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| July 30, 2007 | Monday | Rajab 14, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
President Musharraf may quit army to seal Benazir deal: Sher Afgan ISLAMABAD, July 30 (AFP) President Pervez Musharraf may hang up his army uniform to pave the way for a pact with former prime minister Benazir Bhutto after the two met in Abu Dhabi, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sher Afgan Niazi said Monday. President Musharraf and Benazir met in the Gulf emirate Friday for talks on a possible power-sharing deal but could not reach an understanding on two key issues, Afgan told AFP. The sticking points were the issue of President Musharraf's dual role as president and army chief and a bar that prevents Benazir having a third term as premier, Afgan said. “The two met in Abu Dhabi on Friday to hammer out a political understanding so that moderate forces can join hands to defeat extremists in the coming general elections,” Afgan said. He said he believed that Musharraf “would be willing to shed his uniform if he has the PPP (Benazir's Pakistan People's Party) and the ruling Pakistan Muslim League behind him.” (Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Supreme court to hear Musharraf's army role case ISLAMABAD, July 30 (AFP) - Pakistan's Supreme Court is to begin hearing a petition filed by Qazi Hussain Ahmad, leader of Pakistan's main alliance of religious parties, contending that President Pervez Musharrraf should give up his post as army chief next month, court officials said. The petition was originally filed in April but it was rejected by the Supreme Court's registrar at the time, officials said. Senior judge Rana Bhagwandas heard a plea in chambers on Monday against that decision, they said. Justice Bhagwandas ordered that the registrar's objections would be taken up at an opening hearing of the court to decide whether the petition was maintainable, the officials added. Qazi Husain Ahmad contends that Musharraf's tenure as army chief expires in August and that he has no legal right to continue to hold the position. He also alleges that Musharraf violated the constitution by taking part in political activities of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League party, in contravention of his oath of office that bound him to remain neutral. (Posted @ 19:44 PST)
Benazir moves SC for right to FATA people ISLAMABAD, July 30 (PPI)- Former Prime Minister and Chairperson Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) Benazir Bhutto Monday filed a constitutional petition in the Supreme Court seeking extension of Political Parties Act 1962 to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). The petition stated that all the election laws except the Political Parties Act have been extended to FATA and the political parties on the other hand could not function in the tribal areas to mobilize tribesmen against politics of militancy. The petitioner viewed that since Political Parties Act is not applicable to FATA, therefore in general elections the political parties (except religious parties) are not allowed to field candidates in FATA or to enter FATA for electioneering. The petition pointed out that FATA has representation in the National Assembly of Pakistan by 12 members and in Senate of Pakistan by 8 members under Article 51 and 59 (1) b of the Constitution. It said FATA, a unit of federation has completely been handed over to religious parties. The petition mentioned that the people of tribal areas have also been demanding opportunity to express themselves politically and independently being Pakistani nationals. (Posted @ 20:30 PST)
MMA to resist any amendment for President's re-election ISLAMABAD, July 30 (PPI)- Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) on Monday maintained that re-election of General Pervez Musharraf from the present assemblies is against the constitution and it would strongly resist any amendment in constitution in this regard. It also decided that any step taken by the regime for extending the tenure of the present assemblies would also be resisted at all levels. The decision was taken at the MMA supreme council meeting attended by the leadership of the components parties of the alliance. Briefing in this regard was given by MMA secretary general, Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman and deputy secretary general, Liaqat Baloch. Tenure of the present assemblies has to complete now and if the regime tried to give further extension to its tenure for any reason, the MMA would strongly resist such a move, Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman said in reply to a question. (Posted @ 20:50 PST)
Pakistani gunship kills four in tribal area MIRANSHAH, Pakistan, July 30 (AFP) A Pakistani helicopter gunship fired on a suspicious car that was following an army convoy on the road between Miranshah, the main town in the troubled North Waziristan tribal region, and the garrison town of Bannu, Monday, killing four suspected militants, officials said. “The army spotted the car and ordered them to stop and they ignored the warning. They were fired on by a helicopter escorting the convoy,” the security official told AFP requesting anonymity. “Four people inside the car were killed, they are suspected militants.” (Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Militants attack Pakistan army airfield MIRANSHAH, Pakistan, July 30 (AFP) Militants fired rockets Monday at the airfield of a Pakistan army base near the Afghan border, wounding four, officials said. Security forces responded with artillery fire after two rockets hit their camp just after midnight in Miranshah, the main town in the North Waziristan tribal district, a local official said. One rocket damaged the runway used by the military while the other hit a water tank compound guarded by soldiers, the official said, adding that one of the four injured was in serious condition. Separately four paramilitary soldiers were wounded when a roadside bomb hit their vehicle in North Waziristan, officials said. (Posted @ 11:25 PST)
Seven killed in militant violence in NW Pakistan ISLAMABAD, July 30 (Reuters) - Seven people died in militant attacks on Monday in northwestern Pakistan, officials said. Three paramilitary soldiers and four civilians died in attacks in the North Waziristan tribal region, military spokesman Major-General Waheed Arshad told Reuters. The soldiers were killed “when militants attacked a check-post near Miranshah,” the main town of North Waziristan. The four civilians died when militants fired on a military convoy at a time when normal traffic was also plying on the road, he said. Militants also wounded one paramilitary soldier on Monday in an attack in Miranshah, using an improvised explosive device, General Arshad said adding that seven suspects were arrested. (Posted @ 19:30 PST)
Taliban kill second South Korean hostage GHAZNI, Afghanistan, July 30, (AFP) - Afghanistan's Taliban militia said it shot dead late Monday a South Korean hostage, among 23 captured two weeks ago, after its deadlines expired for the government to free prisoners. The hostage executed in a remote part of the southern province of Ghazni was the second to be killed by the militants, who last week gunned down the leader of the group. (Posted @ 23:48 PST)
Cricket: India 10-0 against England NOTTINGHAM, England, July 30, (AFP) - India in their second innings were 10 without loss, needing a further 63 runs to reach their victory target of 73 at stumps on the fourth day of the second Test against England at Trent Bridge here Monday. Dinesh Karthik was six not out and Wasim Jaffer three not out. The three-match series is level at 0-0. (Posted @ 23:18 PST)
Taliban extends South Korean hostage deadline to Wednesday, governor says KANDAHAR, July 30 (AP) - Taliban militants holding 22 South Korean hostages extended the deadline for the captives' lives an additional two days after setting and letting pass two deadlines Monday for militant prisoners to be released from Afghan jails, provincial governor Marajudin Pathan said adding that the militants agreed to extend their deadline until Wednesday to allow time for additional negotiations. A purported Taliban spokesman couldn't immediately be reached for comment. Earlier, Qari Yousef Ahmadi had said the Taliban had extended a midday Monday deadline three hours into the afternoon, which also passed without word from the militants on the hostages' fate. (Posted @ 21:14 PST)
16 Afghan security guards killed in new attacks KANDAHAR, July 30 (AFP) - Sixteen Afghan security guards were killed in attacks in Afghanistan in the past two days that also left three policemen and 11 Taliban dead, police said Monday. In one incident, Taliban militants ambushed a convoy of logistics material for international troops in the southern province of Zabul late Sunday and killed 13 guards from a private security group, provincial police said. In an exchange of fire that followed, five militants were also killed and two wounded. On Monday, Taliban fighters attacked police in the province of Ghazni, sparking fighting which left three policemen and six insurgents dead, deputy provincial police chief Mohammad Zaman told AFP. The police were on their way back from Qarabagh district, where the rebels kidnapped 23 South Koreans on July 19. (Posted @ 21:06 PST)
SC notices AG, AG Punjab on Hashmi's petition ISLAMABAD, July 30 (PPI)- The Supreme Court on Monday served notices on the Attorney General for Pakistan and Advocate General Punjab, on a review petition filed by ARD president Makhdoom Javed Hashmi seeking suspension of his sentence and grant of bail in a mutiny case, and directed them to appear on Wednesday and argue the case. The bench comprised Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, Justice Rana Bhagwandas and Justice Faqir Mohammad Khokhar. Mohammad Akram Sheikh, senior counsel for Makhdoom Javed Hashmi submitted before the bench that his client was convicted on seven counts. He had undergone the major sentence for seven years, whereas the charge of abetting mutiny was doubtful. Therefore, the court should suspend his sentence and grant him bail, he emphasized. (Posted @ 20:40 PST)
President, Prime Minister discuss national issues, law and order RAWALPINDI, July 30 (PPI):- President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Monday discussed law and order, political environment and other important national issues. The President also briefed the Prime Minister on his recent visit to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. (Posted @ 20:34 PST)
U.S. announces arms deals to Middle East countries WASHINGTON, July 30 (Reuters) - The United States on Monday announced a proposed $13 billion military aid deal with Egypt and a $30 billion defence package for Israel along with plans to provide such aid to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezaa Rice made the announcement hours before leaving with Defence Secretary Robert Gates for a rare joint trip to Egypt and Saudi Arabia where they are seeking more Arab help in stabilizing Iraq. (Posted @ 20:20 PST)
Bush, Brown to talk at Camp David under Iraq shadow WASHINGTON, July 30 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush and Gordon Brown were to meet for a second day Monday, with discussion on forging the way forward in Iraq expected to dominate the talks. They had a one-on-one breakfast meeting, after which they were to meet with a wider circle of participants, including US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. (Posted @ 20:16 PST)
UN inspectors visit key Iran nuclear site TEHRAN, July 30 (AFP) - A group of UN atomic inspectors on Monday visited Iran's heavy water nuclear reactor in Arak, one of its most sensitive nuclear sites, the official IRNA agency reported. (Posted @ 20:08 PST)
Sixteen Indian pilgrims drown as boat capsizes NEW DELHI, July 30 (AFP) - Sixteen people, including several women and children, drowned in the Ganges river near the banks of Varanasi when an overloaded boat of pilgrims capsized, police said. The boat, which was carrying 25 passengers, was fit to only carry eight people, police said. Nine people managed to swim to safety. (Posted @ 20:02 PST)
US forging military pacts to counter Iran, Syria militant WASHINGTON, July 30 (AFP) - The United States is forging new military aid pacts with Gulf states, Israel and Egypt to counter “negative” influences by Al-Qaeda and Hezbollah, as well as Syria and Iran, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice said Monday. (Posted @ 19:56 PST)
US aid bill to be counter-productive: Pakistan ISLAMABAD, July 30 (PPI) - Pakistan-India Commerce Secretaries level talks will begin in New Delhi Tuesday, Foreign Office spokesperson Ms. Tasneem Aslam said at her weekly news briefing in Islamabad Monday. Asked to comment on the bill passed by the US Senate envisaging conditionalities on assistance to Pakistan, she said these would not only be harmful to Pakistan but also undermine the US interests. Reiterating that Pakistan's efforts to counter-terrorism, violence and extremism are in its national interest, she stressed that the basis of Pakistan’s cooperation with NATO ( that also includes US) on the international border between Pakistan and Afghanistan is that we do not allow our territory to be used against any country for undesirable activities. We will continue to pursue this policy. About threats of US military action in Tribal Areas, the spokesperson said Pakistan has already made it clear that it would be unacceptable, counter-productive and would be resented by the people of Pakistan. She said any action required to be taken inside Pakistan has to be taken by our armed forces. (Posted @ 19:38 PST)
Explosion rocks Baghdad city centre BAGHDAD, July 30 (AFP) - A bomb in central Baghdad on Monday killed at least four people and wounded at least 30 others. The target appeared to be a bus stop near Tayran Square, a bustling transport hub surrounded by auto mechanic shops. At least four microbuses and two cars were engulfed in flames. The explosion came hours after Iraqi authorities lifted an overnight curfew intended to prevent attacks on residents celebrating the national football team's victory over Saudi Arabia in Sunday's Asia Cup. (Posted @ 18:46 PST)
500 dead in some of China's worst floods: Red Cross GENEVA, July 30 (AFP) - More than 500 people have been killed in some of the most devastating floods to hit China for a decade, the Red Cross said Monday, launching an emergency appeal for aid to the millions left homeless. There is an urgent need for rice, clean drinking water, shelter, clothing, medical services and disinfectant, it said. (Posted @ 17:34 PST)
Palestinians have right to resist - PM Fayyad CAIRO, July 30 (Reuters) - Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad has said Palestinians have a legitimate right to resist Israeli occupation. “We are certainly an occupied people and resistance is a legitimate right for the Palestinian people as an occupied people,” Fayyad told reporters in Cairo, where he is leading the Palestinian delegation to an Arab League meeting on Monday. (Posted @ 17:18 PST)
Legendary film-maker Bergman dies aged 89 STOCKHOLM, July 30 (AFP) Ingmar Bergman, one of the most influential film directors of the 20th century, died Monday at his home on the Swedish island of Faaro, his sister Eva told the TT news agency. He was 89. Bergman was widely acclaimed for films such as “The Seventh Seal” (1957) and “Fanny and Alexander” (1982), which won four Oscars, including for Best Foreign Language Film. (Posted @ 15:55 PST)
NATO to use smaller bombs in Afghanistan: de Hoop Scheffer LONDON, July 30 (AFP) NATO is to use smaller bombs in its campaign against Taliban rebels in Afghanistan to try to limit rising civilian casualties, the alliance's chief told Monday's Financial Times. NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer acknowledged that the number of civilians killed in clashes between NATO forces and Taliban fighters had damaged its reputation. NATO was “working with weapons load on aircraft to reduce collateral damage,” he said, but noted that it was impossible to entirely eliminate civilian casualties. De Hoop Scheffer said that General Dan McNeill, the commander of the 37,000-strong ISAF in Afghanistan, had told troops that they should hold off attacking Taliban fighters in situations where civilians would be put at risk.(Posted @ 12:30 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 4.34 points: KARACHI, July 30: At close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 13634.84, up 4.34 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, July 30: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 61.05 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
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