Pakistani Taliban Welcome Osama to Swat

Earlier today, Pakistan's prime minister said the situation in Swat is "returning to normal," despite the fact that four members of the security forces were kidnapped, and the cleric that the government negotiated the peace deal with called the Pakistani government illegitimate and advocated for Islamic law nation wide.
As if on cue, the Taliban gave Prime Minister Gilani another reason to reconsider his statement. Muslim Khan, the spokesman for the Swat Taliban, invited Osama bin Laden and others terrorists to shelter in Swat. "Osama can come here. Sure, like a brother they can stay anywhere they want," he said. "Yes, we will help them and protect them."
Khan also admitted to an alliance with other international and Pakistani terror groups:
The Taliban spokesman counted among his allies several groups on U.N. and U.S. terrorist lists: Lashkar-e-Taiba, blamed for last year's bloody siege in Mumbai, India; Jaish-e-Mohammed, which trains fighters in Pakistan's populous Punjab province; the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan; al-Qaida, and the Taliban of Afghanistan.
"If we need, we can call them and if they need, they can call us," Khan said.
The Pakistani government's reaction was predictable: shock and outrage, and even an empty threat:
"We would have to go for the military operation [if Osama shelters in Swat]. We would have to apply force again," said Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira. "We simply condemn this. We are fighting this war against al-Qaida and the Taliban."
The Pakistani Taliban have been clear about their loyalties to the Taliban and al Qaeda. The government knows exactly who they are dealing with, so the charge that they are fighting the Taliban in Swat rings hollow.

Taliban moving on Mardan

The Taliban continue their advance in northwestern Pakistan. The district of Mardan in the Northwest Frontier Province may be the next region to fall to the Taliban as the terror group has stepped up its attacks in the area.
The Taliban murdered two women in Mardan yesterday, signaling the district is marked for takeover. A female aid worker for the non-governmental organization National Rural Support Program was killed in a bombing at her office. A local Taliban commander named Habibur Rehman claimed credit for the attack. "He accused NGOs of propagating obscenity and vulgarity and threatened further attacks," Dawn reported. The Taliban also gunned down a female councilor for a local union.
The murders were the latest in a series of attacks in Mardan that signal the Taliban is setting its sights on the district.

Younis urges mates to give off their best

DUBAI: Pakistan skipper Younis Khan said on Monday his boys have a golden opportunity of beating Australia in the series that will include five One-Day internationals and a Twenty20 game.He believes that a forceful showing in the series will help Pakistan recover from a series of setbacks, including the shifting of 2011 World Cup matches from the country because of security concerns.The series opener against Australia to be played at the brand-new Dubai Sports City Stadium on Wednesday is the first One-Dayer between the two teams in more than four years."This is a very big series for several reasons," said Younis, who took over from Shoaib Malik in January this year following a humiliating 234-run defeat against Sri Lanka in Lahore."If we play well, we can become like Inzi (Inzamam) and Bob Woolmer's sides in 2005 and 2006," said the experienced batsman referring to a successful run from the Pakistan team when the late Bob Woolmer was the coach and Inzamam-ul-Haq the captain."If we win (against Australia), then people will have to take notice because it is Australia."Younis pointed out that good performances from his players in the series will bolster their international careers."Any guy who takes the opportunity here and does well, it'll be a massive break for them internationally. This is how I am looking at it personally and trying to instil in the team. I am fairly sure they are aware of it. If as a player you take off in this series, nobody will be able to bring you down."Australia is without its captain Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson and Brett Lee but Younis warned that, beating them would still be tough."They are still very balanced and the style of play and their motivation doesn't ever change," he said."They are the only team in the world where players come in and go out and it makes very little difference. They are still a top side. If we do well, play to our potential and win a few matches, then I really think we can start getting out of this phase and move on."

Iqbal’s 71st death anniversary today

LAHORE: The 71st death anniversary of great national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal is being observed across the country today to acknowledge his services for getting a separate homeland for Muslims of the Subcontinent. President Asif Ali Zardari has resolved to build Pakistan in accordance with the dream and aspirations of the great visionary Allama Muhammad Iqbal. In his message on the 71st death anniversary of Allama Iqbal, president said Pakistan can be best built by understanding Islam in the light of Allama Iqbal's teachings and by refusing to let armed militants impose their interpretation of Islamic thought and morality on the people through guns and bullets. "This indeed is the best tribute we can pay to Allama Iqbal today."Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that the spirit of freedom aroused by the Poet of the East, Allama Iqbal can guide the people even today in their quest for progress and prosperity. The Prime Minister said this in a message issued on the occasion of seventy-first death anniversary of Allama Iqbal. He said Allama Iqbal held the value of freedom in high esteem. This was evident from the lecture he delivered at Allahbad in the year 1930.

Quake strikes near Loralai

QUETTA: A 3.7 magnitude earthquake struck near Loralai in Northern Balochistan.Earlier, magnitude earthquake struck a remote area of Quetta but there were no casualties, metrological office said. The quake struck at 5:17 am.

Altaf asks why are champions of judicial supremacy mum on Sufi’s statement?

LONDON: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Quaid, Altaf Hussain deeply hurt over TNSM leader, Sufi Muhammad openly threatening national, provincial assemblies and senate, besides declaring the entire democratic, judicial system, Supreme Court, High Courts, unanimously accepted 1973 constitution ‘Ghair Sharai’ and ‘Kufr’, enquired from all those political and religious parties, civil society and the lawyers community, who until the other day were even ready to sacrifice their lives for the supremacy of judiciary as to how come all of them maintaining criminal silence on such profane remarks against the revered institutions of the society.MQM Quaid in a statement issued from London addressing all patriotic people, who wanted the safety and security of Pakistan, asked as to why they themselves not questioning these political and religious parties, civil society and other associations on their immoral silence and making them accountable? He said that the world media today writing volumes on Pakistan’s stability and integrity saying that Pakistan was on the brink of fracturing into fiefdoms and in such a situation only the army, other law enforcing agencies, police and MQM alone could not save the country, unless the people themselves practically get involved in the process of salvaging and saving the country.

NWFP faces insurgency since few years: Ameer Hoti

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister NWFP Ameer Haider Khan Hoti said NWFP is facing insurgency since past few years.Addressing a police Darbar here on Tuesday, chief minister praised NWFP police role in present circumstances and said measures would be taken to improve the infrastructure and to train police. He announced the 100% raise in NWFP police salaries and increment in compensation for martyrs from Rs.one million to 1.5 million.Earlier, IG NWFP Malik Naveed addressing the Darbar vowed that terrorism would be rooted out and the role of NWFP police in war against terrorism will be written in golden letters. Police personnel sacrificed their lives to protect people and maintain law and order.

Murtuza Bhutto case police officers’ relief decision declared void

ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court has declared the decision giving relief to the police officers in Murtuza Bhutto case void. During Supreme Court larger bench hearing of Murtuza Bhutto case police officers’ tenure of service, Justice Khalilur Rahman Ramday giving remarks said that how could Supreme Court gave relief in the tenure of service to the police officers involved in Murtuza Bhutto case and added that the insistence from any government employee for the post was not correct and making him OSD was not a punishment. The Supreme Court larger bench has called for the records relating to the arrested police officers in Murtuza Bhutto case. It may be recalled that earlier, Supreme Court three-member bench had given relief in the tenure of service of Murtuza Bhutto case police officers. This decision of the Supreme Court would also affect the service tenure of IBB chief Shoaib Suddle.

PM Gilani declares three Balochistan districts as calamity-hit areas

ROJHAN JAMALI: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has declared Naseerabad, Jaffarabad and Jhal Magsi as calamity-hit areas. Talking to media after offering condolences to former Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali on the death of Taj Mohammad Jamali, Premier Gilani said calamity-hit areas will be exempted from tax. He announces the name of Changez Jamali as PPP candidate for by-polls. Prime Minister also announced the grant of Rs. 5 billion for roads construction.

Taliban want control outside Swat also: Nawaz

Snow in Quetta Drives People to Picnic Spots

Quetta: (Monday, January 28) People were delighted with the hailstorm followed by snowfall that started on Sunday night and continued till wee hours of Monday.
Quetta wore a sheet of snow covering the entire city, which looked like a white fairy. Large numbers of people thronged to picnic points and parks, especially Hanna Lake and other plain areas, to enjoy the snowy weather.
However, day laborers and commuters, including cyclists and bike riders, faced great difficulties while moving towards their destination as the roads became slippery, causing a number of minor road accidents.
Minimum temperature was recorded to be negative nine, with slight reduction in chilly conditions expected. Local Meteorological Office has forecast cloudy weather with chances of light rain during the next 12 hours.
The cold weather, accompanied with electricity and gas outages, has made life difficult for the people. Read our related stories here：

United States Hazaras Protest Yousufi’s Assassination

New York City, Feb. 21 — Hazara community in New York protested in front of the United Nations Headquarters against the recent assassination of Shaheed Yousufi.
The protest was organized by Hazara Organization for Progress and Equality (HOPE), a new Hazara political organization in the United States.
Protesters urged the United Nations to pressure Pakistan to better protect Hazaras. Placards held by protesters also demanded the resignation of the Balochistan Provincial Government.
Hazaras from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Washington, DC, Virginia and Maryland, among other areas, participated in the demonstration.
A memorandum about U.N. Declaration 47/135 regarding menority rights in member countries was submitted to the United Nations.
The protest in New York is the latest in a series of worldwide protests by Hazaras following the assassination of Shaheed Yousufi. Protests were held in Afghanistan, Australia, London, the Netherlands and Pakistan, marking a new spirit of unity among Hazaras.
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Pakistan: Ten Nato supply containers torched in Peshawar

PESHAWAR, : Unknown militants have, yet another time, carried out rocket attack on Nato supply terminal which erupted fire engulfing terminal, located on Ring Road here early on Sunday, Geo news reported.

Pakistan to station JF-17 combat jets at Peshawar

The Pakistan Air Force will station its first squadron of the JF-17 Thunder combat jet that has been jointly developed with China at Peshawar, the capital of the restive North West Frontier Province , it was announced Friday.

Pakistan grants bail to detained hard-line cleric

Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered the release on bail Monday of a hard-line cleric who had been detained since shortly before soldiers stormed his mosque in 2007, killing scores of people and energizing the country's Islamist insurgency.

PESHAWAR: Bomber strikes Charsadda post: 18 killed

nine policemen, were killed and several others injured when a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden car into a police checkpost at Harichand, an area near Char-sadda, yesterday evening.

Taliban Exploit Class Rifts to Gain Ground in Pakistan

PESHAWAR, Pakistan - The Taliban have advanced deeper into Pakistan by engineering a class revolt that exploits profound fissures between a small group of wealthy landlords and their landless tenants, according to government officials and analysts here.

Suicide bomber kills 20 in NW Pakistan: officials

A suicide attacker detonated a car bomb at a checkpoint in a northwestern Pakistan town Saturday, killing at least 20 security forces personnel, officials in the troubled region said.

Scot known as 'Tartan Taliban' held in Peshawar

News of his detention surfaced amid a public spat between the British and Pakistani governments after arrest of 11 Pakistani students in England.

Iran jails US reporter on charges of spying

TEHRAN: An Iranian revolutionary court has sentenced US-Iranian journalist Roxana Saberi, who was put on trial for spying for the United States, to eight years in jail."Roxana's father (Reza Saberi) informed me that she has been sentenced to eight years in jail," a relative told a foreign news agency on Saturday on condition of anonymity.Saberi, 31, has been detained in a notorious Tehran prison since January and went on trial behind closed doors

Govt to make reforms for people’s prosperity not for strengthening itself: PM

KARACHI: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani Saturday said the government will introduce reforms for bringing prosperity into people’s life and not for strengthening itself.Addressing the inaugural ceremony of Deep Sea Port here, the Prime Minister said Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Zia-ul-Haq and Pervez Musharraf are remembered for only one thing while people will remember those forever who render good deeds.

25 security personnel among 27 killed in Hangu attack

HANGU: Twenty-seven people were killed including 25 security personnel and scores others injured in a suicide attack at a security check post here on Saturday.According to sources, the suicide bomber rammed his explosives laden vehicle into the security check post near Doaba Police Station, causing a loud blast which was heard in a wide radius.

Palestinian driver injures two Israeli policemen

JERUSALEM: Two Israeli police officers were injured on Saturday when a Palestinian driver deliberately ran them down in an attack outside Jerusalem, police said."Two police officers were injured, one lightly in the legs but the other more seriously in the head, when a Palestinian man drove at them deliberately in his vehicle," police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told. He said the incident occurred at the Hezmeh checkpoint between northern Jerusalem and the West Bank. "The 37-year-old Palestinian was arrested and said when questioned that his plan had been to kill the police officers," Rosenfeld added. On April 7, Israeli police killed a Palestinian they said tried to drive into a checkpoint near an occupied east Jerusalem village after authorities razed the home of the author of a bulldozer attack last year. The incident took place shortly after police demolished the house of Hossam Dwayyat, who went on a rampage in west Jerusalem last June, killing three Israelis

Toronto man charged in Iran nuclear technology case

OTTAWA: A Toronto man has been arrested for allegedly procuring and trying to clandestinely export a device used to enrich uranium to Iran, federal police said Friday. Mahmoud Yadegari was detained after an "extensive" eight-week probe by Canada's federal police and foreign service, Canadian and US border officials, and the US Department of Homeland Security, police said in statement. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police allege Yadegari "attempted to procure and export items known as 'pressure transducers.'" The devices are used in the production of enriched uranium, for military applications or commercial use. Initially, police said the suspect was attempting to send them to Dubai, but at a press conference RCMP Inspector Greg Johnson told reporters they were ultimately destined for Iran."The declared point of destination was Dubai, United Arab Emirates, however we have evidence to support the fact its ultimate destination was Iran," Johnson said. Charges were laid under Canada's nuclear non-proliferation policy and international treaties prohibiting exports of "strategic technologies" for illicit purposes, as well as a United Nations act regulating sanctions against Iran.

DST leads to loss of time in government offices

PESHAWAR: Causing bewilderment among general public, daylight saving time (DST) or the moving of clocks an hour forward is resulting in loss of official time as majority of the government employees arrive late and leave early.The previous three days observations revealed that majority of the government employees report for duty at 9am and leave their offices at 2pm, while the official timing for arrival and leaving has been set at 8am and 2:30pm respectively.The change in timing, the third experience by the government to make maximum use of daylight, has cost the government at least 90-minute office timing without rendering any positive result to save the energy.“Such steps are usually taken in countries getting little benefits from the daylight. But why in Pakistan where the daylight stays at least for 13 hours even in the month of April?” said a senior official at the Civil Secretariat.“It is doubtful that the daylight saving time (DST) formula of the government will bear any fruit, but it has disturbed the routine life as well as office timings,” the official added. Such an experience along with two holidays a week was suggested during the first government of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), but it was shelved for unknown reasons.It was implemented in 2002 for a brief period and then in 2008 with an apparent motive to save energy. “The change in timing has put us in a strange situation as no one can arrive at the office at 8am (actual time 7am), said a class-IV government employee, who has to come from Shabqadar area of Charsadda district for duty in Peshawar.The staffer said he had to get up at 5am and leave his house at 6am to reach the office at exact 8am. Besides the government employees, the time change has also confused the general public and people usually ask for old and new timings while participating in funerals, marriage ceremonies or other functions.“The step has disturbed our routine life without rendering any benefit,” said Jamshed Khan of Haji Camp locality, who was angry for missing funeral of a relative on Thursday. The change has also disturbed students, particularly children attending private schools. Mothers have to hurriedly prepare breakfast for their children an hour early than the usual timings, said Rafaqat Ali, a bank employee.People working in industries are equally perturbed. They say the measure taken by the government was just good for nothing. Muhammad Rasool said he had to travel for one hour in a staff bus to reach his duty station. In this way, he added, he had to get up at 5am (actual time 4am) to prepare himself and catch the staff bus.” Some people suggested that the government should have closed all big markets across the country after dust, if it was really interested in saving energy. Big markets usually start business at 11am (new time) and remain open till late in the night consuming a quantity of energy. The DST-related problems are likely to exacerbate in the coming days as the government is set to increase loadshedding in months ahead in the approaching summer.Most of the people, who presently find about six hours to sleep — 11pm to 5am — would be left with three to four hours to sleep, which can rightly be termed as forty winks, with the expected two to three hours load-shedding during this time.

Rupee gains against dollar, euro

KARACHI: Rupee grew strong against dollar and euro in the open market on Thursday while the local currency recorded loss compared to British pound and Kuwait dinar.Dollar closed at Rs80.95 in the open market while it finished at Rs80.45 in the inter-bank.British pound gained Rs2 to close at Rs122; Canadian dollar improves by paisas 50 to Rs67; Kuwaiti dinar increases by Rs2 to Rs275; euro eases Rs1.20 to Rs107; Japanese yen Rs0.805; Saudi riyal Rs21.45 and; UAE dirham gains paisas 10 to Rs22.

US admits trust deficit with Pakistan

WASHINGTON: The United States on Friday vowed to work with the Congress on a five-year $7.5 billion assistance package for Pakistan and said it would work with Pakistan to build mutual trust.State Department Spokesman Robert Wood told the regular briefing that both anti-terrorism partners are committed to deal with the issue of trust. “There’s no question that there is trust — issues of trust.

President Zardari seeks global help to resolve issues

BEIJING: President Asif Ali Zardari said terrorism creating fear and scare in Asia. Addressing Boao Forum, President Zardari said Pakistan need global help to fight terrorism. Terrorism needs urgent check otherwise it will dampen hopes.He said terrorism and extremism are biggest challenges for the region. Global troops are present in Afghanistan. Terrorism needs to be tackle on urgent basis. President said he would utilize eve

Pak not to host World Cup 2011 matches: ICC

DUBAI: Pakistan has been stripped of hosting rights for the 2011 World Cup because of the 'uncertain security situation' in the country, the International Cricket Council said on Friday."It is a regrettable decision (but) our number one priority is to create certainty and deliver a safe, secure and successful event," ICC president David Morgan said in a statement

14 persons freed from feudal prison

KARACHI: The police taking action freed 14 persons including 8 children and 4 women from the private prison of a ‘wadera’ located in Faiz Muhammad Brohi Goth in Gadap Town, while a case has been registered against two persons involved in the incident.

On the directive of the Sindh ministry of Human Rights, the police taking action recovered 14 persons including four women from the clutches of a ‘wadera’ at Goth Faiz Muhammad Brohi, Gadap Town.

Donors’ conference pledges 2.7 bn to help stabilise Pakistan

TOKYO: The United States pledged one billion dollars to help stabilise Pakistan on Friday, at the start of a donors’ conference that the World Bank hopes will raise up to six billion dollars. Saudi Arabia also pledged up to 700 million dollars for Pakistan.

Almost 30 countries met in Tokyo to pledge aid for Pakistan, which shares a long border with Afghanistan and is seen by US President Barack Obama as being at the forefront of the battle against Al-Qaeda and Taliban.

President Asif Ali Zardari said at the opening of the conference that "we are ready to fight" extremism, even though "there is a bomb blast every third day" in his country.

"In spite of the fact that I lost the mother of my children, I have taken up this challenge," President Zardari said.

"It does not end on my border. If we lose, you lose. If we are losers, the world is a loser."

Japan's Prime Minister Taro Aso, who on Thursday pledged up to one billion dollars for Pakistan, said that "seven and a half years have passed since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and the world is still facing the threat of terrorism.

"Even now, tragedies are being repeated in Islamabad, Lahore, Mumbai and Kabul. Terrorism is posing a threat to the international community, and we cannot help but acknowledge that efforts to eradicate terrorism are now at a crucial stage."

"Pakistan has played a vitally important role in efforts of the international community to counter terrorism and extremism," he said.

The United States also pledged one billion dollars over two years.

US regional envoy Richard Holbrooke "announced the United States' intent to provide support, totaling one billion dollars over a two-year period" in the closed-door meeting, said State Department acting spokesman Robert Wood.

Holbrooke called it "a down payment on President Obama's commitment" to support a bill to pump 1.5 billion dollars a year into Pakistan for at least five years to build schools and infrastructure that can nurture democracy.

The World Bank has said it expects total loan and grant aid pledges of four billion to six billion dollars from the 27 countries and 16 organisations attending the one-day conference and a "Friends of Pakistan" meeting.