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