Eid Show

According to Radio JAZBA , PWCS has announced its Eid Show on 21 of JAN , in Dorwrthy HALL, we are waiting for details

Quran Khowani

This message has been deleted by the author.

Three news item from Khawaja Suqrat Correspondent at Chakwal

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT
CHAKWAL December 29: The construction of water dams was life and death
issue for the country, therefore these dams would be discussed not only in
public but this issue would also be brought at the parliament and
reservations of provinces must be removed but few hand picked so called
politicians that were rejected by the masses, they were trying to gain their
political ends and they were politicising construction of Kala Bagh Dam.
This was stated by federal Minister for environment Major (R) Tahir Iqbal
while talking to the newsman on Thursday. The minister was confident that
the people of Pakistan when realize the importance of Kala Bagh Dam, they
would support it because to bring agriculture and industrial revolution in
the country, the preservations of water reservoir were must for prosperous
Pakistan. He urged the opposition political parties that they should not
made politics on this important issue of Kala Bagh Dam and there were many
other occasions to do politics. He further told that more then 35 million
acre feet water was wasted and it goes into the sea. Replying to another
question the federal minister was of the view that Punjab province was
playing the role of elder brother as the most land and people of Punjab
would be effected with the construction of Kala Bagh Dam but still Punjab
was very vocal for the construction of Kala Bagh Dam, therefore the other
three provinces should cooperate with the federal Government regarding the
construction of big dams in the country.

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT
CHAKWAL December 29: Freedom of press was still a horrible dream in the
county and the journalists were facing great pressure as some Government
levers to curb freedom of press are still very effective, therefore struggle
by the journalists is still going on and the destination was not very far
away. This was stated by Senior Vice President of Pakistan Federal Union of
Journalists CR Shamsi at Chakwal Press Club on Thursday and he was talking
at the topic of freedom of Press and Government pressure. Secretary General
Chakwal Press Club Khawaja Babar Saleem highlighted the problems faced by
the regional Journalists who was working round the clock but still they were
ignored by the provincial as well as federal Government. Mr. CR Shamsi was
of the view that there was a controlled democracy in the county and from
last 58 years every Government adopted negative tactics to curb the freedom
of press but the Journalists community is still struggling were hard and it
was struggle of senior Journalists that the rights of Journalists were up
held in the superior courts. He further told that an independent judiciary
and a true democratic Government is need of the hour of the country. He
further told that there was unrest among the general public due to dearness
of essential commodities, Law and order situation. He predicted that future
of media was very bright in Pakistan and he was confident that the
Journalists community would achieve its goal as the struggle have entered in
to the decisive stage.

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT
CHAKWAL December 29: Sadar Police Chakwal nabbed a drug pusher at village
Chakral some 8 kilometer from here on Thursday and recovered more then 1
kilogram charas from him. Sub inspector Noor Khan along with police party
was stationed near basic health unity Chakral on the tip of the informer,
the accused Muhammad Anwar S/o. Muhmmad Fazal come there and when he was
thoroughly searched, 1028 gram of charas was recovered from him. Police has
registered a case of narcotics act against the accused and he was sent into
judicial lockup.

_________________________________________________________________
Don't just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search!
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if you have any  true story and want this story to be published at the board and your name should be kept in secret we are there to help you at professorsforum please do send your information at following adreeses

 

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we care for the people and their say even it is agaist us we well come all criticism we love you and Pakistann and oppose all the dictators unethical and Zaalums we will change your story in good words and keep your name secret till death its promise thanks, you can also use our web page for your say.

Cow Boy

A cowboy rode into town and stopped at local cafe for a coke.

Unfortunately, the locals always had a habit of picking on strangers,

which he was. When he finished his drink, he found his horse had

been stolen.

He goes back into the cafe, handily flips his gun into the air, catches it

above his head without even looking and fires a shot into the ceiling.

"WHICH ONE OF YOU FOOLS STOLE MY HOSS?" he yelled with surprising forcefulness. No one answered.

"ALRIGHT, I'M GONNA HAVE ANOTHA COKE, AND IF MY HOSS AIN'T

BACK OUTSIDE BY THE TIME I FINNISH, I'M GONNA DO WHAT I

DUN IN TEXAS! AND I DON'T LIKE TO HAVE TO DO WHAT I DUN IN

TEXAS!"

Some of the locals shifted restlessly.

He had another coke, walked outside, and his horse is back!

He saddles-up and starts to ride out of town.

The cook wanders out of the cafe and asks, "Say partner,

before you go... what happened in Texas?"

The cowboy turned back and said, "I had to walk home

From: 213042 copy j.iqbal what is TAUQIR KHAN

From: 213042 Sent: 12/29/2005 7:44 AM Khan sahib its too late.raat gaye baat gaye. every single member of the panz have the right to interfere in the association matters.,and you want to keep the exective members out. i think you by yourself are a whole world.in these kind of issues you must have to encourage the pakistanis to go forward inspite of objecting those who are taking hard steps. i m also angry at you that being a sohni dharti member you never asked for vote from sohni dharti members. different people came and asked got votes sohni dharti but you kept yourself away.which is not a good behaviour. i think you were the only highly educated and reliable contestant but you never convince any member through this great site running by a pakistani inspite you choose the other media run by non pakistanis and every body have complaints about those people.even you wrote against them through this sohni dharti. EVEN NON OF THE CONTESTANT TRIED TO USE THE CONVINCING POWER.WHICH IS ACTUALLY NOT A DEMOCRATIC BEHAVIOUR. BUT I KNOW DEMOCRACY IS FAR FROM US PEOPLE .WE BELIEVE IN ONLY TYRANTS. SORRY SIR.

Professor's forum

Against the dictatorship of some dictators a new group has been formed by the name of "professor's forum" please do visit the page and freely express your Ideas, no policy of suppressing of thoughts, liberty, freedom and neutrality is gauranteed please remember "groups.msn.com/professorsforum"

Time has decided everything.

EARTHQUAKE  AID SCANDAL AND FRAUD INVESTIGATION HAS STARTED IN PAKISTAN.PLEASE READ DAILY NEWSPAPER " JANG",Dated 27-12-2005 AND DECIDE THAT WHO IS CORRECT?

Here, elections don't mean democracy by j. iqbal

"The point here is that elections don't bring democracy. The roots of any democracy lie in a people united in their desire to govern in accordance with a rule of law that guarantees the rights of all. Such people then create conditions in which elections can certify their desire by selecting those who will govern. This produces democracy. What occurred in Iraq...was anything but such an expression of Iraqi national unity. The Iraqi election was an American-brokered event..." Scott Ritter, former UN chief Weapons Inspector in Iraq, wrote this in his article, "Hijacking Democracy in Iraq," not after last week's polls in Iraq but after another election -- the first of a three-part election/referendum series that began on January 30, 2005. As the US and Britain boast about Dec. 15 as a "great" and "historic" day that saw a massive turnout of Iraqi populace and reiterate euphorically the connection between election and democracy, it is perhaps a good time to be reminded of Ritter's words. Especially since the constantly improving turnout in successive elections failed to arrest the incidents of insurgency, with no letup in the car bombings, kidnappings or beheadings. Especially because in this election-packed year confessions coming from the direction of the CIA forced President Bush to admit that the war itself had been waged on a case of weak intelligence. The December elections came in the backdrop of anti-war forces gaining virtual ascendancy within the United States, with an unprecedented bashing of the White House witnessed on the electronic media. Expectedly, the government came up with a series of presidential addresses under the head "Victory in Iraq" as a befitting answer. Saddam may have been captured, WMDs may have been conspicuous by their absence, the reasons of going to war may have been faulty, but democracy in Iraq is the next best task the government must perform before deciding to withdraw troops. This, the world is told, shall have a domino effect on the region. We are expected to believe that the policy of "imposed" democracy would work as well as the "imposed" dictatorships did in the last half century. But the "pop-up" democracy of the occupying forces may not materialise. Their claims may be contested on more than one levels of analysis. Ritter's suggestion of people's own desire to bring democracy may provide a good starting point. The other difficulties are partially highlighted by Catharine Dalpino, an Asia expert at the Brookings Institution in Washington: "We think the fall of the Berlin Wall is the model all the other countries will follow, that democracy is just waiting to happen once you remove all the things that get in the way. It requires special conditions, and even then there are different kinds of democracies that we may not like." Well, the Berlin Wall did not involve an occupying power, or at least a visible manifestation of it. Two other examples quoted most in justification of efforts to democratise Iraq are that of Germany and Japan. These two countries continue to exist as successful functioning democracies despite all doubts, goes the argument. In order to say that Iraq's situation is unique, it may be worthwhile to go back into history. Iraq's Shia majority has been ruled by the Sunni minority since 1638, when Mesopotamia became a part of the Sunni Ottoman Turkish Empire. During the First World War, when the Ottoman Empire was defeated, the oil-rich Kurdish areas were attached to the erstwhile Mesopotamia to form modern Iraq. The new country was sharply divided along sectarian and ethnic lines and was thus not the homogeneous society as some other occupied countries were. Middle East expert Dilip Hiro takes it further: "That the ruling minority was overthrown by the United States, a foreign superpower, totally alien to Iraqis in religion, language and culture, is what separates the Iraq situation from others." It is rather simplistic to believe that the occupying forces were unaware of this basic lesson in history when they first thought of invading Iraq. Before we move on to the more slippery conclusion that Iraq's "balkanisation" is the desired objective of such a move, it may be useful to rule out the formulas that have been suggested as futile in Iraq's case. In a detailed article, "How to Build a Democratic Iraq" (Foreign Affairs, May/June 2003), Adeed I. Dawisha and Karen Dawisha suggest a federal form of government as the solution, conceding Iraq's ethnic and sectarian diversity. A weak centre pitched against powerful federating units having full control over their territories may be the answer to Iraq's problems. Going by this formula, the oil-rich Kurdish North and Shia South may leave nothing in the hands of the Sunni Centre. Unless, of course, oil is left with the central government, which itself is a dangerous proposition. The article suggests that instead of three ethnically or religiously based federal units, Iraq should have the 18 units/provinces that Iraq currently has. In the most recent incident, when the country had to vote on the constitutional draft, we saw once again that the provinces voted as ethnically or religiously as possible. The result was foretold, to say the least. So where do you draw the line? The Dawishas go on to argue that Iraq must have a bicameral legislature with the upper house ensuring a sense of participation among the federal units. But from what we know, there is not going to be an upper house under the current arrangement -- at least till another few years. Hence our temptation to side with the theory that democracy in Iraq is as big a lie as WMDs were. Americans have seen enough of the region to know what the pent up grievances of decades and centuries can entail in a democracy. The absence of opposition and the potential success of fundamentalists and radicals as a consequence is the last thing they want in the oil-rich Middle East. The US may not be seeking a spill-over of democracy in the region, but I doubt if they are aware that the anarchy they are sowing in Iraq may spill over too. Or is that too a "desired" outcome?

Blood Balti 2005

THANKS FROM WAQAR ALI

First of all I appreciate and thanks to all of my respectable supporters who voted for me and worked hard but unfortunately there was a narrow margin of two votes. I appreciate to all Pakistanies to show their interest in election and promiss them that I am always with them to work for community interest when ever and where ever they need me.
As my supporters are really disappointed and wants to discuss about those 20 to 25 votes which were marked only for one name. It was a democratic procedure or not, only panz and previous Executive committee can explain it because they were involved in this all procedure from beginning. If any community member or supporter wants to clear it, please email me or give us in writing, that this procedure was ethical or unehical/legal or illegal so, we can discuss this matter in AGM. As a Pakistani and community member I am always with those who are sincere to work only for community.

OIC at the crossroads by j. iqbal

The recent OIC summit held at Makkah was an altogether different show from previous conferences in more ways than one. Perhaps for the first time in its history, the OIC dared to send out a loud and clear message to the United States in particular and the West in general that adventurism against Muslim countries might lead to the awakening of the Ummah's conscience. Members minced no words in the Makkah Declaration and Joint CommuniquÈ, asserting that the OIC would come out with a collective "condemnation" in case sanctions were thrust upon Syria or any other member state. Likewise they also warned against an attack on Iran. We should not lambaste the OIC for limiting itself to "condemnation" and not asking for the complete excommunication of the aggressor, bearing in mind the stark reality that most Muslim countries have been directly or indirectly acting as collaborators with despotic forces. It would therefore not be easy for them to completely change tack at once. In these circumstances the OIC's role acquires added significance for it has to liberate itself from this influence in order to become an efficient, independent and assertive body. At Makkah, the member countries agreed on crafting a mechanism for the solution of long-standing issues such as Kashmir, Palestine and Cyprus by involving other countries. They also called for promoting intra-OIC trade with a view to making the organisation more responsive to the challenges facing the Muslim world today. President Musharraf particularly emphasised the need to focus on the Muslim world's socio-economic development. He was even more specific when he said that the organisation should concentrate on poverty reduction and work towards the development of the Muslim world's human resources. Ostensibly, all these tasks can translate into reality only if there is political will and harmony among member states and, above all, a strong and efficient secretariat. Member countries are in the habit of inducting either apolitical figures or technocrats as secretary generals, people who do not have the knack of running gigantic organisations like the OIC. The current secretary-general, Mr Ekmeleddin, is a professor by profession and has been associated with the organisation in various capacities. But his apolitical status stunts his stature as a mediator, facilitator or, for that matter, a crisis manager when it comes to the settlement of dissent among member countries. In my view, the secretary-general should be a retired prime minister or at least a veteran foreign minister, with a charismatic personality and vast experience in politics. Popularity amongst member states would be an added bonus. For example, the OIC could have Mahathir Mohammad as its next secretary-general. I do not see any harm in emulating the European Union model where all key institutions, such as the European Commission, European Parliament and Council of Ministers, are spearheaded by former high-profile politicians. The Commission' s incumbent president is Portugal's former prime minister and his predecessor, Romano Prodi, served as the Italian prime minister. There can be no two views that team performance depends largely on the skipper's ability to lead and assert. A weak and uncharismatic captain can only cause frustration. Moreover, the OIC is obliged to take a bold stand on Kashmir, as demanded by most Kashmiri leaders. In their view, mere recognition of the Kashmiris' right to self-determination will not solve the problem. For that, the OIC had to exercise great courage and seriousness. Similarly on Cyprus, the Communique said that the matter should be resolved in collaboration with the United Nations. This is clearly a weak and irrational stand keeping in mind that the UN had already exhausted all its energy in this connection and in the end was forced to eat humble pie. Muslim leaders spoke at length on how to root out terrorism but failed to utter even a single word about countering propaganda against Islam or revered personalities. Much to the disappointment of all, OIC leaders did not even mention the Denmark incident where a newspaper had printed a blasphemous cartoon of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) with utmost impunity and no fear of any reaction. Adding salt to injury, the Danish prime minister, while speaking via international hook-up, not only defended the newspaper in question but also made it clear that everybody enjoys freedom of expression in his country. As such, he said, he would not take any action against the paper or anybody who commits blasphemy. The leaders at Makkah vowed to restore a moderate image of Islam, tarnished by a handful of extremists. The challenge for the Muslim Ummah is real, because there is no dearth of politicians in the West who would like to capitalise on all that has been going on since 9/11. Tackling this problem head-on can only be achieved through democratisation of Muslim societies. Among other causes, what feeds the terrorism directed against the West and, in some cases, against Muslims, is the absence of democratic institutions. Democracy cannot be imposed from without; rather it has to come from within, and the sooner it makes an appearance the better it will be for all and sundry. Unless democratic structures are raised within Muslim states and civil society comes to be considered a major partner in the process of democratisation, the OIC will continue to be nothing more than a government stooge. The performance of OIC countries in terms of trade and economy has also been extremely disappointing. They control 70 per cent of oil resources and as a whole comprise one-fifth of the world's population, one-sixth of the total land area and are rich in minerals as well. Unfortunately, 22 of the 49 countries are classified as least developing countries. Twenty-three are categorised as being in severe debt while 15 are moderately indebted. Their predicament is that they trade more with other countries than with each other, a trend that needs to be reversed as rightly pointed out by the Pakistani president during the conference. Besides, it is mandatory for the OIC to address the issue of brain drain on a war footing. Our scholars and scientists prefer to work abroad where they get better working conditions along with befitting compensation. Most of our misfortunes emanate from our backwardness in the fields of research and development. We can only hope that the ten-year action plan agreed upon at Makkah will also address the key issue of brain drain.

CRICKET

fourth one dayer:

pakistan defeated england by 13 runs.

Attachment: CRICKET.jpg

Guli danda's exective players

Guli dand players have been elected by more than 200 people these players are named as exective members,dine parties are being celebrated and enjoyed its all over for Guli danda players they are now exective players but do any body knows what these player will do and for what they have been elected? Once I asked a bridegroom why he is so gloomy and grumpy while all other people are very happy he said these people are unwanted now only extras, I only need my bride now, in the same way community is in extras now these player will seldom play for the community that's why not a single player got the courage and time to say thank you to all, when I asked one of the exective player about this he responded that its the duty of the community to appriciate and congrdulate people have selected us becouse we were the most reasonable and suitible.

Jinnah Hall

Jinnah Hall

Talking with Sohni Dharti , Chief executive of Pakistan association of NZ- Zeb Khan said , Jinnah Hall is my first priority , if we have enough funds we will try to buy Jinnah Hall in Mt Roskil areas, when told him about 300k of White Sawn Islamic centre, Mr. Khan said with that money and cooperation of most generous of our community and former Patron of PANZ .Dr Wasim Ketan we can full fill our long waited dream of Jinnah Hall, when Sohni Dharti asked him about hall cum Masjid , Mr. Khan said we need hall , we already have too many Masjid in this area , we need hall , where we can do some recreational work or where we can have birthdays party and weddings and it can be used for hire too to cover the running cast , Mr. khan said there would be no place for any Moulas in Jinnah Hall

He added , Making Masjid too close to other Masjid is a BIDDAT and won't like it

Other elected executive of Pakistanis community Jamshaid ul Hussan, who is legal owner of White Sawn building , said we try our best to make white Sawn building in to Masjid but if we couldn't get neighbours consent then it is a community asset and I will transfer this to community then it would be up to community what they want to do with this 300k (expected)

 

Zeb Khan

Mr. Hussan added that Al Hijaz Trust is pressurizing me to transfer this building to trust , which I believe and everyone in community know that this trust is a failure

Nadeem Ashraf wants hall Jamshaid ul Hussan want hall Zeb Khan want , Dr Ketan want to make Jinnah hall, all ingredients are here , all we need PANZ G body supports to make this long waited dream to come true.

comments from PANZ president would be appreciated

CHEATING

cheating cheating its unfair with me,i dont know who is running this site known as sohni dharti,but who ever is the manager is a big cheater.when i did send a message to community about pakistan win over england it was never sent in e mails.but when some other cheater followed me and send for emails it was sent even after 3 days.is this what sohni dharti is conveying to others???????????????????

shame shame on manager when i joined i thought it might be a great site to present our views but its worst than others.i knew there is a policy that manager have the right to discrete but why me only not the other cheater???????

i hereby request MR BILLA GEE to intervene and sort out why this discretion only for me,i respect MR BILLA GEE from my heart he has his his on identity, he never cheat others so why in the presence of this great man this cheating is being done with me.

i also want to clear that it was me who first ever congratulate sohni dharti about cricket if somebody other claims that he is the first i will appologise otherwise i am expecting a big appology from sohni dharti manager and staff.

How to establish an Islamic state by J.Iqbal

On February 1, 1979, a 79-year-old man landed at Tehran airport after fourteen years of exile. Before his arrival, he had been sending cassettes of speeches from Paris to his followers. His messages had so stirred the souls of thousands of Iranian men and women that the apparently indestructible hold of the ruling king was swept away by the tide. How could Sayyid Ruhullah al-Musavi al-Khomeini lead an Islamic revolution and help the emergence of an Islamic state through cassette recordings of his messages, in a country that was considered to be the strongest hub of American influence in the region, and where more than 40,000 American soldiers, CIA agents, and advisors were present at the time of Reza Shah's sudden departure? This question has haunted Western political thinkers for more than a quarter of a century and remains one of the most intriguing questions in twentieth century political history. The revolution that led to the emergence of the first Islamic state in modern history is, however, neither a mysterious phenomenon nor an oddity, for Muslim history is replete with such quick transformations. One of the most important, basic, but poorly understood characteristic of Muslims is their capacity for sea-changes through the stirring of their souls by an appeal to the vision of Islam. This capacity is not an empty, ephemeral, or transitory phenomenon; it is a very deep inner transformation capable of instantaneous metamorphosis. There are numerous examples of this sea-change in the Companions of the Prophet of Islam. Men who were vehemently opposed to his message would suddenly see the light and transform themselves, bringing striking changes to all facets of their lives. This capacity to return to the true vision of Islam and this ability to realign one's life to the dictates of the most Noble Book manifests in the life of Muslims in numerous other ways as well. The Hajj experiences of thousands of believers, the sudden awakening of a higher purpose in life through contact with a saintly person, and numerous other modes of transformation are recorded in history. In the case of Iran, what transformed the lives of millions of men and women were not just the cassettes coming from Paris, but a bold, clear and consistent message: Islam is a complete way of life and not simply a set of rituals and beliefs; this complete way of life cannot be established in a polity unless the entire system is changed and this change cannot happen through cooperation with those who are running and operating the present corrupt and un-Islamic system; it has to come through a revolutionary process. It was the consistency of this message, along with the personal integrity of the ulema who led the Islamic Revolution of Iran that produced the unimaginable result in 1979. While Maulana Mawdudi of Pakistan had articulated the path to the emergence of an Islamic state with as much clarity, if not more, as Imam Khomeini, he did not follow his own articulation and abandoned the Prophetic approach. Imam Khomeini, on the other hand, was able to touch the souls of millions of Iranians because throughout the long years of his struggle, he never abandoned this method. He was not only fearless; he was also deeply convinced of the veracity of his goal and the method of his achieving it. Most of all, Khomeini's success lies in his conviction that whatever results are achieved through struggle are not really in his own hands, or in the hands of any human; what really matters is only with the struggle. In an interview given in Paris, before his return to Iran, he was asked: "Do you think our present course is wise? What will happen if the army keeps slaughtering people? Will people sooner or later not get tired and discouraged?" He responded by saying "our duty is only to struggle; the result is with Allah." It is this total detachment that arises out of long years of reflection and contemplation which creates a spiritual focus which, in turn, produces sea-changes in society. That such a transformation is always possible within Islamic polity is a possibility that exists at all times and therefore, in spite of the present situation, the emergence of Islamic states in the traditional Muslim lands remains an ever-present real possibility. The fact that this has not happened in countries like Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, Morocco, and so on, does not by any means preclude it for time to come. This is not empty hope and idealisation; it is a conviction borne out of an understanding of the spiritual makeup of Muslim people. The apparent power of secularised regimes of the Muslim world, the hold of the Western powers on state institutions, and the leadership of men who consider Islam to be a religion good for rituals but unfit for establishing a complete political, economic, and social order notwithstanding, there is something inherently indestructible in the Muslim psyche that keeps it perpetually committed to the vision inspired by the two Shahadahs: there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger. This commitment to the only one God, this attestation of the veracity of the message of Muhammad, the son of Abdullah, whose noble conduct and truth has been vouchsafed by Allah, the Most High, is a commitment of another kind which cannot be erased from the hearts of the believers. A commitment which can stir the sleeping soul at any moment, leading to the emergence of a small community of believers who can act as the harbinger of a change in the society, leading to the emergence of an Islamic state. What is needed at this time of Muslim history is, therefore, careful and sustained efforts to establish a large number of just such nuclei of change -- small groups of men and women who join hands together and help each other to gain an inner transformation and clarity through constant reflection on the complete system of life enshrined in the Glorious Book of Allah and through an intimate recollection and following of the life of His most Noble Messenger. If this path is followed, numerous Islamic states will emerge all over the traditional lands of Islam within a generation, with the permission of the One Whose Mercy grants the believers a light that dispels darkness and allows truth to prevail.

Pen in a monkey's hand

Guli danda's player will have the power to dissolve Panz general body this is just like a pen in a hand who don't know how to write, he will see the pen, its nib, colour ink, he will smell it even can taste the ink but at the end its a useless tool in his hand, once I presented a pen to a monky in the cage at zoo, he looked at the pen very strangely then crushed its nib and started touching and rubbing his testies with the pen but I am sure Guli dand players are not so illiterate at least they know the pen and how to write but again question is this .....is this sufficient? do any Guli danda player have the agenda to imporve the social facilities, economic standard and earning opportunities for the pakis and their families, do any Guli danda player have the awarness what problems are being faced by the Pakis students and what relief Panz can provide them, we don't need big mosques memorial halls but we need some relief at grass route level we need to bring more Pakistanis from Pakistan under different visas we need to facilitate students once a very notible personalitiy of Aucklnad was a Panz President a student went to him for help in geting driving Licence he carged 250 dallors for filling out the farm and help him in scratch test for God ....we don't need such type of Guli danda Exective players I appeal to the community please react possitively don't elect such people who will run away to other countries at last.

Merry Christams

 

Mr.Khan

what does mean by,

1=stange?

2=sextual?

3=what is the relation between a normal man,best health,working condition AND mr.touqeer khan??

please explain as soon as possible before election.

Mr. Khan

when we studied social work books it was really stange to know that the following pre-requisits should be part of good wining candidates for the communnity;

:-He must be well educated and sensible man

:- he must have good track record of working for the community

:-he must be a very liberal man free from prejudicism and sectariannism

:-he must be loyal with the community and his country and he has showed this through his working during the past years

:- He must be a good team player

:- He must not be a sextual abuser or sadist

:-He must have sufficient time for social work busy businessmen are always not good community workers

:- He must be a normal man free from psychological disturbances and also he must be in good health to bear the stress of work

 

I think the best person among the candidates who have near to the above mentioned criteria is Mr. Taukeer Khan if he is in best health and working conditions,

Al Hijaz Trust

Al Hijaz Trust

10 years ago few notable of community gather to from a trust with sole purpose to established a pure Pakistani Islamic centre in Auckland , ambitions were good emotions were high , when meeting finished trust have had more then $20k in hand on the spot , now al Hijaz trust is looking for suitable palace to establish Pakistani Islamic centre , they chose this place on White Sawn Rd , building was big but very old with huge land when price came , as usual trust was short of funds , even to for its deposit , so Al Hijaz trust stars asking around for finical help

That time Yaqoob Bhatti was Gs of PANZ- who recently had $10000 cheque from Dr Ketan for Jinnah hall purpose , on request from Al Hijaz trust .Mr. Bhatti gave all this money to Al Hijaz trust to buy this building for Islamic centre

All of were happy and full of enthusiasm that one day we will convert this old place live able , first one or tow years turt run on initial enthusiasm and because of Angle on earth Qazi Sher Mohammad who worked very hard keep centre going . This time first time Al Hijaz trust face donors fatigue , payments are getting short every month . Centre was on brink of repossession , reports says one day few Parsi were inspecting the centre to turn in to Parsi centre because some one told them that property is for sales , this was crunch time for Al Hijaz trust , if no body comes forward this Islamic centre has to go on sale , trust offer every trustee to buy this property , there were few millionaires in this trust but no one want to stake his name on Al Hijaz trust, it was about to go in to market for auction

Here comes Jamshaid ul Hussan to rescue the Islamic centre, he pledged his all property to save this property from auction not only save it but with the help of Mr. Bhatti he run it under Huge pressure, when even trustee withdrew their monthly automatic payments , Mr. Hussan is still running it , according to Sohni Dharti information there no Juma Namaz in this Islamic centre due to neighbours complaint

Bear this in mind this building has a capital gain of 300k more or less , now trust is back asking Mr. Hussan to return it back to al Hijaz trust

Election or selection

Election or selection is a big issue in the community now a days when we ask some of the candidates "what is the different between election and selection" they responded as follow,

 

Ohhhhhh ......selection ........I like it all my life people use to select me.... from class room to politics people have been selecting me I hope people will do it again in this election, ohhhhhh........you asking about election and selection I think election is a selection ........sorry but Im not sure,

 

an other candidate responded this way,

 

Elections are very important in democracy if we have equal rights (of wife) then we have to promote elections Im sure people will elect good people my work is before them I ve been  working for the community before christ when I came from pakistan I use to wear Shalwar but it was no good for the community so I change my dress now I wear nothing...............sorry now I wear English dress ............sorry I forgot what you asked yes I know selection my wife is my selection.

 

An other candidate says like this

 

I think the most important thing is your friends I have lot of (gay) friends they come to me at need and I go to them when we meet its really good .......I feel normal and solaced I was not ready to take part in the election but my friend forced me and select me to stand up and up so Im up ............Im sorry

 

PAKISTANI PEOPLE WANTED URGENTLY

PAKISTANI PEOPLE WANTED  URGENTLY!!! 

  International film company shooting  in New  Zealandrequires the following people for a TV  shoot for a petrol company: 
 

Good looking Pakistani males  30-40yrs

Good looking Pakistani females  20-30yrs

Pakistani children aged 5 to  12yrs

Pakistani grandfathers aged  60yrs 
 

This is a very good opportunity to make some big  money for very little effort as the fees are $1600 to $8000 per  role. 
 
We need to photograph as many people as possible  that fit this description, so will be needing people to contact us by Monday  afternoon at the latest so we can photograph them on Monday night, then audition  the ones suitable Tuesday & Wednesday Said Angela.
 

CALL DIANE OR ANGELA ON 360-4074 OR  376-0671…or mobile 027-587-2203

Angela Smith &  Diane Gordon

HIDDEN TAONGA Global  Talent

Ph  64 9 360-4074; fax 64 9 360-4075

Mobile 027-587-2203

24  England St, Freemans Bay

Auckland, New  Zealand

angela4funky@xtra.co.nz

news by buqrat

by our correspondent.

chakwal. chakwali .chakwal. chakwala. balti. blood.hat.chakwal.balti.blood.hat.

chakwal.

today pakistan & world news by j.iqbal

PAKISTAN


Editor Jang Online Rana Khalid passes away
(Updated at 2345 PST)
Karachi: Editor Jang Online Rana Mohammed Khalid passes away in a local hospital after brief illness here on Tuesday. He was 50.

He was shifted to Liaquat National Hospital last week after pneumonic complaints. He was shifted to Chest Ward from ICU but Tuesday morning his condition deteriorated and was again shifted to ICU where he breathed his last on Tuesday night.

Rana Muhammad Khalid joined journalism 20 years back. He is survived by a widow, two daughters and a son.


New education policy draft ready by June'06: Javed Ashraf
(Updated at 2130 PST)
KARACHI: Federal Minister for Education, Lt Gen (Retd) Javed Ashraf Qazi here on Tuesday said that the new education policy draft would be ready by June next year. He was addressing a news conference after the conclusion of the 9th meeting of the Inter-Provincial Education Ministers at the Sindh Secretariat here.

The meeting was attended by the Education Ministers from the Punjab, Mian Imran Masood, Minister for Literacy and Non-Formal Basic Education Punjab, Hussain Jahanian Gardezi, NWFP's Maulana Fazal-e-Ali Haqqani, Baluchistan's Maulana Abdul Wahid Siddiqui, AJK's Ch. M. Aziz, Sindh's Dr. Hameeda Khuhro, Minister of State and Chairman National Commission for Human Development, Dr. Nasim Ashraf, secretary education of the respective provinces and the concerned officials.

The Federal Education Minister said that it is expected that the draft of the new policy would be ready by June next year and then it would be presented before the federal cabinet and would also be placed before the National Assembly for passage. " We also discussed as what elements should be included in the new education policy", he remarked.

He stated that later an action plan would be framed and thus the process would be carried forward. Javed Ashraf informed that the on-going education census in the country would be completed by June next year. This would be fed into the National Management Information System (NMIS). This data already exists in the provinces but was not on the national level. " We want to tie-in so that everyone should have complete data and planning is undertaken on reliable data", the Federal education Minister further remarked. He pointed out that the colleges would be handled by the provincial government and the Executive District Officers (EDOs) and district governments would handle only the schools. To a question, he maintained that our schools are not geared for the semester system.

Sindh Local Government (amended) Ordinance issued
(Updated at 1600 PST)
KARACHI: Governor of Sindh Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad has issued the Local Government (amended) Ordinance 2005.

According to the amended ordinance, voting for election of Naib Nazims in all districts and talukas of Sindh will not be held by secret ballot but by raising hands.

In the Ordinance 2005 a word ‘secret’ was deleted. According to the amended law council members will elect Naib Nazims by raising hands.

Hashmi sees bright chances of electoral alliance with PPP
(Updated at 1510 PST)
LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League (N) Acting President Makhdoom Javed Hashmi has said there were bright chances of an electoral alliance of his party with Pakistan Peoples Party.

He was talking with newsmen on his arrival to Lahore’s Services Hospital for dental checkup.

Peoples Party and Muslim League (N) are engaged in a joint struggle for restoration of democracy, said Hashmi, and both want to contest next election from a joint platform.

Replying a question he said London is relatively more open place than Jeddah and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif will overtly take part in political activities over there.

Hashmi emphasized on the need of national consensus for Kalabagh Dam project saying that the government policies are creating disunity.

He also demanded for appointment of a permanent election commissioner after consultation with political parties for the sake of holding fair and impartial elections.

Mild quake hits Mansehra
(Updated at 1120 PST)
MANSEHRA: Mild quake tremors were felt at Mansehra this morning but no fatalities were reported.

The magnitude 4 tremors at the Richter scale jolted Mansehra Tuesday morning at 7:35 am.


WORLD


Death toll in Iraq suicide bombing rises to 36
(Updated at 0115 PST)
BAGHDAD: Death toll in a double suicide bombing in Baghdad, carried out by two Iraqi policewomen officers, Tuesday rose to 36, as insurgents claimed the kidnapping of an American amid further violence just nine days before key elections.

The blasts, on the same day that eight other Iraqi security personnel were killed in various incidents, came as the trial of ex-dictator Saddam Hussein continued.

The bombing at the Baghdad police academy was the worst attack on security forces in weeks and exacerbated concerns about stability ahead of elections for a permanent parliament.

Police said at least 36 officers and students were killed, with 72 other people wounded. Among those hurt was a US contractor.

An Iraqi civilian was killed and 10 wounded when a makeshift bomb exploded near a popular restaurant in southern Baghdad during the evening, police said.


Policewomen carried out Baghdad blasts: minister
(Updated at 0045 PST)
ABU DHABI: The double suicide bombing that killed 36 people at a police academy in Baghdad Tuesday was carried out by two female police officers, Iraqi Interior Minister Bayan Baker Solagh said.


US blasts Egypt over elections
(Updated at 0010 PST)
WASHINGTON: The United States, in a marked change of tone, expressed serious concern Tuesday over the conduct of Egypt's parliamentary elections and said it sent the "wrong signal" about Cairo's commitment to democracy.


Rice signs deal for US military bases in Romania
(Updated at 2300 PST)
BUCHAREST: US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice signed a deal with Romania on Tuesday allowing the United States to set up military bases in the country, the first such facilities in the former Soviet bloc.

Top UN election official fired for sexual harassment
(Updated at 2220 PST)
UNITED NATIONS: The top UN election official, Carina Perelli of Uruguay, has been summarily dismissed for "misconduct, including sexual harassment," effective immediately, a UN spokesman said on Tuesday.

Death toll now 128 in Iranian plane crash
(Updated at 2145 PST)
TEHRAN: Death toll climbed to 128 people following the C-130 plane crash into a 10-story apartment building as it was trying to make an emergency landing Tuesday, ripping open the top of the structure and igniting a huge fire.

At least 128 people were killed. All 94 people on the plane were killed, most of them Iranian journalists heading to cover military maneuvers in the south, and 34 residents of the apartment building also died, with 90 injured, Tehran state radio said.

Former Indian FM resigns over Iraq oil-for-food
(Updated at 2130 PST)
NEW DELHI: Former Indian foreign minister Natwar Singh Tuesday resigned from the cabinet in the wake of charges that he and the ruling Congress party skimmed the UN
oil-for-food scheme in Iraq.

Britain wanted to improve EU budget proposals
(Updated at 2100 PST)
BERLIN: German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday that she wanted to see "improvements" in Britain's proposals for the European Union's 2007-2013 budget.

President Musharraf arrives holy Madina
(Updated at 2020 PST)
MADINA, Saudi Arabia: President Pervez Musharraf has arrived the holy city of Madina, srouces reported.

The president was received with warm welcome by Governor Madina Abdul Aziz Bin Majid here at the city’s international airport.

President Musharraf is touring Saudi Arabia with regard to summit of the Organisation for Islamic Countries (OIC).

The president also performed prayers in the world’s holiest Masjid-e-Nabvi and visited the most sacred mausoleum of holy prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

US closes Manila embassy after bomb threat
(Updated at 2000 PST)
MANILA: The US embassy shut its doors to the public on Tuesday after a bomb threat, with Philippines police warning of potential suicide attacks by Jemaah Islamiah, a regional network of militants linked to Al Qaeda.

On its Web site -- the embassy said the temporary closure was due to ''plausible threat information'', which it did not describe.

A police bomb squad with sniffer dogs searched the exterior of the heavily fortified compound, after not being allowed inside, but officers said nothing unusual had been found.

Inspector Oscar Enciso, head of the Manila bomb squad, said a US official asked for assistance on Monday evening after a mobile phone text message was received from someone named ''Evita'' threatening to blow up the embassy.

''We thought we needed to take the necessary steps, which meant we had to close the public services,'' Matthew Lussenhop, an embassy spokesman, told reporters without specifying the nature of the threat. ''They'll be closed again tomorrow.'' The Philippines government, fighting homegrown Muslim and communist insurgencies as well as Jemaah Islamiah, is a staunch American ally.

But anti-American sentiment in the Philippines, a former US colony, has risen in recent weeks with six visiting US soldiers being investigated over allegations of rating a Filipino woman on Nov 1 after joint military exercises.

''An attack on any US embassy in the world is every Islamic militant's dream,'' said a Philippines intelligence official, adding that two leading foreign militants hiding in the southern island of Mindanao wanted Indonesians to carry out attacks.

Citing information shared by Jakarta, the police official said Dulmatin and Umar Patek had asked a contact in central Java, Abdullah Sunata, to send Indonesian recruits to Mindanao to launch suicide bombings in the Philippines.

EU faces mission impossible to break budget deadlock
(Updated at 1830 PST)
BRUSSELS: The EU faces an almost impossible task to strike a budget deal at a summit next week after new British plans were widely criticized, but a last-ditch deal cannot be ruled out, analysts said Tuesday.

Britain's European Union (EU) partners also continued to pour cold water on London's plans, unveiled on Monday in a bid to break a bitter deadlock over the 25-nation's funding plans for the 2007-2013 period.

"This deal will not go through," said Daniel Gros, director of the Centre for European Policy Studies thinktank, referring to the chances of an accord when EU leaders gather in Brussels next Thursday and Friday.

"For the time being one must say it might be useless for them to meet," he added.
He was speaking after Foreign Secretary Jack Straw presented proposals to cut overall spending plans, notably to the bloc's newest members, while offering to forego some of Britain's long-cherished rebate.

Overall the proposals would cap EU spending in 2007-13 at 1.03 percent of the 25-nation bloc's gross national income, or an estimated 846.8 billion euros.

While there has been some praise for London's olive branch on its rebate, critics have slammed the plans to cut funding to poorer EU newcomers, most of them ex-communist states in central Europe who joined the bloc last year.


Iran plane incident: death toll climbs to 100
(Updated at 1800 PST)
TEHRAN: At least 100 people were killed Tuesday when an Iranian military C-130 transport plane crashed into a residential area of the capital Tehran, official media and local officials said.


Ten dead as military plane crashes into Tehran high-rise
(Updated at 1720 PST)
TEHRAN: An aging Iranian military C-130 transport plane with close to 100 people on board crashed into a 10-storey building in a densely populated residential area of the capital Tehran on Tuesday.

At least 10 people are known to have died, state radio said. State television said the plane encountered a "technical problem" immediately after take-off from Tehran's Mehrabad airport, which handles domestic, international and military flights.

It said there were 94 people -- 10 crew and 84 passengers -- on board the flight, which was heading for the southern port city of Bandar Abbas.

After failing to make an emergency landing at Mehrabad, the plane went down in the Yaftabad district in the south of the sprawling city, which is currently enveloped in a blanket of thick smog.

According to foreign official, the plane crashed into a 10-storey building. The agency added the high-rise was in flames.

Emergency services were at the scene, state television said. Iran's air force is believed to have no more than around 15 of the US-made C-130s in operation, having acquired the planes, which are also known as Hercules, before the 1979 Islamic revolution.

Since then, Iran has been subject to tough US sanctions, hindering the purchase of critical spare parts for all US-made planes in its air force and the civilian flag carrier Iran Air.

A C-130 crashed near Tehran due to technical problems in June 2003, killing seven people.

In 1997, a C-130 crashed near the northwestern city of Mashhad after encountering engine trouble, killing 86 people, and in February 2000 another air force C-130 crashed on take-off and collided with an Iran Air Airbus 300, killing ten people.

27 killed in twin suicide attack on Baghdad police academy
(Updated at 1615 PST)
BAGHDAD: At least 27 Iraqi police officers and cadets were killed on Tuesday when two women suicide bombers blew themselves up in a Baghdad police academy classroom, the US military said.

“Two suicide bombers attacked an Iraqi police academy in east Baghdad around 12:45 pm," said the US military.

According to initial reports, at least 27 police officers and academy students were killed and another 32 wounded in the attack, which comes just nine days before Iraq holds parliamentary elections.

"Two females, each wearing a suicide vest, walked into a classroom at the academy and detonated in the midst of students," the statement said.

Iraqi army colonel gunned down in Iraq
(Updated at 1555 PST)
BAQUBA: An Iraqi army colonel and his driver were found shot dead on the road between Baghdad and Baquba, 60 kilometers (35 miles) to the north, said police.

The two men, who were not in uniform and in a private car, were killed in a drive-by shooting at around 10:00 am (0700 GMT), added police. They were believed to be headed for Baghdad.

Small aftershocks felt in Congo
(Updated at 1500 PST)
KINSHASA: Residents of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) said on Tuesday they had felt three small aftershocks from a powerful earthquake that rocked east and central Africa 24 hours earlier.

People living in the town of Kalemie, where at least one person was killed and two wounded when several buildings collapsed during Monday's quake, said the minor tremors came at intervals lasting as long as six hours.

Two rebels killed, 7 soldiers injured in Algeria
(Updated at 1440 PST)
ALGIERS: Two rebels were killed and seven Algerian soldiers injured in clashes between the armed group and an army patrol in southwest Algeria over the weekend, local media reported on Tuesday.

The attack took place in Hassasna in the region of Saida, about 430 kilometers southwest of the capital Algiers.


Two killed in Russia helicopter crash
(Updated at 1340 PST)
MOSCOW: The Mi-8 helicopter was flying from Nikolayevsk-on-Amur to the town of Bogorodskoye, when it crashed onto the ice-covered river, said Emergency Situations Ministry spokesman Viktor Beltsov.

The helicopter was on a mission to pick up patients from a local hospital and was only carrying a crew of three at the time of the crash, Beltsov said.

At least two crewmembers died, he said. It wasn't immediately clear what caused the accident.

20 bodies found in western Iraq
(Updated at 1300 PST)
FALLUJA: Police said on Tuesday they had found the bodies of 20 people dumped in two separate locations in an area of western Iraq well known for insurgency
violence.

Eleven men in civilian clothes were found on Monday dumped next to the main highway that links Baghdad to the border with Jordan in Iraq's west, police said.

The bodies were found near the town of Rutba, 370 km (230miles) west of Baghdad, in the mainly Sunni Arab desert province of Anbar. The bodies all had their hands tied and the men appeared to have been killed three days ago.Their identities were not clear.

Also on Tuesday, police said the bodies of nine civilians had been found a day earlier beside a road near Falluja, 50 km (32 miles) west of Baghdad. All nine had gunshot wounds.

US embassy in Philippines closes
(Updated at 1210 PST)
MANILA: The US embassy in the Philippines said on Tuesday it had temporarily closed to the public due to what a spokesman called a "plausible threat to the security" of the
mission.

"We got some information and we thought that the sources were credible enough to merit the closing of the services of the embassy," said spokesman Matt Lussenhop.

He would not disclose the nature of the threat or who had provided the intelligence to the embassy.

However, security sources in Manila said the threat was made by telephone, and that the caller mentioned specific information about the embassy's premises.

Blast in Bangladesh injures three
(Updated at 1025 PST)
DHAKA: A bomb exploded outside a scrap metal shop in Bangladesh's capital, injuring three workers, police said on Tuesday.

The blast in Dhaka's Lalbagh commercial district occurred late on Monday as the workers were unloading a cargo of scrap metal from a tricycle rickshaw, a police official said.

One injured man was being treated in a hospital, while the two others were released after treatment for minor injuries, theofficial added.

He said police were investigating whether the bomb was hidden in the metal scrap or thrown at the workers.

Landmine kills seven Sri Lankan soldiers
(Updated at 0925 PST)
COLOMBO: At least seven Sri Lankan soldiers were killed on Tuesday when a landmine exploded in the northern Tamil town of Jaffna, military officials here said.

Six men and one officer were riding in a tractor-trailer near a landmark Hindu temple when a claymore mine went off some 400 kilometres (250 miles) north of the capital Colombo, the officials said.

"The soldiers were on a routine patrol when they were caught up in the blast," said one official.

NKorea demands U.S. lift financial sanctions before talks
(Updated at 0840 PST)
SEOUL: North Korea said Tuesday that multinational talks on eliminating its nuclear weapons programs won't resume unless the United States lifts financial sanctions against the communist country.

Washington slapped sanctions in October on eight North Korean companies it said acted as fronts for the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The United States also suspects North Korea of counterfeiting and money-laundering. North Korea denies the allegations.


OIC foreign ministers meeting today
(Updated at 0715 PST)
JEDDAH: An emergent meeting of foreign ministers of the 57-nation Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) will be held on Tuesday while their summit on Wednesday.

President General Pervez Musharraf would lead the Pakistan delegation in the very important meeting which is being held to find ways of tackling religious extremism, social challenges and political divisions which Saudi Arabia says have plunged the Islamic world in crisis.

The aim of the two-day summit “is to restore the image of Islam, harmed by terrorist attacks carried out in the name of this righteous religion,” Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Al Faisal said.

Two documents reinforcing Islam’s moderate image will be submitted to the summit to be held here, said OIC spokesman Atta Al Mannan. The two documents are to lay the foundations for “a moderate and enlightened Islamic line of conduct in order to confront extremism in and against Islam,” said Mannan.

Saud Al Faisal said the summit will see “a proposal to create a fund within the Islamic Bank for catastrophes and humanitarian issues in the Islamic world.” Attendees will also confirm a name change for the body to become the Organisation of Islamic Countries.


Vanuatu evacuates thousands as volcano threatens major explosion
(Updated at 0700 PST)
PORT VILA: Authorities in Vanuatu are evacuating thousands of villagers from homes near a volcano spewing ash and steam on the island of Ambae amid fears of a major eruption, officials said Tuesday.

Mount Manaro began tossing out ash and a plume of steam on Nov. 27 and local volcanologist Douglas Charlie said Tuesday the volcano ``is one of the most dangerous in the world as it's situated below a lake.''

Lake Vui, which lies in the crater of Mount Manaro, could have its bottom torn open by the trembling mountain, causing ``a gigantic explosion'' as the water hits hot volcanic magma or rock inside the volcano, Charlie said by telephone from Ambae.

The volcanic lake also is being forced up toward the rim, sparking fears of a lahar or mud flow if the lake wall bursts, which could drown the villages that surround the mountain.

Vanuatu Prime Minister Ham Lini has yet to declare a state of emergency on the island but said he would do so if the situation worsens.

Officials, meanwhile, ordered 5,000 people living in 15 villages in a so-called ``red zone'' round the mountain to move to the island's coast.

There, local schools and halls are being used to accommodate displaced villagers as some 2,000 tons of ash a day fall round the mountain base and white steam billows 1,500 meters (4,500 feet) above its cone.


Charges dropped against Army officer accused of killing Iraqis
(Updated at 0605 PST)
TOPEKA, Kansas: The Army dropped murder charges against an officer accused of giving soldiers in his platoon permission to kill two Iraqi civilians.

Second Lt. Erick J. Anderson, 26, of Twinsburg, Ohio, could have gotten life in prison if convicted.

``Today's a pretty good day,'' Anderson said. ``Right now, shock and awe is pretty much still in effect.

``It's been a long 18 months that this has all been going on,'' he said. ``The reality of it still hasn't hit that it's done and over with.''

All charges were dropped after an Army investigator who presided over a hearing last month recommended that Anderson not face a court-martial. At the hearing, one soldier who had accused Anderson changed his story, and another refused to testify. Anderson was a platoon leader in an infantry regiment in August
2004.

Four men in his 36-member platoon were convicted of murdering unarmed Iraqis during operations near Sadr City, a Baghdad slum.

Panz and Professor

Panz is not responding properly I submitted a draft of amendments in the constitution but upto date no reply from them, also they are denying my articles what they want to achieve by this if they want to stop me I m happy not to write at their page so I appeal to the people concerned please clear the fuss so I can set my way occordingly.

Hey ;)

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Fair play The writer is a British social worker operating copy by j.iqbal

The English like to fondly nurture the illusion that they ‘play fair’. They don’t, of course, not now nor have they ever; any more than any other nation when it thinks its interests outweigh whatever moral imperatives might be skulking on the sidelines. Despite which, there is a level inside many of us Children of Albion who wander far from its shores, the occasional twinge of guilt if we sense that we might be seen as not having ‘played a straight bat’. Such a twinge has prodded me this week Dear Reader and with it the admission that I might not have been giving a square deal to the country that has been my home these last few years.

Looking back over the last ten months of writing these occasional pieces I realised that I had more bad to say than I did good about Pakistan. And quite right too, you may think. There is a lot wrong that needs righting. But there is also a lot right that rarely gets acknowledged, and is lost in the rolling tide of criticism that the likes of myself can produce at the drop of a hat. So, engaging my personal Spirit of Fair Play…

You are reading this piece and it is not censored nor I in jail or thrown out of the country because Pakistan has a press and media sector that is, for the most part, free. There are constraints, but they are not all-pervasive. Does the government manipulate the media, put pressure on it from time to time, and even occasionally make life uncomfortable for those who write or speak against it? Yes, they do. But you do not open your newspaper in the morning in the expectation of seeing blank areas where the blue pencil of the censor has expunged both opinion and record. You open the papers to find a wide and diverse set of reports and ideas from across every strata of the nation. Spend a moment comparing that to what you saw when you opened a paper under the Zia regime.

Turn on your television or radio and experience a similar diversity — some of the product you can choose from is admittedly from the bottom end of the landa bazaar, but hey, its early days and things can only get better.

Want to send an email? You can do that from practically anywhere in the country, and when you have sent your mail you can surf the Internet, going wherever you want and saying whatever you like to anybody who wants to listen. Try doing that in Saudi Arabia, or China or any of the other states that attempt to limit access to this most modern and interactive of media.

Not every policeman or bureaucrat is corrupt, nor every single politician is determined to swindle the common man out of every paisa he has. There is not a viper in the heart of every family whispering that burning the newest daughter-in-law to death is a good idea. Panchayats regularly — and generally reliably — arbitrate and resolve innumerable disputes, and are not all handing down dark judgments condemning innocent women to rape and worse. Property developers are not all willfully constructing buildings that are going to collapse at the first sign of seismic activity. Educationalists and teachers are not striving to turn the nation’s children into a generation of dunces. The government does not always get everything wrong. Not all religious leaders are calling for the immolation of those who might disagree with them.

It is almost childishly easy to take a swipe at — and hit — a sensitive part of just about every civil body, socio-cultural practice and institution there is in Pakistan. The environment in which commentators and critics write and comment is, as the military would say ‘target rich’. And yet…the nation is not falling apart at the seams. Life is not unraveling into utter chaos, anarchy does not rule. All of those things are possible, and might just happen, but they are not happening right now despite what you might think, read, see or hear.

Fair play duly rendered, the routine flaying of the usual suspects will re-commence imminently.

to day pakistan news by j.iqbal

PAKISTAN


More cooperation stressed among Asia countries in tele-com sector
(Updated at 2140 PST)
ISLAMABAD: The Asia Pacific Tele-community in its 29th meeting has pressed on increased cooperation in tele-communication field amongst Asia countries to compete against needs of the present era.

The 29th meeting of the Asia-Pacific Community Management Committee opened here today and was attended by 28 countries.

The meeting highlighted needs for mounting need of tele-communication for boost of education, health, industry, trade and other sectors of human activity.

Apart from it, the meeting also put forward recommendations for rapid economic progress, e-government, e-commerce and bilateral contacts between the Asian countries.

Proposed rectifications for the tele-communication were also reviewed in the meeting, which agreed for kicking off different projects progress of the tele-communication sectors of the region.

The meet would wind up on December 8 of the ongoing year.

Polls 2007 will again bring PML-Q into power: State minister
(Updated at 2040 PST)
SHANGLA: State Minister for Water and Power and acting president Pakistan Muslim League-Q (NWFP) said following elections in year 2007 PML would be a ruling party at the Center and in provinces.

He was addressing a public gathering here today. He said: “The nation has confidence in the policies introduced by President Gen. Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.”

The acting president, who is also working as provincial coordinator for relief work, assured each quake-affected would be given relief.

PIDC bomb incident: culprits confessed crime
(Updated at 1825 PST)
KARACHI: The detained suspects involved in 15th November’s PIDC car bomb blast confessed their crime, here today.

Prosecution inspector of police while talking to Geo TV informed that the two culprits Aziz Khan and Mangla Khan who are brothers in relation, admitted their crime in front of Judicial Magistrate South Khushi Mohammad.

Moreover, police sources reveled that the two brothers belonged to Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) who were identified by two eyewitnesses on 23 November. The miscreants would be produced before the Anti Terrorism Court tomorrow (06-Dec), they explained.

Bhawalpur police encounter kills accused in robbery cases
(Updated at 1120 PST)
BHAWALPUR: The accused Nehao involved in several cases of robbery was killed in a police encounter here at Tehsil Ahmadpur Sharqia, while the firings of accused also injured a citizen.

Ahmadpur Sharqia DSP, Mian Irfan told that the police encounter ensued with the arrival of police at a time, when the accused Nehao involved in more than thirty cases of robbery and murder with his three accomplices was fleeing after snatching Rs10000 at gun point from Wahid Bakhsh oil agency in Widhnor area of Naushehra Jadid police station and the area people had started chasing them.

The accused fired on the pursuing citizens and the police, when Nehao got killed in counter-firing and a civilian Nabi Bakhsh was injured by the firing of the accused, who was later admitted into the hospital. However, the accomplices of the accused managed to flee from the scene.


WORLD



France disappointed with British budget proposal
(Updated at 0130 PST)
PARIS: France said Monday it was not satisfied with British proposals to break a deadlock over the EU budget, with Foreign Minister Philippe Dosute-Blazy saying the plan "does not seem likely to bring the agreement we all want".


U.S. military says former Iraqi premier al-Zubaidi has died
(Updated at 0105 PST)
BAGHDAD: Former Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Hamza al-Zubaidi has died at a U.S. military hospital in Baghdad, an American military spokesman said Monday.

Al-Zubaidi, 67, died of heart failure on Friday and the U.S. military is awaiting autopsy results to determine his death, according to Lt. Col. Barry Johnson

The U.S. military on Saturday reported the death of an unnamed 67-year-old at the 344th Corps Support Hospital.

Al-Zubaidi, a Shiite Muslim, was a leading member of Saddam Hussein's once-ruling Baath Party and led Saddam's forces in central Iraq during the initial stages of the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.

He was linked to the suppression of a Shiite uprising in southern Iraq following the 1991 Gulf War that freed Kuwait from Iraqi occupation. He was also in charge of Iraqi forces in Kirkuk during the 1980-88 Iraq-Iran war.

The military statement said the deceased's remains will be transferred to the family upon completion of an autopsy.


Natwar meets Sonia under pressure to quit
(Updated at 0015 PST)
MONDAY: Former external affairs minister Natwar Singh met Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday night.

He is under pressure to resign as Union Minister in the wake of the Volcker controversy that once again rocked Parliament, with both Houses being adjourned over the issue.

The chaos signalled that it was increasingly becoming politically unviable for former external affairs minister Natwar Singh to stay on as minister.

First, a late night meeting chaired by Congress President Sonia Gandhi decided to remove him from the Steering Committee, which is the Congress's main decision-making body.

And then, there came a not-so-subtle hint from Congress leader and lawyer Kapil Sibal that the party wants to distance itself from his conduct.

"In the light of all statements made, we considered it was not proper for Natwar Singh to continue as member of the Steering Committee," Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal said.

He also said it was now up to the former external affairs minister whether he should resign.


Britain arrests three after probe into international terrorism
(Updated at 2345 PST)
LONDON: Three men were arrested on Monday in central England following an investigation into "international terrorism overseas", a British police spokesman said.


Israel to resume target killings after suicide bombing
(Updated at 2315 PST)
JERUSALEM: Israeli Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz gave his green light for the army to carry out targeted killings of Islamic fighters after a Palestinian suicide attack in which five Israelis died Monday, military radio said.

Britain to forgo 8 bln euros of EU budget rebate
(Updated at 2300 PST)
LONDON: Britain would forgo eight billion euros of its EU rebate in 2007-13 to help cover the cost of enlargement under proposals unveiled Monday by the British EU presidency to break a budget deadlock, a British official said.

Deaths, injuries reported from East Africa quake-UN
(Updated at 2200 PST)
KINSHASA: A strong earthquake damaged homes in the town of Kalemie in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday and local residents reported deaths and injuries, a United Nations official said.

"There is quite a lot of damage to these poorly constructed houses. Residents told us that some people had died and others were injured but we do not have any figures yet," Michel Bonnardeaux, spokesman for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Kinshasa, told Reuters.

A local community leader said he had also heard of casualties. "I have heard of at least one death and many injuries, but we need to check more (in poor neighbourhoods) where houses have been damaged," Fidel Muteba said.

Bonnardeaux said relief workers were checking the hospitals in the town of just under 200,000 inhabitants on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, which was reported to be close to the centre of the magnitude 6.8 earthquake that was felt from Congo to Kenya.

The quake shook buildings in the town and residents ran out into the streets, witnesses said earlier.

Saddam trial adjourned until Wednesday
(Updated at 2125 PST)
BAGHDAD: The trial of ousted Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was adjourned until Wednesday after a first full day in court on Monday, judge Rizkar Mohammed Amin announced.

The court adjourned after a marathon session, characterised by harrowing testimony from the first witness who gave evidence of the mass arrest, murder and torture of Shiite villagers, met by frequent interjections from the dock.

Saddam and seven of his aides, who have pleaded not guilty, are on trial for the massacre of almost 150 Shiite villagers in 1982 in a case that has captivated the world.
They face the death penalty if found guilty.

Beijing vehicle collision kills 24
(Updated at 2040 PST)
Beijing: At least 24 people were killed and nine others injured in a vehicle collision on an expressway in Beijing, police said yesterday.

The accident took place when a calcium carbide-loaded truck from north China's Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region crashed into a Beijing passenger bus due to brake failure at a section of the Badaling Expressway in Changping District.

The two vehicles overturned and fell into a 20-meter-deep ditch and caught fire, killing 24 on the spot.

South African parliament evacuated after bomb threat
(Updated at 1900 PST)
JOHANNESBURG: South Africa's parliament building in Cape Town was evacuated on Monday following a bomb threat, police said.

"We received an anonymous phone call with a bomb threat to parliament in Cape Town," police spokeswoman Bernadine Steyn told.

"We cordoned off the streets around parliament and at this stage the police are on the scene with sniffer dogs," Inspector Steyn said.

The building in central Cape Town is home to the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces, both of which remain in session until December 15.

French engineer kidnapped in latest hostage crisis
(Updated at 1900 PST)
BAGHDAD: A French engineer working in Iraq was kidnapped in a wealthy Baghdad neighborhood on Monday, bringing to six the number of Westerners abducted over the past week in a resurgence of hostage-taking.

The French foreign ministry named the man as Bernard Planche and said he was working in Iraq for an organization called AACCESS, "in the social and economic sector", without elaborating.

His abduction comes amid a surge of appeals by international figures for the hostages to be released as the war-torn nation experiences a fresh spike in violence in the run-up to a general
election on December 15.

According to Iraqi police, four armed militants, including a woman, broke into Planche's house in the Mansour neighborhood around 9:20 am (0620 GMT) and dragged him out. When Planche refused to enter the car he was pistol whipped.

A nearby policeman witnessed the event and opened fire. The gunmen returned fire and fled with their hostage. The policeman said blood was visible on the doorstep.

According to the online minutes of a water and sanitation coordination meeting held in March at UNICEF offices in Amman, which Planche attended, his company works on US contracts.

"AACCESS has started two small rehabilitation projects with funds from the US army, but will still need more projects to make it viable to work in Iraq," said the minutes of the meeting, which
included a number of UN organizations.

Just a day earlier, one of the most prominent US Muslim bodies, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, became the latest group to demand the release of the four Western Christian peace activists kidnapped last week.

The two Canadians, one Briton and an American, are linked to the US and Canada-based Christian Peacemaker Teams opposed to the continued presence of US-led foreign troops in Iraq.

"Those who left the comfort of their homes to advocate for the rights of others that do not share their faith, ethnicity or language should be celebrated and honored by Muslims, not humiliated by being made captives or, God forbid, killed," said Parvez Ahmed, the organization's chairman.

On Sunday, Christian Peacemakers said the families of the four hostages had filmed video messages to their captors asking for their freedom.

"Please release him," pleaded the mother of Canadian hostage James Loney, alongside a similarly emotional appeal from the daughter of American Tom Fox.

Concern was also rising for a 43-year-old German woman, Susanne Osthoff, who was snatched in Mosul, in northern Iraq, three days after the expiry of a kidnappers' reported demand for Berlin to stop training local police or she would be killed.

Strong earthquake hits East Africa - USGS
(Updated at 1730 PST)
NAIROBI: A strong earthquake hit East Africa on Monday in the Lake Tanganyika region, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said on its web site.

The USGS said the 6.8 magnitude quake struck at 1219 GMT in a region it named as Congo-Tanzania and placed it 55 km southeast of the town of Kalemie in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Hundreds of people evacuated office buildings in the centre of Nairobi after the earth shook and waited for any information about what was going on.

The quake was also felt in the Rwandan capital Kigali, which lies directly north on a USGS map.

First witness testifies in person at Saddam trial
(Updated at 1710 PST)
BAGHDAD: The first witness to speak in person in the trial of Saddam Hussein began testifying Monday after the proceedings got underway following a 90-minute recess.

Saddam lawyers walk out as trial resume
(Updated at 1610 PST)
BAGHDAD: The defence team in the trial of ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein has walked out of court, bringing the third day of hearings to an abrupt halt.

The incident happened after the chief judge refused to allow defence lawyers to address the special Iraqi court in Baghdad to question its legitimacy.

Saddam Hussein and seven former aides deny involvement in a 1982 massacre.

The defence argues it cannot present its case properly. Two defence lawyers have been murdered in recent weeks.

Four dead in Israeli mall suicide bombing
(Updated at 1510 PST)
TEL AVIV: At least four people were killed and dozens more wounded on Monday in a suicide bomb attack at a shopping mall close to the city of Tel Aviv, Israeli police and medical sources said.

The blast went off at around 11:30 am (0930 GMT) at the entrance to the Hasharon shopping centre in the upmarket resort town of Netanyahu, which has been the scene of several previous Palestinian suicide bombings.

Police told public radio that four people were known to have died in the blast while sources put the death toll at five and said 35 people had also been wounded in the attack. It was not immediately clear if the toll included the suicide bomber.

The Palestinian faction Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack.

Iran to build new nuclear power plant
(Updated at 1410 PST)
TEHRAN: Iran's government has given the go-ahead for the construction of a nuclear power plant in the southwestern province of Khuzestan using "domestic technology", Iranian media said on Monday.

The official news agency said the plan was approved during a cabinet meeting headed by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Iran has already announced plans to build 20 nuclear power plants to produce 1,000 megawatts of electricity within the next 20 years, and officials have said they would soon open an international tender for two of them.

French engineer kidnapped in Iraq
(Updated at 1310 PST)
BAGHDAD: A French engineer working in Iraq was kidnapped Monday morning from a wealthy west Baghdad neighborhood, police said.

The engineer was driving through the upscale al-Mansour neighborhood where he lived when gunmen stopped his car and kidnapped him around 9:20 am local time.

Documents proving him to be French were found in his abandoned car. According to police he worked in a water purification plant.

Heavy rains kill 21 in Andhra Pradesh
(Updated at 1230 PST)
HYDERABAD: Torrential rains have killed 21 people and rendered thousands homeless in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, officials said on Monday.

The heavy rains, which began on Saturday, were caused by a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal. Cyclonic rains have killed over 150 people in Andhra Pradesh since July.

Senior government official said 15 people died in Nellore district and six in Chittoor due to drowning, electrocution and house collapses.

Officials said nearly 30,000 people living in low-lying areas had been shifted to relief camps following the rains, which also caused breaches in minor irrigation tanks.Rail and road traffic was also affected.

Kazakhstan's president wins landslide re-election
(Updated at 1030 PST)
ASTANA: Oil-rich Kazakhstan's veteran President Nursultan Nazarbayev has scored a landslide re-election to a new seven year term, officials said on Monday.

Nazarbayev, 65, won 91.01 percent of ballots cast in Sunday's poll in the giant Central Asian country, according to preliminary results, said Central Election Commission chairman Onalsyn
Zhumabekov in the capital Astana.

According to officials, leading challenger Zharmakhan Tuyakbai secured just 6.64 percent. Former labour minister Alikhan Baimenov got 1.65 percent, Yerasyl Abilkasymov of the People's Communist Party 0.38 percent, and Mels Yeleusizov of the environmentalist Tabigat movement 0.32 percent.


Roadside bomb wounds 3 US troops in Afghanistan
(Updated at 1010 PST)
KABUL: Three U.S. soldiers were wounded when a roadside bomb hit their convoy in southern Afghanistan, the U.S. military said on Monday.

The incident occurred on Sunday near Dai Chopan district in Zabul province, it said. The wounded soldiers were in stable condition.

Road accident kills 20 in China
(Updated at 0920 PST)
BEIJING: A cargo truck and a bus collided on an expressway outside of Beijing, killing at least 20 people and injuring eight others, a state-run newspaper said on Monday.

The accident occurred late Sunday on the Badaling Expressway about 49 kilometers (30 miles) outside of the city center, the report said.

The bus was carrying 29 people, the report said, but it wasn't clear how many people were in the truck.

Both vehicles caught fire, it said.The cause of the accident was under investigation.

Mild earthquake jolts Japan
(Updated at 0850 PST)
TOKYO: A mild earthquake with a magnitude of 5.5 shook northeastern Japan early on Monday, but there was no danger of a tsunami, the Meteorological Agency said.

The quake was centered off Japan's northeastern coast of Miyagi and originated about 20 kilometres below the seabed in the Pacific Ocean, the agency said.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries from the quake.The shaking was most strongly felt in Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures (states), the agency said. It was hardly felt in the Tokyo area.

Ruling Venezuela coalition wins all parliamentary
(Updated at 0740 PST)
CARACAS: The ruling coalition in Venezuela has won all 167 seats in the National Assembly in parliamentary elections largely boycotted by the opposition, the ruling party leader announced.

Australia to sign climate pact if it is comprehensive: Minister
(Updated at 0710 PST)
SYDNEY: Australia's environment minister said Monday Australia would be prepared to sign a climate change pact to follow the Kyoto Protocol, but only if it is ``comprehensive.''

Australia and the United States, which pumps out nearly a quarter of the world's carbon emissions, have refused to sign the Kyoto Protocol, saying it would harm their economies.

Speaking before heading to Canada to take part in a major U.N. climate change conference, Environment Minister Ian Campbell said he did not know what form a post-Kyoto treaty would take.

``But I think it is useful for Australia to go there, saying that we will be part of some future framework as long as it is comprehensive, as long as it puts a pathway to action for a significant portion of the world's emissions,'' he said.

The Australian government objects to the Kyoto Protocol's mandatory targets and says the pact does not include enough of the world's polluters. However, the government says that despite rejecting Kyoto, Australia is on track to meet its targets for cutting carbon emissions.

"The scientists tell us, to make something useful and comprehensive, you need about 85 percent of the world's emitters in that future compact,'' Campbell said.

"We do need something that is a lot broader,'' he added. ``I have been pushing what I call a multiple track approach which sees the Kyoto mechanisms significantly improved and made more efficient.''

Canadian Environment Minister Stephane Dion, who is presiding over the 10-day U.N. Climate Change Conference in Montreal, was among thousands of people who took to the streets around the world over the weekend demanding urgent action on global warming.

The conference is reviewing and updating the Kyoto Protocol. Next month, Australia will host the inaugural meeting of the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate, which brings together the U.S., Australia, China, India, South Korea and Japan with the aim of inventing and selling technologies ranging from ``clean coal'' and wind power to next-generation nuclear fission as a means of reducing pollution and addressing climate concerns.


At least eight dead in Russian swimming pool roof collapse
(Updated at 0625 PST)
MOSCOW: At least eight people were killed and several more injured when the roof of a public swimming pool collapsed in the Urals region of Russia, officials said early Monday.

Of the eight victims, five were children between nine and 12 years old and three women, local emergency ministry official Anatoly Shinakov said as quoted a news agency, adding that seven bodies had already been recovered.

"Perhaps there are more bodies under" the 100 square-metre (1,100 square-foot) roof, which collapsed on Sunday at the municipal pool in Chusovoi, a town near the city of Perm in the Ural mountains, Shinakov said, adding that up to 30 people could have been in the pool at the time of the accident.

Earlier a spokeswoman for the Perm provincial governor's office, Anna Klimova, said the toll from the accident had reached nine.

Rescuers were continuing to work at the scene of the reinforced concrete building and already managed to take away over half of the collapsed roof, Shinakov said.

Officials did not immediately give a reason for the collapse. An abrupt change in the weather which brought heavy snowfalls was thought to be a possibility.


China to order about 100 Airbus aircraft: report
(Updated at 0545 PST)
PARIS: China will sign a contract for about 100 Airbus A320 jets on Monday, a source close to the sales negotiations said night.

BUSINESS

China signs deal for 150 Airbus planes: official
(Updated at 1700 PST)
PARIS: China on Monday signed a deal to buy 150 Airbus planes, officials said in Paris after a meeting between Chinese Prime Ministers Wen Jiabao and his French counterpart,
Dominique de Villepin.

to day pakistan news by j.iqbal

PAKISTAN


Five killed in Lahore firing incident
(Updated at 0050 PST)
LAHORE: Five persons including Union Council Noorkot Shakargarh Nazim were killed and two others injured in firing by unidentified gunmen at Multan Road here on Sunday.

Five persons including Ch Afzal Gumtala Nazim UC Noorkot Shakargarh, his friends Abdullah Khan, Abdul Rauf and his driver Shahid. The passersby Maqsood and Sharif were injured.

The injured were removed to hospital and police attributed the incident to old enmity.


Two killed in Pakistan-Afghan border clash
(Updated at 1800 PST)
MIRANSHAH: A soldier and a suspected militant were killed on Sunday after troops and militants traded fire in a restive Pakistani tribal area near Afghanistan border, the military said on Sunday.

"A soldier and a suspect were killed on Sunday in Shakai valley of South Waziristan" some 60 kilometres (37 miles) southwest of Miranshah, Pakistan's military spokesman Major General Shaukat Sultan told.

"The soldiers traded fire with miscreants during a search operation which had been launched after an improvised explosive device exploded in the area," Sultan said.

Local intelligence officials said that a suspected militant had been captured by troops who cordoned off the area after the blast.

In a separate incident, suspected insurgents fired about five rockets at government and paramilitary installations in Mirali, some 25 kilometres east of Miranshah but caused no damage.

"A rocket hit the main electricity line late Saturday after which the power supply to the area was suspended," a local administration official told a foreign news agency on condition of anonymity.

No hasty decision on water reservoirs: PM
(Updated at 1630 PST)
KARACHI: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said no hasty decision will be made on construction of large water reservoirs. He was talking with representatives of Sindhi media on Sunday at the state guest house here.

The prime minister said that the reports submitted by all committees regarding building of water reservoirs including A.G. N. Abbasi committee report will be brought before the people.

The decision on construction of water reservoirs will be taken with consensus, he said.

Former provincial minister Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh also called on Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and briefed him about the cases registered against him.

Six tribesmen arrested in N. Waziristan
(Updated at 1530 PST)
MIRAN SHAH: North Waziristan political authorities have arrested six tribesmen under tribal responsibility law for rocket attacks in the agency.

Unknown miscreants had fired two rockets at the Frontier Constabulary checkpost yesterday.

Political authorities issued a notice to Miran Shah clan under tribal responsibility law. The authorities in absence of any positive reply have started action against the clan.

Six people of the Miran Shah clan were arrested while further action was underway, Political Agent North Waziristan Syed Zaheer-ul-Islam said.

Essential items’ prices shoot up in Battgram by chilly winter
(Updated at 1350 PST)
BATTAGRAM: The chilly winter setting in here has triggered spiraling of the prices of essential goods, giving rise to a pathetic situation where the miseries of the quake-affected people further compounded.

District Nazim, Ehsanullah told Geo here that the demand for burning wood was shooting up with the severity of the harshness of winter, which besides price-hikes was also endangering the forests around here.

He told that the prices of tin sheets have also gone high due to demand-push emanating from tripping down of mercury.

He further said that 90 percent of the tents provided to quake-hit people have lost its utility because of it not being waterproof. He appealed to the federal and provincial governments for providing winterized tents to the victims urgently.


WORLD


Canadian soldier injured in Kandahar attack
(Updated at 0150 PST)
MONTREAL: A Canadian soldier was wounded lightly Sunday in a suicide attack on a patrol in Kandahar, Afghanistan, an official of the Defence Ministry said Sunday.

The attacker blew himself up near a Canadian forces patrol vehicle which was on routine patrol in the city, said Jae Malana, spokesman for the ministry.

The soldier suffered only superficial injuries and rejoined his unit after a medical examination.

It was not clear if it was the same attack as the suicide bombing against a US-led military convoy Sunday in Kandahar, which killed one civilian.

That attack was reported as the eighth in Afghanistan in just over two months.


Five wounded in clashes with 'terrorists' in Syria
(Updated at 0130 PST)
DAMASCUS: Five people were wounded in clashes between security forces and "a terrorist group" in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo on Sunday, a foreign news agency reported.


West African central banker Banny appointed ICoast PM
(Updated at 2330 PST)
ABIDJAN: The governor of the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), Charles Konan Banny, has been appointed prime minister of Ivory Coast, a source close to the rebel New Forces said on Sunday.

Iraqi counter-offensive kills 20 rebels
(Updated at 2330 PST)
BAGHDAD: Iraqi forces said Sunday they killed 20 rebels in a counter-offensive in a town where 19 Iraqi troops were killed a day earlier, as US forces wrapped up their latest
operations in the restive Al-Anbar province.

Iraqi troops swept through the town of Al-Adhaim, 100 kilometers (65 miles) north of Baghdad, in the aftermath of Saturday's ambush, security sources said.

The operation, which lasted through to Sunday morning, resulted in "20 rebels killed and five taken prisoner," said the defence ministry, with another 75 suspected insurgents arrested.

Saturday's attack came after 10 US marines on night patrol were killed in the restive western city of Fallujah, also by a roadside bomb, in the bloodiest single attack on US forces since August.

The western province of Al-Anbar, which contains Fallujah, has been the focus of a series of joint US-Iraqi anti-insurgent operations over the last several weeks.

The US military announced on Sunday the completion of Operation Shank in the provincial capital of Ramadi, resulting in the "detention of four suspected members of Al-Qaeda in Iraq".

The US military said the operation was part of a campaign being carried out to make the area secure ahead of the December 15 parliamentary elections.

US envoy assures Iraqi Sunnis over elections
(Updated at 2300 PST)
ISTANBUL: The US ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, on Sunday assured Iraqi Sunnis that his government was determined to help maximize the disenchanted community's
participation in upcoming elections.

"Iraq is going through a difficult transition process. For Iraq to succeed, it needs ... the participation of all communities of Iraq in upcoming elections," Khalilzad told reporters here.

"I have told the Iraqi leaders that the US is committed to work as hard as we can to ensure the participation of all Iraqi groups, especially those who did not participate in previous elections, in
the upcoming elections," he added.

Khalilzad was speaking after flying at short notice to join talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and a senior Iraqi Sunni leader on Sunni participation in the December 15 legislative
elections.

Most Sunnis boycotted the January elections for an interim parliament, a move that many now acknowledge was a mistake since it largely sidelined them from politics over the last year.

Last month, three Sunni political parties -- the Conference of the People of Iraq, the Islamic Party and the Iraqi National Dialogue -- announced that they intend to run on one list under the
name of the Iraqi Concord Front.

Tareq Al-Hashimi, the number two of the Iraqi Islamic Party which was representing Sunni groups in the Istanbul talks, underlined his community's desire to participate in the elections and have a say in the political process, but also voiced a number of concerns which he said he conveyed to Khalilzad.

Iran denies intentions for talks with America on any matter
(Updated at 2125 PST)
TEHRAN: Irani government said prevalent security problems in Iraq were Iraq’s own internal crisis and it didn’t have any intentions to hold talks with America on this score.

Iran Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Raza said, “Tehran doesn’t want to hold talks with American government over Iran’s nuclear programme or current law and order situation in Iraq including any other sort of matter. For, doing so does not make part of Iran’s agenda.”

Two injured as suicide attacker explodes car
(Updated at 2200 PST)
BAGHDAD: A suicide attacker blew up his car, injuring two people after he failed to break into house of top a key judge in Qudat area of Iraqi capital Baghdad, sources reported on Sunday.

Baghdad police said that a suicide attacker while driving a car tried to break into house of Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq’ chief Mudhat al-Hamudi.

The attacker’s bid was foiled when security guards at the house intercepted him. Later, he exploded his car in compound of the house, which rendered two people injured, added the police.

Iraq minister says Syria stopping rebels crossing border
(Updated at 2100 PST)
KUWAIT CITY: Iraqi Interior Minister Bayan Baqer Solagh said Sunday that Syria is now "more disciplined" in stopping insurgents crossing into Iraq after months of accusations that
Damascus did little to stop them.

"Iraqi-Syrian borders have now become more disciplined ... Syrian forces are now contributing to preventing terrorists from crossing into Iraq," Solagh told journalists in Kuwait City.

Syrian authorities have recently erected four-meter (yards) high sand berms on some parts of the common border, Solagh said.

He said Iraqi authorities have not arrested any alleged insurgents near the Syrian border for the past two weeks.

"This is something positive. We hope calm will continue," he said.

U.S. Govt reluctant to certify Al-Qaeda chief’s killing
(Updated at 2040 PST)
WASHINGTON: Government of the United States has said that killing of Al-Qaeda chief commander Abu Hamza rabia could not be certify for the time being, sources reported on Sunday.

National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley while talking to news men here said: “The U.S. Government is at present reviewing reports with regard to Abu Hamza rabia’s killing; however, it is not in a position as yet to certify the killing.”

The advisor said further in case the Al-qaeda commander had really been killed, then it was a pivotal success in a war on terror.

It may be mentioned here as to yesterday Al-Qaeda authorities while denying reports of the killing of Abu Hamza rabia said the commander was safe and sound still.

Israel warns diplomacy on Iran nuclear work will fail
(Updated at 1820 PST)
TEL AVIV: Israel's army chief Dan Halutz predicted Sunday that diplomatic efforts on arch enemy Iran's controversial nuclear programme would fail but suggested a military
strike was not yet on the cards.

"I believe that the political means that are being used by the Europeans and the Americans to convince the Iranians to stop will not end in stopping them," Halutz told reporters.

"The Iranians are determined to get a nuclear capability. From Israel's viewpoint such a situation is unacceptable... We should be prepared for the worst scenario."

But referring to the possibility of a pre-emptive strike against Iran, Halutz said: "Alternatives (to diplomacy) are not being considered yet."

"The other pressure is physical pressure. The question is who will be the one to implement it. When will it happen? I am not going to answer that but there are options worldwide," he added.

The Europeans are involved in efforts to persuade Iran to abandon uranium enrichment, a process which can make both nuclear fuel and the explosive core of a weapon.

The United States and Israel accuse Iran of using a nuclear fuel programme as a cover for developing the atomic bomb, charges Tehran has consistently denied.

Asked when Iran may have nuclear weapons capabilities, Halutz said: "Enrichment is the next step in order to have all the ingredients to create a meal.

"But cooking will take a few years...it varies from three six years, unless they already have a warhead. Maybe they have something, no-one knows."

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon meanwhile reiterated his pldege that Israel would not allow Iran to come into possession of nuclear weapons and expressed hope that Tehran would soon be dragged before the UN Security Council over its nuclear ambitions.

"I hope that Iran will be brought soon before the security council and sanctions will be imposed against her so that the nuclear process will stop," the prime minister said at a press
conference in Jerusalem.

Six injured in two US helicopter emergency landings in Afghanistan
(Updated at 1810 PST)
KABUL: Five American servicemen and an Afghan soldier were injured Sunday when two US Chinook helicopters made emergency landings in separate locations in southern Afghanistan, the US military reportedly said.

In the first incident, one Afghan National Army soldier was hurt during the landing at a forward operating base south of Tarin Kowt but was in "a stable condition," the military said in a statement.

The second incident, in which five US soldiers were injured, occurred north of Kandahar and resulted in severe damage to the aircraft.

The injured, who were not seriously hurt, were evacuated to a nearby US medical facility for treatment and were in a stable condition, it said.

Afghan and US forces were conducting recovery operations. "Both CH-47 aircrafts were involved in combat operations against enemy forces in southern Afghanistan. The causes of the incidents are under investigation," the statement said.

Meanwhile a spokesman for the ousted Taliban militia claimed that they shot down the US helicopter near Kandahar.

"We shot down a coalition chopper while it was landing in Shawali Kot district of Kandahar," Taliban spokesman Yousuf Ahmadi told a foreign news agency by telephone.

Sadr representative gunned down in Baghdad
(Updated at 1415 PST)
BAGHDAD: A representative of cleric Moqtada Sadr was found shot dead in his car on Sunday morning in the southeast Baghdad neighborhood of Zayouna, said source in the
defense ministry.

Sheikh Abdel Salam Abdel Hussein al-Maliki, who was Sadr's representative in the southern neighborhood of Al-Shaab, was killed amid a spate of assassinations of religious political leaders across the country, in the run-up to Iraq's December 15 parliamentary elections.

Afghan MP killed in factional fighting
(Updated at 1320 PST)
JALALABAD: One of Afghanistan's newly elected parliamentarians was killed Sunday when his armed faction fought a rival group in the country's east, a provincial governor's
spokesman said.

Esmatullah Muhabat, who won a lower house seat for eastern Laghman province, was the first legislator to be killed since the September 18 election for Afghanistan's first national assembly in about three decades.

"Commander Esmatullah Muhabat, who was elected for the parliament, was killed in a factional fighting involving his militia and another armed group," spokesman Hizbullah said.

One of the men in his group was also killed and three others were wounded, Hizbullah said.

The spokesman said he did not know what had caused the fighting. The rival group was led by a businessman, he said. "The fighting has ceased and the area has been sealed off by police," he said.

Six soldiers killed in Sri Lanka blast
(Updated at 1300 PST)
COLOMBO: At least six soldiers were killed Sunday in a powerful landmine blast in northern Sri Lanka, a military official said.

The soldiers were onboard a tractor trailer when it was hit by a landmine in the northern peninsula of Jaffna, 400 kilometres north of the capital Colombo, the military official said.

There had been tension in the Jaffna peninsula after the killing of two Tiger rebels on Friday by unidentified gunmen.

42 miners trapped for second day in flooded China coalmine
(Updated at 1220 PST)
BEIJING: Forty-two miners were trapped for a second day Sunday in a flooded mine in central China, as more than 200 rescuers raced against the clock to pump out water to save them, state media said.

The miners have been trapped since shortly before midnight Friday when the Sigou mine suddenly flooded, according to the state news agency. The mine is located in Shisi township in Henan province.

In Henan, the miners stranded are in a pit with more than 3,000 cubic meters (105,000 cubic feet) of water. It will take more than 20 hours to pump out enough water so that
rescuers can go down the shaft, repair the damaged tunnel and find the miners, officials said.

There is still a tunnel above the water level. Some of the workers who escaped saw some miners running towards higher levels, a county official said.

Three Iraqi security forces men killed in Baghdad
(Updated at 1125 PST)
BAGHDAD: In three separate attacks, three members of Iraq's security forces, including a high-ranking officer, were killed in Baghdad on Sunday morning, according to police.

Assailants gunned down Lieutenant Colonel Abdel Razzak Abdel Latif, of the police's criminal department, in the neighborhood of Al-Jamiaa, in east Baghdad.

A soldier was shot dead as he left his home in Hay al-Amin, in the southeast of the capital, while another was killed in Al-Bayyaa, in southern Baghdad.

Arms sales to Iran only for defence, says Russia
(Updated at 0955 PST)
MOSCOW: Russia has confirmed it had signed an arms deal with Iran but sought to ease U.S. concerns over the sale, saying the weapons were only for defence.

The Foreign Ministry on its Web site confirmed the deal had been signed but added it did not violate any international laws in doing so.

"All contracts we sign in the military and technical sphere are in full compliance with our international obligations, including non-proliferation obligations, and fully conform with
Russian legislation," Foreign Ministry representative Mikhail Kamynin said in the statement.

Former senator killed in roadside ambush in Colombia
(Updated at 0815 PST)
BOGOTA: A former Colombian senator who said he owed leftist rebels ransom money for the release of his kidnapped sons was killed in a roadside ambush, authorities said Sunday.

Jaime Lozada, whose kidnapped wife is still being held by rebels, was attacked as he drove with his son in the department of Huila, about 300 kilometers (190 miles) from Bogota.

The assailants triggered an explosive device that stopped Lozada's car then opened fire on the vehicle, police said. Lozada's son, Jaime Felipe, was wounded in the attack.

Police spokesman Alberto Cantillo said the ambush had the hallmarks of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, but that no one had been detained in the attack.

Lozada's sons, Juan Sebastian and Jaime Felipe, were freed in July 2004 after being held by the FARC three years at hidden jungle camps in southern Colombia.


Australian PM rules out death penalty campaign
(Updated at 0725 PST)
SYDNEY: Australian Prime Minister John Howard ruled out launching an international campaign to abolish the death penalty Sunday, as the body of a convicted drug trafficker hanged in Singapore arrived home.

Howard said that while he opposed last Friday's execution of Melbourne man Nguyen Tuong Van, he did not believe a diplomatic push from Canberra to abolish capital punishment would succeed.

"We have to be realistic about what can be achieved," Howard said. "We're not going to change the attitude of countries in the region about capital punishment.

"When you talk about the region you have to include in that, of course, China. China executes people on a regular basis, (and) the United States has capital punishment."

Howard was speaking after a plane carrying Nguyen's body touched down in Melbourne early Sunday, ahead of the 25-year-old's funeral on Wednesday.


Polls open in Kazakhstan's presidential election
(Updated at 0700 PST)
ASTANA,: Polls opened Sunday in Kazakhstan's presidential elections, with veteran leader Nursultan Nazarbayev widely expected to defeat his four challengers and win a new
seven-year term.


Israeli air raid on Gaza Strip
(Updated at 0610 PST)
GAZA CITY: Israeli aircraft early Sunday carried out a raid on the Gaza Strip, a foreign news agency reported.

PCB chairman says there be no more Pak-India matches
(Updated at 2020 PST)
MUMBAI: Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Shehryar Khan said on Sunday India and Pakistan cricket teams should no more play matches. Because, this dilutes importance for the contests whilst 14 matches were played yester year.

The chairman PCB said this in an interview after his arrival in Mumbai for talks with newly-appointed president of the Indian Cricet Board Sherdarpur.

He said further: “As all are pre-engaged in Pakistan-England series, Pak-India series too are nearing and this unit will kick off after 28 days.”

However, venues for the series and playing terms and conditions would have to be finalized, he added.