Change in petroleum prices expected

ISLAMABAD: A change in the price of petroleum products is expected to come into effect from January 1, 2012.

Under the change, petrol and high speed diesel prices will increase by 50 paisas, while the price of kerosene oil is expected to decrease.

According to petroleum ministry sources the change will take place under the monthly fuel price adjustment.

Sources add that the price hike is being considered due to an increase in the exchange rate of the dollar.

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UK's Prince Philip undergoes heart surgery

LONDON: The Duke of Edinburgh, the 90-year-old husband of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, underwent successful heart surgery Friday for a blocked coronary artery, Buckingham Palace said.

The duke underwent an "invasive procedure of coronary stenting" after being taken to hospital with chest pains, the palace confirmed.

"Following tests at Papworth Cardiothoracic Hospital in Cambridge this evening the Duke of Edinburgh was found to have a blocked coronary artery which caused his chest pain," the palace said in a short statement.

"This was treated successfully by the minimally invasive procedure of coronary stenting," it added. "Prince Philip will remain in hospital under observation for a short period."

In the procedure, a tube-like device called a stent is inserted into the blocked artery to open it up and help restore a healthy blood flow.

The duke, also known as Prince Philip, was taken by helicopter to Papworth Hospital from Sandringham House in Norfolk, southeast England, where the Royal Family was enjoying a Christmas celebration, British media reported.

The royals were spending their traditional Christmas holiday at the Queen's 60-acre (24-hectare) residence, where the Duchess of Cambridge is spending her first Christmas as a member of the royal family.

The prince, who is Britain's longest-serving consort, is well-known for his tireless spirit and outspoken views.

However, he has recently suffered occasional bouts of poor health and pulled out of a trip to Italy in October nursing a cold.

The duke received a front-page apology from the Evening Standard newspaper in 2008 after it incorrectly reported he had prostate cancer.

A chest infection hospitalised him the same year, but he went on to make a full recovery.

Margaret Holder, a royal commentator, told the BBC: "It's obviously very worrying for the queen and the rest of the royal family who are gathering at Sandringham for Christmas."

Philip was born into the Greek royal family in 1921 but was exiled from Greece, along with his family, when he was a child.

After studying in Britain and Germany, Philip joined the British Royal Navy in 1939 and served with the Mediterranean and Pacific fleets during World War II.

It was during his time in the navy that he began correspondence with Princess Elizabeth, who ascended to the British throne in 1952.

The pair became engaged in 1947 and married later that year at London's Westminster Abbey.

The queen and the duke announced earlier this week they were to "travel as widely as possible throughout the United Kingdom" next year to celebrate Elizabeth's diamond jubilee.

The prince is a staunch supporter of the armed forces and also lends his name to an award scheme aimed at helping young people.

He also maintains a kee interest in science, technology, industry and the environment, as well as sports from cricket and polo to equestrianism and flying.

In addition, he has served as a patron of a number of organisations, including the World Wide Fund for Nature, and as chancellor of the universities of Cambridge and Edinburgh.

In Britain and the Commonwealth, his name is most synonymous with the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme, which was set up in 1956 and aims at developing the confidence and skills of young people aged 15 to 25.

Prince Philip's off-the-cuff remarks have often landed in him in hot water, although Britons tend to view his politically incorrect comments with a sense of humour.

Papworth hospital describes itself as Britain's largest specialist cardiothoracic hospital and treats more than 22,800 inpatient and day cases and 53,400 outpatients each year from across the country.(AFP)

Bomber strikes Tochi Scouts in Bannu

BANNU: Insurgents have attacked Tochi Scouts' main office on Kohat Road in Bannu,

Initial reports say an explosive-laden vehicle rammed into the scouts'office and detonated. Heavy firing followed the blast immediately, said a Geo News correspondent.

Incoming media were stopped short by the authorities for security reasons as it was not safe going into the hostile territory, thus, right now, establishing the casualties as well as damage was hard, the correspondent added.

FBS, PCO, ACO merged into single organization

ISLAMABAD: The government has constituted a new organization of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) after merging the Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS), the Population Census Organization (PCO), and the Agriculture Census Organization (ACO) to ensure provision of accurate, transparent and reliable data of the country.

Decision to this effect was made in a meeting of the governing council of newly constituted PBS held here on Friday under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Finance, Revenues and Statistics Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh.

Briefing media persons, the minister said that the aim of constituting the PBS was to bring transparency, reliability and confidence of local and foreign institutions in data collection process in the country.

He said that the PBS would be an independent and autonomous institution free of political involvement and government intervention to collect transparent data for policy making in the country.

The PBS would be comprised an independent governing council which would be consisted of ten members includind economists, high-profile professionals of financial institutions, academia and business community and policy makers while a Chief Statistician would look after the daily business of the organization, he added.

Hafeez Shaikh said that the Chief Statistician would report to the governing council and the Finance Minister would be the chairman of the council.

He said a User Council would also be constituted comprising media persons, researchers, members from chambers of commerce, consumers and civil society representatives to strengthen the working of PBS.

The members of the governing council would be selected for three years and a human resources committee of the governing council also be formed to hire the Chief Statistician.

The minister said that the committee would advertise the post of Chief Statistician in local and international media to appoint a high profile professional on the post.

The newly formed governing council of PBS comprises former Governor State Bank of Pakistan Dr Shamshad Akhtar, Professor Dr Muhammad Niazamudin, Vice Chancellor of Gujrat University Dr Zeba A Sattar, Country Director Population Council and other renowned economists and academia. (APP) 

SHC issues notices to in Low Quality CNG Cylinder case

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) Friday issued notices in petition seeking court directives to respondents to take action against installation/ production of substandard, low quality CNG cylinders/ kits in public transport vehicles.

The notices have been issued to secretaries ministries of Interior, Petroleum & Natural Resources, Chairman Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan (HDIP), Chief Inspector of Explosives, Department of Explosives, Ministry of Industries, All Pakistan CNG Association, Home secretaries of four provinces in petition seeking court directives to respondents to take action against installation/ production of substandard, low quality CNG cylinders/ kits in public transport vehicles and ensure implementation of existing safety and security laws/ regulations regarding production/ installation of CNG cylinders/ kits in public transport vehicles.

The petition, filed under Article 199 of Constitution by journalist Israr Ahmed, through his counsel Farrukh Usman came up for hearing on Friday before a division bench comprising SHC Chief Justice Mushir Alam & Justice Ahmed Ali Sheikh.

After hearing preliminary arguments of petitioner counsel, SHC issued notices to respondents and adjourned further hearing.

Petitioner prayed to direct respondents to check production and installation of sub standard cylinders, ensure implementation of relevant safety laws, regulations, payment of compensation to heirs of victims, killed in cylinders blasts in public transports vehicles recently.

Petitioner's counsel submitted that recently there had been alarming increase in CNG cylinders' blats in public transport vehicles in different parts of country that claimed score of lives.

He stated as it has been reported in media blasts occurred/ occurring due to use of substandard CNG cylinders, kits, fittings. Respondents took no steps to check use/ installation, production of sub-standard CNG cylinders, kits to ensure security, safety of lives of citizens, which was their legal and constitutional obligation. (PPI)

NORAD's Santa tracking set to launch on Christmas Eve

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado: With Santa's departure from the North Pole imminent, preparations to track his global trek were underway on Friday at an aerospace command center in Colorado.

Children eager for Santa's take-off can count down the hours on the track Santa clock on the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Tracks Santa website.

Also on the website, kids can watch Santa prepare for his flight, check out the bustling shops in the North Pole and then watch online "Santa cams" as the big bearded guy in the red suit visits kids around the world.

Year-round, NORAD is tasked with protecting the skies of North America, monitoring man-made objects in space and detecting any potential attack by aircraft, missiles or space vehicles.

Tracking Santa seems to be a natural seasonal extension of NORAD's typical duties.

"His flight is something that we absolutely would track," said Lieutenant Commander Bill Lewis, a NORAD spokesman.

"Rudolph's nose helps us quite a bit with that. His nose puts off quite the heat signature," Lewis said.

The origins of tracking Santa date back to 1955, Lewis said, when a local ad to speak directly with Santa printed the wrong phone number -- instead directing children to a military defense operations center.

Tracking Santa grew from there after officers on duty actually fielded the kids questions, he said.

For more than 50 years NORAD has followed the flight path of jolly old Saint Nick, but these days technology helps children and families pinpoint Santa's more exact route to their own homes.

This year, kids can download mobile device apps to watch Santa and the reindeer traverse the globe.

Otherwise, they can call or email the command center for Santa's coordinates.

Last year, 1,250 military families, civilians and local volunteers from around Colorado Springs took shifts at NORAD's facility to field more than 80,000 calls and countless emails from children asking where Santa is and when he might be coming down their chimney.

But as all good youngsters know, and volunteers remind them when they call in, Santa won't be able to stop by your home until you are sound asleep.

Syria blasts kill civilians, soldiers: state TV

BEIRUT: Several people were killed in the two blasts on Syrian security sites in Damascus, state television said on Friday.

"The terrorist attacks left a number of martyrs, both civilian and military. Most of the victims were civilian," it said in a news flash. (Reuters) 

India seek breakthrough series win in Australia

SYDNEY: India are desperate to bury their unwanted tag of being poor travellers as they bid to win their first series in Australia starting on Monday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The Indians, ranked second in Test cricket, two places above Australia, have failed to win a series Down Under in nine previous tours over 64 years but face a home team in the throes of a painful transition.

India will be playing their first away Test series since losing all four matches in England in July-August in a whitewash that cost M.S. Dhoni's men their number one ranking.

India have developed an unwelcome reputation as poor travellers and a win in the four-Test series against Michael Clarke's Australians represents a career-defining goal for many of the team's ageing stars.

Sachin Tendulkar, bidding for his 100th international century, Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag and V.V.S. Laxman are all unlikely to get the opportunity again in their cricket careers and are motivated to succeed.

The Boxing Day Test is one for the purists with the rarity of Test cricket's three greatest runscorers -- Tendulkar (15,183), Dravid (13,094) and Australia's Ricky Ponting (12,656) -- all featuring in the same match.

Dravid, turning 39 next month and padding up for his fourth series in Australia, has had one of his best years, scoring 1,067 runs and five centuries.

While India are top heavy with batting experience, it will come down to the ability of front-line bowlers Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma to bowl out Australia for India to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy they have held since 2008.

Australian bowling legends Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath have needled the Indians this week, saying India will struggle if Zaheer and Sharma are not fully fit for the gruelling series.

But the Australians are nowhere near as formidable as they once were and this month crashed to a humiliating defeat to lowly New Zealand in Hobart.

Australia have a new skipper, a new coach and a revamped selection panel following their traumatic 3-1 Ashes home series defeat to England last January and are very much a work in progress.

Skipper Michael Clarke, who has taken over from Ponting, has won just three of his eight Tests in charge and is entrusted along with incoming coach South African Mickey Arthur with rebuilding the Australian team.

Ponting, who turned 37 this month, and Mike Hussey, 36, are still there to help guide a new batch of rookie batsmen into the Test arena -- David Warner, (two Tests), Ed Cowan (0), Shaun Marsh (three) and Dan Christian (0).

Australia named an extended 13-man squad for the Melbourne opener amid fitness doubts over Marsh (back), with opener Cowan poised for his Test debut after four centuries this season, including 109 for a Chairman's XI against India.

James Pattinson and Peter Siddle will lead the bowling attack with 21-year-old Pattinson taking 14 wickets in his first two Tests against the Kiwis this season, including two five-wicket innings hauls. (AFP)

Altaf backs Seraiki province

MULTAN: MQM chief Altaf Hussain has demanded a separate province for the Seraiki people and five universities in the South Punjab,

Addressing a rally in Multan, MQM chief said politicians coming through feudal system spent money on their election and recovered expense with interest from the nation after reaching assemblies.

MQM is the only party, which had never sold its tickets, he said. Altaf Hussain condemned police and patwari culture in Punjab.

The MQM chief also demanded an Agriculture University for the region saying only two universities for the South people is injustice to them.

Altaf said his party has offered opportunity to members of middle classes to represent in assemblies.

MQM has its representation in Gilgit Baltistan and Kashmir as well, he said. 

COAS Kayani rules out military takeover

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said on Friday that the Pakistan Army would continue to support the democratic process and dismissed rumours of a military takeover.

The COAS visited the forward posts in Mohmand and Kurram Agencies on 22 December 2011.

While speaking to the troops, he appreciated the successes achieved under trying environment and the sacrifices made in the process.

COAS Kayani strongly dispelled the speculations of any military takeover and said that these are misleading and are being used as a bogey to divert focus from the real issues.

He emphasized that the issues of national security need to be considered on merit alone. He concluded by saying that irrespective of all other considerations, there can be no compromise on national security.

General Kayani said that no one can put a price tag on the scared blood of martyrs of the nation. The men and women of Pakistan Army are performing their duty of defending Pakistan in accordance with the oath they took.

'They will continue to do so with the support and prayers of their countrymen, regardless of the cost.' 

ISPR denies contents of article about DG ISI's visit to Arab countries

RAWALPINDI: The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Wednesday strongly and categorically denied contents of an article, published in daily The Independent, UK in which it made assertions regarding Director General, ISI's visit to Arab countries.

According to a press release issued by ISPR here, "An article was published in the daily The Independent, UK on December 13, 2011, in which Mr. Omar Waraich has made false assertions regarding DG ISI's visit to Arab countries".

It has been said that the DG met senior Arab leaders and asked permission for a military coup in Pakistan.

The story has been published without verification at any level.

It is clarified that DG ISI did not meet any Arab leader between May 1-9, 2011 as mentioned in the article.

The DG ISI's other visits to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and UAE only, prior to or after this period, were part of routine intelligence sharing activity, during which he interacted with his counterparts only.

Contents of the article are strongly and categorically denied. A legal notice is being served to the newspaper to retract the story and apologize," it concluded. (APP)

Government should hold elections immediately: Nawaz Sharif

KARACHI: PML-N president Nawaz Sharif has given a stern message to the government and told them to hold elections immediately, 
 
Sharif who is on a three day trip to Karachi and has been meeting leaders of various political parties said that if the government tries to finish its tenure then the situation in the country will worsen. 

Sharif also said that the interference of the army at any level would not be tolerated. 

Vitamin D has mixed effects on cancer, broken bones

NEW YORK: Extra vitamin D and calcium may offer some protection against fractures in elderly people, but have little or no impact on cancer risk, according to a fresh look at the medical evidence.

Some research has suggested that vitamin D, with or without calcium, might help stave off cancer, but recent trials have slashed those hopes.

"It turns out that as a group, all of the micronutrient supplements have been disappointing," said Dr. Michael Pollak, who heads the division of cancer prevention at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, and was not involved in the new work.

"Even one of the best candidates, which is vitamin D, is certainly no slam dunk," he told Reuters Health.

The new report, out Monday in the Annals of Internal Medicine, was commissioned by the government-backed U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to inform its public recommendations.

It pulls together 19 gold standard experiments -- so-called randomized controlled trials -- on vitamin D with or without calcium. The trials lasted anywhere from seven months to seven years and ranged in size from a few thousand participants to tens of thousands.

Only three of them reported on cancer, however. While one small study found some protection against cancer in postmenopausal women taking vitamin D and calcium, the larger studies found no benefits.

"I don't have confidence in any of the findings because they could be chance findings," lead researcher Mei Chung, of Tufts Medical Center in Boston, told Reuters Health.

Last month, another randomized controlled trial was published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. Although it wasn't included in Chung's report, it confirms her results.

In that study, among seniors taking 800 IU of vitamin D daily for a few years, 32 out of every 100 died during the study, while 33 out of every 100 people who did not get the supplement died.

That small difference could easily have been due to chance, the researchers found. There were no differences in deaths from cancer or heart disease either, just as calcium also proved unhelpful.

According to Chung, one large U.S. study, known as the Women's Health Initiative, also showed that women taking the supplements had higher rates of kidney and bladder stones.

Marji McCullough, a nutritional scientist at the American Cancer Society, said her organization does not advise dietary supplements to prevent cancer.

"Various researchers have recommended that, but large consensus panels have not," she told Reuters Health. "There is no compelling evidence currently that taking supplements will lower your cancer risk."

The Institute of Medicine recommends that most adults get 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams (mg) of calcium per day and 600 to 800 IU of vitamin D. It sets a recommended upper limit at 2,000 mg of calcium and 4,000 IU of vitamin D.

However, Chung's team did find a small reduction in fracture risk among elderly people living in an institution such as a nursing home, with extra vitamin D and calcium preventing two out of every 100 expected fractures.

But the risk reduction was smaller for people living on their own, and might have been due to chance, she added.

Chung, who is assistant director of the Evidence-based Practice Center at Tufts, said that in an earlier report from 2009, which looked at several possible health benefits, only the fracture benefit was convincing.

Pollak said it's possible that a few people who have low levels of vitamin D may get some benefit from it, but that doesn't warrant everybody taking extra vitamins.

"You can have too much of a good thing," he told Reuters Health.

For people interested in lowering their cancer risk, he added, there are better ways to go than supplements.

"Don't smoke and stay as close as you can to your ideal body weight," Pollak urged. "Those two things will definitely lower you cancer risk and they will have many other health benefits as well -- and there are no possible downsides."

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force could not say when its new vitamin D guidelines will be released. (Reuters)

Karzai urges 'neighbourly' relations with Pakistan

KABUL: Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Tuesday urged Pakistan not to forge its policy on Afghanistan based on its rivalries with either India or the United States.

"We want Pakistan to have an independent policy towards Afghanistan. It should not look at Afghanistan based on its relations with India and America. Pakistan should approach us as its neighbour," Karzai told local television.

Fearful of encirclement by its wealthier neighbour, Pakistan has been accused of trying to gain strategic ground over its arch rival India by supporting the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, relations between Pakistan and the US, which is fighting a 10-year war against the Taliban insurgency, have fallen to a new low following the November 26 NATO airstrike which killed two dozen Pakistani soldiers on the Afghan border.

Karzai said he was trying not to involve his country in regional rivalries, so that when NATO-led foreign combat troops withdraw in 2014, Afghanistan can become a successful centre for international business.

"We are trying to turn Afghanistan into a country where in the years between 2014 and 2024 it won't be a scene of negative rivalries and clashes," he said.

"Instead it will be a place for cooperation, business and economy, and a main transition route between central, south and east Asia."

He said the next president, who will take office after elections in three years time, should be "sincere, patriotic, efficient and a person trusted by all the people of Afghanistan".

Karzai, whose second and final term in office will end in 2014, said he would support such a candidate, and has previously vowed not to seek a third term.

In October, Karzai sought to reassure Pakistan after signing a new strategic partnership with India, which aimed to boost trade and cultural links, but also saw promises of a greater Indian role in training Afghan security forces.

Indian involvement in Afghanistan is extremely sensitive because of the delicate and often deadly power games in South Asia, with Pakistan vehemently opposed to its arch-foe meddling in what it considers its backyard.

Since the border strikes last month, Pakistan has charged that US-led forces deliberately carried out the air strikes that killed 24 soldiers, but the US has insisted the incident was a regrettable mistake.

Tensions were already running high between the US and Pakistan, whose military -- long the country's most powerful institution -- has been on the defensive since the secret US raid in May that killed Osama bin Laden.

In response to the strikes, Pakistan has sealed its Afghan border to NATO supply convoys, boycotted the Bonn conference on the future of Afghanistan and ordered US personnel to vacate an air base reportedly used by CIA drones. (AFP)

White House backs Biden's 'Taliban-friendly' statement

WASHINGTON: The White House on Monday defended Vice President Joe Biden for saying that the Taliban isn't an enemy of the United States despite the years spent fighting the militant Islamic group that gave a home to Al Qaeda and its leader Usama bin Laden while he plotted the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

"It's only regrettable when taken out of context," White House spokesman Jay Carney said of the vice president's remarks in an interview published

"It is a simple fact that we went into Afghanistan because of the attack on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. We are there now to ultimately defeat Al Qaeda, to stabilize Afghanistan and stabilize it in part so that Al Qaeda or other terrorists who have as their aim attacks on the United States cannot establish a foothold again in that country," Carney continued.

During Biden's interview with Newsweek last week, the vice president said it's "good enough" for the U.S. if Afghanistan stops being a "haven for people who do damage and have as a target the United States of America" and its allies. He added that the U.S. is supportive of a reconciliation process between the Afghan government and the Taliban even if it's questionable whether a reconciliation is possible.

"Look, the Taliban per se is not our enemy. That's critical," Biden said. "There is not a single statement that the president has ever made in any of our policy assertions that the Taliban is our enemy, because it threatens U.S. interests. If, in fact, the Taliban is able to collapse the existing government, which is cooperating with us in keeping the bad guys from being able to do damage to us, then that becomes a problem for us."

Biden said that the U.S. is on a dual track in Afghanistan -- keep the pressure on Al Qaeda and support a government that is strong enough to "negotiate with and not be overthrown by the Taliban."

Carney said the U.S. did not send the military into Afghanistan because the Taliban were in power, and the vice president's point was that "while we are fighting them, it is not the elimination -- the elimination of the Taliban is not the issue here.

Gilani, Wali call on Zardari

KARACHI: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Bilawal House on Tuesday night,

According to sources, the Prime Minister and President discussed prevailing political situation, Abbottabad Commission and memogate issue. PM Gilani also inquired about the health of President Zardari.

ANP leader Asfandyar Wali was also present in the meeting.

It is to be mentioned here that it is the first meeting of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani with President Asif Ali Zardari after return of the President from Dubai.

Meanwhile, movement of Prime Minister's convoy created traffic mess on the roads of Karachi, resulting commuters faced severe problems. 

People steal chairs after PTI rally

KASUR: A rally announcing the inclusion of Khursheed Kasuri to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) saw the stealing of chairs by those attending it. 

People were seen stealing chairs at the end of the rally and fighting with each other over possession.

Pictures from the scene showed each individual making away with up to five chairs.

PTI workers were also seen trying to wrestle away chairs from the participants of the rally.

Speaking to Geo News Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said those who attended the rally had no allegiance to the PTI.

During a news conference when PTI chairman Imran Khan was asked about what took place after the rally, he replied that people were frustrated with the rising inflation, cost of food and feared that in the future they would steal chairs from peoples homes. 

Can’t find angels to join PTI: Imran

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan has said that his party’s tsunami would wash away the big three political parties of the country,

Talking to media at famous singer Abrar-ul-Haq’s residence here, he said he was sorry when President Zardari left the country in a fly-by-night manner, but was sorrier on his homecoming.

The nation must have been taken into confidence on the nature of President Zardari’s health issues as rumour-factory was churning out all sorts of stories about the same, Khan said straight-from-the-shoulder.

To a query, he said, in a country neck-deep in corruption finding angels to join his party was next to impossible.

Talking about politicians he said politics, here, centered on moneymaking, adding first they (politicians) make money and then spend rest of their lives ensuring they don't lose it.

Abrar-ul-Haq, on the occasion, announced to come under the auspices of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf.

Time to play a Ten10 match with Imran: Sharif

KARACHI: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Mian Nawaz Sharif has said that it's time to play a Ten10 match with Imran Khan,

Talking to newsmen in Karachi he said he used to blast away Imran Khan’s in-swinging curveball for a four on the fine-leg fence in such a way that the turf blew off the outfield.

When asked would he pay a visit to President Zardari to inquire after his health, he prayed for him (President) to get well soon.

Veena confirms break-up with Ashmit Patel

MUMBAI: Veena Malik has revealed toNews her whereabouts during the period she was missing.

According to the actress she had “locked herself” in a hotel in Mumbai after she had broken up with Ashmit Patel.

Corresponding with  News via BlackBerry, Veena said she broke up with Ashmit and left his home after which she went to the hotel.

“It was difficult to get over, but I’m fine now” Veena said about her breakup.

Israel frees 550 Palestinian prisoners

RAMALLAH: Israel on Sunday freed 550 Palestinian prisoners, completing the second phase of the deal which saw Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit freed in October, Palestinians said.

Officials in the West Bank city of Ramallah said that the main contingent of freed prisoners entered the city, where thousands of well-wishers awaited them at the presidential headquarters. (AFP)

Five killed in Faisalabad van fire

FAISALABAD: Five people including a women and child were killed when the van they were travelling in caught fire, 

The tragic incident took place on Shekihepura road as the passenger van suddenly caught fire. 


Rescue 1122 reached the spot and rushed the injured to the Allied Hospital. 


According to the DCO, the fire was caused because of a short circuit. 

President Zardari arrives in Karachi from Dubai

DUBAI: President Asif Ali Zardari, who was in Dubai for nearly two weeks for medical treatment, arrived in Karachi on late Sunday night,

The President arrived in a special plane that landed at PAF base Masror. The plane landed two minutes late.

In the President's plane all medical facilities as well as his personal doctor and other medics were also present. The President was accompanied by his daughter.

Earlier, the medical team of President Asif Ali Zardari declared him completely fit, allowing him to resume his official activities.

Security from airport to Bilawal House had already been beefed in the anticipation of President's arrival.

DG ISI says he was satisfied with evidence provided by Mansoor Ijaz

ISLAMABAD: DG ISI General Shuja Pasha in his reply to the Supreme Court said he was satisfied that Mansoor Ijaz 'had enough corroborative material to prove his version of the incident', 

General Pasha states that Ijaz would not have been able to write the article without having evidence about the memo.

The DG ISI further said that the article of Mansoor Ijaz published in Financial Times was part of a usual anti-ISI rhetoric.

Given below is the complete text of the reply of DG ISI Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha submitted to the Supreme Court on Thursday:

Respectfully submitted;

1. Respondent No 7 has not received any petition till now. However, in compliance with the orders of the Honourable Court dated 1.12.2011 reply is submitted herein:

2. Media Wing of ISI brought to my notice the piece published in the Financial Times on the 10th of October. It was written by one Mr Mansoor Ejaz. The writer had, in this article, criticised the ISI's role and suggested some actions against the Organization. This was usual anti ISI rhetoric.

3. But I did find the opening paragraph of this piece quite unusual and damaging. It mentioned that a senior Pakistani official had been attempting to pass on a message to senior US leaders indicating imminence of a military takeover in Pakistan. The whole thing looked intriguing. I concluded that one could write such a piece so blatantly unless he had some evidence to support his assertions. I, therefore, tasked my sources to know about Mr Mansoor Ijaz and find out if he would agree to share the information about the purported Memorandum.

4. It was confirmed to me by my sources that Mr Mansoor ijaz was ready to share the information but only with the Director General and also not in Pakistan. He insisted that the meeting shall be without any aides on both sides. Accordingly, a meeting was thus planned and took place in London on 22nd of October 2011.

5. Mr Mansoor Ijaz briefed me that our Ambassador in Washington had gotten in touch with him and remained in communication about the contents and delivery of the Memo to the relevant US authorities. He also showed me the proof of a large number of messages sent through BlackBerry which had been exchanged between our Ambassador in Washington and him regarding the document, which later came to be known as the Memorandum. He explained to me in fair amount of details about the circumstances leading to the drafting of Memo and why it was delivered through him. I told him, that I could not believe him unless I saw his BlackBerry and Computer myself to form an opinion that the messages were really exchanged between the two individuals. Having seen these means of communication used, I was satisfied that he had enough corroborative material to prove his version of the incident. He insisted that he will present the details of the evidence himself before a commission or court of law, if asked to do so.

6. I left London the next evening and reported my findings verbally to the Chief of Army Staff on 24th October 2011.

7. I met the Honourable President of Pakistan on 18th of November 2011 when this matter also came under discussion and I briefed him on what, according to my assessment, the facts were. I also suggested to him the issue pertained to National Security and should not be taken lightly. I suggested to the President that it will be in the fitness of things to ask our Ambassador in Washington to verify or contradict the matter.

8. The Respondent has the honour to lead ISI, an organization that stands in forefront, particularly during the peace time, to safeguard the security of the Country as well as the honour and respect of its people. Men and women under command of the Respondent continue to risk their lives and those of their children to positively contribute to the overall security calculus of the Country. All our efforts are geared towards that end.

9. The Respondent, in his humble personal capacity, maintains that access to unadulterated truth and justice is a right of the people of Pakistan, the real sovereign masters of this Country. To this end, Honourable Court may, if deemed appropriate, graciously consider the following:-

a. May kindly summon Mr Mansoor Ijaz to appear before the Honourable Court as he alone holds the real evidence, as claimed by him. He has already, at a number of occasions, indicated his willingness to do so, through the print and electronic media.

b. May kindly demand forensic examination of the computers and all the cell phones and Black Berry Telephones used since May 2011 till date by the both, Mr Mansoor Ijaz and our Ex Ambassador to the US.

c. May kindly consider retrieval of the Call Record Data related to this incident from the Black Berry as well as other service providers, if any.

10. Under the circumstances, the answering Respondent shall comply with all the directions given by this Honourable Court in the matter and render necessary assistance to its appointed commission whenever so required. 

End the war in Iraq, the American flag off folks, are voiced by Mr.

Baghdad, Washington (AFP, online) nine years after the war in Iraq on Thursday at the end of U.S. military operations in Baghdad has formally stripped American flag. Regarding the withdrawal of U.S. forces in Baghdadhead high with pride. our military withdrawal from Iraq at a steady and kudmktarmlk leave behind are the future of Iraq now is in public hands. North Carolina to fill in the fort, while the U.S. President to take part in this war and the soldiers who died during appreciated. asnayaraq Meanwhile thousands of people in the streets and the withdrawal of U.S. troops from their country to celebrate the U.S. and Israeli flags burned were . in Baghdad Defence Minister also attended the ceremony pnyta Leone. U.S. troops remain in Iraq during a ceremony at the Pentagon to continue Leone pnyta nine years of war, American soldiers paid tribute to the sacrifices. They. our mission in Iraq was a sovereign and independent government and its management and security responsibilities to handle. I think we largely succeeded in achieving this mission. They say Iraq in the coming days as compared to gajmhuryt examination will have to face challenges. But he said the United States to face the challenges of the Iraqi people will stand. They a U.S. withdrawal no less than miracles declared.

Libyan leader Col Gaddafi has been involved in the killing of U.S., Russian Prime Minister

MOSCOW (AFP / Online) Russian Prime Minister Vladimir myrpyutn Washington Libya on charges of murdering the victim by mamrqzafy rhnmakrnl prgyr U.S. policies on minor assault charges and bucharkrdy synytrjan McCain's statement. U.S. Russian Prime MinisterRussian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin gave the U.S. synytrjan McCain's statement that Russia's current protest situation in the Arab world was likened to a wave of awareness, said in response to a question about McCain fought in Vietnam Hey, I like lots of blood on her hands, has been peaceful citizens. Gaddafi to assassinate Putin said that for now with his bloody hands have been impossible without more ghnawny bloody scenes. They Recent protests over election results offered the janitor, but said nothing about the demands that the demonstrators will protest by staying within the law when conditions are normal.

SC receives COAS, DG ISI reply in memo case

ISLAMABAD: Cheif of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and DG ISI Shuja Pasha have submitted their replies to the Supreme Court in the memo case,

The replies of the COAS and DG ISI were submitted on behalf of the attorney general who had earlier received them via the office of the COAS.

Replies have also been received from the cabinet, law, defence, interior and foreign secretaries.

Earlier the Supreme Court had also received replies from Mansoor Ijaz and Husain Haqqani.

The reply of President Zardarr however has not been received by the Supreme Court. 

Gepco tariff raise approved

GUJRANAWALA: Nepra Wednesday approved Gujranawala Electric Power Company (Gepco)’s tariff raise by Rs1.00 to Rs4.05 per unit,

Sources said that Gepco domestic customers would have to bear an additional burden of Rs1.00 to Rs4.05 per unit, while the commercial customers Rs3.15 and the industrial customers Rs3.10 per unit. 

Besides, Rs2.53 per unit raise has also been approved for the agricultural customers, sources said.

Nepra sources told that the final decision about the enhancement of tariff is to be made by the government and if decided not to pass on the burden to customers, then a subsidy of Rs31 billion would have to be given. 

Corporal Punishment: Studying in Fear

by Mariam Magsi

When you live outside of Pakistan for a while, you see it in a whole new way. Certain elements within our society cease to make sense when we are exposed to foreign systems where basic human rights are far louder than tyranny or oppression. One of the West’s strongest attributes is their focus on honing and refining skills. Almost every occupation requires exclusive training and education. Teachers are not only expected to have degrees but are required to attend Teacher’s College for four years. It is extremely competitive and many don’t make the cut. The ones that do are trained in children’s psychology and aid in their development, not their demise.



In Pakistan, frustrated and unskilled teachers are hired to educate poor, deprived children in deteriorating schools with extremely weak infrastructures, if any at all. When I looked into why the drop out rate in public schools was so high in Pakistan, it turns out that whatever little recorded information there is on the subject, points to corporal punishment playing a major role in the lives of these children. In Canada hitting a child in school is unheard of, verbal communication is the only method used to reprimand them and if discrepancies are made, the penalties are severe. 

Beatings, child abuse, strange, extreme punishments and physical assault have become culturally accepted practices in Pakistan. Both rural and urban settings have a high rate of children being hit and verbally abused. Pakistan tries to enforce a culture that is obedient, docile and respectful, but this respect is attained through fear and constant brainwashing. We are all aware of what happens in Madrassah’s and how children are chained, beaten and physically abused until their resolve is broken and their feelings are numbed. It is the worst form of violation a child can go through especially when he or she is at a physical disadvantage, unable to tackle obese, hard handed maulvi’s, parents, teachers and elders. 

Some of the common methods used to attack children include, but are not limited to slapping, punching, pushing, choking, hair-pulling, and inflicting bruises and wounds with shoes, hangers, canes and belts. At times the beatings are continuous and children are left with heavy scarring and marks on their vulnerable bodies. In extreme cases children’s faces have been smashed into walls and desks. At times, children are sexually abused and much of this bigotry goes ignored. 

Then there are severely bizarre cases like the one in Gujranwala where the principal not only painted the students faces with black ink, but the school’s management pulled surprising stunts like locking up a local journalist and harassing parents. Bones are broken and fractured, heavy bleeding occurs and there seems to be no fear of consequences on behalf of these deranged, lunatic adults. Kids rebel everywhere in the world and meeting their raging hormones with monstrous authority in no way eases their transitional pain. 

Psychologists do not treat these children and hardly any studies are carried out with regards to their social development. Victims of mental and physical torture will grow to be psychologically disturbed and we have no one looking into that. Is it no surprise that Pakistan’s violence is bursting at the seams? Who are these bearded people with guns? Why are they destroying our nation? What kind of terror filled, raging, maniacal, suicidal wave is this that is seeping through the streets condemning the literate and the logical? Is there something dangerously wrong with the way we are raising our future generations? Perhaps our “beat the child” philosophies have failed to succeed in producing a healthy society and this trend of ignoring children and their rights will have to change if we are to hope for better citizens for Pakistan’s unpredictable tomorrow.

No cut in $700m civilian aid to Pakistan: US

WASHINGTON: State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland has said that US has not cut $700 million civilian aid to Pakistan while Defence Authorization bill is under discussion in the Congress.

Briefing the media, Victoria Nuland said Defence Department provides strategy how to utilize military aid and how to note its success.

Nuland said if this legislation becomes law, US will work with the government of Pakistan on how we can fulfill the requirements.

The spokesperson did not comment on the envoys' conference in Pakistan but said that dialogues were continued to cope with the challenges both countries have. 

ISAF commander contacts COAS

KABUL: General John Allen, ISAF commander in Afghanistan Tuesday said Pakistan has showed signs of resumption of communication exchange which was halted following the Nato strike in Pakistan that killed 24 soldiers, .

General Allen told journalists in Kabul that he had talked to Pakistan Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.

During the conversation, both the officials expressed the resolve to get to the facts of Mohmand Agency attack.

The ISAF commander said he was confident that Pakistan would soon send back its coordination officials, who were recalled after the Mohmand strike, at Nato Headquarters in Afghanistan. 

NATO supply route blockade enters 19th day

CHAMAN: Pakistan's blockade of the vital NATO/US supply line into Afghanistan entered its 19th day on Wednesday.

The supply line was suspended after the NATO troops raided checkposts inside Pakistan, killing 24 soldiers.

Owing to this halt, NATO forces are facing shortage of petroleum products, food and others.

Meanwhile, drivers of the NATO containers, standing at Pak borders, are facing many problems besides insecurity. 

Manhole devours 12-year-old girl in Lahore

LAHORE: A twelve-year-old girl, who fell into a manhole, died in a local hospital on late Tuesday night, Geo News reported.

The heirs of the ill-fated girl have demanded of the authorities concerned to take action against WASA officials over negligence in covering the manhole that took life of their beloved one.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif has taken notice of the incident and sought report within 24 hours from the officials concerned.

On the other hand, MD WASA has suspended three officials of the respective area and ordered investigation. 

X Factor 2010 Final Result Matt Cardle Wins X Factor + Sings When We Collide Full Version HQ -

Pakistani forces took control of the board of Air Base

Islamabad: Pakistani security forces took over the company's air base. The board Air Base hascompleted the withdrawal of U.S. forces, twoaircraft left ayyrbys, with foreign troops, threeaircraft at the last board departed from air base,the FC has taken control of ayyrbys. the board ofthe federal Cabinet on November 26 to December11 deadline to vacate the air base was.

Skarlrky collective abuse of justice surrounding the office of Geo News reached for

Jhang Jhang ... poor families in the region ShahKot mass rape of two women kumslh targeted,arrested or accused of rape victims to reachLahore at around justice, Parveen Akhtar, a resident of Jhang District Office can live nyuzlahurand a half months before the seven armed menentered his house, three points the gun at her whileher sister Abida daubly locked in a room for victims of abuse. Pravin said that neighborhood residentsaccused of running at , the police report lodgedagainst the accused in court by the accused but thepolice are forced to reconcile with the money, heurged the CM to offer them justice, as aurmlzmunbe really punished.