ANP assembly member hurt in Peshawar blast

PESHAWAR: The member of NWFP Assembly belonged to Awami National Party (ANP) and eight others have been injured in a blast occurred at Dalazak road in Momin Town area here on Wednesday. According to police sources, the bomb was planted in a motorbike that went off with a huge bang injuring NWFP assembly Alam Zeb Khan and other eight people. The injured have been shifted to Lady Reading Hospital where six reported in a critical condition. The blast damaged the car of Alam Zeb Khan and nearby buildings. Bomb disposal squad have reached the scene and collected the remains of explosives. Central secretary general of ANP Zahid Khan has confirmed the reports of Alam Zeb Khan injury and said he is out of danger.

PM dismissed three ambassadors at large including Pirzada


ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has dismissed three ambassadors at large on Wednesday.

Geo News correspondent Rauf Kalasara quoting well placed sources said that Prime Minister Gilani has dismissed three ambassadors at large on immediate basis and a notification has been issued in this connection.

The dismissed ambassadors at large are Hameed Qidwai, renowned lawyer Sharifuddin Pirzada and Ehsanullah.

Profit taking at KSE erodes 24 points

KARACHI: Profit taking at Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) eroded 24 points from benchmark KSE-100 Index which closed at 5,735 on Monday. According to market analysts, investors went for profit taking after one week’s improvement in stock prices witnessed throughout the last week. However, market remained somewhat stable due to investors buying in oil and gas and banking sector. OGDC remained ahead of all shares in terms of volume which gained paisas 5 to close at Rs50.05. NBP slipped Rs2.41 to close at 63.27.

Awaiting Pakistan’s reply: India

NEW DELHI: Indian Interior Minister, P Chidambaram has said that Pakistan’s reply, relating to the Mumbai attacks information and evidences, was awaited. Indian TV reported that the Interior Minister, Chidambaram saying that no country in the world was free from terrorism. He said that India had shared the evidences of the Mumbai attacks with over 100 countries, but no reply has thus far been received from Pakistan relating to the information provided.

DCC urges India to answer queries raised in FIA report

ISLAMABAD: The Defence Coordination Committee of Cabinet on Monday observed that without substantial evidence from India it will be exceedingly difficult to complete the investigation and proceed with the case. The meeting which lasted for over four hours, was attended by three services chiefs, Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee, Federal Ministers for Defence, Information, and Foreign Affairs; Advisers to Finance, Foreign Affairs and Interior and concerned secretaries. In the meeting held at PM House, the committee was briefed on the progress on the inquiry based on information provided by Indian authorities concerning the Mumbai attacks. Committee decided that on the basis of inquiry conducted by FIA, the case should be registered and further investigation be carried out so that the perpetrators of the heinous crime, wherever they may be, are brought to justice in accordance with the law of the land. The meeting acknowledged that inquiry had been conducted professionally and endorsed the recommendations of the Interior Ministry to proceed with the registration of the case. The meeting however, observed that without substantial evidence from India it will be exceedingly difficult to complete the investigation and proceed with the case. In order to complete the investigation the questions which are arising from the inquiry carried out by the FIA need to be answered by the Indian authorities. These will be communicated to the Indian authorities shortly.

Miandad also responsible along with PCB for conflict: PCB

ISLAMABAD: Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ijaz Butt said that in the conflict between Javed Miandad and the PCB, the board and Miandad both can be blamed. These views were expressed by the PCB chairman while addressing at his first news conference in Islamabad since he assumed the charge as the chairman. He said that if the Pakistani cricketers including Mohammad Yousuf leave the Indian Cricket League they would be taken back in the national team. Ijaz Butt said that the Oval Test conflict took place due to Pakistan team management’s unawareness of the rules. He said that the Senate standing committee and media would be apprised of details of the corruption during the previous regime of the PCB.

Iraq predicts OPEC may further cut crude production

SINGAPORE: World oil traded lower in Asia on Monday after OPEC member Iraq predicted the cartel will announce further production cuts in a market struggling with weak demand. New York's main oil futures contract, light sweet crude for delivery in March, fell six cents to 40.11 dollars a barrel. Brent North Sea crude for March eased 25 cents to 45.96 dollars a barrel. Iraq's oil minister at the weekend predicted that the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) plans more output reductions. "In March, OPEC will convene and there will be an intention for more production cuts to shore up prices and encourage production from non-OPEC members," Hussein al-Shahristani said, according to his close adviser Falah al-Amiri. OPEC last week signalled it would consider more output cuts in a bid to bolster prices. Since last July, when oil prices hit records above 147 dollars a barrel, prices have tumbled because of weaker demand in a slowing global economy, analysts say. OPEC announced production cuts totalling 4.2 million barrels per day late last year but David Johnson, an oil analyst with Macquarie Securities, said 2.75 billion barrels have so far been cut in practice. He said he does not see cuts exceeding four billion barrels. "I don't think they can do much more than that," Johnson said. Oil prices are stuck in the 40 to 45 dollar range, balanced between expectations for OPEC's next moves and poor demand reflected in economic data such as Friday's US unemployment figures, he said. The United States Labor Department reported that the country's unemployment rate surged in January to 7.6 percent, its highest since 1992.

ndian president’s convoy helicopter escapes from disaster

NEW DELHI: An accident was averted at the Mumbai airport early Monday morning, after an air plane and a helicopter were cleared for take off and landing at the same time. Reports suggest the helicopter was part of President Prathibha Patil's convoy. Indian Airlines flight IC 866 aircraft was given a clearance by the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) for a take off at the same time as that of the helicopter. The aircraft was already rolling on the runway when the pilot saw the helicopter approaching. A crash was averted after the pilot immediately aborted the take off. Confirming the incident, Indian Airlines officials said, "All the 148 passengers on board the IA flight are safe."

Maiden official delegation after Mumbai attacks leaves for India

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s maiden official delegation is leaving for India today, following Mumbai attacks, which would be attending Saarc Economic Council meet there. The four-member delegation headed by Commerce Secretary, Salman Ghani is leaving here for attending Saac Economic Council meet in New Delhi. Talking to Geo News here, federal commerce secretary said that the Pakistani delegation, attending the Saarc Economic Council two-day meet beginning February 10, comprises of commerce joint secretary, officials of the Foreign Office and Federal Board of Revenue. Salman Ghani said that the matters relating to non-tariff free trade without any barriers and boosting economic interactions among the Saarc countries would be focused. The recommendations of this Council would be presented in the Saarc commerce ministers’ meeting in Colombo slated at the end of this month. Salman Ghani is expected to meet his Indian counterpart also during tour over there.

Two charged with arson, Australian wildfires death toll rises to 130

SYDNEY: Two people have been charged with arson after wildfires raged through southeastern Australia at the weekend, killing at least 130 and destroying more than 700 homes, police said Monday. A 31-year-old man accused of lighting a major blaze that burnt through about 200 hectares (495 acres) of bush land in Peats Ridge on the New South Wales central coast was due in court Monday after spending the night in a jail cell. A 15-year-old boy who allegedly set off an explosive that started a small scrub fire in the Blue Mountains near Sydney on Sunday was released on bail after being charged and will appear in court next month. Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd has said that this could not be called anything but murder. Australia finally deployed army to control the fire sprawling on an area of 3,000 square kilometer, which is nearly three-times more than the Hong Kong area. Police have confirmed the death toll thus far at 130 all of them in Victoria state, while thousands have been evacuated.

Kashmir not on Holbrooke's agenda on trip to India

WASHINGTON: Reiterating that Kashmir was never part of US special envoy Richard Holbrooke's portfolio, the US has said he will travel to India as part of his mission to bring peace and stability in Afghanistan. "India is an important country in the region and has interest in Afghanistan. And he wants to hear from the Indian government in terms of how we can all better contribute to peace and stability in Afghanistan," State Department spokesman Robert Wood told reporters here. Holbrooke will visit Pakistan, Afghanistan and India after a security conference in Germany this week, and "he'll stay there as long as he feels he needs to," Wood said. The envoy left for London Wednesday on Way to Munich. "Then from there he will head to Pakistan, Afghanistan and India, in that order," he said, adding that Holbrooke told him "in essence this is an orientation trip". Holbrooke, well known for his role in brokering the Dayton Peace Accords in 1995 to end the armed conflicts in Bosnia, was named by Obama Jan 22 as special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Mumbai probe going in right direction: Ban Ki-moon


ISLAMABAD: Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon Wednesday expressed his satisfaction over Pakistan’s investigations into Mumbai attacks.

Addressing a joint press conference with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani here, he urged Pakistan to cooperate with India in its probe into the Mumbai incident.

On the occasion, the Prime Minster said Pakistan is against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and those who commit criminal acts outside the country will also be brought to justice.

Ban Ki-moon described the Kashmir standoff as the most important issue of South Asia and appreciated Pakistan’s role in war on terror.

PM Yousuf Raza Gilani said Pakistan is committed not to allowing use of its territory for terrorist activities.

The UN Chief termed the PM’s statement issued two days ago regarding formation of legislation for bringing to trial even those elements who perpetrate crimes outside Pakistan. However, the Prime Minister on the occasion said he had discussed this with the Interior Minister who had informed that an Act already exists in this regard.

Kashmir solidarity day being observed today

ISLAMABAD: Kashmir Solidarity Day is being observed today (Thursday) across Pakistan as well as Azad Jammu and Kashmir with full zeal and fervour, featuring large public rallies, seminars, T.V shows, human chains and many others events to express solidarity with the people of occupied Kashmir. The day is a regular annular event being marked to support the indigenous freedom struggle of the people of occupied Kashmir, their right to plebiscite promised to them by the United Nations as well as to condemn Indian aggression on the held valley, its illegal occupation, its tyrannical rule and atrocities done against the innocent people. The day is a public holiday in the country and all government offices, banks, educational institutions and businesses remain closed. Banners have been put up in bazaars and streets to express solidarity with the Kashmiris. The day began with special prayers for the Kashmir cause at mosques. Rallies and processions are being organised in the federal and provincial capitals, divisional, district and Tehsil headquarters across the country.

UNHCR senior official kidnapped, driver killed in Quetta

QUETTA: A senior official of UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been kidnapped here on Monday. According to initial reports, unknown persons opened fire on the car of head of UNHCR Balochistan John Solecki as soon as he left the home for office. Syed Hashim Raza, the driver of Solecki has been killed in the incident whereas attackers abducted John Solecki. Senior police officials have reached the scene after the incident. Police have cordoned off the area and launched search operation for the recovery of the UNHCR official. Meanwhile, the spokesman of UNHCR said investigations are underway about the reports of kidnapping. Security has beefed up at the offices of UN and foreign NGO’s after the incident.

US drone attacks will jeopardize war on terror: PM Gilani

DAVOS: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani warned United States on Friday, the war against terrorism, being fought by Pakistan, will be endangered if US remains bent upon carrying out drone attacks on Pakistan soil. “Our efforts to curb cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan will enormously be affected in the event of persistent US policy of drone strikes on Pakistan soil against suspected militants.” This PM Gilani outlined talking to media after partaking World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. PM informed mediamen, his PPP-led government in Pakistan had been profoundly successful to part the local tribes with the terrorists however, he feared, US drone incursions have not been proving fruitful to help Pakistan in its efforts against war of Terrorism. “US administration led by President Obama has no differences with us as we both have identical goals to accomplish but US drone intrusions on Pakistan soil have raised negative sentiments towards US among the people of Pakistan.” Gilani stated and applauded President Obama’s method to win the hearts of people to become triumphant.

Biden-Lugar Bill will be presented in few days: Haqqani

WASHINGTON: Pakistan’s ambassador to US, Hussain Haqqani has said that so long US considers Pakistan its friend, US assistance would not stop and added that Biden-Lugar Bill has not died down, it would be presented in few days with the signatures of its new movers besides till now there was no hitch in its approval.

He said that the majority of both the Houses were not in favour of slapping more restrictions on Pakistan. US President Barrack Obama has also supported the Biden-Lugar Bill. He said that the Congress couldn’t get time to discuss Biden-Lugar Bill on agenda, but there was no such thing that the Bill for Pakistan couldn’t be approved. This Bill was presented in the Senate Committee and now it would be presented in the Congress in few days, he said.

Hussain Haqqani said that this Bill would be approved in few weeks and, thereby, the disbursement of fund would kick off. Biden-Lugar Bill has been named as Boosting ties with Pakistan Act.

South Africa snatch top ODI ranking from Australia, winning series 4-1

PERTH: South Africa has become the number one team in one-day international cricket when they beat the world champions Australia by 39 runs in the final One-day International here at WACA on Friday to take the five-match series 4-1. Chasing 289 to finish the series with a 3-2 loss, Australia were all out for 249 runs in 49 overs and not only lost the series but also their top position in the ICC rankings which they were enjoying for the last several years. Debutant Lonwabo Tsotsobe made the perfect start to his ODI career with two wickets in his first four overs to play a key role in South Africa’s victory. He removed two of the danger men, Shaun Marsh and Ricky Ponting. No Aussie batsman except Michael Hussey (78) and Brad Haddin (63) could resist against South African bowlers. Michael’s brother David Hussey also made a useful contribution of 32. The Husseys had come together at 4 for 53 and added 69 runs. Earlier, Hashim Amla narrowly missed his first century of the series but together with AB de Villiers set the stage with a solid 118-run partnership and JP Duminy provided the late entertainment with a quick half-century to take South Africa to 288-6 in 50 allotted overs. Amla's 97 ended when he tried to guide Hopes through the cordon and tickled the ball to Brad Haddin, while de Villiers (60) picked out David Warner on the square-leg boundary. Later, Duminy smashed an unbeaten 60 from 42 deliveries. He helped South Africa add 53 in the batting Powerplay, which was taken at the start of the 43rd over, and raised his half-century from 33 balls with a super six over long-off from Nathan Bracken.

IPL tribunal bans Asif for one year

NEW DELHI: The Indian Premier League (IPL) tribunal has decided to impose one-year ban on Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif, accordidng to report received here on Friday. The IPL officials have informed the Pakistan Cricket Board of this decision. After receiving the test report of Asif’s blood sample, the IPL drug tribunal has confirmed that Mohammad Asif had used banned drugs during the IPL series previous year. The ban will be effective from September 22, 2008 and he cannot play IPL cricket up to September 15, 2009, according to the decision. However, Mohammad Asif said I am sorry that I have been banned just for using eye-drops.

Asif becomes first IPL player to be banned

LAHORE: Mohammad Asif is the first IPL player who has been dope tested positive and subsequently banned. The IPL was participated by well-known cricketers from India, Pakistan, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka but only Mohammad Asif of Pakistan’s dope test proved positive. Mohammad Asif participated in the first edition of the Indian Premier League where he represented Delhi Daredevils. He was initially auctioned for $225,000 while Delhi Daredevils bought him for $650,000 and he thus became one of the costliest Pakistani players in the IPL. Asif in the eight matches of the opening season of the IPL, bowled 32 overs to claim eight wickets. His best bowling was against Deccan Chargers when he took two wickets for 19 runs. Asif’s contract with Delhi Daredevils was already surrendered on his own request a few days before the ban has been imposed on him for which he told that he now wants to concentrate on playing only for Pakistan.

Shoaib Akhtar injured, out of series against Sri Lanka

LAHORE: Pakistan paceman Shoaib Akhtar has been ruled out of next month's two-match home Test series against Sri Lanka due to a knee problem, an official said Friday. "There are loose bones in his knee which would need keyhole surgery. That will take two to three weeks' recovery and that means he is out of the Sri Lanka Test series," team coach Intikhab Alam told media. Intikhab Alam said such injures were common for fast bowlers. "When such an injury occurs one must not wait and have a quick operation," said Alam. Shoaib Akhtar, whose career has been blighted by injury and discipline problems, was dropped from the third and final one-day match against Sri Lanka earlier this month when he was not found 100 percent fit. Then-captain Shoaib Malik questioned his commitment and fitness after the second match, but before the third denied he had named Akhtar and instead said he had been talking about all 11 players on the team. Sri Lanka return to Pakistan on February 14 to play a three-day side match and two Tests -- the final dates of which are yet to be announced. Akhtar had operations to his both knees in early 2006, forcing him to sit out Pakistan's tour of Sri Lanka and England that year. The controversial bowler, 33, was this year awarded a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) contract, only after playing three Twenty20 matches in 2008. A hamstring injury forced him to sit out all three one-day matches against the West Indies in Abu Dhabi last November. He missed out on a contract last year because of injury and indiscipline. In response, Shoaib Akhtar publicly criticised the PCB, which imposed a five-year ban on him last April. The ban was later reduced to 18 months with a fine of seven million rupees (100,000 dollars) by the high court in Lahore. On appeal, the court later suspended the ban but upheld the fine. A subsequent appeal is pending.

1st ODI: India beat Sri Lanka by 6 wkts

DAMBULLA: India defeated hosts Sri Lanka by six wickets in the opening One-day International here on Wednesday. They achieved the winning target in 48.1 overs. Earlier, India put Sri Lanka into bat after winning the toss and restricted them to 246-7 in the allotted 50 overs. Veteran batsman Sanath Jayasriya played central role by hammering 107 runs off 110 balls with ten fours and one six. He was later declared the man-of-the-match. Ishant Sharma was the most successful bowler from India, taking three wickets whereas Zaheer Khan and Pragyan Ojha claimed one wicket each. In reply, India’s start was disastrous as Sachin Tendulkar back to pavilion after making just five runs. However, Gautam Gambhir (62) and Suresh Raina (54) took India out of trouble and added 113 runs for the second wicket and laid the foundation of victory. Later, captain Mahinder Singh Dhoni (61) and Rohit Sharma (25) cruised to victory with 11 balls left. Both were not out to see their team take lead 1-0 in the fivee-match series. Magician spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, Mashrafe Mortaza and Thilan Thushara could get only one wicket each while Ajantha Mendis failed to get any wicket.

Serena Williams into Australian Open final

MELBOURNE: Serena Williams moved within a one win of a 10th Grand Slam title and fourth in Australia with a dominating 6-3, 6-4 win over Elena Dementieva on Thursday. The second-seeded Williams has a sequence of winning the Australian Open every alternate year since 2003. Roger Federer, seeking a record equaling 14th Grand Slam singles title to match Pete Sampras' career record, was playing American Andy Roddick in the night semifinal. No. 2 Federer, who is 15-2 against seventh-seeded Roddick, who beat defending champion Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals. Top-ranked Rafael Nadal set up an all-Spanish final against Fernando Verdasco when he beat No. 6 Gilles Simon 6-2, 7-5, 7-5 on Wednesday night, Verdasco ousted 2008 runner-up Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 (2), 3-6,6-3, 6-2.

Gates to give Obama Afghan troop plan soon

WASHINGTON: U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates will give President Barack Obama his formal recommendation on new U.S. troop deployments to Afghanistan within days, the Pentagon said on Thursday. "I would think in the coming days the secretary hopes to be able to present the president with his recommendation," said Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell. He said Obama would also receive a recommendation from the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen. "How soon after that (the president) makes decisions that would lead to deployment orders, I can't tell you precisely," Morrell said at a news briefing. The United States has 36,000 troops in Afghanistan and the Pentagon is considering plans to increase the force to possibly more than 60,000 troops over the next 12 to 18 months. Morrell was speaking a day after Obama met for the first time with the heads of the U.S. armed forces to discuss a range of topics, including Afghanistan and Iraq. Obama emerged from the meeting to say the United States would soon face difficult decisions on Iraq and Afghanistan but gave no details.

Strike in France
PARIS: More than one million French workers downed tools in the first general strike to hit a major industrialised nation since the start of the global financial crisis.

Unions said more than two million public and private sector workers took to the streets across France to protest against President Nicolas Sarkozy's handling of the economic crisis, saying too much had been done to bail out fat cats and banks, and not enough to protect jobs and help workers make ends meet.

Air traffic controllers, train drivers, teachers, nurses, and tax inspectors were joined by private sector workers including bank clerks and staff from the firm that runs the Paris stock exchange. Some schools were shut, flights were cancelled, and the Palace of Versailles cwas losed in a rare show of unity between unions, although "Black Thursday" did not bring total transport paralysis.

N Korea scraps all accords with S Korea

SEOUL: North Korea announced Friday it is scrapping all political and military agreements with South Korea, accusing Seoul of pushing relations to the brink of war. The communist state said all agreements on ending confrontation would be nullified, including one covering their Yellow Sea border -- the scene of bloody naval clashes in 1999 and 2002. The statement from the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea further raised tensions after months of frosty relations. "The confrontation between the north and the south in the political and military fields has been put to such extremes that inter-Korean relations have reached the brink of a war," Friday's statement said. "Under such situation it is self-evident that there is no need for the DPRK (North Korea) to remain bound to those north-south agreements."

Nawaz asks Zardari to restore deposed judges before long march

LAHORE: The chief of PML-N Mian Nawaz Sharif said in the larger interest of the country, he has once again asked President Asif Ali Zardari to fulfill his promise and restore judges before lawyers’ long march. Addressing a gathering of lawyers belonged to Sindh and Balochistan in Raiwind, Nawaz Sharif said free judiciary is vital for country’s security because justice would be started reaching to common man after restoration of deposed judges.

India: Special court to hear Ajmal Kasab’s case

NEW DELHI: A special court has been set up to put Ajmal Kasab under trial for his alleged involvement in Mumbai attacks. According to an Indian TV channel, home minister of Maharashtra has dismissed reports of Ajmal Kasab’s death, saying he is alive and still in detention in a prison. His security has been beefed up in the prison, the minister added. He said a special court has also been set up which will hear Ajmal Kasab’s case.

Bangladesh bars war criminals' way to flee

DHAKA: The home ministry has taken necessary measures so that the war criminals cannot leave the country, Home Minister Sahara Khatun said today. "After parliament's decision over the trial of the war criminals, the home ministry has already sent the list of the war criminals to all possible places so that they cannot leave the country," she said replying to a question from reporters after 23th convocation of the Bangladesh Ain Samiti in the city. The home minister also called upon all concerned to play active roles in maintaining law and order of the country. Parliament yesterday unanimously passed a resolution calling on the government to ensure immediate trial of the war criminals. The historic motion came five days into inauguration of the ninth legislature. It is meant to affirm the ruling Awami League's (AL) electoral pledge that if voted to power, it would put on trial those who had committed atrocious crimes against the nation during the Liberation War in 1971. “Measures be taken immediately to try the war criminals,” reads the resolution adopted amid thunderous desk-thumping. The proposal was piloted by Mahmud-us-Samad Chowdhury, AL lawmaker from Sylhet-3. Taking part in discussions on the motion, Prime Minister and Leader of the House Sheikh Hasina said her government is now gathering experts' opinions on the issue from across the globe. The foreign ministry is working on the matter. Urging Speaker Abdul Hamid to take the resolution as a property of the House, she said: “The war criminals will be brought to justice, no matter what.” Following the discussions, State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Tajul Islam said the trial would be held in a credible and transparent manner so there arises no question over the proceedings.

Mahmood-ul-Hassan elected SBC Vice Chairman

KARACHI: Former president Karachi Bar Association (KBA) Mahmood-ul-Hassan was overwhelmingly elected as Vice Chairman of Sindh Bar Council here on Friday. The election for the Vice Chairman, Chairman Executive Committee of SBC was held at Managing Committee’s meeting. Out of total 42, 27 members attended the meeting in which two staged a walkout, while one vote was cancelled. A member SBC Abrar Hassan objected to the election of Vice Chairman but it was rejected by large majority. Mahmood-ul-Hassan got 24 votes to secure the win. Talking to media, newly elected SBC Vice Chairman said that Sindh Bar Council would continue the struggle for restoration of deposed judges.

India to sign IAEA deal on Monday

VIENNA: India is set to sign an inspection agreement with the United Nations' nuclear watchdog on Monday, India's ambassador to the agency said. The inspection deal with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is a precondition of a United States-led agreement allowing nuclear nations to supply India with nuclear material and technology for its domestic power sector. "We have set some time aside for this on Monday," Saurabh Kumar, India's ambassador to the Vienna-based IAEA said on Thursday, referring to the signing of the pact. He declined to give further details of the agreement, which must be ratified by Delhi before it can come into effect. The draft agreement in July said India would be required to make its declared civilian reactors -- 14 out of 22 -- subject to regular IAEA non-proliferation inspections. The agency hopes to have the reactors under inspection by 2014. In August, IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei hailed the draft as a positive step after it was approved by the agency's board of governors. "I believe the agreement is good for India, is good for the world, is good for non-proliferation, is good for our collective effort to move towards a world free from nuclear weapons," he said. The 45 nations which make up the Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG) agreed in September to lift a three-decade global ban on nuclear trade with India, paving the way for the fuel and technology deal. The ban had been in place since 1974, when India carried out its first nuclear test explosion.

New Petroleum Policy: 100 wells to be dug this year

ISLAMABAD: The new petroleum policy envisages provision of surplus production directly to the provinces instead of the federation with a view to bring prosperity in areas where oil and gas are extracted. This was stated by Advisor for Energy Dr. Asim Hussain at a news conference here on Friday. He said the oil companies will set up a special fund for speeding up activities for exploration of oil and gas. This year 100 new wells will be dug for exploration of oil and gas, he added. Asim Hussain said China is investing 5 billion dollars in energy sector of Pakistan.

India yet to receive probe report from Pak: Mukherjee

NEW DELHI: India’s External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukerjee has said that Pakistan should stop talking through media and communicate through proper channels.

"We have not received any information from Pakistan about the investigation in the Mumbai terror strike. All we are getting is media reports,” Mukherjee told reporters here.

He further added, "Pakistan should communicate through proper channels and not through media.”

Refusing to comment on the media reports, Mukherjee said, "We have provided Pakistan all the evidences about the attack and expect them to investigate the matter and inform us".

Interior Ministry chief Rehman Malik had told reporters on January 17 that he had asked a three-member team to probe the Mumbai attacks and examine the Indian dossier and submit the preliminary findings in 10 days.

FIA presents Mumbai attacks probe report

ISLAMABAD: Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has presented its investigation report on Mumba attacks to the Interior Ministry. Interior Ministry Sources Friday urged the media to refrain from making speculations regarding the contents of the report. Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry held a high level meeting today in which the Law Ministry also reviewed the FIA’s report. It has also been learned that Pakistan will share the findings of the report with India using diplomatic channels.

Younis Khan replaces Malik as captain

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to appoint Younis Khan as captain of the national team after Pakistan’s humiliating defeat against Sri Lanka, said chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ijaz Butt. He announced this while talking to media here at the PCB headquarters on Tuesday. Ijaz Butt told that Shoaib Malik on the PCB request has stepped down from the captaincy after the debacle of the Pakistan cricket team in the recent home series. Malik led Pakistan to their worst one-day defeat -- by 234 runs -- in the third and final one-day international in Lahore on Saturday which gave Sri Lanka a 2-1 series win. "Malik has accepted to step down after the Sri Lanka defeat and we have appointed Younus as the new captain for an indefinite period," Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt told reporters. The one-sided defeat sparked a furious reaction in the cricket-mad country and the PCB asked the team management to give a report on the reasons for the heavy defeat. The sports committee of the Senate also summoned Malik, coach Intikhab Alam and chief selector Abdul Qadir on February 9 to explain the defeat. The 26-year-old Malik was appointed skipper after Pakistan's first round exit from the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies. Younus will take up the role in the two-Test home series against Sri Lanka next month.

Big US firms announce over 70,000 additional job cuts

NEW YORK: US seven major business firms Monday on the first day of the week announced further relieving of over 70,000 of their employees in the wake of the global recession. Among the companies, which resorted to massive downsizing, machinery manufacturing giant firm Caterpiller topped the list by relieving of their 20,000 employees, while the world’s largest pharmaceutical firm Pfizer and telecommunication organization Sprint Nextel have announced 8,000 job cuts. Besides, Home Depot, Dutch Financial Group sacked 7000 of their employees and Texas Instrument 3,400. American economy continued its downward spiral with business economists predicting many more U.S. job losses in 2009.

Israel violates ceasefire, launches air strike in Gaza

GAZA CITY: Two people were wounded on Tuesday in an Israeli air strike targeting a Hamas militant on a motorcycle in the southern Gaza Strip, witnesses and medics said. The militant hit by the strike in the southern town of Khan Yunis was seriously wounded, they said. A passer-by was also wounded. The raid came several hours after an Israeli soldier was killed and three others were wounded in an explosion near the Gaza border east of Khan Yunis. The incidents marked the deadliest flare-up of violence since Hamas and Israel declared mutual ceasefires on January 18 that put an end to a 22-day war in the coastal enclave.

Zardari seeks Europe help to end US strikes

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has said that European countries should play their role to end the US missile strikes in Pakistan. He was speaking to European diplomats at a dinner here on Tuesday. The President said that Pakistan is itself a victim of the terrorism. “We will not allow anyone to use our soil for terrorist acts against any country,” he said, adding that Pakistan has strongly condemned the Mumbai terror attacks. President Zardari further said that government was investigating the information provided by India with regard to Mumbai attacks. The finding of the probe will be shared with international community also, he said.

US will go after Al-Qaeda wherever it is: Gates

WASHINGTON: US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday the United States will "go after Al-Qaeda wherever Al-Qaeda is," and said Washington's position has been relayed to Pakistan. "Both President (George W.) Bush and President (Barack) Obama have made clear we will go after Al-Qaeda whereever Al-Qaeda is, and we will continue to pursue that," he told lawmakers. Asked whether that decision has been transmitted to the government of Pakistan, Gates said "Yes, sir."

Sri Lanka crush Pakistan by 129 runs to level series 1-1

KARACHI: Responsible batting by Tillekeratne Dilshan and Thilina Kandamby and accurate bowling guided Sri Lanka to level the One-day International series 1-1 here at the National Stadium on Wednesday.

The first match was won by Pakistan easily by eight wickets at the same venue yesterday.

Chasing an improbable target of 291, Pakistan began disastrously as they lost three quick wickets for only 17 runs.

However, opener Salman Butt and captain Shoaib Malik made a remarkable recovery as both added 108 runs for the fourth wicket but then the world class spinners – Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis – wiped out the remaining wickets for just 36 runs to win the match by an impressive margin of 129 runs.

Muralitharan and Mendis both claimed three wickets each for 19 and 29 runs, respectively whereas paceman Nuwan Kulasekera got two and Sanath Jayasuriya and Thilina Tushara took one wicket each.

For Pakistan, Salman Butt top scored again after hitting an unbeaten hundred in the first ODI yesterday at the same venue. Today, he made 62 with six boundaries. Hew as ably supported by Shoaib Malik, who contributed 54 with five fours and one six.

No other batsman could make any significant score as Pakistan were all out for 161 in 34.5 overs. Eight of their batsmen failed to enter into double-figures.

Earlier, Dilshan and Kandamby hit half-centuries to help Sri Lanka reach a challenging score of 290-8.

Man-of-the-match Dilshan made an impressive 76, his 15th ODI fifty, and Kandamby 59 for his maiden fifty to give impetus to the innings during their 99-run third wicket stand after Sri Lanka were sent into bat by Pakistan.

Chamara Kapugedera scored a breezy 39-ball 44 and skipper Mahela Jayawardene chipped in with 24 to bolster the tourists.

Sri Lanka raced to 43 without loss as Sanath Jayasuriya (19) and Dilshan cut loose against some wayward bowling by Pakistan.

Jayasuriya was out when he went back to play a short delivery from paceman Umar Gul, while Kumar Sangakkara (16) was run out.

From 66-2, Dilshan and Kandamby steadied the innings. Dilshan hit 11 boundaries during his 88-ball knock before was caught by Misbah off Shoaib Akhtar.

The 26-year-old Kandamby batted with resolve, hitting four boundaries off 79 balls.

Umar Gul was the pick of Pakistan bowlers with 4-58.

KSE slips 122 more points to 5,136

KARACHI: Selling pressure continued to erode values of leading scrips at Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) Wednesday, as KSE-100 Index lost 122 points to close at 5,136. The stocks market opened negative and remained volatile throughout the session. Trade volume was recorded at 90 million shares. OGDC drew maximum activity which lost Rs1.96 to close at Rs44.50. Buying by financial institutions failed to support the market as banks continued to off load shares kept with them as mortgage. Foreigners also sold their stake which also contributed in fueling selling pressure. KSE-30 Index dipped by 152 points to finish the day at 4,782.

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