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| July 20, 2007 | Friday | Rajab 04, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Supreme Court reinstates suspended Pakistan chief justice ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, July 20 (Agencies) - The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday reinstated Pakistan's chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry , ruling that his suspension by President General Pervez Musharraf was “illegal.” Presiding judge of the 13-member full court , Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday, pronouncing the judgement said President Musharraf's order suspending Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry was “set aside as being illegal.” The court also invalidated the presidential reference against justice Iftikhar. While the reinstatement order was unanimous, the verdict about the invalidation of the presidential reference was a 10-3 majority decision. Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry's March 9 suspension had sparked protests by lawyers and opposition parties that grew into a powerful pro-democracy movement. As lawyers celebrated outside the court in Islamabad, Chaudhry's chief counsel Aitzaz Ahsan told reporters that the case alleging misconduct by Chaudhry had been “quashed.” “He has been restored and it is a victory for the entire nation.” (First Posted @ 16:28 PST Updated @ 16:54 PST)
President respects the decision of the Supreme Court: spokesman ISLAMABAD, July 20 (APP): The spokesman for the President Pervez Musharraf i Friday said the judgement of the Supreme Court will be honoured, respected and adhered to. Spokesman Maj-Gen (retd) Rashid Qureshi when asked for his reaction over the Supreme Court decision told APP that “the President respects the decision of the Supreme Court.” He said “the President has stated earlier that any judgement the Supreme Court arrives at will be honoured, respected and adhered to.” (Posted @ 19:10 PST)
Pakistan PM says government accepts judge verdict ISLAMABAD, July 20 (AFP) -Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Friday the government accepted the supreme court's decision to reinstate the country's top judge but added it was “not the time to claim victory or defeat.” ”I have just learnt of the Supreme Court decision. I have always maintained that the decision by the honourable court must be accepted by all sections of the people including the government itself,” Aziz said in a statement. “This is not the time to claim victory or defeat. The constitution and the law have prevailed and must prevail at all times,” he added. (Posted @ 17:40 PST)
40 feared dead as lightening strikes three places in Upper Dir PESHAWAR, July 20 (APP) - About 40 persons were reportedly killed and several others injured when lightening and flash flood hit three villages at Oshary Dara in Upper Dir on Friday. District Nazim, Upper Dir, Tariqullah told APP by phone that about 40 to 50 persons died when lightening and heavy rain struck Nasamal, Jabba and Gar Kohai villages in mountainous Oshary Dara. At least 25 houses were also damaged by the lightening, heavy rain and flash flood. Tariq informed that special medical and rescue teams under the supervision of DCO have been sent to the affected places to rescue people. The District Nazim said that bodies of 16 persons have been recovered so far. The rain and lightening has also destroyed standing crops and livestock, he added. (Posted @ 22:26 PST)
Suicide blast kills four in Pakistan tribal area MIRANSHAH, Pakistan, July 20 (AFP) A suicide bomber killed three civilians and a soldier at a checkpost in North Waziristan tribal area on Friday, the latest in a wave of attacks across the country, security officials said. “There was a suicide attack at a paramilitary checkpost in North Waziristan today. Four people were killed -- three civilians and one soldier-- and six injured, including three soldiers,” a senior security official told AFP. The attack came a day after three suicide blasts in several areas of the country killed at least 51 people in apparent revenge for last week's raid on the pro-Taliban Lal Masjid in Islamabad.(Posted @ 14:30 PST)
Pakistan supreme court verdict in chief justice case Friday ISLAMABAD, July 20 (AFP) Pakistan's Supreme Court on Friday wrapped up a 43-day hearing of an appeal by justice Iftikhar against his March 9 ouster. It heard final arguments from lawyers for justice Iftikhar , and the judges retired to their chambers. They were due to return later in the day and were likely to announce their decision, court officials said. “If the judgement comes against anyone he should not get annoyed and those who benefit from the order should not forget God Almighty in their joys and pleasures,” presiding judge Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday said. Justice Ramday said the court would not be swayed by the political sensitivities of the case and stressed its objectivity despite massive protests by pro-Chaudhry lawyers against Musharraf. “The judiciary is here not as rivals, monitors or superiors to any institution,” he added. President Musharraf in March sent the misconduct and abuse of power charges against chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry to a special panel called the Supreme Judicial Council. The Supreme Court suspended the panel's inquiry in May, after justice Iftikhar appealed against both the allegations and the legality of his suspension while the claims are dealt with. (Posted @ 14:30 PST)
SC verdict in CJ Iftikhar’s petition ISLAMABAD, July 20 (AFP) - A 13-member bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan headed by justice Khalilur Rehman Ramday Friday reinstated Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry through a majority verdict. In a short order the full court set aside by a majority of ten to three the Reference that was filed by the President on March 9 on the advice of the Prime Minister against the chief justice under Article 209 of the Constitution. The short order declared the petition of the chief justice filed under Article 184 (3) of the Constitution “unanimously maintainable.” Three members of the bench -- Justice Faqir Mohammad Khokhar, Justice M.Javed Buttar and Justice Saiyed Saeed Ashhad -- dissented, holding the Reference valid. The bench unanimously declared “ultra vires of the Constitution” the Presidential Order No 27 of 1970 under which the Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry was sent on forced leave. Consequently the order passed by the President on March 15 regarding forced leave was also “unanimously declared to have been passed without lawful authority.” The President's order of March 9 and the order of the Supreme Judicial Council, both restraining the chief justice from performing judicial functions, were set aside as being “illegal.” “However, since according to the minority view on the question of the validity of the direction (the Reference) in question, the said Reference had been competently filed by the President, therefore, this court could pass a restraining order under Article 184 (3) read with Article 187 of the Constitution,” the order said. According to the order appointments of Acting Chief Justices of Pakistan on March 9 and March 22 “are unanimously declared to have been made without lawful authority.” “However this invalidity shall not affect the ordinary working of the Supreme Court or the discharge of any other constitutional and/or legal obligations by the honourable Acting Chief Justices of Pakistan during the period in question and this declaration is so made by applying the de facto doctrine,” the order said. Regarding accountability of chief justice, the order said: “It has never been anybody's case that the Chief Justice of Pakistan was not accountable. The same issue, therefore, does not require any adjudication.” All other legal and constitutional issues raised before the court would be answered in due course through a detailed judgement, the order said. The order said: “By majority of 10 to 3 (Faqir Mohammad Khokhar, J, M.Javed Buttar, J. and Saiyed Saeed Ashhad, J. dissenting), this Constitution Original Petition No.21 of 2007 filed by Mr. Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, the Chief Justice of Pakistan, is allowed as a result whereof the above-mentioned direction (the Reference) of the President dated March 9, 2007 is set aside. “As a further consequence thereof, the petitioner CJP shall be deemed to be holding the said office and shall always be deemed to have been so holding the same.” The bench comprised Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday, Justice Mohammad Nawaz Abbasi, Justice Faqir Mohammad Khokhar, Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, Justice M.Javed Buttar, Justice Tassaddaque Hussain Jillani, Justice Saiyed Saeed Ashhad, Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk, Justice Raja Fayyaz Ahmed, Justice Ch.Ijaz Ahmed, Justice Syed Jamshed Ali Shah, Justice Hamid Ali Mirza and Justice Ghulam Rabbani. (Posted @ 19:04 PST)
Pakistani tribal elders try to salvage peace deal with militants MIRAN SHAH, Pakistan, July 20 (AP) A 45-member delegation of tribal elders began talks with militant leaders in Miran Shah, the main town of the North Waziristan tribal region, Friday. Tribal elder Malik Nasrullah told The Associated Press before entering talks with militant leaders he was ''optimistic'' the peace deal with the government could be revived. ''We will meet with them to request that they reverse their decision to end the peace agreement,'' said Nasrullah. (Posted @ 12:05 PST)
President, PM vow to defeat extremism, terrorism RAWALPINDI, July 20 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Friday vowed to defeat the forces of extremism and terrorism and expressed resolve to take the country forward on path of progress and prosperity. The two leaders in a meeting at the President's Camp Office said they would take the country ahead “un-deterred by those who wish to create chaos and fear in the country through wanton and indiscriminate acts of terrorism.” “We have the will and the capacity to combat and defeat the forces of extremism and terrorism,” the President said. President Musharraf during the meeting, that primarily discussed development and utilization of Thar coal fields, urged the importance of developing Thar coal for benefit of the country and particularly that of Sindh. He said large scale mining and transfer of technology would lead to skill development and job creation. He also stressed greater coordination between the Federal and Provincial governments and simultaneous efforts to reduce gap between planning and implementation. (Posted @ 18:20 PST)
Widespread monsoon rains predicted ISLAMABAD, Jul 20 (APP) - Meteorological Department Friday forecast rain with thunderstorm in Federal Capital and scattered place of Punjab, NWFP and Kashmir during the next twenty-four hours. Widespread rains accompanied with dust and thunderstorm in Punjab, NWFP, Kashmir and Islamabad including catchment areas of country's rivers are also expected during next four to five days. These rains could be heavy especially in upper parts of the country. (Posted @ 23:18 PST)
5 soldiers, 4 civilians injured in grenade attacks in occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, July 20 (AP) - Five soldiers and four civilians were wounded Friday in a series of grenade attacks by suspected militants in Srinagar, police said. The first of the five attacks occurred in the afternoon when a grenade was lobbed at a paramilitary bunker in the heart of Srinagar, said local police chief Farooq Ahmed. The grenade missed its target and wounded a civilian instead, he added. Four other grenade attacks took place within the span of an hour in the evening, wounding five paramilitary soldiers and three civilians, Ahmed said. No other details were immediately available. (Posted @ 20:58 PST)
Pakistan says US target threat 'irresponsible and dangerous' ISLAMABAD, July 20 (AFP) - Pakistan on Friday called White House comments that US forces could unilaterally strike militant targets inside the country “irresponsible and dangerous.” “Such comments and calls are irresponsible and dangerous,” a Pakistan foreign ministry statement said. “First and foremost Pakistan is combating extremism and terrorism in its own national interest. Secondly, Pakistan and the United States are partners in the international campaign against terrorism.” Pakistan stressed that its military action had yielded “concrete results in terms of the disruption of Al-Qaeda and capture of its key leaders and operatives.” ”Therefore it would be counterproductive to create an impression of any divergences or differences on the issue of counterterrorism.” The Islamabad statement Friday stressed that “we have repeatedly made our position clear that whatever counterterrorism action is to be taken inside Pakistan, it will be taken by our own security forces.” Meanwhile CNN reported Friday that the United States is offering intelligence and military assistance to Pakistan for operations against militants in tribal regions linked to Al-Qaeda. The offer was confirmed by General Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during a visit to Germany, a CNN reporter said. CNN said the top US general was “confirming” that Bush's “administration is now offering Pakistan military assistance for its operations against the Al-Qaeda safe haven in its tribal region.” The network added that Washington was offering both intelligence and “US firepower” but not American troops. It remained unclear if Pakistan had accepted the offer, it said. The US Defence Department was not immediately available for comment. (Posted @ 20:24 PST)
DawnNews Pakistan's first English news, current affairs TV channel launch KARACHI, July 20 (PPI): On May 25, 2007, Pakistan witnessed unfolding of new era in history of electronic media and with successful commencement of test transmission, DawnNews first English news, current affairs TV channel was officially launched July 20 Friday. DawnNews is fired by same principles and purpose envisioned by Quaid-e-Azam when he founded Dawn newspaper in 1947. Drawing on tradition of integrity, reliability, trust developed by Dawn newspaper, the channel aims to reach out to millions of people in Pakistan and across the world hoping to export Pakistan and its culture worldwide.It aims to become source for inspiring change by educating, informing, empowering its viewers. (Posted @ 20:22 PST)
Cricket: England 298 all out against India LONDON, July 20 (AFP) - England, batting first after winning the toss, were bowled out for 298 on the second day of the first Test against India at Lord's Friday. Brief score: England (1st innings) : 298 all out in 91.2 overs (A Strauss 96, M Vaughan 79; S Sreesanth 3-67). (Posted @ 20:14 PST)
Qazi Husain hails SC verdict KARACHI, July 20 (PPI): Jamaat-e-Islami chief and Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal President Qazi Hussain Ahmed Friday hailed the Supreme Court for reinstating Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and termed the decision as the first step towards the supremacy of law and constitution in the country. (Posted @ 19:18 PST)
No ambiguity in SC decision: Wasim Sajjad ISLAMABAD, July 20 (APP): Leader of the House in the Senate Wasim Sajjad Friday said there is no ambiguity in supreme court verdict in chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry’s case and that the decision is acceptable to everyone. In an interview he said, only after the detailed decision it would be clear the points on which the short order was announced. He said the President and the Prime Minister had made it clear from the very first day that the government would accept the decision of the apex court. “The decision of Supreme Court is according to law and constitution and we should accept it in the same spirit and after the detailed decision we would be able to further comment over it”, he added. (Posted @ 19:12 PST)
2 more innocent Kashmiris martyred, troop commits suicide in Bandipora ISLAMABAD, July 20 (APP): In occupied Kashmir, Indian troops, in a siege and search operation at Wudderbala in Handwara shot dead an innocent civilian and injured a child. A fast moving military vehicle hit and critically injured another civilian at Iqbal Park in Srinagar, who succumbed to his injuries in a hospital, KMS reported. Meanwhile, a decomposed body was recovered from Venkoora in Baramulla, while unidentified gunmen shot at and injured one person at Banghal Devsar in Kulgam. An unidentified man was also injured in a grenade explosion in Hari Singh High Street area of Srinagar Friday afternoon. (Posted @ 18:16 PST)
Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 70 runs in first ODI COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, July 20 (AP) - Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 70 runs in the first limited-over international in Colombo on Friday. Scores: Sri Lanka 234 for six in 50 overs (Chamara Silva 65, Upul Tharanga 57, Mashrafe Mortaza 2-31, Syed Rasel 2-43). Bangladesh 164 all out in 40.3 overs (Shahriar Nafees 33, Dilhara Fernando 4-24) (Posted @ 17:18 PST)
Blast near occupied Kashmir assembly sparks panic SRINAGAR, July 20 (AFP) - Suspected militants in occupied Kashmir staged a grenade attack Friday near the state assembly, causing panic but only one injury, police and witnesses said. “A civilian was hurt in a grenade explosion that took place 100 metres away from the assembly complex,” a police spokesman said, adding that the militants had targeted a police bunker. Way back in October 2001 also, around 40 people were killed in a suicide attack by suspected militants on the state assembly. More than 42,000 people have died since 1989 when militants launched an insurgency against Indian rule in the divided region. (Posted @ 16:42 PST)
US, British soldiers killed in Iraq BAGHDAD, July 20 (AP) - Insurgents killed three British troops and two American soldiers in a separate attacks in southern and central Iraq, coalition officials said Friday. Several British soldiers were also wounded in the Thursday mortar attack on their base at the airport in the southern city of Basra, the British military said. The two Americans were also killed in separate attacks Thursday in the Baghdad area, the U.S. said. (Posted @ 16:36 PST)
1 killed, 15 injured as vehicle collided near Chamalang QUETTA, July 19 (PPI): A driver was killed and 15 persons including 3 security personnel were injured when a vehicle carrying security personnel collided with another vehicle near Chamalang, District Loralai Thursday. (Posted @ 15:35 PST)
Israel frees more than 250 Palestinian prisoners BEITUNYA, West Bank, July 20 (AFP) Israel freed more than 250 Palestinian prisoners met by joyful relatives Friday. Seven buses carrying handcuffed men from Israel's Ketziot prison and an eighth carrying seven women drove slowly through the Beitunya checkpoint at the entrance to the West Bank political capital of Ramallah after 0800 GMT. At Beitunya they were formally handed over to the Palestinian authorities and were being driven to the Muqataa, the Palestinian Authority leadership compound in Ramallah. (First Posted @ 10:00 PST, Updated @ 15:06 PST)
Three killed in two Assam blasts NEW DELHI, July 20 (APP): In two separate bomb blasts in strife-ridden Assam on Friday morning, three persons were killed and 20 other injured. Media reports said two bombs went off near a petrol pump in a commercial area of Srirampur town in Assam's Kokrajhar district. In another incident, the Naxalites kidnapped two engineers of a metal company in South Gadchiroli district. (Posted @ 14:30 PST)
Taliban kill 6 police in ambush in southern Afghanistan, 2 civilians die in bombing KABUL, July 20 (AP) A car bomb targeting a U.S.-led coalition convoy in Helmand province's Sangin district left two civilians dead and two soldiers wounded Friday, while a Taliban ambush left six police officers dead, officials said. In Helmand's Marja district, Taliban militants ambushed police on Thursday, leaving six officers dead and two others wounded, said Muhammad Hussein, the provincial police chief. Two police vehicles were also damaged in the attack, Hussein said. There were no reports of Taliban casualties. (Posted @ 14:30 PST)
Taliban stop bus and kidnap Koreans-police KABUL, July 20 (Reuters) Taliban insurgents stopped a bus in Afghanistan and kidnapped some of the passengers, including Korean citizens, local police chief Khowaja Mohammad Sadeeq said Friday. The Taliban said they had seized 18 Koreans, 15 men and three women.,said Taliban spokesman Said Yousuf Ahmadi by telephone from an undisclosed location. The bus was travelling from t Kandahar to Kabul on Thursday when Taliban rebels stopped it in the Qarabagh district of Ghazni province. Two Germans and six Afghans were abducted southwest of Kabul on Wednesday and are still missing. “The German citizens are safe with us. Our demand is the withdrawal of German troops from Afghanistan and also the release of our prisoners,” said Taliban spokesman Yousuf Ahmadi. (Posted @ 14:30 PST)
China condemns Pakistan suicide bomb attack BEIJING, July 20 (AFP) China said Friday it condemned a suicide bomb attack in southwest Pakistan that targeted a convoy of Chinese workers and left at least 27 Pakistanis dead. “China strongly condemns the terror attack (in Pakistan) and expresses its grief over those killed and offers its condolences to their relatives and to those injured,” the foreign ministry said in a short statement. (Posted @ 11:30 PST)
50 immigrants feared drowned off Canaries as vessel capsizes SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Spain, July 20 (AFP) The first survivors of a drama off the Canary Islands were brought to safety late Thursday after their boat capsized leaving 50 people missing, feared drowned. A rescue ship brought in 36 survivors, would-be African immigrants fished from the sea after their boat capsized, into Puerto de los Christianos on the Island of Tenerife, an AFP photographer witnessed. A statement from Salvamento Maritimo, the sea rescue organisation, said that the survivors had told them about 100 people had been on the vessel when the accident happened. The accident occurred early Thursday about 100 nautical miles southwest of Tenerife “owing to poor conditions at sea amid three-metre waves and winds gusting at 30 knots,” the statement added. (Posted @ 10:40 PST)
Three soldiers, nine rebels die in clash at military post in northern Sri Lanka COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, July 20 (AP) Separatist Tamil rebels attacked a military post in northern Sri Lanka early Friday, sparking a clash that left three soldiers and nine rebels dead, the military said. The mortar and shooting attack in the Mannar district occurred about 2:30 a.m. and lasted for around an hour, the military said. (First Posted @ 08:45 PST, Updated @ 10:25 PST)
63 pct say Clinton 'likely' to win US presidency: poll WASHINGTON, July 20 (AFP) Nearly two-thirds of voters think Hillary Clinton will become the first female US president if she wins the Democratic nomination, according to a poll out Thursday. The CBS News/New York Times poll showed 63 percent of people think the former first lady would very likely win. Even among Republicans registered to vote, 53 percent thought so, as did 77 percent of Democrats. And among men, 59 percent said she was likely to win, as did 65 percent of women. Clinton still leads the Democratic pack, according to the poll, with a 43-24 percent lead over fellow Senator Barack Obama. (Posted @ 09:25 PST)
Mudslide kills 27 in China BEIJING, July 20 (AFP) Pelting rain in southwest China triggered a mudslide that buried 27 workers alive in Yunnan province early Thursday, Xinhua news agency reported Friday. A disaster team was searching for two missing labourers, Xinhua said, adding that an unspecified number were injured. (Posted @ 09:00 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 158.42 points: KARACHI, July 20: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 13351.79, up 158.42 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 16:00 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, July 20: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 61 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 16:00 PST)
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