Want peace process move forward with Taliban: Nawaz

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan has suffered great losses as a result of terrorism and the government wants the dialogue process with the Taliban to move forward.

Addressing businessmen here on Thursday, Nawaz Sharif said dictatorship was not accepted even in a house, how could it be tolerated in the country. He said Pakistan could not progress in the past because the system and the constitution had been subverted.

Commenting on the Karachi operation, PM Nawaz said the desired results from this operation were being achieved and that Karachi would be among the peaceful cities of the world in the future.

Pakistan wanted friendly relations both with India and Afghanistan, said Nawaz. He added neighbours could not be changed, therefore, we should live like good neighbours.

'A really big achievement' - Misbah

Misbah-ul-Haq has hailed Pakistan's maiden ODI series win against South Africa as a "really big achievement". Pakistan also became the first subcontinent team to win a series in South Africa when they edged the hosts by one run in Port Elizabeth to take an unbeatable 2-0 lead with one game remaining.

"It is a really, really big achievement for us, especially for this young team," Misbah said. "They are going to start believing that they can perform well. I think that is what we were lacking in Abu Dhabi and Dubai and lost few games which we should have won. It is a good comeback for the confidence of the team. In the future we can come with better confidence, and winning a first bilateral one-day series in South Africa means something to us." 

Misbah praised Saeed Ajmal and Junaid Khan for bringing Pakistan back after AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla had taken South Africa to a winning position. The hosts needed 36 off 38 deliveries with six wickets in hand after de Villiers fell to Junaid for 74 off 45. It came down to 11 off the last two overs, but Ajmal gave away only two in the penultimate over and also dismissed Amla for 98. Junaid then delivered a series of yorkers in the last over to seal the win for Pakistan. 

"I was saying to everybody that take it to the last over," Misbah said. "I know that for the batting side, no matter how many wickets you have, how good a situation you are in, the last over is always a bit of pressure. That is what we were thinking, and when we got nine runs in the last over, the way Junaid Khan was bowling, we had hope. Both Saeed Ajmal and Junaid did really well and were well supported by the field.

"It wasn't looking like we were in a better position. They were playing really well. But again, when the match comes close, I think it is the batting side which gets under pressure some times. That is what we were thinking, that if we can bowl one good over, and if in the last over, it is more than a run a ball, you never know with two new batsmen at the crease, anything could happen. And that is what happened. Both Ajmal and Junaid held their nerve and bowled according to the field. Junaid executed yorkers really well." 

The turnaround began when de Villiers was dismissed. The South Africa captain said he should have stayed on to finish the game. "I had the game in my hands with Hash out there," de Villiers said. "I have finished a lot of games like that before. I was on a bit of a roll there and probably (should have) just breathed a little and looked at the situation again. Hash tried to calm me down a bit there. Unfortunately just lost track of where we were going." 

South Africa built their chase steadily, preferring to keep wickets in hand for the latter stage of the innings. De Villiers said that was the plan. "A lot of people would have raised eyebrows after the first 10-15, even 20 overs, watching us bat out there. That is exactly what we wanted. We knew with wickets in hand, with a dangerous middle order, we will always be in the game.

"We went for 20-30 too many bowing first. We knew we had to pull it back somewhere. It was always going to be the last 15 overs, with the Powerplay, with wickets in hand. We timed it to perfection. Just unfortunately we lost too many wickets in the last ten overs."

Pakistan won by 1 run

Pakistan 262 (45/45 ov)

South Africa 261/6 (45.0/45 ov)

Pakistan won by 1 run

Ahmed Shehzad (Pak), Man of the Match: It wasn't easy to bat on. Ball wasn't coming on to the bat. First few overs ball wasn't coming, but as soon as the lights came on it got easier. I want to mention the spinners. Shahid bhai has been bowling tremendously, along with Saeed Ajmal, while Junaid took the responsibility at the end to bowl well. Maqsood is a free stroke player and we need his kind of talent in the pressure overs and Powerplay. Told him to take his chances but he couldn't' connect. It happens in this game. By the time I came from the West Indies, my captain really supported me throughout. We haven't been clicking much the last few series. The way the management is treating us, and the way Moin bhai has been handling us, it has gone a long way in helping our belief after we lost series in the UAE. Those guys are doing a tremendous job off the field and have supported us. It's very pleasing for any opening batsman to make a hundred in SA. Sometimes it's really quick, sometimes it is two-paced, so it is especially pleasing to do well in these conditions.

Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan captain: Honestly speaking the game was escaping out of our hands, but in the end we came back in the last two overs to win this. Superb team effort. Everyone really stuck in. The runs stopped and the catches held at the end was important. The way Ajmal bowled well at the end. Junaid was tremendous with his first four and then last five. Team wanted this victory and the way, even of the last ball, was the way they were fighting. That was the key for us in this game. Two, three games in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, we should have won easily, but they really bowled well and played better than us. Maybe different attitude, but the attitude was the difference here. Everybody wants to win here. We want to prove to the world we can win the series and show the world we are better. We will sit together to see what we can achieve in the final game (dead rubber).

AB de Villiers, South Africa captain: Close but not across the line. A couple of runs there would have stopped you from asking a lot of good questions. Just not good enough, we lost the series and I am disappointed. The most disappointing thing was when we had the game in the pocket when I was out with Hash. We got out when we shouldn't have and gave the game away. We lost momentum. Had the game in the pocket. When you have the game done and dusted, don't give the game to the opposition, especially one as world-class as this. Not a lot pleased me in the first half. Thought we were not disciplined with the ball and our ground fielding. We haven't shown our ground fielding skills so far this series which is worrying and we have to work on that. After losing the series there are a lot of questions to be asked. A lot of believers in the side and system and we will come back.

Ireland, Afghanistan qualify for World Twenty20

SHARJAH: Ireland and Afghanistan won their groups in the qualifiers on Sunday to qualify for next years World Twenty20 cricket tournament.

Ireland stayed unbeaten in Group A with 13 points after beating Hong Kong by 85 runs at Abu Dhabi in its last group match on Sunday.

Afghanistan finished with a 34-run win over Kenya at Sharjah to top Group B with 12 points, losing only to the Netherlands in its opening match.

Group winners automatically qualify for the 2014 tournament in Bangladesh while the remaining four places will be decided after playoffs.

It will be Irelands fourth successive World Twenty20 after it also qualified for the 2009, 10 and 12 tournaments.

Afghanistan will make its third appearance, having played in 2010 and 12.Despite its defeat against Ireland on Sunday, Hong Kong could also qualify if it beats Nepal in the playoffs on Wednesday.

In the other playoff, United Arab Emirates face the Netherlands for a ticket to Bangladesh.

Namibia, Papua New Guinea, Scotland and Italy are the other teams in contention. (AP)

India’s squads for South Africa tour

NEW DELHI: India’s squads announced on Monday for next months Test and one-day series in South Africa:

Test squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kolhi, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ravindra Jadeja, Zaheer Khan, Ambati Rayudu, Wriddhiman Saha, Ishant Sharma, Pragyan Ojha.

One-day squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Yuvraj Singh, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ambati Rayudu, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra.

Clarke fined by ICC over sledging

BRISBANE: Australian captain Michael Clarke was Monday fined 20 percent of his match fee by the International Cricket Council after warning England’s James Anderson to expect a broken arm.

The final day of the first Test against arch-rivals England in Brisbane, which Australia won by 381 runs, boiled over on Sunday with constant "sledging" (insults).

It culminated when a stump microphone caught Clarke telling tail end batsman Anderson to get ready for a broken arm.

He was reported by umpire Kumar Dharmasena and the ICC said Clarke breached its code of conduct, which relates to "using language or a gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting during an international match".

Clarke admitted the offence and accepted the sanction, avoiding the need for a formal hearing, the ICC said.

The second Test starts in Adelaide on December 5.

Steyn fined for offensive language in 2nd T20

CAPE TOWN: South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn has been fined for using offensive language in Fridays second Twenty20 against Pakistan.

The International Cricket Council said Sunday that Steyn was fined 10 percent of his match fee.

Pakistan won the game at Newlands by six runs. Steyn was fined for swearing at the end of his second over and soon after being hit for six by Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad.

The ICC said Steyn admitted the charge and accepted the punishment proposed by match referee Andy Pycroft.

A disciplinary hearing was not required. Pakistan also won Sundays first one-day international in Cape Town to lead the three-game ODI series. The teams drew the T20 series 1-1. (AP)

O'Sullivan win 1st Champions of Champions final

COVENTRY: Ronnie O'Sullivan battled back from 5-3 down to beat Stuart Bingham 10-8 in the first Champion of Champions final.

The five-time world champion took the £100,000 top prize after winning four of the last five frames at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

It was the ideal preparation for O'Sullivan, 37, before the UK Championship, which starts on Tuesday.

This was the inaugural Champion of Champions tournament and the six-day invitational competition featured 16 players, including every ranking-event winner from last season.

World number 10 Bingham took the opening frame of the final with a break of 109, before O'Sullivan won the next two, the only time he led in the first session.

Bingham's 109 in the eighth gave him a 5-3 advantage, but his opponent immediately narrowed the gap with a break of 130 - the highest of the match.

O'Sullivan went on to draw level at 6-6, before 37-year-old Bingham retook the lead, only for O'Sullivan's late run to win the event, his first major success since winning the world title in May.

Vettel ends season with Brazilian GP win

SAO PAULO: Sebastian Vettel finished off the 2013 season in style with a ninth successive victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday.

The four-time world champion was followed across the line at Interlagos by his teammate Mark Webber in what was his last ever outing as a F1 driver.

The veteran Australian is leaving Red Bull to begin a new career with Porsche on the sportscar racing circuit.

Ferraris Fernando Alonso took third with Jenson Buttons McLaren in fourth. (AFP)

Arsenal, Chelsea win, Liverpool draw derby in EPL

LONDON: Surprise package Southampton was brought back down to earth by Arsenal as the Gunners extended their Premier League lead to four points with a 2-0 win over the Saints.

Liverpool was held to a 3-3 draw at Everton in a pulsating Merseyside derby on Saturday.

Arsene Wengers team bounced back from defeat against defending champion Manchester United with a dominant display, capped by two goals from Olivier Giroud — the first after Southampton goalkeeper Artur Boruc bizarrely lost the ball to the France striker in the box.

At Goodison Park, substitute Daniel Sturridge salvaged a deserved draw for the Reds before Chelsea reasserted its title credentials with a 3-0 win at West Ham.

Arsenal leads both Liverpool and Chelsea by four points after 12 games, with Liverpool in second place on goals scored.

Also, last-place Crystal Palace reacted to the hiring of Tony Pulis as manager by beating Hull 1-0 to climb off the bottom and Fulham lost 2-1 at home against Swansea, dropping into the bottom three.

Newcastle beat Norwich 2-1 and Stoke won 2-0 against Sunderland, which replaced Crystal Palace at the foot of the standings. "Im very happy because we were against a good team and they showed why they made good results before," Wenger said after giving Southampton its second league loss this season. "We couldn’t take our chances but we took advantage of their mistakes. It’s a very good win against a difficult team. They stopped us well from playing."

Arsenal was sluggish at the start but then dominated before Boruc lost the ball after trying to dribble past Giroud, who easily won the ball before scoring from close range. "It happens. Players are quick to close down. Maybe he was a bit too confident and Olivier Giroud did very well," Wenger said.

Southampton has been praised for its free-flowing football this season but struggled against Arsenal. The Saints played as high on the pitch and pressed as usual but failed to create clear-cut chances.

Frank Lampard made life difficult for his former club, scoring twice at Upton Park as Chelsea played with great pace and discipline to move above Southampton into third.

Lampard opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 21st minute after West Ham keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen brought down Oscar in the box.

The Brazil midfielder then combined well with playmaker Eden Hazard and slotted home with a low shot from the edge of the box for a superb goal in the 34th.Lampard sealed Chelseas win, scoring from a rebound from inside the penalty area in the 82nd.

Liverpool had plenty of chances in a thrilling Merseyide derby which they came close to losing for the first time since October 2010.

But Sturridge equalized with a glancing header from Steven Gerrards free kick just 10 minutes after coming off the bench to cap an action-packed game. The result left Liverpool four points behind Arsenal with 24 points from 12 games while Everton has 21, one point behind Southampton.

Romelu Lukaku scored twice in the second half as Everton took a 3-2 lead. The Belgian forward thought he had given the three points to his team when he headed home in the 82nd minute, just 10 minutes after taking advantage of some confusion in the Liverpool box to slide the ball past goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.

Philippe Coutinho opened the scoring in the fifth minute before Kevin Mirallas equalized for Everton three minutes later in a thrilling start. Luis Suarez put the Reds in front with a free kick in the 19th minute. "That is the best experience I’ve ever had in club football. Its a pity we didn’t win but hopefully we will next time," Lukaku said.

Mirallas was lucky to escape a straight red card in the 33rd minute after an ugly foul on Suarez, with the Belgium forward stamping his studs on the striker’s thigh.

Suarez screamed in pain and stayed down on the pitch for several minutes but was able to return to the game. "It was a terrific game, I’ve been involved in a few and they are real heart-stoppers," Liverpool coach Brendan Rodgers said. "We again showed our resilience and ability to fight back. This is a difficult place to come and they haven’t lost at Goodison Park this year."

Stoke ended an eight-match winless streak against Sunderland, which had Wes Brown sent off in controversial circumstances. The hosts scored either side of the interval at the Britannia stadium with goals from Charlie Adam and Steven Nzonzi.Sunderland players were furious after referee Kevin Friend deemed a sliding tackle from Brown on Adam — that appeared to win the ball fairly for the defender — to merit a straight red card in the 36th minute.

Substitute Jonjo Shelvey scored a late winner to give Swansea a 2-1 victory over Fulham, leaving the London club struggling in the relegation zone.

At Hull, Palace overcame the 78th-minute sending-off of Yannick Bolasie to score the only goal three minutes later, with Barry Bannan netting from close range following Cameron Jerome’s cross.

Caretaker manager Keith Millen hands over to Pulis with Palace now above Sunderland on goal difference, and the new coach’s record of never having been relegated will give the Londoners renewed hope of staying up. (AP)

Man City hand Tottenham 6 goal drubbing

MANCHESTER: Manchester City produced a ruthless performance to hammer Tottenham Hotspur 6-0 and maintain their 100 per cent record at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League this season.

Spurs headed into the game with the best defensive record in the top flight, but conceded almost from the kick-off before seeing Sergio Aguero score a goal in each half, while Jesus Navas also notched a brace.

City were in front after just 15 seconds when Navas curled a loose ball over the fit-again Hugo Lloris after the Tottenham keeper's woeful clearance was seized upon by Aguero.

Another poor kick from Lloris led to the second goal on 34 minutes and the Tottenham keeper could again only parry an initial shot from Aguero. This time the ball bounced to Alvaro Negredo, whose acrobatic volley was blocked by Younes Kaboul, but deflected into the net off Sandro.

Spurs were being opened by City nearly every time the hosts ventured forward and the third goal arrived before half-time as Navas ran clear down the right and played in a low cross for Aguero to side-foot beyond an exposed Lloris.

Former City striker Emmanuel Adebayor came on for his first appearance of the season at half-time, but within five minutes, Spurs conceded a fourth goal when Aguero finished first time following Yaya Toure's burst forward.

The fifth goal arrived on 55 minutes when Negredo's sharp turn left Michael Dawson scrambling and he thumped his shot beyond Lloris before Navas scored in added time to cap a miserable afternoon for Spurs.

The scale of this damaging loss sent Spurs tumbling down to ninth in the table, the position in which City had begun the afternoon.

City inflicted damage early, with Navas floating home a superb effort from the right side of the area after Aguero's initial shot had been saved.

The timing of the effort equalled that of Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic's startling clearance against Southampton earlier in the campaign, although it was short of the Premier League-record 9.9 seconds it took Ledley King to score for Spurs against Bradford in December 2000.

Manuel Pellegrini said his side couldn't have been much better as they crusied past Tottenham 6-0 at the Etihad Stadium.

Negredo had a claim on City's second, again after Aguero had been denied. However, his effort ricocheted off target after striking Kaboul before hitting Sandro and ending up in the back of the net.

It was part of an eventful opening period for Sandro, who was also booked in addition to being sick by the side of the pitch, a condition most Tottenham fans must have felt by half-time.

Given City's opening two goals had come as a result of misdirected clearances from returning goalkeeper Lloris, at least City's third was all their own work.

Navas attacked the space Jan Vertonghen was supposed to be dominating after Erik Lamela failed to track his run, then sent a low cross to the edge of the six-yard area where Aguero superbly flicked it into the far corner.

Andre Villas-Boas said there were few positives to take from the match as his side suffered a heavy 6-0 defeat to Manchester City.

Villas-Boas resisted the temptation to start hauling players off before the break, as West Ham manager Sam Allardyce did at Upton Park against Chelsea on Saturday.

He did, however, introduce Adebayor during the interval. Not that it did much good.

The striker barely touched the ball as City scored twice more within 10 minutes of the restart.

Aguero finished off the first. The credit went to Toure after he collected Negredo's pass and rampaged through the Tottenham defence before squaring unselfishly for the Argentina international.

Negredo was soon on the scoresheet too, turning Dawson brilliantly after Fernandinho had supplied the pass before drilling past Lloris.

Nasri's chip flicked the bar, and Toure fired over as the visitors' defence opened up again.

At the other end, Costel Pantilimon had little to do, which does not bode well for Joe Hart getting his place back any time soon.

The match ended as it had started, Navas on target again to condemn Tottenham to their worst defeat since a 7-1 hammering at Newcastle almost 17 years ago.

West Indies stun India to level ODI series

VISAKHAPATNAM: After Cyclone Helen lashed India’s south-eastern coast, it was miraculous that this game took place at all. India made 288 thanks to Virat Kohli’s fine 99 and MS Dhoni’s unbeaten 51. As the West Indies gave chase, the dew came to their rescue—so much dew, there ought to be a PepsiCo logo somewhere on the ACA-VDCA Stadium.

India’s bowling was average at best, and they put down four catches. Despite all these factors in their favour, the visitors nearly messed up a straight-forward win.

In between some lovely shots, they played some daft ones as well. Darren Bravo and Kieron Powell added 100 runs for the third wicket, a partnership full of flowing drives with full extension of the arms that would have gladdened even Brian Lara. But both got out to poor shots. It came down to Lendl Simmons and then Darren Sammy to finish off the game.

Hussain fears for bullied England

LONDON: Former England captain Nasser Hussain said Alastair Cooks men had been "bullied" after Australia won the first Ashes Test in Brisbane by the huge margin of 381 runs on Sunday.

England, bidding to win a fourth successive Test series against arch-rivals Australia, started well by reducing the hosts to 132 for six in their first innings before they recovered to 295 all out.

But England suffered an even more severe slump to be bowled out for just 136 in reply, with rejuvenated left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson leading the way as Cooks men suffered a spectacular collapse that saw six wickets lost for nine runs.

Australia captain Michael Clarke and David Warner pressed home the hosts advantage with second innings hundreds before England were bowled out for 179 with more than a day to spare. "Its very worrying (to have lost so heavily)," Hussain told Sky Sports. "They were bullied. It wasnt as though Australia started well and they continued -- England were bossing the game."

On day one they were in control, all the memories of the summer (England retained the Ashes with a 3-0 series win on home soil earlier this year) were still there, they were playing well and since then its just been an absolute shambles.

"A lot of it has to do with the opposition, Mitchell Johnson is unrecognisable from the bowler we have seen in previous Ashes battles, the confidence and the togetherness are unrecognisable from the team we saw in England, thanks to (coach) Darren Lehmann.

"Ian Botham, Englands all-time leading Test wicket-taker and the scourge of Australia during his playing days, laid the blame for defeat squarely on the tourists top order.

"The batsmen need to have a long look at themselves -- how many of them were got out rather than getting out," the former all-rounder said. "It was just a matter of when (England would lose). It’s just not good enough and weve got this habit of doing this (batting badly) in a first Test.

"When youre bowled out for 136 on a shirt front (of a pitch) which that is - and still is - then you are out of the game."

Meanwhile Australia leg-spin great Shane Warne said victory was just reward for the work done by Clarke and Lehmann to rebuild morale following the controversial reign of former coach Mickey Arthur, which ended when the South African was sacked shortly before this years Ashes in England.

"Towards the end of the Ashes series (in England) you just started to see the guys smile a bit more and that was Darren Lehmanns influence," Warne said."Some of the things he has brought in, in combination with Michael Clarke, has been fantastic."If you have a happy dressing room and youre a happy cricketer, it shows out on the field."

He added: "This one for Australia was important -- to be in the contest they had to win the Test match. The way they have won, from six for 132 to win like this, shows a lot of character." (AFP)

Fact finding committee completes initial report of Rawalpindi incident

RAWALPINDI: The fact finding committee formed by the Punjab government and tasked to probe the Rawalpindi tragedy on 10th Moharram has completed its initial report,

Sources told that the report held the administration and police responsible for the tragedy and stated that police tried to disperse the crowd but the miscreants attacked security forces.

Chief Minister Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif had constituted a three-member team to ascertain the facts related to the incident. The team was headed by former chairman of CM’s monitoring team, Najam Saeed, and tried to determine the facts with the help of videos and evidence collected from the location.

The team was tasked to present a report within seven days.

Sources told Geo News that the committee held the administration and police responsible for the mayhem as their negligence deteriorated the situation.

The committee recorded statements of policemen, traders, administration personnel along with the members of both the groups present on site. The team has, however, not sent the report to the Chief Minister yet for the sake of further investigation.

It is likely that the probe report will be submitted in the next 72 hours to the CM Punjab.

Gen Kayani visits Naval Headquarter

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani paid his farewell visit to Naval Headquarters in Islamabad.

He was welcomed by the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Asif Sandhila. Both discussed matters related to professional armed forces. (PPI)

UAVs inducted in Pakistan Army and Air fleet

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan has inducted the first fleet of indigenously developed Strategic Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) also referred to as drones, Burraq and Shahpur in the Army and Air Force.

A press release by the media wing of the armed forces (ISPR) called the induction a “historic and landmark event, wherein a very effective force multiplier has been added to the inventory of the Armed Forces.” According to the ISPR, in the future these UAVs could also be gainfully employed in various socio-economic development projects as well.

The induction ceremony was attended by Army Chief, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshall Tahir Rafique, Director General Strategic Plans Divisions, General (retd) Khalid Ahmed Kidwai, senior officers from Armed Forces, scientists and engineers.

Army Chief Kayani while appreciating the work of NESCOM scientists and engineers, highlighted that induction of indigenously developed surveillance capable UAVs in Pakistan Armed Forces is a force multiplier, and will substantially enhance their target acquisition capabilities in real time.

Earlier on Monday, Army Chief Kayani paid a farewell visit to Air Headquarters in Islamabad. During his visit, the Army chief called on Air Chief Marshall Tahir Rafique Butt. The Air Chief lauded General Kayani’s services in strengthening the defence of Pakistan and contributing towards unprecedented Tri-Service synergy.

Pak-Afghan border at Torkham reopened after three days

KHYBER AGENCY: The Pak-Afghan border at Torkham has been reopened after three-day closure on Monday here, Geo News reported.

Security officials said following the November 21 suicide attack in the Torkham Customs House, security threats had intensified and as a result the Pak-Afghan border at Torkham was closed.

Following the reopening of the border, all trade activities including Nato supplies, transit trade and movement of Pakistani and Afghan citizens at the border resumed.

Source Link

Hangu drone strike: PTI wants US, CIA to be nominated in FIR

PESHAWAR: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has requested the Inspector General Police (IGP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) to nominate the US and CIA in the Hangu drone strike FIR.

PTI’s Central Legal Secretary, Barrister Suleman Afridi submitted the written request to IGP Khyber Pakhutunkhwa which cited the statement of Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar, a news story regarding the US drone strike in the Washington Post and decisions of the Peshawar High Court.

IGP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Nasir Durrani has instructed to officers to conduting an inquiry about nomination of foreign countries and institutions’ in FIRs.

Earlier, an FIR had been lodged against unknown persons in the concerned police station.

On November 21, at least six people were killed in a US drone attack in the Hangu area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa the first in the province.

Unpaid dues: KWSB moves SHC against KESC

KARACHI: The dispute between Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) and Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) over the unpaid dues has turned worse as the latter has moved Sindh High Court (SHC) against KESC for persistant load shedding at water pumping stations,

The KWSB authorities said that KESC should put an end to the misery as the citizens are suffering due to water shortage while the latter alleged that KWSB is neither following the court’s order nor realizes the difficulties faced by the citizens.

The petition against KESC was filed by Abrar Hussain Advocate in the SHC which stated that the load shedding carried out by the KESC at the pumping stations is the violation of basic human rights.

The petition further stated that water pressure decreases due to four-hour load shedding and it takes thirty hours to develop the pressure again while pipelines are also being affected due to back pressure attributed to load shedding.

Responding to this, the court issued notice to the MD KESC to submit his reply by Tuesday (tomorrow).

Water pumping stations continue to face up to four hours of power cuts daily owing to the persisting standoff between the KESC and KWSB over unpaid dues.

Karachi is facing a water shortage between 700 million gallons on a daily basis for the past couple of days as the power utility continues with its four-hour power outages at water pumping stations. The affected areas include Landhi, Korangi and Defence while water supply will be suspended in Gulshan-e-Iqbal from today onwards.

Regular water supply to different areas has been affected due to these power outages with the residents in the tail-end areas suffering the most, KWSB Managing-Director Qutubuddin Shaikh said.

Talks between the Sindh government and the power utility officials had broken down on Friday evening after KESC officials asked for 24 hours to consult the management over the demand to end power outages at pumping stations.

On November 20, the KESC had started four-hour power outages a day at all water pumping stations of the KWSB over payment default, warning the water utility of disconnecting the installations if the bills were not paid.

In the past few weeks, the power utility has served several notices to the KWSB for paying its share of dues amounting to Rs25 billion, failing which legal action would be taken according to the high court orders.

KPK protest memo slamming drone attacks handed over to US consulate

PESHAWAR: The cabinet members of Khyber Pukhtunkhaw (KP) handed over a protest memorandum against the drone attacks to the US consulate on Monday here,

Sources said that provincial ministers Sirajul Haque, Shah Farman, Ali Amin, Atif Khan and other members of the cabinet were included among those who handed over the memo to the US consulate.

Talking to the media on this occasion, senior KP minister Sirajul Haque said that we would not allow any more war on our land. He underlined the need for talks between the federal government and the Taliban and urged upon Prime Minister Nawaz Sahrif to take the lead in initiating the much needed talks.

The senior minister said innocent civilians were being killed in the drone attacks and the federal government remained a spectator.

Sirajul Haque said the drone attack in Hangu was tantamount to an attack on Peshawar and Islamabad.

PTI sit-ins continue for the second day

PESHAWAR: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led sit-ins against drone attacks continued for the second day on Monday. PTI protestors checked trailers carrying containers on their way to Afghanistan to block all Nato supplies.

After an overnight break, protestors gathered once again on highways in Peshawar and Nowshera blocking all trailers carrying supplies for Nato forces in Afghanistan.

A handful of activists could be seen on Hayatabad Road in Peshawar stopping trailers and checking the containers by force in a bid to block any Nato supply.

Similarly in Nowshera, PTI workers have staged a sit-in at Khairabad Attock Bridge blocking Nato supplies

Meanwhile, police registered cases against 35 PTI activists for assaulting drivers of trailers heading to Afghanistan during their Sunday protests blocking Nato supplies.

Minor girl killed, 6 injured in Kech rocket attack

KECH: One minor girl was killed and six persons were injured in a rocket attack on a house at Tump in Kech district of the province of Balochistan,

Levies said that some unknown persons fired a rocket on the house of a person identified as Omar located in Lahoo village in Tehsil Tump, which resulted in the death of a minor girl and injuries to six persons, while the house was completely destroyed.

The injured persons were shifted to the hospital after Levies officials arrived at the scene of incident on information.

Sartaj leaves for Tehran today

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister’s Advisor on foreign affairs, Sartaj Aziz will leave for Tehran today to attend a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECO) and to discuss the multi-billion dollars Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline with the top leadership of Iran during his two-day visit,

Sources said that Sartaj Aziz would also call on the Iranian president Hassan Rouhani besides holding meetings with other senior leaders of the country.

The visit is taking place at a time when Iran and the major powers have reached a deal on nuclear programme as Pakistan has always opposed use of force and called for negotiated settlement of the issue.

Following Iran nuclear agreement, Sartaj Aziz would be the first visiting foreign leader to express his country’s appreciation and good wishes to the Iranian leadership for a successful negotiated settlement of this burning issue.

Pakistan's nuclear programme was no more a secret to US in 1987

WASHINGTON: Pakistan's nuclear procurement was exposed as early as 1987 with the arrest of a Pak national, resulting in sharp divisions in the US government, but then Reagan Administration decided to ignore it in lieu of the Islamabad's contribution in Afghanistan against the Russians, the latest set of declassified documents revealed.

The NSA released a set of declassified documents Friday related to the arrest of Arshad Pervez in July 1987 on charges of illegal nuclear procurement, which among others reflects the divisions within the then Ronald Reagan administration.

"The Pervez case demonstrates how US government agencies, including the Customs Bureau and ACDA, sought to monitor and disrupt Pakistan's nuclear procurement activities. For its part, the Reagan White House used loopholes in US non-proliferation laws to avoid the enforcement of sanctions against Pakistan," the National Security Archive (NSA) said.

The documents revealed a record of meetings on 5 August 1987 between the then Pakistani ruler General Ziaul Haq and the US Under Secretary Armacost.

Seeing a "conspiracy" to harm US-Pakistan relations, Armacost observed that Washington could not simply "wink" at Pakistani procurement operations.

He later said that US government "information" indicated that "enrichment levels above 90 per cent have been achieved at Kahuta", the site of a secret gas centrifuge facility. This meant that Pakistan was producing weapons-grade material in violation of an earlier commitment to a five per cent ceiling, the NSA said.

They supplied Pervez with nuclear "shopping lists" that showed that his "activities were part of a larger government-supported plan".

Pervez, who had tried to bribe a Customs official to get an export licence, sought to purchase high strength maraging steel, uniquely suited for gas centrifuge enrichment technology, and quantities of beryllium for his country's covert nuclear program, NSA said.

Adelman wanted President Reagan to invoke the Solarz amendment, which required an aid cut-off in the event that governments receiving US aid or their agents illegally tried to procure material that could be used for a nuclear weapons program, NSA said.

"Reagan, however, refused to invoke the Solarz amendment. Although Pervez would be found guilty, the White House kept aid flowing to Islamabad for reasons of "national security," it said.

NSA said for the Reagan administration, aiding the anti-Soviet war in Afghanistan trumped non-proliferation policy interests.

The high priority given to a close US-Pakistan relationship may have encouraged State Department officials to warn the Pakistanis of the imminent arrest of their agents, it said, adding that a key figure in the AQ Khan nuclear procurement network, Inamul Haq evaded arrest by slipping out of the United States at the last minute.

"A few weeks later, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Michael Armacost explained to Pakistani dictator General Ziaul Haq that state had unsuccessfully tried to get information about the Customs Bureau's investigation of Pervez, but we did alert the GOP [Government of Pakistan] through letters, Ambassador Hinton, and our talks with the Foreign Minister that there was an issue here that needed to be addressed urgently," it said. "I understand the idea of warning, Zia replied," the NSA said.

Khyber Agency: Closure of Pak-Afghan border enters third day

KHYBER AGENCY: The closure of Pak-Afghan border for security reason has entered the third day on Monday here,

Security officials said that following the November 21 suicide attack in the Torkham Customs House, security threats have intensified and as a result the Pak-Afghan border at Torkham has been closed for an indefinite period for all sort of movements.

Sources said that all sorts of trade activities including the Nato supplies, transit trade and movements of the Pakistani and Afghan citizens at the border have remained standstill for the last three days causing immense trouble and inconvenience to the traders and the citizens as well.

Karachi firing incidents, couple amid 4 killed

KARACHI: Four persons including a husband and his wife were killed in different firing incidents in the city on Monday here.

Police said that some unknown persons gunned down a husband and his wife on way on a motorbike near Saleem Centre in North Karachi. The deceased were the residents of Khuda ki Basti.

One body found near Paracha graveyard in Orangi town is yet to be identified.

On the other hand, one persons was shot dead near Sishmahal stop in Liaquatabad.

Killers of innocents are enemies of humanity: Altaf

LONDON: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief, Altaf Hussain Sunday said that those who shed blood of innocents are the enemies of humanity and the political and religious leaders who openly support such elements also fall in the same category, Geo News reported.

According to a statement issued here at MQM London Secretariat, Altaf Hussain was talking to the members of Pakistan National and Provincial assemblies and others who called on him at his residence.

“Those terrorists who slit throats of army men and police personnel besides openly killing innocent citizens by carrying out suicide attacks on mosques, Imam Bargahs and shrines are the enemies of humanity,” the MQM Chief reiterated.

He said the political and religious leaders who instead of condemning these terrorists give them the status of Shaheed (martyr) are also foes of humanity. “The people will have to unite against such elements,” he asserted.

He said the time has come when the country-loving political and religious leaders and the notables belonging to all schools of thought must come forward and distinguish between friends and foes of humanity.

He regretted that on one hand sit-ins and protest demonstrations are being held against US drone attacks while on the other hand dollars are also being received from the same US.

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Pakistan won by 23 runs

Pakistan 218/9 (50 ov)

South Africa 195 (48.1 ov)

Pakistan won by 23 runs

Man of the Match Anwar Ali

Dav Whatmore  has a very content smile on his face, one that is well deserved as his bowlers have really come through in this game. Bilawal Bhatti and Anwar Ali, who had dug the side out of trouble while batting, came to the fore with the ball as well, picking up five wickets between them while Pakistan's spinners were their usual economical selves, so much that Ajmal went under three an over, while picking up two wickets. Jacques Kallis looked breathtaking in his first match back in some time, JP Duminy did his best to shepherd the tail, but his efforts went in vain for the second time in three days

Mibah-ul-Haq says no one can imagine how happy he is with the victory, especially with it being set up by two debutants. He said the plan was to negotiate the new ball, keeping the run-rate around 4-4.25, and then accelerate towards the end. But they kept losing wickets at the wrong time with batsmen getting out after getting starts. The two youngsters made up for it though pushing the total past 200 and said though it was a dodgy total, the bowlers did very well.  

Winning the match, Pakistan leading the three-match series 1-0 as the second and third ODIs are scheduled to be played on November 27 and 30, respectively. 

Sartaj Aziz to visit Iran Monday

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz will visit Iran on Monday.

According to Foreign Office the Advisor will participate in the 21st meeting of the ECO Council of Ministers. The meeting will focus on cooperation among the ECO member states in transport, trade, energy, environment and agriculture sectors.

Sartaz Aziz will also meet Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and other leadership. (PPI)

Begum Naseem Wali announces return to active politics

CHARSADDA: Awami National Party (ANP) veteran leader Begum Naseem Wali Khan has announced her return to active politics,

Addressing the party workers here Sunday, Begum Naseem Wali said she would reorganize the party and Asfandyar Wali and Azam Khan Hoti would have no role in it.

Begum Naseem further said today’s ANP was like a ‘wall of sand’ which needs a push to demolish it. She added that defeat in general elections defamed the party.

She vowed to reorganize the party on modern basis, adding that although she was old enough, however, her feelings were still young.

Demos against drones: Protesters search for NATO supply trucks

PESHAWAR: Demonstrators protesting US drone strikes roughed up drivers Sunday as they sought to stop trucks carrying NATO troop supplies and equipment from passing through Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

The rally came a day after a party led by politician and cricket star Imran Khan said it would prevent NATO supply trucks making their way to and from Afghanistan from travelling through Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province until the US stops drone strikes.

The US leads the NATO coalition of troops battling the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan.

Close to 100 protesters on the outskirts of Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, checked the documents of truck drivers headed toward Afghanistan as they passed through a toll booth. They shouted at the drivers, and pulled one man, Gul Zaman, out of his truck when he told them that he was carrying commercial goods to Afghanistan, not NATO supplies.

"Without waiting for me to take my documents out of the glove compartment, they dragged me out," Zaman said. "We are also concerned about drone attacks, but they shouldn’t come down heavy on us like this."

Police were present at the scene but did not intervene to stop the protesters, some of whom were carrying wooden batons.

Khan, whose Tehreek-e-Insaf party controls the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government, has been a vocal critic of drone attacks. He and other officials say the strikes are a violation of the country’s sovereignty, although the federal government is known to have secretly supported some of the attacks in the past.

Khan led thousands of supporters in a protest near Peshawar on Saturday in which they blocked a road that led to one of two border crossings used by trucks carrying NATO supplies in and out of Afghanistan.

The other crossing is in Baluchistan province.

The demonstration had more symbolic value than practical impact because there is normally very little NATO supply traffic on the weekend.

Federal Information Minister Pervez Rashid accused Khan on Sunday of trying to damage Pakistan’s relationship with NATO countries and neighboring Afghanistan."

Anyone who wants to disturb our relations with neighbors is not serving the country," Rashid said. "Because of Imran Khan we could be isolated in the world."

Rashid said on Saturday that the federal government’s anti-drone stance was clear and accused Khan of "playing politics" with the issue.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has also been a vocal critic of drone strikes since he took office in June. He pushed President Barack Obama to end the attacks during a visit to Washington in October, but the US has shown no indication it will stop using a tool it views as vital for battling al-Qaida and the Taliban.

Khan has pushed the federal government to block NATO supplies across the country to force the US to end drone strikes, but it has shown little interest in doing so.

While Sharif has said he wants the attacks to end, he has also made clear that he values a friendly relationship with the US.

Its unclear if the government will take action to prevent Khan’s supporters from stopping NATO supply trucks.

The land routes through Pakistan have been key to getting supplies to NATO troops in Afghanistan. They now increasingly are being used to ship equipment out of Afghanistan as the US seeks to withdraw most of its combat troops from the country by the end of 2014. (AP)

Fazl calls for 'joint' firefighting in burning Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

KARAK: Claiming that all the religious schools of thought including Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) aim to bring about Shariah in Pakistan according to the constitution, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman Sunday said Khyber Pkahtunkhwa was on fire and all the stakeholders had to fight it down jointly,

“Times are critical for Khyber Pkahtunkhwa for it is the most vulnerable province militancy wise”, said he addressing a public rally here.

For peace in the country, he said, it was JUI-F, which proposed the dialogue was the way to go.

“We advocated that talks were indispensable for peace. The subsequent dialogue process,though short-lived, very well proved our policies far-reaching and the leadership farsighted”, said he.

Fazl also claimed that JUI-F wanted to bring about Shariah in Pakistan according to Constitution of Pakistan.

“It is said that Taliban do not accept the constitution and the law of the land and they want to enforce Shariah at gunpoint, but I want to make it clear that it is absolutely not our ideology”, said JUI-F chief.

Fazl stressed that JUI-F was not in the favour of shedding blood for this peaceful cause, adding the constitution would continue to be trampled like this unless Islam governed the whole system.

He vouched for all the religious-schools-of-thought's being unanimous on demanding effectuation of Shariah law in the country while staying within the boundaries of Constitution.

PTI protesters take break; will re-assemble Monday

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) demonstrators dispersed Sunday evening to take a break for the night with an announcement from the party that the protest will be continued tomorrow (Monday) against the unilateral missile attacks by the CIA operated US drones inside Pakistan.

Earlier today, the protesters roughed up drivers as they sought to stop trucks carrying NATO troop supplies and equipment from passing through Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

The rally came a day after a party led by politician and cricket star Imran Khan said it would prevent NATO supply trucks making their way to and from Afghanistan from travelling through Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province until the US stops drone strikes.

The US leads the NATO coalition of troops battling the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan.

Close to 100 protesters on the outskirts of Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, checked the documents of truck drivers headed toward Afghanistan as they passed through a toll booth. They shouted at the drivers, and pulled one man, Gul Zaman, out of his truck when he told them that he was carrying commercial goods to Afghanistan, not NATO supplies.

"Without waiting for me to take my documents out of the glove compartment, they dragged me out," Zaman said. "We are also concerned about drone attacks, but they shouldn’t come down heavy on us like this."

Police were present at the scene but did not intervene to stop the protesters, some of whom were carrying wooden batons.

Khan, whose Tehreek-e-Insaf party controls the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government, has been a vocal critic of drone attacks. He and other officials say the strikes are a violation of the country’s sovereignty, although the federal government is known to have secretly supported some of the attacks in the past.

Khan led thousands of supporters in a protest near Peshawar on Saturday in which they blocked a road that led to one of two border crossings used by trucks carrying NATO supplies in and out of Afghanistan.

The other crossing is in Baluchistan province.

The demonstration had more symbolic value than practical impact because there is normally very little NATO supply traffic on the weekend.

Federal Information Minister Pervez Rashid accused Khan on Sunday of trying to damage Pakistan’s relationship with NATO countries and neighboring Afghanistan."

Anyone who wants to disturb our relations with neighbors is not serving the country," Rashid said. "Because of Imran Khan we could be isolated in the world."

Rashid said on Saturday that the federal government’s anti-drone stance was clear and accused Khan of "playing politics" with the issue.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has also been a vocal critic of drone strikes since he took office in June. He pushed President Barack Obama to end the attacks during a visit to Washington in October, but the US has shown no indication it will stop using a tool it views as vital for battling al-Qaida and the Taliban.

Khan has pushed the federal government to block NATO supplies across the country to force the US to end drone strikes, but it has shown little interest in doing so.

While Sharif has said he wants the attacks to end, he has also made clear that he values a friendly relationship with the US.

Its unclear if the government will take action to prevent Khan’s supporters from stopping NATO supply trucks.

The land routes through Pakistan have been key to getting supplies to NATO troops in Afghanistan. They now increasingly are being used to ship equipment out of Afghanistan as the US seeks to withdraw most of its combat troops from the country by the end of 2014. (AP)

All politicians are scared of US, says JI chief Munawar Hassan

KARACHI: Ameer (chief) of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Syed Munawar Hassan giving a sweeping statement accused all the political leaders of being scared of US,

“They are all so afraid of America that they can’t even stand up like a man against the drone attacks, which are out and out a violation of the sovereignty of Pakistan”, Hassan said talking to a protest rally staged against drone attacks.

He declared that all the hegemonic US policies ran counter to the interests of Islamic Ummah.

"The government should be alive to the fact that US designs its policies to exploit and weaken Islamic Ummah", said he.

He said those who voted Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) into power should question Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as to what did he do to stop US from breaching Pakistan’s sovereignty.

“Prime Minister Nawaz Shairf, Interior Minister Ch Nisar Ali Khan, and Advisor to PM on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz should apologize to the nation for all the drone attacks”, said JI Ameer.

He demanded of the government to revisit its foreign policy and stop bowing down to US and India.

South Africa restrict Pakistan to 218-9

CAPE TOWN: Pakistan were restricted to 219 runs for nine wickets by South African bowlers in the first One-day International here at Newlands on Sunday.

Pakistan openers Ahmed Shehzad (35) and Nasir Jamshed (24) provided a good start making 49 runs after their captain Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss and elected to bat.

But later, they lost five quick wickets before reaching 100 in 30 overs.

However, young batsman Sohaib Maqsood (22) and allrounder Shahid Afridi (26) made some useful runs and later Bilawal Bhatti and seamer Anwar Ali, who were making their ODI debut, saved the team from complete collapse.

Bilawal made 39 with two sixes and three fours while Anwar top scored with an unbeaten 43, hitting six boundaries. Both added 74 runs for the eighth wicket partnership.

For South Africa pace bowlers Dale Styen and Morne Morkel captured three wickets each for 33 and 39, respectively while veteran allrounder Jacques Kallis claimed two wickets.

Australia beat England by 381 runs

BRISBANE: Some lightning fast bowling from Mitchell Johnson on a hail-hit Gabba ground helped Australia to a 381-run win over England with a day to spare in the Ashes series opener.

After two rain interruptions, including a hail storm that scattered the crowd on day four, Johnson took five wickets as Australia dismissed England for 179 in the second innings late Sunday to claim its first test victory in 10 tests matches.

There were some heated verbal exchanges and finger pointing between opposing players, setting up what should be a hotly contested five-test series.

England came to Australia aiming to win the "old urn" for a fourth straight series for the first time since the 1800s , only three months after clinching the Ashes 3-0 at home in August.

West Indies won by 2 wickets

India 288/7 (50 ov)

West Indies 289/8 (49.3 ov)

West Indies won by 2 wickets (with 3 balls remaining)

England on the ropes in massive run chase

BRISBANE: England were fighting to save the opening Ashes Test after a demoralising third day dominated by Australia at the Gabba on Saturday.

Skipper Michael Clarke left the tourists toiling in the field chasing after the ball before calling a halt with just over an hour left and setting England an improbable 561 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the five-Test series.

England will have to create Ashes history to win the Gabba Test with their previous highest winning fourth innings score at 332 for seven in Melbourne in 1928.The world record for the highest successful run chase is the West Indies 418 for seven against Australia in Antigua in 2003, while the highest winning chase at the Gabba is Australia’s 236 for seven against the West Indies in 1951.

England had a wretched start to their marathon salvage operation when Michael Carberry was bowled by Ryan Harris for a duck in the fifth over and Jonathan Trott completed a sorry match when he pulled straight to Nathan Lyon at deep square leg for nine.Carberry, England’s top scorer in the first innings with 40, played back to Harris only for the ball to trickle through his legs and dislodge the bails.

England went to stumps at 24 for two with Alastair Cook on 11 and Kevin Pietersen not out three.

Pietersen almost ran out his skipper when he darted off for a quick single on his first ball faced and Cook just made his ground.

Clarke held on to his declaration decision seemingly to inflict maximum mental damage on Cooks team to set the tone for the rest of the Tests, after England’s 3-0 series win three months ago for their third straight Ashes triumph.

Clarke and David Warner hit centuries as Australia accumulated an imposing 401 for seven, representing an overall lead of 560 as the home side set out to protect their 25-year unbeaten run at the Gabba ground.

No protest demos on Sunday: Shia Ulema Council

KARACHI: Leader of Shia Ulema Council (SUC) Shabbir Matmi Saturday announced to cancel the protest demonstrations which were scheduled to be held Sunday under the SUC’s banner.

Addressing a press conference here, Shabbir Matimi appealed to the government and Supreme Court of Pakistan to probe the Rawalpindi incident and bring those to justice who orchestrated it.

The SUC leader said since that the participants of the mourning procession in Rawalpindi on the occasion of Ahura neither had weapons nor petrol on them, so the question arises where these things came from.

He also demanded of the government to investigate into the torching of 300 Qurans in mosques and Imam Bargahs.

Shabbir Matmi said the situation would improve if the Shia and Sunni communities stand up to the enemies of Islam together.

TTP Karachi chief among 3 terrorists held

KARACHI: Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of Karachi Police Department and Citizen-Police Liason Committee in a joint action Saturday copped a Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander and two of his henchmen.

“The militants were arrested during a raid on a house in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Colony”, said SSP (SIU), Farooq Awaan said talking to media men here at his office.

The action was taken following credible intelligence that terrorists were holed up in a building in the said area, said he.

The chief of TTP’s Karachi chapter, Abdul Qadir, and his two comrades are Orakzai tribesmen, the SSP added.

“We have recovered Jihadi literature, stack of TTP letterhead pads, and weapons in the raid”, Awan said.

He also revealed that these terrorists were involved in extorting millions from various industrialists telling them that this money was going to Osama bin Laden and slain TTP leader Hakimullah Mehsud.

Sattar says terrorists taking revenge from innocent Pakistanis

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Dr Farooq Sattar has said that terrorists were taking revenge of their fight with Americans from the innocent people of Pakistan.

Speaking at a ceremony held in connection with the Friday’s Ancholi blast, Sattar said that the terrorists took revenge of Hangu drone attack by carrying out attack in Karachi.

He also criticized the KP government for lodging an FIR of Hangu drone attack against unknown people.

The MQM leader said that according to the FIR five of the deceased killed in the drone attack were foreign nationals.

He said that as to why those who were staging sit-in against the killing of foreigners had not protested killing of Pakistanis.

KSE ends a rangebound session on a flat note

KARACHI: Pakistan's apex bourse, Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE), ended a rangebound session on a flat note here on Friday.

The benchmark KSE-100 Index jumped 0.27 percent, or 63.39 points, to 23,847.57.

The countrywide protest against Rawlpindi tragedy kept the capital market on a tight leash, the dealers said.

On the rollover day Engro Corporation and Pakistan State Oil (PSO) saw some fresh buying.

Engro was up by 0.69 percent to Rs144.52, whereas PSO 2.02 percent to close at Rs312.99.

Multiple quakes rattle northeast China

BEIJING: Multiple earthquakes hit northeast China Saturday, with a 5.5 magnitude the strongest among them, according to seismologists, causing serious damage to homes.

The 5.5 magnitude quake hit at 6:04 am (2204 GMT Friday), 34 kilometres (21 miles) north of Changling in Jilin province at a shallow depth of 12.5 kilometres, the US Geological Survey said.

It was followed around thirty minutes later by a 4.9 magnitude quake just south of Qianan town, with a similar tremor felt a day earlier in the same area. State TV images showed seriously damaged houses, some with roofs or walls partially collapsed.

Some villages lost power, according to the Xinhua news agency, which did not mention casualties.

A magnitude 6.6 earthquake in southwest Chinas Sichuan province killed about 200 people in April, five years after almost 90,000 people were killed by a huge tremor in the same province.

Top diplomats in homestretch for Iran nuclear deal

GENEVA: US Secretary of State John Kerry and his counterparts from other world powers gathered in Geneva on Saturday hoping to put the finishing touches to a landmark nuclear deal with Iran.

It was their second attempt in the same Swiss city in two weeks to nail down a deal curbing Iran’s disputed nuclear programme in exchange for limited sanctions relief.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhanis election in June has created big hopes that the standoff over Iran’s nuclear work can be resolved after a decade of failed diplomatic initiatives and rising tensions.

The risks posed by failure are high: further nuclear expansion by Iran, more painful sanctions and the possibility of Israeli and even US military action.

Kerry decided to go back "in light of the progress being made" after three days of negotiations in Geneva and "with the hope that an agreement will be reached", State Department spokesperson Marie Harf said Friday.

Due to join Kerry in Switzerland were Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as well as Britain’s and Germany’s envoys William Hague and Guido Westerwelle. Frances Laurent Fabius arrived early Saturday and Russia’s Sergei Lavrov on Friday.

Representing Iran was Foreign Minister Mohammad Jarad Zarif. The talks are chaired by EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who held talks with different parties until the early hours of Saturday morning.

The Chinese foreign ministry said the talks were "entering their final phase." A French diplomatic source said: "Its the homestretch but preceding negotiations have taught us prudence.

"Lavrov said that "for the first time in many years" there was a "real opportunity" for a deal, a Russian statement said after he and Zarif met late Friday.

"I want an accord, but a solid accord," Fabius, who secured a hardening of the P5+1s draft proposal at the last talks, told reporters early on Saturday morning.

The talks involve the permanent five UN Security Council members -- the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France -- plus Germany. Iran says its nuclear programme is peaceful but many in the international community suspect it is aimed at acquiring nuclear weapons.

"Not all the questions are entirely dealt with. We hope to get a result during negotiations this morning," Iranian news agency IRNA quoted an informed source as saying.

The six powers want Iran to stop spinning, for six months initially, some of its many thousand centrifuges enriching uranium to levels close to weapons-grade.

They also want Tehran to stop construction work at Arak and to grant the International Atomic Energy Agency more intrusive inspection rights.

In return they are offering Iran minor and reversible relief from painful sanctions including unlocking several billion dollars in oil revenues and easing some trade restrictions.

18,000 evacuated after pipeline explosion in China: govt

BEIJING: Some 18,000 people were evacuated from a Chinese coastal city after an oil pipeline explosion killed at least 47 people and sent thick black smoke billowing into the sky, a local government report said Saturday.

The Friday morning blast in Qingdao ripped roads apart, pictures showed, while leaving many sections of the city cut off from utilities. The latest government report Saturday did not explicitly state a reason for the evacuation, mention its timing, or whether people had been able to return to their homes. But, according to official media, students from nearby schools and local residents were handed out masks over fears of possible toxic emissions.

The Global Times later reported: "Environmental monitoring shows that the concentration of toxic materials is within national standards".

The impact of the blast disrupted the supply of water, gas and electricity in parts of the city, with the government distributing 2,000 candles on Friday night.

Authorities also provided 40,000 servings of free food for breakfast and lunch on Saturday.

Electricity has now been restored in all but two communities in the district, the local government said.

The pipeline, run by state-owned oil giant Sinopec, sprang a leak early Friday and exploded several hours later as workers sought to repair it, the Qingdao municipal government said in its verified account on Sina Weibo, a Chinese equivalent of Twitter.