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| October 05, 2007 | Friday | Ramazan 22, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
SC says presidential election can go ahead, despite legal challenge ISLAMABAD, Oct 5 (Agencies) Supreme Court of Pakistan ruled that Saturday's presidential vote can go ahead, but the final results cannot be announced until it has decided on legal challenges against the election. “The bench has unanimously resolved and directed that the election process should proceed as per the schedule announced by the chief election commissioner,” chief judge Javed Iqbal said in a ruling Friday. “But final notification of the returning candidate will not be issued until the decision of this petition for which the process is to begin from October 17,” he added. (FirstPosted @ 13:22 PST, Updated @ 13:41 PST)
Musharraf signs reconciliation deal with Benazir Bhutto ISLAMABAD, Oct 5 (AFP) - President Pervez Musharraf Friday signed a “reconciliation ordinance” that paves the way for a power-sharing deal with former premier Benazir Bhutto, officials said. The deal, a copy of which was obtained by AFP, gives an amnesty for politicians active in Pakistan between 1988 and 1999 -- effectively clearing Benazir of the corruption charges that forced her into exile eight years ago. “President Musharraf has signed it. It is the beginning of a new era,” Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, told AFP. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said in a statement that the national reconciliation agreement, which was approved earlier by the cabinet, would bring harmony to Pakistan's long-standing political chaos. “It is an important step in creating an atmosphere of tolerance and harmony in national politics, free of the vendettas and polarisation that marred the national political scene in the decades of 1980s and 1990s,” he said. (Posted @ 18:45 PST)
36 NWFP MPAs tender resignations from PA PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Oct.05 (APP):Thirty-six members of the NWFP Assembly belonging to Jamaat -i- Islami, Pakistan Muslim League (N) and Awami National Party tendered resignations from the provincial assembly a day before the presidential election on Friday. The 24 members of Jamaat-i- Islami and 4 members of the Nawaz faction of the PML handed over their resignations enbloc to Speaker Bakht Jehan Khan in his chamber before the start of the session while eight members of the Awami National Party tendered resignations at the outset of the assembly proceedings. Parliamentary leader of ANP Bashir Ahmed Bilour was the first to present the resignation to the Speaker followed by seven other party MPAs who read out their resignations one by one. The resigning ANP MPAs in their resignations stated that they were quitting the assembly as a protest against the election of President Musharraf in uniform. The provincial Law Minister in a brief chat with reporters termed the resignations a violation of the APDM decisions. He said Maulana Fazlur Rehman was not taken into confidence over the resignations. (Posted @ 16:55 PST)
Fazal criticises JI for tendering PA resignations Peshawar, Oct 5 (PPI) = The JUI and MMA secretary general Maulana Fazlur Rehman Friday criticized the Jamaat-i- Islami for violating the decision of the APDM by tendering resignations from the NWFP Assembly saying his party would review its affiliation with APDM. Addressing a news conference he said JI, ANP and PML(N) members resigned from the assembly in total violation of the consensus reached at September 29 meeting of the APDM held at the resident of Ch. Nisar Ali Khan. He recalled that resignations were to be tendered from the National and the provincial assemblies of Punjab, Sindh and Baluchistan. The JI was bound to honour decision of the APDM. It was also decided in the said meeting that in case no trust motion was moved against the Chief Minister of NWFP, it would be faced in the house. Commenting on Benazir- Musharraf deal, Maulana Fazal said it was a deal to benefit the two persons. Therefore it could not be termed as national reconciliation. Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani said he has the support of the majority and will prove it on October 8 when no trust motion will be put to vote. He said on October 8 after defeating no trust motion he would drive to the Governor House to advice dissolution of assembly to the Governor. (Posted @ 18:40 PST)
Missing persons: SC’s latest directives ISLAMABAD, Oct 5 (APP): A two-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan Friday directed Secretary Ministry of Defence to provide details about those missing persons who had been kept in the custody of various secret agencies. Deputy Attorney General Nahida Mehboob Elahi, representing the Federation, apprised the apex court that fifteen more missing persons were traced out of which twelve have been released while three were facing trials. The Chief Justice said that concrete evidence showed that most people among the missing were in the custody of secret agencies. Cases would be registered against those responsible for the illegal detention of these people, he added. Representative of Ministry of Defence Colonel Khalid Iqbal said that the missing persons were not in the custody of secret agencies. Asma Jehangir, an NGO activists, appeared before the court and alleged that these people were picked up by the law-enforcement agencies illegally. Secretary Interior Syed Kamal Shah said maintaining law and order is the prime responsibility of provincial governments, so is the recovery of missing persons. They should share this responsibility also, he added. Secretary Defence Kamran Rasool prayed to the bench to grant it some time for submission of complete details. The bench also directed Secretary Interior to hold meetings with provincial home secretaries and Inspector Generals of Police and submit report while it also issued directions for keeping Imran Munir in PIMS under Islamabad police custody. The case was adjourned for October 11. (Posted @ 20:55 PST)
SC hears Musharraf’s election case ISLAMABAD, Oct 05 (PPI)- The 10-member larger bench of the Supreme Court headed by justice Javed Iqbal on Friday refused to halt the Presidential election but ruled that the Chief Election Commissioner will not issue the notification of the returned candidate till the decision of the apex court on the pleas. When the proceedings resumed on Friday, Attorney General Malik Mohammad Qayyum submitted that the process of the presidential election could not be stopped or suspended and the Supreme Court had no jurisdiction to interrupt the presidential election process. He contended that a candidate can be excluded from the election race by rejecting his nomination papers but the court can not postpone the election. Counsel for General Pervez Musharraf, Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada adopted the arguments of Attorney General and contended that when the election process was underway it could not be interfered by the court. Mr Pirzada said if the polling was postponed even for some days, it will dislocate every thing and lead towards serious complications. In his arguments, Federation's counsel Wasim Sajjad submitted that the election of the President will lead the country in returning to complete democratic rule. He said if the election at this juncture is postponed, it will create many problems. (Posted @ 19:35 PST)
Cricket- Pakistan's Inzamam announces retirement KARACHI, Oct 5 (Reuters) Pakistan's former captain and batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq will retire after playing the second test against South Africa in Lahore. The 37-year-old veteran of 119 tests said he was available for the Lahore test which would be his last. “I want to now give way to youngsters and allow them to take centre stage. I don't want to stop any youngster's progress,” Inzamam said Friday. Inzamam played in 378 one-day internationals said his biggest regret remained the performance of the team in the 2007 World Cup. Inzamam said he would be available to serve Pakistan cricket in any capacity if required by the Pakistan cricket Board. (Posted @ 13:00 PST)
India tests nuclear-capable missile BHUBANESWAR, India, Oct 5 (AFP) India successfully test-fired Friday the nuclear-capable Agni-1 ballistic missile, a defence official said. The Agni-1, which has a range of 700 kilometres, was launched from Wheeler Island at mid-morning off the eastern state of Orissa, the official said, requesting anonymity. “It was a successful test,” the official said. Wheeler Island lies 180 kilometres northeast of Orissa state capital Bhubaneswar. The Agni is an intermediate range ballistic missile that can be fired from mobile launchers. (Posted @ 12:11 PST)
Mumtaz Bhutto slates 'National Reconciliation' ordinance Karachi, Oct.05 (PPI): Chairman, Sindh National Front, Sardar Mumtaz Ali Khan Bhutto Friday said that the general amnesty to the politicians involved in corruption and other cases would not restore democracy or develop national reconciliation in the country. “On the contrary, the politicians with criminal record, who had absconded or were till out of government, would now become shareholder in power,” he said in a statement. “Such a deal can never be called 'democracy' or 'national reconciliation,' he said adding that it would be beneficial only for Ms. Benazir Bhutto and Gen. Musharraf and bring more miseries for the masses already faced with lawlessness, corruption, unemployment, price-hike, poverty and mal-administration. Mumtaz Bhutto said the US has misconceived that uniting moderate forces would make it easier to control the religious extremists. (Posted @ 18:18 PST)
Lawyers welcome SC decision on presidential election ISLAMABAD, Oct 05 (PPI) Several eminent lawyers including Wasim Sajjad, Malik Qayyum, Tariq Mahmood and others on Friday welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court on various issues pertaining to the presidential poll. Counsel for the federation, Senator Wasim Sajjad, welcoming the decision hoped that it will lead the country to a complete transition to democracy. Attorney General Malik Mohammad Qayyum said this order will not halt the democratic process and the presidential election now will be held according to schedule under the constitution. He said the government side was not shy to argue on the disqualifications of President General Pervez Musharraf as he has already been declared qualified for this election by the Chief Election Commissioner. Ex-judgeTariq Mehmood ,counsel for the presidential candidate Justice (r) Wajhiuddin Ahmad, also expressed satisfaction over the decision and said it is not a defeat of the petitioner. He said now the election result is subject to the decision of the Supreme Court and no candidate could be declared elected until the decision of the pending petitions. He said half relief has been given by the court and hoped for the better in the next stage of this legal battle. (Posted @ 18:15 PST)
Juma prayer offered in Lal Masjid after three months ISLAMABAD, Oct 5 (APP): Hundreds of faithfuls including madressah students offered Juma prayers in Lal Masjid after about three months following the orders of Supreme Court. Maulana Abdul Ghaffar led the prayers. (Posted @ 19:41 PST)
PHF recalls Sohail, Waseem, Dilawar, Ghazanfar LAHORE, Oct 5 (APP)- Pakistan Hockey Federation has recalled ace penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas, former captain Mohammad Waseem, Dilwar Hussain and Ghzanfar Ali for boosting Pakistan team to take part in the Champions Trophy Hockey tournament being played in Kuala Lumpur from November 29.These four players have been invited to attend the camp commencing from October 20 at Karachi, said PHF spokesman Altaf Sabir in Karachi. (Posted @ 18:50 PST)
Cricket: Australia beat India in third one-dayer HYDERABAD, India, Oct 5 (AFP) - Australia defeated India by 47 runs in the third one-day international here on Friday to gain a 2-0 lead in the seven-match series.The opening one-dayer was abandoned due to rain. Brief scores: Australia 290-7 in 50 overs; India 243 in 47.4 overs. (Posted @ 17:20 PST)
Inzamam, Yousuf named in Pakistan squad for second Test KARACHI, Pakistan, Oct 5 (AP) - Pakistan's middle-order batting will be strengthened for next week's second test against South Africa with the return of Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Yusuf. Selectors named a 16-man squad Friday, including Inzamam and Mohammad Yousuf. Inzamam earlier announced it will be his last Test. Squad: Shoaib Malik (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Salman Butt, Taufeeq Umar, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Yousuf, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Faisal Iqbal, Yasir Hameed, Kamran Akmal, Abdul Rehman, Umar Gul, Danish Kaneria, Mohammad Asif, Rao Iftikhar. (Posted @ 16:15 PST)
Cricket: South Africa beat Pakistan in first Test KARACHI, Oct 5 (AFP) - South Africa beat Pakistan by 160 runs on Friday to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series. Pakistan, needing a world record total of 424 for victory, fell for 263 on the fifth and final day despite a brilliant 126 by Younis Khan. Brief scores: South Africa 450 and 264-7 dec; Pakistan 291 and 263 (Posted @ 15:06 PST)
WB provides US$ 150.2m to improve irrigation system in Sindh ISLAMABAD, Oct 5 (APP): Pakistan and World Bank here Friday signed an agreement of US $ 150.2 million under Sindh Water Sector Improvement Project to improve the effectiveness and operational efficiency of irrigation system by ensuring safety of canal network in Ghotki, Nara and Left bank areas. It would help ensure deliver due share of water to the farmers at the tail end with adequate drainage. (Posted @ 17:16 PST)
'Several' militants killed in Afghan clash; NATO soldier dies in blast KABUL, Oc 5 (AP) - U.S.-led coalition and Afghan troops killed several militants in clashes during a raid in Waza Khwa district, Paktika province, on Friday, while a British soldier died and two others died in a blast in the country's volatile south. (Posted @ 16:26 PST)
US forces kill 25 including civilians in Iraq air raid BAGHDAD, Oct 5 (AFP) - US operations near Baquba on Friday killed at least 25 people the American military said were “criminals”, but Iraqi officials said women and children were among the dead. A US military statement said the strike targeted an Iranian-linked commander believed to be smuggling weapons across the border from Iran. US aircraft killed the insurgents and destroyed two houses after a heavy firefight during which rebels fired rocket-propelled grenades, it said. “Seventeen people were killed, 27 were wounded and eight are missing including women and children,” a defence ministry official told AFP. According to witnesses US helicopters attacked the village of Al-Jayzani, near Al-Khalis, destroying at least four houses and killing up to 25 people. Ahmed Mohammed, 31, said he had travelled with 15 wounded from the area to the hospital in Baghdad. “There are 24 bodies on the ground in the village and 25 others wounded in Al-Khalis hospital,” he said. (Posted @ 15:35 PST)
ADB to lend Pakistan 510 million dollars for renewable energy MANILA, Oct 5 (AFP) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said Friday that it has signed an agreement to lend Pakistan 510 million dollars for the development of renewable energy. The loan will fund a series of projects intended to cut Pakistan's dependence on imported oil and encourage the use of more renewable energy resources. The first project, amounting to about 330 million dollars will finance several small to medium hydropower plants in the Northwest Frontier Province and Punjab, the ADB said in a statement. Other provinces will also be able to request funding for renewable energy projects, the multilateral institution added. (Posted @ 14:14 PST)
Ferry collision kills 33 in Nigeria LAGOS, Oct 5 (AFP) At least 38 people have been killed and 48 reported missing after two ferries collided on a river in northern Nigeria's Kebbi State, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported Friday. The accident occurred Wednesday night on River Dole-Kaina in Dandi local government Area of the state. Eight other passengers also sustained injuries in the accident. (Posted @ 13:18 PST)
Occupied Kashmir rebel leader killed SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, Oct 5 (AFP) Security forces shot dead a militant leader and his aide, police in occupied Kashmir said Friday. An army officer also died in the fierce gunbattle Thursday night. Police named the slain top rebel as Musa alias Wafa, who was serving as “divisional commander” of the Lashkar-e-Taiba. (Posted @ 11:17 PST)
US soldier killed in Baghdad BAGHDAD, Oct 5 (AFP) Gunfire during an operation in the south of Baghdad killed a US soldier Thursday, the US military said Friday. (Posted @ 11:17 PST)
Seven rebels killed in northeast India GUWAHATI, India, Oct 5 (AFP) Security forces shot dead seven separatists in three clashes in India's northeastern state of Manipur, authorities said Friday. Police commandos and army soldiers gunned down three militants about 50 kilometres from the state capital Imphal, police said. Four more rebels died in two other clashes in Manipur, said army spokesman Colonel L.M. Pant.(Posted @ 10:04 PST)
Nepal polls called off indefinitely KATHMANDU, Oct 5 (AFP) Crucial elections to decide Nepal's future were postponed indefinitely Friday after the government and Maoists failed to agree on the fate of the monarchy and the election system, officials said. “The seven party leaders (of the coalition government) have agreed to postpone the constituent assembly elections for an indefinite period,” Peace and Reconstruction Minister Ram Chanda Poudel told AFP. The polls scheduled for November 22 were a key element of a peace deal sealed last year that ended a civil war launched by the Maoists in 1996. Voters were to elect a body to rewrite Nepal's constitution and decide the fate of its embattled monarchy. “A date for a special session of the country's interim parliament will be announced Friday to address the Maoist demands for a fully proportional election system and the fate of the monarchy,” Poudel said. (Posted @ 10:01 PST)
Roadside bombings in Iraq kill Sunni leader in attack BAGHDAD, Oct 5 (AP) Roadside bomb killed an anti-al-Qaida Sunni leader north of Baghdad. Car bombs, meanwhile, struck Iraqi civilians in Baghdad and the northern city of Tal Afar Thursday, with at least 31 people killed or found dead nationwide, police reports said. Meanwhile, Sheik Muawiya Naji Jbara, the Sunni head of the Salahuddin Tribal Awakening Council, died from head injuries he suffered after a roadside bomb exploded as his convoy travelled near Samarra, said his brother, Marwan Jbara. He said two guards also were wounded. (Posted @ 09:18 PST)
Karachi Stocks down 0.64, points: KARACHI, Oct 05:At the close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 14099.30, down 0.64, points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 12:00 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, Oct 05:The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.7, to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 12:00 PST)
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