5 Back To Back Blast In Lahore Iqbal Town Area
March 12, 2010
5 Back To Back Blast In Lahore Iqbal Town Area:LAHORE: Five back-to-back blasts of low intesity have happened in Iqbal Town of Lahore within the last 45 minutes, Geo News reported Friday.
All the five blasts have taken place in the premises of Iqbal Town.
The first blast occurred in an empty plot near crowded Moon Market in Kashmir Block. The second blast hit a car parked outside a house. The third blast occurred near Edhi Center in Kashmir Block located in Iqbal Town. The fourth blast has been reported outside the residence of a serving DSP again in Iqbal Tow. The fifth and the last blast has struck Karim Block.
No causality is reported din these attack. However, four people have received injuries.
It may be reminded here that dozens of people were killed in two blasts at Moon Market on December 7 last year.
Earlier, at least 39 people were killed when two suicide bombers blew themselves up in R A Market near security forces’ convoy.
Overall seven blasts have taken place in Lahore within 10 hours, killing at least 40 people, including securitymen, and injuring about 100 others.
The series of bomb blasts in the city has triggered panic and fear among the citizens.
Two Political Parties PML-N And PPP On The Warpath
February 15, 2010
Two Political Parties PML-N And PPP On The Warpath:ISLAMABAD: The latest judicial crisis has again brought the PML-N and PPP on the warpath with Mian Nawaz Sharif declaring President Asif Zardari “the biggest threat to democracy” and PPP diehards reacting by burning Mr Sharif’s effigies in the streets.
Mr Sharif’s outburst at a press conference here on Sunday contrasted sharply with his recent mild-mannered digs at the PPP leadership.
In fact, he did not confine himself to the judicial crisis at hand when he demanded that President Zardari should “bring back his wealth stashed in Swiss banks”.
His tirade against the old rival was followed by an announcement by the National Coordination Council of lawyers about a countrywide boycott of courts on Monday.
Along with these developments, reports of angry protests by PPP workers started pouring in from different places, including Lahore, PML-N’s stronghold and seat of power.
It is interesting to note that the two parties are coalition partners in Punjab.
The weeks long tense build-up between the government and the Supreme Court on the issue of appointment of senior judges acquired the dimension of a full-blown judicial and constitutional crisis when President Zardari on Saturday evening issued two notifications regarding elevation of LHC Chief Justice Justice Khawaja Mohammad Sharif to the SC and appointment of Justice Saqib Nisar as acting CJ of the LHC.
The notifications were suspended by a special bench of the SC within hours of their issuance. Despite Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s assertion earlier in the day that there was no link between appointments of the judges and the now defunct National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), Mr Sharif alleged that “the rulers want to hide their corruption by targeting the judiciary”.
“In my opinion, (Mr) Zardari is the biggest threat to democracy in the country,” Mr Sharif said, adding “the rulers are childishly playing with the institutions”.
Mr Sharif said the rulers had put the country into a “state of uncertainty” and asked them to withdraw the controversial notifications about the two LHC judges.
The PML-N chief claimed that on Friday night, the prime minister had assured him that the government would make judicial appointments on the basis of CJ’s recommendations. But, the government, he said, acted otherwise.
He alleged that the government was giving preference to “protection of corruption” over independence of judiciary.
Declaring it an attack on the “independent judiciary”, Mr Sharif termed it an “action replay of the Nov 3 (2007) action” when former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf imposed an emergency in the country and sacked a number of senior judges when they refused to take oath under the PCO.
“It seems the government has not accepted the restoration of the judiciary with an open heart,” he said and announced that his party would stand by the judiciary in every moment of crisis.
He also announced that his party would play an active role in and outside the parliament in accordance with the wishes of the people of Pakistan.
Reiterating his demand for repealing the 17th Constitutional Amendment and implementation of the Charter of Democracy, signed by him with former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in 2006, Mr Sharif asked the government to fully implement the SC’s verdict on the NRO.
Without elaborating, Mr Sharif said if the government did not rectify the situation, his party would have to devise its future plan of action.
He said the PML-N would contact other political parties but would not allow any adventurism by anyone.
Pakistan Talk To India On 25 February On Kashmir
February 11, 2010
Pakistan Talk To India On 25 February On Kashmir:ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has indicated its readiness for the Foreign Secretary-level talks on February 25, saying the two sides need to “move forward”
but insisted on resumption of composite dialogue covering Kashmir and other outstanding issues that is “meaningful and result-oriented”.
Responding to the two sets of dates proposed by India for the talks, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that February 25 is “not a bad date” for the talks.
Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao had proposed February 18 and 25 as dates for the talks with her Pakistan counterpart Salman Bashir. The composite dialogue between the two sides was suspended in the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
“I believe we should move forward. Common sense states that talks should be held as soon as possible,” Qureshi said.
“What is important is that we start talking. Of course we feel that these talks should be the re-start of the composite dialogue and take it up from where we left off. After all, all the issues that both sides want to raise are included in the composite dialogue,” he said in separate interviews to Geo news channel and the News daily.
“We have many outstanding issues on our agenda, like the Kashmir issue that India recognises. There is the waters issue on which there should be talks,” he said.
“If you do not hold talks on these issues, the talks will not be beneficial. Do you want progress or just talks? We want progress and not talks for the sake of talks. We want meaningful and result-oriented talks,” he said.
Qureshi was replying to a question on whether India would be willing to include issues like Kashmir in the upcoming parleys.
It was “really not that important” where the parleys are held, he said, adding Pakistan would approach the talks with an open mind.
Referring to the Kashmir, Qureshi pointed out that even India had started “quiet diplomacy with the Kashmiris”.
At the same time, he said, the sharing of river waters is important because Pakistan “is an agriculture-based country and 90 per cent of our water is needed for agriculture”.
Pakistan will also raise the issue of “strategic balance” in the upcoming talks, he said.
Following India’s recent offer for holding talks, Qureshi chaired an inter-ministerial meeting yesterday to assess the proposal and to formulate Pakistan’s response.
A statement issued by the Foreign Office after the meeting made it clear that Pakistan favoured the resumption of the stalled composite dialogue to resolve all outstanding issues.
Asked if India wanted the upcoming talks to focus solely on terrorism, Qureshi replied that Foreign Secretary Rao had told Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India Shahid Malik that “all issues can be put forward and discussed”.
“They can raise whatever issue they want and we will do the same. If we are to have a meaningful engagement, there should not be conditions. There will be no benefits if conditionalities are imposed. Conditions will prevent the dialogue from moving forward,” he said.
Pakistan “Credible Information” That Mehsud Dead
February 10, 2010
Pakistan “Credible Information” That Mehsud Dead:ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Pakistan said on Wednesday it had information suggesting that Pakistani Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud had died of wounds inflicted in a U.S. drone aircraft attack in January.
“I have credible information that he’s dead but I don’t have any confirmation,” Interior Minister Rehman Malik told reporters, as speculation swirled over the Taliban leader’s fate.
Two Taliban officials, including a senior commander, called Reuters earlier in the day to deny that Hakimullah had died.
The rumors about his fate began on Tuesday after another Taliban official, requesting anonymity, told journalists that he had died of wounds.
The death of Hakimullah, notorious for his ferocity, if confirmed, could temporarily disrupt the Taliban campaign of bomb attacks and cities across Pakistan but the network which has a presence in most parts of the country is likely to stay intact..
The drone strike came after a video emerged showing Hakimullah with a Jordanian double agent bomber who killed seven CIA employees in Afghanistan on December 30, raising the Pakistani Taliban’s profile.
In Washington, a U.S. counter-terrorism official said on Tuesday he could not confirm Hakimullah’s death and that it was up to the Taliban to prove he was alive.
“At this point, the onus is on the Pakistani Taliban to produce this guy — especially as time wears on. Hakimullah certainly hasn’t shied away from the terrorist limelight before, so if he’s alive, why is he doing so now when there’s so much speculation about his demise? Here’s to hoping the speculation is correct,” the official said.
Two Taliban officials, including Maulvi Noor Jamal alias Maulvi Toofan, a little-known commander who Pakistani newspapers said could succeed Hakimullah, denied that Hakimullah was dead.
“Hakimullah was neither killed nor I have been appointed acting amir (chief) of the Taliban,” he told Reuters by telephone from an undisclosed location.
Wali-ur-Rehman, a senior Taliban commander who is in charge of the militants in their South Waziristan bastion, is also considered as a possible successor to Hakimullah.
Shutter Down In Quetta Against Law And Order
February 10, 2010
Shutter Down In Quetta Against Law And Order:QUETTA: A complete shutter down strike is being observed in the city against the increasing incidents of kidnapping, robberies and law and order situation following strike call from the business community Wednesday.
Almost all the markets and shopping centers are closed, including markets of Liaquat Bazaar, Jinnah Road, Qandhari Bazaar, Arture road, Prince Road and Saryab road.
Political and religious parties including Pashtoon Khuwa, Shia Ulema Council, Awami National Party and others have supported the strike call.
Hindu community has also warned the government to provide better security to them or they will move to safer places.
Police and other law enforcement agencies have been deployed throughout the city to prevent any unpleasant incident.
Qureshi Said Pakistan Forced India To Resume Talks
February 8, 2010
Qureshi Said Pakistan Forced India To Resume Talks:Multan: Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi claims that his country has succeeded in forcing India to resume bilateral dialogue.
Addressing a gathering in Multan on Sunday, Qureshi said that Pakistan had not caved into India’s pressure after the Mumbai terror attacks, eventually pressurising India to opt for talks.
“India, which had talked of severing all contacts with us, has now come to us. We never kneeled down before them and kept sticking to our stance,” boasted Qureshi.
Qureshi further said that Pakistan’s case was “strong … be it Kashmir, water distribution or terrorism, that is why India failed to isolate Pakistan”.
He added that Islamabad would not give in to any sort of pressure, and protect Pakistan’s interests.
Pakistan would not bow down to Indian agenda, he asserted.
Meanwhile, Qureshi has also announced that Islamabad will discuss all issues with India at the upcoming talks between the foreign secretaries of the two countries in New Delhi.
The Delhi Times quoted Qureshi as saying that Pakistan would raise its own problems and “India would present their issues during the dialogue”.
On being quizzed about Indian accusations of cross-border infiltration, Qureshi said that sensitive issues would be discussed “on the table” rather than through the media.
Kamran Akmal Dropped From Pakistan Team In T20
February 8, 2010
Kamran Akmal Dropped From Pakistan Team In T20:Beleaguered wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal has been dropped from the Pakistan squad for two Twenty20 internationals against England in Dubai later this month.
Akmal came under severe criticism for his poor performance in recent Test series against Australia.
Sarfraz Ahmed, who replaced Akmal for the third Test in Australia, but did not feature in either five one-day internationals or the T20 game, was named as Pakistan wicketkeeper on Monday.
Pakistan’s regular Twenty20 captain, Shahid Afridi, will miss the first game in Dubai after he was banned for two matches for ball tampering during the fifth one-day international against Australia.
Shoaib Malik, who led Pakistan in the only T20 game against Australia, was retained as captain for the short series against England.
MQM Legislators Rejoin SA’s Ongoing Session
February 4, 2010
MQM Legislators Rejoin SA’s Ongoing Session:KARACHI Following patching up of the differences between the two major political parties in Sindh Government due to overnight efforts by Interior Minister Rehman Malik, the MQM legislators arrived at Sindh Assembly to attend the ongoing session.
Meanwhile, live coverage of Sindh Assembly proceedings by electronic media was barred today, which the Leader of the Opposition Jam Madad Ali described as restrictions on freedom of press.
Advisor to Chief Minister Sindh Jameel Soomro told media represenatives that he would talk to the CM and acting Speaker and would get back to them soon.
Meanwhile, some passes for electronic media were also cancelled.
Talking to media MQM’s Parliamentary Leader Syed Sardar Ahmed said that following resolution of differences they were attending the session while Deputy Parliamentary Leader Faisal Sabzwari said that Bill on Local Government was not being taken up today.
U.S.Missiles Attack 9 Taliban Kill In Pakistan
January 30, 2010
U.S.Missiles Attack 9 Taliban Kill In Pakistan:Suspected U.S. missiles hit a compound and a bunker in Pakistan’s volatile tribal region, killing nine militants as part of an unprecedented wave of strikes since a deadly attack against the CIA across the border in Afghanistan, intelligence officials said.
Three missiles targeted Taliban militants early Saturday in the Mohammad Khel area of North Waziristan, where militant groups blamed for launching attacks on American and NATO troops across the border are based, the officials said. The mountainous area is where a suspected U.S. drone is reported to have crashed on Jan. 24, they added.
Another such strike early this month targeted a meeting of militant commanders in an apparently unsuccessful attempt to kill Pakistani Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud.
Mehsud appeared in a video sitting beside the Jordanian man who carried out the Dec. 30 suicide bombing of a remote CIA base in Afghanistan’s Khost province that killed seven of the agency’s employees. A Pakistani Taliban spokesman also claimed responsibility for the attack to avenge the killing of their former chief, Baitullah Mehsud, in a drone strike last year.
Analysts suspect the Haqqani network, an al-Qaida-linked Afghan Taliban faction based in North Waziristan, also helped carry out the CIA attack, the worst against the spy agency in decades.
Since the bombing, the U.S. has carried out 13 suspected drone strikes in North and South Waziristan, an unprecedented volley of attacks since the CIA-led missile program began in earnest in Pakistan two years ago.
Two missiles in Saturday’s attack hit the compound being used by the militants, killing seven of them, the intelligence officials said. The third killed two more insurgents in the bunker, they said.
The three officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information to the media.
The U.S. does not usually comment on the strikes or their targets, but officials have said in the past that they have taken out several senior al-Qaida and Taliban leaders. The Pakistani government publicly condemns the strikes as violations of its sovereignty, yet it is thought to have a secret deal with Washington allowing them.
Three killed in Pakistan-administered Kashmir bombing
January 6, 2010
At least three soldiers have been killed and 11 injured in a bomb attack outside an army barracks in Pakistani-administered Kashmir, police say.
No group has claimed the bombing, which occurred near the town of Rawalakot, close to the line of control with Indian-administered Kashmir.
Kashmir is disputed between the two countries.
Pakistan’s portion has been largely free of violence, although eight Shia Muslims died in an attack last month.
The area is home to camps of Sunni militant groups fighting in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Javed Iqbal, chief of police in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, told Reuters news agency that it was yet to be determined whether the latest attack was a suicide bombing or a planted bomb.?
