|
| October 11, 2008 | Saturday | Shawwal 11, 1429 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Suspected US missile strike in N Waziristan, eyewitnesses report three killed. Saturday, 11 Oct, Suspected US drone fires two missles in N Waziristan. Missiles hit a refugee camp in Miranshah, according to eyewitnesses. (Posted @ 23:48 PST)
Zardari calls for an end to loadshedding Saturday, 11 Oct, ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has said that power and energy is critical for economic development of the country and gave orders to end loadshedding and power shortages on a war footing. During a detailed presentation on 'International Competitive Bidding for New IPP and Rental Power Projects on Fast Track,' the president asked the Ministry and Planning Commission on Saturday to consider new and innovative ways to attract international investment in the energy sector. The presentation team was led by Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf. The president asked the team to study the models of other countries that have addressed their power crisis through international investments. (Posted @ 22:40 PST)
Former cop charged in Murtuza murder case Saturday, 11 Oct, KARACHI: A sessions court charged a former SP Clifton Shaikab Qureshi with the murder of Mir Murtaza Bhutto and eight of his men here on Satruday. The accused denied the charge and claimed trial after which the court issued notices to the prosecution Witnessess. According to the prosecution, Mir Murtaza Bhutto and his men were killed in a shootout on Sept 20, 1996 between police and Mir Murtaza's men. Police had lodged an FIR on a complaint by Haq Nawaz Sial who was killed mysteriously after a fortnight while a second FIR was lodged after orders by a Sindh High Court bench on petitions of Mir Murtaza Bhutto's widow and Ashqiue Jatoi in which Senator Asif Ali Zardari, now president of Pakistan, SSP Wajid Ali Durrani, SP Shakaib Qureshi, ASPs Rai Tahir, Shahid Hayat and dozens other police officials were booked on multiple murder charges. (Posted @ 22:16 PST)
US takes North Korea off terror blacklist Saturday, 11 Oct, WASHINGTON: The US says North Korea has agreed to every nuclear inspection demand the Bush administration has sought, so the North is being dropped from a US terrorism blacklist. The agreement is intended to salvage a faltering nuclear disarmament accord in the short time before President George W. Bush leaves office in January. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said at a news conference Saturday that the inspection deal was reached after negotiations between US and North Korean officials. (Posted @ 21:38 PST)
Pushto cinema legend passes away Saturday, 11 Oct, LAHORE: Badar Munir, a renowned film actor, passed away in Lahore on Saturday, He was 70. He performed in 416 Pushto, Urdu and Punjabi films during his career spanning over three decades. He had been suffering from kidney and diabetes problems for the last five years. A few years ago he suffered a paralysis attack. Two days earlier he suffered a heart attack and was admitted to a local hospital where he died on Saturday morning. Badar Munir was born in Swat. He was raised in a religious environment. After completing elementary education, he left Swat. (Posted @ 21:10 PST)
Top military leadership reviews security situation Saturday, 11 Oct, RAWALPINDI: A session of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC) meeting, the highest military leadership forum, was convened at the Joint Staff Headquarters in Chaklala on Saturday. In his opening remarks, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Tariq Majid said that completion of the political transition was a positive development which had granted the government the strength to meet the myriad of challenges. The other positive development was the rise of people against the militants in Fata and its adjoining areas, he added. The Inter Services Intelligence briefed the forum on the prevailing national, regional and global environment. The meeting comprehensively reviewed the domestic internal security, including the situation in Fata, regional developments with particular reference to Afghanistan, the press release stated. (Posted @ 20: 26 PST)
Afghan president reshuffles cabinet Saturday, 11 Oct, KABUL: Afghan President Hamid Karzai reshuffled his cabinet on Saturday, moving the education minister to take over the Interior Ministry which administers the police force and which has been criticised for corruption. As the war against the Taliban enters its eighth year, violence in Afghanistan has reached record levels and Western allies have pointed to a lack of good governance and endemic corruption as factors feeding the insurgency. The appointment of Hanif Atmar to the Interior Ministry is likely to be praised by Karzai's Western backers as he is seen as a capable administrator who has made great improvements in education and is seen as being free from any taint of corruption. Karzai made the new appointments 'in order to bring positive changes in good governance', said the spokesman for the office of state minister for parliamentary affairs, Asif Nang. (Posted @ 19:10 PST)
Bush, G7 ministers open crisis talks Saturday, 11 Oct, WASHINGTON: US President George W. Bush and finance ministers from the Group of Seven rich countries opened crisis talks on Saturday, looking for unity on a remedy to the global financial crisis. After the White House meeting, Bush was scheduled to make public remarks at 8:05 am (1205 GMT) flanked by the ministers of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the heads of the IMF and the World Bank. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson sat on either side of the US president, who was surrounded by other top aides including national security adviser Stephen Hadley. (Posted @ 18:04 PST)
Eleven security personnel released in Khyber Saturday, 11 Oct, DERA ADAM KHEL: Eleven security personnel were unconditionally released by insurgents in Khyber Agency on Saturday. According to District Coordinator Officer Kohat Siraj Ahmed, 8 FC soldiers and 3 Police recruits were released by the militants. Twenty-five police recruits were initially abducted by Khyber-based insurgents on the first of Ramazan. Out of the group, two were killed and the rest have been released in phases. The FC Personnel were abducted by militants a week later while they were on their way to Taraavi prayers in Kotal mountain. After abduction, the men were shifted to Orakzai agency. (Posted @ 18:02 PST)
Taliban militants behead four more tribesmen Saturday, 11 Oct, KHAR: Taliban rebels decapitated four pro-government tribal elders in a Pakistan border region where the army is fighting Al-Qaeda and extremist militants, officials said on Saturday. It was the second killing this week in Bajaur of tribal elders, who have established an armed force to support the government's military campaign against Al Qaeda and Taliban fighters in the area. ‘This morning locals reported bodies of four tribal elders were lying on roadside,’ local administration official Mohammad Jamil told AFP, adding that the bodies showed extensive signs of torture. (Posted @ 17:08 PST)
Will the KSE be locked down? Saturday, 11 Oct, Karachi: As the crisis at the stock market looked to be heading towards catastrophe, the Board of Directors of the Karachi Stock Exchange would hold a meeting with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) to discuss a complete closure of the stock market from Monday, a member director said. Razi-ur-Rehman Khan, the chief watchdog, told Dawn in reply to queries that he would wait to see what turns up in the talks with market participants on Saturday, adding: 'The market is already virtually closed.' Since the fixing of a ‘floor’ under the market fall of 9,144 points on Aug 27 by the KSE, there has been scant trading, with abysmally low volumes sometimes just under a million shares, compared to an average daily turnover of 186 million shares until April. (Posted @ 16:52 PST)
Taliban suicide jailbreak thwarted in Kabul KABUL: Afghan security officials said on Saturday they had thwarted a mass break-out by Taliban prisoners who had bribed three Afghan policemen to smuggle bomb-making equipment into a Kabul jail. The three officers had provided Taliban inmates with four boxes of explosives, a pistol, ten cell phone batteries and 30 phone chargers hidden inside drinking flasks and packs of dates, they said. (Posted @ 16:18 PST)
Developing nations blast West for failed aid promises WASHINGTON: Developing countries said on Friday they could fall victim to the global credit crunch that began in the West and blasted industrial nations for not living up to promises for aid. The Group of 24, which brings together developing and large emerging countries from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, said the world economy faced its most difficult situation in years. (Posted @ 15:27 PST)
Military convoy attacked in Kabal Tehsil SWAT: Four security personnel injured in Kabal Tehsil during an attack on a military convoy. (Posted @ 14:10 PST)
Financial meltdown dissected THE worst global financial crisis since the 1930s is more than just an economic phenomenon. It may turn out to be the most important event since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. A unipolar world emerged following the disintegration of the Soviet Union. The year 2008 may go down in history as the year in which the Anglo-Saxon financial model collapsed and global economic power shifted from the West to the East. (Posted @ 13:52 PST)
Borat won’t sing at Kazakhstan match LONDON: British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen shot down a fan’s request to sing at Kazakhstan’s World Cup qualifying football match against England. The British comedian and writer, who is known for creating witty characters such as Ali G, Borat and Bruno, was asked in a Facebook petition to sing the country’s anthem at the Wembley stadium. (Posted @ 13:26 PST)
Kashmir's first train flagged off amid strike SRINAGAR: Occupied Kashmir's first train service hit the tracks on Saturday – the fruit of an eight-year project that had to overcome the twin challenges of tough terrain and separatist violence. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh flagged off the inaugural train, which carries a heavy weight of local expectation, built up by promises that the new line will help transform the volatile Kashmir Valley. (Posted @ 13:20 PST)
Angry tribes destoy Taliban houses KOHAT: Angry Pakistani tribesmen traded fire with Taliban militants and demolished their houses in a northwestern tribal region after a car suicide attack killed at least 50 people, residents said on Saturday. ‘Everyone is angry and upset here. The tribesmen attacked houses of the Taliban in Khadizai after the bombing. Two houses have been demolished,’ Noorzad Orakzai, a resident of the Khadizai area where attack took place, told Reuters by telephone. (Posted @ 13:02 PST)
Olympians should lift Pakistan hockey: Shahnaz LAHORE: While having no objection on working with a junior Olympian secretary of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) like Asif Bajwa, senior former Olympian and Pakistan coach Shahnaz Sheikh has said that no appointment in the federation should be made on political basis. While talking to reporters Shahnaz said: ‘Those who love to serve national hockey should have no objection whosoever is the secretary and who not, otherwise.’ (Posted @ 12:52 PST)
How our spymasters view the world It is difficult to read an article about Afghanistan, the Taliban and Al Qaeda in the UK or the US without coming across a reference to Pakistan’s ubiquitous Inter Services Intelligence (ISI). In fact, the ISI has become our only instantly recognised brand name abroad. Normally, spooks operate out of the glare of publicity. However, the ISI has become so intertwined with many of the region’s trouble spots that it is blamed for almost every terror attack, whether it is guilty or not. To listen to its many critics abroad, the ISI is a rogue agency that dabbles in Islamic causes from China to Chechnya, and from Bosnia to Bangladesh. (Posted @ 12:45 PST)
Curbing extravagance AN expansion of the federal cabinet is reportedly on the anvil and the news is that some 20 more ministers will be inducted. All this against the backdrop of a crippling economic crisis where the government is asking the international community to put together an economic bailout package for Pakistan. One understands that some ministers are looking after several portfolios and, given the demands of their work, unable to do justice to even one. It may therefore be in the fitness of things to induct more ministers. One hopes, however, that the compulsions of coalition politics shall be overlooked for the time being and the sole criterion for inclusion in the cabinet will be competence and competence alone. (Posted @ 12:09 PST)
No end to Afghanistan fight: UK defence chief LONDON: The international military mission in Afghanistan has ‘no end point’, the head of Britain’s armed forces told a newspaper on Saturday. Sir Jock Stirrup’s comments come a week after Brigadier Mark Carleton-Smith, Britain’s top military commander in the war-torn country, said the public should not expect a ‘decisive military victory’ in Afghanistan. (Posted @ 11:32 PST)
Austrian far-right leader Haider dies in accident VIENNA: Austrian far-right leader Joerg Haider died in a road accident Saturday, APA news agency reported quoting the police. ‘The governor of Carinthia and leader of the BZOe (Alliance for Austria’s Future) Joerg Haider died after a car accident early Saturday in Klagenfurt’, the capital of his home state, the agency said. (Posted @ 11:02 PST)
India warned against Siachen trekking expedition ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday warned India that the Siachen trekking expedition could undermine the peace process. ‘India should desist from acts that cast shadow on the peace process,’ Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Sadiq said at the weekly briefing on Friday, reiterating protest on weeklong Siachen trekking expedition. (Posted @ 10:03 PST)
US, India sign historic nuclear deal WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and her Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee signed a pact on Friday to open up sales of civilian nuclear technology to India for the first time in three decades. Nearly a week after the pair aborted a signing ceremony in New Delhi, Rice and Mukherjee signed a deal that highlights a strategic partnership not only in nuclear know-how but also in trade, defence cooperation and other areas. (Posted @ 09:23 PST)
Butt, Shoaib help Pakistan score T20 win TORONTO: Controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar marked his return to international cricket by taking two wickets to help Pakistan to a 35-run win over Canada in the four-nation Twenty 20 tournament here on Friday. Shoaib, who last played for the national team against India last December before a fallout with the Pakistan Cricket Board, struck in his first over when he removed Abdool Samad and Mohammad Iqbal. (Posted @ 08:15 PST)
Palin abused power, Alaska probe finds JUNEAU: Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin abused her position as Alaska Governor by pressuring officials to dismiss a state trooper, an investigator’s report said on Friday. In a 263-page report released by Alaska’s Legislative Council following a six-hour closed doors hearing, investigator Steve Branchflower said Palin was guilty of violating ethics rules for public officials. (Posted @ 07:46 PST)
G7 pledges united crisis response but rifts emerge WASHINGTON: Finance leaders from the world's rich nations pledged a coordinated response to the credit crisis on Friday but stopped short of backing a British plan to guarantee lending between banks. Faced with the threat of a global recession and panicky financial markets, Group of Seven members acknowledged that they could no longer afford a country-by-country, case-by-case approach to crisis management after 14 months of turmoil (Posted @ 03:01 PST)
Apple iPod Touch named T3's gadget of the year LONDON: Apple has swept the board at Britain's T3 technology magazine's annual awards, winning four top prizes, including gadget of the year for its iPod Touch. The touch-screen music and video player beat the Asus Eee Pc budget laptop, TomTom's GO 920 car navigation system, Sony's HDR-TG3 compact camcorder and six other devices. (Posted @ 02:52 PST)
Buffet back on top of Forbes list NEW YORK: Billionaire investor Warren Buffett is again the richest American, deposing Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, after Forbes magazine recalculated the fortunes of some of the 400 wealthiest Americans. The magazine took another look at the fortunes of some of the billionaires on its Forbes 400 list to assess the effect of the worst financial crisis since the 1930s Depression and released a select list naming some of those hit hard. (Posted @ 02:12 PST)
No funds available to hold population census RAWALPINDI: The federal government has no funds to finance the holding of the next population and housing census in the country, which was scheduled to start this month, and from the current economic crisis, it appears the exercise of census may delayed for several months. The Chief Census Commissioner, Khizer Hayat Khan told ‘Dawn’ that funds for the sixth census had been allocated but not released to the Population Census Organization (PCO) as the government was facing serious financial crisis. When asked about the volume of required funds for holding the census, the dejected Census Commissioner refused to speak further by only stating that 'if funds were made available, PCO would be able to hold the census in December.' (Posted @ 01:55 PST)
Grenade attack on BRP leader's car QUETTA: Unidentified men hurled a hand grenade at the car of Baloch Republican Party's central leader here outside Government Degree College on Thursday. SHO Sariab police station told APP that Saifullah Jattak had come to attend the meeting to finalize the preparations for BRB session scheduled to be held during the current month at Degree College, as unknown men threw a hand grenade at his car parked outside the college premises. The blast caused partial damage to the vehicle. (Posted @ 01:35 PST)
Hunt for explosive laden ambulance underway RAWALPINDI: City Police officer (CP0) DIG Rao Muhammad Iqbal has revealed that a search to hunt down an explosive loaded ambulance with official number plate and monogram was underway, saying all out efforts are being made to trace out that vehicle throughout Rawalpindi, which, he said could be used for any terrorist activity. He told the reporters while addressing a press conference here Friday. Besides other senior police officials SSP operation Yasin Farooq, SP Rawal Town Khurram Shahzad Waraich, SP investigations Rana Shahid were also present on the occasion. (Posted @ 01:21 PST)
Taliban of Darra Adam Khel behind Jirga bombing KOHAT: Officials say that the Taliban of Darra Adam Khel are behind the suicide blast who have been warning the elders of the tribe not to raise lashkar against them otherwise they would take action. ‘The jirga was in progress when a pick-up truck ripped through it. The explosion was so severe that the vehicle was buried in the ground’, said an elder at the hospital. (Posted @ 01:02 PST)
Opposition continues to demand more information ISLAMABAD: Leader of the opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali on Friday expressed his reservations over fruitful outcome of joint sitting of the parliament to tackle terrorism saying the government has so far not apprised the lawmakers of its own policy in this regard. Speaking at press conference at Punjab House frontline leader of Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) said apparently the government has been following the policy of former president Pervez Musharraf in the war on terror. ‘The PPP-led government should inform the parliament that to what extent Musharraf’s policies are being continued,’ he added. (Posted @ 12:42 PST)
Founder: Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah
Editor: Abbas Nasir
Make sure to reload these pages so you're viewing the current version.
The DAWN Media Group
|
|