HCJP CONSTITUTES LARGER BENCH

A seventeen member Larger Bench has been constituted to hear the NRO cases on 07-12-2009. The Larger Bench will be headed by The Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan Mr. Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and comprise on Honourable Mr. Justice Javed Iqbal, Honourable Mr. Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan, Honourable Mr. Justice Khalil-ur- Rehman Ramday, Honourable Mr. Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, Honourable Mr. Justice Tassadduq Hussain Jillani, Honourable Mr. Justice Nasir-ul- Mulk, Honourable Mr. Justice Raja Fayyaz Ahmed, Honourable Mr. Justice Ch. Ijaz Ahmed, Honourable Mr. Justice Muhammad Sair Ali, Honourable Mr. Justice Mahmood Akhtar Shahid Siddiqui, Honourable Mr. Justice S. Khawaja, Honourable Mr. Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Honourable Mr. Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, Honourable Mr. Justice Rahmat Husain Jafferi, Honourable Mr. Justice Tariq Parvez, Honourable Mr. Justice Ghulam Rabbani.

Brigadier Anwar ul Haq Ramday and Lt. Colonel Wasim laid to rest

Brigadier Anwar-ul-Haq Ramday and Lt. Colonel Wasim who embraced martyrdom in the GHQ operation against terrorists have been laid to rest with full military honor in Rawalpindi and Swabi respectively, reported Dunya News. The funeral prayer of Brigadier Ramday was attended by top military and civilian leadership including Punjab IG, MI DG and Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday.

The martyr was laid to rest in Military Graveyard with full military honor. The army had surrounded the graveyard on this occasion. In Swabi, a floral wreath was laid on the grave of Lt. Colonel Wasim from President Asif Ali Zardari, Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervaz Kayani and Punjab Regimental Center.

Military Commanders show great concerns on Kerry-Lugar Bill

122 Corps Commanders Conference was held at General Headquarters today. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani chaired the day long meeting. The participants were given a comprehensive briefing on the current security situation in the country and the region.

COAS in his opening remarks dilated upon various issues related to national security and impending challenges faced by the country. COAS reiterated that Pakistan is a sovereign state and has all the rights to analyse and respond to the threat in accordance with her own national interests.

Kerry Lugar bill also came under discussion during the conference. The forum expressed serious concern regarding clauses impacting on National Security. A formal input is being provided to the Government. However, in the considered view of the forum, it is the Parliament, that represents the will of the people of Pakistan, which would deliberate on the issue, enabling the Government to develop a National response.

COAS in his concluding remarks reiterated that Pakistan stands committed to global and regional peace, and wishes to live in harmony with her neighbours.

FRENCH AMBASSADOR CALLS ON KARACHI NAZIM

The ambassador of France in Islamabad Daniel jouannau called on City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal at his office on Monday. French Consul General Pierre Siellan and diplomat Ms. Annie Evrad were also present on this occasion.

During the meeting City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal gave detailed briefing to French ambassador about development works completed during last four years in Karachi.

He said that Haq Parast City Government had initiated a rapid development process in Karachi with a view to solve the basic problems of citizens in shortest possible time. Under this vision development works had been carried out during last four years in nearly all sectors of civic life. More than 35 flyovers and underpasses constructed in a few years time while work on four more flyovers is underway.

Nazim Karachi said that so far 62km of roads in Karachi have been made signal free while a total of 316 roads have been constructed during last four years which has besides saving energy provided hurdle free travel facility to citizens in nearly all areas of the city.

He said that Karachi holds much importance in this region and considering this, City Government has provided such a favorable atmosphere to business community especially the investors where they could avail maximum profit on their investment.

Nazim Karachi said that Karachi presently offers attractive opportunities for business and investment and the business community should take the advantage of better conditions and improved infrastructure in Karachi.

He said that the industrial areas in Karachi had been given preference in the development activities where various mega projects of water & sewerage and roads have been completed during last four years.

City Nazim said that the government has also initiated a “Green City” campaign to overcome air pollution. Millions of saplings have been planted so far at different roads and roundabouts to save the environment from further pollution.

He said that more than 348 parks have been constructed in Karachi to provide better and quality recreation facilities to citizens.

Nazim Karachi said that the recently launched CNG Bus Service has also improved the standard of public transport in Karachi. City Government has spent Rs500million on this pilot project.

He said that despite of limited resources and other difficulties, City Government in Karachi has continued development journey and it will carry on this process.

Chaudhry Nisar urges Zardari to disclose details of the deal

Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan Tuesday asked President Asif Ali Zardari to give details of the deal under which Pervez Musharraf was provided safe exit. He said if Musharraf’s escape was a result of any deal then Zardari also became through a deal.

Talking to media outside parliament house Islamabad, Chaudhry Nisar urged President Zardari to tell the nation which international power helped Musharraf escape. He asked why the parliament was fooled if a deal was already made on some guarantees from international authorities to give safe escape to the dictator. The opposition leader said PML-N would table privilege motion and deferred motion in the parliament on the statement of the president.

Arrival of Int'l Lions director Naresh Agarwal @ Karachi

No compromise on verdicts: Cheif Justice

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry Monday said that National Judicial Policy (NJP) would be vigorously implemented despite shortage of required funds.
Chairing a full court meeting at the Supreme Court building, the Chief Justice said that pending cases were being disposed of expeditiously, however, no compromise would be made on the standard of judgements. The aim of the meeting was to review progress over the implementation of the NJP.
The Chief Justice said that public confidence in judiciary had enhanced and judiciary, in return, would strive further to retain the confidence.
The full court meeting discussed and deliberated over a number of issues and it was decided that disposal rate of cases would be enhanced through discouraging adjournment and all energies would be put together to achieve the purpose. “Adjournments would only be granted in extraordinary situations with pressing reasons,” it was decided.
The meeting decided to devise policy of imposing cost to discourage the culture of frivolous and false cases and penalty would be imposed against persons lodging such cases. Categorisation of cases as per subject matter, both in the criminal as well as in the civil matters, would be carried out and certain categories would be given priority. Special benches would be constituted for hearing the cases continuously for some weeks, the meeting decided.
The formation of committees to monitor the functioning of Anti-Terrorist Courts in the light of Sh Liaquat Hussain’s Case was also discussed and Justice Javed Iqbal, Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan, Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday and Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, one for each province, were nominated for the purpose.

Shamshad Akhtar joins World Bank as regional vice-president

WASHINGTON: The World Bank has announced that Shamshad Akhtar, a Pakistani national and former Governor of State Bank of Pakistan, is the new Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa Region, according to the World Bank website. "I welcome the opportunity to work in the Middle East and North Africa region at this point in the region's development," said the new MENA Vice President.

UK extends support for Pakistan anti-Taliban efforts

Visiting British Foreign Secretary David Miliband reiterated yesterday support for Pakistan’s anti-Taliban offensive in the troubled northwestern region.
Miliband who arrived on three-day visit, is due to meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, besides calling on Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif.
“This visit presents a first opportunity for ministerial discussion of the new UK-Pakistan strategic dialogue,” he was cited as saying by the British High Commission in a statement.
“It also allows me to underline the UK’s support for Pakistan’s current efforts to defeat the extremists and to restore peace and security to areas where extremists operate.”

Security forces enter Kalam, 27 terrorists killed in Swat

ISLAMABAD: The security forces have entered Kalam and carrying out cordon and search operation against the terrorists while 27 more miscreants have been killed in Swat and South Waziristan Agency during the last 24 hours, an update issued by the ISPR here said.
During the period eight soldiers and an officer Lieutenant Haider Nazir embraced shadat while six other personnel were wounded in various operations against the miscreant-terrorists.
The Nazim of Kalam along with notables welcomed security forces and assured full support to the ongoing operation by security forces against the miscreants.
The situation in Mingora is improving after fully securing the city by the security forces as relief activities have been initiated in full swing. The patrolling by troops of important areas is being carried out to fully swap the area. At Buner axis in village Najigram the security forces have completed clearance operation. During an IED blast a soldier embraced shahadat.
A good progress has been achieved by the security forces in cordon and search operation in Peochar valley. In search operation the security forces recovered huge amount of arms and ammunition including binoculars from Dob Banda area.
The security forces destroyed miscreants training facility at Yakh Tangi Kandao, 6 km South East of Shangla. Resultantly, a number of dead bodies of miscreants were found in the training compound.
The security forces have successfully secured Mankial, 14 km NE of Bahrain and consolidated their positions further in Bahrain, Kuz Laikot and Kedai. The miscreants set ablaze Government Girls School at Baidarra, 3.5 km North of Matta.
The security forces killed two miscreants at Umer Zeb check post of Dir during an encounter with miscreants. The cordon and search operation continued at Kumbar bazaar and Kalpani.
The miscreants attacked a security forces check post in Spinkai Raghazai, South Waziristan Agency. The attack was repulsed successfully, inflicting heavy casualties on militants. Reportedly, 15 militants were killed while three soldiers embraced shahadat and 6 others were wounded.
Four other soldiers have been reported missing in the attack by miscreants.

Taliban stronghold peochar cleared

28 terrorists, 6 area commanders killed by forces

ISLAMABAD: The security forces have killed 28 more terrorists including six of their area commanders and seven others including two their area commanders were apprehended in various areas of Swat during different incidents of exchange of fire and cordon and search operations.
According to an update, issued yesterday by ISPR on Operation Rah-e-Raast, five security personnel and two civilians were also injured, in clashes with terrorists.
Those area commanders of terrorists killed were identified as Khush Mir Khan known as Abu Huzaifa of Bahrain, Kadir of Kumbar, Noor Hameed of Kokoi Banda, Aftab and Yousaf of Dubana, Iftikhar of Sharlara and Bakht Buland of Shagai.
The security forces continued cordon and search operations and successfully cleared the strongholds of miscreants at Peochar village. During the search and siege operation, the security forces also destroyed miscreants’ hideouts including a Madrasa and recovered 12 UN registered vehicles, earlier taken away by the terrorists. The security forces also discovered four tunnels dumped with ration items, snatched from NGOs, besides huge cache of arms including 12.7 mm Guns. A soldier was wounded during clashes with miscreants.
Cordon and search operation is also continuing in Mingora where the security forces have successfully got cleared Aman Kot and Technical Institute College on Mingora-Kokarai road. During the operation five miscreant-terrorists were apprehended.
In Bahrain, where the security forces had entered on Thursday, various incidents of clashes took place with the miscreants in result of which, nine miscreant-terrorists were killed including commander of Bahrain identified as Khush Mir Khan, known as Abu Huzaifa. During fire exchanges with miscreants, two soldiers and two civilians were injured.
The security forces successfully defused five IEDs during search operation around Daggar where incidents of exchange of fire also took place between miscreants hiding in a compound, resultantly killing 13 miscreants.
As far as the relief activities for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) is concerned 50 tons ration by Army for 70,000 people was dispatched for the distribution among the stranded people of Khawzakhela.
A five-member Defence and Security Analysis team visited Buner for feasibility to establish relief camps in the area.
The security forces dispatched five trucks load of rations for the people of Bahrain while eight truck load of ration was distributed among a group of people from Kalam.

6 killed, 100 injured, President, PM condemn incidents Blasts jolt Peshawar

PESHAWAR: At least six persons were killed and around 100 injured when two simultaneous blasts ripped through historic Qissa Khwani bazaar followed by firing by the snipers yesterday afternoon, police said.
An official of district police said that the blasts occurred in front of Yasir Hotel in congested Qissa Khwani bazar where large numbers of people were busy in shopping.
The dead have been identified by the hospital authorities as Javed, Saifullah, Imtiaz, Naeem Baacha. The condition of five injured is critical as 100 have been brought to the LRH, a doctor at the hospital told APP
Emergency has been declared in hospitals. Police have cordoned off the area and started investigation. The incident is third in a row in Peshawar city during last two weeks that claimed almost two dozen lives.
The police believed to have arrested one terrorist and killed two others after fierce shoot out.
The Chief of Capital City Police Sifwat Ghayyur (Additional IG) who is personally taking part in the operation, told that search operation was still going on and urged the people to keep away from the site of the shooting. The routes connecting City with cantonment have been blocked as safety measure.
Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti has ordered an inquiry into the blasts in the heart of provincial capital.
The Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain told reporters at the site of shooting that the blood game is about to end and the terrorists are at the run.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani have strongly condemned the bomb blasts in Peshawar on Thursday, which caused loss of lives and injuries.
The President and the Prime Minister in their separate messages deplored the loss of precious human lives and injuries caused by the blasts.

26 killed, 300 injured Blast rocks Lahore

LAHORE: Lahore came under shock and fear when a powerful blast took over two dozens of innocent lives yesterday.
According to the details, gunmen detonated a car bomb in ‘Rescue 15’ office in Lahore yesterday, killing about 26 people and wounding at least 300, officials said.
At least four men with rifles stepped out from the car and opened fire on the intelligence agency building, then set off a massive blast when security guards returned the fire, officials said.
No one immediately claimed responsibility. Police said two suspects were detained.
The explosion sheared the walls off buildings in a main business district. The ceilings of operating rooms in a nearby hospital collapsed, injuring several people. TV footage showed bleeding bystanders and emergency workers carrying the injured in ambulances. Rescuers rushed to free officials buried in the rubble.
“The moment the blast happened, everything went dark in front of my eyes,” witness Muhammad Ali said.
“The way the blast happened, than gunfire, it looked as if there was a battle going on.”
Sajjad told reporters that a car carrying several gunmen pulled up in a street between offices of the emergency police and the Inter-Service Intelligence agency.
“As some people came out from that vehicle and started firing at the ISI office, the guards from inside that building returned the fire,” he said. As the firing continued, the car suddenly exploded, he said.The spy agency and police building were both badly damaged. Television footage showed officers dragging a man from the scene.

Mastermind arrested
LAHORE: A master mind of Lahore rescue building attack has been arrested from Sheikhupura, Aaj News reported yesterday.Police recovered building map from the culprit, authorities declared the arrest as the big achievement. (NC Report)

Trilateral summit agrees to eliminate terrorism

TEHRAN: Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan yesterday reaffirmed their deep commitment to make every effort to eliminate extremism, militancy and terrorism from the region, stated a joint communiqué issued at the conclusion of one-day trilateral summit. The communiqué was signed by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad and Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
It was agreed at the summit, which Tehran hosted, to address the root causes of terrorism and extremism, which are in stark contrast with the spirit of Islam and rich cultural traditions and customs of the region.
According to the joint communiqué, the three neighbors agreed to establish a mechanism for holding regular and periodical trilateral consultations on special issues. These consultations will be attended by senior officials, foreign ministers and the heads of the state, or government of the three countries.
While addressing the conference, President Zardari said that the global downturn has impacted Pakistan and Afghanistan most. He said that the present generation was handicapped due to lack of better education and employment opportunities and we would have to do enough for saving our coming generations.
He said that peace and stability was the imperative for progress in the region. He said that Iran and Afghanistan was also facing situation similar to us. He said we could not change our neighbors and we would have to work in unison with our neighbors.
President Zardari said that the world currently suffering several problems and urged the three countries to work in harmony for the betterment of the region. The president thanked Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for hosting the conference

Five killed, 30 injured in bomb blast at Jandola

Suicide bomber rammed on Jandola Fort

D I Khan: At least five people were killed and 30 others were injured in a bomb blast at Jandola Bazaar yesterday.
Sources claimed a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-fitted vehicle into a fortress of law enforcing agencies. The blast also damaged many nearby shops and vehicles parked there.
After the incident the Wana-Wazirstan Road was closed for traffic.
The bodies and injured were shifted to local hospital. Law enforcing agencies cordoned off the area and initiated the probe.

Court’s dignity by stamping out corruption would have to be restored: CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry has said that the real judiciary has been restored after a long time and now the dignity of the court and institution would have to be restored besides the judiciary would have to be cleaned of corruption.

At Room # 1 of the Supreme Court during hearing of a case, the Chief Justice in his remarks said that irregularities would not be tolerated in dispensing justice and added that the stories of corruption from civil judge to supreme court was common besides he urged upon the lawyers to co-operate with him in stamping out corruption.

He further said if there was any complaint of irregularity, then a petition could be filed in the Registrar Office. He said he was thankful to the people on their struggle for restoration of judiciary.

Flag hoisting ceremony at CJ's residence tomorrow: Athar Minallah

ISLAMABAD: Senior lawyers leader Athar Minallah said flag hoisting ceremony will be held at Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry’s residence tomorrow.

Addressing a press conference here, Athar Minallah said entire Pakistani nation is invited for the ceremony. He said lawyers and civil society played significant role in the restoration of judiciary.

President Asif Zardari reinstates Justice Iftikhar as Chief Justice of Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has endorsed the reinstatement of Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry as Chief Justice of Pakistan, the spokesman of Aiwan-e-Sadr said on Tuesday.

The spokesman said the restored judges include judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and High Courts. The Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry will assume charge on March 22.

The formal notification regarding the reinstatement of the deposed judges of the superior judiciary, including Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, is likely to be issued today (Tuesday).

Pakistani People’s power restores Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani early Monday morning announced reinstatement of the deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and other judges.

“I restore the deposed chief justice and others according to the promise made by me and the President,” Gilani said in a televised address to the nation.

The announcement, in light of the directive of President Asif Ali Zardari, met the main demand of the political parties and the lawyers’ community.

He said, “A notification to this effect is being issued now.” He said Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry would replace Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar, who retires on March 21.

Gilani said and pledged to “continue the politics of reconciliation.” The deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry was removed from service by former President Pervez Musharraf on March 9, 2007, sparking a wave of protest that led to his resignation from his office on August 18, 2008.

The prime minister also announced reinstatement of other judges of the Supreme Court and said the number of judges for the apex court has already been increased through legislation to accommodate the reinstated judges.

The prime minister also announced that the federal government would file a review petition in the Supreme Court seeking reversal of the order of disqualification of Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif, and addressing all issues in light of the Charter of Democracy.

'Collective efforts' paved way for Musharraf’s exit: Nawaz Sharif

RAIWIND: Pakistan Muslim League-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif said on Friday that his party forced former President Pervez Musharraf to step down and the PPP or President Asif Ali Zardari did not do it all alone.

In an exclusive interview with Geo news senior correspondent Hamid Mir, Nawaz termed the NRO a big obstacle in the country’s progress and judicial independence. The PML-N chief said he has great respect for an independent judiciary but would not support the biased judiciary.

Nawaz said the nation holds deposed Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry in high esteem. He expressed hope that the long march would be successful despite a massive crackdown by the government.

Nawaz said the country is passing through hard times and he was struggling for a greater cause.

Nawaz Sharif says :Pakistan going through its worst crisis ever

ABBOTTABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif has asked the nation to get ready for offering sacrifices for a revolution in the country.

Addressing a charged rally here on Wednesday, Nawaz said time had come that the people should come on streets to change their destiny. He asked the people to take part in the long march of lawyers, if they wanted to change their fate.

Nawaz said President Asif Ali Zardari has again introduced the politics of horse-trading in the country. He lauded the efforts of Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Sardar Mehtab Khan and Pir Sabir Shah for the restoration of deposed judges and supremacy of constitution.

"Today is a defining moment in Pakistan's history. We can change the destiny of this country. Pakistan stands at a crossroads today and it is your duty to save it," Nawaz said.

"We want to change this outdated system because it poses a danger to our existence and they want to charge me for sedition," he told the rally of thousands of supporters, who cheered and waved party banners.

The PML-N Quaid said the people were facing a grim situation, because they had not learnt to rise up against the system. He said the PML-N would not go nation’s sacrifices unnoticed. He said the society was facing unrest, turmoil and anxiety because of the wrong and inconsistent policies of the previous and incumbent governments.

KANUPP restores power supply to KESC

KARACHI: The Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (KANUPP) has restored electricity supply to KESC on Monday. KANUPP was shut down on January 24, 2009 for routine maintenance work. Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Spokesman Tariq Rashid said that KANUPP was started and synchronised with the KESC grid at 8:50 am on Monday.

Pervez Musharraf for reconciliatory politics in country

KARACHI: Former president Pervez Musharraf Monday said that there should be politics of reconciliation in the country which is passing through a critical juncture.

He was addressing a press conference held immediately after his arrival at Karachi airport from India.

Pervez Musharraf said Sharif brothers are themselves responsible for whatever is happening with them.

Commenting on dealing with terrorist elements in the country, he said Pakistan must use iron clad hand to crush terrorists.

The former president extremist elements exist in our society but he ruled out success in war on terror only through use of force.

He expressed satisfaction to the kind of security being provided to him in Pakistan and added that he knows how to take care of himself.

Pervez Musharraf said he went to India as a common citizen for delivering lecture where he was provided security protocol of a former president. This kind of visits help remove misunderstandings, he added.

The scholars with whom I interacted during the visit questioned me with an open mind and also listened attentively to what I had to say.

He said he felt that India has more misperceptions.

Pervez Musharraf said good progress was being made on Kashmir issue during his regime.

Pir Sahib Pagara sees ‘revolution’ coming

KARACHI: Chief of Pakistan Muslim League (Functional) Pir Pagara Saturday said a ‘revolution’ is on its way to the country.

Talking to newsmen here at Kingri House, he said just like Chaudhry brothers the political future of Sharif brothers is also bleak.

“If people would say wrong things and commit wrong deeds, it automatically paves way for a marshal law,” Pir Pagara predicted.

He observed that the lawyers’ work is to fight cases and not to hold long marches.

Sri Lankan cricketers attacked on Pakistan's darkest hour in sports history

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

March 3, 2009 will go down in Pakistan’s sporting history as the darkest day. It was for the first time in Pakistan when the sportspersons were directly targeted. The visiting Sri Lankan cricketers were attacked when they were on their way to the Qaddafi Stadium on what was to be the third day of the second and final Test.

Half a dozen Pakistani policemen sacrificed their lives in the process of protecting the lives of the Sri Lankans, five of whom were among 19 wounded, in the daylight attack.

Skipper Mahela Jayawardene, his deputy Kumar Sangakkara and the mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis received minor injuries but star batsman Thilan Samaraweera and opener Tharanga Paravitarana were seriously injured.

The Test match was abandoned right away and the tour was called off. The Sri Lankan squad, having endured nightmarish moments earlier in the day, must have heaved a sigh of relief after safely landing in Colombo.

The Sri Lankan captain was quick to point out, upon his arrival in Colombo, that it was their own terror background that helped them in saving their lives when the bus carrying them to the stadium was ambushed.

"We have been brought up in a background of terrorist activities. We are used to hearing, seeing these things - firing, bombings. So we ducked under our seats when the firing began. It was like natural instinct," he was quoted as saying.

Jayawardene, very sportingly, also said that the attack on the team could have happened anywhere and could not be pinned down to Pakistan.

The other teams might have panicked in such circumstances that would have obviously caused greater damage. The Sri Lankans handled the situation very well during and after the attack.

Sri Lanka, after having piled up a total in the excess of 600 in the first innings for the second Test running, must have believed that they had a realistic chance of winning the game which would have also given them the series.

Thee march towards victory was in their thoughts when they boarded the bus at 8.30 am. As Sangakkara wrote in his diary they were all looking forward to the third day's play and trying to win the series.


He added: The bus was full of the normal banter. Players traded stories, mostly about Lahore shopping, and cracked jokes. Others chatted about the cricket and the crucial first session. Then, as we approached the large roundabout before the Gaddafi Stadium, we suddenly heard a noise like a firecracker. The bus came to a halt and some of the guys jumped out of their seats to see what was happening. Then came the shout: "They are shooting at us!"

“The truth is we owe our lives to the courageous Mohammad Khalil, the driver. I will forever be grateful to him. The tyres of the bus had been shot out and he was in grave personal danger, exposed to gunfire at the front of the bus. But he was hell-bent on getting us to safety and, somehow, he got us moving again. Had Khalil not acted with such courage and presence of mind most of us would have been killed,” Sangakkara acknowledged like a true sportsman.

(http://skm-sports.blogspot.com)

Pakistan's World Cup hopes under threat

Pakistan cricket is facing a bleak future, with visiting teams certain to boycott tours to the troubled nation for the foreseeable future in the wake of Tuesday's terrorist attack in Lahore. As international cricket pondered the ramifications, it became almost certain that Pakistan would be stripped of its status as the co-host of the 2011 World Cup.

Asked about plans for the World Cup, ICC president David Morgan was blunt in his assessment. "Things will have to change dramatically in Pakistan, in my opinion, if any of the games are to be staged there."

The chief executive, Haroon Lorgat, was less blunt but the message was the same. "It is pretty, pretty serious and it is very obvious that the landscape and the thinking has changed dramatically," Lorgat told Cricinfo. "We are going to have to reevaluate what we do and where Pakistan plays its cricket."

Those views were echoed by Sharad Pawar, the ICC vice president and former head of the Indian cricket board, a close ally of the Pakistan Cricket Board. India had been forced to abandon their tour of Pakistan in January following a government directive after the attacks on Mumbai.

Visting teams have experienced brushes with terrorism in the past but only now, with the Sri Lankans directly targeted by militants, is Pakistan faced with a blanket boycott. Even those who urged international teams not to abandon Pakistan have now accepted the inevitable.

Wasim Akram, the former Pakistan captain, said Pakistan hosting the World Cup in 2011 was now a "distant dream".

"How do you expect a foreign team to come to Pakistan now? We took pride in hosting our guests," Akram told ESPN Star. "This image has taken a beating. It's sad for Pakistan."

Waqar Younis, Akram's bowling partner, said the chances of foreign teams coming to Pakistan were now remote. "We have to agree with whatever the ICC decides," he said.

Ramiz Raja, another prominent voice in Pakistan, said he had never thought there would be a situation where sportspersons would be targeted in Pakistan.

The series against Sri Lanka was cancelled immediately after Tuesday's attacks, and similar announcements regarding other tours are expected in the coming months.

Australia, India, New Zealand and the West Indies are among the teams to have postponed or cancelled tours to Pakistan in recent years, and New Zealand will almost certainly call off their scheduled series there in November. The Black Caps experienced first-hand the dangers of touring Pakistan in 2002, when a bomb exploded outside their Karachi hotel, and NZC chief executive Justin Vaughan hinted strongly that the team would not return in the near future.

"It's very frightening that for the first time a cricket team appears to be the specific target of terrorist action," Vaughan told NZPA. "That's never happened before - all previous incidents have been about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. This is a very different proposition and I think just a very frightening one for world cricket. You'd have to say this would throw further doubt over that tour but we don't make those decisions off the cuff like that. This is really serious."

Reg Dickason, the security consultant contracted by the ECB and CA, said he had long feared that terrorists in Pakistan would target cricketers. "A lot of the concerns we raised during the Champions Trophy have unfortunately come home to roost," Dickason said. "The notion of sporting teams being a protected species was held by many, but it was not a view that we shared, unfortunately.

"There were a number of factors we considered, including the global exposure an attack on an international sporting team could have. (Tours of Pakistan) are highly unlikely for the forseeable future given the present environment. How could you go there now? The Australians were supposed to have played there in March. This, unfortunately, is the realisation of many of the things we thought, and it is a terrible way to find out."

Geoff Lawson, who served as Pakistan coach until last October, feared the team would suffer from being cast into a nomadic existence. "Cricket won't be played in Pakistan for the foreseeable future," Lawson said. "Pakistan look like they will become a wandering cricket team now. They will be playing at neutral venues, because you can guarantee that there won't be games there [at home]. Obviously, there is no chance of the Champions Trophy or the World Cup going ahead there."

In a small vote of confidence, Cricket Australia confirmed its intention to proceed with an ODI series against Pakistan which, due to security concerns, had already been shifted to the United Arab Emirates.

"We do not expect this to affect the series (in the UAE)," CA spokesman Peter Young said. "We are due to complete a security inspection tour at the end of the week, and that is expected to go ahead as planned." (Cricinfo Report)

Nawaz Sharif, Qazi Hussain Ahmed agree to participate in long march

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-N Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Qazi Hussain Ahmed have agreed to fully participate in lawyers’ Long March.

Addressing a news conference with PML-N chief at Mansora, Qazi Hussain Ahmed said that November 2 judiciary should be restored without any delay. He termed present situation in the country a constitutional deadlock.

JI Amir said that his party would fully participate in lawyers’ long march; he also thanked Mian Nawaz Sharif for visiting Mansora.

Does China love Pakistan

Sorry for the delay on this, but did anyone else notice that Pakistan's president, Asif Ali Zardari, was in China last week?

Over four days, he went to Hubei, had a look at the Three Gorges Dam and visited Shanghai. I'll forgive anyone who didn't spot him, however, since his trip was totally eclipsed by the arrival of Hillary Clinton.

It was Zardari's second trip in just five months, and he has promised to come back to China every three months. To India's irritation, Pakistan has jumped into bed with China with gusto.

Zardari wrote a fawning editorial in the China Daily to mark his visit, exalting the Sino-Pakistan relationship as "higher than the peaks of the Himalayas" and paying tribute to China as "shining star" on the world stage thanks to the "sound management" of the Communist Party.

He offered up Pakistan's ports, Karachi, Port Qasim and Gwadar (which the Chinese built) to Chinese ships and said that Pakistan could "help channel energy supplies from the Gulf to China".

Pakistan has even laid down and asked the Chinese to intercede in its negotiations with India over the Mumbai bombings, a move that left Indian politicians spitting mad.

But the Chinese side seems a little less enamoured. The highest official available to speak to Mr Zardari was a member of the State Council, Dai Bingguo, who is relatively senior, but not the sort of figure the Chinese would normally trot out for a head-of-state.

Zardari glumly admitted on his trip that his country "has not benefited to the extent it should from its relations with China".

And while China is splashing money around Africa and South America, it hasn't given Zardari huge sums. Pakistan needs around $14 billion to get its bankrupt economy back on its feet, but China has only coughed up a $500 million loan and told Pakistan to go to the IMF.

In fact, the Communist Party is apparently doing business with Zardari's enemies, the Pakistani Islamic party Jamaat-e-Islami. The Chinese have agreed with JI that it won't help any terrorists to attack China in Xinjiang, the far-western province.(Telegraph UK)

194 Girls Raped in Karachi Last Year 2008

Karachi being the biggest city of Pakistan also desere to be the city of opportunities. It was Karachi who was commercialized far before any other city of Pakistan. This all comes with its special geographical location.

But this all not makes a this free from the odd ends, although obcure to many eyes but yet they should be recognized by every citizen of this mega city. One of such thing is the problems. Karachi is no longer a safe city. Safety is what Karachi lack the most. This is where we find many roots of nationwide crimes.

Such a crime is associate with the diginity of girls. Rape. Every girl is afraid of this word, and its spreading and strengthening its roots day by day not only in Karachi as well in many cities of the country.

Last year whole nation mourned over many things, but the lives of these 194 girls are no more to be categorized as life. These girls not only were raped but they lost their meaning of living. Out of 194 girls 146 ones commited suicide.

Many NGO’s are working against the sourced behing the women crimes one of such is Aurat Foundation working effectively for their cause. This NGO presented the whole report to the media about the crimes to be highlighted by the media and then some work can be expected from the Government.

According to Dawn:

Over 1,885 incidents of violence against women — in which more than 480 women had been killed — were reported in the province during 2008, says a report.

124 arrested in Pakistan as part of Mumbai attacks probe

More than 100 people have been arrested in Pakistan as part of a crackdown on groups accused of having connections to last year's attacks in Mumbai, a Pakistani official said Thursday.

Most of those arrested are alleged members of Lashkar-e-Taiba, the militant organization suspected of being behind the deadly attacks.

"We have arrested a total 124 mid-level and top leaders," Interior Ministry chief Rehman Malik said during a press conference on Thursday, according to a Reuters report.

Pakistani authorities also closed several suspected militant training camps run by Lashkar-e-Taiba as part of the crackdown, which began in December after the United Nations Security Council declared that Jamaat-ud-Dawa, a Pakistani charity, was acting as a front for the banned militant group.

Authorities also took steps against 20 offices, 87 schools, two libraries, seven religious schools and a handful of other organizations and websites linked to the charity.

It was not immediately clear how many people remained in custody Thursday, as Malik suggested many may now just be under surveillance.

Among those in detention or under house arrest are Hafiz Mohammed Saeed, the head of the charity, who helped establish the militant group, and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi and Zarrar Shah, two men India alleges planned the Mumbai attacks.

Intelligence officials, cited in Indian media, have said Shah is Lashkar's communications chief and created a system that allowed the group's leaders to stay in touch with the gunmen during the siege on India's financial capital last November, which killed 171 people, including two Canadians.

U.S. officials have said Lakhvi has also directed Lashkar-e-Taiba operations in Chechnya, Bosnia and Southeast Asia, where he allegedly trained members to carry out suicide bombings.

Saeed has denied his organization was involved in terrorist activity and decried the accusation as an attack on religious groups.

More evidence needed for prosecution
While Pakistan has received some information from India, authorities will need to obtain more evidence if Pakistan hopes to prosecute any of those arrested, Malik said.

Investigators in Pakistan will "have to inquire into this information to try to transform it to evidence, evidence which can stand the test of any court in the world and of course our own court of law," Malik said.

He did not provide details, and avoided a question as to whether the Pakistani government was admitting the attack was staged by militants from its own country.

"We have to prove to the world that India and Pakistan stand together against terrorists because they are the common enemies," Malik said.

The Mumbai attacks have increased tensions between the two nuclear rivals, as India has demanded that Pakistan take action against the militants.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh earlier this month said evidence suggested the attack must have had the support of some official agencies in Pakistan.

India has called on Pakistan to hand over any suspects to New Delhi, but the country has said it will try any people involved in the attacks in its own courts.

Malik also appeared to rule out the possibility of extradition on Thursday, saying Pakistani laws allowed for the prosecution of citizens who committed crimes elsewhere. (CBC News)