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| August 30, 2007 | Thursday | Sha’aban 16, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Sharif to return to Pakistan September 10 LONDON, Aug 30 (AFP) - Pakistan's former prime minister Nawaz Sharif said Thursday he would return to his country on September 10, ending nearly seven years of exile in Saudi Arabia and Britain. He would be accompanied by his brother Shahbaz Sharif, a former chief minister of the Punjab province. He also said that from Islamabad airport he would proceed in a motorcade to Lahore along the Grand Trunk Road. “On the 10th of September we will be landing at Islamabad,” he told reporters at a London press conference, adding that he wanted to “launch a decisive battle” against President Pervez Musharraf. Nawaz Sharif, who served as premier between 1990 and 1993 and again from 1997 to 1999, condemned the proposed Musharraf- Bhutto deal as “bad for the country” and “very unfortunate”. “This man, Musharraf, is on his way out ... no-one should try to rescue his sinking ship for personal motives,” he said. (First Posted @ 19:30 PST Updated @ 20:18 PST)
Martial law and emergency no solution: Musharraf ISLAMABAD, Aug 30 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf Thursday underlined the need for political stability and said martial law and emergency were not a solution. “In the run up to election, the political environment should remain stable. Martial Law, emergency are not the solution to our future, but Pakistan comes first,” President Musharraf told participants in the weekly PTV programme “Aiwan-e-Sadr sey”, when asked whether the uncertain political situation was affecting economic growth. “We should go for the election -- my election and that of national and provincial assemblies -- and these must be held on time; free and transparent and on merit.” The President agreed that the nation was facing uncertainty. “There are rumours, distortions, and the unfortunate part is that these are by design, to create uncertainties.” He said he wanted to control these but since there was no dictatorship in the country, he wanted to do it in a democratic manner. “I am not a dictator ... I have freed and opened up the media ... democracy is our need,” the President said. He was confident that the political uncertainty should end during the next 3-4 months. “My election should be held between 15 September and 15 October, as it is a legal and constitutional requirement and the national and provincial election should be held this year.” The President said it was the right of the people to vote, but stressed that the system of checks and balances must be there to ensure continuity of the system. “The objective of setting up the National Security Council (NSC) is to have a system of checks and balances on the power brokers of Pakistan,” President Musharraf said. He said in the past people used to go to the Army Chief, when they faced any problem, but hoped that with the creation of a constitutional body of NSC, this matter would be addressed. (Posted @ 21:32 PST)
Militants kidnap at least 25 Pakistani soldiers near the Afghan border ISLAMABAD, Aug 30 (AP) - Suspected militants ambushed several vehicles carrying dozens of soldiers in troubled northwestern Pakistan on Thursday, kidnapping at least 25 of them after snatching their weapons, officials said. The soldiers were travelling between Wana, the main town in South Waziristan, and Ladha, another town in the region, two intelligence officials said on condition of anonymity. One of the officials said at least 25 soldiers were kidnapped, while the other said there were between 70 and 100 soldiers taken. An army officer based near Islamabad confirmed the incident, but provided no further details. (First Posted @ 21:40 PST Updated @ 22:02 PST)
Pervez Musharraf rejects pressure for Benazir Bhutto decision ISLAMABAD, Aug 30 (AFP) President Pervez Musharraf rejected calls by ex-premier Benazir Bhutto for a quick decision on a power-sharing deal that would see him quit as army chief, his spokesman, retired Major General Rashid Qureshi, said Thursday. Benazir told Britain's Guardian newspaper that Musharraf had until Friday to respond to her about the pact following talks in London, adding: “There are no ultimatums, but we need to know where we stand by then.” But Qureshi said the president would not react to pressure and dismissed media reports that Benazir had in fact delivered an ultimatum during the talks. “While the president believes in dialogue and deliberations on all important issues he never works under any pressure or ultimatum,” Rashid Qureshi said in a statement. “The president would take all decisions only in national interest at appropriate times according to the constitution and law,” he said. (Posted @ 12:47 PST)
Mirwaiz says Kashmir talks break down SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Talks between India and moderate Kashmiri separatists have broken down after three years, and the failure could push the next generation towards extremism, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman of All-Parties Hurriyet Conference said Thursday. He said India lacked the will to find a political solution. “I think it (the dialogue) has already broken down. More than a year and half has passed and we have not moved an inch anywhere,” Mirwaiz told Reuters in an interview. “It is an indication there is complete breakdown of communication. “Maybe, there is more extremism, hardline attitude, which might erupt with the new generation.” He was also of the view that the broader India-Pakistan peace process “is on track but too slow”. “To be honest enough, I don't think now they (New Delhi) are much interested. I think their approach has always been to delay as much as possible,” said the 35-year-old chief cleric. (Posted @ 17:00 PST)
Pakistan asks India to abandon Wullar Barrage project NEW DELHI, Aug 30 (APP): Pakistan has asked India to abandon Wullar Barrage project as it is not consistent to the Indus Basin Treaty. Talking to APP on the conclusion of the first day of the two-day Pak-India talks on the subject on Thursday, Muhammad Ismail Qureshi, Pakistan’s Secretary of Ministry of water and Power said during the talks both sides presented their respective positions on this issue. Pakistan had taken the stand that it was a natural lake and man-made storage could not be built on it as it would interfere with the flow of Jhelum River which was allocated to Pakistan under the Treaty. India should abandon this project as it violates the Treaty. Legal and technical aspects of the issue also came under discussion, he said. The structure proposed by India is that of a barrage and will convert the natural lake into a man-made storage, he said. The Secretary said, previously, India presented the project as a regulating structure. Now it has taken the position that it is a navigational lock. The Indian project will change the availability and flow of water prejudicing Pakistan”s uses. Pakistan”s uses cannot be subordinated to pattern and quantum of flow for India”s navigational uses. A joint statement is likely to be issued on Friday after the conclusion of the talks. (Posted @ 20:10 PST)
Cricket: PCB constitution approved LAHORE, Aug 30 (APP)- The new constitution of Pakistan Cricket Board has been approved by the Patron, President General Parvez Musharraf and it will be implemented soon after issuance of its official notification, Chairman, Pakistan Cricket Board, (PCB) Dr Nasim Ashraf told newsmen Thursday at Gadaffi stadium. Answering a question he said PCB has failed to locate batsman Muhammad Yousaf who has joined Indian Cricket League (ICL) to discuss the issue with him in person. However, efforts are continuing to establish contact with Yousuf and discuss the matter with him. He was delighted that Pakistan's key test players including Shoaib Malik ,Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif, Younis Khan and Shahid Afridi turned down lucrative ICL offer. “ We have a clear policy and message for the players: those who join ICL will not be able to play for Pakistan in future “,he said. (Posted @ 20:30 PST)
Judiciary to continue its role for the supremacy of law, constitution: CJP ISLAMABAD, Aug 30 (APP): Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry said Thursday that judiciary is acting for the supremacy of law and constitution and will continue to uphold it. Talking to delegations of Peshawar High Court Bar Association, Abottabad Bench and District Bar Associations of Kasur, Abbottabad, Mansehra and Haripur he said that people of Pakistan expect judiciary to act for the supremacy of constitution and upholding the rule of law. Bar and Bench both are involved in the process of dispensation of justice and they should work together to provide services to the people, he said, adding, their job is to provide justice to the common man. Chief Justice said suo motu is constitutional power available to the Supreme Court and is being exercised in the interest of the poor segments of society as well as other deserving cases. “Better services can be provided by quick disposal of cases” a press release quoted him as saying. Chief Justice said that each and every case will be decided on merit and the supremacy of the constitution will be maintained. He said our salvation is in strict adherence to the rule of law. (Posted @ 20:36 PST)
Military operations to be conducted by Pakistani forces: Musharraf ISLAMABAD, Aug 30 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf Thursday categorically stated that military operations, against suspected militant hideouts, in Pakistani territory will be executed by Pakistani forces. Talking to a delegation led by Commander Special Operations Command Admiral Eric T. Olson and US ambassador to Pakistan Mrs. Anne W. Patterson he expressed concern on statements in the US media conveying an impression that the NATO Forces had permission to operate inside Pakistani territory. “The President re-emphasized that all operations that are required to be undertaken in Pakistani territory will be executed by Pakistani Forces,” a statement released at the end of meeting said. The US General who had witnessed exercises by Pakistan Army’s Special Services Group (SSG) said he was greatly impressed by their courage and professional abilities. He also assured the President of continuing intelligence and operational co-ordination between the Pakistani Army and NATO Forces in Afghanistan. The President and Admiral Eric T. Olson agreed that the co- operation and co-ordination between the two forces was excellent and hoped it will be improved further. (Posted @ 19:58 PST)
US urges Musharraf to honor commitments WASHINGTON, Aug 30 (AFP) - The White House on Thursday urged Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf to honour past commitments, but said it would be up to Pakistanis to decide if he should step down as military chief. “Musharraf has made commitments in the past,” said spokesman Gordon Johndroe, adding that Pakistanis would have to decide whether Musharraf should keep his military position. “These are issues for the Pakistanis to deal with,” said Johndroe, adding that Washington, first and foremost, “seeks free and fair elections” in Pakistan. In Islamabad, President Musharraf’s spokesman has said that the president, who has kept his army position since seizing power in a bloodless coup in 1999, is still considering the details of the deal and will not be rushed into making an announcement. (Posted @ 21:48 PST)
Last three SKorean hostages freed: Red Cross GHAZNI, Aug 30 (AFP) - The Taliban's last three South Korean hostages were handed over to the ICRC late Thursday. The two man and two women were being driven in a Red Cross vehicle to the town of Ghazni, ICRC official Irfan Sulejmani told AFP. Four other hostages were freed hours earlier and 12 were released on Wednesday. The Taliban captured 23 aid workers in Ghazni province six weeks ago. They killed two of them. With Thursday's release, the remainder have all been freed. (Posted @ 21:44 PST)
Seven die as jeep falls into deep ravine near Balakot PESHAWAR, Aug 30 (APP): Seven persons died on Thursday when a jeep fell into a ravine in Satbani near Balakot in Manshera district, after the driver lost control while negotiating a sharp turn. A couple of other passengers suffered serious injuries. (Posted @ 21:26 PST)
Musharraf himself to decide timing of doffing uniform: Shujaat ISLAMABAD, Aug 30 (APP): President of ruling Pakistan Muslim League Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain Thursday said President Musharraf will himself decide about timing of doffing his uniform in the light of law and constitution. “Uniform is not an issue for Benazir or someone else to decide. It is an issue about which the president will himself decide accordance with the constitution.” Chaudhry Shujaat told PTV. He said other constitutional options are available with the government besides reconciliation with PPP and the constitution will be strictly adhered to in every case. About the outcome of ongoing dialogue with PPP he said nothing concrete can be said right now as final stage has not come as yet. Chaudhry Shujaat termed former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif an arrogant person who has once again started asserting himself which he said would again lead him down. (Posted @ 18:56 PST)
Two US soldiers killed in Iraq BAGHDAD, Aug 30 (AFP) - Insurgents killed two American soldiers in separate attacks in Iraq, the military said on Thursday. A soldier was killed and another wounded in western Baghdad during combat operations, while another soldier died in an explosion near his vehicle in the province of Diyala, northeast of the Iraqi capital, the military said. (Posted @ 20:44 PST)
Blast damages gas pipeline in Dera Bugti QUETTA, Pakistan, Aug 30 (APP): Suspected miscreants blew up the 16- inch diameter gas pipeline supplying gas to purification plant in Dera Bugti on Thursday. The also damaged a 50 kv electricity transformer. As a result gas supply to purification plant and some parts of Sui were suspended. (Posted @ 20:02 PST)
Malaysia marks 50 years as a nation KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 30 (AFP) - Kuala Lumpur's skyscrapers lit up with scenes from history Thursday as Malaysia began celebrating 50 years of independence. Celebrations continue Friday, with dignitaries including Britain's Prince Andrew and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei joining thousands of Malaysians for a daytime parade and night-time party in Independence Stadium. Prime ministers from Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia have also arrived. (Posted @ 19:42 PST)
Pakistan condemns publication of offensive sketch in Swedish journal ISLAMABAD, Aug 30 (APP): Pakistan on Thursday condemned in strongest terms the publication of a blasphemous sketch in a Swedish newspaper 'Nerikes Allehanda' in Orebro city. Sweden's Charge d'Affaires was summoned to the Foreign Office and strong protest was lodged with him, a Foreign Office press release said. The envoy said the Swedish government fully shared the views of Muslim community and termed the publication as unfortunate. Pakistan will hold consultations with the Organization for Islamic Conference (OIC) to determine the future course of action against the repetition of such provocative publications. (Posted @ 19:00 PST)
Consistency, transparency, reforms have been govt's hallmark: Shaukat Aziz KARACHI, Aug 30 (APP) Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Wednesday consistency, transparency and reforms have been the hallmark of the present Government. Addressing members of the business community here at the Governor House, Aziz termed this as “historic” because “Pakistan has never had any parliament, which completed the five years.” The Prime Minister said Pakistan is now moving toward election mode. The Presidential Elections will be held between September 15 and October 15 in accordance with the schedule to be announced by the Election Commission. Aziz said the presidential election will be followed by the general elections in which the ruling coalition will contest from a single platform. He said at present we are attaining national political reconciliation and in this regard we are interacting with all the parties at different levels. Aziz said the elections will be fair and transparent. “We have invited everyone to send their observers to Pakistan and the best observer is our (own) media,” he said. Talking about militancy, Aziz said one of its root causes was the situation in Afghanistan. People go back and forth across the border and we have millions of Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Militants coming from the other side seek safe haven in refugee camps and recruit people from these camps to use them for attainment of their motives back home, he added. He said the Government is trying to use its forces to prevent this. Regarding economic growth, the Prime Minister said the present Government is expanding the size of the country's economy and that there is growth in every sector. (Posted @ 12:45 PST)
Pakistan promotes peace for stability, growth, prosperity: PM KARACHI, Aug 30 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Thursday said Pakistan is the country which promotes and propagates peace because “peace guarantees stability, growth and prosperity. ” Addressing the closing session of Pakistan Navy War Game Exercise Shamsheer-e-Behr-III he said Pakistan is pursuing the strategy for peace and at the same time improving its defense capabilities to ensure that it is not marginalized. Peace could only be achieved with strength. Therefore, we need to identify various initiatives to ensure a minimum credible deterrence, he said. The Prime Minister said we have always demonstrated that we are a responsible nuclear power. “ We will continue to proceed on this path and upgrade our forces to maintain their capabilities,” he said. (Posted @ 17:50 PST)
Relatives of missing people protest in occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, Aug 30 (AP) - A large number of relatives of people who have disappeared in insurgency-wracked occupied Kashmir demanded information about their missing kin on Thursday, the U.N. International Day of the Disappeared. Carrying banners and photographs of their missing relatives, nearly 45 members of the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons held a sit-in at a park in Srinagar. “Tell us whether they're dead or alive,” they chanted. The group, set up in 1994, has been pressing for the creation of an independent commission to investigate thousands of disappearances in the state since a separatist insurgency began in 1989. Ghulam Nabi Mir, a spokesman of the APDP, said the group would continue working for a “world without disappearances.” Local human rights groups say an estimated 8,000-10,000 disappearances have been reported in the disputed Himalayan region in the last 18 years. More than a dozen Kashmiri rebel groups have been fighting for independence from predominantly Hindu India or its merger with Pakistan. More than 68,000 people, most of them civilians, have been killed in the insurgency. (Posted @ 17:40 PST)
Squash-Pakistan's Jansher to return after five-year absence KARACHI, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Pakistan's former world champion Jansher Khan is coming out of retirement to play in a Professional Squash Association tournament in October. The 38-year-old Khan said he had been assured a wild card entry by the organisers of the PSA tournament, which is being held in London from Oct 11. “The reason for my comeback is that I feel I am mentally and physically fit to play the international circuit for another three to four years,” he said at a news conference on Thursday. Jansher and countryman Jahangir Khan dominated the world squash circuit for nearly two decades, winning a total of 16 British Open and 14 World titles between them. (Posted @ 17:04 PST)
Pakistan and Bangladesh agree to boost trade DHAKA, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Pakistan has agreed to sell rice to Bangladesh as part of efforts to raise annual bilateral trade to $1.0 billion, officials of the two countries said on Thursday, after a two-day meeting in Dhaka. But the meeting made no headway on the repatriation of around 300,000 Biharis stranded in Bangladesh for 36 years. “We will continue to look at this issue from a humanitarian point of view”, Pakistan foreign secretary Riaz Mohammad Khan said, without elaborating. “We export 1.5 million tonnes of rice annually,” he said. “We can sell coarse rice to Bangladesh to meet its immediate import requirements and also to boost trade between us,” he told reporters. Khan said 10,000 tonnes of wheat Pakistan had promised to gift Bangladesh before the floods would arrive next month. (Posted @ 16:48 PST)
Indian Maoists kill 12 policemen in ambush RAIPUR, India, Aug 30 (AFP) - Maoists shot dead 12 Indian policemen in an ambush in the densely forested central state of Chhattisgarh, police said Thursday. The 12 were part of a team dispatched to clear Maoist landmines in Dantewada district, 500 kilometres from state capital Raipur, late Wednesday.The rebels, who launched their campaign in 1967 and today operate in 14 of India's 29 states, say they are fighting for the rights of landless farmers. (Posted @ 16:28 PST)
IAEA says Iran nuclear accord a 'significant step' VIENNA, Aug 30 (AFP) - Iran's agreement to answer key questions about its nuclear programme is “a significant step forward,” but Tehran must do more to build confidence that it does not seek atomic weapons, the UN nuclear watchdog agency said Thursday. “The work plan is a significant step forward,” the IAEA)said in a confidential report obtained by AFP. (Posted @ 16:25 PST)
Key Taliban commander killed KANDAHAR, Aug 30 (AFP) – Mullah Brader, one of the Taliban's most senior commanders, was among several rebels killed in an early morning battle Thursday in Helmand province, the defence ministry said. Also on Thursday, a British soldier and his interpreter were killed while on patrol near the Kandahar airfield, the British defence ministry said. “The fighting took place after the Taliban ambushed troops. We called in air support and I think Brader was killed by air fire,” a senior military officer said. The clashes took place near Musa Qala, which has been under rebel control for months. Brader is said to be related to Taliban chief Mullah Omar through marriage. He was considered more senior than Taliban commander Mullah Dadullah, killed in a military operation in May. Elsewhere, in the province of Kunar, eight civilians were killed when a rocket landed on their house during an exchange of fire between Taliban fighters and ISAF soldiers at a nearby base, a district official said. It was not clear who had fired the rocket. (Posted @ 16:20 PST)
Lower-caste mobs protest alleged killing by higher caste in northern India NEW DELHI, Aug 30 (AP) Angry mobs from low-ranking castes set a bus on fire and stoned police in northern India Thursday after a man from their community was allegedly killed by members of a higher caste, a police official and news reports said. Hundreds of protesters chanted slogans denouncing the higher castes and demanded the immediate arrest of the killers of Rakesh Kumar, a dalit, one of the lowest groups on India's complex social ladder. Police dispersed the crowds in several cities and towns in the state of Haryana, CNN-IBN news channel reported. Kumar, 30, was reportedly shot and killed by three unidentified assailants on two motorbikes on Monday night in Gohana, a small town about 200 kilometres southwest of Chandigarh, the joint capital of Haryana and Punjab. (Posted @ 14:14 PST)
10 rebels killed in northern Sri Lanka COLOMBO, Aug 30(AP): A series of mortar attacks and gunbattles between government troops and Tamil rebels across northern Sri Lanka killed 10 insurgents, the military said on Thursday. It said none of its troops were killed in the three separate battles that took place on Wednesday. (Posted @ 12:50 PST)
Injured Muralitharan to miss Twenty20 Worlds COLOMBO, Aug 30(AFP): Sri Lanka's prolific spinner Muttiah Muralitharan was on Thursday ruled out of the inaugural World Twenty20 Championships next month due to an elbow injury. “Murali is affected by an elbow injury and will be out for four to six weeks,” Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Secretary Kangadaran Mathivanan told AFP.(Posted @ 10:50 PST)
Eleven dead bodies found in Baghdad BAGHDAD, Aug 30 (Reuters) Eleven bodies were found in various parts of Baghdad in the past 24 hours, police said. In Kirkuk city’s Dumez district, a car bomb killed three civilians and wounded seven others Wednesday, police said. Separately, two people were killed and one wounded in a mortar attack on a residential area in Kirkuk the same day, police said. In the southern city of Diwaniyah, two bodyguards of a government official were killed by a roadside bomb targeting their convoy, police said. (Posted @ 09:50 PST)
China's finance minister resigns BEIJING, Aug 30 (AFP) China's Finance Minister Jin Renqing has quit and been transferred to a think tank, a government spokesman said Thursday. “Due to personal reasons, comrade Jin Renqing has tendered his resignation and the central government has accepted his request,” an official from the information office of the State Council, or cabinet, told AFP. “The government has already approved his appointment as vice-director of the State Council's Development Research Centre.” (Posted @ 09:32 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 142.37 points: KARACHI, Aug 30: At close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 12370.43, up 142.37 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, Aug 30: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.98 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
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