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| October 05, 2006 | Thursday | Ramazan 11, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Musharraf slams Oxfam over Pakistan quake warning ISLAMABAD, Oct 5 (Agencies) President Gen. Pervez Musharraf Thursday hit out at Oxfam after the aid agency said 1.8 million survivors of last year's earthquake would spend a second winter in makeshift homes. Musharraf, in his address to the first annual conference of the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority, rejected Oxfam’s findings, saying "We challenge anyone to come and see how many people are living in tents". He also defended Pakistan against wider criticism of its earthquake rehabilitation efforts. "They said that nothing was being done to save people, but nobody died due to lack of medical attention. Then there were predictions of famine, but nobody died of hunger…They said that people will freeze to death, but it did not happen as we had provided one million tents to people…And for this I pay immense gratitude to the whole world because Pakistan did not have the capacity to make such a large number of tents," he said. But Musharraf said Pakistan now needed an extra 800 million dollars, having underestimated the number of new homes needed by 200,000 and urged for donations. Eighty percent of all reconstruction would be finished within three years, with the rest completed within five years, he said. Residents of Balakot in NWFP would be moved to a new town that will be built on a seismic free zone a few miles away, he said. Reconstruction in Muzaffarabad, Bagh and Rawalakot, all towns in Azad Kashmir, would avoid areas at risk from seismic activity or vulnerable to landslides. He also said he hoped China would play a big role in rebuilding Muzaffarabad. (First Posted @ 14:40 PST Updated @ 20:34 PST)
Two rockets found near Pakistani parliament ISLAMABAD, Oct 5 (AFP) Bomb disposal experts defused two rockets near President Pervez Musharraf's residence and the Pakistani parliament in Islamabad on Thursday, hours after a blast in a park near his army home. The rockets were fixed to launchers and hidden in bushes at a construction site about half a kilometre from the key government buildings, Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao said. A mobile phone was linked by wires to both launchers, apparently as a remote triggering device for the Russian-made rockets, security officials said. "These two rockets were not target-specific," Sherpao said, adding that the placing of the rockets "appears to be aimed at creating chaos and confusion in the capital and harassing the general public." He said "it could also be an attempt to undermine the successful visit of President General Pervez Musharraf to the EU headquarters in Belgium, Cuba, United States and United Kingdom." A security official said "luckily some labourers working at a construction site saw the rockets and reported it to police". Police cordoned off the area and security forces detained 80 people working at the site for questioning, officials said. Chief military spokesman, Major General Shaukat Sultan, said the blast "had nothing to do with the president or army house". Sultan said some explosive material was found at the blast site and that police were investigating. Police said they sent another bomb disposal team and search parties to the site. (First Posted @ 12:20 PST Updated @ 18:52 PST)
Cricket-Yousuf to lead Pakistan after Younis's refusal LAHORE, Pakistan, Oct 5 (AFP) Batsman Mohammad Yousuf will lead Pakistan in the Champions Trophy after Younis Khan refused to captain the side, just two days before the team was due to fly to India for the Champions Trophy, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said Thursday. "The PCB deeply regrets Younis chose to announce his withdrawal from the captaincy of the Pakistan team for the Champions Trophy," PCB director Abbas Zaidi said, adding "He did so without prior consultation with the board." All-rounder Abdul Razzaq was named vice-captain. The PCB confirmed that Younis would still play in the Champions Trophy. Zaidi refused to say whether there would be any fines or punishment. The drama unfolded when Younis, 28, was scheduled to hold a routine press conference with coach Bob Woolmer about the team's training camp and its chances in the biennial Trophy. But instead Younis announced "I'll continue to play but will never captain Pakistan in future…I am leaving the captaincy. Whether I am made captain for four or six matches, I am not willing to be a dummy captain and no one should ask me any questions," he said before storming off. Woolmer said he was "saddened" by Younis's resignation. "Having known him for two years and having a good relationship with him I think he would have a number of personal reasons for his decision," the coach said. Sources said the apparent reason for Younis's refusal was disagreement over the selection of Faisal Iqbal to fill the squad after Inzamam was banned. (First Posted @ 12:00 PST Updated @ 20:08 PST)
Cricket-ICC okays Iqbal as Inzamam replacement NEW DELHI, Oct 5 (Reuters) Pakistan batsman Faisal Iqbal has been cleared to replace banned skipper Inzamam-ul Haq in the squad for the ICC Champions Trophy starting in India on Saturday. The tournament's technical committee cleared the request after Inzamam was banned for four one-day matches over the Oval test fiasco in August, an ICC statement said on Thursday. (Posted @ 22:36 PST)
Cricket-Doctrove omitted from Champions Trophy umpires panel NEW DELHI, Oct 5 (Reuters) West Indies' umpire Billy Doctrove was omitted on Thursday from the list of officials for the ICC Champions Trophy starting in India on Saturday. Doctrove and Australia's Darrell Hair were at the centre of the row which led to Pakistan forfeiting the fourth test against England at The Oval in August. In a statement on Thursday the ICC said eight of its 10-man elite umpires panel would stand in the tournament. An ICC spokesman said Doctrove's absence had nothing to do with the controversy. (Posted @ 22:24 PST)
Muslim business firebombed near London LONDON, Oct 5 (AFP) A Muslim-owned business, Medina Dairy, which reportedly housed a makeshift mosque was petrol-bombed following three nights of clashes between white and south Asian youths on the London outskirts, police said Thursday. Three people were arrested following the clashes, police added. (Posted @ 22:22 PST)
Rice urges Iraqis to halt violence BAGHDAD, Oct 5 (AFP) US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urged Iraqi leaders to live up to their promises to halt violence engulfing their country, on a surprise visit to Baghdad Thursday. Rice met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki at his offices in the heavily fortified Green Zone. She complimented Maliki on his "excellent leadership" and said the "US will be a committed friend for Iraq". At the US embassy she met with politicians Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi, Vice Premier Salam al-Zubayi, Parliamentary Speaker Mahmud al-Mashhadani and Adnan al-Dulaimi, leader of the National Concord Front. Further talks with the prime minister were to be held later in the evening. (First Posted @ 20:02 PST Updated @ 22:20 PST)
Iraq entering 'decisive' six months: US General Casey WARSAW, Oct 5 (AFP) The US general in charge of the multinational coalition in Iraq, General George Casey, said here Thursday that the next six months will be a decisive period that will determine Iraq's future. "This is a decisive period for everyone and everyone knows it. The next six months will determine the future of Iraq," Casey said in a statement after attending two days of closed-door meetings in Warsaw. "The Iraqi Security Force (ISF) is reaching the time of key transition; improving the quality and loyalty will be the focus of next year," Casey said. The conference was attended by representatives from 39 countries, including Iraq. (Posted @ 22:16 PST)
PML to win next general elections: PM Aziz ISLAMABAD, Oct 5 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Thursday said that the Pakistan Muslim League would win the next general elections. He was addressing a meeting of the Central Working Committee of the PML at the PML House. President PML Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain presided over the meeting. (Posted @ 22:02 PST)
Ex British FM sparks row over Muslim veil comments LONDON, Oct 5 (AFP) Former British foreign minister Jack Straw triggered a row Thursday over his call for Muslim women to remove their veils when they visit him. Straw made the comments in his regular local newspaper column when talking about Muslim women who come to his constituency surgery, to ask him for help with their problems. "I defend absolutely the right of any women to wear a headscarf," he said, also underlining that wearing a full veil "breaks no laws." "I think, however, that the conversation would be of greater value if the lady took the covering from her face…Indeed, the value of a meeting, as opposed to a letter or phone call, is so that you can -- almost literally -- see what the other person means, and not just hear what they say," he said. The Islamic Human Rights Commission accused Straw of "selectively discriminating." (Posted @ 21:50 PST)
PM Aziz announces upward revision of pay-scales for teachers ISLAMABAD, Oct 5 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Thursday announced an upward revision of pay-scales of university teachers by one notch and that of school teachers by two grades from BPS 9 to 11 on the occasion of "Salam Teacher Day" at a ceremony here. "Teachers are our national asset and play a vital role in building future generations," he said. Aziz called for equipping students with technical and managerial skills, besides disseminating learning of English as a tool of modern learning. "There is no need to get emotional, our mother tongue can never change and will stay with us, but we also have to progress and be able to reach out to the world," he said. He also stressed upon the need for providing access to education to the female population in the country. Later, he presented awards to teachers from all over the country, including AJK, Northern Areas and FATA. (Posted @ 20:42 PST)
Indian air force to get new planes, systems in 2007 NEW DELHI, Oct 5 (Reuters) India will acquire new aircraft, weapon systems and missiles from next year, its air force chief said on Thursday. Hawk Advanced Trainer Jets would come from Britain's BAE Systems Plc and an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWAC) would be acquired by 2007, Air Chief Marshal S.P. Tyagi told a news conference. An air force spokesman later said around 50 Hawks and three AWACS, built by Israel on Russian platforms, would be delivered next year. Tyagi also said India was acquiring two types of missiles-- medium-long range missiles and quick-reaction missiles. In addition, India is also planning to purchase six new flight-refuelling aircraft and is also awaiting delivery of 80 medium-size helicopters from next year, Tyagi said. He said the air force was also looking at buying 20 Jaguars and 20 Light Combat Aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), India's flagship aircraft manufacturing company. The force was also accelerating the production of Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets and upgrading its MiG series planes, he said. (Posted @ 19:32 PST)
Ahmadinejad tells West not to miss chance to solve atomic row TEHRAN, Oct 5 (Reuters) Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad urged the West on Thursday to solve a nuclear standoff through talks. "We are in favour of talks. We are in favour of negotiations, peace and reaching an understanding but in the framework of law, regulations and justice," Ahmadinejad told a rally, broadcast on state television. The president also said Iran would resist pressure to halt its atomic work. "Either in the nuclear issue or other issues, the Iranian nation will resist by relying on its young and its beliefs," he said. (Posted @ 19:18 PST)
Saudi Arabia starts militant trials RIYADH, Oct 5 (Reuters) Saudi Arabia has begun trying suspected militants in Islamic Sharia courts, a government official said in comments aired on Thursday. "There are Islamic Sharia courts that specialise in these issues. The trials are continuing and ongoing. There are many who have been sentenced and are finished with," Deputy Interior Minister Prince Ahmed bin Abdul-Aziz told reporters in a clip shown on state-run al-Ikhbariya television. He gave no more details and it was not clear if "finished with" meant some had been executed. Rights activist Ibrahim al-Mugaiteeb said the lack of information about the trials was worrying. "Through all this period that they are being questioned we don't know anything about them," he said, adding his Human Rights First Society estimates there are 1,500 detainees. (Posted @ 19:15 PST)
Wife of Afzal Guru pleads with Indian president NEW DELHI, Oct 5 (AFP) The wife of Afzal Guru met President Abdul Kalam on Thursday in a bid to save her husband. "I gave a petition to President Kalam and he said he will examine the case in full," Tabasum Guru told reporters after a 20-minute meeting with Kalam. "One of the points she raised during her talks was that Afzal had not been given a fair trial even by the Supreme Court," a presidential aide said. (Posted @ 18:56 PST)
Russia slams US 'unilateral' move on Iran WARSAW, Oct 5 (AFP) Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday slammed Washington for acting "unilaterally" in the crisis over Iran's nuclear programme and urged the world powers to continue diplomatic efforts to resolve the standoff with Tehran. "We believe the community of action must be continued but the United States has already taken a unilateral decision affecting all parties, which limits activities in Iran not only of American companies but of all companies," Lavrov said during a visit to Poland. "We will continue with the diplomatic effort, even though some are in favour of sanctions as of now," the Russian foreign minister added. (Posted @ 16:32 PST)
Britain's Charles and Camilla to visit Pakistan LONDON, Oct 5 (AFP) Britain's Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall are to tour Pakistan for a week at the end of this month, royal officals confirmed Thursday. The royal couple will travel to the capital, Islamabad, as well as visiting areas hit by last year’s deadly earthquake. Clarence House, Charles's household, said that the themes of the tour would be inter-faith communication, education, youth entrepreneurship and sustainable development. The trip, their third official one overseas together, will last from Sunday October 29 to Friday November 3. (Posted @ 16:18 PST)
Ten killed, 22 wounded in occupied Kashmir gunbattle SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, Oct 5 (AFP) Ten people were left dead Thursday after a fierce gunbattle between security forces and suspected militants in occupied Kashmir ended with troops storming a hotel. Police said seven policemen, two militants and a civilian were killed in the 24-hour shootout in Srinagar, occupied Kashmir's commercial hub. Sixteen commandos and six civilians were also wounded. The fighting started midday Wednesday when suspected militants entered the New Standard Hotel, next to a bustling market. Fighting was intense early Thursday as police prepared to storm the building after clearing the surrounding area of terrified residents and shopkeepers.(First Posted @ 12:15 PST, Updated@ 15:05 PST)
Suicide blast in western Afghanistan, no casualties HERAT, Afghanistan, Oct 5 (AFP) A suicide attacker blew up a car bomb near a police patrol in the Bala Buluk district in the western Afghan province of Farah Thursday, killing only himself in the latest in a spike of such blasts in the country, police said.(Posted @ 14:50 PST)
Israeli troops shoot and kill Palestinian in Gaza Strip GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip, Oct 5 (AP) Israeli troops on Thursday shot and killed a Palestinian near the fence separating Israel and the Gaza Strip, the army said. Separately, two Palestinian activists were killed late Wednesday when Israeli warplanes targeted their vehicle in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah, witnesses and a medical source said. In another incident, a member of the armed wing of Hamas was killed late Wednesday in a clash with armed men at Khan Yunes in southern Gaza Strip, witnesses said. (First Posted @ 09:10 PST, Updated@ 14:05 PST)
US military denies killing al Qaeda leader in Iraq BAGHDAD, Oct 5 (Reuters) The U.S. military on Thursdaydenied reports it had killed the leader of al Qaeda in Iraq AbuAyyub al-Masri. "There was a raid where we thought he may have been among those killed. We are still doing DNA tests but we do not believe coalition forces have killed al-Masri," U.S. military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Barry Johnson told Reuters. Earlier, an Iraqi government source, who did not want to be named, said Masri and three of his aides were killed in the western Iraqi town of Haditha on Wednesday after U.S. forces launched an airstrike and ground assault on a safe house.(Posted @ 13:45 PST)
Gunmen kill three women, baby in southern Iraqi city SAMAWA, Iraq, Oct 5 (Reuters) Gunmen stormed a home in the southern Iraqi city of Samawa late Wednesday, shooting dead three women and slitting the throat of a baby girl, neighbours and hospital officials said Thursday.(Posted @ 12:40 PST)
Sri Lanka bomb blast kills soldier, wounds two others COLOMBO, Oct 5 (AP) Suspected Tamil Tiger rebels set off a roadside bomb Thursday, killing a soldier and wounding two others, the military said. The bomb targeted a group of soldiers who were on a foot patrol in Sri Lanka’s northern district of Vavuniya.(Posted @ 12:30 PST)
Israel general fired over calls for leaders to quit over Lebanon JERUSALEM, Oct 5 (AFP) A top Israeli general who is about to retire has been fired for calling on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and army chief Dan Halutz to resign over the Lebanon war, military sources said Thursday. "You have made statements inadmissible for a military member by making political criticisms, notably against the government and its head," Halutz wrote in a dismissal letter to General Yiftah Ron Tal, commander of ground troops who is on leave ahead of a planned retirement. In statements to the press earlier this week, Ron Tal said: "From a military point of view, the war ended in failure and the chief of staff and prime minister should take responsibility" and resign. (First Posted @ 10:10 PST, Updated@ 12:30 PST)
NATO takes command of foreign forces across Afghanistan KABUL, Oct 5 (AFP) NATO assumed command of foreign forces in eastern Afghanistan Thursday, taking over from the US-led coalition that toppled the Taliban regime five years ago and completing its expansion across the country.(Posted @ 12:00 PST)
Princess Anne meets British troops in Afghanistan LONDON, Oct 5 (AFP) The Princess Royal, Prince Charles's sister, has visited British troops in Afghanistan, the first trip to the country by a member of the Royal Family since the country's troops were deployed to the south of Afghanistan earlier this year, the defence ministry said. During the two-day tour of the country, Princess Anne visited Kabul, Kandahar and the southern Helmand province where most of the country's troops are stationed, accompanied by her husband Rear Admiral Timothy Laurence. She met officers and soldiers from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Signals and the Royal Logistic Corps during the trip, the defence ministry said. She also met troops from the Household Cavalry and RAF Lyneham. She spoke with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Brigadier Ed Butler, the commander of the British forces in Afghanistan.(Posted @ 10:55 PST)
U.S., EU warn Israel over closure of Gaza border JERUSALEM, Oct 5 (Reuters) U.S. and European security officials have warned Israel that European states may opt to pull their monitors out of the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt unless Israel agrees to keep it open.(Posted @ 10:30 PST)
Six U.S. soldiers killed in attacks in Baghdad, Kirkuk BAGHDAD, Oct 5 (AP) Four U.S. soldiers were killed Wednesday when gunmen attacked their patrol in northwest Baghdad, the U.S. command said, also announcing the deaths of two other soldiers the previous day. The command said ``terrorists'' attacked the troops on patrol with ``indirect and small arms fire'' in the morning, killing four soldiers.(Posted @ 10:15 PST)
Rice may announce 'progress' on Palestinian border crossings: official JERUSALEM, Oct 5 (AFP) US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice may announce "progress" Thursday on freedom of movement and access to the Palestinian Territories, a senior State Department official said. "Tomorrow, you will see that I think we will make some progress on some of these issues," the official who requested anonymity told a press conference Wednesday on ways envisaged by Washington to help the Palestinians. "For an example, we hope to make some progress on the access and movements issues," said the official who had attended most of the talks Rice held with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas in Ramallah and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem.(Posted @ 09:55 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 112.33 points: KARACHI, Oct 5: At close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 10855.88 , up 112.33 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 13:00 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, Oct 5: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.7 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 13:00 PST)
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