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| June 16, 2007 | Saturday | Jamadi-ul-Awwal 30, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
US calls Pakistan's Musharraf ”agent for change” ISLAMABAD, June 16 (Reuters) Senior U.S. officials Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte and Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher held talks with President Pervez Musharraf Saturday, after stressing Washington's desire to see him guide Pakistan to free and fair elections, and eventually quit his post as army chief. Admiral William J. Fallon, chief of the U.S. Central Command, later met President Musharraf. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack endorsed Pervez Musharraf's leadership during a regular briefing Friday. “We believe that President Musharraf is an agent for positive change, not only in the region, but for Pakistan,” McCormack said. Boucher emphasised the need for an election people could trust, rather than how soon President Musharraf became a civilian president. “The President has said he would deal with this matter of two jobs in accordance to the constitution as part of the election process. We take him at his word that he will do that.” “I don't believe that the whole issue of the election rises and falls on whether or not, or when President Musharraf carries out whatever is appropriate under the constitution with regard to the two jobs,” Boucher said. “The issue of a free and fair election is much more fundamental than that.” Asked whether part of his mission was to broker a deal between President Musharraf and ex-premier Benazir Bhutto, Boucher was unspecific, but said the United States encouraged parties to come together to “stabilize the centre of Pakistani politics”. (First Posted @ 14:07 PST Updated @ 19:36 PST)
Pakistan's top judge greeted on way to Faisalabad ISLAMABAD, June 16 (AFP) - An enthusiastic flag-waving crowd gave a warm welcome to chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry in the city of Chakwal, the first stop on his 290-kilometre procession from Islamabad to Faisalabad. Chanting “Go, Musharraf, go,” the lawyers, opposition party faithful and ordinary residents -- braved searing heat to express solidarity with the independent-minded judge, who was ousted by Musharraf on March 9. In a crackdown ahead of Chaudhry's arrival, police arrested an unspecified number of opposition party activists. The parties said hundreds of their workers had been rounded up. A senior lawyer, Omar Irshad, told AFP more than 600 vehicles were travelling in the judge's motorcade. He was to make two more stops in the towns of Pindi Bhattian and Chiniot before reaching Faisalabad. Chaudhry's Faisalabad visit comes as three senior US officials were in Islamabad in an unprecedented collective visit to Pakistan. They are: US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, his assistant Richard Boucher, and the chief of the US Central Command covering Iraq and Afghanistan, Admiral William Fallon. (Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Pakistan's ousted judge leads new rally ISLAMABAD, June 16 (AFP) - Pakistan's suspended chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry left Saturday morning (9am local time) in a motorcade from Islamabad to the industrial city of Faisalabad to address a convention of lawyers. Pakistan Supreme Court Bar president Munir A. Malik told AFP that justice Chaudhry will address members of the bar associations in Pindi Bhattian and Chiniot towns en route to Faisalabad. (Posted @ 09:45 PST)
Shujaat says no change in party leadership ISLAMABAD, June 16 (APP): Former Prime Minister and PML President, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain Saturday categorically stated there would be no change in the PML (Q) top office bearers.“I and Mushahid Hussain (Secetary General) have won these slots through proper election within the party and no change is taking place for these offices,” he told media in the Parliament House. “We are not pawns that anybody can change our positions,” he added. To a question, he dispelled the impression of dissolving assemblies after passage of budget. “The assemblies would complete their tenure and elections are expected to be held in January next year,” he added. When asked whether the Supreme Court decision will affect the elections, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said, “courts are independent in their function. Whatever decision the courts make, it would be acceptable.” President Musharraf has also repeatedly stated it, Shujaat said. (Posted @ 14:10 PST)
PLO rejects dialogue with Hamas RAMALLAH, West Bank, June 16 (AFP) The Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) headed by president Mahmud Abbas rejected an offer for dialogue with Hamas Saturday, accusing the Hamas of “massacres.” PLO executive committee secretary general Yasser Abed Rabbo issued a blunt rejection of the olive branch offered by Hamas's exiled political supremo, Khaled Meshaal, after Hamas’s seizure of the Gaza Strip. “I tell Meshaal that there can not be dialogue with those who commit massacres in Gaza,” he said. (Posted @ 21:26 PST)
US officials back Pakistan's Musharraf ISLAMABAD, June 16 (AFP) US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte gave full backing to President Pervez Musharraf Saturday, saying it was up to the Pakistani military ruler to decide when to quit as army chief. “The message I brought was one of a strong friendship and trust for and with the government and people of Pakistan,” Negroponte told reporters at the US embassy in Islamabad. Negroponte said he discussed the “long-term, multi-faceted strategic partnership” with Pakistan including fighting terrorism and extremism and the regional situation including Afghanistan. Negroponte said he also discussed the “importance of Pakistan continuing progress towards democracy” including in parliamentary elections that are expected late this year or in early 2008. Asked if he had talked with President Musharraf about the ouster of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Negroponte said he had discussed the “general political situation” in Pakistan. When asked about the issue of his army role, Negroponte said, “I think this is something that President Musharraf himself is going to want to decide and this is a matter that is up to him.” Negroponte said he met other officials including Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and the ISI chief. His assistant Richard Boucher and the chief of the US Central Command covering Iraq and Afghanistan, Admiral William Fallon, also met Musharraf in an unprecedented trio of US official visits. Negroponte and Boucher “called on President Musharraf and exchanged views on bilateral relations, regional and international issues as well as Pakistan's key role in the fight against terrorism,” a Pakistani foreign ministry official said. The “cordial” talks lasted for an hour, the officials said. Fallon met Musharraf afterwards and also held talks with General Ehsan Ul Haq, chairman of the Pakistan joint chiefs of staff committee “on matters of mutual interest,” a military official said. (Posted @ 21:22 PST)
Thunderstorm kills sixteen in Bedarra of Swat district PESHAWAR, June 16 (APP) Thunderstorm played havoc in Bedarra in Matta Tehsil of district Swat killing 16 people and inflicting huge damages on property as it hit a flash flood “Nalla” that washed away a number of houses. (Posted @ 21:20 PST)
Cricket- Shoaib Akhtar and Younis return to face India, Scotland KARACHI, June 16 (Reuters) Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and batsman Younis Khan have been recalled in a 15-man squad for next month's one-dayers against India and Scotland. “Shoaib has bowled with fire and showed his fitness in the training camp. It is a good omen for Pakistan cricket that he is back,” chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed said Saturday. Pakistan face hosts Scotland on July 1 in Edinburgh followed by India in Glasgow two days later. Squad: Shoaib Malik (captain), Imran Nazir, Salman Butt, Younis Khan, Yasir Hameed, Mohammad Yousuf, Kamran Akmal, Fawad Alam, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Umar Gul, Shoaib Akhtar, Rao Iftikhar, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Sami. (Posted @ 20:46 PST)
US commander calls on Gen Ehsan ul Haq RAWALPINDI, June 16 (APP) Commander US Central Command Admiral William J. Fallon Saturday called on Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Ehsan ul Haq at Joint Staff Headquarters. Admiral Fallon, who is on an official visit to Pakistan held talks with CJCSC on matters of mutual interest. (Posted @ 20:22 PST)
Pakistan deeply concerned over Gaza conflict ISLAMABAD, Jun 16 (APP) Pakistan Saturday expressed deep concern over the internecine conflict in Gaza that resulted in the tragic loss of scores of lives. According to a Foreign Office statement, Pakistan called upon the Palestinian leadership to make renewed efforts to avert these negative developments by controlling the fratricidal fighting and joining hands to allow the Palestinian people a unified voice. (Posted @ 20:16 PST)
Three Iranian diplomats briefly detained in Iraq BAGHDAD, June 16 (Reuters) Three Iranian diplomats were briefly detained in Iraq, the U.S. military said Saturday, but it played the incident down as a simple curfew break while Tehran condemned it as the latest case of harassment. A U.S. military spokesman said three Iranian diplomats were among a group of 10 people stopped by the Iraqi Army for driving in east Baghdad Thursday, despite a curfew. The Iranian foreign ministry said that this broke international rules and complained that their diplomats were questioned for hours by Americans. (Posted @ 20:04 PST)
Mega projects in Balochistan to develop the province: PM Aziz ISLAMABAD, Jun 16 (APP) Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Saturday said a series of mega and small development projects launched by the government will bring gradual improvement in Balochistan. Talking to a delegation from Balochistan led by Hafiz Hussain Ahmad at the Parliament House, the Prime Minister said the government is working for equitable growth in the country and it is particularly focussing on the less developed areas of the country to bring them at par with more developed regions. The Prime minister said the government has undertaken unprecedented development work to make up for past neglect of Balochistan by the successive governments. He said micro-development schemes have also been launched all over the province to transfer the benefits of high economic growth to the masses. People have benefited directly from Rs. 100 million allocated to each district in Balochistan, he said. (Posted @ 19:42 PST)
Constitutional petition filed against PEMRA Ordinance in SHC KARACHI, June 16 (PPI) People's Lawyers Forum has filed a constitutional petition under Artcile 199 against the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Ordinance 2007 in the Sindh High Court Saturday. Shahadat Awan Advocate, the President of People's Lawyers Forum filed the petition, making Federation, Federal Law and Justice Minister and Chairman PEMRA respondents. Renowned lawyers and Deputy Secretary General of the Pakistan Peoples Party and leader of the Opposition in the Senate Raza Rabbani and Senator Farooq H Naik will be the counsel of PLF in the petition. (Posted @ 18:36 PST)
Lebanese army unleashes barrage of shells on camp NAHR AL-BARED, Lebanon, June 16 (AFP) Lebanese troops unleashed an intense artillery bombardment Saturday against positions of militant fighters who have been holed up inside the Nahr al-Bared camp for almost a month. Clouds of smoke and flames from several fires could be seen rising over the northern sector of the camp, the stronghold of the Fatah al-Islam militants. (Posted @ 18:28 PST)
Rs 114.5076 billion NWFP tax-free budget 2007-08 announced PESHAWAR, June 16 (APP) The NWFP Minister for Finance Shah Raz Khan presented provincial budget showing a total outlay of Rs 114.5076 billion. Presenting the budget on the floor of the house the NWFP Minister for Finance said that the total income is Rs 109.0179 billion apparently showing a deficit of Rs 5.4897 billion but the gap would be filled by Rs 7.8 billion to be provided by the World Bank besides funds expected from the hydel net profits to the NWFP thus making the budget surplus. Giving details the Finance Minister said that the ADP was reflected at Rs 39.46 billion. He said that Rs 47.63 billion would be received from the federal divisible pool and Rs 12 billion from the grant in aid while Rs 3.134 from the straight Transfer. He said that the income from the sales tax is estimated at Rs 5.81 billion and the income from the provincial receipts are Rs 6.22 billion. (Posted @ 18:20 PST)
Bombers hit mosque in Iraq’s Basra BASRA, IRAQ, June 16 (AFP) Bombers attacked a mosque in Basra Saturday, an army officer said. The militants assaulted the Ashra Mubashara bil Janna mosque in the city's Zahrat neighbourhood at around 8:30 am, Major General Ali Mussawi said. (Posted @ 17:02 PST)
Crowd loots Gaza home of Arafat GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip, June 16 (AP) A crowd Saturday looted the home of longtime Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, witnesses and Fatah officials said. Fatah officials said the crowd took furniture, wall tiles and Arafat's personal belongings. The villa had been empty since Arafat left for the West Bank in 2001 shortly after the outbreak of the second Palestinian uprising. Israel confined Arafat to the West Bank until permitting him to fly to France for medical care in late 2004. Arafat died in France several weeks later. (Posted @ 16:38 PST)
Fatah gunmen storm Hamas-controlled ministry, parliament building RAMALLAH, June 16 (AP) Hundreds of Fatah gunmen Saturday stormed Hamas-controlled institutions in the West Bank, including parliament and government ministries, and told staffers that those with ties to Hamas will not be allowed to return. At the parliament, the Fatah supporters chanted, ''Hamas Out,'' climbed on the roof of the building and fired in the air. They planted Fatah and Palestinian flags on the building. They also tried to seize the deputy speaker, but were stopped by employees. Other Fatah activists took over the Education Ministry and the Prime Minister's Office. In the West Bank city of Nablus, Fatah gunmen took over the Hamas-controlled city council and planted the Fatah flag on the top of the building. Fatah supporters also kidnapped seven Hamas supporters, and deposed a senior member of the Religious Affairs Ministry. In the West Bank city of Hebron, Fatah gunmen took over offices of the Education Ministry and the Interior Ministry, warning Hamas-allied employees not to return to work, Al Aqsa members said. (Posted @ 16:37 PST)
Hundreds of Palestinians looting the Erez crossing into Israel GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip, June 16 (AP) Hundreds of Palestinians Saturday looted Palestinian police positions at the Erez crossing into Israel, drawing Israeli warning fire, witnesses said. The looters walked off with scrap metal and furniture. (Posted @ 16:25 PST)
US astronaut sets new record for women WASHINGTON, June 16 (AFP) A US astronaut of Indian heritage made history early Saturday when she set a new record for the longest uninterrupted space flight by a woman. At 1:47 am, International Space Station (ISS) engineer Suni Williams surpassed the 188-day, 4-hour mark set by her compatriot Shannon Lucid in 1996, according to US space officials. (Posted @ 16:22 PST)
US soldiers open fire after suicide blast, one dead KABUL, June 16 (AFP) - US soldiers at the scene of a suicide attack in the Afghan capital Saturday “mistakenly” opened fire, killing one person and wounding another, police said adding that it instantly resulted in street demonstrations against the killing. “People are coming from every direction.” spokesman Zemarai Bashary told AFP (Posted @ 13:50 PST)
Suicide attack in Kabul, four Afghans dead KABUL, June 16 (AFP) - A suicide car bomb exploded near a NATO convoy in a busy residential area of the Afghan capital Saturday, killing four Afghan civilians and wounding four more, including a foreign national, city police chief said. (Posted @ 11:52 PST)
F-16 crashes in Iraq BAGHDAD, June 16 (AP) - A U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed Friday during a close air support mission for ground forces in Iraq, the Central Air Command reported. The announcement did not say where it occurred or what happened to the pilot, the single crew member. (Posted @ 10:23 PST)
Gates in Baghdad BAGHDAD, June 16 (AP) - Military assessments that there has been progress in Iraq have been realistic, though the U.S. is unhappy improvements have not been faster, U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates said as he landed in a city locked down due to the recent mosque bombing. Gates is to meet with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, members of the country's presidency council and with Iraq's defence and interior ministers. He also will receive briefings from Petraeus and Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, the U.S. ground forces commander, as well as U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker. (Posted @ 10:00 PST)
Top US general Pace says he was told to step down WASHINGTON, June 16 (AFP) - General Peter Pace, whose departure from his post as chairman of the joint chiefs of staff was announced by Defence Secretary Robert Gates last week, said he was not leaving “voluntarily.””I've been told I'm done,” Pace said late Thursday when asked about his future, after speaking to the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia. “One thing that was discussed was whether or not I should just voluntarily retire ... I said I could not do that ... That is unacceptable as a leadership thing in my mind,” Pace added, according to a transcript of the remarks made available Friday. “I will run through the finish line on 1 October, and when I run through the finish line I will have met the mission I set for myself,” said Pace, making it clear he has no intention of stepping down ahead of the deadline. (Posted @ 09:50 PST)
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