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| May 25, 2007 | Friday | Jamadi-ul-Awwal 08, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
SC adjourns hearing of CJ's, others petitions till Monday ISLAMABAD, May 25 (PPI) The 13-member full court of the Supreme Court on Friday adjourned till Monday the hearing on a set of identical constitutional petitions filed by Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and others challenging formation and competence of the Supreme Judicial Council and the Presidential Reference. Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan, chief attorney of the chief justice, continued his arguments. He argued that Supreme Judicial Council was not a competent forum to try chief justice. Citing famous cases, he argued that the trial of the chief justice could only be conducted by the 'full court' of the apex court. His arguments were still continuing when the court rose to reassemble on Monday. The full court headed by Justice Khalil ur Rehman Ramday comprises Justice Muhammad Nawaz Abbasi, Justice Faqir Muhammad Khokhar, Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, Justice M. Javed Buttar, Justice Tassadduque Hussain Jillani, Justice Saiyed Saeed Ashhad, Justice Nasirul Mulk, Justice Raja Fayyaz Ahmed, Justice Ch Ijaz Ahmed, Justice Syed Jamshed Ali, Justice Hamid Ali Mirza and Justice Ghulam Rabbani. (Posted @ 17:30 PST)
Musharraf appeals not to let May 12 incident take ethnic colour KARACHI, May 25 (PPI): President General Pervez Musharraf Friday appealed to the people that they should not let May 12 events in Karachi take “an ethnic colour as it was purely a political matter and look to the future now.” “We should ensure peace and harmony in the future and maintain it as massive development activity is taking place in the country that is unprecedented in its history,” he stressed. He said Police and Rangers were deployed in Karachi on May 12 but their strength was inadequate for a situation when 250,000 people were on the roads in different areas of the city. “We should look at positive side also as major loss was controlled due to the separation of different political parties at about 5-6 points in Karachi by law enforcement agencies personnel.” Talking about the pace of economic development in the country, President Musharraf noted that per capita income would be US$ 1000 next year, GDP has increased to $150 billion and Public Sector Development Programme PSDP was expected to be a record Rs 500 billion. Foreign Direct Investment has already touched $6 billion and remittances cross $5 billion during the current financial year 2006-07, he stated. (Posted @ 19:10 PST)
Musharraf launches DawnNews TV channel KARACHI, May 25, President General Parvez Musharraf Friday reiterated his pledge to absolute freedom of the Press in the country but expressed the hope that the media would fulfill its responsibilities in respect of objectivity, and for building up the moral of the people and creating in them the sense of self-belief and national pride. Speaking at the launch of DawnNews TV’s test transmission he cited the example of western media’s coverage of the massive killing and destruction in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere in the troubled middle-east to stress that Pakistani media’s coverage of the events at home had scope for correction and striking a good balance. He also said that while the media had all the rights to criticize the government it should also find time to talk about the tremendous development and progress in all spheres of national life including education, health, minorities and women’s rights, agriculture, industry, raise in quality of life of the people etc, and said lots more of such programmes were in the pipeline. Earlier, Mr. Hameed Haroon, Chief Executive Officer of the Pakistan Herald Publications, in his welcome address recalled the rich traditions of the Dawn newspaper and promised to keep that tradition alive through the DawnNews Tv channel.(Posted @ 22:40 PST)
98 missing persons traced so far: SC told ISLAMABAD, May 25 (APP): Director of National Crisis Management Cell (NCMC) Lt.Col. Javed Iqbal Lodhi Friday informed the Supreme Court that 98 missing persons had been traced so far and hectic efforts were underway to find the remaining. The bench comprising Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar and Justice Falak Sher heard the case and directed the officials of the NCMC and Deputy Attorney General Tariq Khokhar to submit affidavits in remaining cases. The bench heard the cases of missing persons one by one and directed the Deputy Attorney General to provide details in all the petitions filed by Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and others. Col Lodhi assured the court that the Ministry of Interior would continue its efforts to trace the remaining missing persons. About missing persons who have already been traced and freed, the bench said, “A number of persons have already been traced and freed which shows concrete and considerable progress.” Family members of missing persons and representatives of non-governmental organizations were present in the court room during the hearing. (Posted @ 19:30 PST)
President expresses satisfaction on return of normalcy in Karachi KARACHI, May 25( PPI): President Pervez Musharraf on Friday expressed satisfaction over return of peace and normalcy in Karachi after May 12 violence and appealed every well wisher of the country to maintain and sustain this atmosphere Addressing a cross-section of people he announced Rs 300,000compensation for all those killed on behalf of federal government and announced to give as much compensation to the injured as announced by Sindh government. About Presidential Reference against Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, he said opposition is playing a political game on a purely legal issue. President referred to massive development work carried out in Karachi in last few years adding that “this massive and unprecedented development like construction of underpasses, flyovers, roads and expressways is only possible in a calm and peaceful atmosphere.” He described “extremism and terrorism as most harmful trends for future of the country. It is very dangerous and unrealistic to try to impose obscurantist views on others.” (Posted @ 21:24 PST)
Turkish president rejects constitutional changes ANKARA, May 25 (AFP) -Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer on Friday rejected a package of constitutional reforms passed by parliament, including the election of the president by popular vote, his office said. The amendments constitute a change of the state system, for which there is “no justifiable and acceptable reason or necessity,” a statement from the presidency said. The president sent the package back to parliament for reconsideration. If the legislature passes the amendments for a second time without change, Sezer must either approve them or submit them to a referendum. (Posted @ 21:04 PST)
Top Iraqi militia commander shot dead in Basra BASRA, Iraq, May 25 (AFP) -Iraqi special forces backed by British troops shot dead the commander of the Mahdi Army militia in Basra on Friday, Iraqi and British officials said. Wissam Abu Qader was killed as he resisted arrest this afternoon,” military spokesman Major David Gell said in a statement, adding that around 100 British troops were involved in the operation. (Posted @ 21:00 PST)
Pakistan effectively countering terrorism, extremism KARACHI, May 25 (APP): President Pervez Musharraf Friday reiterated Pakistan's resolve to eliminate terrorism and extremism. Addressing a cross-section of people he explained the various facets of terrorism including Al-Qaida and militant Taliban and paid rich tributes to law enforcement agencies which, he said, confronted Al-Qaida and they were now on the run. He said peace prevails in Balochistan which earlier had 63 Farari Camps and now only 2 or 3 are left which too would be eliminated. Complete calm prevails in Dera Bugti where 80,000 displaced families have returned from Punjab and Sindh. Each returning family is given 10 goats, Rs 20,000 cash, ration for 15 days and food for three days for their resettlement. Same are the conditions in Kohlu area where network of roads, schools, dispensaries etc costing billions of rupees are being developed. (Posted @ 19:14 PST)
Government trying to deweaponize the country: President Musharraf KARACHI, May 25 (PPI): President General Pervez Musharraf said Friday the government was trying to deweaponize the country. “It is an unfortunate reality that people had weapons. it is the result of 30 years of kalashnikov culture that started with the Afghan war”, he said while addressing city elites, bankers, industrialists and notables including Pakhtun representatives at Sindh Chief Minister House. President Musharraf referred to happenings at Lal Masjid in Islamabad, and said they are “our people but have lost the way. We are trying to tackle them as there are 2500 women and 1500 men inside with explosives and weapons.” (Posted @ 19:06 PST)
Six US soldiers killed in Iraq BAGHDAD, May 25 (AFP) Six US soldiers were killed in a series of incidents around Iraq, the military announced Friday. Two soldiers were killed when their patrol hit a roadside bomb in the west Baghdad Thursday, the military said in a statement. An interpreter was also killed and another soldier was wounded in the blast. Another roadside bomb exploded early Thursday next to an army vehicle, killing one soldier and wounding another in the central Iraqi province of Salaheddin, the military said. Another US soldier was killed by small arms fire in Diyala province. In the northern province of Nineveh, meanwhile, a roadside bomb exploded next to a US military vehicle killing another soldier. The military also announced the death of a soldier Tuesday in Baghdad province from a roadside bomb. (First Posted @ 10:02 PST, Updated @ 11:31 PST)
US Senate approves Iraq war money with no withdrawal WASHINGTON, May 24 (Reuters) The U.S. Senate Thursday, following the lead of the House of Representatives, approved $100 billion in new funds for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan without a timetable for withdrawing combat troops. By a vote of 80-14, the Senate passed the emergency funding bill, sending it to President George W. Bush, who is expected to promptly sign it into law. (Posted @ 09:50 PST)
Sadr back in Iraq KUFA, Iraq, May 25 (AFP) - Moqtada al-Sadr made a dramatic return to frontline Iraqi politics on Friday, calling for unity and the withdrawal of US troops five months after claims he had fled the country. The young Shiite cleric, head of one of Iraq's most powerful armed movements, arrived at his mosque in Kufa to the cheers of more than 1,000 supporters who showered him with sweets. “No, no to the unjust! No, no to America! No, no to colonialism! No, no to Israel! No, no to Satan,” he declared in his address. “I want to renew our demand for the departure of the occupation,” he said, warning the Baghdad government that his supporters have enough votes in parliament to block any renewal of the American military mandate. “I say to our Sunni brothers in Iraq that we are brothers and the occupier shall not divide us. They are welcome and we are ready to cooperate with them in all fields. This is my hand I stretch towards them.” Any fighting between our brothers in the Mahdi Army and the Iraqi army and police is forbidden,” Sadr declared, blaming the clashes on “the occupier.” ”I advise the dear brothers in the Mahdi Army to resort to peaceful means like picketing or demonstrating when attacked by bad people,” he declared. (First Posted @ 10:52 PST Updated @ 16:30 PST)
PM, Shujaat discuss political situation ISLAMABAD, May 25 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Friday held talks with PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and decided that the first meeting of the recently constituted PML's Policy Planning Group would be held next week. The group, the Prime Minister said, would discuss important national issues to formulate party's strategy in consultation with party members. The two leaders reiterated that PML and its allies would contest the next general elections from one platform on the basis of their performance in office. (Posted @ 19:34 PST)
Kashmir report to pave way for detailed discussion over issue in European Parliament : Sultan ISLAMABAD, May 25 (APP): Expressing reservations over Emma Nicholson report on Kashmir adopted by the European Union, former AJK Prime Minister Sultan Mehmood hoped that it will pave the way for discussion of Kashmir issue in European Parliaments. “The report is apparently not in favour of Kashmiris but it will be a mile stone for the resolution of the Kashmir issue”, he said while addressing a news conference at Strasburg, France. (Posted @ 19:32 PST)
Six bogies of goods train derail near Nawabshah NAWABSHAH, Sindh, May 25 (PPI): Six bogies of a goods train derailed near Nawabshah Railway Station on Friday while changing the track. This was the third such incident during current month, and suspended traffic on down track for several hours. (Posted @ 18:58 PST)
Cricket-India 326-0 v Bangladesh at close on 1st day of 2nd test DHAKA, May 25 (Reuters) - India were 326 for no wicket at close of the opening day of the second and final test against Bangladesh on Friday. Scores: India 326-0 (Dinesh Karthik 82 retired hurt, Wasim Jaffer 138 retired hurt, Rahul Dravid 88 not out) (Posted @ 17:36 PST)
South Asia has tremendous potential to move forward: PM Aziz ISLAMABAD, May 25 (PPI) Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Friday South Asia has tremendous potential to move forward in a big way which needs to be exploited with ensuring peace and stability through dispute resolution. Launching the Human Development Report in South Asia -2006 on Poverty :Challenges and Responses , by Dr Mahboob-ul-Haq Human Development Centre he said the government has adopted four pronged strategy to reduce poverty which includes accelerating economic growth, maintaining macro economic, improving governance and devolution, involvement of people and investment in human capital. He said the government is increasing its funding in social sector to provide better civic amenities to the masses. In urban areas, poverty has came down to about 15 percent from 23 and in rural areas it has came down to 28 percent from 39 percent. (Posted @ 17:34 PST)
PM Aziz approves new poultry policy ISLAMABAD, May 25 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Friday approved new poultry development policy aimed at increasing the annual growth of poultry sector from the present 12 to 15-20 percent using modern technologies in production and processing. The policy envisages environmentally controlled housing for broilers and layers, and creation of integrated production and processing system including value addition in the poultry sector. (Posted @ 17:08 PST)
At least 14 people, mostly schoolchildren, killed in road accident in South Africa JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, May 25 (AP) - At least 14 people, nine of them schoolchildren, were killed Thursday in a six-vehicle accident on a major highway in South Africa's Eastern Cape province. A group of schoolchildren returning in two minibus taxis were involved in the accident. One of the minibus was involved in a head-on collision with a truck. The other minibus, just behind the first, and three more cars were then involved. The cause of the accident was not yet known. (Posted @ 16:58 PST)
Three Americans among six kidnapped in Nigeria LAGOS, May 25 (Reuters) - The six oil workers kidnapped from a pipe laying vessel off Nigeria's coast on Friday comprise three Americans, two Britons and one South African, industry sources said. (Posted @ 16:44 PST)
Indian court puts off sentencing Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt MUMBAI, May 25 (Reuters) - An Indian court put off on Friday sentencing top Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt, convicted of buying illegal weapons from gangsters involved in India's worst bombings. The court said it would summon Dutt again soon. Indian newspapers have said that the court was waiting for probation reports of some convicts including Dutt. Dutt, 47, was cleared of conspiracy in the serial bombings of 1993 in Mumbai that killed 257 people, but found guilty of illegally possessing an AK-56 rifle and a pistol. Separately, the court jailed eight people for between five and 10 years for abetting the bombings, taking the number of those punished so far to 36, including five policemen. (Posted @ 16:40 PST)
Sri Lanka claims 12 Tigers killed COLOMBO, May 25 (AFP) - Sri Lankan government troops have shot dead 12 suspected Tamil Tiger rebels along front lines in northern Vavuniya district, the defence ministry said Friday, the day after the rebels attacked the capital and a key naval base. (Posted @ 16:34 PST)
Israeli planes pound Gaza as rocket fire continues GAZA CITY, May 25 (AFP) Warplanes pounded the Gaza Strip for a ninth day Friday as Palestinians continued to fire rockets into Israel despite a call from Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas for a truce. Israeli aircraft launched seven sorties overnight, striking buildings and posts operated by Hamas, whose fighters fired rockets at Israel. Local medical sources cited five people wounded in strikes that Palestinians said hit a guardhouse near the home of prime minister Ismail Haniya in the Shati refugee camp. The military said it attacked two Hamas posts in Gaza City and the southern town of Khan Yunis. (First Posted @ 09:52 PST, Updated @ 14:05 PST)
“We can't turn it around overnight:” Gates on Iraq WASHINGTON, May 25 (AFP) US Defence Secretary Robert Gates Thursday played down expectations for rapid progress in Iraq and said US officials were looking more to local groups than the Iraqi government to aid reconciliation. “I mean, we're as impatient for this thing to turn in a positive direction as anybody, maybe more so…but we can't turn it around overnight,” Gates told reporters. He denied that his top military man in Iraq, General David Petraeus, was developing a new strategy to quell the daily bloodshed. (Posted @ 10:58 PST)
China hit by deadly flooding, severe drought BEIJING, May 25 (AFP) Torrential rain in southwest China triggered flash floods and mudslides that left 21 dead, while a neighbouring region is suffering its worst drought in 60 years, state media reported Friday. A further 11 people are missing following the rains in Sichuan province and Chongqing municipality, Xinhua news agency said. More than 360 people were injured and 112,000 evacuated in the disasters in the region. Meanwhile, more than 1.6 million people in Gansu province face drinking water shortages due to severe drought. (Posted @ 09:33 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 69.00 points: KARACHI, May 25: At close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 12732.41, up 69.00 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 16:40 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, May 25: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.9 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 16:40 PST)
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