Qaeda, Mehsud prime suspects in Lahore attacks

* US team visits FIA building
* 15 more suspects held from Lahore
* 4 members of banned outfit arrested from Muzaffargarh

By Shahnawaz Khan

LAHORE: A meeting of law-enforcement and intelligence agencies on Thursday named Al Qaeda and pro-Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud as the prime suspects in Tuesday’s twin suicide attacks in Lahore.

Sources privy to the meeting said representatives of intelligence agencies, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Punjab Police and the Crime Investigation Department said Lahore was being targeted because it housed regional headquarters of various security agencies.

Investigators said at the meeting that Lahore was not a new target as intelligence had arrested 48 suspects including seven would-be suicide bombers from the provincial capital and seized 640 kilogrammes of explosives before Muharram.

Sources in law-enforcement agencies said the owner of the vehicle used in the FIA building attack had made important revelations.

US investigators: Dawn News television said a team of US investigators visited the FIA regional headquarters bombing site on Thursday. The channel said FIA Director General Tariq Pervez had asked the Interior Ministry for a team of foreign investigators to probe the attacks.

The team, consisting of two men and a woman, were accompanied by Cantt SP (Investigations) Babar Bakht, and spent twenty minutes at the site, the channel said. It quoted unidentified FIA sources as confirming the arrival of the investigators but said their plans would be kept secret because of security fears. The team is likely to visit the Model Town attack site before flying back to Islamabad, the channel
said said.

15 held from Lahore: The Punjab Police on Thursday held 15 more suspects in connection with Tuesday’s bombings. Police sources said the men were being questioned.

Police also conducted several raids in southern Punjab, they added.

Four arrested from Muzaffargarh: APP said the district police held four members of a banned organisation from Muzaffargarh on Thursday. They were identified as Moinullah, Qari Taj Muhammad Saqib, Abdur Razzaq Mandhera and Rana Ihsan Phullu.

Police also raided the houses of Qari Khalid Mahmood Zia and Maulana Abdur Rashid Bilal at Khangarh but could not arrest them, the news agency said.

On Wednesday, police had arrested more than 50 suspects – most of them from banned militant organisations – in raids in Lahore, Faisalabad, Okara, Dera Ghazi Khan and Bahawalpur, and had said they were investigating whether Al Qaeda was behind the attacks.

At least 30 people were killed and more than 200 others wounded in suicide blasts at the Federal Investigation Agency headquarters and an advertising agency office in Model Town on Tuesday morning. Attackers rammed explosives-laden vehicles into the targets in both the attacks.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...4-3-2008_pg1_1

OIC leaders angered at West’s Islamophobia

DAKAR: The leaders of the world’s Muslim states on Thursday criticised a rising wave of “Islamophobia” in the West and pledged to combat Islamic extremism.

Heads of state of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) met in Senegal for talks on making the 57-nation body more effective in combating poverty in Muslim states in Africa and Asia. But the talks were overshadowed by hostilities between Chad and Sudan.

In an embarrassment for Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, who billed the summit as a chance for a definitive peace deal between the two neighbours, Chad accused Sudan of launching a rebel attack on its territory. Sudan called this “nonsense”.

Chad President Idriss Deby Itno went into talks with Sudan’s Omar Al Beshir and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon hours after Chad made the accusations.

Efforts to revamp the OIC’s unwieldy 40-article charter also ran into problems after foreign ministers broke off their discussions without agreement on Wednesday. But delegates were unanimous in voicing fury at Israeli military strikes against Palestinian territories.

“In our relations with the Western world, we are going through difficult times,” said OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu.

“Should freedom of expression mean freedom to blaspheme? There is no such thing as limitless freedom,” Wade said of blasphemous caricatures published in the European press.

OIC officials hope revamping the body’s charter can speed decision-making.

A key reform would allow decisions to be taken by a two-thirds majority, instead of by unanimity. Some members are pushing to make OIC membership conditional on a state having a “majority” Muslim population.

Pakistan was also insisting the new charter should make potential members resolve their conflicts with existing members before being allowed to join – reflecting its long-running dispute with neighbour India over the Kashmir region. agencies

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...4-3-2008_pg1_6

Six more JF-17 Thunder fighter jets inducted into PAF

ISLAMABAD: Six new JF-17 Thunder aircraft have recently been inducted into the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), taking the PAF’s tally of this newseries of fighter jet to eight, including the two the air force inducted last year, the PAF said in a statement on Friday.

The F-17 Thunder is an advanced multi-role light combat aircraft invested in and developed jointly by China and Pakistan. It is the result of a key strategic collaboration project between the two countries in the military field, the PAF statement said.

The JF-17 is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and is being seen as one of the most capable multi-role aircraft available, which should fulfil PAF requirements well into the middle of the 21st century. The government is also trying to procure the latest related missile technology from France to make the jets even more effective.

The PAF statement said the six additional JF-17s had been inducted in test and evaluation flights at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex in Kamra, where they will be put through further testing and evaluation as part of the JF-17 development programme.

The statement said four of the jets will be on display at the National Day flypast on March 23. It also highlighted the major milestones achieved in the joint project so far. According to the statement, the first flight of the first prototype took place in August 2003, while the third prototype was flight-tested in April 2004.

In May 2006, the fourth prototype, with fully integrated configuration, made its successful maiden flight in Chengdu, China, while the sixth prototype took to the air in September 2006. President Pervez Musharraf was the chief guest at the arrival ceremony of the first JF-17 in Pakistan on March 21, 2007.

Recently, on January 22, this year, an inauguration ceremony for the manufacturing of JF-17 Thunder sub-assemblies was held at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex in Kamra, at which Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed was the chief guest.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...5-3-2008_pg7_6

PHC dismisses petitions against Muqam, Bilour, Rahimdad

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Friday cancelled stay orders against the notifying of the official results of the election in the constituencies contested by Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) former federal minister Amir Muqam; and MPA-elects of the NWFP Assembly Zahir Shah and Fazlullah.

A two-member bench, comprising Justice Said Maroof Khan and Justice Mohammad Alam Khan, dismissed writ petitions filed against PML-Q Provincial President Amir Muqam, MPA-elect Zahir Shah, and independent MPA-elect Fazlullah, on grounds that they were non-maintainable. The court noted that the petitioners, utilising the appropriate forum for the redressal of their complaints, should approach the Election Tribunal.

The PHC on Feb 28 stayed the announcement of the official results in Muqam’s NA-31 (Shangla) constituency; Zahir Shah’s constituency of PF-87 (Shangla-I); and Fazlullah’s PF-88 (Shangla-II) constituency on the writ petitions filed by losing candidates from these constituencies, Sadidur Rehman, Engineer Hamid Iqbal, and Sher Alam, respectively.

Two losing candidates from NA-31 constituency, Dr Sadidur Rehman and Dr Afsarul Mulk, moved the court against Muqam, alleging that 30 ballot boxes were burnt by Muqam’s party men on polling day.

Engr Hamid Iqbal, a candidate in PF-87, and Sher Alam in PF-88 had moved the court holding a similar rigging plea against the winning candidates, Zahir Shah and Fazlullah.

The bench also dismissed writ petitions challenging the election as MPAs of the Awami National Party (ANP)’s and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)’s designate senior ministers of the NWFP Assembly Bashir Ahmad Bilour and Rahimdad Khan, respectively.

Abdur Razziq Khan, a voter in PF-3, Peshawar submitted a writ petition claiming that Bashir Bilour was a defaulter, through Senator Dr Babar Awan.

The petitioner said that Bilour had not returned a loan drawn from Habib Bank within the stipulated period, and that he had deceived the returning officer by concealing this fact.

However, Barrister Haroon Bilour, son and counsel of Bashir Ahmad Bilour, had said that his father was not a party to the dispute between the Bilour Match Factory and Habib Bank, which only demanded a two percent mark-up and not a loan from the factory. The matter, he said, was resolved through a settlement at the Banking Court.

A resident of Mardan, Farman Ali Khattak, had filed a writ petition against the PPP’s NWFP President and MPA-elect Rahimdad Khan from PF-27. The petitioner had stated that Rahimdad’s degree was fraudulent, as he had not graduated from Gomal University as his degree purported.

Barrister Masood Kauser, counsel for Rahimdad Khan, showed the original BA degree issued by the Gomal University authorities and called the writ petition a mala fide act. He said the petition was not maintainable and should thus be dismissed.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...-3-2008_pg7_46

Caretakers’ farewell meeting today

ISLAMABAD: The caretaker federal cabinet will hold its last meeting today (Saturday) and the new parliament will be sworn in on Monday.

The meeting, chaired by Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, will review the progress of the caretakers on the tasks assigned to them. The first meeting of the caretaker cabinet was held on November 18, 2007. The cabinet is likely to acknowledge the role of the Election Commission (EC), law enforcement agencies, political parties, and the people for making the electoral process a success.

Under the constitution, the president is empowered to appoint a caretaker cabinet during the intervening period between the completion of a parliament’s term and the convening of the first parliamentary session after general elections.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...-3-2008_pg7_16

Munizae, Hina Khar among 245 global leaders

LONDON: Hina Rabbani Khar, former minister of state for economic affairs, and Munizae Jahangir, a film producer and media professional, are among the 245 leading executives, public figures and intellectuals in the world to be recognised this year for their professional contributions and accomplishments in shaping the future of the world, a World Economic Forum press release issued here on Thursday said.

Drawn from a pool of almost 5,000 candidates across the world, the forum has selected 245 leading professionals as the Young Global Leaders for 2008. These young leaders have been acknowledged for their professional accomplishments, commitment to society and potential to contribute to influencing the future prospects of the world.

This year, Ms Khar, who was elected a member of the National Assembly on a PPP ticket, has been honoured as one of the Young Global Leaders for 2008. She has been acknowledged for her profound leadership quality in promoting innovative ideas and competitiveness in Pakistan.

Munizae Jahangir, daughter of human rights activist Asma Jahangir, is said to have made significant contribution to media reporting in conflict zones.

In 2007, the Young Global Leader award was given to Omar Ayub Khan, former minister of state for finance and ex-chairman of the Competitiveness Support Fund, for his contribution to the positive turn of the economy of Pakistan due to significant real domestic product growth.

Salman Iqbal, chief executive officer of ARY Digital, was also selected in 2007 as the Young Global Leader for creating pioneer-ship in Pakistani media and broadcasting.

The Young Global Leaders for 2008 include 121 business leaders, as well as leaders from government, academia, the media and society at large from 65 countries.

The new class represents all regions, including East Asia (64), Europe (58), the Middle East and North Africa (12), North America (45), South Asia (24), sub-Saharan Africa (21) and Latin America (21).

The young leaders were chosen by a selection committee of 31 eminent international media leaders, including Thomas H. Glocer, chief executive officer of Reuters; Arthur Sulzberger, chairman and publisher of The New York Times; Robert Thomson, publisher of Dow Jones & Company and The Wall Street Journal; and Hisashi Hieda, chairman and chief executive officer of Fuji Television Network. The committee is chaired by H.M. Queen Rania Al Abdullah of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

http://www.dawn.com/2008/03/14/nat22.htm

No judge wants restoration without Iftikhar: Aitzaz

LAHORE: Supreme Court Bar Association President Aitzaz Ahsan has said the presidency was offering to restore all 43 judges, deposed in the wake of Nov 3 emergency, except Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.

Addressing traders at the Liberty Market here on Thursday after arriving straight from a reception given in his honour by traders and lawyers in Gujranwala, Mr Ahsan said the judges would not take oath without Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.

Traders, lawyers, students and people from all walks of life gathered to hear Mr Ahsan and chanted slogans against Gen Musharraf (retired).

Mr Ahsan said: "If they took oath (without Justice Chaudhry), they would be considered the PCO judges and I would be dubbed Sharifuddin Peerzada - which I don't really appreciate."

He said that he had repeatedly told questioners that he was not trying to pressurise political parties but maintaining momentum for the restoration of the deposed judges.

The lawyers, he said, never wanted the parliament to pass a resolution for the restoration of the judges but it was significant because it would show parliamentary support to the executive order the government would make to restore the judges.

He added the lawyers did not want to launch a long march but would have to take the step if the next government failed to restore the judges.

He said if the Supreme Court, handpicked by Gen Musharraf (retired) issued any order against the process of the restoration of the judges the lawyers would converge from all over Pakistan and take to Rawalpindi. "We will lay a siege around the residence of the COAS, which was being illegally occupied by a retired general," Mr Ahsan said.

Mr Ahsan thanked the traders, who, he said, had been welcoming the chief justice and his caravan during the March 9 movement. He added now things had changed as the traders had formally joined hands with the lawyers and the civil society.

United, they would make the movement a success to remember after coming out on the roads and observing a shutter-down strike from Khyber to Karachi, he said. At this juncture, traders announced that they would hold a shutter-down strike whenever Mr Ahsan gave a call for the restoration of the deposed judges.

Mr Ahsan said anyone stating that the parliament required two-thirds majority to undo Musharraf's steps was providing legitimacy to illegalities done. General Musharraf (retired) was a culprit and people would make sure that he did not escape in case he tried to hatch a conspiracy against the parliament's plan to the restore the judges. He said the chief justice was deposed because he was providing relief to the poor and those who had no one to turn to. He added in his courtroom the girl, raped in Tharpakr, was provided relief and the police high-ups shivered out of fear of doing wrong. He said the lawyers not only wanted to restore the judges, but make every judicial officer follow in the steps of Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry. The core objective was to provide justice to a society where might was right and make the parliament a sovereign and independent organ of the state, he added.

On the occasion, Pakistan Bar Council ex-vice chairman Ali Ahmad Kurd said generals like Pervez Musharraf were guilty of snatching the objective of creating the Pakistan. He added people had in their hearts the dream of creating a welfare state, where they could live with dignity and honour.

"Our struggle is to give these people back their dreams," he said. He added Gen Musharraf was guilty of curtailing the freedom of the press and handpicking a parliament, which served as a rubber-stamp.

He said the parliament did not enact a single law aimed at the welfare of people and brought about shame to itself by passing the 17th Amendment. He warned the Supreme Court not to pass any order against the process of restoration of the judges.

Representatives of traders, Lahore High Court Bar Association president Anwar Kamal, Lahore Bar Association president Manzoor Qadir and SCBA media adviser Mohammad Azhar were also present on the occasion.

http://www.dawn.com/2008/03/14/nat9.htm

Top al-Qaeda member transferred to Guantanamo

WASHINGTON: The CIA this week transferred a suspected high-level al-Qaeda member with close ties to Osama bin Laden to the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, the Pentagon said on Friday.

The detainee, Muhammad Rahim, helped prepare the Tora Bora caves used as a hide-out for bin Laden in Afghanistan in 2001, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said. He also attempted to procure chemicals for a plan to attack US-led coalition forces in Afghanistan and to recruit people with access to US military facilities, Whitman said.

Rahim, an Afghan national, was detained in the summer of 2007, according to a statement CIA Director Michael Hayden gave to CIA employees. CIA transferred him to Defence Department custody earlier this week, according to Whitman. "Rahim is a tough, seasoned jihadist," Hayden wrote.

"Rahim is perhaps best known in counter-terror circles as a personal facilitator and translator for Osama bin Laden and other al-Qaeda leaders." Hayden said Rahim was proficient in several languages and familiar with the border areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan. The CIA has interrogated Rahim. "I can't characterize the nature of his questioning (but) this detention was done in accord with US law," a senior counterterrorism official said.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=13586

New bird discovered in Indonesia

WASHINGTON: A small greenish bird that has been playing hide-and-seek with ornithologists on a remote Indonesian island since 1996 was declared a newly discovered species on Friday and promptly recommended for endangered lists.

The new species is called the Togian white-eye, or Zosterops somadikartai. It was first spotted by Mochamad Indrawan of the University of Indonesia and his colleague Sunarto, who like many Indonesians uses one name. “We observed the species in the field from 1997 to 2003,” Indrawan said in a statement.

Dr Pamela Rasmussen, a taxonomist at Michigan State University, completed the identification, reported in the March edition of The Wilson Journal of Ornithology. The researchers had to get one of the birds for examination and formal classification. Togian white-eyes are small, greenish-colored and have conspicuous white eye-rings. Its nearest relatives have a band of white feathers around their eyes but this energetic little bird, which travels in small groups, is less showy, the researchers said.

The new Togian white-eye has been seen only near the coasts of three small islands of the Togian Islands in central Sulawesi. Rasmussen said it likely falls into the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s category of endangered.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...-3-2008_pg7_57

__________________
Marwatone.

ISLAMABAD: Two persons including a foreigner woman have died and over 15 others have injured in Islamabad blast on Saturday evening a foreign newswire said.

The US diplomats are also feared among the injured, the reports said. The majority of injured is reportedly foreigners, the sources added.

The blast occurred in the backside of an Italian restaurant “ Luna Caprese” near Super market, the sources said. Over 15 injured including foreigners have been shifted to hospitals.

"There was an explosion inside the Luna Caprese Italian restaurant in the centre of the capital," police official Mohammad Ishtiaq said.

Witnesses also confirmed casualties. "There are lots of injured people who have lost their limbs and legs, foreigners were inside. the eywitness said.

Nature of the blast, which happened at about 850PM is yet to be ascertained.

http://www.geo.tv/home/15310.htm

__________________
" Woods are lovely dark and deep But i have promises to keep And miles to go before i sleep "

Pakistan to hang Sarabjit Singh on April 1

ISLAMABAD: Indian national Sarabjit Singh, condemned to death for his alleged involvement in four bomb blasts in Pakistan in 1990, will be hanged on April 1 in a prison in Lahore.

The death warrant for Sarabjit was received by authorities at Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore where he has been held for the last 17 years and will be executed on April 1.

President Pervez Musharraf rejected the mercy petition of Sarabjit, who Pakistan claims is Manjit Singh, on March 3. The petition was rejected by the President after "thorough consideration" as the allegations against him "were proved and he was awarded capital punishment by court", official sources said.

Pakistan's Supreme Court too had rejected Sarabjit's plea for clemency in March 2006.

Following the rejection of Sarabjit's mercy petition by the President, the interior ministry had informed the government of Punjab province to take steps to carry out his death sentence.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/updates.asp?id=40620

Pakistan blast wounds 4 from FBI

WASHINGTON: A bomb blast in an Italian restaurant in the Federal Capital left a Turkish aid worker dead and wounding at least 12 others including four personnel of US Federal Bureau of Investigation.

An FBI spokesman, Richard Koldo told reporters here on Monday that Four FBI personnel were also injured in the bombing attack in Pakistan.

He said the FBI was providing the necessary assistance to its employees and their families. however, the US state department did not issue any statement in this regard.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/updates.asp?id=40628

20 foreigners die in S Waziristan missile strike

WANA: At least 20 people were killed as several missiles hit a house in South Waziristan Agency on Sunday afternoon, locals told Daily Times.

Seven missiles landed on the house of Noorullah in Toog village, located four kilometres south of Wana, the regional headquarters of the South Waziristan Agency.

Local journalist Sailab Mehsud said 20 people were killed and another five wounded in the missile attack. He said all those who died were Arabs and Turkmen, who had gathered at the house when the attack occurred.

It could not be confirmed where the missiles came from, but locals told Mehsud they were fired from two unmanned aircrafts.

An elder, who asked not to be named, told Daily Times that the house of Noorullah, where the Arabs were holding a meeting, was situated about half a kilometre from the station of Taliban commander Maulvi Nazir in South Waziristan.

“Nazir remained unhurt, but the attack left at least 15 Arabs dead,” added the elder who said he heard three huge blasts that jolted the area around the site of the attack. The initial three explosions were followed by four more blasts, said the unnamed elder, adding the attack was carried out around 3pm. He said the foreigners often gathered at the house and held meetings there.

Military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas was not available for comments to Daily Times. He told AFP that he had received reports about the blasts, but had no details about casualties yet. “We are trying to get more details,” Abbas said.

Taliban cordon: Taliban and their local supporters cordoned the compound to retrieve the bodies from the rubble, said the elder. He said they did not see or hear any aircrafts, but such attacks had been blamed on unmanned drones in the past.

State news agency APP said mortar shells were also fired on the house.

Two Pakistani intelligence officials in the area, both speaking on condition of anonymity because of the nature of their work, told the Associated Press that another house nearby was also destroyed. Arab and Uzbek militants had been staying in the house, which belongs to a tribesman named Safraz Khan, the news agency quoted them as saying. Eight to ten people were killed in the second house, the intelligence officials said.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...7-3-2008_pg1_1

Bullet-proof BMWs for governor, CM

KARACHI: The Government of Sindh has purchased two bullet-proof BMWs worth of Rs 71.4 million for the Sindh governor and chief minister, and 20 new cars have also been purchased for ministers. Considering the worsening law and order situation and increasing suicide attacks in the country, well-placed sources in the Sindh government said that Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad issued orders to the relevant department to purchase a bullet-proof BMW for him and his successor on an immediate basis. The Sindh government arranged to purchase the bullet-proof BMW from Singapore at a cost of Rs 35.8 million. According to sources in the Sindh government, when this news reached the ears of the Sindh caretaker Chief Minister, Justice (Retd) Abdul Qadir Halepoto, he also expressed interest in the same car and the department had to issue another purchase order to a private Singaporean company. According to sources, that BMW for the governor has reached Sindh while the other car will arrive shortly. Sindh has paid a total of Rs 71.6 million for the two luxury cars while both dignitaries already have a number of Mercedes in Governor and Chief Minister House at their disposal. The Sindh government has also issued the purchase orders for 20 other new cars for the Sindh cabinet ministers at a cost of Rs 18.2 million even though a similar number of cars are already available for their use.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...7-3-2008_pg7_6

__________________
Marwatone.

FBI chief targeted in Islamabad blast

LAHORE: The target of the bombing at an Italian restaurant in Islamabad on Saturday was Trish, the FBI Operations chief in Pakistan. Quoting its sources, ARY TV channel reported on Sunday that Trish was the second highest-ranking US official in Pakistan and had been the terrorists’ actual target. It said that she had been injured during the blast but was currently in stable condition. She was shifted from the Polyclinic to Al-Shifa Hospital at the request of the US Embassy, the channel added. daily times monitor

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...7-3-2008_pg1_8

FBI chief was a target in Islamabad blast

The real target in Islamabad's Italian hotel bombing was FBI operations Cheif in Pakistan. It seems the whoever is planning these bombing raids has resources deep within the inteligence agencies. The attack on FIA office Lahore was also carried out when there were rumors that some western agency personel were there.

Here is the news:
"The target of the bombing at an Italian restaurant in Islamabad on Saturday was Trish, the FBI Operations chief in Pakistan. Quoting its sources, ARY TV channel reported on Sunday that Trish was the second highest-ranking US official in Pakistan and had been the terrorists’ actual target. It said that she had been injured during the blast but was currently in stable condition. She was shifted from the Polyclinic to Al-Shifa Hospital at the request of the US Embassy, the channel added. daily times monitor"

http://www.beyondweblogs.com/post/FB...bad-blast.aspx

__________________
Regards

Aarwaa

Pakistan is ruled by three As - Army, America and Allah.

March 18, 2008




By RICHARD A. OPPEL Jr. and QAIS MIZHER

BAGHDAD — A female suicide bomber penetrated one of the most secure perimeters in Iraq Monday evening and killed at least 42 people near the Imam Hussein shrine in the Shiite holy city of Karbala, according to the Iraqi authorities.

The explosion, the deadliest attack in Karbala in nearly a year, overshadowed a Baghdad visit by Vice President Dick Cheney, who met with Iraqi and American leaders and extolled what he described as “phenomenal” security improvements in the country.

The explosion rocked central Karbala at about 6 p.m. “Many people were killed and wounded,” said Abu Ahmed, 36, who minutes earlier had walked past the site where the blast would occur, and then came rushing back afterward to help the wounded. “Everyone near the bomber was killed.”

Iraqi forces sealed off the area, and a grim mood descended on the city. Areas that are normally brisk evening shopping districts were deserted, and shops were closed.

If the Iraqi police account of the bomber’s gender is confirmed, it would be one of the most devastating suicide bombings carried out by a woman. The number of female suicide bombers has increased recently, facilitated by Muslim customs that do not allow males to touch women. The customs enable the bombers to elude security checkpoints because women are not searched.

And in a religious center like Karbala, most women wear a flowing head-to-toe black overgarment, known as an abaya, that provides an easy way to conceal an explosive vest or belt.

Salim Khadum, a Karbala health ministry official, said the death toll was 32, with 52 others wounded. Seven Iranians were among the wounded, he said. But an official with the Interior Ministry in Baghdad later said the toll had risen to 42 dead and 58 wounded.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Nor was it clear whether the attack was meant to upstage visits to Iraq by Mr. Cheney and by the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Senator John McCain of Arizona, who, like Mr. Cheney, is a strong proponent of keeping large numbers of troops in the country.

North of Baghdad, two American soldiers were killed just after noon on Monday when a large roadside bomb exploded near their vehicle, the American military command in Baghdad reported. The soldiers were part of a team working to clear a roadway of bombs and other threats, the military said.

In Baghdad, Mr. Cheney said it would be a mistake to reduce American forces in Iraq. After a meeting with the Iraqi prime minister, Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, he said “there has been dramatic improvement in the security situation.”

He added that part of the reason for his trip was to “reaffirm to the Iraqi people the unwavering commitment of the United States to support them in finishing the difficult work that lies ahead.”

Violence has dropped sharply in Baghdad over the past six months, but attacks nationwide are running roughly at levels seen in 2005, and militants are still killing an average of one American servicemember per day. Seventeen American troops have died this month.

Some American officials in Iraq worry about whether the drop in violence is permanent. Much of the decline, for example, is attributable to Shiite cleric and militia leader Moktada al-Sadr’s decision to order his ´followers to stop fighting almost seven months ago, a move that has allowed him to winnow the ranks of his militia of those he feels are disloyal to him.

And thousands of former Sunni insurgents who used to carry out attacks on American and Iraqi forces are now being paid by the American military to serve in neighborhood militias. It’s not clear how many of the 91,000 men who are in the new militia forces are former insurgents, but American officers worry what may happen if Iraqi leaders disband the militias without incorporating the militiamen into the government.

__________________
Regards

Aarwaa

Pakistan is ruled by three As - Army, America and Allah.

NA members take oath under 1973 Constitution

ISLAMABAD: Amid high hopes for the revival of the judiciary and rule of law in the country, as many as 326 members of the newly elected National Assembly in the House of 342 members on Monday took oath as prescribed in the Third Schedule of the Constitution of 1973.

The oath was administered by outgoing Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain. The members of the tripartite alliance of the PPP, PML-N and ANP, while taking the oath added the words that they will protect the Constitution as it was on November 2, 2007, while the former ruling alliance of the PML-Q and MQM simply uttered the words ‘the Constitution.’

At the outset of the inaugural NA session that started with a delay of 50 minutes, PPP’s Syed Naveed Qamar on a point of order with the special permission of the speaker sought a clarification from the Chair whether the members would be administered oath under the 1973 Constitution. “We would not be taking oath under the constitution amended after November 02, 2007.”

Chaudhry Amir Hussain clarified that the newly elected NA members would take oath under the Third Schedule of the 1973 Constitution. “Oath in the Third Schedule is same for the president, prime minister, Senate chairman, National Assembly speaker, ministers and the members, and it is the same oath as in the Third Schedule of the 1973 Constitution,” the speaker said.

The speaker said under the rules members cannot speak in the House without taking oath. “However, I give you (Qamar) floor by using my inherent powers and the point you will raise will not be part of the record.”

Just after taking the oath, PML-N Information Secretary Ahsan Iqbal, on a point of order, referring to the presence of PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif in the visitorsí gallery, said the people of Pakistan have rejected Pervez Musharraf coup of October 12, 1999, toppling the government of Nawaz Sharif.

All the members took oath in the national language, Urdu, and later signed their respective names in the attendance register in the alphabetical order. Meanwhile, PPPP Secretary-General Raja Pervez Ashraf, on a point of order, called for special prayers for martyred Benazir Bhutto.

Fateha for the soul of late Benazir Bhutto was offered by Maulana Fazlur Rehman at the request of Speaker Amir Hussain. All the PPP members had pinned badges with pictures of Benazir Bhutto on their chests and were wearing black armbands.

Raja Pervez Ashraf said: “We cannot forget the services of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto as she was an international leader and the PPP has lost its Quaid. We all know that she is not among us anymore but her memories will prick us with each passing day.”

He further said: “Our eyes are filled with tears as we are missing her very much but it is a fact that she is not around and we will continue her unfinished goals with utmost sincerity.” Asif Ali Zardari and Mian Nawaz Sharif witnessed the oath-taking ceremony sitting in the Prime Minister’s Gallery while PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain viewed it from the Speaker’s Gallery.

Though the PPP has yet to nominate its candidate for premiership, its short-listed candidates got a mixed reaction with thumping of desks. Makhdoom Amin Fahim got a rousing reception with a twice loud thumping of desks from the PPP members as well as from its coalition partners when his name was announced for signing the rolls after taking the oath. The other PPP premiership hopefuls did not receive that much thumping.

Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, a former Leaguer who had later joined the PPP and defeated Chaudhry Amir Hussain, also won acknowledgement and felicitation when she moved towards the dais amidst cheerful expression of emotions. After signing the rolls, she moved towards her rival Chaudhry Amir Hussain as a goodwill gesture.

Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, who is the only member winning elections on three seats, was also paid rich tributes for his sacrifices to the cause of democracy.Four other members, who returned from more than one seat, also took oath and indicated their intention to retain a particular constituency.

Javed Hashmi retained NA-149 Multan-II and quit two other seats — NA-55 Rawalpindi-VI and NA-123 Lahore-VI. PML-N leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, who also won two seats, retained NA-53 Rawalpindi-IV and vacated NA-52 Rawalpindi-III. Mian Manzoor Wattoo retained NA-146 Okara-V and vacated NA-147 Okara-VI. Rana Tanwir Hussain retained NA-132 Sheikhupura-cum-Nankana Sahib and vacated NA-131 Sheikhupura-I. Former chief minister of Balochistan Jam Muhammad Yousaf who had won the National Assembly and Balochistan Assembly polls did not take oath as he is still thinking whether to retain the NA or the provincial assembly seat.

However, Shahjehan Yousaf, who was declared successful after re-poling in some polling stations in Mansehra, also took oath separately just before the adjournment of the session till Wednesday.

The others including Rina Kumari and Hameedullah Jan Afridi also did not take oath on Monday. The outgoing speaker also announced the schedule for the election of the new NA speaker that would be conducted by him while the election for the deputy speaker would be conducted by the new speaker.

Election for the speaker and deputy speaker will be held through a secret ballot on Wednesday (March 19), and the deadline for filing nomination papers for these slots has been set for today (March 18).

Security was red alert at the Parliament Building with police and paramilitary soldiers guarding the Parliament House. The traffic was also restricted around the venue. Meanwhile, a suspected person, while trying to approach Asif Ali Zardari, was arrested in front of the Parliament House. A gun was recovered from his possession. Law enforcement agencies shifted the suspect to an unknown location. However, sources said the arrested person was an employee of the special branch who was deputed at the main gate of the Parliament House.

APP adds: At the start of the maiden NA session, Speaker Amir Hussain wished ‘all the best’ for the new assembly with hopes the members would work for the welfare of the people. “I congratulate you all and hope the new assembly would work for the welfare of people.”

“Some of you are new and some are experienced and have vast experience of legislation. I hope the experienced ones would be taking along the newcomers and groom them,” the speaker said.

As many as 192 members who made it to the National Assembly for the first time were among 328 members who took oath, marking a record number of new faces. The first-timers included 19 from the NWFP, 77 from Punjab, 28 from Sindh, 11 from Balochistan and seven from Federally Administered Tribal Areas. In the 342-member Lower House of Parliament, 14 seats remain to be filled because of litigation on 10 and postponement or termination of elections on four.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=13623

Mirza and Kundi nominated as speaker, deputy speaker of NA

ISLAMABAD: A joint parliamentary meeting of the coalition partners in the new government on Monday unanimously nominated Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)’s Fehmida Mirza and Faisal Karim Kundi to the offices of speaker and deputy speaker of the National Assembly. Conversely, a joint meeting of the opposition nominated PML-Q’s Israr Tareen for the post of NA speaker. Both meetings were held at Parliament House before the inaugural session of the NA. Addressing the newly elected members, PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif reiterated their commitment to restore the pre-November 3 judiciary through parliament. Mirza and Kundi received their nomination papers after the meeting. The process of their scrutiny will be completed on Tuesday. The election would take place on Wednesday. The heads of the component parties of the coalition also held a separate meeting in which they discussed the names of the candidates for premiership. They also discussed the means to draft a parliamentary resolution to restore the sacked judiciary and deliberated on a strategy to counter any move to block it. Separately, Khurshid Shah, senior PPP member, told reporters that the coalition government’s candidate for premiership would be announced on Thursday, AFP reported.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...8-3-2008_pg1_2

Gillani ‘does not want to be prime minister’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Vice Chairman Yousaf Raza Gillani told reporters at the Parliament House on Monday that he did not want to become prime minister.

He said the distance between Prime Minister’s House and Adiyala Jail was very short. Gillani said he had “completed his innings” and was now a National Assembly member for five years.

He said his party members wanted Asif Zardari to be the prime minister, but Zardari had not announced the party’s candidate for prime minister so far. Asked why his party had authorised Co-chairman Asif Zardari to make all its decisions, he said the decision was made after thorough consideration.

Senior PPP leader Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar said his party and its allies would defeat the “palace intrigues” by a powerful parliament. He said Benazir Bhutto had said in her will that her husband Zardari would be the chairman of the party, so everyone should honour his decisions.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...-3-2008_pg7_28

‘We cannot win Iraq war’

WASHINGTON: Democrat Hillary Clinton claimed on Monday that the Iraq war may end up costing Americans $1 trillion and strain an already sagging US economy, as she made her case for a prompt US troop pullout from a war “we cannot win”.

This week marks the fifth anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq, but the economy’s woes competed for attention as the top issue facing voters when they choose their next president in November.

Clinton, the former first lady who is trying to convince Americans she has foreign policy gravitas, hurled criticism over Iraq at her two rivals — Illinois Democratic Senator Barack Obama and Arizona Republican Senator John McCain.

Clinton said US policy on Iraq is at a crossroads.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...-3-2008_pg7_59

Hugo Chavez calls Bush a genocidal terrorist

CARACAS: Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez on Sunday lashed back at US President George W. Bush calling him a “terrorist” responsible for “genocide.” Bush, a nemesis of the staunch leftist Chavez, on Wednesday had accused Chavez of backing “terrorists” in neighboring Colombia and fueling an anti-American campaign with his country’s oil wealth. “The president of the United States himself has come out and attacked us and attacked me personally, calling me a demagogue. Well, I am calling him a terrorist and genocidal,” Chavez said on his weekly “Alo, Presidente” television and radio show. “And now Bush says I have Venezuelans here going hungry,” Chavez said, insising Bush outght to take a look at the economic consitions in the UNited States. “Venezuela’s people today are better fed than ever,” Chavez said. “The people taking hits from their own government are in the United States, which has an economic crisis,” Chavez argued. Venezuela “has squandered its oil wealth in an effort to promote its hostile anti-American vision, it has left its own citizens to face food shortages while it threatens its neighbors,” the US president charged. Bush’s sharp criticisms of Chavez came as the White House tried to portray stalled passage of a US-Colombia free trade agreement as critical to curbing the influence of Chavez throughout Latin America.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...8-3-2008_pg4_8

NY gets first black governor

ALBANY, New York: New York’s first black governor, David Paterson, was sworn into office on Monday, less than a week after his predecessor Eliot Spitzer resigned in disgrace over a prostitution scandal.

Paterson, who served as Spitzer’s deputy in the role of lieutenant governor, was sworn in at a ceremony in the state capital Albany attended by Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Flanked by his wife and family, a joking and smiling Paterson wished assembly members a happy Saint Patrick’s Day after taking the oath of office and being sworn in as the state’s 55th governor.

He follows in the footsteps of such eminent figures as presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt and becomes the first blind governor to hold the office in New York state. After telling jokes about his wedding and a water-pistol incident with former governor Mario Cuomo, Paterson said there was important work to be done.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=101889

Intelligence Bureau chief removed

ISLAMABAD: The government has sacked the controversial Intelligence Bureau (IB) Director-General Brig (retd) Ijaz Shah. Brig Shah paid a farewell call on caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro.

Mr Soomro expressed appreciation for his service and wished success in his future, a press release issued by the government said.

Appointed in 2004, the IB chief became a controversial personality and he was accused of using his department for political victimisation and for undermining the judiciary.

Mr Shah, a former official of Inter-Services Intelligence, was said to have worked as a close associate of President Pervez Musharraf.

He was one of the people named by former prime minister Benazir Bhutto as the prime suspects in the bombing attack on her homecoming procession in Karachi in October last year.

http://www.dawn.com/2008/03/18/top9.htm

Taslima to leave India

NEW DELHI: Exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen said on Monday she was leaving India because of deteriorating health after being forced to live in a secret hideaway without any visitors for nearly four months.

Violent protests by Muslim groups in November forced Indian authorities to rush out the controversial writer from her home in the eastern city of Kolkata where she lived for four years.

After moving her around for a while, the authorities put her in an undisclosed “safe house” in New Delhi, where she only has a mobile phone, a laptop and a television set, but no visitors are allowed.

“I have not been able to see a good cardiologist for the last few months and I have a serious heart problem,” Nasreen, 45, told newsmen by phone. “I also cannot see properly and need medical attention immediately.”

Nasreen fled Bangladesh in 1994 when a court said she had “deliberately and maliciously” hurt Muslim religious feelings with her Bengali-language novel “Lajja”, or Shame, in which she argued the Hindu minority in Bangladesh was poorly treated.

http://www.dawn.com/2008/03/18/int11.htm

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Gillani may be the next premier

LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People's Party Vice-Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, a former National Assembly speaker, is the joint nominee of the PPP and the Pakistan Muslim League-N for the post of the next prime ministership, the Channel Five reported on Tuesday.

PPP Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari clearly told Makhdoom Amin Fahim that though he (Fahim) held a reputable place in the party but he could not be nominated for the premiership during a dinner at the Zardari House, the channel quoted sources as saying.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Aftab Shaaban Mirani likely to get the ministries of interior and defence respectively, the Channel Five reported. Samina Khalid Ghurki, who was elected from Lahore, would also be included in the federal cabinet. PPP senior leader Syed Khurshid Shah told the Channel Five that the prime minister would be from Punjab whose name would be announced by Asif Zardari today (Wednesday).

Quoting PPP sources, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan reported that there were strong prospects that the candidate of the premiership would be from Punjab, following the nomination of the National Assembly speaker from Sindh. The name of Shah Mahmood Qureshi is also being considered but there are bright prospects of Yousaf Raza Gillani for the premiership in the PPP-led coalition till Asif Zardari becomes the prime minister after being elected MNA in a by-election.

Online adds: The Pakistan People's Party is likely to announce the much-awaited name of the PM candidate after the armed forces parade on March 23, as the coalition partners have put all powers in the hands of Asif Zardari to nominate the candidate for the prime minister office. However, the PPP has failed to name its candidate for the PM slot despite passing the first session of the National Assembly. The sources said that Asif Zardari has also started consultations for the name of the candidate for the premiership after finalizing the name of the speaker and the deputy speaker for the National Assembly. The PPP co-chairperson will announce the name of candidate for the prime minister after the armed forces parade on the Pakistan Day.

http://www.thepost.com.pk/Fb_ShortNe...status=Current

No FBI agents injured in hotel blast: Cheema

ISLAMABAD: The Interior Ministry Spokesman, Brig (R) Javed Iqbal Cheema, on Tuesday said that no FBI agents were among the injured in the Saturday evening blast in the Italian restaurant located in Sector F-6/3.

While addressing the weekly press briefing the Interior Ministry spokesman, however, confirmed that the Legal AttachÈ and his deputy of the Embassy of the United States of America, along with another two officials of the same department, were the four US nationals who were injured in the blast.

Answering a question as to why these Americans have left the country without recording their statements with the police after the blast, which was required under the law to help in investigations, Brig (R) Cheema said, "They have not gone for the good. They will come back."

When pressed further as to how many FBI officials are in Pakistan, he said that there were no agents here. "There are no agents here. Let me make one thing very clear. Yes, there were four American nationals who got injured in this incident and they belonged to the Legal AttachÈ's Department serving inthe US embassy as diplomats," Brig (R) Cheema said.

He said that 'reasonably good progress' is being made in the investigations into the incident. "I am quite hopeful that we would made tangible progress on this and would be able to reach the perpetrators sooner than later," he said.

He declined to comment on a question whether the people behind the attack at the Italian restaurant might have information about the presence of the people who were injured in the blast. "I can't comment on this until the investigations progress and we get to know the results," he said. However, he said that it was more probable that the bomb was thrown from outside than being planted.

When asked whether foreigners were the specific targets of this attack, the Interior Ministry spokesman said that there was no cause of any alarm or panic."The law enforcement agencies are alive to this problem and we have taken extraordinary measures to sanitize Islamabad particularly in view of the sensitivities," he added.

Earlier, he extended condolences to the family of the Turkish lady who lost her life in the blast. "The tragic loss of the national of brotherly country Turkey is indeed heartrending for all Pakistanis. We also sympathize with all those injured in the despicable act, which was part of the subversive elements' designs to undermine national security and stability," he said.

The Interior Ministry spokesman categorically denied the involvement of FBI or any foreign intelligence agency in the suicide attack on the FIA offices in Lahore. He also said that the use of 'C4' explosive material in the suicide bombing also was not an indicator pointing in any specific direction as it is used in many countries all over the world.

Asked if action would be taken against one or more of the already banned (militant) organizations if their activists were found to be involved in the Lahore blast, the Interior Ministry spokesman said, "All those people, who have been involved in these heinous crimes would be prosecuted under the law of the land and they would be taken to task."

When asked whether the Indian government has made any contact with Pakistan on the issue of Sarabjeet Singh, who is on the death row and whether Pakistan government is considering condoning his death sentence, Brig (R) Cheema said that there was no official communication received in this regard (from India). "As far as I know his hanging is fixed for 1st of April," he said.

About the Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails he said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in touch with the Indian government on the prisoners' issue, which is being discussed between the two governments.

He also announced that an important 'expert level meeting' of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is scheduled to be held in Islamabad from March 25 to 27.

"Pakistan is hosting this second meeting of the focal persons on 'Counter Terrorism,' which would be attended by the representatives from eight member states of the organization alongside back to back meeting of Police Chiefs of SAARC member states. The meeting on counter terrorism will focus on finding ways and means to enhance cooperation in the field of counter terrorism amongst the member states," he said.

When asked what became of the recommendations of the first meeting also held in Islamabad, the Interior Ministry spokesman said, "We have moved forward. We have discussed the ways and means to enhance our cooperation, particularly information and intelligence sharing and our cooperation is progressing well."

Earlier, in his opening statement he condemned suicide attack in Swat on Monday, which killed two policemen and left many more injured. "The terrorists have been targeting the security personnel. The law enforcement machinery cannot be deterred and remains alert and vigilant across the country to defeat the designs of the terrorists," he said.

He also appreciated the elaborate security arrangements put in place in and around the Parliament House for holding of the inaugural oath-taking session of the newly elected National Assembly. "The security apparatus is fully geared up to discharge its responsibilities to ensure foolproof security for the forthcoming meetings of the National Assembly," he said.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=13647

Bilawal to announce PM candidate

LAHORE: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is likely to arrive in Pakistan soon to announce the name of the Pakistan People’s Party’s (PPP) candidate for the post of prime minister, party sources said on Tuesday.

Bilawal, son of slain PPP chairwoman Benazir Bhutto and PPP Co-chairman Asif Zardari, is currently studying at Oxford. Differences have emerged in the party over its candidate for the office of prime minister.

A source said nobody including Makhdoom Amin Fahim would be able to object to the decision if Bilawal, the party’s chairman, announced it. Amin Fahim had refused to back out as a candidate for prime minister, the sources said, and the party could not disregard his services. Bilawal was therefore coming to Pakistan to resolve the issue, they said.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...-3-2008_pg7_52

Three, including JSQM local leader, shot dead

KARACHI: Korangi was tense Tuesday after unidentified men murdered a Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) local leader within the jurisdiction of the Zaman Town police station. Meanwhile, a security guard and the son of a railway employee were also shot and stabbed dead.

The body of JSQM president for Korangi town, 32-year-old Dil Murad, alias Dilbar Mirani, was rushed to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC). He was a resident of Altaf Nagar, Korangi Crossing and was going to meet some of his associates in his old neighborhood in Chakra Goth when the men targeted him as he neared the Nasir Colony jump. He was shot twice in head and died on the spot. The police found his body after people called them.

Tension surged in the area after the news of Murad’s death reached party workers. They took to the road in the form of a mob, burning tires and pelting passing vehicles with stones. They shouted slogans, demanding the arrest of their colleague’s killers, and, over government failure to maintain and order.

“Rioting has become a routine reaction to deaths across the country,” said ASP Bashir, “and this senseless behavior is exactly what we saw after Murad’s murder.” The ASP laughed as he said, “It is an opportunity for puncture-shop-owners to make a little extra cash be selling tires to the rioters to burn. A tire usually cost 25 rupees when these incidents occur.”

While the rioting remained contained, it had the potential of spreading as armed activists of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) took to the street with the intent of stopping the JPMC activists from rioting. Heavy contingents of law enforcers took control of the situation just in time, and a confrontation between the parties was avoided, added the ASP.

“The deceased was actually involved in nearly 10 crime cases ranging from murder to attempted murder, to land grabing, to drug trafficking. He was recently arrested by Zaman Town police in a drunken state and was released on bail nearly one week back,” alleged the ASP Bashir.

The deceased was the father of two children. An FIR had not been registered till the filling of this report.

Security guard shot dead:

A security guard, Mohammad Baloch, 23, belonging to a private company, was shot dead on duty at a private mobile phone franchise in block-E, Hyderi, within the jurisdiction of North Nazimabad police station. According to the North Nazimabad SHO, Salman Waheed, it was not a robbery as the two men opened direct fire on Baloch and made a clean getaway. The deceased belonged to Dadu and had been working in Karachi for some times.

“Baloch was dating someone and was going to marry her in the coming days,” said Waheed. “It is possible that he was killed over this.” However, the SHO said that an investigation is in progress. An FIR had not been registered till the filing of this report.

Railway employ’s son stabbed:

The body of 26-year-old Razzak Shah was rushed to JPMC. According to DSP Shah Jahan, the deceased’s brother, Imam Raza, came to the police station and informed them that his brother’s body was lying near his house situated in the Railway accounts colony. The deceased was the son of Sattar Shah, a Pakistan railway employee.

“The deceased was actually jobless and a drug addict,” alleged DSP Jahan. “He had been arrested once or twice for his addiction.”

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...-3-2008_pg7_21

PPP man shot dead

MIANWALI: A Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) representative was shot dead in Dr Attaullah Street of Mianwali city on Tuesday.

Twenty-six-year-old Ahmed Hassan Pervaiz Khan, the newly nominated district president of the PPP, was sitting in his drawingroom when Sarfraz barged in and shot him dead. In retaliation, Khan’s relatives shoot Sarfraz.

http://www.dawn.com/2008/03/19/nat20.htm

PAF fighter jet crashes

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter jet crashed near Rajanpur on Tuesday, apparently due to some technical fault. “The PAF reports with regret that a Mirage fighter aircraft, while on a routine operational training mission, crashed 22 kilometres west of Rajanpur. The crash apparently occurred due to [a] technical malfunction,” a PAF statement said. The pilot of the aircraft ejected himself to safety and no loss of civilian life or property has been reported, it said. A board of inquiry has been ordered by Air Headquarters to determine the cause of accident, the statement added.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...-3-2008_pg7_65

SPO suspended after fist-fight with SP

HYDERABAD: Supervising Police Officer (SPO) Baldia, inspector Shahnawaz Memon has been suspended by the Regional Police Officer (RPO) of Hyderabad region following a fist-fight between the SPO and Hyderabad SP Investigation Khalid Mustafa Korai in which the former was mauled by the SP and his gunmen in his office.

RPO Fayyaz Leghari told Dawn that he has ordered an inquiry into the incident which would be conducted by AIG establishment Munir Sheikh.

“The action, if any, against the SPO will be taken after the inquiry”, the RPO added.

“Shahnawaz Memon was not only mauled by the SP but he also called his gunmen to beat him up in his camp office located on the premises of the DPO operation office”, said an operation wing police source while requesting anonymity.

However, another source said that it was in fact the inspector who punched or slapped the SP investigation as an altercation over some investigation issue took an ugly turn in the office.

The DIG said that the matter was brought to his notice by the DPO but he has not been asked to conduct inquiry by RPO.

http://www.dawn.com/2008/03/19/nat33.htm

US Marines back-up arrives in Afghanistan

KABUL: Hundreds of the 3,600 US Marines due in southern Afghanistan to reinforce international efforts against extremists are on the ground and preparing for their mission, their unit said on Tuesday.

They began arriving last week and are preparing facilities for when the other troops arrive, acclimatising and gathering information about the area, their public relations officer said.

The “majority” of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit of 2,300 soldiers had arrived, Staff Sergeant Robert Piper said without providing a number for security reasons.

The unit would work under the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force and “conduct full-spectrum operations to capitalise on recent ISAF and Afghan Nation Security Force successes.” A second group was due in the coming weeks and would assist with the training and development of Afghan security forces, he said.

Another battalion from the 7th Marine Regiment will make up the other 1,300 personnel.

“These Marines will bring the total number of Marines deployed to Afghanistan to approximately 3,600,” Piper said.

The full deployment is expected to be on the ground by late April, as Taliban-linked unrest picks up with the arrival of warmer weather.

Their deployment comes as Nato leaders called on their partners to send more troops and equipment to fight the Taliban, particularly in southern Afghanistan where the rebels are most active.

Some nations under pressure in the south, notably Canada, have threatened to leave unless they get support.

Last year was the bloodiest of a Taliban-led insurgency, with more than 8,000 people killed in 2007, most of them rebels but including 1,500 civilians, according to United Nations figures.

Officials insist the strategy to defeat the insurgency is making headway but acknowledge this year will be just as deadly, with the Taliban vowing a wave of suicide attacks, undermining public confidence.

ISAF consists of about 47,000 soldiers from nearly 40 nations, while the separate US-led coalition numbers 20,000, the majority US soldiers.

http://www.dawn.com/2008/03/19/int1.htm

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Marwatone.

Fehmida Mirza makes history as first woman speaker : Pakistan

March 19, 2008
ISLAMABAD: Dr. Fehmida Mirza has been elected first ever woman speaker of National Assembly.

Opposition had nominated Israr Tareen for speaker’s office. The voting was carried out through secret ballot.

Dr Fahmida Mirza received 249 out of 324 votes, of which 319 were valid and five votes were declared invalid. Asrar Tareen received 70 votes.

Dr Fehmida Mirza hails from Badin in Sindh and has been winning elections continuously since 1997. She is wife of Dr Zulfiqar Ali Mirza, a close friend of PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari. Hailing from an influential political family of Sindh, the 51-year-old Dr Fehmida Mirza has won the National Assembly seat in open electoral contest from Badin in 1997, 2002 and 2008.

Among prominent members of the family are her grandfather Qazi Abdul Qayyum, who was the first Muslim president of Hyderabad Municipality.

Her uncle Qazi Muhammad Akbar was a member of the Provincial Assembly and served as minister of home, finance, public works and information at various times. Dr Mirza’s father Qazi Abid started his political career as Chairman Hyderabad Division Council. He later served as Federal Minister for Education, Water and Power, Food and Agriculture and Information. He was also thrice Secretary General of the APNS.

Her brother Qazi Asad has served as APNS secretary-general nine times and also remained the CPNE secretary-general. He was also a PPP MNA and in that capacity served as chairman of the standing committee on information. Her cousin Qazi Aslam has been secretary-general APNS four times

http://www.apakistannews.com/2008/03...aker-pakistan/

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