Afghanistan concerns on border attacks rejected

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has rejected Afghanistan concerns about renovation of a Pakistani post on the border and alleged rocket and artillery attacks in some areas of Kunar province.

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Reacting to a recent statement by Afghan deputy foreign minister, Foreign Office spokesman said that Pakistan had an old post called Gursal well inside its territory bordering Nangarhar Province of Afghanistan.

The renovation of the post is primarily meant to interdict terrorists and criminals as well as better management of the border area between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The spokesman said better management of the border through strengthening border posts located in each other’s territory were in the interest of the two countries to have an effective check over terrorists and criminals.

Taliban attack on Afghan court kills six: officials

HERAT: Taliban attackers stormed an Afghan court and surrounding buildings, killing at least six people and wounding 70 others in the western town of Farah on Wednesday, officials said.

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At least four militants who launched the bomb and shooting attack also died in the assault, which comes as Nato winds down its combat mission in the war-torn country by the end of next year.

Two attackers died when they detonated a car bomb at the gate of the provincial court building, two were shot by security forces and another man was still alive, with a firefight still ongoing hours after the assault began.

“Our latest report shows that at least six (other) people have been killed and 70 people have been wounded,” Mohammad Akram Khpalwak, governor of Farah province, told AFP.

Approaching courts: Rights organisation to seek stay order against fees in

GILGIT: The International Human Rights Organisation [IGRO] in Gilgit-Baltistan has hinted they will approach the courts to seek a stay order on the government’s decision to charge patients at public hospitals.

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“We will soon register a petition against the government’s decision to impose fees in public hospitals,” said IHRO Coordinator Mohammad Farooq. “The decision is against human rights because more than 75% of people in G-B live below the poverty line.”

The fees went into effect from April 1. Previously, services rendered at public hospitals were free of charge. Patients now have to pay Rs100 for ultrasound, Rs2,250 for a CT Scan and up to Rs300 for a surgery.

Doctor Killed in Bombing Targeting Afghan Governor

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) ¯ Officials say a suicide bomber has targeted a provincial governor's convoy near a hospital in southern Afghanistan.

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They say the governor, Mohammad Ashraf Nasery, escaped Saturday's attack in Zabul province. But a doctor has been killed and three bodyguards were wounded.

Provincial police chief Gen. Ghulam Sakhi Rooghlawanay says a suicide bomber on foot detonated his explosives as the governor was on his way to visit the hospital.

Lashkar poster’ comes up with dress diktat for girls

The police has started an investigation to ascertain the background of a mysterious handwritten poster, claiming to be from the Lashkar-e-Toiba, which asked girls to “strictly follow the Islamic dress code” in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

The poster, which was put up in Aharihal village of Pulwama district, created panic among local villagers.

“It was a single poster that was put up in the village. It didn’t have any seal and it mainly asked girls to strictly follow the Islamic dress code. The locals were also asked to desist from helping the security forces. It does not look genuine but we are looking into the case,” Pulwama SP Amit Kumar said.

Kumar said there was no mention of any threat to the elected panchayat members in the poster.

94% Lashkar recruits view J-K as fighting front: US report

Afghan de-mining threatened by international pullout

Since Haji Abdul Samad lost his leg in a minefield more than 20 years ago, he has unearthed at least 1,000 explosives and become one of Afghanistan’s most experienced de-miners.

“After my accident, I told myself that I had to do work to save lives. I had to clean the rivers, hills, villages,” Samad, who was fighting against the Soviets when he stepped on a mine in 1989, told AFP.

“But I’m not afraid of mines,” he added, at a site being cleared outside the capital Kabul, ahead of the UN International Day for Mine Awareness on Thursday.

“I will continue to work as long as even just one remains in the country,” he vowed.

Samad, a father of eight children originally from the southern city of Kandahar, is part of the huge de-mining effort taking place in Afghanistan, which is dotted with minefields after decades of conflict.

Afghan relations with Pakistan at new low

KABUL: Afghanistan accused Pakistan on Thursday of placing unacceptable conditions on efforts to bring peace to the country after nearly 12 years of war, the latest in a series of barbed exchanges that has sunk relations between the two neighbors to a new low.

A breakdown in ties threatens to hinder, or even paralyze, attempts to lure the Taliban to the negotiating table. That’s a key goal of the United States and its allies as they work for a peaceful solution in Afghanistan ahead of the final pullout of foreign combat forces in 20 months.

Afghanistan and its international backers consider Pakistan a critical player in bringing the Taliban and other militant groups into peace talks.

Pakistan holds dozens of Taliban prisoners and has been accused of backing the insurgents in an effort to be able to exert influence in Afghanistan after foreign troops leave.

Nato airstrike kills Afghan police, civilians

GHAZNI - A Nato air strike killed four Afghan police and two civilians on Thursday, Afghan officials said.

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A spokesman for the US-led Nato force in Kabul told AFP that the military was checking the information. The attack happened after Taliban insurgents attacked a local police post in eastern Ghazni province before dawn and Nato planes were called in to support the officers under attack.
“The Nato planes went there to assist the police, but the post was bombed and four police were killed. Two civilians present were also killed,” Fazul Ahmad Tolwak, chief of Ghazni’s Deh Yak district, told AFP.

Ghazni provincial administration spokesman Fazul Sabawoon confirmed the incident and gave a similar account. The issue of civilian casualties in coalition operations is highly sensitive in Afghanistan, where the United States and its Nato allies have been fighting the Taliban for 11 years.

ECP rejects Ayaz Amir’s nomination papers

KARACHI: The Election Commission has rejected the nomination papers of renowned columnist and Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ayaz Amir ‘for writing against the ideology of Pakistan’ in his columns.

District Returning Officer (DRO) Ch Anwer Ahmed Khan also summoned Amir to appear before court by April 6.

Eyewitnesses said local residents Arif Mehmood and Khawaja Babar Saleem Mehmood had registered their objections with the local office of the election commission saying Amir’s columns were in conflict with the ideology of Pakistan. Over which, the returning office rejected Amir’s papers and referred them back to the ECP.

Khawaja Baber Saleem Mehmood, who is the chairman of the local press club, had filed objections through his lawyer Khawaja Khalid Farooq.

Pakistan expels suspected French jihadists

PARIS: Police in France are questioning three suspected Islamic extremists who were deported from Pakistan this week, judicial sources said on Thursday.

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The three Frenchmen had been held in secret in Pakistan since they entered the country illegally 10 months ago to fight NATO troops in neighbouring Afghanistan.

The case is likely to draw parallels with that of Mohammed Merah, the 23-year-old who shot dead seven people in southwest France in March 2012 after returning from Pakistan.

A source close to the case told AFP that one of the suspected extremists was deported on Tuesday, the second on Wednesday and the third Thursday. All three — aged 30, 29 and 27 — have formally been detained for questioning.

Two soldiers hurt in Afghan attack: military

PESHAWAR: Two soldiers were slightly wounded on Thursday when militants from Afghanistan attacked a border post, sparking a shootout in which four ‘terrorists’ were killed, the Pakistani military said.

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It was the latest incident of cross-border violence against a backdrop of worsening relations between the neighbours, who accuse each other of responsibility for Taliban violence plaguing both countries.

Pakistan said the attack began at 5:30 am (0030 GMT) and lasted until 7 am in the Alizai sector of the tribal district of Kurram on the border with eastern Afghanistan.

Army to ‘fully back’ solution to Balochistan problems: COAS

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited Quetta and held meetings with Balochistan Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi and Caretaker Chief Minister Nawab Ghous Baksh Barozai.

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The security situation and smooth conduct of the upcoming general elections were discussed in the meetings held late on Wednesday. According to an ISPR press release, the COAS reiterated army’s commitment to extending all possible assistance to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for holding free, fair and peaceful elections. The provincial leadership was assured by the COAS that the army would wholeheartedly welcome all-inclusive elections.

Now, 11 new tourist sites in Valley

The state government kicked off a nationwide tourism promotion campaign “Explore New Kashmir” from Ahmedabad in Gujarat yesterday.

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This was announced by state Tourism Minister Ghulam Ahmad Mir. He said this year the focus would be on 11 new tourist destinations in Kashmir. These include Kokernag, Veerinag, Deksum, Watlab, Manasbal, Wadwan, Simthan pass, Yusmarg, Lolab, and Gurez.

The focus this year is to provide enough space for the increasing number of tourists, which nearly touched the two-million mark last year.

Most of the tourists have been visiting Gulmarg and Pahalgam apart from the Dal Lake in Srinagar.

The new tourists destinations are being developed after years of violence and damage to the infrastructure.

Qatar to open embassy in Kabul

KABUL (PAN): Qatar would soon establish its embassy in Kabul, a move that would further strengthen its bilateral relations with Afghanistan, the Presidential Palace said on Tuesday.

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The decision came during a recent visit of President Hamid Karzai to Qatar for discussing the issue of Taliban’s office in the Gulf country, a statement from the palace said.

Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani supported the Afghan-led peace process and assured Karzai they would support efforts at bringing peace and stability to the country.

Mullah Omar warns Taliban leaders of action over abductions

ISLAMABAD - In an unprecedented move, Afghan Taliban Supreme Leader Mullah Mohammad Omar admitted recently that some of Taliban’s area commanders were involved in the business of kidnapping for ransom, bringing bad name to the Taliban movement.

“We need to understand that all those involved in this heinous crime were bringing bad name to the entire organisation of Taliban and we need to identify all of them,” Mullah Omar told his commanders through an audio message that was sent to all of his associates and area commanders.
Mullah Omer advised important commanders, including Hafiz Gull Bahader, Hakimullah Mehsood and all others who are working with the TTP to follow his instructions strictly or get ready to face the music.

Mullah Omar who lives somewhere at undisclosed locations in Taliban strongholds in Afghanistan is the chief of Afghan Taliban, but his moral authority extends beyond the Pak-Afghan border as Pakistani Taliban also consider him as their supreme leader. On the Pakistani side, on ground, Tahrik-a-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), headed by Hakimullah Mehsood, practically controls pockets of tribal areas along the Pak-Afghan border. TTP has claimed many high profile terrorist activities inside Pakistan since its inception.

Taliban chief could seek election, says Karzai

BERLIN: Afghan President Hamid Karzai has told a German newspaper that Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar could run for president in elections next year.

Follow up:

Karzai's government has agreed the Taliban can open an office in Qatar if the group breaks all ties with al-Qaida and renounces terrorism. Karzai was in Qatar Sunday to discuss the issue.

Karzai said in an interview published Tuesday by the German daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung that authorities have ``sporadic contacts'' with the Taliban. He said that the Afghan constitution is valid for all Afghans and ``the Taliban also should benefit from it.''

Afghanistan peace deal: Taliban talks hit deadlock

Kabul/London:Western hopes of leaving Afghanistan within reach of a peace deal when Nato troops pull out in 2014 are dimming, with planned negotiations in Qatar at a stalemate and Pakistan cutting back on support for talks.

Afghans and foreigners across the political spectrum have been pushing hard for negotiations for several years, driven by concerns that the already-bloody insurgency could spiral into full-blown civil war when foreign forces have left.

But as western generals and politicians who once dreamed of crushing the Taliban militarily have reconciled themselves to the idea of negotiating instead, the insurgents themselves have remained more elusive, attacking top government negotiators and refusing to publicly embrace talks.

The Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, visited the Qatari capital, Doha, at the weekend, where a handful of Taliban and their families have set up base since 2011, with the blessing of Washington, as diplomats seek neutral ground for potential negotiations.

Blast kills four paramilitary soldiers

KARACHI: A bomb exploded near a paramilitary complex in Karachi on late Wednesday, killing four soldiers and wounding three others, officials said.

“It was a bomb blast, the target seems to be a van carrying soldiers,” police official Karim Khan told AFP.

The blast happened near the Rangers’ headquarters in the city’s eastern district of Korangi, he added.

Police cordoned off the area and ambulances rushed the casualties to the state-run Jinnah Hospital.

“The death toll is four now,” senior doctor Seemi Jamali said.

A spokesman for the Rangers confirmed the casualties. “Seven soldiers were wounded, four of them embraced martyrdom,” he said, adding that the soldiers were returning from duty when the bomb went off.

Four militants killed in attack on Kurram checkpost

PESHAWAR: Four militants were killed and two security officials were injured when militants from Afghanistan attacked the Bhitai checkpost in the Kurram tribal region near the Pak-Afghan border on Thursday.

According to official sources, militants attacked the checkpost in lower Kurram’s Shabak area at 5:30 am. The attack lasted until 7:00 am and injured two security forces personnel.

Security forces retaliated killing four militants whose bodies were shifted to a hospital.

Kurram is one of seven districts in Pakistan’s semi-autonomous tribal belt, where Taliban and Al Qaeda-linked militants have carved out strongholds used to plot attacks on Pakistani, Afghan and Western targets.

Taliban raids Afghan city, killing dozens

KABUL — At least 48 people, many of them civilians, were killed Wednesday in western Afghanistan when heavily armed Taliban insurgents, including suicide bombers, stormed government buildings and fought a seven-hour gun battle with security forces, police said.

More than 90 people were reported wounded in the assault on the city of Farah, capital of Farah province. Police said all nine of the attackers died in the fighting, either in exchanges of fire with security forces or by detonating suicide vests they were wearing.

The death toll was the heaviest in many months in Afghanistan, where the radical Islamist Taliban movement is fighting to drive out foreign troops and topple the government of President Hamid Karzai.

Several government buildings, including the provincial courthouse, were badly damaged in the clashes, officials said, adding that the Taliban fighters used explosives, assault rifles, hand grenades and rocket-propelled grenades.

Stop UK aid to Pakistan unless taxes increase, urge MPs

The UK government should withhold extra aid to Pakistan unless it does more to gather taxes from its wealthier citizens, a group of MPs has said .

The International Development Committee said British taxpayers should not be paying for health and education in Pakistan while rich Pakistanis were paying little tax.

Opposition leader Anwar may contest in Perak

PETALING JAYA: Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim says he intends to contest in Perak at the upcoming general election, but wants to get the blessings of his current constituents first.

"I've declared my intention to contest in Perak," he told reporters on Wednesday. "But my relations with my voters in Permatang Pauh is quite sentimental, so I think that I would need to engage with them and explain to them."

Narine spins Kolkata to win in opener

In 2008, Brendon McCullum had set the inaugural edition of the IPL alight with a whirlwind century that stands out for its audacity after more than 300 games in the tournament over five years. Not many will remember the exploits of his team in the opening game of IPL 2013 five years from now, but Kolkata Knight Riders' performance was a dominating one for the conditions they played in as defending champions. On a slow Eden Gardens track that didn't always cater to power-play, Sunil Narine and Rajat Bhatia restricted the Delhi Daredevils batsmen and captain Gautam Gambhir anchored the bulk of the chase.

Four militants killed in attack on Kurram checkpost

PESHAWAR: Four militants were killed and two security officials were injured when militants from Afghanistan attacked the Bhitai checkpost in the Kurram tribal region near the Pak-Afghan border on Thursday.

According to official sources, militants attacked the checkpost in lower Kurram’s Shabak area at 5:30 am. The attack lasted until 7:00 am and injured two security forces personnel.

Security forces retaliated killing four militants whose bodies were shifted to a hospital.

Kurram is one of seven districts in Pakistan’s semi-autonomous tribal belt, where Taliban and Al Qaeda-linked militants have carved out strongholds used to plot attacks on Pakistani, Afghan and Western targets.

Decisions on pending mercy petitions announced, President rejects

Out of nine people convicted for heinous crimes, President Pranab Mukherjee has upheld execution in 7 cases while commuting death sentence to life term in two others.

Details of President's decision were not available immediately.

According to reports, the mercy petitions of the following have been rejected by the President:

Sunder Singh from Uttarakhand, who was convicted for rape and murder on June 30, 1989.

Former MNA declared proclaimed offender over fake degree

KARACHI: A District and Sessions Judge in Pakpattan declared a former Member of National Assembly, Syed Salman Mohsin Gilani, belonging to the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) a proclaimed offender on Thursday over possession of a fake degree.

Mohsin was elected as an MNA from NA-165 Pakpattan during the 2008 elections.

Moreover a local court in Quetta reserved its judgement upon conclusion of hearing over a case pertaining to possession of  fake degree against former provincial minister from Balochistan Mir Ali Madad Jattak.

American Islamic group seeks maximum penalty for man who beat a Sikh

WASHINGTON: An American Islamic group sought maximum penalty for a man from Washington who has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Seattle on charges of hate crime against a 50-year-old Sikh man.

"We ask that federal prosecutors seek the maximum penalties in order to send the message that anti-Muslim violence, or violence targeting any minority group, will not be tolerated in our state or in our nation," Jennifer Gist, civil rights coordinator of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said in a statement.

Obama to contribute 5% of his salary to US Treasury

WASHINGTON: At a time when US is facing economic strain and automatic budgetary cuts is in place, US President Barack Obama will return five per cent of his salary amounting to USD 20,000 to the Department of Treasury.

The salary of the US President is USD 400,000 per annum (over Rs 2 crore) and in a show of solidarity he will return USD 20,000 (over Rs 10 lakh).

"Obama instructed his staff he wanted to do this when the sequester took effect," White House press secretary Jay Carney said yesterday.

SC rejects Punjab probe report in woman assault case

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has rejected the Punjab govt's magisterial probe report on assault of a woman by police at Taran Taran.

The apex court castigated the magistrate for saying police need to resort to lathicharge in such situations indicating that the girl and her father were the aggressors.

Earthquake rocks Pakistan, tremors felt in Kashmir and Afghanistan

Islamabad:  Earthquake jolts were felts across Afghanistan and many parts of northern and central Pakistan on Thursday, leaving at least three persons injured in Peshawar city.

According to reports, 5.9-magnitude earthquake occurred at around 11.30 am and was felt in Islamabad, Rawalpindi‚ Peshawar‚ Lahore, Muzaffarabad‚ Chitral and Malakand.

The quake was especially severe in Peshawar, where it was lasted almost 30 seconds, TV channels reported. At least three persons were injured in the northwestern city of Pakistan, officials told the media.

Jawan found unconscious with eyes gouged out near Jammu

JAMMU/SRINAGAR: A Rashtriya Rifles jawan was found unconscious with his eyes gouged out at Akhnoor near Jammu on Wednesday.

The solider, Rakesh Dutt, had left home in Rajouri district's Lam area on Tuesday to rejoin his unit in Kishtwar after a month-long leave.

Fake degree: Dasti sentenced to three years in prison

LAHORE: A local court in Muzzafargarh has sentenced former MNA Jamshed Dasti to three years in prison in a fake degree case. Dasti was arrested from outside the courtroom following his sentencing.

District and Sessions Judge Abdur Rehman Niazi announced the verdict. A fine of Rs. 5000 was also imposed on the former lawmaker.

On Wednesday, shortly after the court had adjourned proceedings with the verdict expected to be announced the next day, Dasti told a press conference that he had decided against contesting for the two National Assembly seats as an independent candidate.

Jawan's issue triggers uproar in JK Assembly, probe on

Jammu :The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly today witnessed uproar over the gouging of eyes of an Army jawan, with the government ruling out militancy angle and saying investigation is on.

National Conference (NC) member R S Sharma today raised the issue in the Assembly and demanded a reply from the government.

Nine including 5 children axed to death in Chhattisgarh

Nine women, including five children, were allegedly axed to death by a mentally-ill man in Chhattisgarh's tribal-dominated Balrampur district today.

"Pandu Nagesiya (35) has been arrested for killing four women and five girl children with an axe in Samri village under Samri Path police station limits of the district this afternoon," Balrampur SP G S Darro told PTI.

"The reason which prompted Nagesiya to attack the villagers was being ascertained," he said.

Woman gives birth in exam hall

LUCKNOW: A 23-year-old woman delivered a baby in the examination hall at a government school in Azamgarh on Tuesday. The student was taking the class X UP board Sanskrit exam at the Intermediate College, Sathiyaon in Azamgarh.

According to reports, Poonam, who is studying in class X in Indravati Devi Senior Secondary School, Mahrukh, Azamgarh, was writing her paper on Tuesday morning at Intermediate College, Sathiyaon. Minutes after the examination began the student started having labour pain and informed the invigilator about it. But before the information reached the centre superintendent, the girl had already delivered a baby girl.

Home-grown terrorism

LONDON: According to various academics and experts, 45% of those involved in terrorism or radicalism from the UK have travelled to Pakistan or Afghanistan for training in violent Jihadi camps.

Although, the threat of terrorism has reduced overall in the world, the overwhelming feeling is that it could still explode any time in a single event, experts on radicalisation and counter-terrorism stated at the Democracy Forum's seminar on home-grown terrorism at the Commonwealth Club, London.

CBI to honour ISI founding member

NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation has approached the external affairs ministry with an unusual request. It wants the ministry to facilitate the India visit of the Lahore-based family of a Pakistani who had helped set up the country's spy agency, Inter-Services Intelligence.

The reason: the man in question, Khan Bahadur Qurban Ali Khan, was the first chief of the Special Police Establishment (SPE), the forerunner of CBI. Khan is to be honoured posthumously during the upcoming golden jubilee celebrations of CBI.

Khan, who was an officer of the erstwhile Indian Police during British rule, will be among a host of former directors of the country's premier probe agency who will be honoured at the April 6 event.

Men on bike throw acid at four sisters in Uttar Pradesh

New Delhi: Four sisters in Uttar Pradesh have suffered burn injuries after two men on a motorcycle threw acid on them as they were returning from school, the police said on Wednesday. One of women is in hospital in Delhi.

The incident took place in Shamli, around100 km from the national capital, on Tuesday evening when the sisters, three of whom are teachers, were returning home from a government school.

"The victims were walking together when two men on a motorbike made lewd remarks and the man who was riding pillion splashed acid on all of them," Abdul Hammed, senior police officer who is investigating the case said. Mr Hameed said no arrests had been made and the motive behind the crime was unclear.

Ten percent Children in Pakistan Die Below 5 years of age

10 percent of Pakistani children die before the age of five, and the lack of doctors trained in Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) is a big contributor to the country’s high under five mortality rate.

These were some of the conclusions local and international experts reached at the “Third Annual Emergency Medicine Conference on Emergency Care for Children” held at Aga Khan University in Karachi last Saturday.

Pakistan has long suffered from astonishing high infant and under-five mortality rates. A report published last year by the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) found that in 2011, one child died every minute from EPI (expanded program on immunization diseases), diarrhea and acute respiratory infection (ARI).

PML-N's women wing leader held for attempted suicide

ISLAMABAD: A leader of the PML-N's women wing was arrested after she attempted self-immolation in Quetta city of southwest Pakistan after being denied a ticket for the May 11 general election, police officials said today.

Police arrested Sakina Mengal on the charge of trying to commit suicide during a news conference at the Quetta Press Club yesterday.

While addressing the conference, Mengal and other women leaders of the PML-N alleged that the party's leadership had ignored old workers who made many sacrifices and instead awarded tickets to persons who had joined the party only recently.

Seven killed for ‘honour’ in three districts

NAWABSHAH: Two women were among four persons killed on the pretext of Karo-Kari in the village of Gulzar Zardari on Tuesday.

The victims were identified as Kazbano, 18, daughter of Shah Mohammed Zardari; Shahzadi, 26, wife of Panah Zardari, Ismail, 20, son of Punhal Zardari, and Yousuf, 25, son of Faiz Mohammed Zardari.

Sources in police said that Shaukat Zardari, brother of Kazbano, and Moosa Zardari, brother of Shahzadi, who were behind the brutal act, had been arrested.

The bodies were taken to Peoples Medical College Hospital for an autopsy.

A heavy contingent of police was deployed around the village to avoid any untoward incident.

No FIR was lodged till the filing of this report.

Caretaker PM allocates portfolios to interim ministers

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso has allocated portfolios to the federal ministers in his cabinet who took oath yesterday, DawnNews reported.

Malik Habib has been assigned the portfolio of Interior and Narcotics Control, Ahmer Bilal Soofi has Law and Justice, Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights, Dr Musaddaq Malik has been allotted the portfolio of Water and Power whereas Arif Nizami has been handed over Information and Postal Service.

Moreover, Shahzada Ahsan Ashraf Sheikh has been assigned the portfolio of Industries and Production, Maqbool H H Rahmatoola has been given Textile and Commerce, Abdul Malik Kasi has been assigned Railways and Asadullah Mandokhel has Ports and Shipping and Communication.

Three Indian brothers get US award for combating violence against women

WASHINGTON: Three brothers from India have received the prestigious Vital Voices Global Leadership Award from US vice president Joe Biden for their humanitarian working to end violence against women.

The three, Ravi, Rishi and Nishi Kant, who started the nongovernmental organization Shakti Vahini to fight injustice against women in 2001, received a "Solidarity Award" for their work at the annual Kennedy Centre event on Tuesday.

Militants storm Afghan court as Taliban stand trial; 7 dead

HERAT :Five militants stormed a court in Afghanistan on Wednesday where Taliban insurgents were standing trial, killing seven people and wounding 75, officials said.

At least one of the attackers blew himself up and a gun battle between Afghan security forces and an insurgent holed up inside the court was going on in the capital of the western province of Farah, near the Iranian border, said provincial deputy governor Mohammad Younis Rasouli.

"They stormed the court as a trial was being held to convict 10 Taliban fighters," he told Reuters, adding that four civilians and three members of the security forces were killed.

Six boys electrocuted, 22 others injured

Jaipur: Six boys on Tuesday were electrocuted and 22 others received burn injuries when a bus in which they were travelling came in contact with a live wire in Churu district.

"The victims, members of a marriage party, were on their way to a village in Sardarshahar town for a marriage when the incident occurred near Lodsar village," SP Churu Omprakash said.

Gold hits 10-month low, attracts bargain buyers

Gold extended losses to hit its lowest level in ten months on global cues, attracting bargain hunters in the wedding season.

At 2:51 p.m., the most-active gold for June delivery on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) was 140 rupees lower at 29,465 rupees per 10 grams, after hitting a low of 29,357 rupees, a level last seen on June 1. India, the world's biggest buyer of gold, has been trying to curb imports to put a lid on the record-high current account deficit. The government raised the import duty on gold,

Malaysian PM dissolves parliament for landmark polls

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Prime Minister NajibRazak dissolved parliament Wednesday in preparation for general elections seen as the toughest challenge yet for the ruling coalition after 56 years in power.

"This morning I met the king and asked for his consent to dissolve the parliament," he said. "This dissolution will pave the way for the 13th general election."

Mullah Omar can run for presidency: Karzai

Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai wants the elusive Taliban chief Mullah Omar to run for President in next year’s election so that people could “vote for or against him“.

Mr. Karzai, in an interview to German daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung published on Tuesday, said his government had sporadic contacts with the Taliban but that there is no negotiation.

He called on the Taliban to lay down their arms and participate in the political process, the daily said.

Tehran, Bishkek review facilitating visa issuance

Dushanbe : Iran's Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Ali Najafi discussed facilitation of visa issuance for Iranian and Kyrgyz nationals in a meeting Tuesday with two members of the Kyrgyz Parliament, Asil Boyok Zhinibikov and Nazar Ali Arefov.

During the meeting, Najafi briefed the two Kyrgyz parliamentarians on his plans to help further promote mutual cooperation between Tehran and Bishkek during his mission.

Meanwhile, Zhinibikov said that facilitation of visa issuance for nationals of the two countries and consequently, attracting more foreign tourists and investments to Kyrgyzstan would lead to further progress and prosperity of the Central Asian country.

Bahrain denies Iran mediation request

Manama: Bahrain’s foreign minister has denied reports that he had requested Algeria to mediate between his country and Iran.

“A brother does not mediate between his brother and a foreigner,” Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmad Al Khalifa was quoted as saying when he was asked about the tension between Bahrain and Iran and the chances of Manama requesting Algiers to mediate with Tehran.

“All countries can however convey Bahrain’s position to Iran so that the facts on the ground are obvious,” he said.

Thousands of Yemenis deported from Saudi Arabia

Sana: Saudi Arabia has begun deporting thousands of Yemeni labourers following new regulations requiring foreigners to work only for their sponsors, a Yemeni official said on Monday, a move that could “significantly damage” the poor country’s economy.

Some two million of Yemen’s 25 million citizens work abroad, more than half of them in larger and richer neighbour Saudi Arabia. Remittances bring in $2 billion (Dh7.34 billion) a year to Yemen, a country still grappling with revolt, a separatist movement and an Islamist insurgency.

Twenty phone nos. under lens for terror links: Goa CM

The Goa government is tapping 20 mobile and landline numbers of people, who are suspected to have terror links, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said today.

Parrikar told the Legislative Assembly that the state government is tapping 20 mobile/ landline phones since March 2012 till date.

"All the tappings are related with crime. Most of these cases are related with terrorism, where there is clear suspicion of having terror links," the Chief Minister told the House, while responding to a question tabled by Congress legislator Jeniffer Monserratte.

Musharraf wants polls under army

ISLAMABAD: Chief of All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) retired general Pervez Musharraf expressed on Monday his desire that the elections should be held under the supervision of army.“I have always stated that the polls should be held under the supervision of army. Otherwise there will be law and order problem. And then the polls will not be fair and transparent,” said Gen Musharraf in a brief chat with reporters at his luxurious and heavily-guarded Chak Shahzad farmhouse soon after his arrival from Karachi.

Anti-government strike hits Bangladesh

DHAKA: Opposition activists have detonated small homemade bombs and set fire to several vehicles in the latest anti-government protest to hit Bangladesh’s capital, police said.  

Bangladesh’s main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its 17 allies staged the protest to enforce a nationwide strike Tuesday to press for the release of more than 150 opposition members arrested during earlier anti-government protests.

US refuses to declare 1984 riots in India as genocide

Washington: The Obama Administration on Tuesday refused to declare the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India a genocide, but noted that grave human rights violations had occurred.

The White House response in this regard came months after a section of the Sikh community in the US launched an online petition campaign urging the Obama Administration to recognize the 1984 riots as genocide.


The petition created on November 15, 2012, had generated more than 30,000 signatures within weeks.

Each petition that crosses the threshold of 25,000 signatures is reviewed and receives a response.

"During and after the 1984 violence, the United States monitored and publicly reported on the grave human rights violations that occurred and the atrocities committed against members of the Sikh community," the White House response said.

Fire at Islamic school kills 13 children in Yangon

YANGON :An electrical fire at an Islamic school in Myanmar's biggest city killed 13 children early on Tuesday, authorities said.

The children, all boys, died of suffocation in the fire at a dormitory of a school next to a mosque in Yangon at about 2.40am local time, neighbours and officials said.

"A total of 13 boys were killed in the fire caused by overheating of a transformer. They died of suffocation after inhaling too much smoke," a Central Fire Service duty officer said.

Dozens held during search operation in Karachi areas

KARACHI: Security forces continued targeted search operations in many areas against the criminals and apprehended dozens of suspects while arms and ammunition were also recovered, Geo News reported Tuesday.


According to sources, Rangers personnel kicked off a search operation in Qasba Colony and sealed the entry and exits points of the area. At least 700 commandos and female personnel are taking part in the operation during which no one was allowed to enter or exit the area.

Rangers also smashed the barriers placed in Qasba Colony and recovered arms during search operation while two dozen suspects were held who are currently being interrogated.

The search operation was monitored by the helicopters.

Peshawar grid station attack: Bodies of 5 missing men found

PESHAWAR: The bodies of five persons who went missing after a grid station was attacked by rockets in Peshawar have been found from nearby fields Tuesday, Geo News reported.

At least two people were killed while several areas of Peshawar plunged into darkness when unidentified miscreants fired rockets at Budha Beer Shaikh Muhamamdi grid station late at night.

Police said a WAPDA and police personnel were injured in the attack on the grid station. The injured succumbed to their wounds on way to hospital.