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| April 09, 2007 | Monday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 20, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
President Muzharraf, PM discuss Lal Masjid RAWALPINDI, April 9 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz attended a high level meeting here on Monday, which reviewed the overall law and order environment in the country. They were also briefed about Jamia Hafsa and Lal Masjid. The two leaders directed that strict measures be taken to enforce the law. The meeting was also attended by President PML, Ch. Shujaat Hussain, Ministers for Interior, Information and Broadcasting, Law and Justice and Religious Affairs and senior officials. (Posted @ 19:44 PST)
Pakistani tribesmen hoist flags after clearing town WANA, Pakistan, April 9 (AFP) - Pakistani tribesmen flew victory flags and fired in the air Monday after clearing another town of Al-Qaeda-linked foreign militants following three weeks of fighting, officials said. Tribesmen also found the bodies of eight foreigners killed in the battle to take the town of Azam Warsak and surrounding areas, which are in the mountainous South Waziristan region bordering Afghanistan, the officials said. More than 200 militants and 50 tribesmen have died since fierce fighting broke out in South Waziristan on March 19, sparked by a pro-government tribal leader's demand that the foreigners leave or disarm. “The lashkar (tribal army) have cleared Azam Warsak of militants and hoisted white flags there and seized the body of eight Uzbek militants who died in the fighting overnight,” a local administration official told AFP. The fighters were now carrying out house-to-house searches for militants and securing other areas, the official said. In a separate clash with militants, a tribal elder and a deputy were killed late Sunday near Wana, the main town in South Waziristan, he added. Last week Pakistani soldiers entered nearby Sheen Warsak area after tribal fighters seized it, the first troop movement in South Waziristan since a peace agreement was signed with local tribesmen in 2005.(Posted @ 16:14 PST)
SC serves notices on petitions against SJC, presidential reference ISLAMABAD, April 09 (PPI) - A full bench of the Supreme Court on Monday served notices to the President's secretariat as well as other respondents on two identical constitutional petitions challenging the composition of Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) and reference against Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. The petitions maintain that an Acting Chief Justice cannot head the Supreme Judicial Council and as such the present SJC had no jurisdiction to hear any reference. The petitions further maintain that under Article 209 of the constitution a reference can be filed only against a judge of the superior court and not against the sitting Chief Justice of Pakistan. The petitions have been filed by Watan Party through Barrister Zafarullah Khan and 'Adliya Bachao Committee' through Dr Farooq Hassan. After hearing preliminary arguments of both the petitioners, the bench comprising Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan, Justice Chaudhry Ijaz Ahmed and Justice Hamid Ali Mirza served notices on all respondents including President’s Secretariat, federation of Pakistan, Ministry of Law as well as Supreme Judicial Council, and adjourned the proceedings without fixing any next date. (Posted @ 19:54 PST)
Situation in Parachinar under control ISLAMABAD, April 9 (APP): The Political Agent of Khurrum Agency Sahibzada Muhammad Anees has said that situation in Parachinar is under control and the government is trying to summon elders' grand Jirga. The situation is under control in the city and no further incident of firing and violence took place. However, occasional firing continues in seven or eight places in the area bordering Afghanistan, he said adding that separate jirga for every place is being arranged to bring the situation under control. He said security forces would be used only if jirga fails to achieve the desired result. (Posted @ 19:50 PST)
World powers won't thwart Iran nuclear drive: Ahmadinejad NATANZ, Iran, April 9 (AFP) - President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday vowed that world powers would not be able to stop Iran's nuclear drive, saying the atomic programme was on its way to the “summit.” ”The great Iranian nation, which for past centuries has been a pioneer of science, will not allow some bullying powers to put obstacles in its path of progress by influencing the international community,” he said in a keynote speech at Iran's ultra-sensitive uranium enrichment plant in Natanz. Today... this country has joined the countries that produce nuclear fuel on an industrial scale,” said Ahmadinejad. He gave no figures over how many centrifuges Iran had now installed at the Natanz plant. “They should know that our nation with awareness and faith has stood by its leadership and will defend its rights to the end,” he added. (Posted @ 19:02 PST)
Landmine blast kills four Pakistani soldiers QUETTA, Pakistan, April 9, (AFP) - Four Pakistan army soldiers were killed and two injured when their vehicle was blown up in a landmine blast in southwestern Baluchistan province Monday, security officials said. The soldiers were on a patrol in Tratani town of Kohlu district, 450 kilometres southeast of the provincial capital Quetta when their jeep hit a landmine, a security official said. “Four soldiers were killed in the blast and two others were wounded,” the official said. (Posted @ 23:22 PST)
Cricket: New Zealand make 263-8 against Ireland GEORGETOWN, Guyana, April 9, (AFP) - New Zealand made 263-8 from their 50 overs in the World Cup Super Eights match against Ireland at the Providence Stadium here on Monday. (Posted @ 23:04 PST)
Pakistan National Games declared open Karachi, April 09 (PPI): The opening ceremony of the 30th National Games was performed on Monday before a capacity crowd of about 35000 spectators by Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim amid fanfare and festivity at the Peoples Stadium. Over five thousand athletes and officials from 11 eleven affiliated units of POA are taking part in 30 disciplines. Pakistan Army are the defending champions. (Posted @ 21:34 PST)
Iraq: US soldier killed in Diwaniyah BAGHDAD, April 9 (AP) - A U.S. soldier was killed in Diwaniyah, the U.S. military said Monday but did not elaborate on the circumstances surrounding the soldier's death. (Posted @ 20:10 PST)
US admiral admits to four frustrating years in Iraq BAGHDAD, April 9, (AFP) - The US military has had a disappointing and frustrating time in Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime four years ago, a top admiral said on Monday. “We acknowledge that while there have been substantial accomplishments in Iraq since 2003, the past four years have also been disappointing, frustrating and increasingly dangerous in many parts of Iraq,” Rear Admiral Mark Fox told reporters on the fourth anniversary of the ouster of the former regime. On Monday, hundreds of thousands of Shiites protested against the presence of US-led foreign forces in Najaf following a call by Moqtada al-Sadr. Fox said the massive rally was a sign of growing democracy in Iraq. “It's been a peaceful assembly which is... a mark of a democratic society,” he said. But the admiral did say that the military continued to track Sadr, believing him to be in Iran. “We do keep an eye and understanding of where his whereabouts are, and we just kind of keep an eye on that,” Fox said. Sadr himself did not show up at the Najaf rally on Monday. (Posted @ 19:38 PST)
60 Shiite militants killed or captured in Iraqi city DIWANIYAH, Iraq, April 9 (AFP) - More than 60 Shiite militants have been killed or captured in battle with Iraqi and US forces in Diwaniyah since Friday, Polish Major General Pawel Lamla, a commanding general for US-led multinational forces, told a group of reporters here Monday. (Posted @ 18:40 PST)
Over 3 mln Afghans opt for repatriation from Pakistan ISLAMABAD, Apr 9 (APP): More than three million Afghans have so far voluntarily repatriated from Pakistan with the UNHCR assistance since 2002. An official said the number includes over 135,000 Afghans who have been processed for repatriation so far this year. The number includes more than 1.56 million in 2002; 343,074 in 2003; 383,598 in 2004; 449,520 in 2005; 133,015 in 2006 and 135,182 so far in 2007, he added. (Posted @ 18:36 PST)
Pakistan has given India proposals to resolve Siachen issue: FO ISLAMABAD, April 9 (APP): Pakistan said Monday it had given a number of proposals to India at last week's talks to resolve the Siachen glacier issue, Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said Monday. She told a weekly press briefing that political will was necessary to resolve this issue and Pakistan expected a positive response to the proposals by India. She said Pakistan was concerned about the plight of its prisoners languishing in Indian jails and wanted their immediate release. She said a joint committee comprising retired judges had been formed as a result of Pakistan's initiative. “We are ready to put the committee into action as soon India is ready to do so.” About the follow up on Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project, the spokesperson said reiteration of commitment from the three sides was evidence of the venture's progress. “However there are some technical issues which are being discussed...and there's no reason that we should not pursue it.” Replying to a question, she denied media reports regarding the extradition of Rashid Rauf, a suspect in UK bombings plot. (Posted @ 18:30 PST)
Two Air India planes make emergency landings NEW DELHI, April 9 (Reuters) - Two Air India planes made emergency landings on Monday at New Delhi's international airport, with the nose of one aircraft later hitting the ground as its front undercarriage collapsed while being towed away. No one was hurt in either incident, officials said. Flights were delayed for several hours after the first plane made the emergency landing following problems with its landing gear. As the plane was being towed away its front wheel collapsed, leaving its tail jutting out upwards onto the runway near one end of the strip. The second emergency landing was caused by a problem with the plane's undercarriage. (Posted @ 18:06 PST)
Iraq: 17 bodies found Baghdad, April 9 (Reuters) - The bodies of 17 people, some bearing signs of torture, were found across Baghdad during the past 24 hours, police said. Gunmen killed two Shi'ite protestors who were heading south towards the holy city of Najaf from Iskandariya, police said. Seven others were wounded in the attack. Meanwhile, Iraqi police killed two al Qaeda militants in the western Iraqi town of Hit, police Lieutenant-Colonel Ahmed Hameed said. In Diwaniya, 180 km south of Baghdad, a roadside bomb wounded four civilians when it exploded near a U.S. military vehicle, police and hospital sources said. (Posted @ 17:12 PST)
Pakistan Air Force Chief Decorated Abu Dhabi, April 9 (PPI): United Arab Emirates President, Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Sunday conferred Emirates Medal of First Order on Chief of Pakistan's Air Force Air Chief Marshal Tanveer Mehmood Ahmed in recognition of his contribution to early stages of establishing UAE Air Force & Air Defence and boosting military cooperation between UAE and Pakistan. at a special ceremony at Al Bateen Palace. (Posted @ 15:41 PST)
Clashes in Algeria: 9 soldiers, 4 rebels dead ALGIERS, April 9 Reuters) - Nine soldiers and at least four rebels were killed in a clash between Algerian government troops and militants seeking to set up an Islamic state, newspapers reported on Monday. Liberte and EL Watan said five troops were also wounded when militants ambushed a military patrol late on Saturday in the southwestern province of Ain Defla, some 150 km from the capital Algiers. Four rebels at least were killed in a clash that followed the attack by the group. Government troops, backed by helicopters, were searching for the attackers estimated at 50 militants, Liberte said. (Posted @ 15:33 PST)
Baku will bid for 2016 Summer Olympics: President Aliyev MASALLI, Azerbaijan, April 9 (AFP) The Azerbaijani capital Baku, flush with oil revenues, will bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, President Ilham Aliyev said Monday. “We have put forward a bid to host the Olympic Games in 2016,” Aliyev said during the opening of a sports complex in the town of Masalli, 200 kilometres south of Baku, attended by European Olympic Committee President Patrick Hickey. (Posted @ 15:07 PST)
Insurgents kill five in Thai south YALA, Thailand, April 9 (AFP) Insurgents killed five people in southern Thailand, including a man blown apart by a car bomb, police said Monday. The 55-year-old's body was ripped in half when a 10-kilogram bomb placed underneath his pick-up truck exploded in Yala. “The bomb was fixed under his car and detonated while he was driving. The explosion totally destroyed the vehicle and also seriously injured the victim's friend who was also in the car,” police said. A soldier was injured earlier Monday in Yala, when a mobile phone-triggered bomb exploded. Police said insurgents were targeting seven soldiers on patrol in the province. Also in Yala on Monday a man was killed in a drive-by shooting by insurgents. A 35-year-old ice-cream vendor, was shot dead in a similar attack just 500 metres away. A 40-year-old man had earlier been shot dead at his rubber plantation in Yala, while in neighbouring Narathiwat province on Sunday, a 52-year-old man was shot and killed near his home, police said. (FirstPosted @ 12:06 PST, Updated@ (Posted @ 15:08 PST)
Iran, Pakistan to boost natural tourism cooperation Tehran, April 9 (PPI) Iranian Vice-President and head of Environment Department Fatemeh Vaez-Javadi said Iran and Pakistan would expand cooperation on various natural tourism fields. Vaez-Javadi said this while talking to reporters prior to a meeting with Pakistan’s Minister of Environment Makhdoom Faisal Saleh Hayat, currently in Tehran for a three-day visit. “Based on a memorandum of understanding scheduled to be signed, the two sides will cooperate on pollution in the joint marine border line,” she added. (Posted @ 15:06 PST)
Five more US soldiers killed in Iraq BAGHDAD, April 9 (AFP) The US military announced the deaths of five more US soldiers in a series of attacks taking its toll for the month alone to 26, the military said Monday. The five were killed Sunday. Three soldiers were killed and one wounded in a roadside bombing during a patrol south of Baghdad. One soldier was killed and three wounded in indirect fire attack targeting their units also south of Baghdad. Another soldier died of wounds sustained during combat operations in Diyala province, north of Baghdad. (Posted @ 09:51 PST)
Cargo ship sinks in East China Sea, 20 missing BEIJING, April 9 (Reuters) Chinese navy and Zhejiang marine police rescue teams searched the East China Sea for 20 crew from a cargo ship that collided with another ship and sank Sunday, Xinhua news agency reported. The Belize-registered Harvest sank off the coast of Zhejiang province, Xinhua said late Sunday, quoting the provincial police. The ship was carrying 5,000 tonnes of steel from Shanghai to Vietnam. All 20 crew members aboard were missing. The other ship, a 17,061-tonnne Chinese vessel, was sailing from Fuzhou, the capital of southeastern Fujian province, to Zhangjiagang in Jiangsu Province. (Posted @ 09:14 PST)
Turkish clashes with rebels intensify in southeast TUNCELI, Turkey, April 9 (Reuters) Thousands of Turkish troops backed by helicopters launched operations against Kurdish guerrillas in southeast Turkey which left 10 members of the security forces and seven rebels dead over the weekend. Military officials said three soldiers were killed, while nine of their colleagues were injured Sunday alone in violence across the provinces of Tunceli, Bingol, Bitlis and Sirnak. He said the armed forces killed four militants from the separatist Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in a clash which broke out Sunday evening in Tunceli's Hozat district. (Posted @ 09:07 PST)
US Democrats will not cut Iraq troop funding: senator Levin WASHINGTON, April 9 (AFP) US Democrats will not seek to cut funding for US troops in Iraq but will insist on political progress in the country as a condition, a key senator said Sunday. “We're not going to cut off funding for the troops,” the Democratic chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Carl Levin, told ABC news, commenting on the Democrats' bid to timetable the forces' withdrawal. “What we should do, and we're going to do, is continue to press this president to put some pressure on the Iraqi leaders to reach a political settlement,” Levin said. (Posted @ 09:06 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 25.54 points: KARACHI, April 9: At close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 11681.18, up 25.54 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:30 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, April 9: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.77 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:30 PST)
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