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Friday, January 23, 2009

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Govt. Make Sure implementation of 17th Amendment: Malik

THIS NEWS update by www.breakingalert.blogspot.com
Advisor to the Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik has said that everyone has to accept the decision made by Parliament regarding the 17th amendment and government will make sure its implementation.

Talking to the media after meeting PML (N) leader Mian Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif in Raiwand, Lahore, Rehman Malik said that Muslim League representatives have been taken in confidence regarding the present situation prevailing with India and Mian Nawaz Sharif has assured to provide complete assistance for the country.

He will soon meet the members of other parties in this regard. He also said that efforts of Punjab government in carrying out operations against JuD are appreciable.

this news published by www.apakistannews.com

Israel again strikes Gaza; 95 corpses recovered

this news update by www.breakingalert.blogspot.com
JERUSALEM: The Israeli military carried out an air strike against a so-called rocket launching squad in the northern Gaza Strip on Sunday in the first such incident following a unilateral truce, the army said.

"We carried out a strike against a rocket launching squad in Beit Hanun," a spokesman told reporters. "It was the same squad that launched (rockets) into Sderot this morning."

Earlier a handful of rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel, with at least four of them landing inside the Jewish state without causing any injuries, the army said.

Israeli troops and Palestinian fighters also exchanged their first shots in Gaza on Sunday, puncturing a tenuous ceasefire after the Jewish state halted a deadly war on the Hamas rulers of the enclave.

As the army carried out its first air raid on militants firing rockets, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert warned that the unilateral truce Israel had begun hours earlier was fragile and was being constantly reassessed.

"The government's decision allows Israel to respond and renew the fire if our enemy in the Gaza Strip continues its strikes," he said at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem.

"This morning they again proved that the ceasefire is fragile and it has to be reassessed on a minute by minute basis," he said. "We hope that the fire ends. If it continues, the IDF (Israeli Defence Forces) will respond. It is prepared and deployed to do so."

Officials said that the clashes did not necessarily mean a return to all-out fighting.

"There will no doubt be isolated incidents," Israeli Infrastructure Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer said. "It will take two to three days for everything to end completely, for Hamas to understand that we are now in a new scenario."

Hamas, the Islamist movement that has ruled Gaza for a year and a half, has warned that it would not accept the presence of a single Israeli soldier in Gaza.

"We have clearly said: if Israeli troops remain in Gaza, this will be a wide window for the resistance against the occupation," Osama Hamdan, the group's representative in Lebanon, said in an interview with Al-Jazeera television.

On the ground, Palestinian medics took advantage of the relative lull in the fighting to descend on areas which had been inaccessible due to heavy clashes.

At least 95 bodies, including several children, were pulled from the rubble in northern Gaza, ARY OneWorld reported.

As Hamas congratulated the Palestinians on "victory" from mosque loudspeakers, Gaza residents cautiously ventured out into the streets to inspect the rubble that was once their homes.

"We congratulate all the Palestinian people after the victory in the fight with the enemy," bellowed a voice from a Hamas mosque in central Gaza City.

Olmert announced late on Saturday that Israel was unilaterally silencing its guns after an unprecedented 22-day-long campaign in Gaza, which killed at least 1,300 people, including more than 400 children, wounded another 5,300, and left large swathes of the territory in ruins.

On the Israeli side three civilians and 10 soldiers were killed in combat and rocket attacks.

"We have reached all the goals of the war, and beyond," Olmert said.

During the course of the war, schools, hospitals, UN compounds and thousands of homes all came under attack with the Palestinian Authority putting the cost of damage to infrastructure alone at 476 million dollars.

this news published by www.thearynews.com

Ceasefire Declared By Israel in Gaza

this news update by www.breakingalert.blogspot.com
GAZA: Israeli forces started to implement a unilateral ceasefire in the Gaza Strip early Sunday after a 22-day fierce offensive on the Hamas-ruled area.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declared a unilateral ceasefire in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, beginning from 2 a.m. (0000 GMT) Sunday. The declaration came shortly after Israeli
security cabinet voted in favor of a unilateral ceasefire in Gaza, where Israel forces Cast Lead Operation had been going on in the past three weeks, killing around 1,300 Palestinians.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declared the truce, beginning from 2 a.m. (0000 GMT) Sunday, saying the goals of the operation in Gaza had been “met in full.”

“We reached all of our objectives in Gaza,” Olmert told a press conference in Tel Aviv, adding Hamas has been dealt a heavy blow by Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and Hamas leaders are now in hiding.

But he ordered troops to remain in the enclave and return fire if they came under attack.

Minutes after Olmert declared the unilateral ceasefire in Gaza, Hamas movement’s armed wing
al-Qassam Brigades sent a statement to reporters, saying they will “continue resistance as long as the occupation of Gaza continues and the blockade is imposed.”


this news published by www.apakistannews.com

14 Militants, 2 FC Personnel Killed in Fresh Clashes Mohmand Agency

this news update by www.breakingalert.blogspot.com
PESHAWAR: Raging clashes between the security forces and the militants at Lakro Sandokhel area of Mohmand Agency left 14 militants dead, while two FC personnel also sacrificed their valuable lives. Sources said that at least 13 militants were killed in the skirmishes between the security forces and militants at Lakro Sandokhel area of Mohmand Agency.

Militants commander, Yaqub was also reported to be killed in the fierce clashes that continued overnight, when the security forces went on pounding militants’ hideouts with heavy weapons, while 2 FC men also sacrificed their lives in action. Meanwhile, the security forces have got the occupation of Sandokhel Government High School vacated. Stiff security arrangements have been made in the area, as all the exit and entry roads were being picketed.

this news published by www.apakistannews.com

George W. Bush Had Warned Gilani of US Attacks in Pakistan: UK Based Scholar

this news upadate by www.breakingalert.blogspot.com
Outgoing US President George W. Bush directly warned Prime Minister Gilani during his first official visit to US that Pakistan would be attacked in the event of another 9/11 on the American soil, a UK based scholar claimed on Saturday.

Professor Anatol Liven made this disclosure during a public talk on ‘Obama’s Administration and the War on Terror’, organised by the Institute of Strategic Studies (ISS) here. A large number of ambassadors, diplomats, intellectuals and students attended the talk and also raised their questions.

While further elaborating his point he said the US suffered deep wounds due to 9/11 attacks and it responded immediately out of the rising feelings of nationalism among the American people.

“I don’t know but can say if there is any other 9/11 in US, Pakistan may face limited American attack in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA),” he said.

Professor Anatol said upcoming Obama administration is likely to deploy more troops in Afghanistan, but it is expected that it would have to pull out finally because the coalition troops are now becoming ‘hostages’ in the war-torn country.

He said Pakistan cannot be bracketed with countries like Iraq and those who think this way are totally wrong, because there is a democratically elected government that has the ability to cope with the emerging challenges.

Showing a little bit pessimism about the appointment of Hillary Clinton as the US Secretary of State, he said she would follow those foreign policies introduced and promoted by the Clinton administration.

He said: “It will be a wishful thinking if any hopes that there would be any drastic change in the US foreign policy, but the Obama administration will keep in mind the economic recession that is generally dubbed as a direct result of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

“Most American want to see America as the most influential country in the world despite the fact that they are generally not concerned about their foreign policies,” he said.

He underlined some facts that according to him would have a key role in the upcoming US foreign policy that include personal vision of Barrack Obama, capability of political system to introduce radical changes and understanding of the long-standing international issues.

To a question about the US-Iran relations, he opined the Obama administration would go for talks with Iran, adding it can also show some diplomatic concessions to Syria.

Replying to a question about prospects of US-China mutual relations, he said the Bush administration has been pursuing a very pragmatic approach and if the next administration continues to follow it, the US would certainly benefit from it.

ISS DG Tanvir Ahmad Khan while speaking on the occasion said Barrack Obama has been selling the idea of change and now the Gaza situation would be his first highly important diplomatic challenge soon after his oath-taking for the office of the president.

He said George W. Bush emerged as a warrior president and he never looked back on his policies after the 9/11 incidents that brought high level of aggression in the US foreign policies.

“US president George W. Bush declared a war on terror but it only encouraged the terrorist outfits to further expand their network in the world,” he said.

this news published by www.apakistannews.com

Iran demands Israeli pullout of Gaza

this news update by www.breakingalert.blogspot.com
TEHRAN: Iran said on Sunday an Israeli ceasefire in Gaza is not enough to stop conflict with Palestinian militants and called for a full pullout of Israeli forces from the Hamas-run enclave.

“A mere halt of air, sea and ground attacks without the forces’ withdrawal from occupied positions is not sufficient to stop the clashes,” Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said in a statement.

“The forces’ stay in these places is provocative per se and there is no guarantee for an end to the clashes,” he said.

At 2:00 am (0000 GMT) Sunday Israel unilaterally halted its 22-day offensive in Gaza which killed more than 1,300 Palestinians.

Mottaki said the decision indicated that Israeli “leaders have failed to achieve their declared objectives.”

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Saturday announced the end to offensive operations but said troops would stay in Gaza for the time being with orders to return fire if attacked.

Hamas, an Islamist group which has ruled Gaza since June 2007 and is sworn to the destruction of the Jewish state, has said it will not accept the presence of a single Israeli soldier in the territory.


this news published by www.apakistannews.com

Sri Lankan Cricket Team Arrived Karachi Today

this news published by www.breakingalert.blogspot.com
KARACHI: Led by Mahela Jayawardene, a 14-member Sri Lankan squad arrived Karachi today, on the first phase of their tour to Pakistan to play three One-Day International against the home team starting from January 20. Sanath Jayasuriya had reached Karachi this morning.

The first two Day/Night ODIs will be played at National Stadium on January 20-21 while third match of the series will be played at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on January 24.

After the short ODI series, Sri Lankan will return back to Pakistan on February 14 to play a three-day side game and two Test matches against the hosts in February/March.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has arranged the tour after India pulled-off of their schedule tour to Pakistan after Mumbai attacks.

Visiting Sri Lankan squad comprises of Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, Chamara Kapugedera, Jehan Mubarak, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Thilina Kandamby, Muthiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Farveez Maharoof, Dilhara Fernando, Nuwan Kulasekara, Thilan Thushara, Angelo Mathews.


this news published by www.apakistannews.com

Full players Data of Sri Lanka Cricket Team

Bipasha Says My Work is My Life

this news update by www.breakinglaert.blogspot.com
Back in Srinagar to shoot for ‘Lamhaa’, Bipasha Basu says that she’s not going to risk her life for a film. This is what the dusky beauty says about the issue.

“Too much was made out of the whole thing (when Bips left the schedule in Srinagar earlier). Lamhaa is a difficult film. There was bound to be ups and downs. The producer and director knew why I left. A certain amount of security was promised. The first seven days were absolute chaos – nothing was organised and there was a lack of security,” she said.

“Yes, my work is my life. But then, I’ve a life beyond work. I’m not going to risk my life unnecessarily for any film. Who comes to hold your hand when you’re in pain? Let’s be optimistic,” she added.

She said, “This time, hopefully, we’ll shoot without any trouble. Let’s be sensible about it. Lamhaa is a sensible film and it would be difficult for audiences to follow (the language and behaviour of the local Kashmiri girls, which she’d planned to learn earlier). At the end of the day, we’re making a commercial film.”

“I love working with Rahul Dholakia (the director of Lamhaa ). He’s fun and funny. We’ve a strange equation. He looked at me at the start and asked if I am a method actor. I liked that. It showed the director had enough respect in me to first find out what kind of an actress I am,” she added.

this news published by www.apakistannews.com

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Mumbai probe put on fast track

this news update by www.breakingalert.blogspot.com
ISLAMABAD: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik on Saturday said the inquiry team on the Mumbai attacks has been asked to submit its initial report within 10 days.

However, he made it clear that the whole course of action would be taken according to the Pakistani laws.

To a question, the adviser rejected any pressure either from the Indian government or from British Foreign Secretary David Milliband, saying: “Neither we accepted any pressure earlier nor we will accept it now.”

India should allow their investigators to interact with Pakistani counterparts for immediate result, he told a press conference.

He said the team had been directed to conduct transparent and legally tangible inquiry.

He said the team would establish legally verifiable credentials of the suspects allegedly involved in the Mumbai attacks, inquire into the available information supplied by India with a view to transforming it into evidence and collect other related evidence for legal action according to the law of Pakistan.

He said the government would bring the culprits to justice if they were found involved in the crime.

However, to a question, he said the leads obtained so far were out of Pakistan. “I do not want to say anything at this stage as the investigators are already looking into the information provided by India,” he added.

He said that cases could be registered only on the basis of tangible evidence and more time could be given to the investigators if necessary.

Malik said the Indian government could also be requested to provide more information to help the ongoing inquiry in Pakistan.

He advised India to be patient and allow time for the completion of the inquiry. He pointed out that India had taken around 40 days to provide information on the Mumbai investigations.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi said in Multan on Saturday that Pakistan would not only share information about the Mumbai attacks with India and other friendly countries but would also pursue questions arising out of it to ensure a cooperative engagement.

Talking to reporters here, FM Qureshi said Pakistan had received a dossier from India through its high commission and it had been handed over to the Interior Ministry for further action. He said the Interior Ministry not only examined the dossier but also formed a three-member commission comprising experienced investigators and reputable officers to conduct investigations.

Qureshi said after examining the dossier and Pakistan’s own investigations, information from other sources would also be shared in a transparent manner with India and other friendly country.

To a question, he said five training camps linked to the Lashkar-e-Tayyiba had been closed down in accordance with the government’s clear policy that it would not allow utilisation of its soil for such activities.

He said Pakistan would hold trial of any Pakistani individual or entity in free, fair and transparent manner if investigations proved their involvement in the Mumbai attacks. ìIndian leaders’ statements showed their flip-flop approach but Pakistan is consistent in its stance and sincerely wants to unveil elements involved in it and to bring the perpetrators to justice,î he said.

this news published by www.apakistannews.com

Hamas leader confirms one-week truce offer

this news update by www.breakingalert.blogspot.com
GAZA: Mussa Abu Marzuq, the exiled number two of the Islamist Hamas movement which controls Gaza, announced a one-week truce to allow Israeli troops to withdraw, in a speech on Syrian state television.

"The Israeli enemy has failed in its bid to impose conditions. We in the Palestinian resistance movements announce a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and demand that enemy forces withdraw in a week and open all the border crossings to permit the entry of humanitarian aid and basic goods," Abu Marzuq said.

"We are ready to accept all efforts, particularly those of the Egyptians, Turks, Syrians and Qataris, to reach an agreement that meets our known demands, namely the lifting once and for all of the blockade and the opening of all the crossing points, including the Rafah crossing" between Gaza and Egypt.

Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said the Jewish state does "not negotiate with Hamas. Hamas is not a partner.

"Israel announced a unilateral ceasefire of offensive activities against Hamas. If Hamas does not attack Israel and does not provoke Israel, we will honour the ceasefire."

Regev declined to say when or if Israel planned to open Gaza border crossings, which it has largely kept closed ever since Hamas seized power in the enclave in June 2007.


this news published by www.thenews.com.pk