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| July 04, 2007 | Wednesday | Jamadi-us-Sani 18, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Lal Masjid Khatib Maulana Aziz arrested in burqa with wife ISLAMABAD, July 4 (AFP) - Pakistani security forces arrested Maulana Abdul Aziz, Khatib of Lal Masjid in the heart of Islamabad, as he tried to flee while disguised in an all-covering women's burqa on Wednesday, officials said. Also arrested was his wife Umme Hussam who was heading Jamia Hafsa, private tv channels reported. Maulana Abdul Aziz was detained as he left the complex amid a crowd of women wearing similar Islamic attire, who were surrendering a day after bloody clashes outside the building left 16 people dead. “I can confirm his arrest. He was trying to escape with the girls and was wearing a burqa,” Information Minister Mohammad Ali Durrani told AFP. Television footage showed security officials dragging the bearded Aziz towards a black car after his arrest and being dumped in a black Toyota Corolla before being driven away. Officials said he was caught in a screening centre set up in a school near the mosque to check people leaving the mosque. Hundreds of female students at the mosque surrendered on Wednesday along with their male counterparts, but while the men were detained the women were allowed to go back to their homes. “We caught Abdul Aziz when he was trying to escape the mosque clad in a burqa. He did not offer any resistance,” added a top security official involved in the capture. “He was the last in a group of women all wearing the same clothes. He was wearing a burqa that also covered his eyes,” the official said on condition of anonymity. “Our men spotted his unusual demeanour. The rest of the girls looked like girls but he was taller and had a pot belly.” However, there was still no sign of Aziz's brother, the mosque's deputy leader Abdul Rashid Ghazi, believed to be inside the mosque with about 1,000 diehards. Security officials involved in the operation said more than 1,200 had surrendered by about 9 p.m. local times .(Posted @ 21:25 PST)
Mosque leaders defiant as deadline to surrender passes ISLAMABAD, Pakistan July 4 (AP) - Leaders of the besieged Lal Masjid in the heart of Islamabad remained defiant as a deadline calling for their immediate surrender passed Wednesday, a day after clashes there killed at least 16 people. However, more than 700 of the inmates including students, both male and female, surrendered as government troops with armoured personnel carriers tightened their stranglehold on the mosque, said the capital's top security official Khalid Pervez. By evening, the numbers of persons emerging from the mosque and a women's seminary was decreasing. The numbers remaining inside the complex was not known. “They can be a few hundred, they can be more than that,” Minister of Information Mohammed Ali Durrani told reporters. The militants were ordered to lay down their arms and surrender by 11 a.m. (0600 GMT) but the deadline has been extended hourly. All women and children will be granted amnesty but males involved in killings and other crimes as well as the top mosque leaders would face legal action, said Deputy Information Minister Tariq Azim. “The deadline has expired but we are not going to start any action immediately. We do not want bloodshed. We are reasonably sure that better sense will prevail,” Pervez said at 6 p.m. local time. He said the government is giving 5,000 rupees (US$83; euro61) to each person who surrenders to help them return home. According to private tv channels none of the males who surrendered carried arms.(Posted @ 18:20 PST)
SC continues hearing on CJ's petition ISLAMABAD, July 04 (PPI)- The 13-member full court of the Supreme Court headed by justice Khalilur Rehman Ramday on Wednesday resumed hearing on the constitutional petition of Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry against the Presidential Reference and formation of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) and later adjourned to meet again on Thursday. Resuming his arguments on Wednesday, senior counsel of the federation Malik Mohammad Qayyum submitted that the opinion of the President in various Articles of the Constitution was in fact opinion of the Prime Minister and not that of the President in view of Articles 47, 48 and 90 of the Constitution and Rules of Business 1973 of the federal government. He argued that the President was bound to act upon the advice of the Prime Minister, thus no malafide could be alleged against the President. He submitted that the President was the custodian of the Constitution and whenever desired he could obtain opinion of the Supreme Court on a matter of public importance and the court was bound to extend its opinion to the President. He said there was no proper definition of opinion in the constitution but whenever this word is used it should be considered into a particular context. He argued that the opinion of the President in the reference against the Chief Justice is of preliminary nature and is not definite. He said the Supreme Judicial Council has to go into the details of information and give a final opinion to the President as required by the constitution. Malik Qayyum submitted that as the Prime Minister is the opinion forming authority any malafide or bias could also be alleged against him but in this case the Prime Minister has not been made a party in so far as the malafide is concerned. On the question of appointment of acting Chief Justice, he said under Article 180 of the constitution, the appointment was valid. He argued that the Chief Justice of Pakistan could also be restrained to perform his functions if he was facing a reference.(Posted @ 19:35 PST)
Five killed in attacks linked to Lal Masjid siege PESHAWAR, Pakistan, July 4 (AFP) - A policeman and four civilians were killed on Wednesday by a bomb blast targeting a police vehicle in the normally peaceful northwestern region of Swat, local police officer Saeed Khan told AFP. A district police chief and his driver were also wounded in the blast, Khan said, adding that it was not clear whether a grenade was thrown at the vehicle or whether a roadside bomb went off. Earlier a rocket was fired into a police station, killing a constable and injuring two others, officials said. The blast followed calls on a private FM radio station in the area to launching “jihad” in retaliation for the Lal Masjid clashes.(Posted @ 20:00 PST)
Eleven killed in Pakistan suicide attack MIRANSHAH, Pakistan, July 4 (AFP) A suicide car bomber attacked a Pakistani military convoy in a troubled tribal region bordering Afghanistan Wednesday, killing 11 people including six soldiers, security officials said. The bomber rammed his explosives-laden vehicle into the convoy near a checkpost at Mir Ali, a town in North Waziristan region, two officials in the area said.“The suicide bomber was blown to pieces and his car was totally destroyed,” one of the officials told AFP. The targeted military vehicle was also badly damaged. (FirstPosted @ 11:41 PST, Updated@(Posted @ 13:53 PST)
Benazir Bhutto vows to return to Pakistan; unsure of democracy prospects LONDON, July 4 (AP) If Benazir Bhutto were to return to politics in Pakistan, she would stand up to militants, shut down schools where extremists recruit children, and work to boost the economy, the former Pakistani prime minister said Tuesday. It is a tall order, Benazir acknowledged in an interview with The Associated Press, and depends on the willingness of President Pervez Musharraf's government to give in to her party's demands. Benazir said she was determined to return to Pakistan but was unsure about doing so before elections this year. ''Right now, the signs don't show that Pakistan is heading toward democracy,'' said Benazir, who leads the Pakistan People's Party. Pakistan also would need to show it can hold free and fair elections, she said from her London apartment. And President Musharraf, if he wants to remain president, must give up his role as army chief, something he appears reluctant to do. She also said “Gen. Musharraf's regime, despite being a military regime, has simply failed to exert governmental authority…the state seems to have conceded its authority to militias, militants and Taliban groups in different parts of the country, and that worries me most.''(Posted @ 10:40 PST)
India, Pakistan to release more prisoners NEW DELHI, July 4 (AFP) - India and Pakistan have agreed to a fresh round of prisoner releases in the coming weeks in an effort to boost goodwill, a joint statement said Wednesday. The decision to exchange detained fishermen and other civilian prisoners was taken during talks on Tuesday between Indian and Pakistani interior ministry officials on terrorism and drug trafficking. The statement said India and Pakistan “agreed to release by August 14-15, 2007, those prisoners who have been granted consular access, whose national status has been verified and who have completed their prison sentences.” ”Immediate steps will be taken by either side to reconcile the numbers... to facilitate their early release,” it added. Many of the prisoners are civilians who accidentally stray across the land or maritime boundaries of the two nations.Despite serving their sentences and having their nationalities confirmed, their repatriation is slow due to “mutual animosity and lack of mutual trust” between the two sides, said an Indian diplomat who asked not to be named. “But we are working towards bridging the trust deficit,” he said, adding that India released 43 people last week while Pakistan released 51.(Posted @ 15:42 PST)
KANUPP brought back in operation, supplying 70MW electricity to KESC KARACHI, July 04 (PPI): Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (KANUPP) was brought back in operation Wednesday morning, when it started providing 70MW electricity to Karachi Electricity Supply Corporation (KESC). The plant outage occurred on June 28 when KESC's 220KV Baldia/KDA Circuit tripped at around 14:50 hours. Earlier, efforts to start plant failed on June 30 and July 02 due to disturbances of KESC grid. A spokesman of KANUPP said disturbances of KESC grid has always been a problem resulting in unplanned plant outages. These not only badly affect availability of plant, in some cases it results in adverse affects on nuclear island equipment leading to extended shutdowns. KANUPP authorities are in contact with KESC to overcome grid problems, he added.(Posted @ 21:05 PST)
Six NATO soldiers, Afghan killed in bomb blast KABUL, July 4 (AFP) - Six soldiers with the NATO-led force and their Afghan interpreter were killed Wednesday when their vehicle struck a bomb in southern Afghanistan, the The 37-nation ISAF said. ISAF did not identify the province where the soldiers were killed. Most of the troops in the south are British, based mostly in Helmand and Canadians in Kandahar -- the birthplace of the Taliban movement.(Posted @ 20:55 PST)
Tennis: Venus sends Sharapova crashing out LONDON, July 4 (AFP) - Venus Williams knocked second seed Maria Sharapova out of Wimbledon on Wednesday winning their fourth round clash 6-1, 6-3. Williams, a former triple champion, will face Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova for a place in the semi-finals.(Posted @ 20:55 PST)
Gunfire at surrounded Pakistani mosque ISLAMABAD, July 4 (AFP) - Fresh gunfire erupted at the besieged Lal Masjid in the Pakistani capital on Wednesday as around 1,000 militant students showed their defiance after at least 700 others surrendered to the government. Helicopter gunships circled overhead and armoured personnel carriers surrounded the mosque amid a shoot-on-sight curfew imposed after clashes that left 16 people dead on Tuesday. Hundreds of women in black burqas and bearded young men streamed out of the compound and passed through metal detectors after the government set and then several times extended a deadline for them to give themselves up. “Around 700 have come out, more are coming. They were provided with transport facilities to go to their homes,” senior Islamabad administration official Chaudhry Mohammad Ali said. Students leaving the mosque said two bodies were inside along with several injured people. Tensions remained high in the curfew area. Hundreds of troops also built sandbag bunkers and rolled out barbed wire to block off all roads. Electricity to the area immediately around the complex was cut during the night.(Posted @ 20:40 PST)
Pakistan, U.S. strategic ties important for international peace: PM Aziz Islamabad, July 4( PPI:- Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Wednesday said Pakistan and United States maintain “historic, broad-based and strategic” relations which is an important factor for international peace and stability. Talking to the visiting six- member bipartisan US Congressional delegation led by Congresswoman Susan A Davis he emphasized the need to develop greater economic, commercial ties with early conclusion of Bilateral Investment Treaty & Free Trade Agreement to provide greater market access for Pakistani products. Trade-not aid, he said, is Pakistan's preferred option. He called for early adoption of legislation on Reconstruction Opportunity Zones by U.S. Congress as Zones will generate considerable economic benefits in tribal areas. He said peaceful and stable Afghanistan is in best interest of Pakistan and world and spoke of efforts by Pakistan to help Afghans, need to eradicate drug problem, early return of Afghan refugees. On Pak-India relations, he stressed need to resolve core dispute of Kashmir in accordance with wishes of Kashmiri people. Ms Susan A. Davis and other members of the delegation assured continued U.S. assistance and support to Pakistan in all fields.(Posted @ 19:50 PST)
ADB extends Pakistan US $400 million special funds Islamabad, July 4( PPI): Pakistan and Asian Development Bank signed loan agreement under which Bank will extend US$400 million to Pakistan for restoring facilities and improving livelihoods in October 2005 earthquake affected areas. The loan from ADB Special Fund resources signed Wednesday carries interest of 1% per year, maturity of 40 years, grace period of 10 years, with repayment of principal at 2% per year in first 10 years after grace period and 4% per year thereafter(Posted @ 19:40 PST)
50,000 Bund affectees being evacuated: Gen Farooq ISLAMABAD, July 04 (PPI) Over 50, 000 people affected by a breach of a Bund in Shahdad Kot in Sindh are being evacuated to safer places, said Chairman, National Disaster Management Authority, Lt Gen (r) Farooq Ahmad Khan at a news briefing here Wednesday. He said three medical teams have been deployed in Turbat and if weather permits three more would be deployed today. He said dumping of food and other relief items in Balochistan has also begun through sea routes. He said 12 district of Balochistan have been declared calamity hit and eight of them are severely damaged. He said RCD highway and N-65 have been opened after necessary repairs while work is in progress at two places on Makran coastal highway which would be opened during the next few days. About NWFP, he said 28 people died, 300 houses destroyed and two bridges partially damaged in rains during the last one week.(Posted @ 19:30 PST)
Britain's Brown signals no change on Iraq and Afghanistan LONDON, July 4 (AFP) - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown signalled Wednesday there would be no change of policy on Iraq and Afghanistan and no rush to withdraw troops.Speaking at the weekly prime minister's questions time before the House of Commons Brown warned it would be wrong to set a timetable for pulling forces out of Iraq. On Afghanistan, he said he was sorry that British soldiers deployed in the restive country had lost their lives, but warned of the dangers of withdrawal.(Posted @ 19:05 PST)
Floods inundate 460 villages in Qamber-Shahdadkot districts Larkana, July 04 (PPI): Sindh Chief Minister Dr.Arbab Ghulam Rahim accompanied by several ministers Wednesday took an ariel view of flood affected areas and monitored the relief and rescue operation in Qubo Saeed Khan, Kamber-Shahdadkot areas where 460 villages have been ravaged by flood water and 58,800 people have been affected. during the current flood in Kamber-Shahdadkot district and as many as 11600 katcha/ pacca houses have been damaged. The Chief Minister was informed 27 relief camps have been established.He was told that 30 motor boats and 50 country boats available for rescue and relief work in flood affected areas.(Posted @ 18:45 PST)
Gas supply restored in Balochistan SUKKUR, July 4 (APP):- The rain-damaged 12-inch diameter pilpeline which had affected five districts of Balochistan was restored Wednesday morning after repairs and gas supply has since been restored in Kalat, Khuzdar, Mastung, Pishin and Ziarat districts.(Posted @ 18:30 PST)
Five killed by suicide bomb north of Baghdad BAGHDAD, July 4 (Reuters) - Five people were killed on Wednesday by a suicide car bomb in Baiji, a town 180 km north of Baghdad, police said. Three of the dead were police officers. Ten other people were wounded, including several other policemen.(Posted @ 18:05 PST)
Quake hits Iran, some buildings damaged TEHRAN, July 4 (Reuters) - A 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck in the area of Behabad, a town of 10,000 people 160 km east of the city of Yazd on Wednesday, causing the collapse of a few roofs but no casualties, the IRNA news agency said. IRNA later said there was another quake in the same area, with a 4.7 magnitude.(Posted @ 17:55 PST)
Cricket-Bangladesh close on 69-4 against Sri Lanka COLOMBO, July 4 (Reuters) - Bangladesh closed on 69 for four in their second innings after Sri Lanka had declared on 451-6 on the second day of the second test on Wednesday. Bangladesh were bowled out for 62 in their first innings.(Posted @ 17:50PST)
Pakistan, India face locust threat as a result of cyclones Karachi, July 04 (PPI): The desert locust swarms from Ethiopia and northern Somalia are expected to cross the Indian Ocean and could reach India and Pakistan within the next few days, FAO said Wednesday. Two recent tropical cyclones have caused heavy rainfall in Pakistan and western India that will create unusually favourable breeding conditions for locusts until October along both sides of the Indo-Pakistan border and, for the first time in many years, in coastal areas of western Pakistan, FAO said. The governments in India and Pakistan have been warned and they are mobilizing field teams, equipment and resources in Rajasthan and Gujarat, India as well as in adjacent areas of Cholistan and Tharparkar deserts in Pakistan, FAO said.“Desert Locusts usually fly with the wind and can travel up to about 100-150 km in a day,” said FAO locust expert Keith Cressman.(Posted @ 17:35 PST)
Minister tenders resignation RAWALPINDI, July 04 (PPI) - MQM member of the National Assembly and Minister of state for religious affairs Dr. Amir Liaquat has resigned both from the ministry and the membership of National Assembly due to personal reasons. “I have resigned for personal reasons and do not link it with the ongoing crises ” he told reporters before leaving for Karachi at the Islamabad airport on Wednesday. He said that he has tendered his resignations to Prime Minister.(Posted @ 17:40 PST)
BBC journalist Alan Johnston freed in Gaza GAZA CITY, July 4 (AFP) - BBC journalist Alan Johnston was freed on Wednesday after 16 weeks held hostage by Palestinian extremists in Gaza, looking pale and drawn but delighted that his “terrifying” ordeal was over. “It's just the most fantastic thing, to be free,” he told BBC television by telephone from the home of sacked Hamas prime minister Ismail Haniya in the Shatti refugee camp where he was invited for breakfast of hummus and cheese.(Posted @ 16:45 PST)
Tornado kills 14, injures 146 in eastern China BEIJING, July 4 (Reuters) A tornado swept across eastern China, killing 14 people and injuring 146, the Xinhua news agency reported Wednesday. The tornado hit three villages around Tianchang in Anhui province Tuesday, destroying more than 100 houses, Xinhua said.(Posted @ 13:44 PST)
Pakistan troops kill mentally ill man near mosque ISLAMABAD, July 4 (AFP) Paramilitary troops Wednesday shot dead an apparently mentally ill man during a curfew around a besieged mosque in Islamabad, an AFP photographer said. The bearded man, aged about 40, who was shabbily dressed and wearing no shoes, was seen wandering around the area aimlessly for about two hours before the incident, the photographer and other witnesses said. He was shot in the forehead when he moved close to the tense area around Lal Masjid. The government announced a shoot-on-sight curfew around the mosque early Wednesday.(Posted @ 13:36 PST)
US military says kills 25 insurgents in Iraq BAGHDAD, July 4 (Reuters) U.S. forces backed by warplanes killed an estimated 25 insurgents in a clash north of Baghdad, the U.S. military said Wednesday. The military said in a statement the fighting occurred during a three-day operation that ended Monday near Mukhisa town in Diyala province.(Posted @ 10:55 PST)
Wrong time for Iran sanctions: China UNITED NATIONS, July 4 (AFP) China's UN envoy urged the international community Tuesday to boost diplomatic efforts to end the nuclear standoff with Iran, saying the time was not yet right for new sanctions. “I believe we have to put more emphasis on the diplomatic track,” ambassador Wang Guangya said at a news conference. “I'm not sure if it's the right moment for the Security Council (to act), especially if the council is thinking of taking tougher measures in the sanctions area,” he said.(Posted @ 10:10 PST)
Three killed in Thai south YALA, Thailand, July 4 (AFP) Three people, including a female army ranger, were killed in separatist attacks overnight in southern Thailand, police said Wednesday. The 23-year-old ranger was shot dead at her home in Narathiwat province, police said. A 37-year-old man was also gunned down in Narathiwat in a drive-by shooting. In nearby Yala, a member of the volunteer defence force was shot dead in an ambush, police added.(Posted @ 10:02 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 59.16 points: KARACHI, Jul 4: At close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 13869.01 , up 59.16 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:17 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, Jul 4: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.98 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:17 PST)
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