PAKISTAN

Updated at: 1843 PST,  Sunday, May 02, 2010  FAISALABAD: A woman was made to lie down on her stomach and tortured in a police station of Faisalabad in the presence of senior male officers who appeared to be taking pleasure out of watching the humiliating act. It has become a common scene where accused, normally males, are subjected to flogging by police. But what happened in the above police station is enough to make humanity feel ashamed where the woman was tortured and abused before senior male police officers. A female DSP and SHO Women Zahida Perveen were also present on the occasion. Women constables slapped the woman, wearing red Shalwar Kameez, whoe was later made to lie down on her stomach for flogging on the orders of male police officers. SHO Nasrullah Niazi, on the occasion, appears to be talking to the woman, being subjected to the humiliation, about learning some lesson. The woman in the TV footage appears to be shouting, asking the female and male police personnel to stop the insulting act.

Updated at: 1403 PST,  Sunday, May 02, 2010  LAHORE: The power shortfall could not dwindle out despite it being a weekend with spans of 8 to 10 hours of load shedding being carried out in cities and 14-hour duration in the rural areas, Geo News reported Sunday. The government’s failure is out and out conspicuous in Balochistan where the span of power outages swelled to 20 hours, which triggered the problem of water shortage. Despite the tall claims by the government to cut down the power shortfall with the help of two weekly holidays, shortfall persisted itself with the power production standing at 10,500 Megawatts and demand still rising at 13,900 MWs, according to statistics provided by Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO). No proper load shedding schedule has been hammered out, as unequal spans of affliction are being carried out in the cities of the country. The power outage span in Karachi, Islamabad and Faisalabad is three hours; however, this span is ballooned to 12 hours in other cities including Lahore. In 14 districts of Balochistan, people are being bedeviled for 20 hours a day for ten days now. Water supply is badly affected, which has adversely impacted on agriculture. The problem has forced citizens to run around all day for potable water. Sindh’s urban areas including Larkana, Qambar Shahdadkot, Nawab Shah, Qazi Ahmed, Jakobabad, Shikarpur, Obaro and Ghotki do not receive power for 12 to 14 hours; while, the rural areas are affected with 14 to 16-hour of load shedding. Hyderabad is suffering from 8 to 10 hours of load shedding. The urban areas of Bahawalpur are hit with 12 to 14 hours of load shedding and the span widens 14 to 16 hours in rural areas. It is cotton-sowing season and farmers are in hot waters, as the power crisis made them unable to run their tube wells. Several hours of load shedding are being carried out in Punjab cities including Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rahim Yar Khan, Muzzargarh AND Faisalabad. The people are facing great problems in hot weather in Khyber Pakhtoonkhaw, where 12 to 14 hours of load shedding has made the life miserable in urban areas and 16 hours in rural areas. The power crisis also sapped the blood from trade life.

 Updated at: 1927 PST,  Sunday, May 02, 2010
 PESHAWAR: At least 40 militants were killed and their 10 hideouts were destroyed on Sunday in aerial bombing carried out by security forces in Orakzai Agency.

According to sources, security forces backed by helicopter gunships pounded militant dens situated in Dabori, Ghalju and Khadzai areas. As a result of at least 40 militants were killed and several others injured.

In Orakzai offensive, so far over 550 militants were killed and their 75 hideouts were destroyed in more than five weeks.

 Updated at: 1856 PST,  Sunday, May 02, 2010
 ISLAMABAD: Mian Nawaz Sharif, chief of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has called for a lawful solution of the judicial crisis erupted in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

He is currently on a private visit to England.

According to reports, AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider contacted the PML-N chief on telephone and discussed with him judicial and political issues.

Speaking on this occasion, Nawaz urged the need to find an early solution of the crisis.

Updated at: 1135 PST,  Sunday, May 02, 2010  ABBOTTABAD: Entire Hazara Division is today observing shutter-down and wheel-jam strikes on call by Baba Hyder Zaman, head of Tehreek Soba Hazara, Geo News reported Sunday. Initially, some private vehicles were seen on Karakoram Highway and other link roads; but later on, Karakoram Highway was shut down from Abbottabad to Kohistan by erecting hurdles on various points. Also, all shops, bus stands and commercial centers in Mansehra and its suburbs are closed owing to the complete strike in the district. In District Batgram, all large trade centers and shopping plazas are lying closed despite the appeals and efforts by government parties. However, the strike in Kohistan is partial. The security arrangements have been beefed up during the strike in Abbottabad and its adjoining areas.

Updated at: 0959 PST,  Sunday, May 02, 2010  SWAT: A woman was killed and three persons were injured in a blast that rocked a house in Swat’s tehsil of Kabal this morning, Geo News reported Sunday. The blast occurred at the house of Roshanzada, who is member of local Peace Committee in Kabal area of Sangarserai, killing a woman and injuring three others. The nature of the blast could not be ascertained immediately. The injured have been shifted to a local hospital. Police said all the injured are out of danger. The relief activities could not be carried out smoothly as it is a far-flung area. The forces put a security cordon around the blast site.

QUETTA: Targeted killings happen so often in Pakistan's city of Quetta, they have become almost routine. Assassins drive up, fire a hail of bullets and melt into shadows as their victims bleed to death. Heading to and from work, or nipping to the shops, fear grips professional men and women in the southwestern province of Baluchistan, where a sharp increase in assassinations is being blamed on separatist rebels. An upsurge in killings threatens to ignite the southwestern tinder box, with possible consequences for neighbouring Iran and Afghanistan, and heavyweight allies China and the United States. Last week Nazima Talib became the most high-profile female victim, shot dead at point blank range as she got into a rickshaw to go home after another long day teaching mass communication at Balochistan University. A mother of one, she was the third member of staff killed in the past two years. Now others wonder whether they will return home at the end of a day's work. "Gunmen are roaming around killing teachers.... They have left us at the mercy of terrorists. I won't go to the university under these circumstances," said Farkhanda Aurangzaib, a professor in the English department. Police say sectarian and ethnic targeted killings in Baluchistan have claimed 87 lives and injured 303 people in 168 incidents so far this year. The killings embarrass the police, who concede that none of the assassins has been arrested, have forced some teachers to flee and fanned insecurity. Hundreds of people have died since Baluch rebels rose up in 2004 demanding independence and control of profits from natural resources in their region. Baluchistan, which makes up 40 percent of the country's landmass, is rich in oil and gas -- both desperately needed in energy-starved Pakistan. For decades, its people have felt excluded or marginalised by the central government and the province has long been a fertile breeding ground for Taliban and Al-Qaeda-linked militants as well as separatist rebels. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a banned group fighting for an independent Baluchistan, claimed responsibility for Talib's death, threatened more killings and accused Pakistani security forces of mistreating Baluch women.

Updated at: 1656 PST,  Saturday, May 01, 2010  ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday announced a minimum Rs 7000 salary for laborers and a policy that aims at transforming the lives of working class for a better future. Addressing a large gathering here at the Convention Centre Prime Minister Gilani apprised the large gathering of workers from across the country about the features of the new labour policy that was given an approval at a special cabinet meeting convened earlier in the day. He said the Cabinet approved the Labour Policy 2010 that was reflective of the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and was an attempt to implement it practically. He said the policy would benefit around 50 million labours who were playing a key role in the progress and development of the country. Prime Minister Gilani said the credit goes to President Asif Ali Zardari for pursuing the labour friendly policies. Gilani quoted a hadith of Holy Prophet (Peace be upon Him) to pay a labour his wages before sweat dries and said it was the endeavour of his government to follow it in letter and spirit. Gilani informed the gathering about the measures and said trilateral monitoring committees would be set up at provincial and federal level to improve working, resolve problems and increase efficiency of the labours. He assured that contract employees would be regularised in government departments. He also announced salaries will be made through banks, retired registered workers will get medical facilities, raise in pensions would be in accordance to increase in government pensions, technical education for children, manpower information centres in cities, training of trainers, para-medical staff to get specialised training, pensionable age limit under the old-age benefit lowered to 50, smart card through Nadra so that registered workers get all facilities, Rs 15,000 for out of job workers and legal support, free medical treatment for labours. He said the workers have been given the right to have Unions and labour bodies to protect their rights. Gilani was appreciative of all the political parties and the provincial governments for their input and endorsing the new labour policy.

Updated at: 1522 PST,  Saturday, May 01, 2010
 SWAT: At least two persons were killed and 12 others injured in a powerful suicide blast in Mingora area of Sohrab Khan Chawk in Swat, Geo News reported Saturday.

Deputy Inspector General of Malakand Police Qazi Jameel confirmed that blast at Sohrab Khan Chawk that claimed two lives, was suicide attack.

Talking to Geo News, he said at least two people were killed and nine others injured in the blast.

MS Saidu Sharif Hospital Lal Noor said at least 12 injured have been brought to the hospital; of them, three are in critical state, who have been sent to operation theater.

The blast occurred in a large market situated near Sohrab Khan Chawk in Mingora. The injured have been rushed to Saidu Sharif Hospital.

The blast was so powerful that several shops were destroyed. Police and other law enforcement agencies put a security cordon around the blast site.

It should be mentioned that Green Chawk, where a suicide bomber was arrested minutes before the blast and Sohrab Khan Chawk are two busiest points in the city.

Earlier today, the security forces received tip-off regarding the presence of two bombers in the area. One was arrested from Green Chawk and shot down two extremists; however, the other one managed to blow him up at Sohrab Chawk, 100 meters away from Green Chawk.

According to police sources, the deceased are Farhan and Hussain. The injured include Akbar Khan, Bahram, Muhammed Riaz, Gohar, Fazl Rehman and Fazl Haq.

Updated at: 2005 PST,  Saturday, May 01, 2010  KARACHI: The CID Police today claimed to have arrested an activist of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) during a raid in Baldia Town in Karachi. Acting on a tip off, the CIP police arrested the alleged TTP terrorist, named Fazal Akbar, from Baldia Town with a pistol in his possession. The arrested terrorist is believed to have carried out attacks on armed forces in scenic Swat valley. According to SSP CID Omar Shahid, the accused has admitted his role in several attacks on security forces and the house of Swat Nazim Jamal Nasir. The SSP further said he (Fazal) would run a training facility in Swat for terrorists.

Updated at: 1949 PST,  Saturday, May 01, 2010  PESHAWAR: Nine militants were killed and five other were wounded on Saturday in bombings carried out by jet planes in Orakzai Agency. According to sources, security forces backed by fighter planes carried out bombardment on militants’ dens in Kasha, Sheikhan and Saif Darra. So far more than 500 militants have been killed in the ongoing military operation started some five weeks ago. On the other hand, armed militants stormed a security convoy, leaving a solider, named Phoolzeb injured, who was shifted to a nearby hospital.

  Updated at: 1936 PST,  Saturday, May 01, 2010
 MULTAN: Maulana Fazlur Rehman, chief of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazal group, believes that peace cannot be restored in Pakistan until and unless it parts ways with the United States and refuses to accept her dominance.

Speaking to reporters at the Multan airport, he said: “The government is utilizing all it’s energy in war against terrorism. A common man is falling victim to the militancy while those who are actually responsible for the menace have not even suffered five percent of losses.”

Commenting on remarks of former foreign minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri, Rehman said if he (Kasuri) has any documented evidence to support his claim that the Kashmir dispute was near a solution, he should bring it in the parliament.

He underscored the government will have to revisit it’s foreign policy in order to restore peace in the country.

Updated at: 1810 PST,  Saturday, May 01, 2010  LAHORE: The electricity shortfall, which has come down to 3355MW, has failed to reduce the ongoing load-shedding duration in Lahore and other cities. Around nine to 14 hours of power cuts are being observed in urban are rural areas of the country. According to Pepco spokesman, the country’s overall power generation is 10863MW while demand stands at 14218MW. The Pepco said Bhakhi rental power plant has started operation in Sheikhupura, adding 110MW in the system. On the other hand, consumers have complained that there is no change in power outages despite enforcement of energy conservation plan and decline in electricity shortfall.

Updated at: 1759 PST,  Saturday, May 01, 2010  KARACHI: Glowing tributes were paid to martyrs of Chicago workers who gave sacrifices for the cause of workers on the occasion of International Labour Day observed in Pakistan as elsewhere in the world. Various worker's organizations, associations and federations took out worker's rallies in different parts of the country demonstrating their solidarity with the workers of the world in the struggle for their rights. On the prominent labour leaders addressed seminars highlighting the struggle waged by Chicago workers. In Karachi, the KESC Labour Union held a public meeting outside Karachi Press Club which was addressed by Justice (Rtd) Rasheed A. Razvi, Senators Safdar Abbasi and Mushahidullah Khan and leaders of various organizations. Sindh Baradri Alliance took out a rally from the Mazar of Quaid-e-Azam which after passing through M.A. Jinnah road and Saddar ended at Karachi Press Club. Pakistan Worker's Confederation Sindh held a rally from Merewether Tower and reached Karachi Press Club where a public meeting was held. Peoples United Workers Lyari took out a rally, which too ended at Karachi Press Club. In Nawabshah, workers took out to streets and pelted stones in frustration. In addition, different workers unions in Gujranwala, Bahawalpur, Multan and other cities held demonstration and paid tributes to the martyrs of Chicago, who laid their lives for the cause of labourers. Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Central Labour Union and other bodies staged demonstration in Sukkur. Public meetings were held in Dera Ismail Khan also. Besides, Jammu Kashmir Peoples Party Union took out a rally in Mirpur Azad Kashmir to mark the day.