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| April 14, 2008 | Monday | Rabi-us-Sani 7, 1429 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
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 Pakistan parliament calls for UN probe into Benazir Bhutto murder ISLAMABAD, April 14 (AFP) - Pakistan's National Assembly Monday called on the government to ask for a United Nation probe into the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. In a resolution the lower house urged the government to “approach the UN for forming an international investigation commission, to be known as Shaheed (martyred) Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Commission.” Opposition MPs present in the house did not oppose the resolution, which was tabled by law minister Farooq Naek. “The commission should seek to probe and identify the culprits, perpetrators, organisers and financiers behind this heinous crime and bring them to justice,” the resolution said. Benazir was assassinated in a gun and suicide bomb attack last December during an election rally in the Pakistani garrison city of Rawalpindi. In the wake of the killing, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf rejected the idea of a UN probe as requested by Pakistan People's Party (PPP), including Bhutto's widower Asif Ali Zardari. Instead of a UN investigation the murder was probed internally with the help of British police from London's Scotland Yard. According to a report released by Scotland Yard, Bhutto was killed by the force of a suicide blast and not by gunfire. The report concluded that a lone attacker fired shots at Bhutto before detonating explosives at the rally on December 27, but said that bullets were not the cause of death. (Posted @ 20:34 PST)  President Musharraf for China oil pipeline, criticizes efforts to politicize Olympics BEIJING, April 14 (AFP): President Musharraf said Monday he would welcome a Central Asian grouping that includes China and Russia working alongside NATO to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan. “In a joint cooperative effort, if the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) can do something, yes indeed it should come forward and cooperate toward the security of Afghanistan ... I'm for it,” Musharraf told students following a speech at Beijing's Tsinghua University. But “if the SCO can come along, then we would need to ensure that there is no confrontation with NATO,” he added. During his speech, Musharraf also proposed building an oil pipeline from Iran to China that would pass through Pakistan. “I believe in a corridor linking Pakistan and China, more road linkage, a rail link, fibre optics and oil and gas,” he said. “We are vying for a pipeline in Pakistan between Iran, Pakistan and India. We are calling it the I-P-I pipeline. So why can't this be the I-P-C pipeline between Iran, Pakistan and China?” he said. Musharraf said he raised the pipeline issue in his talks with China's leaders while also vowing to step up Pakistan-China bilateral trade volume to 15 billion dollars by 2011. He also condemned protests that have marred the Beijing Olympic torch relay and vowed to maintain security when the flame arrives in Islamabad Wednesday. “We have taken all measures to ensure its security,” he said reiterating his position that Tibet was a part of China and an internal affair that should be handled by Beijing, free of foreign interference. (First Posted @ 11:00 PST, Updated @ 14:15 PST) Rioters protesting power cuts ransack MEPCO office in Multan, burn vehicles MULTAN, Pakistan, April 14 (Agencies): Hundreds of powerloom workers protesting power cuts rioted in Multan Monday, ransacking the office of the Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO), torching a bank and leaving at least 40 people injured and more than 50 under arrest. Several hundred men marched on the office of the Water and Power Development Authority in Multan, home city of Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani to protest power cuts that the city's textile industry said were killing business. Some protesters stormed the office, dragged furniture into the front yard and set it ablaze along with several motorcycles. About a dozen cars and buses and a nearby bank building were also set on fire. The protest was organized by a textile industry association, which had set Sunday as a deadline for the electricity company to reduce power outages. Mirza Mohammad Ali, the regional police chief, said 10 staffers for the power company were injured before armed colleagues drove the protesters back. He said three protesters were also hurt. Police also fired guns into the air and tear gas canisters to disperse the protesters. Ali said they made almost 50 arrests. (First Posted @ 14:30 PST Updated @ 19:20 PST)  Pakistan to adopt multi-pronged strategy to combat terrorism, extremism: PM Gilani ISLAMABAD, April 14 (APP):- Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, reiterating government's resolve to fight terrorism and extremism in all its forms and manifestations, said Monday that a multi-pronged strategy is being evolved to confront the issue effectively. The government would pursue both long and short term initiatives including political, socio-economic as well as administrative measures to overcome the problem, he told the visiting US congressmen, and added that Pakistan has been consistently fighting this menace and has sacrificed a lot including assassination of its leader Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. The Prime Minister said that economic empowerment of the people in bordering areas near Afghanistan is the key to address the issue of extremism in that region. He expressed the confidence that the establishment of Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) would help increase economic activities in the area as well as create new opportunities to improve the standard of living of the people. Gilani said Pakistan accords high priority to its strategic relationship with the US and is keen to further expand its relations in political, diplomatic, economic, defence and security sectors. Pakistan, he added, is also eager to enhance cooperation in the fields of education, health, energy, science and technology. While appreciating Pakistan's efforts in fighting extremism and terrorism, the members of the delegation said that the US relations with Pakistan and its people are very important and expressed US desire for developing a stable and multi-faceted relationship with Pakistan. They expressed confidence that democracy would lead Pakistan towards progress and prosperity. They said they would be pleased to work with the new government and extend all possible assistance for the economic development as well as substantiating Pakistan's efforts in tackling the crises of food and energy shortage. The delegation included Congressman Michael Capuano, Democrat-Massachusetts, Congressman Bill Pascrell, Democrat-New Jersey, Congressman Frank LoBiondo, Republican-New Jersey, and Ambassador of USA in Pakistan, Ms. Anne W Patterson. (Posted @ 21:24 PST) Government committed to supremacy of parliament, rule of law: PM Gilani ISLAMABAD, April 14 (PPI):- Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani Monday said government is committed to the supremacy of parliament, rule of law and balance of power between various state institutions. He also said the mandate given by the people clearly indicates they want to see a change in system and the government would try to come up to their expectations. Talking to All Pakistan Newspapers Society members he said the challenges of wheat, power shortage are being tackled on war footing and soon these would be managed to the satisfaction of the people. On the issue of judges restoration, he said “our immediate action to free judges reflected our intentions. We believe Parliament is the supreme body and all important issues should be solved by Parliament. A parliamentary committee to give recommendations on judges issue will be able to give the best possible solution..” “We want independence of all the institutions within the ambit of the Constitution. We want Election Commission to be independent,” Local Government system will also have to be improved, he added. APNS President Hameed Haroon felt challenges before the government would require whole hearted attention for good governance. The freedom of press, media and freedom of expression, would also require democratic approach. (Posted @ 22:02 PST) 
Shahbaz for improving education, helath sectors, release of political prisoners RAIWIND, Pakistan, April 14 (APP): PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif on Monday underscored the need to take revolutionary steps in health and education sectors and to strengthening of judicial system while announcing the release of all political workers detained during the last eight years. Addressing a Press conference he said the process of Punjab cabinet formation would be finalised within this week. “We have forwarded a requisition for convening Punjab Assembly session on Friday (April 18), in which Chief Minister will get vote of confidence,” he said. Shahbaz Sharif said “emergency measures are also needed in judiciary especially the lower judiciary.” (Posted @ 21:36 PST) Talks for release of leader of banned outfit held: Bashir Bilour PESHAWAR, April 14 (APP): NWFP Senior Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Bashir Ahmed Bilour said Monday that negotiations for the release Maulana Sufi Mohammad, leader of banned religious organization, have been initiated. Talking to reporters after meeting with jirga comprising of Swat elders, he said that negotiations are underway with different groups including Maulana Sufi Mohammad in the quest for durable peace in the province but it is premature to say about the outcome of the dialogue. To a question, he said government will finically help the victims of Swat operation, and added that Rs.180million had been allocated for this purpose. (Posted @ 21:34 PST) No difference between PML-N, PPP over deposed judges restoration: Ahsan Iqbal HASANABDAL, Aprll 14 (APP): Federal Minister for Education and Monitories Ahsan Iqbal said Monday there are no differences between PML-N and PPP over the restoration of pre-emergency status of the superior judiciary. Talking to newsmen at Hasanabdal press club near Gurdwara Panja Sahib, he said the coalition government is “bound to restore the November 2, 2007 judiciary” in accordance with the Murree Declaration. Ahsan Iqbal alleged that wheat crisis had been engineered to malign the elected government, saying that the last two months were vital to procure wheat to overcome floor shortage but power transfer to the elected government was delayed in order to pass on a crisis to it. This was a conspiracy against the elected government, he said. Ahsan Iqbal accused the President of trying to negate the mandate of the February 18 elections and demanded that he should step down and the new assemblies be given their legal right to elect a head of state for the next five years. Earlier, addressing to Sikh Yatrees at Gurdwara Panja Sahib Festival, Ahsan Iqbal said the new government would ensure preservation and renovation of the revered places of Sikh community in the country. He announced plan to establish a 'Gurdwara Sahib International University' at Gurdwara Panja Sahib to promote inter-faith peace and harmony. (Posted @ 21:10 PST)
Election Commission announces schedule of Pakistan by-elections ISLAMABAD, April 14 (PPI): Election Commission Monday announced schedule of by-elections for vacant seats of National and Provincial Assemblies. Polling for six National Assembly and 22 Provincial Assembly seats will be held on June 3. The vacant seats include 12 provincial seats of Punjab, three each of Sindh and Balochistan and four of NWFP. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Chief Election Commissioner Justice E. Qazi Farooq said nomination papers will be issued from April 15 for by-elections and can be submitted till April 21. Nomination papers will be scrutinized from April 22 to 28 while the final list of candidates will be issued by May 11. He said election campaign by candidates will end on June 1. (Posted @ 15:50 PST) Polls for five vacant seats of Senate on May 3 to 6 ISLAMABAD, April 14 (APP): Elections for five vacant seats of the Senate will be held on May 3 and 6, Chief Election Commissioner Justice (Retd) Qazi Mohammad Farooq said Monday. Nomination papers will be received till April 21. Polling for one vacant seat of FATA will be held on May 3 while for two each vacant seats of NWFP and Balochistan will be held on May 6. (Posted @ 19:08 PST) Chinese engineer killed, 4 FC men injured in Pakistan road mishap HUB, Pakistan, April 14 (PPI):- A Chinese engineer was killed and four FC personnel were injured in a road mishap on Kanraj road in Balochistan province on Monday. According to details, a team of Chinese engineers working on Duddar project for exploration of Lead and Zinc in Kanraj Mountains in Balochistan province, some 250 Km from Karachi, was proceeding to Kanraj from Karachi when the tyre of a vehicle burst and it overturned at Khameesa Goth along Kanraj road. One Chinese engineer was killed on the spot while another Chinese engineer and four FC personnel were injured. They were rushed to a hospital in Karachi. (Posted @ 19:50 PST)
Pakistan-Afghanistan forces to take collective steps against flour smuggling ISLAMABAD, April 14 (APP): The security forces of Pakistan and Afghanistan would take joint steps to effectively check the smuggling of wheat flour from Pakistan. A meeting to discuss strategy to stop smuggling of wheat flour was held on the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan near Chaman where the local commanders from both sides met on Monday, Director General ISPR Major General Athar Abass said. The meeting was held after three vehicles smuggling atta were stopped by FC personnel along Chaman border. The vehicles did not stop and opened fire. FC troops responded the fire. One of the vehicle stopped due to tyre burst but the other two vehicles managed to cross the border. (First Posted @ 19:36 PST Updated @ 20:20 PST) Four killed, several injured in Lahore building collapse LAHORE, April 14 (Agencies) Four persons were killed and several others injured critically when the roof of a dilapidated double-story commercial building collapsed in Lahore’s Madina chowk Monday afternoon. Several persons were believed to be under the debris and rescue operation was in progress, private television channels reported. (Posted @ 18:15 PST) TV journalist gunned down in industrial town of Hub ISLAMABAD, Apr 14 (APP) Khadim Hussain Sheikh, a senior reporter of Sindh TV, was gunned down on Monday by unknown persons in Hub town, 30 kms northwest of Karachi, in Balochistan province. Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman condemning the killing ordered the concerned quarters to probe into the matter and bring the culprits to book. (Posted @ 18:58 PST)
JUI-F, PPP evolve power sharing formula ISLAMABAD, April 14 (APP) Secretary General of Jamiatul Ulema-i-Islam Maulana Ghafoor Haidri Monday said the ruling PPP had made a commitment with JUI-F on sharing of portfolios at the centre and in Balochistan province. Talking to APP, he said JUI-F has been promised three cabinet posts in federal government and six ministries in Balochistan province. The party has already got one ministry in the centre and will get two more in the next phase. In Balochistan, the JUI-F will get six cabinet posts including the portfolios of Planning, Labour and Manpower, Forests, Balochistan Development Authority and Public Health, while one of its nominees will also be designated as Senior Minister, he said. (Posted @ 18:56 PST) Cricket: Pakistani senator condemns Akhtar ban ISLAMABAD, April 14 (AFP) – Senator Anver Beg, a key member of Pakistan senate committee on sports Monday said a five-year ban of controversial paceman Shoaib Akhtar was unjustified. “The committee called up officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Akhtar and the meeting lasted for three hours and we feel that some people have settled their scores by banning Akhtar,” Anver Beg told reporters. “We have analysed the charges on Akhtar; criticising the PCB was not as big a crime that he was banned for five years,” said Beg, who also demanded the new government sack incumbent PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf. “The cricket administration needs a revamp because they are not professionals and they have damaged Pakistan cricket,” said Beg, a member of Pakistan People's Party, which leads the coalition government. (Posted @ 20:44 PST) Uzbekistan announces gas pipeline project with China TASHKENT, April 14 (AFP) - Uzbek energy firm Uzbekneftgas has formed a joint venture with China's CNPC to build a pipeline that would bring gas from Turkmenistan to China, an official with Uzbekneftgas told AFP on Monday. The official, who requested anonymity, said President Islam Karimov had signed a decree last week outlining the tasks of the joint venture, in which Beijing and Tashkent will have equal stakes. The plans by energy-hungry China and the Central Asian states would break Russia's virtual monopoly on transit of Turkmen gas. CNPC secured a 30 year gas-import deal with Turkmenistan last July. (Posted @ 20:40 PST) Pakistan seeks Qatar's assistance to overcome energy shortages ISLAMABAD, April 14 (APP): Pakistan on Monday asked Qatar to extend support to Sui Southern Gas Pipeline Ltd. (SSGPL) by providing LNG at attractive prices to enable it overcome energy shortages. The proposal came during a meeting between Minister for Privatization and Investment, Syed Naveed Qamar and Ambassador of Qatar to Pakistan Hamad Ali Al- Hinzab, says a press release. The Qatarii Ambassador assured maximum support with the help and assistance of Qatar Petroleum Authority. He also expressed satisfaction over the ongoing Qatari investment projects in Pakistan. (Posted @ 20:28 PST) Besakhi Mela attracts thousands of overseas Sikhs, Hindus NOWSHERA VIRKAN, Pakistan, April 14 (APP) The five-day Besakhi Mela in Khiali Town of tehsil Amenabad has attracted thousands of Sikh and Hindu pilgrims from across Pakistan and the overseas. It will conclude on April 18. (Posted @ 19:04 PST) Nepal's Maoists surge ahead in vote count KATHMANDU, April 14 (AFP) - Nepal's Maoists have widened their shock lead in historic polls on the Himalayan nation's political future, election officials said Monday as the count passed the one-third mark. Of the 601 seats in a new assembly that will rewrite Nepal's constitution, 212 have been decided or were close to being allocated -- with the ultra-republican Maoists taking 101 seats and leading in 11 others. (Posted @ 19:42 PST) Olympic torch due in Pakistan Wednesday ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, April 14 (AP) - Pakistan is all set to receive the Olympic Torch in Islamabad early Wednesday morning from Muscat, Lt-Gen (retd) Arif Hassan, president of Pakistan Olympic Association, on Monday said security will be tight for the event. Security personnel will run alongside the torch on the premises of a sprawling sports complex. He had earlier announced plans for the torch relay to pass along a broad, tree-lined avenue in the heart of Islamabad. Addressing a news conference he said the change was aimed at helping organizers hold the relay smoothly. “Keeping all the environments in view, we felt that this would be something that we can handle in a better way,” Hassan said. In Beijing, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf addressing the university students criticized attempts to politicize the Beijing Olympics. “Any attempt by anyone to disrupt the process of the torch relay and create ill will is condemned by Pakistan,” he said. (Posted @ 17:50 PST) 
Olympic torch parade begins in Oman MUSCAT, April 14 (AFP) - The Olympic Torch began its parade through the Omani capital Monday on the Middle East stage of its journey from Olympia in Greece to Beijing for this summer's games. Earlier, the Torch was greeted in Muscat on its arrival from Tanzania, at a ceremony attended by Sports Minister Ali bin Massoud bin Ali al-Sunaidi and representatives of the Chinese diplomatic mission. (Posted @ 19:40 PST) Four killed, several injured in Punjab road accident RAJANPUR, Pakistan, April 14 (APP): Four persons were killed and 16 injured when a bus carrying devotees from Kashmore to the urs of Khwaja Ghulam Farid collided with a trailer near Murghaey Tower in Rajanpur town of Punjab province on Sunday. (Posted @ 18:54 PST) PM Gilani on energy, wheat crisis ISLAMABAD, April 14 (APP) Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani referring to the violent protest in Multan against energy crisis on Monday appealed to the people to show patience and refrain from violence since it would not help overcome crisis. He said the problems of electricity, energy shortage and wheat crises had been inherited by the present government but the government was striving to resolve these problems on war-footing. (Posted @ 18:50 PST) 11 policemen, two British troops killed, Taliban commander held in Afghanistan ARGHANDAB, Afghanistan, April 14 (AFP) - Dozens of Taliban militants stormed a police post in Arghandab district in Kandahar province early Monday, shooting dead 11 policemen, while two British troops were killed in a blast near Kandahar Airfield, officials said. Arghandab deputy provincial police chief said it appeared the insurgents were disguised in police uniforms. The attack came hours after two British NATO soldiers were killed and two wounded near Kandahar Airfield “when the vehicle they were travelling in hit an explosive device,” Britain's Ministry of Defence said in a statement. Meanwhile Afghan and US-led troops arrested six militants including a commander “directly” involved in the preparation of suicide attacks in eastern Afghanistan, said the US-led coalition. Mohammad Ghanam, who was seized in Khost province bordering Pakistan on Friday, was part of the Haqqani network, the statement said, referring to a group headed by key Taliban-linked militant leader Jalaluddin Haqqani. (First Posted @ 11:25 PST, Updated @ 17:05 PST) Afghans, Pakistanis “squeezing” Taliban, al Qaeda KABUL, April 14 (Reuters): Al Qaeda and Taliban militants on the Afghan-Pakistani border are increasingly facing pressure on two fronts and they can be squeezed with more coordination between the neighbours, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher told a news conference in Kabul Monday. “To some extent, the extremists in those areas are now fighting on two fronts,” Boucher said. “They have to deal with pressures from the Pakistan side and the pressure from the Afghan side. The more we can do that in concert with each other, the more squeezed the al Qaeda and Taliban supporters in those areas will feel,” he said. Boucher said the Pakistanis were determined to tackle the problem. “What we're seeing is now, first of all, a lot of Pakistanis unfortunately getting killed but also a lot of determination on the Pakistani side to deal with it,” he said. “We're working very hard with the new Pakistani government to take advantage of the opportunity to build democracy and help work with them against extremism,” he said. (Posted @ 16:35 PST) 11 injured in Pakistan road mishap KASHMORE, Pakistan, April 14 (APP): Eleven passengers were seriously injured when a Kashmore-bound passenger coach turned turtle and fell in a ditch due to reckless driving on Kandhkot-Kashmore road Monday. (Posted @ 15:30 PST) Bomb attack on Baghdad police patrol kills five BAGHDAD, April 14 (AFP): A roadside bomb attack on an Iraqi police patrol in central Baghdad Monday killed five civilians and wounded nine other people, two of them policemen, security and medical officials said. The attack took place in Nidhal Street around 11:00 am, a security official told AFP. (First Posted @ 14:20 PST, Updated @ 15:15 PST) 12 killed as banned Kenyan sect protests NAIROBI, April 14 (AFP): At least 12 people were killed Monday in a series of clashes involving Kenyan police and members of a banned Kenyan sect protesting over the killing of their imprisoned leader's wife. Police said five people were killed in Nairobi, four in central Kenya and three others in the Rift Valley region where members of the Mungiki sect were blocking roads and stoning motorists. Nine of those killed were Mungiki members shot dead by police, while the three others were reportedly civilians caught up in the violence, police officials said. “We have things under control and have deployed security forces across the country to ensure that peace prevails,” national police spokesman Eric Kiraithe told AFP. (Posted @ 14:30 PST) US, Iran in secret discussions on nuclear program: report WASHINGTON, April 14 (AFP): The United States and Iran have been conducting secret back-channel discussions on Tehran's nuclear program and frozen relations between their countries, British newspaper The Independent reported Monday. It quoted former US under secretary of state Thomas Pickering as saying a group of former US diplomats and foreign policy experts had been meeting Iranian academics and policy advisers “in different places, though not in the US or Iran” for the past five years. He added none of the group members was from the US or Iranian governments although “each side kept their officials informed,” according to the paper. (Posted @ 11:35 PST) First Saddam, then Al-Qaeda, now Iran motivates US war in Iraq CRAWFORD, Texas, April 14 (AFP): The rationale for war in Iraq has morphed from ousting strongman Saddam Hussein to countering Al-Qaeda militants to its latest incarnation -- facing down what officials in President George W. Bush’s administration call the Iranian “threat.” ”Iraq is the convergence point for two of the greatest threats to America in this new century: Al-Qaeda and Iran,” Bush said last week, renewing accusations that Iran is backing Iraqi militias hostile to US forces and covertly seeking nuclear weapons. Brookings Institution expert Suzanne Maloney said, “disastrous Bush policies fostered a sectarian Iraq that has helped empower Iranian hardliners. Rather than serving as an anchor for a new era of stability and American preeminence in the Persian Gulf, the new Iraq represents a strategic black hole, bleeding Washington of military resources and political influence while extending Iran's primacy among its neighbours,” she said. (Posted @ 11:35 PST) Around 30 bodies found in Iraq mass grave BAGHDAD, April 14 (AFP): US soldiers have discovered around 30 bodies in a mass grave north of Baghdad of people buried nearly eight months ago, the American military said Monday. The grave was found on Sunday south of the town of Muqdadiyah in Diyala province, north of Baghdad. (Posted @ 10:20 PST) Bangladesh, India restore train link after decades ON BOARD FRIENDSHIP EXPRESS, India-Bangladesh, April 14 (AFP): Rail passenger services between Bangladesh and India resumed Monday, more than four decades after the link was suspended following a war. The train, covered with flowers, was sent off from Dhaka's Cantonment Station at 0230GMT by Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury. In India, Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee flagged off the Moitree (Friendship) Express from the eastern city of Kolkata with 65 passengers on board on the first day of the Bengali New Year. (Posted @ 10:05 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 6.95 points: KARACHI, April 14: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 15437.84, up 6.95 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:13 PST) Forex update: KARACHI, April 14: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 63.9 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:13 PST)
Founder: Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah
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