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| May 22, 2007 | Tuesday | Jamadi-ul-Awwal 05, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Supreme court continues hearing of CJP Iftikhar’s petition ISLAMABAD, May 22 (APP): Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday, head of the 13-member full court hearing the petition of Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and others, Tuesday assured the counsels of the petitioners and the respondents that enough time would be given for arguments in the “very important” case. Justice Chaudhry has challenged the presidential reference against him as well as the composition and competence of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC). The Federation's counsel, Malik Mohammad Qayyum, continuing his arguments Tuesday, said under Article 209 of the Constitution, proceedings of the SJC cannot be challenged in any court of law, even in the Supreme Court, and that Article 211 of the Constitution provides a blanket cover in this regard. He had not yet completed his arguments when the bench adjourned the proceedings till Wednesday. Malik Qayyum, who has argued on the question of maintainability of the petitions, will wind up his arguments at the next sitting according to the understanding reached between the counsels of the two sides. Ch.Aitzaz Ahsan, counsel of Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, will start his arguments after the completion of arguments by the Federation's counsel. Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday observed during the proceedings that the matters before the court were “very important” and the counsels would be given full opportunity for arguments. Members of the bench raised a number of questions about the status of the SJC and its functions besides jurisdiction of the Supreme Court regarding hearing the petitions. (Posted @ 18:30 PST)
SHC adjourns contempt application hearing against federal, provincial officials KARACHI, May 22 (PPI): Sindh High Court Tuesday adjourned hearing of contempt application for June 01 filed against federal Interior Secretary, Sindh Chief Secretary, Home Secretary and others for non- compliance of SHC order to ensure provision of security to Chief Justice of Supreme Court Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry during his Karachi visit and providing him secure path to reach SHC to address lawyers, on May 12 last. The division bench comprising Justice Anwar Zahir Jamali and Justice Muhammad Ather Saeed ordered adjournment on the request of AQ Halepoto, counsel for Interior Secretary, I A Hashmi & Muhammad Ashraf Qazi, representing provincial officials who sought time to submit respective reply of their clients. All alleged contemnors including Interior Secretary Syed Kamal Shah, Chief Secretary Sindh Shakeel Durrani, Home Secretary Brigadier (Rtd) Mohammad Mohtram, PPO Niaz Ahmed and CCPO Karachi Azhar Farooqui were present in court. (Posted @ 18:50 PST)
Pakistan strikes Al-Qaeda camp, four dead MIRANSHAH, Pakistan, May 22 (AFP) Pakistani troops backed by helicopter gunships Tuesday stormed a suspected Al-Qaeda camp in a tribal area bordering Afghanistan, killing at least four foreign rebels, officials said. Soldiers raided the training camp at Zargarkhel village in North Waziristan after militants refused to meet a peace delegation of tribal elders flown in by helicopter and opened fire, military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad said. “We retaliated and the firing is going on.” Training materials including explosives were seized, although the final death toll was not yet available, he later told a private television channel. Security officials said four foreign militants were killed. “This is an Uzbek training centre which has been busted. The dead were foreigners,” one official said requesting anonymity. “Ground troops and Cobra gunships are carrying out the operation.” (First Posted @ 11:08 PST, Updated @ 15:14 PST)
U.S. official defends Pakistan as ally WASHINGTON, May 22 (Reuters) A senior U.S. official Monday said Islamabad has been increasingly active in repelling Taliban and al Qaeda forces on the Afghan border. Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher said Islamabad has taken a more aggressive approach since December that has gone largely unacknowledged. “They've had 80,000 troops in that (border) area who've been active and I would say, for the last six months they've been increasingly active in preventing infiltration across the border, disrupting and arresting Taliban and supporting tribal leaders who are trying to expel foreign militants,” Boucher said in an interview. Boucher, who oversees South and Central Asia, said much of the $700 million annual aid is for “shared” objectives to help Pakistan become a more moderate and modern society. This includes plans to spend $750 million over the next five years to develop remote tribal areas, he said. Asked about Musharraf's decision not to allow exiled former premiers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif to return home for elections later this year, Boucher said while Washington supports free and fair polls, the exiled leaders “have issues with the Pakistani judicial system and I'm not in a position to judge. Those have to be solved by Pakistan.” (Posted @ 09:15 PST)
Nine killed in Larkana fire LARKANA, Pakistan, May 22 (APP) A family comprising nine members was burnt to death when fire broke out in their house due to short circuit of an airconditioner here Tuesday morning. (Posted @ 15:16 PST)
Five killed, 60 injured in Turkey bomb blast: PM ANKARA, May 22, (AFP) - Five people, one of them a Pakistani, died and more than 60 were injured in a bomb blast that rocked the Turkish capital Ankara on Tuesday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said. (First Posted @ 21:30 PST Updated @ 22:58 PST)
Washington may provide military aid to Lebanese PM WASHINGTON, May 22, (AFP) - Washington may provide military aid to Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, after three days of deadly attacks by militants on Lebanese security forces, US officials said Tuesday. (Posted @ 23:48 PST)
Cricket: Former Indian Test player held on drugs charge NEW DELHI, May 22, (AFP) - A former Indian Test player was Tuesday detained on charges of possessing banned drugs, officials here said. Moninder Singh, now a sports commentator, could face up to 10 years in jail after he was arrested in New Delhi allegedly carrying 1.5 grams of cocaine. A police source told AFP the bowler was trapped during a car chase aimed at capturing a Nigerian drug dealer. (Posted @ 23:22 PST)
All Karachiites should struggle against ethnic extremism: Asfandyar KARACHI, May 22 (PPI): President of Awami National Party (ANP) Asfandyar Wali Khan Tuesday reminded that not only the Pashtu speaking people but all Karachiites should struggle against ethnic extremism to save the city. Talking to MMA leaders during his visit to Idara Noor-e-Haq he said the purpose of his visit to Karachi was to remind the other opposition and religious parties that battle against terrorists in Karachi was to be waged by all Karachiites. (Posted @ 21:46 PST)
Cricket: Vaughan gets England recall LONDON, May 22 (AFP) -Captain Michael Vaughan has been recalled to England's squad for the second Test against West Indies at Headingley starting on Friday.Vaughan missed the drawn series opener at Lord's with a broken finger. All-rounder Andrew Flintoff has returned following an ankle injury but his fitness will be monitored. Bowlers James Anderson and Ryan Sidebottom have also been called up into the squad. England squad--Michael Vaughan (Yorkshire, captain), James Anderson (Lancashire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Paul Collingwood (Durham), Alastair Cook (Essex), Andrew Flintoff (Lancashire), Steve Harmison (Durham), Kevin Pietersen (Hampshire), Matt Prior (Sussex), Monty Panesar (Northants), Liam Plunkett (Durham), Ryan Sidebottom (Nottinghamshire), Andrew Strauss (Middlesex). (Posted @ 21:24 PST)
6 dead, 5 injured as fire engulfs 2-story house in Baltimore BALTIMORE, May 22 (AP) - Fire engulfed a two-story row house Tuesday morning, killing at least six people and injuring five others, authorities said. The first firefighters to arrive found both floors engulfed in flames. They were able to rescue three people, and three others managed to escape. Fire officials said they believed the blaze started on the first floor of the home. The cause was under investigation. (Posted @ 20:02 PST)
Three explosions shake northern Indian town; six wounded NEW DELHI, May 22 (AP) - Three explosions apparently caused by bombs packed in tin lunch boxes shook northern Indian town of Gorakhpur, injuring at least six people. The three blasts took place in quick succession shortly after dusk in Gorakhpur, a town about 600 Press Trust of India news agency reported that the blasts hit a market, a building and an intersection injuring at least six people. (First Posted @ 19:48 PST Updated @ 20:00 PST)
Canadian PM stresses commitment to Afghanistan KABUL, May 22 (AFP) - Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Tuesday defended Canada's mission in Afghanistan amid faltering support back home, as President Hamid Karzai urged the world not to abandon his country. Harper spoke at the start of his surprise two-day visit to Afghanistan, during which he is expected to meet some of the 2,500 Canadian soldiers here, most of them fighting the Taliban in Kandahar province. Fifty-four Canadian soldiers and one of the country's diplomats have been killed in Afghanistan since Canada joined the international mission in 2002. (Posted @ 19:54 PST)
Italy to support Pakistan for equitable market access to EU ISLAMABAD, May 22 (APP): Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Massimo D' Alema Tuesday assured Pakistan full support in its bid for “equitable market access” within the European Union through a Free Trade Agreement or a similar mechanism. D' Alema along with Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri at a joint press referred to EU's FTA with India and said there should not be any double standards in the region and EU should consider aspiration of Pakistan seriously. Kasuri referred to the positive trend in trade relations that has crossed a billion dollar mark and said both sides agreed to take tangible measures for further strengthening of commercial relations. Kasuri briefed the visiting Foreign Minister of Pakistan's endeavours for strengthening peace, security and development in Afghanistan. He also updated D'Alema on the Composite Dialogue process with India. Kasuri said : “We are keen to further expand our relations in all areas, especially, trade and commerce, defence, higher education, energy, agriculture, and information technology.” (Posted @ 18:40 PST)
Toll hits 66 in Lebanon strife BEIRUT, May 22 (AFP) - Sixty-six people have been killed in three days of fighting between the army and Islamic extremists in northern Lebanon, Lebanese army and Palestinian sources said on Tuesday. It is the deadliest internal violence since the 1975-90 civil war. Thirty Lebanese troops and 18 militants from the Fatah Al-Islam militia have been killed since the fighting on Sunday, according to the sources. Seventeen Palestinian refugees have also been killed in the fighting. (Posted @ 19:10 PST)
Fatah al-Islam declares unilateral Lebanon ceasefire BEIRUT, May 22 (AFP) - The Fatah al-Islam group which has been battling Lebanese troops for three days said it would observe a unilateral ceasefire from 1130 GMT on Tuesday. “We have announced through the media that we are ready to respect a ceasefire, starting at 1130 GMT on Tuesday, and we hope that the Lebanese army will accept our offer in order to help end the suffering of civilians in Nahr Al-Bared,” spokesman Abu Sali Taha said. (Posted @ 18:24 PST)
Iraq: 12 students killed, 28 injured BAGHDAD, May 22 (Reuters) - At least eight college students were killed and another three wounded when gunmen opened fire on their minibus in northern Baghdad on Tuesday, police said. The students were travelling to their homes in Tunis, a religiously mixed district, when gunmen in a car sprayed their bus with bullets. Also Tuesday, at least four college students were killed and 25 wounded in a mortar attack on Ibn al-Haitham college in nearby Adhamiya district. (Posted @ 19:00 PST)
25 killed, 60 injured in Baghdad market bomb blast Baghdad, May 22 (Reuters) - At least 25 people were killed and 60 wounded when a car bomb exploded near a popular market in the Amil district in southwestern Baghdad, police said. In a town near Baquba gunmen wearing Iraqi army uniforms at a fake checkpoint killed a family of six, including four children, while at least four college students were killed and 25 wounded in a mortar attack at Ibn al-Haitham college in Adhamiya district in northern Baghdad, police said. Near the town of Garma, about 50 km west of Baghdad U.S. forces killed nine insurgents in a ground and air attack and freed 12 hostages. Meanwhile, the bodies of 24 people were found shot in different districts of Baghdad on Monday, police said. (First Posted @ 15:16 PST Updated @ 17:00 PST)
APHC leader lauds Musharraf's 4-point formula SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, May 22 (APP): Veteran Kashmiri leader Professor Abdul Ghani Butt addressing a public meeting at Idgah in Srinagar, said that four-point formula put forwarded by the President Pervez Musharraf based on demilitarisation, self-governance, joint-management and opening all the roads across the Line of Control (LOC) could pave the way for resolving the Kashmir dispute. He said demilitarisation would lead to the eventual withdrawal of troops from Kashmir and joint-management would make it possible for India, Pakistan and Kashmiris to handle some issues jointly. (Posted @ 18:28 PST)
Three killed in gunbattle in occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, May 22 (AFP) Two militants and an Indian soldier died in a gunbattle in occupied Kashmir’s southern Pulwana district, police said Tuesday. The fighting erupted when soldiers raided a civilian house where the militants had taken refuge. (Posted @ 15:16 PST)
Iran bans foreigners from border province TEHRAN, May 22 (AFP) -Iran has banned all Afghan and other foreign nationals from the sensitive Sistan-Baluchestan province as part of a drive to deport tens of thousands of illegal migrants, deputy police chief Hossein Zolfaghari told state media Tuesday. “No legal or illegal foreign nationals are allowed to live, work and travel in any cities of Sistan-Baluchestan province, in line with the scheme to deport foreigners,” he said. Zolfaghari said “more than 65,000 illegal foreign citizens have been apprehended in Sistan-Baluchestan province”, which borders Afghanistan and Pakistan, since Iran launched the plan to expel illegal immigrants on April 21. Sistan-Baluchestan is the main narcotics transit route from Afghanistan and Pakistan to the markets of Europe and the Gulf, and a frequent scene of bloody clashes between smugglers and police. The authorities are also concerned about the emergence of a shadowy Sunni militant group known as Jundallah, which has claimed responsibly of a series of deadly bombings and abductions in the province. (Posted @ 18:15 PST)
Development in Balochistan transforming lives of people: PM Aziz ISLAMABAD, May 22 (APP) Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Tuesday said that record development work in Balochistan was transforming the life of people of the province and vowed that this process will be further accelerated. Talking to Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Muhammad Yousaf who is also the President of PML at PM House, the Prime Minister complimented him for strengthening the party in the province and building a viable coalition for the next general election. Balochistan provincial minister for Finance Ehsan Shah also attended the meeting. The Prime Minister emphasized the need for doing more to improve the standard of education in the province particularly in the far-flung areas. The meeting also discussed the upcoming federal and provincial budgets and the Prime Minister emphasized that the budget should be people-friendly and development-oriented, so that the momentum of growth and development continues further. (Posted @ 15:15 PST)
Sikhs strike against Indian sect over ”sacrilege” CHANDIGARH, India, May 22 (Reuters) - Businesses, schools and market in the northern Indian state of Punjab closed on Tuesday as thousands of Sikhs obeyed a call by their religious leaders to strike in protest against a sect they accuse of sacrilege. Thousands of Sikhs marched through streets of Punjab on Tuesday chanting hymns and reciting scriptures. Some protesters burnt effigies of the sect leader, Gurmeet Ram Raheem Singh. Lawyers in many cities decided to stay away from courts. (Posted @ 16:50 PST)
Cricket-Bangladesh and India draw first test CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh, May 22 (Reuters) - Bangladesh and India drew the first match in their two-test series on the final day on Tuesday. Scores: Bangladesh 238 (Mashrafe Mortaza 79; R.P. Singh 3-45, V.R.V Singh 3-48) and 104-2 (Javed Omar 52 not out), India 387-8 dec (Dinesh Karthik 56, Rahul Dravid 61, Sachin Tendulkar 101, Saurav Ganguly 100; Mashrafe Mortaza 4-97, Shahadat Hossain 3-76) and 100-6 dec (Mohammad Rafique 3-27). (Posted @ 16:48 PST)
UAE wants timetable for US pullout from Iraq SEOUL, May 22 (AFP) - The United Arab Emirates wants the United States to pull out of Iraq and is boosting its ties with Asian nations as part of a “balanced” policy, its prime minister said Tuesday. “We hope America will leave Iraq (in accordance with) a set timetable and that Iraq will be united,” Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashed al-Maktoum told reporters accompanying him on a trip to Seoul. (Posted @ 16:36 PST)
Music shop blown up in Pakistan’s Sherpao village PESHAWAR, Pakistan, May 22 (AFP) Suspected militants blew up a music shop in a grenade attack in Sherpao village, 25 kilometres outside Peshawar, late Monday, police said Tuesday.Senior police officer Feroz Shah said two militants on a bicycle lobbed a hand grenade into the shop and fled. A police squad on motorcycles chased and arrested one man, while the other escaped. A dental clinic and a computer shop were also damaged in the blast, he added.(Posted @ 13:05 PST)
Alitalia cancels nearly 400 flights because of workers’ strike ROME, May 22 (AP) Alitalia cancelled nearly 400 domestic and international flights Tuesday because of a strike by flight attendants and air traffic controllers. The eight-hour strike followed a week of wildcat walkouts that forced the cancellation of dozens of flights. Alitalia listed 394 flights it was scrapping Tuesday because of the 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. action, called by unions to keep up the pressure on the struggling national carrier over contract negotiations.(Posted @ 12:40 PST)
Iran hikes petrol prices by 25 percent TEHRAN, May 22 (AFP) Oil-rich Iran Tuesday increased the price of petrol by 25 percent. Surprised drivers in Tehran found that pump prices had been hiked overnight to 1,000 rials (10 cents) from 800 rials a litre (eight cents). (Posted @ 12:28 PST)
Dozen militants, policeman killed in Afghan attacks KHOST, Afghanistan, May 22 (AFP) A dozen Taliban rebels and a policeman were killed in separate attacks in Afghanistan, police and a district official said Tuesday. Ten Taliban fighters were killed after they attacked a police post in Kandahar province’s Zhari district late Monday, a district chief said. A policeman was also killed in the fighting. Separately Taliban-led insurgents attacked another police check post early Tuesday in Paktia province and two were killed, the provincial police chief said. (Posted @ 11:47 PST)
U.S. takes no position on Pakistani idea of Muslim force for Iraq WASHINGTON, May 22 (AP) The United States neither endorsed nor dismissed Monday a suggestion by Pervez Musharraf that a Muslim force should be mustered to stabilize and police Iraq. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the ultimate goal of the United States is to have a peaceful Iraq stabilized by Iraqi forces, not outsiders. The current U.S.-led force, in place with the acquiescence of the United Nations, is the agreed interim way to stop the violence in Iraq, McCormack said. ''I can't tell you if, in the future, if there will be a different composition to that force to include more Muslim forces or not,'' McCormack said. (Posted @ 10:25 PST)
Israel launches airstrikes in Gaza GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip, May 22 (AP) Israel launched two new airstrikes against targets in central Gaza early Tuesday after more rockets slammed into the Israeli border town of Sderot, lightly injuring two residents, the army said. The Hamas military wing said it fired 23 rockets Monday, of which nine were at Sderot. The most lethal killed an Israeli woman. (Posted @ 09:42 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 153.15 points: KARACHI, May 22: At close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 12436.38 , up 153.15 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, May 22: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.87 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
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