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| December 15, 2006 | Friday | Ziqa'ad 23, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Violence during strike in Karachi kills one; dozens arrested KARACHI, Pakistan, Dec 15 (Agencies) A man was killed and at least 10 people were wounded in Karachi Friday during a wheel jam strike called by the Pakhtoon Action Committee (PAC) and transport operators. Protesters had blocked a major highway, set fire to at least two police pickets, burnt three vehicles, and pelted stones at passing cars, witnesses said. The entire area from Sohrab Goth to Rashid Minhas Road leading to Nagan Chowrangi up to Edhi Center turned into a battlefield as security forces baton charged and tear gassed mobs of stone throwers. Disturbances were also reported from Quaidabad, Banaras chowk, Baldia, SITE, Patel Para, Sheeren Jinnah Colony, Lasbella, and parts of Malir and Orangi. At least 80 to 100 protestors were arrested from different parts of the city. In Keamari, a procession was taken out in the morning during which shops were forced to pull down their shutters. Attendance at public and private varsities remained thin, and many universities, including the University of Karachi, postponed their scheduled exams. A senior police official said the blocked roads were now open and added that the situation was "under control" in the city. (First Posted @ 12:30 PST Updated @ 23:54 PST)
President Musharraf says Pak-Afghan border security a collective responsibility ISLAMABAD, Dec 15 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf Friday urged the international community to do more to maintain peace in Afghanistan and stressed that Pak-Afghan border security was the collective responsibility of all stakeholders including Pakistan, Afghanistan and the ISAF/NATO forces present there. Talking to the Special Representative of the European Union on Afghanistan, Francese Venderell, who called on him here, the president said that Pakistan has already taken all measures within its means to deal with the Afghan issue. "Pakistan is committed to not allow its territory to be used by militants and had done all within its means to deal with the issue," he said. He asked the representative to facilitate in the repatriation of Afghan refugees back to their homeland. (First Posted @ 20:50 PST Updated @ 23:42 PST)
Supreme Court issues stay order against enactment of Hasba bill ISLAMABAD, Dec 15 (APP): The Supreme Court on Friday granted a stay order against the enactment of the Hasba Bill 2006 passed by the NWFP assembly and directed the Governor NWFP, Ali Muhammad Jan Aurakzai, to not to sign it. A five member bench after hearing arguments on a presidential reference adjourned the hearing untill the third week of January next year. (First Posted @ 14:00 PST Updated @ 22:32 PST)
NATO launches new offensive in southern Afghanistan KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Dec 15 (AFP) Hundreds of NATO and Afghan soldiers launched a massive operation in southern Zahre/Panjwayi districts on Friday, the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said in a statement. (Posted @ 23:59 PST)
Qatar shatters Iraqi hopes as Asian Games end DOHA, Dec 15 (AFP) Qatar shattered Iraqi hopes by beating them 1-0 in the football final as 14 days of Asian Games competition ended. China was the overwhelming winner with 165 gold medals, South Korea second with 58 gold and Japan winning 50. Kazakhstan, Thailand, Iran, Uzbekistan, India, Taiwan and Qatar rounded out the top 10. (Posted @ 23:58 PST)
Pakistan supports Arab world’s efforts towards peace in ME: Musharraf ISLAMABAD, Dec 15 (Agencies): Pakistan’s relations with Egypt are of great importance and we support the Arab world’s efforts towards peace and stability in the Middle East, President Musharraf said here Friday in his meeting with the Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abu AlGhais. Both leaders also expressed their concern over the situation in Iraq and Palestine. Musharraf also stressed on settling the Iran nuclear issue through the dialogue process and reiterated Pakistan's stance in this regard. The president also stressed upon the need to restructure the OIC. (Posted @ 23:44 PST)
Pakistan’s tourism potential ‘untouched and uncovered’: Musharraf ISLAMABAD, Dec 15 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf Friday called Pakistan “a real destination for tourism” and said the government was seriously making all out efforts to improve the infrastructure and facilities for tourists. Launching the "Destination Pakistan 2007" ceremony here at a convention centre, the president emphasized that there was an "untouched and uncovered" potential to promote tourism in the country. "Pakistan is much different what it has been projected and perceived outside" therefore, with the promotion of tourism, this perception would also be improved, he said. (Posted @ 23:38 PST)
SC declares SHC verdict restraining PMDC null and void ISLAMABAD, December 15 (Agencies): The Supreme Court on Friday declared null and void a Sindh High Court verdict to restrain the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) from functioning, ruling that no medical college or university can issue degrees unless it is recognized by PMDC. A four member bench also gave a six months notice period to institutions operating on temporary basis to fulfill the rules and regulation of the council or else be stopped from working. (Posted @ 23:36 PST)
SC orders legislation against illegal trade of human organs ISLAMABAD, Dec 15 (PPI) The Supreme Court on Friday directed the federal government to legislate against the illegal trade of human organs, particularly the sale of human kidneys, in the country. It also directed all provinces to submit a detailed report regarding the practice in their respective areas. A three member bench further directed the deputy Attorney General that if legislation through the parliament was not possible due to National Assembly not being in session then a presidential ordinance should be promulgated to this effect. The bench issued these directions on the application of one Muhammad Asghar, a resident of village Yazman in Bahawalpur district, who had complained that a some people had forcibly drawn out a kidney from his son and a district and sessions judge had exonerated all the accused of charges. (Posted @ 23:34 PST)
Japan, India agree to begin talks on trade agreement, military coordination TOKYO, Dec 15 (AP) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed Friday to start talks on forging a bilateral free-trade agreement within two years and to increase cooperation between the two countries' navies and coast guards. Japan also agreed to continue designating India as a top priority for overseas development aid. Abe also expressed concerns about India's nuclear capabilities, and urged India to abide by international rules and address worries about proliferation. (Posted @ 22:14 PST)
EU leaders urge Karzai to speed up reforms BRUSSELS, Belgium, Dec 15 (AP) European Union leaders on Friday committed to stepping up support for Afghanistan but urged President Hamid Karzai's government to speed up the reforms needed to bring law and order to the country. EU leaders said in a statement they were open to the possibility of sending a European police mission to Afghanistan to help expand the rule of law and train the local police and judiciary. They also urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to cooperate in combating insecurity along their border. (Posted @ 22:10 PST)
Indian forces kill two in occupied Kashmir JAMMU, occupied Kashmir, Dec 15 (AP) Indian security forces shot and killed two men Friday in Doda region in an encounter, police said. (Posted @ 21:54 PST)
Cricket-India 156-5 vs South Africa at close of play on day one JOHANNESBURG, Dec 15 (Reuters) Jacques Kallis took the key wickets of Rahul Dravid (32) and Sachin Tendulkar (44) to help South Africa keep India under pressure on the first day of the first test on Friday. India reached stumps on 156 for five on a day's play truncated to 56.5 overs by a damp pitch, lightning and bad light. (Posted @ 21:50 PST)
New Zealand 66-4 in reply to Sri Lanka's 268 WELLINGTON, Dec 15 (AFP) New Zealand were 66 for four in reply to Sri Lanka's 268 at the close of the first day's play in the second cricket Test at the Basin Reserve here Friday. For Sri Lanka, Kumar Sangakkara finished on 156 not out, while for New Zealand, Chris Martin took three for 50 and Daniel Vettori three for 53. (First Posted @ 09:00 PST Updated @ 21:46 PST)
Prime Minister leaves Madina for home MADINA, Dec 15 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Friday left here for Pakistan after completing his six-day visit to Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Earlier during his stay in Madina, Aziz visited the Roza-e-Rasool (SAW) and offered Juma prayers at Masjid-e-Nabvi. On Thursday night, prime minister and his entourage had performed Umra in Makkah. (Posted @ 20:46 PST)
Blair defiant on halt to Saudi arms deal probe BRUSSELS, Dec 15 (AFP) British Prime Minister Tony Blair defended the decision to ditch a fraud inquiry into a weapons deal with Saudi Arabia, insisting here Friday it was vital to protect Britain's national interests in the Middle East and the counter-terrorism fight, not to mention the British jobs potentially at stake. (Posted @ 20:16 PST)
Pakistan eyes arms sales to Egypt ISLAMABAD, Dec 15 (Reuters) Pakistan suggested on Friday that Egypt might wish to buy its military equipment. Foreign Minister Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri raised the issue of defence cooperation in talks with his Egyptian counterpart, Ahmed Aboul Gheit. Gheit said he was interested in defence cooperation with Pakistan and would raise the issue with the Egyptian military. (Posted @ 19:12 PST)
Tens of thousands rally for Hamas in Gaza GAZA CITY, Dec 15 (AFP) Tens of thousands of Hamas supporters, including Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya, rallied in Gaza City Friday to mark the 19th anniversary of the movement's founding. (Posted @ 18:22 PST)
Cricket-Inzamam, Yousuf return to Pakistan side KARACHI, Dec 15 (Reuters) Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Yousuf will return to the Pakistan side for the fifth and final one-day international against the West Indies on Saturday. "Yousuf is back and Inzamam is 98 percent fit to play the crucial match," coach Bob Woolmer said. (Posted @ 18:12 PST)
Bahrain's opposition boycotts parliament opening MANAMA, Dec 15 (AFP) Bahrain's opposition movement said it would boycott Friday's opening of the newly elected parliament in protest over the makeup of the new cabinet. (Posted @ 17:54 PST)
Car bomb kills one in southeast Iran TEHRAN, Dec 15 (AFP) A car bomb exploded in Iran's southeastern province of Sistan-Balochistan, killing the only occupant of the vehicle, the official news agency IRNA reported Friday. (Posted @ 17:48 PST)
Suicide car bomber kills Afghan soldier, civilian KHOST, Afghanistan, Dec 15 (AFP) A suicide attacker killed an Afghan soldier and a civilian apart from injuring several others in Paktia province’s Gardez town Friday, officials said. (First Posted @ 14:25 PST Updated @ 16:32 PST)
Turkey, Israel agree pipeline project for oil, gas ANKARA, Dec 15 (Reuters) Turkey and Israel agreed Friday to build a pipeline linking the Black and Red seas, Turkey's energy minister said on Friday. The minister gave no price for the project but said Turkey was in talks with Russia and other countries on participation in it. (Posted @ 16:30 PST)
Kenya livestock raid kills at least 16 NAIROBI, Dec 15 (Reuters) A livestock raid has killed 16 people in the latest flare-up in Kenya's remote north where tribal fighting over scant resources is common, media said. (Posted @ 16:28 PST)
Cricket-Australia (244) and 119-1 v England (215) at close of play PERTH, Dec 15 (Reuters) Australia were 119 for one in their second innings at the close of play on the second day of the third Ashes test against England at the WACA on Friday. Scores: Australia 244 from 71 overs (Mike Hussey 74 not out; Monty Panesar 5-92, Steve Harmison 4-48) and 119-1 from 36 overs (Ricky Ponting 57 not out, Matthew Hayden 57 not out), England 215 from 64.1 overs (Kevin Pietersen 70). (Posted @ 16:24 PST)
Hamas, Fatah forces exchange fire in Gaza GAZA, Dec 15 (Reuters) Hamas gunmen and security forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas exchanged fire in the Gaza Strip on Friday, witnesses said. (Posted @ 15:55 PST)
Bolton, Jewish groups call for Iran leader charges NEW YORK, Dec 15 (Reuters) Outgoing U.S. U.N. Ambassador John Bolton and former diplomats from Israel and Canada called on the United Nations at a Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations symposium Thursday to charge Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with inciting genocide. The U.N. International Court of Criminal Justice should charge Ahmadinejad for his threats against the United States, for calling for the destruction of Israel and for instigating discrimination against Christians and Jews, the group said. (Posted @ 12:15 PST)
Iran demands response to Olmert's nukes 'admission' ALMATY, Dec 15 (AFP) Iran's foreign minister criticised Friday what he called the international community's silence over an apparent admission by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Monday that Israel possesses nuclear weapons, Interfax-Kazakhstan news agency reported. "We can criticise the UN Security Council on this topic," Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki was quoted as saying during a visit to Kazakhstan. "The international community must react in an appropriate way." (Posted @ 11:45 PST)
Lebanese PM arrives in Moscow seeking help with Syria MOSCOW, Dec 15 (AFP) Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora arrived in Moscow late Thursday for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying he hoped for support in his dealings with Syria, Russian news agencies reported. "We are for the regularization of relations with Syria. I think Russia can exert some pressure in this direction," Siniora told journalists Thursday evening in Moscow, Interfax reported. (Posted @ 11:05 PST)
Iran polls open TEHRAN, Dec 15 (AFP) Iranians started voting Friday in elections for municipal councils and the Assembly of Experts, the body that chooses the supreme leader, in the first test for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad since his election victory last year, state television said. Polls are set to close at 7:00 pm. (Posted @ 10:50 PST)
Former British diplomat makes public secret evidence on Iraq LONDON, Dec 15 (AFP) Previously secret written evidence submitted to an inquiry on British intelligence failures in the run-up to the invasion of Iraq was made public on House of Commons' Foreign Affairs Committee website Thursday, with a former diplomat alleging that "at no time" did the government assess that Iraq posed a threat to Britain. According to the statement originally submitted by Carne Ross to Lord Robin Butler's 2004 inquiry into the intelligence relating to Iraq's weapons of mass destruction (WMD), Ross said that during his posting to the United Nations, "at no time did HMG assess that Iraq's WMD (or any other capability) posed a threat to the UK or its interests." Ross was First Secretary in the British mission to the UN from December 1997 to June 2002. He said that the preparation of the infamous dossier on Iraq's supposed WMD programme began before he left. (Posted @ 10:10 PST)
Karachi Stocks down 52.57 points: KARACHI, Dec 15: At close of tradiing, the KSE-100 index was at 10551.87, down 52.57 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 16:00 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, Dec 15: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 61.05 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 16:00 PST)
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