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| October 25, 2007 | Thursday | Shawwal 12, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
30 dead in Pakistan military blast PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Oct 25 (AFP) - A blast tore through a security forces vehicle in restive northwest Pakistan on Thursday, killing 30 people and wounding dozens more, a senior security official said. The attack in the scenic Swat valley in North West Frontier Province came just one day after Pakistan deployed more than 2,000 military troops to the area to bolster efforts to stem the rising violence, linked to pro-Taliban militants. The truck -- carrying paramilitary soldiers and packed with ammunition -- was travelling on a road outside the valley's main city Mingora when the explosion occurred, the official said. “Thirty people were killed in the explosion including 17 paramilitary soldiers. The damage was high because the truck was packed with ammunition,” the official, who asked not to be named, told AFP. Security sources said a suicide bomber had detonated his explosives near the truck, but the government said the vehicle's cargo could have triggered the explosion. “The nature of the blast is not clear and it is being ascertained. There was ammunition in the truck which caused the damage,” interior ministry spokesman Javed Cheema told AFP. A doctor at a local hospital said 10 bodies had been brought in so far, along with 35 wounded. “Some of the bodies are charred,” Nisar Khan said. The truck caught fire immediately after the explosion in Nawakilli area on the outskirts of Mingora, and firefighters were struggling to contain the blaze, senior police officer Akbar Ali said. “The fire also engulfed at least 10 nearby shops,” Ali said. (Posted @ 17:32 PST)
Musharraf, PM Aziz discuss political situation RAWALPINDI, Oct 25 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz met Thursday at the President's Camp Office and discussed the prevailing political situation. They also exchanged views on the arrangements being made for the forthcoming general elections, the draft code of conduct issued by the Election Commission and the need for ensuring security in the run up to the polls besides measures to ensure that the elections are held in a free, fair and transparent manner. The two leaders also reviewed progress on development projects and noted that the overall pace of development was at a record level. (Posted @ 19:24 PST)
Supreme Court a constitutional not revolutionary forum: Justice Javed Iqbal ISLAMABAD, Oct 25 (APP): Supreme Court is a constitutional and not a revolutionary forum, Justice Javed Iqbal heading an 11-member bench of the apex court observed on Thursday during proceedings of various constitutional petitions against the candidacy/eligibility of president Pervez Musharraf for the next term as well as holding of two offices. Ch.Aitzaz Ahsan counsel of the petitioner Justice (Retd) Wajihuddin Ahmed who completed his arguments on Thursday said that general elections for existing assemblies were held on October 10, 2002 and they had already completed their mandate. Therefore, these assemblies were not competent to elect the president for another term of five years. Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar observed that the existing assemblies could use their constitutional functions till the expiry of the term; even have right to pass amendment on the last day of tenure. Yes, I agree with this. May be it will be constitutionally right but not morally, Ch.Aitzaz Ahsan said. Talking about the point raised by Justice Javed Iqbal regarding role of Supreme Court as constitutional forum not as revolutionary forum, Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday observed, “We are not enemy of the government or against it because Legislature, Executive and Judiciary complement each other for strengthening the system for smooth running of the country and we will show our responsibility, he added. Members of the bench raised a number of questions about articles 62, 63 and 41 (2) besides others relating to the qualifications and disqualifications of a candidate. Earlier, Hamid Khan advocate requested the court to allow him to argue after Ch.Aitzaz Ahsan in contempt petition filed against the Chief Election Commissioner by Justice (Retd) Wajih-ud-din which was rejected by the bench with assurance to look into that after completion of arguments from both sides. Sardar Mohammad Latif Khan Khosa, counsel of Makhdoom Amin Fahim and counsels of other petitioners will start arguments on the next date of hearing i.e. Monday. (Posted @ 18:28 PST)
Benazir requests car convoy for security KARACHI, Oct 25 (AFP) -Former Pakistan premier Benazir Bhutto said Thursday she had asked the government for permission to travel in a convoy of cars with tinted windows in the wake of last week's devastating suicide blasts. Amid ongoing fears for her safety, Bernazir told CNN that she wanted the government to provide some “basic security” in the runup to the January polls. “For example, I would like to travel in a convoy of cars with tinted windows so the assassins can't identify where I'm sitting. “The government still hasn't given me permission to do that,” she said. “I am not satisfied with the security provided to me. I should be made to feel secure, I should not be made to feel insecure,” she later told reporters at a press conference. She repeated her calls Thursday for an independent investigation into the blasts and for overseas expertise to track down those responsible. “We take financial help and political help from abroad, why can't we take help from technical experts for this investigation?” she told reporters. (Posted @ 19:44 PST)
SHC declares merger of PPP Sherpao, Patriot as unconstitutional KARACHI, Oct 25 (PPI): A division bench of Sindh High Court comprising Chief Justice Sabihuddin Ahmed and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah Thursday declared the notification of Election Commission for merger of PPP (Sherpao) and PPP Parliamentarian (Patriot) as illegal and against the Constitution. The petition was filed by former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. PPP(S) & PPPP(P) in June 2004 resolved to merge. Later they filed application for registration in EC, which granted merger application and issued notification on June 19, 2004 for the same. (Posted @ 19:26 PST)
US wants Musharraf to broaden engagement with moderates, including Bhutto: Rice WASHINGTON, Oct 25 (AP): U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the United States is encouraging Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to work more closely with moderates, including former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Rice, speaking at a U.S. congressional hearing Wednesday, said the United States hopes ''that there will be an effort of all moderates to be prepared for fully democratic elections to take place in the parliament in December, so that Pakistan can take that next step toward a more stable democratic environment.'' (Posted @ 10:00 PST)
PPP may give name for caretaker government if asked: Raja Pervaiz Ashraf ISLAMABAD, Oct 25 (APP): General Secretary of Benazir Bhutto’s Pakistan Peoples Party Raja Pervaiz Ashraf Thursday said negotiations are moving forward regarding caretaker government and the party's negotiation team may give name in this regard if asked. Addressing a press conference he said PPP has demanded inquiry from foreign experts of Karachi incident for having independent opinion to inform the people about the ground realities about the incident. He said Al-Qaeda or religious elements were not behind the tragic incident, adding, those who are against democracy are the actual culprits.. Replying to a question regarding Benazir Bhutto's visit to Islamabad he said “We are finalizing her visit to federal capital after she visits Larkana on 27th of this month.” (Posted @ 19:18 PST)
EU parliament urges Pakistan to let exiled politicians return for polls BRUSSELS, Oct 25 (AFP) -The European parliament on Thursday called on Pakistani authorities to allow all exiled political leaders to return to the country ahead of legislative elections set for January. The parliament called on Islamabad “to allow the return of all political leaders to counter the extremist forces in the country and contribute to establishing a legitimate government through free and fair elections, replacing the current military dictatorship”. The resolution condemned the forced departure of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to Saudi Arabia last month “despite a ruling of Pakistan's Supreme Court allowing his return to Pakistan”.The European parliament's motion also urged Pakistan to return to democratic government “by holding free, fair and transparent elections in January 2008 and warns against the imposition of emergency rule or other measures to suppress freedom of speech, association, assembly or movement”. The members of the European Parliament added that Pakistan should provide all political parties with equal access to the media. The parliament in Strasbourg also condemned “the arbitrary arrest of members of the opposition when they criticised President Musharraf”. The MEPs voiced concern at reports of “ongoing oppression of religious minorities such as Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs and Ahmadis and the use of blasphemy laws against them”. (Posted @ 22:44 PST)
Tigers bus bomb attack kills 6 navy personnel in Sri Lanka COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Oct 25 (AP) - Tamil rebels said their fighters killed six navy personnel in a rare attack in southern Sri Lanka on Thursday. In a statement e-mailed to the Associated Press, the rebels claimed they attacked a bus carrying 25 sailors, killing six of them and wounding another 12, in the village of Tissamaharam in the southern district of Hambantota. But navy spokesman Cmdr. D.K.P. Dassanayake denied the rebels' claim. (Posted @ 22:10 PST)
NWFP Cabinet decides to avoid using force in Swat PESHAWAR Oct 25 (APP): The NWFP Cabinet with caretaker Chief Minister Shamsul Mulk in the chair Thursday discussed the law and order situation in district Swat and decided to restore public order in the district through negotiations. The use of force will be avoided as per the proposals and suggestions of the peace jirga. The meeting was also unanimous on creating a peaceful atmosphere for conducting free, fair elections in the province. The cabinet decided to implement nizam-e-Adl ordinance in Malakand and Swat and for this purpose legal hurdles would be removed in consultation with the Chief Justice of Peshawar High Court. (Posted @ 21:34 PST)
Indian Muslims seek justice for deadly 1993 riots MUMBAI, Oct 25(Reuters) - Thousands of Muslims held a rally in Mumbai on Thursday demanding justice for victims of communal riots that left hundreds dead in 1993. More than 20,000 Muslims, many of them victims of the riots, demanded that the recommendations of a judicial commission that investigated the carnage be implemented. “You could not give them protection, you could not save them. At least give them justice,” said Maulana Abdul Hamid Azhari, representing one of the many civil groups demanding justice for riot victims. “Are 14 years not enough to deliver justice?” The Mumbai riots followed the demolition of a 16th century mosque in northern India by Hindu zealots in December 1992. “We want complete implementation of the Srikrishna Commission report,” Thursday's protesters demanded. (Posted @ 19:08 PST)
US shuttle Discovery docks with space station WASHINGTON, Oct 25 (AFP) - The US shuttle Discovery docked on Thursday with the International Space Station at 1240 GMT as part of its two-week mission, NASA said. (Posted @ 18:54 PST)
US slaps sanctions against Iran military, banks WASHINGTON, Oct 25 (AFP) - The United States on Thursday slapped sanctions on Iran's military and three state-owned banks. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said the sanctions cover Iran's elite Quds Force as a supporter of terrorism and its Revolutionary Guards as a proliferator of weapons of mass destruction. Some 22 Iranian government agencies, banks and individuals are being blacklisted as the United States steps up a drive to squeeze Iran out of the international banking system. “These actions will help to protect the international financial system from the illicit activities of the Iranian government,” Rice told reporters. (Posted @ 18:52 PST)
Israel defence minister approves Gaza sanctions JERUSALEM, Oct 25 (AFP) - Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak on Thursday approved sanctions against civilians in the Gaza Strip, including electricity and fuel cuts in response to rocket attacks, his ministry said. “Defence Minister Ehud Barak approved the recommendations from defence officials for periodic cuts in electricity and limitations on fuel supplies, given the continued rocket attacks,” it said in a statement. The cuts will be temporary and, according to Israel, measured in proportion to militant fire, which totalled more than 40 rockets over the past month. (Posted @ 18:48 PST)
Three killed, 50 injured as bus turns turtle near Faisalabad FAISALABAD, Oct 25 (APP): Three persons were killed and about 50 injured, 18 critically, when a speeding bus overturned while negotiating a sharp turn near Chak Jhumra railway station, about 20 km from here Thursday. The bus was carrying passengers from the vicinity of Sangla Hill to their workplace in Faisalabad besides some students. (Posted @ 18:32 PST)
Government to encourage political activity with proper security: Shaukat Aziz ISLAMABAD, Oct 25 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said the government will encourage political activity, but it would be done with a proper security plan to protect the lives of party leaders and people. In an interview to Al-jazeerah television, he said: “In essence the government encourages movement of people and their interaction with politicians, so that they can get their message across.” However, because of the security considerations, the government is coming up with a code of conduct so that the law enforcing agencies can also play their part, he added. “But that does not mean that political activity cannot take place. On the contrary, we want to encourage that but it should be done with a proper security plan so that the lives of the people who are there and the leaders who go through this process are protected.” The government will consult every party on the code of conduct so that they will get input of other people, the Prime Minister said. (Posted @ 17:46 PST)
Violence kills 6 rebels; 3 civilians in northern Sri Lanka COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Oct 25 (AP) - Sri Lankan troops killed six Tamil Tiger fighters in two separate attacks and launched an airstrike on a northern rebel area, the military said Thursday. The rebels said the military killed three civilians with artillery fire. (Posted @ 16:20 PST)
Turkish troops kill 30 rebels near Iraq border CIZRE, Turkey, Oct 25 (AP) - Turkish troops have killed 30 Kurdish rebels who were preparing to attack a military unit near the border with Iraq, the military said Thursday. The clashes took place on Thursday, the military said in a statement. The report increases the number of rebels killed since Sunday to at least 64, according to military figures. (Posted @ 16:15 PST)
Biggest and brightest full moon tonight ISLAMABAD, Oct 25 (APP): Sky gazers can enjoy the “biggest and brightest” full moon of this year on Thursday and Friday due to its closeness to the earth. “This week's full moon (October 25/26) will be biggest full moon of 2007,” NASA experts said, BBC reported. Experts cautioned against viewing the full moon through telescope without an appropriate filter as it would affect the eyes. “Some full moons are genuinely larger than others and Thursday night's will be as much as 14 per cent wider and 30 per cent brighter than lesser full moons we've seen earlier this year,” one of the NASA's alert web sites said. (Posted @ 15:10 PST)
Taliban ambush Afghan army, eight dead KABUL, Oct 25 (AFP): Taliban insurgents ambushed an Afghan army convoy north of Kabul in an attack that left five soldiers and three militants dead, the defence ministry said Thursday. The militants attacked the convoy 50 kilometres north of the capital in Kapisa province Wednesday, the ministry said in a statement. Four militants were also critically wounded in the exchange of fire. The remaining insurgents fled into the harsh mountainous terrain, taking their wounded and dead fighters with them. They left one body behind, the ministry said. Separately, nine soldiers were wounded in a rocket attack launched by militants Wednesday in Daychopan district of Zabul province, the ministry said. (Posted @ 14:20 PST)
Two US soldiers killed in Iraq BAGHDAD, Oct 25 (AFP): - Insurgents killed two US soldiers and wounded eight others in separate attacks in northern Iraq on Wednesday, the military said early Thursday. One soldier died and five others were wounded during combat operations near the oil refining city of Baiji, while another soldier was killed and three wounded in a land mine explosion in the northern province of Salaheddin. (Posted @ 12:20 PST)
Tanzanian deputy minister killed in road accident NAIROBI, Oct 25 (Reuters): A Tanzanian deputy minister was among three people killed when the minister's vehicle was involved in a collision with a truck, officials said. The government named the deputy minister as Salome Mbatia, who had responsibility for community development, gender and children. The accident occurred Wednesday in the Kibena area of the Iringa region, about 550 km southwest of Dar es Salaam, the government said in a statement. (Posted @ 11:55 PST)
US diplomatic security chief resigns after Blackwater row WASHINGTON, Oct 25 (AFP): The State Department's security chief resigned Wednesday amid criticism over his office's poor supervision of private security firms in Iraq, after Blackwater guards shot dead several civilians. A department spokeswoman said Richard Griffin did not give a reason for quitting his post as assistant secretary for the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, but simply stated that he wanted to “move on to new challenges.” ”He submitted his letter of resignation dated today,” Julie Reside said, adding that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had accepted his resignation. (Posted @ 09:45 PST)
Volcano erupts in Indonesia, spewing sand and white smoke JAKARTA, Indonesia, Oct 25 (AP): A volcano erupted in central Indonesia Thursday, shooting plumes of white smoke and sand 1,500 meters into the air, an official said. There were no immediate reports of injuries following the blast at Mount Soputan, located on Sulawesi island, said Sandy Manengke, a local monitoring official, noting that residents living near the crater had been evacuated beforehand. Volcanic ash covered villages along the slopes of the 1,780-meter mountain, he said. (Posted @ 09:40 PST)
Boat sinks off Indonesian coat, 30 missing JAKARTA, Oct 25 (Reuters): Thirty people went missing after an Indonesian sailboat sprang a leak and sank Thursday off the island of Sulawesi, a rescue official said. Rescue teams were searching for missing persons in seas near Kendari city in Southeast Sulawesi, Roksi Asikin said. (Posted @ 09:05 PST)
Storm kills 18 Mexican oil workers, shuts ports VILLAHERMOSA, Mexico, Oct 25 (Reuters): A storm killed 18 Mexican oil workers fleeing a battered offshore rig, and Navy rescue teams were searching Wednesday for seven people missing in the turbulent seas. State-owned oil monopoly Pemex said 61 people had been rescued after huge waves knocked the Usumacinta drilling platform into an adjacent rig late Tuesday. Workers on the rig, in the Kab oil field in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, had jumped into emergency rafts after the collision caused leaks in crude oil and natural gas pipes. (Posted @ 09:00 PST)
Two Hamas militants killed by Israeli fire GAZA CITY, Oct 25 (AFP): Two Hamas militants were killed in a clash overnight with Israeli soldiers in the Gaza Strip, Hamas officials and a medic said Thursday. Ayman Fussefes and Ahmad Tabash, both aged 20 and members of the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, were shot dead by members of an Israeli special forces unit to the east of the southern Gaza town of Khan Yunis, said the sources. (Posted @ 08:40 PST)
Strong quake strikes off Indonesia's Sumatra JAKARTA, Oct 25 (AFP): A strong earthquake measuring 7.0 struck off the coast of Indonesia's Sumatra island Thursday, briefly triggering panic and a tsunami alert, the Indonesia meteorological agency said. The quake struck in the Indian Ocean about 135 kilometres off the town of Bengkulu at 4:02 am, at a depth of 10 kilometres, the agency said. The US Geological Survey measured the quake at 7.1. Bengkulu meteorology chief Suharjono said there were no immediate reports of damage. (Posted @ 08:35 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 100.38, points: KARACHI, Oct 25:At the close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 14361.24,up 100.38, points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, Oct 25: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.65, to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
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