Geo Pakistan 1st June

Commission on Abbottabad incident constituted

ISLAMABAD: Government has constituted a high-level commission to probe the US unilateral operation in Abbottabad in which Al-Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden was killed, Geo News reported on Tuesday. Five-member commission will be headed by Justice Javed Iqbal. Other members of the commission included former Justice Fakhruddin G. Ibrahim, former IG Abbas Khan, former Chairman ERRA Lieutenant General (retd) Nadeem Ahmad and former diplomat Ashraf Jahangir, while secretary cabinet division Nargis Sethi would be the secretary of the commission. The commission would thoroughly investigate into the tragic incident.

Geo Business 1st June

POL prices reduced

Updated at: 0951 PST,  Wednesday, June 01, 2011  ISLAMABAD: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority has reduced the price of petrol by Rs1.70 per liter, high speed diesel by Rs3.20 and kerosene oil by Rs5.05 with immediate effect. However, the notification will be issued about the reduction in prices of HOBC, jet fuel and light diesel oil today (Tuesday), as under the deregulated mechanism the prices of the said POL products are still needed to be worked out. However, after petrol becomes deregulated product, according to Ogra spokesman, its cost has reduced by Rs1.70 per liter, otherwise its price was to reduce by Rs0.18 per liter. Under the agreement with Parco, when the petrol will be deregulated the government would withdraw the price differential claim that is extended to Parco. "As a result of deregulation, the price of petrol went down by Rs1.70 per liter." He said now the new price of petrol will stand at Rs86.71 per liter. The price of high speed diesel will stand at Rs94.11 per liter and kerosene oil at Rs84.65 per liter.

Geo Pakistan 1st June

Daring journalist killed, body dumped in canal

Updated at: 0950 PST,  Wednesday, June 01, 2011  ISLAMABAD: A daring and well-connected journalist, Syed Saleem Shahzad, who was kidnapped from Islamabad three days ago has been killed by unknown captors. The Punjab police have found his body from the Head Rasool area in Mandi-Bahauddin on Tuesday after he remained missing for 40 hours while his car was found from Sarai Alamgir, some 35 kilometres from the scene. Syed Saleem Shahzad was Bureau Chief of the Hong Kong-based Asia Times Online and abducted on Sunday evening when he was going to participate in a TV show on a private TV channel in the evening. Evidence indicates that after ensuring the death of Saleem Shahzad, the kidnappers dumped his body in the nstream and got entangled in the net close to Rasool Barrage. The net has been placed permanently because incidents of drowning in this canal are too high and it helps recover the bodies of unfortunate victims. Apparently the kidnappers after dumping the body travelled back in the same vehicle to Sarai Alamgir where they abandoned the vehicle and made good their escape. Saleem Shahzad body was recovered late Tuesday evening and handed over to his heirs. The Islamabad administration facilitated to send the dead body to Karachi where he would be laid to rest. He left three children and a wife to mourn. The journalist community is pointing finger towards intelligence agencies, expressing suspicions that the agencies might have picked him up as they were very disturbed due to his critical stance towards the army. Shahzad left his house at Nazimuddin Road, F-8/4 at about 5:30 pm on Sunday evening in his Toyota Corolla bearing registration number ALR-085 to participate in a TV program scheduled at 6:00 pm but neither he reached the TV Bureau at Margalla Road nor remained in contact with his family or friends. His mobile is not traceable yet. His mobile phone was switched off at 5.42 pm, as pointed out in the mobile phone data obtained from the mobile phone company and at that time, his location was found at F-6/2, Margalla Road, close to the TV Bureau. TIME magazine's website, in its report regarding the killing of Saleem Shahzad, published May 31, quoted Ali Dayan Hasan, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, having received a call from Shahzad's wife. "He had told her that I was one of the people that should be called in case anything happens to him," says Hasan. "He had feared for sometime that something like this would happen to him." Later, Human Rights Watch says it was able to establish that Shahzad was being held by the ISI. "We were informed through reliable interlocutors that he was detained by the ISI," says Hasan. Those interlocutors, he adds, had received direct confirmation from the agency that it was detaining Shahzad. In any case, Hasan says, "in a high-security zone like Islamabad, it is only the ISI that can affect the disappearance of man and his car without a trace." The Human Rights Watch was also told that Shahzad was supposed to return home on Monday night. "The relevant people were informed that his telephone would be switched on first, enabling him to communicate with his family," says Hasan. "They were told that he would return home soon after." But by 1 a.m. on Tuesday morning, Shahzad had still not been heard from. At that point, Hasan recalled that Shahzad had sent him an e-mail on Oct. 18, 2010, that was to be released in the event of his disappearance. At the time, says Hasan, he was "fairly sure that sooner or later something was going to happen." The Human Rights Watch says it has made repeated attempts to contact Pakistan's government and establish Shahzad's whereabouts, but has received no response." Ali Dayan Hasan, however, when contacted by this correspondent for his comments said, "What is published in 'Time' should be asked from them." He said, "My organization Human Rights Watch got information from 'very credible sources' that ISI has picked Saleem Shahzad." I have provided 'TIME' with the same information. He said that one thing should be clear that he was never informed by anyone in this regard. "I will say that Human Rights Watch got this information from its very credible sources that ISI has picked up Saleem Shahzad," repeated Dayan Hasan. After Saleem Shahzad disappeared, fingers were pointed towards intelligence agencies, the journalist community expressed their suspicions that the agencies might have picked him up as they were very disturbed due to his critical stance towards the army. However, there is hardly any evidence available in which our intelligence agencies, especially the ISI, which is almost immediately and most emphatically accused of involvement, where they have killed any person, journalist or other, in such a hurry. As is being so widely discussed after Saleem Shahzad's death was confirmed it seems that he had not only annoyed the people in the intelligence agencies but also had enemies among the ranks of Taliban and al-Qaeda too and eventually had stepped on some sensitive toes that may have resulted in such extreme violent reaction. It also appears that the people who kidnapped Saleem Shahzad never intended to make any ransom demands because in such cases they usually head for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and beyond into the Tribal Areas where they find sanctuaries without much ado. According to the circumstantial evidence and sources, apparently the kidnappers quickly moved out of Islamabad after overpowering Saleem Shahzad and headed towards Jhelum after sun-set. It is worth mentioning that till reaching Sarai Alamgir, a few kilometres ahead of Jhelum city towards Gujrat, the kidnappers, who were travelling in Saleem Shahzad's own car, had to cross at least two or three police check points inside Islamabad Capital Territory up to Rawat and then they were required to pass through three Toll Plazas located at Mandra, Sohawa and on the river Jhelum, where police is always present. At least Police Mobile squads are there. This indicates that either Saleem Shahzad was already unconscious or he was somehow made to keep quiet while passing through these check points. If he had felt the danger and was in his full senses or conscious, he would have tried to call for help. There are also indicators in the unfortunate incident that the kidnappers were in too much of a hurry to get rid of him and soon after reaching Sarai Alamgir, they took the Jhelum canal side road linking with Mandi Bahauddin. It seems that they did not travel much deep on the link road and killed the journalist after inflicting severe physical torture upon him, as revealed in the post mortem report which says that there were signs of wounds and even some ribs were broken too. APP adds: President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, former president Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan's ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani, MNA Farahnaz Ispahani, permanent representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, Abdullah Hussain Haroon, Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Syed Munawar Hassan, secretary general Liaquat Baloch and senior PPP leader Asma Arbab Alamgir have condemned the killing of Saleem Shahzad. In their separate statements they expressed heartfelt shock over the killing of the journalist and demanded immediate arrest of the killers.The president and the prime minister ordered immediate inquiry into the kidnapping and murder of Saleem Shahzad. Both the leaders also expressed determination to bring the culprits to justice. Prime Minister Gilani also rang up the widow of Saleem Shahzad and expressed his heartfelt condolence over his tragic death. The prime minister assured her that the matter would be investigated and culprits would be brought to justice.

Geo 1st June

All options open in cyber-attack: Pentagon

Updated at: 9:50 PST,  Wednesday, June 01, 2011  WASHINGTON: The Pentagon said Tuesday that it would consider all options if the United States were hit by a cyber-attack as it develops the first military guidelines for the age of Internet warfare. President Barack Obama's administration has been formalizing rules on cyberspace amid growing concern about the reach of hackers. Major defense contractor Lockheed Martin said it repelled a major cyber-assault a week ago. The White House on May 16 unveiled an international strategy on cyber-security which said the United States "will respond to hostile acts in cyberspace as we would to any other threat to our country." "We reserve the right to use all necessary means -- diplomatic, informational, military, and economic -- as appropriate and consistent with applicable international law, in order to defend our nation, our allies, our partners and our interests," the strategy said. Pentagon spokesman Colonel Dave Lapan said Tuesday that the White House policy did not rule out a military response to a cyber-attack. "A response to a cyber incident or attack on the US would not necessarily be a cyber response," Lapan told reporters. "All appropriate options would be on the table if we were attacked, be it cyber." Lapan said that the Pentagon was drawing up an accompanying cyber defense strategy which would be ready in two to three weeks. The Wall Street Journal, citing three officials who said they had seen the document, reported Tuesday that the strategy would classify major cyber-attacks as acts of war, paving the way for possible military retaliation. The newspaper said that the strategy was intended in part as a warning to foes that may try to sabotage the US electricity grid, subways or pipelines. "If you shut down our power grid, maybe we will put a missile down one of your smokestacks," it quoted a military official as saying. The newspaper said the Pentagon would likely decide whether to respond militarily to cyber-attacks based on the notion of "equivalence" -- whether the attack was comparable in damage to a conventional military strike. Such a decision would also depend on whether the precise source of the attack could be determined. (AFP)

Geo Pakistan May 31

 Kharotabad incident: Tribunal records witnesses' account

 Updated at: 1448 PST,  Tuesday, May 31, 2011
 QUETTA: The enquiry tribunal formed to ascertain the facts and causes of the Kharotabad incident has started recording statements of the witnesses from today (Tuesday), Geo News reported.

The tribunal was formed on May 25 where eighteen witnesses enlisted their names as witnesses. The witnesses would appear before the tribunal, headed by Justice Muhammad Hashim Kakar, Judge of Balochistan High Court (BHC), to record their statements.

Before recording the statements, the tribunal on Monday visited the Kharotabad area. Balochistan police chief Rao Amin Hashim and other senior officials were also present on the occasion.

They stayed there for over an hour and enquired about the incident of May 17, from different people, including police, the FC and residents of the area.

Five Chechen nationals were killed on May 17, at the FC’s checkpost in Kharotabad area. The police and the FC opened indiscriminate fire, targeting the five people after labeling them suicide bombers

Geo Sports May 31

Afridi violated code of conduct: Ijaz Butt

Updated at: 1119 PST,  Tuesday, May 31, 2011  LAHORE: Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said that some of the comments made by former captain Shahid Afridi were against the code of conduct, Geo News reported. While talking to Geo News, Butt said that no one has stopped Afridi from playing cricket and he was selected for the series against Ireland but he refused saying that his father is not well. But his decision to retire from international cricket is sudden and he does not want to comment on it, added Chairman PCB. Butt said that Afridi has played marvelous cricket and he acknowledges his contribution, but the decision to retire from international cricket is personal. He also said that PCB has not imposed any restriction on former captain and the team is ready to welcome him back in the international cricket.

Geo World

Heavy rain floods N Japan

Updated at: 1415 PST,  Tuesday, May 31, 2011  TOKYO: Heavy rain has flooded the already-devastated Miyagi area of northern Japan, hindering its reconstruction after a massive earthquake and tsunami in March. Torrential rains brought by typhoon Songda across the country caused landslides and floods, leaving at least 13 people dead and many more missing. Roads have been swept away in at least 200 places and some 19 bridges were damaged. Authorities in the Northeast of Tokyo urged more than 400,000 residents to evacuate their homes Friday following the flooding of a river. In some areas in the North, 54mm of rain fell in just 12 hours. Up to 1,000 troops have been supporting rescue missions and strengthening flood protection. Songda were downgraded to a tropical storm in the southwest of Japan late on Sunday, but strong winds and rain continue to batter the north.

Geo Entertainment May 31

Who will be Ash's hero?

Updated at: 1109 PST,  Tuesday, May 31, 2011  MUMBAI: While the former beauty queen and B-town actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has been confirmed as the female lead for Madhur Bhandarkar’s ‘Heroine’, the hunt for a younger lead actor is still on. The buzz has it that the movie requires two male actors, and while Arjun Rampal has been signed for the main male lead, Bhandarkar is still confused over whom to cast as the other man in Ash’s life. Running among the top contenders for the role of the man who uses the leading lady as a ladder to establish himself are: Ranbir Kapoor, Imran Khan, and Prateik Babbar. The Times of India quoted a close source as saying, “Ash has a very interesting track with a young actor who falls in love with her. There are also a few romantic scenes between the actor and Ash. It's a role that's being battled for between the three actors.” "The decision is yet to be made but it will be one of these three guys. Madhur is still in the process of casting and will be making his decision in the coming weeks,” the source told the daily. She may have been hogging limelight for her red carpet appearances abroad, but in reality Aishwarya would be facing the cameras after a gap of eight months as she starts shooting for ‘Heroine’ from June 7. She had faced the arc lights during the shooting of ‘Guzaarish’ in September last year and after that she has been on a break from films. Reports claim that she has been spending a lot of quality time with her husband Abhishek Bachchan and visits to the international film festivals. Scuttlebutt has it that Bhandarkar’s ‘Heroine’ is Aishwarya’s story as certain instances in the film have been inspired by her own journey to fame. While talking about the movie during the Cannes film festival, the ace filmmaker said, “The film is not about Elizabeth Taylor or Marilyn Monroe, but it is a film based on an actresses’ journey to fame, along with the experiences she gathers and the people she meets.”

Geo Pakistan May 31

GDP growth lags half behind the target

Updated at: 1247 PST,  Tuesday, May 31, 2011  ISLAMABAD: Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate trailed almost half behind the set target, tax revenue in the first ten months amounted to Rs1156 billion, while the rate of inflation surged to 14 percent, according to the Economic Survey 2010-11 received by the Geo News. The rate of economic growth during the current fiscal year remained at 2.4 percent as against the target of 4.5 percent, agriculture sector growth rate stood at 1.2 percent against the target of 3.8 percent, while the services sector growth stood at 4.7 percent against the target of 4.1 percent, said the report. Manufacturing sector growth rate in the current fiscal year remained negative at minus 0.1 percent. Electricity, gas and water supply growth worsened at minus 21 percent, large industries growth stuck to 1 percent, while small industries growth stood at 7.5 percent. The Survey disclosed that rate of inflation during July 2010 to April 2011 remained at 14 percent, while the general kitchen items prices hiked by 18.42 percent. Survey said that the energy crisis and paucity of foreign investment hit the industrial growth. Saving rate lingered at 12.9 percent against the target at 14.5 percent, investment growth rate at 13.4 against the target of 17.9 percent, while the direct foreign investment during July-March current fiscal year plunged down by 29 percent and investment in the stock market crashed down by 33 percent. Tax collection fell down because of the slow economic growth, however it amounted to 12.6 percent higher than the previous year. In the first ten months tax revenue amounted to Rs1156 billion as against the target of Rs1588 billion. The budget deficit was to be restricted to 4.7 percent, while it has been estimated to remain at 5.5 percent. The government sectors took loans of Rs342.2 in ten months, Rs472.2 were borrowed for the budget support, which included State Bank’s Rs196.3 billion. The Survey further said the inflation rate is likely to go up to 15 percent by the end of the current fiscal year. Trade deficit declined by 2.2 percent and it amounted to $8 billion in ten months. 638 companies were listed in the stock market and volume of investment remained at Rs920 billion.

Geo Pakistan May 31

UI-F leader shot dead in Kark

Updated at: 1227 PST,  Tuesday, May 31, 2011  KARK: Unidentified gunmen on Tuesday gunned down former District Ameer Maulana Salimullah, member of Jamiat-e-Ulama-a-Islam –Fazlur Rehman group (JUI-F), Geo News reported. According to police sources, unidentified gunmen opened fire on the former Ameer in Latambar, an area of Kark district, killing Maulana Salimullah on the spot and injuring four other persons who have been shifted to DHQ hospital. The gunmen flee after the incident and fear gripped the area. Police have cordoned off the area and security forces are conducting snap checking.

Geo Sports May 31

Afridi quits international cricket

KARACHI: Former skipper Pakistan cricket team Shahid Khan Afridi has announced retirement from international cricket here late on Monday, Geo News reported. According to sources, Afridi’s disagreement with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over some issues resulted in his early retirement. He said it was hard for him to play under a cricket board, which pays no respect to senior players. “I cannot work with the people who find it difficult to tolerate statements in favour of cricket,” he stated, saying that the duty of a coach is to work for the welfare and in favour of team. "It is nothing short of an hounour for me that Pakistan played world cup semifinal under my captaincy," he added.

Geo Pakistan May 31

No record with NADRA of Mehran militants

KARACHI: No record of militants who attacked PNS Mehran, the naval base of Pakistan Navy, was found at NADRA and its report had been sent to the team investigating the incident, Geo News reported Monday. According to sources, the samples for DNA tests have not yet been sent to the Federal Government’s forensic lab despite orders issued in this regard to the investigating experts eight days ago. The forensic experts believe that crucial details about the terrorists could be obtained through DNA tests. Well-placed sources told Geo News correspondent Asif Ali Bhatti that fingerprints of the terrorists who stormed PNS Mehran on May 22 and other information relating to them had been dispatched to a special cell at NADRA Headquarters for finding matches. However, no matches were found at NADRA. A senior officials said that the shapes of the hands of the terrorists were similar to those of the men from Central Asia.

Geo Business May 31

Interior Ministry budget estimated at Rs55.80 bn

ISLAMABAD: The budget allocation for the Interior Ministry for fiscal year 2011-12 has been estimated at Rs55.80 billion, including Rs50.29 billion including non-development expenditure while Rs5.89 billion as development expenditure, Geo News reported Monday. According to a budget document obtained by Geo News, Rs.04.68 billion will be spent on the ongoing development schemes and Rs.01.12 billion will be allocated for new development schemes. Rs.0.72 billion will be allocated for development of Islamabad and Rs.0.18 billion have been allocated for Islamabad Safe City Project. Rs.0.30 billion have been allocated for Cyber Crime Center. Rs.0.3 billion for residential colony of Frontier Corps in Tank and Bannu districts and Rs.81 lacks for construction of FIA Center in Sukkur. Rs.01.12 billion have been allocated for construction of barracks for Coast Guards in Othal district. Rs.0.20 billion have been allocated for construction of residence for Bhittai Rangers in Karachi and Rs.0.20 billion have been allocated for residence of Abdullah Shah Ghazi Rangers in Karachi. Rs.0.6 billion have been allocated for FC Hospital in Quetta. Rs.30 lacks have been allocated to establish Forensic Agency and Finger Print System. Rs0.99 billion have been allocated for Machine Readable Passport System and Rs.0.12 billion have been allocated for Borders Security Management.

Geo Sports May 31

Pakistan finish with Ireland flourish

Updated at: 0002 PST,  Tuesday, May 31, 2011  BELFAST: Pakistan completed a 2-0 one-day international series win over Ireland in Belfast with victory by five wickets at Stormont here on Monday that rounded off eight months on the road. Pakistan, set a target of 239, won with eight balls to spare thanks mainly to half-centuries from Younis Khan (64) and Umar Akmal (60 not out). The World Cup semi-finalists have been unable to play any major matches at home since an armed attack on Sri Lanka's tour bus in Lahore in March 2009 made the country a 'no-go zone' for the world's leading teams. But there were few signs of travel-weariness against Ireland. Only Mohammad Hafeez, dismissed in the second over without scoring, failed but Taufiq Umar and Azhar Ali, in his first one-day international, shared 65 for the second wicket to put Pakistan back on course. Younis Khan played the decisive innings with 64 from 74 balls, including four fours and a six. He shared stands of 68 for the fourth wicket with captain Misbah-ul-Haq and 69 for the fifth with Akmal, who faced just 48 balls and hit six fours and a six. The Ireland bowlers stuck to their task well with Boyd Rankin the most economical, conceding just 29 runs in his nine overs and also ending the innings of Azhar Ali, caught at slip by Paul Stirling. It was Stirling who was named man-of-the-match after setting up the contest with a wonderfully entertaining 109, his first century against a Full Member nation, to follow ODI hundreds against Canada and, at the recent World Cup, the Netherlands. At the interval, Pakistan would have been delighted to be chasing only 239. Ireland, skittled out for 96 during Pakistan's seven-wicket win in Saturday's series opener, were on course for a substantial total while the 20-year-old Stirling was at the crease. The batsman, who plays for English county Middlesex, made 109 off just 107 balls with four sixes and seven fours. But when he was fourth out for 182 at the start of the 44th over, Ireland failed to kick-on. The hosts lost momentum during the one rain interruption in the innings, after 37 overs, with Ireland on 159 for two. Ireland took their batting powerplay two overs after the resumption but Saeed Ajmal and Junaid Khan bowled five excellent overs which brought two wickets and yielded only 23 runs. Junaid, Saturday's man-of-the-match with four wickets, finished with two for 53 but the majority of those runs came in his first spell when Stirling was on the rampage. The 21-year-old left-arm paceman got his revenge in the powerplay when he bowled Stirling and he followed up with wicket of Gary Wilson, in the last over, for 33. Off-spinner Ajmal was Pakistan's most successful bowler with four for 35. His haul included Kevin O'Brien, scorer of the fastest-ever World Cup century during Ireland's shock win over England in Bangalore in March. (AFP)

Geo Pakistan May 30

Shakira considering album in Arabic

RABAT: Colombian pop singer Shakira said Saturday she would one day like to sing pop songs, if not an entire album, in Arabic.

The native Spanish speaker, who also has global hits in English, was speaking at a news conference in Morocco, where she was headlining the Mawazine World Rhythms music festival.

"It would be a challenge to do an album in Arabic. I would first have to learn Arabic," she said. "I am completely open to that experience. ... At some point I would love that to happen in my life."

Born in Colombia of Syrian origin, Shakira said she grew up listening to the Arab world's premier divas of the 20th century, Egyptian Umm Kalthum and Lebanese Fairuz.

Shakira often uses eastern dance, also known as belly dancing, in her acts, and her hit Spanish language single "Ojas Asi" relies heavily on a Middle Eastern melody. Her eastern origins and musical influences have made her popular throughout the Middle East.

She admitted, however, that she only speaks a few words of Arabic, including "ateeni boosa" or give me a kiss, provoking laughter among the mostly Moroccan crowd of journalists.

Morocco's 10th-annual Mawazine festival of world music concluded Saturday after eight days of music that saw bands from 60 countries, including Kanye West, Lionel Ritchie, Egypt's Amr Diab and Senegal's Youssou N'Dour. (AP)

Geo Pakistan

Commission on Abt operation in two days: Malik

Updated at: 2245 PST,  Sunday, May 29, 2011  LAHORE: Federal Interior Minister Abdul Rehman Malik has said an investigation commission on Abbottabad operation will be constituted within two days whose credit will go to entire parliament, Geo News reported. Talking to media after condolence to the family of martyr Lieutenant Yasir Abbas, Malik said drones strikes were a daily routine three years ago but after Osama’s fallout Pakistan’s position has seen stability. He said Al-Qaeda and Taliban have ranked Pakistan their number 1 enemy after killing of Osama. He said attack on Mehran base was a part of a plan, advising that politicians should get united to safeguard sovereignty of country. He said the duty of the commission would be finding out intelligence failure regarding the hideout of Osama Bin Laden, appealing Sharif Brothers to think in favour of Pakistan. President and Prime Minister have told US that more drone attacks are not acceptable and ISI and CIA would jointly take action against high-value target.

Geo Pakistan May 30

Pak-India Siachin talks from tomorrow

Updated at: 2249 PST,  Sunday, May 29, 2011  ISLAMABAD: Two-day defence secretaries level talks between Pakistan and India on the outstanding issue of Siachin will begin in New Delhi from Monday, Geo News reported. Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Akhtar Ali will be leading the Pakistani delegation while the Indian side will be represented by Pradeep Kumar. The Siachin issue surfaced when India secretly occupied a large part of Siacin glacier in 1984, triggering skirmishes between the two countries that continue till today. Tomorrow’s will be the 12th round of defence secretary level bilateral talks resumed after gap of three years. The first round was held in 1985. Pakistan had been demanding an end to the Siachin occupation under the Simla Pact. Talks held on the issue so far had failed to bear any fruit. Located at an altitude of 5400 meters above sea-level, the battlefield’s temperature drops down to as low as minus 40 degrees centigrade where 95 percent of deaths occur not because of the fights but due to unbearably cold weather and difficult terrain.

Geo Pakistan May 30

POL prices likely to dip from June 1
Updated at: 1842 PST,  Sunday, May 29, 2011

KARACHI: The price of petroleum products except for diesel are expected to be slashed from June 1, Geo News reported.Sources at Finance Ministry told Geo News that petrol price is likely to be reduced by Rs1.50 per litre; kerosene oil by Rs5.50 per litre; light diesel Rs6 and; High Octane by Rs1.77 per litre.

Geo World

Karzai issues 'last warning' to US over civilian deaths

Updated at: 1843 PST,  Sunday, May 29, 2011  KABUL: Afghan President Hamid Karzai called Sunday on the US military to avoid operations that kill civilians, saying it was his "last warning" to Washington after 14 people allegedly died in an air strike. Reacting to the alleged deaths of 10 children, two women and two men in an air strike Saturday in the southern province of Helmand, Karzai said such incidents were "murdering of Afghanistan's children and women." "The president called this incident a great mistake and the murdering of Afghanistan's children and women, and on behalf of the Afghan people gives his last warning to the US troops and US officials in this regard," his office said, adding that he "strongly condemned" the killings. Citing initial "reports and heartrending pictures published on media" Karzai's office said 10 children, two women and two men were killed in the raid. Adopting an unusually angry tone, Karzai said the US-led operations were "arbitrary" and unnecessary". "The president said that US and NATO troops have been repeatedly told that their arbitrary and unnecessary operations cause the deaths of innocent Afghans and such operations violate human and moral values but it appears that (we) are not listened to," the statement said. Local authorities in Helmand said that US Marines called in air support after their base in Nawzad district came under attack from small arms fire. "During the air strike, two civilian houses were targeted which killed 14 civilians and six others were wounded," the provincial administration said in a statement. The statement said the dead included five girls, seven boys and two women. The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force said it was investigating the allegations. "ISAF are aware of the reports that civilians were allegedly killed in an ISAF air strike," spokesman Major Tim James told AFP. "(The) Regional Command South West has sent a joint assessment team to the area to look into the allegation and they will issue their findings to the press." Footage and pictures from the troubled region showed turbaned men carrying the bodies of children and showing them to unseen journalists.(AFP)

Geo Pakistan May 29

Kharotabad incident: Tribunal removes 2 DSPs

Updated at: 0539 PST,  Sunday, May 29, 2011  QUETTA: Two Balochistan DSPs have been removed on the directives of a court’s Tribunal investigating the incident of killing of five unarmed Chechan nationals in Kharotabad area of Quetta on May 17, Geo News reported Saturday. According to a correspondent of Geo News, the tribunal removed the DSPs of the Airport and Quaidabad police stations and Bashir Ahmed (Airport) and Dr. Sami (Quaidabad) were appointed in their place. Earlier, CCPO Quetta Dawood Junejo was also relegated as OSD (Official on Special Duty). On the other hand no action was taken against the personnel of Frontier Corps (FC) who opened indiscriminate fire on the Chechan nationals and all the officials including Col. Faisal continue to serve on their posts unaffected.

Geo Sports May 29

Barcelona swamp United to win Champions League

Updated at: 0539 PST,  Sunday, May 29, 2011  LONDON: Barcelona, inspired by the peerless Lionel Messi, delivered a soccer masterclass to overwhelm Manchester United 3-1 in the Champions League final and lift the European Cup for the fourth time on Saturday. Messi was at his inspirational best all night at Wembley as the champions of Spain left the champions of England looking like desperate also-rans in the face of their relentless intricate passing and deadly movement. United somehow reached halftime level at 1-1 after Wayne Rooney cancelled out Pedro's opening goal but Barcelona continued their dominance after the break. A superb Messi goal and a precise 18-metre curler by David Villa, underlined the Spanish side's dominance over the team they also beat in the 2009 final. After a short-lived United flurry at the start, Barca were soon in control as they probed constantly in and around the United box. UNITED UNDONE Although the English side kept them at bay with a series of last-ditch tackles they were eventually undone in the 27th minute when Xavi cleverly delayed a pass to open space for Pedro to calmly tuck the ball beyond Edwin van der Sar. United looked almost out of their depth but showed why they have reached three finals in the last four seasons by conjuring a well-made equaliser after 34 minutes. Rooney played a one-two with Michael Carrick then another with Ryan Giggs before sweeping the ball high into the net. Messi was millimetres away from a second goal after another high-speed give and go with Villa but somehow United reached halftime on level terms. The parity on the scoreboard was short-lived though as Barca immediately regained control and, after more near misses, duly went ahead in the 54th minute. United's defenders made the fatal error of standing off Messi on the edge of the box and the Argentine maestro took full advantage driving the ball in low for the 53rd and most important goal of his remarkable season. It was Messi who set up the third too as he surged into the box and, though the ball was half-cleared, it went straight to Villa who killed it instantly before curling a superb 18-metreshot into the top corner. (Reuters)

Geo Pakistan May 29

Nawaz to face PM if probe body not formed

Updated at: 0538 PST,  Saturday, May 28, 2011  SARGODHA: Pakistan Muslim League-N Chief Nawaz Sharif Saturday warned that he would be facing the Prime Minister in case the proposed independent commission to investigate into the Abbottabad incident was not constituted, Geo News reported. Addressing a public meeting in Sargodha, Nawaz Sharif said he would not allow the Parliamentary resolution to be thrown into trash bin and the dramas staged in Islamabad would not be tolerated either. The Parliamentary resolution must be acted upon in letter and spirit, he asserted. “Pakistan instead of making progress seems to be heading backwards and despite being an atomic power the world is issuing threats to us,” he regretted, maintaining the Abbottabad incident should not have happened. He, added, that Prime Minister’s terming it a huge success was a horrible joke with the nation. The PML-N Chief said those who had allowed such a raid to take place in Pakistan had actually failed in safeguarding the country’s security and called for the constitution of the proposed independent commission at the earliest. He said the sovereignty of the country was being trampled to a sheer disregard of the rulers. Refering to the Abbottabad and Karachi debacles, Nawaz Sharif said that the nation wanted the real culprits to be awarded punishment. “Alive nations are never wary of accountability and our national pride cannot put up with Abbottabad-like operations,” he added. The N-League leader termed poverty, unemployment, terrorism and load-shedding as the biggest challenges and as gifts from Musharraf who had fled from the country. “A day will come when he will be held accountable,” he hoped, adding a military dictator considers the parliament as his household servant. He said what a tragedy it was that a citizen gets caught for violating a red traffic light but the one who abrogates the Constitution escapes punishment. “We will not allow anyone to escape and everyone would be subjected to accountability,” he warned.

Geo Pakistan May 29

 Perks termed burden on national kitty

 Updated at: 0538 PST,  Saturday, May 28, 2011
 ISLAMABAD: The Planning Commission of Pakistan (PCP) has termed the perks being allowed to the government employees in addition to the salaries are a burden on the national kitty, Geo News reported Saturday.

The PCP said it would be more wise to raise the salaries of government servants instead of allowing additional facilities vis a vis transport, house, plot and club membership.

According to a report of the Planning Commission that presented before National Economic Council (NEC), more administrative staff has to be hired for managing the matters relating to these additional facilities.

Government spends Rs4.7 billion to provide the additional perks to the government officers of Grade-20 and above. This amount is further increased to Rs6 billion when administrative expenditure is added to it.

The report said if salaries of these government employees are raised by disallowing the additional perks it will help the government reduce the huge spending of Rs6 billion to Rs3.1 billion.

It was proposed in the report that a transparent mechanism be adopted for selection government employees and appraisal of their performance.

Geo Pakistan May 28

Pak, US agree to work together against high value target

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and United States have agreed to work together in any future actions against high value targets in Pakistan. Both the countries also agreed to enhance bilateral ties, recommence the preparatory work for the strategic partnership dialogue process. President Zardari and Secretary Clinton in a one-on-one meeting that lasted for half-an-hour at the President House, discussed the issues of security, terrorism and extremism that were hampering the regional peace. Briefing the newsmen, Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar said the issues of regional stability and security including countering terrorism and peace in Afghanistan were discussed in a meeting. He said the President made clear the will of the people and prevailing public sentiment on the issues of national sovereignty, security and Pakistan's national interests in line with the unanimous Resolution recently adopted by the joint sitting of the Parliament. Both sides reaffirmed the imperatives of the Pakistan-US relations and the need for forging durable partnership on the basis of "mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual benefit". Secretary Clinton stated that a secure, stable, democratic and prosperous Pakistan was in the US national interest and a critical factor in regional stability and peace. Hillary Clinton said the United States recognized the difficult political and military challenges faced by Pakistan and that she had come to reiterate the value of mutual relations. She said President Obama had repeatedly demonstrated commitment to long term partnership and that there was no room for misunderstanding and misperception. Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani, Director General Inter Services Intelligence Agency General Shuja Pasha, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir joined the delegation-level talks. Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen and US ambassador in Pakistan Cameron Munter represented their country.

Geo Pakistan May 28

Drone strike to jeopardize Pak-US ties: Awan

Updated at: 0505 PST,  Saturday, May 28, 2011  ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan said on Friday that US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton has been conveyed that it is unacceptable for Pakistanis to allow any one to challenge their country's sovereignty. She made it clear that if United States government fails to respect the unanimous resolution of the Parliament and sentiments of people of Pakistan on national sovereignty, the government will have to devise new strategy to protect national interests. Talking to media persons after briefing about Federal Cabinet meeting, she said that it was the responsibility of the government to convey sentiments of the people of Pakistan to United States. The Minister said the joint resolution indicated that if drone attacks continue, Pakistan will have to re-visit its engagement with the US. She said that under the new strategy the country's interests would be protected without facing isolation in the world. She said the parliament, all political parties, the nation are unanimous that continuation of drone attacks will affect Pakistan, US relations. About the Independent Commission to probe the May 2 incident, she said "We believed in supremacy of the Parliament as it reflects the sentiments of the people of Pakistan." She said the Prime Minister informed the cabinet about the process of formation of the commission. She said it will be constituted with the consultation of all political parties and consultations were going on to appoint a non-controversial person as its head. She expressed the hope that commission will be constituted soon. To another question she said Interior Minister, Rehman Malik will present preliminary investigation report of PNS to the Prime Minister within couple of days.(PPI)

Geo Pakistan

US cutting back troops in Pakistan: Pentagon

Updated at: 0931 PST,  Thursday, May 26, 2011  WASHINGTON: The US military said Wednesday it plans to scale back the number of American troops in Pakistan after Islamabad made a formal request, amid tensions over a US raid against Osama bin Laden. "We were recently (within past 2 weeks) notified in writing that the government of Pakistan wished for the US to reduce its footprint in Pakistan. Accordingly, we have begun those reductions," spokesman Colonel Dave Lapan said in an email to reporters.(AFP)

Geo World

US lawmakers urge Afghan war end

Updated at: 0716 PST,  Thursday, May 26, 2011  WASHINGTON: A bipartisan group of US lawmakers have urged President Barack Obama and their colleagues to bring an end to the war in Afghanistan, insisting that the killing of Osama bin Laden made the mission unnecessary. The death of bin Laden "require us to reexamine our policy of nation building in Afghanistan," said the four Democrats and four Republican representatives in letters to Obama, sent earlier this month, and addressed to colleagues on Wednesday. They said the time "has come to acknowledge that the threat posed by Afghanistan no longer justifies 100,000-plus troops on the ground." The group, headed by Republican Jason Chaffetz and Democrat Peter Welch, have made a bipartisan push for an end to the conflict, offering an amendment to a defense bill that would require the withdrawal of US ground troops. In light of the killing of the September 11 mastermind in a May 2 commando raid, the conflict "is no longer the best way to defend America against terror attacks, and we urge you to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan that are not crucial to the immediate national security objective of combating Al Qaeda," said the group. Obama has set July 2011 as the start date for the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, and the end of 2014 as the time that US and NATO forces must transfer security responsibilities to Afghan forces. The lawmakers noted the "immense" cost of the conflict for US taxpayers: $2 billion a week, and $386 billion already spent. They argued that a nation-building strategy in Afghanistan "has little efficacy," and that military action should be focused on special forces mission to target dispersed and decentralized extremist groups. With polls showing that much of the US public is tired of the war, the Obama administration has in recent months played down the prospect of a military solution in Afghanistan and called for a political settlement. The lawmakers letter to their colleagues comes a day after Senator Richard Lugar, the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, questioned why the United States was spending some $120 billion a year in Afghanistan. "The question before us is whether Afghanistan is strategically important enough to justify the lives and massive resources that we are spending there, especially given that few terrorists in Afghanistan have global designs or reach," the Indiana lawmaker said. (AFP)

Geo World

US lawmakers urge Afghan war end

Updated at: 0716 PST,  Thursday, May 26, 2011  WASHINGTON: A bipartisan group of US lawmakers have urged President Barack Obama and their colleagues to bring an end to the war in Afghanistan, insisting that the killing of Osama bin Laden made the mission unnecessary. The death of bin Laden "require us to reexamine our policy of nation building in Afghanistan," said the four Democrats and four Republican representatives in letters to Obama, sent earlier this month, and addressed to colleagues on Wednesday. They said the time "has come to acknowledge that the threat posed by Afghanistan no longer justifies 100,000-plus troops on the ground." The group, headed by Republican Jason Chaffetz and Democrat Peter Welch, have made a bipartisan push for an end to the conflict, offering an amendment to a defense bill that would require the withdrawal of US ground troops. In light of the killing of the September 11 mastermind in a May 2 commando raid, the conflict "is no longer the best way to defend America against terror attacks, and we urge you to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan that are not crucial to the immediate national security objective of combating Al Qaeda," said the group. Obama has set July 2011 as the start date for the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, and the end of 2014 as the time that US and NATO forces must transfer security responsibilities to Afghan forces. The lawmakers noted the "immense" cost of the conflict for US taxpayers: $2 billion a week, and $386 billion already spent. They argued that a nation-building strategy in Afghanistan "has little efficacy," and that military action should be focused on special forces mission to target dispersed and decentralized extremist groups. With polls showing that much of the US public is tired of the war, the Obama administration has in recent months played down the prospect of a military solution in Afghanistan and called for a political settlement. The lawmakers letter to their colleagues comes a day after Senator Richard Lugar, the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, questioned why the United States was spending some $120 billion a year in Afghanistan. "The question before us is whether Afghanistan is strategically important enough to justify the lives and massive resources that we are spending there, especially given that few terrorists in Afghanistan have global designs or reach," the Indiana lawmaker said. (AFP)

Geo Pakistan May 25

Two dead, 18 injured in Peshawar suicide blast

Updated at: 0644 PST,  Wednesday, May 25, 2011  PESHAWAR: Two policemen were killed and 18 others including eight police officials were injured when a suicide bomber rammed his explosive laden vehicle into CID police station at University Road in the wee hours of Wednesday, Geo News reported. Relief and rescue teams have rushed to the site and initiated their work. The injured are being shifted to Khyber Teaching Hospital and Lady Reading Hospital. It is said that the blast was heard across Peshawar city. Windowpanes of the nearby buildings were smashed into pieces in the blast. Security forces have cordoned off the area.

Geo Pakistan May 25

US announces new sanctions against Iran

Updated at: 0738 PST,  Wednesday, May 25, 2011  WASHINGTON: The United States on Tuesday announced sanctions against ‘seven foreign entities’ including Venezuela's state oil company as part of new efforts to contain Iran's nuclear ambitions. Washington also imposed sanctions against 16 other foreign entities and individuals, including from China, over trade with Iran, Syria and North Korea in goods or technology that may be used for weapons of mass destruction or missiles. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg told reporters the measures against the seven entities come under the Iran sanctions act of 1996. The firms include Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), as well as PCCI (Jersey/Iran), Royal Oyster Group (UAE), Speedy Ship (UAE/Iran), Tanker Pacific (Singapore), Ofer Brothers Group (Israel), and Associated Shipbroking (Monaco). The sanctions are aimed at preventing Iran from developing its energy sector, which in turn is used to fund its nuclear program suspected of weapons development, Steinberg said. "Today's action adds further pressure on Iran to comply with its international obligations," Steinberg said. The European Union on Monday tightened its own sanctions on Iran, adding more than 100 firms to a blacklist of companies hit by an assets freeze amid efforts to revive international talks to make Tehran halt its nuclear program. Steinberg said the United States is also imposing sanctions against 16 foreign entities and individuals, including those from China, Belarus, Iran, North Korea, Syria and Venezuela as part of an effort to curb weapons proliferation. He said those sanctions were imposed "pursuant to the Iran, North Korea and Syria non-proliferation act for activities in support of WMD (weapons of mass destruction) and missile programs." (AFP)

Geo Pakistan May 25

GEO Pakistan

Nawaz vows to eliminate terrorism

Updated at: 0725 PST,  Wednesday, May 25, 2011  MANSEHRA: PML-N Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif has stated that terrorist attack on naval base Karachi was not an ordinary terrorism, adding that roots of Pakistan were being shattered through terrorism, Geo News reported. Addressing party workers in Mansehra, Nawaz Sharif demanded probe into Karachi naval base attack. Nawaz said that anti-Pakistan forces were behind Karachi attack. He said he would not remain silent on such incidents, Karachi incident should open our eyes. He wondered as to why we afraid from accountability. PML-N Chief said such incidents were damaging the image of Pakistan in the world. He vowed to eliminate terrorism from the country.

Geo Sports

Pakistan level Test series against West Indies

BASSETERRE: Pakistan beat West Indies by 196 runs on the fifth day of the second test Tuesday to draw their two test series 1-1. Slow left-armer Abdur Rehman finished with figures of 4-65 as West Indies, resuming on 130for five and needing to bat through the day to win the series, were bowled out for 230 before lunch. Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal did the damage with the key wickets of Brendan Nash (30), skipper Darren Sammy (41) and Ravi Rampaul (20). It was always going to be too much for West Indies to bat through the day having already lost their top order but it was a sorry end to their innings when Kemar Roach was run out for12. Any chance of resistance dissipated when Nash edged Ajmal to Taufeeq Umar at slip and then Baugh became the latest in a series of West Indies batsmen to fall lbw to Rehman. Sammy was caught at midwicket off a dreadful shot off Ajmal and although Rampaul showed some defiance, it ultimately proved futile. Once again West Indies struggled against spin, which will give great heart to their upcoming opponents India who begin their tour of the Caribbean next month. Pakistan, who won the five-match one day international series earlier in the tour 3-2, took full advantage of poor West Indian fielding in their second innnings which saw centuries for Taufeeq Umar and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq. Misbah was delighted with the way his team, who are still unable to play home tests due to the security situation, coped and performed on the tour. "I am really proud of this bunch of guys and their fighting spirit. Catching was one of our failings in the first test but we turned it around here and it was the big difference between the two teams," he said. "I am happy, I am performing well and it feels good to lead from the front. We hope we will be able to play on our home grounds soon but we are getting exposure outside and becoming a better team in the process," he said. For West Indies, who have blooded young opening batsmen Lendl Simmons and Kraigg Brathwaite with little success in this test, the debate will restart over selection choices for the India series, with ex-skipper Chris Gayle's position still unclear. The optimism generated by the first test victory in Guyana was short-lived and Sammy highlighted a familar problem. "We have not been able to be consistent with the bat or ball. We have some work to do. India is going to be a tough series but we are looking forward to it," he said. (Reuters)

Geo Pakistan

Mysterious helicopters seen roaming in Muzaffarabad

Updated at: 0555 PST,  Tuesday, May 24, 2011  MUZAFFARABAD: Eight mysterious helicopters were seen roaming about in the skies of Muzaffarabad at around 1:15am, Geo News reported. The copters including seven small and a large remained in the skies for several minutes and returned after inspecting the mountains in Dolai area of AJK capital. The roaming of these helicopters has created panic among the people of the area. Military officials have claimed that these helicopters were of Pakistan and that these were on night mission.

Geo Pakistan

Pakistan scent victory over W. Indies

Updated at: 0336 PST,  Tuesday, May 24, 2011  BASSETERRE: Hundreds from Taufeeq Umar and Misbah-ul-Haq followed by purposeful bowling led by Abdur Rehman had Pakistan on the verge of victory over West Indies in the second Test on Monday. Rehman captured three for 26 from 14 overs, as West Indies, in pursuit of 427 for victory, slumped to 130 for six in their second innings at stumps on the fourth day at Warner Park. Left-hander Darren Bravo has been the only West Indies batsman that has come to terms with the Pakistani bowlers, hitting the top score so far of 50. Taufeeq had equalled his career-best of 135 and Misbah, the Pakistan captain, was undefeated on 102, as the visitors reached 377 for six in their second innings before they declared about 45 minutes after lunch. Taufeeq struck 13 fours from 315 balls in close to seven hours batting, and Misbah stroked 10 fours and two sixes from 141 deliveries in close to four hours. Devendra Bishoo was the most successful West Indies bowler with two for 149 from 38 overs. "It is really, really good to score a Test hundred as a captain because the team is always looking towards you for something special," said Misbah. "For your own confidence, and the sake of the team, it is really important that you chip in and perform at all stages of the game. "But we have not won the Test match yet. Until we have taken the final wicket, we have not won it yet. "It's still a game of cricket, and we have to finish the game, unless it's half the job done." Tanvir Ahmed made an early breakthrough for the Pakistanis, leaving West Indies 54 for one at tea, when he bowled West Indies opener Kraigg Brathwaite for a duck in the third over of the innings. After tea, the visitors made a huge charge for victory, with Rehman playing a leading role, with the wickets of Lendl Simmons and Ramnaresh Sarwan in the space of five deliveries. The Pakistan left-arm spinner had Simmons caught at second slip for 24, and Sarwan, the most experienced batsman in the West Indies line-up, was lbw playing back and across for a duck, a decision from New Zealand umpire Billy Bowden, which was changed after it was reviewed. Rehman added the scalp of Marlon Samuels caught behind for six to leave West Indies 77 for four, but the Pakistanis met defiance from the left-handed pair of Bravo and West Indies vice captain Brendan Nash. The visitors spent over an hour working away on the West Indies pair before Bravo cracked under the pressure, and was lbw to left-arm fast bowler Wahab Riaz. He struck two fours and two sixes from 144 balls in close to three hours of batting. Earlier, Pakistan jammed their foot down on the accelerator, anticipating the declaration after they reached 202 for three at lunch. Misbah reached his hundred from 141 balls, with a thick edge to third man off Ravi Rampaul for his last boundary to prompt the declaration. Umar Akmal shared 62 with him for the sixth wicket before Bishoo bowled him for 30, and Mohammad Salman was caught at deep fine leg off Rampaul for eight before the declaration came. Pakistan trail 0-1 in the two-Test series, following a 40-run defeat inside four days in the first Test, which ended last Sunday at the Guyana National Stadium, crushing their dreams of a maiden Test series victory in the Caribbean. (AFP)

Geo Business

Trust deficit between taxpayers, IT Deptt. to go

Updated at: 0924 PST,  Tuesday, May 24, 2011  ISLAMABAD: The trust deficit between the taxpayers and the Income Tax Department would be removed for widening the tax net. Talking to the investors at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce, large taxpayer units’ chief commissioner, Syed Ejaz Hussain Shah said that efforts were afoot to restore the trust of the taxpayers by addressing the complaints relating to the department’s harassment of the taxpayers. Regional tax office Chief Commissioner, Farida Amjad on this occasion stressed on the need of apprising the small taxpayer about the rules and procedures of sales tax registration.

Geo Pakistan

Hillary says Pakistan has hard choices to make

Updated at: 0706 PST,  Tuesday, May 24, 2011  LONDON: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reiterated that Pakistan has hard choices to make and the international community is ready to help her overcome challenges posed by the terrorists and militants. She was speaking at a joint news conference with her British counterpart William Hague at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office following their talks on the eve of President Barack Obama’s State visit to the UK starting Tuesday. Referring to the latest attack by the terrorists on the naval base in Karachi, the US Secretary of State said many terrorists on Pakistani soil had been killed and could not be done without the co-operation of Pakistani government. But, she added, there is more to be done. Clinton said both the United States and the United Kingdom seek to support Pakistani people for greater stability, economic prosperity and justice.

Geo World

Three dead, 150 wounded in Nato raids: Libya

Updated at: 0723 PST,  Tuesday, May 24, 2011  TRIPOLI: At least three people died and 150 were wounded as NATO warplanes hit the Libyan capital Tripoli early Tuesday, government spokesman Mussa Ibrahim told reporters. "According to the information we have there are three dead and 150 wounded," he told journalists on a bus taking them to a hospital shortly after the strikes. Ibrahim said NATO had carried out "between 12 and 18 raids on a barracks of the people's guard", volunteer units who back up the army. Most of the victims were civilians living nearby, the spokesman added. (AFP)

Geo Entertainment

Popular Cannes film reflects 'Arab Spring' spirit

CANNES: A film about a woman taking a stand against men in a North African village won cheers in Cannes Saturday, with some viewers moved by its expression of the spirit of the "Arab Spring" uprisings. A small handful of critics also booed during the packed screening of "The Source," directed by Radu Mihaileanu, later telling journalists they found its depiction of Arab life over simplistic. But the overwhelming majority of critics in the audience praised its resonance with real-life events, saying they would not be surprised to see it scoop a big prize at the annual film festival. The Source was the last of 20 films shown in the festival's main competition ahead of the closing ceremony Sunday where the awards will be announced including the Palme d'Or for best picture. Also premiered Saturday was "Once Upon a Time in Anatolia," a slow-paced, subtle examination of cruelty and betrayal by Nuri Bilge Ceylan. The Source opens by declaring itself a fairytale in which Leila, the beautiful and feisty wife of teacher Sami, declares a "love strike," or ban on all sex, until the men in her village agree to carry the water from a spring high in the mountains. In a time of economic hardship and unemployment, men sit and sip tea all day while women lug heavy loads up steep paths. Leila decides to take a stand when her friend falls and loses her baby. Men and women fall out, with violent consequences. Women bicker about the value of tradition over change while conservative clerics try to exploit the village's divisions. "NEED FOR MORE REVOLUTIONS" Mihaileanu, a Romanian-born French director, told a news conference in Cannes that the film was partly a reflection of the recent uprisings in Tunisia and across the Arab world. "There has been tremendous hope since last December. There is hope for freedom and a strong desire to get rid of those in power and there is the idea of people deciding their own destiny," he said. He added that revolution on the streets of Egypt, Tunisia, Syria and Bahrain had yet to be matched by a change in people's homes. "There is a second revolution which is essential, which is the revolution in the home, and the place of women in the family. Women should be made equals at home as well." The director, who is Jewish, said the idea for the film came from a true story in Turkey. Leila leads the battle in the village, confronting the village imam and quoting from the Koran in defense of her case. She is defended by one of the film's most colorful characters -- Mother Rifle, whose words are "like bullets," played by Algerian actress Biyouna. Turkish entry One Upon a Time in Anatolia follows a group of police officers and a doctor as they look for the corpse of a murder victim buried in the countryside. Light on plot, it has nonetheless won over critics with its craftsmanship. (Reuters)

Geo Pakistan

 4 navy staff martyred, 9 injured in PNS Mehran attack

 Updated at: 0340 PST,  Monday, May 23, 2011
 KARACHI: Gunmen armed with rockets and explosives stormed a PNS Mehran, triggering gunbattles that martyred four navy staff and injured nine others on Monday.

Fighting was still continuing almost five hours after the attack began.

There was no claim of responsibility

Officials estimated that up to 15 militants crept up to the base on three sides, using the cover of night to approach seemingly undetected through neighbouring civilian residential areas and through trees and foliage.

"The attackers first fired rockets," Navy spokesman Commander Salman Ali said, denying any staff had been taken hostage but conceding that a long-range Orion aircraft had been destroyed.

"The terrorists also used small bombs and now they are firing with sophisticated weapons. They are inside and still resisting. They have destroyed an aircraft," he added, around three hours after the attack began.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani condemned the assault, and ordered his interior minister to Karachi to "coordinate the security efforts being taken by the civil and military officials," his office said in a statement.

Salman said four Navy personnel including one officer had been killed and nine others wounded.

"The operation is still going on. There are believed to be 10 to 15 terrorists. We are being extremely cautious for the safety of our assets," he said. (AFP)

Geo Sports

Taufeeq Umar puts Pakistan in pole position

Updated at: 0310 PST,  Monday, May 23, 2011  BASSETERRE: Taufeeq Umar moved to within reach of his fifth Test hundred, and allowed Pakistan to stamp their authority in the second Test against West Indies on Sunday. The Pakistani opener hit a chancy, undefeated 97 to anchor the visitors to 202 for three in their second innings - an overall lead of 251 - at the close on the third day at Warner Park. Taufeeq struck 10 boundaries from 231 balls in close to four hours of batting to fortify Pakistan's position, after they dismissed West Indies for 223 before lunch to grab a first innings lead of 49. Left-hander Taufeeq, however, lived a charmed life, surviving three chances before the West Indies appealed for a caught behind off West Indies captain Darren Sammy from the final ball of the day. Taufeeq shared 82 for the first wicket with Mohammad Hafeez to lay the platform, and built on it in a 76-run second wicket stand with Azhar Ali before West Indies claimed two wickets. Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq joined Taufeeq, and they batted through a little more than an hour to further frustrate West Indies. Taufeeq was one, when he edged Kemar Roach to first slip, where Darren Bravo dropped a straightforward offering, and on 13, he edged the same bowler to second slip, where West Indies captain Darren Sammy put him down. He reached his 50 from 82 balls, when he tugged a delivery from leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo through mid-on for a single. But he was very fortunate on 56, when he advanced to a flighted delivery from Bishoo, missed a flick, and the ball ricocheted from the pad. This wrong-footed West Indies wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh Jr, and he failed to gather to effect a difficult stumping chance, with the batsman stranded. After Taufeeq and Hafeez carried Pakistan to 55 without loss at lunch, Sammy made the breakthrough for West Indies. Hafeez drove loosely at an off-cutter, and was bowled off the inside-edge for 32. Azhar came to the crease, and announced himself with an on-drive off Sammy for his first boundary, and was the perfect foil for Taufeeq, taking Pakistan to 131 for one at tea. After the break, they continued to extend Pakistan's advantage before Azhar, whose innings contained half-dozen fours from 90 balls in close to three hours, was caught at slip off Bishoo, top-edging a late cut, and Asad Shafiq was caught behind off Roach for four. Earlier, Pakistan were frustrated, as West Indies, starting the day on 184 for eight, extended their innings for about 1 < hours into the morning period thanks to their tail-enders. Hafeez made the breakthrough however, when he trapped Roach lbw playing back and across for a career-best 29, following a valuable 60-run stand for the ninth wicket with Rampaul. Saeed Ajmal, Pakistan's most penetrative bowler in the brief series, brought the innings to a close, when Devendra Bishoo edged a forward defensive shot, and was caught at slip for one. Hafeez was the pick of the Pakistani bowlers, finishing with a career-best three for 23 from eight overs, fellow off-spinner Ajmal ended with three for 56 off 28.5 overs, and left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman captured two for 55 from 29 overs. The visitors trail 0-1 in the two-Test series, following a 40-run defeat inside four days in the first Test, which ended last Sunday at the Guyana National Stadium, crushing their dreams of a maiden Test series victory in the Caribbean. (AFP)