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| October 14, 2006 | Saturday | Ramazan 20, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Aziz announces five new vegetable markets, 20 utility stores for Karachi KARACHI, Oct 14 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz arrived in Karachi Saturday, and immediately paid a surprise visit to a utility store in Gizri’s Punjab Colony. Talking to journalists there, Aziz announced a plan to build five new `subzi mandis' or vegetable markets in Karachi, along with more utility stores. "There is only one sabzi mandi in Karachi (at the moment) and I have asked the Sindh government to open up five more. This will improve the supply side and ultimately have a positive impact on overall prices (of commodities)", he said, adding that 20 new utility stores would also be established. On prices of essential items during the month of Ramadan, he said "we are satisfied that our measures to control prices during Ramazan have directly benefited the common man". Aziz claimed that Atta (flour) being sold at Rs11 per kilo at the utility store was the cheapest in the entire South Asian region. Similarly, sugar was available at Rs27.50 per kilo. He also said that petroleum prices in the country would be reduced only after they reached the old subsidy level. Elaborating, he said earlier the government had fixed the petrol prices at Rs50 per litre even when international prices were at $70 per barrel; this resulted in a huge subsidy amounting to billions of rupees. Now when the world prices were gradually falling, the amount of subsidy was also declining, he said, adding "when it will reach the subsidy level where the government freezed the prices, the petrol prices in Pakistan will also come down". (First Posted @ 17:34 PST Updated @ 17:52 PST)
Aziz directs KESC to improve system, Hyderabad to get more funds KARACHI, Oct 14 (APP) Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Saturday directed the Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) to take immediate and necessary steps to improve the electricity supply in Karachi. While presiding over a meeting here at the Governor House to review the power supply problems in Karachi, Aziz said the government was working towards making Karachi a business and commercial hub of the country. To further this goal, he asked KESC to urgently improve its distribution and transmission system. He said that a back up support system comprising mobile transformers should be introduced in the city to tackle the problems of power shortage caused by transmission line failures. KESC was also asked to set up more complaint centres, increase its interaction with community and public representatives, and also to keep the public informed about its plans. Aziz also said that the federal government would provide additional funds for improving the drainage and sewerage system in Hyderabad in view of the havoc caused by the recent torrential rains there. He pointed out that these funds will be in addition to the Rs1 billion allocated for a water filtration plant in Hyderabad. He stressed that the federal government in coordination with the Sindh government would do everything possible to alleviate the sufferings of the people of Hyderabad on a permanent basis. (First Posted @ 19:08 PST Updated @ 20:02 PST)
5,000 more police personnel to be recruited in Sindh KARACHI, Oct 14 (APP) Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Saturday called upon the law enforcement agencies to adopt a proactive approach and act pre-emptively to reduce crime rates. Presiding over a high level meeting to review the law and order situation in Sindh here at the Governor House, Aziz said the agencies need to strengthen their intelligence networks and focus more on identifying the planners and perpetrators of crimes. "The need is to break the crime chains," he emphasised. He asked the Citizen Police Liaison Committees (CPLC) to get more involved in preparing strategies to prevent the incidence of crimes. Aziz was informed that 5,000 more personnel would be recruited in Sindh Police at all levels to meet the shortage of security officers. The meeting also discussed the issue of re-deployment of existing police personnel in order to make them more effective and to ensure their presence wherever required. (Posted @ 20:50 PST)
UN Council imposes tough sanctions on North Korea UNITED NATIONS, Oct 14 (Reuters) The U.N. Security Council voted on Saturday to impose financial and arms sanctions on North Korea for its nuclear weapon test. The vote was 15-0. The U.S.-drafted resolution allows nations to stop cargo going to and from North Korea to check for weapons of mass destruction or related supplies. But the measure specifically excludes military force. It requires all countries to prevent the sale or transfer of materials related to Pyongyang's unconventional weapons programs. And the resolution demands nations freezes funds overseas of people or businesses connected with North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. (Posted @ 23:08 PST)
PML-led allies to participate as coalition in general elections: Aziz KARACHI, Oct 14 (APP) Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz announced Saturday evening that in the coming general elections, the PML-led allies would participate as one coalition. Addressing a function here at the Governor House, he said our coalition consists of Pakistan Muslim League, PML (Functional), Muttahida Qaumi Movement, PPP Patriots, and members from the tribal areas. He claimed that "there is a democratic environment in the country and that the press is free," adding "we welcome constructive criticism and good suggestions as we have to build the country collectively." (Posted @ 23:04 PST)
Seven Palestinians killed, 18 wounded in Israeli air raid GAZA CITY, Oct 14 (Agencies) Seven Palestinians were killed, including four from Hamas’ armed wing, and 18 wounded during an Israeli air raid on the Jabalya refugee camp in Gaza overnight, Palestinian security officials said Saturday. (First Posted @ 09:43 PST, Updated @ 12:20 PST)
Bundal Island decision made after consultation: PM Aziz KARACHI, Oct 14 (APP) Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Saturday said the decision to develop the Bundal Island was taken after consulting every person concerned with the project. In a question hour session with the media at the Governor House here, he said "this is a right decision taken after completing all the necessary procedures and in consultation with all the concerned. I have personally talked to the Sindh chief minister and he has clarified the matter". Aziz said the land belonged to Port Qasim, and also informed that a Sindh government representative was present during the MoU signing ceremony of the project in the presence of UAE prime minister. He said the project would benefit the entire country, creating thousands of jobs and generating economic activity. Ports and Shipping Minister, Babar Ghauri, on the occasion said that the ground breaking ceremony of the project will be held soon, and added that 100 acres of the land will be provided to build a media city there. (Posted @ 22:56 PST)
Two NATO soldiers killed in Afghanistan KABUL, Oct 14 (Reuters) Two NATO soldiers were killed in fighting in the southern Afghan province of Kandahar on Saturday, an alliance spokesman said. (Posted @ 22:40 PST)
India will burn if Afzal Guru hanged: Farooq Abdullah NEW DELHI, Oct 14 (Reuters) India will "go up in flames" if it hangs Afzal Guru, a Kashmiri man convicted for his alleged role in an attack on the Indian parliament in 2001, a former chief minister of occupied Kashmir was quoted as saying. "Kashmir will anyway go up in flames ... there will (also) be turmoil which India will have to face," Farooq Abdullah told CNN-IBN TV news. "You will be making him a hero for centuries to come ... you are giving a massive weapon to the separatists in the state of Jammu and Kashmir," Abdullah claimed. (Posted @ 21:30 PST)
18 killed in two accidents in northern India LUCKNOW, India, Oct 14 (AFP) Ten people were killed Saturday when an overcrowded taxi collided with a truck in northern India, while eight people died when a bus plunged into a gorge, police said. (Posted @ 21:26 PST)
Bush urges tough response on North Korea WASHINGTON, Oct 14 (Reuters) U.S. President George W.Bush urged world powers on Saturday to pass tough sanctions on North Korea, saying Pyongyang must face "real consequences" for the nuclear weapons test it says it conducted. "We will support our allies in the region, we will work with the United Nations, and together we will ensure that North Korea faces real consequences if it continues down its current path," Bush said in his weekly radio address. The president said he wanted to assure Asian allies, including Japan and South Korea, "that America remains committed to their security" and would step up cooperation on missile defense in response to the nuclear test. (Posted @ 20:08 PST)
Ship sinks in Black Sea off Turkey, three dead ANKARA, Oct 14 (Reuters) A Comoros-flagged ship sank in the Black Sea off Turkey's coast on Saturday, killing three crew, state-run Anatolian news agency said. Turkish coastguards rescued seven of the remaining crew. (Posted @ 17:32 PST)
One killed, five injured in occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, Oct 14 (AP) A suspected militant was killed and at least five people injured in two separate attacks Saturday in occupied Kashmir, police and army officials said. The suspect was killed in an alleged gunbattle in the village of Senzan, about 35 kilometers south of Srinagar, police said. Separately, an army patrol team was ambushed in Nadihal, a village north of Srinagar, wounding five people including two soldiers, an army spokesman said. (Posted @ 16:02 PST)
Cricket-Pakistan prepare for Shabbir comeback in South Africa KARACHI, Oct 14 (Reuters) Pakistan are hoping banned seamer Shabbir Ahmed will be cleared by the International Cricket Council to tour South Africa next year before the World Cup. Shabbir, 30, was banned for 12 months last year for an illegal bowling action after being reported twice in 2005. "His ban ends on Dec. 18 before that we will send him to Australia next month to undergo a biomechanical test to confirm there is an improvement in his action," a board spokesman said. (Posted @ 15:54 PST)
Cricket-Pakistani senators to launch probe into Oval fiasco KARACHI, Oct 14 (Reuters) Pakistani cricket officials have been asked to appear before a Senate committee probing the Oval test fiasco and the controversy leading to the resignation of board chairman Shaharyar Khan on Oct. 30, Saleem Altaf, the cricket board's director of operations said Saturday. "The performances of the team will also come under discussion," Altaf added. (Posted @ 15:52 PST)
No extra radiation in Japan TOKYO, Oct 14 (AFP) Japan Saturday said no abnormal radiation had been found on its territory after North Korea's declared nuclear test. "Our latest observations up to Saturday, which are aimed at monitoring radiation levels harmful to human beings, found nothing abnormal," said an official from the government task force dealing with possible fallout from North Korea's test. (Posted @ 14:45 PST)
North Korea resolution should contain no hint of force: Russian Defence Minister MOSCOW, Oct 14 (AFP) There should be no hint at the use of force in any resolution on North Korea adopted by the UN Security Council, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov said Saturday. "Sanctions should not carry even a hint at any kind of forceful methods and should not be aimed against the North Korean people," he was quoted by the RIA Novosti and Interfax news agencies as saying, adding that in the event that the UN Security Council adopts sanctions against North Korea, they should only be for a limited period. (First Posted @ 14:23 PST, Updated @ 14:35 PST)
Two Muslims killed in Thai south NARATHIWAT, Thailand, Oct 14 (AFP) Two villagers were shot dead by suspected insurgents in southern Thailand’s Narathiwat province, police said Saturday. (Posted @ 14:15 PST)
Sri Lankan jets drop 48 bombs on village COLOMBO, Oct 14 (AFP) Sri Lankan army jets dropped 48 bombs on Muttayankattu village in Mullaitivu district Friday, a pro-rebel TamilNet website said. The attack killed 10 cows and devastated a large swath of farmland. (Posted @ 13:00 PST)
Afghan governor escapes assassination attempt JALALABAD, Afghanistan, Oct 14 (AFP) The governor of the Laghman province, Gulab Mangal, escaped an assassination attempt early Saturday in eastern Afghanistan but a provincial administration official was killed in the attack involving bombing and gunfire. Mangal could not say who might have been behind the attack. (Posted @ 12:05 PST)
Seven missing as ships collide in China's Three Gorges Dam reservoir BEIJING, Oct 14 (AFP) At least seven people were missing after two cargo ships collided late Friday in the reservoir of China's huge Three Gorges Dam in Hubei province, leaving one boat carrying more than 200 cows sunk, officials and state media said Saturday. (Posted @ 11:48 PST)
Nobel winner denounces French genocide bill ANKARA, Oct 14 (APP/AFP) Dissident Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk, winner of the 2006 Nobel Literature Prize, Friday denounced a French bill that would make it a crime to deny Turks committed genocide against Armenians, saying it flouted France's "tradition of liberal and critical thinking." (Posted @ 10:05 PST)
Strong quake shakes Tokyo TOKYO Oct 14 (APP/AP) A quake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.0 shook Tokyo and its vicinity at 6:38 a.m. Saturday, the Meteorological Agency said. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage. (Posted @ 09:55 PST)
Rice to visit Japan, South Korea and China next week WASHINGTON, Oct 14 (APP) US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice will travel to Japan, South Korea and China from October 17 to 22 to discuss tough response to North Korea's reported nuclear test and talk about security situation in the region, officials said Friday afternoon. (Posted @ 09:53 PST)
Iraq war worsening terrorism, John Kerry charges MANCHESTER, N.H., Oct 14 (Reuters) Democratic Sen. John Kerry, a potential White House candidate in 2008, said on Friday the Iraq war had worsened terrorism and that the Bush administration had squandered the nation's moral authority. "They tell us we're making progress in Iraq and that there is no civil war. That is a lie. There is a civil war and it is costing American and Iraqi lives every single day and we must change course in Iraq," said Kerry, who lost to President George W. Bush in the 2004 election, in remarks at a fund-raising dinner for about 650 New Hampshire Democrats. (Posted @ 09:38 PST)
Non-aligned nations ask moderation on nuclear NKorea HAVANA, Oct 14 (AFP) Non aligned countries called for moderation in resolving North Korea's nuclear crisis, as well as an end to testing and nuclear materials transfers, in a declaration Friday. "The Non Aligned Movement urges all involved in the region: to exercise moderation, which contributes to regional security; to discontinue nuclear tests; and to suspend the transfer of nuclear materials, equipment and technology related to nuclear weapons," the text said. (Posted @ 09:20 PST)
UN vote on NKorea sanctions in doubt after Russian, Chinese objections UNITED NATIONS, Oct 14 (AFP) Last-minute Russian and Chinese objections to a compromise draft resolution on sanctions against North Korea over its declared nuclear test cast doubt on prospects for a vote Saturday, diplomats said Friday. US Ambassador John Bolton said that during private consultations among key UN powers Friday, the Russian delegations called for some changes after receiving instructions from Moscow. "I thought we had agreed to go to a vote tomorrow morning," the US envoy said. Asked if a vote would take place Saturday, China's UN envoy Wang Guangya replied: "It all depends on the final text, because we are not at the final text yet." In Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov cast doubt on whether the UN Security Council would present a united front at Saturday’s meeting. "We have a common position with China on the necessity of pursuing a balanced approach, not to give in to emotions, to some extreme sanctions," Interfax news agency quoted him as saying. (Posted @ 09:10 PST)
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