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| October 03, 2007 | Wednesday | Ramazan 20, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
SC issues notices to AG, respondents in petitions against Musharraf’s re-election bid ISLAMABAD, Oct 3 (APP) The Supreme Court Wednesday issued notices to Attorney General and other respondents in constitutional petitions filed under Article 184 (3) of the Constitution against President General Pervez Musharraf’s re-election bid. An eight-member bench issued the notices after hearing arguments of the counsels of all the three petitioners. The bench headed by Justice Javed Iqbal included Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar, Justice Mohammad Nawaz Abbasi, Justice Faqir Mohammad Khokhar, Justice Nasirul Mulk, Justice Raja Fayyaz Ahmed, Justice S yed Jamshed Ali Shah and Justice Ghulam Mohammad Rabbani. The respondents include the Chief Election Commissioner and the Federation, besides others. It adjourned the hearing of the petitions till Thursday. Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry had originally constituted a nine-member bench, but Justice Sardar Mohammad Raza Khan withdrew because he had already given his opinion in a similar matter a few days ago. The bench stopped the proceedings and referred the matter to the Chief Justice who reconstituted the bench excluding Justice Raza Khan. The proceedings were then resumed. Hours after the bench concluded the proceedings, the Chief Justice added two more judges to the panel, namely Justice Khalilur Rehman Ramday and Justice Tassadduque Hussain Jillani, according to the court's public relations department. During the sitting Wednesday, the bench said that the petitions related to matter of public importance touching upon fundamental rights of citizens. It said interpretation pertaining to Articles 41 (2), 41 (7), 62, 63 and 44 92) of the Constitution besides Presidential Election Rules 1988 are involved. The three petitions have been filed by presidential candidates Justice (Retd) Wajihuddin Ahmed and Makhdoom Amin Fahim and Waseem Rehan. Members of the bench raised a number of questions. Justice Abbasi asked the counsels of the candidate petitioners about news reports that their clients were not serious in contesting the election. Justice Dogar asked as to why existing parliament cannot exercise its powers regarding Presidential election. “How you (Latif Khosa) can challenge the forthcoming elections when your clients are also contesting. Do you want the uniform to continue?” he further asked. If forthcoming presidential elections are stayed then when this election will be due, Justice Khokhar and Justice Abbasi asked. Hamid Khan said that amendment in Article 62 and 63 of the Constitution by the Election Commission is mala fide. A uniformed candidate can not be equated with a civilian candidate, he said. Objections were raised before the Election Commission of Pakistan over nomination papers of Musharraf which were rejected, he said. Hamid Khan said that a military man was not eligible to contest election under Article 25 and 17 (2) of the constitution and nomination papers of General Musharraf should be rejected and forthcoming presidential election be stayed. However, he accepted that some other remedial forums were available but due to short time his client approached the Supreme Court to avail remedial forum under Article 184 (3) of the Constitution. He contended that General Musharraf had already completed his two terms and now only new assemblies could elect a new President because tenure of existing assemblies was due to expire on November 15. Same assemblies cannot elect two presidents during their tenure, he added. Justice Javed Iqbal observed, “I think there is no Article available in the constitution to meet this specific matter.” Sardar Mohammad Latif Khosa appearing as counsel of Makhdoom Amin Fahim said, “I differ with Hamid Khan's view that some other forums are also available. At this stage only one forum is available which is the Supreme Court.” If Supreme Court is the only forum then how a similar petition was filed in the Sindh High Court by a presidential candidate, Justice Khokhar asked. The petitioner in that case also belongs to Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians, Justice Dogar said. “Yes, but I am here on behalf of a person (Makhdoom Amin Fahim) not on behalf of the party,” Latif Khosa said. (First Posted @ 10:53 PST Updated @ 19:05 PST)
Musharraf says will doff uniform by November 15 if re-elected ISLAMABAD, Oct 3: President General Pervez Musharraf said he will doff his uniform till November 15 after his re-election on October 06, a private television channel reported Musharraf as saying during an interview. He said the existing assemblies will complete their terms and general elections in Pakistan will be held after two months of November 15 and that he would get the vote of confidence from the new assembly. Regarding the National Reconciliation Ordinance, Pervez Musharraf said he also wants to withdraw cases against Nawaz Sharif and other political leaders. Musharraf said he does not deny the role of US in talks with Benazir and that Peoples Party can play a role in curbing extremism in the country. He also said over 100 resignations would not affect the electoral college, which would not be affected even if more resignations are submitted. He also denied having any difference of opinion between himself and General Ashfaq Kiyani. (Posted @ 18:20 PST)
Power-sharing talks ‘totally stalled’: Benazir Bhutto LONDON, Oct 3 (AP) Power-sharing talks with President Musharraf are “totally stalled,” despite an amnesty offer over corruption charges against Benazir Bhutto, the former premier said Wednesday. “The power-sharing deal is totally stalled,” she said on arrival at talks of her Pakistan People's Party in London, adding: “It's absolutely wrong the news the corruption charges have been dropped.” President Musharraf is refusing to say when he will implement key reforms, complicating power-sharing talks, Benazir said Wednesday. Musharraf said he will give up his military uniform if he wins Saturday's presidential vote by national and provincial legislators as part of moves to restore civilian rule. But Benazir said he has not committed to a schedule for other key demands. ''There are several things we want, including fair elections,'' Benazir told reporters. ''He is not prepared to give a level playing field.'' Musharraf has held talks with Benazir over a possible power-sharing agreement. Benazir said the offer did not go far enough. She is also demanding a constitutional amendment that would allow her to seek the prime minister's job again if her party wins parliamentary elections due by January. ''He is not prepared to give a full immunity bill, he is not prepared to lift the ban on a twice-elected prime minister, he is not prepared to bring about election reforms that are necessary for a fair election, he is not prepared to bring about a balance of power between the presidency and the prime minister,'' she said. ''He is prepared to say this will be done at some indefinite, indeterminate future time. But none of it can be done for the presidential election, and after the presidential elections, well it's another day, and we will see.'' Benazir said her Pakistan People's Party was meeting to determine whether it will join other opposition parties in resigning from the Parliament. (FirstPosted @ 08:55 PST Updated @ 16:30 PST)
Ten militants, two soldiers killed in clash MIRANSHAH, Oct 3(AFP): Pakistani security forces killed 10 pro-Taliban militants on Wednesday after an early morning attack on a checkpost near the Afghan border left two soldiers dead, the military said. The fighting erupted in North Waziristan. Military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad said that militants raided the post near the town of Mir Ali before dawn, killing two soldiers and wounding another four. “Ten miscreants were killed in the clash,” Arshad told AFP. “The situation is now quiet.” Security officials in the region said earlier that troops responded with artillery fire after the militants attacked with rockets. (First Posted @ 08:55 PST Updated @ 13:41 PST)
Roadside bomb kills 14 in Pakistan’s North Waziristan tribal area MIRANSHAH, Pakistan, Oct 3 (AFP) A roadside bomb ripped through a passenger minibus in Pakistan's troubled tribal belt Wednesday, killing at least 14 people, security officials said. The blast happened on a road near Mir Ali town in the North Waziristan district. “The bus hit an explosive device planted on the road by militants, destroying it completely. Fourteen people died on the spot and five injured were taken to hospital,” a security official said. The attack happened hours after a pre-dawn clash between pro-Taliban militants and soldiers near the same town left 10 rebels and two troops dead, the military said. (Posted @ 19:20 PST)
Two Indian soldiers killed in Kashmir battle SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, Oct 3(AFP): Militants shot dead two Indian army officers in a gunfight still raging in occupied Kashmir, the military said on Wednesday. Fierce fighting is raging in Tangmarg area for the past 24 hours,” an army spokesman told AFP. “We have lost two army majors so far. Reinforcements were despatched to Tangmarg, which borders Azad Kashmir, to quell militant resistance, he said. The spokesman said the clash erupted when troops surrounded a militant hideout after being tipped off by intelligence sources. “Militants opened fire on advancing troops, injuring two majors and two soldiers,” he said. Both officers died in a military hospital. (Posted @ 12:13 PST)
Israeli, Palestinian leaders decide their drafting teams will begin work next week JERUSALEM, Oct 3 (AP) The Israeli and Palestinian leaders talked in broad terms Wednesday about their vision for a peace deal, Israeli officials said, and asked drafting teams to start work next week on a joint declaration, ahead of a U.S.-hosted Mideast peace conference in November. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert hosted Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at his official residence in Jerusalem, for talks that lasted just over two hours. The two sides are still far apart on how detailed the declaration should be. Abbas wants a detailed framework agreement that would address the big issues - Jerusalem, Israeli settlements, borders and Palestinian refugees. Olmert wants a shorter and vaguer guideline for future negotiations. The two decided that the drafting teams would start next week, and meet twice a month, David Baker, an Israeli government spokesman said. (First Posted @ 16:10 PST, Updated @ 19:35 PST)
Five killed as trolley overturned in Pakistan’s Musakheil MUSAKHEIL, Pakistan, Oct 3 (APP) Five people, including three women and a child, of a family were killed while eleven others were injured as the tractor trolley they were travelling in overturned near Kach Gharsheen some 70 kilometres off Musakheil town Wednesday, DPO Musakheil Tahir Allauddin said. The tractor was proceeding to Musakheil town from Kingri when it overturned. (Posted @ 18:00 PST)
North Korea agrees to declare all nuclear programmes BEIJING, Oct 3 (AFP) North Korea has agreed to provide a complete list of its nuclear programmes and disable the facilities at its main Yongbyon reactor complex by December 31 under US supervision, according to a six-nation agreement released Wednesday. The deal came following talks involving the two Koreas, the United States, China, Japan and Russia, which wrapped up at the weekend. The text was unveiled by host China once the six nations gave the go-ahead. South Korea welcomed the deal, saying it paved the way for further steps on the path to disarmament. North Korea “agreed to disable all its existing nuclear facilities” in accordance with an agreement reached by the six parties in February, a copy of the text said. (Posted @ 17:50 PST)
Armed forces' professionalism, dedication a source of strength for nation: PM Aziz ISLAMABAD, Oct 3 (APP) Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Wednesday lauded the role of the country's armed forces in meeting national challenges to ensure security and extending help when the country faced natural disasters. Aziz was talking to outgoing Vice Chief of Army Staff General Ashan Saleem Hyat who called on him at the PM House. The Prime Minister particularly appreciated the participation of army in the relief and rehabilitation efforts for the earthquake-hit people by providing them food, shelter and medical care. The Prime Minister said the government was committed to maintaining credible defence through conventional and strategic capabilities, as Pakistan had a major role to play for peace and stability in the region. Aziz said professionalism, dedication and commitment of Pakistan's Armed Forces was a source of strength for the country. (Posted @ 17:05 PST)
No trust motion against CM moved amid unprecedented rumpus in NWFP PA PESHAWAR, Oct 3 (APP) The opposition members in the NWFP Assembly Wednesday succeeded to avoid the possible dissolution of the assembly after it went through a rumpus as the chair fixed October 8 next for voting on no trust motion against the Chief Minister. Speaker Bakht Jehan Khan adjourned proceedings of the house till Thursday morning at 10 a.m. when it will resume discussion on the no trust motion. In all, 32 members of the house belonging to PML (Q), PPP(S), four independents and two dissident MMA legislators moved a no confidence motion against the Chief Minister one by one during a complete hullabaloo. The assembly session was convened by the ruling MMA, PML(N), ANP and Tehrik-i- Insaf to thwart the no trust motion of the PML(Q) and PPP(S). (Posted @ 17:00 PST)
Gunmen kidnap 13 Iraqis at fake checkpoint BAGHDAD, Oct 3 (Reuters) Gunmen kidnapped 13 Iraqi men Wednesday after stopping four cars at a fake checkpoint in the town of Khalis, 80 km north of Baghdad, a security source said. The source said the cars were travelling from the city of Baquba towards Kirkuk further north in Iraq. He said women travelling in the cars were left behind. (Posted @ 16:10 PST)
Lal Masjid reopens after court order ISLAMABAD, Oct 3 (AFP) Islamabad’s Lal Masjid reopened Wednesday nearly three months after a bloody military raid, with its deposed head urging thousands of supporters to continue his struggle for Islamic sharia law. Around 5,000 people packed the mosque in central Islamabad to hear a recorded message by Abdul Aziz, who was captured in July. The Supreme Court Tuesday ordered the government to open the mosque, which had been closed since government forces besieged and stormed the mosque in July, killing more than 100 people. It reopened briefly on July 27 but closed within hours after protesters reoccupied it and then a suicide blast targeting policemen near the complex killed 14 people. (Posted @ 16:05 PST)
13 dead in stampede at Indian rail station LUCKNOW, India, Oct 3 (AFP) Thirteen women pilgrims were killed and 30 others injured Wednesday in a stampede at a railway station in northern India, police said. The women were travelling from eastern India to the northern town of Varanasi to offer prayers on the banks of the Ganges river. The group rushed to board a train at Mughalsarai, 45 kilometres from Varanasi, leading to a stampede, an inspector general of police in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh told AFP. (Posted @ 15:53 PST)
Cricket-Harris takes five as Pakistan are bowled out KARACHI, Oct 3 (Reuters) South African spinner Paul Harris took five wickets as Pakistan were bowled out for 291 runs, conceding a 159-run lead at tea on the third day of the first test on Wednesday. Harris took 5 for 73 to dismiss the home side after they resumed on 219 for six after lunch. (Posted @ 15:50 PST)
Fierce fighting in Somali capital MOGADISHU, Oct 3(AFP): Fierce clashes erupted in Mogadishu between Ethiopian-backed Somali forces and Islamist fighters, with both sides claiming to have inflicted heavy casualties. The overnight fighting was focused around the former defence ministry building in southern Mogadishu and resulted in a fire in a market. The commander of the freedom movement in Mogadishu told AFP that his fighters had killed 12 Somali soldiers and five Ethiopians. A Somali police spokesman said government forces had killed 13 insurgents and lost only one soldier. (Posted @ 14:14 PST)
Polish ambassador wounded, civilian killed in Baghdad bombing BAGHDAD, Oct 3(AFP): Poland's ambassador to Iraq was wounded in a triple-bomb attack in central Baghdad on Wednesday which also killed a civilian and wounded three others, Iraqi and Polish officials said. Iraqi defence ministry officials confirmed that three roadside bombs targeted ambassador Edward Pietrzyk's convoy as it drove through the centre of the Iraqi capital. Three cars in the Polish convoy were destroyed in the attack,” which occured around 0700 GMT. (First Posted @ 13:37 Updated @ 14:09 PST)
Suicide blast targets NATO convoy in Afghanistan KANDAHAR, Oct 3(AFP): A suicide attacker detonated an explosives-laden vehicle close to a NATO military convoy in central Afghanistan on Wednesday but caused no serious injuries, the Afghan police said. The attack in Uruzgan province comes a day after a suicide attack on a police bus in the capital on Tuesday killed 13 people. Uruzgan police chief told AFP the blast in the provincial capital, Tirin Kot, was a suicide car bombing. “We do not have any reports of any serious injuries,” NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) spokeman told AFP. Most ISAF soldiers in Uruzgan are Australian or Dutch. (Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Two Palestinians killed in Gaza GAZA, Oct 3(Reuters): Israeli soldiers shot and killed a Palestinian during a raid in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday, Palestinian hospital workers said. Local residents said Israeli troops and tanks raided an area about 2 km (1 mile) inside the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and shot the man. In a separate incident on Wednesday, a Palestinian was killed in the southern Gaza town of Rafah when an anti-tank rocket he was handling exploded, medical officials said.(Posted @ 13:56 PST)
One dead, 10 missing in north China shipping accident BEIJING, Oct 3(AFP): One fisherman was confirmed dead and 10 others were reported missing after their boat collided with a cargo ship early on Wednesday in the Yellow Sea off northeast China, state press reported. The fishing boat capsized as a result of the collision, which occurred off the city of Dandong in Liaoning province, sending all 11 crew members into the sea, Xinhua news agency said. (Posted @ 13:54 PST)
Myanmar junta releases 80 detained monks YANGON, Oct 3(Reuters): Myanmar's junta released 80 monks rounded up last week in a crackdown on the biggest anti-government protests in nearly 20 years, one of those freed said on Wednesday. The monk, in his mid-20s but too nervous to give any more details of his identity, said he and 79 brethren were returned to their Mingala Yama monastery in Yangon shortly after midnight. The monk said they had been held at a former government technical institute in northern Yangon's Insein district, and been subjected to verbal but no physicalabuse during interrogation. (Posted @ 11:45 PST)
Dhaka wants deal with London to recover corrupt millions DHAKA, Oct 3(AFP): Bangladesh is planning to sign a deal with Britain to recover hundreds of millions of dollars siphoned off by corrupt politicians and stashed abroad, an official said Wednesday. “We will strike a deal with Britain's Scotland Yard to bring back the money siphoned off illegally by the country's corrupt bigwigs,” said Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) secretary Mukhlesur Rahman. “We are doing the homework and setting up the strategy. The British authorities said they would help us bring the money back to Bangladesh,” he said. Media reports estimate several billion dollars were stolen by politicians and laundered abroad during 16 years of democratic rule that ended in October last year. (Posted @ 11:31 PST)
Three shot dead in south Thailand YALA, Thailand, Oct 3(AFP): Three men were shot dead in south Thailand while police found video clips showing the beheadings of a soldier and a Buddhist, officials said Wednesday. The gruesome clips had been taken by mobile phones which were seized by authorities during a raid Sunday on militant hideouts in Yala. The southern region has been rocked by a separatist insurgency since January 2004, which has killed more than 2,600 people. (Posted @ 10:44 PST)
LTTE rebel boat sunk in artillery battle COLOMBO, Oct 3(AP: Sri Lanka's army sank a Tamil Tiger rebel boat Wednesday in a three-hour artillery and mortar attack on a group of the insurgents' vessels off the east coast. The fighting began about midnight when 15 to 20 rebel boats tried to land near Pulmoddai village, said a military spokesman. Soldiers on the shore destroyed one boat with artillery and mortar barrages, and eventually forced the other boats to flee. Early Wednesday, soldiers patrolling a major road in the capital, Colombo, discovered an abandoned bag filled with five grenades, a detonator, a fuse and 150 grams (5 ounces) of explosives. (Posted @ 10:36 PST)
Moscow institute fire death toll reaches nine MOSCOW, Oct 3(Reuters) The death toll from a fire at a business institute in Moscow rose to nine on Wednesday, after three more people died overnight from their injuries, the Russian news agency Itar-Tass reported, quoting officials. Nine hospitals in Moscow are still treating 51 people for injuries, Itar-Tass quoted the Emergency Ministry as saying. (Posted @ 10:02 PST)
Fire at Colorado hydroelectric generating plant kills five workers GEORGETOWN, Colorado, Oct 3(AP): A chemical fire at a hydroelectric plant outside this mountain town killed five workers who were trapped inside an empty water tunnel on Tuesday, the Clear Creek County undersheriff said. (Posted @ 09:27 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 123.15, points: KARACHI, Oct 03:At the close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 14045.23, up 123.15, points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 13:00 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, Oct 03:The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.7, to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 13:00 PST)
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