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| June 11, 2007 | Monday | Jamadi-ul-Awwal 25, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Full Court decides to hear Justice Iftikhar's petition ISLAMABAD, Jun 11 (APP): The Supreme Court's 13-member full court Monday decided to hear the constitutional petition of Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry on the question of its merits. Head of the full court, Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday, announcing the ruling, said: “The issue of maintainability will be decided along with the merits of the main case. We have decided to start the hearing of the petition of Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry on merits.” After the ruling, Justice Iftikhar’s counsel, Ch. Aitzaz Ahsan, started his arguments on the merits of the petition . It challenges the constitution, composition and competence of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC). Justice Muhammad Nawaz Abbasi asked Aitzaz Ahsan to confine himself to the merits of the petition and refrain from arguments on the reference. The bench edorsed the point. Aitzaz Ahsan, recalling details of the meeting of Justice Iftikhar with the President on March 9, alleged malice in filing the reference. The counsel claimed that Justice Iftikhar was kept at the Camp Office against his will for more than five hours and during that time the reference was filed and a notification restraining him from functioning as judge and chief justice was issued. He said that the reference was filed in haste even when Justice Iftikhar was still at the Camp Office. The counsel also repeated the the chief justice was pressurized to resign by the heads of intelligence agencies. Aitzaz Ahsan argued that the SJC proceedings on March 9 were unconstitutional as this forum could not be constituted without a chief justice. He questioned the validity of the notifications issued on March 9 for the appointment of an Acting Chief Justice, convening of SJC meeting and restraining order against Justice Iftikhar. The counsel also contended that a chief justice could not be sent on forced leave under a law made during the rule of Yahya Khan which was no more in the files now. Aitzaz Ahsan will continue his arguments on the merits of the petition when the full court resumes hearing on Tuesday. The full court directed that there would be no arguments from the side of other petitioners and only the counsel of Justice Iftikhar would present arguments. From the government said, only Sharifuddin Pirzada, who is representing the referring authority, and Maqbool Elahi Malik, counsel of the Federation, will be allowed to argue after Aitzaz Ahsan has completed his arguments, the bench said. (Posted @ 19:48 PST)
Pakistan heatwave toll climbs to 47 LAHORE, Pakistan, June 11 (AFP) - Pakistan declared an emergency in state-run hospitals Monday as the death toll from a sizzling heatwave rose to 47, officials said. Temperatures have soared to more than 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) in some parts of central Punjab and southern Sindh provinces since Friday, the meteorological office said. At least 21 people have died in Punjab province in the past 24 hours including three in the provincial capital Lahore, health ministry official Amir Ali told AFP. Five of them drowned when they jumped into rivers or canals to beat the heat. Officials had previously reported 26 deaths between Friday and Sunday. The Met Office says no respite is likely for several days. A heat wave in Pakistan last year claimed more than 80 lives while around 200 died in 2005. (Posted @ 20:06 PST)
NATO soldiers kill three Afghans at checkpoint KABUL, June 11, (AFP) - NATO soldiers in Afghanistan opened fire on a vehicle that failed to stop at a traffic control point on Monday, leaving three Afghans dead and wounding two others, an official statement said. (Posted @ 23:42 PST)
Nine killed as Gaza plunges into new factional violence GAZA CITY, June 11, (AFP) - Renewed Palestinian factional fighting killed nine people on Monday in Gaza, where gunmen fired on government offices forcing ministers to interrupt a cabinet meeting. The latest deaths bring to 15 the number of people killed in the lawless territory since a new bout of internecine bloodshed between Hamas and Fatah erupted on Thursday. (Posted @ 22:54 PST)
UA foreign minister calls on Prime Minister Aziz ISLAMABAD, June 11 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz held wide ranging talks Monday with Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Foreign Minister of UAE and said Pakistan valued its relations with UAE and was keen to further expand cooperation in all fields, especially in economic, commercial, investment, manpower, energy and defence sectors. He appreciated the continued interest of UAE investors in Pakistan and said Gwadar Port provides another opportunity to the UAE investors. He also emphasized the need to expedite Free Trade Agreement between Pakistan and GCC. Sheikh Abdullah appreciated the high growth rate and development taking place in Pakistan and expressed the desire to increase economic cooperation with Pakistan. He said the government and private sector of UAE will continue to invest in Pakistan and benefit from Pakistan's growing economic potential. The meeting was attended, among others, by Minister for Foreign Affairs Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri, Minister of State for Finance Omar Ayub and senior officials. (Posted @ 22:26 PST)
Death toll tops 100 in Indian heat wave NEW DELHI, June 11 (AFP) - A heat wave in northern and central India has claimed 28 more lives, it was reported Monday, taking the toll since the start of summer to 102, the Press Trust of India said. Uttar Pradesh was the worst affected, with 13 new deaths reported Monday, taking the statewide total to 62 since mid-April, the news agency said. Other deaths due to heatstroke were reported from northern and central states. (Posted @ 20:38 PST)
Boucher's visit not aimed at mediating between govt, political party: FO ISLAMABAD, June 11 (APP): Pakistan Foreign Office on Monday said the upcoming visit of US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher to Pakistan was on regular basis and did not mean mediating between the government and a political party. “This is a normal, regular, periodic visit in which the two sides will review bilateral relations,” Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam told the weekly media briefing. When asked about President Pervez Musharraf's recent statement on Pakistan's willingness for the withdrawal of forces from the Line of Control, the spokesperson said it was in the context of resolving the Kashmir dispute under the President's four-point proposals of identifying regions, demilitarization, self governance and joint management. She however categorically stated that “there will be no unilateral demilitarization.” The spokesperson said Pakistan was supportive of the objectives of Global Initiative on Nuclear Terrorism, but since it was not the member of NPT, the initiative would not cover the military nuclear facilities. She said Pakistan was against nuclear proliferation, and would formally join the Initiative in a meeting to be held at Almaty, Kazakhstan. To a question about the relatives of Indian PoWs visiting Pakistani jails and now demanding the government to allow them to visit the alleged “military detentions”, the spokesperson said, “we have done the maximum we can do.” She pointed the need for similar humanitarian move for about 500 civilian prisoners languishing in Indian jails , majority of them after completion of their terms. (Posted @ 20:28 PST)
SC starts suo moto hearing regarding incidents of harassment of journalists ISLAMABAD, June 11 (APP): A two-member bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar and Justice Sayyed Falak Sher on Monday started hearing regarding incidents of harassment and violence against journalists after taking suo moto notice of the matter.The bench asked the complainant, the Press Association of the Supreme Court, to submit complete date-wise record of incidents at the next hearing for which a date will be fixed later. (Posted @ 20:18 PST)
Six killed in occupied Kashmir violence SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, June 11 (AFP) - Indian troops shot dead three suspected militants while three people were killed by militants, officials said Monday.The clash took place Sunday6 near the LoC , they said but did not give specific location or other details. Police meanwhile said militants killed three Muslim men, including a policeman and an employee of the Indian army's engineering division, in the south. Occupied Kashmir is in the grip of a nearly 18-year-old freedom movement that has left more than 42,000 people dead. (Posted @ 20:02 PST)
Rice backs Musharraf, appreciates his efforts in war against terror NEW YORK, June 11 (APP): Secretary of State Condolezza Rice appreciating the contribution of President General Pervez Musharraf in the war against terror has said that Pakistan has been effectively fighting to free the country from extremism and terrorism. In an interview with the editorial board of NBC News in New York, the Secretary of State said, “He (Musharraf) is somebody who believes that Pakistan has to have a future that is free of extremism and that is moderate, and he's worked toward that goal.” Replying to a question Rice said the Pakistani leader has a number of strengths. She said Musharraf was fighting a “fierce battle against terrorists.” (Posted @ 19:36 PST)
Govt offers dialogue to Opposition on ”rules of game”:Shujaat ISLAMABAD, June 11 (PPI)- While reiterating commitment for free and fair elections, the President of Pakistan Muslim League-Q, Ch Shujaat Husain, Monday invited the opposition parties to come to the table so that their reservations in this regard could be removed. We had asked the opposition in the past to float three nominations to appoint a consensus Chief Election Commissioner but it did not pay heed to the proposal adding that it (opposition) sought changes in the rules of the Election Commission which, he said, needed amendments in the constitution. Talking to newsmen at his residence Shujaat said the government was ready to enter into a written agreement with the opposition parties on the “rules of game” so that the way for transparent elections could be paved. To a question on extending an invitation to the Opposition for consultations on the formation of an interim government, he said the opposition must first respond positively to the proposal regarding Chief Election Commissioner. He said the constitution allows the present assemblies to elect President Musharraf for the next term. (Posted @ 19:26 PST)
Third Test: England beat West Indies by 60 runs MANCHESTER, June 11 (AP) - England beat West Indies by 60 runs in the third test Monday at Old Trafford to clinch the four-test series 2-0. Summerised Scores: England 370 (Ian Bell 87; Corey Collymore 3-60) and 313 (Alastair Cook 106; Darren Sammy 7-66). West Indies 229 (Shivnarine Chanderpaul 50; Monty Panesar 4-50) and 394-9 (Shivnarine Chanderpaul 116; Monty Panesar 6-137). (Posted @ 18:48 PST)
Time to loosen US ties to Pakistan's Musharraf: New York Times NEW YORK, June 11 (AFP) - The New York Times called Monday for the US government to begin to sever its ties to Pakistan's leader General Pervez Musharraf as he faces the biggest protests of his eight years in power. “Pakistan seems to be rapidly approaching a critical turning point, with a choice between intensified repression and instability or an orderly transition back to democratic rule,” the influential daily wrote in an editorial. “Were Washington now to begin distancing itself from the general, it would greatly encourage civic-minded Pakistanis to step up the pressure for free national elections.” “If General Pervez Musharraf were the democratic leader he indignantly insists he is, he would not be so busy threatening independent news outlets, arresting hundreds of opposition politicians and berating parliamentary leaders and ministers from his own party for insufficient loyalty to his arbitrary and widely unpopular policies,” the Time wrote. The daily added that the George W. Bush administration “has put itself in the embarrassing position of propping up the Muslim world's most powerful military dictator as an essential ally in its half-baked campaign to promote democracy throughout the Muslim world. “Washington needs to disentangle America, quickly, from the general's damaging embrace,” the daily wrote. As Musharraf clamps down on the media and tightens his grip on the levers of government, the United States should promote “the earliest possible democratic elections” in Pakistan, the Times said. (Posted @ 18:40 PST)
Landslides, storms kill 77 in Bangladesh CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh, June 11 (AFP) - At least 70 people were killed when weekend rains flooded Chittagong and set off landslides in surrounding areas. A further seven people were struck by lightning in two northern and western districts. l Officials said the landslides had buried dozens of homes in hilly districts around the city of five million, and warned the death toll could still rise. “The situation is very grave ... it is still raining hard in the city,”Chittagong police chief Moinur Rahman Chowdhury told AFP. “One-third of the city is now under three to four feet of water, affecting more than 1.5 million people,” said Chittagong's mayor, Manjurul Alam. (Posted @ 18:32 PST)
Suicide car bomb kills three US soldiers, injures six; 20 bodies found BAGHDAD, June 11 (Reuters) - A suicide car bomb attack on checkpoint near a bridge killed three U.S. soldiers and wounded six more late on Sunday near Mahmudiya, 30 km south of Baghdad, the U.S. military said. An Iraqi translator was also injured. A roadside bomb targeting a police station killed two policemen and wounded three in Samarra, 100 km north of Baghdad, while gunmen killed a man and wounded two others in a drive-by shooting in the town of Hawija, 70 km southwest of Kirkuk. Meanwhile, the bodies of 16 people who had been shot dead were found in western Karkh part of Baghdad and another four people were found shot dead in Mosul, police said. (Posted @ 17:46 PST)
Iran sees India, Pakistan gas talks to complete in June KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 (Reuters) - Talks between India and Pakistan for a $7 billion pipeline to supply Iranian gas to the energy-hungry South Asian nations are on track to be completed by end-June, an official of National Iranian Oil Company said on Monday. India, Iran and Pakistan agreed over the price formula in January, Hojjatollah Ghanimifard, international affairs director of NIOC told reporters at the Asia Oil and Gas Conference in the Malaysian capital adding that “we hope the remaining part, which is just some clauses of the sale and purchase agreement of the gas, will be concluded hopefully by the end of June. The plan provides for 60 million cubic metres (2.2 billion cu ft) of gas to be exported daily to Pakistan and India, half for each country, Ghanimifard said. “The delivery point would be at the Iran-Pakistan border, so the Indians have to finalise the contract for the transportation costs and the transit fee with Pakistan,” he added. “As soon as they finish this contract -- they have discussed it for some months now -- we can have everything done.” Iran Oil Minister Kazem Vaziri-Hamaneh earlier told CNBC that the Iran section of the pipeline is nearly half complete. “I think negotiations for the final stage is underway. Hopefully there will be a result soon,” he said. (Posted @ 17:16 PST)
Cricket: Ford turns down India offer LONDON, June 11 (AFP) - Graham Ford has turned down an offer to become India's new coach and decided to stay in his current role as director of cricket at English county Kent, he announced on Monday. (Posted @ 17:14 PST)
Suspected suicide blast rocks Kenyan capital NAIROBI, June 11 (AFP) - At least one person was killed and dozens injured Monday by a bomb blast during morning rush hour in Nairobi. Police and aid officials said they suspected the attack in front of the crowded City Gate restaurant on Moi Avenue, one of Nairobi's main streets, was carried out by a suicide bomber who was the only fatality in the blast. (Posted @ 17:10 PST)
Iraq parliament votes in closed session to remove the speaker, legislators say BAGHDAD, June 11 (AP) - Iraqi legislators said Monday that they had voted in a closed session to remove the speaker of parliament and replace him with another Sunni Arab. The behaviour of the speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani has repeatedly embarrassed the government's Sunni Arab partners and Shiite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's coalition government would welcome his removal. Three lawmakers said the Iraqi Accordance Front, parliament's largest Sunni Arab bloc with 44 of the house's 275 seats, has pledged to offer a replacement for al-Mashhadani within a week. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject. (Posted @ 15:48 PST)
Suicide attack in eastern Afghanistan, five hurt KHOST, Afghanistan, June 11 (AFP) - A suicide attacker detonated an explosives-laden vehicle at a police checkpost in Afghanistan's southeastern city of Khost Monday, wounding at least five people, officials said. (Posted @ 15:33 PST)
UK's Brown in Iraq to meet Maliki BAGHDAD, June 11 (Reuters) Britain's next prime minister, Gordon Brown, arrived in Iraq Monday for his first visit since it was confirmed he was taking over the premiership from Tony Blair on June 27, Iraqi state television said. Brown, who is on his second visit to Iraq, would meet Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. (Posted @ 14:42 PST)
Bush hopes U.S.-Russia shield talks beneficial SOFIA, June 11 (Reuters) President George W. Bush said Monday he hoped a plan for U.S. and Russian experts to analyse each other's proposals for a missile defence shield would be beneficial. “There's a process where we can collaborate, share information in a very transparent way which I think will be beneficial” for hopefully designing systems that “protect us all”, Bush said. (Posted @ 14:22 PST)
Bush says high priority to release nurses in Libya SOFIA, June 11 (Reuters) U.S. President George W. Bush said Monday it was a high priority for the United States to secure the release of five Bulgarian nurses sentenced to death in Libya for infecting children with HIV. “We strongly support the release of the Bulgarian nurses in Libya,” Bush told a news conference in Sofia. “It's a high priority for our country,” Bush said. “Our hearts also go out to the children that have been infected by HIV and AIDS.” The five nurses and a Palestinian doctor were convicted in December of deliberately infecting 426 children with HIV in a highly politicised trial that has hampered attempts by OPEC member Libya to restore full relations in the west. (Posted @ 13:05 PST)
Iraq bombs kill 14 policemen BAGHDAD, June 11 (Reuters) A suicide truck bomb killed 14 policemen and wounded 42 at a police station north of Baghdad Sunday. (Posted @ 10:20 PST)
US shuttle Atlantis docks at space station WASHINGTON, June 11 (AFP) The US shuttle Atlantis docked with the International Space Station Sunday, after performing a dramatic backward somersault in space in its mission to deliver equipment and a new crew member. (Posted @ 09:42 PST)
Flooding, landslides kill at least 66 in China BEIJING, June 11 (AP) At least 66 people have been killed in flooding and landslides triggered by heavy rains in China and nearly 600,000 have been left homeless, the Xinhua News Agency reported Monday. The highest death toll in the rains, which started Thursday, was in Guangdong province in the southeast, where 18 people were killed and four were missing, Xinhua said. (Posted @ 09:34 PST)
Democrat candidate urges all US troops from Iraq WASHINGTON, June 11 (AFP) New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, a Democratic presidential contender in 2008, called Sunday for a complete pullout of US troops from Iraq. “Our troops have become the targets,” Richardson said, speaking on CBS television's “Face the Nation” program. “The contrast between my position and the other candidates is that I would leave no troops in Iraq, whatsoever. I would take them out in the next six months. No residual forces, because precisely they have become targets,” he said adding that “when a majority of the Iraqi people, 61 percent ... say it's OK to shoot at an American soldier, and close to 70 percent want us out, that position is indefensible.” (Posted @ 09:15 PST)
Gunmen open fire on the house of Palestinian premier GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip, June 11 (AP) Gunmen opened fire early Monday on the house of Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh in the Shati refugee camp next to Gaza City, security officials said. There were no immediate reports of casualties. (Posted @ 09:10 PST)
Israel launches satellite to spy on Iran TEL AVIV, Israel, June 11 (AP) Israel's military lunched a spy satellite named Ofek 7 toward space early Monday, meant to keep track of developments in Iran, Israeli Radio reported. It was not immediately known if the launch was successful. (Posted @ 09:08 PST)
Karachi Stocks down 6.59 points: KARACHI, June 11: At the close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 13268.28, down 6.59 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:16 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, June 11: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 61 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:16 PST)
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