Earthquake hits Turkey, up to 1,000 possibly killed
 

[B][U][CENTER][SIZE="5"]Earthquake hits Turkey, up to 1,000 possibly killed[/SIZE][/CENTER][/U][/B]

ANKARA:
A powerful earthquake which shook southeast Turkey on Sunday may have killed up to a 1,000 people as it triggered the collapse of dozens of buildings across the region, media reported the Kandilli Observatory as saying.

Emergency workers battled to rescue people trapped in buildings in the city of Van and surrounding districts on the banks of Lake Van, near Turkey’s border with Iran.

Some 10 buildings collapsed in Van city and about 25-30 buildings were brought to the ground in the nearby district of Ercis, Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay told reporters.

“We estimate around 1,000 buildings are damaged and our estimate is for hundreds of lives lost. It could be 500 or 1,000,” Kandilli Observatory general manager Mustafa Erdik told a news conference.

Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan was travelling to Van and the cabinet was expected to discuss the quake at a meeting called for Monday morning.

“A lot of buildings collapsed, many people were killed, but we don’t know the number. We are waiting for emergency help, it’s very urgent,” Zulfukar Arapoglu, the mayor of Ercis, told news broadcaster NTV.

Cihan news agency said 30 had been killed in Ercis district.

“We need tents urgently and rescue teams. We don’t have any ambulances, and we only have one hospital. We have many killed and injured,” he said.

Turkey’s Red Crescent said one of its local teams was helping to rescue people from a student residence in Ercis. It said it was sending tents, blankets and food to the region.

More than 20 aftershocks shook the area, further unsettling residents who ran out on the streets when the initial strong quake struck. Television pictures showed rooms shaking and furniture falling to the ground as people ran from one building.

Dozens of emergency workers and locals crawled over a multi-storey building in Van as they searched for any people trapped inside.

Elsewhere, vehicles lay crushed by falling masonry in the street while dazed-looking people wandered past.

Some 50 injured people had been taken to hospital in Van, state-run Anatolian news agency reported, but it did not give details on how serious their injuries were.

The Kandilli Observatory, which initially cited a magnitude of 6.6, said the earthquake struck at 10:41 GMT and was 5 km (3 miles) deep. The US Geological Survey (USGC) earlier reported that the magnitude was 7.6.

Turkish media said phone lines and electricity had been cut off. The quake’s epicentre was at the village of Tabanli, 20 km north of Van city, Kandilli said.

In Hakkari, about 100 km (60 miles) south of Van, a building could be felt swaying for about 10 seconds during the quake but there was no immediate sign of casualties or damage in the town, about two and a half hours drive through the mountains from Van.

Major geological fault lines cross Turkey and small earthquakes are a near daily occurrence. Two large quakes in 1999 killed more than 20,000 people in northwest Turkey.

[B]Source: [URL="http://tribune.com.pk/story/280248/earthquake-hits-turkey-up-to-1000-possibly-killed/"]Earthquake in Turkey[/URL][/B]

[CENTER][IMG]http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j374/madeel206/Arain007/Jang26oct.gif[/IMG][/CENTER]

[B][U][CENTER][SIZE="5"]Zil-Hajj moon sighted, Eidul Azha on November 7[/SIZE][/CENTER][/U][/B]

The Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee has sighted the Zil-Hajj moon, with the first of Zil-Hajj falling on Saturday October 29, and Eidul Azha to take place on Monday November seven.

Most gulf countries had their moon sighting yesterday (Thursday) and are due to celebrate Eidul Azha on November six.

With the date of Eid decided, it is expected that the prices of sacrificial animals would rise as people throng the cattle markets to purchase goats, cows, and camels.

[B]Source: [URL="http://tribune.com.pk/story/284003/zil-hajj-moon-sighted-eidul-azha-on-november-7/"]Sighting of Zil-Haj Moon[/URL][/B]

Pakistan test fires Babur missile
 

[B][U][CENTER][SIZE="5"]Pakistan test fires Babur missile[/SIZE][/CENTER][/U][/B]

Pakistan successfully test-fired the cruise missile Hatf-VII on Friday, according to an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release.

The indigenously developed missile has a range of 700 kilometers and also has stealth capabilities. According to the ISPR statement, the missile can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads.

The Hatf-VII (Babur) is a low-flying, terrain-hugging missile with high maneuverability, pin point accuracy and radar avoidance features.

The test was witnessed by Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Khalid Shamim Wynne, Director General Strategic Plans Division Lieutenant General (Retd) Khalid Ahmed Kidwai, Commander Army Strategic Force Command Lieutenant General Tariq Nadeem Gilani and Chairman National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM) Muhammad Irfan Burney, senior officers and from the armed forces and strategic organizations, scientists and engineers.

The test has also been appreciated by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, who have congratulated the scientists and engineers on their outstanding success.

[B]Source: [URL="http://tribune.com.pk/story/283964/pakistan-test-fires-babur-missile/"]Pakistan Test Fires Babur Missile[/URL][/B]

[CENTER][IMG]http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x402/Tassawur/bon.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER]


[B][I][url=http://jang.com.pk/jang/nov2011-daily/29-11-2011/index.html]Latest News - Breaking News - Pakistan News | Daily Jang[/url][/I][/B]

[B][CENTER][SIZE="4"]Pir Pagara passes away in London[/SIZE][/CENTER][/B]

LONDON: Spiritual Leader of Hur Community and Chief of Pakistan Muslim League (Functional) Pir Pagara breathed his last at the age of 83 here on Tuesday, Geo News reported.

Pir Pagara was taken to a hospital in London for treatment after suffering from an infection following his surgery in Karachi a few days ago.

Born in Pir Jo Goth, Sindh in 1928, Pir Pagara spent a major part of his life actively engaged in Pakistan's politics.

[url=http://www.geo.tv/GeoDetail.aspx?ID=30396]Pir Pagara passes away[/url]

[B][CENTER][SIZE="4"][FONT="Georgia"]PM sacks Defence Secretary[/FONT][/SIZE][/CENTER][/B]

ISLAMABAD: The government on Wednesday terminated the contract of Defence Secretary Lt General Naeem Khalid Lodhi (retd) with immediate effect for "gross misconduct and illegal action".

Lodhi had assumed the charge on Nov. 28, 2011.

A Prime Minister House statement issued here said the Defence Secretary was sacked "for creating misunderstanding between the state institutions".

Cabinet Secretary Nargis Sethi has been given additional charge of Ministry of Defence. (APP)

[url=http://www.geo.tv/GeoDetail.aspx?ID=30483]PM sacks Defence Secretary[/url]


[B][SIZE="4"][CENTER][FONT="Georgia"]PM Gilani’s allegations against COAS, DG ISI serious: ISPR[/FONT][/CENTER][/SIZE][/B]

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan's army warned Wednesday that critical comments made by the prime minister would have "serious ramifications" and could wreak "potentially grievous consequences for the country".

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani earlier in the week told China's People's Daily online that the army chief and head of intelligence services had acted unlawfully by making unilateral submissions to an ongoing Supreme Court inquiry.

The ISPR statement said: "APP issued a statement on 9th of January 2012 giving details of the interview given by the Honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan to The People's Daily Online of China when the COAS was also on an official visit to China. The Honourable Prime Minister inter alia termed the responses given by COAS and DG ISI in the alleged Memo Case to the Honourable Supreme Court of Pakistan as unconstitutional and illegal".

This part of the statement has been quoted and widely debated in the media. There can be no allegation more serious than what the Honourable Prime Minister has leveled against COAS and DG ISI and has unfortunately charged the officers for violation of the Constitution of the Country. This has very serious ramifications with potentially grievous consequences for the Country.

The statement does not take into account following important facts:-
- COAS and DG ISI were cited as Respondents in the Petitions as such and after hearing the parties the Honourable Supreme Court served notices directly to the Respondents. This was not objected to by the learned Attorney General of Pakistan.

- The responses by the respondents were sent to the Ministry of Defence for onward submission to the Honourable Supreme Court, through Attorney General (Law Ministry).

- A letter was also dispatched to the Attorney General of Pakistan and the Honourable Supreme Court of Pakistan informing that the replies have been submitted to the Ministry of Defence.

- It is emphasized that copies of the statements of the two Respondents were not forwarded directly to the Supreme Court.

- Responsibility for moving summaries and obtaining approvals of Competent Authority thereafter lay with the relevant ministries and not with the Respondents.

It is also highlighted that after a meeting between the Honourable Prime Minister and the COAS, the Honourable Prime Minister had publicly stated through a press release of 16th December 2011 that the replies submitted were " in response to the notice of the Court through proper channel and in accordance with the rules of business." No objections were raised before and thereafter, on the legality and constitutional status of the replies, at any time, during the last more than three weeks of hearing of the case by the Honourable Supreme Court.

It is also categorically stated that COAS and DG ISI in their response to the Honourable Supreme Court were obliged to state facts as known to them, on the Memo Issue. The issue of jurisdiction and maintainability of the Petitions was between the Honourable Supreme Court and the Federation.

Any expectation that COAS will not state the facts is neither constitutional nor legal. Allegiance to State and the Constitution is and will always remain prime consideration for the Respondent, who in this case has followed the book.

[url=http://www.geo.tv/GeoDetail.aspx?ID=30482]PM Gilani[/url]

DPO office attacked in D I Khan
 

[COLOR="DarkOrange"][SIZE="6"][CENTER][U][B][FONT="Georgia"]DPO office attacked in D I Khan[/FONT][/B][/U][/CENTER][/SIZE][/COLOR]


[CENTER][IMG]http://images.thenews.com.pk/updates_pics/1-14-2012_30848_l.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER]
DERA ISMAIL KHAN: An incident of bomb explosions and heavy firing took place as unidentified armed men attacked DPO office in Kacheri district of Dera Ismail Khan, police official said.

According to the sources, seven to eight attackers assaulted DPO office with hand grenades and heavy firing. Residents of he area said that seven bomb explosions were heard.

Sources also said that a bomber blew himself up inside the DPO office.

[B][SIZE="4"][INDENT][INDENT]Mansoor Ijaz gets visa from Pakistan HC in London[/INDENT][/INDENT][/SIZE][/B]


LONDON: Mansoor Ijaz has obtained Pakistan visa from Pakistan High Commission in London, Geo News reported on Thursday.

Mansoor Ijaz, the central character in memogate issue, personally visited the office of Pakistan High Commission in London where he was issued a multiple visa for one year along with summon from the Parliamentary Committee.

Before visiting the office of Pakistan High Commission, Mansoor Ijaz made a telephonic contact with the office.

Ijaz is due to appear before the Memo Commission in Pakistan on January 24 and before the Parliamentary Committee on January 26.

The memo commission was formed by the Supreme Court investigate into the controversial memo delivered to the US through Mansoor Ijaz.

Source: [U][url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-31631-Ijaz-gets-visa-from-Pak-HC-in-London]Mansoor Ijaz gets visa from Pakistan HC in London[/url][/U]

[B][CENTER][SIZE="4"][FONT="Georgia"]DCO Gwadar found murdered in Karachi[/FONT][/SIZE][/CENTER][/B]

[B]By Web Desk
Published: March 6, 2012[/B]

KARACHI: The bullet riddled body of District Coordination Officer Gwadar, Abdul Rehman Dasti was found from a car in Defence Phase V, Karachi, Express News reported on early Tuesday morning.

Police found the car, a Black Toyota Corolla, GR 002, parked outside a bungalow on Khayaban-e-Tanzeem, with the DCO still inside, but riddled with bullets.

SP Clifton, Tariq Dharejo said that the victim had probably been shot while inside the car along with his attackers. He believed that the murder could possibly be the result of personal enmity.

Police added that the car had been possibly moved away from the house where it was initially parked before police found it.

Dasti was visiting Karachi on official business.

A heavy contingent of police has reached the spot and is investigating the matter. Two gatekeepers in the immediate vicinity of the incident have been taken by police for questioning.

The case follows the target killing of the wife and daughter of MPA Mir Bakhtiar Domki in Karachi last month.

[url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/346055/dco-gwadar-found-murdered-in-karachi/]DCO Gwadar found murdered in Karachi – The Express Tribune[/url]