[url="http://www.hindustantimes.com/Suspected-US-drone-strikes-kill-at-least-29/H1-Article1-504721.aspx"]Suspected Pakistan National Bird strikes kill at least 29 in Pakistan[/url]
Quote:"At least eight drones took part in the attack, and they have fired some 18 missiles at three training camps of Taliban, their two vehicles and some bunkers," said a local intelligence official that spoke on condition of anonymity.
Taliban militants have fired at the US aircraft from some of these bunkers. The militants shot down one drone on January 24.
"According to the initial reports we have received from various areas, at least 29 people have been killed while around a dozen more are injured," said the official about Tuesday's attack, adding that the death toll might rise.
People are buried under the debris of the demolished house, but no one dares to carry out rescue work since the drones are still flying in the area, the official said over phone. "Almost all those killed are Taliban (fighters)."
The US has intensified its campaign to target militant hideouts with drone strikes in Pakistan's rugged tribal region since an Al-Qaeda double agent killed five CIA officials and two private security contractors in a suicide bombing in the Afghan province of Khost on December 30.
Quote:Zulfiqar Mirza said today that Amry may be called in for restoration of peace in Karachi. The people of Karachi must realized that we have enough problems.
ANP/MQM have all the responsibility ...ANP have started this fresh violence by killing MQM unit incharge in Qabza Colony...and in retaliation killing has started.
People dressed in Shirt-Trousers (Urdu speaking) are being dragged out of buses and beaten by ethnic group in Banaras, Site area, Suhrab Goth etc.
The root of the problem is newly built road whichlinks North Nazimabad to Orangi Town ...the road passes through a small mountainous area known as "Kati Pahari". City Govt. has started a Bus Service from Sadar to Orangi Town by using this short route.....which ANP backed transporters think ..a direct attack on their "mini buses" business. The armed men have taken positions on this Katti Pahari and fires on public/Buses. MQM is responding with target killing of ANP workers involved in giving support to transporters...ANP again retaliates with killings ...and the story goes on.
The Govt. is actually enjoying the situation....let them fight. See two rangers got shots from the same Kati Pahari and have pulled out of the area. If they were given orders, the whole area would be made secure in just few hours as told by DG Rangers. Police and Rangers are clearly instructed to be quite.
The media program are again fueling the fire as yesterday Haji Adeel of ANP said on AAJ TV that No one can force us to withdraw from Karachi and if someone think like this ...it must be [color="#FF0000"]keep in mind that all those came from India must also go back to India or sea[/color]. He said Govt should start disarming movement from "90" etc.
Paki muslim still hate Muslims from India, I mean Muhajirs.
[url="http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/14-pakistan-deaths-underscore-sensitive-us-mission-zj-01"]Dir bombing draws focus to US presence in Pakistan[/url]
Quote:US defense officials say, in all, there are some 200 US military personnel in Pakistan, including troops that guard the sprawling American embassy in Islamabad.
Among them are more than 100 Special Operations troops training the Pakistani Frontier Corps, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the issue is so sensitive.
[url="http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/editorial/market-access-denied-510"][center] <img src='http://www.india-forum.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' />[color="#FF0000"][size="6"]U S Market access denied - Michael Kugelman[/size][/color] <img src='http://www.india-forum.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' />[/center][/url]
Quote:AS Pakistanââ¬â¢s problems deepen, and its politicians carry on with their bickering, the countryââ¬â¢s air is heavy with discord. However, somehow rising above the din is an emphatic message : Washington must offer more market access to Pakistani exports.
This call has been issued for several years by trade policymakers and industrialists representing major export sectors. Yet in recent months it has been made from the highest government levels, including top officials at the foreign ministry and President Zardari. One even hears the market access mantra uttered by municipal leaders. Speaking at Columbia and Harvard universities in November, Karachi nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal implored America to make Pakistani exports duty-free.
Pakistanââ¬â¢s wish for freer trade with the United States is understandable. [color="#FF0000"]Unfortunately, it is also highly unlikely to be fulfilled anytime soon.[/color]
....
Quote:One reason is the low value of Pakistanââ¬â¢s exports. When importing nations bestow a preferential status on international exports, they do so because the goods are deemed of sufficiently high value to warrant such treatment. However, about 80 per cent of Pakistanââ¬â¢s manufactured exports, and roughly two-thirds of its total exports, consist of low-value, low-tech textiles and clothing. In an era of cutting-edge technologies and services, nations are much more likely to waive import duties on coveted electronics than on towels and T-shirts.
02-05-2010, 03:28 PM (This post was last modified: 02-05-2010, 03:30 PM by Naresh.)
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[url="http://www.geo.tv/2-4-2010/58541.htm"]Pak forex reserves decline by $586.5 mln to USD 14.5173[/url]
Quote:KARACHI : Pakistan's total liquid foreign exchange reserves have witnessed a decrease of 586.5 million dollars to 14.51 billion dollars due to a payment made for Euro Bonds, State Bank of Pakistan said Thursday.
SBP spokesman, Syed Wasimuddin said that the government made a payment for Euro Bonds worth 600 million dollars on January 26.
According to break-up, foreign reserves held by SBP amount to 10.72 billion dollars and net forex reserves held by banks (other than SBP) 3.79 billion dollars.
Evidently, in the Land of the Pure those Professing the Worldââ¬â¢s only Religion of Peace ââ¬ÅBeg Almsââ¬Â from Peter to ââ¬ÅPay offââ¬Â the Debts of Paul!
[url="http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?224245"]Taliban to execute US soldier if Aafia not released[/url]
Quote:He claimed family members of Dr Aafia told the Taliban leadership that they had lost all hopes in the Pakistan government and now Allah Almighty and the Taliban were their only hope. Later, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid also called our sources from somewhere in Afghanistan and owned a statement given by the Taliban commander.
The militant commander alleged that the US soldier, whom his fighters kidnapped from Afghanistanââ¬â¢s Paktika province near the border with Pakistanââ¬â¢s troubled South Waziristan in June 2009, had admitted his involvement in several raids in Afghanistan. ââ¬ÅSince he has confessed to all charges against him, our Islamic court had announced death sentence for him,ââ¬Â the Taliban leader claimed.
Very suspicious, why I think ISI is behind message?
[url="http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/metropolitan/14-karachi-copes-with-blasts-bombing-aftermath-zj-05"]Thousands attend funeral as death toll rises to 31[/url]
Quote:Paramilitary spokesman Maj. Aurang Zeb said security forces were on maximum alert at the funeral in the Malir area of the city.
The first attack on Friday killed 12 Shias, followed hours later by a blast at a hospital where the wounded were being treated which killed 13 people.
Quote:Pakistani TV channels broadcast live footage from the venue, showing men and women clad in black and carrying black flags, beating their chests and chanting slogans of ââ¬ÅYa Hussein, Ya Hussein.ââ¬Â
Quote:Senior police investigator Raja Umer Khattab said the Jundullah (Army of God) militant group was behind the attacks.
[url="http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/06-pakistan-day-parade-cancelled-due-to-security-concerns-rs-01"]Pakistan Day Parade cancelled due to security concerns[/url]
[url="http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/front-page/12-cricketers-return-quietly-720--bi-07"]Pakistan cricket team returns quietly[/url]
Quote:The Pakistan cricket team landed in Karachi unannounced on Saturday night after a disastrous tour of Australia in which they lost all matches.
The cricketers were ushered out of the Haj terminal instead of the Jinnah terminal and security officials even tried to shield them from the media. Journalists, however, managed to get hold of Intikhab Alam and throw some probing questions at the hapless coach.
ââ¬ÅI will put down the miserable performance to poor shot selection and pathetic catching.ââ¬Â
[center][color="#006400"][size="5"]Old enmity claims 15 lives in Gujrat[/size][/color][/center]
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GUJRAT : Fifteen people were reportedly killed and two others injured in cross firing between two rival groups, having old enmity in a village of tehsil Kharian here on Saturday night, Aaj News reported.
According to the report, the incident took place in village Sariya, tehsil Kharian, some 30 km from here, in the jurisdiction of Kakrali police station, where Haq Nawaz group and Dr Sajid group exchanged fire with sophisticated weapons.
As a result, 15 people including seven brothers of two families were killed and several others received serious bullet injuries. The dead were identified as Muhammad Arshad, Muhammad Farooq, Fida Hussain, Ishtiaq Anwer, Raja Muhammad Akram, Imran Akram, Rizwan Akram, Sajjad Akram, Qamar Shehzad, Ziaullah, Muhammad Akbar, Muhammad Yasir, Waqar, Waseem, Muhammad Zakir.
The injured were shifted to different hospitals. Acting DPO Gujrat, Afzal Virk and SP headquarters Abdul Hafiz along with heavy contingents of police rushed to the spot and started investigation.
Sir: The other day I happened to pass by a village school and saw a teacher teaching young students the English language. Explaining what the letters of the alphabet stood for, the teacher said that A stands for ââ¬Ëattaââ¬â¢, B for ââ¬Ëbijliââ¬â¢, C for ââ¬Ëcheeniââ¬â¢ and D for ââ¬Ëdronesââ¬â¢. The respected teacher deserves a better appointment.
[url="http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/07-sheikh-rasheed-injured-two-killed-in-gun-attack-ha-01"]Sheikh Rasheed injured, four killed in gun attack[/url]
Quote:RAWALPINDI: Former information minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed was injured while four people, including two of his bodyguards were killed when gunmen opened fire at his partyââ¬â¢s election office on Monday.
....
ââ¬ÅUnidentified gunmen opened fire with Kalashnikovs. It was an assassination attempt,ââ¬Â Qureshi said.
[url="http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/front-page/06-isi-chief,-4-commanders-retiring-this-year-020-rs-05"]ISI chief, four commanders retiring this year[/url]
Quote:ISLAMABAD: The top brass of Pakistan Army is all set to undergo a reshaping process with the retirement of at least 12 three-star generals, including four corps commanders, during the ongoing calendar year, warranting promotion of major generals and the necessary reshuffle.
Three of the lieutenant generals, including incumbent Director-General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Lt-Gen Ahmad Shuja Pasha, are scheduled to retire next month. However, according to informed sources, Lt-Gen Pasha in all probability will get an extension ââ¬Ëin the interest of continuityââ¬â¢.
A senior security official told Dawn that the army chief did not need to send a summary for extension in the tenure of a three-star general. He cited the example of Lt-Gen Masood Aslam, Corps Commander for Peshawar, who was to retire last year but was given an extension by the army chief.
The other extensions in the recent history of Pakistan Army were of Lt-Gen Hamid Javed, chief of staff to former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf, and the chief of Strategic Plans Division, Lt-Gen Khalid Kidwai.
Lt-Gen Kidwai was due to retire in 2006, but was given extensions more than once due to the technical nature of his assignment. He continues to be the chief of the SPD even after completion of his extended term as lieutenant general.
The incumbent ISI chief will reach the age of superannuation on March 18. Others who are due to retire next month include Lt-Gen Tanvir Tahir, Inspector General of Communications and Information Technology, General Headquarters (GHQ); and Lt-Gen Mohammad Ashraf Saleem, Commander of Air Defence, Pakistan Army.
Lt-Gen Ahsan Azhar Hayat, currently serving as Inspector General of Training and Evaluation at the GHQ, will retire in the middle of March.
Another four lieutenant generals, including two corps commanders, will be retiring in May. They are Corps Commander for Lahore Lt-Gen Ijaz Ahmad Bakshi, Corps Commander for Mangla and Chairman of the Special Support Group, Lt-Gen Nadeem Ahmed, former Corps Commander for Mangla and incumbent Deputy Chairman Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Erra) Lt-Gen Sajjad Akram, and Lt-Gen Sikandar Afzal, force commander for the United Nations mission in Liberia last year.
Others who are scheduled to retire during the current year are Lt-Gen Masood Aslam, Corps Commander for Peshawar, who is already on extension, Lt-Gen Shahid Iqbal, Corps Commander for Karachi, Lt-Gen Zahid Hussain, Quarter Master General (QMG), and Lt-Gen Mohammad Asghar, Rector of National University of Science and Technology (NUST).
[url="http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/04-army-copter-crash-khyber-qs-09"]Army brigadier killed in helicopter rescue operation[/url]
Quote:KHYBER: A Pakistan Army brigadier was killed and two other officers were injured when their vehicle was ambushed by militants in Tirah valley on Wednesday.
The brigadier was heading a rescue team on its way to help the victims of a helicopter crash in the Khyber region.
A Pakistani military helicopter crashed in Khyber while operating against militants, officials said.
ââ¬ÅA brigadier was martyred and two other officers were wounded in firing by militants during the rescue effort,ââ¬Â a senior security official told AFP.
Earlier, an army helicopter crashed in Tirah valley.
[url="http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/07-bomb-attack-kills-six-tribal-policemen-in-khyber-ha-01"]Bomb attack leaves 19 dead in Khyber Agency[/url]
Quote:RAWALPINDI: The military on Wednesday comprehensively evaluated the countryââ¬â¢s security scenario along with the emerging threats and evolved an effective response in case of any eventuality from the eastern border.
The evaluation was carried out in the 126th Corps Commandersââ¬â¢ Conference which was held at the General Headquarters with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani in the chair.
The Corps Commandersââ¬â¢ Conference was synchronised with the conclusion of the Azm-i-Nau II war game.
The commanders were given a comprehensive briefing on the concluded war games, in which, through a systematic and professional discourse, response to existing as well as emerging threat scenarios was exhaustively evaluated.
The corps commanders expressed their satisfaction at the evolution of a comprehensive and integrated response.
It means they are expecting something they will do , which can trigger response from India.
[url="http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/11-Feb-2010/10-killed-in-tunnel-collapse"]10 killed in tunnel collapse[/url]
QUETTA ââ¬â At least 10 drug addicts were killed and another was wounded after a tunnel collapsed at Jail Road of Quetta on Wednesday. According to official sources, 11 heroin addicts were taking drugs in a tunnel in the nullah near Hudda area of city.
A large number of tunnels and mud houses have been constructed by drug addicts in the nullah for their illegal activities.
All heroin addicts came under heavy rubble as tunnel collapsed in the afternoon. Structures of these tunnels were destabilised due to recent rains in the City.
Ten of them lost their lives on the spot because of delayed rescue operations while only one was recovered in injured condition.
Injured person was shifted to Civil Hospital Quetta for treatment.
All the bodies were dug out and shifted to morgue of Civil Hospital Quetta.
Inspector General of Frontier Corps (FC) Major General Salim Nawaz, Commissioner Quetta Naseem Lehri and other authorities also visited the area.
Talking to newsmen IGFC expressed serious concern over loss human lives in the tragic incident.
He said that only government authorities but the entire society should play their due role to end the menace of drugs.
He said that soon after receiving information FC troops reached the area and started rescue operation.
Thousands of heroin addicts use Habib Nullah and different graveyards in Quetta city as safe havens for taking drugs.
Balochistan High Court had taken suo moto notice of this situation few years back and directed police and concerned authorities for clearing these areas of City from drug addicts but so far no concrete steps have been taken by authorities in this connection.
The court had also directed for construction of rehabilitation centre for treatment of drug addicts.
A big rehabilitation centre has been established but it is not fully functional.
India-Pakistan relations have been strained right since the birth of two countries. We have fought three wars.
People living across borders with relatives on either side have been in pain and anguish due to strife between the two countries. Many issues, including Kashmir, have been source of friction between the neighbors. Even the issue of terrorism is an outcome of the Kashmir problem.
The other reason behind terrorism manifested itself after the Americans armed the Taliban to confront the Russian occupation of Afghanistan in the late 1970s.
The US created extremist outfits by giving them millions of dollars and tons of armaments to join the anti-Russian forces. After the defeat of Russian forces, these outfits turned on countries of the region. They have created havoc in the region by acting like the Frankenstein monster that turns on its own creator.
The Pakistani government or people are not supporting any terrorism outfit. Some terrorist groups are operating on their own and, to eliminate these terrorists, the government of Pakistan is trying its best but a lot of other factors are in play here.
For example, it is alleged with some justification that India, Israel and US are supplying training and arms to terrorist outfits to destabilize Pakistan. There are training camps in Afghanistan doing that. This is a fact no one can deny as interference in Balochistan is a clear proof of this. Peace between India and Pakistan hinges on settlement of the core issue Kashmir. Though India has agreed to talk after nearly two years, [color="#FF0000"][size="5"]*[/size]these talks would probably be just talks as India is not sincere in solving the Kashmir issue or the problems of water.[size="5"]*[/size][/color] -S. MAHMOOD, Lahore, February 10.
[size="5"][color="#FF0000"]* :[/color][/size] Here is one heap big smart Paki!
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