Geo Business

 Petrol, diesel prices slashed by Rs3, 2

  ISLAMABAD: Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has announced reduction in the price of petrol by Rs3 per litre and diesel by Rs2 per litre, Geo News reported Thursday.

According to OGRA officials, the price of petrol has been slashed by Rs3 to Rs83.71 per litre while the rate of Diesel has been reduced by Rs2 to Rs912.11 a litre.

The price of Kerosene oil has been kept unchanged at Rs84.65 per litre.

The rate of Light Diesel has been decreased by Rs1.13 per litre while High Octane has been made expensive by Rs2.21 per litre.

The revised rates are applicable from July 1 (12 AM).

Geo Pakistan

Two dead in Peshawar blast, 13 injured

PESHAWAR: Two people were killed and 13 others sustained injuries when a vehicle blew up with a loud blast at Shoba Chowk here on Thursday, Geo News reported. The gas cylinder of the vehicle blew up and caused the blast, Senior Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bashir Ahmed Bilour confirmed. The injured and dead were shifted to Lady Reading Hospital. Fire erupted after the blast and was successfully extinguished by fire fighters. Police and bomb disposal squad reached the blast site while the law enforcement agencies’ personnel have cordoned off the area.

Geo Entertainment

 'Transformers 3' a spectacularly empty product

  LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - When the 154-minute "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" finally ends, your feeling is one of exhaustion, not exhilaration.

Pleased with his first effort but downright apologetic about the second "Transformers" movie, director Michael Bay has thrown every imaginable visual effect, CG animation and physical stunt, all in 3D, into the battle for planet Earth. Bay really needed a gag shot where one alien transforms itself into the kitchen sink.

Make no mistake: Out of a line of Hasbro toys, Bay has created a world of his own. Call it Bay World. It has its own logic, which is movie logic cubed. It has its own heroes and villains, only try to tell the toys -- sorry, action figures -- apart. Is the machine that favors red colors a good machine or a bad one? And once you figure that out, does the damn machine switch sides?

The Paramount release opens Tuesday night and will be playing in much of the world by the weekend. That a huge worldwide audience is primed for this movie hardly needs stating. But the range of those actually enjoying the onslaught of technology at the expense of human drama might be narrower than Bay, Hasbro or Paramount think. The kick of the first movie was the pleasurable shock of humans and these transformative mechanical beings interacting. The third chapter is dedicated to little more than wanton destruction.

Then, too, Bay World has always felt misshapen. When these action figures take center stage, they are so huge and the humans so tiny that they don't comfortably inhabit the same visual space. The 3D, which is actually quite good for the most part, only exacerbates this sensation.

Bay and writer Ehren Kruger kick-start the demolition derby with a longish sequence that recasts America's space program of the '60s and '70s as an actual race between the U.S. and the Soviets to reach the dark side of the moon, where an alien spacecraft has crashed. (For the second time this summer, following his appearance in "X-Men: First Class," footage of John F. Kennedy gets mixed with newly shot footage that embroils that president in science fiction fantasy.)

What astronauts Buzz Aldrin -- who later appears as himself -- and Neil Armstrong brought back from that dark side suddenly becomes vitally important to the saving of the planet now that the bad robots' invasion is under way.

Which brings the movie back to its perennial hero, Shia LaBeouf's Sam Witwicky, who has a secret medal from the president for saving the world but can't get a job in Washington, D.C. What he does have is the town's hottest girlfriend in Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's Carly. Bay has her pirouette any number of times before the camera in any number of fetching outfits to drive home this point.

There's a lot of misplaced and misfired comedy about Sam's job-hunting with an over-the-top John Malkovich finally hiring him and about his increasing concerns about the attention paid to Carly by her boss, played by Patrick Dempsey, who seems out to match Malkovich in the mugging department. Not to be outdone are John Turturro and Frances McDormand, whose attitudes can be characterized as this: If you're going to be in a movie with robots, you might as well act circles around them. Chew the scenery before the action figures destroy it is their motto.

D.C. takes quite a licking -- the poor Lincoln Memorial does not survive, it must be reported, and the Beltway is left in tatters. But Bay reserves near-total destruction for Chicago. The Battle for Chicago lasts for nearly a third of the movie. Or so it seems. Buildings crumble, streets buckle, humans incinerate, machines collapse and alien airships blast away at whatever is left.

What never makes any sense, though, is how LaBeouf and his hardy band of humans survive any of this. They emerge from sequence after sequence of utter chaos in full makeup with hardly a hair out of place. Talk about your action figures.

It was during this final battle that the 3D went badly out of focus, which might be a case of the poor projector getting overheated by the nonstop noise and pandemonium.

As mentioned, machines and people switch sides and transform loyalties with considerable frequency. It's telling that a viewer isn't going to much care. You're not heavily invested emotionally in these robots, and only the survival of LaBeouf and his hot girlfriend seems to interest the filmmakers.

Machines grinding and slicing their way through the Chicago downtown cityscape and one building cut nearly in half and tilting like that tower in Pisa are the money shots for Bay. The kitchen sink, if you will.

The millions of man hours put into producing this techno shock and awe must be staggering. Everyone got his job done, but somewhere along the way, the movie got lost. (Reuters)

Geo World

Man grabs Sarkozy during visit

PARIS: A man grabbed French President Nicolas Sarkozy and was promptly wrestled to the ground by bodyguards on Thursday, television pictures showed. The unidentified man seized Sarkozy by the jacket as he was greeting people gathered behind a barrier in the town of Brax, southwestern France, and pulled him forward, throwing the president off balance. Sarkozy continued on his way as the man was restrained by security staff. Police said later that a man was in custody in nearby Agen. Sarkozy was in Brax for a meeting of local mayors. (AFP)

Geo Sports

Sharapova into Wimbledon final as Lisicki outgunned

LONDON: Maria Sharapova outgunned big-hitting German youngster Sabine Lisicki in straight sets here Thursday to power into her first Wimbledon final for seven years. The Russian fifth seed -- the winner in 2004 -- overcame a slow start to overwhelm wildcard Lisicki 6-4, 6-3 to advance to a final against Czech eighth seed Petra Kvitova on Saturday. World number 62 Lisicki, who had stunned second seeded French Open champion Li Na during a fairytale run to the last four, was always in trouble after her powerful serve deserted her midway through the first set. Sharapova got off to a horrendous start, double-faulting twice in her opening service game as Lisicki surged into a 2-0 lead. Lisicki, regularly clocking serves timed at 120mph, coolly held to go 3-0 up and soon had Sharapova struggling in the next game. The Russian favourite saved a crucial break point which would have put Lisicki 4-0 up before eventually holding to remain in touch at 3-1. With her service game misfiring, Sharapova turned to her booming groundstrokes to try and find a way into the match, attacking Lisicki's suspect second serve to break back in the fifth game. Sharapova held to level at 3-3 but Lisicki was soon back into her rhythm, holding comfortably to go 4-3 up. Lisicki's serve unravelled in the eighth game however, and with Sharapova punishing her second serve mercilessly, the German suffered another break. Sharapova wrapped up the first set with her first ace of the match, letting out a roar of delight as Lisicki trudged back to her chair. Lisicki's problems deepened in the opening game of the second set as she double-faulted twice to gift Sharapova yet another a break. With Lisicki in disarray, the 21-year-old appealed to the umpire as specks of rain began to fall on Centre Court in her next service game at 0-30 down. Play continued however and Sharapova secured another break to go 3-0 up and from there the result was never in doubt. Lisicki was given a glimmer of hope when she broke in the fourth, but Sharapova broke back immediately to regain the initiative before holding for 5-1. Lisicki secured a break in the eighth game to delay the inevitable, but Sharapova broke again to claim the win.

Geo Business

CNG stations to remain closed two days a week in Sindh: ECC

ISLAMABAD: Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has decided to defer hike in gas tariff and to keep CNG stations in Sindh closed for two days a week, Geo News reported on Thursday. This was decided in a meeting of ECC chaired by Federal Minister for Water and Power Syed Naveed Qamar. The committee, under gas load management plan, approved closure of CNG stations for two and three days a week in Sindh and Punjab respectively. In the meeting Rs2 billion was approved for Ramazan package. It is pertinent to mention here that a day before, federal minister for petroleum and natural resources Dr Asim Hussain had said that government was taking solid steps to solve gas crisis, adding that gas load management plan was being chalked out. Dr Asim further said there was proposal to approve the increase in gas tariff by 10 to 15 percent for domestic consumers, 15-20 for commercial and 100 percent for the fertiliser industry.

Geo Pakistan

Shab-e-Meraj being observed

  ISLAMABAD: Shab-e-Meraj is being observed on Wednesday night across the country with great respect and religious fervour.

Special programmes of Mehfil-e-Naat and prayers are being organized at the mosques and houses.

The Muslims every year on 27th of Rajab (Islamic calendar) observe Shab-e-Meraj, the night Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) embarked on a special journey to meet Allah Almighty.

Geo World

Greece adopts austerity, street battles turn ugly

ATHENS: Greek lawmakers backed a stinging new austerity plan demanded by international creditors Wednesday, sparking frenzied battles between masked rioters and police firing tear gas late into the night. Lawmakers voted 155 to 138 for the hotly-disputed package to slash 28.4 billion euros ($40 billion) from the balance of government spending by 2015, a plan aimed at unlocking emergency finance from the EU and the IMF. An estimated 500 to 600 hardcore youths hurled missiles, according to police, who responded with volleys of tear gas that blanketed Syntagma Square in front of the parliament and reached high floors in surrounding buildings. Security forces drove protesters further away from the parliament, but a blaze broke out at the finance ministry on the far side of the square amid early evening running battles. "We're going to carry on the protest until the government falls, and it will fall," said student Thanas, 22, told AFP. "It's chaos here, we'll stay whatever happens though, we're going to fight to take back the square," added 22-year-old law student Debbi. European Union leaders including German Chancellor Angela Merkel hailed the parliamentary endorsement for the austerity measures, despite the fact a second vote on the detail behind the measures has still to be held on Thursday. The euro firmed and Greek stocks again rose as EU president Herman Van Rompuy applauded a "vote of national responsibility." The yes vote was "the only way to buy time and start the great changes this country needs," Papandreou said, pledging to do "everything to avoid the collapse of this country," and prevent default on its 350-billion-euro debt. The plan is a condition for 12 billion euros of emergency loans needed by mid-July from stressed eurozone partners and the International Monetary Fund, that could now be unlocked by eurozone finance ministers as early as their next meeting on Sunday. Eurozone chief Jean-Claude Juncker urged another yes vote on Thursday "in these grave and crucial times for Greece" as MPs started their debate on the "implementation" of radical reforms. Five lawmakers voted 'present' -- a political statement indicating they could back the second vote if the majority gets squeezed. "We have taken a big step," Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos told the Athens News Agency. "Tomorrow we will take the second so that I can go on Sunday to see my Eurogroup partners with real proof of the country's credibility." Papandreou's only rebel was blind MP Panayotis Kouroublis, who was immediately expelled from the party. Governing party lawmaker Alexandros Athanassiadis, who had said he would vote against the package but then didn't, was attacked early evening by jeering demonstrators who threw water bottles at him, police said. The aim in privatising a dozen utilities and other public assets is to raise 50 billion euros by 2015, but the sale of the state's majority holding in the national electricity company is a particularly divisive element in the detail. The Health Ministry said around 100 demonstrators and 31 officers had received hospital treatment for breathing troubles and wounds to the head, though no one had been seriously wounded. Police said they had made 11 arrests. Amid rioters' accusations of police provocation, Greek Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos told parliament he would look into the situation but slammed the violence against the post office and banks as "appalling." Protesters erected makeshift barriers on the square, hurling firecrackers, rocks and metal barriers at security forces, before more tear gas sent them scuttling down metro steps, those without masks struggling to breathe or see. "Everyone in the streets at the moment is really angry, and some are scared, you don't know what's going to happen" joiner John Papadopis, 35, told AFP on the square. On the second day of a 48-hour general strike, many protesters had said they expected the cocktail of taxes, spending cuts and sell-offs deemed essential for wider eurozone stability to pass -- but that they would be back. "Too many of these protesters are just out for fun," bartender Helene told AFP. "They don't have jobs so they come here at night for a party." The general strike brought about power cuts and ground transport in the capital to a halt. Once the July cashflow needs are met, a second bailout expected to be worth a similar amount to last year's 110-billion-euro rescue can be thrashed out. The main sticking point involves how much banks and other private creditors will contribute by way of a 'rollover' of existing debts.

Geo Pakistan

Missing persons case adjourned till next Wednesday

ISLAMABAD: Justice Javed Iqbal on Wednesday expressed dissatisfaction on failure to take action against FC personnel who were identified and accused by six of the missing persons’ families with proofs, Geo News reported. The three-judge Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Javed Iqbal was hearing the missing persons case. Asma Jehangir, the counsel for missing persons told the court that despite recommendations of the missing persons’ commission no action was taken against the FC personnel and the Ministry of Interior also did nothing in this regard. Presenting the arguments, the Additional Attorney General K.K. Agha said data retrieved from laptops recovered from the possession of Masood Janjua and Faisal Faraz disclosed their links with al-Qaeda. He said Janjua and Faraz had been killed six years ago and Hamid Mir, the senior anchor of Geo, had also mentioned this fact in one of his TV programs. Reacting to the arguments, Amina Massod Janjua, wife of Masood Janjua, said her husband and Faisal Faraz were alive and living in Rawalpindi at present. She asked asked if they had been killed then where were their graves, adding their DNA tests could also be carried out. Later, Justice Javed Iqbal instructed Amina Masood Junjua to present proofs of her arguments in his chamber and she did the same. During the course of the hearing, the court ordered the police to present a report by next week in the case of MNA Fazal Rab Pirzada who had gone missing seven years ago. Later, the hearing was adjourned till next Wednesday.

Geo Pakistan

PNS Mehran attackers had inside help: Navy officials

  ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Defence has been briefed by the Navy on the PNS Mehran attack probe, Geo News reported.

According to sources, Navy officials said that four terrorists were involved in the attack and evidence had also been found which indicated that the terrorists were receiving help from inside the base.

The in-camera briefing lasted for two hours. The committee was told that the internal probe of the attack was completed but the investigation into the external factors was still being conducted.

Geo Health

Kids who survive cancer more often get new tumors

NEW YORK: Children who have beaten cancer once are at increased risk of developing new tumors down the road, researchers say. They found skin cancers, which are usually considered relatively harmless, appeared to be an early warning sign of more aggressive disease. "It could be a marker for patients at significant risk," Dr. Gregory Armstrong of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, told this news agency. "The take-home point is that the annual visit with your physician is very important, as is having your physician be aware of the guidelines," said Armstrong, whose findings appear in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. According to the report, there were 328,000 survivors of childhood cancer in the U.S. in 2005 -- a number that keeps growing as treatment gets better. The new study tracked more than 14,000 kids who had survived cancer for at least five years, for up to 38 years after their diagnosis. One in twenty, or five percent, developed a new cancer during the study. Over the next 15 years following that diagnosis, the chance that a person who'd beaten cancer twice would get a third type of cancer was 12 percent. And the risk went up if the patients had received radiation as part of their treatment in childhood. The researchers also found that survivors whose second tumor was non-melanoma skin cancer were twice as likely to get another aggressive cancer in the next 15 years compared to survivors with a different second tumor. "We have been aware now for a couple a decades that children who beat their first cancer may be at risk of developing second cancers, largely as a result of the treatment they receive," said Armstrong. He said the new results strengthen the case for starting cancer screening early in survivors, following guidelines developed by the Children's Oncology Group. For instance, the group recommends starting mammograms at age 25 instead of age 40 or 50 if women have been treated for cancer with chest radiation as kids. But it's not all bad news, said Armstrong. "If you go back 50 years there were very few children surviving cancer," he explained. "Now we cure 80 percent of childhood cancers." (Reuters)

Geo World

Greece austerity protests turn violent

ATHENS: POLICE have fired tear gas in running battles with stone-throwing youths in Athens overnight, where a 48-hour general strike is being held against a parliamentary vote on tough austerity measures. Inside parliament, politicians debated new austerity measures which must be passed tomorrow and Friday if Greece's international creditors are to release the next 12 billion euros ($16.49 billion) batch of the country's 110 billion euros ($151.14 billion) bailout and prevent a default that could drag down European banks and shake the European and world economy. But the measures, which include spending cuts and tax hikes on even those on minimum wages, have caused widespread outrage. Unions embarked on a two-day general strike overnight, halting nearly all public transport, forcing airlines to reschedule or cancel dozens of flights and bringing public services to a standstill. A peaceful protest by about 20,000 people quickly degenerated into violence, with riot police firing volleys of tear gas and stun grenades to keep back hooded youths pelting them with thousands of chunks of ripped up paving stones and marble chipped from building facades and steps. Police said 37 policemen were injured during the overnight riots, while 14 protesters were arrested. Emergency services said nine protesters were injured.

Geo Pakistan

PNS Mehran attackers had inside help: Navy officials

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Defence has been briefed by the Navy on the PNS Mehran attack probe, Geo News reported. According to sources, Navy officials said that four terrorists were involved in the attack and evidence had also been found which indicated that the terrorists were receiving help from inside the base. The in-camera briefing lasted for two hours. The committee was told that the internal probe of the attack was completed but the investigation into the external factors was still being conducted.

Geo Pakistan

SC to resume Bhutto reference today

ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court will resume hearing of the presidential reference for the reopening of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto case on Wednesday, Geo News reported. According to the details, eleven-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry will hear the case. Attorney general Maulvi Anwar ul Haq will begin his arguments in today’s hearing. On Tuesday, Senator Babar Awan, counsel for the federation, continued his arguments before the bench and questioned how a judge who had become a complainant against Bhutto could have ever dispensed justice to him. Awan said not a single case could be proceeded with against Bhutto, except the murder case, in which prosecution against Bhutto was initiated while ignoring all evidence. He contended that the due process of law was not observed, fundamental rights were violated and judges were not impartial but rather biased against Bhutto. Chief Justice remarked that several questions are being raised during the hearing. He said court is trying to understand several things in the case.

Geo Pakistan

Up country under the spell of monsoon

LAHORE: The fresh spell of monsoon rains has started in different areas in the upper part of the country, immersing parts of cities receiving rain, Geo News reported Wednesday. Weather in Jhang and Mandi Bahauddin turned pleasant after the cities received shower along with thunderstorm. Lahore, Sheikhupura, Gojrah, Faisalabad and other surrounding areas also received rain, submerging parts of cities. The recent rain spell in Mardan, an area of Kheyber Pakhtunkhwa, brought relief to the people who were experiencing severe weather for the past month. Continuous rains in Tank and South Waziristan have blocked connecting roads of the area while rivers and drains are overflowing. Rains are likely to drench areas of Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan while other areas will continue to face hot and dry weather, met department said.

Geo Entertainment

Katrina, Anushka opposite SRK in Yash Chopra's next

MUMBAI: Veteran Indian movie mogul Yash Chopra is making a return to directing after seven years, hoping that old-fashioned romance and modern day stars will lure new young fans to his work. Chopra said the as-yet untitled film will star Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma, as well as Katrina Kaif, with music from the Oscar-winning "Slumdog Millionaire" composer A.R. Rahman. The 78-year-old, whose last stint in the director's chair was with "Veer-Zaara" in 2004, says he thought long and hard about returning to the studio floor and admits he has no idea whether it is the right move. Chopra is hoping that superstar Khan and Sharma will provide a winning formula. They were last seen in the 2008 hit "Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi", produced by his Yash Raj Films company.

GEO Amazing and Interesting

Smurfs fans set Guinness World Record

BRUSSELS: Fans of the Smurfs have set a new Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people dressed as Smurfs, within a 24 hour period in multiple venues, on Global Smurfs Day. 4,891 fans from 11 different cities around the world set this record on Global Smurfs Day – June 25th. Global Smurfs Day is the birthday of Peyo, the creator of the Smurfs. The story of the Smurfs, the little blue characters, first came out in 1958 as comic books, which were later adapted to both the big and small screens. Fans of the Smurfs turned up for the events dressed as Smurfs in white Smurf hats, white pants and shoes, and body painted blue. Guinness World Records adjudicators confirmed that a total of 4,891 people came dressed as Smurfs in 11 locations simultaneously around the world, claiming a new title for Largest Gathering of People Dressed as Smurfs within a 24-hour Period in Multiple Venues. The earlier record was for 2,510 people dressed as Smurfs. The 11 venues were Brussels, Belgium; Athens, Greece; Scheveningen (The Hague), Holland; Dublin, Ireland; Mexico City, Mexico; Panama City, Panama; Warsaw, Poland; Moscow, Russia; Johannesburg, South Africa; New York, USA; and London, UK Get set for some smurfy 3D action in theatres by 29 July!

Geo Health

'Wonder drug' to treat all types of cancers

LONDON: A breast cancer ‘wonder drug’ could be turned into a universal weapon against tumours, British scientists said. They have discovered a way of making a family of breast cancer pills effective against other cancers. The finding could lead to new drugs that shrink many – or even all – types of tumour, the Newcastle University scientists said. In addition, side-effects such as nausea and tiredness should be minimal. The excitement centres on a family of cancer drugs known as PARP inhibitors, which affect the way tumour cells repair themselves. These target hereditary forms of breast cancer, as well as ovarian prostate cancers and pancreatic tumours with the same rogue gene. The drugs are of particular interest to doctors because they zero in on the tumour, and kill it without harming healthy cells. This means patients suffer fewer side effects than they would with chemotherapy or radiotherapy, in which healthy cells are affected.

Geo Business

Anderson sparkles, as Jayasuriya bows out tamely

LONDON, June 28: James Anderson inspired England to a 110-run win over Sri Lanka in the first one-day international here at The Oval on Tuesday. The Lancastrian took 4-18 as Sri Lanka slumped to 121 all out chasing a revised target of 232 in a rain-shortened match. England made 229 in their 32 overs after a storm halted play for three hours and Sri Lanka's target was subject to a Duckworth Lewis amendment. Anderson's opening spell of 3 for 14 from four overs knocked the stuffing out of the Sri Lankan top order and their innings never recovered. He had captain Tillakaratne Dilshan caught on the boundary by Tim Bresnan running in, trapped Mahela Jayawardene leg before and induced a return catch from Kumar Sangakkara. Sanath Jayasuriya - in his final one-day international two days before his 42nd birthday - was snared by a sharp catch from Eoin Morgan in the gully off Bresnan for just two although he did manage a wicket in England's innings. Anderson turned fielder to take a superb diving catch at midwicket to remove Angelo Mathews and an easier chance off Graeme Swann to dismiss Jeevan Mendis and Sri Lanka had slumped to 57 for six. The Lancastrian, closing in on 200 one-day international victims, returned to claim the wicket of Nuwan Kulasekara. From then on there was no way back for the tourists despite Lasith Malinga and Suraj Randiv throwing the bat late on for a record ninth wicket partnership, 52, for Sri Lanka against England. Swann finished off the innings, ending with figures of 3 for 18. Thilina Kandamby hung around for 19, made off 48 balls, but lost patience eventually and skied a ball from Jade Dernbach to Stuart Broad at mid-off to give the Surrey pace bowler a second wicket on his one-day international debut. Craig Kieswetter was the mainstay of the England total hitting two sixes and four fours as he passed 50 in one-day internationals for the third time before holing out to the first ball of Randiv's second spell for 61. Morgan chipped in with 45, Kevin Pietersen 26 and Jonathan Trott 23 with Malinga picking up three wickets including two late on. England were on course for a much bigger total when Kieswetter and Morgan were at the wicket but their scoring rate slowed until a late flurry from Bresnan, who hit Suranga Lakmal for three successive fours in the penultimate over and Broad. Bresnan, recalled to the squad after a calf injury, gave the innings a much-needed shot in the arm when it looked like petering out with England's big hitters back in the pavilion. Pietersen put on 56 for the third wicket with Kieswetter before hitting a Jeevan Mendis long hop, straight to mid-on. Morgan hit six fours in his 35-ball stay but Ian Bell could not find the golden form he displayed in the recent Test series. Alastair Cook, in his first game in permanent charge of England's one-day side, was out caught behind down the leg side for just five before the rain came. The teams now head to Leeds which will stage the second match of the series on Friday. (AFP)

Geo Business

CDGK over Rs70 billion surplus budget today

KARACHI: City District Government Karachi (CDGK) over Rs70 billion surplus budget will be presented today. Sources said that CDGK budget for the next fiscal year would be of Rs70.69159 billion, which also includes Rs26.22515 billion for Karachi Sewerage Board’s budget. City Government has estimated upcoming fiscal year’s income at Rs70.79442, thus it would be a surplus budget of Rs100.283 million. The budget envisages completing 80 development schemes in 2011-12.

Geo World

Afghan hotel assault; all attackers killed

KABUL: Taliban suicide bombers and gunmen attacked a top Kabul hotel, sparking a five-hour battle with Afghan commandos backed by a NATO helicopter in an assault that left at least 10 people dead Wednesday. Red tracer bullets arced through the night sky around the hilltop Intercontinental Hotel, whose faded grandeur frequently pays host to Afghan officials and foreigners. Part of the building was in flames. The state-owned 1960s hotel, which is not part of the global InterContinental chain, was hosting delegates attending an Afghan security conference and a large wedding party when the insurgents struck at dinner-time. Kabul police chief Ayub Salangi said that 10 people, mostly workers at the hotel, were killed in the raid. "Unfortunately as a result of this terrorist attack, 10 of our countrymen, all of them civilians lost their lives," he said, adding that three police were also injured. Interior ministry spokesman Siddiq Siddiqi said the operation had ended after five hours of violence with the deaths of what he believed were six suicide bombers. But AFP journalists at the scene could hear sporadic gunfire continue after the spokesman's announcement. "They're still searching carefully and we're very scared in case there are more casualties," Siddiqi told AFP. Among those staying at the hotel were Afghan government officials from across the country who were in Kabul for a conference on the handover of power from foreign to Afghan security forces. The process starts next month. Panicked guests were told to stay in their rooms after the attackers, who officials said were suspected of having suicide vests, machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades, somehow evaded rigorous security checks. Major Tim James, a spokesman for NATO's International Security Assistance Force, said ISAF deployed one helicopter at the request of Afghan authorities. ISAF corrected its earlier account that two choppers were sent. "It flew over the hotel, circled it a few times. They were able to clearly identify a number of insurgents who were armed and wearing suicide vests and then they engaged the individuals with small-arms fire," James told AFP. "We've had reports that there were a number of explosions caused either by the insurgents detonating themselves or the engagement by the helicopter causing that (suicide vests) to explode," he said. A member of staff named Ezatullah said he hid in a room on one of the hotel's uppermost floors, on the fifth storey, when the attack started late Tuesday. "There was first gunfire, and then two blasts. It continued and got worse. The room I was hiding in filled with smoke," he said. "I had to leave. As I got out I saw trails of blood, and then the police came and took me out of the building." Security at most high-end hotels in Kabul was significantly stepped up after an attack on the city centre's Serena Hotel in 2008 left seven people dead. The Intercontinental is less deluxe than the Serena, which is the favoured choice of foreign officials and business people visiting the Afghan capital. The State Department indicated that all US diplomatic staff were safe and confirmed US special envoy Marc Grossman and all the members of his visiting delegation had safely departed Afghanistan and were en route to Washington. "The United States strongly condemns the attack on the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul, which once again demonstrates the terrorists' complete disregard for human life," it said in a statement. "We extend our condolences to the families and friends of the victims of this attack," it said, adding there was no information on any American casualties. During the assault, AFP reporters saw 10-15 armoured vehicles carrying Afghan National The reporters heard five separate explosions as the attack unfolded and said the hotel was in darkness after power in the area was apparently cut. Ambulances rushed to the site to ferry away any casualties. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the militant group was behind the attack. He claimed that the militants had taken over the hotel, killing 50 guests including foreigners and officials, and had taken a further 300 hostage.

Geo Pakistan

Osama wasn't running al Qaida from Abbottabad: officials

ABBOTTABAD: Osama bin Laden was out of touch with the younger generation of al-Qaida commanders, and they often didn't follow his advice during the years he was in hiding in Abbottabad, US and Pakistani officials say. According to the American newspaper, Contradicting the assertions of some American officials that bin Laden was running a "command and control" center from the walled compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, officials say that bin Laden clearly wasn't in control of al Qaida, though he was trying to remain involved or at least influential. "He was like the cranky old uncle that people weren't listening to," said a US official, who'd been briefed on the evidence collected from the Abbottabad compound and who spoke only on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. "The younger guys had never worked directly with him. They did not take everything he said as right." One new detail, discovered by US newspaper, is that the bin Laden household was buying and selling gold jewelry, perhaps as a way to raise money. Another is that for a household that included at least nine women and twice that many children, its consumption of electricity and gas was far less than that of neighboring households, a sign either of bin Laden's legendary frugality or an indication that the terrorist leader simply had run out of money and was living as cheaply as he could.

Geo Business

3-day gas outage for Faisalabad industries begins

FAISALABAD: Gas supply to industries in Faisalabad has been suspended for three days under gas load management schedule. According to the schedule announced by Sui gas department, gas supply to the industries would remain suspended for two days (29th June and 30th June) instead of three days during this week. However, after two hours of announcement Sui gas withdrew its decision and announced 3-day gas outage for Faisalabad industries. Industrialists said that gas outages have crippled the textile sector and its employees.

Geo Sports

Nadal beats Del Potro, suffers injury scare

LONDON: Defending champion Rafael Nadal overcame a worrying injury scare before defeating Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro 7-6 (8/6), 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 in a compelling Wimbledon last 16 clash on Monday. Nadal will tackle American 10th seed Mardy Fish, who he has defeated five times in five meetings, for a place in the semi-finals. But his latest injury will be a major concern for the world number one Spaniard ahead of Wednesday's quarter-finals. A dramatic first set, which saw him warned by umpire Carlos Ramos for taking too long between points, ended with the champion needing a medical time-out on Centre Court for a left foot injury at 6-6. The 24-year-old had his foot bandaged while he sat in his chair, grimacing with pain, but still came out for the tie-break which he won even though his movement appeared to be restricted. Nadal, who had squandered two set points in the 10th game, had made Del Potro angry over the the amount of time spent on the attention paid to the Spaniard's injury. A fired-up Del Potro then hit back to level the match, clubbing his way to the tie's first break in the eighth game of the second set. The 22-year-old, who defeated Nadal for the loss of just six games in the US Open semi-finals in 2009 before he went on to clinch his first and only Grand Slam title, had never got beyond the third round here in three previous visits. He missed last year's Wimbledon after a wrist injury, which restricted him to just three events and sent his ranking tumbling from four in the world to 485 in January. He is back at 21 now and was using his giant 1.98m (6ft 6ins) frame to hit deep and long on Monday. But at 2-2, 15-30 in the third set, it was Del Potro's turn to suffer when he hurt his left hip in a nasty fall as he tried to switch direction to chase down a Nadal forehand on the baseline. The Argentine, who had suffered a similar injury in Madrid in May, then left the court for a medical time-out before returning to the fray. He kept swinging in the third set but was out-played again in the tie-break which he conceded with a tame forehand into the net. Nadal broke Del Potro for the first time in the match to lead 3-2 in the fourth set and took the victory on his first match point when Del Potro went long with a lob.

Geo Entertainment

Katrina denies grand birthday bash rumours

MUMBAI: Katrina Kaif, who will turn 27 on July 16, has not been celebrating her birthday since the past three years and has denied throwing any birthday party this time as well. After all, the last birthday bash only resulted in some bitter memories for the actress, when her ex-beau Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan got into a never-ending rift. When Kat was asked about her plans of throwing a grand bash and inviting all those who has made a difference to her life, she said, "No, I am not planning on throwing any lavish b'day party, unlike what the rumours say." When asked if she'll spend her birthday with her family in London or Mumbai the actress said, "I have not planned anything yet. My movie Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is releasing on 15th July so most probably I will be busy with the promotional activities." However, a source close to the actress revealed that the gorgeous actress is planning to do some charity work on her birthday. “Kats mother is involved in charity and Kat too is inclined towards it. She wants to give back to the society which has given her so much love and what better day than a birthday to do that,” said the source.

Geo Health

Adult diabetes rate doubles: study

LONDON: The number of adults with diabetes worldwide has more than doubled since 1980, with almost 350 million now affected, according to a new study published in The Lancet medical journal. Scientists from Imperial College London and Harvard University analysed blood sugar date of 2.7 million people aged 25 and over across the world and used the results to estimate diabetes prevalence. The number of adults with diabetes more than doubled from 153 million in 1980 to 347 million in 2008, according to the research published Saturday. Diabetes is caused by poor blood sugar control and can lead to heart disease and stroke and can damage the kidneys, nerves and eyes. High blood sugar levels and diabetes kill three million people across the world each year. The researchers said two of the strongest factors in the rising diabetes rate were increasing life span and body weight, especially among women. "Our study has shown that diabetes is becoming more common almost everywhere in the world," said Majid Ezzati, from Imperial College London, who co-led the study. "This is in contrast to blood pressure and cholesterol, which have both fallen in many regions. Diabetes is much harder to prevent and treat than these other conditions." Diabetes rates had risen most in Pacific island nations, where a greater proportion of people have the condition than anywhere else in the world, according to the study. In the Marshall Islands, one in three women and one in four men have diabetes, it found. Countries in western Europe had seen a relatively small increase in diabetes prevalence. (AFP)

Geo Pakistan

Govt likely to receive report on Kharotabad incident today

QUETTA: The tribunal formed to probe Kharotabad incident under the supervision of Balochistan High Court (BHC) Judge Justice Hashim Kakar has completed its report. It is expected that the tribunal will present its report to the Balochistan government today (Tuesday), Geo News reported. Security personnel killed five foreigners including three women on May 17 in Kharotabad area of Quetta. The Balochistan government, on May 20, formed a commission to investigate the incident, headed by the BHC Justice Hashim Kakar. The team initiated its formal investigation on May 31 by recording statements of 28 witnesses and gathering video and pictorial evidences of the killing of the foreigners by the police and FC personnel. The investigating team also visited the site where the incident took place. As the committee was set to present its reports within a month after the incident occured, it is reported that the tribunal has completed and compiled its report and will present it to the Balochistan government today

Geo World

Washington deems 'ironic' Iranian terrorism summit

WASHINGTON: The US State Department on Monday branded as ‘ironic’ an anti-terrorism summit held last week in Tehran. "We consider it quite ironic that Iran, the most active state sponsor of terrorism, is holding a meeting on terrorism," said State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland. Delegates from 60 countries took part in the June 25 conference, including Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan, which on Saturday announced that they would work together in the anti-terrorism fight. "Iran's financial, material and logistical support for terrorist and militant groups throughout the Middle East and Central Asia flies in the face of efforts to promote peace, threatens economic stability, and undermines the growth of democracy throughout the region," Nuland said. "So instead of engaging constructively in the region, with the international community, the Iranian government continues to engage unhelpfully and in an unfounded way," she added. (AFP)

Geo Business

Crude rises on brighter Greek outlook, weaker dollar

SINGAPORE: U.S. crude oil rose above $91a barrel on Tuesday as the euro rallied against the dollar on increasing confidence the Greek parliament will approve a fiscal austerity package. FUNDAMENTALS NYMEX crude for August climbed 50 cents to $91.11by 0015 GMT, erasing nearly all of the losses from the previous session. Brent crude rose 64 cents to $106.63 a barrel. U.S. crude oil inventories fell last week as refinery demand remained high and imports likely leveled off after a steep climb the week before, a preliminary poll ahead of weekly stockpile reports showed Monday. France offered a radical solution for banks to roll over some Greek debt for 30 years as the Greek government fought for political support of its five-year austerity plan to avert bankruptcy. The euro rose against the dollar on optimism the euro zone member would be able to avoid a default on its debt. The news on Greece helped offset worries about the sluggish global economy, slower growth in China, and last week's decision by oil-consuming nations to release emergency oil reserves. OPEC's Secretary General said the IEA should immediately halt its order to release emergency oil stocks. (Reuters)

Geo Sports

Serena, Venus, Wozniacki, Petrova out of Wimbledon

LONDON: Defending champion Serena Williams, five-time champion Venus Williams and top seed Caroline Wozniacki were sent crashing out of Wimbledon Monday as the women's singles was rocked by a triple upset. Serena, who has only recently returned from a year-long layoff caused by injury and life-threatening health problems, was stunned 6-3, 7-6 (8/6) by fiery Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli in a pulsating battle on Court One. Big sister Venus lost 6-2, 6-3 to Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova, who had also defeated the American in the last eight here last year. Pironkova will face Czech eighth seed Petra Kvitova who skated past Belgian 19th seed Yanina Wickmayer 6-0, 6-2. And Danish world number one Wozniacki meanwhile will have to wait a while longer for her maiden Grand Slam triumph as she was beaten 1-6, 7-6 (7/5), 7-5 by 24th seeded Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova. Although clearly not at her best, Serena showed trademark resilience in the second set as she saved four match points before Bartoli eventually held her nerve to wrap up victory in 1hr 57 mins. Four-time champion Serena was left to reflect on her first failure to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals since her third round exit in 2005. Bartoli's reward is a quarter-final against big-serving German wildcard Sabine Lisicki, who advanced to the last eight with a 7-6 (7/3), 6-1 dismissal of Petra Cetkovska of the Czech Republic. Lisicki, who accounted for French Open champion Li Na in the second round, again served formidably, booming down eight aces with her fastest serve weighing in at a blistering 123 miles per hour. Lisicki is now on course for a possible semi-final showdown with Russian fifth seed Maria Sharapova, who advanced to the quarter-finals after overcoming China's Peng Shuai 6-4, 6-2. The first set was a closely-fought affair with little between Sharapova and the Chinese number two, but the 2004 Wimbledon champion was able to impose herself much more in the second set against the 20th seed. Sharapova faces Wozniacki's conqueror Cibulkova in the quarter-finals. In other side of the draw, Austrian world number 80 Tamira Paszek advanced to the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam for the first time when she battled past Ksenia Pervak of Russia, 6-2, 2-6, 6-3. Paszek faces Belarusian fourth seed Victoria Azarenka in the last eight. Azarenka breezed past Nadia Petrova 6-2, 6-2 in just over an hour.

Geo Pakistan

MQM quits, Sindh Governor also resigns

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has decided to quit from the Pakistan People's Party led governments in centre and Sindh, senior MQM leader Farooq Sattar told media. Sindh Governor Dr. Ishrat ul Ebad Khan would also quit from the office of Governor Sindh, he said. The governor has sent his resignation to President Asif Ali Zardari. The MQM leadership and workers have reached the conclusion it is difficult to go along with the Pakistan People's Party, keeping in view its democratic and dictatorial attitude," he said. "The PPP was unwilling to mend its ways leaving us with no option but to quit the coalition government," Sattar said, adding that MQM lawmakers in federal and provincial assemblies would sit on opposition benches. 'MQM's ministers were powerless and not allowed to work independently.' Farooq Sattar said issues were raised in core committees with the PPP leadership on regular basis but to no avail. Rehman Malik told MQM to stay away from the Azad Jammu and Kashmir assembly's Karachi seat and even threatened to postpone elections, MQM leader said. MQM today also filed a petition in the Sindh High Court (SHC) against the deferment of June 26 scheduled Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K) elections for the Karachi seats, which is expected to be placed for hearing tomorrow.

Geo Business

Pak-India agree to open another trade route at Wagah

LAHORE: Pakistani and Indian officials have agreed to open new joint trade route at the Wagah border, Geo News reported. This decision was taken during a Pak-India meeting at the Wagah border. Pakistani side was represented by Joint Secretary Interior, shabbir Ahmed, while Joint Secretary Interior, K.K. Mittal led Indian delegation. It was stated in the meeting that the new trade route was being opened because trade at the border at Wagah is affected due to the parade and other reasons. With the establishment of the new trade route, the current Wagah border would be solely used for parades and the entry and exit of delegations.

Geo Pakistan

Political maneuvering in AJK

MUZAFARRABAD: Pakistan People's Party has already won simple majority attaining the position of forming a government for which efforts are on foot, following Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections' unofficial results for thirty six seats made available thus far, Geo News reported. There are forty one seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly, but the elections on four seats were postponed. According to unofficial results of the elections held on the seats, PPP won 19 seats, Muslim League-N 8, Muslim Conference 3, and 2 independent candidates succeeded in winning the seats. Any political party forming AJK government requires support of 25 members of Legislative Assembly. PPP with its 19 seats reserved has started hobnobbing for the support of Muslim Conference's 2 seats and one of the independent members for forming the government, as it has increasing chances. Political parties were mulling alliances to form government. PPP was in a strong position if it gets the support of independent candidates.

Geo Entertainment

‘Bol’ continues to receive overwhelming response

LAHORE: The latest presentation of Geo Films ‘Bol’ has received tremendous response from the audiences and most of the cinema houses displayed house full boards at the third day of release. Shoiab Mansoor’s ‘Bol’ starring pop-icon Atif Aslam finally hit the big screens across the city on Friday and the third day witnessed even a bigger crowd trying to get the tickets. The movie expects a bumper business this season across the country due to its unusual subject mainly focusing on women’s rights and raising voice against the odds. ‘Bol’ has brought together some flaming issues, weaving them together in an engaging narrative along with exceptional acting. That is why, the flick is receiving overwhelming response from the viewers.

Geo Pakistan

PPP secures majority in AJK elections

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has secured majority in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly by securing 19 seats in elections on Sunday. According to unofficial results of 34 seats so far, Pakistan Muslim League (N) stood at second position by grabbing nine seats, Muslim Conference got third position with four seats besides two independents. The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) candidate and former Prime Minister of AJK Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry from LA-3 (City Mirpur-III) and President PPP AJK Ch. Abdul Majeed LA-2 (Chakswari Mirpur-II) have won their seats. Among the other PPP winners were Afsar Shahid LA-1 (Dadayal Mirpur-I), Syed Azhar Hussain Gillani (LA 39, Valley-4), Sardar Yaqoob (LA 19 Rawalakot-3), Afsar Shahid (LA-39, Valley-4), Chaudhry Akbar Ibraheem (LA-34 Jammu-Gujarat), Abdul Salam Butt (LA-40, Valley-5) Sardar Qamar Zaman (LA-14, Bagh-II), Chaudhry Abdul Majeed (LA-2, Mirpur), Sardar Ghulam Sadiq (LA-18, Ponch-II) and Mian Abdul Waheed (LA-23, Neelum-1) Mutloob Inqalabi and some others. President Muslim Conference Sardar Attique Ahmad Khan (LA-13,Bagh-1) and central PML(N) AJK Raja Farooq Haider also won their seats. The result of one constituency from district Bagh has been held. (APP)

Geo Health

Heart risks lower in men who get enough vitamin D

NEW YORK: Men who consume the recommended amount of vitamin D are somewhat less likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke than those with low vitamin D, according to a U.S. study. The study, which followed nearly 119,000 adults for two decades and was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that men who got at least 600 IU of vitamin D per day, the current recommended amount, were 16 percent less likely to develop heart problems or stroke than men who got less than 100 IUD per day. But there was no such pattern among women, wrote lead research Qi Sun at the Harvard School of Public Health. "These observations suggest that a higher intake of vitamin D is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease in men but not in women," Sun wrote. But Sun and the other authors said the findings don't yet prove that vitamin D, which is found in fish, eggs, fortified milk and cod liver oil, deserves the credit for the lower risk found in men. "The evidence is not strong enough yet to make solid recommendations," Sun added. The current study was observational, based on data from two long-term projects that have followed two large groups of U.S. health professionals since the 1980s: the Nurses' Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Out of 45,000 men, there were about 5,000 new cases of cardiovascular disease over the study period, marked by a heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular death. It's not clear why the finding in men wasn't matched by a similar pattern in women, but Sun said one possibility is that women may have less active vitamin D circulating in the blood. Vitamin D is also stored in fat, and women typically have a higher percentage of body fat than men do. But more research is needed, Sun said, adding that more answers are expected from an ongoing randomized trial evaluating whether a high dose of vitamin D (2,000 IU per day) can cut the risk of heart disease, stroke and other chronic diseases.(Reuters)

Geo World

Trial of 85 Qaeda suspects begins in Saudi

RIYADH: Eighty-five Al-Qaeda suspects went on trial in a special Saudi security court on Sunday in connection with deadly attacks carried out in the kingdom, state news agency SPA said. The defendants face charges of belonging to Al-Qaeda, of taking part in attacks on public buildings and residential compounds, and of smuggling and possession of weapons, it said. Thirteen of the group are accused of participating in the May 2003 car bombings of three residential compounds that left 129 people dead or wounded, including women and children, SPA said. Nine US nationals were among 35 of those killed. SPA said the arrests of the 85 suspects had foiled plots to attack two air bases, a residential compound in the Eastern Province of the Gulf state and on state oil giant Aramco. In April, a judicial source said a total of 5,080 terrorist suspects either faced trial or had already been tried before the special court which has come in for criticism from lawyers. (AFP)

Geo Pakistan

Sardar Attique, three ex-premiers win seats in AJK elections

MUZAFFARRABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan and former premiers Raja Farooq Haider, Sardar Yaqoon Khan and Barrister Sultan Mehmood have won their respective seats in AJK Legislative Assembly elections, Geo News reported on Monday. The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) candidates and former Prime Minister of AJK Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry won the seat by securing 17390 votes from LA-3 (City Mirpur-III) and Sardar Yaqoob won the seat from (LA 19 Rawalakot-3) and secured 27640 votes. President Muslim Conference Sardar Attique Ahmad Khan secured 20115 votes and won the seat from (LA-13,Bagh-1) PML-N candidate and former PM AJK Raja Farooq Haider won seats from two constituencies LA 26 and LA 28. He received 25182 votes from LA 28, Muzaffarrabad 5.

Geo Business

CFY inflation over 14, power costlier 24 pc

KARACHI: Whereas the inflation rate during the current fiscal year remained over 14 percent and electricity went costlier by 24 percent, the petroleum products prices also soared by 28-60 percent. At the end of the last fiscal year, petrol was selling at Rs68 per litre, which shot up to Rs87 per litre i.e. 28 percent hike seen at the end of the current fiscal year. Kerosene, which was Rs65 per litre at the end of previous fiscal year, selling current year at Rs85 per litre showing 29 percent increase, speed diesel mostly used in transportation jumped up to Rs94 per litre from Rs72 an increase of 31 percent, light diesel used for running tube wells was at Rs62 per litre peaked highest this year at Rs88, showing a significant increase by 43 percent, furnace oil used in power generation previous fiscal year selling at Rs44,700 per ton, this year hiked to Rs71,345 per ton i.e. a whopping 60 percent record rise. Petroleum products and furnace oil prices in international market during the year was seen hiking by 22-46 percent.

Geo Pakistan

Today marks beginning of end for Govt: Altaf

LONDON: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain Sunday said the government had returned through betrayal the support his party had extended to it in its time of trial and asked the party workers to go to courts against the way in which the elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir were held, Geo News reported. “Today marks begging of the end for the government,” Altaf Hussain claimed in his telephonic address to MQM general workers’ meeting near MQM Headquarters in Karachi which could also be heard in the party’s Hyderabad and Lahore centres. He said despite facing repeated criticism for continuing to stick to power, his party had to make a difficult choice of keeping its support on for the government. The MQM Chief appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take suo motto notice of the ‘mock elections’ by invoking the law and Constitution. He said the attempts to eliminate MQM through state coercion would never meet success. “The Kashmiri people have been robbed of their democratic right of vote through plunder and the entire exercise of elections in Azad Kashmir have not just been sunk into a swamp of doubt but also made totally unacceptable,” he maintained. Altaf Hussain said: “We were urged to contest for one seat and leave the other for People’ Party.” He termed the AJK elections as unlawful and unconstitutional, saying the vote had been rigged through state coercion. “Today’s democratic government has proved itself to be worse than dictatorship by keeping MQM away from the polls and burying the democratic norms,” he added.

Geo Pakistan

AJK polls: PPP wins 8, PML-N 2, MC 2

MUZAFFARABAD: The unofficial results of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly’s elections have started to pour in and so far results from constituencies have been received, Geo News reported. Pakistan People’s Party is leading with eight seats while Pakistan Muslim League-N and Muslim Conference have bagged two seats each. The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) candidate and former Prime Minister Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry from LA-3 (City Mirpur-III) and President PPP AJK Ch. Abdul Majeed LA-2 (Chakswari Mirpur-II) have also won their seats. Other PPP candidates who won their seats included Afsar Shahid LA-1 (Dadayal Mirpur-I), Syed Azhar Hussain Gillani (LA 39, Valley-4), Sardar Yaqoob of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) (LA 19 Rawalakot-3), Abdul Salam Butt (LA-40, Valley-5) Sardar Qamar Zaman (LA-14, Bagh-II) and Chaudhry Abdul Majeed (LA-2, Mirpur). Two candidates of Muslim Conference Sardar Attique Ahmad Khan (LA-13, Bagh-1) and Sayab Khalid (LA-20)

Geo World

Ahmadinejad blames West for drug problem in region

TEHRAN: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has blamed the West for the region's growing narcotics problems. Iranian state media, Press TV, also reported earlier in June that the Islamic state "blames the drug trafficking from Afghanistan to other parts of the world on foreign military presence in the region." Speaking at an event marking the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Ahmadinejad claimed the West had brought drugs to the region to damage them. He said: "The day they (the West) came, the production of some drugs was increased 10-fold, 50-fold, even 100-fold. "Why have they brought them (to the region)? To damage these nations." Around 8,000 former drug users, anti-narcotics forces and ministers had gathered in Tehran's Azadi stadium to mark the day.

Geo Pakistan

Grandson of Akbar Bugti among five dead in Khi shooting incident

KARACHI: At least five people including grandson of Nawab Akbar Bugti were killed and nine others injured in a clash between two groups in Defence residential area of Karachi, Geo News reported. According to police, the shoot out occurred during a private function in a bungalow located at Khayaban-e-Rahat as a result four people were killed on the spot while ten including Talay Bugti, grandson of Nawab Akbar Bugti were injured. The injured were rushed to a private hospital. Taleh Bugti succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. The other dead are identified as Kamran, Dr Iqbal and Banti, while the identity of one could not be ascertained. The injured included Zeeshan, 28; Ziauddin, 19; Zahid Fazal, 27; Faraz Amir, 22; Irfan Adnan, 33; Qamar Din, 30; Shahbaz Habib, 30; Bilal Arshad, 25 and Esa Jalaluddin, 28. SP Clifton Tariq Dharejo said that several people have been held from the Bunglow.

Geo Pakistan

AJK Legislative Assembly polling continues

ISLAMABAD: Polling for 38 seats out of 41 of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections continue here today (Sunday) without participation of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) as it decided to boycott the elections in protest against postponement of polls in LA-30, LA-36 and LA-41, Geo News reported. As many as 390 candidates from 22 political and religious parties besides independent candidates are contesting the elections in which 2.9 million voters would exercise their right of franchise. 4,349 polling stations have been set up for casting votes in 29 state and 12 Mohajereen constituencies out of which 626 have been declared highly sensitive, 886 and 2,854 normal. Polling started at 8.00 A.M. in the morning and will continue without break up to 5.00 P.M. Ballot papers and ballot boxes have already been sent to the polling stations besides polling staff are posted. A strong contingent of27,000 police and rangers have been deputed, while two brigades of troops have also been kept stand-by for holding peaceful elections. Polling since morning for AJK elections also continue in the 18 districts of Khayber Pukhtunkhaw including Peshawar, Chitral, Dir, Mardan and Dera Ismail Khan. 3,206 KIashmiri Mohajereen would be casting votes in the province. Peshawar Cinema Road has been closed for the traffic during the polling, while security arrangements made are quite stringent. Pillion riding and entry of the Afghan Mohajereen in the city are already banned. In Lahore, LA-37 seat for AJK legislative assembly about 7,000 votes will exercise their right of franchise. Besides People’s Party and Muslim Conference, Muslim League-N has also fielded their consisates, while MQM has boycotted the elections. Kashmiris resident in Lahore, Nankana Saheb and Sheikhupura Valley seat LA-37 registered votes count 6,799, while 12 polling stations in Lahore and one in Sheikhupura has been set up. PPP’s former MLA Ghulam Mohiuddin Dewan, ML-N Ghulam Abbas Mir and Muslim Conference Khawja Basir Ahmad included all 10 candidates contesting in this constituency. The candidates have blamed each other for misusing the government machinery.