Friday 30 March 2012

PCNS mulls linking Nato supply to halt in drone strikes


ISLAMABAD: The meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) was held under the chair of Raza Rabbani, Geo News reported on Friday.

According to sources, the meeting discussed reopening of the Nato supply route on the condition of halting drones strikes.

The PCNS dropped recommendations over foreign intelligence operations in the country. The proposals of parliamentary committee on airbases were also dismissed, sources added.

Earlier, the Parliamentary Committee on National Security had approved over 35 recommendations relating to the new terms of engagement with the US and foreign policy.

The PCNS was re-evaluating ties with the United States following the Nato attack on a Pakistan check post in which 24 soldiers were killed

PML-N opposes three recommendations of PCNS: Nisar


ISLAMABAD: Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly, Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan Friday said that PML-N had strongly objected to three recommendations of the parliamentary committee,

Flanked by Zafar Iqbal Jhagra and Mushaidullah Khan, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, while addressing a press conference, said Pakistan-US relations should move ahead.

Nisar said if the resolution was adopted today, Nato supply would resume but the recommendations will not be implemented like that of four previous ones.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz had disagreed to some articles of the resolution regarding foreign policy, adding his party would oppose such articles in the parliament as well. No country allows other countries to establish their bases on its soil, he said.

Chaudhary Nisar said PML-N supported several articles of the resolution. He said many proposals of the parliamentary committee were in national interest and his party collectively supported the resolution. They had objection on only three recommendations, he added.

HEAD WORK IRRIGATION SUB DIVISION MALAKAND LIST OF ENCROACHMENT AMANDARA SECTION BATKHELA.

                                      HEAD WORK SUB DIVISION MALAKAND
LIST OF ENCROACHMENT AMANDARA
sir we big to say that was two inform you 28 Date tma of batkhela spiking in a load speaker tonal left side concetricion site will be damage date of 28to 30 71  HOUSE and 6 MOSQUE  115 years old irrigation team sleeping on time  where of old time swat rever right/left side this road only for small Jeep our Biggles not for big traffic govt asked old time batkhela rever site house in mosque electricity will be free deed writen in to the Brutish  gormment on a gold plate.   


                                                       HOUSE AND MOSQUE
NAME Of MOSQUE 
Inam Khan  Amir Zaman  30*40
Said Muhammad   50*55'
Faiz Muhammad   50*55'
Dilar                     20*36'
Mosque                50*2'
Mosque  Rd8300  60*28'
House Name

Nisar Khan         800*30'
Mehmood Khan  400*30'
Izat Gul               100*29'
Nasar                   42*15
Rahat Khan School Teacher 50*2

Thursday 29 March 2012

Spoke with Kayani at least 5 times: Gen Dempsey


WASHINGTON: Chairman of US Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin E Dempsey told reporters that he had spoken with Pakistan Army chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani at least five times since the Salala incident in which 24 Pakistani soldiers were killed in a Nato air raid.

Dempsey was responding to questions on the meeting in Pakistan on Wednesday where Gen James Mattis, Commander of US Central Command and Gen. John Allen, commander of US and Nato forces in Afghanistan, met Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani.

It was the highest level-military meeting between the two countries since a November 26 cross-border Nato air raid.

Dempsey said the US wanted to reset military-to-military relationship with Pakistan including working the border issues and reopening the ground supply lines through Pakistan to Afghanistan.

“We want to rebuild the trust and confidence between our two militaries,” General Dempsey said.

Gen Dempsey said he believes the two militaries can discuss what must be done in Pakistan’s federally administered tribal areas to improve the situation in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Three killed, two bodies recovered in Karachi


KARACHI: Violence erupted in different areas of Karachi after a worker of Awami National Party (ANP) Sindh chapter was murdered on Wednesday. Three people were gunned down while two bodies were also recovered from North Nazimabad.

Seven people were killed in the post murder violence since Wednesday night while several vehicles were also set on fire by miscreants in different areas.

Zianul Abideen, an ANP worker of Patel Para area, died and his two companions injured, when armed men opened fire on them near Matric Board Office in Nazimabad area.

ANP is observing mourning day today over the killing of their office bearer.

Thin traffic was observed on the roads while few CNG stations and petrol pumps were functional in the city. Taking advantage of the situation, private transport owners were demanding exorbitant fares from the commuters who could not find public transport after the Transport Ittehad announced closure.

Educational institutions also remained closed while less attendance was witnessed in offices. BDS final year examinations would take place today according to the schedule as announced by the University of Karachi.

Two bodies were recovered from North Nazimabad area of Karachi who were identified as Mohammad Jalil and Mohammad Zeeshan.

A truck was set ablaze today at Dawood Chowrangi in Landhi area after riots.

On Wednesday night, various localities of the city echoed with aerial firing and armed miscreants set on fire many cars and motorcycles in different areas while the businesses were forced to close in Saddar, Empress Market, MA Jinnah Road and other adjoining areas.

Several cars, motocyles and roadside stalls were set of fire in Lasbela, Teen Hatti, Nishtar Road, Garden, Esa Nagri, Qaidabad and Korangi. Firing incidents were also reported in PIB Colony, Gulistan-e-Johar, Lyari, Banaras, Orangi Town and other areas.

Acute traffic jam was witnessed in all areas of the city, as panicked Karachiites tried to reach their homes as soon as possible.

Police and rangers were deputed in the violence-hit areas.

Spini Road incident toll reaches six


QUETTA: Unidentified men opened fire on a van at Spini Road in Quetta that killed six persons including a woman and injured two others on Thursday, 
According to police, gunmen at 8:15 am opened fire on a van coming from Hazara Town to Quetta that killed two passengers on the spot while four others succumbed to their injuries after reaching the hospital.
It is important to mention that such incidents have occurred before in the same vicinity and at the same time when duties of security men are changed at 8:00 am.
Police reached the spot and traffic was resumed on the road while investigation has kicked off.
There were angry demonstrations after the killings of the Hazara's, in what police described as the latest sectarian attack in the province.
Tahaffuz-e-Azadaran Council has announced three-day mourning after the killing of six persons.
Afterwards, a policeman was shot dead by protesters in the Hazara Town area of Quetta, where police tried to break up a road block erected by a mob, local police told.
Some protesters fired in the air in anger and one of the bullets wounded a policeman, who was taken to hospital but died.
Dozens of other protestors demonstrated in Quetta's main Meezan Chowk square and outside the provincial police chief's office, and torched a motorcycle at a local hospital to protest against the killings, witnesses said.

Tension grips Karachi as 5 killed in violence


KARACHI: Violence erupted in different areas of Karachi after a worker of Awami National Party (ANP) Sindh chapter was murdered on Wednesday. At least five people were killed in the post murder violence while several vehicles were set on fire by miscreants in different areas.

Zianal Abideen, an ANP worker of Patel Para area, died and his two companions injured, when armed men opened fire on them near Matric Board Office in Nazimabad area.

Soon, various localities of the city echoed with aerial firing and armed miscreants set on fire many cars and motorcycles in different areas while the businesses were forced to close in Saddar, Empress Market, MA Jinnah Road and other adjoining areas.

Several cars, motocyles and roadside stalls were set of fire in Lasbela, Teen Hatti, Nishtar Road, Garden, Esa Nagri, Qaidabad and Korangi. Firing incidents were also reported in PIB Colony, Gulistan-e-Johar, Lyari, Banaras, Orangi Town and other areas.

As violence engulfed different parts of the city, shops, petrol and CNG stations were also shut down on Wednesday night.

Acute traffic jam was witnessed in all areas of the city, as panicked Karachiites tried to reach their homes as soon as possible.

Police and rangers were deputed in the violence-hit areas.

On the other hand, commotion is persistent for students and parents as contrasting statements have emerged from private school managements.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Monday said 35 people were arrested from Karachi on Tuesday and expressed his willingness to give in camera briefing to the parliamentarians on law and order situation in the provincial metropolis.

405 cricket World Cup final tickets unsold: report


MUMBAI: At least 405 tickets of the cricket World Cup Final between India and Sri Lanka remained unsold, an Indian newspaper said in a report.

According to the report, there was huge demand for the ticket and the Wankhede Stadium had only 33,000 seats. There were plenty of fans who missed out on being part of that historic night in Mumbai.

Mumbai's newspaper Mid Day said in its report that it had learnt about the unsold tickets. The information has come out of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) office.

"It is surprising to see that 96 tickets (Rs 1,500 minimum per ticket) of the Sunil Gavaskar Stand (lower bay) which was meant for public, going unsold. Something is fishy here," a source told the newspaper.

The MCA suffered a loss of nearly Rs. 73.5 lakh from the unsold tickets. Nearly Rs. 23 crore was accumulated through the sale of tickets, the report added quoting the same source.

US waiting for end of Pakistan's internal debate


WASHINGTON: United States is waiting for conclusion of Pakistan parliamentary debate regarding resumption of talks between the two countries, according to the US State Department.

During a daily press briefing here on Wednesday, the state department's spokesperson Victoria Nuland said that President Obama spoke to the relationship during his meeting with Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani.

She said " Our contacts have continued all the way through this. So - but in terms of where we go from here, we're going to wait until the Pakistani side finishes

Wednesday 28 March 2012

Punjab: Loadshedding prevails, so do protests


LAHORE/FAISALABAD/SARGODHA: Violent demonstrations, against rolling electricity blackouts, are in full swing across Punjab, Geo News reported.

Reportedly the most affected are Lahore, Sargodha, and Faisalabad.

In Sargodha, agitating demonstrators resorted to vandalism as well as arson as they threw the merchandise out of a number of shops and set it on fire.

On the other hand angry power-outage-victims attacked the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) office in the Township area of the city against an addition of fuel adjustment surcharge in the electricity bills.

The demonstrators turned the office upside down breaking the furniture down to pieces. Reportedly, the mob first demanded of the power company authorities to withdraw the surcharge, but resorted to violence after they were denied any such relief.

The LESCO office bore the brunt of their wrath as they tried to break everything form windowpanes to cupboards apart. Upon this the Executive Engineer (Ex-en) called in the police, who later forced the protestors out of the office building.

In Faisalabad, daily-wagers flooded the streets against unscheduled loadshedding despite an assurance by the Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) of cutting the outages down.

Meanwhile, protestors also poured onto Sumandri Road, Sudhar Bypass, Nerdwala Road, and Sargodha Road to give their anger the needed vent against sweeping power loadshedding.

Police use water cannon to disperse protesting nurses, paramedics


KARACHI: Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesting paramedical staff at the Press Club as they tried to reach the Governor House.

According to sources, the protesting paramedical staff demanded the government to take action on their employment confirmation.

As the protestors tried to make their way to the Governor House which is a red zone, they were stopped by the police who used water cannons and tear gas.

Several members of the paramedical staff were injured when police baton charged the crowd.

Due to the protest, traffic was severely disturbed in the area.

Ban imposed on carrying licensed firearms in Sindh


KARACHI: Sindh government has imposed a ban on carrying licensed weapons across the province with immediate effect,

Home minister, Manzoor Wassan, Wednesday said that only a special exemption granted by the ministry would be required to carry licensed arms henceforth.

Tuesday 27 March 2012

Violence erupts in Karachi after killing of MQM worker


KARACHI: A day of mourning is being observed by the MQM on Tuesday against the killing of their party worker and his brother in the PIB Colony area of the city.

Following the killing, violence erupted across the city as over three dozen vehicles were torched and seven people including a child were killed.

According to the police, MQM sector member Mansoor Mukhtar, his brother Masood Mukhtar and his wife were targeted when attackers entered their house and opened fire. Mansoor and Masood succumbed to their injuries at the hospital.

The post mortem of Mansoor was conducting at the Abbasi Shaheed hospital and according to doctors he was shot four times.

Over three dozen vehicles including a police mobile were torched in different areas including Malir Halt, Central Jail, Teen Hatti, Kala Board, Abul Hassan Isphani Road and Shah Faisal Colony.

Tyres were set ablaze at Jamshed Road after riots where unknown men forced shop owners to close down their business.

Aerial firing was also reported in various areas including Liaqatabad, Malir City, Johar Chowrangi, Malir, Shah Faisal Colony, Gulshan-e-Iqbal and Korangi.

Schools were shut due to the wave of violence as markets and petrol stations remained closed. Residents faced further distress as there was no public transport on the roads.

The Police, Rangers and FC did not take any action when these incidents were taking place.

Funeral of slain MQM activist held


KARACHI: Funeral prayer of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) activist Mansoor Mukhtar and his brother Masood Mukhtar was offered here, Geo News reported.

MQM leaders Raza Haroon, Saghir Ansari and large number of party workers participated in the funeral.

The burial will take place at Yasinabad Shuhda graveyard.

Tension gripped the city after MQM activist was shot dead in PIB Colony area early on Tuesday morning.

Several arson incidents were reported after the killing of activist. Over three dozen vehicles were torched in different areas including Malir Halt, Central Jail, Teen Hatti, Kala Board, Abul Hassan Isphani Road and Shah Faisal Colony.

Tyres were set ablaze at Jamshed Road after riots where unknown men forced the shop owners to close down their business.

Aerial firing was also reported in various areas including Liaqatabad, Malir City, Johar Chowrangi, Malir, Shah Faisal Colony, Gulshan-e-Iqbal and Korangi.

On the other hand, the coordination committee of MQM has announced mourning over the killing of their party members.

Lahore loadshedding protests: LESCO office attacked


LAHORE: Protests were held in several areas of the city against unannounced loadshedding. Protesters burnt tyres, blocked traffic and attacked a LESCO office.

In the Shahdra area, protestors blocked traffic arriving and leaving Lahore. Protestors chanted slogans against the government and traffic was blocked at the GT Road area for over two hours.

Protests were also held in Achara, Lakshmi Chowk and Shadman areas. In Achara, protestors also attacked a LESCO office, broke windows while destroying furniture and equipment.

Monday 26 March 2012

Loadshedding protest in Lahore turns violent, one killed


LAHORE: A man was shot dead in Daroghawala area of Lahore during protest against loadshedding on Monday, 

Protesters were holding a demonstration against prolonged hours of loadshedding in Daroghawala area of Lahore and set ablaze a petrol pump. The guards present at the petrol pump opened indiscriminate fire on the protesters that killed one man.

The furious crowd then burnt tyres and blocked the road while protesters carrying sticks were patrolling the area.

No action from police was witnessed after the incident, sources added.

Prime Minister Gilani, President Obama hold informal meeting


SEOUL: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani held an informal meeting with US President Barak Obama on Monday.

PM Gilani informed the US president that Pak-US relations that parliament would decide on the future course of ties between the two nations.

President Obama told Prime Minister Gilani that he respected the recommendations of parliament.

The two leaders are in Seoul attending the Nuclear Security Summit. The summit aims to curb the threat of nuclear terrorism and is a follow up to an inaugural summit hosted by Obama in Washington in 2010.

The White House has confirmed that President Obama and Prime Minister Gilani will meet on Tuesday after the Nuclear Security Summit.

Asia Cup: ACC rejects BCB's final over plea


KARACHI: The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has rejected the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) plea to review the final over of the Asia Cup final between Pakistan and Bangladesh, 
ACC Chief Executive Ashraf-ul Haq told Geo News that the field umpires didn't report about the incident and as per laws their note of concern was necessary. 'The chapter is now closed for the ACC.'

The council has also informed both the boards about the decision, the CE said.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday expressed disappointment with Bangladesh for considering appealing an incident in the last over of the Asia Cup final which they believe cost them the match.

Bangladesh Saturday said it would appeal to the ACC to review the last over, accusing Pakistani paceman Aizaz Cheema of deliberately blocking batsman Mahmudullah Riyad from taking a second run.

Pakistan beat Bangladesh in a thrilling final on Thursday by two runs to lift the four-nation Asia Cup.

PCB director Intikhab Alam called Bangladesh's stance "disappointing".

It's really sad and disappointing to hear the statement from the BCB official," Alam said.

"It was a thrilling final and everyone praised Bangladesh for their fight and their decision to appeal is just an after thought after the result.

"The fact of the matter is that no match umpire of referee complained about this to Pakistan management and Bangladesh's complain will spoil a wonderful final which everyone enjoyed," said Alam.

BCB said it would seek five penalty runs for deliberate obstruction and a reversal of the result in their favour.

"We have seen video footage of the incident repeatedly. It is clear that Cheema blocked Riyad deliberately," Enayet Hossain Siraj, chairman of the BCB operations committee, told reporters.

"We will lodge a written appeal to the ACC very soon and will also give a copy to the International Cricket Council."

Bangladesh is currently considering an invitation to tour Pakistan for a limited over series next month.

They sent a delegation to assess security arrangements in Pakistan for the tour but said a final decision will only be made by the country's government.

Should Bangladesh go they will be the first Test playing nation to tour Pakistan since terrorist attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore three years ago.

The attacks, which left eight people dead and seven visiting players and an assistant coach wounded, suspended all international cricket in Pakistan as teams refused to tour the troubled country because of security fears.

Nuclear summit to begin under N. Korean shadow


SEOUL: US President Barack Obama and dozens of other world leaders will begin a summit Monday on curbing the threat of nuclear terrorism, but North Korea's atomic plans will be in focus on the sidelines.

The two-day meeting in South Korea is a follow-up to an inaugural summit in Washington in 2010 hosted by Obama, which kick-started efforts to lock up fissile material around the globe that could make thousands of bombs.

Obama announced on the eve of the Seoul event, which will gather leaders or top officials from 53 nations, that Ukraine had fulfilled a pledge made two years ago to remove all highly enriched uranium from its territory.

"I believe it is a preview of the kind of progress we are going to see over the next two days in confronting one of the most urgent challenges to global security -- the security of the world's nuclear weapons and preventing nuclear terrorism," Obama said.

While North Korea's nuclear programme is not officially on the agenda in Seoul, it is expected to be intensely discussed on the sidelines as world leaders take advantage of the opportunity of face-to-face meetings.

Tensions have escalated in recent weeks after North Korea announced it would launch a long-range rocket in April.

The nuclear-armed North says its rocket will merely put a peaceful satellite into orbit. But the United States and many other countries believe the launch is intended to test a long-range missile that could one day deliver an atomic warhead.

Obama and South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak presented a united front against North Korea during a press conference on Sunday, warning it again against the rocket launch and further "provocative" actions.

"North Korea will achieve nothing by threats or by provocations," Obama said.

Lee added: "President Obama and I have agreed to respond sternly to any provocations and threats by the North and to continually enhance the firm South Korea-US defence readiness."

Obama also sought to step up pressure on China, North Korea's chief international ally, which has declined to speak out strongly against Pyongyang in relation to the planned rocket launch.

"My suggestion to China is that how they communicate their concerns to North Korea should probably reflect the fact that the approach they have taken over the last several decades has not led to a fundamental shift in North Korea's behaviour," Obama said.

Obama is scheduled to meet Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday, and separately with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

The United States, China and Russia, along with Japan and South Korea, are involved in long-running and currently stalled negotiations with the North aimed at convincing it to give up its atomic ambitions.

Iran's nuclear ambitions are similarly not on the agenda in Seoul but the leaders of the world powers may take the opportunity of their face-to-face meetings to discuss US-led efforts to curtail Tehran's programme.

Experts have acknowledged major progress on the fissile material front since the Washington summit.

They point to former Soviet republic Kazakhstan securing over 13 tonnes of highly enriched uranium (HEU) and plutonium since then, while Chile eliminated its entire HEU stockpile.

The United States and Russia also signed a protocol under which each will dispose of 34 tonnes of plutonium -- enough for 17,000 nuclear weapons.

But experts say much more must be done to end an apocalyptic threat. (AFP)

Firing outside Mehfil-e-Mushaira in Karachi


KARACHI: Panic gripped the participants when unidentified armed men opened firing outside the venue of Mehfil-e-Mushaira (poetic symposium), organized by Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) near II Talvar in Clifton, Geo News reported.

The participants of the gathering saved their lives by lying down on the ground.

According to police, armed men in three cars opened firing outside the Mushaira venue. An accused was injured in police retaliation and later succumbed to injuries. He has been identified as Kamran, resident of Shah Rasool colony, Clifton.

The situation is under control, the police said.

Will halve corruption in 9 days after coming to power: Imran Khan


ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf leader, Imran Khan, has claimed that his party would halve the corruption in Pakistan within nine days after coming to power, Geo News reported.

He was talking to newsmen after a party meeting here.

Khan said that the demands for a “PTI Children’s Wing” were growing louder and louder making a case for the formation of one.

To a question, he said” Whether the party survives or not, we will elect all the office bearers for all the positions through vote, adding there will be no direct appointments”.

He also told the media that in Sunday’s meeting the party had settled all the "differences" and now it was rift-free.

Khan also revealed that the details of the members’ assets would be posted on the party’s website.

He once again condemned the leading political parties of the country for their silent agreements in looting the country’s wealth.

“ Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif are one, they are on board Samhjota Express”, said he.

Sunday 25 March 2012

Manmohan Singh leaves for Seoul


NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh Saturday morning set off on a three-day official visit of the Republic of Korea, according to Indian media.

During his visit, Dr Singh will attend the Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul where President Barack Obama among leaders or senior officials from 53 nations will attend the Summit, with Interpol, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the European Union and the UN also taking part.

Indian PM will also hold bilateral talks with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak.

France defends handling of operation to catch gunman


PARIS: French officials rejected charges that intelligence failures let a young man kill seven people, as the crack police unit that finally killed the gunman faced criticism of their operation.

Several security experts in Israel were scathing of the French police's handling of the siege, with one specialist calling it a disgrace.

French investigators meanwhile were trying to establish whether Mohamed Merah, who murdered three Jewish children, a trainee rabbi and three soldiers in three separate attacks, had worked alone or with accomplices.

Prime Minister Francois Fillon said on Friday that security officials had known Merah, who died in a hail of police bullets.

But there was no reason to suspect he was planning attacks, he said.

The intelligence services "did their job perfectly well. They identified Mohamed Merah when he made his trips," he told French radio.

Intelligence agents "watched him long enough to come to the conclusion that there was no element, no indication, that this was a dangerous man who would one day pass from words to acts," said Fillon.

The head of France's DCRI domestic intelligence agency, Bernard Squarcini, told Le Monde newspaper there was little more that security services could have done to prevent Merah's atrocities.

Merah, 23, had claimed to be an Al-Qaeda member who killed to avenge Palestinian children and punish France for sending troops to Afghanistan.

An Al-Qaeda linked group, Jund al-Khilafah, claimed responsibility on jihadist websites for Merah's killings.

But Squarcini said Merah had not followed the usual path taken by extremists. (AFP)

Salala raid: US decides not to take action against soldiers


WASHINGTON: US military has decided not to take action against those service members involved Salala check post attack, that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers on November 26, 2011.

According to a US newspaper, the US military has finalized its second inquiry report in which it has held Pakistan army personnel responsible for the incident.

The US military officials have said that according to the 2nd inquiry report, there is no evidence of negligence by the US soldiers, adding that they attacked in self-defence, therefore, no disciplinary action would be taken against them.

In the first report, the US had confessed to its ‘mistake’ in the attack on border post, saying that the unprovoked attack by the troops was a tactical error, and the US is focusing on learning from its mistakes in the wake of the findings of the internal probe conducted by the US military.

The Pakistan military had rejected the claims made in the first investigation report.

A NATO investigation into an air strike concluded that both alliance and Pakistani forces made mistakes in the incident.

The investigation has ascertained that a series of mistakes were made on both sides in failing to properly coordinate their locations and actions, both before the operation and during the resulting engagement, NATO said.

Pakistan has sought a full apology from President Barack Obama for the strikes. NATO and US officials have voiced regret over the incident.

Saturday 24 March 2012

It’s accountability time for plunderers: Imran Khan


It’s accountability time for plunderers: Imran Khan

MIANWALI: Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf leader, Imran Khan Saturday said that nation honored Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif, but in return they only disappointed their voters, Geo News reported.

Addressing a public gathering in Mianwali, he said it was time the usurpers of national wealth were brought to the public court of accountability.

“First of all Pakistan must break the “foreign shackles” to become a free country”, said Khan.

He said that PTI would transform Pakistan into a country envisioned by Quaid-e-Azam.

“ We would rebuild it according to Quaid-e-Azam’s true vision and the nation would be thankful of Mianwali”, said an ambitious Khan.

Condemning rising inflation, he said that the epicurean rulers have starved the masses of the country with their record corruption in the last four years.

“ Nation could neither make both ends meet nor could they find any self-respect under the unholy alliance ruling the country”, Khan said.

Mocking at Prime Minister Gilani, Khan said, he (Gilani) would rather faint before writing to Swiss government for he was his master’s true voice without any doubt.

Pak-US talks after parliament's final recommendations: Grossman


BRUSSELS: US special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Marc Grossman has said that Washington and Islamabad will resume talks after the parliamentary committee's recommendations take its final course about how to go forward,

Talking to 'Geo News' here, Grossman said the US respected the work of Pakistani parliament and the time it is consuming to decide about how to go forward.

It may be noted here that Senator Mian Raza Rabbani had presented before the Joint Session the Parliament the report of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) for new terms of engagements with the United States and Nato.

The panel recommended that "Pakistan should seek an unconditional apology from the US for the unprovoked incident" and said "taxes and other charges must be levied on all goods importing in or transiting through Pakistan".

The committee also called for cessation of drone attacks inside the territorial borders of Pakistan and reiterated the country's commitment to the elimination of terrorism and combating extremism.

The parliamentarians will hold threadbare discussion on the recommendations to make the foreign policy more vibrant and in accordance with the aspirations of the people.

The committee has prepared a series recommendations to ensure the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country.

Enumerating the salient features of the report on national security, Raza Rabbani said that the committee in its recommendations has asserted that the country's sovereignty shall not be compromised at any cost and the relationship with the US should be based on mutual respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of each others.

It said that no overt or covert operations inside Pakistan shall be tolerated.

Raza Rabbani said the report emphasizes that Pakistan's nuclear program and assets including its safety and security cannot be compromised. The US-Indo civil nuclear agreement has significantly altered the strategic balance in the region, therefore, Pakistan should seek from the US and others a similar treatment.

The report reaffirms Pakistan's commitment to the elimination of terrorism and combating extremism in pursuance of its national interest.

Three cops suspended for snatching cash


GUJRANWALA: DSP Gujranwala has suspended three police officials on charge of allegedly snatching money from a citizen, Geo News reported.

A case has also been lodged against the citizens for thrashing the policemen.

According to reports, Muhammad Ali of Gujranwala has alleged that he was his way to home on motorcycle when three policemen stopped him at Ferozwal bridge for not having number plate of his bike. They also snatched Rs10,000 cash from him.

Muhammad Ali apprised the villagers, who intercepted the policemen at People's colony and badly thrashed them.

Police officials have denied the charges, saying Muhammad Ali himself gave money to them

Meanwhile, DSP Wasim Dar has suspended the three cops after allegations were proven. A case has also been registered against the citizens involved in beating the policemen.

Obama to meet PM Gilani on Tuesday: White House


WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama will hold talks with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday in the South Korean capital Seoul, a statement released by the White House said.

"The meeting will be an opportunity for the United States and Pakistan to continue high-level consultations on areas of mutual interest," said the statement released by the White House on Friday.

"In particular, the president looks forward to reviewing our efforts to support an Afghan-led reconciliation process, and to pursue an end-state in the region that advances security and prosperity."

The meeting between Obama and Gilani will follow a nuclear security summit being held in Seoul.(AFP)

Soldier faces 17 murder counts in Afghan killings


WASHINGTON: Army Staff Sergeant Robert Bales, accused of killing Afghan civilians in a shooting rampage in Kandahar province last week, will be charged with 17 counts of murder, a U.S. official said.

Earlier accounts of the incident, which has damaged U.S.-Afghan relations, had tallied 16 victims, including nine children and three women.

Bales, a four-tour combat veteran, will also face other charges, including attempted murder, but the official was unable to say how many additional counts there would be.

Legal proceedings would likely take place at Bales' home base, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, close to Tacoma, Washington, the U.S. official said.

Bales, 38, is being held in solitary confinement at a military detention center in Leavenworth, Kansas. His civilian defense attorney, Seattle-based John Henry Browne, was not immediately available for comment.

Earlier this week, Browne said U.S. authorities had no proof of what occurred on the evening in question, and that Bales had "no memory" of the incident.

Browne, who has defended several multiple homicide suspects, including serial killer Ted Bundy, has indicated that stress may have played a role in his client's state of mind.

He is expected to evoke post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, as a factor in the trial, a technique he employed in the defense of a Seattle-area thief known as the "Barefoot Bandit." The U.S. Army said this week it was reviewing the way it diagnoses PTSD among troops.

Browne has said that Bales drank alcohol on the night of the shooting, but not enough to impair his judgment. He has denied that marital or financial problems may have negatively affected Bales, but he said his client was not happy at being sent on his fourth war-zone deployment after three tours of duty in Iraq, where he suffered two wounds.

Browne has played down the effect of Bales' financial problems, which include an abandoned property in the Seattle area and an unpaid $1.5 million judgment from his time as a securities broker.

Bales' wife, Karilyn, is being sheltered by the Army at Lewis-McChord. (Reuters)

Thursday 22 March 2012

Syria deaths pile up despite UN peace call


BEIRUT: Fierce clashes raged across Syria despite a UN Security Council peace call, with 10 civilians on a bus trying to flee to Turkey among at least 26 people killed on Thursday, monitors and activists said.

The bus, with women and children on board, was shot up near the town of Sermin in the northwestern province of Idlib, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, without identifying the assailants.

An opposition activist on the ground, Milad Fadl, contacted by AFP in Beirut, said the civilians were headed for Turkey to escape the bloodshed when regime forces opened fire.

The Britain-based Observatory said earlier that a 17-year-old boy was killed and dozens wounded in an army assault on Sermin itself.

Army forces attacked a string of towns, while rebel fighters struck army posts in several provinces and announced a command structure to coordinate hit-and-run strikes in and around the capital.

In the deadliest attack on the army, five soldiers were killed in a raid on a military checkpoint in the region of Latakia, said the Observatory.

The region has a large population of Alawites, members of the minority offshoot of Shiite Islam to which President Bashar al-Assad also belongs and which forms the backbone of his regime.

In the south, rebel fighters killed a soldier and wounded four others near the village of Saida in Daraa province, where Syria's year-old revolt against the regime erupted, said the monitoring group.

Army deserters killed two soldiers in the town.

It added three civilians were killed as troops sprayed heavy machinegun fire in Qusayr, a town in the flashpoint province of Homs, central Syria, where rebel forces killed four soldiers.

The reports could not be confirmed due to restrictions on the movements of foreign media.

The escalation came just hours after the Security Council passed a statement urging Assad and his foes to implement "fully and immediately" international envoy Kofi Annan's peace plan.

Annan's plan calls for Assad to pull troops and heavy weapons out of protest cities, a daily two-hour humanitarian pause to hostilities, access to all areas affected by the fighting, and a UN-supervised halt to all clashes.

A correspondent at the scene also reported violent clashes in and around Sermin, a village near the town of Binesh in Idlib, as army shelling and tank fire threw up thick plumes of black smoke.

At least four civilians, including two children, were killed and more than 30 wounded, according to rebel Free Syrian Army (FSA) sources.

"Tanks have been posted on the Sermin-Binesh road blocking any evacuation of the wounded or villagers from fleeing the clashes," said another rebel fighter, Abu Salmu.

Monitors say more than 9,100 people have been killed in a revolt against Assad that started with peaceful protests before turning into an increasingly armed revolt, faced with a brutal crackdown costing dozens of lives each day.

On the rebel side, the FSA has set up a military council to coordinate hit-and-run strikes around Damascus, it announced in an online video.

"I, Colonel Khaled Mohammed al-Hammud, announce the creation of the military council for Damascus and the region that will be in charge of FSA operations in this region," an army officer who deserted says in the video.

Human Rights Watch charged Thursday that Syrian forces were using "Homs tactics" against Qusayr, which lies on the Lebanese border, by shelling residential areas, deploying snipers and attacking civilians trying to flee.

Citing 18 witnesses, HRW said similar tactics were employed by government forces in their capture of the cities of Idlib and Homs earlier this month.

Residents of Qusayr had told HRW that rebels who pulled out of the Baba Amr district of Homs on March 1 after a month-long shelling that monitors said cost hundreds of lives had joined FSA comrades in their town. (Reuters)

Pakistan snatch Asia Cup in sensational final


DHAKA: Pakistan won the Asia Cup Final in a closely contested match against Bangladesh at the Shere Bangla National Stadium.

Chasing 237 for the win, Bangladesh fell short by 3 runs.

After being put into bat by Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim, who always liked to chase throughout the tournament, Pakistan could not bat impressively against accurate bowling and alert fielding from the hosts.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed top scored with an unbeaten 46, followed by Mohammad Hafeez (40), Shahid Afridi (32), Umar Akmal (30) and Hammad Azam (30) as no other batsmen could reached double figures.

US, Pakistan have shared anti-terror interest: Clinton


WASHINGTON: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday that the United States and Pakistan share interests in fighting terrorism after a panel in Islamabad made demands over the troubled relationship.


Clinton declined to comment in-depth on the panel's recommendations but

said that the United States was committed to an "honest, constructive, mutually beneficial relationship with Pakistan."


"We've been working through these difficulties and challenges. We believe we have shared interests. We believe we have the same enemies," Clinton said a news conference with Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul.


"We believe that it's important to support counter-terrorism against the insurgents who kill and maim tens of thousands of Pakistani people, who send teams across the border to kill and maim people in Afghanistan and to kill and maim our soldiers and others," Clinton said.


Pakistani lawmakers on Tuesday demanded a US apology over NATO air strikes that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers in November, leading Islamabad to close supply lines for US forces into Afghanistan.


Lawmakers also demanded taxes on NATO convoys and an end to drone attacks in which the United States has killed militants in Pakistan's lawless border areas.

Pakistan has voiced anger over civilian deaths.

Clinton said that she would not comment on the recommendations until the panel's findings come up for debate before the Pakistani parliament.

Contempt case: Aitzaz says Swiss letter cannot be written


ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) has adjourned the hearing of contempt of court proceedings against Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani till tomorrow, Geo News reported.

The bench has decided to conduct the hearing on daily basis from tomorrow.

A seven-member bench of apex court headed by Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk and comprising Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa, Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmany, Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry, Justice Gulzar Ahmed And Justice Muhammad Ather Saeed is hearing the suo moto notice taken against non-compliance of court's verdict against National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).

During today's proceedings, Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan argued that until Asif Ali Zardari is holding the office of President of Pakistan, the SC order to write letter cannot be implemented.

He also expressed dissatisfaction over the bench, saying the bench that issued notice and delivered verdict before the case was started, should not conduct proceedings.

Aitzaz said the court cannot proceed on assumptions as it is a criminal trial and decision be made on evidences submitted before the court.

He contended that only the prime minister was held responsible for the contempt though former attorney general and former law secretary advised the premier for not writing the letter to Swiss authorities to reopen graft cases against Asif Ali Zardari.

The counsel argued that neither he was asking the court to review it's order and nor said the verdict was wrong but the implementation of the relevant part of the order was not possible because the president enjoys immunity under international law.

Former attorney general Anwar Mansoor, and former law secretary sent the advice to the PM, telling him that the president enjoys immunity and that the letter cannot be written. Justice Usmani remarked that the court was never informed about the PM's view.

'Do you want to say that the PM had no malafide intention,' Justice Khosa asked.

Aitzaz said the AG should be standing in the witness box to answer why the PM's comments were not conveyed.

The SC on March 08 adjourned the hearing of contempt case against Prime Minister Gilani till today.

The bench had asked the premier to submit his written reply by 19th of this month. If he wants to appear before the bench, it may record his statement on March 21.

In compliance of court’s order dated March 08, Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan submitted a statement on behalf of PM Gilani on March 19.

In his statement, the prime minister said that he had committed no contempt by not writing a letter to the Swiss authorities due to the constitutional immunity enjoyed by the president.

Prime Minister Gilani has suggested the SC that if it does propose to expose the incumbent President of Pakistan to prosecution before a Western Magistrate, the best recourse will be to send this issue of grave public concern to the Parliament to take a decision, like it had done wisely over articles concerning appointments in the higher judiciary in the 18th Amendment case.

"I also believe that the sovereign state of Pakistan cannot, must not and should not offer its incumbent Head of State, symbol of Federation (Article 41), the most prominent component of Parliament (article 50), and the Supreme Commander of its Armed Forces (Article 243) for a criminal trial in the court of a foreign magistrate, during the term of his office," he maintained.

Memogate: Haqqani admits to May 2011 conversation with Ijaz


ISLAMABAD: Former ambassador Husain Haqqani has denied allegations leveled against him by Mansoor Ijaz in a statement submitted to the memo commission.

However Haqqani did admit to having a conversation with Mansoor Ijaz in May 2011, but claimed that the discussions during their conversation were different from what Ijaz had described.

His lawyer Sajid Tanoli submitted the reply to the commission here today.

The commission on Tuesday observed that Mansoor Ijaz has concluded his evidence while Hussain Haqqani has not carried out the admission or denial of documents despite being granted three opportunities.

However, in the interest of justice, a fourth and last opportunity was granted to Haqqani to complete the admission or denial of all documents produced by 5 pm London time (10 pm PST) on Wednesday.

In the event of a failure to admit or deny the said documents by the said date and time, it will be presumed that the same are admitted by Haqqani.

The Commission directed that the recording of evidence of Haqqani will commence on March 26 at 9:00 am (PST) in the premises of the Islamabad High Court.

In case Haqqani has any security concerns the same shall be conveyed to the Attorney General of Pakistan, who is directed to ensure that Haqqani is provided with complete security.

Wednesday 21 March 2012

French police corner Al-Qaeda suspect after shootings


TOULOUSE: Shots rang out Wednesday as French police surrounded a self-declared member of the Al-Qaeda network holed up in a house after a series of shooting attacks that shocked the nation.

Police sources told that officers investigating three recent attacks in which a gunman killed three soldiers, three Jewish schoolchildren and a rabbi sealed off an address in the Cote Pavee residential district of Toulouse.

Six or seven shots rang out, but the area had been sealed off by police, including members of the RAID special weapons squad, and it was not immediately clear whether the siege was over.

"The suspect's mother was brought to the scene. She was asked to make contact with her son, to reason with him, but she did not want to, saying she had little influence on him," Interior Minister Claude Gueant said.

"This person has made trips to Afghanistan and Pakistan in the past ... and says he belongs to Al-Qaeda and says he wanted to avenge Palestinian children and to attack the French army," Gueant said, as the operation continued.

Briefing reporters near the scene, Gueant said that the suspect's brother had been arrested while checks are carried out, although he confirmed that only one suspect had been at the scenes of the shootings.

Two police were slightly wounded as the raids got underway, a source said.

A source close to the inquiry said earlier that the suspect had exchanged words with the RAID team and had declared himself to be a member of Al-Qaeda, the armed group founded by late Osama bin Laden.

He is thought to be a 24-year-old man who had previously travelled to the lawless border area between Pakistan and Afghanistan which is known to house Al-Qaeda safehouses, one of the officials told. (AFP)

Miscreants abduct ‘Jang/The News’ circulation truck, burn newspapers


KARACHI: Unknown men kidnapped Jang Press driver along with circulation truck carrying thousands of newspapers for distribution early Wednesday morning, Geo News reported.

According to truck driver Sardar, unidentified men on motorcycles stopped the Jang Press circulation truck at MT Khan Road and took him to Hijrat Colony.

While narrating the incident, the driver told that the abductors took ‘Jang’ and ‘The News’ newspapers along that were later found burnt in another truck near passport office.

After getting the information of the incident, police reached the spot and controlled the blaze.

Sardar told that the miscreants quoted rift with the Jang Group as a cause behind carrying out such a malicious act.

It is pertinent to mention that some armed motorcyclists smashed windows of 'Geo News' satellite van and resorted to firing outside the office at I.I. Chundrigar road early on Tuesday morning. They had also cut-off cable wires in different areas and the technicians sent for repair were threatened.

Various journalists' organizations condemned the firing incident outside Geo News office and severing of cable network across the city. Secretary Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Amin Yousuf termed the incident as an attack on freedom of journalism and also vowed to protest. President Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) GM Jamali demanded swift action against the perpetrators.

A political party complained of inadequate coverage and forced shutting down channels. Upon refusal from cable operators, the network was severed affecting 70 percent of the coverage in the metropolis. The operators later held a press conference.

World Bank approves $1.09 bn for Pakistan


WASHINGTON: The World Bank said Tuesday it would fund two projects totaling $1.09 billion, in energy and irrigation, aimed at supporting Pakistan's growth agenda for reducing poverty.

The World Bank's executive board approved the projects Tuesday, the development lender said in a statement.

The $840 million Tarbela IV Extension Hydropower Project will add power generation capacity of 1,410 megawatts, contributing a crucial source of electricity for the economic growth and development of Pakistan, the World Bank said.

Only 15 percent of Pakistan's vast hydropower potential has been developed, the Bank noted.

The Tarbela IV Extension Hydropower Project will use the existing dam, tunnel, roads and transmission line for generating additional electricity in summer months when demand for electricity and river flows are high, it added.

"The beauty of this project is that it will help Pakistan reduce the gap between supply and demand of electricity by maximizing the benefits of existing infrastructure of Tarbela Dam without requiring any land acquisition or relocation of population," Rachid Benmessaoud, World Bank country director for Pakistan, said in the statement.

"The direct beneficiaries will be millions of energy users, including industry, households and farmers who would get more electricity at a lower cost and suffer fewer blackouts."

The $250 million Punjab Irrigated Agriculture Productivity Improvement Program Project is aimed at getting maximum productivity out of irrigation water by weaning farmers away from the traditional and "wasteful" flood irrigation, the Bank said.

The project will emphasize more modern methods like drip and sprinkler irrigation systems, which in turn will encourage crop diversification, it said.

The hydropower project includes a $400 million, 21-year loan from the Bank's International Bank of Reconstruction and Development that includes a grace period of six years.

The remaining $440 million of the Tarbela project and $250 million for the irrigation project are credits from the International Development Association, the World Bank's concessionary lending arm.

These 25-year loans have a 1.25 percent interest rate and a five-year grace period, the Bank said. (AFP)

US supports 'mutual respect' with Pakistan


WASHINGTON: The United States said Tuesday it supported calls by Pakistan for mutual respect but held off a formal response to a parliamentary demand for an apology over a deadly air raid.

Pakistani lawmakers earlier Tuesday called for taxes on NATO convoys and demanded an apology for the November raid near the border that killed 24 soldiers, plunging relations between the war partners to a new low.

State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters that the United States would not comment in-depth on the long-awaited Pakistani report on US relations until it comes up for debate in parliament next week.

But she said: "We also have always considered that our relationship should be grounded on the basis of mutual respect and common interest."

"We believe that we have a lot to do together, not only in combating terrorism and creating more security, but in strengthening and promoting economic prosperity, democratic development inside Pakistan and in strengthening Pakistan as a good neighbor throughout the region," she said.

The United States sent its condolences over the November air strikes, but stopped short of an apology. NATO expressed regret over what it called a "tragic unintended incident."

Pakistan closed its Afghan border after the air strikes, the latest deterioration in a relationship that came under new scrutiny after US forces found and killed Osama bin Laden living inside Pakistan in May. (AFP)

SHO among two cops killed in Peshawar blast


PESHAWAR: Two policemen including an Additional SHO were killed and two others were injured in a blast.

The blast took place near a police van at Kohat road.

According to police, the police van was on a routine patrol when a blast occurred near it. As a result four policemen including an SHO were injured.

The injured were being transported to a nearby hospital when the SHO and another cop succumbed to their wounds.

A policeman and driver are being provided medical aid.

Police said the blast appears to have been caused by a remote controlled device.

Tuesday 20 March 2012

PCNS recommends Pakistan seek apology on Nato attack


ISLAMABAD: The Joint Session of the Parliament began in Islamabad Tuesday with Chairman Senate Syed Nayyar Hussain Bokhari in the chair.

Senator Mian Raza Rabbani presented before the Session the report of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) for new terms of engagements with the United States and Nato.

The panel recommended that "Pakistan should seek an unconditional apology from the US for the unprovoked incident" and said "taxes and other charges must be levied on all goods importing in or transiting through Pakistan".

The committee also called for cessation of drone attacks inside the territorial borders of Pakistan and reiterated the country's commitment to the elimination of terrorism and combating extremism.

The parliamentarians will hold threadbare discussion on the recommendations to make the foreign policy more vibrant and in accordance with the aspirations of the people.

It merits mentioning here that following the attack on the Salala check post, the government suspended supplies for Nato forces in Afghanistan and entrusted the responsibility to the PCNS to formulate new contours of engagements with the US and Nato.

The committee has prepared a series recommendations to ensure the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country.

Enumerating the salient features of the report on national security, Raza Rabbani said that the committee in its recommendations has asserted that the country's sovereignty shall not be compromised at any cost and the relationship with the US should be based on mutual respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of each others.

It said that no overt or covert operations inside Pakistan shall be tolerated.

The recommendations asks the government to ensure that the principles of an independent foreign policy must be ground in strict adherence to the principles of policy as stated in Article 40 of the constitution, the UN Charter and observance of international law.

The report says that the US must review its footprints in Pakistan and stop drone strikes inside the territorial borders of Pakistan. It calls for no hot pursuit or boots on Pakistani territory and the activity of foreign private security contractors must be transparent and subject to Pakistani law.

It needs to be realized that drone attacks are counter productive, cause loss of valuable lives and property, radicalize the local population and create support for terrorists and fuel anti American sentiments.

Raza Rabbani said the report emphasizes that Pakistan's nuclear program and assets including its safety and security cannot be compromised. The US-Indo civil nuclear agreement has significantly altered the strategic balance in the region, therefore, Pakistan should seek from the US and others a similar treatment.

It said that the strategic position of Pakistan regarding India on the subject of FMCT must not be compromised and this principle be kept in view in negotiations on this matter.

The report reaffirms Pakistan's commitment to the elimination of terrorism and combating extremism in pursuance of its national interest.

Condemning the Salala check post attack by Nato that resulted in the martyrdom of 24 Pakistani soldiers, the report termed the incident a breach of international law and constitutes a blatant violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The government, the report, said should seek an unconditional apology from the US for the unprovoked incident.

The report says that those held responsible for the Mohmand Agency attack should be brought to justice and Pakistan should be given assurances to that such attacks or any acts impinging on Pakistan's sovereignty will not recur and that Nato and US will take effective measures any such violations.

Any use of Pakistani basis or airspace by foreign forces would require parliamentary approval.

The report calls upon the Ministry of Defence and Nato/US to draft new flying routes for areas contiguous to the border.

The report of the parliamentary committee proposes that any consideration regarding the reopening of Nato supplies must be contingent upon a thorough revision of the terms and conditions of the arrangement including regulation and control of movement of goods and personnel which shall be subject strict monitoring within Pakistan on entry, transit and exit points.

The recommendations emphasizes upon the government, its ministries, autonomous bodies and other organizations not to enter into verbal agreement with any foreign government or authority.

If any such agreement exits it should be reduced to writing immediately, failing which it shall cease to have effect within three months of the approval of these recommendations.

The report said that the international community should recognize Pakistan's colossal human and economic losses and continued suffering due to the war on terror.

Greater market access of Pakistan's exports to the US/Nato countries and global markets should be activity pursued. In the battle for the hearts and minds an inclusive process based on primacy of dialogue and reconciliation should be adopted. Such process must respect local customs, traditions, values and religious beliefs.

It said a new fast track process of billings and payments under the coalition support fund and other leviable charges should be adopted.

The report noted that Pakistan territory has been used by Nato and US for logistic purposes and in this context Pakistan should revisit the MoU signed with the UK and Northern Island for the International Security Assistance Force 1/8ISAF 3/8.

It said that acquisition and cross-servicing Agreement between the Department of Defence of the United States of America and the Ministry of Defence of Pakistan may only be renewed on new terms and conditions that should include respect of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan and ensures the national interests.

With regards to negotiating agreements dealing with matters to the national security, the report said that all agreements including military cooperation and logistics, will be circulated to the Foreign Ministry and all concerned Ministries, attached or affiliated Organizations and Departments for their views.

It said that all agreements will be vetted by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and circulated to the Parliamentary Committee on National Security.

The committee shall vet and make recommendations in consultation with the stakeholders and forward the same to the Federal Cabinet for approval under the Rules of Business of the Federal Government. The Minister concerned will make a policy statement on the agreement in both Houses of Parliament.

The report said there should be prior permission and transparency on the number and presence of foreign intelligence operatives in Pakistan.

It said fifty percent of US and Nato containers may be handled through Pakistan Railways. Taxes and other charges must be levied on all goods imported in or transiting through Pakistan, for use of infrastructure and to compensate for its deterioration.

Such charges shall be inter alia used mainly to maintain and support infrastructure of Karachi-Torkham and Karachi-Chaman Roads.

It noted that there is no military solution to the Afghan conflict and efforts must be undertaken to promote a genuine national reconciliation in an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process.

To strengthen security along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, including the cross border flow of criminal elements, narcotics and weapons, the feasibility of additional measures including electronic surveillance may be evaluated and the process of local joint jirgas should be encouraged according to local customs and traditions.

It said Pakistan's support for the promotion of peace and stability in Afghanistan should remain the cornerstone of its foreign policy.

Senator Raza Rabbani said the recommendations suggest that Pakistani territory shall not be used for any kind of attacks on other countries and all foreign fighters if found, shall be expelled from the Pakistani soil. Pakistan also does not expect the soil of other countries to be used against it.

The report calls upon the government to review the present focus of the foreign policy keeping in view the aspirations of the people and emphasize on links with our traditional allies and build new relationships for diversifying the sources of economic, military and political support.

The foreign policy should continue to focus on creating a peaceful environment in the region to pursue the goals of economic development and social progress.

It said the dialogue process with India should be continued in a purposeful and result oriented manner on the basis of mutual respect and mutual interest including efforts for the resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN resolution.

Special efforts must continue to be paid to developing close cooperative relations with neighbors. The strategic partnership with China be deepened and relations with Russia should be strengthened.

It called for enhancing relationships with the Muslim world. Pakistan's full membership of Shanghai Cooperation Organization be actively pursued. Pakistan's relations in the region and the ASEAN must be upgraded and strengthened.

Concluding the report recommendations, Raza Rabbani said Pakistan should actively pursue the gas pipeline project with Iran to meet its growing energy requirements.

Senator Raza Rabbani said that it is the first time in the country's history that the Parliament has been entrusted the responsibility to frame foreign policy guidelines which was earlier restricted to the establishment. He expressed the confidence that this process will strengthen democratic process and assert supremacy of the Parliament.

He said the recommendations have been framed keeping in view the trichotomy of power.

Dusty winds to continue

MALAKAND :Karachi Massive dust storm that hit parts of Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Monday has severely affected the daily life
According to Met Office, dusty winds might continue hovering today as well.

The dust storm hit Karachi, Hyderabad, Jaccobbabad, Shikarpur, Dadu  Malakand  Batkhela , Lower Dir, Tank, Hub, Kharan, Quetta and other parts of the country.

The gusty winds resulted in delayed flights besides disrupting traffic on roads. Visibility in the city plummeted to just 200 meters in the aftermath of the storm.

"The maximum wind speed reported was between 20 to 25 nautical miles per hour. These winds could go up to 30 nautical miles per hour or more," a Met office official said.

They say that visibility during the day was normal, but that it fell quickly after 5pm, to around 400 meters.

The Met office said that this was not an unusual phenomenon, but that such dusty environments were usually experienced during mid-April. Owing to the poor visibility, the schedule of traffic at the Karachi Airport was also partially affected, with many flights cancelled or delayed.

The dusty weather created problems for pedestrians, push-cart vendors, open-area restaurants and shopkeepers. Pedestrians and motorcyclists had to cover their faces to avoid being blinded by the strong, dusty winds.

The city also experienced dry weather, with a minimum temperature of 21.5 degrees Celsius and a maximum temperature of 32 degrees Celsius and 63 per cent humidity.

Met department officials also said that the visibility would remain poor during the first half of Tuesday. However, they noted that visibility is likely to improve after 11am, but that dust would remain in the atmosphere till the second half of the day.

The minimum temperature would remain in the range of 20 to 22 degrees Celsius. They added that the metropolis would also experience dry weather on Tuesday.

The Met office said that commuters would face problems due to dusty weather and advised them, especially motorcyclists, to be extremely cautious while travelling and to avoid speeding. "Drivers will have problems because of extremely low visibility and carelessness could cause road accidents," they warned.

Armed men open fire outside 'Geo News' office


KARACHI: Armed motorcyclists smashed windows of 'Geo News' satellite van and resorted to firing outside the office at I.I. Chundrigar road.

According to details, armed men riding on motorcycles opened fire outside the 'Geo News' office and smashed the windows of its satellite van.

Police have been informed in this regard.

It may be noted here that unidentified men have cut-off cable wires in different areas and the technicians sent for repair are being threatened.

The cable operators are receiving threats from a political party as well in several areas.

'21 Jump Street' cops seize box office gold


LOS ANGELES: The youthful policemen of 1980s remake "21 Jump Street" seized the head of the North American box office this weekend, according to data released Monday.

The film with underachieving cops Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum, sent on an undercover counternarcotics mission at a high school, pocketed $36.3 million in its first weekend, Exhibitor Relations said.

Last week's top earner, "Dr. Seuss' The Lorax," took in $22.8 million, for a $158.4 million total in three weeks in theaters.

The animated movie about the hazards of industrialized society, featuring the voices of Danny DeVito, Zac Efron and Taylor Swift, set a record two weeks ago for the highest non-sequel animated film debut with $70.2 million.

Third place went to critically panned Disney feature "John Carter," based on books by "Tarzan" author Edgar Rice Burroughs. The film, about an ex-Civil War soldier magically transported to Mars, earned $13.6 million.

Disney announced Monday that it expected to lose $200 million on the movie in its second fiscal quarter.

"Project X," a coarse comedy about a high school party that gets out of control, came in fourth place with $4 million.

In fifth came "Act of Valor," a war film starring active duty US Navy SEALs, with $3.7 million in receipts.

Eddie Murphy comedy "A Thousand Words" was in sixth place with $3.6 million in earnings.

CIA-based thriller "Safe House," starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds, kept its seventh spot with $2.7 million in weekend receipts.

In eighth was "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island," a family-friendly 3D adventure starring former wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, earning $2.4 million.

Will Ferrell's outlandish comedy "Casa de mi Padre," cashed in $2.3 million to land in ninth for its debut weekend.

Rounding out the top 10 was "This Means War," a romantic action-comedy starring Reese Witherspoon, with $2.1 million. (AFP)

Death of the Humanity


Rachel Corrie, beautiful soul, born in Olympia, Washington was no ordinary child, no ordinary 23 year old  student and no ordinary human being. And people, who are extraordinary, never die. They live for ever in the hearts and minds of their followers. They give direction to many and because of them, hope never dies. Because of such crazy and courageous, the ugliness of injustices is exposed.

 rachel1
Her 5th grade speech ‘I am here because I care’ revealed no small dreams. At such a tender age, she talked of the oppressed, the poor and hungry and resolved to eradicate the ugly realities by the year 2000. As a student, she was different and wanted to explore the world especially after 9/11, year 2001. Ditching a beautiful and colourful American dream which she could have lived like many of her age, she travelled thousands of miles to Gaza to act as a human shield, where mercy and humanity is butchered every day and night, where men, women and children are murdered as a part of ethnic cleansing program, where houses are bulldozed, olive trees are cut, help including food and medicines from the rest of the world is denied and flotillas travelling to help humanity are attacked.


‘’Anyway, I’m rambling. Just want to write to my Mom and tell her that I’m witnessing this chronic, insidious genocide and I’m really scared, and questioning my fundamental belief in the goodness of human nature. This has to stop. I think it is a good idea for us all to drop everything and devote our lives to making this stop. I don’t think it’s an extremist thing to do anymore. I still really want to dance around to Pat Benatar and have boyfriends and make comics for my co-workers. But I also want this to stop. Disbelief and horror is what I feel. Disappointment! I am disappointed that this is the base reality of our world and that we, in fact, participate in it. This is not at all what I asked for when I came into this world. This is not at all what the people here asked for when they came into this world. This is not the world you and Dad wanted me to come into when you decided to have me.’’  (28.02.2003)


On the day she died (16.03.2003),  she was 23,  dressed in a fluorescent orange vest and with a megaphone in her hand she was trying to stop the demolition of a Palestinian home where she lived with the children who were considered family by her and vice versa. She was mercilessly crushed under a military Caterpillar bulldozer which came towards her, knocked her down, crushed her with its blade, backed up, and ran her over again and she died shortly afterwards. ’My back is broken’ were her last words.


What did she have in common with the Palestinian; faith, ethnicity, skin colour, language, social background? Absolutely nothing! What was common was humanity. She had eyes that could appreciate the truth, mind that wasn’t closed because of any bias, heart that would cry on injustice and brutality and a soul that would feel the pain of Nazi-style genocide.


Her emails to her family are a must read in which she accounts Israeli atrocities towards innocent Palestinians.


”I think, although I’m not entirely sure, that even the smallest of these children understand that life is not like this everywhere. An eight-year-old was shot and killed by an Israeli tank two days before I got here, and many of the children murmur his name to me, “Ali”–or point at the posters of him on the walls. The children also love to get me to practice my limited Arabic by asking me “Kaif Sharon?” “Kaif Bush?” and they laugh when I say “Bush Majnoon” “Sharon Majnoon” back in my limited Arabic. (How is Sharon? How is Bush? Bush is crazy. Sharon is crazy.)”


In 2003, Rachel’s news opened a new aspect of Palestinian cause to me. I learnt humanity existed above the boundaries of faith, ethnic origins and languages. I came to learn there are people on this earth who would risk their lives and everything for some other people despite absolutely no worldly strings attached between them. And it’s to date that I have explored a world that is cruel, unjust and merciless, but such people are a reason to live and resist. They give you direction, motivation and energy to challenge the ugly forces of the world.


For me, Rachel Corrie is not the name of a person. It’s a phenomenon which embodies humanity, resistance, courage and craziness. Yes, she was as crazy as it needs to be to shake the world and stir the plans of the handful of unjust men ruling this world. And it’s this craziness and madness which is the ultimate requirement to challenge falsehood and malice. Human beings live and die, but phenomena, missions and ideas never die. They’re like beacons of light for generations to come. Rachel Corrie, an American, a peace activist and a trailblazer, will always be my hero.


“Love you. Really miss you. I have bad nightmares about tanks and bulldozers outside our house and you and me inside. Sometimes the adrenaline acts as an anaesthetic for weeks and then in the evening or at night it just hits me again – a little bit of the reality of the situation. I am really scared for the people here’..“When I come back from Palestine, I probably will have nightmares and constantly feel guilty for not being here, but I can channel that into more work. Coming here is one of the better things I’ve ever done. So when I sound crazy, or if the Israeli military should break with their racist tendency not to injure white people, please pin the reason squarely on the fact that I am in the midst of a genocide which I am also indirectly supporting, and for which my government is largely responsible. “I love you and Dad…”  Email to parents ~ 27.02.2003


For me, Rachel Corrie is not the name of a person.  a phenomenon which embodies humanity, resistance, courage and craziness. Yes, she was as crazy as it needs to be to shake the world and stir the plans of the handful of unjust men ruling this world. And it’s this craziness and madness which is the ultimate requirement to challenge falsehood and malice. Human beings live and die, but phenomena, missions and ideas never die. They’re like beacons of light for generations to come. Rachel Corrie, an American, a peace activist and a trailblazer, will always be my hero.


“Love you. Really miss you. I have bad nightmares about tanks and bulldozers outside our house and you and me inside. Sometimes the adrenaline acts as an anaesthetic for weeks and then in the evening or at night it just hits me again – a little bit of the reality of the situation. I am really scared for the people here’..“When I come back from Palestine, I probably will have nightmares and constantly feel guilty for not being here, but I can channel that into more work. Coming here is one of the better things I’ve ever done. So when I sound crazy, or if the Israeli military should break with their racist tendency not to injure white people, please pin the reason squarely on the fact that I am in the midst of a genocide which I am also indirectly supporting, and for which my government is largely responsible. “I love you and Dad…”

Monday 19 March 2012

Targeted operation against extortionists soon: Rehman Malik


KARACHI: Federal Interior Minister Rahman A. Malik has said that a crackdown was in the making against the extortionists eating away at Karachi’s businesses,

Talking to newsmen at the airport, he said that he had arrived here to take care of extortionists holed up in the metropolis.

To a question he said that government was bent upon bringing extortionism to a naught and that it would do with all it was worth.

“A sting operation to crush the gangs of Karachi involved in all sorts of street-crime was on the launchpad”, said Malik.

“This targeted-operation would soon get off the ground for all of you to see,” said he talking to the newsmen.

Going ahead, he said that all the allies in the ruling coalition were deeply concerned over the rising incidents of extortion.

“MQM, ANP, and PPP are against such crimes in letter and spirit”, the minister said responding to a query.

An indiscriminate action would be taken against the felons, Malik revealed adding, around 150 extortionists have already been put behind the bars in this regard.

For this, the minister said the police force would be beefed up in Karachi.

“Another 5,000 cops are needed to police the city”, the interior minister said.

Praising PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif for his careful choice of words while giving out political statements, Malik condemned Punjab’s chief minister, Shahbaz Sharif, for spitting venom against the President Asif Ali Zardari.

“Being the ruler of half of the country (Punjab), Shahbaz should think twice before opening his mouth as it doesn't suit him to use such language against the chief executive of Pakistan”, said Malik.

Malik demanded of Sharif brothers to apologize for their hatchet jobs.

To a question, he said that Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan was falling apart.

Karachi: Public rules out another heist


KARACHI: Once again public power ruled out a heist in Manzoor Colony area of Karachi,

According to police, a milk shop owner got shot during a heist when he tried to put up resistance, but the gunshot drew some local residents to the spot where they found a trio of bandits busy looting.

“Union is strength” was yet again proved to be a universal truth when people joined hands to capture the dacoits before they could do any further damage.

Once again the frustrated mob satisfactorily pounded the crooks before the police took them away to safety.

Early investigation revealed that one of the goons was a former cop, who claimed himself to be a political leader’s gunman.

Police recovered a .30 caliber pistol and a motorbike from the dacoits.

Asia is world's top weapon importer: SIPRI


STOCKHOLM: Asia tops other regions when it comes to weapon imports, according to a study released Monday by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

Over the past five years, Asia and Oceania accounted for 44 percent in volume of conventional arm imports, the institute said.

That compared with 19 percent for Europe, 17 percent for the Middle East, 11 percent for North and South America, and 9 percent for Africa, said the report.

India was the first world importer over the period, accounting for 10 percent in weapons volume.

It was followed by South Korea (6 percent), China and Pakistan (both 5 percent), and Singapore (4 percent), according to the independent institute which specialises in arms control and disarmament matters.

These five countries accounted for 30 percent of the volume of international arms imports, said SIPRI.

"India's imports of major weapons increased by 38 percent between 2002-2006 and 2007-11," SIPRI said.

"Notable deliveries of combat aircraft during 2007-11 included 120 Su-30MKs and 16 MiG-29Ks from Russia and 20 Jaguar Ss from the United Kingdom," it said.

While India was the world's largest importer, its neighbour and sometime foe Pakistan was the third largest.

Pakistan took delivery of "a significant quantity of combat aircraft during this period: 50 JF-17s from China and 30 F-16s," the report added.

Both countries "have taken and will continue to take delivery of large quantities of tanks," it also noted.

"Major Asian importing states are seeking to develop their own arms industries and decrease their reliance on external sources of supply," said Pieter Wezeman, senior researcher with the SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme.

China, which in 2006 and 2007 was the world's top arms importer, has now dropped to fourth place.

"The decline in the volume of Chinese imports coincides with the improvements in China's arms industry and rising arms exports," according to the report.

But "while the volume of China's arms exports is increasing, this is largely a result of Pakistan importing more arms from China," it added.

"China has not yet achieved a major breakthrough in any other significant market."

China is however the sixth largest world exporter of weapons behind, the United States, Russia, Germany, France, and Britain.

In Europe, Greece was the largest importer between 2007 and 2011, the institute said.

Between 2002 and 2011, Syria increased its imports of weapons by 580 percent, while Venezuela boosted its imports over the same period by 555 percent, it reported.

Morocco saw its own imports increase by 443 percent, it added.

The volume of international transfers of major conventional weapons was 24 percent higher in the period 2007-11 compared to the 2002-2006 period. (AFP)

Sunday 18 March 2012

Money, career woes plagued massacre suspect


Bypassed for a promotion and struggling to pay for his house, Robert Bales was eyeing a way out of his job at a Washington state military base months before he allegedly gunned down 16 civilians in an Afghan war zone, records and interviews showed as a deeper picture emerged of the United States Army sergeant's financial troubles and brushes with the law.
Robert Bales
While Bales, 38, sat in an isolated cell at Fort Leavenworth's military prison, classmates and neighbours from suburban Cincinnati, Ohio, remembered him as a "happy-go-lucky" high school football player who took care of a special needs child and watched out for troublemakers in the neighbourhood.

But court records and interviews show that the 10-year veteran - with a string of commendations for good conduct after four tours in Iraq and Afghanistan - had joined the Army after a Florida investment job went sour, had a Seattle-area home condemned, struggled to make payments on another and failed to get a promotion or a transfer a year ago.

His legal troubles included charges that he assaulted a girlfriend and, in a hit-and run accident, ran bleeding in military clothes into the woods, court records show. He told police he fell asleep at the wheel and paid a fine to get the charges dismissed, the records show.

Military officials say that after drinking on a southern Afghanistan base, Bales crept away on March 11 to two slumbering villages overnight, shooting his victims and setting many of them on fire. Nine of the 16 killed were children and 11 belonged to one family.

"This is some crazy stuff if it's true," Steve Berling, a high school classmate, said of the revelations about the father of two known as "Bobby" in his hometown of Norwood, Ohio.

Bales hasn't been charged yet in the shootings, which have endangered complicated relations between the US and Afghanistan and threatened to upend US policy over the decade-old war.

His former platoon leader said Bales was a model soldier inspired by 9/11 to serve who saved lives in firefights on his second of three Iraq deployments.

"He's one of the best guys I ever worked with," said Army Captain Chris Alexander, who led Bales on a 15-month deployment in Iraq.

"He is not some psychopath. He's an outstanding soldier who has given a lot for this country."

But pressing family troubles were hinted at by his wife, Kari, on multiple blogs posted with names like The Bales Family Adventures and BabyBales.  A year ago, she wrote that Bales was hoping for a promotion or a transfer after nine years stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord outside Tacoma, Wash.



"We are hoping to have as much control as possible" over the future, Kari Bales wrote last March 25. "Who knows where we will end up. I just hope that we are able to rent our house so that we can keep it. I think we are both still in shock."

After Bales lost out on a promotion to E7 - a first-class sergeant - the family hoped to go to either Germany, Italy or Hawaii for an "adventure," she said. They hoped to move by last summer; instead the Army redeployed his unit - the 2nd Infantry Division of the 3rd Stryker Brigade, named after armoured Stryker vehicles - to Afghanistan.

It would be Bales' fourth tour in a war zone. He joined the military two months after 9/11 and spent more than three years in Iraq during three separate assignments since 2003. His attorney said he was injured twice in Iraq - once losing part of his foot - but his 20 or so commendations do not include the Purple Heart, given to soldiers wounded in combat.

Alexander said Bales wasn't injured while he oversaw him during their deployment - Bales' second in Iraq. He called Bales a "very solid" noncommissioned officer who didn't have more difficulty than his fellow soldiers with battlefield stress. Bales shot at a man aiming a rocket-propelled grenade at his platoon's vehicle in Mosul, Iraq, sending the grenade flying over the vehicle.

"There's no doubt he saved lives that day," Alexander said. The charges he killed civilians is "100 per cent out of character for him," he said.

Bales always loved the military and war history, even as a teenager, said Berling, who played football with him in the early 1990s on a team that included Marc Edwards, a future NFL player and Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots.

"I remember him and the teacher just going back and forth on something like talking about the details of the Battle of Bunker Hill," he said. "He knew history, all the wars".

Bales exulted in the role once he finally achieved it. Plunged into battle in Iraq, he told an interviewer for a Fort Lewis base newspaper in 2009 that he and his comrades proved "the real difference between being an American as opposed to being a bad guy".

Bales joined the Army, Berling said, after studying business at Ohio State University - he attended three years but didn't graduate - and handled investments before the market downturn pushed him out of the business. Florida records show that Bales was a director at an inactive company called Spartina Investments Inc. in Doral, Florida; his brother, Mark Bales, and a Mark Edwards were also listed as directors.

"I guess he didn't like it when people lost money," Berling said.

He was struggling to keep payments on his own home in Lake Tapps, a rural reservoir community near Seattle; his wife asked to put the house on the market three days before the shootings, real estate Philip Rodocker said.

"She told him she was behind in our payments," Rodocker told The New York Times. "She said he was on his fourth tour and it was getting kind of old and they needed to stabilise their finances."

The house was not officially put on the market until Monday; on Tuesday, Rodocker said, Bales' wife called and asked to take the house off the market, talking of a family emergency.

Bales and his wife bought the Lake Tapps home in 2005, according to records, for US$280,000; it was listed this week at US$229,000. Overflowing boxes were piled on the front porch, and a US flag leaned against the siding.

The sale may have been a sign of financial troubles. Bales and his wife also own a home in nearby community called Auburn, according to county records, but abandoned it about two years ago, homeowners' association president Bob Baggett said.

Now signs posted on the front door and window by the city warn against occupying the house.

"It was ramshackled," Baggett said. "They were not dependable. When they left there were vehicles parts left on the front yard...we'd given up on the owners."

The diverging portrait of the sergeant have rippled across the country.

"It's our Bobby. He was the local hero," said Michael Blevins, who grew up down the street from him in Norwood, Ohio. The youngest of five boys respected older residents, admonished troublemakers and loved children, even helping another boy in the area who had special needs.

In Washington state, court records showed a 2002 arrest for assault on a girlfriend. Bales pleaded not guilty and was required to undergo 20 hours of anger management counselling, after which the case was dismissed.

A separate hit-and-run charge was dismissed in Sumner, Washington's municipal court three years ago, according to records. It isn't clear from court documents what Bales hit; witnesses saw a man in a military-style uniform, with a shaved head and bleeding, running away.

When deputies found him in the woods, Bales told them he fell asleep at the wheel. He paid about US$1,000 in fines and restitution and the case was dismissed in October 2009.

Dan Conway, a military attorney who represented one of four Lewis-McChord soldiers convicted in the deliberate killings of three Afghan civilians in 2010, said whether legal scrapes affect a soldier's career depends in part on whether they prompt the Army to issue administrative penalties. The punishments are typically recorded in official personnel files.

Over the past decade, Conway said, the military has sometimes been lax in administering such punishments. As a result, soldiers who might be bad apples sometimes remain in service longer than they otherwise might have.

"It's something you want to note," Conway said. "The best predictor of future violence is past violence."

Bales' lawyer, John Henry Browne of Seattle, said he didn't know if his client had been suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder at the time of the shootings, but said it could be an issue at trial if experts believe it's relevant.

He also said he didn't know if his client had been drinking the night of the massacre.

Browne didn't return telephone calls at the weekend. His legal team has said Browne will be meeting with Bales at Fort Leavenworth next week.

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