Peshawar—The authorities have claimed to get the
volatile Khyber Agency, bordering provincial
metropolis Peshawar, cleared of the mess as the
operation against the militants challenging the
writ of the government and posing serious
threats to the very security of the capital city
almost culminated on Sunday. The troops
destroyed at least four militant centres and
uncovered a privately run jail, said Habibullah
Khan, additional chief secretary for the
Federally Administered Tribal Areas.
Lahore—Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on
Sunday spent a busy day in Lahore as he met with
delegations of his party legislators apart from
addressing newsmen at State Guest House. Talking
to the PPP legislators, the Premier said hike in
prices is international phenomenon; however, the
government is taking steps to check the rising
prices.
Tehran—Pakistan and Iran signed four documents
of cooperation at the 17th session of their
Joint Economic Commission (JEC) which concluded
here on Sunday. Federal Minister for Finance and
Economic Affairs Syed Naveed Qamar led
Pakistan’s delegation in the meeting while
Iranian side was led by Foreign Minister
Manouchehr Mottaki.
Rawalpindi—Former Army Chief Gen (Retd) Mirza
Aslam Beg says Pakistan Army needs not be
involved in the current crisis prevailing in the
Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and
has opposed the federal government’ s recent
decision to hand over extensive powers to Chief
of the Army Staff (COAS). In an exclusive
interview with Pakistan Observer here, he said
the situation in FATA called for political
initiatives at local levels, spearheaded by the
N.W.F.P government. Army should not be entangled
in the complex situation in the tribal areas
bordering Afghanistan.
Bhubaneswar—At least 40 policemen were missing
and another eight injured in eastern India
Sunday after their boat capsized following an
attack by Maoist rebels, police and news reports
said. The boat, which was carrying around 60
people, came under heavy rebel fire while
patrolling a reservoir near Malkangiri in the
south of the coastal state of Orissa, police
said.
Karachi—Kumar Sangakkara hit a fighting hundred
and spinner Ajanta Mendis took four wickets to
power Sri Lanka to a 64-run win over Pakistan in
their Asia Cup Super League clash here on
Sunday. The left-hander scored 112 to lift Sri
Lanka to 302-7 after Pakistani paceman Sohail
Tanveer notched up career-best figures of 5-48.
Lahore—Awami Muslim League founding President
and former Federal Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed
on Sunday called for giving safe passage to
President Pervez Musharraf to avoid the path of
confrontation. Addressing a news conference
accompanied by provincial President of the party
Syed Faqir Hussain Bokhari and other office
bearers including Pir Fazal Haq, Nabeela Tariq,
Mirza Nadeem, Hanif Anjum and others at the
Punjab office of his party, Sheikh Rasheed said:
‘’ confrontation is not the solution rather
giving safe passage to Pervez Musharraf is the
solution’’.
Washington—Restoration of judiciary is our one
point agenda and the support from the overseas
Pakistanis has given us a lot of courage and
strength. This was stated by the leader of the
Pakistan Lawyers Movement, Barrister Aitzaz
Ahsan, while addressing a protest demonstration
organized by various Pakistani American groups
in front of the embassy of Pakistan here
Saturday afternoon.
Seoul (South Korea)—Protesters fought riot
police early Sunday at a rally opposing the
resumption of American beef imports to South
Korea, hours after the chief U.S. diplomat
vouched for the health of U.S. cattle. An
estimated 15,000 people — some wielding steel
pipes and hurling stones at police —
demonstrated in Seoul on Saturday night,
demanding the government rescind its decision to
lift a ban on U.S. beef imports.
