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.

Ebad announces Rs.1m reward for police party

Updated at: 0304 PST, Monday, August 10, 2009 KARACHI: The Governor Sindh Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan has announced the reward money costing Rs.10,00,0000 for police party, which carried out successful police encounter against the infamous Karachi gang war leader and now killed Abdul Rehman Dakate, Geo news reported on Sunday night. It is pertinent to mention that police had set Rs.50,00,000 bounty money for the head of Rehman Dkate.

Rehman Dakait killed in police encounter: CCPO Karachi

KARAHCI: The notorious gang leader who was the chief character in Lyari gang war Rehamn Dakait has been killed in an alleged police encounter here on Link road in Steel Town locality, according to Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Karachi Waseem Ahmed.The infamous gangster Rehman was wanted by police in over 80 cases besides police had set Rs.5 million bounty money over his head, sources said.The dead body of Rehman Dakate with his three injured accomplices has been moved to Jinnah Hospital, CCPO said.Heavy police and Rangers contingents have been deployed across Lyari locality to avoid any possible reaction following Rehman Dakate’s murder, CCPO added.

One dead, 3 injured in Karachi road mishap

Updated at: 0324 PST, Monday, August 10, 2009 KARACHI: An over speedy car has knocked down four persons, killing one and injuring the rests here in Defance locality, police sources said on Sunday.The injured persons were shifted to hospital meanwhile the victims have been identified as laborers who were lying on footpath with a view to take rest when an over speeding car, being driven by teenaged boys, trampled them under the vehicle, according to sources.Police said they have taken the accused boys including the driver under their custody besides arresting the father of car driver.According to hospital sources, three injured laborers, being treated at hospital, have been declared to be in critical condition.Underage driving is bail-free; police said and added that the arrested boys could be punished if the relatives of killed laborers did not forgive them, police sources concluded.

Police put on high alert in Lyari, Karachi

KARACHI: The Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Karachi, lauding the efforts of Karachi police, said that the deaths of infamous gangster Abdul Rehman Dakait and his three accomplices was a result of triumphant police encounter.He said some of his gang’s associates succeeded to flee the shootout scene.Talking to media men here at JPMC Hospital, CCPO Karachi said Dakait was involved in over 80 police cases while Sindh government had announced Rs.5 million bounty money for his head.He hoped to decline the unlawful activities in Lyari following Rehman’s demise while in order to maintain the law and order situation in Karachi, the police and rangers have been put on high alert.

China reports bomb threat on plane to Xinjiang

BEIJING: China's state news agency said Sunday there was a bomb threat on a plane from Afghanistan scheduled to land in Xinjiang, the restive western region of China that was rocked by ethnic riots last month.News Agency did not identify the airline or the type of plane, but said the Urumqi airport had been told not to allow the plane to land.It said police and emergency vehicles had been rushed to the airport.Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, was the scene of the worst ethnic violence in China in decades when deadly rioting killed 197 people and injured more than 1,700, according to official count.A Xinjiang regional government duty officer, who refused to give his name, said he had not received any information about the incident, while calls to the region's public security bureau rang unanswered.Calls to the Urumqi airport's information counter also rang unanswered.

One militant killed in Upper Dir clash

UPPER DIR: One militant killed and several others injured in a clash between national lashkar and militants in Upper Dir.According to sources, exchange of fire between militants and national lashkar tool place overnight in Ghazigai area. One militant was killed and several others wounded during firing.Meanwhile, militants’ hideouts in tehsil Maidan of Lower Dir shelled from Timergira Scouts cantonment on Sunday night. Search operation of security force also underway in different areas of tehsil Maidan.Curfew will be relaxed till 8:00 pm in tehsil Maidan, Dir media center announced. Swat media center announced curfew relaxation in Mingora city, Fizzagat and Charbagh till 7:00 pm whereas in Khwazakhela, Matta, Badara and Dareshkhela till 6:00 pm. Markets in Sakhakot, Dargai and Buttkhela remained open from 3: pm to 8:00 pm.

45 IDPs families to shift Mardan

CHARSADDA: Forty-five families of Malakand affectees will be shifted to Jalala camp in Mardan from Palwasa camp Charsadda.Assistant coordination officer Charsadda Muhammad Naeem Khan said most of the affected families belonged to Kabal area of Swat whose departure has been delayed due to probable operation. They will be shifted to Jalala camp because number of IDPs has been reduced in the camp. All camps of Malakand IDPs will be closed with the shifting of these 45 families. Meanwhile, return of IDPs from Nowshera has been delayed due to lack of transport.

Islamabad court directs to register case against Musharraf

ISLAMBABAD: A session court has directed police to register a case against former President Pervaiz Musharraf on petition regarding house arrest of apex court judges.Additional session judge Muhammad Akmal Khan passed this order during hearing of a petition filed by Aslam Ghuman advocate.The petitioner in his petition stated that Musharraf put judges of apex court and their under illegal house arrest to prolong his rule.The judge said federal law ministry didn’t present its stand on the petition despite giving time to them. The court has directed SHO Secretariat police station to record statement of petitioner against former president and register FIR. Deputy Attorney General Mehfooz Paracha was also present in the court during today’s hearing.

Pakistan crush Sri Lanka by 132 runs

COLOMBO: Captain Younus Khan led the way as Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 132 runs in the fifth and final one-day international here on Sunday.Younus top-scored with 76 and Misbah-ul Haq hit an unbeaten 73 to steer Pakistan to 279-8 after they won the toss and elected to bat in the day-night match at the Premadasa stadium.Teenage paceman Mohammad Aamer grabbed 4-28 and Rana Naved took 4-44 as Pakistan bowled out Sri Lanka for 147 in the 35th ove .... Full Story

Each Pakistani indebted to Rs 24,412

KARACHI: Each person of Pakistan is indebted to Rs24,412 in average which is 175 per cent higher compared to India.As per the statistics released by the State Bank of Pakistan, over all current foreign debts cost 50 billion dollars while its population is 170 million. Thus each Pakistani is indebted to Rs24,412.Comparatively, India’s total debts value $222 billion whereas its population is about 1.25 billion.Thus, each Indian citizen is indebted .... Full Story

42 killed in wave of Iraq bombings

BAGHDAD: At least 42 people were killed and nearly 100 wounded in a spate of bomb attacks near the restive northern Iraqi city of Mosul and in the capital Baghdad on Monday, police said. In the deadliest single attack, two booby-trapped lorries exploded before dawn in the village of Khaznah, east of Mosul, leaving 25 people dead and 70 others wounded. Thirty-five houses were destroyed in the village, which is home to members of the tiny Shabak c .... Full Story

Violence in different areas after Dakait’s killing

KARACHI: The body of infamous gangster killed last night during police encounter has reached at his residence in Afshani gali where large number of residents of the area is gathered. Business activities in Lyari have been completely suspended as sporadic firing is continued. Security has been tightened in metropolis to avoid any untoward incident. Earlier, bodies of Rahman Dakait and his three aides Waja Aqeel, Nazeer Baloch and Orangzeb Baba han .... Full Story

Typhoons kill 51 in Taiwan, Japan, China and Philippine

BEIJING: A powerful typhoon killed eight people, toppled houses, flooded villages and forced nearly 1 million people to flee to safety on China's eastern coast before weakening into a tropical storm Monday.

Named Morakot, the storm struck after triggering the worst flooding in Taiwan in 50 years, leaving dozens missing and bringing down a six-story hotel. It earlier lashed the Philippines, killing at least 22 people.

Morakot, or emerald in Thai, slammed into China's Fujian province Sunday afternoon as a typhoon carrying heavy rain and winds of 74miles (119 kilometers) per hour, according the China Meteorological Administration.

At least one child died after a house collapsed in Zhejiang province. By early Monday, the storm packed winds of 52 miles per hour (83kilometers per hour) and churned at about 6 mph (10 kph), it said. Hundreds of villages and towns were flooded and more than 2,000houses collapsed, the official news agency said.

Hajj draw today

SLAMABAD: Ballot for government applications for Hajj 2009 will be held today in which names of 80,000 successful applicants will be announced.

Applicant declared successful after the balloting will have to submit their Machine Readable International Passport within five days of the hajj draw in their respective banks. Applicants who remained unsuccessful for consecutive two previous years shall be declared successful this year without balloting.

Unsuccessful applicants of this year will be declared successful in the next year, if they choose not to withdraw Haj dues deposited by them. At least 16,000 Pakistani pilgrims will perform hajj this year.

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SWAT: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Monday said the government will ensure the full-fledged rehabilitation of Swat.

Addressing the veterans of Swat here in Saidu Sharif, he said Pakistan Army crushed the network of militants, adding Pak Army, by the grace of Allah, has uprooted the extremists and militants to a great extent.

‘The government wants to wipe away the fallouts of terrorism from the