Indian army movements raise 'coup fears'

NEW DEHLI: Two Indian army units that moved towards New Delhi on a January night without notifying the government raised an alarm in the capital, the Indian Express newspaper reported on Wednesday, citing several unidentified sources.

The newspaper report said the infantry unit of the 33rd Armoured Division based 150 km (90 miles) from Delhi and a unit of the airbourne 50 Para brigade based in Agra to the south reached the outskirts of Delhi before being ordered back.

Indian PM Manmohan Singh described as "alarmist" the report. These are alarmist reports and should not be taken at face value, Singh told journalists at parliament.

The army told the newspaper the units were engaged in routine training exercises to test their mobility in fog and did not need to warn the government in advance. Defence ministry spokesman Sitanshu Kar told Reuters it was not true the manoeuvres had caused alarm in the ministry.

The troop movements happened at a time of high friction between Army Chief Vijay Kumar Singh and the government. The newspaper said the accepted view is there was a breakdown in communication rather than a plot of any kind.

The military in India is not known for conspiring against the government in a region plagued by instability.

On the night in question, lookouts confirmed the two units were travelling towards Delhi, the report said.

Defence Minister A.K. Antony was informed and the government ordered police to check all vehicles on roads to Delhi as a way of slowing traffic. The defence secretary, the ministry's top civil servant, cut short a trip to Malaysia to handle the situation.

The report highlights the deep rifts and tense atmosphere in recent months between the world's second largest standing army and the government.

On January 16, the day the exercises took place, Singh took a case against the government to the Supreme Court in a row about whether he could serve another year before retiring. He later lost the case.

The army chief has since said he was offered a $2.8 million bribe and accused the defence minister of not acting on information about corruption in the forces. He also wrote a letter to the prime minister in March saying the army was not in proper shape to defend the country. The letter was leaked. (Reuters)

Solid evidence required for action against Hafiz Saeed: FO

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office responded to the $10 million bounty on Hafiz Saeed placed by the US. According to the spokesman for the

Foreign Office Abdul Basit, Pakistan will give priority to solid evidence provided against Hafiz Saeed.

Basit added that solid evidence was required to initiate legal action against Saeed. The Foreign Office spokesman emphasized that Pakistan was a democratic country with an independent judiciary and evidence against anyone required judicial scrutiny.

The United States placed a $10 million bounty on hafiz Saeed who is accused of masterminding the attacks on Mumbai.

Stable Karachi in interest of international community: British Deputy HC

KARACHI: British Deputy High Commissioner Francis Campbell said on Wednesday that peace in Karachi was not only in the interest of residents bust also the international community.

Speaking to media alongside ANP leader Senator Shahi Saeed, Campbell said: “we have a regular exchange of views about the situation in

Karachi with different political parties and interest groups.”

Prior to his meeting with Saeed, the British Deputy High Commissioner met with a delegation from the MQM.

During the meeting with MQM, Campbell discussed the security situation in Karachi and what measures were being taken to improve it.

Clinton warns of 'destabilizing' Iran options

WASHINGTON: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned Tuesday that a nuclear-armed Iran or a conflict over its ambitions would both destabilize the region as she pressed Tehran to make progress in key talks.

As Israel voices growing impatience over Iran, Clinton credited US sanctions with inflicting pressure on the Islamic republic but warned of the "very difficult situation that the world faces" moving forward.

"There is no clear path. We know that a nuclear-armed Iran would be incredibly destabilizing to the region and beyond. A conflict arising out of their program would also be very destabilizing," Clinton said.

"There is no way to balance this. You have two very difficult paths here," Clinton told a dinner in Norfolk, Virginia, on a day trip to visit the only NATO command in the United States.

Clinton, who traveled over the weekend to Turkey and Saudi Arabia, voiced concern that a nuclear Iran would trigger an arms race in the region.

"We're going to be looking for a way to try to convey the legitimate fears that people in the region have about what comes next. Because if Iran were ever to get a nuclear weapon, the countries in the region are going to buy their way to one as well," Clinton said.

The United States has been threatening sanctions to press other countries to stop buying Iranian oil, the country's chief money-maker, as Israel voices fears that the Islamic republic is developing a nuclear bomb.

Iranian officials insist that sensitive nuclear work is for peaceful purposes.

Iran is expected to resume talks shortly with six powers -- Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States -- in the first such negotiations in more than one year.

Clinton, speaking earlier Tuesday at the Virginia Military Institute, said that the talks offered a chance to resolve the nuclear row diplomatically but said that they should not be "open-ended."

"We expect to see concrete commitments from Iran that it will come clean on its nuclear program and live up to its international obligations," Clinton said. (AFP)

ZAB case golden opportunity for SC: Bilawal

NAU DERO: Chairman Pakistan People's Party, Bilawal Zardari Bhutto Tuesday termed the Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto reference a golden opportunity to Supreme Court 'to provide us justice', Geo News reported.

"I am confident the Supreme Court will not stand in the way. The Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto reference case is a golden opportunity for the Supreme Court. I expect the Supreme Court to finally provide us justice," Bilawal said while delivering a speech during the Central Executive Committee meeting of the PPP on the eve of 33rd death anniversary of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.

Bilawal also said that the (then) Supreme Court of Pakistan sentenced Shaheed Bhutto to death by hanging for a crime he did not commit. This judicial murder was not the first nor the last flawed decision the courts have made, he added.

"Unfortunately our courts have often stood on the wrong side of history. From the Doctrine of Necessity, to the judicial murder of Shaheed Bhutto and the continued legitimization of violations of our constitution our court shave not performed the role required of them by the constitution of Pakistan."

Later, lauding the judiciary, he said that in 2007, in the final months of the Dictatorship of the day, the courts gave us hope.

"The brave stance adopted by our judges and the support of the lawyers movement gave us hope that Pakistan would have a truly independent and impartial judiciary."

Taking a U-turn, he warned that the courts are dangerously close to repeating the mistakes of the past.

"They should resist the temptation to obey the dictation of the establishment."

"We cannot allow the court to dig up my mother’s grave and put her martyred corpse on trial."

Addressing Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, he said, "Mr. Prime Minister you will not violate Vienna convention, you will not violate the Constitution of Pakistan, you will not desecrate the graves of our martyrs."

"You (Prime Minister) may lose your office. You may lose your government but you must do what is right. There is not only the Supreme Court, there is also the court of the people and the court of history", he added.

Concluding his speech he said, "I have faith in the Pakistan Peoples Party. I have faith in democracy. I have faith in Pakistan. I have faith in you Mr. Prime Minister. You will make Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto proud. We will get justice. If not now. If not by this court. We will be vindicated in the courts of history."

Tokyo chefs swell with anger over new blowfish laws

TOKYO: With a scoop of a net Tokyo chef Naohito Hashimoto selects a poisonous blowfish, considered a delicacy in Japan, and with a few deft strokes of his gleaming knife starts the delicate process of preparing it for a customer.

In moments, Hashimoto has separated the edible parts of the fish from organs filled with a poison more deadly than cyanide.

For more than six decades, dicing blowfish in Tokyo has been the preserve of a small band of strictly regulated and licensed chefs, usually in exclusive restaurants.

But new laws coming into effect from October are opening the lucrative trade to restaurants without a license, making chefs like Hashimoto see red.

"We have spent time and money in order to obtain and use the blowfish license, but with these new rules anybody can handle blowfish even without a license," said Hashimoto, a blowfish chef for some 30 years.

"They're saying it's now okay to serve blowfish. We licensed chefs feel this way of thinking is a bit strange."

The poison known as tetrododoxin is found in parts of the blowfish, including the liver, heart, intestines and eyes, and is so intense that a tiny amount will kill. Every year there are reports of people dying after preparing blowfish at home.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government says city laws covering the serving of blowfish should be changed to reflect changing times and hope that relaxing the rules will cut prices and bring Tokyo in line with the rest of the nation.

"Outside of Tokyo, the regulations for blowfish are even more relaxed and yet there are hardly any poison-related accidents," said Hironobu Kondo, an official at the city's Food Control Department.

"There is the hope that the number of restaurants with unlicensed chefs serving blowfish will rise, and that blowfish as an ingredient will be used not only for traditional Japanese foods but also others such as Chinese and Western foods."

A full course meal of blowfish, known as fugu in Japanese, features delicacies such as blowfish tempura, slices of raw fish thin enough to see through fanned out across a plate like chrysanthemum petals, and toasted fins in cups of hot sake.

But the meal is far from cheap, as diners pay for the safety of a licensed chef. At Hashimoto's restaurant, a meal costs at least 10,000 yen ($120) a person.

Though thrill seeking diners are reputed to seek out chefs who leave just enough of the poison to make the lips tingle, blowfish professionals scoff at this as urban legend, noting that ingesting even that much of the poison would be hazardous.

Apprentice blowfish chefs must train with a veteran for a minimum of two years before they can take rigorous written and practical exams. In Tokyo, the exam fee runs to 17,900 yen.

Customers outside a Tokyo sushi restaurant, one of the places where blowfish could be served under the new rules, said there was no substitute for the skill of a trained chef.

"Cooking blowfish is an art form that requires technique and skills," said screenwriter Shoji Imai. "That's why we pay good money for blowfish."

Hashimoto's years of training means it takes him just two minutes to gut a blowfish, and he says there is no substitute for this kind of experience.

"I don't want people to forget that you can actually die from eating blowfish," he said. "I feel the government's awareness of this has diminished." (Reuters)

13 killed in Gilgit and Chillas; Army summoned

GILGIT: Thirteen people have been killed in ongoing violent incidents in Gilgit and Chillas areas,

According to official sources, armed men offloaded passengers from a bus and opened fire in Chillas.Nine people were killed while six buses were also set ablaze.

Earlier, curfew was imposed in Gilgit when four people were killed and 45 injured in clashes following a hand grenade attack.

In the latest development, the ISPR states that the Army has been summoned to Gilgit to control the law and order situation.

According to sources, Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat was observing a shutter down strike on Tuesday when unknown men hurled hand grenades at Ittehad Chowk that injured two policemen and a civilian.

The grenade attack initiated clashes that later killed four people and injured 45 others. The injured were shifted to District Headquarter Hospital.

Different roads were blocked by burning tyres and incidents of aerial firing were also reported.

Witnesses said that the district administration and law enforcement agencies were not present to control the violent situation where as fear gripped the entire area after hostility

US has problem with movement against drone attacks, Nato supply: Hafiz

ISLAMABAD: Hafiz Saeed said that the US government had a problem with the Defence of Pakistan movement against drone attacks and the restoration of Nato Supply

Saeed was speaking to Hamid Mir on ‘Capital Talk’ and responded to reports that the US had placed a $10 million bounty on him.

“I am living my life in the open and the US can contact me whenever they want,” Saeed said.

Saeed added that his presence had never caused any problems for Pakistan.

Hafiz Saeed responded to allegations of masterminding the Mumbai attacks, stating that the Supreme Court had cleared him and his organization of any wrongdoing.

“The US government is listening to the Indian lobby and not making its own decisions.”

Saeed also condemned the attacks in Mumbai.

When asked about what his reaction would be if the US conducting a raid similar to the covert operation against Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, Saeed responded that he did not fear the US.

OGRA partially cuts back increase in POL prices

ISLAMABAD: Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has made a reduction in the recent increase in prices of petroleum products through a notification issued tonight, Geo News reported Tuesday.

According to the notification, the price of petrol has been decreased by Rs2.32 per litre to Rs103.36. Earlier, the rate of petrol had been increased by Rs8.02 to Rs105.08. Therefore, the partial cut back leaves the total increase in petrol price to Rs5.70 per litre.

The price of diesel has been slashed by Rs1.16 per litre to Rs107. After the earlier increase of Rs4.70 the price of diesel had jumped to Rs108.10 per litre. With the reduction of Rs1.16, the total increase in the rate of diesel has now shrunk to Rs3.54 per litre.

The earlier increase in price of Kerosene oil has also been reduced by Rs1.74 per lire to Rs3.55, making its per litre price Rs99.95. Earlier, Kerosene oil had been made expensive by Rs5.29 to Rs101.69.

The revised prices have been made applicable from 12:00 AM, April 4.

Earlier today, the Ministry of Finance approved the decrease in prices of petroleum products following a country-wide condemnation of the staggering rise made in POL and CNG prices on April 1.

Power shortfall climbs to 6000MW

LAHORE: Power shortfall has shot up to 6000MW, causing massive increase in loadshedding in the country, .

According to sources, PEPCO needed 35000 tonnes of furnace oil per day but presently it did not receive the required quantity of fuel as well as funds.

Meanwhile, power distribution companies including LESCO have started loadshedding in industrial zones as well. Notification of six-hour power loadshedding has been issued for even for the independent feeder in the industrial zone.

PEPCO sources informed that loadshedding is being carried out in Lahore every other hour.

The total country-wide demand of power stands at 14,000 mega watts.

Disneyland Paris celebrates 20th anniversary

PARIS: Disneyland Paris has celebrated its 20th birthday in spectacular style, with an extravaganza replete with celebrities, parades and a new state-of-the-art show.

The resort 35 kilometres east of Paris has a lot to celebrate. After overcoming a rocky childhood, the Magic Kingdom now makes up a chunk of the French economy and of Disney's own revenues.

Mexican actress Salma Hayek and retired French soccer great Zinedine Zidane led celebrations at the park featuring a high-energy projection of Disney cartoon characters onto Sleeping Beauty's castle crowning Main Street, USA. Also starring in the event, marked with fireworks and water displays, were Peter Pan and other Disney characters.

Five years ago, the resort finally started to make operating profits. Building on its fortune, Disneyland Paris became the most visited tourist destination in Europe in 2008. It broke its record for ticket sales last year, marking its 250 millionth visitor since its creation. (Monitoring Desk)

Karachi: four dead in various incidents

KARACHI: Four more people including a woman were killed in firing and other incidents in various areas of the metropolitan,

According to Police Chief Akhtar Gorchani, unidentified armed men open fire on M A Jinnah road near Light House, killing a woman. Enmity is suspected behind the incident.

In another incident, a man committed suicide as he shot himself in Pipri area of Bin Qasim Town.

Exchange of fire between two groups took place in Sikandar Goat area of Sohrab Goat, resultantly one person got killed while other was wounded. Injured man was rushed to the hospital.

A man lost his life in a road mishap near Board Office in Nazimabad.

Meanwhile, police said that local office bearer of PPP was critically injured in a firing incident that occurred in the jurisdiction of Aziz Bhatti police station. The victim has rushed to the hospital.

President of PPP Karachi Faisal Raza Abidi strongly condemned the attack.

PML-N to rally against fuel price hike: Chaudhry Nisar

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-N will boycott the meeting of Parliamentary Committee on National Security to be held on Monday and stage a rally on April 4 in Rawalpindi to mark its protest against the whopping increase in fuel prices and other anti-people steps of the government.

This was stated by the Opposition Leader, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan who termed the latest increase in POL and CNG prices as a clear manifestation of the government's faulty policies.

In connection with staging the protest, he said the party leadership would hold consultations before contacting other parties to form a future strategy.

"The latest hike in POL prices is unacceptable," he said, wondering as to what kind of revenge Zardari's government was taking from the people.

He alleged that the recent increase in fuel prices was made for rulers' corruption and their luxurious life. "What more do the rulers intend to loot from the already empty pockets of the people?" he regretted.

Chaudhry Nisar said a rally would be taken out on April 4 against what he termed the government's anti-people decision and called upon the people to come onto the streets to stage their protest.

POL Price Hike: Traders threaten civil disobedience

KARACHI: Traders in Karachi, Lahore and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have rejected the massive hike in the prices of petroleum products and have threatened to take severe action if it is not withdrawn.

Setting a three day deadline for the government to withdraw the hike, Karachi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa traders say if their demand is not met then they will protest with the first phase being civil disobedience.

The Lahore Chamber has also warned the government that they will close industries if the hike is not withdrawn within 72 hours.

The price of petrol was increased by Rs8.02 and is now selling at a staggering Rs105.68 per liter while the price of diesel has risen to Rs108.16.

Why Waste our Best Allrounder?

He is a much more accomplished batsman than the stylish Shahid Afridi. And he has been a much better bowler than him. But still he has been thrown out of the team more than once. And Afridi—an average allrounder at best—continues to play.


In my opinion, Abdul Razzaq has been the best one-day all rounder Pakistan has ever had. He averages close to 30 with the bat and the number of his bowling’s victims has always been higher than the number of matches he has played. Afridi averages near 24—six runs less than Abdul’s which is quite a big difference—and his wickets tally has only recently exceeded the number of matches he has played.


The then coach Waqar Younis played the most important role in ousting this talented guy from the team. He kept trying to throw him out of the team before the last year’s World Cup, but Abdul Razzaq performed so well repeatedly that he failed in his intentions.


At the Oval against England in 2010, he first made 31 off just 24 balls and then took two wickets to help Pakistan win by 23 runs. At Lord’s, he made 44 off just 20 balls near the end of Pakistan’s innings to give Pakistan a much higher total than was anticipated. Pakistan won by 38 runs.


Then, against South Africa in UAE, he played the best one-day international innings the world has ever seen. He made 109 off just 71 balls, scoring 63 of the last 65 runs required. The performance forced even Waqar to stand up and applaud him.


Then in the Christchurch T20 against New Zealand, he scored 34 runs off 11 balls and took three wickets to guide Pakistan to a 103 runs victory.


But after the World Cup, Waqar Younis succeeded in his efforts although the allrounder’s performance was not unimpressive. He was asked to bowl less than 40 overs, but still he managed to take six wickets, including two at a crucial stage in the match against the Australians. He was sent to bat at number eight although his batting credentials warranted a much higher position. Even at that position he delivered. He made a half century against New Zealand when everybody else had failed. He also scored 20 not out to help Pakistan defeat Australia after the top order had fallen.


His services were grossly underutilized in that tournament, but Waqar finally managed to throw him out. He was not considered for the tour to West Indies.


He was brought back for the one-day series against Sri Lanka a few months back, but again ousted despite giving decent performances.


Two questions must be asked of the selectors: is he old enough to be discarded? Has his performance been so lowly as to have necessitated his removal? There is one answer to both questions. A big no.


He is only 31. He can play for a long time to come. And his performance has not been bad. The selectors have acted foolishly by dropping a well performing allrounder. His presence bolsters Pakistan’s batting and increases bowling options.


It is true that he is now not as fast with the ball as he used to be. But that is no issue because his medium gentle medium pacers are enough for one-day cricket. He has been taking wickets even with a reduced speed.
 

His batting potential has not been fully realized. He should be given chances to bat up the order. Number eight is not the position where a batsman with an average of 30 should bat.


It is time the selectors included this hugely talented allrounder in the team for one-day and T20 matches. If he chooses to settle in a foreign country, as have done many other Pakistani cricketers, the loss will be Pakistan’s.

Petrol price hiked by Rs8, CNG up to Rs12

ISLAMABAD: Government has once again increased the price of petrol by a staggering Rs8.02 and diesel Rs4.70 per litre while CNG has been made expensive by up to Rs11.98 per kilo, Geo News reported Saturday.

According to the notification, the revised price of petrol has jumped to Rs105.68 a litre and that of diesel to Rs108.16.

The price of light diesel goes up by Rs5.45 to Rs99.69 per litre; HOBC by Rs8.94 to Rs135.81 and the rate of kerosene oil jacked up by Rs5.29 to Rs101.69 a litre.

The revised rates of petroleum products have become effective from 12 AM, Sunday (April 1).

The price of CNG has been raised by Rs Rs9.93 to Rs80.97 per kilogram in Sindh and central Punjab while its rate in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and also in Islamabad and Rawalpindi by Rs11.98 to Rs89.10 per kg.

Violence claims two more lives in Karachi

KARACHI: Two more people were killed while two others wounded in various incidents of violence and target killing in the metropolis, Geo news reported.

According to the police, two dead bodies were recovered from Martin Quarter. The deceased were identified as Zakir and Falim which were taken to hospital where it was revealed that Fahim was still alive. Medical treatment is being given to him.

In Mominabad, unidentified armed men, riding on motorbike, opened fire near Badar Chowk, killing a man. The deceased was identified as Aamir Ali.

Meanwhile, another man, named Ameen baba, sustained injuries as he resisted dacoits in Soldier Bazar #2. He was rushed to hospital.

Karachi: seven suspects detained from Qasba

KARACHI: Seven suspects have been detained as police launched raid in Bukhari Colony area of Qasba. Weapons were also recovered from their possession, police official said.

According to SP West Pir Farid Jan Sarhandi, the detainees were allegedly involved in Banaras incident which claimed four lives.

He said that police along with commandos launched operation in Bukhari Colony area of Qasba, apprehending seven suspects and recovering four TT pistols from their possession.

The suspects have been taken to undisclosed location for interrogation, SP West added.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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.