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| January 25, 2008 | Friday | Muharram 15, 1429 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
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Musharraf vows free elections, brushes off London protests LONDON, Jan 25 (AFP) Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf brushed off criticism of his leadership Friday and renewed a pledge that upcoming elections will be free and fair, as he faced protests in London. Arriving in Britain towards the end of a European tour, Musharraf also insisted he was committed to protecting human rights but warned there had to be limits to prevent “violence and anarchy. The election will be free, fair transparent and peaceful,” he said after giving a speech at a London think-tank. “Whatever bugs were in the system have been removed by me and my government”. Asked “what guarantees he could give”, he added: “What more do you think I can do? Please tell us... What other satisfaction can I give?” adding: “You give me a certificate, I'll sign it. Musharraf, who arrived in London after attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, is due to meet Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Monday. In his speech to the Royal United Services Institute, about “how he envisions the future of his country and the region”, Musharraf gave an overview of events in his region over the last four decades. He reiterated that Pakistan should not be judged by Western conditions with regard to civil liberties. He pledged to protect human rights, but said: “The only thing we would like is that this freedom should be within bounds... and not lead to violence and anarchy”. And he insisted that he would not be swayed by outside criticism.(Posted @ 23:25 PST)
Pakistan launches nuclear-capable missile during exercise ISLAMABAD, Jan 25 (AFP): Pakistan's army said it successfully fired a medium-range ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads during a military exercise Friday. The locally developed Shaheen-1 (Hatf IV) missile has a range of 700 kilometres and was launched at the end of a training session by the army's strategic force command, a military statement said. The Shaheen-1 series is routinely fired during training exercises by troops. Army chief General Ashfaq Kayani congratulated the officers and scientists “on achieving high standards of training and excellent results,” the statement said. Kayani said Pakistan had developed a strong nuclear deterrence capability but the country had no aggressive intentions against other countries. (Posted @ 11:55 PST)
Pakistani troops kill 30 militants in hunt for stolen trucks: army PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Jan 25 (AFP) - Pakistani troops battled militants during a search for several hijacked trucks full of ammunition on Friday, with up to 30 rebels and two soldiers killed, the army said. Helicopter gunships were also involved in the clashes in Dara Adam Khel tribal area, near the city of Peshawar, where the lorries were seized by militants a day earlier, officials and residents said. “Reportedly, 25-30 miscreants have been killed... Two Frontier Corps personnel embraced martyrdom and 10 others were injured,” an army statement added. Chief military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said skirmishes were continuing in the region including near a Japanese-built tunnel leading from Peshawar to the northwestern city of Kohat. Residents said gunship helicopters were pounding militant bunkers in the hills around the arms bazaar and the tunnel. The main road was also closed, they said. Separately, troops on Friday continued to comb mountains in the tribal region of South Waziristan around the hideout of warlord Baitullah Mehsud, officials said. “A house-to-house search operation is underway in the areas where the security forces have consolidated their positions,” military spokesman Abbas told AFP. More than 200 militants and 30 soldiers are said to have died during three weeks of fighting in South Waziristan.(Posted @ 17:16 PST, Updated @ 18:51 PST)
Musharraf arrives in London LONDON, Jan 25 (APP): Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf arrived here Friday on the last leg of his four-nation European tour. During the three-day stay in Britain, he will call on Prime Minister Gordon Brown on January 28 and will exchange views on a whole range of issues including international situation in the wake of growing terrorism, Pakistan-India peace process, and the democratic progression in Pakistan. President Musharraf will address the prestigious Royal United Services Institute for Defence Studies (RUSI) on 'Vision for Pakistan and Regional Harmony', and also address the British-Pakistani community. On the last day of his UK visit, President Musharraf will address British media at a breakfast meeting on January 28 before proceeding to Downing Street for talks with Prime Minister Gordon Brown.(Posted @ 19:37 PST)
General Kayani rejects world nuclear fears ISLAMABAD, Jan 25 (AFP) Pakistani army chief General Ashfaq Kayani Friday dismissed “unrealistic” international fears that the country's nuclear weapons could fall into militant hands, an army statement said. Speaking after the launch of a nuclear-capable ballistic missile during an army exercise, he rejected “irresponsible” speculation that Pakistan's warheads could be at risk because of the political turmoil in the country. “Referring to international concerns regarding speculative scenarios, he dismissed such concerns as unrealistic and based on a lack of understanding of Pakistan's command and control mechanisms,” it said. The statement added: “He stressed that creating irresponsible alarm by certain quarters would be counter-productive.” (Posted @ 13:05 PST)
US willing to fight with Pakistanis against Al-Qaeda: Gates WASHINGTON, Jan 25 (AFP): The United States is “ready, willing and able” to conduct joint combat operations with Pakistani troops against insurgents in Pakistan if Islamabad agrees, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday. Gates, speaking at a Pentagon press conference with Admiral Michael Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he was unaware of any Pakistani request for additional US military assistance but said it was part of an ongoing dialogue. “First of all, we remain ready, willing and able to assist the Pakistanis and to partner with them to provide additional training, to conduct joint operations, should they desire to do so,” he said. Asked whether joint operations meant US combat troops fighting with Pakistani troops against Al-Qaeda in the tribal areas near the border with Afghanistan, Gates said, “if the Pakistanis wanted to do that, I think we would.” “They clearly have the right to decide whether or not forces from another country are going to operate on their soil,” Gates said. He said most of the discussion with the Pakistanis so far has involved increased counter-insurgency training rather than joint combat operations. “I mean, you're not talking about significant numbers of US troops for the kinds of things, if you're talking about going after Al-Qaeda in the border area or something like that,” he said. “So…we're talking about a very small number of troops, should that happen. And it's clearly a pretty remote area,” he said. Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, cited night operations as an area where the US military could help train Pakistanis. (Posted @ 10:45 PST)
Pakistan protests to Britain over politician's detention ISLAMABAD, Jan 25 (AFP) - Pakistan summoned Britain's acting High Commissioner to the foreign office on Friday after Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain, the brother of ruling party chief and former premier Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, was held with several companions at London's Gatwick Airport . The action was taken because of Islamabad's “serious concern and consternation” over the treatment of Hussain, a lawmaker in Pakistan's last parliament, and the others, a foreign office statement said. “The Acting Foreign Secretary asked the British envoy to explain the circumstances which led to this ugly incident and ensure that such incidents are not repeated,” the statement said. The statement said the British diplomat offered “sincere regrets” and said the incident was the result of a “misunderstanding”. A senior British official had visited Hussain's family to apologise, while the British envoy had “clarified that these persons were free to travel to UK (United Kingdom) and their visas remain valid,” the statement said.(Posted @ 18:11 PST)
Blast causes power outage in Hub QUETTA, Jan 25 (APP) A blast in Hub destroyed an electricity pylon causing power outage in the city and surrounding areas on Friday, police said.(Posted @ 22:16 PST)
Cricket-Pakistan drop Shoaib Akhtar from central contracts list KARACHI, Jan 25 (Reuters) The Pakistan Cricket Board has dropped fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami from the list of players who will get new central contracts this month. Board chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf announced on Friday that the two pacers and opener Imran Nazir had not been given an annual central contract because of fitness and performance issues.(Posted @ 22:15 PST)
Gazans defy Egypt closure deadline with new border breaches RAFAH, Gaza Strip, Jan 25 (AFP) - Gazans defied an Egyptian deadline for the resealing of the frontier on Friday by ploughing new breaches in the border wall, allowing dozens to cross over. Egyptian police did not intervene as a bulldozer was used to demolish sections of the barrier. The Palestinians, who chanted slogans in praise of the Hamas armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, made their way across on foot, by car and on donkey carts.(Posted @ 19:10 PST)
New mobile subscriber policy announced Islamabad, Pakistan, Jan 25 (PPI)- Pakistan Government Friday announced a Mobile Subscriber Documentation and Antecedent Verification Policy to help check crime and facilitate the genuine cellular phone subscribers. Minister for Information Technology Dr. Abdullah Riar told a news conference that the policy seeks to address the major issues of having valid antecedent data for cellular phone subscribers as mobile phones are becoming misused tools for coordination during crimes. Under the policy all operators will be required to correctly mark their sale premises and submit these details to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority within one month. Regarding minimum requirements of new connections, the Minister said the provision of attested copy of Computerized National Identity Card for Pakistan citizens, refugee ID for Afghan refugees or immigrant ID for alien registration, passport with valid visa for foreigners, has been made mandatory. Thumb impression on form is also essential for new connection and an individual can have maximum ten SIMs of one operator.(Posted @ 19:06 PST)
More gas reserves found in Pakistan’s Hyderabad London, Jan.25 (PPI): The Oil & Gas Development Co Ltd announced Friday it has found gas and condensate at its exploratory Pasakhi East Well No 01 in Hyderabad district of Sindh province in Pakistan. It said the well tested with a short duration initial flow rate of 10.7 mln standard cubic feet per day of gas and 155 barrels per day of condensate.(Posted @ 17:43 PST)
PPP denies seat adjustment with any political party ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Jan 25 (APP): Pakistan Peoples Party has denied seat adjustment with any political party including PML-N and reiterated the decision to contest every constituency from all over the country. Secretary General of the party Jahangir Badar told APP that PPP had awarded tickets to its candidates in every constituency.(Posted @ 17:36 PST)
Half a town razed in Kenya violence: Red Cross NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 25 (AP) - Half a town has been burned down and at least two people have been killed in the latest ethnic clashes in western Kenya sparked by a dispute over elections, the Kenya Red Cross Society said Friday. Some 50 people have been wounded by clubs and machetes and up to 3,000 have been made homeless in fighting that erupted Thursday at Total Station, Red Cross Secretary General Abbas Gullet said.(Posted @ 17:30 PST)
Police shoot dead bombing suspect in occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Police in occupied Kashmir shot dead a suspected militant which they accused of masterminding a series of explosions outside courts in three Indian cities last year, officials said Friday. Bashir Ahmad, a senior member of Harkat-ul-Jehad Islami (HuJI), was shot dead on Thursday night in a gun battle in Cahtru village in south Kashmir, police said. He was suspected of plotting near simultaneous blasts near courts in Varanasi, Faizabad and Lucknow in November last year which killed 13 people and wounded 80 more.(Posted @ 17:24 PST)
Tennis- Federer humbled by Djokovic in semis MELBOURNE, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Roger Federer's invincibility was pierced, then pummeled and finally pulled apart at Melbourne Park on Friday, the world number one brutally ejected from the Australian Open semi-finals by Novak Djokovic. The Swiss champion and top seed fell 7-5 6-3 7-6, ending his bid to reach an 11th consecutive grand slam final. Instead Djokovic will face muscular Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Sunday's showpiece.(Posted @ 17:23 PST)
Cricket-Gilchrist sets record for wicketkeeping dismissals ADELAIDE, Jan 25 *Reuters) - Australia's Adam Gilchrist broke South African Mark Boucher's world record for the most test dismissals by a wicketkeeper during the fourth and final match against India on Friday. Gilchrist claimed his 414th victim, eclipsing Boucher's record of 413, when he caught India captain Anil Kumble off the bowling of Mitchell Johnson for 87. (Posted @ 15:45 PST)
Roadside bomb kills 4 Afghans from U.S.-led force KHOST, Afghanistan, Jan 25 (Reuters) - A roadside bomb killed four Afghan fighters from the U.S.-led coalition force on Friday in in Khost province, a provincial official said. (Posted @ 15:40 PST)
Bomb kills 10 in Beirut BEIRUT, Jan 25 (AFP) - A powerful bomb targeting a security convoy killed at least 10 people, including a senior intelligence official and his bodyguard, in a Christian area of Beirut on Friday, army and security officials said. (Posted @ 15:25 PST)
Four killed in France as train hits car at crossing PARIS, Jan 25 (Reuters): Three French policemen and another man were killed early Friday morning when they hit were by a train in the eastern Vosges region, police said. The accident occurred after a car that had been pursued by a police patrol became stuck on a rail crossing near the town of Neufchateau. The officers, who had got out of their own vehicle, and the car itself were hit by an oncoming train. Two of the officers were killed instantly and a third died later in hospital. The driver of the car, who had remained in his vehicle, was also killed. (Posted @ 13:35 PST)
Cricket-Australia 62-0 v India (526) - close ADELAIDE, Jan 25 (Reuters): Australia were 62 without loss in their first innings at the close of play on the second day of the fourth and final test against India at Adelaide Oval Friday. Scores: India 526 (Sachin Tendulkar 153, Anil Kumble 87, Virender Sehwag 63, Harbhajan Singh 63, Vangipurappu Laxman 51; Mitchell Johnson 4-126, Brett Lee 3-101); Australia 62-0 (Matthew Hayden 36 not out, Phil Jaques 21 not out). (First Posted @ 12:00 PST, Updated @ 13:15 PST)
Israeli strikes kill four Palestinians in Gaza GAZA, Jan 25 (Reuters): Two Israeli air strikes on cars killed at least four Palestinian militants in the southern Gaza town of Rafah Friday, security officials and medical staff said. (Posted @ 10:50 PST)
Three ships collide near New York City WASHINGTON, Jan 25 (Reuters): Three ships, including an oil tanker, collided in Newark Bay, New Jersey, near New York City Thursday, CNN reported. CNN said there was sheen of oil in the water, indicating a possible spill. The Coast Guard said there were no immediate reports of injuries, CNN reported. (Posted @ 10:45 PST)
China train runs down and kills 18 workers BEIJING, Jan 25 (Reuters): A high-speed Chinese train, travelling from Beijing to Qingdao Wednesday evening, ran through a group of maintenance workers, killing 18 and injuring nine, the Railway Ministry said Friday. “The workers were relocating the tracks when the train ran into the work site” in Shandong province’s Anqiu city, Xinhua news agency said. No passengers on the train were killed or injured, a ministry official said. (Posted @ 09:15 PST)
Italy's Prodi calls it quits after losing Senate vote ROME, Jan 25 (AFP): Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi resigned Thursday following 20 rocky months in office after the centre-left leader lost a vote of confidence in the Senate. President Giorgio Napolitano asked Prodi to continue in office as the head of state holds consultations with political leaders, beginning Friday afternoon with the speakers of the Senate and the lower house Chamber of Deputies, the president's office said. (Posted @ 09:05 PST)
India, France on 'verge' of nuclear agreement: Sarkozy NEW DELHI, Jan 25 (AFP): India and France are “on the verge” of an agreement to engage in civil nuclear energy cooperation, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said in an e-mail interview with the Hindustan Times Friday. “We are on the verge of finding an agreement which will enable the development of civilian nuclear cooperation with India,” Sarkozy was quoted as saying. “This is one of the stakes of my visit in India: to bring to fruition this evolution that I deem essential for India's development and the protection of the global environment.” Sarkozy added that the agreement was subject to India working out a “special regime” with the 45-country Nuclear Suppliers Group, which governs global nuclear trade, as well as safeguards with the UN's atomic energy watchdog. (Posted @ 08:45 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 137.20 points: KARACHI, Jan 25: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 13856.36, up 137.20, points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 16:00 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, Jan 25: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 62.75, to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 16:00 PST)
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