New Judicial Year 2009-10 Starts From Tomorrow

ISLAMABAD: The new judicial year 2009-10 is beginning from tomorrow with the end of the summer vacations of the Supreme Court.
Chief Justice of Pakistan justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry will preside over the opening ceremony of the new judicial year. The ceremony will be held at 9-30 am at Court Room No 1 in the Supreme Court building.
All judges of the Supreme Court will attend the ceremony.
On this occasion, the Attorney-General of Pakistan, the Vice-chairman Pakistan Bar Council and the President Supreme Court Bar Association will address the gathering while concluding speech will be delivered by the chief justice. Link......

Reopen Of Pak-Afghan Border For Traffic After Two Days

QUETTA: Pakistan-Afghanistan border has reopened for traffic after closure of two days. The border was closed due to disagreement between Pakistani and Afghan forces over checking procedure.
More than 1,000 Nato-supply vehicles and other commercial vehicles piles up as result of closure. Unknown attackers fired rocket at these vehicles last night and opened fired caused a blaze in Nato-supply trucks. One FC personnel injured in the firing whereas two attackers wounded in retaliatory fire of security forces managed to flee.
According to sources, over 25 containers, oil tankers, trailers and the vehicles mounted on trailers were all destroyed in the incident. link......

Women Staff Will Be Deployed By BSF Along With Indo-Pak Border

JALANDHAR: Punjab frontier of Border Security Force (BSF) will deploy its first batch of women battalion along the highly sensitive Indo-Pakborder within a week.
“First batch of 178 women constables was recently passed out and accordingly an initial training was imparted to them and within a week they will be deployed on Indo-Pak border”, Himmat Singh, Inspector General, told reporters.
Initially the women staff would be deployed for frisking of women villagers who cross the fence for going to their fields. After giving them required training, they would be deployed for guarding the border along with their male colleagues, the IG said.
A total of 595 women constables were selected for training and after their pass out, all of them would be deployed on Indo-Pak border, he added.
Asked whether the women constables would add to the glory of Beating Retreat parade at Wagha Border, the IG said nothing has been decided in this regard.
The IG revealed that shifting of fence in the Ferozepur and Abohar sectors will be started soon as survey and land acquisition process has already been completed.
“There were large chunk of land (about 23 km) available on Indian side and accordingly decision of shifting of the fence was decided after thorough survey”, he added. Link.......

Today Is Pakistan Defence Day

LAHORE, Punjb, Pakistan: The Defence of Pakistan Day is being observed on Sunday with traditional zeal and solemnity to pay homage to all those who rendered the supreme sacrifice during the 1965 war. The nation is observing this day every year with a renewed pledge to sacrifice... More in Pakistan Breaking news for Pakistan News . link.......

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson, one of the most widely beloved entertainers and profoundly influential artists of all-time, leaves an indelible imprint on popular music and culture. Commenting on his passing, Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman, CEO and President, Sony Corporation, said: "Michael Jackson was a brilliant troubadour for his generation, a genius whose music reflected the passion and creativity of an era. His artistry and magnetism changed the music landscape forever. We have been profoundly affected by his originality, creativity and amazing body of work. The entire Sony family extends our deepest condolences to his family and to the millions of fans around the world who loved him." Rolf Schmidt-Holtz, CEO, Sony Music Entertainment, said: "Michael Jackson's unsurpassed artistry and beloved music brought joy to every corner of the world. We join today with his millions of fans in expressing our profound sadness and we offer our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. It was a true privilege for all of us in the Sony Music family to work with one of the most talented superstars in the history of music. We will miss him greatly." Martin Bandier, Chairman & CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing, said: "Michael was the kind of amazing talent that comes along once in a lifetime. He was an incredible recording artist, an insightful businessman, an unmatched performer, and a true icon. To all of us at Sony/ATV Music Publishing, he was also a trusted and passionate partner, who was very proud of our accomplishments. He will be dearly missed. We wish his children and entire family our deepest condolences." Five of Jackson's solo albums ? "Off the Wall," "Thriller," "Bad," "Dangerous" and "History," all with Epic Records, a Sony Music label ? are among the top-sellers of all time. During his extraordinary career, he sold an estimated 750 million records worldwide, released 13 No.1 singles and became one of a handful of artists to be inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Guinness Book of World Records recognized Jackson as the Most Successful Entertainer of All Time and "Thriller" as the Biggest Selling Album of All Time. Jackson won 13 Grammy Awards and received the American Music Award's Artist of the Century Award. Michael Jackson started in the music business at the age of 11 with his brothers as a member of the Jackson 5. In the early 1980s, he defined the art form of music video with such ground-breaking videos as "Billie Jean," "Beat It" and the epic "Thriller." Jackson's sound, style and dance moves inspired subsequent generations of pop, soul, R&B and hip-hop artists. Link.......

Pak government admits its failure to nab Lahore attackers

Lahore, Mar.12 (ANI): Over a week after the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket players, the Punjab government has admitted that it has failed to nab any of the culprits who had carried out the attack.
According to an official report of the provincial government, not a single perpetrator of the terror attack has been put behind the bar yet.
The report viewed the attackers as members of a highly-trained group, and feared that they could initiate more such attacks in near future.
According to The Daily Times, the government has expressed apprehensions that foreign embassies and nationals, especially Chinese nationals working in Pakistan could be targeted next.
The government report is in complete contrast with the statement of Pakistan Prime Minister’s Advisor on Interior Affairs, Rehman Malik, who a day after the attack had claimed that few persons were taken into custody and told media persons that intelligence agencies had gathered sufficient information about the terrorists involved.
A major breakthrough would be achieved in the next few days, Malik had said. (ANI) Link.......

Bush was Against Democracy in Pakistan: Nawaz Sharif

LONDON: Pakistan Muslim League-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif has severely criticized the US policy towards Pakistan saying former US president George W. Bush had helped promote terrorism by backing military ruler General Pervez Musharraf.In an interview to a UK-based newspaper, he said Mr Bush was against Pakistan’s return to democracy and deaf to advice.{More»}
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NFC award distribution not on the basis of population: Tarin

ISLAMABAD: Federal Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin said distribution of National Finance Commission (NFC) award will not be distributed on the basis of population.Addressing the Balochistan Development Forum here, Tarin said US has to pay $1.4 billion to Pakistan in account of coalition support fund and efforts are underway for the recovery of this amount.He said in new NFC award, small provinces will be given preference and center will provide resources from its funds. Balochistan will get Rs.55 billion during current fiscal year and additional Rs.6 billion.Minister of State Hina Rabbani Khar at this occasion said rehabilitation and assistance of Malakand affectees will be key in ‘Friends of Pakistan’ meeting held in Istanbul on September 24.She said presidents of Paksitan, US and Britain will hold talkis during UN’s General Assembly session next month in which aid for Pakistan and Malakand issue will be discussed. link....

US to issue 100 visas to traders

KARACHI: US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke Wednesday said US consulate in Karachi will issue 100 visas to the business community here next week.He said this during his visit to Karachi.He said at least 400 visas would be issued monthly.US consulate in Karachi will start visa service from the next year, he added.

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India's PM calls for 2nd 'green revolution' amid drought

NEW DELHI - India's premier called Saturday for a second "green revolution" to boost agricultural output as the country celebrated its national independence day in the grip of its worst drought in years. link....

How on earth has the Arctic Sea vanished?

Telegraph.co.uk - ‎1 hour ago‎
IT is nearly 100 metres long, more than 17 metres wide and weighs almost 4000 tonnes. Yet, even in a hi-tech world of satellites and Google Earth, the Arctic Sea has vanished without trace in busy European shipping lanes. link....

Govt distributes cheques among Gojra victims

GOJRA: Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs, Shahbaz Bhatti said on Sunday that the protecting the rights of the minorities was the top priority of the government.“The government will make every possible effort for the rehabilitation of the victims families of Gojra incident, besides providing them justice”, Bhatti said after distributing compensation cheques to nine persons each amounting to Rs.0.5 million here on Sunday. The Minister for Minorities said that after the Judaical Commissions’ inquiry report findings on Gojra incident, the elements involved in the crime would be taken to the task. He added that over 80 persons allegedly involved in the crime have been taken into custody for investigation. He also attended a special services ceremony at the local Church to pray for those belonging to Christian community who lost their lives in the incident. He said that the society can get rid of the extremism and terrorism by forging national unity and interfaith harmony. “We will not allow the terrorists to hijack the Quaid-i-Azam’s democratic Pakistan”, he remarked. The Minister for Minorities Shahbaz Bhatti urged the victims of the Gojra incident to return to their homes and government would provide security and protection to them. He said that the government has started the re-constructions of their houses damaged in the Gojra incident. He said that entire nation was behind them and share the sorrows of the victims of the incident. He said for the promotion of sectarian harmony Committees are being established at every Tehsil level. He determined that the minorities would continue to play their vital for the socio economic prosperity of the country and upholding the national flag of Pakistan. Later, he also attended briefing given to him by the local authorities and police on the current situation in the area. Later, he also attended briefing given to him by the local authorities and police on the current situation in the area.

SBP accepts bids of Rs 20 bln

KARACHI: State Bank of Pakistan on Saturday accepted bids worth Rs 20 billion during its Reverse Repo Open Market Operation (Injection) in Government of Pakistan Market Treasury Bills and Pakistan Investment Bonds.The bids offered for 07-Days (injection) were of Rs 53.050 billion. The rate of return is 12.63 percent, said SBP statement issued here.

two groups of banned TTP

SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: Armed clash is reported to have occurred between two groups of banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) during meeting to appoint successor of Baitullah Mehsud, Geo TV reported Saturday.A Taliban commander has reportedly been killed in the incident, sources said.

Hakimullah Mehsud killed in armed clash: sources

SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: Spokesman of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Hakimullah Mehsud and another Taliban leader Wali-ur-Rehman have been killed in an armed clash erupted during the Tehreek’s Shura meeting, Geo TV reported Saturday.At the meeting Hakimullah Mehsud was appointed as TTP Chief after the reported killing of Baitullah Mehsud, the state media reported.The agenda of the meeting was to appoint successor of Baitullah Mehsud, sources said.

PM, JUI chief call on President Zardari

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman Saturday called on President Asif Ali Zardari here and discussed current political situation in the country.The matters regarding law and order situation and the status of measures taken for rehabilitation and safe return of displaced people to their homes also came under discussion. The meeting also took stock of coalition matters in the federal government.

Peace committee chief dies, 6 militants killed in Mohamand clashes

PESHAWAR: Peace Committee chief, Malik Ajmal Khan along with three colleagues died in cross firing, while ten militants were also killed in skirmishes overnight at Tehsil Khawazai of Mohmand Agency.Sources said that fierce clashes between the members of peace committee and the militants taking place in district Khawazai of Mohmand Agency overnight resulted in the death of Peace Committee chief, Malik Ajmal Khan and his three companions in cross firing, while ten militants were also killed.Sources said that the dead peace committee chief had given shelter to several defecting members of defunct Tahrik-e-Taliban. A few months ago, the then Peace Committee chief, Shah Khalid had also died in one of such clashes and whom Malik Ajmal Khan had succeeded

Shahbaz for making efforts to end cancer of corruption

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that he continue to make efforts to eliminate corruption but admitted that he cannot root out this cancer 100 percent from the province. Talking to media at the inauguration of Multan Road in Lahore, he said work is being carried out on the development projects at a rapid pace in the province. A network of roads will be laid across the province besides provision of health care and education facilities, he said.On the occasion, the Chief Minister inaugurated the work on reconstruction of a portion of Multan road measuring 11 kilometers on which Rs7.4 billion will be spent. It will be completed in one year.

Evidence being collected against Musharraf: Lord Nazir

ISLAMABAD: Member of British House of Lords, Lord Nazir Ahmed Sunday said concrete evidence is being collected against former president General (Retd.) Pervez Musharraf to build a case against him in Britain.At a news conference along with the chief of People’s Muslim League Barrister Sultan Mehmood, said many people have assured of testifying against Pervez Musharraf.Lord Nazir alleged that no one caused as much damage to the Kashmir cause as did Pervez Musharraf. “All the formulae he suggested for the resolution of Kashmir issue came from US think tanks,” he added.

Three hurt in Shab Qadar blast

CHARSADDA: Three persons were injured when a bomb went off outside a private educational institute in tehsil Shab Qadar of Charsadda.

Police sources said a homemade bomb was planted with the wall of a school that exploded with a bang injuring three persons. They were shifted to tehsil headquarter hospital. Fortunately, children present in the school remained unhurt. DPO Charsadda Muhammad Riaz said the blast damaged the outer wall and gate of the school. Police have launched investigations.