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| March 28, 2008 | Friday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 19, 1429 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
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 116 MPAs of 15th NWFP Assembly sworn in; Speaker, Deputy Speaker elected unopposed PESHAWAR, Pakistan, March 28 (APP): The 116 newly elected members of the 15th NWFP Assembly were Friday sworn in at the inaugural session of the Provincial Assembly presided over by senior MPA- elect Arbab Ayub Jan. The house unanimously passed a resolution demanding of the government to conduct inquiry into the assassination of Benazir Bhutto by the United Nations. The oath was administered in three languages-- Urdu, English and Pushto. The NWFP Assembly is comprised of 99 general seats, 22 women reserved seats and three seats of the minorities. At the outset, Attiqur Rehman from Hangu and Qalbe Hassan from Kohat drew attention of the hose towards ongoing unrest in their districts. To record their grievance, the two MPAs said that they would not take the oath today . However, the chair asked Bashir Ahmed Bilour, Pervez Khattak and Rahimdad Khan to bring back the MPAs, and they fianally took the oath. Since no other member of the house had filed papers for the office of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, the nominees of PPP Karamatullah Khan Chagarmatti and ANP's Khushdil Khan were declared elected unopposed as such. (First Posted @ 12:20 PST Updated @ 16:58 PST)  Chinese Vice Minister calls on President Musharraf' ISLAMABAD, March 28 (APP): President Pervez Musharraf Friday highlighted the Pak-China relations and said Pakistan cherishes its long-standing friendship with China and was confident that it would continue to gain strength in future to serve the best interests of the two countries and the region. He was talking to Liu Hongcai, Vice Minister of the International Department of Communist Party of China who is leading a five-member delegation for the 9th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) being held in Islamabad from Friday to Sunday. President Musharraf said that relations with China form the bedrock of Pakistan's Foreign Policy and thanked the Chinese leadership for their expression of goodwill and solidarity for Pakistan and China’s cooperation in socio-economic field. President Musharraf said that Pakistan is firmly opposed to any attempts to undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. He also congratulated the Chinese government on holding the forthcoming Beijing Olympics and said that Pakistan was happy that it had been chosen as one of the venues for the Olympic Torch Relay. (Posted @ 21:04 PST)  Boucher offers 'full support' from US to democratic govt in Pakistan ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, March 28 (AP) - A senior U.S. envoy says Washington has offered its “full support” to the new Pakistani government dominated by foes of America's longtime ally, President Pervez Musharraf. Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher told reporters Friday the U.S. “wants to partner with Pakistan” as the new government “lays out its plans.” Boucher also said “very dangerous people” are plotting attacks in tribal areas along Pakistan's border with Afghanistan. Partners in the new government have suggested negotiating with some pro-Taliban forces in the area. Boucher and Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte visited Pakistan this week to meet Musharraf as well as the parliament's new leaders. (Posted @ 20:28 PST) Boucher meets Zardari, Shujaat, Asfandyar, Fazl Islamabad, March 28( PPI): Visiting United States Assistant Secretary of State for South & Central Asian Affairs, Richard Boucher in separate meetings Friday with PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari, PML-Q President Ch. Shujaat Hussain, ANP President Asfandyar Wali, and JUI(F) Amir Maulana Fazlur Rahman discussed current political situation in the country and deliberated on matters of mutual interest especially war on terror, law and order situation in Federally Administered Tribal Areas FATA, establishemnt of Reconstruction Opportunity Zones and reconstruction activities in tribal areas. Later, talking to newsmen Boucher said the U.S. would continue to work and cooperate with the new government in Pakistan. Asfandyar Wali said he has made it clear to the U.S. that without negotiating with tribal elders and continued development activities, peace could not be restored in FATA. Maulana Fazlur Rehman said he strongly believes there is no military solution of the problem of terrorism and policy of dialogue should be pursued to effectively deal with the situation. Zardari said Pakistan was the direct victim of extremism and terrorism as was evident from the loss of life and proiperty in terrorist attacks in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Peshawar and other places. (Posted @ 21:06 PST) Boucher meets Maulana Fazl ISLAMABAD, March 28 (APP): United States Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Richard Boucher Friday met with Jamiatul Ulema-i-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman along with a delegation and discussed with him the current political situation in the country and other matters. “The meeting was held in a good atmosphere and it was a good discussion,” Richard Boucher told journalists after the meeting. JUI Chief said the US delegation was asked that Washington should review its policies regarding Afghanistan and Iraq. He said the JUI told the delegation that the US war on terror had increased the sufferings of the people. Maulana Fazl said the new government in Pakistan desired political solution to all matters instead of a war-like situation. “In the past nobody tried to invite us to play role in resolving outstanding issues. However we are ready to play our role if we are asked to do so,” he said. He said the new government would have a strong foreign policy. (Posted @ 20:50 PST) Zardari for concrete steps to resolve Kashmir dispute ISLAMABAD, March 28 (PPI)- Pakistan People's Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari Friday said mere confidence building is not enough and underlined the need for concrete steps for the resolution of Kashmir dispute. Talking to newsmen alongwith the visiting President of People's Democratic Party of occupied Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, Asif Zardari said: “ I wish all the guns get rusted,” adding we do not only want CBMs but “we want elections to be held in the region.” Pakistan will continue to extend moral, political and diplomatic support to Kashmiris for resolution of the issue,” he said and added that Pakistan’s Kashmir policy will be pushed forward in the Parliament. “We want an amicable resolution of the Kashmir issue through dialogue”. Speaking on the occasion, Mehbooba Mufti said Kashmir has its own peculiarity. The situation is now changing for good, she said. (Posted @ 21:16 PST) 
Shujaat says institutions, not individuals discussed during meeting with US diplomat ISLAMABAD, March 28 (APP): US Assistant Secretary of States for South Asia Richard Boucher Friday called on PML (Q) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and discussed the overall political scenario and the democratic process in the country. The PML (Q) president said after the meeting: “We told him that the matters of national importance would be discussed in the parliament and all decisions would be made at the parliament which is the proper forum for this.” When asked whether the US official sought his party's support for President Musharraf, Shujaat said the meeting “discussed the institutions and not individuals”. PML-Q Secretary General Mushahid Hussain said there was no discussion over the deposed judges issue. (Posted @ 20:56 PST) Kashmir group wants graves opened to find 'disappeared' SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, March 28 (AFP) - A human rights group in occupied Kashmir called Friday for a probe into whether nearly 1,000 unmarked graves held bodies of people who have “disappeared” in a deadly revolt in the region. The Association of Parents of Disappeared People which says around 8,000 people have vanished during the nearly two-decade-old insurgency said it had found close to 1,000 “nameless graves” in 18 villages in the district of Uri, neighbouring Azad Kashmir. “There are many more graves where the buried people have been claimed as foreign militants,” said Pervez Imroz, spokesman for the group. He made the statement as he released a 23-page report, “Facts Under Ground” that lists the site without name plaques in the Muslim-majority region. “Now that the unidentified graves have come to light it offers us some hope that some of the disappeared might be buried in these unnamed graves,” he said. Imroz said it took his volunteers two years to detail the missing graves. A police report obtained by AFP last month said 331 people died in custody and 111 had disappeared after being arrested since the insurgency erupted in 1989. Local human rights groups, however, say 8,000 people are missing, most after being arrested by Indian security forces. There was no immediate comment from Indian authorities in the disputed region. (Posted @ 20:04 PST) Sectarian clashes intensify in northwest Pakistan KOHAT, Pakistan, March 28 (Reuters): Sectarian violence intensified in a tribal region of northwest Pakistan Friday, with at least 22 people reportedly killed in gunbattles, said Qalb-i-Hassan, a newly elected provincial legislator from Kohat town. Fighting overnight was concentrated in three villages of Kohat district of North West Frontier Province and the tribesmen were armed with semi-automatic weapons, machine guns, mortars and rockets. “I have reports that at least 22 people were killed in fighting overnight,” said Kamran Zeb, a senior administrator in Kohat. The latest clashes, between the Mishti and Kachai tribes, brought the toll to more than 50 in an outbreak of sectarian violence that began last week. (Posted @ 13:35 PST)
PAF personnel killed in road mishap DERA MURAD JAMALI, Pakistan, March 28 (PPI): One personnel of PAF was killed and two including an army Captain were injured in a road mishap on national highway in Nautal Police Station area Friday. According to police, a vehicle carrying PAF personnel collided with a trailer along national highway. As a result of collision one Nazir Ahmad was killed on the spot while Captain Muhammad Abbas and another personnel Shahid Jamil were seriously injured. They were flown to CMH Pano Aqil by a helicopter. (Posted @ 22:10 PST) US airstrike kills at least 4 in Baghdad; jets drop bombs in Basra BAGHDAD, March 28 (AP) - A U.S. helicopter fired a Hellfire missile during fighting in a Shiite militia stronghold of Baghdad Friday, killing at least four people as deadly clashes broke out in Basra for the fourth day. Defying a curfew in Baghdad, extremists also lobbed more rockets or mortars against the U.S.-protected Green Zone. At least two rounds struck the nearby offices of Sunni Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi, killing two guards and wounding four, his daughter Lubna said. American jets also dropped bombs overnight in Basra. (Posted @ 20:40 PST) 26 killed in new fighting in Sri Lanka COLOMBO, March 28 (AFP) -Twenty-six people, including two civilians, were killed in new fighting in Sri Lanka, the military said Friday. This included a series of tit-for-tat clashes between security forces and the LTTE across the island's north on Thursday left at least 18 rebels and four soldiers dead, according to a military statement. (Posted @ 20:22 PST) 
Taliban attack anti-drugs police: 12 dead HERAT, Afghanistan, March 28 (AFP) - Taliban rebels attacked a counter-narcotics police force in western Afghanistan on Friday, triggering a fierce two-hour clash that left 10 militants and two police dead, a governor said. Two policemen and several Taliban were also wounded, he added. The police on a mission to destroy opium poppy crops were travelling back to their headquarters in Nimroz province when they came under attack. (Posted @ 20:18 PST) Pakistanis stage protest against anti-Islam Dutch film KARACHI, Pakistan, March 28 (Agencies) - Protest rallies were held in many cities of Pakistan after Friday congregation prayers against an anti-Islam film made by a Dutch lawmaker. In Karachi, the Jamaat-i-Islami organized the protest outside a mosque and protesters demanded that Pakistan cut diplomatic relations with the Netherlands. Similar protests were held in scores of other cities calling upon the Muslim nations to jointly counter the nefarious designs of the anti-Islam elements. (Posted @ 18:38 PST) Pakistan lodges formal complaint with Dutch ambassador over anti-Islam film ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, March 28 (AP) - Pakistan government has lodged a “strong protest” with the Dutch ambassador over an anti-Islam film released online by Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders. Pakistan's Foreign Office in a statement Friday said it summoned the Dutch ambassador, and a “strong protest was lodged with him.” It said Pakistan's government “strongly condemned the release of the defamatory film which deeply offended the sentiments of Muslims all over the world.” (Posted @ 18:30 PST) Condemnation builds of Dutch anti-Islam film THE HAGUE, March 28 (AFP) - Muslim countries warned Friday of strong reactions to an anti-Islam film posted Thursday on the Internet by far-right Dutch deputy Geert Wilders. Iran said the film showed some Westerners waging a “vendetta” against Islam, and warning of unspecified repercussions. Bangladesh said the film could have “grave consequences”, while a coalition of Jordanian media said it would sue Wilders and launch a campaign to boycott Dutch products. The European Union's Slovenian presidency also attacked the film, saying it served “no other purpose than inflaming hatred.” But Muslim leaders in The Netherlands called at a joint press conference for their co-religionists in other countries not to over-react. On Thursday the Dutch government was quick to say it regretted that the film finally aired, despite calls on Wilders to reconsider. The government said the public prosecutor's office was investigating the film to see if it broke any laws. (Posted @ 17:40 PST) Cricket: India 468-1 in reply to South Africa's 540 CHENNAI, India, March 28 (AFP) - India, replying to South Africa's first innings total of 540, were 468-1 at stumps on the third day of the first Test at the Chidambaram stadium here on Friday. Virender Sehwag was unbeaten on 309, equalling his highest score, while Rahul Dravid was on 65. (Posted @ 17:16 PST) Kashmiris demand their right to self-determination: Gilani Srinagar, occupied Kashmir, March 28 (PPI) - Veteran Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Gilani has emphasized that elections under Indian constitution cannot be a substitute of Kashmiris sacrifices. Addressing a seminar organised by the High Court Bar Association (HCBA) to pay homage to prominent human rights defender and advocate Jalil Andrabi on his 12th death anniversary, Syed Ali Gilani reminded that the people had offered sacrifices only for their right to self-determination. Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), Yasin Malik said that Jalil had spearheaded the lawyers struggle to play a more effective role to take the liberation movement forward. President of the bar, Nazir Ahmad Ronga asked the international community to impress upon India to take steps for resolving the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspiration of the Kashmiris. He also asked India to remove bunkers and withdraw its troops from the occupied territory. (Posted @ 17:14 PST)
37 bodies found in Iraq mass grave -US BAGHDAD, March 28 (Reuters) - Iraqi security forces found 37 badly decomposed bodies in a mass grave near Muqdadiyah, 90 km northeast of Baghdad and some showed signs of torture, the U.S. military said Friday. “All the bodies were badly decomposed and appear to have been there anywhere from two to eight months,” the military said in a statement. (Posted @ 16:32 PST) 75 Somali migrants drown off Yemen SANAA, March 28 (Reuters) At least 75 Somalis have drowned off the coast of Yemen while trying to cross from Somalia to the Arab country, a Yemeni official said. The official said the captain of the vessel carrying more than 250 migrants forced them to leave the ship and to try to swim ashore on Thursday. About 180 survived, he said. (Posted @ 16:30 PST)
Iraqi forces say kill 120 militants in Basra operation BAGHDAD, March 28 (Reuters) - At least 120 “enemy” fighters have been killed in a four-day-old Iraqi military operation against Shi'ite militias in Basra, a senior Iraqi commander said Friday. “So far the sighted casualties are 120 killed from the enemy and 450 wounded,” Major-General Ali Zaidan, commander of Iraqi ground forces in the operation, told Reuters by telephone from Basra. (Posted @ 16:24 PST) Cricket: Pakistan line up South Africa for test series KARACHI, March 28 (Reuters) - Dr Nasim Ashraf, Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board told reporters on Friday that South Africa had responded positively to the invitation for the test series which is outside the Future Tours Program of the International Cricket Council. “We want to play it sometime in October after the Champions Trophy. The South Africans are interested but it is not final whether we will go there or they will tour Pakistan,” Ashraf said. He said Pakistan would preferably like to host the South Africans for three tests as, due to the postponement of the Australian tour, the national team would go without a test match until January 2009 when India tour Pakistan. “We have plenty of one-day games but we want to arrange some tests for our players as test cricket is still very important for us and the lifeline of the sport,” Ashraf said. (Posted @ 16:20 PST)
23 Indonesians die after drinking alcohol brew JAKARTA, March 28 (AFP) - Police in Indonesia are investigating the deaths of 23 people who drank a locally made alcohol brand, a spokesman said Friday. Police shut down the factory producing the drink following the deaths. All 23 victims died in hospital after complaining of stomach aches. (Posted @ 16:10 PST) Iraq's al-Maliki extends deadline for arms handover BAGHDAD, March 28 (Reuters): Iraq's prime minister Nuri al-Maliki extended a deadline for militants in southern Basra to hand over their weapons from Saturday to April 8 and said they would receive a financial reward if they complied. “All those who have heavy and intermediate weapons are to deliver them to security sites and they will be rewarded financially. This will start from March 28 to April 8,” al-Maliki said in a statement. (Posted @ 13:30 PST) Four Iraqi policemen killed in Nasiriyah clashes NASIRIYAH, Iraq, March 28 (AFP): Fierce clashes erupted in the southern city of Nasiriyah early Friday between Iraqi forces and militants, killing at least four policemen, a local police official said. “The militants are trying to attack police stations. We are controlling the police stations but four policemen have been killed in the clashes,” he told AFP requesting anonymity. Some militants have also been wounded and arrested. (Posted @ 11:50 PST) Baghdad locked down after violent clashes BAGHDAD, March 28 (AFP): Baghdad was locked down Friday amid a weekend curfew with pedestrians and vehicles keeping off the roads after clashes this week between security forces and militia. An AFP correspondent said most of the capital's main roads were deserted after the city's military command imposed a curfew since Thursday night till Sunday 5:00 am. (First Posted @ 09:45 PST, Updated @ 11:45 PST) Bomb blast kills woman in rebel Georgian region MOSCOW, March 28 (Reuters): A bomb blast killed a woman in a car in Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia Thursday, Russian media reported. A South Ossetian police spokesman told Tass news agency the car belonged to the breakaway republic's prosecutor general, but the prosecutor was not the victim. The car's driver and a passer-by were injured in the blast in the South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali. (Posted @ 10:30 PST) Gaza militant killed in brief Israeli incursion GAZA CITY, March 28 (AFP): A Palestinian militant was killed and two others were injured early Friday in exchanges of fire with Israeli forces that carried out a brief ground incursion in southern Gaza, medics said. Several Israeli armoured vehicles and tanks crossed into the Hamas-ruled territory near the Kissufim crossing where they engaged in a gunbattle with the militants, they said. (Posted @ 10:00 PST)
Nine dead, five missing in China coal mine blast BEIJING, March 28 (Reuters): Nine miners were killed and another five were missing after an explosion in an illegally operating Chinese coal mine brought down an estimated 100 tonnes of coal, the Xinhua news agency said. The accident at the Zhangjiazhou mine in central Hunan province happened Wednesday evening when 17 people were working underground. A pit collapsed the same day in central Henan province killed one and trapped five miners, Xinhua said. (Posted @ 09:30 PST) Karachi Stocks down 6.31 points: KARACHI, March 28: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 15268.22, down 6.31 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 16:02 PST) Forex update: KARACHI, March 28: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 63.24 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 16:02 PST)
Founder: Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah
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