Six Northern Light Infantry Regiment (NLI) – Unit History

Rawalpindi - The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Monday issued history of Northern Light Infantry Rgiment, whose 128 officers and soldiers were trapped under avalanche in Gayari Sector near Skardu on Saturday morning.

The history of the Northern Light Infantry Regiment dates back to 1889 when a “Levy Force” was raised by Colonel Algenon Durand which was re-organized as “Gilgit Scouts” in August 1913 by Major JC Bridges 5th Gorkha Rifiles.

Later on “Northern Scouts” was raised in October 1949 by taking its manpower from Gilgit Scouts and the first Commandant was Lieutenant Colonel (later Major General) Muhammad Rafi Khan.

Ser Army No Rank Name Address Remarks
Officers
1. PA-32596 Lt Col Tanvir Ul Hassan Vill : WaulahP/O : WalluhTeh : Chua Sadian Shah
Dist: Chakwal

Married
2. PA-39548 Maj Zaka Ul Haq
Sarwar Shaheed Chowk, Kot Adu Distt Muzzaffar Garh

Married
3. PA-105358 Capt Dr Hleem Ulah Jan House no 19 St No 1 Gulshan Colony GT Rd, Peshawar Un Married
Junior Commissioned Officers / Soldiers
4. PJO-141812 N/Sub Abdul Malik
Vill : Tangar Bala

P/O : Tangar Bala

Teh : Tangar Bala

Dist: Diamar

Married
5. PJO-141820 N/Sub Deedar Karim
Vill : Karim Abad

P/O : Karim Abad

Teh : Ali Abad

Dist: Hunza

Married
6. PJO-141544 N/Sub Khurshid Ahmed
Vill : Kel

P/O : Kel

Teh : Sharda

Dist: Neelum

Married
7. PJO-141768 N/Sub/Clk Iftikhar Ali
Vill : Kawarda

P/O : Kawarda

Teh : Skardu

Dist: Skardu

Married
8. 2845952 Hav Ghulam Muhammad Vill : HalmatP/O : NaroonTeh : Sharda
Dist: Neelum



Married
9. 2850088 Hav Muhammad Gulfraz Vill : PutnarahP/O : DhaniTeh : Muzaffarabad
Dist: Muzaffarabad

Married
10. 2852721 Hav Muhammad Rustam Ali
Vill: Kharko

PO: Dangdaghonar

Teh : Dangdaghonar

Dist: Ghanche

Married
11. 2850434 Hav Musaddaq Hussain Butt Vill : NeelamP/O : KiranTeh : Athmuqam
Dist: Mzd (AK)r

Married
12. 2850498 Hav Rehbar Hussain Vill : ThoiP/O : ThoiTeh : Ghubas
Dist: Ghizer

Married
13. 2850375 Hav Shad Hussain
Vill : Sumal

P/O : Gopis

Teh : Gopis

Dist: Ghizer

Married
14. 2850178 Hav Shafait Ali
Vill : Chungra

P/O : Astore

Teh : Astore

Dist: Astore

Married
15. 2849250 Hav Hafiz Shah Nawaz Vill : PhulwayP/O : JanwayTeh : Athmuqam
Dist: Mzd (AK)

Married
16. 2854189 Hav Tanveer HussainAtt from 15 NLI Vill : Mangowal RabbiP/O : Mangowal Rabbi Teh : GujratDist: Gujrat


Married
17. 2849959 Hav Zakir Hussain
Vill : Broqbos

P/O : Gultri

Teh : Gultri

Dist: Skardu

Married
18. 2850257 Hav/Clk Muhammad Ishaq
Vill : Olding

P/O : Skardu

Teh : Skardu

Dist: Skardu

Married
19. 2845909 Hav/Clk Sher Nayab Khan Vill : YangalP/O : GopisTeh : Gopis
Dist: Ghizer



Married
20. 2848717 L/Hav Ghulam Mustafa
Vill : Gilgit

P/O : Gilgit

Teh : Gilgit

Dist: Gilgit

Married
21. 2848128 L/Hav Ghulam Qadir
Vill : Karim Abad

P/O : Kel

Teh : Sharda

Dist: Neelum

Married
22. 2849861 Nk Muhammad Ashraf Vill : KhinarP/O : ChilasTeh : Chilas
Dist: Diamer

Married
23. 2850451 Nk Muhammad Naseem Vill : Rehman PurP/O : AstoreTeh : Astore
Dist: Astore

Married
24. 2853184 Nk Sartaj Alam
Vill : Jaglot

P/O : Jaglot

Teh : Jaglot

Dist: Gilgit

Married
25. 2856690 Nk/Clk Ghulam Ali
Vill : Mural

P/O : Mural

Teh : Khurram

Dist: Skardu

Married
26. 2850644 Nk/Clk Ghulam Mehdi
Vill : Kawarda

P/O : Kawarda

Teh : Skardu

Dist: Skardu

Married
27. 2849357 Lnk Abdul Jabbar Vill : ThoabP/O : ThoabTeh : Bagh
Dist: Bagh

Married
28. 2852826 Lnk Ghulam Mustafa
Vill : Darley

P/O : Astore

Teh : Astore

Dist: Astore

Married
29. 2853910 Sep Hamait Hussain
Vill : Jalalabad

P/O : Jalalabad

Teh : Gilgit

Dist: Gilgit

Married
30. 2855333 Lnk Altaf Hussain
Vill : Dangsaral

P/O : Muzaffarabad

Teh : Muzaffarabad

Dist: Muzaffarabad

Married
31. 2857251 Lnk
Abdul Irfan

Att from 15 NLI

Vill Akbar

PO Talhare

Teh Daska

Distt Sialkot

Married
32. 2655804 Sep Muhammad Irshad Khan Vill : NeelumP/O : KiranTeh : Athmuqam
Dist: Neelum

Married
33. 2857817 Lnk Mir Hussain
Vill : Sumbal

P/O : Sumbal

Teh : Gopis

Dist: Ghizer

Married
34. 2848927 Lnk Muhammad Riaz
Vill : Kel

P/O : Kel

Teh : Sharda

Dist: Neelum

Married
35. 2857845 Lnk Sami Ullah
Vill : Nonut

P/O : Jaglot

Teh : Jaglot

Dist: Gilgit

Un Married
36. 2853723 Up/Lnk MuhammadNaeem Khan Vill : Dunnt KachliP/O : MuzaffarabadTeh : Muzaffarabad
Dist: Muzaffarabad

Married
37. 2859016 Sep Muhammad Abid NaveedAtt from 15 NLI Vill: TapeePO KohatTeh Kohat
Distt Kohat

Un Married
38. 2854276 Sep Akhtar Hussain
Vill : Deokor

P/O : Shiger

Teh : Shiger

Dist: Skardu

Married
39. 2859317 Sep Aksar Zaman Vill: KhariPO: Siri KotTeh : Ghazi
Dist: Hari Pur

Married
40. 2857145 Sep Ali Muhammad
Vill : Marapi

P/O : Shiger

Teh : Shiger

Dist: Skardu

Married
41. 2853175 Sep Ali Zar
Vill : Teru

P/O : Teru

Teh : Gopis

Dist: Ghizer

Married
42. 2858975 Sep
Arif Hussain Att from 7 NLI

Vill : Thally

P/O : Akbarabad

Teh : Gultari

Dist: Skardu

Married
43. 2856756 Sep Didar Hussain
Vill : Derik

P/O : Rawalakot

Teh : Rawalkot

Dist: Bagh

Married
44. 2861032 Sep Ehsan Ullah Vill : NiatP/O : ChilasTeh : Chilas
Dist: Diamer

Married
45. 2856373 Sep
Fazal Abbas

Att from 2 NLI

Vill : Churka

P/O : Churka

Teh : Shiger

Dist: Skardu

Married
46. 2856725 Sep Fayyaz Ahmed Vill : Down RoomP/O : Nawab Jersi KhanTeh : Plandri
Dist: Sudhnoti

Un Married
47. 2854463 Sep Fida Hussain
Vill : Marapi

P/O : Shiger

Teh : Shiger

Dist: Skardu

Married
48. 2837709 Sep Ghazi Shah Vill : Gohar AbadP/O : Gohar AbadTeh : Chilas
Dist: Diamer

Married
49. 2861713 Sep Ghulam Hussain Vill : ThalayP/O : ThalayTeh : Khaplu
Dist: Ghanche

50. 2854355 Sep Ghulam Mehdi
Vill : Thagas

P/O : Thagas

Teh : Khaplu

Dist: Ghanche

Un Married
51. 2857334 Sep Ghulam Rasul Vill & PO: DevriamTeh : Athmuqal Dist: Neelam Married
52. 2852400 Sep
Gul Madad Att from 2 NLI

Vill & PO Rawoshan, The Gopis, Distt Gyzer Married
53. 2858890 Sep Ghulab Shah Vill : Umal ChatP/O : Umal ChatTeh : Gopis
Dist: Ghizer

Un Married
54. Sep Hamid Ullah -
55. 2857214 Sep Ilyas Ali
Vill : Khar Kulhar

P/O : Daghani

Teh : Khaplu

Dist: Ghanche

Married
56. 2863102 Sep Imtiaz Ahmed
Vill : Harcho

P/O : Harcho

Teh : Astore

Dist: Astore

Married
57. 2857181 Sep Irfan Khalil Vill : LabgranP/O : RalawakotTeh : Rawalakot
Dist: Bagh

Un Married
58. 2860074 Sep Muhammad Ishaq Vill : Goth MehrabP/O : Musafar KhanaTeh : Bahawalpur
Dist: Bahawalpur

Un Married
59. 2854761 Sep Israr Ahmed
Vill : Chamba Gali

P/O : Balouch

Teh : Plandri

Dist: Sudhnoti

Married
60. 2863434 Sep Juma Khan
Vill : Shiger

P/O : Shiger

Teh : Shiger

Dist: Skardu

Un Married
61. 2856277 Sep Khawaja Mumtaz Ahmed
Vill : Surgon

P/O : Surgon

Teh : Sharda

Dist: Neelum

Married
62. 2855252 Sep Malik Riaz Kashif
Vill : Lubgran

P/O : Leepa

Teh : Hattian Bala

Dist: Muzaffarabad

Married
63. 2853996 Sep Muhammad Akbar
Vill : Gamba

P/O : Gamba

Teh : Gamba

Dist: Skardu

Married
64. 2857145 Sep Muhammad Ali Vill : KawarduP/O : KawarduTeh : Skardu
Dist: Skardu

Married
65. 2853267 Sep
Muhammad Ali Att from 9 NLI

Vill : Talu Broq

P/O : Dambodas

Teh : Roundu

Dist: Skardu

Married
66. 2862186 Sep Muhammad Amin
Vill : Kunais

P/O : Gorosi

Teh : Khaplu

Dist: Ghanche

Married
67. 2850132 Lnk Muhammad Arshad
Vill & PO Chanaria

Teh Hattian

Muzzarfarabad

Married
68. 2862876 Sep Muhammad Hussain
Vill : Faltux

P/O : Gultari

Teh : Gultari

Dist: Skd

Un Married
69. 2862641 Sep Muhammad Hussain
Vill : Skardu

P/O : Skardu

Teh : Skardu

Dist: Skardu

Un Married
70. 2854147 Sep Muhammad Iqbal
Vill : Kashmal

P/O : Shiger

Teh : Shiger

Dist: Skardu

Married
71. 2862836 Sep Muhammad Ishaq
Vill : Kachura

P/O : Gamba

Teh : Gamba

Dist: Skardu

Un Married
72. 2852734 Sep Muhammad Jamil Vill : PhulwaiP/O : JanwaiTeh : Sharda
Dist: Neelum



Married
73. 2856082 Sep Muhammad Javed
Vill : Gehal

P/O : Gala Kanat

Teh : Baloch

Dist: Sudhnoti



Un Married
74. Sep Muhammad Javed
Vill : Ghizer

P/O : Ghizer

Teh : Ghizer

Dist: Ghizer

75. Sep Muhamamd Khan -
76. 2854768 Sep Muhammad Nadeem Khan
Vill : Bangrin

P/O : Malot

Teh : Bagh

Dist: Bagh

Married
77. 2860000 Sep Muhammad Sadiq
Vill : Yaugma

P/O : Gultri

Teh : Gultri

Dist: Skardu

Married
78. 2856045 Sep Muhammad Sajid
Vill : Bararkot

P/O : Barakot

Teh : Muzaffarabad

Dist: Muzaffarabad

Un Married
79. 2858176 Sep Muhammad Salim
Vill : Hochy

P/O : Glt

Teh : Tangir

Dist: Diamer

Married
80 2855227 Sep Muhamamd Waseem Vill : Chabrir BattomP/O : Afzal PurTeh : Bhimber
Dist: Bhimber

Un Married
81. 2855769 Sep Muhammad Zulqarnain
Vill : Lala

P/O : Attahmuqam

Teh : Attahmuqam

Dist: Neelum

Married
82. 2855219 Sep Nadeem Khan
Vill : Rangla

P/O : Rangla

Teh : Dherkot

Dist: Bagh

Married
83. 2858411 Sep NadirWali
Vill : Phandar

P/O : Phandar

Teh : Gopis

Dist: Ghizer

Married
84. 2859184 Sep Nafas Ali Shah
Vill : Phandar

P/O : Phandar

Teh : Gopis

Dist: Ghizer

Un Married
85. 2850525 Sep Najeeb Ullah
Vill : Jaglot

P/O : Jaglot

Teh : Gilgat

Dist: Gilgat

Married
86. 2863560 Sep Nasir Hussain
Vill : Dass Khararn

P/O : Ehalam

Teh :Shountar

Distt : Astore

Un Married
87. 2862769 Sep Nasir Hussain
Vill & PO : Jalalabad

Teh : Glt

Dist: Glt

Un Married
88. 2855241 Sep Ranzaib Vill : Gais PainP/O : Gonar FormTeh : Chilas
Dist: Diamer

Married
89. 2856392 Sep Rashid Hussain
Vill : Pattan Sher Khan

P/O : Mong

Teh : Plandri

Dist: Sudhnoti (AK)

Married
90. 2856701 Sep Rehmat Wali
Vill : Yasin

P/O : Thoi

Teh : Yasin

Dist: Ghizer

Married
91. 2855320 Sep Sakhi Zaman Vill : JanwaiP/O : ThoiTeh : Shahrda
Dist: Neelam



Married
92. 2862673 Sep Sana Ullah
Vill : Darot

P/O : Jaglot

Teh : Gilgat

Dist: Gilgat

Un Married
93. 2859590 Sep Sarfraz Abdullah Vill : DadhinialP/O : JaglotTeh : Authmaqam
Dist: Neelam

Married
94. 2854989 Sep Muhammad Shamim Khan
Distt: Kajtul

P/O : Hari Gal

Teh & Distt : Bagh (AK)

Un Married
95. 2860948 Sep Shamsheer
Vill : Dadoshote

P/O : Dadoshaote

Teh : Gopis

Dist: Ghizer

Un Married
96. 2852500 Lnk Sharafat Din Vill : ThakP/O : ChillasTeh : Dadoshote
Dist: Diamer

Married
97. 2861872 Sep Siraj Din
Vill : Astore

P/O : Astore

Teh : Astore

Dist: Astore

Un Married
98. 2859365 Sep Soba Khan, 2 NLI
Chak No 1 RB

PO: Dulewala Tayyab Khan

Teh : Darya Khan

Dist: Bhakkar

Married
99. 2855692 Sep Sultan Mehmood Vill : Narsher AliP/O : DhulliTeh : Bagh
Dist: Bagh

Un Married
100. 2855864 Sep Syed Sajjad Kazmi
Vill : Safabala

P/O : Hattian

Teh : Hattian

Dist: Hattian

Married
101. 2854296 Sep Zakar Hussain
Vill : Skardu

P/O : Skardu

Teh : Skardu

Dist: Skardu

Married
102 2860743 Sep Zakir Hussain Vill : KawarduP/O : KawardurTeh : Ghamba
Dist: Skardu

Un Married
103 2857206 Sep/Clk Abdul Karim Vill : ZaiporeP/O : TerishingTeh : Astore
Dist: Astore

Un Married
104 2862424 Sep/Clk Ashraf Hussain
Vill : Franu

P/O : Piun

Teh : Khaplu

Dist: Ghanche

Un Married
105. 2857794 Sep/Clk Muhammad Riaz
Vill: Agzan Khel

PO: Kirri

Teh : Pahar Pur

Dist: D.I. Khan

Un Married
106. 2864417 Sep/Clk Muhammad Shoaib
Vill : Nara

P/O : Nara

Teh : Attock

Dist: Attock

Un Married
107. 2859477 Sep/Ck Fida Hussain Vill : KharkooP/O : DaghniTeh : Khaplu
Dist: Ghanche

Married
108. 2849104 Sep/Ck Ghulam Mehdi
Vill : Kiahong

P/O: Karwardu

Teh : Skardu

Dist: Skardu

Married
109. 2861162 Sep/Ck Muhammad Ali Vill : TousP/O: TousTeh : Gopis
Dist: Ghizer

Un Married
110. 2863602 Sep/Ck Mukhtar Hussain
Vill : Phandar

P/O: Phandar

Teh : Gopis

Dist: Ghizer

Un Married
111. 2861677 Sep/Ck Zaheer Ali
Vill: Landra

PO: Dhadu Chak

Teh: Shakar Garh

Dist: Narowal

Un Married
112. 2854796 Sep/Ck /Mess Raja Siraj Ud Din
Vill : Sari

P/O: Chakoti

Teh : Hattaina

Dist: Muzaffarabad

Married
113. Mess Waiter Abdul Jalil Butt
Vill: Halmat

PO: Halmat

Teh : Sharda

Dist: Neelum (AK)

Married
114. Masalchi Abdul Hameed Mughal Vill: Chadul DhernalPO: BheruiTeh & Dist Mzd (AK) Married
115. 2849602 Swpr Ali
Vill : Haspapa

P/O: Dambodas

Teh : Roundu

Dist: Skardu

Married
116. 2849622 Swpr Muhammad Shakeel
Vill : Darla Pain

P/O: Darla Pain

Teh : Astore

Dist: Skardu

Married
117. 2861253 Swpr Asif Masih
Vill : Chak No 670 GB

PO: Rana Abad

Teh: Kamalia

Dist: TT Singh

Married
118. 2862383 Swpr Moon Gul Vill : Chak No 118PO: Sangla Hill Teh : Sangla HillDist : Nankana Sahib Un Married
119. 2860424 Swpr Naveed Masih
Vill : Qadir Colony Chak Laskari

PO: Naseera Teh : Khn

Dist: Gujrat

Un Married
120. - Tlr Shabbir
121. - Barbar Nasrullah Sargodha
122. - Barber Muhammad Amir
123. - Canteen Contractor Waheed
124. - Canteen Worker Muhammad Azeem Vill : ThugusP/O: ThugusTeh : Thugus
Dist: Ghanche

125. - Dhobi Worker Noor Shah Ali
Vill : Garm Chasma

P/O: Chitral

Teh : Chitral

Dist: Chitral

126. - “ Sarfraz
Vill : Garm Chasma

P/O: Chitral

Teh : Chitral

Dist: Chitral

127. - “ Wali
Vill : Garm Chasma

P/O: Chitral

Teh : Chitral

Dist: Chitral

128. - NCB Ghulam Rasool Vill : HalmatP/O: NikroTeh : Sharda
Dist: Neelam

129. 3349495 Hav Gul Daraz Att from615 FS Sec
Vill Mera Khel, PO Shinawala, Gudai Khel, Takhat e Nusratee

Karak

Married
130. 1738374 Nk/Engr Muddassar Iqbal
Vill : Khawaspur

P/O Lala Musa

Teh : Khn

Dist: Gujrat

Married
131. 4427842 Nk/Cfn VM,EME Aftab Ahmed
Vill : Miani

P/O: Aatija

Teh: Larkana

Dist: Larkana

Married
132. 4412693 Nk/Cfn VM,EME Ansar Mehmood Vill : SadwalP/O: SadwalTeh: Chakwal
Dist: Chakwal

Married
133. 4431830 Sep/Elec, EME Adil Masih
Vill & PO: Chak 84/NB Teh & Dist Sargodha

Un Married
134. 4433642 Sep/Elec, EME Muzammal Hussain Pandi Mana, Shakargrah, Narowal Un Married
135. 7369407 Sep/NA, AMC Muhammad Zaman
Vill & PO: Samro Road Teh : Umar Kot

Dist: Umar Kot

Married
136. 3689412 Lnk Sig Tech Ghulam Haider19 Sig Bn Muhallah Gulsher, Kashmore, Kandkot, Jaccobabad Married
137. 3698179 Sep/Sig Tech Mehtab Alam 19 Sig Bn
Vill & PO: Ahmed Din

Teh :  Daur

Dist: Nawab Shah

Married
138. 3694566 Sig/Man (Op)
Jafar Hussain

Att from 76 Sig Bn

Vill : Mahni PO: Hyderabad Thal

Teh: Mankera

Dist: Bhakkar

Married
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Siachen vs Pakistan Army – A Video

It is now quite evident that after passage of four days when the massive avalanche buried the camp of Pakistan army in Siachen, there is little hope of finding survivors though no bodies have been recovered as yet. Pakistan army continued to dug through snow, boulders and sluch in an increasingly desperate search for 135 people buried under the snow wall but despite all efforts the rescuers have not been able to reach the site of the camp due to bad weather hampering the operation.

Specially trained search and rescue teams of army engineers equipped with locating gadgets and heavy machinery aided by sniffer dogs andhelicopters are at the site. Well equipped US, German and Swiss rescue teams comprising experts have also joined the Pakistan army to help in the rescue operations.

One expects that the specially trained foreign and Pakistani rescue teams would utilize all their expertise but it would be an uphill task because it is not known how deep the camp is buried under the snow. The whole nation is in a state of shock and the Parliament has expressed its concern. People in large number are visiting the affected families and showering their praises for the services of the Officers and Jawans.

In the meantime President Asif Ali Zardari once again contacted the GHQ, GB Chief Minister and FCNA GOC to get latest information and directed the authorities to use all available resources to rescue the soldiers and civilians. The COAS General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani also personally dashed to the area to have an on the spot review and issued instructions for utilizing all available means to complete the rescue process in the shortest possible time.

Though no one can predict how long it would take to reach the snow covered camp because of the difficult terrain and inhospitable weatherconditions but one thing is for certain that Pakistani army does not leave its Martyrs abandoned in any situation and every officer and jawan is given due respect and treated as integral part of the force

People of Pakistan Show Solidarity with Pakistan Army

Islamabad - Hundreds of schoolteachers, employees and students assembled at D-Chowk on Monday to express solidarity with the Pakistan Army officers and soldiers buried under the avalanche in Siachen, and to pray for their safe recovery.

The call was given by the Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) to show solidarity with troops.

The participants were holding banners and placards, inscribed with slogans like “We are praying for the safety of Pakistan’s borders”, “We are praying for our army”, “Live long Pakistan Army” and “We love Pakistan Army”.

Speaking on the occasion, CADD Secretary Imtiaz Inayat Elahi said that it was not a formal function but a short call was given to the CADD employees to assemble and express solidarity with army men trapped in Siachen.

He said it was a critical time for the Pakistan Army as almost 135 officers and soldiers had been buried under an avalanche. He said the entire nation should pray for their safe recovery.

He recalled that the same kind of a calamity took place in Chile, which claimed many lives.

He appreciated the participation of people on a very short call.

“Today, there is a need to unite the entire nation and hold collective prayers for the army men,” he added. The secretary said that it was the Pakistan Army that “ensures our safety and security”.

He called on the people to untie and extend their wishes and prayers to the army officers and soldiers. He thanked all the participants and said that the camp would continue, while prayers would be held for the safe recovery of soldiers.

On the occasion, Prof Rafiq Tahir lauded the services of the army and said that troops were the ones securing the entire nation.

He also prayed for the safe comeback of army troops.

Professors’ Association President Qasim Maqsood said that the army was facing a critical situation, and the nation should extend its prayers.

He lauded the initiative of the CADD for giving an opportunity to the people to gather for a single cause, which was to pray for the Pakistan Army.

On this occasion, IPO Chairman Hameedullah Jan Afridi, Pakistan Baitul Maal Managing Director Zamurd Khan, CDA officials and other senior officials of various departments were also present


  

        

  

SC serves notice on PM Gilani's son in Ephedrine case

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has served notices to Ali Musa Gilani, the Prime Minister's son, and two federal secretaries in Ephedrine quota allotment case and ordered the probe into the case to be continued after staying the transfers of Brig Fahim and Abid Zulfiqar, members of the investigation team.

A three-member SC bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry heard the case of allotment of Ephedrine, a chemical used in medicines, in excess to the allowed quota.

During proceedings of the case, Brig Faheem of ANF, who was removed from the investigating team, appeared before the court along with his team.

The Chief Justice enquired as to why changes had to be made to the investigative team, saying 'perhaps a VIP is involved in the case'.

Brig Faheem told the court that former secretary health Khushnood Lashari, who is now the principal secretary of the Prime Minister, had allotted Ephedrine in excess to the allowed limit.

He said the ANF had issued summons for Lashari and Ali Musa Gilani, after which Lashari invited him (Brig Faheem) for a meeting in PM House.

In the affidavit, Brig Faheem said Khushnood Lashari had in a threatening tone informed him that Ali Musa Gilani's father was upset over his summoning by the court.

"Cooperation would be extended in the case to the ANF, if it keeps its focus on only two pharmaceutical companies, leaving others aside," Faheem quoted Khushnood as saying.

Khushnood Lashari, he continued, further said: "You know, the civil-military relations had only recently seen some improvement and it is you who can pre-empt a fresh stand-of from taking place. It is a matter of national interest. Ali Musa Gilani be kept out of it."

Brig Faheem further informed the court that the law secretary along with entire state machinery were trying to save Khushnood Lashari and Ali Musa Gilani in this case.

The court issued notices to Ali Musa Gilani and Khushnood Lashari, ordering them to present themselves for ANF's investigation and also record their statements.

It issued notices to secretary anti-narcotics, acting health secretary besides the two concerned companies.

Later, the court adjourned its proceedings till April 20.

Siachen Tragedy: Rescuers concentrate on five points

RAWALPINDI: Rescuers searching for 138 people buried under a huge avalanche at an army camp are concentrating their efforts on five points at the site, the military said on Tuesday.


A huge wall of snow crashed into the remote Siachen Glacier base high in the mountains in Kashmir early Saturday morning, smothering an area of one square kilometre (a third of a square mile).

Despite harsh conditions, the military said efforts had intensified, with more than 450 people taking part up from 286 late on Monday aided by mechanical earth movers, bulldozers and excavators, and work is focusing on certain key areas.

"Five points have been identified on the site where rescue work is in progress," the military said in a statement.

"Two points are being dug with equipment while three points are being dug manually."

At least 40 feet of snow have been removed so far with the help of heavy machinery to search for the victims.

Photographs released by the military Tuesday showed diggers and rescuers at work on an almost featureless expanse of dirty grey snow and ice, with no trace visible of the camp that had been the 6th Northern Light Infantry headquarters.

The total number believed missing in the disaster rose to 138 on Tuesday, as the military released an updated list naming 127 soldiers and 11 civilians.

They include a lieutenant colonel, a major and a captain. The list can be found on the ISPR website.

Meanwhile rescue teams from the US, Switzerland and Germany are yet to reach the rescue site due to the bad weather.

Cop among five shot dead in Karachi

KARACHI: At least five people including a policeman were gunned down in the metropolis within a few hours, .

According to police unidentified armed men shot dead a man in sector 51/C in Korangi. Two people were also killed in Shah Latif Town and Lee Market.

In another incident, three people were injured in PIB colony. The injured have been rushed to hospital for treatment.

According to police, two political activists and a policeman were also gunned down on Monday.

Siachen Tragedy: Heavy snowfall hampers rescue efforts

ISLAMABAD: Heavy snowfall on Monday hampered efforts to boost the search for 139 soldiers and civilians buried underneath an avalanche in the Gayari sector. The US team of high altitude specialists who arrived in the country could not reach the site of the avalanche due to the bad weather.

Rescue efforts will be further hampered as the Meteorological Department has predicting more snow for the next few days.

According to the ISPR, an expert team comprising of 3 Swiss individuals and a 6 member disaster management team with necessary equipment from Germany will arrive in Islamabad on Monday night.

At least 286 Pakistani troops and 60 civilians worked at the site of the disaster at the entrance to the Siachen Glacier with the aid of sniffer dogs and heavy machinery, said the army. But they struggled to dig through some 25 meters (80 feet) of snow spread over an area of about one kilometer.

Pakistani Army Spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said Sunday evening that it was unclear whether any of the people who were buried are still alive. At least 124 soldiers from the 6th Northern Light Infantry Battalion and 11 civilian contractors are missing.

Pakistani Army Chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited the site Sunday to supervise rescue operations.

Earlier, the US administration had announced they were sending a team of eight experts to Islamabad to provide technical assistance, said the Pakistani army. Pakistan will consult with the team to determine what help is needed to expedite the rescue operation.

Thousands of soldiers from India and Pakistan stationed in Siachen brave viciously cold temperatures, altitude sickness, high winds and isolation for months at a time. Troops have been posted at elevations of up to 6,700 meters (22,000 feet) and have skirmished intermittently since 1984, though the area has been quiet since a cease-fire in 2003.

The glacier is known as the world's highest battlefield.

Major General Abbas said the headquarters which was buried was located in an area previously believed to be safe. At an altitude of around 4,500 meters (15,000 feet), it is the main gateway through which troops and supplies pass on their way to more remote outposts.

More soldiers have died from the weather than combat on the glacier, which was uninhabited before troops moved there.

At least 105 killed in Syria as deadline looms

BEIRUT: At least 105 Syrians were killed on Monday in violence across Syria, a day before a UN planned peace plan is scheduled to start taking effect, a monitoring group said.

The toll included 23 members of the security forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and eight rebel fighters, while the rest were civilians, according to figures provided by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

At least 35 Syrian civilians, including women and children, were killed in shelling that targeted the village of Latamna, in the country's central Hama province, the Observatory said.

Among the dead, 15 were under the age of 18 and eight were women, said Rami Abdel Rahman, the head of the Observatory, describing the bombardment as a "new massacre by the Syrian regime."

The neighbouring village of Kfar Zeita was struck by army helicopters as regime forces clashed with rebels on the ground, the centre said.

In the province of Aleppo, 27 civilians were killed in shelling of the town of Tal Rifaat, where heavy clashes ensued between regime troops and rebels, the centre said.

Also in Aleppo province, rebel fighters besieged a checkpoint at the village of Salamah, on the border with Turkey, killing six members of the security and customs services, said the Observatory.

At least eight rebels who were wounded in the fighting fled across the frontier, said the Britain-based monitoring group.

Nine policemen were killed in clashes the neighbourhood of Sukari, in the northern city of Aleppo, the Observatory said.

But SANA state news agency gave a different version of the incident and a much higher toll.

It said 10 policemen and a civilians were killed and 11 others wounded, along with two civilians, when security forces came under fire at a demonstration in Sukari, in the northern city of Aleppo.

Police had gone to the area to provide protection for the rally, it added.

Four others were killed in attacks targeting patrols in the northern city, the Observatory said.

Six civilians were killed in the central city of Homs, and a woman was shot dead in Dabaa village, near the border town of Qusayr, while four others were killed in an explosion in the village of Bibila, outside Damascus, the Observatory said.

Eight rebel fighters were killed in the northern province of Idlib, it said.

The Observatory also reported that four soldiers were killed when an explosion struck a bus carrying troops near the village of Kawkab outside Damascus, while security forces launched a campaign of arrests in the capital's neighbourhood of Kfar Sousa.

In the eastern province of Deir Ezzor, regime forces stormed the village of Muhsen, while clashes took place in the neighbouring village of Al-Bou Amr, and gunfire was heard in the city of Deir Ezzor itself, the group said.

In Daraa, a civilian was shot dead in an ambush near the village of Saida, the Observatory said.

Almost 180 people, mostly civilians, were killed in weekend violence, ahead of the UN deadline of Tuesday for regime forces to cease fire, as agreed with special envoy Kofi Annan.

Under a peace deal brokered by the former UN chief, the Syrian army was scheduled to withdraw from protest cities on Tuesday, with a complete end to fighting set for 48 hours later.

But the truce appears in jeopardy after Damascus said it would only carry its side of the bargain if rebels first handed over written guarantees to stop fighting, a demanded rejected by rebel army chief Colonel Riyadh al-Asaad. (AFP)

Indian SC grants bail to Pakistani scientist Dr Chishti

NEW DELHI: The Indian Supreme Court has granted interim bail to 80-year-old Pakistani microbiologist Khalil Chisti during the pendency of his appeal against Rajasthan High Court order upholding his conviction in a murder case.

Dr Chisti had applied for bail on the ground that he is 80 years old and has already been in prison for the last 20 years.

Dr Chisti pleaded before court that he be allowed to return to his home town Karachi or be allowed to live in Delhi because of vitiated family atmosphere in Ajmer.

Supreme Court asked him to surrender his passport and allowed him to file a fresh application.

The court has asked Dr Chisti to remain in Ajmer till further orders.

The Pakistani doctor was given a life term on January 31, 2011 by a trial court for a murder in Ajmer in 1992. The doctor, born in Ajmer to a prosperous family of caretakers of the Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti shrine, was studying in Pakistan at the time of partition in 1947.

He didn't return to his family in Ajmer till he came to visit his ailing mother in 1992. Chishti allegedly killed a man after a fight over some dispute.

According to sources, the issue of Khalil Chisti figured during the lunch hosted by India Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for Pakistan President Asif Zardari.

It is learnt that Pakistani interior minister Rehman Malik referred to the issue during his interaction with Home Minister P Chidambaram.

ISPR releases names of 135 Pakistan soldiers trapped under snow near Siachin glacier

RAWALPINDI: The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) has released names of the soldiers who were trapped under snow after an avalanche hit their camp in a mountanous terrain near Siachin on Saturday morning(April 7).

Given below is the list of soldiers including Officers, Junior Commission Officiers, Haviladrs, Lance Naiks, Sepoys, Clerks, Cooks, Sweepers and Civilians who are still trapped under snow:

Officers

1. PA-32596 Lt Col Tanvir Ul Hassan

2. PA-39548 Maj Zaka Ul Haq

3. PA-105358 Capt Haleem Ullah( AMC)

Junior Commission Officers

4. N/Sub Khurshid

5. N/Sub Didar

6. N/Sub Malik

7. N/Sub Iftikhar

Havildar

8. Hav Rehber

9. Hav Haji Shafayat

10. Hav Zakir

11. Hav Gulfraz

12. Hav Shah Nawaz

13. Hav Musadiq

14. Hav Rustam

15. Hav Shad

16. Hav Ghulam Muhammad

17. Hav Sher Nayab

18. Hav Ishaq

19. Hav Tanvir

Lance Havildar / NaiK

20. L/Hav Mustafa

21. L/Hav Ghulam Qadir

22. Nk Ashraf

23. Nk Sartaj

24. Nk Mudasar

25. Nk Jabbar

Lance Naik / Sepoy

26. Lnk Irshad

27. Lnk Sami Ullah

28. Lnk Sharafat

29. Lnk Mustafa

30. Lnk Himayat

31. Lnk Altaf

32. Lnk Mir Hussain

33. Lnk Irfan

34. Sep Ali Zar

35. Sep Saleem

36. Sep Malik Riaz

37. Sep Jamil

38. Sep Akhtar

39. Sep Nadir Wali

40. Sep Israr

41. Sep Sajid

42. Sep Naseer

43. Sep Dildar

44. Sep Zaman

45. Sep Irfan Khalil

46. Sep Waseem

47. Sep Ehsan

48. Sep Ashraf

49. Sep Riaz

50. Sep Shoaib

51. Sep Iqbal

52. Sep Mumtaz

53. Sep Haider

54. Sep Mehtab

55. Zulqarnain

56. Sep Ghulab Shah

57. Sep Rehmat Wali

58. Sep Nadeem

59. Sep Nafs Ali

60. Sep Nadeem Hashmi

61. Sep Qurban

62. Sep Muhammad Khan

63. Sep Akbar

64. Sep Ali Muhammad

65. Sep Muhammad Ali

66. Sep Amin

67. Sep Fiaz

68. Sep Shakeel

69. Sep Siraj

70. Sep Fazal Abbas

71. Sep Javed

72. Sep Javed

73. Sep Sakhi Zaman

74. Sep Sajjad Kazmi

75. Sep Fida Hussain

76. Sep Naeem

77. Sep Shamim

78. Sep Zakir

79. Sep Nisar Hussain

80. Sep Aurangzeb

81. Sep Arshad

82. Sep Sultan

83. Sep Muhammad Hussain

84. Sep Nasir

85. Sep Ilyas

86. Sep Mukhtiar

87. Sep Fida Hussain

88. Sep Zaheer

89. Sep Naseer

90. Sep Aftab

91. Sep Adil

92. Sep Muzamil

93. Sep Sarfraz

94. Sep Shameer

95. Sep Soba Khan

96. Sep Abid

97. Sep Ishaq

98. Sep Aksar Zaman

99. Sep Najeeb Ullah

100. Sep Siraj Ud Din

101. Sep Jaffar

102. Sep Ansar

103. Sep Ishaq

104. Sep Ghulam Rasool

105. Sep Muhammad Hussain

106. Sep Jumma khan

107. Sep Muhammad Ali

108. Sep Zakir Kawardo

109. Sep Ghulam Mehdi

110. Sep Ghazi Shah

111. Sep Sana Ullah

112. Sep Imtiaz

113. Sep Hameed Ullah

114. Sep Sadiq Gultri

115. Sep Gul Daz ( FS Sec)

Clerks

116. Nk / Clk Ghulam Nabi

117. Nk/ Clk Ghulam Ali

Cooks

118. Sep/Ck Muhammad Ali

119. Sep/Ck Karim

120. Sep/Ck Ghulam Mehdi

Sweepers

121. Moon Gul

122. Asif

123. Naveed

124. Ali

Civilian (paid out of defence establishment)

125. Jalil (Waiter)

126. Hameed ( Waiter)

127. Nasrullah (Barber)

128. Muhammad Ameer (Barber)

129. Waheed ( Canteen)

130. Azeem (Canteen)

131. Sarfraz (Dhobi)

132. Wali (Dhobi)

133. Noor Shah ali (Dhobi)

134. Sabir (Tailor)

135. Ghulam Rasool (NCB)

Army Chief Visited Siachen To Personally See The Rescue Operation At Gayari Sector (08/04/12)

Army Chief Visited Siachen To Personally See The Rescue Operation At Gayari Sector (08/04/12)

Pakistan Army:

April 8, 2012: Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited Siachen, today, to personally see the rescue operation launched to recover 139 soldiers and civilians trapped under the avalanche. COAS was accompanied by Corps Commander Lieutenant General Khalid Nawaz Khan. 

Major General Ikram ul Haq, Commander FCNA apprised the COAS about the details of rescue operation.

COAS, while visiting the site of rescue operation, said that avalanche of such a magnitude was unprecedented in last twenty years of this Battalion Headquarters existence at Gayari. COAS further said that Army has mobilized all available resources with the assistance of PAF to carry out full scale rescue operation. He appreciated the morale and efforts of troops who are braving the harsh weather and inhospitable terrain. COAS instructed the Commanders to optimally utilize all available resources at their disposal and leave no stone unturned to reach out to the entrapped personnel. COAS said that efforts are underway to acquire latest technical equipment for the rescue. COAS emphasized that calamity in no way should affect the morale of the troops defending the motherland at the highest battlefield. He said Pakistan Army has always risen to the occasion and will come through this challenge as well.

SKARDU: As many as 130 jawans of Pakistan Army including a Lt.Col were buried under avalanche of snow in Skardu's Siachen Gyari Sector—the army's highest battalion headquarters.
Pakistan Armed Forces kick-started rescue operation to winch the trapped soldiers as soon as possible.
The incident took place in today's wee hours at 6AM.




Names of persons buried under snow slide in Gayari sector near Skardu:

Zardari-Singh meeting: Indian PM agrees to visit Pakistan

NEW DEHLI: President Asif Ali Zardari met Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the latter's official residence. The meeting was termed as ‘fruitful’ by both leaders. Following the one on one meeting, President Zardari and Prime Minister Singh addressed the media.

President Zardari thanked PM Manmohan for hosting him though he was on a private visit.

'I thank PM Manmohan Singh for hosting me as I am on a private visit. India and Pakistan are neighbours and would like to have better relations.'

He said his meeting with the Indian PM was fruitful and they discussed all issues concerning both countries.

Manmohan said he had a very friendly and constructive dialogue on all bilateral issues adding that he is very satisfied with Zardari's visit.

Sindh said that President Zardari had invited him to Pakistan and he will be very happy to visit at a convenient time.

This was President Zardari’s first visit to India as President of Pakistan. Upon arrival Parliamentary affairs minister Pawan Kumar Bansal received the president at the airport. Bansal also accompanied Zardari to the Ajmer shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. Zardari headed straight to the PM's official residence at 7 Race Course Road for the one-on-one talks.

The president's delegation to New Delhi comprised of Chairman of Pakistan People's Party and his son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani and his personal and security staff.

President Zardari is the first Pakistani head of state to visit India in seven years after the visit of President Pervez Musharraf in 2005.

Japan deploys missile defences in Tokyo

TOKYO: Japan has deployed missile batteries in Tokyo and dispatched destroyers carrying interceptor missiles as it boosts its defences against a planned North Korean rocket launch this month.

Pyongyang says it will launch a satellite for peaceful scientific research between April 12 and 16 to mark the 100th anniversary on April 15 of the birth of founding leader Kim Il-Sung.

But the United States and its allies say it is a disguised missile test and that the launch would contravene UN sanctions aimed at curbing North Korea's missile programme.

Patriot missiles were Saturday deployed at three military facilities in the greater Tokyo region and the defence ministry dispatched three Aegis destroyers carrying sea-based interceptor missiles, reportedly to the East China sea.

"With the latest step, it completes the deployment of PAC3," said a duty officer at the defence ministry, referring to the Patriot missiles.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has given the green light to shoot down the North Korean rocket if it threatens Japan's territory.

In 2009, Japan also ordered missile defence preparations before Pyongyang's last long-range rocket launch which brought UN Security Council condemnation and tightened sanctions against the isolated communist state.

That rocket, which North Korea also said was aimed at putting a satellite into orbit, passed over Japanese territory without incident or any attempt to shoot it down.

Violence dims Syria truce hopes, over 100 killed

BEIRUT: Syrian troops pounded opposition areas, activists said, killing 74 civilians in an offensive that has sent thousands of refugees surging into Turkey before next week's U.N.-backed ceasefire aimed at staunching a year of bloodshed.

At least 15 rebels and 17 security force members were also killed, raising the death toll in violence to over 100.

Each side has accused the other of intensifying assaults in the run-up to the truce due to take effect early on Thursday if government forces begin pulling back from towns 48 hours earlier in line with U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan's peace plan.

The military shelled Deir Baalba district in Homs, killing four people, the grassroots Local Coordination Committees opposition group said. Thirteen men were also found killed in cold blood in the same area, it said.

Amateur activist video showed scenes of carnage said to be the aftermath of the shelling. Mangled limbs and body parts in blankets were being loaded on a pick-up truck. A second video showed 13 men who appeared to have been tied up and executed.

No comment was immediately available from Syrian officials. The videos could not be independently verified. The government has placed tight restrictions on media access in Syria.

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For graphic on fighting link.reuters.com/zan47s

For Interactive on Syria link.reuters.com/pyt37s

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The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 74 civilians had been killed, including 40 in an army attack on al-Latmana, in Hama province, that began on Friday. The rebel Free Syrian Army lost 15 men in the battle, it said, and 17 members of the security forces were killed across the country.

In an activist video from al-Latmana, mourners held aloft the limp corpse of a child. A row of bodies lay on the ground.

The Observatory report said 12 were killed by shelling as the army swept through villages in Idlib province.

A rocket hit a bus travelling from Lebanon to Syria at Jousa just inside Syria, a Lebanese security source said. Witnesses said six Syrians were killed. Lebanese medics confirmed two dead and nine wounded. It was not clear who had fired the rocket.

Rebels trying to oust President Bashar al-Assad attacked army posts north of Aleppo before dawn, killing an officer and two men, and assaulted a helicopter base, activists said.

Syrian commandos shot dead three rebels in an overnight raid on a "terrorist den", Syria's state news SANA agency reported.

Country towns north of Aleppo have endured days of clashes and bombardment, prompting 3,000 civilians to flee over the Turkish border on Friday alone - about 10 times the daily number before Assad accepted Annan's plan 10 days ago.

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday the number of refugees entering Turkey was rising. Ankara fears an all-out war in Syria would unleash a flood of refugees.

"At the moment we have 24,000 Syrians who have entered Turkey. Of course this number is rising," Erdogan told reporters before departing on a trip to China.

"We are taking measures for this, though we will not close the gates. The United Nations, however, has to toughen its stance," he said. "In particular Kofi Annan has to hold firm. He announced a deadline of April 10. I believe that he should monitor the situation very closely."

BAATH PARTY ANNIVERSARY

The Syrian leader is fighting a popular uprising, which he blames on foreign-backed "terrorists", that has spawned an armed insurgency in response to violent repression of protests.

While many in Syria's Sunni Muslim majority back the revolt, especially in provincial areas, Assad retains support from his own minority Alawite sect and other minorities fearful that his overthrow would lead to civil war or Islamist rule.

In Damascus, thousands of flag-waving Assad supporters came out to mark the founding in 1947 of Syria's ruling Baath Party.

The bloodletting of the past week or so does not bode well for implementation of Annan's ceasefire plan.

This requires Assad to "begin pullback of military concentrations in and around population centers" by Tuesday.

Rebel Free Syrian Army commander Colonel Riad al-Asaad said his men would cease fire, provided "the regime ... withdraws from the cities and returns to its original barracks".

Syria has said the plan does not apply to armed police, who have played a significant role in battling the uprising in which security forces have killed more than 9,000 people, according to U.N. estimate. Syria says its opponents have killed more than 2,500 troops and police since the unrest began in March 2011.

Annan's plan does not stipulate a complete army withdrawal to barracks or mention police.

Satellite pictures published by U.S. ambassador Robert Ford showed Syrian artillery and tanks still close to communities.

"This is not the reduction in offensive Syrian government security operations that all agree must be the first step for the Annan initiative to succeed," Ford said in Washington.

A statement by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the April 10 timeline "is not an excuse for continued killing".

"The Syrian authorities remain fully accountable for grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. These must stop at once," Ban said on Friday. (Reuters)

Avalanche buries at least 100 Pakistani soldiers

SKARDU: An avalanche smashed into a Pakistan Army camp Saturday burying at least 100 soldiers including a colonel at Gayari sector near the Siachen Glacier, Geo News reported.

Troops with sniffer dogs, aided by helicopters, were frantically trying to find signs of life in the snow after the avalanche engulfed the remote camp in mountainous Gayari, Siachen.

A team of doctors and paramedics has also been rushed to the high-altitude region, which suffers extreme weather conditions - temperatures on the strategic Siachen glacier plummet to minus 70 degrees Celsius (minus 94F).

"More than 100 soldiers of NLI (Northern Light Infantry) including a colonel were trapped when the avalanche hit a military camp," army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas told.

"The rescue mission is continuing and rescuers are trying to rescue the soldiers."

Harsh weather and the high altitude claims many more lives than actual fighting over Siachen.

A military statement said the avalanche struck early on Saturday morning, raising the possibility that soldiers were asleep at the time.

"Around 100 persons of army came under a snow slide early this morning in Gayari sector near Skardu," it said.

"Rescue efforts are on. Sniffing dogs, helicopters and troops on ground are employed on rescue efforts."

JSQM leader Bashir Qureshi dies at the age of 54

KARACHI: Living through many arrests in his life, Chairman Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) Bashir Qureshi, could not survive a cardiac arrest and died at the age of 54, Geo News reported late Friday night.

According to reports he breathed his last in Sakrand, Nawabshah, where he suffered a heart attack at one of his friends residence. Qureshi was rushed to the hospital, after having massive chest pains, but he died on the way.

A shocked JSQM leadership has decided to have him autopsied so that the true cause of his death could be known. His postmortem would be performed at the Larkana Hospital.

A party leader Sarfaraz Memon told Geo News that Qureshi was not feeling well while he was visiting Dardi Magsi, a small town near Sakrand, to attend a death anniversary.

Cohorts have started amassing at both of his residences in Rato Dero, his hometown, and Gulshan-e-Hadeed Karachi.

JSQM has announced mourning for three days across Sindh.

It has also been announced that he would be laid to rest in Mubarak Shah graveyard in his hometown.

He left behind a widow, four daughters, and three sons.

According to his relatives and close associates he had a history of hypertensive disease.

Analysts say his demise marks the end of an epoch in the nationalist political history of Pakistan.

Bashir Ahmed Qureshi was born on 10 August 1959 at Motan Pur Mohalla in Ratodero, Larkano District in Sindh.

He took part into students' politics. He joined Jeay Sindh Students Federation in the year 1976.

He was greatly impressed by the thinking of Saeen G. M. Syed and worked hard to spread his message throughout Sindh.

He was elected as President of the Federation Tando Jam Unit in the year 1980 but after two years (1982) was elected as Central Vice President of the Federation.

He was also elected as Central President of the Federation in the year 1986. In 1990, he was re-elected for the same office.

When, in the year 1995, Jeay Sindh Quami Mahaz was formed he was behind the bars but was elected as Deputy Convener of the newly formed party.

Bashir was later elected as Secretary General of the Mahaz in 1996 and finally became the chairman in 1998.

Bashir Khan Qureshi, being a firebrand leader played a very active role in politics of Sindh, which earned him great respect.

He saw his first incarceration at the hands of Tando Jam police in 1978.

The Thori Phattak incident (Aug 17, 1984) was a turning point in his life when five activists of the Jeay Sindh Students Federation were shot dead by the security forces at Thori Phatak, near Manjhand, district Jamshoro. They were encountered by the troops, while they were on their way to Larkana, for protesting against army's intervention in politics.

Bashir played a vital role in mobilizing the members of the Federation and worked hard to strengthen the Federation. Bashir also took active part in the movement against Martial Law. Later, he was arrested on Jan 15, 1985 at Rato Dero.

The Military Court awarded him one-year imprisonment in each two cases along with 10 lashes, which were implemented. Finally, he was set free in August 1986. Bashir was again arrested on August 11, 1988 after Sindhi-Mohajar riots.

This time, he was jailed for 18 months. Again, he was arrested on Jan 02, 1994 (PPP regime) for two years. Later he was arrested on Jan 17, 1999 on his way to attend the birth celebration of Saeen G. M. Syed and was set free in November 1999 after a struggle of 11 months. Bashir remained in prison for the total period of 6 years and 10 months. He spent best days of his life in prison.

He is author of his book entitled "Jaagya Junge Jawaan" in Sindhi language, published in 1989, which is collection of various speeches delivered by him. Bashir was awarded "G. M. Syed National Award" in the year 1997.

Yemen leader sacks two military chiefs close to Saleh

SANAA: Yemen's President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi sacked two military chiefs close to his predecessor Ali Abdullah Saleh, the official SABA news agency reported Friday, citing a presidential decree.

Air force chief General Mohamed Saleh al-Ahmar, Saleh's half brother, and head of the presidential guard General Tarek Mohamed Abdallah Saleh -- his nephew -- were both fired, said the decree.

There had already been calls from within the airforce for Ahmar to go.

Earlier Friday, a suicide bomber blew up a motorbike near intelligence

offices in eastern Yemen, without causing casualties.

That attack came after an aborted attack in the south, when two bombers died as their payload exploded short of their intended target, the defence ministry said.

The attack in the south was claimed by Al-Qaeda's branch in Yemen, the self-proclaimed Partisans of Sharia (Islamic law).

The group has exploited a decline in central government control that accompanied Arab Spring-inspired protests that eventually forced president Ali Abdullah Saleh to cede power.

Suicide attacks targetting security forces have intensified since his successor, Hadi, took office in February, vowing to continue the US-backed fight against Al-Qaeda.

But critics of Saleh say he has been interfering in the smooth transition of power, and the reorganisation of the army is seen as being a key part of that transition. (AFP)

US will accept Iran civilian nuclear program: report

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama has told Iran the United States would accept Tehran having a civilian nuclear program if the Islamic state can prove it is not seeking atomic weapons, the Washington Post said Friday.

Obama sent such a message to Tehran via Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who delivered it to Iran's Supreme leader Ali Khamenei last week, said the newspaper's foreign affairs columnist David Ignatius.

"President Obama has signaled Iran that the United States would accept an Iranian civilian nuclear program if Supreme leader Ali Khamenei can back up his recent public claim that his nation 'will never pursue nuclear weapons'," said Ignatius.

"A few days before traveling to Iran, Erdogan had held a two-hour meeting with Obama in Seoul, in which they discussed what Erdogan would tell the ayatollah about the nuclear issue and Syria," he wrote.

The United States said Thursday that it still expected Iran to hold talks with six world powers on the Islamic republic's disputed nuclear program to go ahead next week, despite a dispute on the venue being Istanbul or Baghdad.

According to Ignatius, Obama asked Erdogan to tell Khamenei "that the Iranians should realize that time is running out for a peaceful settlement and that Tehran should take advantage of the current window for negotiations."

However, "Obama didn't specify whether Iran would be allowed to enrich uranium domestically as part of civilian program the United States would endorse. That delicate issue evidently would be left for the negotiations."

Turkey has told Iran it remains ready to host the talks between Iran and the P5+1 group, Iran's Al-Alam television station reported Friday, but the Islamic republic has said it wanted the meeting held in Baghdad or China instead.

Iran last held talks with the six powers -- Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States -- in January 2011 with no results.

Ignatius added that "the challenge for negotiators is whether it's possible to turn Khamenei's public rhetoric into a serious and verifiable commitment not to build a bomb." (AFP)

NATO fuel supplier blaze kills 7 in Afghanistan

KANDAHAR: Seven people were burnt to death in southern Afghanistan on Friday when a fuel tanker supplying a NATO base crashed and set their vehicle on fire, officials said.

Both the security chief of Panjwayi district in Kandahar and the provincial

police chief said there was no insurgent activity at the time, but residents

told AFP the tanker was attacked by Taliban using rocket-propelled grenades.

A US soldier serving in NATO's US-led International Security Assistance

Force (ISAF) was charged with 17 counts of murder last month following a

killing spree in the same district on March 11.

Sardar Mohammad, Panjwayi's security chief, told AFP: "A fuel tanker supplying fuel for ISAF overturned and caught fire, and simultaneously a civilian minivan was passing nearby also set ablaze."

Seven people were killed and three others injured, he said, who were taken to hospital.

Kandahar police chief Abdul Raziq confirmed the death toll, telling AFP: "This fuel tanker was coming from the city of Kandahar to Panjwayi district at high speed.

"On its way this tanker overturned and caught fire," he said. "A civilian minivan was passing on the way and the vehicle was also set ablaze."

Quetta: Four out of seven missing persons produced in SC

QUETTA: Four out of remaining seven missing persons were recovered and presented in the Supreme Court’s Quetta Registry today (Friday) after the Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry ordered for their recovery,

The four recovered persons are Javed, Hazar Khan, Mazar Khan and Malik Sher while three are still missing named Mir Jan, Gul Mir and Amir Jan.

The three-member bench, headed by the chief justice, resumed hearing of the case on the deteriorating law and order situation in Balochistan at the Quetta Registry today.

During Thursday’s proceedings, the CJ directed the Balochistan Inspector General of Police, Rao Amin Hashim, to lodge an FIR in consultation with the provincial minister for home against those ministers who were involved in kidnapping for ransom incidents. ‘If three ministers, who are involved in kidnapping for ransom, are arrested by the evening, then everything would be fine in the province,’ the CJ observed.

About the statement of provincial minister for home, the CJ remarked that previously, the home minister had given a statement about the involvement of some ministers in the kidnapping incidents and added that now the minister had termed it as a general incidence. He directed the IG Police to dig out the matter and find out the names of ministers who were involved in the kidnapping incidents and lodge FIRs against them.

About the seven persons missing from the Saryab Road, Quetta, the CJ said that out of the 10 missing persons on March 1, 2012, three had returned to their homes whereas seven were still missing and directed the IG Police to produce the seven people before the court on Friday (today). The CJ said if the seven people were not produced before the court on Friday morning, then the IG Police, along with all police officials, would be suspended.

About the police failure in curbing the crimes, the CJ said that if the Balochistan IG Police, Rao Amin Hashim, really wanted to maintain the law and order in the province, he could do so, and if he could not do that, he should better go home.

The chief justice directed the deputy attorney general to summon the attorney general because the name of Frontier Corps (FC) was being used in connection with the mutilated bodies. Similarly, the bench has asked for an explanation on the issue of mutilated bodies found in different parts of the province from the Inspector General of FC, Balochistan, in this regard.

Underlining the need for a solution to the Balochistan issue, the CJ said it was necessary to conduct the local bodies elections. The Chief Justice remarked that all the four provincial governments were violating the Constitution by not holding the local bodies polls.

Earlier, Balochistan Home Secretary Naseebullah Khan Bazi informed the apex court that 359 mutilated bodies had been recovered from different parts of Balochistan since 2010. The court ordered the arrest of persons involved in the killing of these people. The CJ remarked that nobody had the right to take the life of anybody.

Earlier, as the proceedings of the case were being conducted, the CJ showed his displeasure over the absence of attorney general and summoned him to appear in the court today.

Peshawar: 12 terrorists arrested from Tehkal

PESHAWAR: Sensitive organizations during an operation arrested twelve terrorists from the vicinity of Tehkal police station,  reported Friday.

According to sources, the agencies carried out a search operation in Tehkal area of Peshawar and arrested 12 terrorists. Suicide jackets and explosives were recovered from their possession.

The held suspects are from Afghanistan and were shifted to undisclosed location for investigation, sources added.

Hafiz Saeed is Pakistan's internal matter: PM Gilani

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Gilani said on Thursday that Hafiz Saeed was Pakistan's internal matter. Prime Minister Gilani was addressing the joint session of Parliament during which he called upon the US to provide concrete evidence against Saeed.

“Our judiciary is free and will make its own evaluation,” Gilani said.

The United States has announced a $10 million reward for credible evidence against Hafiz Saeed who is alleged to be the mastermind of the Mumbai attacks.

Speaking about future relations with the US, the Prime Minister informed Parliament that the Parliamentary Committee on National Security was busy finalizing proposals.

When asked what would be the agenda of President Zardari’s visit to India, Gilani responded that the President was traveling to Ajmer to fulfill the wishes of the Late Benazir Bhutto.

KSE ends lower, sheds 113 points

ISLAMABAD: The Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) benchmark 100-share index ended down 0.82 percent, or 113.83 points, at 13831.47 points, capping a recent rally which pushed the market to a four-year high on Wednesday.

Stocks closed lower on Thursday, weighed down by banking shares hit by rumours of arise in the tax covering their sector.

One of the biggest casualties was the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), whose shares fell 5 percent to 46.93 rupees.

"There was talk today that the banking sector's tax rate maybe increased from 35 percent to 40 percent, so banking stocks, especially NBP, were hit," said an analyst at the JS Global financial services company.

Trading volume rose to 457.9 million shares, compared with 409.3 million shares traded on Wednesday.

The rupee ended slightly weaker at 90.54/64 to the dollar, compared with Wednesday's close of 90.30/35.

Overnight rates in the money market stayed flat at 9.10 percent, after falling to that level on Wednesday from Tuesday's close of 9.75 percent because of sustained liquidity. (Reuters)

SSP Malir survives suicide attack; 4 killed

KARACHI: Four people including two policemen were killed while 19 others were injured when a suicide bomber targeted a police official at Malir Halt area of Karachi on Thursday,

The banned outfit Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility of the attack.

According to police sources, a bomber rammed an explosives-laded motorbike into a police Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) at Malir Halt.

"The attack was against me. I was moving with my squad in Malir Halt district when the explosion took place. I am unhurt, but some of my men have been injured," Rao Anwar, SSP Malir said while talking to Geo News correspondent Zille Haider.

He claimed to have been threatened for a month by "unknown terrorists".

"It was a suicide attack," police official Tahir Naveed said.

"The attacker was killed in the blast and the body in the hospital is suspected to be his," he added.

Rescue teams reached the spot and kicked off relief efforts while police and Rangers cordoned off the area.

It is pertinent to mention here that earlier on Thursday morning, 6-8 unidentified armed men gunned down three policemen including an Assistant Sub Inspector at Pir Illahi Bux (PIB) Colony. They intercepted the police mobile SP-0461 and opened fired on the patrolling party.

The incident created panic in PIB colony as markets and other business activates were closed down.

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.