India to send plane to bring back Sarabjit's body

Lahore/New Delhi: Sarabjit Singh, the Indian who was attacked in a prison in Pakistan where he spent 22 years after being convicted of terrorism, died early this morning at a Lahore hospital after a cardiac arrest.

Pakistan has agreed to send back his body to India for his last rites.  It had turned down India's appeals to let Mr Singh be treated either in India or another country.

Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said that a special plane will be sent to bring Mr Singh's body home.

Concern raised over pro-Khalistan group’s links with US lawmakers

A marginalised Sikh group, which in the past had known supporters of Khalistan, has once again gained access to the powerful corridors of the Capitol Hill, raising concerns for India — this time piggybacking on the issue of hate crime that the community is facing in the US.

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When more than two dozen lawmakers announced the formation of first-ever Sikh American Congressional Caucus last week at the Capitol Hill, it was the presence of quite a number of individuals and representatives of organisations, who in the past have openly supported Khalistan, raised eyebrows among the friends of India in Washington.

India frets as UK House says caste discriminatory

NEW DELHI: The British parliament's decision to recognize the existence of caste alongside race as a form of discrimination could hurt India's long-held argument that the two sources of bias could not be equated.

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Worse, it may give a strong push to portray caste as a global phenomenon like race, undercutting India's claim that caste prejudice was indigenous to Indian society and it could not be a subject of policy at international fora like the UN.

As the law in the UK became a reality earlier this week, experts said it would trigger lobbying for similar legal protection in the US, Canada, South Africa and Australia - countries that have a strong presence of Indian diaspora, but have little awareness of caste.

More blasts as pre-election violence refuses to die down

KARAK: The pre-election violence continued on Monday with several more attacks on election candidates.

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Two candidates came under attack in Karak District on Monday in two separate incidents during their election campaigns, but no lose of life was reported in the two incidents. Police sources said that in the first incident two unidentified motorcyclists attacked the convoy of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Sami) candidate for NA-15 Karak and Central Deputy General Secretary of the party Maulana Shah Abdul Aziz in Jangrezi area of Tehsil Banda Daud Shah.

He narrowly escaped the assassination attempt and all other workers and supporters of the candidate also remained unhurt. Hafiz Faisal Tariq, a close aid of the candidate, claimed that Maulana Shah Abdul Aziz was going to a public meeting regarding his election campaign. He had not registered an FIR of the incident until the filing of this report.

Two die in attacks on ANP poll offices

CHARSADDA/NOWSHERA/KARAK/MARDAN - Militants continued targeting election offices and campaigns in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday and killed at least two people and wounded over a dozen in attacks in different parts of the province.

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One person was killed and 12 wounded in an explosion outside the election office of Awami National Party (ANP) candidate for PK-18, Muhammad Ahmad Khan, in Charsadda. In Nowshera district, two gunmen attacked a campaign office of ANP candidate for PK13, Shahid Khattak, killing a party worker and injuring three others.

Two Afghan diplomats among 10 killed in Peshawar blast

PESHAWAR: At least 10 people, including two Afghan diplomats and a journalist, were killed and over 60 others sustained injuries in a motorbike blast on the busy University Road here on Monday.

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“Around five kilograms of explosives were planted on the back seat of the motorbike. Ball-bearings were also embedded in the explosive layers to cause more casualties and damage,” Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of the Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU) Shafqat Malik told The News.

Earlier, it was reported that a suicide bomber had rammed his motorbike and exploded it near a police van on the University Road near Arbab Road, moments after Commissioner Peshawar Sahibzada Mohammad Anis had passed through the area.

Afghan president confirms the US has made payments to his national security team for a decade

KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Monday that his national security team has been receiving payments from the U.S. government for the past 10 years.

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Karzai confirmed the payments when he was asked about a story published in The New York Times saying the CIA had given the Afghan National Security Council tens of millions of dollars in monthly payments delivered in suitcases, backpacks and plastic shopping bags.

During a news conference in Helsinki, Finland, where he was on an official visit, Karzai said the welcome monthly payments were not a “big amount” but were a “small amount,” although he did not disclose the sums. He said they were used to give assistance to the wounded and sick, to pay rent for housing and for other “operational” purposes.

ASEAN, Chinese FMs to meet over S China Sea disputes

JAKARTA - Secretary-General of Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Le Luong Minh said on Monday that foreign ministers of ASEAN member countries will have a meeting with their Chinese counterpart in Beijing to further discuss peaceful settlement on territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

"The meeting between ASEAN foreign affairs ministers and Chinese foreign affairs minister has been scheduled in August or September this year in Beijing," Minh told Xinhua on the sidelines of a media briefing on the results of the recent high-profile ASEAN Summit held in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei.

He said that during the summit, all ASEAN members agreed to assign their foreign ministries to continue to work actively with China on the way forward for early conclusion of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) on the basis of consensus.

Myanmar port to be built on US$200m Japan loan

A port construction project in Thilawa Special Economic Zone (SEZ) will start next year using US$205 million low-interest, long term loan from Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA), according to Myanma Port Authority (MPA). Japan, who has keen interest in the economic and political reforms in Myanmar, has earlier agreed to offer financial assistance for developing infrastructures at Thilawa SEZ in Yangon, the commercial hub of Myanmar. ODA's loan will be used in construction of the port's first phase, which will be located on the land plot 25 and 26 of Thilawa



Myanmar should deploy more troops in volatile state: commission
By Aung Hla Tun and Jared Ferrie
YANGON | Mon Apr 29, 2013 9:24am EDT

China says can go a few steps back, India wants total retraction

India has shot down a proposal by China that troops of both sides could slightly back off from their existing eyeball-to-eyeball position in Ladakh even as Defence Minister AK Antony made it clear that the country would take every possible step to safeguard its interests.

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Chinese troops have to go back to positions held before the April 15 intrusion to defuse the current border crisis, the Indian side said during a flag meeting with China today. The third flag meeting, held between Brigadier-level officials at the ‘Spanggur-Gap’ in eastern Ladakh, lasted for nearly four hours. China, sources said, offered a phased response and it looked that as if it was testing India’s military resolve.

At least 20 militant camps operating along LoC: Army

As many as 20 to 30 militant-training camps are operating in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), very close to the Line of Control (LoC). General Officer Commanding, 16 Corps, Lt Gen DS Hooda, made this disclosure to mediapersons on the sidelines of the Veterans Rally at Kalakote in Rajouri today. The Army has stepped up vigil to prevent any infiltration bid, he said.

“As many as 200 militants are waiting at the launching pads to infiltrate into India,” he said.

He said militants were being given different kinds of training at these camps. He said 200 Pakistan-trained infiltrators were also waiting across the LoC to enter into India.

Geelani invited to conference in UK

Chairman of the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani has been invited to attend an international conference on Kashmir in the United Kingdom next month.

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“Geelani has been invited to participate in a Kashmir-related international conference on May 27 to be held in Birmingham,” a spokesman of the hardline Hurriyat said.

Geelani has accepted the invitation and will participate in the conference if the government provides him the required travel documents, he said. — PTI

NC-Cong govt lacks credibility: Mehbooba

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti today said the people of the state were fed up with non-performance, mis-governance and corruption of the state government, which lacked credibility.

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“The only achievement of the present coalition is its survival, merely on the strength of numbers in the Assembly and external lifelines, otherwise people are fed up with its non-performance, mis-governance and corruption,” Mehbooba said while addressing party workers in Beerwah constituency.

The present government lacks credibility which is a pre-requisite for any efficient governance system, she said.

Chinese incursion in Ladakh as deep as Pakistan’s in 1999

Pak had intruded 20 km into the Kargil area; Chinese intrusion has been 19 km deep Azhar Qadri

The latest transgression by the Chinese army in the Ladakh region, which is turning into a standoff between India and China, is as deep as Pakistan’s 1999 Kargil incursion which led to a war between India and Pakistan.

For the past fortnight, Chinese troops have stationed themselves 19 km deep inside the Indian territory in the Daulat Beg Oldie sector of the Ladakh region.

In 1999, the Pakistani troops and irregulars had intruded 16 to 20 km deep inside the Kargil area of the Ladakh region, triggering a limited war between the two countries.

Pakistan’s 1999 incursion was, however, spread over nearly the entire length of the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kargil area where they (Pakistani troops) had stationed themselves on mountain peaks overlooking the strategic Srinagar-Leh national highway. In contrast, the Chinese have limited themselves to a specific spot.

US report warns of crisis for Pakistan minorities

WASHINGTON: A US government-appointed panel urged Washington Tuesday to step up pressure on Pakistan over religious freedom, warning that risks to its minorities have reached a crisis level.

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In an annual report, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom also raised concerns about what it called a worsening situation in China, as well as problems in Egypt, Iran, Myanmar, Saudi Arabia and other nations.

The commission, which advises the government but does not make decisions, called for the United States to designate Pakistan as a "country of particular concern," meaning it could be subject to sanctions if it fails to improve.

Future of Pakistan hinges on fair elections: Kayani

* COAS says we must not harbour any suspicions or misgivings about May 11 election
* Polls a golden opportunity to end hide and seek between democracy, dictatorship

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said on Tuesday that general elections would be held in the country on May 11 and emphasised that the future of the country depends on their fair conduct.

“We must not harbour any suspicions or misgivings about it,” he said while addressing the participants of the “Yaum-e-Shuhada” (Martyrs Day) ceremony at the GHQ. He said this indeed was a golden opportunity, which could usher in an era of true democratic values in the country. The COAS said that in his opinion, it is not merely retribution but awareness and participation of the masses that can truly end this “game of hide and seek between democracy and dictatorship”.

Future of Pakistan hinges on fair elections: Kayani

* COAS says we must not harbour any suspicions or misgivings about May 11 election
* Polls a golden opportunity to end hide and seek between democracy, dictatorship

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said on Tuesday that general elections would be held in the country on May 11 and emphasised that the future of the country depends on their fair conduct.

“We must not harbour any suspicions or misgivings about it,” he said while addressing the participants of the “Yaum-e-Shuhada” (Martyrs Day) ceremony at the GHQ. He said this indeed was a golden opportunity, which could usher in an era of true democratic values in the country. The COAS said that in his opinion, it is not merely retribution but awareness and participation of the masses that can truly end this “game of hide and seek between democracy and dictatorship”.

Candidate among four killed in Balochistan

QUETTA: An independent candidate, Abdul Fateh Magsi, was gunned down on Tuesday in the provincial capital along with his three supporters while two others were injured in pre-election violence in Balochistan.

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Abdul Fateh Magsi had submitted his nomination papers as an independent candidate from PB-32 Jhal Magsi. The election commission postponed elections in the area following the incident. Talking to media, Jhal Magsi Deputy Commissioner Saeed Umrani said that unidentified armed men opened indiscriminate fire on Abdul Fateh Magsi and his colleagues. Resultantly, Magsi and his three supporters were killed on the spot and two others sustained critical injuries. “Abdul Fateh was on way for some political activities in Jhal Magsi when he got targeted in the area,” DC Umrani said.

Court awards ‘political death’ to Musharraf

PESHAWAR: A four-member bench of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Tuesday banned former military ruler Pervez Musharraf from contesting elections for the rest of his life for abrogating the country’s constitution.

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The verdict came in response to an appeal Musharraf filed over the rejection of his nomination papers for NA-32 seat in Chitral district. Headed by Chief Justice Dost Mohammad Khan and including Justice Malik Manzoor, Justice Syed Afsar Shah and Justice Ikramullah, the bench ruled that since Musharraf had abrogated the constitution twice, he could not be allowed to contest elections either for the National Assembly or the Senate.

Caretaker PM’s cousin kidnapped

KANDHKOT: Unknown armed men kidnapped a cousin of caretaker Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso here on Tuesday.

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According to details, unidentified gunmen stopped vehicle of Rahim Baksh Khoso, cousin of caretaker PM at Thal Indus Highway in Kandkot area of Sindh. The gunmen forcefully pulled out Rahim Baksh Khoso from his vehicle and took him away in their vehicle.

Hundreds of people blocked the Indus Highway after the kidnapping incident and protested. They chanted slogans against law enforcement authorities and demanded early recovery of the victim.

Pak-Afghan border closed down following scuffle between soldiers

LANDI KOTAL: The Torkham border was closed down by Pakistani security officials for several hours on Tuesday, while protesting over the incident involving an Afghan soldier slapping his Pakistani counterpart.

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According to Pakistani officials, an Afghan soldier had slapped a member of the Khasadar Force while he had been checking the passport of an Afghan. The incident led to the border closure from dawn to dusk.

Thousands of Afghan nationals were stranded on both sides of the border for several hours. NATO supply trucks and other vehicles, including those carrying old people or dead bodies were also not allowed to cross the border.

At least four militants killed in Orakzai

ORAKZAI: Fighter jets on Wednesday targeted insurgent hideouts in the Orakzai tribal region, killing four militants and destroying two hideouts.

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The militants and their hideouts were targeted in Upper Orakzai’s Asmat Khana region with the help of jet fighters.

Moreover, security forces also foiled a sabotage bid in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s capital and seized a huge cache of explosives along with arresting two suspects.

At least four militants killed in Orakzai

ORAKZAI: Fighter jets on Wednesday targeted insurgent hideouts in the Orakzai tribal region, killing four militants and destroying two hideouts.

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The militants and their hideouts were targeted in Upper Orakzai’s Asmat Khana region with the help of jet fighters.

Moreover, security forces also foiled a sabotage bid in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s capital and seized a huge cache of explosives along with arresting two suspects.

TTP focused on ending democracy, says Mehsud

MIRANSHAH: In a letter to the media, leader of banned outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has said that his group is focused on jeopardising democracy by hindering elections in the country.

“We have succeeded politically after we were asked to negotiate by the government,” said Hakimullah Mehsud.

He added that the group was now solely ‘focused’ on the next elections.

As elections are nearing, TTP’s aim would be to “end the democratic system,” the letter further said. Mehsud also urged TTP militants to target senior politicians and party leaders, while continuing the battle against security forces.

Furthermore, in a rare address from an undisclosed location, the militant chief claimed that the TTP was not just fighting a war on a tactical level, but were also able to ‘subdue’ politicians by making them negotiate.

Myanmar must look beyond 'flawed' report to stop cycle of Buddhist-Muslim violence

Amnesty International Tuesday 30th April, 2013

Recommendations in a government-backed report investigating last year's devastating violence in Myanmar fail to effectively tackle discrimination against Rohingya Muslims and could trigger more human rights abuses, Amnesty International said.

The government-appointed Rakhine Commission this week issued a briefing on its investigation into violence between Buddhist and Muslim communities in Rakhine state, western Myanmar, which first erupted in June 2012. The clashes have resulted in a considerable loss of life and left thousands displaced.

Three British soldiers killed in Afghanistan

KABUL: Three Nato troops killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan were British, officials said on Wednesday.

The three soldiers from the Royal Highland Fusiliers died on Tuesday when their vehicle was hit on a routine patrol in the district of Nahr-e Saraj, part of the southern province Helmand.

“Their deaths come as a great loss to all those serving in Task Force Helmand,” army spokesman Major Richard Morgan said in a statement from London.

The British defence ministry said that security in Helmand, a hotbed of the Taliban insurgency, was improving but that it remained a risky and dangerous environment for British troops.

Hefajat chief lands from chopper, addresses rally

Hefajat ameer Allama Shah Ahmad Shafi came to Bogra by a private helicopter from Hathazari in Chittagong to address a rally of the Islamist group at Eidgah ground in the town yesterday.

Leaders of Hefajat-e-Islam Bangladesh have threatened to unseat the government if their 13-point demand is not met by May 5.

They sounded the warning from rally held at Central Eidgah in Bogra town yesterday.

Chaired by Mufti Abdur Rahman, the rally was addressed, among others, by Ameer of Hefajat-e -Islam Bangladesh Allama Shah Ahmad Shafi, Secretary Junaid Babunagari, central Vice President Noor Hossain Kashimi, Bogra unit member-secretary Engineer Shamsul Islam, Maulana Abdur Rouf and Nazmul Ahsan.

US withdraws Rs.450 mn grant to Justice Ministry

Bureaucratic inefficiency or negligence on the part of the Justice Ministry or the Economic Development Ministry had resulted in Sri Lanka losing a US grant equivalent to Rs.450 million.

It was to be given for the purpose of upgrading the country’s judicial system by bringing it on par with modern technology and prevent legal delays.

The US grant has been withdrawn because an agreement could not be reached with government officials.

Tripartite hydropower cooperation

The govts. of Bhutan, Bangladesh and India are to frame an agreement on principles and guidelines
The governments of Bhutan, Bangladesh and India have discussed the possibilities of building hydropower projects beyond the 10000-megawatt (MW) initiative in Bhutan.

Director general of the department of energy, Dasho Yeshey Wangdi, said that the three governments, during the recent meeting in Dhaka, Bangladesh, agreed to frame an agreement that will have the principles and guidelines of cooperation in the hydropower sector.

Indian leaders for language-based federalism: Dahal

Since the arrest of alleged Hizbul Mujahideen militant Syed Liyaqat Shah from the Indo-Nepal border by the Delhi Police in March, nearly a dozen former militants have returned home to Kashmir under the state’s rehabilitation policy.

And, they too, returned through the Nepal route, which is yet to be designated an official entry point for the return of former militants. After the recent controversy over Liyaqat’s arrest, the government is now set to make the Nepal border route an “official” entry point for the return of former militants.

“The controversy generated in the wake of Liyaqat’s arrest has not stopped former militants from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to return to Kashmir. Since his arrest, 10 former militants have returned under the rehabilitation policy,” said a senior police officer.

NC leader rules out pre-poll alliance with Congress

Senior National Conference leader Mustafa Kamal on Wednesday said there will be no pre-poll alliance with the Congress during the next year’s elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

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National Conference and Congress are two key constituents of the ruling coalition in the state.

“There will be no pre-poll alliance with Congress,” Kamal told reporters on the sidelines of a May Day function held at the National Conference headquarters here. Kamal, often in the news for making controversial statements, is Additional General Secretary of National Conference and uncle of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Convoys of two election candidates bombed

KARACHI: An election candidate escaped unharmed on Wednesday when a suicide bomber blew himself up in southern Pakistan wounding two passers-by, police said, in the latest in a wave of attacks to hit the campaign.

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The attack came in Shikarpur district of Sindh province when Mohammad Ibrahim Jatoi, a candidate for the May 11 poll, was on the campaign trail. Violence has spiked ahead of national elections on May 11, with at least 61 people killed in attacks on politicians and political parties since April 11, according to an AFP tally.

“A suicide bomber on a motorcycle blew himself up near the car of Mr Jatoi, but he was unharmed,” local police station chief Zaheer Mahesar told AFP.

Moderates’ join hands to fight ‘conspiracies’

* PPP, ANP and MQM say conspiracy underway to promote fundamentalist parties in May 11 elections
* Appeal people to foil nefarious designs by voting them in

KARACHI: Three ‘moderate’ political parties on Wednesday have vowed to resist all conspiracies underway to restrain them from contesting polls and aimed at promoting fundamentalist parties in the May 11 general election.

They continued reiterating their stance against ‘conspiracies’ through their joint appearances at different venues.

Leaders of the three parties gathered at residence of ANP’s Senator Shahi Syed in the morning and later at the PPP’s Secretariat in the evening. Late on Tuesday, they had also gathered at the MQM Headquarters, Nine-Zero.

PTI will stop military operations across country: Imran

* PTI chief says if voted to power his party would hold local bodies polls as soon as possible

LORALAI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan has said that after coming into power his party would end military operations in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other parts of the country, saying bullet is not the solution to any problem.

Speaking at a public rally here on Wednesday, he said that the PTI would transform the country into a welfare state where justice would be dispensed without any discrimination. He said local bodies’ polls would be held in the country as soon as possible. “We would not allocate development funds to any MNA or MPA, but the problems would be resolved through local bodies,” Imran added.

Military intends to back Qaeda candidates: AHRC

LAHORE: There have been some developments during the past two weeks that reveal that in the coming election, elements of the Taliban and al Qaeda have been offered seats in the parliament, the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) said on Wednesday.

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In a statement, the commission said that before the developments, the security agencies with the help of right-wing parties had also allowed 53 sectarian candidates to contest the election without passing through the sword of articles 62 and 63 of the constitution, which debar any candidate known to be involved in cases of sectarian violence, hate campaigns or having been charged with murder and killings through sectarian violence.

Pakistan, Afghan forces clash along border injuring soldiers

ISLAMABAD: An Afghan border policeman was killed and two Pakistani soldiers were wounded in an exchange of fire along the Pak-Afghan border late on Wednesday, officials from both countries said.

A senior Afghan official said hundreds of additional Afghan troops were sent to a disputed border gate after the exchange of fire, which lasted for more than two hours.

An Afghan official who declined to be named said that one Afghan was killed in several hours of artillery exchanges.

Pakistani authorities accused the Afghan National Army (ANA) of firing on one of its border checkposts, injuring at least two security personnel.

From the fringes Gilgit-Baltistanis silently observe elections.

Gilgit-Baltistan might be the last thing on the minds of Pakistan’s election-contesting parties — none of them have included these far-flung northern areas in their manifestos — but its more politically inclined residents are keeping a close eye on who gets to form a government in Islamabad come May 11.

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“Our fate-politically, economically, legally — remains in the hands of Islamabad, thanks to the quirks and tragedies of history,” says Tahir Hussain, a Skardu resident. “We might have nothing to say — we will not be voting — but the next election will matter.

US report warns of crisis for Pakistan’s minorities

WASHINGTON: A US government-appointed panel urged Washington Tuesday to step up pressure on Pakistan over religious freedom, warning that risks to its minorities have reached a crisis level.

Follow up:

In an annual report, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom also raised concerns about what it called a worsening situation in China, as well as problems in Egypt, Iran, Myanmar, Saudi Arabia and other nations.

The commission, which advises the government but does not make decisions, called for the United States to designate Pakistan as a “country of particular concern,” meaning it could be subject to sanctions if it fails to improve.

Balochistan operation commences today

QUETTA: Balochistan Home Secretary Akbar Hussain Durrani has said that a 15-day targeted operation by the army and Frontier Corps against the armed militants will commence today (May 1) in different parts of the province.

“It can be launched anytime and anywhere,” he told The Express Tribune on Tuesday, and added, “We will take every necessary step to provide a safe, secure and conducive political atmosphere for politicians, election contenders, political workers and voters.”

The operation will be taken against all proscribed organisations, including the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), the Balochistan Republican Army (BRA), the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLA), the United Baloch Army (UBA), the Lashkar-e-Balochistan (L and “all those who are involved in subversive activities to sabotage the election process,” Durrani said.

Afghanistan peace negotiator killed in bombing

KABUL, Afghanistan — A roadside bomb killed a provincial peace negotiator and two police officers in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday, dealing another setback to President Hamid Karzai’s attempts to get talks started with Taliban militants after more than 11 years of conflict.

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Malim Shah Wali Khan, 53, and his security detail were driving through the volatile southern province of Helmand when militants detonated the bomb, killing him and two of his bodyguards, according to the provincial governor’s office.

Four other police officers were injured in the attack. When the blast occurred, Khan and his security team were on their way to a meeting to discuss plans for the ongoing handover of security responsibilities in the province from U.S.-led troops to Afghan forces.

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.

Follow up:

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.

Follow up:

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.

Follow up:

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.

Follow up:

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.

Follow up:

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.

Follow up:

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.

Follow up:

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.

UN, major powers warn Afghanistan over election

UNITED NATIONS: The United States and United Nations on Tuesday warned Afghanistan that ensuring a credible presidential election next year would be “critical” to maintaining international support after 2014.

Follow up:

UN leader Ban Ki-Moon also said he was “deeply disturbed” at the lack of action taken by Afghan authorities over growing numbers of killings of women The warnings came amid growing tensions between President Hamid Karzai and the United States and the NATO-led international force which is due to leave Afghanistan next year.

“An inclusive and credible presidential election in 2014 is critical for the country’s future and to sustaining international assistance to the people of Afghanistan,” US ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice said. “The results of this election must produce an outcome that is legitimately accepted by the Afghan people,” Rice told a council meeting on Afghanistan.

Afghan government says NATO war ‘aimless, unwise’

KABUL: Afghanistan’s presidential spokesman on Tuesday described the NATO-led military operation in the country as “aimless and unwise”, in the latest government broadside against the coalition.

Follow up:

Aimal Faizi, spokesman for President Hamid Karzai, hit out after NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen rejected Karzai’s recent allegations that it was working in collusion with Taliban militants.

“The people of Afghanistan ask NATO to define the purpose and aim of the so-called war on terror... (They) consider this war as aimless and unwise to continue,” Faizi said in a statement.

The verbal onslaught is set to worsen relations between Afghanistan and the international coalition that has been fighting for 11 years against Islamist militants who are trying to overthrow Karzai’s government.