Factory collapse: 10 dead,several trapped in Lahore

LAHORE: At least ten people have been killed while several others including women and children are trapped under the rubble of a three-storey building of a pharmaceutical company which collapsed due to a boiler explosion,

Three houses alongside the building were also razed to the ground.

According to the details, ten dead bodies including that of a women and child and 12 injured people have been pulled out and shifted to the hospital.

Rescue workers and people continue to remove the debris in an effort to fear the approximately 50 people trapped inside. .

AFP adds: The three-storey building used to manufacture veterinary medicines came crashing down when a gas explosion ripped through the premises, police said.

Rescue workers dug through the rubble with bare hands, desperate to answer trembling cries for help from people trapped beneath concrete slabs as sobbing relatives urged rescuers to do everything possible to recover their loved ones.

Police said the factory was illegal without the proper registration and that they were looking to arrest its three partners.

The accident at the 25-year-old factory was likely to highlight poor safety procedures among Pakistani manufacturers and with a 12-year-old boy among the dead, the use of child labour.

Pakistan make historic clean sweep against England

DUBAI: Pakistan's bowlers sealed an emphatic 71-run win in the third and final Test against England here on Monday, wrapping up a humiliating 3-0 series whitewash in the process.

Set a daunting 324-run target, England were bowled out for 252 with paceman Umar Gul taking 4-61 and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal 4-67 to help Pakistan achieve a first-ever Test cleansweep against their opponents.
With the ball turning again it was always going to be a difficult task for England's batsmen, who have struggled to play the Pakistani spinners throughout the series, on a weary fourth day pitch at Dubai Stadium.

Pakistan won the first Test here by ten wickets and the second by 72 runs in Abu Dhabi.

Pakistan have also become the first team to win a Test after being bowled out for under 100 since 1907 when England, shot out for 76, beat South Africa at Leeds.

It was England's seventh series whitewash, their first at the hands of Pakistan. Pakistan have now recorded five series whitewashes, their last coming in a 3-0 win over Bangladesh in 2003.

England's last series whitewash came in 2007 when they were routed by Australia 5-0.

So dominating have been Pakistanis spinners that Ajmal finished the series with 24 and Rehman with 19.

An elated Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq praised his team.

"It's a wonderful team effort," said Misbah, who now has won nine of the 15 Tests as captain, with one loss and five draws. "It's a big win against a big team, achieved through hard work."

England captain Andrew Strauss said the lack of run-making had left him disappointed.

"It's a bit of surprise as well as disappointment because we did not put scores on the board, and we must give credit to Pakistan," said Strauss who has lost his first series since losing to the West Indies in 2009.

"We have important lessons to learn from this defeat."

England, 89-2 at lunch, were still in with a chance with Alastair Cook (49) and Kevin Pietersen (18) batting well but they lost four wickets in the space of 84 runs.

They went to tea at 173-6.

Pietersen, who struggled for runs in the series, hit Abdul Rehman for a boundary and then hoisted him for a six to post England's 100. But Ajmal struck from the other end.

The off-spinner produced a beautiful delivery to bowl Pietersen through the gate for 18. He had a mere 67 runs for the series during which he was out to spinners on five occasions.

In his next over, Ajmal produced another sharp turning delivery which caught the edge of Cook's bat and was smartly held by a diving Younis Khan in the lone slip.

Ian Bell (10) and Eoin Morgan (31) added 37 for the fifth wicket but again failed to produce a big score in the series as Gul dismissed them in the space of just three runs.

Pakistan took the second new ball at 196-6 and the first ball saw Gul dismissing Stuart Broad (18) and then Graeme Swann on one.

Matt Prior remained not out at 49 when Monty Panesar was dismissed by Rehman for nine.

England had looked for big partnerships after resuming at 36-0 but that never transpired.

Pakistan could have wrapped the match earlier had they not dropped two crucial catches, the first off Strauss on 26 when wicket-keeper Adnan Akmal grassed a simple chance off Gul.

But that didn't hurt Pakistan as Rehman trapped the England captain in the very next over. Strauss challenged the decision by Australian umpire Steve Davis but his review failed.

Gul then let off Cook at 24 when he failed to hold a top-edge sweep off Rehman.

Cook had also benefited from a dropped catch on Saturday when Taufiq Umar let him off in the third slip off a miscued drive off Gul when he was four.

Ajmal then broke a dangerous looking 37-run stand between Cook and Jonathan Trott (18) by forcing a top-edge sweep which was smartly snapped up by Rehman at square-leg

Obama says US, Israel 'in lockstep' on Iran

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama on Sunday sought to reassure Americans over the threat posed by Iran, saying the United States was working "in lockstep" with Israel to bring Tehran to heel over its suspect nuclear program.

Obama said the Islamic republic was "feeling the pinch" of ever tougher sanctions imposed by the international community, and dismissed concerns that Tehran could retaliate by striking US soil, saying such a strike was unlikely.

"I've been very clear -- we're going to do everything we can to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon and creating a nuclear arms race in a volatile region," Obama said in a live pre-Super Bowl interview with NBC.

"We have mobilized the international community, in a way that is unprecedented. They are feeling the pinch. They are feeling the pressure," he said.

"My number one priority continues to be the security of the United States. But also, the security of Israel. And we're going to make sure that we work in lockstep, as we proceed to try to solve this -- hopefully diplomatically."

When asked if he believed the Jewish state would launch a pre-emptive strike on Iran's nuclear installations, Obama replied: "I don't think Israel has made a decision."

Asked if Washington would be consulted first, he said he couldn't go into specifics but added that the two allies had "closer intelligence and military consultations" than ever before.

On whether Iran could possibly strike US targets in retaliation, Obama said: "We don't see any evidence they have those intentions or capabilities."

He added: "Again, our goal is to resolve this diplomatically. That would be preferable. We're not going to take options off the table, though."

The US president cautioned that "any kind of additional military activity inside the Gulf is disruptive. And has a big effect on us. It can affect oil prices."

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman was due in Washington on Monday, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit the United States in early March, though a meeting between Netanyahu and Obama was not yet confirmed.

Obama says he 'deserves second term'

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama said Sunday that he deserved to be re-elected because the US economy is adding jobs and recovering, in stark contrast to the bleak monthly unemployment hikes he inherited in 2009.

In a pre-Super Bowl interview with NBC, Obama was reminded that three years ago, just days after he took office, he told the same network: "If I don't have it done in three years, it's going to be a one-term proposition."

Obama pointed to US job numbers issued Friday showing that 243,000 net new jobs were added in January, the fastest spurt in nine months and which brought the unemployment rate down to 8.3 percent.

"I deserve a second term. But we are not done," Obama said in the interview, stating that three years ago, "we were losing 750,000 jobs a month."

"Now, we're creating 250,000. We created the most manufacturing jobs since 1990. But we're not finished," Obama said, pointing to the need to see that "all American manufacturing is building again and selling overseas."

"We've got to make sure that we're pushing American energy. And that includes not just oil and gas, but clean energy," he added.

"We have to make sure that the skills of American workers are the best in the world. And we're making progress on that front."

SC deadline on 'by-polls legal cover' ends today

ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court of Pakistan’s deadline regarding legality of by-elections is ending today (Monday),

According to details the fate of 28 parliamentarians hangs in balance as they would be rendered disqualified if government failed to have the 20th Constitutional amendment pass both Upper and Lower Houses.

The Supreme Court will resume hearing today (Monday) on the petition filed by Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan on fake electoral lists of the Election Commission of Pakistan.

A four-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, will hear the case. Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, Justice Tariq Pervez and Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmani are other members of the bench.

Conspiracies to stop Senate polls: PM Gilani

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Youuf Raza Gilani said several conspiracies were hatched to stop the election of Senate, however, the government remained committed to holding of the election.

Gilani said that the government wanted unanimous passage of the 20th Constitutional Amendment and was holding discussions with allies and opposition to reach a mutual understanding on it.

Responding to questions of media persons at the end of the inaugural session of Seerat-un-Nabi (SAWW) Conference here, the prime minister said since the Parliament passed the previous amendments with consensus so the government desired to go ahead with the 20th Amendment in the same manner.

He said since the amendment was a very serious matter and the apex court had also directed to get a nod from the Parliament, therefore, the government was discussing the matter with its allies.

He said the process was going on and it was passing through the Parliamentary Committee for Law and Justice and different phases to seek point of view of the opposition parties.

He said the government wanted free, fair and transparent elections through an independent Election Commission.

Gilani said the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) was not a one-timer and had always suffered because of rigging in the elections and wanted to ensure transparency in the polls.

Gilani said a conspiracy was being hatched against the creation of a Seraiki province and the government would work even more effectively for its creation.

He said some earlier talked of restoration of the Bahawalpur state, but that move has fizzled out as there could not be a state within the state.

Gilani said many issues had to be taken into consideration for the creation of a new province. There should be a province that covers not only Bahawalpur, but also adjoining the areas in Southern Punjab, he added.

When asked whether he feared the courts, Gilani said the case was proceeding as part of a process. He, however, said it was the media that from day one has been giving dates of the collapse of government.

Responding to a question, the PM regretted that since long not even a single government was allowed to complete its term and it had led to a spate of problems that the nation was facing today.

He said Pakistan and India were created on the same date, but there was a stark difference in how they have continued with their system.

The completion of term by the Parliament is in the interest of the country, he added.

Replying to a question about the names of several candidates that were being named as Prime Minister, Gilani said any person, who qualifies to be a member of the National Assembly, qualifies to be Prime Minister.

When asked about his expected talks in Qatar and discussion on the future of Afghanistan, Gilani said a stable Afghanistan was vital.

"If there is any political reconciliation that is Afghan-led and Afghan-owned, we will support it."

Gilani said Pakistan was part of a core group that included Afghanistan and the United States and it meets regularly.

He said peace in Afghanistan was vital for the security and stability of Pakistan.

About reports of restoration of NATO supply, the Prime Minister referred to statements by some political parties who said they would not let these supplies open.

He said the government had not taken the decision to halt supplies on the request of these parties, but because of on national interest.

He said the government would follow the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee on relations with the US as these would represent the views of the entire nation. (APP)

Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) celebrated with religious zeal, fervour

ISLAMABAD: The faithful on Sunday celebrated Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAWW) with religious zeal, fervour and a commitment to promote brotherhood and a welfare society as enshrined in the teachings of Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

Rallies were taken out and congregations held to mark the day (12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal) and enlighten the followers of the Last Prophet (PBUH) with his teachings and practices.

Ulema and scholars addressed the gatherings across the country as cities and towns were tastefully decorated to celebrate the event in a befitting manner.

The day dawned with special prayers for development, peace, unity and brotherhood among the followers of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) as well as a 31-gun salute in the Federal Capital and 21-gun salutes at the provincial headquarters.

It was a public holiday and special security arrangements were made to maintain law and order across the country on this occasion.

President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, and other leaders had issued separate messages in connection with the day. They urged the Ummah and the Pakistani nation to forge unity as taught by the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) to fight the present day challenges.

Quran Khawani was held at Aiwan-e-Sadr and prayers were offered for solidarity and salvage of the Ummah and the Pakistani nation.

Main event of the day was the annual National Seerat Conference where Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani reiterated that peace and security in the world can only be attained by following the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

The Prime Minister said the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is the only way for a better life in this world and hereafter and urged to follow his teachings of tolerance, understanding and respect for humanity.

Newspapers and magazines published special supplements, while television channels and radio stations arranged special `Naatia Mushairas' and quiz programmes on Seerat-e-Mustafa (PBUH). Mahafil-e-Milad were held across the country and actively participated by a large number of people.

Special security arrangements were made in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar and other major cities and towns across the country to thwart any untoward incident.

Conferences were also held at provincial, divisional and district headquarters to pay respect and homage to the Last Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). (APP)

Avoiding whitewash an uphill task for England

DUBAI: England were set an improbable target of 324 runs to win the third and final Test and avoid the humiliation of a first-ever series whitewash at the hands of
Pakistan here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Needing to chase their second best achieved target in all Tests of 324, England finished the third day at 36-0, with openers Andrew Strauss (19) and Alastair Cook (15) playing out the tricky 20 overs on an eased out pitch.

They still need another 288 runs with all ten wickets intact in the last two days. England's most successful chase to win a Test was the 332 they made against Australia in Melbourne in 1929.

Azhar Ali hit a career-best 157 and Younis Khan's 127 in Pakistan's second innings total of 365.

Azhar Ali was the ninth player to be out after playing a long innings of 533 minutes during which he hit ten fours and a six.

Monty Panesar took five and Graeme Swann finished with three wickets.

Pakistan were bowled out for 99 in their first innings and can become the first team to win a Test after being bowled out for under 100 since England, dismissed for 76 in the first innings, beat South Africa by 53 runs at Leeds in 1907.

It will need an extraordinary effort from the England batsmen who lost the first Test here by ten wickets and the second by 72 runs in Abu Dhabi after their batting flopped against Pakistani spinners Saeed Ajmal and Abdul Rehman.

Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) being celebrated

iSLAMABAD: The Nation is celebrating Eid Milad-un-Nabi (Peace Be Upon Him) with religious reverence and fervor renewing the pledge to follow true teachings of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH).

The day began with special prayers for development, safety, peace, unity and brotherhood amongst the followers of Holy Prophet (PBUH).

It is a public holiday. Special security arrangements have be made to maintain law and order across the country on the occasion of 12th Rabi-ul-Awal.

Newspapers and magazines have published special supplements, while television channels and radio stations are airing special `Naatia Mushairas' and quiz programmes on Seerat-e-Mustafa (PBUH).

All major government and private buildings, residential plazas, markets, mosques, roundabouts and even houses have been tastefully decorated.

Mahafil-e-Milad and public meetings are being held in different parts of the country, while faithful are actively participating in the programmes organised by different local, religious and social organizations.

Na'at and the Holy Quran reciting competitions would be held throughout the day in almost every nook and corner of the country to revive the real spirit of Islam and offer respect to the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

There are special security arrangements in the Federal Capital, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar and other cities and towns across the country to avoid any untoward incident.

Participants of Mahafil will be properly verified and checked by security personnel.

Milad processions would be taken out from different areas of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, reciting Na'ats and Darood o Salam for the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).

Major event of the day would be the annual National Seerat Conference in which prominent Ulema and scholars from across the country would participate. Selected Ulema and scholars would highlight various aspects of the life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), stressing the need to follow golden principles of Islam to achieve success in the world and hereafter.

Besides, such conferences would be held at provincial headquarters, divisional and district levels to pay respect and homage to Allah Almighty's Last Messenger.

Congregations would be organized in all important cities of the country where the preachers and scholars would highlight the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) besides delivering lectures on His way of life.

For faithful, Eid Milad-un-Nabbi is a highly regarded religious festival when they express gratitude and thanks to Allah Almighty for blessing the universe with His last messenger and Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). 

Hard snowfall maroons hundreds in Murree

MURREE: Relentless snowfall has stranded hundreds of tourists in their vehicles on the road leading to Murree Hills,

It snowed heavier than expected on Saturday causing a gridlock on the roads as slipperiness prevented the automobiles form moving ahead forcing the tourists to spend night out there in the freezing cold.

Police and rescue officials were trying there best to get the tourists out of their misery but to no avail, as there seemed to be no letup in the inclemency of the weather.

Kashmir Solidarity Day being observed in befitting manner

ISLAMABAD: The whole nation is observing the Kashmir Solidarity day in befitting manner to pay homage to Kashmiri martyrs and express unity with people of Occupied Kashmir in their fight against Indian subjugation.

Pakistan is marking the day since 1990 to highlight the plight of people of Kashmir for their birth right to self determination promised to them by the international community under the resolutions of United Nations Security Council.

It is obligation of the world community to ensure a United Nations sponsored plebiscite in Kashmir according to wishes of the people of Kashmir.

All activities and transport came to standstill when one minute's silence will be observed throughout the country at 10 a.m. by blowing sirens.

President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan and AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majid have issued special messages in connection with Kashmir day, expressing solidarity with people of Occupied Kashmir.

President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani will address the joint session of the AJK Legislative Assembly and the Council.

A Kashmir convention will be held in Islamabad in which tribute will be paid to martyrs, who sacrificed their lives to get their birth right to self-determination.

The prime minister will host a dinner in honour of prominent Kashmir leaders in Islamabad.

A briefing will be arranged for all foreign mission in Islamabad on the latest situation in Occupied Kashmir, while all major mission abroad will arrange receptions for Pakistanis and Kashmiris.

Rallies, processions, seminars and photo exhibitions have been arranged by Pakistani mission abroad.

Packets containing ration will be given to each family living in refugee camps across the country.

A "Kashmiri Handicraft Exhibition" will be held at Lok Virsa where Kashmiri songs will be played and photos will be displayed.

Pakistan National Council of Arts will arrange a painting exhibition on Kashmir Culture besides setting up an Art Bazar on Kashmir and holding a puppet show. Posters and badges will be distributed among people in connection with the Kashmir Solidarity day.

Rallies, demonstrations, human chains by men, women and children will be held at various cities of the country, Azad Kashmir and the connecting points between Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir including at Kohala to express solidarity with the struggling Kashmiris of Indian Held Kashmir for their just cause for freedom from Indian yoke.

International Community's attention will be drawn towards Indian atrocities and barbarities, stressing it to play role in resolution of the Kashmir issue.

Special functions will be held in educational institutions to apprise the new generation with the Kashmir issue and heroic struggle of the Kashmiri nation for their right to self determination.

Television channels and Radio will air special programmes to highlight the different aspects of the Kashmir issue particularly Indian atrocities against innocent Kashmiris fighting for their freedom from Indian yoke.

Russia, China veto UN resolution on Syria

UNITED NATIONS: Russia and China on Saturday vetoed a UN Security Council resolution condemning the Syrian government's deadly crackdown on protests for the second time.

Thirteen countries voted for the resolution proposed by European and Arab nations to give strong backing to the Arab League's plan to end President Bashar al-Assad's crackdown. But Russia and China made a repeat of their rare double veto carried out on October 5 on an earlier condemnation.

US ambassador Susan Rice called the block "shameful." She said the veto showed how Russia and China aimed to "sell out the Syrian people and shield a craven tyrant."

Arab nations also condemned the move.

"I would like to express our great regret and disappointment" at the veto, said Morocco's UN ambassador Mohammed Loulichki, whose country is the Arab member of the 15-member council and played a key role in the drawing up the resolution.

Western ambassadors highlighted the concessions made to Russia in weeks of negotiations on the draft text. References to sanctions by the Arab League and calls for Assad to stand down were taken out.

Britain is "appalled," said its UN envoy Mark Lyall Grant.

"It is a sad for this council, a sad day for Syrians, a sad day for the friends of democracy," said France's UN ambassador Gerard Araud.

"History has now compounded our shame since today is the anniversary of the Hama massacre and the day after another heinous massacre in Homs," added Araud, referring to a 1982 massacre in the Syrian city of Hama that killed tens of thousands. Assad's father, Hafez, ruled the country at the time.

"Father and son are killing; it would seem to be hereditary in Damascus," he said.

The Security Council has now only agreed one statement, which has a lower standing, on the Syrian crisis since protests erupted in March last year.

India and South Africa which abstained in the October vote, backed the latest resolution. Pakistan was also among council members to back the resolution. (AFP)

Imran holds Punjab government responsible of drug deaths

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan has held the Punjab government responsible for deaths caused by spurious drugs,

Talking to media here, Imran said the deaths occurred owing to incompetence of Punjab government.

Khan further said PPP and PML-N are scared of the PTI tsunami because they don't want any third power to make them accountable.

PM Gilani to discuss Afghan peace in Qatar

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani will discuss peace efforts for war-torn Afghanistan with Qatar's leadership during an official visit next week, an official said on Saturday.

"Yes the reconciliation process in Afghanistan would come under discussion during the talks with Qatar's leadership," a senior Pakistan government official told AFP.

Pakistan's foreign ministry was not immediately available for comment.
The Taliban, ousted from power by a US-led invasion in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, announced last month they planned to set up a political office in Qatar ahead of possible talks with the United States.

Afghanistan has given its blessing to the move, but Kabul, wary of being sidelined in talks between the insurgents and Washington, has insisted on a central role in any negotiations.

Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan are often tense. The Kabul government has accused Islamabad in the past of supporting the Taliban and sabotaging all efforts to launch peace negotiations.

Pakistan's support is therefore seen as key to forging peace in the country.

On Wednesday, Pakistani foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar during a visit to Kabul rejected accusations that her country was secretly supporting Taliban in Afghanistan.

The Taliban also denied plans for peace talks with the Afghan government in Saudi Arabia.

The statements came as a leaked NATO report charged that Pakistan's security services were backing the Taliban militia, who consider victory inevitable once Western combat troops leave in 2014. (AFP)

Policeman, woman among three gunned down in Sher Shah

KARACHI: Unidentified armed men shot dead a policeman and a woman in Sher Shah scrap market,

Three people have been killed in Sher Shah within a short span of just one hour.

Wikileaks to inform the court martial

The U.S. military has confirmed that U.S. military and diplomatic secrets related documents to Wikileaks, a Web site providing private Bradley Manning, a former soldier convicted in court martial proceedings against the will.
The former U.S. soldier who allegedly reveal the secret weightlifting site Wikileaks provided thousands of classified documents. U.S. authorities for publishing these documents on the Internet had led to shame. If Manning espionage against U.S. enemy action and the allegations are, they could be sentenced to life imprisonment.
The formal date for the trial against him and the judge has yet to be announced. Before the preliminary hearing in December, Manning's lawyer, said that during his twenty-year-old client should be given access to such sensitive documents needed.

"The best answer will attack Iran '

Iran's spiritual leader warned that his country's nuclear program target of any attack or sanctions will be fully answered.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Iran or to attack the issues would harm the U.S..
His statement came a time when Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak said yesterday that it was time to stop Iran's nuclear ambitions are.
U.S. Secretary of Defense and other U.S. officials pnyta Leone have expressed concern that a sudden attack on Iran for Israel potentially is preparing.

Banned outfits back in action on renewed funding: report

KARACHI: According to a British news agency, banned outfits in Pakistan have spun back into action after renewed funding,

Britain’s premier news network quoted Pakistani spy agencies as saying that these banned militant cliques have opened fresh bank accounts under new names.

It also added that funds are being transferred through these accounts not only within the country but also overseas.

Jaish-e-Mohammad, Tehreek-e-Islami; Millat-e-Islamia Pakistan, Ghazi Force, Hizbul Tehreer, Jamiat-ul-Furqan, and Khair-un-Nisa International Trust are reportedly among the militant organizations blacklisted by the government of Pakistan.

Four killed in Peshawar explosion

PESHAWAR: At least four people were killed as a result of an explosion in the Ring Road area of Peshawar.

The explosion took place at the office of a property dealer.

Speaking to the media provincial information minister Mian Iftikhar said that terrorism had a new face and attacks were taking place over tribal differences.

PCB to conduct rehabilitation for Amir

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board will conduct a rehabilitation programme for fast bowler Mohammad Amir under the anti-corruption code, an official said on Friday.

Amir, 19, was released from a British prison on Wednesday after serving half of his six-month sentence for his part in a spot-fixing scandal.

Pakistan Cricket Board legal adviser Taffazul Rizvi said Amir's rehabilitation programme would begin soon.

"Under the ICC anti-corruption code a convicted player undergoes an official education session to the reasonable satisfaction of ACSU programme during his period of ineligibility, in Amir's case it is five years," Rizvi told AFP.

"Further Amir has to agree to such additional reasonable and proportionate monitoring procedures and requirements as the ACSU may reasonably consider necessary."

"PCB and ICC are on the same page in this matter and are already in contact over the official anti-corruption education session," Rizvi added.

Since the spot-fixing scandal, the PCB has introduced stricter clauses in players' contracts in a bid to clamp down on malpractice in the game, and it has established its own anti-corruption unit.

LPG jumps by Rs 15 per ton as producers shift levy to consumers

KARACHI: Local producers of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) have shifted the burden of levy on LPG to 60 million consumers, raising its prices Friday by Rs 15,850 to a record Rs 109,700 per ton.

Chairman of FPCCI Standing Committee on LPG and All Pakistan LPG Distributors Association (APLDA) Abdul Hadi Khan, while expressing his disappointment over this rise, said that the raise of Rs 15,850 included the levy of Rs 11,400 per ton on LPG.

This has enhanced domestic prices by Rs 15 to Rs 145-165 per kilo, 11.8 kilo cylinder by Rs 188 to Rs 1,652 and 45.4 kg cylinder by Rs 726 to Rs 6,356, he added.

He said that the government could not stop producers from passing on LPG levy to consumers, raising its prices to record high in the country's history.

This will have a negative impact on LPG sales and make this fuel out of the reach of common consumers.

Hadi alleged that the local producers have been given liberty to raise LPG price at their own will, which amounts to drop a price bomb on the consumers who are already burdened with unprecedented price hike.

Hadi said that he has convened an emergency meeting of over 6,000 distributors and other stakeholders to devise a line of action against this price rise and transfer of LPG levy to the consumers.

He further alleged that local producers have restricted the daily production to 1,100 to 1,200 tons since last seven months, with some producers planning to go for production shut down in the mid of March, thus further reducing LPG production to 600 to 700.

"This will enable the non-representative stakeholders to take advantage of big gap between demand and supply of LPG and resort to profiteering", he noted.

Hadi urged the Petroleum Minister to take effective measures to bring down LPG prices to a reasonable level and provide relief to 60 million consumers and save jobs of thousands of people attached to this industry.

He said local production cost of LPG is Rs 13,000 to rs 14,000 per tonne while it is being sold at Rs 109,700 per ton. He underlined the need for developing a price mechanism to bring down LPG price and save this sector from collapse. (APP)

Conspiracies to stop Senate elections: PM Gilani

LAHORE: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Friday said the Senate elections would be held according to schedule and the government would talk about general elections with other political parties after budget.

Talking to media persons at the opening ceremony of a Pak-Business Express train at railway station here, the prime minister said the government would present its fifth budget in the National Assembly in June that would be unprecedented in the parliamentary history of the country.

He said, "all conspiracies against the government will end after the Senate elections as they are aimed at avoiding these elections."

The premier said he would be ready to talk about the next general elections with the political parties after the budget 2012-13, if anyone wanted to discuss it.

He said that fixation of petroleum prices was the responsibility of the regulatory authority but as Chief Executive of the people's government he had formed a parliamentary committee to discuss the issue.

The PM said the parliamentary committee would discuss the issue of petroleum prices with the Finance Minister.

When asked about proceedings at the Supreme Court, Gilani said he respected the decision of the court and would appear on February 13th.

The prime minister has been summoned by the apex court and will be indicted for contempt.

Imran submits appeal to stop by-polls

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Friday submitted a miscellaneous appeal to the court for stopping by-elections scheduled to be held on February 25, and to remove fake votes from the voter lists.

Advocate Hamid Khan submitted the petition on behalf of Imran Khan, saying that Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was holding by-elections without correcting the current voter lists.

Previously the ECP had categorically stated that the deadline given by the Supreme Court to purge the lists of fake votes by February 23, 2012 was "humanly impossible" and had sought assistance from political parties for extension of the deadline.

Ruckus in Punjab Assembly

LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly today witnessed another chaotic session when the members from both sides of the benches exchanged abusive language against each other, Geo News reported.

The session was adjourned by the speaker for ten minutes, but resumed half an hour later.

The assembly hall looked like a fish market where the legislators got angry over continuous absence of CM Shahbaz Sharif from the assembly and deaths due to drug reaction.

When the session began, PML-Q's Samina Khawar Hayat termed Shahbaz Sharif Qatil-e-Aala upon which another member Sheikh Allaudin interrupted her. Treasury members also raised slogans against her.

This angered Samina and she then called Allaudin 'Lota and used abusive language. Allaudin also replied in more indecent words.

England 104-6 at close, Pakistan routed for 99

DUBAI: England were 104-6 at the close on the opening day of the third and final Test match, after Pakistan were bowled out for 99 in their first innings at Dubai Stadium here on Friday.

Andrew Strauss was unbeaten on 41 and with him James Anderson on three not out, as England lead by just five runs.

Stuart Broad took 4-36 and Anderson finished with 3-35.

Asad Shafiq topscored for Pakistan with 45. (AFP)