PPP, MQM Agree over Amends in Sindh LG Laws

KARACHI: Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) have agreed over amendments in local government laws in a meeting at Governor House here.

The meeting chaired by Governor of Sindh Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad continued late night, decided to table the local government amended bill in Sindh Assembly on Monday.

Fediral Interior Minister Rehman Malik attended the meeting on special invitation.

According to the sources government officials will be appointed administrators at local bodies.

Prior to the meeting, Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Governor Ishrat-ul-Ebad discussed law and order in the province and other issues.

They discussed progress in investigations into Chehlum bomb attacks in Karachi and expressed satisfaction over the steps taken for stopping target killings in Karachi.

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Peshawar:Chief Justice Orders SSP To Recover Missing Child Till 1:00pm

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry expressed annoyance over disregard of the court orders and gave a deadline till 1:00pm to SSP (Investigation) to recover the child who went missing from Mansehra today.

During the case hearing in Supreme Court Peshawar Registry, the CJ upbraided SSP, saying that he was enjoying while disregarding the sufferings of the missing child's parents. Mazhar r/o Mansehra was abducted from Oogi on October 18, 2009.

His brother notified six accused in the FIR, however, of them police arrested only two. Mazhar's father told the court that he moved court as he got much disappointed over police's efficiency. Meanwhile, the CJ also ordered to decuff an elderly man in the court, and said that police did not arrest the real culprits.



Backbone Of Terrorist Network Has Been Broken:Prime Minister

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Criplling Power Outages Continue In Country

LAHORE: Countrywide load shedding continued today as load shedding hours have been cut by two hours in Lahore after protests.

The traders of Rawalpindi have also announced protest today.

The power crisis has aggravated in the country as the cities undergoing 10 to 12 hours power outages, while the rural areas suffering 16 to 18 hours load shedding.

The power crisis has badly hit the routine life and business activities in the counry.

BB Murder Case: Meeting of Fact Finding Committee To Be Held Today

The Fact Finding Committee which will investigate regarding washing the place where former Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto was assassinated will hold its meeting today after a day's gap. FIA's joint investigation team has decided to hand over the audio tape of Bait Ullah Mehsud to the court of terrorism.

The committee which is supposed to find facts regarding this incident has already held three meetings so far, in which 4 policemen including former Director General Military Intelligence Mian Nadeem Ejaz and former CCPO Rawalpindi Saud Aziz have recorded their statements. The statement of former DG IB Brig (R) Ejaz Shah has not yet been recorded. While on the other side, according to sources, the joint investigation team for BB murder case has written a letter to Foreign Ministry requesting to provide the audio tape of Bait Ullah Mehsud so that it can be presented as evidence in the court.

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PM Gilani For Cooperative Approach To Fight Terrorism

Pakistan News: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said it was collective responsibility of SAARC countries to make sincere efforts and implement effective strategies to rid the region of terrorism. Speaking at a dinner hosted in honour of SAARC interior and home ministers here at Prime Minister House on Saturday night, he said the SAARC leadership must be mindful of the fact that progress and prosperity of peoples was closely linked to the security environment of the region. He said the phenomenon of terrorism has emerged as a huge challenge to the security and prosperity of South Asia as well as the entire world.

"Terrorism is a menace whose effects transgress national boundaries. It can be fought best through cooperative approach."

He said Pakistan, being in the front line of war on terror, has suffered more than any other country in the world.

"Our leader Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed, herself, became a victim of terrorism. Hundreds of our people and security officials have sacrificed their lives," he added.

Gilani said terrorism has also severely impacted Pakistan's economy.

"It cannot be defeated by one country alone. We have to join hands together and fight it as a united front. I am confident that with sustained efforts, undertaken with mutual trust and sincerity, we will be able to eliminate this threat from our region."

He said he was confident that the meeting in Islamabad was fruitful in terms of achieving its objectives.

He assured of his government's full support and commitment in implementing the outcome of the discussions.

The Prime Minister said it was gratifying to note that despite numerous challenges that the SAARC is faced with, it has made progress in various fields, specially in dealing with complex issues of social advancement, economic integration, climate change, organized crimes, drug trafficking and terrorism.

He underlined the need to redouble efforts to put SAARC on ascending trajectory for fostering ever stronger regional cooperation among the member States on every matter and issue of mutual concern and thus enhancing SAARC's global profile to the level it deserves.

"In doing so, we must evaluate the results of our joint endeavours in the past and address our shortcomings to make SAARC more visible and relevant, in the future."

"Regrettably, the South Asia still lags far behind its larger Asian neighbourhood, in terms of economic and social advancement," he added.

Gilani said other Asian countries especially those of ASEAN, have forged closer robust cooperation for development and are in a position to avail the benefits of globalization but SAARC has remained inward-looking and unable to keep pace with the neighbouring regions, in those areas.

He said the key impediment to SAARC's success had been the absence of an enabling political environment for promotion of mutually beneficial cooperation.

"Our region, unfortunately, has remained mired in disputes and tensions. We have remained far too preoccupied with the management of tensions and differences. This has to change and it is my earnest and sincere hope that the required change would take place sooner rather than later."

He assured that Pakistan remains committed to the SAARC Charter in furthering the goals of close regional interaction and is desirous to see it develop as a successful regional organization.

"We will continue to attach high priority to contribute towards the strengthening of SAARC. We have and will continue to incorporate various SAARC decisions into our national plans and policies."

The Prime Minister said SAARC had been created quarter of a century ago, with a clear aim of jointly seeking the betterment of peoples and the region.

"We, however, still have a long way to go to reach that goal. It is, hence, important to accelerate our joint efforts in finding ways and means to augment the capacity of SAARC to enable it to serve as a catalyst for the economic and social development of our region."

"We must share best practices under the SAARC umbrella, be it in science, technology, management, agriculture or public service. Due to its limitless potential, great economic promise and rich cultural heritage, there is tremendous global interest in South Asia, which we need to optimize through flows of investment and technology in collaborative arrangements with the international and regional institutions," he mentioned.

The Prime Minister said SAARC has to position itself to engage interested states and international organizations to develop the win-win complementarities for socio-economic progress.

He said SAARC must be seen as a viable regional organization responsive to the aspirations of the masses.

"They deserve better and we must not fail them by failing to overcome the hurdles on the way of our heightened cooperation in every possible field."

He hoped that the recent deliberations of ministers would give a new incentive for the multifaceted regional cooperation and assured that Pakistan would always be ready to provide its full support to the endeavours of SAARC member countries.

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Pakistan Rubbishes Ties With Headley

Foreign Office Pakistan ruled out the allegations regarding ties with David Headley, the alleged ringleader of  Mumbai attacks on Tuesday.

Foreign office spokesperson Abdul Basit termed all the allegations leveled by Indian security advisor Shiv Shankar as baseless, saying that its nothing more than propaganda.

Abdul Basit said that the allegations are not in harmony with the statement passed by the PMs of India and Pakistan and Thimpu, Bhutan, which said that terrorism is the common threat faced by both the countries, which would be dealt with jointly.

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Pakistan Rubbishes Ties With Headley was first posted on July 20, 2010 at 3:30 pm.
Copyright @ A  Pakistan News.Com

3 More Shot Dead in Karachi, Toll Rises to 17

Karachi, Pakistan News: The killing of another 3 persons pushed the toll of those killed in the targeted killing to 17 on Thursday.

Some unidentified persons gunned down two youths in Lee Market whose identification has not been ascertained yet. An activist of a political party Fazal Ullah has been killed in Saoodabad; unknown killers barged into the house of Tahir Ali (25) and killed him and injured his father Musharraf Ali in Model Colony.

One Shair Niazi of Orangi Town succumbed to injuries, while three bullet-riddled bodies have been found from Orangi Town, Shah Latif Town and Pak Colony.

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3 More Shot Dead in Karachi, Toll Rises to 17 was first posted on July 22, 2010 at 10:42 am.
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Indian Dossier On Mumbai Attacks Responded: Rehman Malik

Pakaistan News: Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Saturday said that Pakistan has responded to the dossier sent by India vis-a-vis the Mumbai attacks.

Talking to media after meeting with Indian High Commissioner Sharat Sabharwal in Islamabad on Saturday, the minister said, 'I called Indian Union Minister for Home Affairs Chidambaram and asked him to allow the commission to visit India to get the statements of the eyewitnesses of the Mumbai attack recorded'.

'Chidambaram said that he would consider the plan', Rehman added. The courts would decide whether to have a video conference with India or not in this respect.

Replying to a question regarding the recent wave of suicide bombing, Rehman said that ‘Al-Qaeda, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, and TTP, three are one’, and must be behind every terrorist attack in the country. He said directives have been issued for foolproof security arrangements across the country on the eve of Eid.

Referring to suicide bombing in Quetta, the Federal Minister said that anyone could penetrate into a procession consisting 15,000 people.

He called upon Ulema to consider limiting of the procession routes in face of the terrorist attacks.

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Rehman Malik Urges Interpol To Stop Insane Priest From Burning Quran

Pakistan News: Interior Rehmanon Thursday urged Secretary General of Interpol Ronald K. Noble to stop Florida's insane priest Terry Jones from burning (God forbids) the Holy Quran on the anniversary of the September-2001 attack.

In a letter written to the Secretary General, he drew attention of the Interpol towards the "very serious and grave" issue in which the priest has declared to burn the holy book of Muslims publicly, which is a crime against humanity and falls under international offense as it would inflict the international peace and harmony.

Malik said "Interpol must play its role to stop this heinous criminal act by insane Terry Jones as it will bring irreversible damage to the world peace especially when the world is fighting against all kind of acts of terrorism." He stressed upon the secretary general to take the issue with the concerned authorities of USA to stop the crazy so-called priest from this highly criminal act, which would hurt the sentiments of Muslim Ummah.

"Muslim Ummah would be outraged by such an act and the feelings of the Muslims be respected," he concluded. Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Syed Hamid Saeed Kazmi has strongly condemned the regrettable plan to hold the event on September 11, which is being arranged by a Church of Florida.

He termed the plan a "great shock" for the Muslim community, adding that if the said event takes place, there would be a great chaos and turmoil in the world.

He said Islam is a religion of peace, tolerance, brotherhood and it discourages tendencies of extremism and terrorism.

Kazmi added that Muslim countries especially Pakistan had suffered a lot due to terror attacks, adding that Pakistan played a vital role as front line ally in war against terror.

The Minister was of the view that such shocking and shameful event would hurt the sentiments of Muslims across the world which could be detrimental for the efforts being made to maintaining peace in the world.

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Only AG Authorized to write for Swiss cases re-opening

ISLAMABAD Pakistan News: The Law Ministry told the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) that only Attorney General is authorized to write a letter to the concerned officials to re-open the Swiss cases, Geo News reported Tuesday.

According to sources, the Law Ministry clarified, responding a letter written by Chairman NAB, that only the AG can write a letter for re-opening the Swiss cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.

The sources said after receiving the Law Ministry's letter, Chairman Naveed Ahsan will chair a high-level meeting to review the Supreme Court (SC) verdict, the response of Law Ministry and the powers entitled in NAB laws.

According to sources, the legal experts of the NAB told the Bureau officials that the institution is empowered under NAB Law Section-21 to initiate action on its own to re-open the Swiss cases.

Chairman NAB will file his response in this connection in the apex court by February 24.

Aitzaz Sees Anti-SC, Judiciary Propaganda

LAHORE Pakistan News : The former President Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and a senior leader of PPP Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan has hinted at a propaganda being hatched against Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) and the judges of independent judiciary. He said the formation of Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) in connection with the appointment of judges was a positive proposition, however, he ruled out the impression that the parliament will be able to make political appointments.

Aitzaz told media after addressing a social welfare organization here on Friday. The independent judiciary will appeal to foreign investment, which will bear fruits for common men in a few years to come.

He lauded sacrifices of Pakistan army which they laid down in course of war against terrorism.

Shahbaz Replies In Black And White To Taseer¡¯s Letter

In a written reply to Governor Salman Taseer, Chief Minister Punjab Mian Mohammed Shahbaz Sharif expressed disappointment over the former's allegations on him and his party and termed them as baseless.

Shahbaz also called upon President, Prime Minister and Chief Election Commissioner Punjab for taking legal action against Taseer's conduct. CM Punjab in his letter wrote that it is not the violation of the regulations laid down by EC to take part in electioneering as did by the Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah during election campaign of Jhang by-polls when he took part in the rallies of N-league's candidate. The fact is that Governor Salman Taseer took part in the electioneering of PPP's contender under the pretext of inauguration ceremony of a Sui gas scheme in Jhang, terming the deed as the violation of Political Parties Act (PPA), Shahbaz wrote. Taseer was the member of pseudo cabinet of former president Gen Pervez Musharraf, which wrecked havoc with the constitution by sacking 63 judges and keeping them under house arrest illegally, he noted.

ISI Ex-Official Killed; Body Found

MIRANSHAH: An ex-intelligence official associated with Pakistan's premier military spy agency who was abducted last month by alleged militants has been found dead in North Waziristan,.



Khalid Khowaja, a former officer of Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), was abducted along with another ISI's ex-official Colonel (retd) Imam and a British journalist of Pakistani origin on March 26 when they were en route to South Waziristan agency.

Khowaja's deadbody was found near Mir Ali area of the agency. A message was also attached to his deadbody from an unknown outfit who call themselves the 'Asian Tigers'.

The message reads that Khowaja has been killed due to his "linkages with U.S. intelligence agency CIA and? his role in Lal Masjid operation."

Former ISI operatives Sultan Amir Tarar alias Col Imam and Khalid Khawaja and the British journalist of Pakistani origin, Asad Qureshi, were last seen on April 22 in a video released by the abductors after their disappearance last month.

The 'Asian Tigers', unheard of before these abductions, is demanding "freedom" for arrested Taliban leaders Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Mullah Mansoor Dadullah and Maulvi Kabir in exchange for the release of the former ISI officials. They are also demanding a ransom of $10 million to allow the journalist to "walk into the free world".

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MQM Ministers Submit Resignations

KARACHI: A crucial meeting of the MQM's Rabita (coordination) committee is underway in London and Karachi simultaneously to chalk out future plan of action regarding the possible restructuring of Hyderabad district by its coalition partner, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Saturday the old administrative structure of Hyderabad would be restored, describing the division of the former district as a great disservice to the region.

Gilani's statement drew an immediate riposte from MQM chief Altaf Hussain who termed the plan an attempt to disrupt "reconciliatory environment and coalition setup in Sindh".

Provincial and federal ministers belonging to MQM have submitted their resignations to the coordination committee, Rabita committee member Faisal Sabzwari said while talking to the channel.

Also, the MQM has called its MNAs, MPAs, ministers and advisors at party headquarter Nine-Zero on emergent basis, sources said.

The mover demonstrates that the party is considering quitting the ruling coalition if steps were taken to reverse Hyderabad's bifurcation.

"We have clearly told the PPP leadership that our alliance will end the day they imposed this unjust decision," said Sabzwari.

"Our party has demanded of intervention by President Asif Ali Zardari in this issue, but neither any progress was made nor any of the government high-ups has yet contacted with us to break the ice," he said.

He said "we don't want to create political mess and any confrontation with the government and but if such situation imposed on us we know very well how to fight."

The meeting of the MQM coordination committee has resolved to go to any extent to "resist moves" to change the administrative set-up of Hyderabad, sources say.

Deputy Convener of the committee Dr Farooq Sattar, Anwar Alam, Salim Shahzad, Mustafa Azizabadi, Mustafa Kamal, Babar Ghauri, Adil Siddiqi, Wasim Akhtar and others are among the participants.

Altaf Hussain, addressing Rabita committee members via telephone from London, said conspiracies were being hatched to trigger riots in Sindh on ethnic grounds.

He said those who were bent upon subverting peace of the province are "agents of feudal lords." He cautioned people of Hyderabad to be aware of such 'plans.'

Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Sindh senior minister Pir Mazhar ul Haq contacted the members of Rabita Committee on phone in a bid to defuse the tension between the two ruling allies.

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CM Shahbaz Sharif Punjab Visits Data Darbar Blast Site

Chief Minister Punjab Mian Mohammed Shahbaz Sharif paid a surprise visit to shire of Sufi saint Hazrat Data Ganj Baksh (R.A) and examined the blasts site on Friday night. The Punjab government has downgraded duties of SSP Operations Shafeeq Chaudhry, designating him as Officer on Special Duty (OSD), while CCPO Faisalabad Rao Sardar will fill in his position having been upgraded as SSP Operations.

Chief Minister was carrying a strict security cordon at Datat Darbar where he first offered Fateha at Darbar.

CCPO Lahore and the caretakers of Darbar were also present on the occasion.

CM examined the blasts sites near sacred grave after Fateha. People raising slogans questioned his absence at the time of blasts as he moved to leave shrine.

LHC Orders Judicial Inquiry into Faisalabad Killings

Full Story And Original Content.Thnewspk.com LAHORE: Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident in the shooting Faisalabad trial, premises, which led to the deaths of two people on charges of blasphemy. LHC with its own initiative, the initiative of the notification of the incident caused RPO Faisalabad on Wednesday. [...]

Yahoo Mail Sign in, Development in Yahoo

Yahoo has developed its main page and with the advancement the new page is appreciated by many and is not liked by many on the other hand. After the changing it looks different from the previous state.

It also contains integration with face book and other social network along with some new develops features. People was thinking that Yahoo is completely changing its look but the mail box doesn't change make many people to think why just only home page changes.

It is now taking much time to load yahoo mail and people are expecting it to improve. New version of Yahoo will soon be seen by the users. It is also observed that other search engines are more users friendly and they are improving as they are in competition. It is also expected that yahoo is improving its version and are committed to provide more accurate and efficient service to its users.

Many users are now shifted to other networks and yahoo can regain them if it comes with strong and improve version. After improving its service it can make its users to come back to their old email address on yahoo.

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Yahoo Mail Sign in, Development in Yahoo was first posted on July 22, 2010 at 11:50 pm.
Copyright @ A  Pakistan News.Com

Govt Coming in Way Of Independent Judiciary, Says Nawaz Sharif

Pakistan News: PML-N patron Nawaz Sharif has alleged that the government is hindering the realization of a dream of an independent judiciary, and added that the non-implementation of Supreme Court orders is bringing bad name to those at the helm.

Talking to media after inquiring after those injured in Youm-e-Ali suicide attack in Lahore on Monday, Nawaz said that the 18th amendment was meant to strengthen democracy in the country, adding that, "Now it is incumbent upon the prime minister and the president to take care of it".

Replying to a question regarding the SC orders implementation, Nawaz said that the PM should advise the President in this regard.

"The country could not afford another martial law", Nawaz maintained. When asked about the APC and its agenda, the PML-N chief said "Convening of All Parties Conference is ill-timed".

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Salman Taseer Urges Provinces To Show Unity On Kalabagh Dam

Lahore, Pakistan News: Salman Taseer said that if issue of rivers can be settled with India, then there should not be any problem to settle the issue of Kahalabagh dam among provinces. He said that if the dam was not built, south Punjab and Sindh cannot be saved from floods.

In a news conference in Lahore, he said that he had visited camps of flood victims in south Punjab and the camps were presenting bleaker outlook. He urged that rehabilitation of affectees should be made as soon as possible. He said that it was the time to seriously take the issue of Kalabagh dam and a committee should be made for this purpose.

Salman Taseer Urges Provinces To Show Unity On Kalabagh Dam

Lahore, Pakistan News: Salman Taseer said that if issue of rivers can be settled with India, then there should not be any problem to settle the issue of Kahalabagh dam among provinces. He said that if the dam was not built, south Punjab and Sindh cannot be saved from floods.

In a news conference in Lahore, he said that he had visited camps of flood victims in south Punjab and the camps were presenting bleaker outlook. He urged that rehabilitation of affectees should be made as soon as possible. He said that it was the time to seriously take the issue of Kalabagh dam and a committee should be made for this purpose.

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Pakistan¡¯s High Commissioner To India Calls On Rehman

Pakistan's High Commissioner to India called on Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik at his residence in Islamabad today.

During the meeting, the two men discussed Pak-India ties and the situation ensued the Mumbai attacks. The High Commissioner briefed Rehman of the secretary-level talks between the two countries recently held in New Delhi.

Rehman hailed the announcement made by Indian Home Minister Chidambaram regarding improvement of ties with Pakistan.

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Taliban Extradition: LHC Seeks Reply From Interior-Secy

Lahore High Court has sought reply from Interior Secretary vis-a-vis extradition of seven Taliban leaders to the US on March 15.

Chief Justice Khawja Sharif has heard the case. The petitioner Khalid Khawaja argued that Taliban leaders Alam Mehsud, Mohtashim Agha, Hakimud Din Mehsud, Tayyab Agha, Abdul Qayyum, Mullah Tayyab and Abdul Hayee have been arrested from Pakistan and as such the trial should be conducted under law of the land. He added that the terrorists should not be extradited to the US.

During the hearing, the CJ remarked that blasts were being taken place across country and as such relief could not be given to the culprits.

Pak Navy tests-fire missiles, torpedo

Pakistan Navy has carried out successful missiles, torpedo test in Arabian Sea, Dunya News reported today.
ISPR said the missiles and torpedo were fired from F22 p Frigate, P3C and Agosta 90B while the Navy Chief Admiral Noman Nashir witnessed firepower. Augusta submarine has recently been included in the Pak Navy, which was prepared with the cooperation of French Navy. The operation was supervised by Vice Admiral Tanveer Faiz. According to ISPR spokesman, these tests sent signal of strong deterrence to all.

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Institutions Responsibilities Cearly Reflected In 18th Amendment: PM

LAHORE : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the enactment of 18th Amendment lays additional responsibility upon the provinces to resolve the problems of common man. He was talking to Punjab Governor, Salman Taseer who called on Prime Minister at his residence here Monday.

Prime Minister said the responsibilities of all the institutions have also been clearly reflected in the 18th Amendment, adding that this would help in establishing better relations among the institutions.

The Prime Minister said that the government has given policies in various sectors and it is expected that the provincial governments would be able to speed up the implementation so that common man can benefit.

While talking to elected members of the National Assembly and provincial assemblies, Premier called for monitoring the implementation of various development schemes and added that the projects must be planned accordingly. “The needs of common man must be considered on all accounts while preparing development plans”, he stressed.

Earlier, Governor Punjab Salman Taseer apprised the Prime Minister about the progress of various federal government projects as well as overall political and security situation in the province.

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Pfizer Settles Neurontin Suit Over Minister¡¯s Death

Pfizer

May 17 (Bloomberg) — Pfizer Inc. agreed to settle a wrongful-death lawsuit alleging its Neurontin epilepsy medicine caused a retired minister to commit suicide two months after he started taking the drug.

Lawyers for New York-based Pfizer, the world's biggest drugmaker, told a judge in Nashville, Tennessee, they resolved claims by the family of Richard Smith, which were set to go to trial today. It's the second settlement of claims that officials of a Pfizer unit knew the epilepsy drug posed a suicide risk and failed to disclose it to patients and doctors.

PEPCO Withdraws New Power Tariff

The Pakistan Electric Power Company Limited (PEPCO) has withdrawn its policy of spliting the tariff into two different rates for morning and evening.

MD Pepco Tahir Basharat Cheema denied reports regarding power tariff hike and said there was no change in day and night tariff.

Earlier during the evening PEPCO DG announced split power tariff rates for day and night.

According to details, the new split rates will be applicable on newly installed meters. The day time is set as off-peak hours category while the night hours from 7pm to 11 pm has been set as peak hours category. The peak hours will be charged at Rs 10.87 while the rates for the off-peak hours will be charged at Rs 6.66.

Director General PEPCO Muhammad Khalid has said that these rates should not be conceived as new rates, in reality since these are 2 year old and people will not suffer from any further burden due to these apparently new rates. He added that the step will lead to curb shortage of electricity.

LHC Frees Blasphemy Accused Zaibunnisa After 14 Years

Full Story And Original Content.Thnewspk.com LAHORE: Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday released a woman in custody without trial for 14 years on charges of desecrating the Holy Quran, her lawyer and court officials. Despite the “no evidence” to be found in the 60-year-old Zaibunnisa, she was languishing in prison under a psychiatric hospital since [...]

Kayani¡¯s Extension Necessary for War on terror: Kaira

Federal Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira has categorically stated that Pakistan would not take dictation from any country regarding the launch of army operation in any part of the country, and added that Pakistan is fighting the war on terror for its own interests.

During a press conference in London on Friday, the Federal Information Minister said that the extension in the service period of chief of army staff is done in view of the ongoing war on terror as the change in command would not be conducive in such a situation. He maintained that the presence of army chief was necessary for the continuity of war on terror. He called upon the media to act objectively and responsibly in broadcasting any news on India or Pakistan.

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Kayani’s Extension Necessary for War on terror: Kaira was first posted on July 23, 2010 at 4:49 pm.
Copyright @ A  Pakistan News.Com

Don¡¯t Loose Hope, Asif ALi Zardari Tells Flood Affectees

Pakistan News: President on Tuesday visited flood hit areas in Balochistan along with Co-Chairperson PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Bakhtawar Bhutto. President was given a detailed briefing on relief and rescue work taking place in various areas in Dera Murad Jamali and Naseerabad.

He assured the flood affectees that maximum assistance will be provided to the flood victims thick and thin.

He also took an aerial view of Naseerabad and Jafferabad.

We have to extricate the people from the catastrophe and give them hope, the President said.

He assured the people of the area that the government will lend full support to the affected people and they will be provided every help without any delay.

He said that the flood victims will never be left alone and they will continue to work until the rehabilitation of the last affectees.

President said that we are also ensuring timely repair and rehabilitation of the affected areas.

He also said that the present democratic government stands with the people in this hour of trial.

Later President visited fields hospitals established in Dera Murad Jamali by the Turkish Government.

Asif, PM Gilani Greet Nation On Eid; Urge To Remember Flood Victims

Pakistan News: Asif Ali Zardari and PM Gilani whole felicitating the nation on Eid-ul-Fitr, urged them not to forget their fellow countrymen who have been affected by floods.

"This year's Eid festival is being celebrated on such a moment of history, when a large part of the country is under the devastation caused by floods before Ramazan. Millions of fellow countrymen are homeless and facing numerous difficulties," They said in their message to the nation on Eid.

They said; "Your love and sympathy will help address their miseries and pains. Reconstruction of the devastated towns, destroyed houses and the rehabilitation of flood affected people is our foremost priority and national obligation."

They said every section of the nation demonstrated commendable cooperation, sincerity and generosity to lessen the immense problems and hardships faced by the flood victims.

"No doubt, brave nations face challenges with courage and mettle," they added.

The President and the Prime Minister said today when the whole nation was busy day and night to help their flood affected brethren, the anti-state elements and terrorists were ruining peace in the cities and towns to achieve their nefarious objectives.

They said at the hands of these cruel people, neither the sanctity of Ramazan was protected nor had they any respect for human lives or faith.

"But it is the firm commitment of our nation that we will never let these terrorists and extremists succeed in their nefarious intentions and the fight against them would continue till their complete elimination," they said.

They thanked Almighty Allah, Who blessed all with courage and strength during the holy month of Ramazan; with the spirit to observe fasting and guided all to benefit from the bounties of this month and serve the needy brothers and sisters.

They said Eid-ul-Fitr is a joyous festival, which requires sharing joys with the flood affected brethren.

5 Year Old British Boy Abducted For Ransom:Jhelum

Robbers have kidnapped a five-year-old British boy demanding a ransom of 100,000 pounds.

RPO Rawalpindi claimed that the kidnappers would be traced in next forty eight hours. The British High Commission has requested the Pakistani authorities to fully cooperate in order to ensure the safe release of the boy.

Police blamed a kidnapping gang for the abduction and said they had launched a full-scale investigation to recover the child.

Lahore: Three explosions rock Iqbal town

Three explosions have been reported near a foreign fast food restaurant in Moon Market, Iqbal town. The blast occurred in a open plot where the explosives was dug in the ground. Heavy smoke can be seen blowing from the scene. Rescue teams and police have cordoned the area.
Panic and fear among the masses. The blast was as powerful as it shattered the windowpanes of nearby houses and shops.
It was the third terror attack of the day in the city as a pair of suicide bombers targeting army vehicles detonated explosives within seconds of each other earlier today, killing at least 40 people in A R Bazar and wounding nearly 130.

Blast kills Pakistani National in Afghanistan

KANDAHAR Pakistan News: A roadside bomb killed a Pakistani construction worker and wounded six of his compatriots on Sunday in Afghanistan’s southern city of Kandahar, police said. The device hit the vehicle which was carrying the group on a road close to Pakistan’s consulate in the eastern part of the city and came after a series of attacks overnight by Taliban killed 31 people in several parts of Kandahar.

“It was a roadside bomb that hit the vehicle of Pakistani construction workers, killed one of them and wounded six more,” police officer Mohammad Asif said.

Last week, five Pakistani employees of the same Pakistani construction firm, CITA, were gunned down by unknown people in another part of Kandahar.

Kandahar is the next target of an offensive by NATO-led forces after foreign and Afghan troops secured a district regarded as a key Taliban stronghold from the militants in ajdacent Helmand in recent weeks.

Before the Taliban’s ouster in a U.S.-led invasion in 2001, Kandahar was the traditional and spiritual seat of power of the militants.

No one has claimed responsibility for the deadly attack of last week or Sunday’s one on the Pakistani nationals in Kandahar.

The Taliban mostly claim responsibility for attacks on Afghan government, foreign forces and anyone backing them, but the group has rarely targeted Pakistanis.

Megan Fox wants to cause harm

Megan Fox

She may be known for her acting skills and for making wives and girl friends jealous but apart from acting that's not all that she does. Recently in an interview by a famous glamour magazine, she was told about the leaked topless photos of her taken from a cell phone camera while shooting at the sets for the film "Passion Play". She plays a circus-sideshow performer who has bird wings in the movie.  The image though blurry made her red with anger and she said, "If I knew who took this picture, I would personally cause them harm ― physical harm." The magazine quoted.

Lance Armstrong crash at Tour of California

Lance Armstrong dropped out of the 2010 Amgen Tour of California early in Thursday’s Stage 5 not long after crashing.

About 15 cyclists went down just 4 miles after leaving Visalia for the 121-mile stage to Bakersfield.

According to text commentary from news sources, Armstrong received medical treatment at the scene of the accident and returned to the peloton with teammates from RadioShack. Cyclists from HTC-Columbia, BMC Racing, Fly V Australia and Rabobank all were involved in the crash.

18th Amendment Hearing Continues in Supreme Court

A 17-judge full court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry was hearing petitions challenging certain clauses in the 18th Amendment.

During the hearing, senior lawyer and petitioner Abdul Hafeez Pirzada argued that the concurrent list has been removed. He reiterated that the constitution has allowed the courts to conduct hearing of cases. He added while the petitions do not challenge the entire amendment, it should be clear that the parliament was not supreme. He said the 18th Amendment was being used to change the formation of the parliament and now even the party head can sack the Prime Minister.

Hafeez was of the view that the Supreme Court has complete rite to rectify any clause that is against the constitution. He said that it was the masses have the power to curb the rites of the parliament and he further condemned the political parties which used the parliament to ratify dictators’ measures through the 8th Amendment. He expressed disappointment on the fact that past parliaments have validated the wrong verdicts of dictators.



Debate in Syria Over Ban On Veil

Syria has banned the niqab from its private and public universities in an effort to protect the country's secular identity. The ban does not affect the hijab, the head scarf that does not cover the face, which many Syrian women wear.

A loud and controversial debate continues in different Syrian universities over the ban imposed by the government. A scuffle broke between government MPs over the ban. The Education Minister Ghaith Barakat has issued a decree banning women on university campuses from wearing veils that cover their faces.

It is pertinent to mention that Syria quietly imposed the curb on veil on Sunday.

PML-N Wants To Strengthen Democracy: Nawaz Sharif

Pakistan Muslim League-N chief Nawaz Sharif has reiterated that his party wants to strengthen all institutions in the country. He urged that PML-N is wants to follow the Charter of Democracy in true spirit. He had no personal gains when he initiated the move for restoration of judges.

Former premier was talking to media after inquiring the PML-N leader Makhdoom Javed Hashmi at the Lahore General Hospital where he expressed hope for speedy recovery of Javed Hashmi. In reply to a question he said that Mastikhel's resolution in Punjab Assembly on July 9 was condemnable and appropriate action will be taken against Mastikhel.

Nawaz repeated intend to take strict action against fake degree holders. He said that President Zardari did not fulfill his promises, however PML-N will continue with the politics of reconciliation. He added that time will clarify everything to the masses.

Kurram: Ten Killed in Landmine Explosion

Pakistan News: At least 10 people were killed while five others injured in a landmine explosion in Kurram Agency on Thursday.

The blast took place when a passenger van hit the landmine in Tal Rogha.

Resultantly, 7 people died on the spot while three others died on the way to the hospital.

The deceased include civilians only.

SC Authorized To Check Infringement By Institutions: CJP

Pakistan News: Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Tuesday observed that the Supreme Court has the authority to interfere into infringement on part of any state institution.

Addressing the ceremony to mark the new judicial year, the CJ said the ambit of all the institutions has been defined in the Constitution, and added that the beauty of democratic set up lies in the institutions respecting the limits.

The CJ said the governments get angry whenever their illegal or unconstitutional laws get scrapped by the apex court, but we have to tolerate their offence", the CJ maintained.

The CJ observed that none could suspect the honesty and uprightness of the SC judges, adding that the lower courts do contain corrupt element, which could not be eliminated despite raise in salaries.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry expressed satisfaction over the efficiency of the courts. He assured the audience that the court would be able to dispose off any case within a year.

FM Qureshi Meets NATO Chief

Pakistan News: Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen expressed regret on Monday for the deaths of Pakistani soldiers last week and said he hoped Pakistan's border would reopen for NATO supplies to Afghanistan as soon as possible. Angered by repeated attacks by NATO helicopters within its borders, Pakistan blocked one of the supply routes for NATO troops in Afghanistan after one strike killed three soldiers last week in the western Kurram region.

"I expressed my regret for the incident last week in which Pakistani soldiers lost their lives," Rasmussen said after a meeting with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. "I expressed my hope the border will be open for supplies as soon as possible; the foreign minister committed work on that for which I am very grateful."

Blast in Dera Bugti, 4 Injured

Wapdas Zahid Gulfam wins Tour de Pakistan Cycle

Wapdas Zahid Gulfam won the 15th Tour de Pakistan Cycle on Saturday. The gruelling 1674 kilometer 11 stage Tour de Cyle has been concluded with Hyderabad to Karachi being the final stage. The race began with 62 participants from Peshawar on March 1 and passed through cities of NWFP, Punjab and Sindh and culminated in front of the Mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Wapdas Zahid Gulfam declared first, Sui Southerns Nisar Ahmed clinched 2nd spot while Afghanistans Asmatullah bagged third position. Prize money of $10,000 will also be distributed among the top position holders. Cyclists from all four provinces, Fata participated in the event while Afghanistan players also took part in the Tour de Pakistan. The event has been staged under the directive and patronization of the President of Pakistan with support by Pakistan Sports Board.

PCCR Recommendations To be tabled Friday: Awan

ISLAMABAD Pakistan News: Federal Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan has said that the joint parliamentary session has been convened for March 26, Friday in which recommendations prepared by the Parliamentary Committee for Constitutional Reforms (PCCR) will be tabled.

Talking to media men outside the Parliament House, he said President Asif Ali Zardari will also be addressing the joint session on the same day (Friday).

He said the Parliament committee has completed its work and the members of PCCR will affix their signatures on the proposed constitutional package on Thursday.

Babar Awan said the Parliamentary session will continue till the proposed package is approved by the two-third majority.

"The completion of the constitutional committee's work is a welcome development for the democratic forces and the people," he said, adding, the Constitution will be restored to its original position of 1973.

Oil arrives on La. shore, edges into key current

Gulf Oil Spill

NEW ORLEANS ― Heavy, sticky oil from a massive monthlong spill was starting to clog Louisiana marshes on the Gulf of Mexico as another edge of the partly submerged crude reached a powerful current that could take it to Florida and beyond.

BP Oil Spill Live Feed

BP Oil Spill Live Feed

As the oil disaster continues in the gulf, watch the live feed below (windows media player required).

Angry? Frustrated? Had enough? Click here to tell President Obama to take action today � and help us prevent an oil disaster in New England.

Baroness Warsi To Arrive in Pak Today

The Chairperson of Britain’s Conservative Party, 39-year-old Baroness Sayeeda Warsi will reach Pakistan today. Warsi while talking to Dunya News at the London airport informed that she is going to Pakistan to demonstrate a gesture of goodwill.

It is pertinent to mention that Warsi is the first Asian person to hold a full Cabinet post in the UK Government, the first Muslim to do so, and in 2007 when she was 36, she became the first Muslim woman to sit on the front bench of a British political party.

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10 Bodies, Five Injured Shifted To Hospital

Pakistan News:ISLAMABAD, An airliner carrying 157 passengers and crew members crashed in Margalla hills after losing contact with the control tower of Islamabad airport.

A help desk has been set up at Islamabad airport to meet the inquiries about the passengers of the unfortunate airliner.

The rescuers have retrieved 10 dead bodies and five injured from the wreckage of the airliner at Daman-e-Koh and shifted to PIMS hospital in Islamabad.

The flight of the Air Blue Airlines Air Bus 320 flew from Karachi at at 7:50 A.M. Wednesday morning was scheduled to land at Benazir Bhutto Airport of Islamabad crashed in thick forest near Daman-e-Koh in Margalla.

According to sources, the unfortunate airliner passed over the airport but didnt allowed to land. The eyewitnesses saw the airplane crashing with Sohawa hills and caught fire and emitting thick smoke.

Air Blue spokesman Raheel talking to ARY News said the airliner was crashed before landing at Islamabad airport.

The rescuers have retrieved 10 dead bodies and five injured from the wreckage of the airliner at Daman-e-Koh here.

The hospitals in federal capital have declared emergency after the air crash in Margalla Hills.

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Dadu City Inundated, Flood Waters Rush Towards Naseerabad

Naseerabad, Pakisatan News: Dadu city and adjoining villages have been inundated due to a breach in FP protective embankment. The breach is also threatening the Zamzma oil field located in the area. Flood waters can once again cause havoc in Warah city due to an increase in the water levels at Hamal Lake.

The flood waters are now gushing towards Naseerabad.

Water levels are on the rise again in Hamal and Manchar lakes due to heavy showers during the last couple of days. The local administration of Warah city has instructed people to leave the area. The irrigation department has decided to slash the MN drain from a dozen places in a bid to save cities including Dadu, Saeedabad, Khudaabad and Sehwan Sharif. A flow of 535,000 cusecs upstream and 570,000 cusecs downstream was recorded at Kotri barrage. A protective embankment on Indus river near Dera Ismail Khan collapsed endangering more floods in the area.

Nawaz Sharif Says, No One To Be Allowed To Use Delaying Tactics

Pakistan News: Pakistan Muslim League-N chief Nawaz Sharif proposed for the construction of model village in the flood stricken areas of the province.

Nawaz was chairing a session in Lahore to review the rehabilitation of the flood victims where he said, that he instructed the Punjab government for the marking of government land in flood stricken areas of the province.

He added that the government will appeal to people for contributions to rebuild homes. He reiterated that the Punjab Government is trying to ensure that flood victims receive cash payments in-time.

Punjab NADRA Director General informed that new identity cards in the flood stricken areas would be issued on fast track basis.

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Asif Ali Zardari Warns India Against Escalation Of Arms Race

ISTANBUL: President Asif Ali Zardari Tuesday hoped that India would not escalate the arms race in the region, adding that the government would keep open the option of dialogue without lowering its guard and would welcome the technology like drone predators.

"I hope India would not escalate arms race in the region. It has already increased its defence budget by 30 percent in the wake of Mumbai attacks", the President observed during a detailed interview with Turkish media.

He said that the nations in the region should focus on eradicating poverty and on humanitarian issues like environment etc. rather than having larger armies.

He was confident that Indian government would be ultimately engaged in constructive dialogue. "We are neighbours, we can't wish each other away".

The President was in the historic Turkish metropolis of Istanbul to attend two back-to-back summits—Trilateral conference among Pakistan, Afghanistan and Turkey (Monday) and Istanbul regional summit among Afghanistan and its six neighbours.

He lauded Turkey's role in facilitating dialogue among Afghanistan and its neighbours, hoping that the summit would help achieve the goal of peace and stability in that conflict-ridden country.

He also hoped economic ties with Turkey would touch a new high with the launch of cargo train service from Islamabad to Istanbul via US $ 20 billion upgradation project of the 6,500 kilometre rail track between the two cities.

He said the visit of Turkish President to Pakistan would further boost relations between them. "I look forward to the visit", he said.

Karachi: Firing kills four including Maulana Saeed Jalalpuri

Four people including Ameer Tehreek-e-Nabuwwat Maulana Saeed Ahmed Jalapuri were killed on Thursday by unknown attackers in Gulzar Hijri area of Karachi.
The unknown assailants opened fire on the car of the deceased at Abu Al-Hassan Asfahani road. Resultantly, Maulana Saeed Ahmed Jalalpuri, his son Huzaifa Jalapuri, companions Mufti Fakhar Zaman and Abdur Rehman.One person was injured in the incident. Voilence prevailed in the area after the incident. Traffic was suspended and important business centres were closed in the area. Heavy contingent of police and rangers cordoned off the area. Onlookers told that attackers were riding.

Shahbaz: Punjab Police Website Updated

LAHORE Pakistan News : Punjab Police has removed Punjab Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif's comments from its website praising the vision of former President Parvez Musharraf in connection with bringing police reforms.

Punjab Chief Minister in his message said: “The present government has wholeheartedly embraced President Musharraf’s vision to revamp the police and make it responsive to the needs of the people of Pakistan.”

The message further read, “Public Safety is one of the top-most priorities of my Government. Mahfooz (Safe) Punjab is a goal that has been built upon the greatest police reform effort in Punjab since independence.”

Rawalpindi: Core Commanders Meeting Underway At GHQ

The Core Commander meeting is underway under the chair of Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani at GHQ Rawalpindi on Wednesday.

Kayani apprised the core commanders of the details of the strategic talks held in the US, sources said. Sources added that the meeting would review the Azam-e-Nau war exercises scheduled to begin from April 10 besides the professional capabilities of the Pakistan Army.

Regional security situation, Helmand operation, about-to-be-conclude South Waziristan would also be taken up in the meeting besides the rehabilitation and return of the IDPs.

Pakistan Govt Says Won’t Reopen Asif Ali Zardari Graft Cases

Islamabad: Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed appeals filed by authorities challenging the release of JuD chief Hafiz Muhammed Saeed, blamed by India for masterminding the Mumbai attacks, from house arrest.

The appeals against the Lahore High Court’s order to release Saeed were filed by the federal and Punjab governments last year but could not be taken up earlier for various technical reasons.

When the matter came up for hearing today, a three-judge bench headed by Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk dismissed the appeals. Further details were not immediately available.

Saeed, also the founder of the banned Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT), was put under house arrest in December 2008 in the wake of the Mumbai attacks after the UN Security Council declared the JuD a front for the LeT.

The JuD chief challenged his detention in the Lahore High Court.

Saeed was freed on June 02 last year by a three-judge bench of the High Court that said that Punjab and federal governments had failed to provide sufficient evidence to keep him in custody.

Following pressure from India and the international community, the federal and Punjab governments challenged the High Court’s ruling in the apex court.

Differences between the federal and Punjab governments and the change of certain legal officials of Punjab province held up the matter in the apex court.

Pakistani leaders like Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi have contended that India has not provided any evidence that will allow authorities to act against Saeed.

Home Minister P Chidambaram has maintained that India has provided sufficient evidence against Saeed in several dossiers handed over to Pakistani authorities.

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Rolling Thunder 2010 ¨C Memorial Day Weekend

The roar of hundreds of thousands of motorcycles will fill the streets of our nation's capital this weekend in tribute to military members who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to our country as prisoners of war (POW) or who have been reported missing in action (MIA) as Rolling Thunder 2010 gets underway in Washington, D.C. Started in 1987 by four Vietnam Veterans as "a demonstration to bring awareness to the plight of POWs and soldiers who are MIA," the event has grown from its humble beginnings into a monumental patriotic tribute to soldiers and veterans from all wars that is appropriately held over Memorial Day weekend.

PM Yousuf Raza Gilani Rules Out Mid-term Elections

Full Story And Original Content.Thnewspk.com Islamabad: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday said that those people who think they may be mid-term polls due to fake a matter of degree you need to know that there are no chances of that happening. Speaking in Kasur on Baloki power, Gilani told reporters that the government [...]

Swat, Shangla Toll From Floods/Rains Mounts To 145, 158

Pakistn News SWAT: The incessant spate of unprecedented rains, turning into fierce floods of all time, have inflicted annihilation all across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including Swat, Shangla and Malakand Divisions. Over 300 innocent people have lost their lives collectively in both districts while death toll from flesh floods and rains have climbed to 145 in District Swat alone, official sources said.

Meanwhile, over 150 people have died in Shangla alone.

Those areas came under massive destruction included Behrin, Madian, Kalam, Kanjo, Kabal and capital place Mingora where more than 150 link bridges and six big bridges have been completely washed away, source said.

Rescue activities backed by Pakistan Army are afoot in Swat affected areas as nearly 2500 people including tourists have been rescued unhurt and escorted to a safe place, witnesses told media.

Free of cost ration was dealt out among people in Kalam.

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Nation Observing Quaid¡¯s 62nd Death Anniversary Today

Pakistan News: Country is observing 62nd death anniversary of the Founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah today with reverence. President Asif Ali Zardari in his message to the nation on the death anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam said that the best way to pay homage to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah is to strive for achieving the objectives for which Pakistan was created as a separate independent homeland for the Muslims of sub-continent.

President Zardari said for ensuring egalitarianism, social justice and opportunities for all, there was a need to immediately rehabilitate and reconstruct millions of lives that had been devastated by the floods throughout the country.

He said, "For ensuring constitutionalism, we must ensure that the constitution is given only by the elected representatives of the people and not imposed on the people by anyone else."

FM Qureshi: FODP To Meet On Oct 14-15 Over Flood Situation

Pakistan News: FM Qureshi has said that the government has set up an oversight council to ensure transparency and accountability of every dollar being pumped into the country for relief purposes.

He stated these views during a joint press conference with US special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke and Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd after their visit to the flood-hit areas.

"We also plan to provide international audience an access to a website to oversee all the money disbursement".

FM Qureshi said that Friends of Democratic Pakistan would meet on October 14 and 15 in Brussels to take up the post-flood situation in Pakistan.

The FM said "the floods are the worst ever national disaster hitting the country, but we should recognize the contribution the international community is providing; tents, care, medicines, it showed their commitment". Meanwhile, Australia gave 40 million dollars in aid to Pakistan to meet the flood crisis.