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| September 01, 2007 | Saturday | Sha’aban 18, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Benazir says no deal yet with Musharraf, returning to Pakistan soon LONDON, Sept 1 (AFP) - Former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto said Saturday that she had not yet reached a power-sharing deal with President Pervez Musharraf, but was planning to return to the country soon. “No understanding has been arrived at and we are making our plans to return,” she told a press conference in London, adding that her political party in Pakistan would announce the precise date of her return on September 14. She said negotiations with Musharraf were “80 percent successful”. Asked what remained to be discussed, she said: “What was left was one and a half points pertaining to the sovereignty of parliament and the presidential and parliamentary elections.” ”I'm unaware of how the talks will go ... it's very unclear because they went back to Pakistan. I have only seen the newspaper reports on it,” she added later. She said at the press conference that Nawaz Sharif had embarked on a “personal vendetta” against Musharraf, adding that her party's politics were not based on personality. Responding to questions whether her return to Pakistan could destabilise the country, she said: “I want the country to be secure and I want my people to be happy so I stayed away five years, but in these five years, I saw my country destabilised by my absence.” She said that her party was looking for a “moderate future for Pakistan” that was “free of terrorism”. “The very unity and integrity of our country is at threat.” (Posted @ 21:04 PST)
At least four killed, several injured as road bridge collapses in Karachi KARACHI, Pakistan, Sept 1 (AP) - A recently constructed road bridge collapsed in Karachi on Saturday, killing at least four people and injuring several others, officials said. At least two cars, a police van and a donkey cart were crushed under the heavy masonry. A truck with a trailer and a minibus lay upturned by the 100-meter llong, curved section of the overpass that crashed onto a road about 15 meters below. City mayor Mustafa Kamal said they were using heavy machinery and bulldozers to remove debris and pull out injured people trapped in at least two or three vehicles. Azhar Faruqi, the city police chief, said they had transported two bodies to a hospital, while another two bodies could be seen inside a crushed car. “Witnesses say they saw four or five vehicles on the bridge when it caved in,” he said. Hospital officials reported receiving at least five injured people. Mohammed Iqbal, a survivor who escaped through the window of a small bus that fell from the bridge, told a private TV channel that some other passengers were still trapped in vehicles and under masonry and he had heard their cries for help. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz expressed sorrow over the loss of life and concern over the quality of construction of the bridge which was inaugurated by President Gen. Pervez Musharraf in August. “Investigations have been ordered to find the reasons of the collapse and people responsible for substandard construction would be taken to task,” Aziz said in a statement. Bystanders and relatives of those trapped under the rubble were angered by slow rescue efforts and threw stones at police and paramilitary security forces deployed at the scene, injuring two. In response, the security forces baton-charged the crowd. Rescue workers were using diggers to try and excavate one car which was crushed under masonry and had a woman's hand protruding from it. Authorities made announcements requesting the hundreds of onlookers to stay back amid fears that more of the overpass could collapse. (First Posted @ 14:30 PST Updated @ 18:18 PST)
Suicide attacks kill three Pakistan soldiers BAJAUR, Pakistan, Sept 1 (AFP) - Two suicide attacks on Pakistani military forces in the country's northwestern tribal area Saturday left three soldiers dead and nine injured, officials said. The soldiers were killed when a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-filled car into a paramilitary vehicle in Bajaur tribal district, officials said. A civilian was also killed in the attack. Panicked soldiers then opened fire, killing two civilians on a morobike in Mureen, 18 kilometers north of Khar, the main town in Bajaur, local security official Jameel Khan said adding that the blast also injured 11 people, including two soldiers. In the other attack, a suicide bomber rammed his jeep into a security forces convoy in Tank district, which borders South Waziristan. “Seven soldiers were wounded in the attack but none of them is in serious condition,” local administration official Ahmed Shah said. (Posted @ 21:06 PST)
Negotiations continue for 150 trapped Pakistani soldiers ISLAMABAD, Sept 1 (AFP) - Pakistani authorities and tribal elders were Saturday negotiating to secure safe passage for around 150 soldiers trapped in Ladha region in South Waziristan district on Thursday in stormy rainfall. “There are around 150 soldiers and they are trapped in a situation where it will be risky for them to get out without settlement of a dispute between local militants and tribal people,” a senior security official told AFP. The soldiers were travelling from the militant-hit South Waziristan tribal region to neighbouring North Waziristan when they lost contact with army headquarters, sparking fears they had been abducted. (Posted @ 15:55 PST)
Afghan, US-led troops kill 70 Taliban in clashes KABUL, Sept 1 (AP) - U.S.-led coalition and Afghan security forces backed by airpower killed about 70 suspected militants in Afghanistan, authorities said Saturday. Late Friday, Afghan security forces backed by U.S.-led troops raided compounds in three villages in the remote Pitigal Valley border region. The troops killed more than 20 insurgents and detained 11 others in the raids. They also discovered a bomb-making factory and seized various weapons and communication gear, the statement said. One coalition solider was injured in the raids, it said. Meanwhile, a bomb attached to a bicycle in Mazar-e-Sharif wounded nine people, two seriously, said police spokesman Sher Jan Durani. In the province of Ghazni, Afghan police attacked a group of Taliban planning to strike security forces, killing 18 and arresting six others, said provincial police Gen. Ali Shah Ahmadai. In the Musa Qala district in Helmand province, a combined police and coalition patrol came under attack on Friday from mortars, rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire, the coalition said in a statement. In the fight that ensued, almost two dozen insurgents were killed. No Afghans or coalition soldiers were killed, the statement said. Also in Musa Qala, Afghan forces Saturday called in coalition airstrikes after coming under attack, the coalition said. The strikes on the “known enemy positions” killed seven insurgents, the statement said. (First Posted @ 16:35 PST Updated @ 23:02 PST)
Public confidence in Pakistan judiciary restored: CJP ISLAMABAD, Sep 1 (APP): Public confidence in the courts has been restored and every decision of the courts enjoys the support of the people of Pakistan, Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry said Saturday Addressing delegations of Free legal Aid Committee, Pakistan Bar Council and Lahore High Court Bar, Multan Bench and Bahawalpur Bench he said Judgements delivered by the superior courts are public property and the public will ensure that these decisions are not violated and implemented in true spirit. Responding to a query regarding shortage of judges he said there is no delay on the part of the Supreme Court, and added that he would ask the government to take necessary action in this regard and appoint more judges as soon as possible. Elaborating the suo motu actions on public interest cases, he said that high courts and district and session courts will be involved to provide relief to the common man. “But there are some legal issues which are being looked into to improve the system” he added. The Chief Justice said: “The responsibility upon you has doubled due to the trust and confidence bestowed upon you by the society and you have to ensure that services provided by you are effective and efficient”. (Posted @ 22:38 PST)
Strong judiciary can bring political stability: PHC CJ PESHAWAR, Sept 1 (APP):Chief Justice of Peshawar of High Court Justice Tariq Pervez Saturday said that strong judiciary can bring political stability and restoration of people's trust in the system. Speaking at the National Institute of Management he said judiciary enjoys complete freedom in the country and has enough resources to ensure rule of law. (Posted @ 22:34 PST)
Curfew in India's Allahabad following violence Allahabad, Sep 01 (APP/IINA): Curfew was imposed in Allahabad Saturday following stone-pelting by an agitated mob over the alleged desecration of a holy book, resulting in injuries to more than a dozen policemen. The trouble began late last night in Kareli Police Station area where a holy book was allegedly found desecrated inside a place of worship, police said. Enraged people gheraoed the police station and pelted stones for about an hour, resulting in injuries to two Sub-Inspectors of Police and damage to several vehicles. Police resorted to baton charge and fired in the air to disperse the mob and later imposed curfew. (Posted @ 22:14 PST)
Hockey: Japan shock Pakistan in Asia Cup CHENNAI, India, Sept 2 (AFP) - Japan stunned three-time champions Pakistan 3-1 in their opening match of the Asia Cup field hockey tournament here Saturday. Ono Tomonori scored two goals and Yamabori Takahiko one to secure Japan's first-ever victory over Pakistan in a major international tournament. Shakeel Abbasi hammered home a consolation goal for the South Asians. Other matches were one-sided as India whipped Sri Lanka 20-0, South Korea thrashed Thailand 16-0, Malaysia outplayed Hong Kong 13-1 and China defeated Bangladesh 6-0. “We were not expecting this result,” said Pakistani coach Islahuddin Siddiqui. “If you don't play well on a particular day, then any team can beat you. We had chances but missed them at crucial stages. Their goalkeeper performed very well and they made the most of their chances.” Pakistan, Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore are in Group A while Group B comprises South Korea, India, China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals. (Posted @ 22:06 PST)
Nawaz Sharif warns West against 'blind support' for Musharraf LONDON, Sept 1 (AFP) - The West should not give “blind support” to Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and must distinguish between democracy and his “misrule”, ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif told AFP Saturday. Speaking at the plush west London offices of his political party, he said he would never negotiate with the military leader who ousted him nearly eight years ago. He said the West “should clearly differentiate between a democratic rule and misrule because he (Musharraf) is the one who has brought Pakistan to the brink ... I only want that the West should take note of what he's doing, and not provide blind support to a dictator.” ”This dictator has his own personal agenda, which differs from the agenda of the country, and he's using the army to perpetuate his illegal rule,” he said. “Talking to Musharraf today means that we are strengthening the dictatorship in Pakistan, talking to Musharraf means that we don't want undiluted democracy in Pakistan,” he said referring to Benazir-Musharraf talks. (Posted @ 22:00 PST)
Nawaz Sharif says will defend in court if any cases are brought up ISLAMABAD, Sept 1 (APP): Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has said if any cases related to the two PML-N governments were brought up he would defend in court, party spokesman said. Nawaz Sharif made the remarks while chairing a meeting of PML-N senior leaders in London on Saturday. He asserted that there were no pending cases of corruption against him and his brother Shahbaz. “If any cases are fabricated we shall defend in court instead of seeking pardon or indemnity because our hands are clean,” the party quoted him as saying. He said his party stands for making Pakistan a modern progressive state through restoration of democracy and establishment of rule of law. The former prime minister, who has announced he would return to Pakistan on September 10 with Shahbaz, underlined the need for free, fair and transparent general election under a neutral caretaker government. Nawaz Sharif said the fate of the country could not be decided through any deals and vowed that the nation would not allow anyone to “hijack the future of the country for self interest.” “Now the nation is awake and it will not allow anyone to violate the constitution”, he said. (Posted @ 21:48 PST)
Benazir demanded to much: minister LONDON, Sept 1 (AP) - Former Pakistani leader Benazir Bhutto said Saturday that power-sharing talks with President Gen. Pervez Musharraf were at a standstill, but that she planned to return to the nation even without a deal. In Pakistan, ruling party officials immediately said Benazir Bhutto would face charges related to corruption allegations if she returned. Tariq Azim Chaudhry, a senior member of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Q party's central executive council, blamed her for the failure of the talks, saying “she was asking too many concessions.” “Our party was not ready to allow a corrupt politician like her to return to Pakistan and take part in politics against us,” he told The Associated Press. “She wanted that the president should not have the power to dissolve the Parliament. She wanted that we should scrap corruption cases against her, and this is what we didn't accept.” He said Benazir Bhutto would have to face the law after her return to Pakistan. However, Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed maintained there was still hope for success in talks between Benazir Bhutto and the government. (Posted @ 21:34 PST)
Bomb kills 9 civilians in Sri Lanka COLOMBO, Sri Lanka. Sept 1 (AP) - A bomb blast killed nine civilians in northern Sri Lanka on Saturday, the insurgents said. A vehicle carrying about 13 civilians was hit by a bomb in northern Mannar district, the rebels said in an e-mailed statement, blaming government soldiers for planting the explosive. The military denied responsibility. (Posted @ 21:38 PST)
Two killed in Sri Lanka artillery clash COLOMBO, Sept 1 (AFP) -Government forces and Tamil Tiger rebels exchanged artillery fire in the island's northwest, with each side claiming heavy casualties against the other. The LTTE said they killed a government soldier and lost one of their own fighters during Friday's clashes in the coastal district of Mannar. The defence ministry said 11 guerrillas were killed, while nine of its soldiers were wounded. (Posted @ 15:45 PST)
One killed, several wounded in Hamas rally at Rafah border crossing RAFAH, Gaza Strip, Sept 1 (AP) - A Hamas protester was killed and several others wounded at a Hamas rally on the Egyptian border, medics said. Tens of thousands of flag-waving Hamas supporters gathered at the Rafah border crossing with Egypt to demand it be reopened. Its gunmen fired in the air to block the massive crowds from approaching the border terminal and attempting to infiltrate into Egypt. A teenager was shot in the head and later died of his wounds and a few others were wounded by random gunfire. The border, Gaza's only gateway to the outside world, has been shut since the Hamas takeover. Hamas charges that Abbas' government does not want the crossing opened because that would help the Islamic group hold on to power in Gaza. “This is a peaceful protest to voice our message that we are looking for freedom,” said Issa Mashar a top Hamas leader in Rafah. “We came to send a message from the people who are suffering.” (Posted @ 21:26 PST)
Car bomb wounds eleven people in occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, Sept 1 (Reuters) Eleven people, including four soldiers, were wounded on Saturday when suspected militants detonated a car bomb in Hyderpora, a residential area in Srinagar. Earlier on Saturday, police defused another bomb in the same area. More than 42,000 people have been killed in violence in the Muslim-majority region since 1989 in a separatist revolt against Indian rule. Human rights groups put the toll at around 60,000 dead or missing. (Posted @ 21:22 PST)
Cricket: Pakistan beat Uganda by 148 runs in Twenty20 international NAIROBI, Sept 1 (AFP) - Pakistan beat Uganda by 148 runs in the four-nation Twenty20 cricket international tournament at the Nairobi Gymkhana club on Saturday. Scores: Pakistan 226-3; Uganda 78-7. (Posted @ 20:50 PST)
Indian troops martyr 61 Kashmiris in August ISLAMABAD, Sep 1 (APP): In occupied Kashmir, Indian troops martyred 61 Kashmiris, including three persons in custody, one women and a child during August. According to Kashmir Media Service, 204 persons were tortured or critically injured,7 structures including shops and residential houses were destroyed and 12 persons were kidnapped by troops, KMS reported. During the month, nine women were widowed, 21 women were disgraced or molested and 17 children orphaned. (Posted @ 19:10 PST)
India not sincere in resolving Kashmir issue: Barrister Sultan ISLAMABAD, Sep 1 (APP): Former Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and President of Peoples Muslim League, Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry said Saturday that India was not sincere in resolving the Kashmir issue. “Pakistan showed extraordinary flexibility to resolve the issue peacefully. However, India did not reciprocated with the same spirit,” he told a press conference. Lord Nazir Ahmed, Member of House of Lords also addressed the press conference. He supported Preident Musharraf's proposal for demilitarization and softening of Line of Control and stressed the need for involving Kashmiris in the dialogue process for the solution of Kashmir issue. Lord Nazir Ahmed endorsed Barrister Sultan;s views on the lingering Kashmir problem. He also complanined that WAPDA has forcibly deprived the people of Mirpur of their lands and is yet to give compensation to them for the Mangla Dam expansion project. (Posted @ 18:35 PST)
Rebels kill former top policeman in occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir,Sept 1 (AFP) – Suspected militants shot dead retired Superintendent of Police Mohammad Amin Khan in revolt-hit occupied Kashmir and wounded his bodyguard in the first high-profile killing this year, police said Saturday. He was killed late Friday in his apple orchard in his native village of Babagund, 35 kilometres north of Srinagar, and Hizbul Mujahedin claimed responsibility for the killing in telephone calls to local media, accusing Khan of leading counter-insurgency operations before his retirement last year. . (Posted @ 16:00 PST)
Three killed, 12 injured in road accident in Chitral CHITRAL, Pakistan, Sept 1 (APP): At least three persons were killed and 12 injured when a passenger jeep plunged into Sheshi Koh River in Chitral region. According to police, the jeep was on its way from Drosh, some 45 km from Chitral, to Sheshikoh valley. Near Sheshi bridge, it plunged into a deep ravine and further down into Sheshi River. (Posted @ 18:30 PST)
Three brothers among six gunned down near Iraqi oil city BAGHDAD, Sept 1 (AFP) - Six people were killed in Iraq on Saturday, including three brothers who were shot dead in their car near Kirkuk, police said. The brothers were driving with a fourth brother when they came under attack from gunmen near the town of Hawijah, west of Kirkuk. In another attack in Hawijah, a businessman was also similarly shot dead by a group of armed men on Saturday. Two people were killed and two others wounded when a roadside bomb struck a bus east of the city of Baquba, northeast of Baghdad, police Lieutenant Colonel Najim al-Sumaidai said. (Posted @ 18:06 PST)
Senior British general attacks US strategy in Iraq LONDON, Sept 1 (AFP) -The head of the British Army during the 2003 invasion of Iraq has launched a fierce attack on the United States over its running of the troubled country since, a newspaper reported Saturday.General Sir Mike Jackson branded US post-invasion policy “intellectually bankrupt” and said its then defence secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, was “one of the most responsible for the current situation in Iraq.” (Posted @ 15:40 PST)
India bomb blast kills one, injures 12 GUWAHATI, Sept 1(AFP): A powerful explosion at a busy market killed one person and wounded 12, four of them critically, in India's revolt-hit northeast, police said on Saturday. Police blamed the blast on the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), a rebel group fighting for an independent homeland since 1979. (Posted @ 14:20 PST)
S. Korea paid over $20mn ransom say Taliban SPIN BOLDAK, Sept 1(Reuters): South Korea paid Afghanistan's Taliban more than $20 million to release 19 missionaries they were holding hostage, a senior militant leader said on Saturday. “We got more than $20 million dollars from them (the Seoul government),” the commander told Reuters on condition of anonymity. South Korea denies: SEOUL: South Korea's presidential office denied a Taliban claim on Saturday that it had paid a ransom of more than $20 million for the release of 19 Christian missionaries held hostage in Afghanistan. “We deny any payment for the release of South Korean hostages,” said an official at the presidential Blue House. (Posted @ 11:27 PST)
WHO investigating unknown, deadly illness in Congo GENEVA, Sept 1(Reuters):The World Health Organisation said on Saturday it was investigating “an outbreak of an unknown illness with a high mortality rate” in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “The clinical features in the majority of cases include fever, headache, diarrhoea or colicky abdominal pain, and vomiting,” the United Nations agency said. (Posted @ 11:45 PST)
Tainted liquor kills 10 people in Nepal KATMANDU, Sept 1(AP): Tainted liquor has killed at least 10 people and sickened several others in a town in southern Nepal, the state-run news agency said Saturday. The deaths occurred on the outskirts of Janakpur, a town about 300 kilometers south of Katmandu, the National News Agency reported. (Posted @ 11:53 PST)
Two killed in Thailand's south NARATHIWAT, Thailand, Sept 1(AFP): Two people, including a soldier, were shot dead by suspected militants in separate attacks in Thailand's south, police said on Saturday. (Posted @ 11:43 PST)
Sikh man sues Texas judge DALLAS, Sept 1(AP): A Texas judge was sued on Friday for allegedly ordering a Sikh man from his courtroom for refusing to remove his turban while defending himself in a traffic citation case. (Posted @ 09:22 PST)
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