Premature to say anything about Imrans murder: Sattar

MQM leader Farooq Sattar said that it would be premature to say anything about Imran Farooqs murder before the completion of investigations. Talking to media in Karachi, he said that Imran Farooqs murder has created vacuum in the party which would be difficult to fill. He said that Altaf Hussain has directed party members and activists to avoid violence. He said that British High Commissioner has assured full support and matters will be cleared after the investigation into Imrans killing. He said that MQMs journey to become national party will remain continued. He said that dead body of Imran would be taken back to Pakistan.

Abducted Briton freed in Pakistan – High Commission

ISLAMABAD: A British-Pakistani journalist abducted by suspected Islamist militants in Pakistan’s ethnic Pashtun tribal areas in March, has been freed, the British High Commission said on Thursday.

“Yes, we can confirm that Asad Qureshi has been released,” a spokesman for the High Commission said.

Qureshi was abducted in March along with two former Pakistani intelligence officers. AGENCIES

CJ takes suo moto notice of brothers’ killing

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry has taken suo moto notice of the killing of two brothers in Sialkot and ordered the arrest of the police officials involved in the incident, said sources on Friday.

The Chief Justice expressed his grief over the silence of the police on the brutal killing.

CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry has summoned Secretary Establishment for action against the police. He said that brutal killings in the presence of police is the height of lawlessness.

“IG Punjab Chaudhry Ameen is free to take any action against the police officials,” said the Chief Justice.

The court appointed former Director General Anti Corruption Kazim Malik as the inquiry officer. He will submit his report within seven days.

The two brothers, 18-year-old Moiz Butt and 16-year-old Muneeb Butt, were beaten to death by a mob after an alleged theft

Manchar Lake swamps with flood water

Staff Report

DADU: Water level in Manchar Lake, the largest sweet water lake located north of the province, has reached a dangerous level posing threat to thousands of residents in the adjoining towns of Sehwan, Johi, Bubak, Bhan Syedaba and Talti.

Situated near Dadu on the Right Bank Canal, Manchar Lake has submerged as the water level reached an alarming level. It threatens to overflow and inundate vast areas, including some historic towns lying in the path of the water.

People said that the 1976 Manchar Lake overflow resulted in floods that created a breach in the embankment which inundated the Indus Highway.

On the other hand, 80 percent of the 352 villages situated near safety embankments are completely inundated in Thatta. Almost 80,000 people have been evacuated from the affected areas.

According to the control room, water flow of

KP holds donor conference for flood aid

ISLAMABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) donor conference was held in Islamabad on Friday to brief the international community about the devastation caused by the worst floods in the history of Pakistan.

Aid worth Rs. 200 billion was asked for to compensate losses.

Envoys from Muslim countries, the European Union, United States, China and other countries attended the conference. Representatives of the British High Commission, Islamic Development, World Bank and USAID were also present.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti briefed on flood destruction in the province.

“A flood commission has been set up for the rehabilitation of flood victims. We need more international aid at the earliest because the militants can take advantage of the delay in reconstruction and rehabilitation of flood devastation,” said KP CM Hoti.

Ameer Hoti

PCB contacts BHC for Yusuf visa

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has contacted British High Commission (BHC) for issuance of visa for Test cricketer Mohammed Yusuf, Geo News reported Monday.

However, despite all this, Yusuf’s chances of inclusion in playing 11 before second Test match seem bleak.

PCB has resolved to immediately send Mohammed Yusuf to England after historic defeat of Pakistan cricket team but owing to incomplete traveling documents, Yusuf may not make his come back before second Test.

Sources said Yusuf possesses UK’s visit visa, which disallows him to play cricket there.

PCB is hopeful for issuance of Yusuf’s sports visa by Tuesday while he will fly England on first available flight.

PCB contacts BHC for Yusuf visa

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has contacted British High Commission (BHC) for issuance of visa for Test cricketer Mohammed Yusuf, Geo News reported Monday.

However, despite all this, Yusuf’s chances of inclusion in playing 11 before second Test match seem bleak.

PCB has resolved to immediately send Mohammed Yusuf to England after historic defeat of Pakistan cricket team but owing to incomplete traveling documents, Yusuf may not make his come back before second Test.

Sources said Yusuf possesses UK’s visit visa, which disallows him to play cricket there.

PCB is hopeful for issuance of Yusuf’s sports visa by Tuesday while he will fly England on first available flight.

Sahil Saeed Handed Over To Father

ISLAMABAD PAKISTAN : The British child kidnapped from Jehlum Sahil Naqqash has been handed over to his family at British High Commission Thursday.

British High Commission spokesman George Scherff told that Sahil has been handed over to his family. He said that the selected representatives of media will be given a chance to talk to the child. From Pakistan, only the state news agency was invited to meet and briefly interview the child that will provide the footage to Pakistani media later on. The spokesman said that the purpose of inviting only selected media representatives is not to bother child more than he can handle. He said that the family of the child will decide whether to keep child in Pakistan or to take him to Britain.

President Zardari, Operation would continue till Waziristan is cleared of terrorists

Lahore, Pakistan:- British Foreign Secretary’s special representative Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles on Tuesday called on President Asif Ali Zardari and discussed matters relating to bilateral relations and Pakistan’s fight against extremism and militancy.

They also exchanged views on the Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP), rehabilitation of displaced persons as a result of Waziristan operation, access to Pakistani products in EU markets and regional situation after post-Mumbai attacks. Those who attended the meeting included Interior Minister Rehman Malik; Secretary General to the President Salman Faruqui; Senator Sughra Imam and senior officials. British High Commissioner in Pakistan Robert Brinkley was also present.

Referring to the ongoing drive against militancy in the tribal areas of South Waziristan, the President said the operation would continue till the area is cleared of terrorists and the objectives of the operation are achieved. The government is equally focused on the relief and rehabilitation of the dislocated people from Waziristan, the President said and added that international community should step forward to share the burden. Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles appreciated the government’s determinations to fight against the militants and lauded the success made so far. He said that Britain will continue to support Pakistan build its ravaged economy and in the rehabilitation of the displaced people.

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President Zardari, Operation would continue till Waziristan is cleared of terrorists was first posted on November 3, 2009 at 10:36 pm.