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| August 31, 2007 | Friday | Sha'aban 17, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Militants in talks to free more than 120 Pakistani soldiers DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan, Aug 31 (AP) Tribal elders were in talks with militants in an effort to secure the release of more than 120 Pakistani soldiers seized by insurgents near the Afghan border, officials said Friday. A militant who claimed responsibility for the reported hostage-taking confirmed the talks, but said no decision had been made on whether to release the soldiers. Army spokesman Maj. Gen. Waheed Arshad initially said the soldiers, who lost contact with their base Thursday, had become stuck because of bad weather. But Friday he said they were trapped in an area where there was fighting between pro-government tribesmen and militants. He denied reports that the 120 soldiers had been kidnapped or that they were ever missing. ''This is not correct,'' he told The Associated Press, declining to provide further details. The Pakistani troops had been travelling in a 16-vehicle convoy providing security for trucks hauling food in the South Waziristan tribal area when bad weather forced them to stop and set up camp, an intelligence official said requesting anonymity. The soldiers were surrounded and captured by militants who apparently believed the troops were conducting a military operation against them, the official said. No fighting took place, said a senior army officer who also spoke requesting anonymity. Tribal elders intervened at the request of Pakistani authorities to free the soldiers. ''This misunderstanding has been removed,'' the intelligence official said. ''The missing soldiers have been traced and they are safe and will return to their base soon.'' (Posted @ 20:30 PST)
Govt team leaving for London on Saturday ISLAMABAD, Aug 31: A government team is leaving for London Saturday to meet key political forces, a private television channel reported. General Hamid Javed is leading the team while ISI chief Ashfaq Kiani is also present in the team. The same team went to London last week also and negotiated with the PPP leadership and later gave President Musharraf details of the meeting. The team met with President Musharraf for consultations Friday. (Posted @ 21:04 PST)
Benazir Bhutto meets British Foreign Secretary LONDON, Aug 31 (APP) Benazir Bhutto called on the British Foreign Secretary David Miliband at the Foreign and Commonwealth office here Friday and their discussion centred on the political situation in Pakistan. “They discussed the political situation in Pakistan including the forthcoming presidential election as well as the national elections during their 45 minutes meeting,” said an FCO official. Benazir on her part apprised the Foreign Secretary about her discussion with the Pakistan Government interlocutors on the possible power sharing formula. (Posted @ 19:16 PST)
Constitution allows Musharraf to contest presidential election in uniform: Malik Mohammad Qayyum ISLAMABAD, Aug 31 (APP) President Pervez Musharraf is allowed by the Constitution to contest the forthcoming presidential election in uniform, Attorney General Malik Mohammad Qayyum said Friday. “There is no bar in the Constitution to prevent the President from running in the presidential election,” he told reporters. Earlier the political counsellor of the US Embassy, Canbace Putnam, had a meeting with the Attorney General in his office. Qayyum said the diplomat discussed with him three issues during the meeting that lasted more than an hour. The issues were presidential election, general election and return of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. He said he made it clear during the meeting that presidential election would be held between September 15 and October 15 according to the Constitution. Also, if assemblies complete their tenure on November 15 then general election will take place by January 15, but in case of dissolution of the assemblies the polls should be held within 90 days. Regarding petitions already before the Supreme Court about the holding of two offices by the President and the uniform issue, he said, “We have full confidence in the Supreme Court.” “The Supreme Court will decide these cases according to the Constitution,” Qayyum added. To a question about Nawaz Sharif, the Attorney General said his prison sentences were remitted in 2000 but he was not given pardon on convictions in hijacking and helicopter cases and the fine, disqualification and property confiscation therefore remained. Asked whether Nawaz Sharif could be arrested on his arrival at the Islamabad International Airport on the basis of the convictions, Qayyum said he could not be arrested until the remissions were not withdrawn by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. Responding to a question about the role of the Federal Shariat Court, Malik Qayyum said, “In my view there is need of a Federal Shariat Court and other special courts. Powers of such courts should be given to respective high courts.” Before the press talk, the Attorney General held a meeting with Justice Rana Bhagwandas in the latter's chamber. (Posted @ 19:04 PST)
Pervez Musharraf holds talks with top aides regarding Benazir deal ISLAMABAD, Aug 31 (AFP) President Pervez Musharraf held talks with top aides Friday amid opposition from his allies to plans for a deal with ex-premier Benazir Bhutto. Pervez Musharraf and advisers were also to discuss how to deal with a vow from another former prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, to return from exile on September 10 and oppose him. “The president is holding further discussions with his top political aides later Friday,” one of the aides told AFP requesting anonymity. A minister also confirmed the discussions were taking place. He said Musharraf was trying to “thrash out differences with (the) ruling party leadership, which opposes an amendment which will pave the way for Bhutto or Sharif to hold the prime minister's office for the third term.” Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz met party leader Chaudry Shujaat Hussain and other key ministers, Friday, a government statement said. Aziz told them that Pakistan “needs national and political reconciliation and as such we are engaged in the process of dialogue with different political parties to create an atmosphere of harmony,” it said. While PPP spokesman Farhatullah Babar said: “If Musharraf does not agree to our proposals, we will have to go our separate ways. Our struggle for democracy will continue.” (Posted @ 19:20 PST)
India, Pakistan fail to settle dam dispute NEW DELHI, Aug 31 (Reuters) India and Pakistan have failed to resolve a dispute over India's plans to build a dam on a river in occupied Kashmir, the countries said Friday after two days of talks, but said they would continue negotiations. India started building the dam in the mid-1980s to help make the Jhelum river navigable throughout the year, but suspended work after Pakistan complained that the Jhelum's currents would be slowed in its territory, and that the work violated a water sharing pact. State officials from both countries met several times in recent years to discuss what India calls the Tulbul Navigation Project and what Pakistan refers to as the Wullar Barrage. “The two sides further discussed their respective positions on the project and had a better appreciation of each other's views,” the countries said in a joint statement. Talks would continue soon, it said. (Posted @ 19:50 PST)
Blast kills several in Russia's Ingushetia MOSCOW, Aug 31 (Reuters) Several people were killed in a powerful blast Friday in the centre of Nazran, the capital of Russia's southern province of Ingushetia bordering Chechnya, Russian news agencies reported. Interfax news agency quoted sources in local law-enforcement bodies as saying the blast occurred near the town's cultural centre when an army jeep was passing by. “There are dead and injured,” the source told Interfax. (Posted @ 20:58 PST)
Two soldiers killed in Swat valley PESHAWAR, Aug 31(AP): Dozens of militants attacked a military checkpoint in northwestern Pakistan before dawn on Friday, killing at least two soldiers and wounding six others, police said. The attack happened in Gul Bagh, a village in the Swat valley, about 250 kilometers northeast of Peshawar, said the region's police chief. (Posted @ 12:53 PST)
Plane with US legislators came under fire: military BAGHDAD, Aug 31 (AFP) A US Air Force C-130 aircraft carrying a congressional delegation had come under surface-to-air fire as it departed from Baghdad airport a day ago, the US military announced Friday. “The aircrew dispensed flares as a defensive countermeasure and conducted standard evasive maneuvers,” the military said, adding the aircraft, crew and passengers safely completed their flight to Washington Thursday. (Posted @ 20:36 PST)
Musharraf to contact Saudi King about return of Sharif brothers ISLAMABAD, Aug 31: President Pervez Musharraf, after holding talks with top aides Friday, decided to contact the King of Saudi Arabia over the decision of the Sharif brothers’ return to Pakistan by September 10, a local private television said. (Posted @ 20:20 PST)
President Musharraf's re-election critical for future progress: PM Aziz ISLAMABAD, Aug 31 (APP) Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said here at the PM House Friday that President Musharraf's re-election was critical for Pakistan's future progress and prosperity. PML and its coalition partners, he said, whole-heartedly support his candidature for the upcoming presidential election. Shaukat Aziz was talking to PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Muhammad Ali Durrani, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Tariq Azeem and Nasrullah Darashak. The Prime Minister said the country needs national and political reconciliation and as such “we are engaged in the process of dialogue with different political parties to create an atmosphere of harmony. The objective in pursuing this policy is precisely in the national interest”, he added. He said the PML will actively participate in the next general elections. Aziz said the government is committed for holding of free and fair election under the election commission and said “we welcome the local and foreign observers to play their part”. The PML and allied parties strategy for the upcoming Presidential and General elections was also discussed. (Posted @ 19:56 PST)
Muslims, Hindus riot in India’s Godhra town AHMEDABAD, India, Aug 31 (Reuters) Hindus and Muslims attacked each other in the Indian town of Godhra Friday, police and government officials said. Friday's violence started as a classroom squabble between Muslim and Hindu boys. The children from both sides later complained to their parents, who then took the fight to the streets. Soon angry mobs were torching vehicles, throwing stones, looting shops, and beating each other up. “This was enough for both the sides to come out on the streets and attack each other,” said Milind Torawane, a local government official. “We are trying to bring the situation under control.” About 20 people have been taken to hospital with injuries, he said. (Posted @ 19:54 PST)
Fatah protest against Hamas ends in clashes GAZA CITY, Gaza City, Aug 31 (AP) A protest by Fatah supporters against Hamas rule turned violent Friday when Hamas men began forcefully dispersing the crowd, firing in the air and beating demonstrators and reporters. Three people were wounded in the clashes, according to Dr. Muawiya Hassanin of the Palestinian Health Ministry. The violence began at the end of a Fatah prayer meeting held to protest against Hamas. After the Fatah supporters finished prayers, Hamas men began firing into the air to disperse the crowd. The Hamas security forces then began arresting protesters and taking them away in jeeps, and also beat several demonstrators. (Posted @ 18:56 PST)
Freed South Korean hostages leave Afghanistan KABUL, Aug 31 (AFP) Nineteen South Korean Christians freed by Afghanistan's Taliban after six weeks in captivity started their long journey home Friday as Seoul came under fire for negotiating with the rebels. The aid workers flew out of Kabul on a chartered UN plane headed for Dubai, a UN official at the airport said. The hostages, released in separate groups Wednesday and Thursday, had a tearful reunion overnight, a South Korean diplomat said. (Posted @ 18:50 PST)
Ten civilians killed in rocket attack on Afghan base ASADABAD, Afghanistan, Aug 31 (AFP) At least 10 civilians were killed and five others were injured Friday when rockets fired by the Taliban at a US-led military base in eastern Afghanistan fell short and landed on their homes, officials said. The insurgents launched the rockets towards the base in eastern Kunar province's Chawkai district and the projectiles hit a nearby village, a police official told AFP. “Ten civilians were killed and several others injured,” the official added, updating an earlier toll. (First Posted @ 17:20 PST Updated @ 18:32 PST)
Petrol Pumps shut down causes inconvenience to Karachi motorists KARACHI, Aug 31 (APP) Most of the petrol pumps in Karachi remained shut Friday following a shut-down call by Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association. The Association gave the shut-down call following reduction in the margin of commission. While Petroleum marketing companies made exigency plans to keep their petrol pumps open, the CNG filling stations also remained open. In Karachi there are about 600 petrol pumps and most of them responded to the shut-down call. A large number of motorists, who fell short of fuel were seen driving the city roads in search of any petrol pump if they could find it open. (Posted @ 18:25 PST)
Nawaz Sharif not to return on September 10: Chaudhry Shujaat ISLAMABAD, Aug 31: Pakistan Muslim League (Q) chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain told a private television channel Friday that former premier Nawaz Sahrif would not return on September 10 adding that Sharif should perform Ummrah before coming to Pakistan. Regarding the deal with PPP, Shujaat said that PML (Q) leadership has informed President Musharraf about their reservations. (Posted @ 17:36 PST)
Bus accident claims eight lives in Pakistan ISLAMABAD, Aug 31 (APP) Eight people including a woman lost their lives and 21 others were injured as a Sehwan-bound bus coming from Punjab fell into a ravine. According to a private television channel, the driver lost control as the tie-rod of the bus snapped at Rasoolabad Bypass and slid into a gorge. Eight bodies were removed from the bus during the relief operation and 21 injured were rushed to hospitals. (Posted @ 17:34 PST)
President Musharraf's allies question deal with Benazir ISLAMABAD, Aug 31 (Reuters) Allies of President Pervez Musharraf raised objections to a power-sharing deal he is negotiating with former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. PML president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said he had conveyed his reservations about parts of the proposed deal to Musharraf. “We told him that there are certain things which are harmful for the country and the nation and they should be asked to review them,” Hussain told Reuters Friday, referring to Benazir and her party and some of the demands they have been making. A PML member of parliament said some in the party were trying to derail the deal. “Most of our members are worried about a deal with BB (Benazir),” said the member of parliament, who declined to be identified. “There are certain lobbies in the party who are trying to block it to ensure their political survival.” (Posted @ 17:14 PST)
Three killed in Thai south NARATHIWAT, Thailand, Aug 31 (AFP) Three people including a state railway worker were shot dead in separate attacks Friday in southern Thailand, police said. A 43-year-old railway worker was gunned down by suspected rebels in an ambush in Narathiwat, police said. Also in Narathiwat, a 25-year-old man was shot dead at a motorcycle repair shop. In neighbouring Yala province, one militant was killed after a gunfight with security forces. (Posted @ 17:08 PST)
Oil tanker crash kills 29 in rural Kenya KISII, Kenya, Aug 31 (AP) An oil tanker truck rolled down a hill and smashed into four minibuses, killing 29 people and injuring more than 30, police said Friday. The tanker's driver had stopped to refuel Thursday when the vehicle started rolling, Police Chief Grace Kaindi said in Kisii, some 270 kilometres west of the capital, Nairobi. (Posted @ 16:52 PST)
Suicide bomber strikes close to Kabul airport, two soldiers killed KABUL, Aug 31 (AP) A suicide bomber in a car targeting a patrol of German soldiers blew himself up outside the gates of the Afghan capital's airport Friday, killing two Afghan soldiers and wounding 10 others, officials and witnesses said. The blast tore into a group of Afghan soldiers waiting at a checkpoint outside the military wing of Kabul International airport, witnesses said. Belgian Defence Minister Andre Flahaut said four Belgian soldiers were slightly wounded in the attack. NATO said that an Afghan soldier and four civilians were also wounded in the blast. (Posted @ 16:48 PST)
Britain remembers princess Diana, 10 years after her death LONDON, Aug 31 (AFP) Britain remembered princess Diana Friday, with her sons William and Harry leading a royal tribute on the 10th anniversary of her death, while mourners adorned the gates of her former home with poems and flowers. The main memorial service in London was attended by senior royals and Diana's friends and family. Around 500 high-profile guests, including Queen Elizabeth II, Charles, Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his predecessor Tony Blair, attended the service at the Guards Chapel near Buckingham Palace. Diana's brother Earl Charles Spencer attended along with her two sisters, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes. (Posted @ 16:20 PST)
Five firefighters die battling fire at an island ZAGREB, Croatia, Aug 31 (AP) Five firefighters died and 14 were injured Thursday evening as they were encircled by a forest fire on Croatia's central island of Kornati, the state-run news agency HINA reported. The wind suddenly changed its course, spreading the fire that then trapped the firefighters inside the firing circle, reports said. (Posted @ 15:20 PST)
Indian film star Salman Khan gets bail in poaching case JODHPUR, India, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Bollywood star Salman Khan was given bail by an Indian court on Friday, almost a week after he was arrested and jailed for shooting endangered gazelles during hunting trips nearly a decade ago. Khan, 41, was arrested on Saturday, a day after a lower court rejected his appeal against his 2006 conviction for killing the endangered animals in the western desert state of Rajasthan in 1998. (Posted @ 15:10 PST)
Pakistan soldiers still 'stranded' in tribal area WANA, Pakistan, Aug 31 (AFP) - Around 100 Pakistani soldiers remained stranded in South Waziristan tribal area near the Afghan border on Friday amid a dispute between militants and tribesmen, officials said. The insurgents wanted to surround the military convoy, while tribesmen were trying to persuade them to let the troops return unharmed, the army said .“The troops have not been able to leave the area because there is a dispute between local tribesmen and militants who wanted to surround the soldiers,” top military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad told AFP, adding the troops had wanted to avoid the use of force. He denied reports they had been kidnapped. General Arshad said the poor weather conditions that forced the convoy to set up camp in the area were continuing, but the troops would leave once the tribal groups reached an agreement. The soldiers were travelling from South Waziristan to neighbouring North Waziristan when they lost contact with army headquarters, sparking fears they had been abducted by militants. (Posted @ 14:35 PST)
Courts allow Imelda Marcos to travel MANILA, Aug 31 (APP/AP): Former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos will fly to China and Hong Kong, her lawyer said on Friday, after two courts trying her for cases related to alleged ill-gotten wealth amassed during her late husband's rule gave her approval to travel. (Posted @ 14:25 PST)
Children killed in Gaza were not militants: Israel JERUSALEM , Aug 31(AFP): The Israeli army admitted on Friday that three Palestinian children killed in the Gaza Strip this week had nothing to do with militants and were merely playing. “After an internal investigation it appears they were children playing and had no involvement in hostile activity,” a spokesman said. “The soldiers who opened fire realised they were children only at the last minute but it was too late to hold fire,” the spokesman said. (Posted @ 12:55 PST)
Two US troops killed in Iraq BAGHDAD, Aug 31(AFP): Insurgents killed an American marine and a soldier in separate attacks during combat operations in the Iraqi province of Anbar, the military said on Friday.The two were killed on Wednesday, it said. (Posted @ 12:00 PST)
200 media employees killed in Iraq since 2003 BAGHDAD, Aug 31(AFP): At least 200 journalists and media workers have been killed in Iraq since the March 2003 US-led invasion of the country, Paris-based watchdog Reporters Without Borders said in a statement on Friday. The murder this week of an interpreter working for the US network CBS, brought the toll of media employees killed in Iraq to 200, the statement said. (Posted @ 11:10 PST)
Bangladesh freezes ex-PM's bank accounts DHAKA, Aug 31(Reuters): Bangladesh's tax authority has asked commercial banks to freeze the accounts of former prime minister, Begum Khaleda Zia, and 10 family members as part of the army-backed interim government's anti-corruption drive. Family members on the freeze list include Khaleda's younger son Arafat Rahman and his wife and their two daughters, Khaleda's nephew and five other relatives. (Posted @ 10:58 PST)
China finds worm-infested U.S. packaging BEIJING, Aug 31(Reuters): China found microscopic worms and other harmful organisms in several batches of wooden packaging imported from the United States, state media said on Friday. The pine wood nematodes were found in 13 sets of packaging in the manufacturing hub of Shenzhen, the China Daily said. China has highlighted several quality concerns with U.S. products. (Posted @ 09:20 PST)
Eight killed as two trains collide near Rio RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 30(Reuters): At least eight people were killed and some 70 injured when a train packed with homeward-bound commuters rammed into another train on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro on Thursday. A spokeswoman for the mayor's office of Nova Iguacu, a suburb of Rio, said he estimated around 800 people were on the passenger train but said the second train was empty. (Posted @ 09:20 PST)
Karachi Stocks down 151.68 points: KARACHI, Aug 31: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 12214.26, down 151.68 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 16:05 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, Aug 31: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.98 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 12:00 PST)
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