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| November 12, 2007 | Monday | Ziqa’ad 01, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
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Benazir says party may boycott polls if emergency not lifted LAHORE, Pakistan, Nov 12 (AFP) Opposition leader Benazir Bhutto said Monday that her party may boycott elections if President Musharraf holds the polls under emergency rule. “Boycotting the election is an option with us,” she told reporters during a whistlestop tour through Lahore, where she is galvanising support for an anti-emergency march Tuesday. “We cannot work with anyone who has suspended the constitution, imposed emergency rule, and oppressed the judiciary. That's why we are holding the 'long march,'” she had told reporters earlier in the morning. “I will go ahead with the long march. I know it is dangerous but what alternatives are there?” she said. Benazir welcomed Musharraf's vow to hold elections before January 9 but said they could not be free and fair if held under emergency rule. “How can they be fair?” she said. ”The decision to impose an emergency and not to quit his military uniform has led to a breakdown of talks between us and the Musharraf regime,” she added. She also called upon the youth “to join our march: it is not for Benazir Bhutto or the Pakistan People's Party, it is a march of the poor of the oppressed against the oppressors.” (First Posted @ 15:55 PST Updated @ 18:40 PST)
Pakistan gunships fire at militants in Swat Valley PESHAWAR, Nov 12 (AFP): Pakistani helicopter gunships pounded militant positions near Matta Town in Swat Valley on Monday officials said. Two militants were wounded in the attack. The army Monday officially took over operations against militants in Swat after orders by President General Pervez Musharraf to crack down. A police official speaking on condition of anonymity said the helicopters attacked militant positions in the hills above the town of Matta after gunshots were fired at the choppers. “We did not fire at helicopters nor do we have anti-aircraft weapons to do so -- if we had them we would definitely use them,” a militant spokesman told AFP. “The army has assumed the lead role in Swat from today onward,” chief military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad told Dawn television Monday. “We will take on the operations today in coordination with local and provincial level,” Arshad said. (Posted @ 14:06 PST)
Pakistan government says it will not allow Benazir procession ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Nov 12 (AP) - Opposition leader Benazir Bhutto will not be allowed to take out the Lahore-Islamabad protest procession on Tuesday because it would violate a ban on political rallies imposed under the current state of emergency, a government spokesman said Monday. “All processions, rallies, political gatherings at present are outlawed,” Deputy Information Minister Tariq Azim told The Associated Press. “So if she breaks the law then obviously she will not be allowed to do it.” Azim declined to give details about what steps authorities might take against Benazir Bhutto. He said that law enforcers would “take the necessary action as it happens.” Earlier Tuesday, police ramped up security for Bhutto, saying they had received intelligence that a suicide bomber was planning to attack her in Lahore. Hundreds of police have been deployed in the streets around the Lahore house where Benazir is currently staying, and sharpshooters are on surrounding rooftops. The road leading to the house is barricaded. (First Posted @ 18:46 PST Updated @ 21:12 PST)
Commonwealth mulls action against Pakistan LONDON, Nov 12 (AFP) - Commonwealth ministers held talks here Monday on imposing sanctions on Pakistan over its declaration of emergency rule, with a senior figure warning the country could be suspended from the 53-nation group. Michael Frendo, chairman of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, said constitutional rule must be reimposed before elections which President Pervez Musharraf said Sunday will be held before January 9.Arriving at the Commonwealth's Marlborough House headquarters, the Maltese foreign minister said: “We will look at the facts, not at the promises,” he told waiting reporters. “One of the sanctions that is certainly on the table is the possibility of suspension. There are others,” he added, as a gathering of about 30 Pakistan opposition supporters staged a vocal demonstration outside the venue. The protesters held up pictures of former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto and chanted slogans as delegates arrived. (First Posted @ 15:15 PST Updated @ 20:44 PST)
Pakistan seizes 'top militant' for harbouring Al-Qaeda ISLAMABAD, Nov 12 (AFP) - Pakistani security forces Monday seized in scenic Swat valleya top militant accused of harbouring Al-Qaeda insurgents, beheading troops and supplying arms to a rebel cleric in the country's northwest, officials said. Chief military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad confirmed to AFP that security forces had arrested a “top suspect involved in militancy.” ”He is under interrogation. The man identified himself as Parwant and says he is local,” Arshad said, adding the man's real name was not yet known.The suspect was involved in “harbouring Al-Qaeda” and of supplying arms to Maulana Fazlullah, the renegade cleric leading the rebellion in Swat, a senior security official said on condition of anonymity. (Posted @ 17:44 PST)
Supreme Court admits for hearing petitions over emergency proclamation ISLAMABAD. Nov 12 (APP): An 8-member full court of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar Monday admitted for hearing petitions filed by former provincial minister Tikka Iqbal Mohammad Khan and the Watan Party challenging the proclamation of emergency and issued notices to the respondents and the Attorney General for the hearing of the case on November 15. (Posted @ 17:30 PST)
Pakistan court to hear Musharraf challenges next week ISLAMABAD, Nov 12 (AFP) Pakistan's revamped supreme court is likely to resume hearings next week on challenges against Pervez Musharraf's re-election as president, the country's attorney general said Monday. Attorney general Malik Mohammad Qayyum told AFP that two more judges would be sworn in as Supreme Court judges on Tuesday, bringing the total to 11. That is the number that was considering the case before Musharraf imposed a state of emergency on November 3, when he sacked the chief justice and eight other Supreme Court judges who refused to take a new oath. “The court may resume hearing the case from next week,” Qayyum said. “I believe that since an 11-member bench of the court was hearing the case before the imposition of emergency rule, (new) chief justice Abdul Hameed Dogar would like the same number of judges to hear the appeals.” The challengers argue that Musharraf was ineligible to stand for a second five-year term while keeping his role as army chief, and that the vote should not have been carried out by the current, outgoing assemblies. The original court allowed the presidential vote to go ahead but stipulated that no official notification of the result could be announced until after it had decided on the appeals. Musharraf's state of emergency was ordered a few days before the top court was due to have ruled, amid government jitters that it might have gone against him. (Posted @ 15:00 PST)
Balochistan lawyers boycott courts QUETTA, Pakistan, Nov 12 (PPI)- Lawyers throughout Balochisan province Monday continued boycott of the courts proceedings in protest against imposition of emergency in the country and denounced massive crack down on the lawyers fraternity. The majority of lawyers in Quetta remained away from the courts as law enforcing agencies remained in and around the courts premises. The lawyers of Kill Saifullah, Zhob, Sibi, Loralai, Ziarat, Mastung, Khuzdar and other areas also boycotted the courts. (Posted @ 23:20 PST)
MQM delegation meets Pir Pagara; discuss election strategy KARACHI, Nov 12 (APP): MQM and PML(F) have formed a 6-member coordination committee for next general elections. A 6-member delegation of MQM led by Dr Farooq Sattar held a meeting with PML(F) chief Pir Pagara at his Karachi residence Monday and conveyed a message l from MQM chief Altaf Hussain. On the occasion both sides agreed on setting up a 6-member coordination committee for mutual contacts at the provincial level and to monitor the election related matters. (Posted @ 22:48 PST)
PPP believes in media freedom, says Benazir LAHORE, Nov 12 (APP): PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto Monday said that her party believed in complete freedom of media. Speaking at the token hunger strike camp set up by Punjab Union of Journalists (PUJ) at Lahore Press Club on Monday evening she said country's media was working for freedom of expression and “we extend our all-out support to the journalists' movement for freedom and we come here to express solidarity with you people.” She demanded of the government to lift all curbs from the country's media organisations. She assured the journalists community that she would maintain freedom of media after coming into power. (Posted @ 22:18 PST)
Lawyers to continue boycott of courts till Nov. 16 KARACHI, Nov 12 (APP): Sindh High Court Bar Association Monday announced that lawyers will not appear in courts till November 16 and future action will be decided later through mutual consultations of all Bars and Councils. A general body resolution expressed full support to those judges who did not take oath under Provisional Constitution Order (PCO) and urged members of the Bar to socially boycott those who have taken oath under PCO. (Posted @ 21:54 PST)
Hand grenade hurled at police station QUETTA, Pakisan, Nov 12 (APP): Suspected militants hurled a hand grenade ino the premises of City police station leaving a police head constable injured Monday, police said. (Posted @ 21:46 PST)
Federer stunned by Gonzalez at Shanghai Masters Cup SHANGHAI, China, Nov 12 (AP) - Top-ranked Roger Federer lost consecutive matches for the first time in 4 1/2 years, falling to No. 7 Fernando Gonzalez of Chile 4-6, 7-6 (1), 7-5 Monday at the Masters Cup.(Posted @ 20:02 PST)
Russia, India to build new transport plane MOSCOW, No 12 (AP) - Russia and India signed a deal to jointly build a multipurpose transport plane Monday as President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wrapped up a visit that highlighted deepening military and economic ties between the two nations. Last month, the two sides agreed to work together on building a fifth-generation fighter jet. (Posted @ 19:02 PST)
Pakistani youth second to none: PM Aziz ISLAMABAD, Nov 12 (APP) Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Monday terming youth an asset for the nation said the government was imparting to them quality education to utilize their skill and energies for the country's progress and prosperity. “Pakistani youth is second to none, having a passion to work for progress of the country if provided with better skills and opportunities,” Aziz said at the certificate awarding ceremony organized by National Vocational and Technical Education Commission (NAVTEC) at the Convention Centre here. He urged the youth to work diligently and honestly to strengthen the country. “I assure you that Pakistan's future is very bright, if you prove yourself through hardwork,” Aziz said. (Posted @ 18:18 PST)
Two NATO troops among 25 killed in Afghanistan KABUL, Nov 12 (AFP) - Two NATO soldiers and their Afghan interpreter were killed in a roadside bomb blast in Bermal district blast of Paktika province Monday, as officials said 22 other people including three civilians were killed in separate attacks. The US-led coalition said three civilians and 15 militants died in a raid on a compound in the Garmser district of Helmand province on Sunday. The bodies of a woman and two children, along with those of several militants, were found in a search of the building. Separately, militants attacked a security post a short distance from the provincial governor's office in the city of Ghazni, killing four policemen and wounding two others last night. (Posted @ 18:14 PST)
Indian troops martyr six more Kashmiris Srinagar, occupied Kashmir, Nov 12 (PPI) Indian troops martyred six more innocent Kashmiri youth at different places in occupied Kashmir, Kashmir Media Service reported. Of those martyred, troops during crackdown operations shot dead four youth and destroyed one house at Dooru in Sopore. One youth each was killed at Narla Bambal in Rajouri and Mandian in Pulwama. A four-year-old boy’s body was recovered from Hubbi in Rajouri and a body was recovered from Patnak Gali in Kishtawar. Three Indian troops were killed and seven personnel including Deputy commandant of Indian Central Reserve Police Force were injured in three different attacks in Sopore town. (Posted @ 17:42 PST)
45 shops gutted in major fire in occupied Kashmir Srinagar, occupied Kashmir, Nov 12 (PPI) At least 45 shops and other structures were gutted in a devastating fire at Sonmarg on Srinagar-Leh highway in occupied Kashmir early Monday, Kashmir Media Service reported. The fire broke out at a shop in Sonmarg, about 85 km from Kangan in Ganderbal district. The cause of the fire was being ascertained, an official said. Meanwhile, an Indian trooper of 4-Rashtriya Rifles was killed and another personnel injured in a grenade blast at Saringal in Bhaderwah. (Posted @ 17:34 PST)
Pakistan considering pension, other benefits for former SC judges: AG Qayyum ISLAMABAD, Nov 12 (APP):The government is considering allowing pension and other benefits to all thirteen Supreme Court judges deposed after the Proclamation of Emergency and Provisional Constitution Order (PCO), Attorney General Malik Mohammad Qayyum said Monday. Talking to reporters, he said that a decision was likely shortly and the deposed judges would be treated at par with retired judges in terms of pension and benefits. He recalled that in 1999 six Supreme Court judges who were not retained after the PCO issued then had been given benefits through a special order of the then chief executive. (Posted @ 17:28 PST)
5 killed in clashes at Arafat rally in Gaza GAZA CITY, Nov 12 (AFP) At least 5 people were killed and 10 wounded when clashes broke out at a demonstration called by Fatah to commemorate the death of Yasser Arafat in Gaza City Monday, medics said. Gunfire rang out in the city centre where hundreds of thousands of Fatah party supporters had gathered. (First Posted @ 16:52 PST Updated @ 17:14 PST)
20 feared dead in Gambia migrant boat capsize BANJUL, Nov 12 (Reuters) Twenty African migrants were feared dead after the boat in which they were trying to reach Spain capsized in bad weather off the coast of Gambia late Saturday, Gambian state television said Monday. It quoted a police officer as saying seven bodies had been recovered from the capsize. Police were alerted by a survivor, who said the boat had been carrying 50 passengers when it capsized off the Gambian capital Banjul. (Posted @ 16:54 PST)
Road crash kills 15 in southern Tanzania NAIROBI, Nov 12 (Reuters) A road crash killed 15 people in southern Tanzania when a truck hit a packed minibus after its brakes failed, local media said Monday. Thirteen other passengers were wounded in the accident Sunday in Mbeya region, reports said. (Posted @ 16:48 PST)
No hanging of 'Chemical Ali' till legal row resolved: US BAGHDAD, Nov 12 (AFP) US forces will not hand over “Chemical Ali” and two other cohorts of Saddam Hussein for execution until a legal row is settled, the US embassy said Monday, responding to a bitter attack by Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. “There continue to be differences in viewpoint within the government of Iraq regarding the necessary Iraqi legal and procedural requirements for carrying out death sentences issued by the Iraqi High Tribunal,” US spokeswoman Mirembe Nantongo told AFP. “Coalition forces will continue to retain physical custody of the defendants until this issue is resolved,” she said. (Posted @ 15:20 PST)
Think-tank calls for phased sanctions on Pakistan ISLAMABAD, Nov 12 (AFP) Pakistan must be hit with phased sanctions targeting its military if President Pervez Musharraf does not end his state of emergency and restore full democracy, Brussels-based International Crisis Group urged Monday .It said sanctions should start with an immediate suspension of military cooperation talks and a review of aid for the armed forces. It outlined further steps, including suspension by Thursday of military aid that is not meant for counter-terrorism measures if Musharraf does not resign as army chief and take other steps to restore democratic rule. If there are no results within 30 days, the military's foreign assets should be frozen and senior officials and officers denied travel visas. At the same time, aid for education, health care, relief work and poverty reduction should be stepped up via non-religious organisations. Gareth Evans, who heads the Crisis Group, said the international community, led by the United States, must push Pakistan to end the emergency, restore the constitution, reinstate sacked judges and allow free and fair elections. (Posted @ 15:15 PST)
Hindu nationalists take office in southern India BANGALORE, India, Nov 12 (AFP) - B.S. Yeddyurappa, 64, was sworn in as the 25th chief minister of Karnataka state at a ceremony in Bangalore, India's IT hub, to become the first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) head of government in the prosperous south. (Posted @ 14:52 PST)
Israel arrests two Hamas MPs in West Bank RAMALLAH, West Bank, Nov 12 (AFP) - Israel arrested two Palestinian members of parliament from the Hamas movement in the West Bank on Monday. Mariam Saleh, a mother of seven, was arrested in the town of Al-Bireh near Ramallah, and her colleague Khaled Tafesh was arrested in Bethlehem further south, Hamas sources said. Israel arrested another 17 Hamas members in the northern West Bank town of Tulkarem. (Posted @ 14:51 PST)
Iraqi soldiers kill four, wound two in clashes BAGHDAD, Nov 12 (AP): Iraqi soldiers stormed a village north of Tal Afar, 420 kilometers northwest of Baghdad killing four men in clashes that lasted through the night, the town's mayor said Monday. The Iraqi Army launched the operation in response to the killing of a tribal chieftain on Sunday, said the Tal Afar mayor. (Posted @ 14:05 PST)
Strike over killings shuts down West Bengal state KOLKATA, Nov 12 (Reuters): A strike to protest the killings of villagers opposed to West Bengal's communist-ruled government shut down schools, offices and businesses on Monday. At least 20 people were injured in clashes between police and strikers in the state capital, Kolkata. Strikers set two buses on fire and ransacked a hospital and a railway station, police said. The strike was sparked by the killing in the last week of at least six villagers in Nandigram, a few hours drive southwest of Kolkata. (Posted @ 14:04 PST)
Seven militants killed as police storm house in Dagestan MAKHACHKALA, Russia, Nov 12 (AP): Police troops stormed a house in the capital of Russia's troubled region of Dagestan on Monday, killing at least seven militants, a Regional Interior Ministry spokesman said. Russian TV showed heavy armored vehicles and soldiers moving through neighborhoods as the constant sound of gunfire and explosions crackled in the background. (Posted @ 14:04 PST)
N-weapons safe from Taliban, Al-Qaeda threat: FO spokesman ISLAMABAD, Nov 12 (AP): Pakistan said Monday its nuclear weapons were secure and there was no risk they would be seized by Taliban or Al-Qaida militants. Responding to comments by former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton and others in Washington, Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammed Sadiq said “there are multiple layers of command and control and the weapons are not in danger of falling into any hands. Pakistan's nuclear program is very well guarded,” he said, adding that he “would be very dismissive” of anyone who claims otherwise. (Posted @ 12:10 PST)
Lankan troops kill six women Tamil fighters COLOMBO, Nov 12 (AFP): Sri Lankan troops shot dead at least six women fighters of the Tamil Tigers during a clash in the north of the island, the defence ministry said Monday. Following an attack on a bunker line of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) along the de facto front line with guerrilla-held territory, the troops found six bodies of women fighters on Sunday, the ministry said. (Posted @ 11:34 PST)
Daily Telegraph withdraws Pakistan correspondents LONDON, Nov 12 (AFP): The Daily Telegraph newspaper said in an early edition of its Monday paper that it had withdrawn its Pakistan correspondents over an editorial last week which contained an expletive. The editorial was critical of President General Pervez Musharraf, and prompted him Sunday to say that he expected an apology from the daily. “The Telegraph has withdrawn its correspondents in Pakistan after they were threatened with expulsion by the government,” a two-paragraph article in the newspaper read. (Posted @ 09:10 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 232.38 points: KARACHI, Nov 12: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 13656.25, up 232.38 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, Nov 12: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.97, to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
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