Islamabad enjoying semi final

Washing the Kaaba

Saudi Prince Khaled al-Faisal (R), governor of Mecca, and Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov walk down the stairs after washing the Kaaba inside the Grand Mosque in Mecca July 13, 2010. Both the prince and the president washed the inside of the Kaaba, Islam’s most sacred shrine, using pieces of cloth dipped in holy water “zam zam” and rosewater. REUTERS/Saudi Press Agency/Handout

Pak-India composite dialogue to resume on March 28

ISLAMABAD: After a deadlock for around two and half years, Pakistan and India will finally come on dialogue table on March 28 to resume composite dialogue.

Interior Secretaries level talks will be held in New Delhi on a host of issues including terrorism, narcotics and drug control measures, visa and other issues of mutual interest.

The progress in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack would also come under  discussion, official source said adding that modalities and time frame for the judicial commission of Pakistan to visit Delhi to verify the statement of Ajmal Kasab, the main accused of Mumbai attack would also be finalized.

Islamabad would also ask their Indian counterparts to share progress on Samjhota Express incident and Ajmair Sharif blast terrorist incidents which occurred in India, the source said.

The focus of the talks would be terrorism, visa policy between two countries, release of prisoners and other humanitarian issues and anti       narcotics measures and cooperation between the two countries in this regard, the official said.

The last visa agreement between the two countries was signed in 1974 and needs to be reviewed. Islamabad proposed group tourist visas, 90-day visa for businessmen and visa on arrival to 65 year old and above, however the Indian authorities did not make any progress on the three recommendations so far, he said.

He further informed that release of civil prisoners and fishermen would be part of the parleys.

Meeting of Chief of Anti Narcotics Forces (ANF-Pakistan) and his Indian counterpart would also be arranged to finalize measures to curb the menace of narcotics and drug smuggling.

"Pakistan believes that dialogue is the only way forward. Positive and  goodwill will be carried forward. We are going with a open heart and mind without having any reservations. We have been sharing good sentiments and wish reciprocal response," he remarked.

The official said that Secretary Interior Qamar Zaman Chaudhry is a  mature, well educated and seasoned bureaucrat and well known for his positive behaviour.

He hoped that under his leadership the talks between the two countries would lead to further engagements and positive results. Director General Federal Investigation Agency, representatives of Ministry of Narcotics Control and Ministry of Foreign Affairs would part of Interior Secretaries level talks, he added.

The talks would be followed by another parleys between commerce and trade secretaries of both countries in Islamabad next month while the foreign secretaries and foreign ministers are scheduled to meet in July in New Delhi, he informed.

Protest

Pakistan reached the World Cup semifinal

 Pakistan reached the World Cup semifinal for the sixth time with a crushing 10-wicket victory against the West Indies at Shere Bangla National stadium in Mirpur on Wednesday.

Scorecard

Openers Mohammad Hafeez and Kamran Akmal remained unbeaten on 61 and 47 respectively as Pakistan chased down the 113-run target in 20.5 overs in the first quarterfinal.

Pakistan will meet the winner of the India-Australia quarterfinal clash.

Earlier, skipper Shahid Afridi led from the front with four wickets as Pakistan bundled out West Indies for a paltry 112 in 43.3 overs.

Afridi finished with impressive figures of 4/30 after Mohammad Hafeez's two early wickets pushed West Indies on the backfoot at the start of the innings before folding up for their third lowest World Cup total.

Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal, too, figured amongst the wickets.

West Indies skipper Darren Sammy's decision to bat first after winning the toss backfired badly as the two-time former champions were reduced to 16/3 by the sixth over, with the dangerous Chris Gayle back in the pavilion.

Spearhead Gul gave Pakistan a dream start when he had Gayle caught at mid-off by none other than the skipper himself.

If losing Gayle so early was not bad enough, West Indies were dealt another body blow as the left-hander's opening partner, Devon Smith, was trapped in front by Hafeez.

Hafeez was at the thick of things again when he had Darren Bravo caught plumb in front.

West Indies looked completely out of sorts against the guile and variation of the opposition bowlers, especially Hafeez, who picked up two wickets while conceding just 12 runs in his first spell of eight overs, which also had three maidens.

Afridi seemed pro-active in his approach and was looking for wickets at all costs, and at all times.

The skipper was in no mood to let go of the early advantage and therefore replaced first-change bowler Wahab Riaz after the left-arm seamer went wicket-less in his first three overs.

Afridi's move paid dividends as he broke the 42-run partnership between Ramnaresh Sarwan (24) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (44 not out), the biggest of the innings.

Sarwan and Chanderpaul tried to steady the ship with a dodgy stand, but the duo's effort proved to be insufficient in the prevailing circumstances.

Sarwan, while trying to break the shackles after consuming 68 deliveries, found Umar Akmal at Gully, giving Afridi his first wicket of the match, and 18th of the tournament.

Sarwan always looked in trouble against the Pakistani skipper and the leg-spinner could have had the West Indian had Gul not dropped an easy chance at widish long-off in his second over.

Bowling his fast, attacking leg-spinners to deadly effect, Afridi then had Kieron Pollard caught behind and followed that up with the wicket of Devon Thomas in the next ball.

Thomas' scalp was Afridi's 19th of the tournament, a Pakistani record. Wasim Akram (with 18 wickets in the 1992 edition in Australia and New Zealand) held the previous record.

Sammy survived the hat-trick ball but the damage was done by that time.

Ajmal joined the party by dismissing Sammy and Devendra Bishoo to make it 71/6.

Chanderpaul added 40 valuable runs with number ten Kemar Roach to take his team past the 100-run mark before Abdul Razzaq cut short the tail-ender's valiant innings.

Chanderpaul, for all his patience and doggedness at the crease, could not save his team from slipping further. The experienced left-hander remained unbeaten on 44 but gobbled up 106 deliveries to score his runs.

Chanderpaul's pain-staking knock typified West Indies' display with the bat. They could manage just 18 runs for the loss of three wickets in the mandatory powerplay, and were 36, though without further damage, at the end of the 15th over.

We stand with Pakistan: Hillary Clinton

WASHINGTON: Greeting the people of Pakistan as it celebrates anniversary of Lahore Resolution that led to the creation of the country, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday said that United States stands with them.

"As you celebrate Pakistan Day, know that the United States stands with you," Clinton said in a message issued on the occasion.

"I join President Obama and the people of the United States in congratulating the people of Pakistan as you celebrate the anniversary of the signing of the Lahore Resolution this March 23, which laid the foundation for the creation of Pakistan," she said.
The US and Pakistan are united by shared values, common interests and mutual respect, she said.

"We are constantly striving for greater tolerance, to enforce the rule of law and uphold the principles of democracy in both our countries," she added.

"As Mohammad Ali Jinnah said the story of Pakistan, its struggle and its achievement, is the very story of great human ideals, struggling to survive in the face of great odds and difficulties," Clinton said.

"These words ring true today as Pakistan works to fulfill the vision of its founders," Clinton said.

"We join the people of Pakistan in honoring these ideals and the valiant sacrifices the Pakistani people are making every day in the fight against violent extremism," she said.

"We remember the message of hope, courage and confidence the Quaid-e-Azam expressed to the Pakistani people and we continue to support your efforts to strive for a more peaceful and prosperous Pakistan," Clinton said. PTI LKJ

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Four more killed in Karachi; parts of city remain tense

KARACHI: At least four people were killed in different incidents of firing in Karachi on Tuesday, DawnNews reported.

Unknown assailants gunned down a man near the city’s Jama Cloth market and another man was shot dead in Karachi’s Quaidabad neighbourhood.

Furthermore, one person was killed as a result of firing in the North Nazimabad area and another was shot dead in Orangi Town’s Kati Paharhi area.

Several people were also wounded in incidents of firing and parts of Karachi remained tense as a result.

Markets were also being forced to shut.

Earlier on Monday, a senior leader of the Awami National Party (ANP), a brother of a Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) worker and a religious teacher were gunned down in separate incidents in different parts of the city, police and party sources said.

China Shows Surprising Aid for Asian Rival

More than 100 countries have pledged aid to Japan. But it’s China’s aid in particular that has some analysts wondering if the two rivals are beginning to warm up to each other after decades of tension.

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Islamabadian Watching Match

 

Pakistan vs Australia on 19th March 2011

Salvaging pride : Hundreds gather to protest the murder deal (ISB city)

ISLAMABAD:  Hundreds of activists from different political parties and members of civil society took to the streets to protest the release of Raymond Davis, the alleged official of United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) who had shot dead two Pakistanis in Lahore earlier this year.

Threatening the present government with a civil disobedience movement, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf Chief Imran Khan asked the government to voluntarily quit, he was speaking at Aabpara Chowk to a rally of hundreds of people.
“They must go or people in great numbers will take to street to topple their government,” said Khan. He added that by freeing Davis, the political leaders had shown weakness. It had given a wrong message to the world.
“We showed the Americans that they could get anything with money. They were assured that US citizens could get away with even murder in Pakistan,” said the PTI chief.
Khan was also critical of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government in Punjab. “Sharif brothers have always demonstrated cowardice. They always leave the country in times of crisis,” said Imran.
The participants of the rally held at Aabpara Chowk after the Friday prayers, mostly youth, were carrying banners with slogans against United States written on them. The youth criticised the federal as well as the Punjab goverments. The main Aabpara road, Khayaban-e-Suharwardy, was closed where traffic remained suspended till late in the evening.
Local leader of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Mian Muhammad Aslam also criticised the intelligence agencies and the federal government for aiding the release of Davis.
“The Pakistan Peoples Party led federal governmental and intelligence agencies helped engineer Davis’s release through court,” said Aslam. He said Davis should have been hanged for killing Pakistani citizens in broad daylight. The protesters dispersed peacefully but not before giving threats of returning with greater numbers if the government does not leave.
Dozens of members of civil society also held a separate rally at D-Chowk in front of the Parliament House to protest the release of the alleged US spy. They were stopped by the police from proceeding towards the presidency and the Supreme Court.
They chanted slogans against the government, condemning it for allowing the killer of two Pakistanis to get off scot free. These protesters dispersed after staying on the Parade Avenue for over two hours.
Earlier before the Friday prayers, the PTI activists claimed their offices were raided in Rawalpindi by the police who confiscated flags and banners of their party. They said the administration wanted to stop PTI from taking out rallies in the twin cities. They claimed some of their activists were arrested but the police denied arresting any of the protesters.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 19^th, 2011.

Mosque in Japan after earthquake

Pakistan summons US envoy over drone attack

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan on Friday summoned the US ambassador over a drone strike which killed 35 people, the foreign ministry said, as relations between the two allies came under renewed strain.
US Ambassador Cameron Munter was told "that such strikes were not only unacceptable but also constituted a flagrant violation of humanitarian norms and law," the ministry said in a statement.
Pakistan's civilian and military leaders have already condemned Thursday's drone strike against a militant hideout in North Waziristan tribal region and demanded an apology and explanation from the US.
Civilians and police were among those killed when US missiles ploughed into a compound in Datta Khel town, 40 kilometres (25 miles) west of Miranshah, the main town in tribal North Waziristan.
Intelligence sources in Peshawar said the dead included 12 Taliban militants.
Frosty diplomatic relations with the US appeared to have thawed Wednesday after a Pakistan court released a CIA contractor, accused of double murder, after $2 million in blood money was paid to the families of the dead.
His release sparked protests from ordinary Pakistanis on Friday, with festering anti-US sentiment among demonstrators further inflamed by Thursday's missile strike.
US drones have frequently targeted Datta Khel, known as a stronghold of the Taliban commander and Al-Qaeda-linked warlord Hafiz Gul Bahadar, and the Peshawar official said the militants hit were members of the Pakistani Taliban.
The ministry said that Munter was met by foreign secretary Salman Bashir who conveyed "a strong protest" over the CIA-operated pilotless drone attack.
"It was evident that the fundamentals of our relations need to be revisited. Pakistan should not be taken for granted nor treated as a client state," the statement said.
"It was for the White House and the State Department to hold back those who have been trying to veer Pakistan-US relationship away from the track."
The ministry said Pakistan would now not attend a meeting in Brussels with officials from the Washington and Kabul on security in Afghanistan, scheduled for March 26.
Ambassador Munter said he understood that Islamabad's protest was not a "pro forma demarche" (a formality) and that he would swiftly convey its message to the highest levels of the US administration, the ministry said.
A security official said the missile strike killed about two dozen civilians, including tribal leaders and elders.
"They were part of a jirga or council of tribal elders, mediating a dispute between two local tribes in Datta Khel district," a security official said.
The jirga had been convened to resolve a feud between two local groups over the ownership of a disputed mine in the region, residents said.
"The drones appeared about 30 minutes after the jirga started and fired four missiles at the gathering of 50-60 people. I was wounded and fell unconscious," Inamullah Khan, who lost a leg, told AFP at a state-run hospital in Miranshah.
Missile attacks doubled in the area last year to more than 100, killing over 670 people in 2010 compared with 45 strikes that killed 420 in 2009, according to an AFP tally.
Most have been concentrated in North Waziristan, the most notorious Afghan Taliban and Al-Qaeda bastion in Pakistan, where the United States wants the Pakistan military to launch a ground offensive as soon as possible.
Pakistan says its troops are too overstretched to launch an assault.

18th.March 2011

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CIA contractor released after Pakistan killings

Islamabad, Pakistan (CNN) -- CIA contractor Raymond Davis has been released from jail in Pakistan after the families of two men he killed in January forgave him, a government official said Wednesday.
Punjab province law minister Rana Sanaullah first told Pakistani media that the victims' families did not want to press charges and added soon after that Davis was free to go.
The statement came just hours after the American was charged with murder in connection with the shootings.
The U.S. Embassy in Pakistan declined to answer repeated CNN questions about whether Davis had left jail or where he is now.
According to Davis, the January 27 shooting occurred after two men attacked him as he drove through a busy
The case has heightened tensions between Washington and Islamabad.
The United States had been seeking the release of Davis on the grounds that he has diplomatic immunity.
But a high court in Pakistan refused Monday to decide whether the CIA contractor has diplomatic immunity, sending the case back to a lower court, the official Associated Press of Pakistan reported.
The lower court had already ruled that Davis does not enjoy protected diplomatic status because neither he nor the Pakistani government has provided documents proving that he does.
U.S. officials originally said Davis was a diplomat and later revealed that he is a CIA contractor, intensifying the already highly charged situation.

Pakistan is a key U.S. ally in efforts against al Qaeda and the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan, and the shooting deaths outraged many Pakistanis.

'Blood money' tradition might help resolve U.S.-Pakistani row

CIA contractor Raymond Davis is escorted by police and officials out of a Lahore court in January. Legal experts say a "blood money" payment could be a face-saving way to end the dispute between the United States and Pakistan over his detention. (Tariq Saeed, Reuters / March 13, 2011)

Quake leaves apocalyptic scene in Japan

Fires, chasms and vast swaths of muddy debris leave Japan mired in anxiety and suffering. The death toll is expected to pass 1,000.

"Rations and supplies are just starting to reach emergency shelters," said Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano, dressed in the light-blue jacket that identifies disaster-relief workers.

Images from the coastal city of Soma taken from a TV network helicopter showed trees that had been uprooted by the tsunami and then dragged back to shore when the waters receded.

Video taken over Kesennuma, in Miyagi prefecture, where the quake was most destructive, captured a Self-Defense Forces helicopter swooping low over a neighborhood to pluck a survivor from one of the few rooftops still above water.

In Iwanuma, survivors taking refuge on top of Minamihama Chuo Hospital waved flags and umbrellas to signal for help. All around them were water and the debris of buildings.

At Sendai airport, a small private jet appeared to have been carried by the rushing waters and left partly buried in waterlogged rubble. Most of the runway was under water.

Crews labored through the night to dig out trucks and cars that had fallen into chasms in roads and highways. At a Machida district shopping center in Tokyo, the ramp of a parking lot had collapsed, and workers with cranes were searching for people in the wreckage. One person pried from the rubble was unconscious and in critical condition.

"More than 90% of the houses in three coastal communities have been washed away by tsunami," a municipal official in the town of Futaba told the Kyodo News Agency. He said from his vantage point on the fourth floor of the town hall, "I see no houses standing."

Pakistan test fires Hataf-2

Pakistan on Friday said it had successfully tested its short range surface-to-surface ballistic missile Hataf-2 (Abdali) as part of the ongoing process of validation and technical improvements in the nation's Land Based Ballistic Missile Systems.

According to a statement put out by Pakistan's Inter Services Public Relations, Hataf-2 has a range of 180 km and can carry nuclear as well as conventional warheads.

The test was conducted at an undisclosed place in the presence of the Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Khalid Shameem Wynne, and other senior officers of the strategic organisations.

The Abdali weapons system, according to General Wynne, provided Pakistan with an operational level capability in addition to the strategic level capability.

Govt decides to reappoint Deedar as NAB Chief

SLAMABAD: The Government has decided to reappoint Syed Deedar Hussain Shah as Chairman NAB, sources told Geo News.
Earlier on the day, Supreme Court of Pakistan declared the appointment of former justice Deedar Hussain Shah as Chairman NAB null and void.

Pakistan anti-Taliban militia 'ends government support'

The head of a powerful anti-Taliban militia in north-west Pakistan has said he will end co-operation with the government, one day after a deadly suicide bombing targeted his group.

At least 38 people were killed when the Taliban bombed a funeral procession for the wife of a tribal elder.
Dilawar Khan accused the government of failing to provide enough support.
Several anti-Taliban tribal groups are based in the area and they are often attacked by insurgents.
The suicide bombing hit Mr Khan's militia in Adezai, in the Matani area, some 15km (10 miles) from Peshawar city. His is an anti-Taliban force, which was set up with government support.
No compensation On Thursday the chief minister of the north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Amir Haider Khan Hoti, said that as the militia play an important role in the fight against militancy, it is the responsibility of the government to support it, Pakistan's APP news agency reported.
He was visiting the hospital where dozens of those injured in the bombing

"Eight days ago more than 100 Taliban launched an attack on my house and shelled the entire village with mortars and rockets.

"We fought them and repulsed them. Later we demanded of the government to provide us with ammunition and other things as we were running low on these things, but they did not listen," Mr Khan said.
The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says militia leaders have repeatedly made such demands, but resources have not been forthcoming.
"We did not raise our force by choice. We were caught between the government forces and Taliban. Both would shell our houses. When we complained to the police and administration officials, they said you will continue to be hit from both sides until you raise a force to counter Taliban. So we did that," Dilawar Khan said.
"The top administration and police officials of the time said they would give us everything from guns and ammunition to vehicles and other resources. But three years have gone by and we have not received a single bullet from them."
Government officials say the militia did receive help from the government, but that no promises were ever made regarding weapons and money.
Our correspondent says the government may be wary of providing too many resources to militia leaders because some have questionable credentials.
The Taliban said Wednesday's bombing was in retaliation for the militia's support of the continuing anti-Taliban operation by Pakistan's security forces.
The Adezai area has also seen frequent Taliban attacks on police stations and security posts.
Until recently, the tribal anti-Taliban force had been conducting night patrols to discourage Taliban attacks but it ended some weeks ago as the government's supply of arms and ammunition to the members of the force dwindled.
On Tuesday 26 people were killed and more than 120 injured in a car bomb explosion at a gas station in the industrial city of Faisalabad.

Suicide bomber kills 37 at Pakistan tribal militia funeral

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — A suicide bomb attack on a funeral held by an anti-Taliban tribal militia killed at least 37 people and injured more than 40 others Wednesday in northwest Pakistan, prompting militia leaders to angrily rebuke the government for failing to provide enough support for their battle against insurgents.
The attack occurred in the village of Adezai, about 15 miles south of the city of Peshawar and just east of the volatile tribal areas where al-Qaida and Taliban militants maintain strongholds. A teen-age boy appeared at the funeral and was thought to be a mourner, witnesses and local police said. But just as prayers began, the boy moved into the crowd and detonated explosives hidden under his shawl.
The funeral was for the wife of one of the militia members and was attended by about 500 people. Members of the militia, known in Pakistan as a lashkar, complained that local officials had not provided any security for the funeral. Witnesses said armed militia members ringed the mourners, but the boy was able to get through undetected.
"It's not possible for our volunteers to bodily search everyone, said Syed Muhammad, a member of the lashkar. The Associated Press reported that the Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.
Federal and provincial government leaders have urged tribes in regions battling militancy to form militias to help police their own territories. Villagers have formed lashkars in the Swat Valley, where the army routed Taliban insurgents in 2009, in the largely lawless tribal regions along the Afghan border and in villages surrounding Peshawar, the capital of northwest Pakistan's Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.
The lashkars have had varying success in keeping militants out of their villages. But many lashkar leaders have complained that their pleas for support from Pakistani authorities, particularly new firearms and ammunition, have gone ignored.
"What wrong have we done?" the lashkar's leader, Dilawar Khan, told a Pakistani television channel. "We're getting neither bullets nor guns. When we demand bullets, the authorities ask us how many Taliban fighters we have killed. I want to ask the government how many Taliban fighters have they killed."
Khan said his lashkar would abandon its fight against the Taliban if the government fails to adequately equip his men. Authorities' reluctance to fund and arm the lashkars consistently stems largely from a fear that well-armed militias could abuse their power. Bashir Bilour, a Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa senior minister, said authorities had suspended support of the Adezai lashkar because members allegedly had been using their firearms to carry out kidnappings.
Bilour said attacks like the one in Adezai should send a message to political leaders in Islamabad that eradicating Pakistan's homegrown insurgency is the country's top priority.
"Don't get involved in arguments about 10-point agendas, democracy versus dictatorship, my government versus your government," Bilour said. "Set aside these issues and give top priority to Pakistan's main problem, which is terrorism."

20 killed, 127 wounded in Pakistan bomb attack

AFP - A bomb planted by suspected Islamic militants exploded at a filling station in Pakistan's central Punjab province Tuesday, killing at least 20 people and wounding 127 others, police said.
"We fear the death toll may rise because the condition of some of the injured is very critical," said Aftab Cheema, regional police chief in Faisalabad, the country's textile-making capital.
"It was a car bomb blast. The explosive was planted in a car. We are investigating whether a suicide bomber was involved or not," Cheema said.
Television pictures showed the station had been reduced to a pile of bricks and gnarled metal as rescue officials worked to remove rubble from the scene to search for survivors and ambulance vehicles ferried the injured away.
City commissioner Tahir Husain told private Geo television that rescue officials were heaving bricks and metal away to save those trapped.
"There are some people trapped under the building rubble. We have deployed our cranes and machinery to rescue them very soon," he added.
Husain told private TV channel Waqt that no suicide attacker was involved.
"It was not a suicide attack. It was a planted bomb blast. The bomb exploded near the gas cylinders that triggered a bigger blast," he said.
Husain said that the attack could have targeted government buildings close to the filling station, which sold compressed natural gas for vehicles, adding that some of the buildings were damaged in the blast.
Pakistan has been wracked by violence, mostly targeting security officials.
Some 4,000 people have been killed in bomb blasts, suicide and gun attacks blamed on Taliban and Al-Qaeda fighters since Pakistan troops stormed a militant mosque in Islamabad in July 2007.
On Saturday at least one person was killed and another wounded when a bomb exploded inside a house in Pakistan's biggest city of Karachi.
Faisalabad city is near the home of a Christian government minister who was buried Friday after being killed in a hail of bullets in Islamabad last week over his opposition to the country's strict Islamic blasphemy laws.
His assassination sparked international outrage and stoked concern about rampant militancy and rising extremism throughout the nuclear-armed nation, a fractious ally in the US-led war in Afghanistan.

Blast at refueling station kills at least 21 in Pakistan

Faisalabad -At least 21 people were killed and 105 others wounded when a bomb went off at a compressed natural gas station in Pakistan's Punjab province Tuesday, officials said.
Tahir Hussain, commissioner of Faisalabad -- where the blast occurred -- called it an act of terrorism.
A large crater at the blast site suggested the explosion was caused by a device planted at the pump, he said. And when it went off, it triggered a second explosion at the gas station, he said.
The station is located close to several government buildings, he said. A building belonging to the intelligence agency was not damaged, but the offices of Pakistan International Airlines partially collapsed.
Hussain put the death toll at 15 and the number of wounded at 85, but said people were believed trapped under the rubble of the collapsed building.
Pakistan has the highest number of vehicles running on compressed natural gas (CNG) as well as the most refueling stations in the world, according to December 2009 figures from the International Association for Natural Gas Vehicles.

The New Zealand-based trade group placed the number of CNG stations in Pakistan at 3,068.

Muttahida Quami Movement threatens to part ways with PPP

KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) said on Monday that it cannot go with Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in Sindh as a coalition partner, adding that party lawmakers would boycott National Assembly and Senate sessions as well.

Earlier, MQM members of Sindh Assembly boycotted today’s session.

“Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza is patronizing terrorist groups of the city. The MQM drew attention towards the situation. The crime situation in Karachi is alarming,” said Raza Haroon. Raza Haroon during the news briefing informed the media that President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani would be informed about the situation created after the recent statement of Mirza.

MQM TO BOYCOTT SINDH ASSEMBLY SESSION The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has announced today (Monday) to boycott Sindh Assembly session after the recent statement of Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulifqar Mirza who declared People’s Aman Committee as the wing of Pakistan People’s Party.

Mirza announced on Sunday during the public gathering on the death anniversary of slain PPP leader Abdullah Murad Baloch in Malir that People’s Aman Committee is the sister organization of PPP. “Being the senior vice president of PPP Sindh chapter, I announce People’s Aman Committee is the sister organization of PPP.” “If all the members of People’s Aman Committee are criminals, then Home Minister (Mirza) is also a criminal.”

“Extortion is at peak in the city,” said MQM’s Haider Abbas Rizvi. While talking to SAMAA on Monday, he alleged that Mirza played a major role to create rifts between two coalition partners.

Rizvi said that his party considered boycotting Senate and National Assembly sessions as well.

Punjabi Taliban

IT is difficult to say who is guilty of hurting the Punjabi sensibility and compromising Punjab`s security more. Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has warned Interior Minister Rehman Malik against using the term `Punjabi Taliban`. The federal minister initially gave the impression that he was ready to take on Mr Sharif over the issue, going so far as to declare he was not a subordinate of the chief minister. But then he capitulated in the manner his party, the PPP, seems to have perfected. Mr Malik has promised Mr Sharif an explanation; however, others may not share the interior minister`s compulsion and would be more tempted to raise the critical question of what is so irritating about the term `Punjabi Taliban` that has made the chief minister livid. His angry response — time and again — to the `Punjabi` tagging of terrorists betrays a lack of understanding that does not quite suit the head of a provincial government. There is no insinuation that the Taliban enjoy the active support of the entire population of a province. It is only Mr Sharif`s interpretation that appears to give that sinister, all-encompassing meaning to a term a set of terrorists — many of whom have received training in Waziristan — have boasted of in recent times.

Rather than taking it as an attack meant to be countered forcefully, the mention of the Punjabi Taliban should lead to a bit of searching of the soul and territory at Mr Sharif`s command. There have been far too many allegations for him to continue to ignore the issue. The pamphlet left at the site of Minister Shahbaz Bhatti`s murder in Islamabad recently had the Taliban from Punjab claiming responsibility for the dastardly act.
If this is not the right time and the right sign for Punjab to act, there never will be. A lack of action on the part of the provincial government will only add to the impression that it, or some of its members, had a soft corner for terrorists on a killing spree. Their victims include people from all ethnic groups and a number of politicians and political activists belonging mainly to the PPP and the Awami National Party. During his attacks on Mr Malik, the chief minister has once again, and rightly so, pointed out that it was irrelevant as to which ethnic group a terrorist belonged to. He would be doing Punjab, and coincidentally Pakistan, a great service if he could move beyond simply cleaning up the Pathan areas in Lahore in his attempt to pre-empt terror strikes. He must look deeper and must not discriminate.

Time to rip the masks off!

The debate on Raymond Davis has now moved much further, his identity doesn’t seem a riddle now as much has been revealed about his status. In recent times many reports have been appeared regarding his status; US media itself is digging out the realities behind this case. Lately the most famous and esteemed intelligence website of US Startfor which is being run by ex-members of CIA and American intelligence, is coming up with many reports in this regard, it recently revealed that ‘The American detained after shooting two Pakistanis, Raymond Davis, was part of a covert CIA-led team collecting intelligence and conducting surveillance on militant groups deep inside the country’. It clarified that he is not a diplomat but he is CIA contract security officer, so he cannot enjoy the relaxation and security which a diplomat do and he must have been told about this when he joined CIA.

It says that before sending to Pakistan , Raymond must have been told by his company about his status, that though he is a contract officer but US government will help him in anyway incase of any unpleasant situation. Hence a reliable source that too from US itself has declared his status as a contract security officer which obviously doesn’t enjoy diplomatic immunity. New York Times also wrote that Raymond Davis is retired army personnel, he established an intelligence company with his wife Remika Davis in 2006 which later started working for CIA. Thus different reports are coming up about his identity but none of them says that he is a diplomat. That’s why now US media is directly asking US government that why US is reluctant to declare him a diplomat. Hence if it was cleared that he is non diplomat then why US state department was silent on this identity, why spokesman of State Department said that he is not permitted to tell the actual identity of Davis and why US was reluctant to convince Pakistan that he should be given blanket immunity?

Nevertheless now the question is not merely stuck to Davis identity and status, now everything related to him has become considerable and is divulging secrets. Panic of US government, President Obama influx in the issue, arrival of Jhon Kerry in Pakistan , Phone call to COAS of Pakistan, all these signs are thought provoking. International Media and many Pakistani security analysts are suggesting that US government is in panic because Raymond Davis is an agent of Black water or from Joint Special Operations Command Pakistan Unit (JSOC), which is an armed group of American armed forces. Main objectives of JSOC are to overthrow government, establishment of terrorists groups against anti-US states and searching of nuclear arms. It is an intelligence terrorist group of American army. Pakistani security analysts are saying that from the past JSOC is working against Pakistan through Afghanistan and it is involved in insurgency inside Pakistan . Russian Intelligence Agency SVR has claimed that CIA agent Raymond Davis was trying to theft Pakistani Nuclear Material to give it to Terrorists so that America gets an excuse to attack Pakistan . They further said, ‘it is also found that Raymond Davis has connections with terrorist groups that are involved in terrorist attacks in Pakistan, because America wants to start a new war with any country to save dying Western economy’.

These reports doesn’t seems mere stories as telephone numbers and addresses of people of TTP and Asian Tigers have been recovered from Raymond and they all were trying to establish terrorists groups in Southern Punjab. Till now the law enforcement agencies arrested many individuals for staying in constant contact with Raymond Davis. Subsequently now the ground realities are revealing that Davis is the head of much larger snake, the evidence, equipments and data that come out so far almost confirms his link with Tehreek-e-Taliban terrorism inside Pakistan as different attacks took place inside Pakistan on security establishment of Pakistan and as well as his link with the drone attacks are also almost confirmed.

Thus now the issue is not just limited to the assassination of those two boys on the streets of Lahore but now it is of to identifying the much larger network of CIA inside Pakistan, that is why we find every day our security establishment more tighten the security around Davis. This is the reason that America wants Raymond as soon as possible, and due to these realities whole episode is coming up with two interesting hypothesis, first says that any Mission Impossible type scenarios can took place in order to rescue Davis, while the other says there are great chances that even the CIA can make plots to assassinate him just to make him silent because he knows much to disclose and there is much more to this incident than we are just seeing. As Pakistani security analyst are of the view that the backup vehicle which comes to recue Davis didn’t come to recue Davis it came to rescue a much larger target sitting in the vehicle next to him, the rescue vehicle smashed person and gone in other direction while the Davis went in other direction just to distract the attention.

Panic in the US government is increasing day by day which clearly suggest that Davis has some very critical information to reveal, the information which seems to be very much related to the US operation in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and this is what Pakistan’s security establishment is very keen to know. Davis must be screened and squeezed in order to get out the information which can be come out of him. About Davis as every body is suspicious that it’s not his real name so his real identity is yet to come and that must come out that for whom and with whom he was working for? What type of spy game is going in Pakistan ? These critically questions need to be answered.

The spy game which is going in Pakistan should be disclosed now. Obviously the revelations which can come out from Davis is raising extremely huge pressure for US government and the pressure is now coming over to Pakistan to hand over Davis to US, but the issue is now almost out of the hand of Pakistani government and now it’s more in the hand of Army and security establishment. So now the Americans are in totally confused and in panic situation as the Pakistani security establishment are firm, they are holding the tight squadron around Davis till the time they acquired the required information.
Maimuna Ashraf

Harper condemns 'gutless' killers of Pakistan minister

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Stephen Harper is condemning what he calls the gutless killers who gunned down the only Christian member of Pakistan's cabinet.
The House of Commons has unanimously adopted a motion condemning the murder, and offering condolences to the family of Shabaz Bhatti.
Al Qaeda and the Pakistani Taliban Movement in Punjab province claimed responsibility for the killing, in leaflets left at the scene in Islamabad.
Harper notes that Bhatti's brother, Peter, is a Canadian citizen.
The motion also urges the Pakistani government to repeal the country's blasphemy laws.
The prime minister and the Commons motion also urged Pakistan to track down the killers and put them on trial.
"Canada stands against those who commit gutless acts of murderous violence and extremism, and calls for the Pakistani authorities to bring those responsible to justice," Harper said.
He said the blasphemy laws pose problems for religious minorities.
"Canada also continues to urge Pakistan to prevent the abuse of its blasphemy laws, which restrict freedom of religion and expression and have disproportionately targeted religious minorities, and to protect individuals who choose to speak out on these issues," he said.
The leaflets left at the murder scene denounced Bhatti as "an infidel Christian."
His slaying on Wednesday followed the January killing of Salman Taseer, a liberal Pakistani politician who was shot by one of his guards.
Both men had campaigned to change blasphemy laws that impose the death penalty for insulting Islam.

Terrorists target girls college:37 students seriously injured

Peshawar—Hand grenades attack on girls college in Mardan District Tuesday afternoon resulted in injuries to as many as 37 girl students with most of them seriously. The medics in Mardan hospital have described the condition of few victims as precarious.

Reports reaching here said unknown miscreants hurled at least two hand grenades on a girls college Guli Maira in Lund Khwar area some 30 kilometers from Mardan City Tuesday afternoon during a function.

While the explosions created panic among the students and the people around, the rescue teams as well as heavy contingents of law enforcing agencies rushed to the site and shifted the victims to the Mardan Complex Hospital and District Headquarters Hospital Mardan for treatment.

Police sources and the doctors said in total 37 girls were injured in the grenades attack. The college was closed immediately and the remaining students and the teaching staff were guided to their homes. Locals said the college building sustained minor damages. The police and the security forces started search operation in the area but the real culprits remained at large till the filing of this report.
Tariq Saeed:Pakistan observer

Davis a broken man

Islamabad—Losing all hopes to come out in free world, the jailed Raymond Davis, a CIA contractor is now a broken man, prepared to divulge all information about his activities in Pakistan .

Sources privy to the developments confided to this scribe that initially Davis , responsible for death of three Pakistanis in Lahore was tight lipped with a hope that his powerful country will succeed in bullying Pakistan to let him fly back to Washington .

But, for the first time in the history of Pakistan, the mighty US is seemed to be helpless and its all efforts so far went down the drain in face of determined Pakistani nation, its awakened media and judiciary. Davis’s hopes are debilitating with each passing day in Kot Lakhpat jail where staff of US Consulate-General in Lahore tried to keep his spirit high. Finally a stage has come when he is a psychologically broken man. The information so far given by him is an eye opener for Pakistanis as how the US has spread its spying tentacles in length and breadth of Pakistan . The recovery of sophisticated electronic equipment from the armed US “diplomat” elicited something very serious activities going in Pakistan .

The Pakistani officials are conscious of the fact that the US agencies including high profile CIA which is notorious of killing people all over the world and even its own agents might eliminate Davis by one way or the other as they apprehend that Davis might dish out “classified information” to Pakistani authorities at this stage. The information given by him so far is very alarming, the sources said. The worried Pakistani officials, who have further beefed up Davis ’s security, are also looking towards another dangerous aspect of the situation. They fear that any emotionally charged secuirty official might kill Davis. According to diplomatic sources, Pak-US relations are at the lowest ebb and it can further aggravate in the coming days as solution of Davis ’s issue is not in sight. The US President Barack Obama’s demand that Davis be granted diplomatic immunity and recent dashing visit of US Senator John Kerry, who is also Chairman of Foreign Relations Committee to Pakistan, could not produce any result.

Kerry returned with empty handed. Due to public and opposition’s pressure, the governments in the centre and Punjab did not dare to bow before foreign masters. Killing of two Pakistanis by Davis in broad day-light and suicide by Shumaila, wife of one of the slain civilians Muhammed Faheem have ignited anti-US sentiments in Pakistan. All political parties, people of Pakistan , media and judiciary are one on the Davis’ issue. The PPP stalwart and former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Foreign Office Spokesman Abdul Basit have become prey to Davis ’s case so far. Even political future of PPP government in the centre and PML (N) government in Punjab hinges on this novel case. Both governmnets have taken a princpled stand that Davis’ fate will be decided by the court. After omission from the Cabinet, Qureshi confirmed that the US had put enormous pressure on Islamabad on Davis ’ case. Besides bullying, the US had also threatened to slash aid to Pakistan.

The sources said forty five Pakistanis, who were in touch with Davis , have been arrested from Lahore , Peshawar and Karachi . Davis with a special mission had links with Taliban and some religious schools running in Pakistan . Photographs and videos recovered from him indicated that he was a security risk in Pakistan . According to a government report, about 850 US diplomats, the highest number as compared to other foreign missions are working in Pakistan. The list of non-diplomatic staff is much high. The Pakistani embassy in Washington is very “generous” in granting visas to agents of US security agencies including Blackwater and CIA. According to reports, the US secret agents are spread all over Pakistan with unchecked activities. They have established a strong network with local links. The situation has aggravated to a level that security agencies of Pakistan and the US are positioned eyeball to eyeball. For the first time in the history of Pakistan and the US is trapped finding no way to get its citizen released from the clutches of Pakistani laws.

Judges’ kidnappings in Balochistan: Lawyers strike leaves courtrooms deserted

QUETTA: A day after two judges in Balochistan were kidnapped, lawyers boycotted court proceedings across the province and demanded immediate and safe recovery of missing lawyers and judges.
The strike on Monday was called by the Balochistan Bar Association, High Court Bar Association and the Balochistan Bar Council.
On Sunday, two judges were kidnapped in Jaffarabad district. Sibi District and Sessions Judge Jan Mohammad Gohar Yasinzai and Civil Judge Mohammad Ali Kakar were going to Usta Mohammad in a private car to attend a wedding, when a group of armed men intercepted and whisked them away.
Courts in the province were deserted as no lawyer appeared before the High Court, Sessions Court and local magistrates. All cases were adjourned till the next date of hearing.
People coming for hearings from remote areas returned home disappointed. They complained that there are strikes every other day. “It seems that everyone has been given a freehand to take law into their hands,” said Abdul Aziz who had come from Kuchlak, about 30-km from Quetta.
Lawyers threatened to hold protest rallies daily if kidnapped judges and lawyers are not recovered. “No one is secure in Balochistan and we, the lawyers, will launch a massive protest campaign to mobilise masses regarding complex issues confronting the province,” said President of Balochistan Bar Association Baz Mohammad Kakar.
Earlier, a meeting of lawyers was held in Quetta during which lawyers said there is no writ of the government and kidnappings have become a routine matter.
Four lawyers, Munir Ahmed Mirwani, Agha Zahir Shah, Saleem Akhtar and Tahir Ali advocate are listed as missing and their whereabouts are still not known.
Mirwani was whisked away from Khuzdar about 10 months ago while Zahir Shah, who was assisting the Balochistan High Court on cases of missing persons, was kidnapped a few days back. Saleem Akhtar Advocate and Tahir Ali were kidnapped from Dhadar area last week.
“The lawyers will soon hold a seminar in Quetta and invite all political parties and representatives of civil society to discuss the issues in Balochistan so that a joint struggle can be waged against this uncertainty and lawlessness,” Baz Mohammad said.
The lawyers announced to hold a rally today (Tuesday). Lawyers will boycott court proceedings after 11:00 am on a daily basis until the kidnapped judges and lawyers are recovered.
The strike on Monday was observed in Quetta, Kalat, Mastung, Sibi, Nasirabad, Jafarabad, Naushki, Chagai, Kila Abdullah, Kila Saifullah, Zhob, Lasbela, Kech, Gwadar, Panjgur, Kohlu, Jhal Magsi, Harani, Loralai, Pishin, Musa Khail and other districts.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 1^st, 2011.