news from pakistan

Bull-run at KSE

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 21:59:00 +0000

KARACHI: Bull-run was witnessed at Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) almost throughout this week and the benchmark KSE-100 Index advanced by 4 percent.This week investors were seen taking particular interest in cement, energy and banking scrips on announcement of cash dividend by PTCL besides reports of decline in profit rates on National Savings Schemes and the central bank’s discount rate.The KSE-100 Index gained 308 points this week to close at 7,4 .... Full Story

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 09 May 2009 02:48:00 +0000

Zardari hints at reformation in Madaris system Updated at: 0800 PST, Saturday, May 09, 2009
WASHINGTON: President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the PPP-led government in Pakistan has resolved to bring reforms in the Madaris systems whereby the academic courses will be made rather advanced while government will bring them under the rife government systems.

This president Zardari asserted amid his address to community dinner here in Washington late on Friday.

President, on the occasion, also reiterated government commit ... Full Story

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 07 May 2009 20:04:00 +0000

Forex reserves decline by $40.1 mln
Updated at: 2036 PST, Thursday, May 07, 2009

KARACHI: The foreign reserves of the country after registering 40.1 million dollars slide during one week now stand at 11.10 billion dollars.According to the Wasimuddin, spokesman State Bank of Pakistan, the central bank holds foreign reserves amounting to 7.75 billion dollars while the 3.35 billion are with the commercial banks.The above decline is being attributed to the decrease in country’s exports.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 07 May 2009 20:03:00 +0000

Taliban overreached in Buner: Gates
Updated at: 2058 PST, Thursday, May 07, 2009

KABUL: Taliban militants in Pakistan overreached by attacking the Buner district, prompting a sharp response from the Pakistani military, U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates said on Thursday.Speaking at a news conference during a visit to the Afghan capital Kabul, Gates said he was "personally very satisfied" with the Pakistani government and military's response to the Taliban advance, and there was "very little chance" of the militants gaining c .... Full Story

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 07 May 2009 20:02:00 +0000

Residents flee Buner as operation continues
Updated at: 2143 PST, Thursday, May 07, 2009

BUNER: Security forces continued battling militants on the 10th consecutive day here as thousands of residents are fleeing the area.Attack helicopters and warplanes pounded suspected militants hideouts in Sultanwas, Elam and Gundai as the government vowed a decisive victory in the deadliest fighting to grip the restive Buner. Thousands of civilians streamed out of the Taliban stronghold and former tourist paradise on foot or crammed into cars, .... Full Story

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 07 May 2009 20:01:00 +0000

Pak army called in to eliminate terrorists: PM
Updated at: 2325 PST, Thursday, May 07, 2009
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani Thursday said the armed forces have been called in to eliminate the terrorists in Swat and Malakand Division.

In a televised address to the nation, the Prime Minister also said that one billion rupees have been provided for the rehabilitation of the internally displaced persons.

He announced employment will be provided to one member of a family which has lost any of its member at the h ... Full Story

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 08:01:00 +0000

Govt to make reforms for people’s prosperity not for strengthening itself: PM
Updated at: 2348 PST, Saturday, April 18, 2009
KARACHI: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani Saturday said the government will introduce reforms for bringing prosperity into people’s life and not for strengthening itself.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of Deep Sea Port here, the Prime Minister said Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Zia-ul-Haq and Pervez Musharraf are remembered for only one thing while people will remember those forever who render good deeds.

“There should be a politica ... Full Story

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 07:13:00 +0000

British police arrests 10 Pakistanis in suspected terror plots
LONDON ( April 09, 2009, 12:08 ) :British police arrested 12 men across the north-west England on Wednesday in an operation hastily brought forward following an embarrassing security leak by a senior Scotland Yard commander.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 07:10:00 +0000

Shutter down strike in Balochistan as riots erupted
QUETTA ( April 09, 2009, 11:34 ) :Shutter down strike has been observed on Thursday in different cities of Balochistan as protest and riots erupted over the news of killing of three Baloch leaders, Aaj TV reported.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:31:00 +0000

India, Pakistan, US must tackle al Qaeda together: Holbrooke
NEW DELHI ( April 08, 2009, 19:38 ) :The threat posed by al Qaeda and its allies can be met only with the joint efforts of India and Pakistan, as well as the United States, a top US envoy to the region said Wednesday.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:29:00 +0000

Cabinet gives go ahead for purchase of gas from Iran
ISLAMABAD ( April 08, 2009, 23:06 ) :The Federal Cabinet Wednesday accorded approval to construction of Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline and gave the go ahead for purchase of 750 million cubic feet gas from Iran to fulfill the growing local requirements.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:25:00 +0000

PPP to join Punjab govt if PML-N joins federal govt: Zardari
ISLAMABAD ( April 08, 2009, 21:44 ) :A meeting of the Parliamentary Party of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was called by the co-chairman PPP and President Asif Ali Zardari here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Wednesday.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:47:00 +0000

No al-Qaeda presence in Balochistan: Raisani
Updated at: 1825 PST, Wednesday, April 08, 2009

KARACHI: Balochistan Chief Minister Aslam Raisani said on Wednesday that there was no presence of al-Qaeda in the province and dismissed US concerns in this connection.Addressing a press conference at the Federation House here, Raisani said drones strikes would not be allowed in Balochistan. When asked to comment about his strategy if drone attacks were carried out in Balochistan, he said the government would strongly condemn such actions.“Effort .... Full Story

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:42:00 +0000

Pakistan will never give in to terrorists: President
Updated at: 1822 PST, Wednesday, April 08, 2009
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari expressed on Wednesday Pakistan’s firm commitment to fighting extremism and vowed it will never give in to the militants and extremists.

Talking to a US Congressional delegation led by Senator John Kyl at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, the President said the fight against extremism can not be won only through military means alone.

Zardari said military was only one aspect of the solution and the gov ... Full Story

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 21:00:00 +0000

Pakistan, US stress trust, disagree on drones

ISLAMABAD ( 2009-04-07 19:19:26 ) :Pakistan and the United States must build trust as they confront violence, said senior officials on Tuesday who failed to resolve disagreement on US drone aircraft strikes in Pakistan.

Special US envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke and Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, held talks with Pakistani political and military leaders after arriving from Kabul late on Monday.

Holbrooke is making his first visit to the region since US President Barack Obama announced a new strategy for Afghanistan last month, focusing on a regional approach to ending the war.

Pakistan is crucial to US efforts to stabilise Afghanistan, where a Taliban insurgency has intensified over recent years despite a rising number of US and other foreign soldiers there.

Holbrooke and Mullen are due in India later on Tuesday.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Pakistan wanted to engage with the United States with mutual interest and respect and he had flagged in talks with the Americans Pakistani "red lines" that the United States should not cross.

"The bottom line is (the) question of trust," Qureshi told a news conference with Holbrooke and Mullen. "We can only work together if we respect each other and trust each other."

"A GAP"

Obama has said Pakistan would get "no blank cheques" and the release of more US aid would depend on how it tackled terrorism.

In response, Qureshi said: "It works both ways. We'll neither accept one nor will we give one".

Alarmed by deteriorating security in Afghanistan, the United States has since last year stepped up strikes by pilotless drone aircraft against al Qaeda and Taliban militants in Pakistan.

Pakistan calls the strikes violations of its sovereignty and says the civilian casualties they often cause inflame anti-US sentiment, complicating its effort to fight militancy.

"We did talk about drones and let me be very frank, there is a gap," Qureshi said.

"We agreed to disagree on this," he said, adding the issue would be taken up again in three-way talks between Afghanistan, Pakistan and the United States in Washington on May 6-7.

Taliban commanders say recent violence in Pakistan has been in retaliation for the US drone attacks.

Mullen said the United States had a long-term commitment to Pakistan which he hoped would generate trust that he said was "absolutely vital".

Holbrooke said Pakistani and US interests ran in parallel.

"The United States and Pakistan face a common strategic threat, a common enemy and a common challenge and therefore a common task," he said.

President Asif Ali Zardari told the visiting Americans late on Monday Pakistan was battling militants for its survival.

Holbrooke said the United States would be making a "substantial pledge" at a donors' conference in Tokyo on April 17, adding he hoped other countries would too.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 20:56:00 +0000

SC dismissed govt’s petition against Maulana Aziz

ISLAMABAD ( 2009-04-07 13:59:48 ) :The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday has dismissed federation’s petition to grant bail to Maulana Abdul Aziz, the former cleric of Lal Masjid.

The SC bench comprised of Justice Javed Iqbal and Justice Ijaz Chaudhry has dismissed the government’s petition after hearing the case. SC also adjourned the hearing of children’s library case till Thursday and directed government to submit its reply in next hearing.

Maulana Aziz had been granted bail in 25 out of 27 cases, while he was acquitted in one case. He had been behind the bar since his arrest on July 3, 2007.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 20:29:00 +0000

Bearish trend continues in KSE, Index crosses 7600 points
Updated at: 1939 PST, Tuesday, April 07, 2009

KARACHI: The Karachi Stock Exchange witnessed a continued bearish trend on Tuesday as index crossed the psychological bearer of 7,600 points.Today, trading began in positive way and this trend continues throughout the day. On one occasion, the KSE 100-index was seen at a level of 7,689 points and investors were looking active in banks and energy stocks.At the end of the day’s trading, the KSE 100-index closed at 7,635 points with an increase of 1 .... Full Story

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 20:26:00 +0000

Nawaz: US drone strikes counterproductive
Updated at: 1726 PST, Tuesday, April 07, 2009

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Muslim League-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif says that he has nothing personal against President Asif Ali Zardari, adding that his differences were based on principles.Speaking to reporters after meeting with US officials here on Tuesday, he said: “I have categorically shared my stance with US officials.” He said drone attacks in tribal areas by US forces are 'counterproductive'. “US President Barack Obama will have to change its .... Full Story

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 20:24:00 +0000

National Security Committee finalizes recommendations
Updated at: 1845 PST, Tuesday, April 07, 2009
ISLAMABAD: The Parliamentary Committee on National Security has finalized the recommendations for implementation of 14 points resolution passed by joint-session of the parliament.

This was announced by Chairman NSC Senator Raza Rabbani, while speaking to newsmen here on Tuesday.

Rabbani said the recommendations were unanimously framed by all members of the committee. The recommendations would be submitted in National Assembly ... Full Story

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:12:00 +0000

No possibility of international cricket’s immediate return to Pakistan: ICC
Updated at: 1650 PST, Thursday, April 02, 2009

DUBAI: High officials of the ICC said that the international cricket is not likely to be restored in Pakistan at the moment and Pakistan have to improve their security arrangements.Talking with media in Wellington, ICC President David Morgan ruled out the possibility of international cricket's immediate return to Pakistan but insisted that the trouble-torn country should not be isolated.In the wake of the March 3 attack on the Sri Lankan crickete .... Full Story

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:09:00 +0000

Bull run gains momentum; KSE up 259 points
Updated at: 1749 PST, Thursday, April 02, 2009

KARACHI: Bull-run gained momentum at Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) on Thursday, contributing 259 points to the benchmark KSE-100 which closed at 7,191.The market began upbeat where investors remained active throughout the session, taking fresh positions across the board. Energy and banking sectors particularly attracted the investors.At the end the major Index closed just below the level of 7200 points for the first time since December 2008 with m .... Full Story

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:07:00 +0000

China orders tightened Internet controls
Updated : Thursday April 2 , 2009 2:33:42 PM
BEIJING: China issued new rules Thursday cracking down on the posting of "harmful" political or religious videos online, two weeks after footage of police allegedly beating Tibetan monks circulated on the Web.

The rules ban online videos that harm national stability, "instigate hatred between ethnic groups" or "maliciously disparage" the nation's police or armed forces, a notice on the government's main website said.

The India-based government of the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, last month released footage allegedly showing brutality by Chinese security forces in Tibet.

The video appeared to show Tibetans, some in monks' robes, being shackled and beaten by police during anti-Chinese protests across the Tibetan plateau in March last year.

After the clips appeared online, access to video-sharing site Youtube was unavailable in China.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman this week refused to confirm whether the government had blocked the site.

Chinese authorities have a history of blocking websites they deem politically unacceptable or offensive, and their censoring of the Internet has created a so-called "Great Firewall of China".

The tightened restrictions, issued by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, also took aim at sexual and religious content.

They ban the posting of videos that "advocate evil cults and superstitions," a phrase that China often uses to refer to the banned Falungong spiritual sect, which the government views as a potential threat to its authority.

Also prohibited is the posting of movies and television shows without government permission, including foreign films, according to the rules.

China grants approval for only 20 foreign films to be screened in China each year and often requires that objectionable content be deleted before giving them the green light.

For example, in 2006 it ordered that scenes showing residents hanging their dirty laundry from balconies in Shanghai be deleted before "Mission Impossible III" could be screened, state media said at the time.

China has in recent years tried to rein in an explosion of online video content, which is often the only way ordinary citizens can view videos of such things as anti-government protests that would never be aired on the country's tightly controlled state television.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:05:00 +0000

Wish Ajay Devgan Happy Birthday
Updated : Thursday April 2 , 2009 2:08:14 PM
MUMBAI: The two-time National award winner and Bollywood's most regarded actor Ajay Devgan celebrates his 40th birthday today.

Time and again Ajay has proven his acting talent and given us many memorable Hindi films. Beginning his career as an action hero in the early 90s, Devgan has since established himself as one of the actors open to serious roles in Bollywood.

If the actor gave us some critically acclaimed performances in films like ZAKHM, THE LEGEND OF BHAGAT SINGH, GANGAAJAL than he also made us laugh with outright comedies like ISHQ, MASTI, GOLMAAL, GOLMAAL RETURNS.

After successfully handling the production and distribution of films, Ajay tried his hand on direction and came out trumps with U ME AUR HUM, starring his wife Kajol as well as himself.

Currently Ajay is busy with his 2 big projects LONDON DREAMS, RAJNITI with 2 big filmmakers of Bollywood - Vipul Shah & Prakash Jha, which are slated for the release in the second half of the year 2009.

Join us in wishing the actor a very happy birthday and all the best wishes for his upcoming releases.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:04:00 +0000

Obama, South Korean leader talk security
Updated : Thursday April 2 , 2009 1:26:10 PM
LONDON: President Barack Obama and his South Korean counterpart agree that the international community must unite around "a stern, united response" if North Korea proceeds with a planned rocket launch.

Obama and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak (lee myuhng bahk) met Thursday on the sidelines of the London G-20 summit on the world economy.

The South Korean presidential office issued a statement after the Obama-Lee meeting saying they had agreed "to work together in the course of" a joint reaction to the launch.

North Korea says it will send a communications satellite into orbit on a multistage rocket in the coming days. The U.S., South Korea and Japan call the plan a cover for testing long-range missile technology.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:02:00 +0000

A touch-screen phone for the blind
Updated : Thursday April 2 , 2009 1:07:20 PM
ISLAMABAD: Scientists have now created a vibrating touch screen phone that can simulate Braille characters and bring the benefits of touch-screen technology to visually challenged people.

Taking a major step towards presenting Braille characters on mobile, Jussi Rantala of the University of Tampere in Finland and colleagues tried to display these dots on a touch-screen device, BBC radio reported.

The researchers used a cellphone which has a piezoelectric material built into the touch screen that vibrates when an electric signal is applied to it.

In Braille, letters are encoded using a two-by-three matrix in which each character is represented by a different configuration of raised and absent dots.

The experts installed software that represents a raised dot as a single pulse of intense vibration, and an absent dot as a longer vibration made up of several weaker pulses.