Govt announces Hajj policy for 2010

While unveiling its Hajj policy for the year-2010, the government on Thursday announced to abolish VIP flights for Hajj pilgrimage and a raise in the flight fares, SAMAA reported.

Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Hamid Saeed Kazmi announced the policy in a news conference following approval by the Federal Cabinet.

The flight fares have been raised by 6,000.

The minister said Pakistan has demanded of the Saudi government to enhance its regular Hajj quota of ten thousand from 160,000 to 170,000

'Judges’ restoration not by long march'

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Thursday that judges’ were not restored by long march but it was because of his executive orders.

Why the court didn’t take any notice of favoritism occurred in Musharraf era, Gilani questioned.

While addressing to Pakistani community in Brussels, he said that judiciary was restored by executive orders.

'Chief Justice would never be restored if executive orders were not issued'.

Emergency imposed in parts of Sindh

Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah has announced state of emergency in Karachi,Thatta, Badin, Mirpur Khas, Tharparkar and Umerkot districts keeping in view threat of cyclone and torrential rains.A meeting of Disaster Management Committee presided by Chief Minister Sindh was held here to review the post cyclone and rains situation. Chief Minister has imposed emergency in Karachi, Thatta, Badin, Tharparkar, Mirpur Khas and Umerkot and

Pak squad for Asia Cup announced

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a 15-man national cricket team for the 10th Asia Cup in Sri Lanka to be played from June 15-24.PCB chairman Ijaz Butt told at a press conference here on Thursday that fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and allrounder Shoaib Malik have passed their fitness test after which they have been included in the team.He said that he had no pressure on selection matter.On this occasion, captain Shahid Afridi said that a

Salman Butt named vice-captain

Salman Butt was on Wednesday installed as Pakistan’s vice-captain for this month’s Asia Cup and the tour of England later this summer.

The left-handed opener is seen by many in the current national cricket set-up as a future captain. Butt, 25, in fact emerged as a favourite to take over as Pakistan’s Test captain when the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) ran out of captaincy options after it banned three former skippers — Mohammad Yousuf, Younis Khan and Shoaib Malik — in March.

However, allrounder Shahid Afridi’s decision to come out of Test exile after staying away from the longest format of the game for four years ended Butt’s hope of succeeding Yousuf as Pakistan’s Test captain.

Phet to roar to Pakistan after Oman landing

Strong tropical cyclone brewing up in Arabian Sea is fast approaching Omani coastline, after which it will turn to Pakistan, Geo News reported Thursday.

The Cyclone Phet will downgrade its intensity after smashing into the Omani Sultanate; meanwhile, Karachi is expected to receive heavy downpours associated with strong gales in the afternoon today.

According to Met Department, the coastal areas in Muscat and Oman will

Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Salim Raza has resigned

Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Salim Raza has resigned from office, Geo News reported Wednesday night.

According to official statement, President Asif Ali Zardari has accepted Salim Raza’s resignation. It said the Governor SBP had tendered his resignation due to personal reasons on May 6.

Deputy Governor Shaikh Yasin has been made acting Governor SBP.

Shoaib Akhtar,Selection in doubt,FITNESS ?

Paceman Shoaib Akhtar failed to satisfy selectors after he and all-rounder Shoaib Malik Wednesday underwent fitness tests in Lahore.

Both the players refused to take fitness test before the media.

Doctor from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Sohail Slaim, Chief Selector Mohsin Khan, members selection committee Azhar Khan, Muhammad Ilyas besides Physiotherapist David Dwyer monitored the fitness session at the National Cricket Academy Lahore.

However, Shoaib Akhtar and Shoaib Malik refused to take fitness test before the media. Upon this the PCB media team kicked the journalists out of the Academy.

Some of the cameramen mounted on the boundary fence and kept shooting. After medical screening the two players were made to do various exercises inside the gym.

Later, Shoaib Akhtar bowled while Shoaib Malik batted as part of the physical test.

Akhtar was made to bowl five overs. He completed four overs in full rhythm but appeared exhausted in the fifth over.

Army successfully completes operation in Orakzai

Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited Kurram and Orakzai Agencies on Tuesday.He was given a detailed briefing about the security situation by the military commanders of the respective areas.

COAS' visit to Orakzai Agency marks the successful conclusion of operations in the Agency.

Big Cyclone Phet approaching Karachi

At least 170 boats lost contact with control room as cyclone Phet is 900 kilometers away from Karachi.

Navy helicopters have launched search operation for the missing fishermen. Meteorological Department warned fishermen against going to open sea and directed them to back up by today’s evening.

According to Met Department, the cyclone is assuming more fury 900 kilometers to southwest of Karachi. The ferocious hurricane    ...

Protest Against Israeli Brutality

A large number of civil society activists gathered here on Tuesday to register their concern over the assault of Israeli soldiers on the ship taking aid for Palestinians and the terrorist attack on a minority group in Lahore.

The protesters gathered at a median in front of the main Super Market. They were carrying placards and chanted slogans condemning both the incidents. Later, they walked towards National Press Club to join other protestors gathered there to condemn Israeli atrocity. After that, they dispersed peacefully.

Karachi School Girls Rising In Smoking

Prof Nadeem Rizvi Head of Chest Diseases Jinnah Postgraduate Medical (JPMC ) and President Pakistan Chest Society has said that according to a recent research, smoking in girls schools of Karachi has risen to 16%.He said this while addressing a press conference here. Prof Rizvi drew attention to the harmful effects of tobacco marketing that is targeted towards women and girls. Women are a major target of opportunity for the tobacco indu ....

Punjabi Taliban Are Growing More Dangerous: Rehman Malik

Federal Interior Minister Rehman A Malik believed that Punjabi Taliban holed up in South Punjab had become more dangerous and were geared up for large-scale sabotage in the country, Geo News reported Wednesday.Briefing the Standing Committee here, he revealed that Laskhar-e-Jhangavi had been involved in Marriott Hotel bombing, the GHQ attack and Lahore terror incidents.The interior minister maintained that the government of Punjab has ....

Shoaib Akthar And Shoib Malik Ready For Fitness Test At NCA

LAHORE: Fast bowler Shoaib Akhter and former captain Shoaib Malik have reached National Cricket Academy (NCA) to give fitness test.Both the players have refused to give fitness test in front of media. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also directed the media to leave the Academy. The selection of the both the players for Asia Cup depends upon fitness test.

Lake overwhelms low-lying areas

HUNZA: The Gilgit-Hunza section of Karakoram Highway will remain open till 4pm with the landslide-created Lake in Ata Abad is persistently bulging owing to the melting glacier thanks to clear weather, Geo News reported Tuesday.

The management opened a portion of Karakoram Highway between Huna and Gilgit till 4pm today with the traffic resumed there and the held up relief caravans are reaching the affected areas with the relief goods.

Shoaib Akhtar to play ODI and T20 matches: Afridi

LAHORE: Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi said that it would not be difficult for fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar to adjust himself with international cricket. However, it has been planned to play him One-day and Twenty20 Internationals instead of Test matches.While talking with media on Tuesday here at the Gaddafi Stadium, Shahid Afridi said that the Asia Cup is certainly a difficult tournament but young players would be given chance to play with seniors ....

Jinnah Hospital attackers arrested

LAHORE: Two suspected terrorists involved in Jinnah Hospital attack were arrested from Muridke, Geo News reported. Five persons including three policemen were gunned down when at least four terrorists clad in police uniforms stormed into the 'well-guarded' emergency ward late night, in a futile bid to rescue or kill an under-treatment terrorist injured in the attack on an Ahmedi worship place in Model Town on May 28.

Television anchor Talat Hussain and two other Pakistanis Are Back

ISLAMABAD: Television anchor Talat Hussain and two other Pakistanis were handed over to Jordan, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said.

Special arrangements were made to bring back Pakistani journalist Talat Hussain and other Pakistanis. They will fly back to Pakistan tomorrow.