President enjoys immunity, Gilani tells SC

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Thursday defended himself against contempt charges before the Supreme Court (SC), refusing to apologise in a case that could see him disqualified from office if convicted.

It is only the second time that the apex court has initiated contempt proceedings against a sitting prime minister.

The court summoned Prime Minister Gilani to explain his refusal to ask Switzerland to re-open graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.

Giving his point of view before the seven-member bench, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said the president enjoys complete immunity, not only in Pakistan but also in the world as enunciated by the Constitution.

He said that he could not even think of dishonouring or disgracing the court.

PM Gilani said he appeared in person to comply with court orders that indicated his respect and honour for the court.

About writing letter to Swiss Courts for opening of the cases, the premier said the president enjoys immunity within Pakistan and abroad, therefore, he did not write letter to the Swiss court.

"It will not give a good message to proceed against a president who is elected by a two-thirds majority."

He said the leaders of PPP always respected and honoured the courts and complied with its orders.

Gilani said Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Begum Nusrat Bhutto also appeared before the courts that indicated the respect and honour of these courts by the leaders.

He said the presence of leaders of coalition partners in the court, is the reflective of their respect for judiciary.

The prime minister said Benazir Bhutto was a great leader and politician, and he was following her mission.

He said the country is united and integrated due to the 1973 Constitution that has been restored by the present government in its original form.

Justice Asif Khosa, appreciating presence of Prime Minister Gilani in the court, said it indicated that there is rule of law as the Chief Executive of the country appeared in the court.

PM Gilani along with other leaders and his Cabinet members attended the court proceedings and personally presented his point of view before the bench.

He said he and President Asif Zardari had to face imprisonment but they never did any dishonour to the courts.

During proceedings, Aitzaz Ahsan said I am here only to defend PM Gilani, not Secretary Law.

'Only Law Secretary can inform why he did not write a summary detailing the president's immunity.'

He further said that until Asif Zardari is holding the office of president, letter cannot be written to Swiss authorities as he enjoys immunity under Article 248 of the Constitution.

Supreme Court's verdict will be implemented when President Asif Ali Zardari is no longer president, said Aitzaz Ashan. This is not a normal case and need one month time to prepare, he pleaded.

Justice Khosa said the bench must be informed if anyone has immunity.

Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk remarked that these are merely preliminary proceedings and time has not come for the indictment.

Justice Usmani asked PM's counsel Aitzaz Ahsan that will the government write a letter to the Swiss authorities if it is proved that the president does not have immunity.

The court condoned the prime minister from court proceedings and adjourned the hearing till February 01.

President enjoys complete immunity: Aitzaz Ahsan

ISLAMABAD: Senior member of the PPP Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan said that President Asif Ali Zardari enjoyed immunity under article 248 of the constitution, Geo News reported. He was talking to media here on Wednesday.

Aitzaz Ahsan said that there was no harm in writing a letter to Swiss authorities as President Asif Ali Zardari enjoyed immunity under article 248.

Answering a question regarding former president Pervaiz Musharraf’s immunity, Ahsan said that he did not have immunity as there was a civil suit against him while President Zardari faced criminal cases in which he enjoyed complete immunity until he was holding the president office.

Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan would be defending Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani before the Supreme Court on Thursday in the contempt of court case.

Ahsan said the prime minister was not guilty of contempt of court in the NRO implementation case.

Aitzaz Ahsan along with other senior PPP members would accompany Prime Minister Gilani to the Supreme Court when he appears on Jan 19 to reply in person to the contempt of court notice, sources informed.

Pakistan 96 runs ahead of England with 3 wkts in hand

DUBAI: Pakistan succeeded in gaining a lead of 96 runs over England in the first innings but lost seven wickets in the process when the play ended on the second day of the opening Test match of the three-match series here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Adnan Akmal remained not out on 24 as Pakistan were 288 runs for seven at stumps.

Openers Mohammad Hafeez (88) and Taufiq Umar (58) along with their captain Misbah-ul-Haq (52) scored half-centuries while veteran batsman Younis Khan made 37, Asad Shafiq scored 16, Azhar Ali could make just one and Abdul Rehman was dismissed for four off the last ball of the day.

Hafeez missed a century by just 12 runs playing an attractive innings during his resolute 114-run opening stand with Taufiq to help Pakistan overhaul England's first innings total of 192 on a slow turning pitch.

For England, pacers James Anderson and Stuart Broad, and spinner Graeme Swann claimed two wickets each while Jonathan Trott also got a wicket.

SC rejects NAB appeal against Sharifs’ assets

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) dismissed the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) appeal against Sharif brothers on Wednesday and ordered to release all their assets, Geo News reported.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was hearing the case and told that NAB cannot take hold of their property against the punishment.

The court told that Nawaz Sharif’s punishment is over and, therefore, NAB has no right to seize Sharif brothers’ property.

NAB Prosecutor General KK Agha appeared before the court and presented an agreement signed between Nawaz Sharif and the government.

Last year in December, NAB had appealed in the apex court to challenge the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) October 4, 2011 verdict for returning their asset where Agha told the court that NAB wanted to hold the property of Sharif brothers until the case was resolved.

Responding to which, Chief Justice Iftikhar remarked that NAB had no authority to hold the property until a reference could be presented against the Sharif brothers.

Islamabad Court dismisses plea against Mansoor Ijaz

ISLAMABAD: Additional Sessions Judge Islamabad, Syed Wajahat Hassan has rejected the plea to file a case against central memogate character Mansoor Ijaz, Geo News reported.

A petition had been filed in an Islamabad court on January 7 seeking registration of criminal case against Mansoor Ijaz.

The petition was filed by Khalid Jameel Sati, an activist associated with the Pakistan People's Party (PPP).

The petition requested the issuing of arrest orders against Ijaz, the central character of the memogate scandal, upon his arrival in Pakistan.

The petition was first sent to Jawad Abbas, the secretary of the judicial commission probing the memo, who then forwarded it to an Islamabad session court judge.

The petitioner took the plea Mansoor Ijaz hatched conspiracy against the democracy and country and he tried to pitch army and government against each other and foment hatred and unrest in the nation through his false statements.

Mansoor Ijaz attributed all the terror related acts to ISI and he tried to provoke the world against Pakistan declaring Pakistan nuclear program a threat in his articles, petitioner pleaded. Mansoor Ijaz also tried to incite sentiments of armed forces in memo gate case, he added.

He further stated in his petition that Secretariat police had refused to register case against Mansoor Ijaz. Therefore, he had resorted to session s court. He prayed the court to issue orders to police for registration of case.

Smoke bomb thrown over White House fence

WASHINGTON: Protestors linked to the "Occupy" movement apparently threw a smoke bomb over the White House fence on Tuesday, capping a day of protests in Washington, the Secret Service said.

No arrests were made after demonstrators from the Occupy DC group marched on the White House, and protesters were peacefully dispersed, as officers dealt with the device, a Secret Service spokesman said.

Witnesses said streets around the area were cordoned off as is normal on the frequent occasions when there is a minor security alert around the presidential mansion.

President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle were not in the White House compound at the time as they were at a nearby restaurant with friends celebrating the First Lady's 48th birthday.

Earlier, lawmakers returning from a three-week winter break were greeted by hundreds of protesters from the "Occupy" movement, who gathered outside the US Capitol building to decry the corrupting influence of money in politics.

Protesters from the self-proclaimed Occupy Congress group - met by scores of uniformed police officers - were denied entry to congressional corridors.

As they chanted amid a steady winter drizzle, the protesters wielded signs urging lawmakers to "Come out of your ivory tower and hear the people."

Another told lawmakers that "We are here to be heard."

By late afternoon, four people had been arrested. Three were charged with illegally crossing police lines and the fourth with assaulting a police officer, a Capitol Police spokesman told.

Pakistan refused to allow Grossman visit: US

WASHINGTON: The State Department has said that the US special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan Marc Grossman wanted to visit Pakistan but owing to prevailing situation he was not allowed, Geo News reported.

The US State Department Spokesman said Pakistan refused to grant permission due to prevailing situation.

The spokesman said United States wants better relations with Pakistan, adding that we should go ahead as there was no other way.

Italy captain denies abandoning ship as toll rises to 11

GIGLIO ISLAND: The captain of the doomed Italian cruise liner denied Tuesday he had abandoned ship, as rescue divers found another five bodies in the wreckage, bringing the death toll to 11.

A dramatic port authority recording of a telephone exchange as the disaster unfolded showed that captain Francesco Schettino ignored an order to return to the vessel after it hit rocks and pitched onto its side on Friday.

Schettino, 52, is accused of manslaughter and abandoning ship before all the passengers were rescued.

But under lengthy questioning Tuesday by Italian prosecutors, Schettino denied he had left the Costa Concordia and said his actions as the boat was going down near the Tuscan island of Giglio had saved many lives.

"The captain defended his role on the direction of the ship after the collision, which in the captain's opinion saved hundreds if not thousands of lives," his lawyer Bruno Leporatti said. "The captain specified that he did not abandon ship."

The Corriere della Sera daily said Schettino told prosecutors that he was at the helm when disaster struck, but later fell into the sea and could not get back on board the tilting vessel.

Leporatti backed the claim, telling journalists: "The ship in that moment was tilted over by 90 degrees."

He also said the captain "carried out a brilliant manoeuvre" after the collision, and had "kept his wits about him", managing to steer the vessel towards the shore and "save a number of lives".

But according to investigators, the flooded engine rooms would have made it impossible for Schettino to navigate the 114,500-tonne ship, which drifted closer to a tiny port on Giglio before capsizing.

The grilling of Schettino came as another five bodies were discovered after the Italian navy used explosives to blow seven holes in the upturned hull of the Costa Concordia, bringing the death toll to 11.

About two dozen people are still missing.

"The five victims are a woman and four men, who could be passengers but we are not sure, they are between 50 and 60 years old," said coastguard spokesman Filippo Marini. He said the victims were wearing life jackets.

Earlier, officials had said that 12 Germans, six Italians, four French, two Americans, one Hungarian, one Indian and one Peruvian were still unaccounted for. There were also reports of a missing five-year-old Italian girl.

The dead identified so far include two French passengers, an Italian and a Spaniard and one Peruvian crew member.

Meanwhile it emerged Tuesday that one of the survivors was the granddaughter of a survivor of the Titanic disaster in 1912 when the passenger liner sank on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York.

"It was like re-living history, it was horrible, I was really shocked," Valentina Capuano, 30, told the Italian daily La Repubblica.

About 4,200 people were on board when the ship went down shortly after it had left a port near Rome at the start of a seven-day Mediterranean cruise, and survivors have spoken of scenes of confusion and panic on board. (AFP)

Faisalabad IUs remain shut for 28th day

FAISALABAD: The industrial units in Faisalabad remained shut for 28th consecutive day today as a result of suspension of gas supply, Geo News reported.

Sui Gas authorities had disconnected the gas supply to Textile and non-textile industries on December 22 for an indefinite period which could not be restored on 28th consecutive day.

According to industrialists halting of production process has until today caused a loss of billion rupees.

Clarify or withdraw PM's statement: COAS to President

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani is furious with the Prime Minister for statement scriticising the army and they should be either clarified or withdrawn, a senior military source told Reuters on Saturday, piling pressure on the premier.

"The Army Chief complained to the president about the prime minister's statements, and said they needed to be either clarified or withdrawn," the source told the news agency.

"He said such statements were divisive and made the country more vulnerable."

The Army Chief said 'divisive statements' from Prime Minister hurt Pakistan, the news agency quoted the sources as saying.

However, the President's spokesman Farhatullah Babar said the "current security situation came under discussion" during the meeting. (Reuters/AFP)

DPO office attacked in D I Khan

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: An incident of bomb explosions and heavy firing took place as unidentified armed men attacked DPO office in Kacheri district of Dera Ismail Khan, police official said.

According to the sources, seven to eight attackers assaulted DPO office with hand grenades and heavy firing. Residents of he area said that seven bomb explosions were heard.

Sources also said that a bomber blew himself up inside the DPO office.

No compromise on sovereignty of Pakistan: PM Gilani

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has reiterated that there would be no compromise on the sovereignty and integrity of Pakistan and that patriotic citizens are standing behind Pakistan Army,

The prime minister said this while chairing Defence Committee of Cabinet (DCC) meeting here Saturday. PM Gilani said armed forces are vital pillar of the national security.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar, Finance Minister and Information Minister attended the meeting.

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Khalid Shameem Wynne, COAS General Ashfaq Pervaz Kayani and Naval chief and Chief of the Air Staff also participated in the meeting.

It is the first meeting of the DCC in which the civilian and military leadership are sitting together amid the ongoing tension between the government and the army and try to come out of the tense situation.

Political observers are of the view the DCC would defuse the ongoing tension that started with the emergence of memogate and further aggravated with the sacking of the Defense Secretary Lt General (Retd) Naeem Khalid Lodhi on alleged violation of rules and business while submitting the reply to the Supreme Court on memogate.

The prime minister’s interview to a Chinese online newspaper further aggravated the impression of tense relations between the civilian and military leadership and the ISPR issued a clarification on it.

Gilani said terrorism in Afghanistan is directly affecting Pakistan. To protect the interests of Pakistan is the top priority, the prime minister said and added that that interest and sovereignty of the country is supreme. 'Every step would be taken to strengthen the institutions', he said.

All set to land in Pakistan, says Mansoor Ijaz

LONDON: Rejecting rumours he was backtracking form his stance, “memogate” scandal’s protagonist Mansoor Ijaz Friday said that he was all set to land in Pakistan, Geo News reported.

Ijaz told Geo News, that acquiring a visa for Pakistan was not a problem for him, however he refused to disclose the date and time of his touchdown in Pakistan. Ijaz also refused to comment on “who” was assisting him in this regard.

Ijaz warned Husain Haqqani of imminent disgrace, saying the evidence, that he would produce before the hounorable Supreme Court of Pakistan would tighten the noose around his (Haqqani’s) neck.

“ My ‘then’ friend and ‘now’ foe, Husain Haqqani must mind it that upon my arrival to Pakistan everything would become crystal clear, adding he would have nowhere to run”, said an adamant Ijaz.

NAB opens various cases; Ismail Qureshi arrested: sources

ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Friday opened various cases under the directions of Supreme Court, sources said.

According to NAB sources, various accused could be arrested today.

Notices were issued to Ismail Qureshi, Raja Ahsan and Adnan Khwaja. Khwaja among various others already presented themselves before the NAB, the sources added.

In the latest update, Ismail Qureshi has been taken into custody by a team which arrived from Islamabad to Lahore.

Sources add that Qureshi is being taken to Islamabad.

No Australian uranium for Pakistan: Julia Gillard

SYDNEY: Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has reiterated that her country will not agree to export uranium to Pakistan, which is imploring Canberra to make a similar policy change as done recently for India.

This policy is an exception which recognises the compelling rationale and national interest for a change in relation to India only, Gillard told IANS in an interview.

"In the case of Pakistan, the issue does not arise as it does not have an exemption from the Nuclear Suppliers Group," she said.

Gillard also indicated that the US might have played a significant role in Australia overturning the ban on the sale of nuclear fuel to India.

No reason given for sacking: Former Defence Secretary Lt. General (retired) Khalid Naeem Lodhi

ISLAMABAD: Former Defence Secretary Lt. General (retired) Khalid Naeem Lodhi said on Friday that he was sacked without being given any reason by Prime Minister Gilani and there was no show-cause notice issued nor was there any inquiry.
 
Lodhi said he was sacked because he did not sign the government’s affidavit in the memogate case. 

“How could I sign a statement which was not mine” Lodhi said. 

The former defence secretary said he only replied to questions asked by the Supreme Court. 

According to PM house spokesman, Lodhi violated article 99 and was sacked after consultation with the law minister. 

Aamer set to be released on Feb 9

LONDON: Convicted fast bowler Muhammad Aamer is set to be released from the young offenders institute in Weymouth next month, on completion of half of the jail term he was awarded by a court.

Arsalan Abbasi, Aamer’s friend and a legal guarantor in the UK, said the bowler would be released from Her Majesty's Prison Portland, Dorset, England, on February 9, at the half leg of his six months jail term and added that he would complete part of his remaining sentence on licence at a London address.

“Aamer will be allowed to stay in London for about three weeks and then he will leave for Pakistan,” Abbasi told The News, emphasising: “He (Aamer) will not be deported to Pakistan.”

Aamer’s lawyers and the UK Border Agency have reached an agreement that he would leave the UK on his own and that there would be no immigration restrictions on him if he ever wanted to return to the country, Abbasi added.

A probation officer from the Prison Services visited the particular address--belonging to a close friend of Aamer--two weeks ago and cleared it for the cricketer to stay on condition of keeping in touch with the services.

During the sentence hearing at the Southwark Crown Court of the spot-fixing trial, no recommendation for deportation of Aamer was made but this scribe has learnt that if a sentence is less than 12 months, the judge usually leaves it to the UK Border Agency (UKBA) to recommend deportation or otherwise.

In the case of Aamer, he will be leaving the country on his own accord at the completion of his agreed time period. A legal expert told The News that after the UK sentencing of Aamer is over, he still has a few years of ban from the International Cricket Council (ICC) but once that’s over he should have no restrictions on his trade and he can play in the UK again if he is selected by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

“I can't see him being refused a visa to the UK or anywhere else,” said the legal expert. After being sentenced to six months’ detention on November 3 last year with fellow players Salman Butt and Muhammad Asif, the young bowling genius was first sent to Feltham Young Offenders Institution and then, within three days, to the Prison Portland.

A source told The News that Aamer spent his time at the youth hostel, playing different sports, attended education classes, exercised regularly at the gym. He was allowed free access to internet and library and also worked for a charity. He was even allowed to go to the local town centre on his own regularly with a strict return curfew.

Half-naked South Korean soldiers train for winter war

SEOUL: Cool under fire took on new meaning for more than 200 South Korean soldiers this week as they stripped off their shirts, flung snow on each other and walked through an ice-encrusted stream -- all part of drills to hone endurance.

North and South Korea have yet to sign a peace treaty after the 1950-1953 Korean War, and tension remains high along the Demilitarized zone (DMZ) that splits the peninsula -- particularly after the North's young new leader, Kim Jong-un, assumed power last month.

Pushups in the snow were also part of the annual winter drill by special forces soldiers, which took place in Pyeongchang, about 180 km (113 miles) east of Seoul and the venue for the 2018 Winter Olympics.

"Our members are holding this drill to be able to survive in the enemy's camp, overcome freezing cold weather -- 20 degrees below zero in the mountain area -- without any help from our army," said Commander Choi Ik-bong of the special forces.

"They train as if it is a real battle and they will fight in a battle as if it's a kind of training."

The United States has about 30,000 troops in South Korea to support the country's 650,000-strong armed forces. But North Korea has some 1.2 million troops, most stationed along the border.

"The creed for our special forces is that we can do whatever cannot be done (by others), and a man dies just once, not twice, in this life," said 24-year-old Kim Sung-hoon.

"As a man, I am proud to sacrifice myself for my country, so this sort of difficulty is nothing to me."

Among the soldiers were ten women, who took part wearing short-sleeved shirts.

"I put the fact that I am a special forces member before the fact that I am a woman, so I have only been thinking about accomplishing my mission flawlessly," said 24-year-old Kim Yea-ji. (Reuters)

Video shows Marines abusing dead Taliban

Washington ... Amryky officials of the bodies of Taliban byhrmty identify the onset of the two amryky fujyun? Bodies of the last days of the Taliban surfaced byhrmty udyu of thy ayy? The Pentagon ordered the bodies of thqyqat byhrmty krnyualy of udyu was given? Amryky fujy official on condition of anonymity non mlky ayjnsy told that the videos appear in the identification of two of the four amryky fujyun is done, and think of myrynz udyu is reliable? Identified by authorities both were still syknd fujy amryky myryn are part of the thrr btalyn this yunt from March 2011 until September served during Afghanistan's Helmand province dyyy? the Taliban spokesman said the bodies of the unfortunate pictures byhrmty ualy udyu talks rhayy will not affect the implementation of the qydyun?

Flight carrying Pagara’s body lands in Sukkur

KARACHI: A flight carrying Pir Sahib Pagara’s body has landed in Sukkur, Geo News reported.

Pir Sahib’s body was flown to Sukkur from Karachi in a special C-130 airplane, wherefrom a helicopter will take his body to his hometown, Pir Jo Goth, where he will be laid to rest.

Spiritual Leader of Hur Community and Chief of Pakistan Muslim League (Functional) Pir Mardan Shah-II, more commonly known as Pir Pagara, breathed his last at the age of 83 on Tuesday in London.

Four killed in Lower Orakzai coalmine blast

LOWER ORAKZAI: At least four miners were killed and six others injured in explosion that took place in Doli Lower Orakzai, Geo News reported.

According to political administration, the blast took place due to accumulation of gas in the coalmine.

The injured have been shifted to local hospital for treatment.

PM sacks Defence Secretary

ISLAMABAD: The government on Wednesday terminated the contract of Defence Secretary Lt General Naeem Khalid Lodhi (retd) with immediate effect for "gross misconduct and illegal action".

Lodhi had assumed the charge on Nov. 28, 2011.

A Prime Minister House statement issued here said the Defence Secretary was sacked "for creating misunderstanding between the state institutions".

Cabinet Secretary Nargis Sethi has been given additional charge of Ministry of Defence. (APP)

PM remarks may lead to grievous consequences, warns ISPR

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan's army warned Wednesday that critical comments made by the prime minister would have "serious ramifications" and could wreak "potentially grievous consequences for the country".

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani earlier in the week told China's People's Daily online that the army chief and head of intelligence services had acted unlawfully by making unilateral submissions to an ongoing Supreme Court inquiry.

The ISPR statement said: "APP issued a statement on 9th of January 2012 giving details of the interview given by the Honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan to The People's Daily Online of China when the COAS was also on an official visit to China. The Honourable Prime Minister inter alia termed the responses given by COAS and DG ISI in the alleged Memo Case to the Honourable Supreme Court of Pakistan as unconstitutional and illegal".

This part of the statement has been quoted and widely debated in the media. There can be no allegation more serious than what the Honourable Prime Minister has leveled against COAS and DG ISI and has unfortunately charged the officers for violation of the Constitution of the Country. This has very serious ramifications with potentially grievous consequences for the Country.

The statement does not take into account following important facts:-
- COAS and DG ISI were cited as Respondents in the Petitions as such and after hearing the parties the Honourable Supreme Court served notices directly to the Respondents. This was not objected to by the learned Attorney General of Pakistan.

- The responses by the respondents were sent to the Ministry of Defence for onward submission to the Honourable Supreme Court, through Attorney General (Law Ministry).

- A letter was also dispatched to the Attorney General of Pakistan and the Honourable Supreme Court of Pakistan informing that the replies have been submitted to the Ministry of Defence.

- It is emphasized that copies of the statements of the two Respondents were not forwarded directly to the Supreme Court.

- Responsibility for moving summaries and obtaining approvals of Competent Authority thereafter lay with the relevant ministries and not with the Respondents.

It is also highlighted that after a meeting between the Honourable Prime Minister and the COAS, the Honourable Prime Minister had publicly stated through a press release of 16th December 2011 that the replies submitted were " in response to the notice of the Court through proper channel and in accordance with the rules of business." No objections were raised before and thereafter, on the legality and constitutional status of the replies, at any time, during the last more than three weeks of hearing of the case by the Honourable Supreme Court.

It is also categorically stated that COAS and DG ISI in their response to the Honourable Supreme Court were obliged to state facts as known to them, on the Memo Issue. The issue of jurisdiction and maintainability of the Petitions was between the Honourable Supreme Court and the Federation.

Any expectation that COAS will not state the facts is neither constitutional nor legal. Allegiance to State and the Constitution is and will always remain prime consideration for the Respondent, who in this case has followed the book.

Army Chief of advice from colleagues on the Prime Minister's statement, the next 24 hours are important sources

Rawalpindi (NI N / IEC NP) Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani to visit China after returning senior military officers at General Headquarters on Tuesday and close colleagues of the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani consulted at Interviews .. Prime Minister's interview with Chinese media was a time when the country's army chief was visiting a neighbor friend. Gilani, Army Chief General Kayani in memo scandal and DG ISI Gen Pasha's statements were admitted in the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional and illegal, is being said about the civil and military leadership of the next 24 hours and the most important clarifications on the statement issued by the Prime Minister is likely.

Before the return of Pervez Musharraf will visit Saudi Arabia soon

DUBAI  Pakistan's former sdrjnrl (retd) Pervez Musharraf's political support jldsaudy Arabia are planning to visit. The Saudi British news sources of Pakistan Dar, Reuters, is told. The report of this case by tracking the Saudi-based Gulf Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan for support before going to visit Saudi Arabia soon. a source confirmed that Pervez Musharraf has said that these days in Dubai, the Arabian is jldsaudy. However, this source declined to give the former sdrpruyz kind support to Musharraf. But some reports said that Pervez Musharraf, the former Prime Minister Benazir nzyrbhtu the failure to provide proper security before the murder to face allegations of possible arrest, in Saudi Arabia would like to guarantee that they will be grftarnhyn. aurzryay the case that a tracking Pakistan's stability is very important to the region and is brqrarrkhajana.

Pgaraka died Monday, leaders of political and social expression of grief or fsus

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Indonesia: 7.3 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Sumatra

Jakarta ... Indonesia's Sumatra island's west coast after the 7.3 magnitude earthquake tsunami warning was issued. Jyalujykl survey of U.S. coastal areas of Indonesia, 261 miles southwest of Achi was 29 kilometers deep. A deep-sea earthquake came the tsunami warning was issued. Achi in earthquake rocked buildings and houses and people out of homes. Indonesian island of Sumatra's west coast after the 7.3 magnitude earthquake tsunami warning was issued .

U.S. spy plane in Miran Shah, killing four people

Miran Shah ... Miran Shah in North Waziristan, killing four people are in a spy plane attack. Kbrayjnsy other areas of the U.S. spy aircraft Miran Shah in North Waziristan, two missiles at a house were fired, causing four people were killed. Kbrayjnsy the spy plane caught fire after the attack, kbrayjnsy the NATO bombing in Mohmand Agency on November 26 after a spy plane attack was temporarily blocked.

NRO Implementation: President, PM may face contempt charges

ISLAMABAD: A five member bench of the Supreme Court has decided to refer the six options relating to the NRO implementation case to the Chief Justice for constitution of a larger bench for hearing of these options.

Announcing the verdict on NRO implementation case‚ the bench headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa said the six options are being handed over to the Attorney General.

01: To initiate the contempt of court proceedings against the Chief Executive and the Secretary Law for not implementing the NRO verdict.
02: To declare the chief executive ineligible from the membership of the Parliament.
03: The court may form a commission to get the verdict implemented.
04: The people themselves decide on the issue and the court exhibit patience.
05: Contempt proceedings against Chairman Nab may be initiated.
06: The action may be taken against President for violating the Constitution.

The Supreme Court said in its order in NRO implementation case that the government has failed to implement the verdict.

'The government is not taking interest to observe the order for the last two years. We knew that the actions we are about to take they may be unpleasant.'

'The court has taken oath to defend the Constitution. The prime minister respected the party over the Constitution.'

'The president in an interview to Geo News said his government would not implement one part of NRO verdict.'

As per Article 189 and 190 all institutions are bound to help the apex court, the order said.

'Prima Facie the prime minister is not an honest man and violated his oath.'

The court recommended the case to the chief justice to form a larger bench to hear the case on January 16.

A Five-member bench of Supreme Court (SC) headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa resumed the hearing of the case pertaining to the implementation of National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) verdict today.

Jamrud of Khyber Agency in the market explosion, 29 people were killed, 35 injured

Jamrud ... Khyber Agency Jamrud market remote-controlled explosion 29 afradjan killed and 35 wounded, injured in stayys seriously tell are. Kash or force the blast Bob Khyber near the main Jamrud market vertical pick-up near the air, explosion mynpk up on almost all afradmuqa the killed, the explosion in the market stampede ensued, and the market mujudrah line of blast victims, yet the information received by the blast 29 people killed were the 35 zkmyhyn, injured in 27 is seriously being spent, in Peshawar blast injured were shifted to different hospitals, security forces surrounded the area and started investigations.

Spot-fixing: Imran feels sorry for trio's families

LAHORE: Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan reacting to the sentences in the spot-fixing case on Thursday, said he felt deep sorrow for the three players.

Speaking to Geo News, Khan said he felt sorry for the family members of the three players and especially for youngster Mohammed Amir who he called a great talent wasted.

“If they were guilty, they should be punished,” Khan said, adding that Pakistan cricket had to move forward from this incident.

The Pakistan trio were sentenced on Thursday, Butt received the harshest punishment of 30 months, Mohammed Asif was awarded one year while Mohammed Amir was sentenced to 6 months detention at Feltham Young Offenders institution.

China warns U.S. to be "careful" in military refocus

BEIJING: China's Ministry of Defence warned the United States on Monday to be "careful in its words and actions" after announcing a defence rethink that stresses responding to China's rise by shoring up U.S. alliances and bases across Asia.

The statement from the ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng was Beijing's fullest reaction so far to the new U.S. strategy unveiled last week. It echoed the mix of wariness and outward restraint that has marked China's response to the Obama administration's "pivot" to Asia since late last year.

"We have noted that the United States issued this guide to its defence strategy, and we will closely observe the impact that U.S. military strategic adjustment has on the Asia-Pacific region and on global security developments," Geng said in a statement issued on the ministry's website (www.mod.gov.cn).

"The accusations leveled at China by the U.S. side in this document are totally baseless," said Geng.

"We hope that the United States will flow with the tide of the era, and deal with China and the Chinese military in an objective and rational way, will be careful in its words and actions, and do more that is beneficial to the development of relations between the two countries and their militaries."

The new U.S. strategy promises to boost strength in Asia in an attempt to counter China's growing ability to check U.S. power in the region, even as U.S. forces draw back elsewhere across the globe.

Under the new strategy, the United States will maintain large bases in Japan and South Korea and deploy U.S. Marines, navy ships and aircraft to Australia's Northern Territory.

The strategy calls for countering potential attempts by China and Iran to block U.S. capabilities in areas like the South China Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.

China has sought to balance voicing its wariness about the U.S. moves with its desire for steady relations with Washington, especially as both sides grapple with domestic politics this year, when President Barack Obama faces a re-election fight and China's ruling Communist Party undergoes a leadership handover.

So far, Beijing officials have avoided the usual high-pitched assertions that Washington is bent on encircling China, a view widely echoed by popular Chinese newspapers and websites.

GROWING CONCERN

The expanded U.S. military presence in Asia is based on a miscalculation of Beijing's intent to modernize its military defenses, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

"The accusation targeting China in the document has no basis, and is fundamentally unrealistic," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said at a regular news conference, in response to a question from state media about whether China poses a threat to U.S. security.

"China adheres to the path of peaceful development, an independent and peaceful foreign policy and a defensive national defence policy," Liu added.

Still, there is growing concern in the United States and Asia about China's military developments in recent years.

China has been expanding its naval might, with submarines and a maiden aircraft carrier, and has also increased its missile and surveillance capabilities, extending its offensive reach in the region and unnerving its neighbors.

The disputed ownership of oil-rich reefs and islands in the South China Sea, through which $5 trillion dollars in trade sails annually, is one of the biggest security threats in Asia.

China is seen by many neighbors as increasingly assertive on the high seas, with several incidents in the past year in the South China Sea, waters claimed wholly or in part by China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei.

But Chinese President Hu Jintao has made clear he wants to avoid repeating the rifts that soured ties with Washington in the first half of 2011. Hu retires from power late in 2012 and his almost-certain successor, Vice President Xi Jinping, is likely to visit the United States in coming months. (Reuters)

Iran bunker site raises nuclear stakes

VIENNA: Iran has further stoked Western fears about the purpose of its nuclear activities by starting to enrich fissile material in a new site deep inside a virtually impregnable mountain bunker.

The Fordo site near the holy city of Qom, 150 kilometres (90 miles) southwest of Tehran, has begun enriching uranium to 20-percent purity, the UN atomic watchdog Agency, said late Monday.

US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said that Iran's enriching of uranium to 20 percent at the site was "a further escalation of their ongoing violations with regard to their nuclear obligations."

"We call on Iran once again to suspend enrichment activities, cooperate fully with the IAEA and immediately comply with all Security Council and IAEA board of governors resolutions," Nuland told reporters in Washington.

Experts point out that the process of obtaining 20-percent enriched uranium represents the lion's share of the work needed to get the material purified to the level of 90 percent or above required for atomic weapons.

Iran, which says its nuclear activities are peaceful, says the material is for its Tehran research reactor to make isotopes for cancer treatments, but Western powers believe it has a much more sinister and destructive purpose.

Constant dialogue between Pakistan's civilian military leadership wants, USA

Washington. . . . . .. State Department spokesman said that Pakistan's civilian government nulynd Victoria and constant dialogue between the military leadership wants. Washington, U.S. State Department spokesman was asked at a briefing Victoria nulynd thakh ISI Gilani and Army Chiefkakuahan in Pakistan's civilian government and military talks. U.S. civilian and military leadership of Pakistan for long has been negotiated. Husain Haqqani told the case has received a letter from former U.S. officials. The letter expressed concerns were is being considered. U.S. State Department spokesman said Pakistan's new ambassador thakh welcome. 

Japan, the fourth nuclear reactor had exploded from the blast, fearing another earthquake, the Tokyo stock market crash

Tokyo (Irfan Siddiqui / Agencies) fukusyma nuclear power plant in Japan due to earthquake crisis became more severe and last day of the fourth reactor exploded bomb, which was further increased radiation emissions, around 30 km to the Japanese authoritiesNo cause for alarm. earthquake, tsunami and severe blow to the economy of Japan's nuclear crisis and the Tokyo stock market crash and died a thousand-point decline in the last three days and has applied for cash assistance from government and public television funding announcements are being made.. The last day of the earthquake, another shock was felt that the Richter scale 6 was recorded, the earthquake's shock people fear spread and their homes out of out, officials epicenter 120 kilometers from Tokyo syzu mauٴnt I was near Mount Fuji. The IAEA, however, the situation is serious qrardyahy crnubl rdkrdyahy possibility of such an accident. Japanese officials radiation from nuclear plant making full efforts to prevent the emission of the International Atomic Energy Agency, including in the U.S. and British experts are hired. Economic experts say the Japanese economy to compensate for the loss caused by earthquake, three to four years drkarhun will. while the emission of nuclear radiation in Japan once again has raised questions about the withdrawal of Pakistan because Pakistan has lost seats in all the air lines for the earthquake affected areas and the effects of nuclear radiation dominated areas of Pakistan, there are still thousands of emissions still not considered a project. Moreover, the Japanese prime minister told the media briefing that the earthquake-hit nuclear plant's reactor number four fukusyma fire which because radiation levels dangerous to human health hdtk is reached.

Nawaz Sharif arrives in a two-day visit will prkuyth

Lahore ... Pakistan Muslim League-N Chief MianNawaz Sharif, former prime minister two-day visit toQuetta from Lahore on Friday are praj. VisitedQuetta in the province and meet with politicalleaders will address the convention. Party sourcesPakistan Muslim League-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif, Zafar Iqbal, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq MNA fightand other leaders in the procession from the airportlayajayyga MPA hostel where we will meet with a delegation of the National party. Friday afternoonBugti House, where he will meet his democraticWatan Party chief Talal Bugti will be Nawabzadasdrsrdar kysubayy Balochistan Sanaullah PML-NMian Nawaz Sharif by Zehri local restaurant dinnerin honor of the Baloch and Pashtun religious partiesdyajayyga officials will participate from thebadmyan asayh Nawaz Sharif will meet with themseparately and eleven o'clock Saturday morning at a local hotel in the provincial council meeting afterthe party's provincial officials announced kyajayygabusinessmen will meet with other delegations andwill interact with the media before leaving Lahore.

Once again I failed to tndulkrsncryun century

 Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar's century sncryunSydney ... I once again failed. Tendulkar fourth dayof the second Test being played in Sydneytndulkrku faced disappointment when he bowled 80overs for Clarke, Mike Hussey at slip by were out of ketchup. Tendulkar 56 runs in 185 tests at an average of 15288 runs have scored. SachinTendulkar against Pakistan in Karachi in 1989 andbegan caree
r test.

University, the director tension after the murder of student affairs

... Jamshoro, Sindh University Jamshorodayryktrastudnt Affairs professor murder incidentbadsykrun bsyrcnrky hastlzkaly students and wenthome. Sindh university student affairs director for several days against the murder of Bashir cnrUniversity Teaching pupils for whom the process issuspended hundreds of students went to their homes by the University tycrzaysusy hastlzkalyAssociation General Secretary, Vice canslrkuarfanh sailor said to remove the protest movementwill continue, he said that ten of the Old campusPress Club to protest march and sit-willimmediately notice the Governor of the incident the university has sought to save from destruction