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| November 09, 2007 | Friday | Shawwal 27, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
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Satellite Parameters for DAWN NEWS Satellite: Intelsat 10, Band -C Downlink Frequency: 4126.05 Mhz Symbol rate: 3255 Kbps FEC: 3/4 Polarization: Horizontal |
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Suicide bombing at Peshawar home of Pakistan minister kills at least 4 PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Nov 9 (AP) - A suicide bombing at the home of Pakistan minister for political affairs, Amir Muqam, in Peshawar, the capital of the NWFP, killed at least four people and injured three others on Friday, police said. The minister was unhurt. Amir Muqam said he saw two or three bodies on my veranda _ members of his security staff _ and one of his brothers was wounded. “I saw two, three bodies on my veranda,” Muqam who is the provincial chief of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Q party said on state-run Pakistan Television. Tahir Khan, the city's police chief, said the attacker, who was on foot, blew himself up just inside the gate of Muqam's house when security personnel tried to stop him. In April, a suicide bomber blew himself up just a few feet from Interior Minister Aftab Khan Sherpao, killing 28 other people, at a political rally in the northwestern town of Charsadda. Sherpao had escaped with minor injuries. (First Posted @ 16:35 PST, Updated @ 17:00 PST)
Benazir fails to break police cordon for Rawalpindi rally ISLAMABAD, Nov 9 (AFP) - Police blocked former Pakistani premier Benazir Bhutto from leaving her home Friday as she pleaded for her release from house arrest to lead a rally against President Pervez Musharraf in Rawalpindi’s Liaqat Bagh park. She urged officers stationed around her compound to let her get to the planned demonstration, but police served her with a house arrest order instead. Sources said the detention order was formally for 30 days but would likely be dropped later Friday. “I am your sister fighting for democracy,” she told police through a megaphone as she tried to get through a wall of barbed wire. Speaking with AFP by telephone from inside her bullet-proof car, she said: “I am not afraid of these tactics. My struggle is for the people of Pakistan, for their rights and for an end to dictatorship.” Police allowed her car through one cordon but it was then blocked by armoured personnel carriers. She later went back inside her home. Police confirmed that Benazir Bhutto was served with a house arrest order as soon as she tried to leave her residence in a leafy Islamabad neighbourhood. Police arrested around 100 party workers from outside her home. Her party said 5,000 party activists had been arrested since the weekend, mostly from the Punjab. Referring to police claim that up to eight suicide bombers had infiltrated Rawalpindi, raising the spectre of a repeat of the double suicide blast that killed 139 people in Karachi on October 18, Benazir said the police should arrest suicide bombers if they know about them. “I don't want Pakistan to become Iraq. I have to save you, I am not afraid of death because it is in the hands of God,” she later told supporters and police. Police meanwhile teargassed PPP workers in Rawalpindi, Peshawar and the northwestern town of Swabi, officials said. Benazir to be freed late Friday Benazir Bhutto will be freed from house arrest on Friday night. “It was a temporary detention order to keep her from getting exposed to a very serious threat of suicide bombing. That order will be withdrawn tonight in the next few hours,” Deputy Information Minister Tariq Azeem told AFP. Pakistan releases Bhutto from house arrest Pakistan on Friday withdrew a house arrest order for former premier Benazir Bhutto, a senior interior ministry official said.“It has been withdrawn,” interior secretary Kamal Shah told AFP. (First Posted @ 14:35 PST Updated @ 23:12 PST)
Bomb kills two soldiers in Pakistan's Swat valley PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Nov 9 (AFP) - Two paramilitary soldiers were killed and five wounded Friday when a bomb exploded in in Kabal town of scenic Swat valley in NorthWest Frontier Province, chief military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad told Pakistan TV. Residents said the bomb was planted on a bridge near Kabal, 15 kilometres from the valley's main town of Mingora. (First Posted @ 18:16 PST Updated @ 18:28 PST)
PM Aziz witnesses PAF's fire power KARACHI, Nov 9 (PPI):- Pakistan would maintain minimum deterrence to ensure peace and stability in the region, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Friday. Speaking at a fire power demonstration by Pakistan Air Force at Somiani near Karachi, he reiterated that the government would provide most modern weapons and equipment to PAF to make country’s defence impregnable. He highly appreciated the standard of fire power show and said it reflects strong, effective capabilities and professional supremacy of PAF.During the show, PAF fighter aircraft accurately hit their targets. Air to surface weapons were also successfully tried. (Posted @ 18:24 PST)
Fierce gunbattle ends on 4th day in occupied Kashmir; 4 soldiers, 3 militants killed SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, Nov 9 (AP) - A deadly four-day gunbattle between government troops and suspected militants in Pattan, a town 30 kilometers north of Srinagar in occupied Kashmir ended Friday with four soldiers and three militants killed, an Indian army spokesman said. The firefight started late Tuesday when the militants hurled grenades and opened heavy gunfire on an army patrol in the town, he said. One soldier was killed Tuesday and two others on Wednesday. On Friday, an army officer was shot and killed when suspected militants opened fire on advancing troops, he said. One rebel body had been found Wednesday and a second on Thursday. The officer said six soldiers including an army officer and a civilian were also wounded in the gunbattle. The gunbattle also destroyed seven homes and damaged six others, officials said. Residents said the houses were damaged by mortar shells fired by the army during the fighting. As the battle ended, hundreds of residents blocked a key highway while chanting slogans against the army and India. (Posted @ 17:34 PST)
Pakistani police tear gas protesters in Rawalpindi ISLAMABAD, Nov 9 (AFP) -Police on Friday fired tear gas shells to disperse supporters of former premier Benazir Bhutto who were trying to reach Liaqat Bagh park, where she wants to lead the rally in Rawalpindi against the state of emergency. Baton-wielding police chased away several groups in the centre of the garrison city who were trying to reach Liaqat Bagh, an AFP correspondent said. They used tear gas to break up at least two of the groups, one of which numbered at least 50 people, and fired up to 10 tear gas shells, the correspondent witnessed. City police chief Saud Aziz said around 65 activists had been taken into “preventive detention.” The incidents came as police blocked from leaving her home in nearby Islamabad to get to the rally, her first against the emergency rule imposed by President Pervez Musharraf on Saturday. (Posted @ 16:05 PST)
Pakistan evacuates 300 Chinese working on hydropower projects in northwest PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Nov 9 (AP): Authorities evacuated about 300 Chinese engineers working on three separate hydropower projects near militant strongholds in northwestern Pakistan, police said Friday. The Chinese, most of them engineers, were taken to Islamabad Thursday for ''security reasons,'' said Ataullah Wazir, a senior police official. Wazir did not say if there were any specific threats against the Chinese, but the region where they were working has seen several recent clashes between security forces and pro-Taliban militants. (Posted @ 13:45 PST)
White House calls for early end to Pakistan emergency CRAWFORD, Texas, Nov 9, (REUTERS) - The White House called on Friday for an early end to the state of emergency in Pakistan and urged all sides to refrain from violence. “Free and fair elections require a lifting of the state of emergency,” said Gordon Johndroe, spokesman for the White House National Security Council. “We therefore continue to call for an early end to that state of emergency and the release of political party members and peaceful protesters who have been detained.” (Posted @ 23:34 PST)
Two tourists from Taiwan killed in Canadian Rockies MONTREAL, Nov 9, (AFP) - Two tourists from Taiwan were killed when the bus they were traveling in crashed in British Colombia, in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, police said Friday. (Posted @ 23:22 PST)
Legislators support continuity of policies: PM Aziz KARACHI, Nov 09 (PPI): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Friday said the support by PML and its allies for leadership of President Pervez Musharraf and his decisions to ensure stability and solidarity in country reflects their confidence in reforms agenda and continuity of policies. Talking to Sindh Governor Dr. Ishratul Ibad Khan and Chief Minister Dr. Arbab Ghulam Rahim he said PML and its allies are geared up for the upcoming elections and will bring forward best candidates in every constituency to gain an even greater majority in all provincial assemblies as well as National Assembly. (Posted @ 22:48 PST)
PM Aziz meets former caretaker premier Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi KARACHI, Nov 9 (APP) : Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Friday exchanged views on issues of national importance in wake of prevailing political situation in the country with former care taker prime minister minister Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi at his residence. The likely political developments prior to the general election and measures required to establish conducive environment for the elections were also came under discussion. Sindh Governor, Dr, Ishratul Ibad and Chief Minister Sindh, Dr. Arbab Ghulam Rahim, MNA Dr. Abdul Ghaffar Jatoi and MPA Arif Mustafa Jatoi were also present on the occasion. (Posted @ 21:00 PST)
Pakistan police ring Imran Khan's cancer hospital LAHORE, Pakistan, Nov 9 (AFP) - Pakistani police Friday sealed off a cancer hospital set up by Imran Khan as they sought to track down the cricketer turned politician who has escaped arrest under the state of emergency. A police official told AFP that police had cordoned off the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital in Lahore “to search for Imran Khan.” Imran’s house was also cordoned off .Imran who founded the Tehrik-i-Insaf Party, said in a statement from hiding that he was in contact with other opposition leaders and “we will soon launch a mass movement against Musharraf.” He called for the reinstatement of all the judges. (Posted @ 20:48 PST)
British soldier dies in Afghanistan LONDON, Nov 9 (AFP) - A British soldier was killed Friday after the vehicle he was travelling in came off a road and rolled over a bridge near Sangin in Helmand Province. (Posted @ 20:40 PST)
Scotland to host 2014 Commonwealth Games COLOMBO, Nov 9 (AFP) - Scotland's city of Glasgow on Friday won a bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Glasgow received 47 votes against the only rival, Nigeria, which got 24 during voting at the Commonwealth Games Federation annual assembly in Sri Lanka, president Mike Fennell said. (Posted @ 18:58 PST)
Cricket-Shoaib Malik retained as Pakistan captain KARACHI, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Shoaib Malik will retain the Pakistan captaincy until December 2008, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced Friday.The vice-captain would be announced on a series- to-series basis. Younis Khan is the vice-captain for the Indian tour. (Posted @ 18:48 PST)
PBC condemns lawyers' arrest, seeks reinstatement of judges ISLAMABAD, Nov 09 (PPI) Pakistan Bar Council Friday condemned the detention of the office-bearers of Pakistan Bar Council and various bar associations and other lawyers and called upon the lawyers throughout Pakistan to observe boycott of the Supreme Court and the High Courts indefinitely till all the sacked judges resume their duties and functions under the constitution. In a statement the PBC however said that the lawyers may appear before the subordinate court judges from Monday but will observe one-hour token strike every day to protest the imposition of 'unconstitutional' PCO and emergency. (Posted @ 18:20 PST)
US forces kill 16 suspects and detain 44 in raids across northern Iraq BAGHDAD, Nov 9 (AP) - U.S. and Iraqi forces killed 16 suspects and captured 44 others in raids across northern Iraq in the past 48 hours, the U.S. military said Friday. In one operation Thursday south of Samarra, two suspects were killed _ including a man believed to be a leader of al-Qaida in Iraq's operations in Salahuddin province, the U.S. military said in a statement. (Posted @ 17:52 PST)
More than 40 Somalis killed in 24 hours in Mogadishu MOGADISHU, Somalia, Nov 9 (AP) - Heavy fighting between insurgents and Ethiopian troops backing Somalia's shaky government has killed more than 40 people and wounded 50 others in the past 24 hours, witnesses and doctors said Friday. (Posted @ 17:15 PST)
Mandela, Carter condemn Musharraf’s emergency rule JOHANNESBURG, Nov 9 (Reuters) - A group of former world leaders including Nelson Mandela, Jimmy Carter, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has denounced Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf for imposing emergency rule and suspending the constitution. “These illegal acts have resulted in abuse and incarceration of judges, lawyers, human rights activists, journalists and other moderate and democratic opposition forces,” the group, called the Elders, said in a statement late Thursday. “The Elders support all those freedom-loving Pakistanis who have chosen to join in peaceful expressions of opposition to these dictatorial acts and call upon political leaders throughout the world to insist on a return to a lawful government under Pakistan's constitution,” it said. Each of the four has won the Nobel Peace prize. (Posted @ 16:45 PST)
U.S. fears Pakistan unrest could curb war on terrorism EN ROUTE FROM TOKYO TO WASHINGTON, Nov 9 (Reuters) U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates said Friday he was concerned that instability in Pakistan could distract Pakistani forces from anti-terrorist operations. President Musharraf declared a state of emergency last Saturday, and security forces have since detained thousands of people. “The concern I have is that the longer the internal problems continue, the more distracted the Pakistani army and security services will be in terms of the internal situation rather than focusing on the terrorist threat in the frontier area,” Gates said. (Posted @ 15:20 PST)
BBC, CNN disappear in Pakistan as Benazir Bhutto detained ISLAMABAD, Nov 9 (Reuters): International television news channels BBC and CNN went off the air in Pakistan again Friday. Authorities stopped cable operators from broadcasting international and private Pakistani news channels on the weekend, after President Musharraf imposed emergency rule. The BBC and CNN reappeared on cable channels late Thursday, when they were reporting Musharraf had promised to hold elections by mid-February. But both disappeared again on Friday after reporting Benazir was under house arrest and police had sealed off Rawalpindi’s Liaqat Bagh, where she had been planning a party meeting. (Posted @ 13:35 PST)
Militants, troops clash during hotel siege in occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, Nov 9 (AFP): Indian troops besieged a hotel in occupied Kashmir where at least two militants barricaded themselves in after attacking a police post, officials said Friday. Residents reported heavy gunfire throughout the night. “The militants took refuge inside a hotel Thursday evening,” police officer Imtiaz Hussain said. “We immediately ringed the four-storey hotel and evacuated civilians before launching an operation.” Police said at least two policemen have been wounded so far in the incident in Sopore, 55 kilometres north of Srinagar. (Posted @ 13:10 PST)
NATO, Afghan troops capture western district KABUL, Afghanistan, Nov 9 (AP): NATO-led troops and Afghan forces captured Gulistan district in western Afghanistan’s Farah province, as militants ambushed and killed a district chief in the volatile south, officials said Friday. The battles around Gulistan district were continuing into Friday. In Zabul province, Taliban militants on motorbikes ambushed and killed Shahjoy's district chief and two of his bodyguards Thursday, a district police chief said. (Posted @ 12:55 PST)
US military frees nine Iranian prisoners in Iraq BAGHDAD, Nov 9 (Reuters): Nine Iranians held by the U.S. military in Iraq were released on Friday because they no longer posed a security threat, the military said in a statement. The Iranians released included two captured in northern Arbil in January on suspicion of assisting militias in Iraq. (Posted @ 12:45 PST)
US must reach out to Pakistan: James Baker LITTLE ROCK, Nov 9 (AP): Former Secretary of State James Baker said while Pakistan has undergone a ''regrettable overthrow of democracy,'' the United States must reach out to the country and other authoritarian governments to achieve its goal. Baker said American ideals of democracy and free markets have taken hold across the world after the fall of the Soviet Union. However, he offered a realpolitik view when it came to dealing with Pakistan, likening it to U.S. relations with the Soviet dictator Josef Stalin during World War II. ''You have to weigh how you approach that issue with the importance of the war on terror,'' Baker told an audience at the Clinton presidential library late Thursday. ''To be very blunt, sometimes we have no choice but to work with governments that fall short when it comes to democratic practices and the protection of human rights.'' (Posted @ 12:35 PST)
Liaqat Bagh sealed with barbed-wire barricades ISLAMABAD, Nov 9 (AFP): Police braced for a showdown with Benazir Bhutto Friday as the former premier vowed to lead a rally against President Musharraf's imposition of a state of emergency. The government deployed 6,000 police officers to stop the protest in Rawalpindi, completely sealing off the planned venue with barbed wire and concrete blocks. “Under no circumstances will the rally be allowed. The law will take its course against anyone who defies it,” Rawalpindi police chief Saud Aziz told AFP. “It is the instruction of the provincial government and we will implement those instructions. We have deployed 6,000 policemen and taken control of the rally venue,” he added. Top government sources said last-minute negotiations were under way to convince Benazir to cancel the rally. Officials refused to rule out the possibility that she could be placed under house arrest. Her Pakistan People's Party said it had booked the venue in the city centre location of Liaqat Bagh and vowed to press on with the rally in any case. “The meeting will go ahead come what may,” PPP spokesman Farhatullah Babar told AFP. (Posted @ 09:10 PST)
59 children killed in Afghan suicide attack KABUL, Nov 9 (AFP): A suicide attack in Afghanistan this week killed 59 children and five teachers, the education ministry said Friday, taking the death toll to 75 in a blast Tuesday in the northern Baghlan province. Six lawmakers and five bodyguards were also killed in the blast in the blast. (First Posted @ 11:50 PST, Updated @12:00 PST)
Eight Tamil rebels killed in fighting in north; blast kills two village guards COLOMBO, Nov 9 (AP): Eight separatist rebels were killed in clashes with government troops across northern Sri Lanka, while a roadside bomb blast killed two village guards, the military said Friday. Suspected Tamil insurgents set off the blast targeting the two guards in the Padaviya village, in northern Anuradhapura district, Friday morning, a defence ministry official said requesting anonymity. Separately, army troops killed four insurgents in a gunbattle in Thampane village in Vavuniya district, just south of the Tamil Tigers' de facto state Thursday, the official said. Four soldiers were wounded. In the neighbouring Mannar district, three guerrillas were killed and one soldier wounded in fighting. A separate clash Thursday left one rebel dead in Vavuniya, the official said. (Posted @ 10:55 PST)
Three killed in Thai south NARATHIWAT, Thailand, Nov 9 (AFP): Insurgents shot dead three persons who worked for local government in southern Thailand, police said Friday. Two volunteer soldiers aged 19 and 29 were killed Thursday evening while guarding a school in Narathiwat province, police said. Also Thursday a 59-year-old deputy village chief was gunned down in Yala province. (Posted @ 09:40 PST)
China coal mine gas leak kills 29 BEIJING, Nov 9 (Reuters): Twenty-nine miners were killed in a coal mine gas leak in southwest China's Guizhou Province and six others are missing, the Xinhua News Agency said Friday. The gas leak at Qunli Coal Mine in Nayong County occurred Thursday afternoon when 86 miners were working in the shaft, Xinhua quoted rescuers as saying. The rescuers saved 52 miners, the report said. (Posted @ 08:55 PST)
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