Govt to make reforms for people’s prosperity not for strengthening itself: PM
Updated at: 2348 PST, Saturday, April 18, 2009
KARACHI: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani Saturday said the government will introduce reforms for bringing prosperity into people’s life and not for strengthening itself.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of Deep Sea Port here, the Prime Minister said Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Zia-ul-Haq and Pervez Musharraf are remembered for only one thing while people will remember those forever who render good deeds.

“There should be a politica ... Full Story

British police arrests 10 Pakistanis in suspected terror plots
LONDON ( April 09, 2009, 12:08 ) :British police arrested 12 men across the north-west England on Wednesday in an operation hastily brought forward following an embarrassing security leak by a senior Scotland Yard commander.

Shutter down strike in Balochistan as riots erupted
QUETTA ( April 09, 2009, 11:34 ) :Shutter down strike has been observed on Thursday in different cities of Balochistan as protest and riots erupted over the news of killing of three Baloch leaders, Aaj TV reported.

India, Pakistan, US must tackle al Qaeda together: Holbrooke
NEW DELHI ( April 08, 2009, 19:38 ) :The threat posed by al Qaeda and its allies can be met only with the joint efforts of India and Pakistan, as well as the United States, a top US envoy to the region said Wednesday.

Cabinet gives go ahead for purchase of gas from Iran
ISLAMABAD ( April 08, 2009, 23:06 ) :The Federal Cabinet Wednesday accorded approval to construction of Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline and gave the go ahead for purchase of 750 million cubic feet gas from Iran to fulfill the growing local requirements.

PPP to join Punjab govt if PML-N joins federal govt: Zardari
ISLAMABAD ( April 08, 2009, 21:44 ) :A meeting of the Parliamentary Party of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was called by the co-chairman PPP and President Asif Ali Zardari here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Wednesday.

No al-Qaeda presence in Balochistan: Raisani
Updated at: 1825 PST, Wednesday, April 08, 2009

KARACHI: Balochistan Chief Minister Aslam Raisani said on Wednesday that there was no presence of al-Qaeda in the province and dismissed US concerns in this connection.Addressing a press conference at the Federation House here, Raisani said drones strikes would not be allowed in Balochistan. When asked to comment about his strategy if drone attacks were carried out in Balochistan, he said the government would strongly condemn such actions.“Effort .... Full Story

Pakistan will never give in to terrorists: President
Updated at: 1822 PST, Wednesday, April 08, 2009
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari expressed on Wednesday Pakistan’s firm commitment to fighting extremism and vowed it will never give in to the militants and extremists.

Talking to a US Congressional delegation led by Senator John Kyl at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, the President said the fight against extremism can not be won only through military means alone.

Zardari said military was only one aspect of the solution and the gov ... Full Story

Pakistan, US stress trust, disagree on drones

ISLAMABAD ( 2009-04-07 19:19:26 ) :Pakistan and the United States must build trust as they confront violence, said senior officials on Tuesday who failed to resolve disagreement on US drone aircraft strikes in Pakistan.

Special US envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke and Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, held talks with Pakistani political and military leaders after arriving from Kabul late on Monday.

Holbrooke is making his first visit to the region since US President Barack Obama announced a new strategy for Afghanistan last month, focusing on a regional approach to ending the war.

Pakistan is crucial to US efforts to stabilise Afghanistan, where a Taliban insurgency has intensified over recent years despite a rising number of US and other foreign soldiers there.

Holbrooke and Mullen are due in India later on Tuesday.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Pakistan wanted to engage with the United States with mutual interest and respect and he had flagged in talks with the Americans Pakistani "red lines" that the United States should not cross.

"The bottom line is (the) question of trust," Qureshi told a news conference with Holbrooke and Mullen. "We can only work together if we respect each other and trust each other."

"A GAP"

Obama has said Pakistan would get "no blank cheques" and the release of more US aid would depend on how it tackled terrorism.

In response, Qureshi said: "It works both ways. We'll neither accept one nor will we give one".

Alarmed by deteriorating security in Afghanistan, the United States has since last year stepped up strikes by pilotless drone aircraft against al Qaeda and Taliban militants in Pakistan.

Pakistan calls the strikes violations of its sovereignty and says the civilian casualties they often cause inflame anti-US sentiment, complicating its effort to fight militancy.

"We did talk about drones and let me be very frank, there is a gap," Qureshi said.

"We agreed to disagree on this," he said, adding the issue would be taken up again in three-way talks between Afghanistan, Pakistan and the United States in Washington on May 6-7.

Taliban commanders say recent violence in Pakistan has been in retaliation for the US drone attacks.

Mullen said the United States had a long-term commitment to Pakistan which he hoped would generate trust that he said was "absolutely vital".

Holbrooke said Pakistani and US interests ran in parallel.

"The United States and Pakistan face a common strategic threat, a common enemy and a common challenge and therefore a common task," he said.

President Asif Ali Zardari told the visiting Americans late on Monday Pakistan was battling militants for its survival.

Holbrooke said the United States would be making a "substantial pledge" at a donors' conference in Tokyo on April 17, adding he hoped other countries would too.

SC dismissed govt’s petition against Maulana Aziz

ISLAMABAD ( 2009-04-07 13:59:48 ) :The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday has dismissed federation’s petition to grant bail to Maulana Abdul Aziz, the former cleric of Lal Masjid.

The SC bench comprised of Justice Javed Iqbal and Justice Ijaz Chaudhry has dismissed the government’s petition after hearing the case. SC also adjourned the hearing of children’s library case till Thursday and directed government to submit its reply in next hearing.

Maulana Aziz had been granted bail in 25 out of 27 cases, while he was acquitted in one case. He had been behind the bar since his arrest on July 3, 2007.

Bearish trend continues in KSE, Index crosses 7600 points
Updated at: 1939 PST, Tuesday, April 07, 2009

KARACHI: The Karachi Stock Exchange witnessed a continued bearish trend on Tuesday as index crossed the psychological bearer of 7,600 points.Today, trading began in positive way and this trend continues throughout the day. On one occasion, the KSE 100-index was seen at a level of 7,689 points and investors were looking active in banks and energy stocks.At the end of the day’s trading, the KSE 100-index closed at 7,635 points with an increase of 1 .... Full Story

Nawaz: US drone strikes counterproductive
Updated at: 1726 PST, Tuesday, April 07, 2009

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Muslim League-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif says that he has nothing personal against President Asif Ali Zardari, adding that his differences were based on principles.Speaking to reporters after meeting with US officials here on Tuesday, he said: “I have categorically shared my stance with US officials.” He said drone attacks in tribal areas by US forces are 'counterproductive'. “US President Barack Obama will have to change its .... Full Story

National Security Committee finalizes recommendations
Updated at: 1845 PST, Tuesday, April 07, 2009
ISLAMABAD: The Parliamentary Committee on National Security has finalized the recommendations for implementation of 14 points resolution passed by joint-session of the parliament.

This was announced by Chairman NSC Senator Raza Rabbani, while speaking to newsmen here on Tuesday.

Rabbani said the recommendations were unanimously framed by all members of the committee. The recommendations would be submitted in National Assembly ... Full Story

No possibility of international cricket’s immediate return to Pakistan: ICC
Updated at: 1650 PST, Thursday, April 02, 2009

DUBAI: High officials of the ICC said that the international cricket is not likely to be restored in Pakistan at the moment and Pakistan have to improve their security arrangements.Talking with media in Wellington, ICC President David Morgan ruled out the possibility of international cricket's immediate return to Pakistan but insisted that the trouble-torn country should not be isolated.In the wake of the March 3 attack on the Sri Lankan crickete .... Full Story

Bull run gains momentum; KSE up 259 points
Updated at: 1749 PST, Thursday, April 02, 2009

KARACHI: Bull-run gained momentum at Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) on Thursday, contributing 259 points to the benchmark KSE-100 which closed at 7,191.The market began upbeat where investors remained active throughout the session, taking fresh positions across the board. Energy and banking sectors particularly attracted the investors.At the end the major Index closed just below the level of 7200 points for the first time since December 2008 with m .... Full Story

China orders tightened Internet controls
Updated : Thursday April 2 , 2009 2:33:42 PM
BEIJING: China issued new rules Thursday cracking down on the posting of "harmful" political or religious videos online, two weeks after footage of police allegedly beating Tibetan monks circulated on the Web.

The rules ban online videos that harm national stability, "instigate hatred between ethnic groups" or "maliciously disparage" the nation's police or armed forces, a notice on the government's main website said.

The India-based government of the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, last month released footage allegedly showing brutality by Chinese security forces in Tibet.

The video appeared to show Tibetans, some in monks' robes, being shackled and beaten by police during anti-Chinese protests across the Tibetan plateau in March last year.

After the clips appeared online, access to video-sharing site Youtube was unavailable in China.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman this week refused to confirm whether the government had blocked the site.

Chinese authorities have a history of blocking websites they deem politically unacceptable or offensive, and their censoring of the Internet has created a so-called "Great Firewall of China".

The tightened restrictions, issued by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, also took aim at sexual and religious content.

They ban the posting of videos that "advocate evil cults and superstitions," a phrase that China often uses to refer to the banned Falungong spiritual sect, which the government views as a potential threat to its authority.

Also prohibited is the posting of movies and television shows without government permission, including foreign films, according to the rules.

China grants approval for only 20 foreign films to be screened in China each year and often requires that objectionable content be deleted before giving them the green light.

For example, in 2006 it ordered that scenes showing residents hanging their dirty laundry from balconies in Shanghai be deleted before "Mission Impossible III" could be screened, state media said at the time.

China has in recent years tried to rein in an explosion of online video content, which is often the only way ordinary citizens can view videos of such things as anti-government protests that would never be aired on the country's tightly controlled state television.

Wish Ajay Devgan Happy Birthday
Updated : Thursday April 2 , 2009 2:08:14 PM
MUMBAI: The two-time National award winner and Bollywood's most regarded actor Ajay Devgan celebrates his 40th birthday today.

Time and again Ajay has proven his acting talent and given us many memorable Hindi films. Beginning his career as an action hero in the early 90s, Devgan has since established himself as one of the actors open to serious roles in Bollywood.

If the actor gave us some critically acclaimed performances in films like ZAKHM, THE LEGEND OF BHAGAT SINGH, GANGAAJAL than he also made us laugh with outright comedies like ISHQ, MASTI, GOLMAAL, GOLMAAL RETURNS.

After successfully handling the production and distribution of films, Ajay tried his hand on direction and came out trumps with U ME AUR HUM, starring his wife Kajol as well as himself.

Currently Ajay is busy with his 2 big projects LONDON DREAMS, RAJNITI with 2 big filmmakers of Bollywood - Vipul Shah & Prakash Jha, which are slated for the release in the second half of the year 2009.

Join us in wishing the actor a very happy birthday and all the best wishes for his upcoming releases.

Obama, South Korean leader talk security
Updated : Thursday April 2 , 2009 1:26:10 PM
LONDON: President Barack Obama and his South Korean counterpart agree that the international community must unite around "a stern, united response" if North Korea proceeds with a planned rocket launch.

Obama and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak (lee myuhng bahk) met Thursday on the sidelines of the London G-20 summit on the world economy.

The South Korean presidential office issued a statement after the Obama-Lee meeting saying they had agreed "to work together in the course of" a joint reaction to the launch.

North Korea says it will send a communications satellite into orbit on a multistage rocket in the coming days. The U.S., South Korea and Japan call the plan a cover for testing long-range missile technology.

A touch-screen phone for the blind
Updated : Thursday April 2 , 2009 1:07:20 PM
ISLAMABAD: Scientists have now created a vibrating touch screen phone that can simulate Braille characters and bring the benefits of touch-screen technology to visually challenged people.

Taking a major step towards presenting Braille characters on mobile, Jussi Rantala of the University of Tampere in Finland and colleagues tried to display these dots on a touch-screen device, BBC radio reported.

The researchers used a cellphone which has a piezoelectric material built into the touch screen that vibrates when an electric signal is applied to it.

In Braille, letters are encoded using a two-by-three matrix in which each character is represented by a different configuration of raised and absent dots.

The experts installed software that represents a raised dot as a single pulse of intense vibration, and an absent dot as a longer vibration made up of several weaker pulses.

Facebook, Utube at work make better employees: study
Updated : Thursday April 2 , 2009 12:28:17 PM

MELBOURNE: Caught Twittering or on Facebook at work? It'll make you a better employee, according to an Australian study that shows surfing the Internet for fun during office hours increases productivity.

The University of Melbourne study showed that people who use the Internet for personal reasons at work are about 9 percent more productive that those who do not.

Study author Brent Coker, from the department of management and marketing, said "workplace Internet leisure browsing," or WILB, helped to sharpened workers' concentration.

"People need to zone out for a bit to get back their concentration," Coker said on the university's website (www.unimelb.edu.au/)

"Short and unobtrusive breaks, such as a quick surf of the Internet, enables the mind to rest itself, leading to a higher total net concentration for a days' work, and as a result, increased productivity," he said.

According to the study of 300 workers, 70 percent of people who use the Internet at work engage in WILB.

Among the most popular WILB activities are searching for information about products, reading online news sites, playing online games and watching videos on YouTube.

"Firms spend millions on software to block their employees from watching videos, using social networking sites or shopping online under the pretence that it costs millions in lost productivity," said Coker. "That's not always the case."

However, Coker said the study looked at people who browsed in moderation, or were on the Internet for less than 20 percent of their total time in the office.

"Those who behave with Internet addiction tendencies will have a lower productivity than those without," he said.

Stock market looks anxiously to polls
Updated : Thursday April 2 , 2009 12:17:19 PM

MUMBAI: The stock market is riding a a global rally and is hoping a major party wins a strong hand at coming elections, but could be beaten back if a fractious group of parties including Communists gains influence at the polls.

Investors are pricing victory for a coalition led by either the ruling Congress or Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) when the world's largest democracy goes to polls between April 16 and May 13 against a backdrop of slowing growth.

But cracks in the two main national coalitions have raised fears that a "Third Front" could tip the balance of power, which market watchers believe could pull down stocks by between 15 to 30 percent from current levels.

"Developments in politics seem to be increasing the probability of very fragmented parliament, which could spoil chances for a post-election recovery in markets as well," Morgan Stanley analyst Ridham Desai said in a recent note.

The benchmark 30-share BSE index fell more than 52 percent in 2008, a record fall, and lost ground at the start of 2009. The index looks to have found a footing since early March, rising 9 percent in the month on hopes the worst may have passed for the world economy.

That was enough to see the market finish the March quarter up 0.6 percent, its first quarterly rise since the end of 2007.

It rose another 2 percent on Wednesday to close at 9,901.99.

BRITTLE

The market thinks a government headed by either the Congress or BJP would be better equipped to tackle slowing economic growth and a widening budget deficit, and therefore lead shares on a more steady road to recovery after the elections.

But a Third Front coalition of smaller regional groups supported by the country's most influential hard-left party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), worries investors, and not only because they fear a slowing of economic liberalisation.

"Investors are worried not because the Third Front will block reforms, they are worried because the Third Front won't last three months," Gul Teckchandani, an independent investment strategist, said.

A brittle coalition could knock the market down if investors, particularly foreigners, head for the exit.

"I see the market falling at least 25 to 30 percent from current levels if there is political instability," said Jigar Shah, senior vice president at Kim Eng Securities.

The CPI(M), a major force behind the Third Front, has called for state control of the financial sector and restrictions on foreign investment to overcome the economic slowdown.

It pulled its support for the ruling Congress-led coalition last year over a civilian nuclear deal with the United States, after four years during which it blocked moves such as privatisations and relaxations of investment limits.

The Congress found another coalition partner, and survived.

In the five years to the end of 2007, including 2-½ years when the CPI(M) was supporting the Congress-led government, the stock market rose six times in value.

COALITION

One plausible outcome would be the Congress winning enough seats to set up a government with support from a large regional group such as the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

"Even a weak Congress-led coalition may dampen business sentiment and hold back portfolio inflows. India's double-digit fiscal deficit remains a challenge," said N. Krishnan, an analyst at CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets.

"We believe that a sustainable pick-up in investor sentiment will require signals on enhanced fiscal responsibility from the new government."

The leader of the CPI(M) has said his party would be open to talking to the Congress about forming a government after the upcoming elections, provided it is led by a Third Front.

Even if one of the major parties win, pro-market reforms in the insurance and banking sectors are not expected to be passed swiftly. But with the stock market beaten down so much, analysts said even a sense of strong and stable governance would help.

"If there is a favourable outcome, I am optimistic. We could see the Sensex at 11,000 to 12,000 levels by the end of the year," said Miten Mehta, fund manager at Bellwether Capital.

Salman, Katrina headed for separation

Updated : Thursday April 2 , 2009 12:09:49 PM
MUMBAI: Again the gossip column is filled up with Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif’s splitting news. Grapevine is abuzz that Salman Khan’s over possessive nature has widened the gap between the two.

He is said to be the root of their separation. Sallu is stubborn and overprotective and he does not want Kat to question him regarding any matter. He wanted to lead life according to his own wish.

Moreover, Salman wants a housewife who only manages his house and does not like an independent woman like Katrina who is ambitious.

Their bitter relationship came into forefront when both did not talk with each other on the set of Veer. Their long period of silence has given birth of their differences.

They were on the same venue but hardly spoke with each other and maintained a professional relationship.They remained far away from one throughout while shooting in Jodhpur.

It was easy on Salman’s part to call off his relationship but problem lies with Katrina Kaif who in five years of long commitments with Sallu not only fallen for him but also became very friendly and homely with Salman’s parents.

Hope, it is just another rumor that dies off with passing time.

Israel FM rules out any withdrawal from Golan
Updated : Thursday April 2 , 2009 12:02:38 PM
HELD AL-QUDS: Israel's new Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman ruled out any withdrawal by the Jewish state from the Golan Heights in exchange for peace with Syria.

"There is no cabinet resolution regarding negotiations with Syria, and we have already said that we will not agree to withdraw from the Golan Heights," Lieberman said in an interview to the Haaretz daily on Thursday.

"Peace will only be in exchange for peace," he said.

The interview came a day after firebrand Lieberman said the new government led by hawkish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not bound by the US-backed agreement to relaunch peace talks with the Palestinians reached in 2007 at the Annapolis, Maryland conference.

The Golan Heights is a strategic plateau that Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Six Day War and annexed in 1981, a move not recognised by the international community.

Syria, which technically remains in a state of war with Israel, wants the territory back as part of any peace deal with the Jewish state.

Israel and Syria conducted indirect talks last year via Turkey, but these were stopped at the end of December when Israel launched a devastating war in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip.

Israel's former prime minister Ehud Olmert said recently that the two sides were on the brink of starting direct negotiations.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Monday that Arabs "do not have a real partner in the peace process" in the Netanyahu government.

G-20 leaders: We can unite to beat crisis
Leaders attending the G-20 summit in London say they are confident they can bridge their differences to unite on a plan to help address the economic crisis. full story

Sonam can do anything for Shahrukh
Updated : Thursday April 2 , 2009 11:34:35 AM
MUMBAI: Sonam Kapoor may be just two films old but she is very choosy about her roles and scripts and has set some guidelines for her own but for two particular people, she may put all her demands at the backburner and also feels no hesitation to break the rules that she has set for her. The men in question is none other than the Badshah of Bollywood Shahrukh Khan and Hollywood star, Robert De Niro.

"Well, why would one actually ask questions if paired opposite Robert De Niro?" asks Sonam with a mischievous smile. "You should consider yourself plain fortunate to just share a common frame with him. In fact, I will be happy to even walk past a frame featuring him. No questions asked. Period."

Sonam in her first two films starred opposite Ranbir Kapoor and Abhishek Bachchan and now she is eagerly looking forward to work with Shahrukh Khan.

"He is another man for whom I will be so very willing to ignore my rule book. I would be more than happy to go ahead and sign a film if Shahrukh happens to be my hero," says Sonam, a big SRK’s fan.

"There are exceptions that one makes about the size and content of the role when it comes to working with legendary actors; De Niro and Shahrukh just fit the bill," she said.

Well, we hope that someone listens to Sonam’s heart soon and fulfills her demand.

Rift threatens to torpedo G-20 summit
The G-20 summit opens, with leaders looking to repair a rift after France and Germany threatened to withdraw their support unless tough rules are agreed to regulate the world's financial markets. full story

Poor mental function tied to long work hours

Updated : Thursday April 2 , 2009 11:58:54 AM
ISLAMABAD: People who work beyond the standard 40-hour week may show a faster mental decline in middle-age.

Researchers from UK followed-up 2,214 middle-aged civil service participants for five years. At the beginning and end of the study period, employees completed five standard tests of cognitive function, Health News reported.

In general, it was found that workers who logged 55-plus hours per week scored lower on one test a vocabulary test at both the beginning and the end of the study.

They also showed a greater decline over time in a test of so-called fluid intelligence, which is related to a person's ability to reason and problem-solve.

Employees, who worked long hours tended to have higher stress levels, slept less and drank more than their counterparts who worked a standard week. However, that did not fully explain their lower cognitive-test performance.

Compared with men and women who worked 35 to 40 hours per week, those who worked 55 hours or more showed a greater decline in reasoning ability over five years.

It's not clear whether the long work hours themselves explain the difference. The researchers accounted for a number of other factors like workers' specific jobs, education and medical conditions like high blood pressure and heart disease.

Still there may be other, unmeasured factors that account for the association between long work hours and poorer cognitive function.

ANKARA: Pakistan, Afghanistan and Turkey on Wednesday vowed to increase coordination among their political, military and intelligence tiers to jointly fight militancy and terrorism and achieve greater economic cooperation to bring peace and stability to the region.

President Asif Ali Zardari, Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who gathered here in the Turkish capital for a day-long summit, reiterated their resolve to follow up on the decisions taken during the second Istanbul summit.

The three presidents decided to expand and strengthen the trilateral cooperation among Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkey, and stressed the need for interaction among their relevant political institutions.

Turkey accepted a request of Pakistan and Afghanistan to host a regional summit of neighboring countries of Afghanistan for a broader initiative to help the country recover from years of strife, war and infighting.

The three presidents, who were also accompanied by the chiefs of army and intelligence officials of their countries, focused on trilateral, regional and international issues of common interest, particularly from a security and stability perspective in the context of the fight against terrorism, a joint statement issued at the conclusion said.

The trilateral summit that came only four months after the second summit in Istanbul last year, focused on security and intelligence, with the three heads of states stressing closer cooperation to deal with the extremists more effectively.

Later addressing a press conference along with President Zardari and Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said the focus of the summit was peace, security and prosperity in the region.

“Turkish [people] have always sided with their brethren in Pakistan and Afghanistan. They have a special place in our hearts,” he said.

Gul said it was due to the same reason Ankara peace process was launched in 2007.

He said, “we know problems of our countries in a better manner and any solution from outside would not be as effective we would propose.”

According to the understanding developed at the third summit, the three countries will continue to pursue a structured and comprehensive dialogue at different levels; including trilateral military cooperation and training; security cooperation in counter terrorism and counter narcotics; energy projects; transport corridors; establishment of organized industrial zones in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and undertake socio-economic projects on education, health and vocational training.

The day-long summit attained greater significance as it will help Turkey, a key member of the military alliance of the 26 member NATO, convey the perceptions and requirements of Pakistan and Afghanistan at its forthcoming summit in France.

Citing the reasons for holding the summit side by side with NATO meeting, the Turkish President said the Untied States was taking keen interest in the region.

He said Turkey would play its role in helping the United States understand the situation in the region.

“It is for the first time that the military and intelligence chiefs of Afghanistan and Pakistan attended the trilateral summit, which is a reflection of deeper commitment to work together,” Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi told reporters after meeting his Afghan and Turkish counterparts on the sidelines.

The joint statement reiterated the resolve to continue trilateral contacts at all levels and stated that the summit covered bilateral, regional and international issues of common interest particularly from a security and stability perspective.

The meeting noted the process initiated at the first summit in Ankara and subsequent meetings of the Joint Working Groups and agreed to continue it forward by including the military and intelligence chiefs of the three countries along with the political leadership in a reflection of complete unanimity at all tiers.

The three countries also agreed that their foreign ministers will meet once a year along with their heads of military and intelligence counterparts to broaden the area cooperation and effectively address the issues confronting the two neighbors.

Turkey is of the view that both Pakistan and Afghanistan need to resolve all their issues, counter extremism, terrorism and militancy and work for the betterment of the people for greater regional peace, stability and solidarity of the two countries.

The one-day summit is the third that Turkey has hosted in the past three years, in what has become known as the Ankara process.

The leaders reviewed the agreements finalized at the December summit in Istanbul and focused on ways to seek their early implementation. Under the decisions taken at Istanbul Pakistan and Turkey can initiate joint projects on the Pakistan side, besides having similar joint ventures with Afghanistan on the other side of the border.

The trilateral summit is expected to bring Pakistan and Afghanistan closer. Their ties witnessed a thaw, with the swearing in of President Asif Ali Zardari as country’s president in September this year. As a special gesture of goodwill, President Hamid Karzai was the guest of honour at President Zardari’s swearing in.

Since assuming his office President Zardari has had several meetings with his Afghan counterpart with both the sides striving for improved relations.

Pak, Afghan, Turkey vow trilateral support
Updated : Wednesday April 1 , 2009 9:23:31 PM
In the morning, the Presidents of Pakistan, Turkey and Afghanistan informally met to discuss greater cooperation on security and intelligence sharing, ahead of the formal trilateral meeting later in the day.

President Zardari also had a meeting with President Abdullah Gul, which was followed by meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The Turkish leaders also held separate meetings with the Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

President Abdullah Gul also hosted a luncheon in honour of the Presidents, foreign ministers, their military and intelligence chiefs at the President House.

Turkey had brought the presidents of Afghanistan and Pakistan together at tripartite summits held in 2007 and 2008, where the talks aimed at reducing tensions over militant attacks along the Pak-Afghan border and to build trust between the two neighbors.

Dir rocket attack leaves five cops dead
Updated : Wednesday April 1 , 2009 9:21:59 PM
TIMERGARA: At least five police men were killed including SHO, ASI and three constables when their van was hit by a rocket at Shringle road in Dir Upper district, reported ARY OneWorld here Wednesday.

The police official at Dir Upper told media persons that the miscreants attacked the police mobile squad with rockets during routine patrolling of the area.

The dead were identified as SHO Shringle Police Station Faatihur Rehman, Assistant Sub-Inspector Ameer Khan and three constables whose names could not be ascertained.

Police have started search for the arrest of the culprits and cordoned off the entire area. The attack on the police van was made in extremely hilly track.

Sufi urges president to sing Nizam-e-Adal rule
Updated : Thursday April 2 , 2009 11:48:58 AM

TIMERGARA: Chief of Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi Maulana Sufi Muhammad on Thursday called upon president Asif Ali Zardari to immediately sign the Nizam-e-Adal Regulation.

He was talking to ARY OneWorld here before leaving for Swat.

Maulana said that he would remain in touch with the provincial government and continue his efforts till the complete enforcement of Nizam-e-Adal Regulation in Swat, Malakand Division and Kohistan.

Militants behead police officer in Peshawar: police

PESHAWAR ( 2009-04-02 15:51:55 ) :Security forces on Thursday recovered the beheaded corpse of a police officer abducted by militants in Peshawar, police said.

The body of inspector Tariq Khan was dumped on a roadside in Matani, on the outskirts of the city, local police officer Farhad Khan said.

"He was slaughtered by Taliban militants. They placed his severed head over his body," he said. The police official was kidnapped by militants three days ago, Khan added.

He said it was the first beheading of a police official in Peshawar, although militants in restive tribal regions on Pakistan's border with Afghanistan frequently kill local tribesmen and Afghan refugees.

PM, CJSC discuss professional matters

ISLAMABAD ( 2009-04-02 15:31:54 ) :Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Tariq Majeed on Thursday called on Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani at PM House here and discussed professional matters with him.

PM for continuing previous anti-terror policies
Updated : Thursday April 2 , 2009 3:39:20 PM
LAHORE: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Thursday invited Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz to join the federal cabinet once again.

Addressing a news conference here at Lahore airport, flanked by chief minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif and Governor Salman Taseer, the PM said that the government would respect public mandate to continue the political and democratic process in the country and to meet public aspirations.

He extended felicitations to Shahbaz Sharif for the restoration of his government.

“We welcome the restoration of Punjab government and reinstatement of judiciary.”

Gilani said the government wants implementation of Charter of Democracy adding that the committee would be constituted shortly in this regard in the national assembly session on April 9.

PM vowed to continue the policies of previous regime in the war against terrorism, saying the state would not hold talks with those militants who denied lying down arms.

Australian High Commissioner calls on PM

ISLAMABAD ( 2009-04-02 15:14:29 ) :Australian High Commissioner in Pakistan Zorica McCarthy on Thursday called on Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani here at the PM House.

The prime minister welcomed the Australian offer of working on the soft projects in Fata as well as their interest for possible support in education, health and agriculture sectors in the country.

Zorica McCarthy while appreciating the role of Pakistan in combating terrorism extended Australian government's full support to confront the challenges effectively.

Local PPP leader shot dead in Karachi

KARACHI ( 2009-04-02 10:55:53 ) :A local leader of Pakistan Peoples Party was shot dead by unidentified assailants in front of his residence in Clifton Block-2 area, here on Thursday morning.

Shams Bihari was sitting in his car along with his daughter when unknown armed men opened fire killing him on the spot. Bihari was shifted to nearby hospital but succumbed to fatal injuries.

According to police he received seven bullets.

A number of PPP workers thronged to his residence after receiving information of the murder.

Muzzafarabad road mishap claims seven lives

MUZZAFARABAD ( 2009-04-02 11:59:42 ) :Seven people were killed and 15 injured when a jeep plunged into ravine in Muzzafarabad on Thursday.

According to sources, a jeep traveling from Konkan to Patika has plunged into a gorge due to slippery road while negotiating a curve.

The bodies of deceased handed over to relatives whereas injured were shifted to nearby hospitals.

Obama pursuing Bush policy with little change: Nawaz

LONDON ( 2009-04-02 10:16:35 ) :US President Barack Obama’s policy to halt the advance of militants in Pakistan differs little from the disastrous one pursued by his predecessor, Nawaz Sharif, PML-N chief, told the Financial Times.

Nawaz Sharif seeks a cross-party approach to fighting militancy Nawaz Sharif, was sharply critical of US policy in Pakistan saying former US president George W Bush had helped promote terrorism by backing military ruler General Pervez Musharraf. He said Bush was against Pakistan’s return to democracy and deaf to advice.

Bush was never keen that Pakistan should get back to the democratic path and provided blind support to Musharraf, Sharif said.

Last week, the US president launched a strategic partnership with Pakistan, offering military and development assistance to help it recover from the menace of a growing insurgency.

He described al Qaeda, the militant group, as a “cancer that risks killing Pakistan from within” and called the border areas with Afghanistan the “most dangerous place in the world”.

“President Obama has now come up with a new policy with little changes, very minor changes as compared to the last policy,” Sharif said. “But I think the consultative process is better than it used to be during Bush’s time,” he added.

UN chief says crisis could result in failed states

LONDON ( 2009-04-02 10:06:00 ) :UN chief Ban Ki-moon warned Thursday that failing to act to halt the global economic crisis could lead to widespread social unrest and failed states, ahead of the G20 crisis summit here.

"What began as a financial crisis has become a global economic crisis," the UN secretary general wrote in an article in the Guardian newspaper. "I fear worse to come -- a full-blown political crisis defined by growing social unrest, weakened governments and angry publics who have lost all faith in their leaders and their own future."

He said the global economic downturn affected the poorest countries the most, and noted that in these countries "things fall apart alarmingly fast".

"Unless we build a worldwide recovery we face a looming catastrophe in human development," Ban wrote.

World leaders meet in London on Thursday to decide how to tackle the global financial crisis, but are divided on whether to boost the world economy with an injection of capital, or to focus on new rules to prevent another such crisis.

Ban called for a "truly global stimulus" package, and argued that developing countries need one trillion dollars over 2009 and 2010.

He added: "There is a thin line between failing banks and failing countries, and we cross it at our peril."

London police make 86 arrests in violent G20 protests

LONDON ( 2009-04-02 14:18:44 ) :Police said on Thursday they made 86 arrests during the lengthy violent protests that besieged central London's financial district ahead of the G20 summit.

Thousands of people demonstrated on the streets of London on Wednesday in angry demonstrations that descended into violent battles with riot police and saw one man collapse and die.

Protesters were set to take to the streets again on Thursday, this time close to the ExCeL exhibition centre in east London's Docklands, where the summit is taking place.

Some protesters smashed their way into the offices of the state-owned Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) next to the Bank of England on Wednesday, breaking through windows, hurling out office equipment and trying to set it ablaze.

The 86 arrests were for a range of offences, including violent disorder, aggravated burglary, arson, bomb threats and possession of ammunition.

Four people have been charged with offences so far, three with possessing a bladed weapon and one with assault.

Police said that about 4,000 protesters had converged on the City of London financial district.

Riot police penned in the protesters and let them out one by one. Some were still being dispersed early Thursday, more than 12 hours after the demonstration began.

Expecting demonstrations and disorder, police launched a massive security operation to keep protesters at bay.

Up to 4,700 police officers, including public order teams, intelligence gatherers and diplomatic security specialists were to be on duty Thursday in the British capital.

The London Stock Exchange opened without incident, despite threats from protesters. Police officers circled the entrance to the building.

US aid bill to Pak likely to be delayed: official

WASHINGTON ( 2009-04-02 09:30:53 ) :The US Congress likely will not complete legislation tripling US non-military assistance to Pakistan before late April at the earliest, a congressional aide said Wednesday.

Democratic Senator John Kerry and Republican Richard Lugar, the senior members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, were expected shortly to introduce their plan for boosting aid to the US ally by 7.5 billion dollars over the next five years.

Both senators have described the package as urgent, but it could be weeks before the Senate and House of Representatives send US President Barack Obama legislation he can sign into law, the aide said on condition of anonymity.

The official spoke to reporters on condition that he not be named and that he not be directly quoted.

The legislation would first have to clear Kerry's panel, which would likely not happen until after a two-week congressional recess due to start April 6, then get through the full Senate.

The House of Representatives would have to pass companion legislation, after which the two chambers would have to reconcile their versions to send a compromise to Obama, a process that could drag into May or later, the aide said.

Pakistan gets second tranche of $848m from IMF

KARACHI ( 2009-04-02 11:07:58 ) :Pakistan has received a second tranche worth $848 million of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan approved last year to avert a balance of payments crisis, the State Bank of Pakistan said on Thursday.

"We have received the second tranche of $848 million," said Syed Wasimuddin, chief spokesman of the State Bank.

Pakistan agreed in November to an IMF emergency loan package of $7.6 billion. It got a first tranche of $3.1 billion that month.

The IMF approved the second tranche on Monday when it said the Pakistani economy was gradually recovering from the macroeconomic and external imbalances of 2007 and 2008, and a programme aimed at restoring financial stability while protecting the poor was "firmly on track".

Pakistan also received $500 million from the World Bank on Tuesday. The World Bank approved the $500 million interest-free loan last week to help stabilise the economy in the face of political and economic turmoil and investor uncertainty.

Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves rose by $100 million to $10.26 billion in the week that ended on March 21, the State Bank said last week.

The State Bank's reserves rose to $6.79 billion from $6.69 billion a week earlier while reserves held by commercial banks were flat at $3.47 billion, the bank said.

The latest data for foreign exchange reserves is due later in the day. The $500 million from the World Bank and $848 million from the IMF would be reflected in data released next week.

Foreign reserves hit a record high of $16.5 billion in October 2007 but fell to $6.6 billion in November last year, largely because of a soaring import bill.

The rupee was flat at 80.55/62 to the dollar at 11:17 a.m. (0617 GMT) compared with Wednesday's close of 80.52/60.

Dealers say they expected the rupee to weaken in the medium- to long-term despite foreign inflows because of a slowdown in the economy.

Federer, William sisters into semis of Miami Tennis
Updated at: 1225 PST, Thursday, April 02, 2009

MIAMI: Roger Federer continued his domination of Andy Roddick, this time winning a tough match, topping the former world No. 1 American, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 to move into the semifinals at Miami Masters Tennis.The second-seeded Federer, who beat Roddick in this year's Aussie Open semis, moved to 17-2 lifetime against him. The Super Swiss, who won this event back- to back in 2005 and 2006 and was the runner-up here in 2002, will next meet Serbian Novak D .... Full Story

Special committee will be formed for textile sector: Tareen
Updated at: 1222 PST, Thursday, April 02, 2009

ISLAMABAD: A special committee would be established to review problems of textile sector and to enhance its performance.Finance advisor Shaukat Tareen stated this in a high level meeting about textile sector. He said exploring new markets for textile products is necessary and more textile cities are needed across the country.The meeting reviewed problems facing by textile sector, impact of power crisis and profit margin. .... Full Story

G20 summit begins amid protests
Updated at: 1336 PST, Thursday, April 02, 2009

LONDON: The G20 summit has opened to discuss the global economy amid protests.Police were out in force as leaders of theG20 financial powers met to discuss the global economy, after sometimes violent clashes a day earlier during which one man collapsed and died and police made 86 arrests. Security was tight at the summit venue, the ExCel Center in east London's Docklands area. Police manned barriers and checkpoints around the security perimeter .... Full Story

Suicide attack thwarted in Malakand
Updated at: 1405 PST, Thursday, April 02, 2009

MALAKAND: Locals in Dargai area of Malakand Agency have thwarted a suicide attack during funeral prayers of SHO shot dead in Sharengal area of upper Dir on Wednesday. According to sources, namaz-i-janaza of slain SHO Qadir Fateh Rehman was underway in Dargai when locals pointed out two suspects and tried to nab them. One of them shot himself while another managed to escape. A hand grenade and a bag were found near the body of the suspect bomber. .... Full Story

Govt to issue 100 licenses for oil, gas exploration
Updated at: 1442 PST, Thursday, April 02, 2009
ISLAMABAD: The government on Thursday announced new petroleum policy for the year 2009.

Addressing a press conference here, Advisor to Prime Minister for Petroleum & Natural Resources, Dr. Asim Husain said that over 100 licennses would be issued for oil and gas exploration in the country. He said the new liberal policy will attract local and foreign investors and the government will provide them with all facilities in this regard.
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Kuznetsova makes semis in Miami tennis
Updated at: 1203 PST, Wednesday, April 01, 2009

MIAMI: Novak Djokovic downed Tomas Berdych 6-3, 6-2 for the men's last eight while Svetlana Kuznetsova became the first woman to make the semifinal at the Miami Tennis Tournament.Also making the men's quarterfinal are No. 4 Andy Murray, No. 5 Andy Roddick, No. 6 Juan Martin del Potro and No. 8 Fernando Verdasco.10th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga won 6-7 (4), 6-3 and 6-2 against fellown Frenchman and No. 7 Gilles Simon, the highest-seeded man to be elim .... Full Story

KSE-100-Index gains 72 points
Updated at: 1741 PST, Wednesday, April 01, 2009

KARACHI: The benchmark KSE-100 Index at Karachi Stock Exchange Wednesday advanced by 72 points to close at 6,931.Profit taking witnessed in energy and banking sectors today kept the market range bound.Market turnover was recorded at 200 million shares with OGDC emerging as toda’sy volume leader which gained Rs3.83 to finish at Rs73.90.

Al-Qaeda planning attacks on US from Pakistan: Obama
Updated at: 1511 PST, Wednesday, April 01, 2009

LONDON: US President Barack Obama said Wednesday that al-Qaeda was planning to attack the US mainland from Pakistani soil and added that the US would chase and defeat the terrorist organization wherever it is present in the world.Addressing a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown here, Obama said the US policy was clear for both Pakistan and Afghanistan and Afghanistan would not be allowed to become a safe haven of al-Qa .... Full Story