An open letter to SC: List of dual nationals submitted Begum Shehnaz Sheikh

Begum Shehnaz Sheikh

PML-Q’s former MNA Begum Shehnaz Sheikh submitted through an open letter to the Supreme Court on Monday a list of parliamentarians having dual nationality.

In her open letter written to the Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, she alleged that the cases of all the parliamentarians having dual nationality were not equally dealt with. She requested the apex court to put the procedure pertaining to reimbursement of benefits enjoyed by the dual nationality holder parliamentarians, on hold until the final verdict on the pending review pleas of the dual nationality holders was delivered.

In her letter, she mentioned the names of 20 dual nationality holder parliamentarians. She said a few of those, whose membership was suspended by the apex court, still continued to remain at their offices. The letter includes the names of Asim Hussain, Raza Haroon, Shahbeen Rizvi, Tayyib Hussain, Fauzia Ejaz and Jameel Ashraf.

Shehnaz Sheikh alleged that she was not justly dealt with despite she had tendered her resignation. She claimed that all dual nationality holder members of parliament were not equally treated. She said all dual nationality holder parliamentarians were not directed to return all the monetary benefits they had drawn during the period they occupied public offices and other emoluments from the public exchequer, including monthly remunerations, TA/DA and facilities of accommodation, along with other perks etc.

She requested the apex court to stop all proceedings of reimbursement of monetary benefits granted to the suspended parliamentarians until a decision came on the review pleas filed against the Supreme Court’s verdict of disqualifying 11 members of parliament.

It may be recalled here that the membership of Begum Shehnaz Sheikh was suspended by the Supreme Court in October 2012 for holding Australian nationality, while being a Pakistani national and a member of the parliament.(The News)

Diwali Symbolizes The Triumph Of Good Over Evil And It Is The Festival Of Lights: Altaf Hussain

The Chief of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) Mr Altaf Hussain has greeted the Hindu community in Pakistan and throughout the world on the occasion of the festival of Diwali. He said that Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the Hindu community and it symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. It is also the occasion of joy, mirth and happiness and celebrated as a festival of lights.
Mr Hussain said that all religions teach about respecting the places of worship and festivals of other religions besides recognizing the dignity of mankind. Those who do not follow these basic precepts of their religion are, in fact, acting contrary to the teachings of their religion.
Mr Hussain asked the Hindu community to offer prayers for peace and promotion of religious tolerance and harmony in the country. He asked them to offer special prayers for elimination of the heartless terrorists who were killing innocent people. 

PTI Strongly Condemns Shahbaz Bhatti's Murder

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has strongly condemned the brutal murder of Minorities Minister Shahbaz Bhatti, saying the incident shows government’s total failure in curbing terrorism within the country. How a government that cannot protect its ministers be expected to provide security to its people, they questioned. In a joint statement issued here on Wednesday, the PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Secretary General Dr Arif Alvi, Brig (r) Samson Simon Sharaf, Information Secretary Omer Cheema and Women wing president Fauzia Kasuri, they also condemned the government for showing a criminal neglect by not providing the late Shahbaz Bhatti with proper security and housing in Ministers Enclave despite his voicing security concerns especially in the wake of thew Taseer murder. The continuing government neglect of his pleas shows the careless approach it has towards its minorities. It is sad that the present government used Shahbaz Bhatti to project a soft image of Pakistan internationally, and yet showed criminal neglect in providing him security, the PTI leader commented.

This brutal act of terror is a blot on the Pakistani nation and we must all unite to expose and punish those responsible, they added.

Meanwhile the Spokesperson of the PTI for religious affairs Ejaz Chaudhry, in a separate statement also condemned Bhatti's murder and said it was a deep-rooted conspiracy to belittle Pakistan in the eyes of the world and isolate it in the world community. Islam, he said, provides maximum protection to the minorities. He also demanded of the government to expose the hidden hand behind Bhatti's murder.

More than 25 People killed, several injured in Kohat suicide blast

The death toll in a suicide attack at a market in Kohat town has hit 25 while the casualties were feared to be increased further, a private TV reported. The attack occurred at Kacha Paka bazaar at Hangu road on Friday where a suicide bomber on foot detonated explosives next to a small hotel, leaving at least 25 dead and 35 others wounded. A suicide car bomb tore through a Pakistan market, killing up to 14 people and gutting shops on Friday as families stocked up on supplies for a major religious festival, police said.

The explosion destroyed vehicles and shops near a bus stop in Ustarzai, a small mountain town in the northwest which lies between the garrison city of Kohat and Hangu, another Shiite-dominant town with a history of sectarian violence, police said. The area was packed with shoppers buying food and delicacies for the weekend and the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which Pakistanis expect to start on Monday with the sighting of the new moon after the fasting month of Ramadan. "A suicide bomber blew up a car filled with explosives in the market. Ten people were killed and many wounded," said Ali Hasan, a local police officer on the ground in Ustazai. Police spokesman Fazal Naeem in nearby Kohat said: "We have recovered 14 dead bodies. Many people were wounded.

The suicide bomber was sitting in a car." Police said the attack occurred near a bus stop where passenger buses and coaches arrive and depart from other towns across northwest Pakistan, where the United States has branded Islamist militants an existential threat. Police said the explosion caused heavy damage and officers were frantically organising efforts to rescue the dead and wounded. The attack was the second in two days in Kohat, a rough town in the region bordering Afghanistan with a history of sectarian and other militant violence. A bomb wounded six people Thursday.

Heavy contingent of police arrived at the scene soon after the incident and cordoned off the site. Near 32 shops at the market caved in due to the blast's impact and the rescuers put hard efforts to pull victims from the rubble, a news agency said citing a local police official. The agency quoted local area nazim Syed Mehtabul Hassan as saying that the death have reached 25 while several others were also wounded. He says that 25 bodies have been pulled out of the rubble of the hotel and nearby shops. Emergency was declared in all the major hospitals of the city while the paramedical teams also carried out emergency relief activities at the attack site. Most of the critically injured were rushed to district hospital Kohat. Hangu Road was blockaded by the forces for all kinds of traffic following the attack. Police were collecting the remains of the bomber for DNA test. (Nation)

Baitullah Mehsud is dead

* Foreign minister says govt pursuing ground verification
* Interior minister says operation will continue until Mehsud’s group is eliminated
* TTP deputy chief says he can neither confirm, nor deny Baitullah’s death * Hakeemullah Mehsud, Waliur Rehman Mehsud, Azmatullah in close race to emerge as new TTP chief

ISLAMABAD: Quoting intelligence reports on Friday, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi confirmed that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Baitullah Mehsud was killed in a US drone attack in South Waziristan.

“Based on information gleaned from intelligence reports, the news of Baitullah’s death is correct. But we are going for ground verification, and when the information has been confirmed, then we will be 100 percent sure,” he told reporters at a local hotel after addressing the Youth Parliament. He also told BBC Radio that it was “pretty certain” that the Taliban chief was dead, Reuters reported. A Taliban commander and aide to Baitullah Mehsud, meanwhile, told the Associated Press that the TTP chief was killed in the US strike. “I confirm that Baitullah Mehsud and his wife died in the American missile attack in South Waziristan,” Taliban commander Kafayatullah said by telephone. He would not give any further details.

No end in sight: Mehsud was allegedly killed in a drone attack on Wednesday while visiting his father-in-law Maulana Ikramuddin’s house. The attack also resulted in the deaths of one of his wives, Ikramuddin’s daughter, and over half-a-dozen guards. “Information is coming from that area that he is dead,” said Interior Minister Rehman Malik. “I am unable to confirm unless I have solid evidence,” he said. He said the military was determined to finish off the Taliban in Pakistan. “It is a targeted law enforcement action against Baitullah Mehsud’s group and it will continue until Baitullah Mehsud’s group is eliminated forever,” he said.

He urged the Taliban to lay down their arms and urged them to come into the mainstream, saying the new TTP chief would face the same fate as Baitullah. He said the TTP is a banned outfit and there was no possibility of talks with them, the Online news agency reported.

No confirmation: TTP deputy chief Maulvi Faqir Muhammad, meanwhile, told Daily Times he could neither confirm nor deny Baitullah’s killing in the drone attack. “Baitullah Mehsud was killed in the drone attack,” Ikramuddin’s neighbours told Daily Times. Military and intelligence sources told Daily Times the best confirmation would be from the Taliban. “To be frank, the Taliban themselves can confirm their leader’s death. Otherwise, the lack of a proper government in the area prevents us from taking definitive action,” the intelligence officials added.

However, an intelligence officer in South Waziristan told Reuters that Mehsud’s funeral had already taken place. “He was killed with his wife and he was buried in Nargosey,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Online news agency quoted a private TV channel as reporting that the government could make the official announcement with regard to Baitullah’s death within the coming week. It said the Interior Ministry had received a fax from South Waziristan Political Agent Syed Shahab Ali Shah confirming Baitullah’s death.

New TTP chief: Meanwhile, intelligence officials and Taliban sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, have said that Taliban commanders were meeting in the Tribal Areas on Friday to choose a successor. It was unclear when they might reach a decision.

Three Pakistani intelligence officials said the likeliest successor was Mehsud’s deputy, Hakeemullah, a commander known for recruiting and training suicide bombers. Two other prominent possibilities, the officials said, were Azmatullah and Waliur Rehman, also close associates of Mehsud.

SC orders warrants for Hamesh Khan

The Supreme Court has ordered to issue warrants for the arrest of former president Punjab Bank Hamesh Khan and owner of the Haris Steel Mill Sheikh Afzal.
The three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary while hearing the Haris Steel Mill case also asked the government to use diplomatic channels for bringing these defaulters back home from abroad.
The Supreme Court directed the FIA to issue arrest warrant for Hamesh Khan, in Rs 9 billion Bank of Punjab loan scam. The bench which was also comprised Justice Ch Ijaz Ahmed and Justice Jawwad S Khawaja adjourned the hearing of the case till August 10.
The apex court again directed the three main accused in the case Hamesh Khan, Shaikh Afzal, owner of Haris Steel and his son Haris Afzal to appear before the court and also directed that appearance of the accused was a must as their non-appearance was creating a wrong message.
The Chief Justice directed Director General FIA, Tariq Khosa to use diplomatic channels for the arrest of Hamesh Khan, former President Bank of Punjab.

Sufi Mohammad arrested in Peshawar

A prominent religious leader in Pakistan's Swat valley has been arrested after allegedly speaking against the government and encouraging violence.

Maulana Sufi Mohammed, who brokered a failed deal with Islamabad that would have seen a stricter interpretation of sharia - or Islamic law - in Swat was seized on Sunday in the city of Peshawar, the capital of North West Frontier Province (NWFP).

"The government has arrested Maulana Sufi Mohammed. A formal case against him will be registered soon," Mian Iftekhar Hussein, the information minister for NWFP, said.

"He killed a lot of people. Again he was planning for this. We will not allow anyone to destroy peace at Malakand and Swat."

Sufi Mohammed's two sons, Ziaullah and Rizwanullah, were reportedly arrested with him during a police raid. His third son, a teacher, was killed in a Pakistani military bombardment in May.

"Many people here will tell you that Sufi Mohammed was an arbiter of peace," Al Jazeera's Kamal Hyder, reporting from the capital, Islamabad, said.

"There has been much disagreement over who broke the [peace] deal."

Pervez Musharraf summoned in judges case

The 14-member larger bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Wednesday summoned former President Pervez Musharraf to defend charges leveled against him for imposing emergency on November 3, 2007.

The larger bench issued a notice to Pervez Musharraf to appear in person or through counsel on July 29.

The PCO judges case hearing was adjourned till July 29.

A 14-member larger bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry heard the case relating the promulgation of emergency on November 3 and the appointment of judges of higher judiciary.

Giving his remarks, the CJ said justice will not meet its demands, if the court gives verdict without giving explanation chance to Musharraf; thereupon, Sindh High Court Bar counsel Hamid Khan retorted former Gen Yahya Khan appeared before court in Aasma Gilani case.

The CJ said the case is highly important.

CJ Chaudhry queried Hamid Khan Advocate regarding the repercussions of the verdict of this case, adding, ‘We will have to muse seriously why July 5, 77 happened, what effects judicial rulings had on national life.’

‘The case may have effects on our judges ranks, we will have to spot repercussions of the case ruling outside the courtroom.’

Justice Khalilur Rehman Ramday said in his remarks that the judges who took oath on PCO on November 3, 2007, ran foul of the order of 7 SC judges.

POL prices cut on SC order

* Petrol price now Rs 50.58 per litre, HOBC Rs 62.54, kerosene oil Rs 52.89 and light diesel oil Rs 51.46

ISLAMABAD: The government reduced the prices of petroleum products on Tuesday after the Supreme Court temporarily suspended the implementation of the carbon surcharge and directed the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) earlier in the day to issue a notification.

According to an OGRA notification issued late on Tuesday, the government has withdrawn the carbon tax and reduced POL prices that would come into effect today (Wednesday).

According to the notification, petrol prices have been reduced by Rs 11.55 per litre to Rs 50.58 from 62.13, a reduction of 18.6 percent; HOBC prices by Rs 16.24 per litre to Rs 62.54 from 78.78, a reduction of 20 percent; kerosene oil prices by Rs 6.46 per litre to Rs 52.89 from Rs 59.35, a reduction of 11 percent; and light diesel oil prices by Rs 3.48 per litre to Rs 51.46 from Rs 54.94, a reduction of 6.33 percent.

Earlier on Tuesday, a three-member bench – headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry – said the implementation of the carbon tax would remain suspended until a final decision in the case, and then adjourned proceedings until July 9.

PPP Senator Rukhsana Zubairi and PML-N Secretary General Iqbal Zafar Jhagra had filed separate petitions challenging the increase in petroleum prices.

In its short order, the court said as the government had made no effort to protect the environment through carbon tax, it had no right to charge people for the facility.

The court also summoned the environment secretary at the next hearing for an explanation on whether the ministry had proposed the carbon tax.

Appearing on notice, Attorney General Latif Khosa told the court that the government had to impose the tax in order to overcome the budget deficit.

The chief justice, however, observed that such decisions were not in accordance with good governance.

A judicial commission had earlier presented its interim report on rising oil prices in the country and proposed a “fair and proper cut” in petroleum prices.

Meeting with arrested Pakistanis today

JEDDAH: Acting Ambassador of Pakistan in Saudi Arabia Muhammed Sarfraz Khan Wednesday said that consular access to the arrested Pakistanis at Jeddah airport will be given today.

Talking to Geo News, he said he received information regarding heroin recovered from the Pakistani family, after which the Pakistan embassy requested the Saudi officials for consular access to the arrested Pakistani family.

‘We have not contacted the affected family as yet,’ he said.

Noting could be said regarding the timeframe for the release of the arrested Pakistani family, as such cases take a long time in Saudi Arabia, the acting Pakistani ambassador added.

Extremists buying children to use as bombers: Rehman Malik

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said the government is determined to continue the war against terrorism till the Taliban are flushed out of the country. He said that the terrorists were using children for their barbarous terrorist activities, adding a suicide bomber was paid Rs500,000 to Rs2.5 million from terrorist outfits.
He was speaking at an award distribution ceremony for martyred and other police officials at the National Library Auditorium here on Monday. The minister said the government has decided to increase the police strength, and 20,000 more personnel would be recruited in the Capital Police to overcome the shortage of the force.

He said the Chinese government would provide security equipment to the tune of $280 million to Pakistan for capacity building of the law-enforcement agencies. He said the Chinese government has made this commitment during his recent visit to China. He said gadgets would include vehicular scanners, mobile scanners and other items required for security purposes. He said different donors have pledged to give an amount of $65 million for capacity building and improvement in the police department. He said weapons and ammunition were being supplied to terrorists from Afghanistan and the government of Pakistan had taken up this matter with Afghan President Hamid Karzai. He appreciated the performance of the police department, especially, the Capital Police, for curbing the incidents of terrorism and for nabbing the potential terrorists.

He paid tribute to ‘Shuhada’ of suicide attack on Rescue 15 in Islamabad and said he would request the prime minister to bestow Quaid-i-Azam Police Award upon them. He announced plots in Islamabad for the families of police officials who embraced ‘Shahadat’ during the last 10 years and payment of full salary to their families up to the age of 60. He said duty hours of the Capital Police will be reduced and they would be given uniform allowance, vehicles for pick and drop and APCs.Earlier, the minister distributed medals, certificates, and cash prizes among police officers and officials for their outstanding performance.

Police officers and officials received prizes included: SP Nasar Aftab, SP Sajjid Kiyani, SP Saqib Sultan, ASPs Muntazir Mehdi, Liaquat Ali Malik, Farukkah Rashid, DSPs Liaquat Hayat Niazi, Ehasanullah (CID), Bashir Ahmed Noon (CIA), Inspectors, Ashraf Shah, Abdul Razzaq, Arshad Ali, Muhammad Auqab, Muhammad Baqir, Tahir Hussain, SIs Munir Jaffery, Muhammad Sharif, Shahid Mehmud, Muhammad Yasin, ASIs Nadeem Mughal, Ansar Mehmud, Muhammad Rashid, HCs Raza Ahmed, M. Arif, Fida Hussain, Wajid Ali Shah, Atif, Constables Mehtab Hussain and Noor Ahmed.

The minister also distributed shields among Islamabad Chief Commissioner Fazeel Asghar, DIG (operations) Bin Yameen and SSP (traffic) Dr Sultan Azam Temuri. Speaking on the occasion, Islamabad IG Syed Kaleem Imam said the Capital Police were committed to protecting the life and property of the citizens. He said despite deficiency of staff and resources, including transport and accommodation, the Capital Police were showing best performance. He, however, called for more facilities for the police department, including provision of modern equipment, to enable them cope with terrorism. He expressed his thanks to the prime minister and the interior minister for giving raise in salaries of police officials and provision of other facilities.

Agencies add: Rehman Malik said terrorists were targeting innocent people and they have no link with Islam. Every citizen having Pakistani passport were being considered as terrorists in the world. The terrorists have tarnished the image of Islam and Pakistan, he added.

Anti-state elements were buying children and making them suicide bombers, he said and added the terrorists were using civilian as human shield. “We had two options either to surrender before the terrorists or fight with them and now terrorists were bound to run from Swat, Dir and Buner,” he said. He warned the terrorists to lay down their arms otherwise they would be killed.

Dr Sarfraz Naeemi among 5 martyred in Lahore blast

LAHORE: At least five people including Jamia Naeemia principal Dr Sarfraz Naeemi were martyred and eight others injured in a suicide blast at Jamia Naeemia situated in Garhi Shahu area of Lahore, Geo News reported Friday.

The blast occurred after the Friday prayers when the people were making their way out of the mosque after offering the Friday prayers. A lot of people were present in the mosque at the time of blast.

Jamia Naeemia principal Dr Sarfraz Naeemi was present at his office at the Jamia Naeemia at the time of blast, the eyewitnesses said adding he was meeting with the people and students at his office; in the meantime, the suicide bomber blew himself up.

The blast was so powerful that the outer walls of the Jamia Naeemia Masjid collapsed and he nearby buildings were harmed in the blast.

The injured Maulana Naeemi was rushed to the hospital; however, he succumbed to the injuries on the way to the hospital.

The deceased include his close associate Dr Khalilur Rehman.

The personnel of the security forces cordoned off the area and started the relief operation.

The injured were rushed to the Meo Hospital. Emergency has been declared in the hospitals of the Lahore.

The security forces are searching the building on the apprehension of another bomb.

DCO Lahore Sajjad Bhutta said the Maulana was provided with the proper security.

35 hurt in Bolan Express blast

NASEERABAD: At least 35 others were injured in the blast in Bolan Express, Geo News reported Thursday.

Bolan Express was on way from Karachi to Quetta. The blast occurred in coach-3.

The relief workers arrived on the spot and the injured are being rushed to the hospitals. An injured is in critical condition.

According to railway officials, the blast occurred in Bolan area of Colpur.

11 killed in Pearl Continental blast in Peshawar

* Attackers fire at security guards from one vehicle, blow up second inside hotel’s compound
* 60 injured, 2 foreigners including Russian UN official among dead

PESHAWAR: A massive truck bomb ripped through the five-star Pearl Continental hotel in Peshawar on Tuesday killing 11 people and wounding 60.

The attackers entered the compound on two vehicles at about 10:30pm, spraying the security guards at the hotel gate with bullets from one and blowing up the other in the hotel parking.

“It was a suicide attack,” city police chief Sefwat Ghayur told AFP. “There are two foreigners among the dead,” provincial information minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain said. He did not reveal their nationalities.

A witness said he first heard shooting and then there was loud bang that left the area in thick smoke. The explosion was followed by a power failure.

Forty vehicles parked in the compound were destroyed and the building was seriously damaged. A large crater was seen in the parking area. A portion of the building was completely destroyed.

The explosion was heard several kilometres away from the site and shook nearby buildings, shattering the windows of many of them.

Khyber Road is a sensitive locality with the NWFP Assembly and several government and military buildings.

A number of foreigners, most of them associated with aid agencies, were staying in the hotel.

UN official: A private TV channel said the dead included UNHCR official Alexander Joseph from Russia. Sixteen other UNHCR officials were injured and one was missing. The injured also included an official from the World Food Programme, another from the World Health Organisation and two from UNICEF, it said. Another TV channel said a foreign female journalist was also injured.

Edhi sources claimed receiving dead bodies of three foreigners.

News channels said that hotel manager Kamal Ahmad was missing. Two PIA hostesses were also injured and a captain was missing.

A Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) official told reporters at least 500 kilogrammes of explosives were used in the attack.

Police cordoned off the area following the explosion and closed Khyber Road for traffic. The hotel was evacuated and an emergency was imposed in Peshawar’s hospitals.

There were unconfirmed reports that employees of a private American company had hired a portion of the hotel.

The NWFP information minister condemned the attack and told a private TV channel it would not affect his government’s resolve against the Taliban.

Most of the injured were hotel employees and were taken to Lady Reading Hospital.

The Associated Press said US officials were in negotiations to make the premises an American consulate. Citing two senior US officials in Washington, it said the State Department had been in negotiations with the hotel’s owners to either purchase the facility or sign a long-term lease there to house a new American consulate in Peshawar. The officials said they were not aware of any sign that US interest in the compound had played a role in it being targeted.

Lou Fintor, spokesman for the US Embassy in Islamabad, said all diplomatic personnel were accounted for. “At this point we have no reports that any Americans were at the scene,” he said.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani condemned the attack and grieved the loss of innocent lives, and resolve to continue the government’s commitment to eradicate terrorism.

Pak military has the capability, capacity to crush insurgency in Swat, adjoining areas: Masood Khan

The Pakistan army has the capacity and capability to protect the sovereignty, independence of its mother land as well as to crush the threat of terrorism, said Ambassador Masood Khan in a television interview here. Participating at CCTV Asia Today’s programme on Monday, while responding to a question, he made it clear that it is wrong to say that we have succeeded to recapture the Swat valley or Malakand areas. In fact, the valley and all parts of the region were always with us. What the army did was to confront the elements who had challenged the writ of the state.
“As the defiance from militants became too aggressive, too outrageous, the government decided to send army into these areas to flush them out”, he said.

Khan said that local government had a peace agreement with the militants, but they defied it. As a last resort it was decided to take them out as well as to dismantle the apparatus that was supporting them.

“We are determined to eliminate militants from our soil to ensure peace and stability” as these outlaws were posing threat not only to Pakistan, but to the entire neighborhood.

Regarding continuous bomb attacks by militants, in spite of the fact that army is achieving successes in Swat valley, Khan said these acts on the part of militants were in retaliation to the army operation.

“Militants are targeting civilians and government institutions. Our security forces are vigilant. Security arrangement has been strengthened”, he said.

He said that government is working on 3-pronged strategy to face the threat of militancy: anti-militancy operation; humanitarian relief for the internally displaced persons; and win over the moderate but misguided elements who were supporting the Taliban.

On displaced persons, he said that the figure of IDP had reached a staggering 3.3million and was growing.

However, Khan said, Pakistan is determined to provide food, shelter, health, education and to meet their daily needs, but it was so massive, that my country could not manage it by its own resources, therefore Pakistan had asked the international community for help.

In this regard, he specially mentioned the Chinese government and the people for coming forward in a big way to elevate the suffering of the IDPS.

He said that to meet by our own resources, the Pakistan Embassy here had also organized a Meena Bazaar Fundraiser on Sunday, and the Chinese as well as member of the international community participated in it in a big way.

The anchor person of the programme Zhou meanwhile said that Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has expressed the resolve to flush these elements which is a good sign for Pakistan .

TNSM naib ameer Muhammad Alam and spokesman Ameer Izzat Khan killed in militants attack

RAWALPINDI: The naib ameer of Tahreek-e-Nifaz Shariat Muhammadi(TNSM) Maulana Muhammad Alam and spokesman Ameer Izzat Khan have been killed during clash between security forces and militants in Sakhakot on Saturday morning.

According to ISPR, a security forces convoy carrying prisoners including Maulana Muhammad Alam and Ameer Izzat Khan attacked by militants in Sakhakot. The prisoners were being shifted from Malakand to Peshawar.

A non-commissioned officer of Pakistan army has been martyred and five other personnel hurt during intense trade of fire between security forces and militants. Maulana Alam and Ameer Izzat Khan were also killed during firing.

39 Taliban arrested among IDPs

ISLAMABAD: Police have arrested 39 suspected Taliban fighters hiding among Internally Displaced persons (IDPs) from a military offensive against militants from Pakistan’s Swat Valley region, a senior officer said yesterday.
The arrests, made in the past few days, were the first of alleged militants among more than 2 million people who have fled the fighting.
Syed Akhtar Ali Shah said the 39 suspects had shaved off the beards that many conservative Muslims consider a sign of piety.
Officials had previously warned that fleeing insurgents may try to take refuge among civilians.
One dozen of the suspected Taliban were arrested in IDPs camps south of the Swat region, while the others were picked up in houses where refugees were staying with relatives or were renting, said Syed Akhtar Ali Shah, the police chief in Mardan, a town that hosts some of the roughly one dozen camps.
“These Taliban have mixed up themselves among the refugees,” Shah told a reporter by telephone.
They had cut their hair short and shaved their beards in a bid to disguise themselves from authorities and blend in with civilians, he said. Many conservative Muslims believe men should grow their hair and beards long as a sign of piety.

‘Pak Army is aware of internal threats’ We are capable of handling present crisis by ourselves: COAS

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said that Pakistan is a sovereign state and the people of Pakistan under a democratic dispensation, supported by the Army, are capable of handling the present crisis in their own national interest
He expressed these views while chairing the 118th Corps Commanders’ Conference at General Headquarters on Thursday. The conference was a part of regular monthly meeting.
In his opening remarks, the Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said that present security situation requires that all elements of national power should work in close harmony to fight the menace of terrorism and extremism. COAS said that Pakistan is a sovereign state and the people of Pakistan under a democratic dispensation, supported by the Army, are capable of handling the present crisis in their own national interest.
The participants were given a comprehensive briefing on prevailing security situation in the region. The matters of operational preparedness and professional interest were discussed in the meeting. COAS expressed his satisfaction at the standard and conduct of on going training in the filed formations as part of ‘Year of Training’.

20 Uzbek terrorists reportedly enter Punjab

LAHORE: It has been reliably learnt that 20 Uzbek terrorists have entered Punjab, Geo news reported on Tuesday.

According to Regional Police Officer (RPO) Sargodha region, Mukhtar Gondal, nearly 20 suspected Uzbek terrorists have entered Punjab who could target Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Bhakkar and Sargodha.

Gondal said that security has been beefed up following the tip-off and search operation is underway. He said Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsood has dispatched the Uzbeks.

Guard killed in suicide attack at Police station

By Saad Saud

ISLAMABAD—At least two persons including a police constable and suicide bomber were killed and five others injured in a powerful blast at the gate of Special Branch of Police station in Sector G-7 near Sitara Market here on Monday, police and eye witnesses said.
A suspected bomber around 8:00 P.M tried to enter into the Special Branch of Police where he was barred by guards at a checkpoint at the gate as a result he blew himself up, killing one police constable on the spot, witnesses said. The police constable who was killed in the suicide bombing was identified as Faisal. The blast was so loud that it shattered the window panes of the surrounding buildings.
Ambulances and rescue teams reached the scene and initiated rescue operations soon after the attack and collected scattered limbs for forensics and other evidences from the scene. The injured were shifted to Government Services Hospital and Pakistan Institute of Medical sciences were emergency have been declared. “So far only one person had been brought to the Polyclinic hospital whose name is said to be Muhammad Karim”, said doctors engaged with his medical treatment. He, however, said that Karim is out of danger.”
Injured Muhammad Karim is stated to be a computer operator in the building where usually 100 to 150 officers work Advisor Interior Rehman Malik who reached at the scene confirmed that it was suicide attack. He said there were authentic reports of carrying out subversive activities to the intelligence agencies in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
The police Cop Faisal, he said scarified his life but he averted a big loss had the suicide bomber entered into the building, Malik added. Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani condemned the suicide bomb attack on the offices of special branch police at Sitara Market in Islamabad.In their statements, the President and the Prime Minister said the perpetrators of the heinous terrorist attack will not go unpunished.They ordered the Interior Ministry to hold immediate inquiry into the incident.They directed the hospital authorities to provide best possible medical care to the injured.
Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman A Malik said the suicide blast at a police station near Sitara Market was carried out by one among the `series of bombers’ who sneaked into the Capital before Long March. “We had a very authentic information that some 15-20 Uzbek suicide bombers were sent by Baitullah Mehsud following a meeting of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP),” the Interior Advisor told media on Monday. Malik said a police constable named Faisal embraced martyrdom while trying to stop the suicide bomber who tried to force his way into the premises. “I salute this brave policeman for showing such an act of gallantry,” Malik said. Meanwhile, five other persons were reported wounded in the blast.
The Interior Advisor said security in Islamabad was put on high alert as they had information of today’s attack. Asked as to how could the suicide bomber could make it if elaborate security cover was in place, he said “no effective mechanism has so far been developed anywhere in the world to preempt suicide bombing” (Daily Mail)