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| November 29, 2007 | Thursday | Ziqa’ad 18, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
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Musharraf says will lift emergency rule on Dec 16 ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Nov 29 (AFP) - President Pervez Musharraf promised Thursday to lift Pakistan's state of emergency on December 16, making a long-awaited gesture of reconciliation hours after being sworn in as a civilian head of state. Addressing the nuclear-armed nation on state television, Musharraf said he would also restore the constitution that was suspended when he declared emergency rule on November 3. “I have full resolve to lift the emergency and withdraw the PCO on December 16,” Musharraf said, referring to the provisional constitutional order. He said the decision was being taken because the overall situation in the country had improved since the emergency was declared, with successes against Islamic militants and a democratic transition to January 8 elections underway. “But I hope no obstacles will be created to destabilise the process as was done in the past,” he cautioned, saying opposition leaders Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif had been provided “a level playing field.”. He said he declared the state of emergency owing to growing militancy and a hostile judiciary,. “I am happy and proud that due to these steps the country has come back on the path of democracy,” he said in his address. He extended an olive branch to Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, saying that their recent return from exile was “good for political reconciliation.” (First Posted @ 20:38 PST Updated @ 21:22 PST)
APDM decides to boycott Jan 8 polls Lahore, Nov 29: The All-Pakistan Democratic Movement, an alliance of several opposition parties, late Thursday decided to boycott the Jan 8 general elections – president Musharraf’s announcement to lift emergency and the Provisional Constitution Order notwithstanding. The announcement was made by Nawaz Sharif, chief of his Pakistan Muslim League party and head of the APDM, private tv channels reported. The APDM decision was taken after the leaders of the alliance had heard the speech of president Musharraf on the television earlier in the evening, the report said quoting Nawaz Sharif. Other reports said that Maulana Fazlur Rehman, head of the Jamiatul Ulema-i-Islam and a major component of Mutehda Majlis-i-Amal, the alliance of religious parties, was not present during the proceedings of the APDM’s crucial meeting. Earlier, the Jamaat-i-Islami, headed by Qazi Hussain Ahmad, had adopted a resolution placing five pre-conditions for participating in the polls. Pakistan Peoples Party of Benazir Bhutto is not part of the APDM and the reaction of Benazir on her PPP on the latest situation was not available when last reports came in. (Posted @ 22:02 PST)
Pervez Musharraf sworn in for new 5-year term as Pakistan's civilian president ISLAMABAD, Nov 29 (AP) Pervez Musharraf embarked on a new five-year term as Pakistan's civilian president Thursday, a day after ceding the powerful post of army chief. ''Congratulations, Mr. President,'' Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar said after President Musharraf had sworn his oath. In his inaugural address, Musharraf welcomed as ''good'' for political reconciliation the return from exile of former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. ''I only hope that they will ... move forward toward a conciliatory, civilized, democratic and political environment in the future,'' Musharraf said. ''This is a milestone in the transition of Pakistan to the complete essence of democracy,'' Musharraf told an audience of government officials, foreign diplomats and military generals. ''Elections will be held in January come whatever may.'' Directly challenging opposition leaders who are threatening to boycott the vote, he said elections would help the country on the transition to democracy and promised to ensure they would be free, fair and transparent. He rejected western pressure to lift a state of emergency, saying he wanted democracy but “we will do it our way.” Musharraf again sought to justify his imposition of emergency rule on November 3, during which he purged the Supreme Court. ''It is most unfortunate that some elements of the judiciary, the ex-chief justice, tried to derail this stage of democratic transition ... and this conspiracy was impacting negatively on the functioning of justice and the sovereignty of Parliament,'' Musharraf said. ''I had to act and I acted in the interests of Pakistan.'' Musharraf also said that stepped-up military action had ''broken the back of the spread of terrorism'' in the northwest. In Washington, President George W. Bush praised President Musharraf for keeping his word and relinquishing his military post, calling it a ''strong first step'' toward enhancing democracy in Pakistan. ''It is something that a lot of people doubted would ever happen,'' Bush said in an interview Wednesday with CNN's ''The Situation Room.'' But Bush added that ''in order to get Pakistan back on the road to democracy, he's got to suspend the emergency law before elections.'' (First Posted @ 11:20 Updated @ 15:20 PST)
Cleric Fazlullah’s HQ captured in Swat; five soldiers killed in N.Waziristan MINGORA, Pakistan, Nov 29 (Reuters/AP) A roadside bomb near a checkpost about 20 kms from Miramshah in North Waziristan killed five Pakistani soldiers and wounded four others Thursday while 11 villagers were killed in fighting between soldiers and militants in Swat valley. ISPR spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad told DAWN News television the convoy was ambushed while travelling to Miramshah. Meanwhile, in Swat valley, 11 civilians were killed and nine others injured when a shell destroyed a house in Allahabad village late Wednesday, residents said. A military spokesman, Major Amjad Iqbal, said in Mingora, the main town in Swat valley, he had no information about civilian casualties but confirmed that a clash had taken place after militants fired rockets at troops. Earlier, the ISPR spokesman said security forces had captured the headquarters of cleric Maulana Fazlullah and found weapons and communications equipment. But the cleric and his men had fled. “The militants have run away towards the west in a few remote valleys. We'll chase them and make sure those areas are also cleared,” Arshad said. Villagers in the scenic valley had in some places destroyed the militants' bunkers and houses, he said. “Police have gone back to many areas. Things are getting back to normal,” he added. (First Posted @ 10:45 PST Updated @ 17:20 PST)
Police in Pakistan clash with lawyers protesting against President Musharraf LAHORE, Pakistan, Nov 29 (AP) Violent clashes broke out Thursday in Lahore between police and lawyers protesting against the rule of President Pervez Musharraf. Demonstrators threw bricks, glasses and sticks at police who blocked the path of about 400 lawyers as they tried to march from one court complex to another, an AP reporter at the scene said. Some police officers picked up the missiles and threw them back at the lawyers, and used batons to beat several demonstrators who clambered over a gate onto the road. Four lawyers and three policemen were injured, a police official, who was bleeding from a wound to his hand caused by a flying stone, said. At least two lawyers were detained. Riot police wearing helmets and carrying shields eventually retreated far enough to let the protesters onto the street in front of the district court, but surrounded them on three sides. The lawyers chanted slogans including ''Go, Musharraf, go!'' and tore down election posters for a Musharraf ally. (Posted @ 13:55 PST)
JI Shoora's five conditions for Pakistan polls LAHORE, Nov 28-(PPI): Jamaat-i-Islami Shoora has stressed that without fulfilling five basic prerequisites the forthcoming elections will be mere fraud and destroy the entire political process in the country. A resolution adopted at the meeting chaired by Qazi Hussain Ahmad, said the first condition is lifting of emergency and martial law, restoration of constitution and abolition of the PCO. Second is restoration of superior judiciary to pre-November 3 position Third, complete freedom to media, besides release of all the arrested journalists, lawyers, political leaders and workers. Fourth is to establish an autonomous and independent Election Commission. Fifth, creation of free election environment and equal opportunities to all the contestants. The resolution warned that JI would boycott the elections along with APDM if the government persisted on its stubbornness and rejected these prerequisites. Another resolution demanded withdrawal of army from Swat, tribal areas and Balochistan. (Posted @ 19:38 PST)
19 suspected militants including brother of cleric Fazalullah captured RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, Nov 29 (APP): Nineteen suspected militants including Fazalul Haq, brother of cleric Fazlullah and Daud son of Khadim Khan have been arrested by the security forces in Swat. According to official sources, the security forces pounded various militant positions in the vicinity of secured areas with artillery and mortar fire. Reportedly a large number of militants have fled the area. Prominent militant leaders have also vanished. Jirgas from Kalam and other areas also arrived in Swat where schools will open from Friday. Due to cooperation of the locals of Mingora city, curfew has been relaxed from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. while curfew in the outskirts of Mingora city has been relaxed from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Media information centre in Swat has established a helpline to facilitate the peple during curfew hours. Officials said that writ of the government has been established in Alpuri Town (Distt Headquarter of Shangla), civil administration has been reinstated and militants have been evicted from the area by the security forces. Security Forces have resumed their operation against militant's positions towards Shangla Pass and after successful operation by security forces, Shangla Top and Shangla Pass have been secured from the militants and now security forces are in complete control of the area. Militants were seen fleeing from the area. (First Posted @ 19:30 PST Updated @ 21:08 PST)
Musharraf not a legitimate president: Nawaz Sharif LAHORE, Nov 29 (Reuters) Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif Thursday dismissed Pervez Musharraf's presidency as illegitimate, saying the Supreme Court bench he purged to ensure a second term should be restored to rule on his election. Hours after Musharraf was again sworn in as president, this time as a civilian, Sharif demanded he end emergency rule and release opponents jailed after the November 3 crackdown. “Under the circumstances, we do not accept him as a legitimate president,” said Sharif. “The judiciary of November 2 must be restored,” said Sharif, adding that “that judiciary was thrown out by Mr Musharraf just for personal reasons.” “Whatever decision that judiciary gives (on his re-election)...that would be a decision which would carry legitimacy and credibility,” he maintained. Sharif's party is meeting other opposition groups to decide whether or not to shun the poll and isolate Musharraf. “Personally, I think it has to be a unanimous boycott, so that it turns out to be a real boycott,” said Sharif. (Posted @ 18:02 PST)
Pakistan opposition dismisses Musharraf's new term ISLAMABAD, Nov 29 (AFP) The parties of Pakistani opposition leaders Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif dismissed Pervez Musharraf's swearing in as a civilian president Thursday as too little, too late. Raza Rabbani, a senior Pakistan People’s Party(PPP) official, told AFP that Musharraf's victory in an October 6 presidential election was “still shrouded with legal questions and uncertainties.” Asked if the PPP accepted Musharraf as a civilian president, Rabbani said it was for the people and future parliament to decide about his status. But he added that Musharraf's transition to a civilian ruler “is too little and too late.” A spokesman for Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party said Musharraf's oath-taking was illegal and unconstitutional. “We do not consider Pervez Musharraf to be a duly elected civilian president,” spokesman Ahsan Iqbal told AFP. “Musharraf's election and oath taking is unconstitutional and illegal as a new president should have been elected by new assemblies, which will come into being after January 8 parliamentary elections,” Iqbal added. “It is ironic that the (national and provincial) assemblies, which elected him on October 6, did not exist as Musharraf took oath for the next term,” he added. (Posted @ 16:08 PST)
Vote for me or face 'humiliation': Putin MOSCOW, Nov 29 (AFP) - President Vladimir Putin on Thursday warned Russians to vote for him this weekend or face a return to “humiliation,” as critics accused him of leading Russia towards dictatorship. Speaking as former chess champion Garry Kasparov was released after five days in prison, Putin warned that the liberal opposition wanted to “return to a time of humiliation, dependency and disintegration.” “We should not allow back into power the people who... want to change and muddle Russia's development plans,” he said on national television. (Posted @ 20:32 PST)
Pakistan considers mix of Chinese, French weapons for its JF-17s LONDON, Nov 29 (PPI): Pakistan Air Force (PAF) may operate a mixed fleet of JF-17 fighter aircraft with some using Chinese radars and missiles and others operating French radars and air-to-air missiles, according to senior Pakistani officials. Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) is currently considering an offer from France's defence procurement agency (DGA) to supply Thales RC 400 radars and MBDA MICA air-to-air missiles for integration onto the JF-17 fighter, which is being produced co-operatively with China's Chengdu Aircraft Industries Group, according to Jane's weekly.The programme's managers told Jane's that they are “quite serious” about integrating this European equipment onto JF-17 and that “offer (to purchase this equipment) is also quite serious”. Currently PAC and PAF are conducting flight evaluations of prototype aircraft fitted with Chinese-built NRIET KLJ-10 radar and the China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation /China Leihua Electronic Technology Research Institute SD-10/PL-12 active-homing medium-range air-to-air missile. (Posted 19:26 PST)
Cricket: Police close Woolmer case after open verdict KINGSTON, Jamaica, Nov 29 (AFP) - Police closed their investigation into the death of Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer on Wednesday after an 11-member inquest jury handed down an open verdict in the case. A jury that began deliberations last week after 26 days of testimony from 57 witnesses found insufficient evidence of either murder or a death by natural causes, in effect ruling they were unable to decide an outcome The jury foreman, who refused to give his name to reporters for safety concerns, said the jury saw no other possible answer because neither side could support their claims. “We had no choice,” the foreman said. “We came to an open verdict because the evidence was too weak. There were too many what-ifs and loopholes. Former Pakistan captain Inzamam ul-Haq joined medium-pacer Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, assistant manager Asad Mustafa and former media manager Pervez Mir in refusing to travel to Jamaica for the inquest, which began October 16. (Posted 19:08 PST)
Champions Trophy: Germany beat Pakistan 5-2 KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 (AFP) – Germany defeated Pakistan by five goals to two In the Champions Trophy hockey tournament at Bukit Jalil stadium on Thursday:Results: Netherlands 4 (Teun de Nooijer, 2, Ronald Brouwer, 40, Rob Reckers, 50, 64); Britain 0 H-t: 1-0-- Germany 5 (Oliver Korn, 7, 69, Moritz F|rste, 21, Florian Keller, 22, Philip Witte, 51), Pakistan 2 (Waqas Akbar, 27, Shabbir Ahmed Khan, 48); H-t: 3-1-- Spain 2 (Eduard Arbos, 2, Eduard Tubau, 21), Korea 2 (Jang Jong-hyun, 36, Lee Nam-yong, 48); H-t: 2-1. (Posted @ 18:58 PST)
Amnesty says still concerned by Pakistan abuses ISLAMABAD, Nov 29 (AFP) Pakistan's state of emergency has severely limited the chances of challenging President Musharraf on rights abuses, campaign group Amnesty said Thursday. It said it was particularly concerned about legal orders that legitimised the state of emergency and, in turn, the arrests of critics including senior judges and lawyers. Tim Parritt, the London-based group’s deputy director for the Asia-Pacific, said Musharraf's “warping” of the constitution would have long-term effects on the ability of institutions such as the courts to hold executive power to account. “We are very concerned that there is not going to be a significant difference in the exercise of executive power and the safeguards against abuses of that power.” (Posted @ 18:55 PST)
Saudi arrests 208 suspected militants RIYADH, Nov 29 (APP/AFP) - Saudi forces have arrested 208 suspected militants who formed six cells, one of which plotted to attack an auxiliary oil facility, interior ministry spokesman General Mansur al-Turki said Wednesday. (Posted @ 18:18 PST)
30 suspected Taliban killed in Afghan clashes, airstrikes KANDAHAR, Pakistan, Nov 29 (AP) Afghan and foreign troops fought against Taliban fighters and called in airstrikes in Zhari district of Kandahar province, leaving 30 militants dead, provincial police chief Sayed Agha Saqib said Thursday. Troops detained 12 other militants, including group commanders fighting Afghan and foreign forces in the Zhari district, Saqib said. Five of the men detained were wounded during the clash. (Posted @ 18:18 PST)
Cricket-Pakistan's Yasir Arafat to replace injured Gul in India KARACHI, Nov 29 (Reuters) All-rounder Yasir Arafat will replace injured fast bowler Umar Gul in the Pakistan squad preparing for the second test against India starting in Kolkata on Friday. Pakistan selector Saleem Jaffer told Reuters Arafat would fly to India on Thursday night and would be available for selection. Gul, who missed the first test which India won by six wickets, has been ruled out of the three-match series because of a nagging back injury. Strike bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami did not bowl at the nets Thursday for the second consecutive day because of chest infections and captain Shoaib Malik is doubtful because of an ankle injury. Opening bat Salman Butt has influenza and batsman Misbah-ul-Haq is recovering from a viral infection. (First Posted @ 12:00 PST Updated @ 16:56 PST)
Bangladesh says cyclone death toll to top 4,000 DHAKA, Nov 29 (AFP) The final toll from cyclone Sidr was likely to be more than 4,000 as hundreds of fishermen are still missing in Bangladesh, the army said Thursday. Armed forces spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Faruque Hussain, giving updated figures, said 3,256 bodies had been found and that 880 people were missing and feared dead. Officials had earlier confirmed over 3,400 deaths with 1,700 missing. (Posted @ 16:40 PST)
President Musharraf hoists flag at National Monument ISLAMABAD, Nov 29 (APP) President Pervez Musharraf Thursday hoisted the national flag at the Pakistan Monument and paid salute to those who sacrificed their lives for the country, at an impressive ceremony held here. In his first public appearance after taking oath as a civilian president, President Musharraf alongwith caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro and Sehba Musharraf visited the Monument at Shakarparain. (Posted @ 16:17 PST)
Blast kills 10 soldiers, two others in eastern India NEW DELHI, Nov 29 (AP) A roadside blast killed 10 paramilitary soldiers and two others Thursday in eastern India, police said. The explosion occurred in Dantewada district, about 350 miles south of Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh state. (Posted @ 16:08 PST)
Philippine rebels in Manila hotel arrested MANILA, Nov 29 (Reuters) Renegade Philippine soldiers who had holed up in a Manila hotel Thursday calling for the overthrow of the government surrendered after elite forces battered down the door and fired tear gas into the lobby. Senator Antonio Trillanes, who led a failed mutiny in 2003 against President Gloria Arroyo, was taken away in handcuffs. “We are going out for the sake of the safety of everybody,” he had told reporters earlier. There were no reports of any casualties. About two dozen rebel soldiers had earlier walked out of their own trial for the 2003 mutiny, escorted by guards assigned to keep them from escaping. They marched to the Peninsula Hotel in Manila's Makati financial district and took over the lobby, calling for the overthrow of President Arroyo. Scores of journalists and hotel staff had been trapped in the hotel, along with a number of guests initially. (First Posted @ 09:20 Updated @ 16:08 PST)
Two killed, 22 detained in Iraq raids BAGHDAD, Nov 29 (AFP) Iraqi and US troops killed two suspected militants and detained 22 in separate raids across Iraq Thursday, military statements said. US forces killed two and detained five militants in the Khan Bani Saad village, north of Baghdad, in an early morning raid targeting a militant suspected of involvement in smuggling bombs from Iran into Iraq. The Iraqi defence ministry meanwhile said its troops raided a hideout of Al-Qaeda in Iraq near Latifiyah town, south of Baghdad, and detained 17 suspected militants. Security officials also reported that a bomb exploded inside a bus in Baghdad's central Palestine Street, killing one person and wounding five. (Posted @ 15:31 PST)
China congratulates President Musharraf BEIJING, Nov 29 (AFP) China congratulated President Pervez Musharraf for being sworn in as a civilian leader Thursday and expressed confidence that he could maintain stability in his nation. “China congratulates Mr Musharraf on becoming the new president of Pakistan,” foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said. “We believe that under the leadership of President Musharraf, Pakistan will continue to maintain social stability and economic development.” (Posted @ 15:15 PST)
US-Canada oil pipeline blast kills two CHICAGO, Nov 29 (AFP) An explosion and fire on a pipeline carrying crude oil from Canada to the United States killed two workers and cut supplies, the pipeline's operator said. The explosion took place Wednesday about five kilometres southeast of Enbridge's Clearbrook, Minnesota terminal, the company said. (Posted @ 14:00 PST)
American soldier killed in western Baghdad BAGHDAD, Nov 29 (AP) An American soldier was killed by small-arms fire in western Baghdad Wednesday, the military said Thursday. (Posted @ 13:55 PST)
Cannon explodes in India during salute, killing two NEW DELHI, Nov 29 (Reuters) A 200-year-old cannon wheeled out by Indian villagers to greet a visiting minister exploded after being overstuffed with gunpowder, killing two men, the Times of India reported Thursday. Residents of Badoli village in western India's Rajasthan state had planned the gun salute on Tuesday evening to welcome Kirodi Lal Meena, a state minister. The minister left immediately after the accident, which also injured six other people. (Posted @ 13:50 PST)
Seven rebels killed in Sri Lankan capital COLOMBO, Nov 29 (AP): Sri Lankan forces killed seven ethnic Tamil rebels in new fighting Thursday as the government closed schools in Colombo and security forces scoured neighborhoods around the capital in the wake of two deadly bomb attacks. (Posted @ 11:30 PST)
Four killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza GAZA CITY, Nov 29 (AFP): Four Hamas activists died late Wednesday in an Israeli air raid and another attack in the Islamist-run Gaza Strip, a Palestinian security source said. Two activists were wounded and two others died in the air attack which took place near Khan Yunus in the south of the Gaza Strip, the source said. (Posted @ 11:15 PST)
Sanjay Dutt released from prison MUMBAI, Nov 29 (AFP): Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt walked out of a Pune prison in western India Thursday after being granted bail on a six-year sentence for possessing illegal weapons, witnesses said. Hundreds of fans gathered outside the jail to catch a glimpse of the tough-guy actor as he was escorted by a guard out of the main gate. Dutt got into a waiting car and was expected to board a chartered flight to Mumbai. (Posted @ 10:30 PST)
US doctor gets 25 years for conspiring to help Al-Qaeda NEW YORK, Nov 29 (AFP): A medical doctor from Florida was sentenced to 25 years in jail Wednesday for conspiring to provide Al-Qaeda with medical assistance and martial arts training, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York said. Rafiq Sabir, 53, was convicted in May of “conspiring to provide material support or resources to the Al-Qaeda terrorist organization ... after pledging an oath of loyalty to Al-Qaeda and (its leader) Osama Bin Laden,” the attorney said in a statement. (Posted @ 09:10 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 80.37 points: KARACHI, Nov 29: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 13965.30, up 80.37, points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, Nov 29: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 61.45, to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:20 PST)
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