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| May 23, 2008 | Friday | Jamadi-ul-Awwal 17, 1429 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
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PPP’s 62-point plan to cut Musharraf powers, amend constitution ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, May 23 (AP) - Pakistan's main ruling Pakistan Peoples Party has drafted a set of constitutional amendments that would erase the legacy of President Pervez Musharraf, PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari said Friday. He said his party would present the 62-point draft to the prime minister later Friday and send copies to partners in the seven-week-old coalition government. He provided few details, but made clear that the reforms would reverse changes made to the constitution since Musharraf seized power in a 1999 military coup. Zardari said the package could be put to a vote in parliament within weeks, though some observers are predicting that it will quickly bog down in political horse-trading. Constitutional amendments require a two-thirds majority. Addressing a seminar on media freedom, Zardari appealed to his coalition partners for unity. He evoked the sacrifices of Benazir Bhutto and her father, former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to bolster his party's claim to lead the struggle for democracy. He also took a swipe at lawyers who are threatening to mount massive street protests next month unless the judges are reinstated. “We have a little seniority over other newfound democrats,” Zardari said in remarks directed at the lawyers. “We will solve your issues, but let us solve them politically. Don't try to tell us how to run politics,” he said. (Posted @ 19:36 PST)  3-point strategy to address militancy and terrorism: FM ISLAMABAD, May 23 (APP):Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Friday said Pakistan has adopted a three point strategy to tackle the menace of militancy and terrorism that includes political, socio-economic and military options. “We believe that military action alone will not be effective in permanently ending the phenomenon of terrorism.” He told APP in an interview “We are reaching out to the tribal leaders and notables as part of the political element of our overall strategy in fight against terrorism.” Political engagement is possible only with those who renounce militancy and violence; don't allow the use of Pakistan's territory against any other country; and do not help foreign terrorist elements to find hideouts in Pakistan's territory, he added. Unlike the past, the Government is negotiating from the position of strength, he stressed. “A strong implementation mechanism is part of these negotiations and peace in FATA will ensure access to the Government to engage in socio-economic development of the area,” he added. Shah Mahmood Qureshi said, “History suggests that use of force alone can lead to self perpetuating violence. However, the determination to use force, wherever required, remains an important element of our strategy.” He said, “We firmly believe that our focused and determined efforts, which have a combination of political, socio-economic and military elements, will lead to permanent end to militancy.” (Posted @ 18:42 PST) President House made no direct contact with PPP on Zardari's interview: Babar ISLAMABAD, May 23 (APP): Pakistan Peoples Party spokesman Farhatullah Babar Friday said that no direct approach has been made by the President House to seek details of Asif Ali Zardari's interview with Press Trust of India news agency. In a telephonic interview to a private television channel the PPP spokesman said: “We have no reaction from the President but have learnt through media reports that the President House has sought details of Asif Ali Zardari's interview”. Babar said the President House cannot ask for details from PPP directly because neither PPP is in contact with them nor it wants to do so. If they want to get details of the interview as has been reported in the media they can scrutinize the newspapers which carry the details, he said. Replying to a question he said the PPP has no working relationship with the President House adding the relationship is rather between the President House and the PPP led coalition government in line with the constitution. To another question he said that news regarding the meeting between President Musharraf and Prime Minister Gilani was actually floated by sources in President House without disclosing their identity. So, the details in this regard can be sought from the same source. He said the Prime Minister House has no knowledge about the meeting, its timing and venue. (Posted @ 18:46 PST)  Sindh PML (N) VP Tariq Khan shot dead KARACHI, May 23 (APP): Vice-president PML (N) Sindh Tariq Khan was shot dead on Shaheed-e-Millat Road in Karachi on Friday. According to New Town police chief Zubair Khan, The PML (N) leader suffered five bullets injuries while going home, and died on the spot.(Posted @ 23:06 PST) Grand son of Nawab Bughti released QUETTA, Pakistan, May 23 (APP) - Shah Zain Bughti, grandson of late Nawab Akbar Khan Bughti, has been released on the orders of Anti-Terrorist Court after the Balochistan government withdrew all cases against him, Much Jail superintendent Ghullam Raza Changaizi said on Friday. Balochistan Home Minister Zafarullah Khan Zehri accompanied by other senior officials went to Much Jail and brought release of Shah Zain Bughti into effect. It may be mentioned that the government of Balochistan has withdrawn all cases against Shah Zain Bughti and other political activist as part of reconciliation process. (Posted @ 18:58 PST) Pakistani children in danger from food crisis: UNICEF ISLAMABAD, May 23 (AFP) - Pakistan must take urgent action to protect children from the effects of the global food crisis, a senior UN children's fund official said Friday. “These children are in danger and we need to devise ways to respond to the crisis and save them,” David Toole, regional director of UNICEF South Asia, told a press conference. Toole, who was on a four-day visit to Pakistan as part of a South Asian tour, said during his meetings with government officials he called for “out-of-the-box” thinking to tackle spiralling food prices and shortages. “The government should unveil incentives such as distribution of cash and other mechanisms available at its disposal for people with limited resources all over the country to minimise the impact of the wheat and rice shortage,” he added. “Efforts should also be focused on targeted food subsidies as well as on other comprehensive programmes to strengthen food production,” Toole said. He said the food crisis was “huge, making it difficult for millions of people in South Asian countries including Pakistan to feed their children, who are likely to be adversely affected by the crisis.” Pakistan also faced “enormous challenges” other than food security, including a high infant mortality rate, Toole said. “This is the greatest challenge as about 500 children die every day (in Pakistan) before their first birthday mainly because of serious health and maternal problems among women,” Toole said. (Posted @ 19:54 PST) Plane with 14,000 tents, relief goods leaves Pakistan for China KARACHI, May 23 (APP)- A cargo plane-load of 14,000 tents and other relief goods for the quake-affected people of China left Karachi on Friday. Chairman of the National Disaster management Authority (NDMA) Lt. Gen. (Retd) Farooq Ahmed who was among those present on the occasion said the government of Pakistan has donated 20,000 tents.Another consignment of 6,000 tents has been dispatched by road from Islamabad. Six flights carrying relief goods would also leave from Islamabad, while a 28-member medical team would also leave from Islamabad. (Posted @ 16:40 PST) U.S. Deputy Secretary of State to visit Pakistan next week ISLAMABAD, May 23 (PPI): United States Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte will visit Pakistan next week at the head of a high level delegation for talks with President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, private TV channels reported on Friday. (Posted @ 20:56 PST) Zardari favours visa-free travel between Pakistan, India Islamabad, May 23 (PPI):- Pakistan and India should do away with visas for travel between two countries, PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari said Friday. He said he and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif agreed “on the fact that there should be no visa requirements in Pakistan and India relations”. “But let's formulate a policy for that and let us bring it to Parliament. I shall request the government of the day to bring such a law in Parliament (which is) forum of the people,” he said addressing a conference organised by South Asian Free Media Association here. The debate could focus on various aspects of the issue, including whether visas should be completely done away with by two countries, or there should be a “wait period” for getting a visa, or a “categorised visa”. Zardari said the matter could take time to be settled, but “Rome was not built in a day.” (Posted @ 20:52 PST) Lawyer community not taken into confidence over constitutional package: Aitzaz ISLAMABAD, May 23 (APP): President of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan said Friday that the lawyer community was not taken into confidence over the proposed constitutional package. Talking to media after participating in the meeting of implementation committee constituted by the Pakistan Bar Council for the planned long march by lawyers Aitzaz Ahsan said the lawyer community will give its opinion over the package when its contents were known and “we reserve the right to accept or reject it.” He said processions from Sindh and Balochistan would arrive in Multan on March 10 after a long march that would start from there the next day and later reach Lahore via Sahiwal and Okara. Deposed judges, retired judges and lawyer leaders will address District Bar Associations of Sahiwal and Okara. Regarding visit of deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Cahudhry to Faisalabad on May 24, Aitzaz Ahsan said that participants of Justice Chuadhry’s caravan would leave from his residence for Faisalabad the same day. The procession will reach Faisalabad via Pindi Bhatian through motorway butJustice Iftikhar Chaudhry will not address any bar en route, he said. (Posted @ 20:48 PST) PM urges world community to support Pakistan in war on terror ISLAMABAD, May 23 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Friday urged the world community to support Pakistan's efforts in the war on terror. Addressing the soft launch of International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2008, he reminded the world community that it was the feeling of injustice, deprivation and lack of opportunities that spawn terrorism. “The world community needs to pay more attention to eliminate these problems,” he said while expressing Pakistan's firm resolve in fighting terrorism and extremism in all its forms and manifestations. “We would like the international community to support our efforts as our government evolves a strategy that has better chances to bring peace.” The IDEAS 2008 will be held at Karachi Expo Centre from between November 24-28 and is expected to be attended by defence ministers, heads of armed forces, foreign exhibitors and trade visitors. Prime Minister Gilani lauded the phenomenal progress Pakistan has made towards developing indigenous capabilities for producing sophisticated weapons system and equipment. (Posted @ 20:42 PST) Cricket: Australia 372-7 v West Indies, first test-second day KINGSTON, May 23, (Reuters) - Australia were 372 for seven wickets in their first innings at lunch on the second day of the first test against West Indies at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica, on Friday. Score: Australia 372-7 (R.Ponting 158, M.Hussey 56, B.Hodge 67). (Posted @ 23:38 PST) Pakistani militant chief pledges to keep fighting foreign forces in Afghanistan KHAR, Pakistan, May 23 (AP) - Pakistani militant leader Faqir Mohammed said Friday his group will maintain a cease-fire with Pakistan's new government, but would keep fighting foreign forces in neighboring Afghanistan. He made the declaration during an address to 5,000 tribesmen who had gathered for the funeral of Pakistani journalist Mohammad Ibrahim in Bajur tribal region. “We will not attack government positions and whoever indulges in such an attack will be treated as an enemy,” he said. “We will continue our jihad (holy war) in Afghanistan as long as the foreign allied forces are there,” he however added. (Posted @ 22:48 PST) Book on Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan by French writer LAHORE, May 23 (APP): The Alliance Francaise de Lahore will launch a book 'Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Messenger of Qawwali' by Pierre Alain Baud here on May 26. “Singing Buddha” in Japan, “Quintessence of the human singing” in Tunisia, “Voice of paradise” in USA, “Pavarotti of the East” in France...Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan has spread worldwide the sounds of Qawwali, the Sufi melodies leading to Divine ecstasy”,writes Pierre Alain in his book. “Fateh Ali's voice, stunning by its intensity and its flexibility, his inflamed presence on stage, his multiple encounters and mixing with other musics transformed him into a star of the various audiences, while he remained faithful to his message: “When I sing, the distance between God and me is less huge”. Nusrat was a link between tradition and modernity, East and West, the sacred and the profane, he observes. The book of Pierre Alain Baud is a presentation of the roots and the path of legendary Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, the “meteor” linked to the divine as well as the traces he has left behind. (Posted @ 19:46 PST) Free media cornerstone of democracy: Sherry Rehman ISLAMABAD, May 23 (APP): Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman Friday said free media is the cornerstone of democracy and the present PPP-led government fully adheres to this principle. Addressing the concluding session of a round table conference organized by the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) on “Media Freedom, Laws and Security” she said media criticism is a blessing and every democratic government fully takes advantage of the criticism for improving its performance. She said after the new government came to power, the first step it took was to do away with black PEMRA laws hindering the freedom of media in the country. “We would also bring more legislation with the sole aim to facilitate media and provide them an environment where media could flourish. We need to decolonize information and what we need from my friends is collaboration and cooperation as the government is really going to launch a new agenda that has never been done in the past,” she added. (Posted @ 19:38 PST) Pak Railways incurring up to Rs 35 billion annual loss: Chairman LAHORE, May 23 (APP): Pakistan Railways is facing an annual loss of up to Rs 35 billion and making efforts to bring it down, Chairman, Pakistan Railways, Mohammad Kashif Murtaza told newsmen Friday after signing an agreement for the construction of Prem Nagar Dry Port, about 48 km off Lahore. He said the railways had to bear the big chunk of this loss in the law and order situation in the aftermath of the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. Bogies, signals system and railway stations were torched and damaged by the angry mobs in Sindh. The infrastructure was badly damage. Spiraling oil prices and power load shedding were the other two major contributing factors, he said noting that train fares had not been increased in consonance with rapid rise of oil prices in the international market. The dry port at Prem Nagar Railway Station will will also cater to the needs of the industries in Sahiwal, Okara, Kasur, Lahore, Sheikhupura and Gujranwala districts. (Posted @ 19:32 PST) Zia Ispahani appointed ambassador at large ISLAMABAD, May 23 (PPI): Zia Ispahani, son of M. A. H. Ispahani, has been appointed as ambassador at large by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani. He has previously served as Pakistan's ambassador to Switzerland and Italy between 1993-96. (Posted @ 19:12 PST) Sri Lanka troops kill 19 civilians: Tamil Tigers COLOMBO, May 23 (AFP) -Sri Lankan government commandos on Friday killed 19 civilians in mine attacks inside the Tamil Tiger-held north of the island, the rebels said. A statement from the LTTE said an army “Deep Penetration Unit” set off a fragmentation mine against a minibus packed with civilians near the rebel's main base of Kilinochchi. It said 17 people, all members of the same extended family, died in the attack. The pro-rebel Tamilnet website meanwhile said government commandos also bombed an ambulance inside the guerrilla-held north, killing two civilians. There was no immediate word from the Sri Lankan defence ministry which does not comment on the operations of its special forces. (Posted @ 17:28 PST) JUI-F supports govt policy on judges reinstatement SUKKUR, Pakistan, May 23 (PPI):- The Secretary Generalof Jamiatul Ulema-i-Islam, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri addressing a press conference here Friday said the JUI-F will announce its policy on judges reinstatement after the tabling of a constitutional package in the parliament. He said PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari had adopted a fair policy on the deposed judges while PML-N leader had personalized the issue. He said strong institutions are the main source of a flourishing democracy and the JUI-F would join hands with PPP for the strengthening of the institutions. (Posted @ 17:04 PST) 4 civilians, 1 policeman killed in caste riots in western India JAIPUR, India, May 23 (AP) - The Gujjars, members of one of India's lowest castes, rioted Friday to get shunted further down the social ladder, and four people were killed after a mob beat a police officer to death, officials said. The unrest prompted authorities to call out soldiers to bolster the police, said Gulab Chand Kataria, the home minister of Rajasthan state, where the violence took place. On Friday, they took to the streets after a government panel set up to look into their demands ruled out caste reclassification. Police fired live ammunition and tear gas after Gujjars killed a policeman and set several police vans and a railway track on fire, said K.L. Berwa, a senior Rajasthan police officer. Kataria said four civilians were killed in the shooting in Bharatpur district, some 150 kilometers east of Rajasthan's capital Jaipur. (Posted @ 16:25 PST) China, Russia condemn U.S. missile shield plan BEIJING, May 23 (Reuters0 - China and Russia on Friday condemned the United States' plans to set up a missile defence system, which Washington says is crucial to protecting the security of it and its allies. “Both sides believe that creating a global missile defence system, including deploying such systems in certain regions of the world, or plans for such cooperation, do not help support strategic balance and stability, and harm international efforts to control arms and the non-proliferation process,” Russia and China said in a joint statement. “It harms the strengthening of trust between states and regional stability. In this respect (the two sides) express their concern,” it said. The statement was signed in Beijing by Chinese President Hu Jintao and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who is on a trip to China. (Posted @ 16:10 PST) Five Palestinian fighters killed in Gaza GAZA CITY, May 23 (AFP) -Five Palestinian fighters were killed during an Israeli military incursion in the Gaza Strip on Friday, while one Israeli soldier was wounded in the clashes in southern Gaza. Three Palestinians were killed in an air strike called in support of Israeli ground operations near the city of Rafah. At least three more Palestinians were wounded, medics said. In addition, two fighters of the Al Quds Brigade were killed near El Bureij in central Gaza, where an Israeli military operation continued for a second day, the Islamic Jihad's armed wing said. An Israeli military spokesman said the soldier was wounded after gunmen fired a rocket-propelled grenade at an armoured bulldozer in southern Gaza. (First Posted @ 13:20 PST, Updated @ 16:00 PST) China, Russia sign bln-dlr nuclear deal BEIJING, May 23 (AFP) - China and Russia on Friday signed a one-billion-dollar deal to develop a nuclear energy facility in the Asian nation, a Russian official said. “We have completed negotiations on construction of a uranium enrichment factory,” Sergei Kiriyenko, head of the Russian nuclear agency Rosatom, told reporters in Beijing during a visit to Beijing by new Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who is on his first foreign trip since taking office this month. (First Posted @ 10:00 PST, Updated @ 15:50 PST) Suicide bombing in Iraqi town kills six FALLUJAH, Iraq, May 23 (AFP) - A suicide bomber killed at least six Iraqi civilians in an attack on a checkpoint in Al-Julan neighbourhood of Fallujah, 50 kilometres west of Baghdad on Friday, police said. The suicide bomber targeted a joint Iraqi and US military checkpoint. There was no immediate reaction from the American military. (Posted @ 15:45 PST) Georgian president's party wins election TBILISI, May 23 (AFP): Georgian President Mikheil's Saakashvili party has won parliamentary polls with 59.5 percent of the vote, the Central Election Commission said Friday. The main opposition bloc, the United Opposition Council, came second with 17.7 percent, commission spokesman Zurab Kachkachishvili said. (Posted @ 13:30 PST) Fire ravages refugee camp in Thailand BANGKOK, May 23 (AFP): Fire broke out Friday at a makeshift refugee camp home to 8,000 ethnic Hmong migrants in northeastern Thailand, destroying at least 400 homes but causing no serious injuries, a Thai army official said. Aid agencies working with the migrants said the damage was far greater, estimating that 1,500 of the bamboo and grass-roof shelters were destroyed during the three-hour blaze. Colonel Somchai Chaipanich said the fire could have been set by Hmong trying to avoid repatriation to neighbouring Laos, where they say they face persecution from the communist government. “We suspect that the fire was instigated by some Hmong who don't want to be sent back to their country. But we do not know who set up the fire,” Somchai told AFP. (Posted @ 13:10 PST) Bus carrying Moroccan workers crashes in France's Loire Valley, killing seven PARIS, May 23 (AP): A bus carrying Moroccan workers crashed into a pillar under a highway overpass in France's Loire Valley early Friday, killing seven and injuring 25, regional authorities said. The bus was carrying 32 people from the southern Moroccan town of Tiznit to Paris when it crashed in the small town of Suevres, about 90 miles southwest of the capital, said Jean-Francois Moniotte, an aide to the regional administration chief. The bus was found crunched against the pillar supporting an overpass. Moniotte said no other vehicles were involved in the overnight accident. The circumstances of the crash remained unclear. (First Posted @ 09:45 PST,Updated @ 12:15 PST) Suicide bomb kills five in eastern Afghanistan KHOST, Afghanistan, May 23 (Reuters): A suspected Taliban suicide bomber killed one child and four Afghan soldiers in an attack targeting an army convoy in the eastern province of Khost Friday, provincial governor's spokesman Khaiber Pashtun said. Five others, including four Afghan soldiers, were wounded in the attack, Pashtun said. (Posted @ 12:10 PST) Pakistan frees 96 Indian fishermen from jail in Karachi KARACHI, May 23 (AP): Ninety-six Indian fishermen left for home after being freed by Pakistan Friday, prison official Yameen Khan said. He said the fishermen left a jail in Karachi for Lahore, from where they are expected to cross into India Saturday. (Posted @ 12:00 PST) India tests ballistic missile BHUBANESWAR, India, May 23 (AFP): India's military Friday conducted a successful test of a short-range nuclear-capable ballistic missile, defence sources said. The test of the Prithvi (Earth) missile was carried out from India's Integrated Testing Range at Chandipur-on-Sea, some 200 kilometres northeast of Orissa's state capital Bhubaneswar. “It was a user trial of the army version of the 150-250 kilometre-range Prithvi,” a defence scientist said requesing anonymity, adding the firing was conducted at 10:30 a.m. The 8.5-metre surface-to-surface missile, first tested in February 1988, can carry a one-tonne conventional or nuclear payload. (Posted @ 11:50 PST) U.S. Senate approves $165 billion in new war money WASHINGTON, May 23 (Reuters): The U.S. Senate Thursday approved an additional $165 billion to wage war in Iraq and Afghanistan for another year after lawmakers blocked proposed timetables for withdrawing American troops from Iraq. By a vote of 70-26, the Senate passed the new war money the Pentagon says it urgently needs to avoid civilian layoffs and the interruption of soldiers' paychecks within months. The House of Representatives still must weigh in on the legislation. Last week, it passed a drastically different bill that failed to provide any new money for the wars and would withdraw U.S. combat troops from Iraq by the end of 2009. Besides the war funding, the Senate also attached expensive expansions of U.S. unemployment benefits and help for war veterans who want to get a college education. (Posted @ 10:35 PST) Cricket- Australia 301-4 v West Indies close 1st day, 1st test KINGSTON, Jamaica, May 23 (Reuters): Australia were 301 for four wickets in their first innings at the close of the first day of the first test against West Indies at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica, on Thursday. Score: Australia 301-4 (Ricky Ponting 158, Michael Hussey 56, Brad Hodge 53 not out). (Posted @ 10:05 PST) Quake death toll in China's Sichuan rises to 55,239 BEIJING, May 23 (AFP): The death toll in China's Sichuan province from last week's earthquake has risen to 55,239, with another 24,949 missing, the province's vice governor, Li Chengyun, said here Friday. The number of people injured in Sichuan is 281,066, Li also told reporters. The quake, measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale, struck mountainous Sichuan on May 12. The combined number of people left dead or missing remained at just over 80,000. Li said more than 5.47 million people were left homeless and 5.46 million buildings had collapsed. (Posted @ 09:15 PST) Karachi Stocks down 653.73 points: KARACHI, May 23: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 12973.27, down 653.73 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 16:00 PST) Forex update: KARACHI, May 23: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 69.7 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 16:00 PST)
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