Normalcy still to be restored in Gwadar

Communication network in the Gwadar city was still not restored that was damaged by heavy rains and situation was still out of control, Geo News reported.

A C-130 plane of Pakistan Air Force arrived today with relief goods. Damaged roads hampered distribution of relief items.

The tropical cyclone Phet played havoc in the Gwadar district on Saturday as over 40 villages were inundated in rainwater. Heavy rains and strong winds resulted in the death of a woman and 30 persons received injuries.

Phet enters India; sea turns to normal

The panic-triggering tropical cyclone Phet that kept Karachiites worried for over past couple of days, moved past Sindh’s coastline and fizzled out by turning into less-pressure winds, Geo News reported Monday.

Petrol reaches Rs.100/liter as Gwadar hit by food shortage

After cyclone and torrential rains, Gwadar is facing shortage of food items whereas petrol price has reached to Rs.100 per liter.

The land route between Gwadar, Jevani, Pasni, Pushkan and more than 50 other villages has been cut off and corps have been destroyed due to dams burst in adjoining areas of Gwadar. District administration provided tents to affectees shifted in the relief camps. The rain and cyclone affected areas facing shortage of foodstuff where as prices of petrol and LPG have reached to Rs.100 and Rs. 80 per liter and kg respectively.

Implementing SC orders no issue: PM

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that Supreme Court decisions will be implemented in words and spirit and there is no issue of implementing them, SAMAA reported Monday.

Addressing a news conference with Balochistan Governor Zulfiqar Magsee in Quetta, PM Gilani said that problems of Balochistan province will be solved and the provincial government has been instructed to provide final list of missing persons.

Indian PM admits killing innocent Kashmiris

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh admits loss of innocent kashmiris’ lives and presented talks proposal to anti terrorism groups, during an address in Srinagar on Monday.

Singh, during his address in Srinagar, said that Indo-Pak dialogue can only be meaningful if Islamabad prevents the usage of its land for terrorism.

Notification to close CNG pumps reversed

All Pakistan CNG Association claims that Sui Northern Gas Company (SNGCL) has reversed the notification about closing CNG stations for five days.

SAMAA reported on Monday that chairman All Pakistan CNG Association, Ghayas Abdullah Paracha has said that CNG stations in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa will remain close on Tuesday and Friday.

He further added that Sui Northern Gas Company has reversed the notification about the closure of CNG stations for five days. The SNGCL has taken this decision after discussions with the CNG Association.

Federal budget 2010-11

The next budget (2010-11) will unveil tough taxation measures, including hiking the standard rate of the GST by one per cent to 17 per cent from the existing 16 per cent, abolishing sales tax and income exemptions and increasing excise duty on cigarettes, air conditioners, refrigerators and other items.

PCB removes fine on captain

Pakistan Cricket Board on Thursday withdrew the Rs three million fine it had slapped on captain Shahid Afridi for the ball-biting episode in Perth while the Akmal brothers — Kamran and Umar — got their penalties halved.

Sarkozy involved in arms deal scandal with Pakistan

French President Sarkozy was caught up in a long-simmering kickbacks scandal yesterday when police in Luxembourg named him as the creator of a company that handled tens of millions of pounds in illegal funds.

Kaneria appeals against County ban

Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria lodged an appeal before an English Cricket Board (ECB) against the decision to suspend his registration from County Championship.Kaneria is representing Essex in English County Championship. ECB had suspended Kaneria over match-fixing charges. However, Kaneria has once again denied the charges and field an appeal against the decision.

The spokesman of ECB has confirmed that ECB has received Kaneria’s appeal.

Quakes jolt upper parts of country

Earthquakes measuring 5.3 in magnitude struck upper parts of the country including Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar around 05:10 pm.

The temblors were centered at Hindu Kush range. No reports of damage have been received.

Pak economy affected by terrorism: PM

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday said that Pakistan’s economy has been affected by terrorism, adding that, “Opening of Pakistani products in European markets is an important need of time.”

While meeting with European Union’s President Jerzy Buzek and leaders of Parliamentary Committees, PM Gilani said that better access of Pakistani products to European markets is a prime need of this moment.

State Minister for Information Samsam Bukhari said that PM Gilani stressed the need to finalize the free trade agreement between Pakistan and the European Union.

PM Gilani urged the European Union to play its role to initiate development programs in war affected areas of Pakistan.

Ajmal Kasab challenges death sentence in HC

Convicted Ajmal Kasab has challenge his death sentence in High Court, here todat (Friday) learnt SAMAA.

Arthur Road jail authorities confirmed an appeal letter by Kasab along with a copy of the judgment running into over 1,500 pages was forwarded to the high court. The jail petition sent by Kasab has also requested that a lawyer from the legal aid panel be appointed to represent him in the high court.

The High Court Legal Services Committee (HCLSC) has received Kasab’s application which is likely to be placed before Acting Chief Justice JN Patel, who is the patron in chief of Maharashtra State Legal Services Authority (MSLSA), and senior judge Justice Ranjana Desai, chairperson of the HCLSC.

Rescue activities suspend in Hunza

HUNZA: Rescue activities have suspended in Hunza due to bad weather here on Friday.

The water outflow from Ataabad Lake spillway is more than 4,100 cusecs. Due to high water level the Karakoram Highway between Gilgit and Hunza has been closed for indefinite period.

Light rain spell continues in Hunza since last night. Due to cloudy weather, army helicopters could not take relief good to affectees of Gilmit and Shishkit.

Authorities tried to start helicopter service from Gilgit to Hunza last day but it had to be suspended due to bad weather.

On the other hand, the water inflow in Ataabad Lake reached to 5,000 cusecs whereas the outflow is 4,100.

The water flow under the Ginesh bridge is 48,00 cusecs, however there is no immediate danger threat.

Transport fares rise despite oil price cut

The government has raised the public transport fares despite reduction in natural gas tariff approved by the Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra), SAMAA reported here today (Friday).

Arshad Bukhari, President of Bus Owners Association had informed SAMAA that travelers in Karachi have to pay more than one rupee for 1-5 km, as per the permission of government. The minimum fare of buses will be 11Rs whereas maximum 14 Rs. Fares of mini buses too have been raised. The minimum fares of mini buses are Rs 12 and maximum Rs 15. Increment in fares is unfair, public says.

‘Pakistanis are united against terrorism’

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Friday that Pakistani people are united against terrorism.

While addressing to the joint press conference with Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, PM Gilani said that the situation of instability in adjacent areas of Pakistan will bring negative impacts on the development of these areas. Pakistan is playing a vital role in maintaining world peace.

Pakistan not to compromise on water issues with India

Foreign Office Thursday said Pakistan will not compromise on water issues in the upcoming dialogue with India.

Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit in his weekly press briefing while replying to a question about US-India Strategic dialogue and its possible repercussions on Pakistan, said the United States has taken Pakistan into confidence on Indo-US Strategic dialogue.

The spokesman said Pakistan hoped the US-India relations would be a factor of stability in South Asia.

Replying to a question about India's role in Afghanistan, the spokesman said Pakistan has always maintained that relations between the two countries should not be at the cost of Pakistan's security and stability.

Israel-freed three Pakistanis accorded warm welcome

Three Pakistanis including two senior journalists after being freed from Israel’s detention have arrived home back late on Thursday night, Geo news reported.

Released journalists Talat Hussain and Raza Mehmood Agha were accorded warm welcome at Benazir International airport.

Federal Home Minister Rehman Malik, the relatives of journalists, representatives from civil society and journalists from twin cities – Islamabad and Rawalpindi, sprinkled rose petals on them.

Talking to media at airport, released journalist Talat Hussain said Israeli attack on Freedom Aid Flotilla has unveiled the evil designs of international big giants of democracy.

Israel has once again torn apart ethical values by killing innocent people through launching air raids but big powers were criminally silent, he said.

He vowed to revisit Gaza or Israel for feeding journalistic responsibilities.

Landslide kills 8; leaves 10 wounded in Skardu

At least eight people were killed and another ten were injured on occurrence of landslide in Kharming subdivision located in Skardu on Thursday night, Geo news reported.

According to sources, the injured people were rescued and are being admitted to hospital near Kharming.

The landslide also smashed 8 houses as reported by local people.

Rescue teams jointly led by Deputy Commissioner Skardu Mohammed Ali and Assistant Commissioner Mohammedi have arrived on the incident site and have kicked off rescue efforts.

Gwadar receives rainfall as cyclone Phet maintain intensity

Despite hitting the coast of the Gulf state of Oman, tropical cyclone Phet maintain its intensity as coastal areas of Gwadar received downpour with gutsy winds ahead of cyclone on Friday, which said to be re-curved to the coastal belt of Sindh and Balochistan.

Director General Metrological department Dr.Qamaruzzaman Chaudhry told Geo News that cyclone will re-curved to Pakistan.

Friday declared sensitive in Lahore

Lahore Police have declared Friday very sensitive and put the force on high alert today. SSP Operations Lahore, Chaudhry Shafiq ordered snap checking and search operation in the city.

In a letter to IG Punjab Tariq Salim Dogar SSP operations demanded 500 bulletproof jackets and latest weaponry to cope with the situation.

We have declared Friday sensitive because most of the attacks occurred on that day, police official said.

Gilani for bringing NRO architect to book

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani was critical of those who were against the National Reconciliation Ordinance and said no one questioned the creators of the NRO.

He rejected the "campaign" against democracy and said the system was here to stay and get stronger and all such conspiracies would be foiled.

Addressing a large Pakistani community here at a local hotel where he was staying, Gilani said the people of Pakistan have always supported democracy and will continue to do so as they believe that it was the only thing that could provide them relief in the long term.

Pak Journalist, Talat Hussain arriving today

Pakistani journalist Talat Hussain, along with other two natives arriving back to Pakistan today (Thursday) following their release by the Israeli authorities, reported SAMAA.

All the three Pakistanis were deported to Jordan yesterday. Foreign office spokesman Abdul Basit told in a statement that arrangements for the safe arrival of Talat Hussain, Raza Mehmood and Nadeem Ahmad Khan have been made.



While talking to SAMAA via satellite phone from Jordan, Mr, Talat said that up till now whatever has been shown on western media regarding Israel brutality is just a ten percent of it, he said he will tell all the detailed ground realities after his arrival.

Malik spreads parochialism: CM Punjab

Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharief said that Interior Minister Rehman Malik is seeking to spread provincial parochialism by calling terrorists as Punjabi Taliban, SAMAA reported Thursday.

While talking to media at the residence of police man killed in the terrorist attack on Jinnah hospital of the city, Shahbaz Sharief announced to give Rs3 million to the widow of the martyred police man and Rs200000 to every child of the police man and said to bear educational and medical expenses of the children of the policeman.

Chief Minister Punjab said that Rehman Malik conspired to spread provincialism by tagging terrorists in the province as Punjabi Taliban. Minister of Ports and Shipping Nabil Gabol said that vote bank of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) is in the Punjab only. While talking to SAMAA he said for the law and order of the Punjab Shahbaz Sharief is responsible.He said statement of Shahbaz Sharief against Rehman Malik is a conspiracy against federation.

Pak nuke arsenal bigger than India

After racing ahead of India in ballistic and cruise missiles Pakistan seems to be surging ahead on the nuclear front too according to the recent statistics of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), learnt SAMAA today (Thursday).

A series of recent estimates by international nuclear watchdogs and reputed think tanks hold that Pakistan has a total of 70 to 90 warheads compared to India's 60 to 80.

It is said in report that even as global fears about the possibility of jihadis gaining access to Pakistan's nuclear arsenal, Pakistan’s enriched uranium or technical know-how continue.

SIPRI estimates there are a whopping 22,600 active, inactive and stored nuclear warheads around the globe, out of which Russia has more than 12,000 warheads, US has 9,600, France comes third with 300, followed by UK with 225 and Israel has an arsenal of 80 warheads.