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| November 16, 2007 | Friday | Ziqa’ad 05, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
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Top US envoy arrives for tough Pakistan visit ISLAMABAD, Nov 16 (AFP) - Top US diplomat John Negroponte flew into Pakistan Friday to press for an end to President Pervez Musharraf's emergency rule and to establish contact with former premier Benazir Bhutto. Negroponte, number two to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, is the highest ranking US official to come here since President Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency on November 3. “I can confirm he has arrived,” US embassy spokeswoman Elizabeth Colton said. “I can meet him, yes,” Benazir told AFP in an interview at the home of a key aide in Lahore where she had spent four days under house arrest until her release overnight. US officials speaking on condition of anonymity confirmed there were plans for Negroponte to speak to Benazir Bhutto but would not give further details or say whether he would meet the two-time prime minister in person.(Posted @ 19:15 PST)
Musharraf addresses caretaker cabinet ISLAMABAD, Nov 16 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf Friday urged the caretaker Prime Minister and his cabinet to ensure continuity and consistency of policies.In a brief address after administrating oath to the caretaker Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro and his 24-member cabinet, at Aiwan-i-Sadr, the President observed:“Today we are creating history ... Pakistan has never seen such a smooth transition of government.” .Signalling continuity of government policies in all spheres, particularly the economic reforms he said; “I urge the cabinet in its short life to continue with the policies that were being pursued by the outgoing government.” If required, the ex-cabinet ministers can assist and brief the new ministers about the various ongoing projects, the president said.(Posted @ 17:40 PST)
Caretaker PM for continuity of policies, free, transparent election ISLAMABAD, Nov 16 (APP): Interim Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro Friday said besides continuity and consistency of policies, security, law and order, and holding of free and transparent elections would be the priority of his government. Talking to newsmen after taking oath of office he said the caretaker government would ensure “conducive environment for the holding of elections and to assist the Election Commission in this regard.” “Let us all go to the manifestos, rather than bringing people out to the streets as it will affect economic activity,” he said in reply to a question . About the release of political activists, lawyers and others who have been arrested since the imposition of emergency, he said; “What I have been told is that most of them have been released ... we will see [about it], as we do not want to hold anyone back unnecessarily.” “Elections have to be free, fair and transparent,” he said and added that besides the electronic media, the print media and international observers will be here to monitor the process. (Posted @ 17:15 PST)
SC hears emergency case ISLAMABAD, Nov 16 (APP): The counsel of petitioner Tikka Iqbal Muhammad Khan argued before the 10-member bench of the Supreme Court Friday that there was no valid reason or justification for clamping emergency rule in the country. During the proceedings Justice Faqir Mohammad Khokhar expressed his unwillingness to sit in the bench. “I think I should not sit in the bench. I should recuse to be part of this bench as I remained member of the benches which decided cases pertaining to the petition of former Chief Justice of Pakistan and release of alleged terrorists,” Justice Khokhar said. The petitioner's counsel Irfan Qadir expressed his complete confidence in the judge and requested him to remain member of the full court. However, the doctrine of recusal is very much there and it is the prerogative of judges, Irfan Qadir added.Like Justice Faqir Mohammad Khokhar, Justice Muhammad Nawaz Abbasi also took the same opinion and said: “If Justice Khokhar is not willing to sit in the bench due to the reasons of “failure of judiciary” and release of alleged terrorists then I myself and Justice M.Javed Buttar should also not sit in the bench, because we also remained part of the benches as mentioned by Justice Khokhar.” Attorney General Malik Mohammad Qayyum said: “Ultimately, a judge should decide whether he will sit or not.” The full court will resume the hearing of the on Monday.(Posted @ 18:25 PST)
Portfolios of caretaker federal ministers ISLAMABAD, Nov 16 (APP): The government Friday announced portfolios of federal ministers of the caretaker cabinet who were administered oath by President General Pervez Musharraf earlier in the day:-- 1-Shahzada Alam Monnoo: Minister for Commerce, Trade and Industry;2-Barrister Habibur Rehman: Minister for Communications; 3-Sikander Jogezai: Minister for Culture;4-Dr. Salim Abbas Jillani: Minister for Defence and Defence Production; 5-Dr. Salman Shah: Minister for Finance, Economic Affairs, Revenue and Statistics 6-Dr. Shams K. Lakha: Minister for Education, Science and Technology; 7-Syed Wajid H. Bokhari: Minister for Environment, Local Government and Rural Development; 8-Prince Essa Jan: Minister for Food, Agriculture and Livestock; -Inam-Ul-Haque: Minister for Foreign Affairs; 10-Nisar Ali Khan Minister for Housing and Works; 11-Ansar Burney: Minister for Human Rights; 12-Salman Taseer: Minister for Industries, Production and Special Initiatives; 13-Nisar A. Memon: Minister for Information and Broadcasting; 14-Dr. Abdullah Riar Minister for Information Technology;15-Hamid Nawaz Khan: Minister for Interior and Narcotics; 16-Abbas Sarfraz::Minister for KANA and SAFRON; 17-Nisar Ghumman :Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis;18-Syed Afzal Haider: Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs; 19-Raja Tri Dev Roy: Minister for Minorities ; 20-Ahsan Ullah Khan: Minster for Petroleum and Natural Resources;21-Dr. Fahim Ansari: Minister for Ports and Shipping; 22-Khawaja Attaullah Taunsa Sharif: Minister for Religious Affairs, Zakat and Ushr: 23-Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif: Minister for Tourism and Youth Affairs; 24-Dr. Shahida Jamil Minister for Women Development, Social Welfare and Special Education.(Posted @ 17:30 PST)
Forty more militants killed in Pakistan clashes: army ISLAMABAD, Nov 16 (AFP) - Pakistani artillery pounded pro-Taliban hideouts in northwestern Swat valley, killing 40 rebels including a commander, the army said Friday, raising the toll from three days of clashes to nearly 100. The latest deaths came when security forces targeted rebel positions in retaliation for an attack on an airport on Thursday, chief military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad said. “We intercepted the militant communications which confirmed they lost 40 men,” he said. A separate military statement said those killed on Thursday included a militant commander Matiullah while his deputy Mohammad Ali was missing and feared dead. Residents said that Matiullah's funeral was led by cleric Maulana Fazlullah. Maj-Gen Arshad said 20 militants were killed in several other actions on Thursday. (Posted @ 16:10 PST)
Benazir rejects Pakistan's caretaker government LAHORE, Pakistan, Nov 16 (AFP): Former premier Benazir Bhutto Friday rejected Pakistan's new caretaker government as “not acceptable” in her first comments since being freed from house arrest. “This caretaker government is an extension of the PML-Q and is not acceptable,” she told reporters, referring to President Musharraf's ruling party. “We will not hold talks with dictators. Our agenda is the agenda of democracy.” (Posted @ 14:10 PST)
Bangladesh cyclone kills about 550 DHAKA, Nov 16 (AFP) - A powerful cyclone that smashed into southern Bangladesh forcing thousands to flee for their lives has killed at least 550 people, a report said Friday.Cyclone Sidr has claimed at least 550 lives as it swept across Bangladesh, said television network ATN Bangla, citing their own tally. Private UNB news agency had said at least 425 people had died, while government officials have said the confirmed death toll was 243 but likely to climb.(Posted @ 18:45 PST first posted @ 14:45 PST)
Cricket-Steyn takes four as New Zealand stumble CENTURION, South Africa, Nov 16 (Reuters) - New Zealand, who won the toss and chose to bat, lurched to 187-8 before bad light ended play three overs after tea. A fiery Steyn, who took match figures of 10-93 in the first test in Johannesburg, claimed 4-42.V(Posted @ 21:30 PST)
Ten rebels, two soldiers die in occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, Nov 16 (AFP) - Ten suspected militants and two Indian soldiers were killed in new gunbattles in Kupwara and Bandipora districts late Thursday in revolt-hit occupied Kashmir, the army said Friday. Two persons were killed when they tried to sneak into occupied Kashmir from the Pakistani side, an official said . “Six militants and two soldiers died in Lolab valley of Kupwara district on Friday,” he said, adding the fighting was continuing in the picturesque mountainous area.(Posted @ 19:45 PST first posted @ 14:40 PST )
Iran president hails 'relatively realistic' IAEA report TEHRAN, Nov 16 (AFP) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gave a broad welcome on Friday to a key report on his country's nuclear programme by the UN watchdog and criticised Western governments for basing their policies on the “wrong information.” International Atomic Energy Agency chief Mohamed “ElBaradei's report was relatively realistic and to a great extent free from the pressure of some big powers,” state television quoted Ahmadinejad as saying on its website. “You (Western countries) have now found out that the information, based on which you adopted resolutions, was wrong. Now you have to be brave and come forward and say we made a mistake,” Ahmadinejad said.(Posted @ 19:20 PST)
Pakistan police tear gas anti-Musharraf rally PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Nov 16 (AFP) - Ppolice fired tear gas Friday to disperse a crowd comprising some 500 supporters of a religious alliance who were protesting against emergency rule in Peshawar city, witnesses said. Trouble flared as police tried to arrest leaders of the six-party Islamic alliance Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA). MMA workers pelted stones and police responded with baton charges and fired tear gas, the witnesses said. Police ringed the area and arrested six people including three MMA leaders who made speeches against the government.The protesters had earlier emerged from a mosque carrying banners to rally at an intersection in Peshawar where activists demanded the restoration of constitution and removal of curbs on media.(Posted @ 19:00 PST)
Indian police foil plot to kidnap Rahul Gandhi LUCKNOW, India, Nov 16 (AFP) - Indian police said Friday they had foiled a plot by militants to kidnap a top politician reported to be Rahul Gandhi, scion of the country's famed Nehru-Gandhi political dynasty. The three militants planned to abduct the 37-year-old federal parliamentarian to bargain for the release of scores of imprisoned comrades. Senior police officer Vikram Singh said the suspects “wanted to kidnap a very, very important political leader... to create national and international pressure to secure the release of 42 terrorists.” Another senior police official, who asked to remain unnamed, said the men were arrested “following an alert from the federal Intelligence Bureau” that Gandhi was the target. The men were caught after a car chase in which their vehicle got caught in a sand pit, police said. They had travelled from Jammu (occupied Kashmir). A huge cache of arms, including assault rifles, explosives, detonators and grenades allegedly recovered from the three was displayed to reporters.(Posted @ 19:00 PST)
Five killed, 10 injured in Pakistan road mishap SAHIWAL, Pakistan, Nov 16 (APP): Five persons were killed and 10 others were injured, some critically, in a head-on collision between a wagon and a speeding bus at Arifwala-Sahiwal road near chak 118/9-R near Sahiwal city in central Punjab province early Friday morning, due to poor visibilty.(Posted @ 18:30 PST)
PIA flights from Sialkot to commence from Nov 30 LAHORE, Nov 16(PPI): PIA’s twice weekly flights to and from Sialkot city to Karachi will commence from November 30.(Posted @ 18:05 PST)
Hearing on withdrawal of cases against Benazir, Zardari adjourned till SC decision on NRO Rawalpindi, Nov 16 (PPI) - Deferring its decision till the Supreme Court verdict on National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), the Accountability Court Rawalpindi Friday adjourned further hearing of the application filed for withdrawal of 6 separate references of corruption and misuse of powers against Benazir Bhutto and her spouse Asif Ali Zardari till November 30.(Posted @ 18:05 PST)
Justice Wajih praises lawyers unity, struggle HYDERABAD, Pakistan, Nov 16 (PPI): Ex-Chief Justice and presidential candidate Wajihuddin Ahmed has urged upon lawyers to maintain unity and continue boycott of judges who had taken oath under the Provisional Constitutional Order as right will one day prevail over might. Addressing lawyers of Hyderabad on Friday via telephone from Karachi he said the nation has rejected emergency and PCO. He maintained that elections would be a farce without an impartial election commission.(Posted @ 18:00 PST)
25 suspected Taliban killed in Afghanistan KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Nov 16 (AP) - Afghan and foreign forces clashed with Taliban militants in Derawud district of Uruzgan province Thursday night, leaving 25 suspected insurgents and two policemen dead, an official said Friday. A separate group of Taliban insurgents, meanwhile, poured into the nearby district of Naish, and police surrounded the area on Thursday, triggering a two-hour gun battle that left five suspected militants dead and two policemen wounded, he said. In southwestern Nimroz province, a suicide bomber blew himself up next to a NATO convoy, but there were no casualties, said a ISAF spokesman. (Posted @ 16:50 PST)
US air assault targets militants believed to be linked to May kidnapping of Americans BAGHDAD, Nov 16 (AP) - About 600 U.S. soldiers launched an air assault in the villages of Owesap and Betra south of Baghdad on Friday, targeting militants believed to be involved in the May 12 kidnapping of three American soldiers, the military said. Two soldiers remain missing, but the body of the third was found in the Euphrates River nearly two weeks later. On Friday, two Chinook helicopters and eight Black Hawks dropped 600 U.S. troops into the targeted area. F-16 fighter jets then dropped two bombs on an island in the Euphrates, to “deny the enemy terrain to escape.” Some 150 Iraqi soldiers also participated in the operation, and by midday Friday, there were no casualties on either side. Iraqi police said eight al-Qaida fighters were killed in a separate incident in a Shiite village near Muqdadiyah, about 90 kilometers north of Baghdad. (Posted @ 16:45 PST)
Cricket: Pakistan recall Sami for India Tests KARACHI, Nov 16 (AFP) - Pakistan have recalled paceman Mohammad Sami to partner Shoaib Akhtar in the three-Test series against India starting next week but omitted all-rounder Shahid Afridi, selectors announced Friday. The first Test opens in New Delhi on Nov 22. The other two Tests are scheduled for Calcutta from Nov 30 to Dec 4, and Bangalore from Dec 4-8. Batsman Faisal Iqbal and leg-spinner Danish Kaneria will join the 15-man Test squad. Afridi, all-rounder Fawad Alam, opener Imran Nazir and paceman Rao Iftikhar will return home after the ongoing one-day series.Pakistan will miss paceman Mohammad Asif who was not considered while recovering from an elbow injury. Test squad: Shoaib Malik (capt), Salman Butt, Yasir Hameed, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbah-ul Haq, Faisal Iqbal, Kamran Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmed, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Sohail Tanveer, Abdul Rehman, Mohammad Sami, Danish Kaneria (Posted @ 15:45 PST)
Pakistan says it won't be bossed around ISLAMABAD, Nov 16 (AFP) -Pakistan's outgoing premier Shaukat Aziz warned Friday that Islamabad would not be bossed around. “Pakistan is a sovereign country and no one can dictate it,” state-run Associated Press of Pakistan quoted Aziz as saying in a television interview. Aziz, who formally left office earlier Friday to make room for a caretaker premier and government, downplayed the visit of Negroponte, number two to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. “He is coming on a routine visit during which we will get a chance to inform him of the ground realities and also know about his viewpoint,” he said. “He comes here regularly. There is no harm in seeking someone's opinion.” The New York Times on Friday quoted a Western diplomat as saying Negroponte would deliver a strong message to end the state of emergency. (Posted @ 15:35 PST)
US signals impatience with Musharraf WASHINGTON, Nov 16 (AFP): The United States signalled its growing impatience Thursday with President Musharraf's failure to end a state of emergency and step down as army chief. US Defence Secretary Robert Gates suggested that Musharraf's effectiveness as a US ally in the war on terror is in doubt, and said he had to lift the state of emergency and leave the military as soon as possible. Musharraf's “ability to continue to be a partner in the war on terror very much depends on how events unfold over the next few weeks in Pakistan,” Gates told a Pentagon news conference. Senior US government officials quoted by The New York Times said they fear Musharraf may eventually fall from power and Washington should consider working out back-up plans with Pakistan's military elite. “We would like to see that continue, and that's been our counsel to President Musharraf,” McCormack said. Earlier, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said: “Let me make it very clear, the president is focused on the here and now.” “It is up to President Musharraf, he has the responsibility to help restore democracy to the country, return to the constitution, to hold free and fair elections, to step down from the military and take off his uniform so that he can be a civilian president if he is confirmed by the Supreme Court,” she said. (Posted @ 10:25 PST)
Democrats call for more pressure on Pakistan LAS VEGAS, Nevada, Nov 16 (AFP): Democratic presidential candidates said Thursday they would step up pressure on President Musharraf over democracy, and criticized White House policy towards Islamabad. In a presidential campaign debate, front-runner Hillary Clinton rebuked President Bush for not acting on her suggestion earlier this year to appoint a special envoy to Pakistan. “We are now in a bind. It is partly, not completely, but partly, a result of the failed policies of the Bush administration,” Clinton said. “That requires presidential attention, we haven't had that, and part of the reason is obvious now.” Illinois Senator Barack Obama said he would work to convince President Musharraf to restore democracy and stability in Pakistan. “I will do everything that is required to make sure that nuclear weapons don't fall into the hands of extremists,” he said. Senator Joseph Biden said he would condition US military aid to Pakistan on a restoration of democracy. “What we should do is move from a Musharraf policy to a Pakistan policy...and you have to move from military aid to giving to the middle class there.” Senator John Edwards said the crisis in Pakistan showed that the US policy on stopping the spread of nuclear weapons was flawed. (Posted @ 09:40 PST)
10 injured in ground test of Airbus 340-600 plane at French airport TOULOUSE, France, Nov 16 (AP): Ten people were injured Thursday when an Airbus 340-600 slammed into a wall during engine tests on the ground at a French airport, government officials said. The four-engine plane had been undergoing engine tests outside Toulouse. Nine people on board and a person on the ground were injured, three of them seriously, Airbus and government officials said. Airbus Chief Operating Officer Fabrice Bregier said that ''for reasons still unknown,'' the plane hit a wall and was damaged so badly as to be ''irrecoverable.'' (Posted @ 09:30 PST)
Three people shot dead in Thai south YALA, Thailand, Nov 16 (AFP): Two people were shot dead by insurgents in separate drive-by shootings and one militant was killed after a gunfight with police in southern Thailand, police said Friday. A 43-year-old man was gunned down in a drive-by shooting early Friday in Yala. Rebels also shot dead a woman, aged 52, Thursday in nearby Narathiwat province. Police said a 29-year-old militant was killed following a brief gunfight with security forces in Pattani province late Thursday. (Posted @ 09:10 PST)
Karachi Stocks down 28.80, points: KARACHI, Nov 16: At the close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 13082.01, down 28.80, points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 16:00 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, Nov 16: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 61.4, to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 16:00 PST)
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