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| July 09, 2007 | Monday | Jamadi-us-Sani 23, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Negotiating team reaches Lal Masjid ISLAMABAD, July 9 (Reuters) - A delegation of Muslim scholars along with ex-premier and head of the ruling PML Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain assembled outside the besieged Lal Masjid with loudspeakers late Monday afternoon to beseech Abdul Rashid Ghazi and his militants to send out dead and wounded along with women and children. They were mandated earlier in the day by prime minister Shaukat Aziz to make yet another attempt to end the seven-day old crisis. “We have come here to make a last request,” Shujaat told reporters as he approached the barbed wire cordon. “We are here to request them to hand over bodies to us and send injured for treatment. We will try to take forward the negotiation process.” (Posted @ 19:30 PST)
Lal Masjid cleric agrees to talks, govt offers house arrest: PM ISLAMABAD, July 9 (AFP) –Lal Masjid’s cleric Abdul Rashid Ghazi under siege in his mosque agreed to hold crunch talks Monday with ministers and religious scholars via loudspeaker in a bid to end the crisis, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz told newsmen He said the government was ready to offer Ghazi the option to be held under house arrest along with his ailing mother if he surrenders and leaves the mosque. A seven-member negotiating team headed by former premier Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain will try to persuade Ghazi to give himself up and to free women and children inside the complex, the prime minister said. “The team will negotiate through a speaker system so that all team members can hear whatever Ghazi says,” Aziz said at his official residence in Islamabad. “We are not sending any negotiating team inside the mosque as they are unpredictable people and have also taken six parents as hostage,” Aziz added. “We are trying to avoid loss of life and using all negotiating options to end this crisis, including house arrest for Ghazi and his old mother,” the premier added. (Posted @ 18:54 PST)
Former Pakistan PM to lead final mosque negotiations ISLAMABAD, July 9 (AFP) President Pervez Musharraf Monday appointed a former prime minister to lead last-ditch talks with militants holed up with women and children in Islamabad’s Lal Masjid, officials said. At a meeting with top officials, Musharraf authorised Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, who served as premier for three months in 2004, to work with a delegation of leading Islamic scholars to persuade the rebels to surrender. “The meeting authorised Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain to make a real last-ditch effort to convince the militants holding women and children to release them,” a senior government official who attended the talks told AFP. Musharraf emphasised that the priority continues to be to save the women and children inside the mosque, whom the government says are being held by the militants as human shields. “They must be released by the hostage-takers,” the official quoted the president as saying. The official would not say what the government is offering in return to the mosque's de facto chief, Abdul Rashid Ghazi, and the militants. (First Posted @ 13:55 PST, Updated @ 14:54 PST)
SC rejects plea for halting Lal Masjid operation ISLAMABAD, July 09 (PPI) - The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a plea to halt the ongoing security forces' operation against Lal Masjid. However, it directed the authorities to facilitate a meeting of seven-member Ulema delegation with Abdul Rasheed Ghazi. On a court query, Attorney General Makhdoom Ali Khan, who appeared on notice assured the court that the protection of those who will surrender would be ensured and they will be dealt with in accordance with the law. The court, however, did not pass any order or observation regarding the appeal of Abdul Rasheed Ghazi seeking safe exit. However, the court said those willing to surrender, may surrender before a District and Sessions Judge. The spokesman of Interior Ministry and Chief of National Crisis Management Cell Brig (r) Javed Iqbal Cheema told the court that government wanted to end the Lal Masjid standoff. He said some wanted extremists are present inside the mosque, who had been keeping hostages to the female and male students. The Acting Chief Justice (ACJ) of Pakistan, Justice Rana Bhagwandas had taken suo motu notice on Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa situation on Monday and constituted two-member bench comprising Justice Muhammad Nawaz Abbasi and Justice Faqir Muhammad Khokhar to hear the case. Justice Muhammad Nawaz Abbasi taking notice of the situation as reported on various TV Channels, had placed the matter before the ACJ for appropriate orders. (Posted @ 21:16 PST)
CJ's counsel summoned for giving fiery statement against SC ISLAMABAD, July 09 (PPI)= The 13-member full court of the Supreme Court hearing the petition of chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry against presidential reference, on Monday took strong notice of a statement given by Munir Malik, President of Supreme Court Bar Association who is also the counsel of chief justice, and summoned him to appear before the court on Tuesday. The statement published in an English language daily on Monday attributed Mr Malik as saying that if the judgment of the apex court does not come according to the satisfaction of the people, they will burn down the Supreme Court building. In a short order the full court asked the Registrar to convey to Mr Malik to appear before the court today on Tuesday and answer about the news item. The court also said that the counsel of the Chief Justice, Ch Aitzaz Ahsan and the senior advocate Habibul Wahabul Khairee have disassociated themselves from such a statement if it has been made. The court observed that independence of judiciary means its independence from the government as well as from people's pressure. Earlier, counsel for the Federation Malik Qayyum continued his arguments on various issues raised in the petition of chief justice. He said material of the Reference has been placed before the Supreme Judicial Council that may be summoned by the full four for examination. He also gave arguments regarding compulsory leave of the judges of the superior courts besides restraint order issued by the President. (Posted @ 21:10 PST)
SC orders removal of bugging devices in seven days ISLAMABAD, July 09 (PPI) - Attorney General for Pakistan, Makhdoom Ali Khan, on Monday requested the 13-member 'full court' of the Supreme Court, hearing the petition of chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry against the presidential reference, to grant additional two-week time to the Director General Intelligence Bureau for the removal of bugging devices from the Supreme Court building as well as residences of the judges. The Attorney General submitted that it was a long and time-consuming task. The 'full court' headed by Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday, however, granted one more week for carrying out the court’s earlier order of July 2 last. (Posted @ 17:12 PST)
PIA's Jumbo aircraft averts major mishap ISLAMABAD, July 9 (APP): PIA’s 747-300 Jumbo on flight from Jeddah to Karachi averted a major disaster on Monday. Flight PK-742 with 412 passengers and 12 crew members developed major technical fault in its one of the engines after about 20 minutes of its take off from Jeddah. The aircraft was immediately returned to Jeddah and made an emergency landing during which all the tyres of the aircraft flattened, which caused minor bruises to the on- board passengers who were shifted to various hotels in the town. The PIA has constituted an enquiry into the incident while a wide bodied aircraft is being sent from Karachi to bring the passengers of the affected flight. (Posted @ 17:04 PST)
China's ambassador condemns killings in Pakistan BEIJING, July 9 (AFP) China Monday condemned the killings of three Chinese workers in Peshawar and called on Pakistani authorities to do more to protect its citizens living in the South Asian country. China's ambassador to Pakistan, Luo Zhaohui, released a statement that also called for a quick investigation into Sunday night's attack by militants on the Chinese workers' home. Luo “condemned the violent incident,” according to the Xinhua news agency, which published excerpts of the statement. In the statement, Luo told Pakistan “to investigate it (the attack), round up the culprits, properly handle the follow-up issues and take effective measures to protect all the Chinese in Pakistan,” Xinhua said. Luo said the deputy chief of the Chinese embassy in Pakistan, Mao Siwei, was leading a team of Chinese diplomats who had travelled to Peshawar to “deal with the issue.” A fourth Chinese man was seriously wounded in the attack. (Posted @ 09:02 PST)
Pre-mature to link Lal Masjid issue with Chinese killing: Pakistan ISLAMABAD, July 9 (PPI): Pakistan says it was pre-mature to create any linkage between Lal Masjid issue and killing of three Chinese nationals in Peshawar, reiterating Pak-China friendship was strong enough to withstand such incidents. “It is premature ... investigation is continuing (and) at the moment, we cannot make out or rule out any connection,” Foreign Office spokesperson Ms Tasnim Aslam told newsmen Monday at the weekly briefing. She replied in the negative when asked whether Chinese government had sought information about any Uygar terrorists inside Lal Masjid. “No, they have not raised it (question) and we have no information that Chinese terrorists were inside mosque.” She also said that President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz had sent separate condolence messages to President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao. An immediate enquiry was ordered in incident and government was making all efforts to ensure security of Chinese nationals in Pakistan, she said. The government had already intensified security at foreign missions and consulates in other cities of the country. (Posted @ 18:38 PST)
NWFP cabinet vows to arrest killers of Chinese nationals PESHAWAR, July 9 (APP): The NWFP cabinet with Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani in the chair Monday strongly condemned the killing of Chinese nationals in Peshawar late last night and expressed the resolve to arrest the criminals and bring them to task at the earliest.' The cabinet expressed sympathies with the Chinese government and members of the bereaved families and decided to assure the Chinese government that NWFP government will do its utmost to unveil the conspiracy behind killing of Chinese nationals. It observed that the incident was aimed at vitiating friendly and cordial relations between Pakistan and China. Furthermore, the killing was also aimed at deteriorating law and order situation in the NWFP in particular and in the country in general. The slain Chinese were working since long and had developed very friendly relations with the people of the area, it noted. (Posted @ 21:38 PST)
NWFP cabinet announces compensation for landslide victims of Kohistan district PESHAWAR, July 9 (APP): NWFP cabinet Monday announced compensation of Rs. one lakh for the heirs of the deceased, Rs. 50,000 for seriously injured persons, and Rs. 25,000 for those who sustained minor injuries in the torrential rains and landslides in Kohistan district It also urged the Prime Minister to announced special package for relief and rehabilitation of the flood and rain- hit people in NWFP. (Posted @ 21:46 PST)
Pakistani opposition to hold more talks in London LONDON, July 9 (AFP) - Pakistan's former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday asked opposition leaders to stay in London for more talks to “refine” an action plan to end military rule and restore democracy in Pakistan. Leaders of the 38 parties represented at the two-day conference that ended Sunday have now delayed their departure to attend a meeting on Wednesday to give the plan “concrete shape,” Sharif's spokesman Nadir Chaudhri told AFP. Chaudhri said that Sharif hopes to meet Benazir Bhutto in London on Tuesday. Bhutto was invited to the weekend meeting but sent instead the PPP's vice chairman Amin Fahim. (Posted @ 21:04 PST)
President directs security forces to ensure hostages security RAWALPINDI, July 9 (PPI):- President General Pervez Musharraf Monday directed security forces to ensure security of people and children held hostage in Lal Masjid compound in Islamabad. Chairing a high level meeting at his Camp Office, also attended by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, he appreciated “exemplary restraint” shown by security personnel in ongoing operation and lauded the cooperation by the residents of G-6 area with the administration and the law enforcement personnel. He directed swift measures to ease their hardship, including immediate restoration of power and gas supply to those living in the vicinity of Lal Masjid- Jamia Hafsa compound. He also asked the authorities to facilitate staffers of banks located in area, and provision of household goods to the affected people. (Posted @ 18:44 PST)
13 hurt in attack on occupied Kashmir politician SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, July 9 (AFP) - Four policemen and 9 civilians were hurt Monday when suspected militants hurled grenades at a house the pro- India National Conference president Omar Abdullah was visiting in the town of Handwara, police said. “Four policemen and 9 others were injured in the attack but Omar Abdullah is fine,” said police officer Mohammed Yasin. National Conference is currently in opposition. Omar Abdullah served as a federal cabinet minister in India's last Hindu nationalist government. He is the grandson of Sheikh Abdullah. Police said the attack took place minutes after Abdullah went into the local official's house for tea after addressing a rally. Abdullah was later driven back to Srinagar under military escort. (Posted @ 19:08 PST)
Protests, clashes continue for fourth day in occupied Kashmir over teenager's killing SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, July 9 (AP) Hundreds of people attacked government forces with rocks in Srinagar Monday as protests against police over the killing of a teenager continued for a fourth day. Police fired tear gas and used bamboo batons to subdue hundreds of protesters in downtown Srinagar, said Sajad Ahmed, a local police officer. No one was reported injured. On Friday, police opened fire on demonstrators protesting alleged human rights abuses by Indian security forces after leaving the Jamia mosque in Srinagar. Police wounded two people, a witness said. One of the victims, a 16-year-old boy, later died. Meanwhile, shops remained closed for the fourth day and the streets of downtown Srinagar were deserted. (Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Thousands of Pakistani tribesmen vow mosque revenge KHAR, Pakistan, July 9 (AFP) Around 20,000 Pakistani tribesmen vowed Monday to take revenge on President Pervez Musharraf for the siege of Islamabad’s Lal Masjid, witnesses and officials said. “We are ready for jihad!” cried the protesters - some of them armed with Kalashnikovs and rocket launchers - who rallied near Khar, the main town in the Bajaur tribal district bordering Afghanistan. (Posted @ 12:15 PST)
Iraq: 14 killed, scores injured; 29 bodies found BAGHDAD, July 9 (Reuters) At least 14 persons were killed and scores injured in three major incidents of violence across the country on Monday. A roadside bomb killed nine Iraqi soldiers and wounded 20 others near Balad; a car bomb exploded in al-Harthiya district of Baghdad, killing one person and wounding three, while two roadside bombs killed four people and wounded 21 when they exploded minutes apart near Baghdad's main bus terminal in the city centre, police said. Meanwhile, 29 bodies were found in various parts of the city on Sunday, police said. Most had been shot. (Posted @ 19:48 PST)
Three found guilty of July 2005 London bomb plot LONDON, July 9 (AFP) – A local court found three defendants guilty Monday over a failed plot to set off bombs in London on July 21, 2005, two weeks after suicide bombings which killed 52 commuters in the capital. Mukhtar Said Ibrahim, Yassin Omar and Ramzi Mohammed were found guilty of conspiracy to murder after a six-month trial. A jury which retired on June 28 has not yet reached verdicts on three other defendants allegedly behind a plot to blow up bombs on the London transport network. The alleged conspiracy to explode home-made devices consisting of hydrogen peroxide and chapati flour in rucksacks came two weeks after the July 7 attacks that killed a total of 56 people, including the four bombers. (Posted @ 18:58 PST)
Germany announces Rs 20 million for Balochistan, Sindh flood relief ISLAMABAD, July 9 (PPI):- Germany announced Rs 20 million for flood affected people in Balochistan and Sindh provinces. A German embassy press release Monday said funds will be used for food items, medicines and shelter to flood-hit people in two provinces by two NGOs, Malteser International, Humedica, and German Consulate in Karachi. (Posted @ 18:32 PST)
Gunmen kill policeman in northwest Pakistan PESHAWAR, Pakistan, July 9 (AFP) Unidentified gunmen shot dead a policeman and injured three other officers early Monday as they patrolled a restive town in northwest Pakistan, officials said. Gunmen in a car ambushed the officers by spraying bullets into their vehicle at Mundan, on the outskirts of the northwestern town of Bannu, before fleeing, police official Dar Alik Khattak told AFP. “An assistant sub-inspector of police was killed, and three other policemen were injured in the firing,” he said. (Posted @ 10:13 PST)
Shooting at Afghan army base kills 4 HERAT, Afghanistan, July 9 (Reuters) - An exchange of small arms fire at an army base in Herat on Monday killed four Afghan soldiers, Farzana Ahmadi, spokeswoman for the provincial governor said adding that authorities had arrested one soldier and suspected he had links with guerrillas. Two provincial officials said the exchange was sparked due to a “personal dispute” between two Afghan soldiers. They said 10 Afghan soldiers and two U.S. soldiers were wounded. (Posted @ 16:36 PST)
Volcanic fumes kill six Indonesian students JAKARTA, July 9, (AFP): Poisonous fumes wafting from an Indonesian volcano have killed six Indonesian high school students who ignored warning signs to venture into its crater, a hospital worker said on Monday. The incident happened on Mount Salak, a volcano in west Java popular with visitors from Jakarta at weekends. “Four died on the spot and two died on the way to hospital,” said Sudaryono from the Indonesian Red Cross hospital in Bogor, West Java. Three other students were affected by the fumes, he said. The nine students had left the group they were camping with about a kilometre down the slope. (Posted @ 11:56 PST)
PM of Georgia's breakaway Abkhazia hurt in attack SUKHUMI, Georgia, July 9(Reuters): The Prime Minister of Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia was slightly wounded on Monday when gunmen fired at his car, the Abkhaz interior ministry said. The attack on Alexander Ankvab's vehicle occurred on a main road to Abkhazia's capital, Sukhumi, said the ministry. This was the fourth attack on Ankvab since he was appointed to his post. (Posted @ 11:20 PST)
White House debates whether to announce Iraq pullout soon: NY Times WASHINGTON, July 9 (AFP) Faced with Republican defections, senior US officials are debating whether President George W. Bush should announce soon his intention to begin a gradual withdrawal of US troops from Iraqi cities, The NY Times reported on its website late Sunday. Citing unnamed administration officials, the newspaper said Bush and his aides once thought they could wait to begin those discussions until after September 15, when the top military commander and the US ambassador are scheduled to present a progress report. But some of Bush's aides now believe forces are combining against him just as the Senate prepares to begin what promises to be a contentious debate on the defence authorization bill, the report said. About half a dozen Republican senators recently announced they can no longer support Bush's Iraq strategy and demanded change. (Posted @ 10:40 PST)
Senate presses for testimony in US prosecutors' scandal WASHINGTON, July 9 (AFP) Top Senate Democrat Patrick Leahy said he expects a former aide to US President George W. Bush to testify in a growing scandal over the firing of federal prosecutors. But the White House has again refused to supply information to Congress about the prosecutors, who lost their jobs in what Bush opponents say were politically motivated firings, the Washington Post reported. Senator Leahy, the Democratic chair of the Judiciary Committee, said Sunday he expected former Bush aide Sara Taylor to respond to a subpoena and testify before the committee Wednesday. “So far, the White House has not given us a single piece of paper. They've not given us a single witness. I think it's time for the stonewalling to stop,” Leahy told CNN. (Posted @ 09:08 PST)
Three-year old British girl released by Nigerian kidnappers PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria, July 9 (AFP) A three-year-old British girl kidnapped last week in southern Nigeria has been freed, Rivers State chief of police Felix Ogbaudu and the British foreign ministry said Sunday. Margaret Hill “has been released a few minutes ago ... I'm with her now, she is in very good condition,” Ogbaudu said. A British foreign ministry spokesman in London confirmed the release and told AFP that the girl, snatched at gunpoint Thursday in Port Harcourt as she was being dropped off for school, had been reunited with her parents. (Posted @ 09:05 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 35.01 points: KARACHI, July 9: At the close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 14020.90, up 35.01 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:17 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, July 9: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 61.15 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:17 PST)
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