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| September 04, 2006 | Monday | Sha'aban 10, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Government is all for the rights of Balochistan and its people: Musharraf ISLAMABAD, Sep 4 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf on Monday said the government always stood for the rights of Balochistan and its people. Addressing a meeting here held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, he said the government took numerous steps to ensure political representation of the Balochi people at all tiers, ensure empowerment of the common man there, and bring backward areas of the province at par with the rest of the country. He referred to various mega projects including the Gwadar Deep Sea Port, Makran Coastal Highway, Mirani and Subakzai dams and various other development schemes as examples. However, Musharraf regretted that certain elements in Balochistan were against such socio-economic progress in the province. He listed rocket attacks, existence of Ferrari camps, blowing up of power and gas pipeline installations, killing of Chinese engineers and law-enforcement agency personnel, targeting of settlers and attacks in Sui as some of the activities that were aimed at disrupting development in the province. He added that such terrorist activities were also spread to Karachi, Lahore and other parts of the country to create law and order problems. He said the nature of subversive activities and the evidence available with the government indicated that one could not rule out the possibility of involvement of foreign hand in certain areas of Balochistan. Governor Balochsitan Owais Ghani, Chief Minister Jam Muhammad Yousaf, PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao and Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani also attended the meeting among others. (Posted @ 19:40 PST)
Musharraf to visit Afghanistan: FO ISLAMABAD, Sept 4 (Agencies) President Pervez Musharraf has accepted an invitation to visit Afghanistan, his foreign ministry said Monday without specifying the exact date of the visit. "The visit is taking place at the invitation of President Karzai. The purpose of the visit is to further strengthen bilateral relations," ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam told a weekly briefing. Aslam rejected suggestions that Musharraf was only visiting Afghanistan to curry favour with Washington ahead of a meeting next month with US President George W. Bush. "Good relations, strong relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan are too important for both countries to be fostered or strengthened for the sake of any third party," she said. Responding to a question about foreign involvement in attacks in Balochistan province, she said the Afghan government was not involved in "any destabilising" activity. In an apparent reference to India, she however said Afghan territory was being used for such activities. To another question, she said the President would attend NAM Summit at Hawana and his meeting with the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh might take place there. "They may discuss the peace process and all related issues," she added. The spokesperson said a neutral expert was likely to give his judgement on Baglihar Dam issue by the end of the year. She said 15 Pakistani `Zaireen' who survived the attack in Iraq were presently lodged in a hotel in Karbala and they would be sent back to Pakistan by the 11th September. She told a questioner that UK’s request to extradite Raashid Rauf was being processed by the Interior Ministry, adding that the two countries were also negotiating an extradition treaty. She said the visit of the President Mehmet Ali Talat of Turkish Republic of Northern Cypriot was not an official one. (First Posted @ 19:14 PST Updated @ 19:20 PST)
Pakistan considering sending troops to Lebanon: PM Aziz BEIRUT, Sept 4 (AFP) Visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Monday that his country was considering contributing troops to the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon. "We've had discussions and the matter will be reviewed by us and we will take the final decision in the next couple of days," Aziz said at a joint press conference with his Lebanese counterpart Fuad Siniora. Aziz toured the Haret Hreik suburb of Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold that was heavily bombarded by Israel during the 34-day conflict that ended under a UN-brokered ceasefire on August 14. He compared the destruction and rubble around him to the aftermath of an earthquake, noting that Pakistan had suffered similar devastation in an October quake and was ready to help Lebanon. (Posted @ 19:44 PST)
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz leaves Beirut for Islamabad BEIRUT, Sep 4 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz left here for Pakistan after undertaking a brief visit of Lebanon. Prime Minister arrived here Monday to assess the situation after the Israeli attacks and to express solidarity with the Lebanese people. During his stay, Prime Minister Aziz also visited some parts of the areas destroyed by the Israeli military attacks. (Posted @ 22:24 PST)
Asians get rich quicker than Brits: study LONDON, Sept 4 (AFP) Asian entrepreneurs in Britain generate wealth three times as efficiently as the national average, according to a business study released Monday. Asian wealth increased by 69 per cent compared to an overall gross domestic growth of 22.8 percent between 1998-2005, according to the study "Asian Entrepreneurs in the UK", by Barclays Business Banking. The report also underlined that the focus of Asian business has shifted from traditional areas such as textiles and manufacturing to sectors such as pharmaceuticals, information technology and media. (Posted @ 21:36 PST)
Aussie croc hunter Steve Irwin killed in stingray attack SYDNEY, Sept 4 (AFP) World-famous Australian "crocodile hunter" and television environmentalist Steve Irwin was killed by a stingray blow to the chest Monday while filming a documentary on the Great Barrier Reef. Irwin, 44, was killed when a stingray barb punctured his heart during underwater filming off Australia. (Posted @ 20:06 PST)
Qatar plane lands in Beirut despite Israel blockade BEIRUT, Sept 4 (AFP) A Qatar Airways flight landed at Beirut international airport from Doha on Monday despite a continuing Israeli air and sea blockade of Lebanon. Flight QR 422 arrived in the Lebanese capital shortly before 1230 GMT with 120 passengers who were greeted by a cheerful crowd that gave them roses as they cleared immigration. It was scheduled to leave Beirut again at 1335 GMT and touch down in Doha at 1625 GMT. The airline plans to operate the flights daily, a company spokesman said earlier in Doha. (Posted @ 20:04 PST)
Police recover 33 bullet-riddled bodies in Baghdad BAGHDAD, Sept 4 (AFP) At least 33 bullet-riddled bodies of Iraqi men murdered were recovered by Iraqi forces across Baghdad on Monday, a security official said. The official said 19 bodies were found in east Baghdad and 14 in west Baghdad. (Posted @ 20:02 PST)
Al-Qaeda in Iraq denies deputy's arrest DUBAI, Sept 4 (AFP) The Iraqi branch of Al-Qaeda denied Monday that its second-highest official, Hamed Jumaa al-Saedi, had been arrested in Iraq, in a statement posted on an Internet site. (Posted @ 20:00 PST)
Annan arrives in Saudi Arabia JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, Sept 4 (AFP) UN Secretary General Kofi Annan arrived in Jeddah Monday for talks with Saudi leaders on the latest leg of a Middle East tour largely focused on shoring up a fragile ceasefire in Lebanon, a UN source said. Annan was due to hold talks with Saudi King Abdullah and Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal, Saudi and UN sources said. (Posted @ 19:58 PST)
British tourist killed, five wounded in Jordan capital AMMAN, Sept 4 (AFP) A British tourist was killed and five other Western holidaymakers wounded in the centre of the Jordanian capital Monday when a gunman opened fire at them in what officials said was a "terror" attack. A policeman was also wounded in the shooting at a Roman amphitheatre in the city centre and the assailant, a Jordanian, arrested, the officials said. The other tourists wounded in the attack were two British women, a female visitor from Australia, a New Zealand female tourist and one Dutch male tourist, the official said, adding "The gunman is a Jordanian national. He was apprehended and an investigation is under way". Interior Minister Eid Fayez told reporters the gunman apparently acted alone and described the incident as a "terror" attack. (First Posted @ 15:52 PST Updated @ 19:56 PST)
Cricket-Pakistanis told to keep quiet about hearing KARACHI, Sept 4, (Reuters) Pakistan cricket captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have been warned to stop making public comments about the disciplinary hearing scheduled to take place later this month. International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Malcolm Speed said anyone commenting on the ball-tampering hearing could face charges. "I have been very disappointed by some of the public comments that have been made by members of the PCB, team management and captain Inzamam following the Oval Test," Speed said in a statement on Monday. Speed said he had raised the matter twice in the past 10 days with PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan and had asked ICC match referee Mike Procter to do the same with the Pakistan captain and team management. Meanwhile, PCB sources said on Monday the hearing was likely to be held on Sept 27 or 28. (Posted @ 19:50 PST)
Pakistan, US navies hold anti-terror exercises KARACHI, Sept 4 (AFP) Pakistan and the United States embarked on a two-week joint naval exercise Monday to enhance their skills in counter-terrorism, and human and drug smuggling, an official said. "The exercises will help the navies to check terrorism, and human and drug smuggling through sea routes," Lieutenant commander Salman Ahmed of the Pakistani Navy said. "It's a regular feature and it gives a chance to both navies to learn from each other's skills," he said. Pakistan and the US held a similar exercise last year, he added. The joint exercise comprises three phases including harbour, sea and analytical skills, he said. The sea phase would be conducted in the northern Arabian Sea in Pakistani territorial waters, Ahmed said. The exercise would involve two naval ships, a submarine and an aircraft carrier from the US, plus two ships and a submarine from Pakistan. Other small ships and aircraft will also be the part of the exercise, he added. (First Posted @ 14:39 PST Updated @ 19:46 PST)
India to build 27 new roads along border with China: report NEW DELHI, Sep 04 (AP) India plans to build 27 new roads along its 3,225-kilometer long border with China over the next six years to develop infrastructure in the remote frontier districts, a state-run television channel said Monday. The roads are expected to cost around 9 billion rupees (US$195.6 million), the channel reported. The road construction is part of the Indian Home Ministry's larger plans to develop 94 districts that lie along India's borders with five of its neighbours: China, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Bhutan and Nepal. (Posted @ 19:26 PST)
Indian police torture Kashmiri youth to death; three Indian soldiers killed SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, Sep 04 (AP) A 22-year-old man died Monday after being interrogated while in police custody in occupied Kashmir, while three Indian soldiers and three militants were killed in a clash, officials said. The man, Zahoor Khan, was arrested in his village near the town of Bandipore, about 65 kilometers north of Srinagar, said police claiming that Khan had fallen ill following his arrest the night before. But family members said he had been arrested nine days ago and that his body, which they were given on Monday, bore the marks of torture. The village, Brar, was largely shut Monday to protest Khan's death. The area’s police chief said an internal inquiry into the death had been launched. A civil probe has also been launched, said a local official. Meanwhile, three Indian soldiers and three militants were killed in a fierce gunbattle that raged for several hours Monday in the village of Ayatmullah, an army spokesman said. (First Posted @ 10:42 PST Updated @ 19:16 PST)
Iraq kills 14 "terrorists", arrests 200 suspects: PM Maliki BAGHDAD, Sept 4 (AFP) Iraqi forces killed 14 "terrorists" and captured almost 200 suspects Monday in a major operation on the outskirts of Baghdad, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's office said. "Over the past 24 hours Baghdad and its outskirts witnessed a series of military operations carried out by security forces from the defence and interior ministries to achieve security and stability," it said. Maliki's statement said that the raids had taken place in a region south of Baghdad. Police in Hilla, south of Baghdad, said that US forces and aircraft assisted Iraq in Monday's arrest operation near Jorf al-Sahkr, but there was no immediate confirmation of this from US headquarters in Iraq. (Posted @ 16:36 PST)
Bomb wounds two British soldiers in southern Iraq BASRA, Iraq, Sept 4 (Reuters) Two British soldiers were wounded when a roadside bomb hit their convoy near the southern Iraqi city of Basra on Monday, a British military spokesman said. No more details were immediately available. (Posted @ 15:56 PST)
Olmert says West Bank plan on hold for now JERUSALEM, Sept 4 (Reuters) Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Monday he had put his plan for an Israeli pullback from parts of the West Bank on hold for now following the war in Lebanon, Army Radio reported. "What I thought was the right thing to do in the Palestinian sphere several months ago has changed now," the radio quoted Olmert as telling parliament's Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee in remarks about his "realignment" proposal. (Posted @ 15:53 PST)
Annan urges peaceful end to Iran nuclear standoff DOHA, Sept 4 (Reuters) U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Monday stressed the need to avoid a confrontation with Iran over its nuclear ambitions. "This is not the time for anyone to take independent decisions," Annan told reporters in Doha, his latest stop in a Middle East tour. "We want to avoid confrontation. Confrontation is not in the interest of anyone in the region or in the international community." (Posted @ 15:07 PST)
Gas pipeline blown up in Balochistan QUETTA, Pakistan, Sept 4 (AFP) A natural gas pipeline was blown up in Balochistan by unknown persons, which suspended supply to the main gas plant in the town of Sui, officials said. There were no casualties, a security official said. (Posted @ 15:02 PST)
India to host Pakistan's domestic cricket champions NEW DELHI, Sept 4 (AFP) Domestic first-class champion teams from India and Pakistan will clash in a four-day cricket match later this month, organisers said on Monday. The match between India's Ranji Trophy winners Uttar Pradesh and Pakistan's Quaid-e-Azam Trophy champions Sialkot will be held in the northern Indian hill town of Dharamsala from September 19-22. (Posted @ 14:59 PST)
One British soldier killed, another injured in Afghan bomb attack LONDON, Sept 4 (AFP) One British soldier was killed and another was badly injured in a bomb attack on a British military convoy in the Afghan capital Kabul on Monday, the Ministry of Defence in London said. (Posted @ 14:10 PST)
Sudan asks African monitors to leave Darfur KHARTOUM, Sept 4 (AFP) Khartoum asked African Union peacekeepers to leave Darfur by the end of the month. "The African Union has already stated that it could not continue in Darfur so, if it is unable to pursue its assignment beyond September 30, then they have to leave before this date," a foreign ministry spokesman said Monday. "At the same time, they have no right to transfer this assignment to the United Nations or any other party. This right rests with the government of Sudan," he said. The Sudanese government had already rejected a UN Security Council resolution passed on Thursday which calls for the deployment of more than 20,000 UN peacekeepers to take over from the embattled 7,000-strong AU contingent. Khartoum submitted plans to the UN for the deployment of its own troops to replace AU monitors in Darfur, but the idea was rejected by the United States and rebel movements. (Posted @ 14:10 PST)
Qatar to send 200-300 troops to UN Lebanon force DOHA, Sept 4 (Reuters) Qatar said Monday it would send some 200-300 troops to join a U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon, Al Jazeera television said but did not give any details. If confirmed, Qatar would be the first Arab country to participate in the expanded U.N. peacekeeping force. (First Posted @ 12:28 PST Updated @ 12:56 PST)
Ten killed as authorities launch rescue in flooded occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, Sept 4 (AFP) Ten people have died in house collapses caused by heavy monsoon rains in occupied Kashmir as army and police said Monday they are attempting to rescue thousands trapped by flood waters. Heavy rains closed highways and roads as rivers swelled above danger levels submerging low-lying areas in Srinagar and villages in the surrounding Valley forcing schools and businesses to shut, police said. (Posted @ 12:39 PST)
Turkish troops kill Kurdish militant, say he masterminded deadly attack on soldiers ISTANBUL, Sept 4 (AP) Turkish soldiers killed a Kurdish militant they believed was responsible for the deaths of two soldiers in a recent attack on a military outpost in the town of Cukurca on Friday, an announcement from the local governor's office said Monday. The militant was said to be a member of the PKK rebel group and was killed Sunday in the eastern city of Hakkari, a statement from the governor's office said.(First Posted @ 10:04 PST Updated @ 12:14 PST)
NATO soldier killed in Afghanistan in friendly fire KABUL, Sept 4 (AFP) A NATO soldier was killed and several others were wounded early Monday in a friendly fire incident during a major anti-Taliban operation under way in southern Afghanistan, the force said. Troops battling Taliban insurgents in the Panjwayi district of southern Kandahar province had called for air support, NATO's International Security Assistance Force said in a statement. "Two ISAF aircraft provided the support but regrettably engaged friendly forces during a strafing run, using cannons," it said. The incident resulted in "one ISAF death and multiple casualties." (Posted @ 12:11 PST)
Suicide bombing hits foreign troop convoy, kills five in Kabul KABUL, Sept 4 (AP) _ A suicide attacker in a car detonated a bomb in a convoy of foreign troops on Jalalabad road in Kabul on Monday, killing three Afghan civilians and two foreign troops, police said. Four Afghan civilians were wounded. An Interior Ministry spokesman gave a different toll: four Afghan civilians dead, seven wounded. (Posted @ 12:06 PST)
Sri Lanka troops capture Tiger town: minister COLOMBO, Sept 4 (AFP) - Sri Lankan troops Monday captured with hardly any resistance an eastern coastal town used by Tiger rebels to launch artillery attacks against the strategic naval port of Trincomalee, Policy Planning Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said. "We captured the main Sampur artillery position of the Tigers. We suspect they dismantled the guns or pulled them back. We are now in Sampur." (Posted @ 11:57 PST)
Taliban attack Afghan town: 16 militants, three police killed KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Sept 4 (AFP) Taliban militants attacked the town of Garmser in southern Afghanistan overnight, sparking an intense battle in which 16 militants and three policemen were killed, police said Monday. "The fighting continued for hours and 16 Taliban were killed. Nine Taliban bodies were left at the site of the battle and 10 Taliban were wounded," provincial police chief said, adding that "three police was also martyred in the incident." (Posted @ 11:22 PST)
Nearly 200 hospitalized after chemical leak near China's Three Gorges Dam BEIJING, Sept 4 (AFP) Nearly 200 people were sent to hospital after being exposed to sulfur dioxide which leaked from a fertilizer factory in central China's Hubei province, state media said Monday. The leak happened Sunday afternoon at the plant in the vicinity of Yichang city, near the Three Gorges Dam, the Chutian Jinbao newspaper reported. A total of 184 people living near the plant were taken to hospital for observation, and at least seven showed adverse physical reactions, according to the paper. (Posted @ 11:14 PST)
Two marines killed in Iraq BAGHDAD, Sept 4 (AFP) Two US marines were killed Sunday by "enemy action" in Iraq's western province of Al-Anbar, the military said Monday. (Posted @ 11:05 PST)
Strong quake shakes Indonesia's Maluku islands JAKARTA, Sept 4 (AFP) A strong 6.1-magnitude earthquake jolted Indonesia's eastern islands of Maluku Monday but no damage or casualties were reported, officials said. (Posted @ 10:44 PST)
Two dead in blast in cafe in southeast Turkey ISTANBUL, Sept 4 (Reuters) Two people were killed and 10 were injured on Sunday in an explosion at a cafe in southeast Turkey, Anatolian news agency reported. 10 other people were injured in the blast, the cause of the blast was not immediately clear. (Posted @ 10:29 PST)
Cricket-Australia name squad for Champions Trophy SYDNEY, Sept 4 (Reuters) Australia on Monday announced the following 14-man squad for the 2006 Champions Trophy in India during October and November. Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Michael Clarke, Brad Hogg, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Shane Watson, Andrew Symonds. (Posted @ 10:22 PST)
Turkish premier calls on Muslim countries to contribute troops to Lebanon ISTANBUL, Sept 4 (AP) Turkey's premier on Sunday said Muslim countries had a historic duty to contribute troops for a peacekeeping force in Lebanon and said at least as many Islamic countries should send soldiers as European countries. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was speaking in Istanbul at a ceremony inaugurating the headquarters of the 56-nation OIC's Youth Forum. President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz were present. ``We cannot forget that a historic duty has fallen on us,'' Erdogan said. ``We cannot put aside the need to protect the existing peace.'' ``If 22 European countries are joining, at least as many Muslim countries need to join also,'' Erdogan said. (Posted @ 10:05 PST)
Israeli helicopters destroy house in Gaza refugee camp GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip, Sept 4 (AP) Israeli helicopters fired missiles at a house in the Jebaliya refugee camp next to Gaza City early Monday, destroying it, witnesses and security officials said. Five neighbours were wounded by the blasts. The Israeli military had no immediate comment. (Posted @ 10:05 PST)
Tearful Agassi bows out of tennis with US Open loss NEW YORK, Sept 4 (AFP) Andre Agassi lost in the third round of the US Open on Sunday, a defeat that brought down the curtain on one of the greatest careers in tennis. The 36-year-old Agassi went down 7-5, 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 7-5 to unsung Benjamin Becker of Germany. Once the final service winner had flashed past him, Agassi slumped into his chair and cried as he got a standing ovation from the 23,000 crowd that had packed into the Arthur Ashe Stadium court to will him on one last time. When he eventually spoke minutes later, Agassi for once, struggled to deliver. "The scoreboard said I lost, but what it doesn't say is what I have found over the last 21 years," he tearfully told the New York crowd. "I have found loyalty. You have pulled for me on the court and life. I have found inspiration and you have willed me to win. "Over the last 21 years I have found you and I will take you with me for the rest of my life." The surprise defeat brought an end to a 20-year-long career that brought the Las Vegan eight Grand Slam titles and worldwide acclaim as one of the greatest-ever in the sport. (Posted @ 09:27 PST)
Six children killed in Chicago apartment fire CHICAGO, Sept 4 (AFP) Six children from one family died Sunday after a fire, which was apparently sparked by candles they were using because their electricity was cut off, swept their apartment, fire officials said. The children, four boys and two girls aged three to early teens, died in the third-story apartment as firemen rescued their mother and three other siblings, Fire Commissioner said. "There were no working smoke detectors in the apartment," he added. A total of nine people were rescued from the building, but several children went into cardiac arrest after they were pulled out of the apartment. (Posted @ 09:27 PST)
Israel must change military approach: Peres LONDON, Sept 4 (AFP) Israel must learn the lessons of its war in Lebanon and revise its military approach, Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres wrote in an article published in The Guardian on Monday. (Posted @ 09:26 PST)
Karachi Stocks down 44.07 points: KARACHI, September 04: At close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 10126.90, down 44.07 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, September 04: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.55 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
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