Nawaz for immediate abolition of amends in Constitution

PML-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif has called for immediate annulment of the amendment made by the dictator in the constitution, adding that the non-democratic ways of the government is affecting democracy in the country. While talking to media in Lahore, Nawaz said that PML-N is sincere with the constitution adding that democracy is not in danger in the country and ‘N’ would be the first one to cross the way of anyone…

eafood exports fall by 11.95pc in 5 months

ISLAMABAD (APP) - Seafood exports during the first five months of current financial year witnessed negative growth of 11.95 percent as compared to the exports of corresponding period of last year.
Fish and fish preparations exports during July-November (2009- 10) were recorded at $81.339 million as against the exports of $92.376 million recorded in July-November (2008-09), according to Federal Bureau of Statistics.
Fish exports during November 2009 also declined by 10.66 percent as compared to the exports of October 2009. Fish exports during November were recorded at $22.180 million as against exports of $24.826 million recorded during October 2009.
As against the exports of $21.494 million registered in the same month of last year, fish exports during Nov 2009 registered positive growth of 3.19pc, the FBS data revealed.
The overall food group exports during July-November (2009-10) declined by 22.45 percent when compared to the corresponding period of last year. Food exports during the period were recorded at $1.127 billion against the exports of 1.454b recorded during last year.

Home » Business Business RSS Feeds Oil dips towards $78 per barrel

Oil eased toward $78 on Tuesday, after hitting a five-week high a day earlier. U.S. crude for February delivery fell 28 cents to $78.49 a barrel in thin pre-holiday trade. It settled up 72 cents on Monday, after touching $79.12, the highest since November 23. Heating oil futures led gains in the oil complex as forecasters called for colder weather in the United States, the world's largest energy consumer.

Afghan soldier shoots US, Italian troops: NATO

An Afghan soldier opened fire on foreign troops wounding one American and two Italian soldiers in western Afghanistan on Tuesday, NATO and military sources said. A spokesman for NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) confirmed the US soldier had been wounded, but few other details were available. "I can confirm that an incident occurred today in western Afghanistan. I confirm an Afghan soldier opened fire on Italian and US forces," he said. Another military official, who asked not to be identified, confirmed that two Italians had also been wounded in the shooting by an Afghan army soldier.

Death toll at Karachi suicide blast hits 40

The death tally, in suicide blast at the mourning procession in connection with Ashura, has mounted to 40 people while as many as another 95 persons sustained injuries here at MA Jinnah Road in Karachi on Monday, report said. According to MLO Civil Hospital Dr. Karrar Hussain, a total number of 38 dead bodies have been deposited at hospital so far. The blast struck the city’s main Ashura procession when the suicide

Pakistan face improbable task on final day

MELBOURNE: Pakistan's bid to script an improbable win in the first test against Australia looked all but over as they ended day four 170-3 with the target still 252 runs away. Pegged on the back foot, the tourists will look to anchor down and salvage a final day draw.



They would, however, take confidence in the fact that two of their most competent batsmen, Mohammad Yousuf and Umar Akmal (easily the most reliable in the side with only three tests under his belt), are at the crease offering gritty resistance. Yousuf stood on an assured 45 off 70 balls while Akmal raced a flowing 27 from 34 balls punctuated with five boundaries. Pakistan's survival and any hopes of sneaking to victory, however slim they may be, will depend on how long the 19-year-old bats.

Leaving Afghanistan

Many concerned observers instinctively oppose withdrawing US/Nato troops from Afghanistan in the belief that a bloodbath must follow, a resumption of the post 1989 warlord frenzies after the Soviet forces left and the US lost interest.

Dishing out expensive Stingers was one thing, dispensing rebuilding funds was quite another. But in America wasting billions on weapons traditionally is a leniently treated affair while even thinking of channelling large sums towards benefits for average people — such as a national healthcare system — meets fierce resistance from elites and the populist right.

For Afghanistan a reconstruction splurge was never in the offing. Whatever humanitarian aid reached the shattered country after 1989 became ripe pickings for ‘tolls’ and bribes. A cut-throat struggle raged for several years after Najibullah’s overthrow which only the Taliban stemmed by imposing its repulsively medieval form of law and order.

Still, it is possible that a genuine reconstruction effort might have averted the brutal blooming of the Taliban, who foolishly played host to Osama bin Laden. Najibullah had offered Pakistan and the US a neutral arrangement but both ignored him.

Ten Afghan civilians killed in military operations: Karzai

KABUL: Ten civilians, mostly school children, have been killed during Western military operations in eastern Afghanistan, President Hamid Karzai's office said Monday, citing “initial reports”.

Karzai condemned the killings which his statement said took place in Kunar province, bordering Pakistan, on Saturday.

“Initial reports indicate that in a series of operations by international forces in Kunar province... 10 civilians, eight of them school students, have been killed,” the statement said.

“President Karzai strongly condemns the operation which caused civilian deaths and has appointed a delegation to investigate the incident,” it said.

Terrorists out to destabilise Pakistan: Sharif

LAHORE: Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has strongly condemned the suicide attack on the main Ashura procession in Karachi on Monday afternoon.

Speaking to the media in Lahore, the PML-N chief said the blast in Karachi was yet another attempt by terrorists to destabilise the country and that 'they are enemies of Islam and Pakistan.'

Sharif added that the amendments made by military dictators in the 1973 constitution must be immediately abolished in order to restore some form of stability in Pakistan. –DawnNew

Sindh shuts down, mourns Karachi catastrophe

KARACHI: Shops and businesses remained closed across Sindh as people in Hyderabad, Khairpur, Nawabshah, Sukkur, Badin, Dadu, Mirpurkhas and other parts of the province mourned the devastating suicide attack on the main Ashura procession in Karachi.

In Karachi itself, the blast left a devastating effect. The death toll rose to 40 and dozens more remain injured in hospitals.

Majority of shops and markets were closed in the city as fire-fighters were still battling to extinguish the flames that engulfed several markets set ablaze by angry mobs.

On Monday evening, a suicide bomber attacked the main Ashura procession on Karachi's Mohammad Ali Jinnah Road. Thousands of people were moving along the traditional Ashura route when a suicide bomber blew himself up towards the front end of the procession.

In the ensuing melee, several people fled from the scene in a state of panic, while others continued to march towards the Hussainian-Iranian where the procession was to culminate.

After the blast, angry mobs roamed the streets setting fire to nearly 1500 shops and markets. The mobs also torched several vehicles, including police mobiles. — DawnNews

Destabilising Karachi amounts to destabilising Pakistan’

KARACHI: Interior Minister Rehman Malik appealed for calm on Tuesday in Karachi, where shop owners surveyed gutted premises a day after a suicide bomber killed at least 40 people and triggered a city-centre riot.

The bombing of a Shia procession in Karachi underscored multiple security challenges facing Pakistan.

“I appeal to the people of Karachi to remain peaceful. This is the economic hub of Pakistan,” Rehman Malik told reporters after attending the funeral of a paramilitary soldier who authorities said pounced on the suicide bomber.

“Anybody trying to destabilise Karachi is actually destabilising Pakistan,” Malik said.

Malik had also ordered a thorough inquiry into the incident

Signature was taken on blank paper: Kasab

NEW DELHI: Ajmal Kasab, under-trial in Mumbai terror attacks, on the fourth consecutive day today denied all charges framed against him in the case. He told the 26/11 trial judge M L Tahiliyani in Mumbai that his signature was taken on a blank sheet of paper by police with regard to his confessional statement. “The confession recorded by magistrate was not read out to me and it does not contain the truth," he said. He again told the special Mumbai court that he did not arrive in Mumbai by fishing trawler, Kuber but by Samjhauta Express. He also denied that he had talked to Abu Hamza from satellite phone. “If I had talked to him, then my voice would have been recorded,” he said. When asked about Abu Ismail, Kasab asked “who is he, I do not Know...I was not with him”.

CNG dealers plan indefinite strike from Dec 30

ISLAMABAD: CNG dealers have announced an indefinite strike across the country from Dec 30 in protest against the government’s decision to raise CNG prices and curtail gas supplies to CNG stations. Transporters have also announced their support for the strike. Addressing a press conference after a meeting of CNG dealers who had gathered in Islamabad on Wednesday, CNG Association of Pakistan chairman Ghayas Paracha said the government was bent upon destroying the CNG sector. It is not only a matter of CNG stations, the government will have to consider the overall impact of its decision which could lead to the collapse of the entire industry,” he added. He said the government had gone back on its commitment made in 1992 that the price difference between CNG and petrol would be 50 per cent. “They wanted to encourage CNG at that time and made us invest in the new field. We took the risk of importing equipment. Some parts are now being manufactured in the country. We will not allow the price of CNG to be near that of petrol,” Mr Paracha said. There are about 2,500 CNG stations in Punjab and the NWFP and 542 in Sindh and Balochistan. More than 2.5 million vehicles are operating on CNG. Dealers said that an investment of Rs185 billion had been made in the CNG sector. Mr Paracha said that any further increase in CNG prices would severely affect the industry which provided jobs to half a million people. He said the CNG price would go up to Rs57 per kilogram after the 13.6 per cent increase in electricity tariff from January. The government has already raised the tariff by six per cent in October. The dealers also criticised an offer made by the textile sector at a recent meeting with officials to buy all CNG stations. “Instead of getting into the CNG business, the textile sector should focus on giving up subsidies and grants given to it by the government,” they said. They said that even Rawalpindi Chambers of Commerce and Industry president Kashif Shabbir had stated that the decision to increase the CNG price was not helpful of any sector. Immediately after the dealers’ call for strike, office-bearers of the transport association announced complete support for the strike.

SC refuses to accept Rehman Malik’s verbal statement

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday stopped Interior Minister Rehman Malik from making a speech inside the court and ordered him to submit a written reply to a contempt of court charge. Rehman Malik appeared before the apex court without a lawyer and tried to personally explain his position with regard to the allegations that he violated the apex court order by changing the investigative team probing into allegations of corruption in Pakistan Steel Mills. ‘You should go and file a written reply to the show cause notice as required under Supreme Court rules,’ Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhary told the interior minister before adjourning the hearing for one month

Suicide attack on Imambargah in Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI: A suicide bomber has struck an Imambargah in Rawalpindi, police sources said. The blast took place at the enterance to the Imambargah. Initial reports suggest that at least two people have been killed in the attack. Three others were wounded including a policeman. Security has been heightened across the country during the month of Muharram in wake of the recent upsurge in militant attack

Zardari breaks all records of keeping foreign gifts

SLAMABAD: President Asif Zardari has set a new record within a year by taking one-third of all the expensive gifts presented to all Pakistani presidents and prime ministers. Of the gifts totalling Rs160 million, Zardari has taken gifts worth Rs62 million during the first year of his presidency.

In his foreign visits so far, Zardari has been given 27 gifts worth Rs62 million,which is one-third of the accumulated cost of the 3,039 gifts, which were given to presidents and prime ministers in three decades.

Zardari is said to have got two BMWs and two foreign manufactured Toyota Jeeps as gift by Libyan leader Colonel Qadafi during his visit to Libya, which he took to his home, after paying a sum of only Rs9.3 million as retention cost.

These shocking figures were produced before the Senate standing committee on cabinet division by the cabinet secretary on Monday during a presentation to its members. Zardari is now richer by Rs50 million within one year in the presidency, without doing a single rupee irregularity as this all was done under the law as he paid 15 per cent of the total cost of two BMWs and two jeeps and retained them.

Today's Cartoon.....

SBP list submitted in court includes Nawaz period

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday gave a final warning to those who have managed to get their loans written off from financial institutions during the last 38 years and directed the State Bank to furnish a list of loan defaulters right from 1971 to date.

“Only one chance will be given to defaulters to return the loans and strict action will be taken against them without any discrimination,” Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry observed while heading a three-member bench of the apex court hearing a suo moto case of Rs 54 billion written-off loans.

“If anyone said that the court has crossed its limits we are ready to take the blame in the best interest of the nation,” the chief justice remarked, adding the court would look into the State Bank Circular 29 regarding writing off loans under Article 25 of the Constitution.

Guantanamo ‘hell on Earth’, says Somali detainee

Wednesday, December 23, 2009
A Somali just home from eight years in the US jail at Guantanamo Bay told AFP the prison was “hell on Earth”, and alleged torture there had scarred some of his fellow inmates.

Mohamed Saleban Bare, who arrived in his hometown of Hargeisa on Saturday, said he was innocent of any charges that would have caused security forces to arrest him in Pakistan in 2001 and transfer him to the US jail via Afghanistan.

“Guantanamo Bay is like hell on Earth,” he said in an interview on Monday with an AFP reporter who visited him at his hotel in Hargeisa, capital of the northern breakaway state of Somaliland.

“I don’t feel normal yet but I thank Almighty Allah for keeping me alive and free from the physical and mental sufferings of some of my friends,” he said.

Sporting short hair and a long scrawny beard, Bare says he is in good physical health but looks dazed, speaks very softly and walks gingerly. Bare, 44, was among a dozen Guantanamo detainees from Afghanistan, Yemen and the breakaway Somalia region who were sent home at the weekend, bringing the number of detainees at the “war on terror” prison in Cuba to below 200.

He and another Somali, 45-year-old Osmail Mohamed Arale, were handed over to their relatives in Hargeisa by the International Representative Committee of the Red Cross in the presence of Somaliland authorities.

“Some of my colleagues in the prison lost their sight, some lost their limbs and others ended up mentally disturbed. I’m OK compared to them,” he said.

Bare said he was picked up in Karachi in December 2001, weeks after the United States launched its “war on terror” following the September 11 attacks on Washington and New York.

He claims he had been there for some time with several relatives who had fled the violence in Somalia and were hoping to find asylum in a western state. After about four months he was transferred to US military prisons in Kandahar and Bagram in Afghanistan, he said.

“At Bagram and Kandahar, the situation was harsh but when we were transferred to Guantanamo the torture tactics changed. They use a kind of psychological torture that kills you mentally,” he said.

This included depriving prisoners of sleep for at least four nights in a row and feeding them once a day with only a biscuit, he said.

“And in the cold they let you sleep without a blanket. Some of the inmates face harsher torture, including with electricity and beating,” he said. Bare was reluctant to answer questions about his alleged ties with Al-Ittihad Al-Islamiya, a Somali Islamist movement which produced many of the current leaders of the al-Qaeda-linked Shebab. “Guantanamo is a place of humiliation for Muslims. All the inmates are Muslims but they (Americans) claim the prison is for terrorists. Why don’t they arrest non-Muslims belonging to these so-called terror groups?”

“No human rights convention stands in Guantanamo. Interrogators force inmates to confess crimes they didn’t commit by torturing them and sullying their religion,” Bare said.

“They would desecrate the Holy Qura’an and raise the volume of their music during prayers,” he recounted. Bare said the US authorities had never told him why he was arrested.

“They used to ask many questions, most of them relating to my background like what I was doing in Somalia and about the people I know. It was all about suspicions and not a clear case,” he said.

US President Barack Obama has vowed to close down the controversial Guantanamo Bay detention facility by January with some of the inmates to be moved to a maximum-security prison in the state of I

Ponting fitness to be assessed tomorrow

SYDNEY: Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting will try to prove his fitness on Thursday ahead of the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan.

Ponting was restricted to fielding practice on Wednesday at the MCG as his team mates had a session in the nets.

He is nursing a left elbow injury after he was hit while batting during last week’s third Test against the West Indies in Perth.

Ponting will bat in the nets on Thursday, and if he does not come through, opener Phil Hughes will take his place in the national squad.

Aafia’s mother casts doubts on US lawyer Panel

KARACHI: Imprisoned doctor Aafia Siddiqui’s mother Asmat Siddiqui has said she does not trust the panel of American lawyers.

Addressing a press conference at Karachi Press Club, she said that she has sent a formal letter to the judge of a US court, stating her serious concerns on the panel of American lawyers. While copies of the letter have also been sent to President Asif Ali Zardari and Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhmamad Chaudhry.

“Dr Aafia has already spent enough time in jail, and even if we accept that the case against her is correct, she has completed her sentence,” Asmat Siddiqui added.

During the press conference, International Bar Association’s (London) member and head of a Human Rights organization Qadir Khan Mandokhail Advocate said, with the permission of Dr Aafia’s family and the government of Pakistan, he is offering his services free of cost for the case.

Courts give judgments on merit: CJ

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has said that the apex court always gives its verdict according to the constitution.

However, one party welcomes it, while the other party feels sad and says judge could not understand the case.

The CJP expressed this at a meeting in Supreme Court (SC) with office barriers of Rawalpindi Divison’s bar associations.

Everyone is busy in looting national wealth: CJP

ISLAMABAD: A Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry adjourned hearing of Zarco money laundering case till tomorrow. Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry in his remarks during the hearing of the case on Wednesday said it is regretfully observed that everyone has been involved in plunder of the national wealth. He urged for return of the national wealth at any cost. The counsel of Zarco company S.M. Zafar in his arguments said it is not a case of theft or dacoity and termed the FIA intervention in the case as illegal. He said the business of the accused has been closed and they have been kept in jail.

Bijli Mehgi.........IMF approves fourth tranche for Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved the fourth tranche worth $1.2 billion for Pakistan which is expected to be received by the end of the year. The decision to approve the fourth tranche has been taken in the IMF executive board meeting in Washington. The tranche is part of an agreement with the fund under which Pakistan will receive a total of $11.3 billion to avert a balance of payments crisis and shore up reserves. Pakistan had initially negotiated a $7.6 billion loan with the IMF in November 2008 but the loan was later increased to $11.3 billion in July 2009. The fund has so far disbursed more than $5 billion. The government has had eliminate subsidies on various items and increase power rates by 20 per cent in order to keep its budget deficit down to 4.8 per cent of GDP as per the conditions imposed by the IMF under the loan agreement.

CJ warns loan defaulters

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has issued a final warning to the persons who got their loan written off during the last 38 years.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry in his remarks criticized the government on failure of recovery from defaulters and said court is ready to take on any resistance.

A three-member bench of Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry heard Rs.54 billions

Aaj Ki Hadith

Hazrat Al-Bara` bin `Azib (d) reported: Rasoolullah (j) said, "Whenever you intend to go to bed, perform Wudu' asAl-Hadith is done for Salat (prayer); and then lie down on the right side and recite: `Allahumma aslamtu nafsi ilaika, wa fawwadtu amri ilaika, wal-ja'tu zahri ilaika, raghbatan wa rahbatan ilaika, la malja'a wa la manja minka illa ilaika, amantu bikitabik-alladhi anzalta, wa binabiyyik-alladhi arsalta. (O Allah! I have submitted myself to you. I have turned my face to you, entrusted my affairs to you and relied completely on you out of desire for and fear of you (expecting your reward and fearing your punishment). There is no resort and no deliverer from (hardships) except you. I affirm my faith in Your Book which you have revealed, and in Your Prophet whom you have sent).' If you die during the night, you will die in the true religion. Let these words be your last words at night.'' (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

This Hadith point s out the desirability of performing wudhu' before going to bed and reciting this du`a which shows genuine worship and complete submission to Allah.

Honey

1- Introduction

Honey is a sweet yellow liquid produced by honey bees. Honey is created by bees as their food source.Honey In cold weather or when food sources are short , bees use their stored honey as their source of energy.Honey is about 36% denser than water.The composition of honey consists of varying proportions of fructose, glucose, water, oil , minerals and special enzymes produced by bees. As a rule, darker honeys contain higher amounts of minerals than the lighter honeys . Honey comes in all types of colors and flavors. The color , flavor and the properties of the honey depends on types of honey bees and the kind of flowers that were used to extract the nectar (sweet Juices). Honey is considered to be the only food that includes all the substances necessary to sustain life. Honey collection is an ancient activity. Since the ancient times honey is used as a medicine . There are many hadith in which RasoulAllah had recommended honey for the healing purposes. The Qur'an promotes honey as a nutritious and healthy food. In the Quran, the honey bee is mentioned more specifically than other animals. There are many examples of animals in the Quran but none of them is mentioned in successive verses. The name of the 16th surah of Quran is al- Nahl and it means the honey bee . Following are the verses 68 and 69 of al- Nahl that mention the honey-bees .

"And your Lord inspired the bee: build homes in mountains and trees, and in (the hives) they build for you. Then eat from all the fruits, following the design of your Lord, precisely. From their bellies comes a drink of different colors, wherein there is healing for the people. This should be (sufficient) proof for people who reflect." (16:68-69)

2- How do bees make honey?

The first step in making honey begins when field bees fly from flower to flower collecting the sweet juices or nectar that a flower provides. With their tongues, the field bees suck out the nectar and store it in sacs within their bodies. After filling their sacs with sweet juices or nectar that a flower provides , the field bees fly back to their bee hive and regurgitate the stored nectar into the mouths of house bees.

These house bees are assigned the job of adding enzymes from their bodies to the nectar. The enzymes cause the water in the nectar to evaporate-thereby turning the nectar into honey. Lastly, the nectar is stored in a cell of a honeycomb ( hive). Overtime, the nectar ripens and becomes honey. Some details about the honey bees , properties and uses of honey are given below.

3- The uses of Honey:

* Mixture of equal quantities of honey and ginger juice is a good expectorant. It helps in colds, cough, sore throat and runny nose.
* For asthma, mix half a gram of black pepper powder with honey and ginger juice mixture. Drink this mixture a few times a day.
* Honey can soothe and encourage the healing of sores in the mouth.
* Honey has been used for thousands of years as a topical dressing for wounds because germs cannot live in honey.
* Honey is a great moisturizer and can be used on the skin as a natural revitalizing mask
* Eating a little local honey will make you “immune’ to pollens in the area.
* Honey can improve the eyesight, when taken with carrot juice.
* Honey can reduce the fat and constipation, if taken in the morning with a glass of warm water with 6 drops of Cumin oil.

How to Become Popular?

Would you like to be the most popular person among your friends? Would you like all your relatives to praise you and cousins to envy you? Would you like your parents to be really, oh, so proud of you? Well if the answer is yes to all these questions just follow the rules we’re going to give you here, and you’re sure, a hundred percent, to become the most popular person around.

The first rule is simple enough: Say ‘As-Salaamu ‘Alaikum’ to everyone you meet. I know you already say that but are you sure you are pronouncing it the right way? It’s not ‘salaam alaikum’ or ‘saam alaikum’ you know. It’s ‘As-Salaamu ‘Alaikum’. Pronounce it correctly and with love and fervor.

It’s such a lovely greeting! When Muslims meet each other they ask Allah Ta’ala Almighty to bless the other person with peace and security. And you know that a person who gets security from Allah the Glorious, cannot face any distress or difficulty at all. So Allah Ta’ala will accept your prayer and the other person’s prayer and bless both of you with the so-much-cherished peace and happiness.

Hindus perform ‘dandot’ or say ‘Namastay’. The British say ‘Good morning. The Americans just say ‘Hi’ (which is very similar to the word ‘hai’ in Urdu expressing pain!) The French say ‘Bon jour’, the Spanish say ‘Buenos dias’ and even the Arabs sometimes say ‘Sabah-al-Khair’….. all of which just mean that you may have a good time in the morning. Not much of a prayer is it? On the other hand ‘As-Salaamu ‘Alaikum’ is a prayer for well-being, security and happiness, having no restriction of time. It is a good wish a prayer for all time to come.

Let me tell you a Hadith over here and you will realize just how beautiful our salaam is. Narrated Abu Hurairah radhiallahu 'anhu: The Prophet sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said, “Allah created Adam in His Image, sixty cubits (about 30 meters) in height. When He created him, He said (to him), ‘Go and greet that group of angels sitting there, and listen to what they will say in reply to you, for that will be your greeting and the greeting of your offspring.’ Adam (went and) said, ‘As-Salaamu ‘Alaikum (peace be upon you).’ They replied, ‘As-Salaamu ‘Alaikum wa Rahmatullah (Peace and Allah’s mercy be on you).’ So they increased ‘wa Rahmatullah.’

Thus when greeting someone with salaam it is better to add the additional prayer of ‘rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.’ Thus As-Salaamu Alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh would mean ‘May Allah Ta’ala’s peace be upon you and His mercy and blessings.’ The answer should be: ‘Walaikum As-Salaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.’ Some people, instead of giving the correct answer, say ‘Assalaamu Alaikum’ instead. This is wrong. So make it a point to give the correct answer.

Remember that to offer salaam is Sunnah and to return it is Wajib(essential). And this reminds me that if you’ve had a fight with someone and are not talking to them then the best way to make up is to offer salaam. Try it.

But don’t get carried away and start offering salaam to everyone. There are some occasions when salaam should not be said. They are:

When two people are talking to each other it is not good manners to interrupt them by offering salaam.

If a person is busy in reciting the Qur’an or in some other religious activity don’t say salaam to him.

If you find someone having lunch, dinner or eating something, wait till he has finished.

In a gathering where a wa’az, talk or discussion is going on don’t offer salaam to anyone. Just sit down quietly and offer salaam later.

Don’t offer salaam to a person who is performing wudhu or is taking a bath.

Don’t offer salaam to non-Muslims. If they offer salaam to you answer them with the words, “ Wa Alaikum” only.

So as I was saying you can become very popular, in fact you can make other people love you, by offering salaam to them. Well if you don’t believe me you will believe Rasoolullah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam won’t you? He said, “ May I tell you a thing that will produce a

Musharaf Ka Aik Aur Jurm...Watch Video

US Special Forces conducted multiple raids in Pakistan’

KARACHI: US Special Forces have conducted multiple clandestine raids as part of a secret war inside Pakistans tribal areas where Washington is pressing to expand its drone attacks, a report in Britain’s Guardian newspaper said. Citing a former Nato officer, the Guardian said these incursions, only one of which was previously reported, occurred between 2003 and 2008. It involved helicopter-borne elite soldiers entering through the border at night. The incursions were never declared to the Pakistani government, the report said. The source said Pakistan was kept in the dark about the operations and that the United States would not officially confirm the procedures. After the only publicly acknowledged special forces’ raid in September 2008, Pakistans foreign office condemned it as ‘a grave provocation’, while the Pakistani military thre atened retaliatory action.

PML-N may demand President resignation: Nisar

ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said on Tuesday that his party can not guarantee that it will not demand the resignation of President Asif Ali Zardari, reported CHANNEL 5 NEWS. “We can not guarantee this… But Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz will not demand President Zardari to resign if the government acts upon Supreme Court’s verdict,” he told the newsmen here. Commenting on Farhatullah Babar’s statement that PML-N has assured of not demanding President’s resignation, Babar has no right to define the policy of PML-N. Nisar said his party can’t guarantee anyone for not demanding President Zardari to resign. “Farhatullah Babar’s statement is absolutely absurd

Saeed Ajmal finds form in drawn tour game

he offspinner Saeed Ajmal picked up four wickets and the Pakistanis' top order had another hit out before the three-tour game ended in a draw. On Saturday the tourists face Australia in the Boxing Day Test and they will head to Melbourne with some confidence after a strong hit-out against Tasmania in Hobart.

Tasmania were finished off for 193 before lunch on the third day, with Ajmal taking 4 for 84 in his 24 overs. Ajmal is competing with Danish Kaneria, who did not play, as the No. 1 spinner in the squad and will be content with his performance, which included the wickets of Jason Krejza (23) and Brendan Drew (14).

Abdur Rauf, Mohammad Aamer and Imran Farhat all earned two wickets each, with Farhat's collection coming when he dismissed the tailenders Brett Geeves (33) and Tim Macdonald (5). The visitors earned a lead of 244 and moved to 4 for 141 before calling the game off early.

Farhat retired on 40 and Faisal Iqbal, who was promoted to open, got 32 and Umar Akmal was 55 off 50 balls when he was run out. Misbah-ul-Haq (1) and Fawad Alam (2) both failed, but they got starts in the first innings.

Ajmal believed his doosra would be extremely handy as Pakistan look to clinch their first Test series in Australia. ''In these times, Test scoring is very fast,'' he told the Sydney Morning Herald. ''Ten years ago, Tests were slow and easy all-day batting for about 210 runs. But these days it's over 300 runs in a day. So if you have any variety [as a bowler] you can survive. If do not have variety you cannot survive in international cricket.

''Depends on the wicket, but the doosra is very difficult. If they [the pitches] are turning, it should be difficult for Australia against me.''

Among Australian spinners, Ajmal said Shane Warne had lots of variety, but the current crop were yet to impress. ''But these days the Australian spinners are just offspinners and it's not like they are taking five or six wickets every match, maybe two,'' Ajmal said.

N.Korea says it may open fire near disputed sea border

SEOUL: North Korea Monday warned South Korean warships to steer clear of the disputed Yellow Sea border, saying its coastal artillery would target the area as part of firing exercises.

The North's navy command, in a statement carried by official media, said the move came in response to provocations from the South.

Tensions have remained high since a Yellow Sea naval clash on November 10 left a North Korean patrol boat in flames.

"In response to the South's reckless military provocations, our navy has declared waters near our maritime border in the Yellow Sea as the firing range of artillery units along our coasts and on our islands at normal times," the statement said.

Kasab denies shooting Karkare

n the special court hearing the Mumbai attacks case here, the lone gunman Ajmal Kasab who was caught alive from one of the attacks site denied all allegations against him on Monday.

Today he said he had not killed slain police officers Hemant Karkare, Vijay Salaskar and Kamte. He said he was not present at the Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus or the Cama Hospital- two places where he is alleged to have fired shots at the police and general public.

When the judge asked how his hand was injured in what was retailiatory firing by police, Kasab said there was no such firing and that police had stabbed his arm deliberately. He also denied stealing Skoda from near Valmiki Chowk.

Kasab's retraction came during the recording of his statement under Sec 313 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) before Special Judge M.L. Tahaliyani, a vital procedure that is undertaken after the prosecution completes examination of all its witnesses.

Kasab had earlier claimed that he was dragged into the 26/11 case because he was a Pakistani national and resembled Abu Ali, one of the terrorists killed by the security forces during the anti-terror operations of Nov 26-29, 2008.

Explosion in suburb of Peshawar

PESHAWAR: An explosion occurred at Shamto Road in Armar area in suburb of Peshawar on Monday. However, no loss of life was reported in the incident.

According to bomb disposal unit, unknown miscreants planted a time bomb near Khailo bridge at Shamto Road that went off with a bang. More than one kilogram of explosive used in the blast, they added.

Australia name squad for series against Pakistan

SYDNEY: Cricket Australia's National Selection Panel (NSP) has announced a 13-man squad for three Test matches series against Pakistan starting at the MCG in Melbourne on Boxing Day.

NSP Chairman Andrew Hilditch said: "Phillip Hughes has been added to a squad of 13 players for the Test match against Pakistan. While Ricky Ponting is expected to be fit for the Test, the NSP has picked a squad of 13 players for the match so there is adequate cover in the event that Ricky Ponting does not recover as quickly as is hoped.

"Peter Siddle has recovered from injury and returns to the Australian squad,” Hilditch said.

Squad: Ricky Ponting (c), Michael Clarke (vc), Doug Bollinger, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Phillip Hughes, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Clint McKay, Marcus North, Peter Siddle, Shane Watson.

Kamran Khan calls govt for bolstering media

llegations leveled by the government, Geo’s senior analyst Kamran Khan said this has not happened for the first time, adding whether there is a civilian government or a military rule, such accusations appear at a time when the government comes under pressure over its own failures and actions.

While the government should encourage the journalists, he said.

Talking to GEO News, he said when the government’s actions are investigated and correct facts are brought before the public, the media is blamed for this. The one, who tries to bring the real facts before public with sincere efforts and professionalism, faces such pressure.

The work we did while performing our professional duties proved correct and the policy of issuing threats and allegations always failed and will continue to fail in the future also.

People know very well why these threats are issued to the journalists, he said, adding that the media faces such pressure from the government and private organizations also.

“On one hand, Pakistan is confronting the worst corruption, while on the other hand armed forces are engaged in fighting the terrorists,” he said.

The Pakistani media, he said, has played a decisive role in the war against terrorism. Instead of giving threats and allegations, the media should be encouraged by the government for raising voice against the corruption, he said.

No assurance on demanding resignation from President: Nisar

ISLAMABAD: Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Tuesday said his party cannot give any assurances for not demanding a resignation from President Asif Ali Zardari and that a decision of PML-N in this regard is linked to the implementation on the Supreme Court’s verdict.

He said this while talking to reporters here at Punjab House Islamabad.

“Muslim League-N has not given any assurances for demanding resignation from the President Zardari and the statement of the Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar is incorrect,” Chaudhry Nishar clarified.

He said Farhuttullah Babar is the spokesman of PPP, he (Farhatullah Babar) should refrain from representing PML-N.

The Opposition Leader said PPP is maintaining double standards – on one hand it is issuing statements in favour of implementing the SC verdict and on the other hand threats are being issued to use the ‘Sindh Card’.

“On one hand Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani talks sweet while on the other hand the outspoken Salman Taseer has been let loose,” he said, adding, “the matters of corruption should not be fudged with provincial discrimination.”

He said if the talks of cases being politically motivated are taken as correct, then a fact remains that courts of Switzerland, Spain and other foreign

PPP’s outcries meant to scare judiciary: Sanaullah

LAHORE: Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan has said that Pakistan People’s Party, instead of removing 3-4 of its ministers, is creating all the commotion in a bid to scare the judiciary, political parties and people.

He said this while addressing a press conference at the Department of Public Affairs here Tuesday.

Rana Sanaullah said if the PPP continued to follow this practice it would end up bankrupt in terms of popularity.

He called the Governor Punjab Salman Taseer ‘agent’ of former president Pervez Musharraf. “He (Salman Taseer) has held the entire PPP Punjab’s leadership hostage … he is misleading his party and creating differences with PML-N.”

He said if PPP decides to make a commitment not to indulge in corruption in future only then the people might forgive it. But, if it continued with its current way of creating turmoil then the media and independent judiciary will never forgive it.

French chiefs of defence staff meets Gen. Tariq

RAWALPINDI: General Jean-Louis Georgelin, French chief of defence staff, met with Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Tariq Majeed here on Tuesday.

According to ISPR, during the meeting views were exchanged on overall security and promotion of military cooperation between Pakistan and France besides matters of mutual interest.

CJ warns loan defaulters

ISLAMABAD: ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has issued a final warning to the persons who got their loans written off during the last 38 years.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry in his remarks criticized the government on failure of recovery from defaulters and said court is ready to take on any resistance.

A three-member bench of Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry heard Rs.54 billion written off loans case. The State Bank submitted the list of Rs.193 billion loans written off from 1997 to date. The court has directed central bank to prepare a list along with other banks of loans written off during 1971 till date.

Chief justice in his remarks said only one chance will be given to defaulters to return the loans and action will be taken against them if they will fail to do so. He said SC is ready to take the blame if anyone raises the question why the court is doing this. The country is facing uncertainty, financial irregularities and corruption, he added. The SC has adjourned the hearing till February 2.

Ajmal Kasab retracts statement on Mumbai attacks

Ajmal Kasab, accused in the 26/11 terror strike in Mumbai, retracted from his previous statement concerning his involvement on the attack and said he was forced to confess earlier, India media Friday reported.
The sole survivor among the 10 attackers who killed more than 170 people during the attack on India's commercial capital, had earlier admitted his role in the 26/11 case. Rejecting all charges brought against him, Kasab reportedly said he was forcibly made to confess and tortured, reports said.
In his earlier statement, Kasab had confessed to involvement in the 26/11 attacks.
The prosecution cross-examined 610 witnesses against Kasab and two Indians, Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed, the Indian media reported. Pakistan government however has denied that Pakistan’s soil was used in any way to attack India.

India refuses to reduce troops along LOC

The Indian army said Friday it had pulled 30,000 troops out of Kashmir, one of the biggest military drawdowns in a decade.
"We have moved out two divisions of infantry formations who were on internal security duties ... and approximately the number of soldiers pulled out is 30,000 men," spokesman Colonel Om Singh said in New Delhi.

Australia collapse as West Indies hit back in Perth Test

It was a third day of dramatic collapses in the third Test at the WACA with Australia slumping to 137 for eight in their second innings after bowling West Indies out for 312 to set up the game for either side to win.
The Windies looked out of the game when dismissed just after lunch, 208 behind Australia. But Sulieman Benn (two for 26), Dwayne Bravo (three for 34) and Kemar Roach (one for 18) bowled them back into the match with Australia losing seven wickets for 68 runs to establish a lead of 345 at stumps.
The West Indies came into day three on 214 for two in reply to Australia's 520 for seven declared and had made steady progress to be 280 for four at lunch. But that was when the drama began. The Windies lost six for 32 after the first interval to miss the follow-on target. The tourists lost their last four wickets for just two runs off 10 balls, as Doug Bollinger (five for 70) and Nathan Hauritz (three for 66) did the damage.
Australia elected to bat again and were moving on solidly with Michael Clarke and Shane Watson together after Simon Katich was out early for 10. But the hosts then lost six wickets for 59 runs to slip to 125 for seven with Ricky Ponting coming in at number nine due to a tendon injury in his elbow. Roach immediately came on to pepper him with short balls and after he got one hook shot away, he fended one straight to short leg to be out for two and leave Australia on 134 for eight. Hauritz and debutant Clint McKay added three more before the close

Younas eyeing return

Pakistan Cricket Team former captain Younas Khan has started missing international cricket once again. Younas, therefore, has decided to represent his bank in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy’s final. Talking to media in Lahore he said that he is ready to serve the nation all the time.
It is important to mention that for the last some time, Younas had decided to take rest for some time. He didn’t play test match series against New Zealand as well.

UN asks leaders to stay overnight in Copenhagen

COPENHAGEN: The United Nations has asked world leaders to plan to stay overnight in Copenhagen because of deadlock at a U.N. climate summit meant to end on Friday, European Union Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said.

"The Secretary-General of the United Nations (Ban Ki-moon) has asked people not to leave tonight," Dimas told reporters.

He said he was confident that leaders would eventually reach a deal. "I cannot imagine 120 leaders going back to their countries with empty hands. Everyone expressed commitment to fight climate change. OK, do it," he said. AGENCIES

Global swine flu pandemic deaths pass 10,000: WHO

The number of swine flu deaths worldwide passed the 10,000 mark about eight months after the pandemic strain was uncovered in April, reaching 10,582, World Health Organisation data showed Friday.

Early data suggested that the death rate had not worsened as the flu virus took hold in its most propitious territory, the northern hemisphere, in winter, the WHO indicated.

"As of 13 December 2009, worldwide more than 208 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including at least 10,582 deaths," the WHO said.

In data for December 6 released a week ago, the death toll stood at 9,596.

Transmission of the A(H1N1) virus remains "active and geographically widespread" in the northern hemisphere but disease activity has reached a peak or is waning in many locations there, the UN health agency added.

Preliminary data from the northern hemisphere after a season of winter transmission indicated that the death rate was similar to the one observed in the southern hemisphere's winter earlier in the year.

"This would indicate that the overall severity of the pandemic has not changed," the WHO said.

At least 10 western and northern European countries reported a decline in disease activity but in four -- Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Montenegro and Switzerland -- respiratory disease continued to increase or only levelled off.

High intensity was still reported in parts of south eastern Europe and Russia.

Swine flu was extending into Western and Central Asia, especially Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, but was reaching a peak in Afghanistan, Oman, and Israel and also in parts of the Middle East.

The WHO said flu transmission was starting to decline in east Asia, including Japan, northern and southern China, Taiwan and Mongolia

But it was on the increase in south Asia -- northern India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Only sporadic cases of pandemic flu were reported in the southern hemisphere.

US Drone attacks kill 7 in NWaziristan

NORTH WAZIRISTAN: The suspected US Drone attacks have killed at least seven people in North Waziristan, sources told SAMAA on Friday.

SAMAA learnt that three missiles were fired over a village, Paikhel, some 30 km away from Miranshah where at least seven people were killed on the spot while five others injured, sources added.

US DRONE ATTACK KILL 12 IN NORTH WAZIRISTAN ON THURSDAY

At least 12 people including seven foreigners have been killed in US Drone strikes, SAMAA reported on Thursday evening.

The local sources said that five spying jets carried out eight missiles over village Dighan some 25 km west to the Miranshah, the headquarter of North Waziristan. Fifteen people were killed on the spot including seven foreigners, sources added. The foreign news agencies claimed 15 have been killed. Two houses and a vehicle were completely destroyed in the strikes. More causalities are being feared.

AGENCIES ADD: Two separate US missile strikes killed at least 14 militants in northwest Pakistan Thursday, officials said, as Islamabad faces growing US pressure to dismantle Islamist extremist networks.

The attacks hours apart by unmanned US drone aircraft hit suspected militant hideouts in the same area of North Waziristan, part of the lawless tribal belt branded the most dangerous place in the world by Washington.

It was not clear which groups were targeted, with North Waziristan rife with Taliban militants, Al-Qaeda fighters and members of the Haqqani network, a powerful group known for staging attacks on foreign troops in Afghanistan.

In the deadliest attack, multiple drones launched an onslaught in the evening on several houses in North Waziristan's Ambarshaga area, about 30 kilometres (18 miles) west of the main district town Miranshah.

"Five US drones fired at least seven missiles, targeting two houses and two vehicles in the Ambarshaga area in North Waziristan and killing 12 militants," a senior security official in the area told AFP.

He said that those killed in the strike included at least four foreigners, adding that their nationalities could not be immediately established.

Pakistani officials mostly use the term "foreigners" to refer to Al-Qaeda recruits operating in the tribal regions.

He added it was also not clear whether any high-value target was present in the area at the time of attack.

Another security official confirmed the bombing by the drone and said the death toll may rise due to the intensity of the strike.

In a second attack in the same area, missiles fired by a US drone at around midday slammed into a house allegedly used by militants.

"The American drone fired two missiles, killing two militants and badly damaging a house and an attached guest portion. A car was completely destroyed," said a security official based in Miranshah.

"The militants rented out this house and were using it as a base."

A local intelligence official confirmed the strike and the death toll in the village of Dattakhel. Officials refused to be named because of the sensitivity of the US strikes in Pakistan, which inflame anti-American sentiment.

PM Gilani suspends Interior Ministry, FIA officials

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has taken notice the incident of stopping Federal Defense Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar to leave for China and suspended Secretary Interior Ministry Qamar-uz-Zaman on Friday.

PM Gilani has also ordered the inquiry of the incident of stopping Federal Defense Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar . The officials on duty Additional Director Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and two inspectors have also been suspended.

NAB CHAIRMAN APOLOGIZES DEFENSE MINISTER

Chairman National Accountability Bureau Naveed Ahsan has apologized Pakistan Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar On Friday for stooping him to go to China for official visit on Thursday.

Talking to SAMAA, Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar confirmed that NAB chairman has apologized. He said that NAB chairman had confirmed that his name was not included in the Exit Control List.

The defence minister, after talking to the NAB chairman, informed Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and briefed him about the situation and demanded the inquiry into the matter.

PM Gilani has assured the defence minister for thorough inquiry.

The NAB spokesman, Ghazni Khan, also confirmed that the name of defence minister was not included in the ECL. He said that there are 53 names except Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar.

MINISTER STOPPED AT AIRPORT AFTER NRO RULING

Pakistani's defence minister was stopped from leaving the country, news reports said on Friday, after a court struck down an amnesty protecting him and other leaders, including President Asif Ali Zardari from prosecution.

Fears of political turmoil have increased as the opposition mounts pressure on Zardari and his aides to resign following the Supreme court order, even though he is shielded by presidential immunity.

On Thursday, Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar, who faces the resumption of an earlier corruption-related case, was stopped by immigration authorities when he tried to go on an official visit to China, the Financial Times and CNN said.

The prospect of political instability comes as the United States increases calls on Pakistan to tackle the Afghan Taliban in lawless border enclaves, where Pakistani security agents said suspected U.S. drones attacked on Thursday, killing 12 fighters.

The Supreme Court threw out on Wednesday the 2007 amnesty that protected Zardari and top aides from graft charges, heaping pressure on the unpopular pro-American leader.

The ruling means all old cases covered by the amnesty, most of them corruption cases, have been revived. It also asked the government to seek the revival of cases lodged in foreign countries.

Among those protected by the amnesty were the interior and defence ministers and several of Zardari's top aides. If they departed from government it would not have a significant impact on Pakistan's war on militancy, which is led by the army.

Immediately after the Wednesday evening court ruling, Zardari's spokesmen said the president's ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP) respected the decision but there was no question of the president resigning.

NAB Chairman apologizes Defence Minister

ISLAMABAD: Chairman National Accountability Bureau Naveed Ahsan has apologized Pakistan Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar On Friday for stooping him to go to China for official visit on Thursday.

Talking to SAMAA, Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar confirmed that NAB chairman has apologized. He said that NAB chairman had confirmed that his name was not included in the Exit Control List.

PM GILANI SUSPENDS INTERIOR, MINISTRY, FIA OFFICIALS

Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has taken notice the incident of stopping Federal Defense Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar to leave for China and suspended Secretary Interior Ministry Qamar-uz-Zaman on Friday.

PM Gilani has also ordered the inquiry of the incident of stopping Federal Defense Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar . The officials on duty Additional Director Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and two inspectors have also been suspended.

Earlier, The defence minister informed Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and briefed him about the situation and demanded the inquiry into the matter. PM Gilani has assured the defence minister for thorough inquiry.

The NAB spokesman, Ghazni Khan, also confirmed that the name of defence minister was not included in the ECL. He said that there are 53 names except Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar.

MINISTER STOPPED AT AIRPORT AFTER NRO RULING

Pakistani's defence minister was stopped from leaving the country, news reports said on Friday, after a court struck down an amnesty protecting him and other leaders, including President Asif Ali Zardari from prosecution.

Fears of political turmoil have increased as the opposition mounts pressure on Zardari and his aides to resign following the Supreme court order, even though he is shielded by presidential immunity.

On Thursday, Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar, who faces the resumption of an earlier corruption-related case, was stopped by immigration authorities when he tried to go on an official visit to China, the Financial Times and CNN said.

The prospect of political instability comes as the United States increases calls on Pakistan to tackle the Afghan Taliban in lawless border enclaves, where Pakistani security agents said suspected U.S. drones attacked on Thursday, killing 12 fighters.

The Supreme Court threw out on Wednesday the 2007 amnesty that protected Zardari and top aides from graft charges, heaping pressure on the unpopular pro-American leader.

The ruling means all old cases covered by the amnesty, most of them corruption cases, have been revived. It also asked the government to seek the revival of cases lodged in foreign countries.

Among those protected by the amnesty were the interior and defence ministers and several of Zardari's top aides. If they departed from government it would not have a significant impact on Pakistan's war on militancy, which is led by the army.

Immediately after the Wednesday evening court ruling, Zardari's spokesmen said the president's ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP) respected the decision but there was no question of the president resigning

52 percent drop in foreign direct investment

Worst law and order situation and poor industrial infrastructure have badly affected the foreign direct investment (FDI), which posted 52 percent decline during July-November period of current fiscal year. Economists said that domestic shocks like power shortage, worst law and order situation and uncertainty on political front largely hurt the FDI.

NRO beneficiaries’ names put on ECL

ISLAMABAD (updated on: December 17, 2009, 15:41 PST): On the request of National Accountability Bureau (NAB), interior ministry has put the names of National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) beneficiaries, except the President, on Exit Control List (ECL), Aaj News reported on Thursday.

According to the channel the NAB, complying with the directives of the Supreme Court, had requested the interior ministry to place the names of all NRO beneficiaries on the ECL. As a result, names of all beneficiaries, except the President, have been put on ECL.

The names of Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Jahangir Badar and Salman Farooqi are also included in the ECL.

The NAB has also requested the interior ministry to apprehended those accused wanted by the NAB, whose warrants had already been issued.

ICC unveils Twenty20 Qualifier details

The ICC has announced the schedule for the eight-team ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2010, which will take place in the United Arab Emirates between February 9 and 13.

The winner of the tournament will join South Africa and India in Group C at the ICC World Twenty 20 in the Caribbean in May while the losing finalist will join Group D which includes the West Indies and England.

The Qualifier involves two groups of four teams with Ireland, Scotland, Afghanistan and the USA making up Group A while Kenya, the Netherlands, Canada and the UAE will fight it out for supremacy of Group B.

Ireland, Kenya, Canada, the Netherlands, Afghanistan and Scotland have directly qualified for the qualifier on the basis of their ODI status while the UAE and the USA have been controversiually invited to participate by the ICC.

A total of 17 matches will be played over five days with Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium hosting six group stage matches and Dubai International Cricket Stadium at Dubai Sports City staging 11 matches, including six group stage matches, four Super Four matches and the final.

Pakistan confident bowlers can get on top

Yousuf expects return of cricket to Pakistan soon

Agencies

HOBART (Australia): Pakistan have arrived in Australia confident their bowling attack can put them into winning positions in the three-Test series.

Captain Mohammad Yousuf highlighted his team's bowling as a strength after arriving in Hobart to play a three-day warm-up match against Tasmania, starting tomorrow.

''Our bowlers are capable of taking 20 wickets but we need to improve our batting and fielding,'' Yousuf said. ''I think we've got good spinners, the best spinners in the world, and fast bowling also.''

Ulema faint after eating halwa

ISLAMABAD: A sweet treat turned sour for some religious scholars and two of them had to be shifted to ICU on Thursday. Ulema gathered at Abdul Ghafoor Haideri's residence at Parliament Lodges to take a decision about participating in Ulema Conference at Interior Ministry.

Haideri served his guests 'Khoor Halwa', a sweet dish prepared of dates, which caused them to fall ill.

They had decided that Mufti Muneeb ur Rehman alone will participate in the conference and the rest of them therefore stayed with Haideri.

But soon after, Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Hyderi, Liaquat Baloch, Haji Hanif Tayyab and Mian Aslam fell ill and were rushed to Polyclinic hospital.

Sources informed that the 'Halwa' was not fresh and had turned bad that caused food poisoning upon consummation.

The medical reports however were not disclosed to the media. So rumours kept on circulating that some kind of poison may have been mixed in the sweet dish.

Today's Cartoon........

No request from Pak to open Zardari cases: Swiss spokesman

The Swiss justice ministry on Thursday said the proceedings of cases against President Zardari in Switzerland can’t be initiated unless the Pakistani government starts inquiry, report said. According to the ministry spokesman Folco Galli, there was no legal base of the cases against Zardari as Pakistan has not sent any application in this connection. Galli clarified that Switzerland will initiate the proceedings

SC issues contempt notice to Malik

ISLAMABAD : The Supreme Court on Thursday issued contempt of court notice to Interior Minster Rehman Malik on transferring of DG FIA Tariq Khosa, terming it an act of interference in court’s affairs.

A three-member bench of the apex court comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Ijaz Ahmed and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain issued the notice while hearing Pakistan Steel Mills case.

The court directed Rehman Malik to appear before the court on December 24 besides filing his written response to the notice by the said date.

Chief Justice ordered the Acting Attorney General Shah Khawar to re-transfer Khosa as DG FIA immediately.

NRO beneficiaries’ names put on ECL

ISLAMABAD : On the request of National Accountability Bureau (NAB), interior ministry has put the names of National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) beneficiaries, except the President, on Exit Control List (ECL), Aaj News reported on Thursday.

According to the channel the NAB, complying with the directives of the Supreme Court, had requested the interior ministry to place the names of all NRO beneficiaries on the ECL. As a result, names of all beneficiaries, except the President, have been put on ECL.

The names of Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Jahangir Badar and Salman Farooqi are also included in the ECL.

The NAB has also requested the interior ministry to apprehended those accused wanted by the NAB, whose warrants had already been issued.

Seven civilians killed in Afghan bombing: officials

KANDAHAR : Seven people were killed and three children injured Thursday when a car hit a mine in southern Afghanistan, officials said, in a blast bearing the hallmarks of Taliban militants.

The civilians, all in one car, were travelling to a shrine in southern Kandahar province's restive Khakriz district when it hit the improvised bomb, a weapon of choice for Taliban and other militants.

"Seven civilians -- five women and two men -- were killed and three children aged from two to eight were wounded," Zalmai Ayoubi, a spokesman for the provincial administration, told AFP.

He did not blame any group for the bombing but similar devices are widely used by Taliban militants in their campaign against the US-backed government in Kabul and its Western military backers.

US drone strikes kill 15 in North Waziristan

At least fifteen people were killed including key Al-Qaeda member Zohaib Al Zahidi and seven foreigners while several injured in US drone strikes in North Waziristan on Thursday, Dunya News reported.
According to sources, US drones targeted two houses in Amboor Shaga and Degan area around 6pm this evening. Two missiles each were fired on both the houses destroying them completely while several people were caught under debris. Local residents started relief activities in affected houses after the incident. Two vehicles were also destroyed by the attack. US drones had been flying in the area since early morning whereas 5 drones kept flying even after the attack, sources revealed

Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar prevented from leaving country

Federal Minister for Defence Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar has been stopped from leaving the country as his name was included among others in Exit Control List (ECL) after Supreme Court’s verdict against NRO, reported Dunya News on Thursday.
Defence Minister along with 6 member delegation was leaving for an official visit to China where he was scheduled to attend commissioning ceremony of F-22 P Frigate. Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Noman Bashir is also part of the delegation. According to sources, when Ch. Ahmed Mukhtar along with Admiral Noman Bashir arrived at Islamabad airport, he was told by the immigration officials that he can’t be allowed to leave the country as his name is included in the ECL. Secretary Defence Syed Athar Ali was also present on the occasion.
On the other hand, talking to Dunya News, Ch. Ahmed Mukhtar said he didn’t go to airport as his staff informed him that his name is included in ECL, however, he was scheduled to leave for a three day visit to receive Frigates but some powers want to stop him from going abroad. Mukhtar said it’s shameful and embarrassing that Naval Chief has been allowed to go while Defence Minister has been stopped. The defence minister said he is ready to face courts. Ahmed Mukhtar told that President and Prime Minister have been informed about the incident.
Meanwhile, other members of the delegation have departed for China.

NATO chief opposes Russia's security pact proposal

NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Thursday hailed a "new phase" in relations with Moscow, though he said he saw no need for a new security deal proposed by Russia, rebuffing the Kremlin's call for new defence arrangements in Europe.
"I think my visit to Russia marks a new phase in the relationship between NATO and Russia, a new beginning", Rasmussen told journalists at a briefing in Moscow. "We are faced with the same threats in a number of areas: terrorism, Afghanistan, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, piracy - just to mention some - and we should join efforts in the fight against these threats and therefore we should develop a true, strategic partnership," he added.
On his first visit to Moscow since taking office on August 1, the NATO chief repeatedly said recent rows should not prevent Russia and the military alliance from confronting a common security threat from Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan.
After talks with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and other Russian leaders, Rasmussen urged greater cooperation between NATO and Russia in Afghanistan. "I think Afghanistan should be the centrepiece of cooperation in 2010 and this is the reason why I have presented to the Russian leadership a concrete list of proposals as to how Russia could further its engagement in our operations in Afghanistan," said Rasmussen. He conceded he had not received any firm offer of support from Moscow in response to his requests for Russia to provide Kabul with helicopters and training support, saying he had never expected to get a firm response this week.
Moscow still views NATO, its Cold War adversary, with deep suspicion. Ties have been severely strained by last year's war between Russia and Georgia and by U.S.-backed plans to invite more former Soviet states to join the alliance.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev published a draft post-cold war security pact on November 29, saying it would replace NATO and other institutions and would restrict the ability of any country to use force unilaterally. "President Medvedev has presented a proposal, a new...a draft European security treaty. I have also made it clear that of course we are prepared to discuss his ideas and his proposals," said Rasmussen. But the NATO chief said a new treaty was unnecessary. "I don't see a need for new treaties or new legally-binding documents because we do have a framework already," he said at the briefing. "NATO and Russia agreed what we called a founding act already in 1997, it contains a lot of very valuable principles for our cooperation and the European security," he added.
Rasmussen said that by 2020, a common anti-missile shield could cover Russia and NATO countries. His optimism about future ties contrasts with years of conflict over previous U.S. plans to install missile interceptors in European countries.

Germany: Temperatures drop further due to snowfall

Residents in Berlin and Germany's capital Frankfurt saw new snowfall as meteorologists predicted falling temperatures and more snow for the weekend.
Light snowfall in Berlin late in the morning added a touch of Christmas to the tree set up near the city's landmark, Brandenburg Gate while some motorists struggled with slippery roads. On the Feldberg Mountain outside Frankfurt, children enjoyed a ride on their sleds as older people went for a hike through the snow covered landscape overlooking the city. Meteorologist told that for the coming days, it remains wintry and will get even colder, especially in the east of Germany where temperatures will fall all the way to fifteen below zero on Friday and Saturday.

Heavy snow brings traffic woes to northern France

Thick snowfall added to the misery of the daily commute for millions of Parisians on Thursday, causing dangerous driving conditions for motorists heading into the centre of town.
The snowfall, only a week before Christmas, was a rarity for the French capital, which generally does not see snow before the late winter -- if at all. The snow was caused by cold air coming from Eastern Europe. A total of 51 departments (counties) in the northern part of the country went onto orange alert as authorities grappled with the climate conditions amid worries that the state electricity distribution network might not hold up in the face of sharply increased demand. Residents in Brittany and the Provence region of southern France have been warned that they may face power cuts lasting up to two hours. Officials at electricity distribution network RTE have said the cuts could affect tens of thousands of people at a time if they come. But with no threat of power cuts in the capital, ordinary Parisians were happy to enjoy the snow. "It would be even nicer if it settled a little and if we had 10 centimetres of snow that we could keep for three or four days," said Cecile de Tuny, a passer-by at the Arc de Triomphe.

NATO chief opposes Russia's security pact proposal

NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Thursday hailed a "new phase" in relations with Moscow, though he said he saw no need for a new security deal proposed by Russia, rebuffing the Kremlin's call for new defence arrangements in Europe.
"I think my visit to Russia marks a new phase in the relationship between NATO and Russia, a new beginning", Rasmussen told journalists at a briefing in Moscow. "We are faced with the same threats in a number of areas: terrorism, Afghanistan, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, piracy - just to mention some - and we should join efforts in the fight against these threats and therefore we should develop a true, strategic partnership," he added.
On his first visit to Moscow since taking office on August 1, the NATO chief repeatedly said recent rows should not prevent Russia and the military alliance from confronting a common security threat from Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan.
After talks with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and other Russian leaders, Rasmussen urged greater cooperation between NATO and Russia in Afghanistan. "I think Afghanistan should be the centrepiece of cooperation in 2010 and this is the reason why I have presented to the Russian leadership a concrete list of proposals as to how Russia could further its engagement in our operations in Afghanistan," said Rasmussen. He conceded he had not received any firm offer of support from Moscow in response to his requests for Russia to provide Kabul with helicopters and training support, saying he had never expected to get a firm response this week.
Moscow still views NATO, its Cold War adversary, with deep suspicion. Ties have been severely strained by last year's war between Russia and Georgia and by U.S.-backed plans to invite more former Soviet states to join the alliance.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev published a draft post-cold war security pact on November 29, saying it would replace NATO and other institutions and would restrict the ability of any country to use force unilaterally. "President Medvedev has presented a proposal, a new...a draft European security treaty. I have also made it clear that of course we are prepared to discuss his ideas and his proposals," said Rasmussen. But the NATO chief said a new treaty was unnecessary. "I don't see a need for new treaties or new legally-binding documents because we do have a framework already," he said at the briefing. "NATO and Russia agreed what we called a founding act already in 1997, it contains a lot of very valuable principles for our cooperation and the European security," he added.
Rasmussen said that by 2020, a common anti-missile shield could cover Russia and NATO countries. His optimism about future ties contrasts with years of conflict over previous U.S. plans to install missile interceptors in European countries.