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| November 06, 2006 | Monday | Shawwal 13, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Pakistan president urges Muslim nations to correct 'misperception' of Islam in West ISLAMABAD, Nov 6 (AP) The Muslim world must correct Western misperceptions created by ``semiliterate clerics'' about Islam as a religion that fosters militant extremism, Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf said Monday. ``We need to inform the world of the reality of Islam,'' Musharraf told a meeting of the World Islamic Economic Forum. ``Semiliterate clerics who hold sway over the masses (have contributed) to the rise of extremism in the Muslim world as opposed to moderation,'' he said. ``This is the unfortunate reality because this is the critical malaise which spawns terrorism. These radical clerics reinforce the Western misperception that Islam as a religion believes in militancy and intolerance,'' Musharraf said. In a wide-ranging speech, Musharraf painted a bleak picture of the economic prospects facing the world's 57 Muslim nations, pointing out that their combined gross national products were less than the GNP of a single European nation, Germany. He said this was partially due to the low levels of education in the Muslim world. ``This is a major failure in the knowledge-driven world of today,'' Musharraf told delegates. He also urged Muslim nations to fight corruption, set up good governance and empower women in order to achieve economic development. (Posted @ 13:00 PST)
Pakistan leader urges Muslim world to empower women ISLAMABAD, Nov 6 (Reuters) Muslim countries have to empower their women -- both politically and economically – as part of efforts to develop, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf told the World Islamic Economic Forum on Monday. He also called for better governance and economic modernisation -- which he said did not mean Westernisation. "We need to liberalise, we need to deregulate and we need to privatise in a big way," he said. Musharraf, a major ally in the U.S.-led war on terrorism, also called on the United States and Europe to help solve political disputes at the root of international turmoil and singled out the Palestinian problem. "If we are trying to address Iraq and Lebanon and Afghanistan we are putting the cart before the horse. "We must resolve the Palestinian dispute that is the core which has led to Iraq and Lebanon and Afghanistan and everything else," he said. (Posted @ 16:00 PST)
Haniyeh not to head new Palestinian govt RAMALLAH, West Bank, Nov 6 (Reuters) Hamas and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah have agreed in principle to form a unity government that will not be headed by current Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas, officials said Sunday. "We have agreed on the political platform of the new government," Hamas lawmaker and senior leader Yahya Moussa told Reuters, adding that "the Hamas movement has also agreed that the next prime minister will not be Haniyeh." (Posted @ 09:10 PST)
Pakistan, Malaysia aim to boost bilateral trade to US$1 billion annually ISLAMABAD, Nov 6 (AP) _ The governments of Pakistan and Malaysia agreed Monday to work to boost bilateral trade to US$ one billion annually from the current US$600 million, a statement said. The accord was signed during a meeting between President Gen. Pervez Musharraf and Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is in Islamabad to attend a meeting of the World Islamic Economic Forum. The talks also focused on strengthening the role of the 57-member OIC which Badawi currently chairs . The two governments have already announced plans to establish a free trade agreement by the end of the year. (Posted @ 17:38 PST)
Palestinian woman blows herself up in Gaza; 3 others killed JERUSALEM, Nov 6 (AFP) - A Palestinian woman blew herself up in northern Gaza Monday, killing herself and lightly wounding one Israeli soldier amid a deadly six-day-old operation in the area, an army spokeswoman said. According to witnesses, the woman set off the explosives when soldiers entered her house to conduct a search. Israeli army said the attack occurred on the street. The attack comes amid an Israeli operation in Gaza that killed another three persons Monday and has now left 54 Palestinians and one Israeli soldier dead in six days. Among those killed Monday was a teenage student. (Posted @ 19:38 PST)
Cricket-Pakistan recall Yasir Hameed for West Indies tests KARACHI, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Pakistan have axed all-rounder Shahid Adridi but recalled opener Yasir Hameed for the first two tests against West Indies and have also included rookie fast bowler Samiullah Niazi in their side. The two tests start on Nov. 11 and 19 in Lahore and Multan. Pakistan squad: Imran Farhat, Mohammad Hafeez, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal, Danish Kaeria, Samiullah Niazi, Yasir Hameed, Shahid Nazir, Faisal Iqbal, Abdul Rehman, Umar Gul, Shoaib Malik. (Posted @ 18:30 PST)
Rehan to lead Pakistan in Asian Games hockey KARACHI, Nov 6 (APP): Right-out Rehan Butt was Monday named captain of the new-look Pakistan hockey squad for XV Asian Games at Doha (Qatar) from December 1 to 15 with Rashid Imran lone new entry. Shakeel Abbasi was named Rehan's deputy. Squad is: Salman Akber, Nasir Ahmed (goal-keepers), Imran Ali Warsi, Ihsanullah, Zeeshan Ashraf (full-backs), Imran Khan, Adnan Masood, Sajjad Anwar, M.Irfan (half-backs), Rehan Butt (Captain), Rashid Imran, Shakeel Abbasi, Tariq Aziz, Waqas Sharif and Mudassar Ali Khan (forwards). Shahnaz Shaikh (manager/chief coach). (Posted @ 19:58 PST)
Missiles land in suburb of Peshawar, no causalities reported: SSP Operation PESHAWAR, Nov 6, (APP): Two missiles mysteriously landed in suburb of Peshawar between Sunday and Monday night but did not explode, SSP Operation, Haji Iftikhar Khan told APP. He said one of the missiles was found in village Pawakai while other was recovered from village Spina Warai near University Town. He said the direction of the missiles was probably towards Peshawar airport. The SSP said that these missiles have reportedly been fired from adjoining tribal areas. He said no casualty was reported. (Posted @ 23:52 PST)
US distances itself from controversial death sentence for Saddam WASHINGTON, Nov 6, (AFP) - The United States insisted Monday that it played no role in an Iraqi court's decision to sentence former dictator Saddam Hussein to death, a judgement assailed by allied governments around the world. (Posted @ 23:40 PST)
U.S. Assistant Secretary Boucher calls on Foreign Minister Kasuri ISLAMABAD, Nov 6 (APP): U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Richard A. Boucher, called on Foreign Minister Khurshid M. Kasuri on Monday and discussed Pak-US bilateral relations and regional issues of common interest. Boucher's visit is part of the regular high-level contacts maintained by the two countries. Both sides shared the view that steady progress was being made in the implementation of the Joint Statement of March 4, 2006 on Pakistan- U.S. Strategic Partnership. It was agreed that due to these institutional frameworks the relationship was deepening and broadening in diverse fields. Both sides also exchanged views on counter-terrorism cooperation. Foreign Minister Kasuri reiterated Pakistan's firm resolve to fight extremism and terrorism. (Posted @ 22:24 PST)
Greek police arrest Pakistani who denounced alleged kidnappings ATHENS, Nov 6, (AFP) - A prominent member of Greece's Pakistani community, who earlier denounced alleged abductions of Pakistanis by Greek intelligence services, was arrested on Monday for trafficking illegal immigrants, police said. Javed Aslam was arrested at his Athens home at the request of Interpol. The international police agency issued the request in response to accusations by Pakistani authorities that Aslam served as a middle man in transferring clandestine immigrants from Pakistan to Greece. Aslam has lodged a request for political asylum at the public prosecutors' office and will remain in detention until his demand is examined, a justice official said. (Posted @ 22:10 PST)
Pak-Saudi Arabia enjoy deep rooted relations: Aziz ISLAMABAD, Nov 06 (PPI) Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are strategic partners and enjoy a deep rooted relationship based on shared history and culture, commonality of belief and Pakistan wants to further consolidate this unique relationship and bolster collaboration in all areas including economy, trade, investment, energy and mining sector. Talking to Mr. I. Ali Al-Naimi, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Monday, he said that energy, food and water security are the three major determinants of growth and there is a huge potential of mutual cooperation among the Islamic countries in these areas. Mr. Ali Al-Naimi apprised the Prime Minister of the economic revival plans being implemented in Saudi Arabia and said major reforms have been introduced by the Saudi government in the energy sector and major investments have been made in the upstream, midstream and down stream oil exploration sector. (Posted @ 20:26 PST)
Saddam execution would be 'unacceptable': Italian FM PARIS, Nov 6 (AFP) - Executing Saddam Hussein would be "unacceptable" and could throw Iraq into a "veritable civil war," Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema said in Paris Monday. (Posted @ 19:34 PST)
West Indies begin first Pakistan tour for nine years LAHORE, Pakistan, Nov 6 (AFP) - The West Indies cricket squad arrived here Monday to play three Tests and five one-day internationals during their first tour of Pakistan in nine years. Squad: Brian Lara (capt), Ramnaresh Sarwan, Chris Gayle, Daren Ganga, Lendl Simmons, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Runako Morton, Dwayne Bravo, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Corey Collymore, Fidel Edwards, Daren Powell, Jerome Taylor, Omari Banks, Dave Mohammed. Coach: Bennet King. (Posted @ 19:30 PST)
Iraq lifts round-the-clock curfew BAGHDAD, Nov 6 (AFP) - A round-the-clock curfew on pedestrian movement imposed on Baghdad, Diyala and Salaheddin provinces was lifted from 4:00 pm (1300 GMT) Monday after nearly two days, state television reported. The vehicle ban would be lifted from 6:00 am (0300 GMT) Tuesday. However, the daily dusk-to-dawn curfew in the capital from 9:00 pm (1800 GMT) will remain in effect. (Posted @ 18:48 PST)
Pakistan's reform agenda covered all key areas ISLAMABAD, Nov 6 (PPI): Pakistan's reform agenda covered all key areas including economy, politics, judiciary and social sector to take the country forward enabling it to meet future challenges, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said during panel discussion Monday at the meeting of World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) in Islamabad. He said the government by pursuing policies of liberalisation, privatisation and de- regulation was addressing challenges the country was facing in the wake of globalisation. He called for greater inter-cultural, inter-faith and inter-civilisational harmony to address causes of deprivation and for dispute resolution. The government was committed to adhering to concept of public-private partnership by offering on Built Operate Transfer (BOT) basis ports, roads, infrastructure and power generation projects, besides oil and gas sectors. (Posted @ 18:40 PST)
Iran tests new automatic cannons in war games TEHRAN, Nov 6 (AFP) - Iran tested on Monday new automatic cannons and rocket launchers on the fifth day of war games. "The range of cannons and rockets tested today is between 75 kilometres and 120 kilometres and it is the first time that a new generation of automatic cannons with a range of 75 kilometers has been successfully tested," spokesman Brig General Ali Fazliwas quoted as saying by news agency ISNA. (Posted @ 18:24 PST)
Five US troops killed in Iraq BAGHDAD, Nov 6 (AFP) - Five more US troops have been killed in Iraq, including two in a helicopter crash on Monday in Salaheddin province, the American military said adding that no enemy fire was observed in the area. Earlier Monday, US headquarters announced the deaths of three service personnel in western Iraq: two marines died Saturday and one army soldier on Sunday, all "from wounds sustained due to enemy action." (Posted @ 18:22 PST)
Indian supreme court says controversial Delhi shop closures must continue NEW DELHI, Nov 6 (AFP) - India's supreme court ruled Monday that a controversial drive to close hundreds of thousands of illegally built shops in New Delhi must continue, raising fears of fresh violent protests. "We find no ground whatsoever to modify our order (issued in September to close unauthorised shops)," turning down appeals filed by municipal authorities, said a panel of judges headed by Chief Justice Y.K. Sabharwal, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported. (Posted @ 18:20 PST)
Blair against death penalty for 'Saddam or anybody else' LONDON, Nov 6, 2006 (AFP) - British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Monday he was against death penalty "whether it's Saddam (Hussein) or anybody else." (Posted @ 18:18 PST)
Pakistani FM to visit Afghanistan next month ISLAMABAD, Nov 6 (AFP) - Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri is to visit Afghanistan next month for talks on holding a joint meeting of tribal leaders on both sides of the border to tackle Taliban insurgency there, foreign ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam said at her weekly news briefing. Afghan Foreign Minister Rangeen Dadfar Spanta had suggested Jalalabad as a likely venue for the jirga in December or January. Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf will also be invited, Afghan officials have said. Islamabad has proposed fencing and "selectively" planting land mines along the rugged frontier between the two countries, Tasnim Aslam said. However, Afghanistan has not yet responded to the Pakistani proposal while Karzai has said he was not in favour of fencing the border between the two countries, "he was in fact in favour of further liberalising the border," she added. Pakistan has deployed 80,000 troops along the frontier. (Posted @ 18:16 PST)
Suspected Taliban militants abduct four Afghan aid workers KABUL, Nov 6 (AP) _ Suspected Taliban militants kidnapped four Afghan aid workers in Zormat district of Paktia province, while U.S.-led and Afghan troops detained six suspected extremists Monday, including one described as a ``known al-Qaida terrorist,'' officials said. The four aid workers, employed by the International Organization for Migration, were on their way to visit a newly built school in the area, a spokesman said. U.S.-led troops, meanwhile, detained ``a known al-Qaida terrorist and five other extremists'' during an operation near the eastern city of Khost on Monday, a U.S. military statement said. No shots were fired, and nobody was harmed during the operation, it said but provided no details on those arrested. In the country's south, Taliban ambushed a police patrol, killing one policeman and wounding two, said Zabul highway police commander Jailani Khan adding that one Taliban fighter was killed. In nearby Helmand province, Afghan and NATO forces carried out an operation against Taliban fighters, killing two. (Posted @ 17:54 PST)
Snow Leopards: Pakistan considers insurance scheme ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Nov 6 (AP) _ Pakistan hopes that an insurance scheme covering snow leopard prey will deter angry herders from killing the endangered wild cats that attack their livestock. The insurance scheme has been tested in a pilot project in a small area of the country's snowy north, and the government is now looking to see if it can be replicated in a larger area, Environment Minister Malik Amin Aslam told AP on phone Monday. Only 5,000 to 7,000 snow leopards are left in the wild, mainly in the Himalayas and central Asia, including about 300 in northern Pakistan. (Posted @ 17:16 PST)
Pakistan concerned about Iraqi integrity: foreign office ISLAMABAD, Nov 6 (AFP) - Pakistan Monday said it was concerned about the stability and integrity of Iraq after a tribunal in Baghdad imposed the death sentence on Saddam Hussein. "Our major focus and concern remains peace, stability and territorial integrity of Iraq," foreign office spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam told reporters at the weekly Press briefing. "Well, the legal proceedings are continuing. In fact the appeal proceedings have started today," she said in a cautious reaction to the verdict. (Posted @ 17:14 PST)
Thousands protest Pakistani madrassa airstrike KHAR, Pakistan, Nov 6 (AFP) Thousands of tribesmen and students staged separate rallies Monday demanding the Pakistan government open the region for media and politicians as protest continued against last week's deadly raid on a religious school. Around 5,000 tribesmen, some carrying guns, gathered in Loisum village, 15 kilometres west of Bajaur district's main town Khar. A tribal MP, Abdul Rashid, addressing the protesters said: "The government should allow national and international media and politicians to visit the area to know the facts and inform the outside world." Another rally staged by some 1,200 local college students at Khar's main market said also condemned the airstrikes. (Posted @ 16:00 PST)
Iran hangs six 'tourist kidnappers' in public TEHRAN, Nov 6 (AFP) Iran has publicly hanged in the southeastern of Zahedan six members of a "terrorist" group convicted of abducting European tourists and armed robbery, a press report said Monday. The men had reportedly kidnapped Dutch, German, and Irish tourists travelling through Iran and also set a police car on fire, killing four people,the report said. It appeared to be referring to the abduction by armed bandits in December 2003 of one Irish and two German tourists cycling through Iran, who were later released unharmed. (Posted @ 15:45 PST)
UN summit to tackle global warming opens in Kenya NAIROBI, Nov 6 (AFP) An international summit to tackle global warming and discuss the future after the UN Kyoto treaty on greenhouse gas emissions expires in 2012 was opened by Kenyan Vice President Moody Awori in the Kenyan capital Monday. "Climate change is rapidly emerging as one of the most serious threats that humanity has ever faced," Awori told the opening session. "There is a great task ahead of us," he added, warning that rising temperatures and the world's faltering efforts to cut emissions of greenhouse gases have a massive impact on sub-Saharan Africa. (Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Cricket- Pakistani paceman Mohammad Asif appeals doping ban LAHORE, Pakistan, Nov 6 (AFP) Pakistan paceman Mohammad Asif Monday said he had filed an appeal against a one-year ban imposed on him by the Pakistan Cricket Board for a failed drug test. "I have filed my appeal through my lawyer, Aftab Gul, and submitted it to the PCB's medical officer, Doctor Sohail Saleem, and I hope my ban will be reviewed by the appeal committee," Asif told AFP. Asif's lawyer, Gul, a former Test opener who played six Tests for Pakistan between 1969 and 1971, said "this is a case of mitigation and we have questioned the quantum of sentence to our client," adding that "under exceptional circumstances (in doping cases) you cannot punish, and the circumstances with Asif were exceptional, as he had no knowledge of doping and was not given any lectures on the consequences.” "Akhtar is an inspiration to the younger generation, while Asif is a new hero, so by banning both they have done a great disservice to the game," said Gul. (Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Indian troops kill two suspected militants, arrest four in occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, Nov 6 (AFP) Indian troops killed two suspected militants in occupied Kashmir’s Doda distict late Sunday and arrested four others in Baramulla district early Monday, police said. (Posted @ 12:10 PST)
Syria hints at armed resistance against Israel if peace talks fail QUNEITRA, Syria, Nov 6 (AP) Syria could resort to armed resistance if peace negotiations fail to make Israel give back the Golan Heights, the Syrian Information Minister said opening a three-day media forum geared at highlighting Syria's right to the Golan Sunday. Mohsen Bilal said international negotiations should lead to Israel restituting the occupied Golan Heights territory it took from Syria during the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed. (Posted @ 11:10 PST)
Cricket- Jayawardene named Sri Lanka's captain for World Cup COLOMBO, Nov 6 (AFP) Mahela Jayawardene will lead Sri Lanka at the World Cup in the Caribbean next March, chairman of selectors Asantha de Mel told AFP on Monday. "Mahela has done a decent job since taking over from Marvan Atapattu and he will continue till the World Cup," De Mel said. (Posted @ 10:00 PST)
South Korea to maintain projects with North despite nuke test SEOUL, Nov 6 (AFP) South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun vowed Monday to uphold two cross-border projects that have earned North Korea almost a billion dollars, despite the "intolerable provocation" of Pyongyang's nuclear test. In a state of the nation address to parliament, he defended his "sunshine" policy of engagement with the North, which has come in for stinging criticism since the October 9 atom bomb test. (Posted @ 09:20 PST)
China mine blast kills 17, dozens missing BEIJING, Nov 6 (Reuters) Seventeen miners were killed and dozens were missing after a blast tore through a coal mine in northern China’s Shanxi province Sunday, the Xinhua news agency said Monday. (Posted @ 09:00 PST)
Karachi Stocks down 234.12 points: KARACHI, Nov 6: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 11012.59, down 234.12 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, Nov 6: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.67 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
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