PAKISTAN

PESHAWAR: An extremist injured in a clash with security forces near Peshawar on 17th March has escaped from ICRC hospital, Geo News reported.

Five security personnel were killed when militants stormed an outpost here at Peshawar's boundary with Khyber tribal region and one attacker was injured when forces retaliated, a security official said.

The injured militant was admitted to ICRC hospital, Peshawar.

When police arrived to arrest him hospital authorities tried to refuse them but when police came later man was not present in the hospital.

Police alleged hospital management for helping terrorist escape. Police authorities have sought Foreign Office's help in seeking clarification from ICRC regarding this incident.

MIRANSHAH: The extremists have killed at least three people in North Waziristan Agency tehsil of Mir Ali, Geo News reported Sunday.

According to sources, these three people were gunned down for allegedly spying for the US in Mir Ali area of Ashauri Adda.

A letter found from the bodies of the killed said the same fate awaits for those who spy for the US. However, nobody has accepted the responsibility of their killings.

According to sources, all these three people were abducted two weeks ago from a Mir Ali market.

 KARACHI: At least four people were injured in a blast at Murree Chawk near Hub Chawki, Geo News quoted the Rescue sources as saying Sunday.

 KARACHI: The core committee of the ruling coalition of Sindh, PPP and MQM on Saturday met at Sindh Governor House and discussed issues to adopt the new local government (LG) system in the province.

Governor of Sindh Dr.Ishrat ul Ibad, Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Interior Minister A Rehman Malik also attended the meeting.

Senior Sindh Minister for Education, Pir Mazhar ul Haq, Minister for Local Government Agha Siraj Durrani and Irrigation Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah represented PPP in the meeting, while Dr Farooq Sattar, Raza Haroon, Babar Ghori Adil Siddiqui, Wasim Aftab and Dr Saghir Ahmed argued from MQM side.

Core committee apprised the leadership of the working relationship between the coalition partners and ongoing talks on local government system.

According to sources, PPP wanted to restore the new local government matching to the 1979 LG system, while MQM was interested in retaining 2001 local bodies system with some changes.

The meeting remained inconclusive as both the sides could not reach on any consensus to adopt joint draft of new LG system, sources said.

 ATHENS: A bomb exploded early Saturday outside the home of a Pakistani community leader in Athens without injuring anyone, Greek police said.

Anonymous warnings made by telephone to a Greek television station and a newspaper 15 minutes before the explosion enabled police to seal off the area.

Media reports said the bomb had targetted the home of the chairman of the Greek-Pakistan friendship association. A bomb squad was examining the remains of the device for clues.

The Pakistani community in Greece numbers several thousand members, most of whom live in the greater Athens area.

Muslim migrants in Greece have faced increasing hostility from far-right militants in recent years, and the Pakistani community has frequently denounced attacks on its members by Greek youths.

Saturday's bombing occurred in the central Athens district of Agios Panteleimonas which has a strong immigrant presence and where protests both in favour and against foreigners have been held in recent months.

KARACHI: Karachi Police arrested three Taliban militants planning "big terror attacks" on Saturday amid a wave of violence engulfing the financial hub Karachi, the force said.

"The three men, who belong to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were arrested from the Site industrial area during a police encounter on Saturday morning," a senior police official, Raja Omar Khittab told AFP.

"We are interrogating the three TTP militants," Khittab said, adding: "We also seized a bomb-making laboratory in the nearby Qaim Khan Colony on the basis of information provided by the rebels."

He said the arrested men were planning "big terror attacks" in Karachi, adding that police recovered a huge quantity of explosives, detonators and other equipment from the laboratory.

Local intelligence officials confirmed the arrests and said Subhan Ghani, one of the three men, was leader of the trio.

 LAHORE: The District and Sessions Judge (D&SJ), Lahore Saturday submitted his report on Judicial Inquiry into the allegations levelled by DSP Imran Babar Jameel against his seniors.

According to a press release issued here by Registrar Lahore High Court Abdus Sattar Asghar, the D&SJ reported that the DSP was not brought under any pressure at any stage by his superiors.

Justice Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry of Lahore High Court had ordered inquiry into the allegations by the DSP while hearing a constitutional petition in which he had alleged his seniors had pressurised him for releasing some robbers arrested by him.

 RAWALPINDI: Violent protests continued in Faizabad and Murre-Bara Kahu Road against hike in fares of public transport.

Protestors set bon fires and pelting stones at police as police resort tear gas shelling. On the other hand, Rangers have been called in Faizabad to bring situation under control.

Angry protestors smashed windowpanes of shops and vehicles, set ablaze a car and blocked the road. Five policemen sustained injuries during the protest. Expressway and Murree Road have been closed for traffic.

Police have arrested several protestors as severe shelling and Ariel firing on in these areas. Sporadic clashes have also been reported. Protestors blamed that administration has been failed to rein transporters who charged increased fares, which is the reason of today’s violence.

LAHORE/HYDERABAD: Severe load shedding continued across the country as prolonged power cuts made common man’s life miserable.

Hyderabad, Sukkur, Khairpur, Noshehro Feroz, Ghotki, Obaro, Nawabshah, Jaccobabad, Mirpur Khas and Larkana experiencing eight-hour load shedding in urban areas and 18- hour load shedding in rural areas.

More than ten-hour load shedding affected industrial activities in Sialkot and Faisalabad whereas daily life also affected in different areas of Punjab due to 12 to 14 hours load shedding. Balochistan, NWFP and Azad Kashmir also passing through prolonged power cuts. Common expressed anger over organizations responsible for electric supply and demanded stern action against them and reduction in the duration of load shedding.

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik said youth wings of some political parties provoked protestors in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Talking to media outside Parliament House here on Friday, Interior Minister said stern action will be taken against those involved in violent incidents. Government is in touch with administration, student leaders and transporters. Strict measures will be taken to restore law and order, he added.

 PESHAWAR: The NWFP chapter of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) was a coalition partner and would not sit on opposition benches, party's parliamentary leader, Abdul Akbar Khan told Geo News today.

Akbar Khan pointed out that conflicts with Awami National Party over appointments of administrators were resolved.

He rejected reports regarding PPP’s decision to resign from the Awami National Party-led coalition government.

PPP MPA’s would apprise President Asif Zardari of the situation within the next several days, he added.

ISLAMABAD: The violent protest against hike in public transport fares in Islamabad and Rawalpindi was continued on Friday as protesters at Bara Kaho burnt tyres and closed Murree and Saddar roads.

The roadblocks caused traffic jam in capital city as angry protesters chanted slogans against the authorities and hurled stones on police and vehicles. Heavy police contingents were reached at the scene and carried out tear gas shelling to disperse the protestors.

Fresh protests erupted when transporters charged increased fares on Friday morning despite reports of restoration of old fares on Thursday.

 ISLAMABAD: The United Nations refugee agency Friday announced repatriation of Afghan refugees, currently staying in Pakistan, from March 22, Geo news reported.

Spokesman to UNHCR said the process of registration has come to end now while thousands of Afghan refugees are hiding illegally in parts of Pakistan sans registration.

Talking to Geo news correspondent Asif Ali Bhatti here in Islamabad, he said a total of 1.7 million Afghan refugees have been registered so far who will be sent back home through Peshawar and Quetta centers.

Every individual will be provided with necessary aid besides 100 dollars, he said.

According to a government source, as many as 2.5 million Afghan refugees are still living in Pakistan.

 ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad administration Thursday acted sharply by accepting all the demands of violent protestors, who took to street against the hike in fare of public transport.

Deputy Commissioner Islamabad suspended the notification issued about raise in transport fare and restored old charges.

Earlier, the enraged protestors blocked Murree Road, which led to worst traffic jam.

Police used gas shells and baton-charged the protestors, but it failed to disperse them.

The aerial firing left a protestor injured, who was shifted to PIMS hospital in a critical condition. This annoyed the protestors, who started pelting stones on policemen, injuring eight of them.

Besides, the protestors also tortured some policemen and torn apart their uniforms. One bus and police vehicles were damaged by the violent protestors.

Taking notice of the incident, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani directed Interior Minister Rehman Malik to immediately submit the report.

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Thursday the need to rebuild trust with the United States was key to upcoming talks and called on Washington to follow up words with action.

"My message to the US is that the time has come to walk the talk," he told a news conference in Islamabad.

Qureshi and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are scheduled to lead talks in Washington next week aimed at boosting the economy and security of Pakistan, a key ally in the fight against Al-Qaeda and the long war in Afghanistan.

They will chair the March 24 talks on what the State Department says will be economic development, education, agriculture and security.

"I believe our forthcoming dialogue will provide a good opportunity to re-build confidence and trust on both sides," said Qureshi, adding: "we need to build comfort on all sides".

"We want these talks to be broad based and that is why I am proposing a completely different format for interaction between the two countries."

President Barack Obama's administration has sought to engage more deeply with Pakistan, which has long seen Washington as interested only in securing its military cooperation in the fight against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.

Qureshi said the Pakistani foreign minister and US secretary of state should meet annually and the Pakistani foreign secretary and US regional envoy Richard Holbrooke should hold talks twice a year.

"I am also proposing 10 tracks of sectoral engagements in economy, energy, defence, education, science and technology, counter-terrorism strategic stability and non proliferation, health, communication, agriculture and public diplomacy," said Qureshi.

He said his engagements in Washington would "contribute to a better understanding of each other's position. We expect the US to understand our concerns both in the realm of security and economic development."

 ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday appointed Senator Mian Raza Rabbani as Advisor to the Prime Minister.
Mian Raza Rabbani is presently the Deputy Secretary General of Pakistan People's Party. He is also the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reforms.

He was Federal Minister of State for Law and Justice (1994-1996). He earlier held the portfolio as Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination in the present government.

LONDON: Prime Minister Gordon Brown thanked Pakistan on Thursday for helping secure the release of a five-year-old British boy after a 12-day kidnapping ordeal.

"People of course are very, very happy that this potentially tragic story is ending in Sahil coming back to our country today," he said, referring to Sahil Saeed, who was flying home after being reunited with his father.

"I think we have got to recognise the exceptional role played by Greater Manchester Police and thank the Pakistan government," he added, speaking in the child's home town of Oldham, near Manchester in northern England.

Sahil was reunited with his father, Raja Naqqash Saeed, in Islamabad before they headed back to Britain, days after the boy's uncle dropped off a ransom of 110,000 pounds (168,000 dollars) in Paris.

"It's obviously been a very anxious time for everybody and the whole country has been following this sad episode, where a five-year-old to be separated from his family is really a very terrible experience," Brown said.

"We have got to have some understanding of what people have been going through, particularly Sahil, who hopefully will get back to enjoying his life."

  KARACHI: A Yemeni national, who was kidnapped some two years ago for ransom, was recovered from Karachi, Geo News reported Thursday.

According to sources, the police raised a house located in Gulshan-e-Maymar area and arrested five accused besides recovering the abducted foreigner, Muhammad al-Qaid.

SO Rao Anwar confirmed that the al-Qaid was recovered by the police.

KARACHI: Severe load shedding continued today on alternate hours after furnace oil provided to Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) ended at 11:00 am.

According to KESC sources, Pakistan State Oil (PSO) provided 1000 tones of furnace oil to KESC on cash payment, ended Thursday morning, forcing electricity supplier for massive power load shedding.

Areas of Gilshan-e-Iqbal, PECHS, Gulshan-e-Jamal Garden and Jehangir Road were out of power supply since early morning.

KARACHI: Sindh National Front chief Mumtaz Bhutto said Thursday that “If President Asif Ali Zardari knows the killers of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto they why doesn’t he make them public?”

This he said while speaking to a member of the UN team probing Benazir Bhutto’s murder.

Speaking to reporters following the meeting, the SNF leader said that real action could be taken once the F.I.R was registered in this connection.

He said the UN team could only submit a report; it was not authorized to initiate any action.

 LAHORE: Electricity crisis once again resurfaced across the country as power shortfall reaches 3,500 MW, leading to increased number of powerless hours.

The demand of electricity has climbed to 11,500 MW against total power generation which presently stands at 8,500 MW.

With the onset of summer season, the duration of load shedding across the country soared to 17 hours in small cities and towns and 10 to 12 hours in Lahore and other major cities.

PEPCO spokesman hoped the situation will improve in coming few days with the rise of water level in the dams.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik said Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is receiving strength from Punjabi Taliban, Geo News reported Wednesday.

He was speaking at a special cabinet session to review the law and order situation in the country. The session is currently in progress.

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani is presiding over the session being attended by Azad Kashmir Premier, Chief Ministers of four provinces, IGs of Police and representatives of the law enforcement agencies.

The sources told the Federal Interior Minister briefed the session over the law and order and anti-terror measures in the country.

He said the Al-Qaeda and the TTP are enervating Pakistan.

According to sources, Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif will inform the cabinet about the investigations of Lahore bomb blasts.

The cabinet is mulling over formulating a joint strategy and improving intelligence sharing between the law-enforcement agencies to cope with the current wave of terrorism in the country.

LAHORE: The power shortfall has gone up by 4000 MW, causing eight to 12 hours of power cuts across the country.

The water and power ministry said that country’s power demand stands at 12000 MW as compared to total production, which remains 8200 MW.

The water level in Tarbela, Mangla has dropped to dead level, says a report by Indus River System Authority.

It says that water flow at Nowshehra was recorded 15, 000 cusecs while it remained 10, 000 cusecs at Marala.

 
 KARACHI: Four people have been killed and two injured due to firing at Tipu Sultan road Karachi, rescue sources told Geo News.

According to the police sources, victims were coming from Central Jail in a taxi and belonged to a political party. Assailants were on motorbikes and open fire from different sides.

KARACHI: Four people have been killed and two injured due to firing at Tipu Sultan road Karachi, rescue sources told Geo News.

KHAIRPUR: At least five people drowned as their boat capsized in Nara Canal near Kathore area of Khairpur; however, three were rescued, Geo News reported Wednesday.

According to police sources, there were 14 aboard the boat who were crossing the Canal.

Five bodies have been retrieved from the canal.

The local people and police are taking part in the relief efforts.

Police officials said they are looking for six missing people

 ISLAMABAD: Dr. Abdul Hafiz Sheikh, who was Federal Privatization and Investment Minister is expected to assume the office as advisor on Finance on Friday, Geo News revealed Wednesday.

After his meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, he left for Dubai. He agreed to assume charge as Finance Advisor, after being tipped for the slot.

He is expected to meet the Prime Minister tomorrow.

Government has formally decided to appoint Dr. Abdul Hafiz Sheikh, who was Federal Investment Minister in regime of Former President Gen. (Retd) Pervez Musharraf, as Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance.

Dr. Abdul Hafiz Sheikh on Tuesday met President Asif Ali Zardari here at Awan-e-Sadr and discussed overall country’s trade, economic and investment situation, official sources informed.

Dr. Abdul Hafiz Sheikh was summoned by President Asif Ali Zardari for meeting and he would be appointed as Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs, sources said.

The slot of Dr. Abdul Hafiz Sheikh would be akin to Federal Minister. It may be recalled here earlier Naseem Baig, Hafiz Pasha, Ishrat Hussain and Makhdoom Shahbuddin were running for slot of Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance but out of which name of no one could be finalized.

Official sources confirmed that Dr. Abdul Hafiz Sheikh would be given important responsibilities in upcoming days..

The notification into this effect is likely to be issued within some days. It may be recalled here Dr. Abdul Hafiz Sheikh also served as Finance Minister Sindh.

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari Tuesday signed the Seventh National Finance Award (NFC) at a ceremony held in Aiwan-e-Sadr here.

The Chief Ministers and Governors of all four provinces attended the award-signing ceremony.

Earlier, President Zardari held a meeting with chief ministers and governors and discussed issues pertaining to the NFC Award.

The Seventh National Finance Commission Award was signed on Dec 29, 2009 by the finance ministers of the four provinces and the federal government.

The signing was witnessed by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Punjab Chief Minster Shahbaz Sharif, NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti, Balochistan Chief Minister Aslam Raisani and members of the federal cabinet, while Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah signed the accord because he holds the portfolio of the provincial finance ministry.

The award will come into effect from the next financial year.

According to the award, the provinces would get Rs227 billion in the first year under the new NFC award in addition to their current share of Rs550 billion in financial resources.

The amount will increase to Rs850 billion the following year and to Rs1,250 billion by the fifth year.

Under the award, Balochistan’s share in the provincial pool had been increased to 9.09 per cent, which will amount to Rs83 billion in the first year.

After considering special needs of Balochistan and application of multiple indicators, Punjab has been allocated a share of 51.74 per cent, Sindh 24.55 per cent and the NWFP 14.62 per cent. The share of Punjab has dropped by 1.27 per cent, Sindh by 0.39 per cent and the NWFP by 0.26 per cent.

The distribution is based on 82 per cent weightage to population, 10.3 per cent to poverty, 2.5 per cent to revenue generation, 2.5 per cent to revenue collection and 2.7 per cent to area.

The provinces’ share in the divisible pool will increase from the current 47.5 per cent to 56 per cent in the first year and 57.5 per cent afterwards.

KARACHI: A blast occurred near Chandni Chowk in Garden area of Karachi on Tuesday, killing one woman and injuring three others, including children.

According to SP Umar Farooq, the blast left four people injured, including women. The deceased woman was identified as Samia, while injured included Zeshan, Mehak, Naveed and Mrs. Norren Aslam.

The police sources said that unidentified men hurled explosives in trash bump,

The dead and injured were shifted to Civil Hospital.

Meanwhile, security forces cordoned off the area after the blast.

Cheepa sources confirmed that tone woman was killed and two children were injured in the explosion.

ISLAMABAD: The President, in exercise of powers under Article 45 of the Constitution has granted special remission in sentences of convicted prisoners on the occasion of Pakistan day on March 23.

Special remission of 90 days of the prisoners convicted for life imprisonment except those convicted for murder, espionage, anti-Stage activities, sectarianism, Zina (Sec. 10 Offence of Zina (Enforcement of Hudood) Ordinance, 1979 (Also under Sec. 377 PPC), robbery (Sec. 394 PPC), dacoity (Sec. 395-296 PPC), kidnapping/ Abduction (Sec. 364-A & 365-A), and terrorist acts (as defined in the anti-Terrorism (Second amendment) Ordinance, 1999 (No.XIII of 1999).

Special remission for 45 days to all other convicts except the condemned prisoners and also except those convicted of murder, espionage, subversion, anti-state activities, terrorist act (as defined in the Anti-Terrorism (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 1999 (No. XIII of 1999), Zina (Sec. 10 offence of Zina (Enforcement of Hudood) Ordinance, 1979 (also under section 377 PPC), kidnapping / abduction (Sec. 364-A & 365-A) robbery (Sec. 394 PPC), dacoity (Sec. 395-396 PPC) and those undergoing sentences under the Foreigners Act, 1946.
Special remission at sub-paras i & ii above will be admissible provided that the convicts have undergone 2/3rd of their substantive sentence of imprisonment.

Total remission to male prisoners who are 65 years of age or above and have undergone at least 1/3rd of their substantive sentence of imprisonment, except those involved in culpable homicide and those involved in terrorist acts, as defined in the anti terrorism (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 1999 (No. XIII of 1999).

Total remission to female prisoners who are 60 years of age or above and have undergone at least 1/3rd of their sentence of imprisonment, except those involved in culpable homicide and those involved in terrorist acts, as defined in the Anti Terrorism (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 1999 (No. XII of 1999).

Special remission of one year to female prisoners who have accompanying children and are serving sentence of imprisonment for crimes other than culpable homicide and those involved in terrorist acts, as defined in the anti Terrorism (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 1999 (No. XIII of 1999).

Total remission of juvenile convicts (under 18 years of age) who served 1/3rd of their substantive sentence except those involved in culpable homicide, terrorist act, as defined in the anti-Terrorism (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 1999 (No. XIII of 1999), Zina (Sec. 10 offence of Zina (Enforcement of Hudood) Ordinance, 1979 (also under section 377 PPC), robbery (Sec. 394 PPC), dacoity (Sec. 395-396 PPC), kidnapping/abduction (Sec. 364-A & 365-A) and anti-state activities.

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA) called a meeting of it’s Governing Body to observe ‘Iftikhar Day’, which was hit by controversial remarks uttered by former president Abrar Hasan.

The meeting was organized by members of the SHCBA in the absence of President Rashid Rizvi.

SHCBA General Secretary Abid Zuberi presented a resolution thanking judges’ restoration and renewing pledge to continue the struggle. The resolution was unanimously passed.

Speaking on this occasion, former Advocate General Abdul Hafiz Lakho and former SHCBA president Abrar Hasan criticized some Supreme Court’s rulings.

Hasan said that the lawyers must now promise that they would not become tool at the hands of any political group.

On this, Advocate Shakil Ahmed rose on his seat and said Abrar Hasan should not accept that he had been using lawyers for a political party.

 LAHORE: On completion of one year of judges’ restoration, the lawyers on Tuesday observed ‘Iftikhar Day’ across the country.

The Lahore High Court Bar Association held it’s General Body meeting to mark the day.

The lawyers expressed the determination that lawyers’ community and people stand by independent judiciary and any conspiracy against it will be foiled.

On the occasion of Thanking Day, speaking at the LHCBA meeting, speakers said country stability and independent judiciary are vial.

They also expressed concerns about delay being made in implementation of Supreme Court’s ruling.

KARACHI: A blast has occurred at crowded Soldier Bazaar of Karachi, police said.

The police said that unidentified men hurled explosives in Soldier Bazaar, injuring several people, including women and children.

 LAHORE: Watan Party chief Barrister Zafrullah today filed a petition at the Supreme Court (SC) registry of Lahore to declare the decision on the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) null and void.

The petition stated that Justice Khalilur Rehman Ramday should not have been the part of the bench that gave the decision on the NRO while his brothers were politicians and had affiliations with the PML-N, while the biggest.

Chaudhry Asadur Rehman, of the two brothers of Justice Ramday, is a former PML-N minister while Chaudhry Mohammad Farooq is a former attorney-general.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will witness dry weather in most areas with mercury soaring to higher level in Sindh, Geo News reported Sunday.

The maximum temperature was recorded at 41 degree Celsius in Nawabshah on Saturday.

Meantime, the reserves of usable water at Tarbela and Mangla dams were recorded at 21,000 acre feet with 4000 acre feet at Mangla Dam.

Mangla Dam receives inflow of 20,584 cusecs with outflow at 21,634 cusecs; while, the water level came down to dead level at 1040 feet.

The water inflow at Tarbela Dam was 22,200 cusecs and outflow at 35,000 cusecs with the usable water reserves at 17,000 acre feet.

Tarbela Dam was running at 16 inches above dead level of 1378 feet.

According to Met Department, the dry weather will continue into the next week also in most parts of the country and the temperature is expected to rise higher in the plains in the coming days.

KANDAHAR: A roadside bomb killed a Pakistani construction worker and wounded six of his compatriots on Sunday in Afghanistan's southern city of Kandahar, police said.

The device hit the vehicle which was carrying the group on a road close to Pakistan's consulate in the eastern part of the city and came after a series of attacks overnight by Taliban killed 31 people in several parts of Kandahar.

"It was a roadside bomb that hit the vehicle of Pakistani construction workers, killed one of them and wounded six more," police officer Mohammad Asif said.

Last week, five Pakistani employees of the same Pakistani construction firm, CITA, were gunned down by unknown people in another part of Kandahar.

Kandahar is the next target of an offensive by NATO-led forces after foreign and Afghan troops secured a district regarded as a key Taliban stronghold from the militants in ajdacent Helmand in recent weeks.

Before the Taliban's ouster in a U.S.-led invasion in 2001, Kandahar was the traditional and spiritual seat of power of the militants.

No one has claimed responsibility for the deadly attack of last week or Sunday's one on the Pakistani nationals in Kandahar.

The Taliban mostly claim responsibility for attacks on Afghan government, foreign forces and anyone backing them, but the group has rarely targeted Pakistanis.

HYDERABAD: At least seven people were killed and 30 others injured in a roadside accident between a truck and wagon on Indus Highway near Laki Shah Saddar in Sehwan Sharif, Geo News reported Sunday.

According to police sources, the injured include women and children. (Last updated at 1350)

ATTOCK: A truck loaded with explosives was seized today’s morning in Attock area of Haji Shah; however, the culprits managed to flee, Geo News reported Sunday.

According to police sources, the truck was captured from the area of Haji Shah on GT Road around last midnight. All three miscreants managed to escape in the dark of night.

Police recovered ten packs of gunpowder, wires and other bomb-making equipments from the vehicles.

The media quoted police sources as saying that the vehicle might be used for another attack in the province following a suicide attack on the Special Security Agency office in Lahore, the provincial capital.

The truck was coming from the North West Frontier Province ( NWFP) that shares its border with Afghanistan. The truck was trying to enter the Punjab province but police officials checked it and found it loaded with explosives.

Meanwhile, earlier in the morning two bombs were also found which were planted adjacent to the home of Misree Khan, an anti- Taliban local journalist in Hungo district of the NWFP.

RAWALPINDI: police continued the search operation for the second day today in the limits of Pir Wadhai police station, Geo News reported Sunday.

At least 175 suspected people were arrested in the operation.

According to SSP Operations office, the operation as conducted in the early morning in various areas of Pir Wadhai and Fauji Colony.

Elite Force and CID, Ladies police also participated in the operation.

It should be mentioned at least 90 suspected people were arrested in the search operation in the same areas yesterday.

KARACHI: Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Nadeem, who was injured in a drive-by attack on his car in Karachi on Thursday, succumbed to injuries here, Geo News reported Sunday.

He was receiving treatment at a private hospital after he was injured in an attack in Nazimabad near OA Clinic. His son Mu’awia was killed in the attack.

It should be mentioned that Maulana was en route to City Court to appear before the court, when he was attacked near Annu Bhai Park by armed motorists. He, his three sons and a guard were injured in the attack. All of them were rushed to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital; however, his son Mu’awia succumbed to injuries.

Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat spokesman appealed to the workers to stay peaceful.

The Citizen Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) made sketches of the attackers with the help of eyewitnesses and police; the sketches have been handed to the law-enforcers.

The FIR has been registered in Nazimabad police station two days after the incident; however, police did not confirm any arrest whatsoever.

ISLAMABAD: At least one billion dollars pledged by the US in Tokyo Conference in Pakistan aid, are part of Kerry-Lugar Bill, said US Coordinator for Civilian Assistance Ambassador Robin Raphel signed the USAID’s financial assistance on Saturday.

In a special interview with Geo News, she said her country will extend assistance under Kerry-Lugar Bill in sectors including energy, water, education and health in collaboration with the government of Pakistan, and the NGOs.

She stressed the aid money would be spent preferably in terror-hit and backward areas, adding the fund money under Benazir Income Support Program would be a part to the same aid.

Robin said the US is taking stock of 19 projects relating energy, which were solicited by the government of Pakistan.

Earlier, Raphel said the $84 million assistance to BISP is included in the commitments made by the US in Tokyo during the Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP) meeting.

Further dialogues between the US and Pakistan will continue for priority of the people of Pakistan particularly for the low-income group, she added.

MULTAN: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said he did not want to waste time meeting his Indian counterpart, if the negotiations remained unfruitful, Geo News reported Saturday.

Addressing a press conference here at Multan airport, he said if the dialogues were meant to be fruitful, he would go of his own accord to India, adding but, he did not want to waste time in photo sessions.

‘We condemn the Mumbai attacks and a media trial of several people arrested in this connection, has been started,’ the FM Qureshi said, adding Indians talk about a Mumbai incident; in contrast, Pakistanis are facing Mumbai-like incidents on daily basis.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi said, ‘India has been refusing the mediation; however after Indian Premier Manmohan Singh’s visit to Saudi Arabia, I have been invited in Saudi kingdom on April 3 by the Saudi FM.’

He continued, if a friend like Saudi Arabia stands as intermediary, then Pakistan would go ahead without demur.

KARACHI: Karachi is witnessing partial strike on the appeal of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) against the killing of Mufti Saeed Jalalpuri of Aalmi Majlis-i-Tahaffuz-i-Khatm-i-Nabu’wat; while, complete strike is in progress in Mirpur Khas, Geo News reported Saturday.

Commuters going to their offices faced troubles owing to thin public transport.

Jamaat Islami, Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan (JUP), JUI-Sami Group, Jamiat Ahle Hadith, Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) of Sindh, Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) and Pakistan Democratic Party announced to support the JUI-F’s strike.

Karachi Transport Ittehad Chairman Irshad Bukhari also announced to join the strike.

The traffic and public transport on the road remained thin.

Additional contingents of police and the Rangers were deployed in sensitive areas during strike.

Meantime, the life came to standstill in Mirpur Khas, as complete strike is being observed in the city.

MINGORA: At least 13 people including police and security personnel were killed and several others injured in a suicide blast outside District Court in Swat tehsil of Mingora, Geo News reported Saturday.

DPO Swat said the suicide bomber was riding a rickshaw, who was heading to a check post of police and infantry. On this, the security personnel fired gunshots at him.

He added he could not approach the check post thanks to the heavy security.

The sources said the body parts of the bomber including head and legs have been found; at least 14-kilogram explosive was used in the blast.

According to the security sources, the suicide bomber rammed his vehicle into a check post of the security forces, killing ten including three police and a security man on the spot.

The bodies and injured were rushed to District Headquarters Saidu Sharif and relief activities were started on the spot.

Several vehicles caught fire; of them, five were completely destroyed.

Meantime, MS Saidu Sharif Dr Lal Noor said at least eight bodies including those of police and security personnel were brought to the hospital, adding the critically injured have been sent to Peshawar.

The security cordoned off the entire area. Soon after the blast, curfew has been clamped on the main road.

LAHORE: The investigations in connection with the blasts in Lahore areas of RA Bazaar and Iqbal Town, are underway, as police arrested at least 50 suspected people during search operation, Geo News reported Saturday.

After a day of consecutive bomb blasts yesterday, the entire city including RA Bazaar presents a dismal and gloomy look amid markets are closed in the area. Also, the students attendance in schools in RA Bazaar and adjacent areas remained thin.

The investigative agencies are probing various aspects after garnering various clues from the spots. The body parts of the attackers have been sent for DNA tests.

The security has been beefed up in the Cantt areas following the mishaps as the vehicles are being thoroughly searched for entrance into the area.

LAHORE: Most schools in Iqbal Town, Lahore are closed today on account of six back-to-back blasts occurred yesterday, Geo news reported.

Normalcy of life has returned in the area but however the atmosphere of fear still persists.

Students reaching their schools early in the morning found them locked from outside, students told media.

On contacting schools’ administrations, media came to know the decision to keep all schools shut was made owing to last night bombings.

LAHORE: At least 39 people were killed and 95 others wounded on Friday after two suicide bombers struck the vehicles of Garrison Security Force near R A Bazaar in Lahore.

The heads of both alleged bombers were recovered from the scene of the blasts while two suspects were also arrested, the Inspector General of Punjab Tariq Salim Dogar told reporters after the blasts.

The IGP also confirmed the death toll.

Meanwhile, the proscribed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed the responsibility for twin Lahore bombings.

The blasts took place at 12:48 pm within the space of 15 seconds at R A Bazar as crowds gathered for Friday prayers. The blasts were so powerful that it caused cracks in nearby buildings besides shattering window panes.

"We have collected concrete technical evidence, which will help identify the attackers. Both the attackers were on foot," the IGP said.

Five security men were dead and 15 others were wounded in the bombings, sources cloe to security agencies said.

Rescue workers and paramedics rushed to the R A Bazaar, a densely populated area of the city.

The area was crowded as the blasts occurred shortly before the main Friday prayers were to start. Emergency was immediately declared in city hospitals, where dead and injured were shifted.

LAHORE: Two suicide attackers blew themselves up near security forces vehicles in R A Bazar area of South Cantt as crowds gathered for Friday prayers killing at least 39 people including five security personnel and injuring 95, Geo News reported.

"Thirty-nine people were killed and 95 wounded in the attacks," Inspector General Police Punjab Tariq Salim Dogar told reporters after visiting the blast site.

"We have collected concrete technical evidence, which will help identify the attackers. Both the attackers were on foot," he added.

Five security men were dead and 15 injured in the attack, security sources said.

"There were two suicide bombers who attacked two military vehicles within the space of 15 seconds," SSP Operations Mohammad Shafiq told Geo News.

"The heads of both attackers have been found," he said.

Rescue workers and paramedics rushed to the R A Bazaar, a densely populated area of the city. The area was crowded as the blasts occurred shortly before the main Friday prayers were to start.

Emergency has been declared in city hospitals and injured were shifted to CMH and other hospitals.

Security forces have cordoned off the area and traffic was blocked. Media was not allowed to go near the scene.

   ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) has expressed dissatisfaction over National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) report regarding reopening of President Asif Ali Zardari’s Swiss cases on Friday, Geo news reported.

Justice Javed Iqbal, in his remarks, said only SC deserves rights to interpret the Constitution.

A three-member bench of Supreme Court held hearing of reference concerning with Attorney General’s response to NAB about reopening of cases while acting Chairman NAB Irfan Nadeem also witnessed hearing.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the report presented by NAB, SC has sought a report in regard to NAB’s data reportedly went missing during tenure of former President Musharraf.

In his remarks, Justice Tariq Pervez said that the court is not interested in individuals and asked NAB to recover missing record.

While expressing dissatisfaction over prosecutors’ performance the court sought report regarding their appointment and adjourned hearing for two weeks.

NEW DELHI: Shahid Malik, Pakistan High Commissioner to India here on Friday while strongly refuting Indian Home Minister Chidambaram's accusation against Pakistan on its alleged involvement in terror activities against India, said Pakistan was responsible state and would not allow its territory to be used by anyone for such acts.

Responding to Chidambaram's keynote address and remarks at the India Today Conclave, Shahid Malik rejected the allegation of the involvement of so-called state actors from Pakistan in terror activities.

Pakistan High Commissioner pointed out that Pakistan has a number of issues with India in the context of terrorism, including the objectionable activities in Baluchistan.

Shahid Malik informed the large audience that Pakistan had come to New Delhi with an open and positive frame of mind for the recent Foreign Secretaries meeting and would like to see meaningful and result oriented discussion in the framework of the Composite Dialogue.

Earlier speaking at the Conclave, the Indian Minister made it clear that "war is not an option" so the two countries, both nuclear powers, "must talk when we can" and, at other times, "we have to be vigilant".

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday strongly condemned the blasts in R A Bazar, Lahore Cantt.

They directed the authorities to arrange best medical care for the wounded.

The Prime Minister directed the law enforcement agencies to increase vigilance in order to protect the lives of citizens.

The President expressed his condolences with the families of those who lost their lives in the dastardly terrorist act.

The President said the government and people are determined to defeat terrorism and such gruesome acts cannot deter the resolve of the nation, which will be united to defeat terrorists.

LAHORE: Two suicide attackers blew themselves up near security forces vehicles in RA Bazar area of South Cantt as crowds gathered for Friday prayers killing at least 20 people including six security personnel and injuring 40, Geo News reported.

Both the bombers were on foot, SSP Operations Chaudhry Shafiq told Geo News.

Six security men were among the dead, he added.

Director General Rescue 1122 told Geo News that 20 people have been killed and forty injured.

Rescue workers and paramedics rushed to the R A Bazaar, a densely populated area of the city. The area was crowded as the blasts occurred shortly before the main Friday prayers were to start.

Emergency has been declared in city hospitals and injured were shifted to CMH and other hospitals.

Security forces have cordoned off the area and traffic was blocked. Media was not allowed to go near the scene.

The blasts came four days after a suicide car bomber destroyed offices used to interrogate suspected militants in an upmarket district of Lahore.

 LAHORE: There were reports of a bomb blast in RA Bazar area of Lahore near a bus stand, Geo News reported Friday.

Rescue teams and ambulances have been sent to the scene.

 KARACHI: Pakistan Navy has conducted successful missiles, torpedo test in Arabian Sea on Friday morning, Geo news reported ISPR sources as saying.

The missiles and torpedo were fired from F22 p Frigate, P3C and Agosta 90B while the Navy Chief Admiral Noman Nashir witnessed firepower, ISPR said.

According to ISPR spokesman, these tests sent signal of strong deterrence to all.

LAHORE: The vote count continues after polling process completed in four constituencies of Punjab and Balochistan by-election.

These constituencies include NA-123 Lahore, PP-82 Jhang, PP-284 Bahawalnagar and BP-25 Jaffarabad where the strict security measures are in place.

The polling remained continued from 8am to 5pm.

Overall, complete calm was witnessed during the day, but some candidates leveled charges of riggings against their rival candidates.

In Bahawalnagar area of Fort Abbas, the polling had to be discontinued as a result of dispute between the polling agents of different candidates in polling station-295.

Jamaat Islami’s Hafiz Salman Butt and Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) candidate Shahbaz Sharif came face to face at Lahore’s polling station-38, where the workers of both the parties raised slogans.

On this, police arrived on the spot to quench the slogans and confrontation. Police took Hamza in their cordon.

Talking to Geo News, Razia Sultana—Presiding Officer at Polling Station-126—said serial numbers are missing from the dozens of ballot papers, adding she told the same to Election Commission.

Government has announced public holiday on the occasion of by-polls in three constituencies including Bahawalnagar, Jhang and Jaffarabad.

Government and private educational institutions will remain closed in Lahore and Bahawalnagar for by-polls.

The Deputy Chairman of Senate Jaan Mohammed Jamali cast his vote in Jaffarabad

Meanwhile, Section-144 has been imposed in Jhang to maintain law and order situation during the polling.

According to Election Commission sources, 57 candidate are contesting constituency NA-123 of Lahore, vacated by PMLN-N’s Javed Hashmi. The constituency has 287,915 voters, for whom 268 polling stations have been set up. Of them, 25 have been declared as highly sensitive.

While 11 candidates including PPP and PML-N’s contenders are fighting for provincial assembly seat of PP-82 Jhang, vacated by MPA Azam Chaila, as the Supreme Court (SC) declared him ineligible on finding his degree fake. At least 126 polling stations were set up here for 153,800 voters in the constituency.

Moreover, PML-N has not nominated any candidate for PP-284 while PPP, Pakistan Muslim League- Quaid-e-Azam and Ijaz-ul-Haq’s party candidates will struggle for the provincial assembly seat.

The seat was vacated by independent candidate Rauf Khal, as the EC declared him ineligible on finding the charges of rigging against him true.

Three are at least 130 polling stations for 180,226 voters in the constituency.

The PB-25, Jafferabad in Balochistan was lying vacant after the MPA Rustom Khan Jamali was killed. At least 140,800 voters are casting their votes at 91 polling stations; of them, 34 are most sensitive and 29 sensitive.

From this constituency, the independent candidate Ataullah Bulaidi leveled rigging charges, saying that nearly 130 polling agents have been kidnapped.

ISLAMABAD: National Accountability Bureau Chairman Naveed Ahsan has gone on long leave and Deputy chairman has taken over his responsibilities, Geo News reported Wednesday.

Earlier, on February 24 NAB Chairman Naveed Ahsan tendered his resignation but was asked by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to continue till the appointment of his successor.

It is learnt that the NAB chief had been under tremendous pressure since the Supreme Court declared the National Reconciliation Ordinance unconstitutional.

   LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-N candidate Malik Pervez has taken a massive lead in today’s by-election in NA-123, according to unofficial results that have poured in from majority of the polling stations.

The runner up in the above constituency has so far been Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s candidate Hamid Khan Mairaj.

Meanwhile, Azam Cheela of PML-N leads in PP-82 Jhang (runner up Ghazanfar Ali Khan of PPP); Shahid Anjum of PML-Zia has taken a lead in PP-284 Bahawalnagar (runner up Kashif Naveed of PPP) while Sardar Nasir Khan Jamali of Pakistan People Party is so far ahead of all in PP-25 Jafarabad (runner up Attaulla Bulaidi - Independent).

Earlier, the polling in the above constituencies took place during 8am to 5pm.

Overall, complete calm was witnessed during the day, but some candidates leveled charges of riggings against their rival candidates.

In Bahawalnagar area of Fort Abbas, the polling had to be discontinued as a result of dispute between the polling agents of different candidates in polling station-295.

Jamaat Islami’s Hafiz Salman Butt and Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) candidate Shahbaz Sharif came face to face at Lahore’s polling station-38, where the workers of both the parties raised slogans.

On this, police arrived on the spot to quench the slogans and confrontation. Police took Hamza in their cordon.

Talking to Geo News, Razia Sultana—Presiding Officer at Polling Station-126—said serial numbers are missing from the dozens of ballot papers, adding she told the same to Election Commission.

Government has announced public holiday on the occasion of by-polls in three constituencies including Bahawalnagar, Jhang and Jaffarabad.

Government and private educational institutions will remain closed in Lahore and Bahawalnagar for by-polls.

The Deputy Chairman of Senate Jaan Mohammed Jamali cast his vote in Jaffarabad

Meanwhile, Section-144 has been imposed in Jhang to maintain law and order situation during the polling.

According to Election Commission sources, 57 candidate are contesting constituency NA-123 of Lahore, vacated by PMLN-N’s Javed Hashmi. The constituency has 287,915 voters, for whom 268 polling stations have been set up. Of them, 25 have been declared as highly sensitive.

While 11 candidates including PPP and PML-N’s contenders are fighting for provincial assembly seat of PP-82 Jhang, vacated by MPA Azam Chaila, as the Supreme Court (SC) declared him ineligible on finding his degree fake. At least 126 polling stations were set up here for 153,800 voters in the constituency.

Moreover, PML-N has not nominated any candidate for PP-284 while PPP, Pakistan Muslim League- Quaid-e-Azam and Ijaz-ul-Haq’s party candidates will struggle for the provincial assembly seat.

The seat was vacated by independent candidate Rauf Khal, as the EC declared him ineligible on finding the charges of rigging against him true.

Three are at least 130 polling stations for 180,226 voters in the constituency.

The PB-25, Jafferabad in Balochistan was lying vacant after the MPA Rustom Khan Jamali was killed. At least 140,800 voters are casting their votes at 91 polling stations; of them, 34 are most sensitive and 29 sensitive.

From this constituency, the independent candidate Ataullah Bulaidi leveled rigging charges, saying that nearly 130 polling agents have been kidnapped.

   RAWALPINDI: An accountability court adjourned on Wednesday the hearing of application filed by the National Accountability Bureau seeking reopening of three corruption references against Sharif brothers.

Judge Tariq Abbasi heard the graft references about Hudabia Paper Mill, Iffefaq Foundries and Raiwand Assets against Sharif brothers.

NAB’s Additional Prosecutor General Raja Afzal and Arif Chohan appeared before the court. Raja Afzal told the court that he had been made the prosecutor in the references following the sacking of Chairman Abdul Basir Qureshi.

He pleaded the court to grant more time to prepare the case.

On this, the court adjourned the hearing till March 19.

 ISLAMABAD: Afghan President Hamid Karzai arrived here Wednesday evening on a two-day state visit during which he will hold meetings with Pakistani leadership on a range of bilateral and regional issues.

During his stay, President Karzai will meet President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani.

ISLAMABAD: The Parliament’s Constitutional Reforms Committee (CRC) reached a consensus to remove the references of former military dictators from the Constitution.

The CRC met today in Islamabad with Senator Raza Rabbani in the chair.

It discussed the legal and constitutional issues pertaining to the distribution of revenue collection between center and provinces.

Sources privy to the meeting told Geo the committee has agreed to eliminate names of past military dictators General (r) Zia ul Haq and General (r) Pervez Musharraf mentioned in the Constitution.

The name of Zia ul Haq was included in clause 1 of Article 270-A of the Constitution through 18th Amendment while Pervez Musharraf’s name was mentioned as the Chief Executive of country in the 17th Amendment.

ISLAMABAD: The Saudi authorities have exempted Pakistani Hajj Group Organizers (HGOs) from mandatory registration with International Air Traffic Organization (IATA) for an initial term of two years.

Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Hamid Saeed Kazmi made this announcement while talking to Geo News after his weeklong official visit to Saudi Arabia here Tuesday.

During his stay, the minister discussed the arrangements for Hajj-2010 with the concerned Saudi authorities.

"The Saudi government has relaxed its policy by exempting registration of Pakistani Private Tour Operators with IATA for two years," he said.

Kazmi said Saudi Arabia has accepted Pakistani demands for provision of maximum facilities to the Pakistani Hujjaj under the government scheme in the coming season at Mina and Arafat.

During the visit, the delegation also held a meeting with Adnan Katib, Chairman of Mossisa for South Asia, an organization of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia dealing with Hujjaj coming from South Asia.

The minister said, the chairman agreed to accommodate Pakistani pilgrims in old Mina, who would perform Hajj under the government scheme this year.

"The Chairman also promised to set up their 'Maktabs' and provide 'Khaimas' (camps) adjacent to Pakistani groups of Hujjaj in order to facilitate them to have a close liaison and easy communication with each other," he added.

Kazmi said the organization would accommodate 16 Pakistani pilgrims in a camp and provide them two-time meal during their stay in Mina and Arafat.

"It would charge 200 Saudi Rial extra per head for providing these facilities to the Pakistani Hujjaj," the minister maintained.

   RAWALPINDI: At least six female students died and six others were injured on Monday after a fire broke out at National Foundation Girls Hostel located in Saddar area of Rawalpindi.

According to Rescue 1122, two bodies were shifted to the District Headquarter Hospital and four were taken to the CMH Hospital.

The intensity of the fire was so high that it caused cracks in the building. The hostel was filled with the smoke, which caused deaths.

As many as 150 students were present in the hostel when the fire broke out, according to reports.

The fire brigade officials said that the fire had been brought under control, but search operation was underway.

It was not yet clear what caused the fire.

MULTAN: Unknown assailants stormed a police station and managed to secure the release of three arrested terrorists from the police custody.

Three policemen on duty there were wounded, including an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), police said.

Sources privy to police said that three terrorists, who were under FIA custody, were shifted to Multan a few days ago for further interrogation.

The highly dangerous terrorists were kept in the Purana Alpa Police Station, which came under attack by the unknown gunmen today morning.

As a result of the gun-battle, three policemen were injured while attackers fled the scene after taking the arrested terrorists with them.

Police sources said that they were arrested from Lahore.

LAHORE: A suicide car bomber has struck a building where police interrogate high-profile suspects in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore, killing at least 13 people and wounding 61 others, including women taking children to school, officials said.

The attack shattered what had been a relative lull in major violence in Pakistan.

The attack also showed that rebels retain the ability to strike the country's heartland, far from the Afghan border regions where al Qaida and the Taliban have long thrived, despite army offensives aimed at wiping them out.

The authorities have found the head of the suicide bomber.

No group immediately claimed responsibility, but suspicion fell on the Pakistani Taliban and allied militant groups.

Those groups are believed to have been responsible for a wave of attacks which killed more than 600 people starting in October, including several in major Pakistani cities. More recent attacks have been smaller and confined to remote north-west regions near Afghanistan.

The latest explosion comes amid reports of a Pakistani crackdown on Afghan Taliban and al Qaida operatives using its soil. Among the militants said to have been arrested is the Afghan Taliban's number two commander, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.

The bomb went off outside a Punjab province police building, police official Zulfikar Hameed said. TV footage showed a huge crater in the ground where the blast seemed to have originated.

DCO Lahore said that 800 kilograms of explosive material was used in the attack.

Police official Chaudhry Shafiq said 13 people had died. Of the 61 people wounded, several were in a critical condition.

Hospital official Jawed Akram said the dead included at least one woman and a young girl, apparently part of a group heading to a school. Several women were among the wounded.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik painted the attack as sign of desperation from militants whose "backs have been broken" by the army. "They are taking guerrilla actions but gradually it is decreasing and they are being arrested and in the coming days they will have no chance," he said.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani will represent Pakistan at the second Pakistan-EU Summit at Brussels on April 21.

A Foreign Office press release on Monday said Pakistan attaches considerable importance to further deepening and broadening its close cooperative relations with the European Union and its member states.

Since the holding of the first Summit in Brussels last year (June 17), Pakistan-EU relations have witnessed a significant momentum towards forging of a robust strategic cooperative partnership.

The 27-member states European Union is Pakistan’s largest trading, investment and development assistance partner.

   ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani Monday announced that women ombudspersons will be appointed and directed the government departments to ensure implementation of 10 per cent CSS quota for women.

Addressing a programme here at the convention centre on the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Premier said administrative and financial autonomy will be granted to National Commission on Status of Women.

He also announced to convert Youth Development Centre located in Quetta into Working Women Hostel. He said such hostels will also be set up in all the federal and provincial governments.

Prime Minister Gilani said the First Women Bank will be strengthened.

He said the policy and national action plan for the rights of women will soon be tabled in the Parliament. The process of approval of bill on domestic violence is nearing completion.

 ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry remarked that the government organizations should bring order into their offices.

The chief justice made these remarks while hearing three petitions filed in 1992 against the release of poisonous and polluted water in the sea.

The bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Chaudhry Ejaz and Justice Ghulam Rabbani, heard the petitions.

The court directed the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB), SITE, Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Port Qaim Authority (PQA), Defense Housing Authority (DHA), Cantonment Board, Landhi Industrial Area and federal and provincial secretaries on environment to submit a comprehensive plan containing proposals and suggestions to address the issue of sea pollution on March 10.

During the hearing, KPT lawyer Khalil Ahmed told the court that 75 percent of the industrial waste was being thrown into the sea without taking any preventive measure.

The KPT had offered the City Government its help to build a treatment plant, he said.

On this, the Chief Justice remarked that what steps were taken by all these organizations and why the issue was not yet solved?

“Is it necessary that court intervene on every issue?” the CJ remarked.