The Shaan News

Speaker ruling case: Aitzaz requests to form larger bench-The Shaan News

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 06:33:00 +0000

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) is continuing hearing the petitions against the National Assembly speaker’s ruling on the issue of Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani’s conviction in a contempt of court case Friday, Geo News reported.

A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, resumed hearing the petitions filed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), advocate Azhar Chaudhry and others challenging the NA speaker's ruling of May 28 that there was no question of PM's disqualification.

During today’s proceedings, Aitzaz Ahsan submitted his request on behalf of the prime minister to form a larger bench and told that the contempt of court is of three types.

Aitzaz contended that the speaker does not act merely like a post office and that the latter can use his right. He said that PM’s conviction does not mean his disqualification.

On this, the CJ remarked that the PM decided not to appeal against the verdict which means that he has accepted the verdict.

Aitzaz replied that his party has accepted the verdict but not PM’s disqualification from his office. He continued saying that he was not showing his disapproval of the court’s judgment but trying to convince the court that the PM has not been disqualified on the basis of verdict.

He further said that his client did not need to appeal against the verdict and that he was not asking to change it. He said that the show cause and the charge sheet against the PM did not mention the contempt of court.

On Thursday, the counsel for petitioner Azhar Chaudhry , Advocate AK Dogar said that the SC disqualified Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, however, he is still holding his office. He said that Gilani deliberately insulted the court, and that the speaker’s ruling was against the verdict announced by a seven-member bench.

He argued that the prime minister was disqualified because of the application of Article 63 (1) (g) of the Constitution.

"And with the insertion of the above said article the role of NA Speaker and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) regarding disqualification of a member has ended, thus, she (the Speaker) has no authority to rule against the court order."

Aitzaz Ahsan, counsel for Gilani, said he would like to submit the power of attorney on behalf of his client and asked the bench to allow him time to prepare but the CJ asked him to prepare till Friday.

Hamid Khan, counsel for PTI Chairman Imran Khan, also appeared before the court and contended that the NA speaker's ruling was without jurisdiction and unlawful.

"The sentencing of PM Gilani stands final as no appeal was filed against the conviction," Hamid said.

During the hearing, an altercation started in the courtroom after some lawyers and Attorney General Irfan Qadir exchanged harsh words.

The argument started when the attorney general said that all the lawyers had “run away” from the court premises when the SC announced its verdict in the contempt case against the prime minister. He said this while the media was still there but no lawyer was seen there.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry told Qadir not to undermine the reputation of the court by making such statements. Justice Jawad S Khwaja remarked that the attorney general should “not create noise” as he was a senior law officer. Lawyers started chanting slogans against the attorney general.

The police were called in the courtroom to control the situation. Police officials tried to calm down the infuriated lawyers and told them to take their seats.

Later, the court adjourned the hearing till today.

Facebook's Zuckerberg says mobile first priority-Brains Technology Skp

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 14 May 2012 05:56:00 +0000

PALO ALTO, California: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, whose limited role in promoting the No. 1 social network's market debut has drawn criticism, laid out its growth strategy to investors on Friday, saying that transforming its mobile and advertising experience are top priorities in 2012.

Integrating online apps more strongly into Facebook is also a major goal, he told hundreds of investors at an event that capped the first week of Facebook's cross-country "roadshow" to pitch its highly anticipated initial public offering.

Facebook aims to raise about $10.6 billion, dwarfing the coming-out parties of tech companies like Google Inc and valuing it at up to $96 billion - rivaling Amazon.com Inc's.

Zuckerberg, 27, who started Facebook in his Harvard dorm room 8 years ago, said Facebook's key priorities in 2012 were to improve its mobile application, to build stronger ties incorporating its social network with other online apps and to create a "transformative" advertising experience.

The company is "just getting started" with its mobile app, said Zuckerberg, who appeared on stage in a grey T-shirt and dark trousers at Palo Alto's Crowne Plaza, flanked by Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg and finance chief David Ebersman.

With 900 million users, Facebook is the world's dominant social network. Zuckerberg was Time Magazine's Person of the Year in 2010 and was depicted in the fictionalized 2010 movie "The Social Network".

"Over the next 10 years or so, every consumer category should be transformed to be built around people," Zuckerberg told fund managers and Silicon Valley glitterati such as Netscape co-founder and venture capitalist Marc Andreessen.

"People will listen to music and watch TV with other people" through Facebook.

"We only recently reached this tipping point," Zuckerberg said as the audience consumed a lunch of curried chicken salad and chocolate-chip cookies.

"It is a bit of a celebrity event," said Alice Evans with London-based F & C Asset Management. "You're not expecting to learn that much but it's as close as you can get to kicking the tires."

NO STOPPING IT?

Wall Street had been concerned about the company's ability to wring revenue from mobile users, considered crucial for long-term growth, as well as slowing growth in Facebook's main advertising business.

But that may not dampen demand for shares of the high-flying Web company, which is as much a cultural phenomenon as it is a business success story. On Thursday, a source close to the process told Reuters its IPO was already oversubscribed, a week before final pricing.

Facebook has indicated an IPO price range of $28 to $35 a share on Thursday, which would value the company at $77 billion to $96 billion.

Zuckerberg - sans his trademark "hoodie" sweatshirt - made brief introductory comments at the event, which took place 8 miles from Facebook's new Menlo Park headquarters at One Hacker Way, before opening the session up to questions.

The company had provoked some grumbles from investors earlier this week, when it took limited questions from the audience at an event in New York. And Zuckerberg skipped other stops on the roadshow this week, such Boston.

Investors managed to get in more than 10 questions at Friday's event, ranging from capital spending to regulation, even as Facebook maintained tight control over the proceedings, forbidding follow-up questions.

Zuckerberg and Sandberg said Facebook's overall advertising business was gaining steam, with increased spending by most of its marketers. The two executives highlighted social ads as an important tool for Facebook to tackle its mobile challenge.

The ads, which incorporate information about Facebook users' friends who "like" certain products, are better suited to the smaller screens of smartphones, from which more than half of Facebook's users access the service, executives said.

As Facebook collects more user data, such as location, it will be able to offer more relevant mobile ads, executives said.

Asked about Facebook's $1 billion purchase of mobile app maker Instagram, its largest acquisition, Zuckerberg said the deal was under consideration for one to two months before it occurred. Media reports had said it was forged over a weekend.

The number of Instagram users has already grown from 30 million to 50 million since the deal was announced in early April, he noted.

Facebook's offering marks a watershed moment for the new generation of Web companies that are challenging established players such as Google and Yahoo for consumers' online time and for advertising dollars.

The company's shares, which will be listed on Nasdaq under the symbol FB, could begin trading as soon as May 18.

"They did a good job of addressing the tough questions. They have a clear vision," said one investor who attended the event but did not want to be named. (Reuters)

Punjab record last-ball win against Deccan

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 14 May 2012 05:53:00 +0000

MOHALI: Kings XI Punjab recorded a thrilling six-wicket win against Deccan Chargers in the fifth edition of the Indian Premier League here at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium on Sunday.

Chasing a difficult target of 191, Punjab completed their well-paced chase as Gurkeerat Singh hit a boundary off the final ball of the match delivered by Manpreet Gony.

Australian batsman David Hussey was declared the man-of-the-Match for his brilliant unbeaten innings of 65 in just 35 balls. He struck five sixes and four fours.

South Africa’s fast bowler Dale Steyn and Australia’s fast-medium bowler Daniel Christian took two wickets each.

Earlier, Deccan Chargers batted first on an easy wicket after captain Kumar Sangakkara won the toss.

Deccan amassed 190 runs for four wickets in the allotted 20 overs as Shikhar Dhawan and Cameron White were the prominent scorers with 71 and 67, respectively.

For Punjab, Pakistan allrounder Azhar Mahmood captured two wickets for 39 runs.

Geo Super showed this high-scoring match live from Mohali, Chandigarh

PML-Q issues ultimatum to government-The Shaan News

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 14 May 2012 05:52:00 +0000

RAWALPINDI: PML-Q leader and senior federal minister Chaudhry Parvaiz Elahi issued an ultimatum to the PPP government to solve the power crisis or his party would go its separate way.

Speaking to party workers in Rawalpindi, Elahi also criticised the PML-N saying that they were raising the power crisis issue for their own gain.

Elahi claimed that if the formula put forward by Chaudhry Shujaat was implemented than the power crisis would be solved.

He said that during the tenure of the PML-Q government there were four projects for power generation while during the tenure of the PML-N government in Punjab there have been none.

17 militants killed in Khayber, Kurram forces action

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 14 May 2012 05:49:00 +0000

PESHAWAR: At least seventeen militants were killed and several injured, while three hideouts were destroyed in security forces actions in Khayber and Kurram Agencies, Geo News reported.

On the other hand, one Razakar of Aman Lashkar died and four were injured in an attack of the militants in Mohmand Agency.

Security sources said that nine militants were killed, several injured, while three hideouts were destroyed at Kot in central Kurram area in an action by the security forces.

Security forces while moving ahead at Shalobar in Tehsil Bara area of Khayber Agency clashed with the militants leaving eight militants dead, while the other took to their heels.

In Mohmand Agency, the militants attacked the joint check post of the Levies and Aman Lashkar ar Tehsil Khawezai triggering a shootout that left one Razakar dead and four wounded.

Taliban can be defeated, but Pakistan must do more: U.S. senator

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 14 May 2012 05:46:00 +0000

WASHINTON: Taliban can be defeated militarily in Afghanistan but the job is not done, a key U.S. senator said on Sunday, noting that the insurgents still control more than a third of the populated areas of the country and have a "safe harbor" in Pakistan.

Senator Dianne Feinstein, chairwoman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, told "Fox News Sunday" that Pakistan is the key to defeating Taliban in both countries and expressed frustration that Pakistan has failed to deprive them of a safe haven in the rugged mountain areas along its Afghan border.

"Militarily, I think the Taliban are not going to beat us," she said. But the Taliban "have a safe harbor in Pakistan and the Pakistanis are doing nothing to abate that safe haven," Feinstein said.

What "the Taliban has done is insinuate itself in a shadowy presence, with shadow governors. They controlled over a third of the land which people live. They expanded into the north, into the northeast," Feinstein said.

"And while we were there in one province, they closed 14 schools in 17 districts and then they killed five education officials and wounded others," she told Fox News.

"And now, there's this latest assassination of someone who's been a leader in the Peace Council," she said.

Gunmen shot dead a top Afghan peace negotiator in the capital Kabul on Sunday, dealing another blow to attempts to negotiate a peace deal with the Taliban.

Maulvi Arsala Rahmani, 68, was one of the most senior and important members on Afghanistan's High Peace Council set up by President Hamid Karzai two years ago to liaise with the insurgents. The Taliban denied involvement in the killing.

"What this does is demonstrate to many of us that Taliban is just waiting to come back" when U.S. troops leave the country over the next few years, Feinstein said.

The Taliban "are taxing the poppy in the south to the tune of $125 million, which in 2011 - this is the United Nations figure - went to support their operations."

"The question comes 'can they come back?'" said Feinstein, who visited Afghanistan as part of a congressional team last month. She said Karzai had assured her he would not allow the Taliban to return to power.

Feinstein said assurance by the commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, General John Allen, that the number of trained Afghan troops will reach 362,000 was "very positive."

Plane carrying 21 crashes in Nepal: police

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 14 May 2012 05:44:00 +0000

KATHMANDU: An aircraft with 21 people on board has crashed in a mountainous region of northern Nepal, police said on Monday.

"There were 18 passengers and three crew members. It's a remote area so there is no telephone network but we fear there may be many deaths," police spokesman Binod Singh told AFP.

Singh said the Agni Air plane crashed into a hill near Jomsom, a popular area for trekkers near the Annapurna mountain range.

Algerian regime tightens grip despite Arab Spring

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 12 May 2012 08:31:00 +0000

ALGIERS: Algeria's ruling party tightened its grip on power in an election that bucked the regional trend of Islamists gaining strength since the Arab Spring, according to results Friday that drew accusations of fraud.

President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's National Liberation Front (FLN) won 220 out of 462 seats up for grabs in Thursday's election, improving on its share in the outgoing national assembly.

The seven Islamist parties contesting the polls could only manage a combined 59 seats, a major setback after predicting victory during the campaign, according to a copy of the official results obtained by AFP.

The National Rally for Democracy (RND) of Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia, a nationalist party close to the military and loyal to Bouteflika, was second with 68 seats, compared to 62 in the outgoing house.

While the results largely maintain the status quo, one notable change was the number of elected women, which rose to 145 from seven in the outgoing assembly following the introduction of quotas.

Algeria's governing coalition so far included the FLN, the RND and the largest of the legal Islamist parties, the Movement of Society for Peace.

Friday's provisional results, which have yet to be confirmed by the constitutional council, mean the FLN and the RND could form a majority without the Islamists.

Green Algeria, a three-party Islamist alliance, garnered a paltry 48 seats and charged widespread fraud.

"There has been large-scale manipulation of the real results announced in the regions, an irrational exaggeration of these results to favour the administration parties," it said in a statement.

The Movement of Society for Peace (MSP) -- the main party in the alliance -- marvelled that it did not obtain a single seat in the constituency of Blida, an Islamist bastion where the party was created.

"It exposes the people to dangers for which we do not want to take responsibility... We will take the necessary measures and will put the blame squarely on the the president of the republic," Green Algeria said.

In the wake of the popular revolts that became known as the Arab Spring, moderate Islamist parties recorded electoral victories in Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco.

Turnout had been expected to be low after a campaign that produced no new faces and failed to draw crowds.

But Interior Minister Daho Ould Kablia announced a "remarkable" rate of 42.36 percent which he said confirmed Algeria's democratic credentials.

Pro-government newspapers said voters had expressed confidence in the political system by taking part in the election, which comes after a reform package initiated in the wake of the Arab Spring.

"If there's a winner on this Algerian spring day, it's undoubtedly the people," El Moudjahid wrote in a front-page editorial.

The governing coalition and many Algerians argue that the country has already experienced the consequences of Islamism during the deadly 1991-2002 civil war and that the dynamics of the Arab Spring cannot apply in Algeria.

Ouyahia also argued that the Arab Spring was hardly an attractive scenario, calling it a "plague" that had resulted in "the colonisation of Iraq, the destruction of Libya, the partition of Sudan and the weakening of Egypt."

Many Algerians and observers had predicted that ever deeper mistrust, especially among the country's majority of young people, could lead to an even worse turnout than the historical low of 35 percent recorded in 2007.

The opposition Rally for Culture and Democracy, which chose to boycott this election, claimed the announced turnout was fraudulent.

"The turnout as recorded by the local commissions, infiltrated by the administration though they may be, did not exceed 18 percent," the party's chairman said at a press conference.

Some 500 foreign observers brought in by Bouteflika to monitor the vote reported only minor hiccups but they were denied access to the national electoral roll, which grew by four million voters since 2007.

Former colonial power France said it was pleased polling operations were smooth.

Bouteflika was a minister in Algeria's first independent government in 1962 and, at 75, he is keen to burnish his legacy with large-scale projects such as the world's third largest mosque.

Analysts say the legislative election was acting as a kind of primary for the 2014 presidential poll, which Bouteflika is not expected to contest. (AFP)

PPP, PML-N to show 'political strength' today-The Shaan News

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 12 May 2012 08:25:00 +0000

KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) will show its strength in Kammu Shaheed area of district Ghotki while Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will hold rally in Khushab city of Punjab.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Syed Khursheed Shah and various other central and provincial leaders of PPP will address the public gathering.

Chief Minister and President PPP (Sindh) Syed Qaim Ali Shah told the media on Friday that they did not want to confront the PML-N but it was the right of every party to demonstrate its 'political strength'.

Meanwhile, Nawaz Sharif among various other leaders of PML-N will address the rally in Khushab.

On the other hand, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif will visit Bahawalpur where he will meet the party office bearers in Circuit House and address the party workers.

Shahbaz will also meet leaders of Bahawalpur movement.

Peshawar: One cop killed, 17 injured in GT Road blast

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 12 May 2012 08:23:00 +0000

PESHAWAR: One cop was killed and seventeen others were injured in a blast that targeted a police convoy near Gulbahar police station at GT Road on Saturday, Geo News reported.

According to police, a remote-controlled bomb exploded as a police van carrying four prisoners passed by an abandoned tin of vegetable oil in Peshawar city, killing one policeman and wounding 17 others. A woman and four policemen were among those wounded who were shifted to Lady Reading Hospital.

Several vehicles including a police mobile were damaged in the blast.

Initial investigation by the bomb disposal unit unveiled that at least five kilograms of explosives were used in the blast.

Soon after the explosion, security forces reached the scene and cordoned off the area while further investigations are underway.

It is pertinent to mention that Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Banaras Khan narrowly escaped a life attempt when a remote-controlled bomb exploded at Chughul Pura road in the jurisdiction of Faqirabad Police Station on Friday.

Unknown miscreants had planted IED containing one kg explosives near a manhole in Chughal Pura that exploded with a bang, however, the DSP remained safe.

Chemicals catalyze big rally at KSE

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 May 2012 19:15:00 +0000

ISLAMABAD: Local stocks rallied on Wednesday with strong performances in the chemicals and food sectors, and an easing of fears that another showdown between the government and the Supreme Court might be imminent, analysts said.

The Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) benchmark 100-share index ended 0.69 percent, or 99.63 points, higher at 14,613.59 points, with a volume of 256.7 million, compared to Tuesday's close of 14,513.96.

Pakistan's Supreme Court on Tuesday released its detailed judgment in a case where it had earlier declared Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani guilty of contempt of court for refusing to reopen corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.

The prime minister received a symbolic sentence of a few minutes' detention in the courtroom, but some lawyers have said the conviction should disqualify him from office. Gilani has said he will appeal against the verdict.

"There was concern that political uncertainty will increase with the detailed judgment of the Supreme Court (in the Gilani case), but it was essentially the same as the earlier order so the situation did not change," said Atif Zafar, a research analyst at the JS Global financial services company.

"It did not dampen the bullish mood in the market today."

Among the top performers were Engro Corporation, which ended 5 percent higher at 118.93 Pakistan rupees, helped by the strong performances of its food and chemicals divisions.

Engro Foods ended 5 percent higher at 77.31 rupees, while Engro Polymer and Chemicals closed 3.51 percent higher at 12.68 rupees.

Chemical company Lotte Pakistan closed 9.87 percent higher at 10.02 rupees. (Reuters)

Gayle’s sixes galore in Bangalore win against Mumbai

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 May 2012 19:13:00 +0000

MUMBAI: West Indian star batsman Chris Gayle smashed an unbeaten 82 as Royal Challengers Bangalore crushed Mumbai by a big margin of nine wickets with 12 balls to spare in the fifth edition of the Indian Premier League here at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday.

Chasing 142, Bangalore reached the target in 18 overs losing just one wicket – thanks to an unbeaten 94-run second wicket partnership between Gayle and Virat Kohli.

Kohli, who joined Gayle after the exit of opener Tillekaratne Dilshan (19), hit two sixes and a four in his 25-ball 36 not out.

Gayle struck six sixes and five boundaries in his 59-ball innings.

Earlier, Mumbai Indians were sent into bat by Bangalore captain Kohli and were restricted to 141 for six in the allotted 20 overs.

Their main contributors were Dinesh karthik (44), star batsman Sachin Tenndulkar (24) and Ambati Rayudu (22) while Kieron Pollard (21) and captain Harbhajan Singh (20) remained not out.

For Bangalore, Muttiah Muralitharan, Hrshal Patel and Vinay Kumar claimed two wickets each.

Geo Super, Pakistan’s first sports tv channel showed this match live from Mumbai.

International Nurses, Midwives day on 12th

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 May 2012 19:09:00 +0000

HYDERABAD: The International Nurses Day and international Day of the Midwife would be marked on May 12.

According to a press release issued here on Wednesday the International Confederation of Midwives established the idea of an annual celebration in the late 1980s and the initiative was formally launched in 1992.

The aim to observe the day is to celebrate midwifery and to bring

awareness of the importance of midwives' work to as many people

as possible. (APP)

Not surprised at SC detailed verdict: PM Gilani

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 May 2012 19:06:00 +0000

LONDON: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani Wednesday said he was not surprised at the detailed verdict of the Supreme Court, convicting him in a contempt case.

In his reaction to the detailed judgment of the apex court against him, the PM, who is on an official visit to UK, said he had known the ruling would be issued in detail once he traveled out of Pakistan.

"I have a right to appeal against the verdict and under that right I would file my plea (with the court)," he said.

The Premier said if Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif were going through more pain, they should first become National Assembly members and then talk to me.

Talking to Geo News about his current UK tour, the Prime Minister said the visit was extremely essential one and that it was going on in a successful fashion.

Iraqi aims to write six-kilometer-long Quran-The Shaan News

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 06 May 2012 06:04:00 +0000

NAJAF: Hussein al-Kharsan kneels, bent over a giant sheet of paper, laboriously writing the words of Islam's holy book, the Quran, in beautiful Arabic script with a traditional wood and feather pen.

The 25-year-old Iraqi aims to take an unusual path to fame: writing the longest copy of the Quran in the world. Kharsan says the scroll is to be between 5,500 and 6,000 meters long.

His aim, he says, is to set a Guinness World Record.

If that happens, it will be another entry on the Islamic holy text, which expressly prohibits the consumption of alcohol, in a record book conceived by the managing director of a brewery.

The copy of the Quran was supposed to be shown this year, when Najaf was to be the Islamic Capital of Culture, but that project has been postponed indefinitely amid serial delays and allegations of corruption.

It has not however stopped Kharsan, who graduated from Baghdad University's college of fine arts, from continuing his work inside a religious school in Najaf, despite pains in his neck and back from long hours of carefully writing out one verse after another.

"At the beginning, the agreement was to finish the work in six months, on the basis of writing three pages out of 503 pages of the Quran every day," Kharsan said.

"I succeeded at the beginning and worked for 16 hours a day for more than two weeks until I started suffering pains," he said.

"The doctor asked me to stop working for about a month but I refused and told him that I work with the blessings of the Quran. Now I take pain-killing pills and work for five hours a day, which means I need about a year to finish."

Kharsan, who began participating in Arabic calligraphy competitions when he was just nine years old, writes on four pieces of white paper that are each 1,500 meters long.

He has succeeded in copying 13 pages of the Quran since he started his work about a month ago.

Arabic calligraphy is one of the most prominent forms of Arab and Islamic art.

"We are the people of Arabic calligraphy," said Sheikh Ali Merza, the principal of the school where Kharsan is working on the Quran.

"Kufi calligraphy [named after Najaf's twin city of Kufa] is well known, and when we want to do calligraphy, it is not something new for us because we practised this kind of art historically," Merza said.

He added that Kharsan's work will be displayed in Najaf, even if the Capital of Islamic Culture project does not go ahead.

Guinness World Records does not have any entries for the longest Quran, but the largest printed copy measures two meters high and 1.52 meters wide, and was unveiled in Russia last November.

The smallest copy, printed in Cairo in 1982 and owned by a Pakistani man, is 1.7 by 1.3 centimeters, but still 571 pages long.

The biggest book in the world, meanwhile, measures five by eight meters and weighs some 1,500 kilograms. It is on the life and achievements of the Prophet Mohammed, and was unveiled in Dubai in February.

"It is very nice to do work that is related to the Quran or [holy] shrines," Kharsan said. "This is a blessed work. But at the same time, my name will be part of history, because we compete on an international level."

"I do not take any salary for my work, although there is an agreement that I get a percentage of the budget of the project, which is about 100 million dinars [$83,300]."

"I feel proud of what I am accomplishing, and all I want is to leave my mark." (AFP)

PTI, PML-N to stage rallies today -the Shaan News

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 06 May 2012 06:01:00 +0000

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) has finalised preparations to stage a march in support of the judiciary here today (Sunday), a day after the PML-N held an impressive public meeting in Taxila.

Banners and portraits of Imran Khan and local leaders have been displayed at prominent intersections and market places to highlight the significance of the proposed event.

Dr Shahzad Wasim, who was once a close aide of ex-President General (R) Pervez Musharraf, also put up his portraits at various points across the federal capital.

The PTI chairman Imran Khan will lead the march from China Chowk to D-Chowk, where he will speak to the participants. Other senior leaders including Javed Hashmi and Shah Mehmood Qureshi are also expected to speak on the occasion.

During a recent news conference, the PTI chief had announced to hold the solidarity march in the federal capital in support of the Supreme Court and its Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

“The rulers are by design flouting the apex court's judgments and orders to hide their corruption and push the country towards chaos and anarchy,” asserted PTI central spokesman Zahid Hussain Kazmi while talking to The News here.

The PTI spokesman reiterated his party's stance that after the Supreme Court conviction of Gilani, he was no more the chief executive of the country. He is not even an MNA now after his conviction. He must go home he asserted.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will hold a massive rally against the prime minister in Gujranwala.

Addressing a press conference, PML-N leader Zaeem Qadri and Khurram Dastagir announced to hold rally against the prime minister here

9/11 mastermind, co-plotters defy Guantanamo court

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 05 May 2012 19:06:00 +0000

US NAVAL BASE AT GUANTANAMO BAY: The self-confessed mastermind of the 9/11 attacks and four co-defendants defied a military court here Saturday, with one of the accused shouting "you are going to kill us."

The five were brought into the courtroom to be arraigned for the killing of 2,976 people on September 11, 2001 when Al-Qaeda militants flew hijacked airliners into the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania.

But the proceedings quickly turned chaotic with the men refusing to respond to the judge's questions. Defendant Ramzi Binalshibh interrupted the proceedings by suddenly standing to pray, and then alternately kneeling and standing.

He then broke his silence, shouting at the judge, Colonel James Pohl, "You are going to kill us and say that we are committing suicide."

Mohammed's lawyer David Nevin had earlier said his client, sporting a flowing brown beard, probably would not speak at the hearing because he is "deeply concerned by the fairness of the process."

Dressed in white jumpsuits and some wearing a white head covering, the men were making their first public appearance in three years.

Only one, Walid bin Attash, was handcuffed when the group was brought into court, but Pohl ordered the manacles removed after being assured he would "behave appropriately."

"Prosecution is ready to proceed in the case of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed," chief prosecutor Brigadier General Mark Martins told the military tribunal.

One of the last steps before a so-called "trial of the century" takes place, the arraignment marks the second time the United States has tried to prosecute the 9/11 suspects.

It comes more than a decade after the most lethal attacks on US soil in modern history, and about one year after President Barack Obama ordered the US Navy SEALs raid that killed the man behind it all -- Osama bin Laden.

"There is a desire for justice. It is an important moment for all of us," said Marc Thiessen, a former speechwriter for president George W. Bush who has defended that administration's use of so-called enhanced interrogation techniques, which rights groups have denounced as torture.

Also in court at Guantanamo were Mohammed's Pakistani nephew Ali Abd al-Aziz Ali -- also known as Ammar al-Baluchi -- and Mustapha al-Hawsawi of Saudi Arabia.

The five men have been held for years at the US naval base in southern Cuba while a legal and political battle has played out over how and where to prosecute them -- and debates have raged over their treatment.

It has been nine years since Mohammed's 2003 arrest, three of which he spent in secret CIA jails, confessing to a series of attacks and plots after being subjected to harsh interrogations, including waterboarding.

Some analysts say Mohammed could try to take advantage of the intense interest in the proceedings to deliver a scathing attack on the US government.

Out of 200 applicants, 60 journalists have obtained seats for the hearing, while another 30 are covering the event from Fort Meade in Maryland using a closed-circuit television feed.

"It's key to have transparency," Martins, the military commissions' chief prosecutor, told AFP.

In a sign of the acute public interest in the proceedings, the Pentagon has opened four military bases in the United States to allow families of the 9/11 victims to watch the case unfold on a giant screen.

Obama, a Democrat, wanted to hold the trial in a civilian court in Manhattan, just steps from Ground Zero, where the World Trade Center's Twin Towers once stood. But stiff Republican opposition in Congress scuttled those plans.

The military tribunal system, however, has come under scrutiny, and some of the sharpest criticism has come from former chief prosecutor Morris Davis.

"History will judge this as a mistake," he said.

The time that has lapsed since the attacks and the arrest of their presumed authors is a concern likely to come up at the hearing, said Ali's attorney James Connell.

The trial could still be years away, unless Mohammed pleads guilty to be put to death sooner and become a "martyr" for Al-Qaeda.

Cliff Russell is among the small number of victims' relatives who won a lottery to attend the arraignment proceedings. His firefighter brother was killed when the World Trade Center's twin towers collapsed in New York.

"I'm not looking forward to taking somebody's life... but it's the most disgusting, hateful awful thing I ever could think of; it's crazy," said Russell. (AFP)

IPL: Rajasthan crush Punjab by 43 runs

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 05 May 2012 19:04:00 +0000

MOHALI: Rajasthan Royals outclassed Kings XI Punjab by 43 runs in a day-night Twenty20 match of the Indian Premier League – V here at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium on Saturday.

Set a rather difficult target of 178 runs, Punjab were restricted to 134 for eight in the allotted 20 overs by Rajasthan bowlers.

Australian fast bowlers Shaun Tait and Shane Watson, and South African off-spinner Johan Botha claimed two wickets apiece.

Main scorers for Punjab were Australia’s Shaun Marsh (34), Pakistan international cricketer and England county allrounder Azhar Mahmood (24) and Gurkeet Singh (23).

Earlier, Rajasthan Royals plundered 177 for six in the allotted 20 overs after their captain Rahul Dravid won the toss and decided to bat first.

Dravid was the top-scorer with 46, followed by Australia’s Shane Watson (36) and Brad Hodge (36), and Ashok Menaria (34).

Aussie fast bowler Ryan Harris captured four wickets for four for 34 while leg-spinner Pyush Chawla took two wickets.

Pakistan’s first sports tv channel Geo Super showed this match live from Mohali, Chandigarh.

Indonesian MPs for more trade with Pakistan

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 05 May 2012 17:49:00 +0000

LAHORE: A five-member Indonesian parliamentary delegation led by Chairman Bilateral Cooperation Group Mohammad Hatta visited the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry here Saturday and discussed bilateral trade and investment with Pakistani traders.

LCCI president Irfan Qaiser Sheikh gave a detailed briefing to the Indonesian parliamentarians on available trade and investment opportunities in Pakistan. Chamber's Vice President Saeeda Nazar, Executive Committee Members Husnain Reza Mirza and Sheikh Mohammad Ayub also spoke on the occasion. Both the sides also exchanged views on bilateral cooperation in different sectors of economy.

Leader of the Indonesian delegation Mohammad Hatta said Indonesia also values high its relations with Pakistan and desires to further strengthen the existing relations.

While, underlining the need for frequent exchanges of business delegations between the two brotherly countries, he said, it would ensure opportunities of better understanding and to learn from each other experiences. He said, the Chambers of Commerce in the two countries should play a proactive role to jack up the volume of two-way trade to $ 5 billion in coming years.

Mohammad Hatta said a number of parliamentary committees had already been constituted in Indonesia to finalise a strategy to give boost to trade and economic relations with brotherly countries.

The LCCI President invited Indonesian businessmen to visit Pakistan to have first hand knowledge about the available business opportunities as the LCCI wants to further strengthen the existing relations through enhanced interactions and economic cooperation.

Irfan Sheikh said despite being the members of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) and having old historical links and cordial relations, these distinctive attributes hardly get reflected in our trade and investment relations.

He said two way trade figures show that in 2008, we were trading with each other to the tune of $ 1.26 billion which had dropped to US$ 750 million in 2010. That drastic drop in bilateral trade was due to substantial decrease in imports from Indonesia, which stood at $ 1.19 billion in 2008 but fell to the level of $ 750 million in 2010. "We will certainly like to increase the volume of our exports to Indonesia which are too low in proportion to the size of our economies, but in last four years, our exports have averaged around $ 67.5 million," he added.

Although Indonesia has offered market access to 220 Pakistani items and in response to that Pakistan has agreed to reduce duty on 288 Indonesian products but this list needs to be expanded for greater trade opportunities for the businessmen of both the countries. "Certainly, we together can expedite these things in the best interest of both the economies."

It’s time to boot the rulers out: Nawaz Sharif -The Shaan News

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 05 May 2012 17:43:00 +0000

TAXILA: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Mian Nawaz Sharif has said that the rulers are too stubborn to accept logic they only understand the language of “boot”, Geo News reported.

He was addressing a large public gathering in Taxila - the very first rally of PML-N held as part of its 'Go Gilani Go' campaign.

Nawaz lauded the residents of Taxila for turning up at the rally to make it successful and that too at such a short notice of just three-days.

Giving a broadside to President Asif Ali Zardari he said Pakistan Peoples Party's (PPP) co-chairman breached the Charter of Democracy (CoD), which he (Nawaz) had cosigned with the late Mohtarma Shaheed Benazir Bhutto.

“He was not sincere in implementing the CoD, that’s why we parted ways with the PPP”, he said.

He did not stop there and went ahead to add that PPP was devious in its dealings, thus it could not be trusted anymore.

“The rulers even backtracked on the restoration of judiciary, only we made it possible with our long march”

Going forward he said that PML-N would not let anyone trample the constitution of Pakistan.

On the Swiss bank accounts, he said, he will not rest till the repatriation of plundered $60 million back to Pakistan.

Nawaz said if he could lock horns with a Super Power then Zardaris stood nowhere.

No one was serious in bringing about peace in Karachi, he added.

He said that former dictator Gen (Retd) Pervez Musharraf had his nomination papers rejected, which was tantamount to rigging of elections, but even then PML-N embraced the results.

He further said that none other than the rulers were responsible for the devastation Pakistan was going through.

Glorifying his past deeds he said that as the prime minister of Pakistan he never bowed down before the Superpower.

“Masses topped all of our priorities whenever we held talks with America”, Nawaz said

A supercharged Nawaz invited the masses to join ranks with PML-N in their war against the corrupt rulers.

“Nation will have to stand up against this group of graft and wage a war on it until it was destroyed.”

In his concluding remarks he said that Pakistan was an endangered country facing myriad threats from all sides and his coming to Taxila was a part of his efforts to save the country with the help of people.

“Prepare for the long march,” he said before leaving the podium.

Mohammad Asif released-The Shaan News

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:18:00 +0000

LONDON: Pakistan's former fast bowler Mohammad Asif was freed today from Britain's Canterbury Prison after completing his one-year sentence for spot-fixing during the 2010 Lord's Test match against England, Shaan News reported.

Asif came out from the secret gate of Canterbury Prison. He will stay with Muhammad Haroon, Asif's friend and Britain's first Asian level-4 cricket coach who is based in Peterborough.

Savita Sukul of the SJS Solicitors - Asif's lawyer in charge of his immigration matters and his appeal against the International Cricket Council (ICC) ban - succeeded in finally convincing the Home Office through competent representations on Tuesday afternoon that Asif should not be deported to Pakistan and should be admitted to bail in his own right.

Muhammad Asif has been allowed by the Home Office to remain in the UK not only to pursue his appeal against the spot-fixing convictions but as a result of his lawful rights to reside in the UK until his appeal is completed against his conviction as those convictions are not final until they have been sanctioned by the highest court in the land.

Asif's counsel, Barrister Ravi Sukul, who is dealing with the conviction appeal told Geo News in an exclusive interview: "In a matter of hours, Asif will be released and I am proud to say that. His release from the Canterbury Prison is imminent. We look forward to seeing him. He will assist us with his fight to restore what was once a brilliant reputation that he had."

Ravi Sukul explained that the grounds that supported Asif's bail application were prepared and submitted by his solicitor Savita Sukul. Those grounds argued that the former ICC top Ranking test fast bowler is a man of international popularity who should be allowed freedom and the authorities should have no fear of him absconding or not attending the court.

"It's on common sense basis. Those fears should not be engaged by the prosecution or by the police. There is nothing in his record that could indicate that that will not abide by the court's directions. These representations persuaded the Home Office to make a decision that Asif will be a free man once he leaves the doors of the Canterbury prison," said ravi Sukul, a well-known criminal barrister.

Speaking about the next phase of the battle to help his client clear his name, Ravi said that he will now perfect the grounds of appeal against the conviction under English law.

"I need to convince three Judges sitting in the Court of Appeal that Asif's convictions are unsafe. I can continue my efforts to do that now in a meaningful way as I will have Asif next to me, assisting me with several technical aspects of the appeal. Hopefully the judges sitting in that court may allow the appeal and quash his convictions."

Ravi believed that certain procedures may not have been applied during the trial to Asif's benefit which could have persuaded the jury to come to a different conclusion. It's the absence of those matters that has made me come to the conclusion that this trial may been a travesty of justice. The Court of Appeal may hear evidence which was not put before the jury."

Ravi said Asif is the kind of man who bowls no ball more regularly than other pace bowlers because of the type of bowler that he is. This is a mathematical fact. He was expected to bowl two no balls at Lords on mathematics principles, which is exactly what he did.

There is other evidence that could be admitted which explain the full dynamics of fast bowling, and the legitimate reasons why a bowler would innocently overstep the bowling crease"

He said Amir's guilty plea "could have" affected the decision on Asif depending on how the jury considered Amir's guilty. The legal significance of that plea is that Amir admitted he had conspired with other people. It may be that the jury linked Amir with Asif during their deliberations.

Upon hearing the news that he has been granted bail in the UK, said Ravi, some semblance of natural emotion came to Asif. "He was thankful. He has been in prison since November and was expected to be put in the Home office custody and the news that he will be a free man to walk the streets and be with his friends is indeed a pleasant news for him, his family and his supporters to whom he expressed his thanks."
LONDON: Pakistan's former fast bowler Mohammad Asif was freed today from Britain's Canterbury Prison after completing his one-year sentence for spot-fixing during the 2010 Lord's Test match against England, Geo News reported.

Asif came out from the secret gate of Canterbury Prison. He will stay with Muhammad Haroon, Asif's friend and Britain's first Asian level-4 cricket coach who is based in Peterborough.

Savita Sukul of the SJS Solicitors - Asif's lawyer in charge of his immigration matters and his appeal against the International Cricket Council (ICC) ban - succeeded in finally convincing the Home Office through competent representations on Tuesday afternoon that Asif should not be deported to Pakistan and should be admitted to bail in his own right.

Muhammad Asif has been allowed by the Home Office to remain in the UK not only to pursue his appeal against the spot-fixing convictions but as a result of his lawful rights to reside in the UK until his appeal is completed against his conviction as those convictions are not final until they have been sanctioned by the highest court in the land.

Asif's counsel, Barrister Ravi Sukul, who is dealing with the conviction appeal told Geo News in an exclusive interview: "In a matter of hours, Asif will be released and I am proud to say that. His release from the Canterbury Prison is imminent. We look forward to seeing him. He will assist us with his fight to restore what was once a brilliant reputation that he had."

Ravi Sukul explained that the grounds that supported Asif's bail application were prepared and submitted by his solicitor Savita Sukul. Those grounds argued that the former ICC top Ranking test fast bowler is a man of international popularity who should be allowed freedom and the authorities should have no fear of him absconding or not attending the court.

"It's on common sense basis. Those fears should not be engaged by the prosecution or by the police. There is nothing in his record that could indicate that that will not abide by the court's directions. These representations persuaded the Home Office to make a decision that Asif will be a free man once he leaves the doors of the Canterbury prison," said ravi Sukul, a well-known criminal barrister.

Speaking about the next phase of the battle to help his client clear his name, Ravi said that he will now perfect the grounds of appeal against the conviction under English law.

"I need to convince three Judges sitting in the Court of Appeal that Asif's convictions are unsafe. I can continue my efforts to do that now in a meaningful way as I will have Asif next to me, assisting me with several technical aspects of the appeal. Hopefully the judges sitting in that court may allow the appeal and quash his convictions."

Ravi believed that certain procedures may not have been applied during the trial to Asif's benefit which could have persuaded the jury to come to a different conclusion. It's the absence of those matters that has made me come to the conclusion that this trial may been a travesty of justice. The Court of Appeal may hear evidence which was not put before the jury."

Ravi said Asif is the kind of man who bowls no ball more regularly than other pace bowlers because of the type of bowler that he is. This is a mathematical fact. He was expected to bowl two no balls at Lords on mathematics principles, which is exactly what he did.

There is other evidence that could be admitted which explain the full dynamics of fast bowling, and the legitimate reasons why a bowler would innocently overstep the bowling crease"

He said Amir's guilty plea "could have" affected the decision on Asif depending on how the jury considered Amir's guilty. The legal significance of that plea is that Amir admitted he had conspired with other people. It may be that the jury linked Amir with Asif during their deliberations.

Upon hearing the news that he has been granted bail in the UK, said Ravi, some semblance of natural emotion came to Asif. "He was thankful. He has been in prison since November and was expected to be put in the Home office custody and the news that he will be a free man to walk the streets and be with his friends is indeed a pleasant news for him, his family and his supporters to whom he expressed his thanks."

Pakistan forex reserves up at $16.43bn

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:14:00 +0000

KARACHI: Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves rose to $16.43 billion in the week ending April 27, from $16.42 billion the previous week, the central bank said on Thursday.

Reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) rose to $12.07 from $11.92 billion a week earlier, while those held by commercial banks fell to $4.36 billion from $4.50 billion.

Foreign exchange reserves hit a record $18.31 billion in July last year, boosted by inflows of $411 million, including a $191.9 million loan from the World Bank and a $196.8 million loan from the Asian Development Bank.

Higher exports and record remittances have also supported Pakistan's reserves.

Remittances from Pakistanis overseas rose 21.45 percent to $9.73 billion in the first nine months of the 2011/12 fiscal year, compared with $8.02 billion in the same period last year.

In March, remittances totaled $1.14 billion.

Reserves have since been drained by debt repayments, including $399 million in the week ending Feb. 24 on an $8 billion International Monetary Fund loan. (Reuters)

Documents from Osama Bin Laden's compound released-The Shaan News

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:10:00 +0000

WASHINGTON: The United States on Thursday released 17 documents found at Osama Bin Laden's Pakistani compound in the raid that killed the Al-Qaeda chief a year ago.

The White House allowed the declassified documents to be published online by the Combating Terrorism Center at the West Point military academy. The papers include letters or draft letters dated from September 2006 to April 2011, a total of 175 pages in the original Arabic.

The documents recovered show that Osama bin Laden was apprehensive about dysfunction in his network and the loss of trust from Muslims he wished to incite against their government and the West.

Despite problems within the organization, the documents indicate that bin Laden was focused on attacking US nationals and coming up with plots, to assassinate US leaders.

Osama bin Laden wished specially to target airplanes carrying Gen. David Petraeus and even President Barack Obama, reasoning that an assassination would elevate an “utterly unprepared” Vice President Joe Biden into the presidency and plunge the US into crisis

Ajay Devgn bulks up for ‘Bol Bachchan’

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 03 May 2012 06:59:00 +0000

Ajay Devgn is trying very hard to get into the skin of his character for his upcoming movie ‘Bol Bachchan.’

In the Rohit-Shetty directed film, Ajay plays a wrestler called Pehalwan Prithviraj Raghuvanshi. According to crew members, since this was the first time Ajay was playing a wrestler, he had taken the challenge too seriously.

The star apparently shocked the unit when he lifted traditional akhada equipment called the Bellam that nearly weighs 50 kilos and is used by Pehalwans for intensive training sessions. Initially Rohit Shetty had kept a light weight for the shoot but the perfectionist that he is, Ajay insisted on using the heavier weight. No wonder after the shot Ajay was called the new 'Hulk' by everyone on the sets.

The 43-year-old actor has been undergoing a tough fitness routine designed by fitness trainer Prashant Sawant for the role. Whether it’s gymming in the morning and evening or working out just before his shots, Ajay is apparently very committed to the routine. He has also been avoiding carbohydrates in his diet to be super fit for the role.

We wonder if good friend and macho man Salman has been impressed by Ajay’s ripped body!

Shaan News Reports-Five Teacher and A child Dead in Blast of Carry Wagon CNG Slunder In Sheikhupura

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 03 May 2012 05:54:00 +0000

Five Teacher and A child Dead in Blast of Carry Wagon CNG Slunder In Sheikhupura's Town Sacha Soda Near by FarooqAbad..Complete Detail below In Urdu..TheShaan News Reports

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