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| February 23, 2008 | Saturday | Safar 15, 1429 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
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 Parliament to guide policy decisions: Amin Fahim ISLAMABAD, Feb 23 (PPI) PPP Vice-Chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim who is being tipped as the most likely candidate as Prime Minister says “if the responsibility (of Prime Minister) is given to me, I will work hard.'' Talking to Reza Sayah of CNN about Pakistan's future under his leadership Amin Fahim said: “I know very well problems Pakistan is facing today, but PPP is an organised party - we have experts, we have knowledge. If the responsibility lies on me, I will work hard.” Question: There were a couple of issues that appear, at least to some, to be tumbling blocks. One of them is how to handle President Musharraf. As Prime Minister, will you move forward to impeach him and have a government without him? Amin Fahim: I think there's no need at the moment but the parliament is sovereign. Once we go to the parliament, the parliament will look at every issue. We should not rock the boat at this time. We must have civil transition of power from the military to civilians. Question: Are you willing to sit with the Taliban and negotiate and get them involved in political system? Amin Fahim: We are not in favour of terrorism anywhere in the world. We will try to settle this issue through the parliament with support of people of Pakistan. Now, their advice will be guideline. Question: Would you be willing to sit down with members of Taliban and these militant groups face to face? Amin Fahim: We have not said anything about whether we'll be sitting with them or not. I think we should leave handling and tackling this to the parliament. (Posted @ 18:44 PST)  U.S. to pursue ties with Pakistan, credits Musharraf on holding fair polls Washington, Feb 23 (PPI): United States would continue to pursue its wide-ranging ties with Pakistan and credited President Pervez Musharraf with guiding his nation to free and fair elections, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told a news conference. Musharraf is President of the country and so, of course, U.S. would to deal with him and pursue its interests for a stable and democratic Pakistan, she said. “The elections I think instill some confidence in Pakistani people. It was an outcome that moves them closer or further down road back to not just civilian government but to democratic civilian government that is more broadly based. That is, to my mind, best possible outcome, which is that Pakistani people now have a chance for civilian government that is broadly based. How they arrange their coalition is really a Pakistani affair. “That's why, U.S. cooperation programmes with Pakistan have been not just about counte rterrorism but also on education, women's empowerment and all of the elements of support for Pakistani social and economic progress,” she said. On anti-terror cooperation, she said “it is also in our interest to have a sustained and very robust counter-terrorism effort. It is in interest of both nations to continue to pursue the agenda. “Not only is that important to American security and frankly, I think American people expect U.S. President to continue to pursue an agenda with Pakistan that protects our interests in a robust counter terrorism effort that is also in interest of Pakistani people, who watched one of their great political leaders assassinated by extremists.” Rice noted Pakistani people have clearly expressed in election that they wanted a better life, more jobs, want extremism and violence to end. American and Pakistani people share common goal. “So I think we and Pakistani people have common agenda here. They have made their voices known. The U.S. is very proud for they have made their voices known in this way, and we're going to pursue relations with Pakistan with our interests in mind the way that we would with any other country that we believe is making progress toward a more democratic future.” (Posted @ 20:08 PST)   PML-Q happy to stay in opposition; says Shujaat ISLAMABAD, Feb 23 (APP): An extraordinary meeting of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) ticket holders Saturday decided that the party would play a positive role as opposition in the center and three provinces while it would form government in Balochistan with the support of like-minded parties and independents. Briefing the media after the meeting, party chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said: “PML is happy to play a positive role as opposition. We would not resort to desk-thumping and raising hollow slogans. Rather, we would contribute over national issues. We would also not stand in the way of PPP, PML-N coalition government formation. I tell you on oath that we have no desire to form the government in center or three provinces. However, PML has emerged as largest party in Balochistan and we would form government in Balochistan. Now those who got votes making false and tall claims should fulfill their promises made to the masses.” Shujaat said his party got strong support from all the four provinces which reflected that the people wanted the development policies of the party to continue. The PML-Q President said his party regarded the parliament as hub of decision-making process. “No legislator would leave the party, InshaAllah. The opposition is not measured by numbers; rather it is respected for its quality input in the national affairs,” he said answering a question. Mushahid Hussain Sayed, secretary-general of the PML-Q said the party president had nominated a Legal Aid Committee headed by Senator S.M. Zafar to take up the issue of irregularities committed by candidates of opponent parties in the elections. Ch. Pervaiz Elahi told reporters that the party leaders had recorded their feed-back to the party during the meeting and the PML parliamentary party would meet on Sunday. Asked to comment on former Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri's proposal that the PML-Q should join a national government, he said there were others who thought otherwise. Pervaiz Elahi noted that there was no flour crisis when the party was running the government Mushahid Hussain said the meeting of PML parliamentary party in national assembly would be held on Sunday while the provincial chapters of the party would meet on Monday. (First Posted @ 17:10 PST Updated @ 21:24 PST) Five injured in blast, three killed in Pakistan road accident SHINKIARI, Pakistan, Feb 23 (APP): Three people were killed when the car in which they were proceeding from Gilgit to Swat valley, went off the road and fell into a deep ridge in district Kohistan. According to police the driver lost control and the car fell hundreds of feet down near the banks of river Indus. Police have recovered the bodies . Meanwhile, at least five people were seriously injured in a car blast near Shinkiari police station at Nawazabad village on Saturday. According to reports, the supporters of a winning candidate in Monday’s election were proceeding in a pickup to attend a victory rally when the vehicle blew up with a blast. The cause of the blast has not been determined so far. (Posted @ 20:50 PST) Pakistan's winning party considers candidates to lead new government ISLAMABAD, Feb 23 (AP) The leaders of Pakistan's main opposition parties, the PPP and PML-N, were Saturday mulling candidates for the next prime minister with veteran Makhdoom Amin Fahim, reputed to be consensus builder, emerging as the favourite. Leaders of the Pakistan People's Party have scheduled closed-door meetings through the weekend on ways to end a yearlong political crisis that saw the imposition of emergency rule, the purging of the judiciary and the rounding up of hundreds of Musharraf's opponents. Though a final decision was not expected before Monday, PPP leaders said they were considering a bid to strip the president of the right to dismiss parliament. ''The participants ... vowed to work for the restoration of the parliamentary supremacy by undoing undemocratic provisions under which elected parliaments have been dismissed,'' the party said in a statement. President’s powers to dissolve parliament under Article 58 (2b) were first incorporated in the constitution by late President Ziaul Haq. The article was removed after his death but was reinstated under Musharraf. The party's choice to head the next government after the new parliament convenes, probably next month, was also high on the agenda. Makhdoom Amin Fahim, 68, is a front-runner. Other possible nominees include Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Yousuf Raza Gilani, both from the Punjab province. Shah Mehmood is party’s vice chairman while Gilani has previously served as Speaker of the National Assembly. Amin Fahim is favourite in part because the party wanted a prime minister from Sindh province. (First Posted @ 15:00 PST Updated @ 18:12 PST) Kashmiris get boost from Kosovo independence SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, Feb 23 (AFP) - Separatists in occupied Kashmir said Saturday Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence has bolstered their resolve to achieve the same status for the disputed Himalayan territory. Kosovo's independence declaration has “strengthened our resolve to achieve freedom for Kashmir,” leading Kashmiri separatist Shabir Shah told AFP. Scores of countries including the United States and Britain have recognised Kosovo as a new state, but India said it was studying the legal ramifications. India is wary of recognising Kosovo as an independent state because of its possible ramifications for scenic Kashmir, which has been racked by a nearly two-decade-old revolt against New Delhi's rule. “Kosovo's independence is an indicator that struggles based on truth and justice never fail,” Shah said, adding that the day is not “far when Kashmiris will be free.” Shah, 54, who heads the pro-independence Democratic Freedom Party, is dubbed the “Nelson Mandela” of Kashmir after spending more than 20 years in Indian jails. Another separatist leader, Syed Ali Geelani, also said he was delighted by Kosovo's independence proclamation, saying the “creation of a Muslim state within the European heartland has strengthened our resolve to achieve our right to self-determination.” The insurgency in occupied Kashmir has left more than 43,000 people dead by official count. (Posted @ 16:30 PST) Security situation will improve in Pakistan: India Army Chief NEW DELHI, Feb 23 (PPI) Security situation in Pakistan should improve after the elections and India would be able to resolve disputes by talking to democratically elected government in that country, said Indian Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor. Talking to Karan Thapar on CNN-IBN's “Devil's Advocate” show, Kapoor said: “When the things were turbulent we were a little worried... and therefore we were very vigilant on the borders. But now that the elections have taken place and, hopefully, in next few days they will have a government (and) we would be able to talk to a democratically elected government to resolve some of our differences.” About his opinion of Pakistan Army Chief General Ashfaq Kayani, Kapoor said it was reassuring to have a person, “who is a professional soldier” at the head of the Pakistan Army. (Posted @ 18:40 PST) 
40 killed in Sri Lanka fighting; bomb wounds at least 14 near capital COLOMBO, Sri Lanka. Feb 23 (AP) - Two days of scattered fighting between Sri Lankan troops and Tamil Tiger rebels killed 39 insurgents and a soldier, the military said Saturday. Meanwhile, a bomb exploded on a bus near the Sri Lankan capital on Saturday, wounding at least 14 people, officials said. A bigger disaster was averted because a passenger spotted the device and everyone fled the vehicle before the blast, officials said. (First Posted @ 11:00 PST Updated @ 21:36 PST) Indian high commissioner meets Asif Zardari ISLAMABAD, Feb 23 (PPI): Indian High Commissioner Satyabrata Pal Saturday met Pakistan People's Party Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari to congratulate him on his party's performance in elections and to offer condolences on the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. (Posted @ 21:28 PST) Zardari mandated to discuss coalition government ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Feb 23 (APP): The newly elected PPPP members for Punjab Assembly Saturday reposed full confidence in Asif Ali Zardari, mandating the party co-chairman to negotiate future coalition government with other political parties. Party sources confirmed that the participants unanimously nominated the Leader of the House in Punjab Assembly, but the name was not disclosed. “The name of all Leaders of House in National as well as Provincial Assemblies will be announced simultaneously after the party co-chairman completes consultation with Sindh and Balochistan chapters of PPPP,” sources said. “The meeting was introductory where all of us briefed party leadership of our constituencies including the party position and public expectations,” sources said, adding that the co-chairman urged us to organize the party at grass root level and focus on reforms. (Posted @ 21:12 PST) Pakistan's financial sector assets rise to $180bn: state bank governor KARACHI, Feb 23 (PPI): Dr Shamshad Akhtar, Governor, State Bank of Pakistan said Saturday the country has experienced an 'extraordinary growth' in the financial sector as its assets have grown to $180 billion or 125% of the Gross Domestic Product compared to 95% of GDP at the end of 1997. Speaking at the convocation of the Institute of Bankers, Pakistan (IBP) in Karachi, she said that financial stability in Pakistan has benefited from structural transformation of the banking sector and wide-ranging policy initiatives of the State Bank. Dr Akhtar said the regulatory framework encourages (i) financial sector growth, diversification and innovation, (ii) healthy competition and risk taking to ensure a sustainable and aggressive income stream, (iii) opportunities for enhancing the franchise value of banks, (iv) prudent behavior and effective risk management and loan provisioning requirement are stringent enough to discourage infection of loan portfolio, and (v) safeguarding social obligations and consumer interests. She said the financial sector stability has been further fostered by strengthening of banks' system-wide capital base to Rs372 billion. (Posted @ 19:58 PST) Three killed in Gaza missile strike GAZA, Feb 23 (Reuters) Three Palestinians, all employees of a Jordanian bank operating in Hamas controlled territory, were killed by an Israeli missile strike near the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun on Saturday, medical and Hamas officials said. An Israeli army spokesman said the target was a group of militants who were preparing to launch mortar bombs into Israel. (First Posted @ 19:22 PST Updated @ 19:48 PST) 
Six pilgrims drown in Tigris River boat sinking BAGHDAD, Feb 23 (AP) - A boat carrying 11 Shiites on a pilgrimage to the holy city of Karbala overturned in the Tigris river near Kut, 160 kilometers southeast of Baghdad, on Saturday drowning six people, police said. (Posted @ 19:38 PST) Nine killed in Afghan violence ASADABAD, Afghanistan, Feb 23 (AFP) - A mine blast killed seven guards in Afghanistan on Saturday, while two civilians were killed in separate incidents, officials said.A landmine blew up a vehicle transporting Afghan guards who had been protecting a road construction company in Kunar province, governor Fazullah Wahidi told AFP. Meanwhile, in Farah province, a suicide bomber with explosives strapped to his body blew himself up near a police vehicle but there were no casualties other than the bomber. In other incidents, a civilian truck driver was killed and a truck supplying Western troops was set ablaze in Zabul province on Saturday, police said. Kunar governor Wahidi also alleged that US troops patrolling in the mountains on Friday had shot and killed a civilian who was collecting wood and injured two others. (First Posted @ 13:15 PST Updated @ 19:18 PST) Volley of rockets or mortars targets US-protected Green Zone BAGHDAD, Feb 23 (AP) Rockets or mortars hit the U.S.-protected Green Zone early Saturday. Starting 6:15 a.m., nearly 10 blasts could be heard in the sprawling area along the Tigris River that houses the U.S. and British embassies, the Iraqi government headquarters and thousands of American troops. Separately, the head of the Iraqi Journalists Union Shihab al-Timimi was shot and wounded Saturday while on way to an art gallery in Waziriya, near central Baghdad. (First Posted @ 09:25 PST, Updated @ 17:20 PST Cricket-Bangladesh (192) and 125-4 v South Africa (170) Dhaka, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Bangladesh were 125 for four in their second innings at the close of play on the second day of the first test against South Africa in Dhaka on Saturday. Scores: Bangladesh 192 (M.Morkel 5-50, D.Steyn 3-27) and 125-4 (J.Siddiqui 64 not out, Steyn 3-38) v South Africa 170 (S.Hossain 6-27) (First Posted @ 12:15, Updated @ 16:40 PST) Iran says 'no legal basis' for new UN nuclear resolution TEHRAN, Feb 23 (AFP) - Iran sees no legal basis for a new UN resolution against Tehran over its nuclear activities, a top security official said on Saturday. “If the Security Council wants to issue a resolution it will be legally and technically baseless,” Javad Vaidi, deputy head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, was quoted by the ISNA news agency as saying. Government spokesman Gholam Hossein Elham called it “illegal and unjustifiable to keep Iran's nuclear case at the Security Council,” vowing “it will not affect the country's will” to pursue its nuclear programme, the state news agency IRNA reported. He said the issue has to go back to the IAEA which reported on Friday that it had made “quite good progress” in its long-running probe into Iran's disputed nuclear drive. (Posted @ 16:35 PST) Storm snarls air travel in American northeast; five killed in Missouri NEW YORK, Feb 23 (AP): A snowstorm blanketed New York City early Friday, causing headaches for commuters and delaying flights at the region's major airports. In Missouri, slippery roads caused accidents that killed five people Thursday and early Friday. More than 900 flights were cancelled at the New York area's three major airports, while there were dozens of delays ranging up to five hours. (Posted @ 16:10 PST) Dozens killed as Turkish army pursues Kurdish rebels in Iraq ANKARA, Feb 23 (AFP): Turkish troops pursued Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq on the third day of a major ground operation Saturday as the military put the initial death toll from the clashes at around 50. At least 24 members of the separatist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and five soldiers were killed in the clashes, the military said overnight. It estimated that at least 20 other rebels were killed by artillery and helicopter fire, but said the exact toll would not be known until troops reach the targeted area. Heavy fighting and artillery fire continued late into the night Friday, villagers in the area told AFP. (Posted @ 15:30 PST) Cricket- New Zealand beat England by four wickets CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, Feb 23 (AFP): New Zealand beat England by four wickets to wrap up their one-day cricket series here Saturday when rain brought an early end to the fifth and deciding game. New Zealand were 213 for six after 37 overs when rain stopped play, after England made 242 for seven in their 50 overs. Under the Duckworth-Lewis system, New Zealand needed to have scored at least 179 to win. The win gave New Zealand the series 3-1 with one match tied. (First Posted @ 09:40 PST, Updated @ 13:55 PST) Indian troops kill six separatists near Myanmar border GUWAHATI, Feb 23 (Reuters): Indian troops killed six separatists in a fierce gun battle near the border with Myanmar on Saturday and recovered several weapons, a military spokesman said. The militants were identified as members of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), fighting for the independence of nearly two million people in the northeast Indian state of Manipur. (Posted @ 11:50 PST) Russia says North Korea seizes ship VLADIVOSTOK, Feb 23 (AFP): North Korean coast guard vessels inspected a Russian cargo ship in the Sea of Japan on Saturday and were escorting it to a North Korean port, Russia's maritime rescue service said. “The cargo ship Lidia Demech loaded with cars, registered in Kamchatka, was heading from the Japanese port of Hamata to Vladivostok and was inspected near the Cape of Musudan,” it said in a statement. The Russian news agency RIA-Novosti reported, citing a source in Russia's Pacific fleet, that the ship was probably boarded and escorted to port for straying too close to a North Korean missile testing site. (Posted @ 09:35 PST) U.S. Air Force B-2 bomber crashes in Guam WASHINGTON, Feb 22 (Reuters): A U.S. B-2 bomber crashed at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam but the two pilots on board ejected safely, the U.S. Air Force said late on Friday. No further details were immediately available. (Posted @ 09:20 PST) 25 killed in Saudi bus crash RIYADH, Feb 23 (AFP): Twenty-five people were killed on Friday when a bus overturned in southwest Saudi Arabia, police said. Eight other people were injured, some seriously, when the Saudi Public Transport Co. (SAPTCO) bus overturned in Abha, a police spokesman in Asir region told the official SPA news agency. An initial investigation indicated the accident was caused by faulty brakes, said the spokesman. (Posted @ 09:15 PST) 
Founder: Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah
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