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| August 15, 2008 | Friday | Sha'aban 12, 1429 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (06:00 GMT)
 Pakistan coalition completes Musharraf charges ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (AFP) - Pakistan's ruling coalition has finished its deliberations on impeachment charges against embattled President Pervez Musharraf, information minister Sherry Rehman said Friday. The charge sheet will now go to coalition leaders Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif within the next three days for final approval, she said. “The charge sheet deliberations are complete. We have presented it to the law minister,” she told reporters after a coalition committee spent more than a week debating the charges. “Then it will be presented to the leadership, probably on Sunday or Monday, after which we can take it to the house,” she said, referring to the national assembly or lower house of parliament. The coalition announced on August 7 that it intended to impeach Musharraf, the first time such a step has been taken in Pakistan's 61-year history. Newspaper reports said he would resign rather than face impeachment, most probably before the charges are lodged with parliament, but a presidential spokesman denied that Musharraf planned to quit. Allies of Musharraf and coalition officials have said the president's aides are in talks with the government to try to avoid impeachment. Pakistan's constitution says that once the charges are filed the national assembly speaker has three days to pass them to the president. Musharraf then has two weeks in which to respond, after which there will be a vote on impeachment, which can only be passed by a two-thirds combined majority in the upper and lower houses of parliament. The coalition piled further pressure on Musharraf when lawmakers in southwestern Baluchistan province overwhelmingly approved a no-confidence motion in him, following similar votes in the other three provinces. (First Posted @ 20:02 PST Updated @ 21:14 PST)  Musharraf spokesman slams resignation reports ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (Agencies): President Musharraf's spokesman hit out Friday at fresh reports in western newspapers that Musharraf was about to quit to avoid impeachment. Several newspapers quoted aides, politicians and diplomats as saying Musharraf was about to step down following the coalition government's announcement last week that it would try to impeach him. “I don't know where they get such baseless information,” retired Major General Rashid Qureshi, Musharraf's chief spokesman, told AFP. “It becomes very unimportant for me to comment on these reports. I have been hearing all this for the past many months.” In Washington, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino referred to the reports as a “rumour mill”. “We've heard the reports and we continue to monitor it,” she said, adding that the United States considered the leadership of Pakistan an issue for Pakistanis. The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and the London-based Financial Times all said Musharraf would resign nearly nine years after he grabbed power in a military coup. (First Posted @ 10:50 PST, Updated @ 11:30 PST) Tariq Azim says talks could lead to Musharraf’s exit ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (AP): Talks are under way to avoid the looming impeachment of President Musharraf, with a resignation that includes legal immunity as a key option, Tariq Azim, a top official in the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) party confirmed Friday. Another option being floated is stripping down the presidency to a figurehead role, said Azim. Asked if Musharraf had decided to quit, Azim told The Associated Press, “There are people who are advising him to avoid confrontation, but I don't think he has made up his mind.” Azim said people on all sides generally agreed an impeachment battle would strain the country at a time when it faces critical challenges. “It is at the moment that Pakistan cannot afford confrontation,” Azim said. “And it's obvious that the present government and President Musharraf cannot get along. So it is in the best interest of Pakistan that some way is found whereby this mode of confrontation can be changed or can be more conciliatory.” Sheikh Mansoor Ahmed, a deputy secretary-general from Pakistan People’s Party(PPP), told The Associated Press that Musharraf's options were limited, and that he had to either quit or face impeachment. “There is no other option for Musharraf,” he said. He insisted that the coalition government would never accept Musharraf as even a ceremonial head of the state. (Posted @ 13:10 PST) Pakistan says 460 militants, 22 troops killed in fighting PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Aug 15 (AFP) - Pakistan's interior ministry chief Rehman Malik said Friday that over 460 militants and 22 soldiers have been killed in more than a week of fighting in Bajaur tribal area bordering Afghanistan. More than 3,000 armed militants, most of them foreigners, are involved in the clashes in the troubled Bajaur tribal region, prime minister's advisor on interior told a Press conference. “Extremists wanted to establish their hold in Bajaur and the government had to take action,” he said in Peshawar, the capital of North West Frontier Province. “Until today 462 militants have been killed in Bajaur and a similar number have been injured. Twenty-two troops have been killed and some are missing in action,” Malik said. The “major portion” of the militants were foreigners, Malik said, adding that they included “Afghans, Chechens, Yemenis and Afro-Asians.” Provincial governor Owais Ghani said that around 219,000 people have been displaced from Bajaur, adding that the provincial government had set up nine camps to provide them shelter, food and medicines. Separately, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said in Islamabad the operation in Bajaur tribal area will continue till the militants have been flushed out. (First Posted @ 17:20 PST Updated @ 18:35 PST) 19 more killed, 35 injured in Kurram Agency tribal clashes PARACHINAR, Pakistan, Aug 15 (APP)- Ninteen person including 10 militants were killed and 35 injured in fresh fighting between the rival tribal groups in Kurram tribal area on Friday. The clashes have claimed at least 211 lives during the last one week. According to sources in political administration, the warring tribesmen of Bangash and Tori tribes are fighting in Bagzai, Jalmay, Sadda, Balash Khel, Sangeena, Kandi Zar, Karman. Bogki Gram Saidan, Kanj Alizai and Pewar areas. (Posted @ 19:16 PST) Warring tribesmen of Kurram should remain peaceful or face operation: Rehman Malik PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Aug 15 (APP): Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik Friday warned the warring tribesmen in Kurram Agency to remain peaceful and cooperate with the law enforcing agencies or face the operation by law enforcing agencies. “I give 72 hours deadline to the warring tribesmen of restive Kurram Agency to remain peaceful or face the operation,” he said after a meeting with MNAs and Senators from FATA. Flanked by NWFP Governor Owais Ahmad Ghanni and NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti , the advisor said that Kurram Agency problem is deep rooted and would be solved by taking all the stakeholders on board. He said that a grand jirga comprising Shia and Sunni elders would be Constituted within the next five to seven days to negotiate with the warring tribes to find durable solution to the problem. Rehman Malik said that the jirga members would visit Kohat and Parachinar for talks with both factions. Rehman Malik said that seven relief camps have been setup by NWFP government to provide relief to 219,000 displaced tribesmen of Bajaur Agency. He said that federal government will provide Rs.100 million and 50 trucks of food and other edibles among the affectees of Bajaur Operation. He said that Rs.150million has already been distributed by the NWFP government on rehabilitation of displaced people. (Posted @ 20:24 PST)  Govt's writ in tribal areas to be ensured: PM Gilani ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (APP): Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani Friday said the writ of the government in the tribal areas will be ensured and sought opposition's cooperation in this regard. Speaking in the National Assembly in response to Aftab Ahmed Sherpao's point of order he said: “We are here to protect the life and property of the people...otherwise I have no right to be the prime minister.” He repeated government's resolve to political dialogue with those who were ready to lay down arms and urged the tribesmen to dissociate themselves from the militants. Stating that the militants were exploiting people in tribal areas due to lack of education, economic development and other basic amenities of life, Gilani said the government wanted development of tribal areas and would use force only as the last resort. He said the provincial government entered into agreements with the local people to maintain peace but regretted that girls schools, CDs and barber shops were torched and FC people were targeted. “The writ of the government was challenged which necessitated the action.” On Thursday, he said, some terrorists were nabbed from Rawalpindi and Karachi and added that there was a network of terrorists operating in the country. He said in view of the situation in the tribal areas, members of National Assembly and Senate from FATA were given briefing by the army chief. He also said that such elements were mostly foreigners including Chechens and Uzbeks. (Posted @ 19:40 PST) Pakistan peace process under threat: Manmohan Singh NEW DELHI, Aug 15 (Reuters): India's prime minister Manmohan Singh said Friday last month's bombing of Indian embassy in Kabul had cast a shadow over a peace process with Pakistan, and he had expressed his disappointment and concern to Islamabad. Addressing a huge gathering from the ramparts of New Delhi's historic Red Fort to mark independence day, Singh said Pakistan must clamp down on terrorism. “If this issue of terrorism is not addressed, all the good intentions that we have for our two peoples to live in peace and harmony will be negated,” Singh said. “We will not be able to pursue the peace initiatives we want to take.” He said the Kabul blast had cast a shadow over efforts to normalize relations with Pakistan and to bring lasting peace to the region. “I have personally conveyed my concern and disappointment to the Government of Pakistan,” he said, marking the 61st anniversary of independence from British rule. He also called for peace in occupied Kashmir. “In this hour of crisis, divisive politics will lead us nowhere,” he said. “I appeal to all political parties to keep the long-term interests of Jammu and Kashmir in view and come together to find a permanent solution.” In occupied Kashmir, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) called a general strike for Friday and streets were deserted. “We appeal to people to observe August 15 as a black day and stay away from Indian functions,” the APHC said in a statement. (Posted @ 12:00 PST) Muslims protest in occupied Kashmir on Indian independence day SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, Aug 15 (AFP) - Thousands of Muslims responded to a black day protest call of their leaders on the occasion of India’s independence day in occupied Kashmir on Friday, with some burning the Indian national flag, witnesses and officials said. They waved black flags as they marched through Srinagar, chanting “We want freedom” and “Kashmir is ours”. Thousands of worshippers emerged from the city's main mosque after Friday prayers and burnt Indian flags, witnesses said. The rally came despite tight security in the city, where a curfew was lifted after four days in the wake of widespread violence that claimed at least 22 lives and more than 200 injured. The general strike emptied roads and closed shops. Defence spokesman S.D. Goswami told AFP that two suspected rebels armed with hand grenades had been arrested early Friday. At the flag hoisting ceremony by governor N.N. Vohra, residents stayed away, except for a few dozen students from the police school. Meanwhile, Pakistani troops allegedly used small arms fire on Indian positions from across the de facto border dividing Kashmir between the two nations, the Indian army said. There were no casualties. (Posted @ 18:06 PST) Olympic hockey: Pakistan lose to Australia 1-3 BEIJING, Aug 15 (AFP) - Australia, Spain and the Netherlands broke away from the pack with their third wins to step closer to the semi-finals of the Olympic men's field hockey on Friday. Australia almost certainly ended Pakistan's hopes with a 3-1 win in pool B despite Shakeel Abbasi's stunning reverse hit opening goal in the 16th minute. Grant Schubert drew level four minutes later and Jamie Dwyer gave the Hockeyroos the lead six minutes into the second session before Travis Brooks increased the margin in the 59th minute. Pakistan captain Zeeshan Ashraf rued the missed chances, but said the temporary suspension of Mohammad Waqas in the first half cost the team dearly. The Netherlands, losing finalists at Athens, joined Australia at the top of the pool with a 4-2 win over Canada. In pool A, Spain proved good enough to beat hosts China 2-1, while New Zealand kept their hopes alive by ousting Belgium 4-2 for their second win in three matches. (Posted @ 20:05 PST) Operation to continue till militants are flushed out: FM Islamabad, Aug 15 (PPI)- Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi Friday said Pakistan is capable enough to carry out operation against militants and it would not allow any foreign force intervention. Talking to newsmen outside the Parliament house, he said operation against miscreants is continuing in the tribal areas and it will continue till it achieves the desired results. He also said that foreign elements hiding in the tribal areas would be flushed out. Responding to a question, the Foreign Minister said that about sixty-seven Pakistani detainees from Guarantanamo bay have returned to the country while efforts are on to bring back the remaining seven detainees. About Dr. Afia Siddiqui, he said we are doing our best to ensure her repatriation. He said the government wants to resolve Dr. Afia case and a resolution would be moved in the National Assembly with the consultation of all political parties including the opposition. (Posted @ 17:40 PST) ICRC concerned over killings in occupied Kashmir ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (APP): International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has expressed concern over the killings of dozens of innocent unarmed Kashmiri youth and attacks on hundreds of protestors by Indian troops during recent protest demonstrations in occupied Kashmir.ICRC Communication Coordinator, Philippe Stoll talking to media men in Srinagar over telephone from New Delhi said that Indian Police and troops on August 11 stormed into Soura Medical institute hospital in Srinagar and fired tear smoke canisters and bullets at patients, their attendants, doctors and the paramedic staff inside the hospital's Intensive Care Unit, KMS reported. (Posted @ 16:30 PST) Parliamentarians urge UN to take notice of Indian brutalities in occupied Kashmir ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (APP): Pakistan’s parliamentary delegation comprising Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Senator Muhammad Ali Durrani, Senator Talha Mahmood and Senator Abbas Kumaili Friday visited the United Nations mission in Islamabad and urged the international community, especially the UNO to persuade India to end the use of brute force against the civilians of Kashmir. The delegation also submitted condemnatory parliamentary resolutions against the brutalities of Indian forces in occupied Kashmir. (Posted @ 16:25 PST) Yasin Malik asks world community to save Kashmiris SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, Aug 15 (PPI)-- Describing the ongoing uprising against the economic blockade of the Kashmir valley as peoples' revolution, the Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, Mohammad Yasin Malik has sought international community's intervention to rescue Kashmiris. Addressing a protest demonstration at Lal Chowk in Srinagar, the JKLF Chairman said: “Indian troops have unleashed a reign of terror and killing. They are firing on unarmed Kashmiris, killing and injuring them.” He appealed to the people to continue their protest peacefully and urged the international community to intervene and “ensure safety and security of people of Kashmir, who are facing bullets for staging peaceful protests.” Earlier, the demonstrators led by Yasin Malik staged a sit-in at Lal Chowk. They offered funeral prayers for those killed in police and troops firing in Kashmir during the recent Anti-India protest demonstrations. (Posted @ 19:48 PST) Olympics- Phelps breaks 200 medley record in winning sixth gold BEIJING, Aug 15 (AFP): Michael Phelps of the United States set a new world record in the men's 200 metres individual medley with a time of one minute 54.23 seconds in the final at the Beijing Olympics on Friday. Phelps, who won his sixth gold medal in his pursuit of an unprecedented eight gold in the Beijing pool, broke his previous world record of 1:54.80 set at the US Olympics trials in Omaha on July 4 this year. (Posted @ 11:15 PST) 30 dead as Ethiopian troops fire on Somali buses MOGADISHU, Aug 15 (AFP) - Ethiopian forces in the town of Arbiska opened fire on two civilian buses near the Somali capital Mogadishu on Friday, killing at least 30 passengers, witnesses told AFP. A medic at the nearby Afgoye hospital said 10 wounded were also brought in following the incident. (Posted @ 21:08 PST) Russia 'guarantor' of Caucasus security, Medvedev tells Merkel SOCHI, Russia, Aug 15 (AFP) - President Dmitry Medvedev on Friday said Moscow was the guarantor of security in the Caucasus region and dismissed Georgia's chances of recovering its rebel regions. His comments came at a news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, at which the German leader insisted Georgia's territorial integrity had to be the starting point for resolving the current conflict. “Russia, as guarantor of security in the Caucasus and the region, will make a decision that unambiguously supports the will of these two Caucasus peoples,” Medvedev said, referring to the people of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. “Unfortunately after what has happened it is unlikely Ossetians and Abkhaz can live in one state with Georgians. “If someone continues to attack our citizens, our peacekeepers, then of course we will answer just as we did,” said the Russian leader. The German chancellor took a contrary stance on the future of Georgia's rebel provinces. “The starting point must naturally be Georgia's territorial integrity,” Merkel said. “There is an elected government in Georgia with which we have to discuss and negotiate,” she said. (Posted @ 21:00 PST) Two NATO soldiers die in Afghanistan KABUL, Aug 15 (AFP) - Two NATO-led soldiers died after being attacked in eastern Afghanistan Friday, the alliance force said but did not give the nationalities of the soldiers. (Posted @ 20:28 PST) Bush says Russia must withdraw from Georgia WASHINGTON, Aug 15 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush said Friday that Moscow must honor its pledge to withdraw its troops from Georgia. “Moscow must honor its commitment to withdraw its invading forces from all Georgian territory,” Bush said outside the Oval Office. (Posted @ 20:10 PST) Bus plunge kills 11 in central China BEIJING, Aug 15 (Reuters) - A bus carrying 34 passengers veered off a mountain road and plunged into a ravine in Mianchi county in Henan province in central China on Friday, killing at least 11, Xinhua news agency said. The condition of the other 23 passengers, who were hospitalised, was not known. (Posted @ 19:04 PST) Bush accuses Russia of ”bullying” in Georgia WASHINGTON, Aug 15 (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush on Friday again expressed his support for Georgia and accused Russia of “bullying” and damaging its international standing by sending its military into Georgia. But Bush, delivering a statement from the White House, also said the United States wanted to have good ties with Russia and not revert to Cold War-era relationships. “A contentious relationship with Russia is not in America's interest and a contentious relationship with America is not in Russia's interest,” Bush said before departing for Texas for a vacation. “Bullying and intimidation are not acceptable ways to conduct foreign policy in the 21st century.” (Posted @ 18:50 PST) US missile shield makes Poland a target: Russian general MOSCOW, Aug 15 (AFP) - Poland is making itself a target for Russia's military “100 percent” by hosting elements of a US anti-missile system, senior Russian general Anatoly Nogovitsyn was quoted as saying by Interfax news agency Friday. “It becomes a target for attack. Such targets are destroyed as a first priority,” General Nogovitsy was quoted as saying. Warsaw and Washington signed a preliminary deal Thursday on basing part of a US missile shield in Poland, in the face of Moscow's vehement opposition and mounting East-West tensions over Russia's military presence in Georgia. (Posted @ 18:22 PST) Oil drops below US$114 on slowing economies VIENNA, Austria, Aug 15 (AP) - Signs of anemic growth for the world's largest economies and a strengthening dollar drove oil prices below US$114 a barrel Friday. Light, sweet crude for September delivery fell US$1.94 to US$113.07 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange by noon in Europe. The contract fell 99 cents overnight to settle at US$115.01 a barrel. On the European market, Brent crude also has been lower recently. On Friday, it was fetching US$111.93 a barrel down US$1.75 on the ICE futures market. In other Nymex trading, heating oil futures fell nearly 3 cents to US$3.07206 a gallon (3.8 liters) while gasoline prices slipped by close to 5 cents US$2.87645 a gallon. Natural gas futures were basically flat at US$8.150 per 1,000 cubic feet. (Posted @ 17:15 PST) Roadside bomb kills pilgrim in Baghdad BAGHDAD, Aug 15 (AFP) - At least one Shiite pilgrim was killed in Baghdad on Friday and 10 more were wounded when a roadside bomb exploded as their bus was heading for a festival in the holy city of Karbala, police said. On Thursday at least 19 Shiite pilgrims were killed -- 18 of them by two female suicide bombers. Another 75 were wounded. (Posted @ 16:50 PST) Rice says Russia-Georgia ceasefire deal needs to be clarified TBILISI, Aug 15 (AFP) - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Friday a number of points in a ceasefire deal between Georgia and Russia needed to be clarified to ensure Georgian interests were protected. “It needs to be a formal ceasefire, which is what we are working on,” Rice told reporters travelling with her to Georgia. “But in order to get to that point there really does have to be important clarifications on a couple of these points (in the ceasefire) in order to make sure that Georgian interests are protected,” she added. “Because the United States would never ask Georgia to sign on to something where its interests are not protected,” she said. (Posted @ 16:45 PST) Afghan forces lose district KABUL, Aug 15 (AFP) - Afghan security forces withdrew early Friday from Nawa district in Ghazni province after more than two weeks of fighting with Taliban, allowing the rebels to move in and capture the area, Interior ministry spokesman Zemarai Bashary confirmed but did not give details. Police on Thursday had also pulled back from posts in a district of Helmand province after two weeks of clashes with militants. The Taliban also claimed to have taken over that district, called Nad Ali. (Posted @ 16:40 PST) 15 killed in truck crash in southern Philippines MANILA, Aug 15 (AP): At least 15 hitchhikers were killed and 14 others injured when the truck they were riding in plunged into a ravine in a southern Philippine mining area, police said. Compostela Valley provincial police chief Ronald de la Rosa said the truck's brakes failed Friday and it swiftly descended down the ravine in a village outside Monkayo township. The truck was coming from the gold mining area on Diwalawal mountain, about 575 miles southeast of Manila. (Posted @ 12:45 PST) Security forces kill nine militants in Bajaur tribal region ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (AP): Authorities were investigating whether a senior Taliban leader was among nine suspected militants killed near Khar, the main town in Pakistan’s Bajaur tribal region, officials said Friday. Helicopter gunships fired Thursday on the group, said Mohammed Khan, a government official. The firing struck two vehicles. Khan said the targeted vehicles had previously been in the use of Maulvi Faqir Mohammed, who is believed to be an associate of Ayman al-Zawahri. But he added it had yet to be confirmed whether Mohammed was there at the time. Late Thursday, Mohammed's spokesman claimed he had escaped the attack. The spokesman could not immediately be reached Friday. (Posted @ 10:20 PST) US court rules Saudis not liable for Sept 11 attacks NEW YORK, Aug 15 (AFP): A federal appeals court Thursday ruled Saudi Arabia could not be held liable for the September 11 attacks against the United States despite charitable donations that ended up in the hands of Al Qaeda. Upholding a 2006 decision by a lower court, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan ruled inadmissible a lawsuit in which families of victims of the 9/11 attacks charged that Saudi Arabia, four Saudi princes, a Saudi charity and bank had given material support to Al-Qaeda. The plaintiffs in the case cited Saudi donations to charity groups that were later transferred to the Al Qaeda network, arguing the Saudis were responsible for financing the 9/11 attacks. The court in its ruling said the “Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976” granted the Saudi defendants immunity from prosecution on US soil. ”Exceptions to the immunity provisions did not apply in the case, the court ruled, “because the Kingdom has not been designated a state sponsor of terrorism by the United States.” (Posted @ 09:15 PST) Karachi Stocks up 356.36 points: KARACHI, Aug 15: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 10258.71, up 356.36 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 13:30 PST) Forex update: KARACHI, Aug 15: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 77 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 13:30 PST)
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