Commanders tear apart US chargesheet

 RAWALPINDI: A Corps Commanders’ over-the-top meeting with Chief of the Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani in chair Sunday hashed out the latest Pak-US rift at length, brushing aside all the blames US slapped on Pakistan, Geo News reported.

The meeting, which lasted for several hours, zoomed in on security affairs vowing a befitting retaliation to any cross-border incursion.

The military top brass also agreed upon letting the political leadership of the country in on the decisions taken for which General Kayani will very soon hold meetings the President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

Corps Commanders gave all the national security issues a 360-degree reckoning

Amanat Ali Khan remembered on Saturday

ISLAMABAD: The popular classical singer Amanat Ali Khan is being remembered on Saturday with tributes paid to his memorable songs in the Pakistan music industry.

He was born in 1932 in Sham Chaurasi, Hoshiarpur, Punjab. He was a Pakistani classical/ghazal singer from the Patiala gharana and soon after independence he moved to Pakistan.

His concerts on Radio Lahore became quite popular and he toured South Asia becoming the representative of Patiala gharana in Pakistan. The late 1950s and early 1960s saw the rise of seraphic singer Ustad Amanat Ali Khan.

The prestigious Patiala Gharana, the family that sworn to carry on the traditional and classical aura of Hindustani music, saw another immaculate and faultless singer adding more shine, prestige and prosperity to their name.

His memorable songs include "Aa Mere Pyaar Ki Khushboo", "Yeh Arzoo Thi", "Mausam Badla", "Yeh Na Thi Hamari Qismat", "Insha Je Utho" and "Kab Aao Ge".

Ustad Amanat Ali died at aged 42 years in Lahore in 17 September 1974. He was honored with the 'Pride of Performance' award by the government of Pakistan

Shoaib Akhtar’s ‘Controversially Yours’ released

 NEW DELHI: Former Test cricketer Shoaib Akhtar’s autobiography ‘Controversially Yours’ whihc has already sparked much controversy has been released in India, Geo News reported Saturday.

The book was launched in New Delhi hotel and the ceremony was attended by Pakistan High Commissioner to India Shahid Malik.

The former fast bowler said that people should read his autobiography first to "understand his remarks" about Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, and added that they are "world class cricketers".

"I am not here to clarify anything... but facts in my book have been presented in a rather strange manner by the media here," Akhtar said responding to queries about his remarks on Tendulkar and Dravid.

Akhtar said that he respects Shah Rukh Khan but alleged that he was cheated by former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Lalit Modi and former PCB chairman Naseem Ashraf.

The bowler admitted to ball tampering and feels it should be legalised

14 militants killed in Orakzai, Khyber Agency

 PESHAWAR: Fourteen militants were killed and two hideouts used by the insurgents destroyed when gunship helicopters hit in Orakzai and Khyber Agency areas, official and tribal sources said.

The sources said the security forces targeted militant sanctuaries in Dabori, Ali Khel, Mamuzai and Malakhel areas of Orakzai Agency. As a result of shelling and bombling, ten militants were killed and two refuge compounds were destroyed.

Four extremists were also killed in Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency where security forces bombed their hideouts

President Zardari summons NA session on Oct 3

 ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has summoned the National Assembly (NA) session on October 3 here, Geo News reported Saturday.

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has advised the President to summon the session to discuss national security situation, a statement from the PM house said.

The session, being held following a series of allegations by senior US officials will focus on the security situation and the challenges confronting the country

Qawwal Maqbool Sabri’s funeral shortly

KARACHI: Noted qawwal Maqbool Ahmed Sabri’s funeral prayers will be said in Paposhnagar, Nazimabad at 3 pm and will be buried in the local graveyard, Geo News reported Saturday.

Sabri 66 passed away due to heart problem in South Africa on Wednesday. He was suffering from heart disease and was under treatment at a hospital there.

Maqbool was born on Oct 12, 1945 in Kalyana

Motorway police official kills friend in Karachi

KARACHI: Motorway police official shot dead his friend during the fight in Clifton area of the city. Wounded police sub inspector has been arrested from Jinnah hospital.

According to the police, incident took place when police sub inspector had a fight with his friend in a flat located in Clifton block 4 area of the metropolis.

During the fight police sub inspector also received bullets in his hand after which he rushed to Jinnah hospital for medical treatment. He told hospital administration that he received bullets from his own gun incidentally.

Police arrested sub inspector Ahmad Afridi and recover pistol from his possession, however case has not yet been registered in police station.

KESC warns of further loadshedding

 KARACHI: While the citizens of Karachi continued to bear up to 10 hours long power loadshedding, the Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) on Friday warned the public to increase the loadshedding duration due to "further cut in gas supply".

In a statement on Friday, the KESC strongly condemned the "unilateral" SSGC decision to cut the gas supply to the power utility by 20 MMCFD, saying that it would add to the hardships of 20 million people of Karachi already facing extensive power failures.

"Continuing short supply of gas had already forced shutdown of gas-fired generation units, doubling loadshedding duration as a result. The mounting public anger and mob attacks at the utility's business and maintenance offices has become a big issue for the KESC, and the SSGC is actually responsible (for the situation)."

The KESC apprehended that public reaction might worsen with the fresh SSGC reduction of 20 MMCFD in gas supply. "This crisis could be avoided; the SSGC could be better off financially and operationally by implementing the June 30 Cabinet decision on gas load management."

They reiterated the offer to pay double the amount of cash every day for every molecule of gas above 200 MMCFD; half of it going to arrears.

While contradicting the SSGC claim of outstanding amount, the KESC said that since the meeting at the Governor House on July 29, the power utility had paid almost Rs15 billion to the SSGC and PSO combined, including Rs3.2 billion for the past arrears

Asian markets slump for second day

 HONG KONG: Asian markets plummeted for a second straight day Friday and the dollar rose against regional units on growing fears that the global economy is on the verge of slipping back into recession.

Tokyo gave up 2.07 percent by the break, Seoul dived 4.35 percent, Hong Kong was 1.81 percent lower, Sydney lost 1.08 percent and Taiwan slumped 3.79 percent while Shanghai was 0.46 percent lower.

The Asian sell-off followed heavy losses in the United States and Europe, which were caused by the Federal Reserve's comments on Wednesday that the US economy faced "significant downside risks", with the economy struggling with slow growth, high unemployment and a depressed housing market.

The warning came after the Fed announced a $400 billion plan to boost the economy that would see it shift its shorter-term debt portfolio to longer-term bonds in a bid to lower long-term interest rates, a move that disappointed markets.

On Wall Street the Dow slumped 3.51 percent - marking its worst two-day fall since November 2008 - the S&P 500 sank 3.19 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite shed 3.25 percent.

The Fed's forecast piled the pressure on already nervous investors, who were selling assets earlier in the week amid fears Greece is on the verge of default, which could spread to other economies and lead to another global financial crisis.

"The selloff in risk assets threatens to become disorderly," Tim Condon, economist at ING, told Dow Jones Newswires.

The dollar extended its rise against regional currencies as dealers shifted their attention away from risker assets.

The Australian dollar was at 98.31 US cents, from $1.0017 late Thursday. The Aussie hit a record high above $1.10 just two months ago.

The greenback, which in recent months was languishing near record lows against several Asian currencies, was up at Sg$1.3017 from Sg$1.2878, to 1,194.47 South Korean won from 1,179.57 and to Tw$30.61 from Tw$30.34.

The euro edged up to $1.3546, from $1.3464 late Thursday in New York, while it was also at 103.21 yen, from 102.64.

The dollar fetched 76.20 yen, from 76.25 yen.

On oil markets New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate for November extended its losses, dropping $1.09 to $81.60 in morning Asian trade, and Brent North Sea crude for November tumbled 0.85 cents to $106.34.

Gold fetched $1,747.10 an ounce by 0200 GMT, down from the $1,765.40 it was at by 0900 GMT Thursday. (AFP)

Dollar keeps strength amid market panic

 SINGAPORE: The dollar extended gains Friday thanks to its reputation as a safe haven during crises, as turmoil sparked by fears of another recession churned global markets for a second day.

The euro recovered from 10-year lows but the global outlook remained bleak after the US central bank warned of significant risks to the world's biggest economy and as the eurozone struggled to prevent Greece's debt crisis from spiralling out of control.

Strikes swept across Greece on Thursday amid new budget cuts, with doubts growing that the government can implement new EU-IMF measures needed to secure funds and avert a debt default.

In morning Asian trade, the dollar was up at 76.2275 yen from 76.20 yen in late New York trade Thursday.

Japanese financial markets were closed for a public holiday.

The greenback also rose to Sg$1.3017 from Sg$1.2878, to 1,194.47 South Korean won from 1,179.57 and to Tw$30.6070 from Tw$30.34.

The commodities-linked Australian dollar was also trading sharply lower on Friday, falling to 97.88 US cents, well down on its close of 100.18 cents the day before.

Since breaching parity in October last year the currency has rallied consistently near or above the US$1.00 mark, hitting a record of US$1.1081 in July.

Asian shares were also tumbling Friday, mirroring falls in US and European stock markets.

"The dollar has already strengthened quite a fair bit, and the trend will continue for a while," said Simon Teo, a senior currency dealer at Phillip Futures in Singapore.

"Europe still has a lot of problems, pushing the euro currency lower. With the US dollar strengthening, it has a double effect on the euro."

The euro was trading at $1.3522 in morning trade, up from 1.3470 late Thursday in New York. It was changing hands at 103.0379 yen, after sinking to a 10-year low of 102.60 yen.

Singapore's DBS Bank said the world is looking for leadership from the ongoing International Monetary Fund-World Bank annual meetings in Washington which gathers the world's finance chiefs and central bank governors.

"Needless to say, market sentiment is at its most fragile since (the) Lehman crisis," DBS said, referring to the collapse in late 2008 of US investment bank Lehman Brothers, sparking a global financial crisis that lasted well into 2009.

"More than ever, markets now need to see global leaders holding each other's hands, and not pointing fingers at each other, to help restore stability to global financial markets and return the world to its recovery path." (AFP)

Mullen’s Haqqani statement baseless: COAS

Updated at: 1946 PST,  Friday, September 23, 2011  RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said the statement of Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff regarding links with the Haqqani network is against facts, Geo News reported. COAS Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, in a statement, termed these accusations as very unfortunate and not based on facts. This is especially disturbing in view of a rather constructive meeting with Admiral Mullen in Spain, he said. On the specific question of contacts with Haqqanis, the COAS said that Admiral Mullen knows fully well which all countries are in contact with the Haqqanis. Singling out Pakistan is neither fair nor productive, the statement said. ‘Categorically denying the accusations of proxy war and ISI support to Haqqanis, the COAS wished that, the blame game in public statements should give way to a constructive and meaningful engagement for a stable and peaceful Afghanistan, an objective to which Pakistan is fully committed.’

Oil prices rebound, but Italy downgrade weighs

 LONDON: Oil prices rebounded on Tuesday from recent sharp falls, but sentiment remained weak after Italy was slapped with a sovereign debt rating downgrade, and before the US Federal Reserve's latest meeting.

New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in October, added $1.08 to $86.78 a barrel. Brent North Sea oil for November rose $1.46 to $110.60 a barrel in late morning London deals.

Standard & Poor's downgraded Italy's sovereign debt assessment, citing economic, fiscal and political weaknesses in a fresh blow to Silvio Berlusconi's fragile coalition government.

The rating agency said it had downgraded Italian debt to "A/A-1" from a "A+/A-1+" grade because of "Italy's weakening economic growth prospects."

The downgrade comes at a highly sensitive moment in the eurozone debt drama, which has so far witnessed enormous bailouts for debt-ravaged Greece, Ireland and Portugal.

Oil prices had slumped Monday on concern that Greece was on the brink of default, while the market was also rocked by the ongoing political feud over deficit reduction in the United States.(AFP)

Sindh government was warned of attacks in Karachi

KARACHI: The Interior Ministry had sent a letter three weeks ago warning the Sindh government of attacks on Chaudhry Aslam and at sensitive areas, Geo News reported. The letter warned of attacks in Karachi on the 18 and 19 of September between 6 and 10 am. The letter was drafted following information received by the Interior Ministry from security agencies warning of terrorist attacks. The letter which was sent on August 27 stated that suicide bombers were present in Karachi and were looking to target offices of security agencies, foreign consulate staff, religious locations and police officers who were tackling terrorism. The letter also mentioned Chaudhry Aslam and the names of other officials.

Blast in Peshawar CD shop

PESHAWAR: A blast has been reported in Nishtarabad area of Peshawar inside a CD shop, Geo News reported.

Wanted extremist al-Qahtani wants to surrender: Saudi Arabia

 JEDDAH: An alleged extremist who is one of 47 on Saudi government's wanted list has said he will turn himself in, the Saudi interior ministry spokesman has said.

'The wanted man Mujeeb Bin Mohammed al-Qahtani has called his family telling them of his decision and asking them for help to return home and hand himself over,” said a ministry spokesman.

He will be dealt with “according to the procedures followed in similar cases, and his initiative will be taken into consideration when looking into his case,” the spokesman said.

Zardari thanked US for election win: Wikileaks

 KARACHI: PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari thanked the US delegation for his election win, Wikileaks revealed.

A diplomatic cable sent by the then US ambassador Anne Patterson to Washington on 30 May, 2008 spoke of a meeting between US Representatives Shiff and Schwarts and Asif Ali Zardari along with his foreign policy team.

Zardari thanked the US for its support of credible parliamentary elections which brought his party to power. “We are here because of you” he said.

Zardari said that the war against terrorism was Pakistan’s war and blamed President Pervez Musharraf for not taking enough responsibility for the war on terror in Pakistan. Zardari said the public, instead, believed Pakistanis were dying for the US

Corrupt police officials should be identified: SC

 KARACHI: The two member monitoring committee of the Supreme Court comprising of Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali and Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmany here on Wednesday ordered Inspector General Sindh Police Wajid Durrani to submit concrete reports on the law and order situation in the city.

The committee expressed dissatisfaction on reports submitted by the police in compliance with an interim order, passed by the larger bench of the apex court in the suo moto case on law and order situation in Karachi.

Advocate General Sindh, IG Police, AIG and DIGs of Karachi appeared before the committee on its notice on Wednesday.

Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali remarked that "the police were submitting reports about minor crimes", but we want reports about action against criminal elements disturbing law and order of the city, progress of investigation being carried out into cases of target killings and extortion."

Justice Jamali said this information would help root out corrupt officials in the police force


The IG Police requested the committee to grant time for submission of required data.

He informed that the police have arrested 15 target killers and investigation into the cases is under way.

The committee observed that "bhata mafia is still active and people are getting slips for Bhatta".

On request of IGP, the committee granted time to him till Monday for submission of police reports as ordered by the larger bench in suo motu case on law and order situation in Karachi.

The bench also formed the committee to monitor the implementation of its interim order passed in the case.

A five-member bench of the apex court had reserved the judgement in suo motu case on law and order situation in Karachi. The bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Anwer Zaheer Jamali, Justice Sarmad Jalal Usmani, Justice Amir Hani Muslim and Justice Ghulam Rabbani completed the hearing of the case on September 15th.

Ali Zafar steals the show in MBKD

MUMBAI: Pakistani pop star Ali Zafar has received praise over his role in Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (MBKD). This is Ali Zafar's second Bollywood movie and with it he has become the hot favourite in India. Ali Zafar, in MBKD, which was released under the Yash Raj banner on September 9, portrays the role of an individual who assigns his brother (Imran Khan) to search for his bride (Katrina Kaif). The film had a sensational opening at the box office and Zafar earned more praise than co-stars Imran Khan and Katrina Kaif. Besides acting in the movie, Zafar has also provided his vocals to one of the tracks.

SC dissatisfied over police reports in Karachi violence case

 KARACHI: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has expressed dissatisfaction over the police reports submitted in the sou moto Karachi violence case, Geo News reported.

According to Supreme Court sources, IG Sindh, AIG and all IGs have been summoned on Wednesday to the Karachi Registry where a two-member bench will hear their versions.

The suo moto case was being heard at the Supreme Court Karachi Registry and its judgement had been reserved.

Seven awarded 4-count death in Sialkot lynching case

 GUJRANWALA: In a landmark decision, an anti-terrorism court Tuesday handed down four times death punishment to seven accused and life imprisonment to six others in Sialkot case in which two brothers Mughees and Muneeb were brutally lynched in full public view in August last year, Geo News reported.

Ten policemen, including DPO Waqar Chohan, were also awarded 3 years in jail.