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| April 20, 2008 | Sunday | Rabi-us-Sani 13, 1429 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
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 PPP to call APC on Balochistan issue ISLAMABAD, April 20 (PPI) The Co-Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party Asif Ali Zardari Sunday set up a Committee for Reconciliation to convene an All Parties Conference (APC) on Balochistan for addressing the grievances of its people and bringing them into the national mainstream as means for restoring peace in the restive province. It will be headed by Asif Ali Zardari and include Jehangir Bader, PPP Secretary General, Mir Lashkari Raisani, President PPP Balochistan, Mir Lashkari Raisani, MNA Ijaz Jhakrani, Senator Dr. Babar Awan and PPP Balochistan deputyl secretary general Saadullah. The committee has been tasked to contact leaders of other political parties and stake holders for participation in the APC to launch a concerted effort for search for normalcy in the province. Although the date for holding the APC will be finalized in consultation with other political parties, it is hoped that it will be held within the next ten days. In a statement Asif Ali Zardari said that it was imperative to develop national consensus for addressing the problems and grievances of the people of Balochistan. He said that the PPP took the first step by apologizing to the people of the province for the wrongs done to them in the past. However, mere apology was not enough and concrete steps needed to be taken to translate the spirit into a reality, he said. The PPP Co-Chairman expressed the hope that all political parties will join hands on board on this critical national issue for saving the federation. He said that provincial autonomy, mysterious kidnappings of political activists, detention of political workers, grinding poverty, increasing militarization of the province, undertaking mega projects without addressing the concerns of the people and the increasing isolation of its people were the issues that beset the province. “We must develop a national consensus to address these issues urgently'', he added. (Posted @ 19:04 PST)  British foreign secretary backs new Pakistani efforts to negotiate with militants PESHAWAR, Pakistan, April 20 (AP) - Britain's foreign secretary on Sunday extended support for the new Pakistani government's plans to negotiate with militants while agreeing that economic development was key to battling pro-al-Qaida and pro-Taliban sympathies in Pakistan's often-lawless border regions. David Miliband traveled on Sunday to Peshawar, capital of North West Frontier Province, and held talks on regional security with the chief minister and the region's governor. Miliband also met relatives of people who died in recent suicide bombings and other terrorist attacks in the province to express sympathy, a government statement said. In a press conference, Miliband said his understanding of the strategy for reaching out to militants was that it would focus on groups who commit to non-violence, an approach he supported. “Our position is very clear. We should negotiate with those who are willing to negotiate. We should reconcile with those who are willing to reconcile,” said Miliband, who also is expected to meet with newly elected Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and President Pervez Musharraf during his two-day visit to Pakistan. “I think it is important to make sure to find them a place in the political process those who are willing to renounce violence,” Miliband said. Gilani's government has said its approach to battling militancy would be holistic, including promoting economic development, something Miliband said was wise. “The new prime minister has said that terrorism is a No. 1 priority in the context of social and economic reforms. And he is absolutely right,” Miliband said. The British Foreign Secretary also stressed the security situation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border was of concern well beyond the region, especially to the United Kingdom, which he said would be a partner in the long-term. “We are not here for a quick fix,” Miliband said. “We are here for long-term partnership as we have strong economic and political ties.” (First Posted @ 12:05 PST Updated @ 21:04 PST) Cricket: Pakistan beat Bangladesh in Twenty20 international Karachi, April 20, (Reuters) - Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 102 runs in the Twenty20 international at the National Stadium in Karachi, Pakistan on Sunday. Scores: Pakistan 203-5 (Misbah-ul-Haq 87 not out); Bangladesh 101 in 16 overs. (Posted @ 22:42 PST) Cricket-New Zealand to play one-day series in Pakistan KARACHI, April 20 (Reuters) - New Zealand will play three one-day internationals in Pakistan later this year, Shafqat Naghmi, chief operating officer of Pakistan Cricket Board on Sunday. He told reporters that New Zealand would be coming to Pakistan ahead of September's ICC Champions Trophy to play the short series. “They want it closer to the Champions Trophy,” Naghmi said. “We wanted New Zealand to play five matches but they have agreed on three due to the hectic Champions Trophy schedule.” (Posted @ 21:34 PST) Deep trade, defence Pak-Turk ties to ensure stability to region; Turkish FM ISLAMABAD, April 20 (APP): Pakistan and Turkey need deeper and wider relationship in trade, economy and defence to ensure prosperity of their people and for peace and stability in the region, Turkey's visiting Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said in an exclusive interview with APP on Sunday. The two countries were encouraging cooperation between their private sectors in all areas. “We are encouraging our firms to exert further efforts to increase level of cooperation in defence,” he said. He also said the current level of trade still does not reflect the existing potential between the two countries adding that there was a wide potential to push it up to US one billion dollars in next two years, with the assistance from their private sectors. “We must encourage our businessmen to enhance their trade related activities and the two countries must create a business- friendly environment for them,” he said. He described his discussions with Pakistani leaders; including President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and other officials as “fruitful” and was optimist that the friendly ties will continue to flourish in future. He said the strategic dialogue mechanism, launched by the two countries on Saturday, will help the two countries translate “their political mutual will into some concrete projects.” (Posted @ 21:10 PST) 81 killed in Mogadishu violence since Saturday MOGADISHU, April 20 (Reuters) - Clashes between insurgents and allied Somali-Ethiopian troops have killed 81 people in Mogadishu since Saturday, a prominent local human rights group said on Sunday. “Eighty-one people were killed and 119 more were wounded in the violence in Mogadishu since Saturday,” the chairman of the Elman Peace and Human Rights Organisation, Sudan Ali Ahmed, told Reuters by telephone. (Posted @ 19:50 PST) Pakistan, Turkey joint air force exercises begin ISLAMABAD, April 20 (PPI)- The Air Forces of Pakistan and Turkey Saturday began joint exercises at Sargodha airbase which would continue till the end of this month. About 94 Turkish Air Force personnel and five F-16 planes are taking part in the exercises. (Posted @ 19:40 PST) Independence of judiciary key to overcome crises: Qazi SUKKUR, Sindh, April 20 (PPI): Jamaat-i-Islami Amir Qazi Hussain Ahmed said on Sunday that the nation and country cannot overcome the ongoing crises and socio-economic exploitation of the poor till the independence of judiciary for which the reinstatement of judges would be the first step. Addressing a JI convention organized by JI Qazi questioned the justification of bloodshed of patriotic Pakistani citizens in Waziristan and Balochistan. JI Secretary General Munawar Hussain said the people had given their verdict by voting against anti-Musharraf forces in the elections and said the new government should fulfill the promises made in the election manifesto. (Posted @ 18:50 PST) Pakistani lawmaker says he will make film to rebut Dutch anti-Quran movie ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, April 20 (AP) - Pakistani lawmaker Senator. Babar Awan said Sunday he will fund a movie to rebut an anti-Quran film made by a Dutch politician that has drawn strong condemnation in the Islamic world. “This film will show Quran's world view. This film will show Quran's concept of humanity. This film will show how important human life is,” Awan said at a news conference. Awan accused the Dutch film of labeling all Muslims terrorists, calling it “misleading, non-representative and very shallow.” He said scholars have written the script for his movie and that shooting will start soon and take about 100 days to finish. The film, which has not been named, will be in English, Arabic and Urdu _ and will be released in cinemas at the beginning of Ramadan, the Islamic fasting month, likely in September, Awan said. (Posted @ 18:36 PST) 13 injured in blast, two shot dead in Thai south YALA, Thailand, April 20 (AFP) - A bomb planted by suspected separatists injured 13 people including a child in Thailand's far south on Sunday, officials said, while two policemen were killed in a rebel attack. The explosives were hidden in a rubbish bin in front of a railway employee's home and near a market in Yala province. They were detonated by mobile phone on Sunday morning, police said. Later the same day, a group of about six militants opened fire on two policemen, aged 50 and 30, who were guarding a local election polling station in front of a mosque in nearby Narathiwat province. They died instantly, police said. (First Posted @ 10:38 PST Updated @ 17:26 PST) Deadly Israeli raids follow daring Gaza crossing attack GAZA CITY, April 20 (AFP) - Israeli forces carried out deadly air strikes across the Gaza Strip on Sunday, just hours after Hamas militants detonated explosives-laden vehicles at a border crossing, wounding 13 Israeli soldiers. Overnight air raids killed six Palestinian fighters, all members of Hamas. Meanwhile, militants in Gaza fired one rocket at a Kibbutz in southern Israel on Sunday, causing no casualties or damage, the army said. Also Sunday, two Palestinian teenagers died of wounds sustained by Israeli fire four days earlier. (First Posted @ 11:23 PST Updated @ 17:18 PST) 
Two MQM workers killed, two injured in firing in Karachi’s Landhi area KARACHI, April 20 (APP): Two persons were killed and two others injured when unidentified gunmen resorted to firing in Landhi area Saturday night. Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) spoksman Abdul Quddus said that those killed and injured in the firing incident belonged to the MQM. MQM leader and MNA Dr Farooq Sattar addressing a Press conference condemned the killings, asked party workers to maintain peace, and urged the president and the prime minister to look into what, he said, was a planned conspiracy against the party. (Posted @ 16:48 PST) Aga Khan ends 8-day tour of the US ATLANTA, April 20 (AP) - The Aga Khan, spiritual leader of 20 million Ismaili Muslims worldwide, ended an eight-day tour of the U.S. stressing the importance of tolerance and education as he announced his initiative to establish schools in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. His trip _ which also included stops in Texas, Illinois and California _ was part of the Aga Khan's 50th year as imam of the religious sect. In a speech Friday at a high school in Atlanta, he sought to raise awareness about the Aga Khan Academies, a $1 billion (euro630 million) education initiative to build 18 schools in 14 countries in Africa, Central and South Asia and the Middle East.The first school opened in Mombasa, Kenya in 2003, and others are planned in India, Bangladesh, Mozambique, Madagascar, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, Tanzania and Uganda. (Posted @ 16:34 PST) 30 bodies found in Iraq Baghdad, April 20 (Reuters) - Iraqi army and police discovered 30 decomposed bodies in a mass grave near the town of Muqdadiya, 90 km northeast of Baghdad, the Iraqi military said. Meanwhile, six people were killed and 22 wounded in Sadr City in clashes between gunmen and security forces, police and health officials said. Separately, nine university students and their driver were kidnapped near Baquba when gunmen stopped their vehicle at a fake checkpoint, police said. The gunmen also grabbed another man in a truck at the same checkpoint and took all of the hostages to an unknown location, police said. The students were returning to Diyala university after a weekend break. Separately, the bodies of two contractors working with neighbourhood security units were found in the town of Rashad, 30 km south of Kirkuk, police said. (Posted @ 16:10 PST)
Cricket: ECB confirm India Tests LONDON, April 20 (AFP) - England will play four Tests against India when they host the series in 2011, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced on Sunday. Test matches will be at Lord's, Trent Bridge, Edgbaston and The Brit Oval. Cardiff, Durham, the Rose Bowl, Lord's and the Brit Oval will be the venues of the one-day international. The international Twenty20 venue is yet to be determined. (Posted @ 15:55 PST) Mosques blare call to arms after Sadr threat of open war in Iraq BAGHDAD, April 20 (AFP) - Loudspeakers at mosques in Baghdad's Shiite bastion Sadr City blared out a call to arms soon after radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr warned of a new uprising by his militia, residents said on Sunday. Iraqi security and medical officials, meanwhile, reported another 20 people killed overnight in clashes between militiamen and US and Iraqi forces in the embattled township, where fighting has raged since late March. “Fight the occupiers -- get them out of your homes,” the late-night loudspeaker messages said, according to residents. “They (US) are calling for division. We demand that the siege of Sadr City be lifted.”The messages also urged the Iraqi army “not to fight your brothers.” Sadr on Saturday threatened to declare “open war” if the crackdown by Iraqi and US forces against his militiamen does not stop. (First Posted @ 15:50 PST Updated @ 17:30 PST) Rice in Baghdad on surprise Green Zone visit BAGHDAD, April 20 (AFP) - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in Baghdad's Green Zone on Sunday on a surprise visit to Iraq. Speaking on the flight to the Iraqi capital, Rice told reporters that what she now saw in Iraq was a “coalescing of a centre in Iraqi politics” and that Sunnis, Kurds and Shiites “have been working together better than at any time before.” (Posted @ 15:45 PST) Nepal puts troops on Everest ahead of China torch relay KATHMANDU, April 20 (AFP): Authorities in Nepal said Sunday they have deployed security forces on their side of Mount Everest to prevent pro-Tibet protests when China takes the Olympic torch to the summit early next month. “We have deployed 25 army and police personnel on Mount Everest's Camp II to ensure safe passage,”a home ministry spokesman told AFP. The official said the security personnel, who are trained in mountaineering, have already reached Camp II. (Posted @ 13:00 PST) Bomb explodes in Spain's Basque region, no injuries MADRID, April 20 (Reuters): A bomb exploded in front of the office of the ruling Socialist Party in the Basque town of Elgoibar following a warning from Basque separatist guerrillas ETA, local media reported on Sunday. No one was hurt, reports said, but damage to buildings was extensive. (Posted @ 11:50 PST) Suspected puffer fish poisons 140 in Thailand: report BANGKOK, April 20 (AFP): More than 140 people were rushed to hospital in northern Thailand after snacking on fish balls thought to be made from the highly poisonous puffer fish, local media reported Sunday. Villagers in Nan province were given a soup containing the fish balls at a funeral, the Bangkok Post newspaper reported, and soon began vomiting, complaining of numbness in the tongue and shortness of breath. (Posted @ 09:50 PST) Sri Lanka jets bomb Tiger flotillas: military COLOMBO, April 20 (AFP): Sri Lankan war planes bombed a flotilla of fast boats operated by Tamil Tiger rebels off the island's north-eastern waters, the defence ministry said Sunday. Aircraft carried out the bombing raid in the seas off Mullaitivu on Saturday evening after spy planes spotted the rebel boat formation, the ministry said in a statement. (Posted @ 09:20 PST) At least 15 die, 35 hurt in Ecuador nightclub fire QUITO, April 20 (Reuters): At least 15 people died and 35 were injured when a fire ignited by fireworks swept through a nightclub on Saturday in Quito, Ecuador, emergency officials said. Rescue workers continued to search for bodies after the fire, which was among the worst in a decade in the hilly capital. (Posted @ 09:00 PST) Nine dead, 17 injured in Spain bus crash MADRID, April 20 (AFP): A tourist bus veered off a highway in southern Spain and overturned Saturday, killing nine people and seriously injuring 19, emergency services said. The fatalities included a seven-year-old girl. Sixteen people were slightly injured in the accident that occurred just before 1800 GMT near the Mediterranean port of Malaga. The bus was carrying tourists from Finland to an airport from where they were to return home, the Spanish-language cable news channel CNN+ reported. (Posted @ 08:55 PST)
Founder: Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah
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