosion occurred and part of the cave caved in killing 5 paramilitary troops, which included 4 officers, and one JCO. Refuting claims that Nawab Akbar Bugti was targeted through a Satellite phone he said that Nawab Akbar Bugti had died in an explosion inside the cave along with his men. All efforts are being made to recover the dead bodies but according to army engineers heavy machinery cannot be used as it might damage the structure of the cave causing it to collapse further. He also told that huge amount of ammunition, satellite phones, Rs 100 million and $96,000 were recovered from the cave. In response to a question regarding the concern expressed by India and Afghanistan over the incident he said that these countries have out- stepped their diplomatic norms and said we all know the external hands responsible for the unrest in Balochistan. (Posted @ 21:46 PST)
Gas pipeline, power lines attacked in Balochistan QUETTA, Pakistan, Aug 29 (Reuters) A gas pipeline and several electricity pylons were blown up Monday night outside Balochistan’s Qalat city by unknown persons in attacks that appear to be the first since the death of Jamhori Watan Party chief, Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti. "These were strong explosions. A 12-foot long piece of the pipeline was blown away," a police officer in the city said. Repair work on the gas and electricity lines was in progress, added the officer. (Posted @ 12:35 PST)
ICC confirm Pakistan Hair inquiry request CARDIFF, Aug 29 (AFP) - The International Cricket Council confirmed Tuesday they had received a request from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to hold an inquiry into the conduct of Darrell Hair regarding the Australian official's role in the ball-tampering row in the fourth Test against England. An ICC spokesman said that PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan had written to the ICC that Hair's conduct be "thoroughly investigated" and that such an inquiry should take place before disciplinary charges against Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq were heard. (Posted @ 22:34 PST)
Israeli soldiers killed two Palestinians in attacks in Gaza GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip, Aug 29 (AP) _ Israeli soldiers killed two Palestinians _ at least one of them a militant _ and wounded fiveothers, including a 4-year-old boy, in two separate incidents in Gaza City on Tuesday, Palestinian hospital officials said. The Palestinians said one Palestinian was killed in the Shajaiyeh neighborhood in Gaza City when a drone fired a missile at a group of militants. A second Palestinian was killed in the same area by a sniper. (Posted @ 21:34 PST)
Four more US soldiers die in Iraq BAGHDAD, Aug 29 (AFP) - The US military on Tuesday announced the deaths of four US soldiers, bringing to 12 the number of troops that have died over three days. Two soldiers died in separate incidents from wounds received in "enemy action" on Sunday in Al-Anbar province. In another incident, a soldier died on Sunday from non-hostile causes, a statement said without offering details. Earlier Tuesday the military had said another US soldier died after his Humvee utility vehicle rolled into an Iraqi canal.Two others were injured in the accident, it added. (First Posted @ 11:22 PST Updated @ 21:28 PST)
Five killed as Canada-bound bus crashes in New York State NEW YORK, Aug 29 (AFP) - Five people were killed and 40 injured, four of them seriously, when a Greyhound Lines bus carrying 52 passengers and proceeding from New York City to Montreal crashed and overturned on Interstate 87 in upstate New York near the Canadian border late Monday, rescuers said Tuesday. The nationalities of the dead and injured were not immediately known. (Posted @ 20:45 PST)
Norway Contributes US$20 Million to Pakistan Earthquake Fund BANGKOK, August 29 (PPI): Norway has made a US$20 million contribution to Asian Development Bank (ADB)'s Pakistan earthquake fund through an innovative debt-for-development swap which means that US$20 million worth of outstanding loan repayment obligations from Pakistan to Norway will be converted into a grant to be administered by ADB. (Posted @ 19:36 PST)
Akbar Bugti`s killing: Protest continues in parts of Karachi KARACHI, Augt 29 (PPI): Baloch-dominated localities of Karachi were paralyzed again on Tuesday due to protest against killing of Nawab Akber Bugti. Manghopir Road’s Pak colony section remained closed for vehicular traffic as the enraged people put road blocks and burnt tyres. Shops were also closed. Minor incidents of violence were also reported from Gizri, Chakiwara and Steel Town. Angry protestors made bon fires and suspended traffic in Faqir Colony, Mominabad and Orangi Town, and forced traders to close down shops. (Posted @ 19:24 PST)
Benazir condemns Bugti's killing ISLAMABAD, August 29 (PPI) Former Prime Minister and Chairperson Pakistan Peoples Party Benazir Bhutto has called the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti a blow to the unity and integrity of the federation. In s statement issued here Tuesday, she said his killing would further alienate the people of Baluchistan from the centre. She called for a bi-partisan parliamentary inquiry into the military operation which resulted in the death of Nawab Akbar Bugti. She also demanded that the body of Akbar Bugti be handed over to his family for burial in accordance with their traditions. (Posted @ 19:18 PST)
Over 100 killed, more than 150 wounded in Iraq; 20 bodies found BAGHDAD, Aug 29 (Reuters) - More than 100 persons were killed and over 150 injured in Iraq on Tuesday while authorities found 20 bodies of tortured victims. At least 74 people were killed and 94 injured when a blast ripped through scavengers siphoning petrol from pools around a breach in a disused pipeline near Diwaniya, late on Monday, health officials said. Fifteen people were gunned down in several attacks in different areas of Baquba, while police found the bodies of 20 men with gunshot wounds in two areas of Baghdad on Tuesday. In western Baghdad, 10 men, handcuffed and blindfolded, were found dumped in a school yard, while 10 other bodies were discovered in a southern district of the capital. Four mortar rounds landed in two districts in northern Baghdad wounding five people, including two Iraqi soldiers, a source in the Interior Ministry said. An Iraqi soldier was killed and four civilians were wounded when a roadside bomb went off near his patrol in the main road between Mahmudiya and Latifiya, 40 km south of Baghdad, police said. A policeman was killed and nine people were wounded when a roadside bomb went off near their patrol in Kirkuk, police and hospital sources said. (Posted @ 18:54 PST)
Indian PM says no talks with Pakistan until support for militants ends NEW DELHI, Aug 29 (AP) _ The peace process between India and Pakistan will not go forward until Islamabad ends its support for terrorist groups, said Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in remarks broadcast Tuesday. ``This cannot go forward if Pakistan does not deal with terrorism firmly. What has Pakistan done to control terrorism?'' Singh said late Monday during a visit to the eastern city of Bhubaneswar. (Posted @ 18:50 PST)
Sri Lankan military says 16 Tamil rebels killed in fresh fighting in north COLOMBO, Aug 29 (AP) _ Sixteen Tamil guerrillas were killed as they attempted to breach a military defense line in northern Sri Lanka on Tuesday, the military said. The rebels tried to overrun army defenses in Puvarasankulam in northern Vavuniya district, a military spokesman said. (Posted @ 18:32 PST)
Iraqi government: death toll reaches 73 in fighting between government forces, Shiite militia BAGHDAD, Aug 29 (AP) _ Fighting between Iraqi government forces and Shiite militiamen killed 73 people Monday in Diwaniyah before calm was restored, the prime minister's office said Tuesday. The death toll is significantly higher than the 40 people initially reported to have been killed in a fierce 12-hour street battle. Besides 50 gunmen, 23 Iraqi soldiers were killed and 30 wounded, said a statement. (Posted @ 18:20 PST)
At least 10 killed in Pakistan collision KARACHI, Aug 29 (AFP) - At least 10 people were killed and 21 injured Tuesday in a collision involving several vehicles on a highway in southern Pakistan, police said. A bus hit a truck which then ploughed into a second bus coming from the opposite direction at Khanot, 210 kilometers north of Karachi. The drivers of two more buses lost control of their vehicles and crashed into each other, local police officer Sulaiman Jat said. "Apparently the accident took place because of overspeeding and wrong overtaking," he said. (Posted @ 18:10 PST)
1,500 rebels surrender in southwest Pakistan: report QUETTA, Pakistan, Aug 29 (AFP) - Some 1,500 Pakistani tribal militants and their three commanders from Marri tribe surrendered to authorities in Thardari town of Kohlu district in the province of Baluchistan Tuesday, the Associated Press of Pakistan news agency said. (Posted @ 17:54 PST)
Afghanistan offers condolences over Nawab Akbar Bugti’s death KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug 29 (AFP) Afghanistan Tuesday offered condolences to the family of Nawab Akbar Bugti , a Pakistani tribal chief killed in a military operation in Baluchistan. "We regret his death and we offer our condolences to the family of late Bugti," said a spokesman for Afghan President Hamid Karzai. (Posted @ 17:40 PST)
Four dead in Afghanistan blasts KANDAHAR, Aug 29 (AFP) - A series of bomb blasts killed two civilians and two policemen in southern Afghanistan Tuesday. Two of the blasts were targeted at foreign troops helping to round up rebels. The first narrowly missed a convoy of Canadian soldiers outside Kandahar. No soldiers were hurt but two civilians were killed. An Afghan passer-by was also wounded. The second bomb blast on foreign troops was in a busy part of Kabul. It struck moments after a convoy of the US-led coalition passed, police and the coalition said. "There were no injuries and no damage," a spokeswoman said. Two policemen were meanwhile killed while on patrol in Helmand province and in Zabul province a remote-controlled bomb struck a vehicle of men travelling to neighbouring Kandahar province, to visit the governor. Four men, friends of the governor, were wounded, local police chief Noor Mohammad Pakteen said but did not disclose their identities. (Posted @ 17:26 PST)
26 people drown as minibus falls into water reservoir in southern India NEW DELHI, Aug 29 (AP) A packed minibus plunged into a water reservoir in southern India on Tuesday as it headed for the Almatti dam in the state of Karnataka killing 26 people heading out for a picnic, a news agency reported. Six others in the vehicle managed to swim to shore, the Press Trust of India news agency said. (Posted @ 14:15 PST)
Hafiz Saeed re-arrested ISLAMABAD, Aug 29 (Reuters) Pakistani authorities detained Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, ex-leader of Lashkar-e-Taiba, an hour after he was released following a court ruling his detention was illegal, his lawyer and spokesman said on Tuesday. "It is a mockery of the law. It is an insult to the court. They wanted to show the court that the executive is more powerful than the judiciary," his lawyer said. (Posted @ 14:05 PST)
Israeli air strike in Gaza, casualties GAZA, Aug 29 (Reuters) Israel's air force struck a ground target in Gaza City's Shijaia district on Tuesday, killing at least one person and wounding several other Palestinians, witnesses said. The Israeli military had no immediate comment. (Posted @ 13:58 PST)
Tennis-Agassi into second round at US Open NEW YORK, Aug 28 (AFP) Andre Agassi reached the second round of the US Open on Monday by defeating Romania's Andrei Pavel 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (10/8), 7-6 (8/6), 6-2. The 36-year-old American next plays eighth seed Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus for a place in the third round. Agassi is playing his last tournament before retiring at the end of a 20-year-long career. (Posted @ 10:10 PST)
Israeli troops kill two West Bank gunmen NABLUS, West Bank, Aug 29 (Reuters) Israeli Special Forces killed two Palestinians in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, witnesses said. An Israeli military spokeswoman had no immediate comment. (First Posted @ 09:17 PST Updated @ 10:06 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 66.76 points: KARACHI, August 29: At close of tarding the KSE-100 index was at 9943.27, up 66.76 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, August 29: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.5 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
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