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| November 02, 2007 | Friday | Shawwal 20, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
No martial law, attorney general informs supreme court ISLAMABAD, Nov 2 (AFP): - Pakistan's attorney general Malik Mohammad Qayyum said Friday that President Pervez Musharraf does not intend to impose a state of emergency or martial law, despite a spiralling political crisis and Islamist violence. The assertive statement came as most local dailies said Friday that the government was poised to take extraconstitutional measures, while former premier Benazir Bhutto said on Wednesday that she was concerned by rumours about such a step. Malik Qayyum -- who is leading the government's case against the legal challenges to Musharraf's re-election -- told the supreme court Friday there were no such plans. “Who is saying that martial law is going to be imposed? Martial law will not be imposed, not be imposed, not be imposed,” Qayyum told the court. Asked later by an anti-government lawyer about a state of emergency, he replied: “I have been meeting with the president but I have not found any such intention.” The 11-member bench headed by justice Javed Iqbal said Friday it would now hear the election case again on Monday and Tuesday next week -- a day after saying it would not sit at all next week -- in a bid to finish by November 15, when Musharraf's present term of office ends. Justice Javed Iqbal reiterated that the court would not be swayed by threats. “We will decide this case in accordance with law and constitution... the court cannot be influenced by the threat of martial law or extraconstitutional measures,” he said. (First Posted @ 11:00 PST, Updated @ 14:55 PST)
Missile attack on Pakistan militant camp kills 10, injures 11 MIRANSHAH, Pakistan, Nov 2 (AFP/AP) - A missile strike destroyed an insurgent hideout in Pakistan's North Waziristan region at a house once owned by the late military chief of the Taliban, killing 10 people and injuring 11 others, witnesses and sources said. Residents and local sources said drones flew over the site in the village of Danday Darpakhel, just about two kms from Miramshah, the main town in North Waziristan, before two missiles hit the site, one of which exploded and destroyed the house formerly owned by Taliban commander Mullah Dadullah who was killed in May in southern Afghanistan. Drones are usually operated by US-led forces in Afghanistan and were used in a failed January 2006 attack on Al-Qaeda's deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Pakistan's tribal region. “There was a roar in the sky. We feared it was an air raid but we saw no jets. Then there was a huge blast,” Noor Mohammad, a student at a religious school near the main town of Miranshah, told AFP. Local sources said at least nine militants were killed and 12 others wounded in the blast. Two foreign militants -- usually associated with Al-Qaeda in the tribal regions -- were among the dead, they said, quoting injured rebels. They said the house was used as a training camp and explosives store by insurgents loyal to Baitullah Mehsud, the leader of Pakistani-based Taliban militants who have been blamed for a string of attacks in this country. “The blast was next to a defunct religious school formerly run by Jalaluddin Haqqani, a Taliban commander with a five-million-dollar bounty on his head who is said to be close to the regime's leader, Mullah Omar. Pakistan's chief military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad said his forces were not involved but added that local officials were checking the cause of the blast. “(The) army has not fired any weapon in the area,” he told AFP. The US-led coalition in Afghanistan said there was no activity reported on the Pakistani border, while the NATO-led ISAF said they had no information. (Updated Posted @ 17:55 PST Updated @ 18:18 PST)
Pentagon says US military not involved in Pakistan missile strike WASHINGTON, Nov 2 (AFP) - The Pentagon said Friday it had no information that the US military was involved in a missile strike in Pakistan. “There is no information this morning that the US military was involved in this incident,” said Bryan Whitman, adding that he spoke only for the Defense Department and not other US government agencies. Two missiles struck a pro-Taliban militant camp in North Waziristan, killing at least 10 militants, according to residents of the village. (Posted @ 19:50 PST)
PIA cancels flights as engineers stop work KARACHI, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Most of state-run Pakistan International Airlines fleet was grounded and dozens of flights were cancelled on Friday as ground engineers took medical leave en masse to press for higher salaries, airline officials said. According to Karachi airport officials, around 45 of PIA'S domestic flights and five international flights scheduled for Friday had been cancelled by 3 p.m (1000 GMT). Nineteen of 42 aircraft were on the ground at airports in Pakistan, while the balance were abroad or in the air. “Almost all (the) fleet is now on the ground,” a PIA official told Reuters. Passengers told Reuters that they had no news of the flight cancellations until they reached the airport. Witnessess saw angry passengers shouting at PIA staff at the airport, demanding refunds or information about revised flight schedules. The protesting engineers said unless PIA management starts salary negotiations, they will not return to work. “This is an issue (that has lasted) over 18 years now and we just cannot work under such conditions,” said Syed Mashkoor Hasan, General Secretary of Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan. “PIA is constantly using delay tactics by telling us they have no money,” he said. (Posted @ 18:26 PST)
Militants say surrendering Pakistani troops freed SWAT, Pakistan, Nov 2 (AP) - Militants said Friday they had freed 48 government troops after they surrendered in Swat valley in northwest Pakistan. The militants, masked and armed with AK-47 assault rifles and long knives, escorted journalists to two-story concrete building in the town of Charabagh to show off 48 men said to have surrendered during the fighting. They were later freed. Barkatullah, 24, who, like other captives, was wearing civilian clothes, said they had left their uniforms at their posts. “We had no ammunition. We had no other option.” Cleric Fazlullah's spokesman, Sirajuddin, also said the 48 troop captives had been freed and were going to their homes. He claimed 100 more security forces had surrendered elsewhere in Swat. Those held in Charabagh said they did not want to fight other Muslims and fellow Pashtun tribesmen. Collectively they told reporters they were resigning from their jobs. “I will prefer to become a labourer instead of fighting against our own people,” said Riaz Khan, 24. Militants in the South Waziristan tribal region are still holding more than 230 soldiers kidnapped two months ago. Mohammed Hanif, an aide of Fazlullah, said militants had also captured two foreign men but had yet to decide what to do with them. He had no details about their nationality or occupation. Local media reports have suggested they are journalists. (Posted @ 16:05 PST)
Firebrand Pakistan cleric ready for talks to end fighting MINGORA, Pakistan, Nov 2 (Reuters)- Cleric Maulana Fazlullah, leading militancy in Swat valley of North West Frontier Province, on Friday called for the withdrawal of troops from the region to open the way for negotiations to end days of fighting. A delegation of clerics and local politicians met with Fazlullah on Friday to try to end the standoff. “Fazlullah has said he is ready to hold talks with the government,” Mohammad Amin, a local tribal politician, told Reuters. He said Fazlullah set three conditions for the talks, including withdrawal of security forces from Swat, enforcement of Islamic Sharia law and that all legal cases against his followers be dropped. Government spokesmen were not available for comment. (Posted @ 17:00 PST)
Rice tells Pakistan not to delay elections SHANNON, Ireland, Nov 2 (Reuters): U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Friday Pakistan must go ahead with elections next year and the United States opposed any move by President Pervez Musharraf to impose martial law. “I am not going to get into the details of our conversations but I think it would be quite obvious that the United States would not be supportive of extra-constitutional means,” said Rice, when asked whether the United States opposed any move by Musharraf to declare martial law. “Pakistan needs to prepare for and hold free and fair elections,” said the top U.S. diplomat, adding that she had not spoken to Musharraf in recent days. Rice was speaking to reporters en route to Turkey and before a refuelling stop in Shannon, Ireland. “The political space needs to be prepared by moderate forces, beginning to work together, which is why we have been supportive of moderate forces like Mrs. Bhutto's return, and that moderate forces have a common enemy in the extremists who are so much in evidence,” Rice said. “We are in constant contact with the leadership and the political leaders in Pakistan but I am not going to speculate on what might happen,” Rice said. (Posted @ 09:50 PST)
PM Aziz says he will not comment on speculations ISLAMABAD, Nov 2 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Friday said he will not like to comment on speculations in the print and electronic media that government plans to impose emergency or take extra-constitutional measures.At a meeting with a delegation of Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) he said the question should be put to those who were spreading these rumours. He categorically stated he would not like to comment on reports which are not based on credible information. (Posted @ 19:18 PST)
Three US airmen killed in Iraq BAGHDAD, Nov 2 (AFP) - Three US airmen have been killed during combat operations near an air base north of Baghdad, US Central Command said on Friday. The three were killed on Thursday near Balad air base, it said. (Posted @ 22:48 PST)
SC moved to avert ultra-constitutional steps ISLAMABAD, Nov. 02 (PPI)- The Supreme Court was moved Friday for directing President General Pervez Musharraf and the federation to clarify their intent on imposition of martial law or an emergency or some other unconstitutional steps including fresh Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO). Justice (R) Wajehuddin Ahmed filed the application through his counsel Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan, under Order 33, Rules 6 of the Rules of the Supreme Court read with article 187 of the constitution. (Posted @ 20:24 PST)
Indian troops martyr three innocent Kashmiri youth ISLAMABAD, Nov 2 (APP): In occupied Kashmir, Indian troops martyred three more innocent Kashmiri youth at two different places. Two youth were shot dead during a crackdown at Kainaar in Kupwara while the third youth was martyred at Chamalwas in Ramban, KMS reported. A fast moving Indian army vehicle deliberately hit and injured two persons at Kralpora in Kupwara. Meanwhile a complete shutdown was observed for the third day in Chatroo town of Kishtwar to protest against killing of a youth by the troops a few days back. All the shops, business establishments and schools remained closed and traffic was off the roads. (Posted @ 20:18 PST)
Five killed, 12 hurt in Dera Bugti mine blast QUETTA, Nov 02 (APP): At least five people including a child died and 12 others were seriously hurt when their vehicle hit a landmine in Nilagh of Dera Bugti district on Friday, police said on telephone. (Posted @ 20:12 PST)
18 Indian police feared dead in ambush RAIPUR, India, Nov 2 (AFP) - At least 18 policemen were feared killed in an Maoist rebel ambush on Friday in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, officials said. The attack occurred in the state's rebel-infested Bijapur district which adjoins Andhra Pradesh state, a senior police officer said in capital Raipur. (Posted @ 19:46 PST)
Tribal rebels kill 7 policemen in India's Assam GUWAHATI, India, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Tribal rebels killed seven policemen in an ambush in India's tea- and oil-rich northeastern state of Assam on Friday, a senior military officer said. Heavily armed guerrillas of a little-known group (DHD), ambushed a vehicle carrying CRPF men on patrol in the mountainous, rebel-infested area of North Cachar Hills district. “All seven of them died on the spot and militants took away their weapons from the site,” the officer, who did not want to be named, said. The DHD is fighting for political autonomy for the Dimasa tribes people in the hilly region. (Posted @ 17:05 PST)
LoC is being converted into international border : Sultan ISLAMABAD, Nov 2 (APP): Former AJK Prime Minister Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry Friday expressed apprehensions that Pakistan and India have come close to some kind of agreement to divide Kashmir by converting LoC into international border. Addressing a press conference he contended that Kashmiris are the main party to the issue who oppose the division of Kashmir and reiterated that there would be no lasting solution of the issue without participation of Kashmiri representatives.” He made it clear that Kashmiris want resolution of the dispute in accordance with their wishes and resolutions of United Nations Security Council. (Posted @ 19:34 PST)
No proposal for shifting capital from Muzaffarabad MUZAFFARABAD, Azad Kashmir, Nov 2 (APP):The Capital City of Azad Jammu and Kashmir would be built in accordance with international standard and there has been no proposal for shifting the capital from Muzaffarabad, Dr. Haleem Khan, Advisor to the AJK prime minister said while talking to different delegations Friday. (Posted @ 19:12 PST)
UK minister fined by court for using cell phone while driving LONDON, Nov 2 (AP) - Britain's immigration minister Liam Byrne was fined by a court Friday after he pleaded guilty to using a cell phone while driving his car. He was fined 100 pounds and ordered to pay additional 50 pounds in costs. (Posted @ 19:08 PST)
Rice vows closer cooperation with Turkey against PKK ANKARA, Nov 2 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Friday fighting Kurdish militants in northern Iraq would demand persistence and commitment but vowed to redouble U.S. efforts to help Turkey tackle the problem. “This is going to take persistence, it is going to take commitment. This is a very difficult problem... Rooting out terrorism is hard,” Rice told a joint news conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan after talks. Rice said she and Babacan had discussed elements of a comprehensive plan aimed at combating the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), whose militants use northern Iraq as a launchpad for attacks on targets inside Turkey. Babacan said Rice's visit to Turkey should mark the start of closer cooperation between the NATO allies against the PKK. “This is where the words end and action needs to start,” Babacan said. (Posted @ 19:04 PST)
SHC dismissed Akhter Mengal’s plea for quashment of FIR KARACHI, Nov 02 (PPI): A two-member bench of Sindh High Court comprising Justice Rehmat Hussain Jaffery and Justice Mehmood Alam Friday dismissed plea of former Chief Minister of Balochistan Sardar Akhter Mengal for quashment of FIR lodged against him for illegal detention of army personnel. Akhter Mengal along with his employees is charged with kidnapping two army personnel, holding them hostage and torturing them with intention to kill at his house in Darakshan area, Karachi on April 5, 2006 while they were going to discharge duties. The abductees were released after law enforcement agencies besieged house of Akhter Mengal. (Posted @ 18:54 PST)
Cricket: Pakistan ease to comfortable win in tour opener NEW DELHI, Nov 2 (AFP) - Pakistan warmed up for the one-day international series against India with a six-wicket win over a local side here Friday. Brief scores: Delhi XI-- 213 for nine; Pakistan 215 for four with 44 balls to spare (Posted @ 17:20 PST)
US air strike kills 10 militants in Iraq BAGHDAD, Nov 2 (AFP) - A US air strike on Friday in Salman Pak, southeast of Baghdad, killed 10 militants allegedly from the Al-Qaeda in Iraq group, the US military said. In another operation US troops detained a high-level militant who was “responsible for communications from terrorist members to the Al-Qaeda in Iraq leader, Abu Ayyub al-Masri,” the military said.The raid was carried out near the town of Shaqat in the northern Iraqi province of Salaheddin. (Posted @ 16:55 PST)
Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt's bail plea delayed NEW DELHI, Nov 2 (AFP) - India's Supreme Court Friday said imprisoned Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt would have to wait until November 20 to appeal for bail after being jailed for possessing weapons. Chief justice K. G. Balakrishan said he will “entertain” Dutt's appeal only after the court reopens following a major Hindu festival. Dutt is being held in a high-security cell in western Pune city. (Posted @ 16:45 PST)
One million people affected by Mexico floods MEXICO CITY, Nov 2 (AFP) - Rescuers worked Friday on saving hundreds of thousands of people trapped by the worst floods ever recorded in Mexico's southern state of Tabasco, with more than one million residents affected. The oil-rich state the size of Belgium is now 80 percent underwater, officials said, adding that they expect more rain in the coming days.“New Orleans was small compared to this,” said state Governor Andres Granier, comparing the disaster to the flooding caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Rivers continued to swell due to the non-stop rain, and more than 850 towns have been flooded in the Gulf of Mexico state, officials said. (First Posted @ 09:30 PST, Updated @ 16:45 PST)
Abbas meets Hamas leaders in West Bank RAMALLAH, West Bank, Nov 2 (APP/AFP) -Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas met delegates of Hamas on Friday in the West Bank for the first time since the Islamist movement routed his forces in the Gaza Strip, an official said. (Posted @ 16:30 PST)
Pilot of B-29 bomber that dropped atomic bomb on Hiroshima dies at 92 COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov 2 (AP) - Paul Tibbets, who piloted the B-29 bomber Enola Gay that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, died Thursday after six decades of steadfastly defending the mission. He was 92. (Posted @ 16:15 PST)
Afghan troops battle Taliban for fifth day to recapture two lost districts HERAT, Afghanistan, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Afghan forces battled hundreds of Taliban fighters for a fifth day in the west of the country on Friday to regain control of Gulistan and Bakwa districts, as the chief of a third district feared his region might soon fall. We estimate there are about 700 Taliban in the attacking force with 50 4x4 vehicles in Bakwa and Gulistan districts,” Maulvi Yahya, the district chief of neighbouring Delaram, told Reuters. “We request NATO forces to support the Afghan troops from the air. I am warning that if foreign forces do not engage the Taliban from the air, Delaram district will fall into Taliban hands shortly,” he said. Taliban spokesman Qari Mohammad Yousuf said the insurgents planned to occupy the whole of Farah province and would not retreat. (Posted @ 15:45 PST)
Polish soldier killed by mine in Iraq, 3 hurt WARSAW, Nov 2 (Reuters) - A Polish soldier was killed and three were injured in Iraq after their convoy drove onto a mine, Polish media reported Friday. (Posted @ 15:30 PST)
Indian army punishes 85 soldiers for rights abuses in occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, Nov 2 (AFP): - Eighty-five Indian soldiers have been found guilty of human rights violations in occupied Kashmir in the 18 years since a revolt against New Delhi's rule erupted there in 1989, the army said Friday. “To date as many as 85 officers and soldiers have received punishment, including dismissal from service and imprisonment after charges (of human rights violations) were established against them,” said Lieutenant-General A.S. Sikhon. The freedom movement has left more than 42,000 people dead by official count. Human rights groups put the toll at 60,000 dead and another 10,000 missing. According to Sekhon some 700 to 800 militants were still active in occupied Kashmir, mostly members of the Hizbul Mujahedin. (Posted @ 15:15 PST)
Tiger political chief killed in Sri Lanka strike: rebels COLOMBO, Nov 2 (AFP): - The political chief of Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers, the public face of the secretive rebel group, was killed in a government air strike on Friday, the guerrillas announced. S.P. Thamilselvan died with five others in an attack by the Sri Lankan air force on rebel-held territory, they said. The defence ministry said it had targeted a venue where rebel leaders were meeting but gave no further details. (Posted @ 14:55 PST)
Three killed, 10 wounded in Thai south violence NARATHIWAT, Thailand, Nov 2 (AFP): - Three Muslim men were shot dead in separate attacks in Thailand's violent south and 10 people including two policemen were wounded when a bomb hidden in a pork vendor's stall exploded in Yala province, police said. (Posted @ 04:45 PST)
North Korea may be nuclear-free early next year: Hill SEOUL, Nov 2 (AFP): North Korea could be nuclear-free “soon in the coming year” if it honours a deal to declare all its weapons programmes, but UN sanctions will stay in force until then, US envoy Christopher Hill said Friday. “We're expecting the first draft declaration... probably in a matter of the next couple of weeks,” said Hill, an assistant secretary of state and the chief US envoy to six-nation talks on denuclearising the North. “The idea is that as we receive that, we have some information on programmes we would want to have follow-on discussions on, with the understanding that by the end of the year we will have a complete declaration that everyone would agree is complete.” (Posted @ 11:55 PST)
London police convicted over 2005 Brazilian killing LONDON, Nov 2 (AFP): London's Metropolitan Police force was found guilty Thursday of breaching health and safety laws in the fatal 2005 shooting of a Brazilian who officers mistook for a suicide bomber. The ruling prompted calls for the resignation of police chief Ian Blair, Britain's most senior police officer, who insisted he would not quit, saying officers did their best in a “simply extraordinary situation”. Jean Charles de Menezes, 27, was shot seven times in the head at a London Underground train station on July 22, 2005. After a jury at London's Central Criminal Court returned its verdict, judge Richard Henriques fined the force 175,000 pounds and ordered it to pay costs of 385,000 pounds. (Posted @ 09:20 PST)
Karachi Stocks down 14.88, points: KARACHI, Nov 02: At the close of trading the KSE-100 index was at 13915.04,down 14.88, points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 16:00 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, Nov 02: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.77, to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 16:00 PST)
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