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| May 21, 2007 | Monday | Jamadi-ul-Awwal 04, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Musharraf performs ground breaking of new Balakot City BAKRYAL (BALAKOT), May 21 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf Monday performed the ground breaking ceremony of the Rs. 12 billion modern city of Balakot to be built in place of the old Balakot city that was devastated in the October 8, 2005 earthquake. Speaking on the occasion he said : “I had promised the people of this area to convert this challenge into an opportunity and today I have fulfilled it.” He was happy to note that over 93 per cent population of old Balakot was willing to shift to the new township. He asked the authorities to design earthquake resistant houses that meet the requirements of the local people and ordered that no tree should be cut for the project and the new site should be eco-friendly He waived the loans acquired from Zarai Tarqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) in Tahsil Balakot. The New Balakot will be built 20 km south of the old city, and 15 km north of Mansehra. It will have a population of 50,000. (Posted @ 19:00 PST)
Federation counsel argues SJC is constitutional Court ISLAMABAD, May 21 (APP): The Federation's counsel presented his arguments on the question maintainability of the petitions field by Justice Iftikhar Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and others at the resumed hearing before a 13- member Supreme Court bench here Monday. The counsel, Malik Muhammad Qayyum, had not yet completed his arguments when the full court adjourned the proceedings till Tuesday. Malik Qayyum said the status of the Supreme Judicial (SJC) is constitutional and it is a Constitutional Court and even more than that. He said under Article 211 of the Constitution the SJC proceedings are judicial and cannot be challenged in any court of law, even in the Supreme Court. He cited various judgements in support of his contention and referred to references that had been filed in the past against judges of the superior judiciary. Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday observed during the proceedings that the matters before the court were very important matter and the court was in no hurry. Members of the bench raised a number of questions about the status of the SJC and its functions. (Posted @ 18:38 PST)
Don't scare us, Pakistan judge tells government lawyer ISLAMABAD, May 21 (AFP) – The presiding judge of the 13-member full bench of the supreme court hearing a petition by Pakistan's chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry against his suspension by President Pervez Musharraf told a government lawyer on Monday not to “scare” him by referring to a similar crisis nearly 20 years ago in Malaysia. Government lawyers have cited a 1988 judicial crisis in Malaysia, during which its chief justice was brought before a tribunal convened by the then prime minister Mahathir Mohamad on grounds of misconduct. Mahathir suspended five Supreme Court judges after they stayed proceedings against the chief justice, although he was later removed by the tribunal while two judges were fired by the premier. “Please don't scare us by citing the Malaysian case,” the presiding Pakistani judge hearing the case, justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday, said when government lawyer Malik Mohammad Qayyum raised the matter. There was muffled laughter in the packed courtroom when Justice Ramday said: “We want to forget the Malaysian case as a bad dream.” Chaudhry's lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan said the decision and Mahathir's treatment of the judges received “worldwide condemnation.” Chief government lawyer Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada had also cited the Malaysian chief justice's case last week. (First Posted @ 14:25 PST Updated @ 16:52 PST)
Pakistani religious students seize more police ISLAMABAD, May 21 (Reuters) - Hardline religious students of Lal Masjid confronting authorities in Islamabad for months abducted three more policemen on Monday, taking to five the number of police they are holding. They had kidnapped four policemen last week to press for the release of some of their people but released two policemen on Saturday but grabbed more on Monday, police said. “They abducted three of our policemen who were on patrol. They were forced into the madrasa,” said city police officer Zafar Iqbal. Latest: Three policemen kidnapped on Monday were freed later in the day, a private TV channel reported. Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao confirmed the release adding that two policemen were still in the custody of the Lal Masjid management. (Posted @ 20:34 PST)
Pakistani rescuers save crew of Sierra Leone freighter sinking in Arabian Sea KARACHI, May 21 (AP) - Pakistan rescued the crew of a ship that sank off its coast Monday by dropping a life raft from a plane to the 11 men bobbing next to the freighter's fast-disappearing prow, officials said. The Sierra Leone-flagged MV Maryam Trans made a distress call to Pakistan's Maritime Security Agency and reported that it was sinking about 250 kilometers south of Karachi in the Arabian Sea, said agency spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Attiqur Rehman. An agency aircraft scrambled to the area spotted the crew near the stricken ship, and dropped the inflatable raft, said Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Salman Ali. All 11 crew members, most of them Indians, were able to clamber in and another vessel then picked them up, Ali said. Rehman said the ship had sunk so quickly that the sailors had no time to lower its own lifeboats. It was not immediately clear what had caused the vessel to go down. (First Posted @ 18:42 PST Updated @ 20:54 PST)
Cricket: Weather ensures England - West Indies draw LONDON, May 21, (AFP) - England and West Indies drew the first Test at Lord's on Monday as the weather had the final say in the opening encounter of a four-match series. West Indies finished the fifth day on 89 without loss, 312 runs short of their victory target of 401, but having comfortably avoided any prospect of defeat during a last day where rain and bad light meant only 20 of the scheduled 98 overs were bowled. (Posted @ 23:22 PST)
Israeli woman killed in Gaza rocket attack JERUSALEM, May 21, (AFP) - An Israeli woman died of her wounds shortly after a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip hit her car in the southern border town of Sderot on Monday, medical sources said. (Posted @ 22:38 PST)
Bush expresses confidence in Iraqi prime minister WASHINGTON, May 21 (AP) - President George W. Bush expressed confidence in Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Monday despite growing frustration in the U.S. Congress about his government. Bush, at his ranch in Texas, called al-Maliki to mark the one-year anniversary of his inauguration and discussed political progress in Iraq, oil-sharing legislation and efforts to reform the country's constitution. (Posted @ 21:00 PST)
British convey attacked in Basra BAGHDAD, May 21 (Reuters) At least one British soldier was wounded when gunmen attacked a military fuel truck in Basra, the British military said. Also in Basra, heavy clashes broke out between British forces and Shi'ite militias near the provincial governor's office, witnesses said. There was no immediate indication of casualties. Meanwhile, a roadside bomb exploded near a U.S patrol, wounding seven people in eastern Baghdad, police said. A mortar round hit the parliament building inside the Green Zone but there were no casualties or damage, lawmakers said. However, at least three people were wounded when two mortar rounds hit central Baghdad, police said. Gunmen shot dead an interpreter working with the U.S. forces in Bashaer area, 40 km south of Kut, police said. (First Posted @ 20:16 PST Updated @ 20:42 PST)
Pakistan denies influx of 50 CIA agents ISLAMABAD, May 21 (AFP) - Pakistan on Monday denied a Los Angeles Times report that up to 50 US Central Intelligence Agency officials are in the country hunting for Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden. “There is no question of 50 CIA agents looking for bin Laden in Pakistan,” foreign office spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam told a weekly briefing when asked to comment on the report. “We have no real evidence or intelligence on bin Laden's whereabouts and nobody knows where he is,” she added. (Posted @ 20:26 PST)
Palestinian government calls for wide truce with Israel RAMALLAH, West Bank, May 21 (AFP) -The Palestinian government called on Monday for a comprehensive and reciprocal truce with Israel to halt the latest flare-up of deadly violence in the Gaza Strip. “All the while insisting on the right of our people to legitimate defence, we reiterate our offer of a comprehensive ceasefire, simultaneous and reciprocal,” information minister Mustafa Barghuti told a news conference in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. “This comprehensive ceasefire should extend to all Palestinian territories -- to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip,” he said. (Posted @ 20:12 PST)
Cricket: India lead by 193 runs against Bangladesh CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh, May 21 (AFP) -India were 44-2 in their second innings at stumps on the fourth day of the first Test against Bangladesh here on Monday, a lead of 193 runs with eight wickets in hand. Earlier, Bangladesh made 238 in their first knock in reply to India's 387-8 declared. Brief scores: India 387-8 declared and 44-2; Bangladesh 238. (Posted @ 19:18 PST)
Musharraf announces development package for four NWFP districts MANSEHRA, May 21 (APP): President Pervez Musharraf announced Monday a development package of rupees 30 million each for the districts of Mansehra, Batagram, and Kohistan of Hazara Division and district Shangla (Swat) for provision of basic amenities to the people. Addressing a public meeting after inaugurating the construction of new Balakot city at Bakryal he also announced Rs 10 million each for tehsils Ughi, Mansehra and Kala Dhaka for development works adding that additional Rs three million each would be given to the 60 union councils for provision of gas and electricity and construction of roads in the area. (Posted @ 18:34 PST)
Govt to ensure development of every part of country: Musharraf MANSEHRA, May 21 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf Monday said the government is determined to ensure development of every part of the country and to provide basic necessities of life to the people at their doorsteps. Addressing a big public meeting in the October 2005 earthquake affected area, he said certain elements were politicizing the issue of judiciary to disrupt the development process. He urged people to reject such elements. Referring to the May 12 killings in Karachi, the President said Karachi is the city where people from all parts of the country were living and playing an important role in national economy and development. Referring to the management of Lal Masjid in Islamabad, he said only government can issue a call for Jihad. He pointed out that the biggest Jihad is to fight poverty, ignorance and backwardness. About the rehabilitation and reconstruction works in earthquake affected areas he said development projects worth rs. 100 million have been initiated in Mansehra. President Musharraf accepted the demand to waive off the condition to use design of ERRA for reconstruction of houses. (Posted @ 18:10 PST)
Occupied Kashmir shuts down to mark deaths of 2 separatist leaders SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, May 21 (AP) - Most shops, businesses and educational institutions were closed across occupied Kashmir on Monday for a daylong strike called by All-Parties Hurriyet Conference to mark the assassination of Mirwaiz Mohammad Farooq 17 years ago and Abdul Ghani Lone in 2002. Late Mirwaiz Farooq's son, Mirwaiz Omar Farooq, was scheduled to lead Monday prayers in the main mosque in Srinagar, and later address followers at his father's mazar where Lone and hundreds of other Kashmiri separatists and civilians have also been buried. The streets were deserted in Srinagar and other towns where government offices were also closed. The strike call was given by Mirwaiz Omar Farooq, who heads the All Parties Hurriyet Conference. (Posted @ 18:08 PST)
AFC Cup in Pakistan postponed due to visa problem KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, May 21 (AP) - Asian Football Federation said Monday it has postponed the third edition of the AFC President's Cup scheduled to be held this month in Lahore because some players and officials could not get Pakistani visas in time. A statement by the Kuala Lumpur based AFC said new dates and venue for the annual eight team competition will be announced at a later date. The tournament was scheduled to begin on Thursday and end on May 27. It did not elaborate on the visa problem. The league champions of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Nepal, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Chinese Taipei and Bhutan take part in this competition. (Posted @ 17:32 PST)
Taliban attacks kill 14 Afghan police KABUL, May 21 (AFP) - New Taliban attacks killed 14 Afghan policemen, police announced Monday, as the US-led coalition said its warplanes had bombed rebel compounds in hours of intense fighting that left 25 militants dead. The bodies of 11 of the policemen killed in Helmand province were recovered on Sunday. Three more policemen, including a district counter-criminal chief, were killed in the eastern province of Nangarhar on Monday by a remotely controlled bomb. Seven other policemen were injured. (Posted @ 17:18 PST)
Four militants killed in new Israel Gaza raid GAZA CITY, May 21 (AFP) -Four Palestinians were killed on Monday in a new Israeli air strike against a car carrying members of the Al-Quds Brigade in the northern Gaza Strip, medical and security sources said. (Posted @ 17:04 PST)
Two bogies burnt as Balochistan Express catches fire NAWABSHAH, Sindh, May 21 (PPI) Two bogies of Balochistan Express, coming from Quetta and bound for Karachi, caught fire and were burnt late Sunday near Sarhari station. No casualty however was reported, as the passengers saved their lives jumping out from the train. Most of the passengers’ belongings were reduced to ashes and the rest were looted allegedly by the local police. (Posted @ 12:55 PST)
Rocket attack destroys seven fuel trucks at Pakistan-Afghan border PESHAWAR, Pakistan, May 21 (AP) Suspected militants fired rockets, destroying seven fuel trucks at a key border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan at around 4 a.m. Monday, an official said. The attack took place about 500 meters inside northwestern Pakistan at the Torkham border crossing, said local official Hamid Khan. No one was hurt. (Posted @ 12:20 PST)
12 killed, 17 injured in Iraq BAGHDAD, May 21 (AFP) Gunmen opened fire on a minibus northeast of Baghdad Monday, killing seven people before setting the vehicle on fire and incinerating the bodies, a local hospital official said. A few hours later two more were killed and 15 were wounded when three mortars crashed outside a bank where people were lined up to collect their salaries, police said. In a separate attack, a roadside bomb blast killed three Iraqi soldiers and wounded another two as they patrolled a west Baghdad suburb, according to two security sources. (Posted @ 15:30 PST)
Lebanese army shelling kills eight in Palestinian camp NAHR AL-BARED, Lebanon, May 21 (Reuters) At least eight civilians were killed and 20 wounded Monday in Lebanese army shelling of a Palestinian refugee camp during fighting with militants, Palestinian sources inside the camp said. (First Posted @ 10:50 PST, Updated @ 14:31 PST)
Bomb found on train in eastern India KOLKATA, India, May 21 (Reuters) Indian police defused a bomb found on a train in Kolkata Monday, police said. The train was headed for Tarakeshwar, about two hours west of Kolkata. The bomb was found during a routine security check minutes before the train was about to leave the city's Howrah station. “We have identified it as an improvised explosive device and our bomb squad has separated it,” said Amar Kanti Sarkar, a top railway police officer. (Posted @ 14:10 PST)
Bangladesh ex-PM's secretary jailed for three years DHAKA, May 21 (Reuters) A special corruption court in Bangladesh passed a three-year jail sentence Monday on a top aide to former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, court officials said. They said Haris Chowdhury, Khaleda's former political secretary who has been in hiding since the country's army-backed interim government imposed a state of emergency in January, had been tried and sentenced in his absence. (Posted @ 12:50 PST)
One dead, dozens injured in Bangladesh factory clash DHAKA, May 21 (Reuters) Clashes between police and rioting garment workers demanding payment of wages Sunday left one person dead and about 60 people injured in Bangladesh. The clashes occurred at a garment factory at Tongi, 23 km north of Dhaka and the scene remained tense Monday. (Posted @ 12:15 PST)
Sri Lanka roadside bomb, clash kill four soldiers COLOMBO, May 21 (Reuters) A roadside bomb planted by suspected Tamil Tiger rebels killed two soldiers in northern Sri Lanka Monday hours after insurgents shot dead two soldiers in the island's east overnight, the military said. “Two soldiers were killed in Vavuniya this morning,” said military spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe. He was referring to the district 160 miles north of Colombo. (Posted @ 10:45 PST)
541 rebels, 44 soldiers killed in four months of fighting in Sri Lanka COLOMBO, May 21 (AP) Sri Lanka's military said it killed more than 500 separatist rebels in the past four months and lost 44 of its own soldiers in fighting that has completely shattered the island nation's peace process. A military spokesman, Brig. Prasad Samarasinghe, said Sunday that 541 rebels have been killed in fighting in two northern districts, Mannar and Vavuniya.(Posted @ 09:15 PST)
Two dead, 32 hurt in bus crash in central Pennsylvania CLEARFIELD, Pennsylvania, May 21 (AP) A bus veered off a highway and crashed in central Pennsylvania, killing two people and injuring 32 others, authorities said. The bus was eastbound on Interstate 80 with 36 people on board when it crashed six miles west of Clearfield around 3:30 a.m. Sunday, state police said.(Posted @ 09:15 PST)
China road crash kills 20 farmers BEIJING, May 21 (AFP) Twenty female farmers were killed when the three-wheeled vehicle they were travelling on overturned on a mountainous road in rural China, state press reported Monday.Four other women were injured in Sunday's accident in the northeast Liaoning province, Xinhua news agency said, citing local police.(Posted @ 09:10 PST)
Karachi Stocks down 57.19 points: KARACHI, May 21: At the close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 12283.23, down 57.19 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:16 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, May 21: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.88 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:16 PST)
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