President Zardari leaves for Dubai for a day: spokesman

TrendPK.com
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari left for Dubai on a private visit for medical checkup amidst hitherto unresolved standoff between the civil and military leaderships, TrendPK reports Thursday.

According to Presidential Spokesman Farhatullah Babar, the President Zardari will come back to Pakistan in 24 hours.

Addressing the party leaders at Bilawal House a couple of days ago, President Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Karachi Division Senator Faisal Raza Abidi  said Zardari is not on the ECL, he is head of the state; hence, he can go abroad as and when he wishes so.

He added the concept regarding his fleeing the country is an indication of failed mentality. TrendPK

Iran test-fires cruise missile in navy war drills

TEHRAN: Iran on Monday successfully tested a Ghader ground-to-ship cruise missile on the last day of navy war games near the Strait of Hormuz, the official news agency IRNA quoted a navy spokesman as saying.

“This missile built by Iranian experts successfully hit its target and destroyed it,” Commodore Mahmoud Mousavi was quoted as saying.

He said it was “the first time” a Ghader missile had been tested.

The Ghader missile, also known as the Qader, is said to have a range of 200 kilometres (120 miles), which is generally considered medium-range or even short-range for a cruise missile, even though IRNA described it as “long-range.”

Mousavi earlier told the ISNA news agency that “the Ghader is an ultra-modern missile with an integrated, ultra-precise radar whose range and intelligent anti-detection system have been improved over previous generations.”

Mousavi said the navy was to test two other types of missiles later Monday, a surface-to-surface Nour missile also with a range of 200 kilometres, and a Nasr anti-ship missile with a shorter range.

The Ghader is said to be entirely built by Iran.

The Nour and Nasr missiles are based on Chinese designs.

The Nour, also known as the Noor, is based on China’s C-802 missile. Mousavi said the Nour missile to be fired “has been improved with its anti-radar and targeting system,” according to ISNA.

An Iranian Nour missile was reportedly used by the Iran-linked Hezbollah militia in Lebanon to disable an Israeli warship during a 2006 conflict.

The Nasr anti-ship missile is based on China’s C-704 missile and has a range of 35 kilometres (22 miles). Iran has them mounted aboard patrol boats.

Mousavi was quoted as saying that Syrian military observers would watch the tests.

Iran’s navy started its 10 days of war games near the Strait of Hormuz on December 24.

They are due to finish Monday after the missile tests and an exercise practising “a new tactical formation” to be used to close the strait if so ordered, Mousavi was quoted as saying Sunday by the ISNA news agency.

On Sunday, the Iranian navy successfully tested “an anti-radar medium-range missile,” Mousavi said.

Iranian leaders and military officials have warned that additional Western sanctions could push them to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of the world’s oil flows.

Those warnings became more strident in recent days, with Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi vowing last Tuesday that “not a drop of oil will pass through the Strait of Hormuz” if more sanctions were imposed.

The United States, which bases its Fifth Fleet in the Gulf, has said it will not tolerate a closure of the strait.

Concern over the situation increased Saturday when US President Barack Obama signed into law new measures targeting Iran’s central bank and financial sector.

The extra US sanctions aim to squeeze Iran’s crucial oil sales, most of which are processed by the central bank. They will make foreign firms choose between doing business with the Islamic republic or the economically mighty United States.

Iran’s currency, the rial, slipped to a record low Sunday on that news.

The state news agency IRNA and an Iranian website tracking the currency said it slid to around 16,000 to the dollar.

The European Union is also mulling an embargo on Iranian oil purchases, and a decision could be announced at an EU foreign ministers’ meeting at the end of the month.

Iran, the second-biggest producer in OPEC after Saudi Arabia, depends on oil sales for 80 percent of its foreign currency earnings. AGENCIES

Protests in Rawalpindi, Islamabad as CNG strike continues

TrendPK.com

Rawalpindi: The CNG dealers continued their strike in Punjab, including Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Monday, triggering protests in various cities, TrendPK reports.

Chairman CNG Owners Association accused government of unfair distribution of the fuel while Secretary Petroleum Ministry claims petroleum prices were raised after consultation with CNG dealers.

The dealers rejected raise in gas prices, saying it would put an extra burden on the masses who were already groaning under inflation.

CNG dealers in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad went on an indefinite strike on Sunday at the end of the three-day weekly closure, shutting down filling stations in Punjab and Potohar region.

The strike was observed against latest increase in prices and ban on provision of CNG to public transport vehicles with kits installed on the rooftops or beneath the seats.

The closure multiplied miseries of commuters as they were faced the worst situation, prompting protest demonstrations in Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi and other cities.

Hundreds of protestors, including transporters and traders, gathered at Adiyala road of Rawalpindi and staged protest demonstration, shutting down markets and business activities.

In Islamabad, the trader community suspended business activities in the federal capital where hundreds of people took to roads in protest against the CNG closure. They urged the government to withdraw the recent increase in prices for both CNG and domestic consumers.

Long queues of vehicles were seen outside filling stations in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, with local residents criticizing both the government and filling station owners for closing supply for five days running.

The government has directed CNG station owners in Punjab to shut down filling stations for six hours a day.

Sources said the decision was taken by Sui Northern Gas Company. In the first phase, they said, it would be implemented in Lahore and Sheikhupura where the fuel supply to gas stations would be suspended for three hours in morning and evening, 6 pm to 9 pm. — TrendPK

Memo scandal: SC receives Mansoor Ejaz’s reply

TrendPK.com

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan received on Thursday Pakistani businessman Mansoor Ijaz’s statement in secret memo scandal case, TrendPK reports.

Ijaz, the central character of memogate scandal, had accused former Pakistan ambassador to US, Hussain Haqqani, of passing on a secret memo in which President Zardari allegedly sought US army general Mike Mullen’s help against Pakistan army.

The issue led to the resignation of Haqqani, souring relations between Islamabad and Washington, prompting Pakistan Muslim League-N chief Nawaz Sharif to file a petition in the court against the coup memo.

Mansoor Ejaz’s reply, spread over 81 pages, was received by the apex court registrar via an email here today.

Sources said, in his statement, Ijaz confirmed and gave details of his meeting with ISI chief Pasha in London on Oct 22.

The apex court had served notices to ten respondents in the case to submit their statements, of them only two have so far submitted their replies: former envoy Haqqani and Mansoor Ejaz.

However, eight remaining respondents, including the Director General ISI Lt. Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha and army chief Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, are yet to follow the suit.

Thursday is the last date of submitting replies in the court.  TrendPK

Memo scandal: Mansoor Ijaz opens Pandora Box

TrendPK.com

ISLAMABAD:  Mansoor Ijaz, the central character in secret memo scandal, submitted his written statement in the Supreme Court on Thursday, claiming that he met ISI chief Ahmed Shuja Pasha and President Zardari, TrendPK reports.

Mansoor Ejaz’s reply, spread over 81 pages, was received by the apex court registrar via an email here today. He also emailed 31 pictures of his Blackberry phone as evidence for claims.

In his statement, Ijaz confirmed and gave details of his meeting with ISI chief Pasha in London on Oct 22. He stated that the meeting lasted for four hours in London InterContinental Hotel’s room no. 210.

He said Hussain Haqqani has been his friend for last ten years.

Ejaz claimed that he met President Zardari on May 5 2009 in Washington, and the meeting lasted for 45 minutes, in which he briefed the president about the former’s parleys with White House bigwigs.

Ejaz went on claiming that he also contacted Gen Ehsan Ulhaq, the DG ISI in 2003. TrendPK

Zardari, Haqqani knew about Abbottabad raid: Ijaz

TrendPK.com

WASHINGTON: Controversial Pakistani-American business Mansoor Ijaz claims that President Asif Ali Zardari was behind the idea to send a secret memo to Admiral Mike Mullen.

In another claim, Ijaz alleged that President Zardari had given full authority to Hussain Haqqani on the issue of memo.

He further said that President Zardari and Hussain Haqqani knew about May 2 Abbottabad operation. TrendPK

Gaddafi killed in his hometown

It was also reported that his corpse has been sent to Misrata.

According to an earlier report,transitional Council commander had claimed Moamer Gaddafi was arrested by rebel forces.

Moamer Gaddafi was captured as his hometown of Sirte was falling on Thursday, a National Transitional Council commander said, adding that the ousted Libyan strongman was badly wounded.

“He has been captured. He is badly wounded, but he is still breathing,” Mohamed Leith told AFP, adding that he had seen Gaddafi himself and that he was wearing a kaki uniform and a turban.

Libyan TV channel “Libya lil Ahrar” also said that he was in custody.

In Sirte, medics said the defence minister in Gaddafi s ousted regime, Abu Bakr Yunis, had been killed in the final battle for the strongman s hometown.

His body was identified at the field hospital where it was brought in a pick-up truck on Thursday, Dr Abdu Rauf told AFP.

US missile strike in NW kills three Egyptians

MIRAN SHAH: A US drone strike in Pakistan’s tribal region has killed three Egyptians linked to the Haqqani network, including one who played a key role in handling the militant group’s finances, Pakistani intelligence officials said on Sunday.

The three men were killed on Friday when a drone fired missiles at a car near Miran Shah, the main town in North Waziristan, said the officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to talk to the media. A fourth person was also killed but has not been identified.

The US does not acknowledge the CIA-run drone program in Pakistan, but officials have said privately that the attacks have killed senior militant commanders from the Haqqani network, the Taliban and al-Qaeda.

One of the Egyptians killed Friday was a 28-year-old man named Abdullah who helped handle the Haqqani network’s finances in Pakistan and Afghanistan, said the intelligence officials. He was known locally as Nadeem.

On Thursday, a missile attack close to Miran Shah killed Janbaz Zadran, who U.S. officials said was a top commander in the network who helped orchestrate attacks in Kabul and southeastern Afghanistan. They said he was the most senior Haqqani leader in Pakistan to be taken off the battlefield. AGENCIES

Fasih Bukhari appointed chairman NAB

TrendPK.com

ISLAMABAD: Admiral (Retd.) Fasih Bukhari has been appointed as Chariman National Accountability Bureau (NAB), TrendPK reported Sunday.

The appointment was made after President Asif Ali Zardari brushed aside opposition leader Chaudhry Nisar’s objection to the nomination on technical grounds.

The notification of his appointment has been issued.

The Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) has raised its voice against Bukhari’ s appointment as NAB chairman but the government has rejected PML-N’s reservations by appointing him. TrendPK

Toyota to start car exports from India in March

BANGLORE: Japan’s biggest automaker Toyota said on Friday that it would begin exporting vehicles from India to South Africa next year as it looks to boost activities in emerging markets.

Under the plan, gasoline-engine versions of the Etios Liva hatchback and Etios sedan will be shipped to South Africa, subsidiary Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. said without disclosing the size of the shipment.

The Etios is a low-cost sedan aimed at emerging markets, where Toyota wants to achieve 50 percent of its worldwide vehicle sales from 2015 compared to 40 percent in 2010.

Toyota Kirloskar, based in the outskirts of Bangalore, plans to boost production to 310,000 in 2013, almost double current levels of 160,000 annually.

While maintaining a strong industrial base in Japan, Toyota is looking to boost production abroad to be closer to demand, reduce logistics costs and limit exposure to the strength of the Japanese yen. AGENCIES

Next Page »