Pakistans political leadership agreed on drone attack: Wikileaks

The recently issued reports of Wikileaks have revealed that the political leadership of Pakistan has given permission to the USA for drone attacks in the tribal region. According to the report it is an undocumented agreement between the government of Pakistan and the USA.

The report has also revealed the fact that the former president Pervez Musharraf gave permission for the drone attacks and assured the USA to sign the pact of resolution of the Kashmir dispute soon. Wikileaks have also disclosed the fact that the interior minister Rehman Malik advised the prime minister to halt the attacks till the completion of Bajaur operation however the prime minister rejected his advice and said that the attacks should be continued till they are targeting the right people. The reports also say that Pakistani politicians oppose the drone attacks publicly but support it privately. Wikilekas has also proved the fact that US army is present with Pakistan army in tribal areas for better coordination during the drone attacks.

India, Japan PMs to confirm trade pact

TOKYO: India’s prime minister kicked off talks Monday in Japan where the population giant and the high-tech nation planned to confirm a trade pact and push efforts for civilian nuclear cooperation.

Manmohan Singh, who arrived Sunday, and his counterpart Naoto Kan were also expected to stress the warm ties linking two of Asia’s biggest democracies at a time of high diplomatic tensions between Japan and communist-ruled China.

The two premiers were due to declare the completion of talks on an economic partnership agreement, with a formal signing expected early next year, under which tariffs on 94 percent of trade would be phased out within a decade.

The deal will help Japanese auto giants such as Suzuki who have opened plants in India by lifting tariffs on parts, while also easing access to the market in fast-greying Japan for Indian generic

Bangladesh extradites most wanted Briton: police

DHAKA: Bangladesh has extradited one of Britain’s most wanted men two months after he was arrested in Dhaka in connection with a 2003 double murder in London, police said Monday.

Ayub Khan, 27, who was on Scotland Yard’s most wanted list, was detained in the Bangladeshi capital in August over the killing of Amarjit Singh, 52, and his nephew Rajinder Singh, 35, in 2003.

The victims were gunned down near a hotel they owned in east London, reportedly with a submachine gun, following what police believed at the time was a row over parking.

Khan was handed over to British police on Sunday night after the completion of his extradition formalities, airport police chief Shamsuddin Saleh Ahmed said.

“He was flown back to Britain on an Emirates flight. British officials accompanied him,” he told AFP.

Local media said Khan, who is originally from

Bangladesh extradites most wanted Briton: police

DHAKA: Bangladesh has extradited one of Britain’s most wanted men two months after he was arrested in Dhaka in connection with a 2003 double murder in London, police said Monday.

Ayub Khan, 27, who was on Scotland Yard’s most wanted list, was detained in the Bangladeshi capital in August over the killing of Amarjit Singh, 52, and his nephew Rajinder Singh, 35, in 2003.

The victims were gunned down near a hotel they owned in east London, reportedly with a submachine gun, following what police believed at the time was a row over parking.

Khan was handed over to British police on Sunday night after the completion of his extradition formalities, airport police chief Shamsuddin Saleh Ahmed said.

“He was flown back to Britain on an Emirates flight. British officials accompanied him,” he told AFP.

Local media said Khan, who is originally from

Karachi target killings: 4 accused remanded in police custody

A local court in Karachi has remanded four accused including former police official in police custody till October 27 in target killing report. CID police presented police official Bilal Farooqi, Asad, Hanif and Babar in the court of Judicial Magistrate Sara Junejo in the hearing of target killing case against them. Police had requested 14-day physical remand of the accused but the court giving 4-day remand directed the police to submit challan in the court on time after the completion of investigation.

WB asks Pakistan to stop construction of flood-hit roads

The World Bank has asked Pakistan to put on hold the construction of flood-affected roads till the completion of damage estimate.
The meeting of Senates Standing Committee for Communication was presided over by Wali Muhammad Badeeni. Communication Ministry officials while giving briefing told that a report of the Wolrd Bank had estimated the total damage to roads at Rs 22 billion.
The WB has said that funds would not be provided before the completion of damage estimate. Communication Minister Arbab Alamgir has said that construction of Chakdara bridge will cost Rs 45 crore. He said that construction of the bridge would be started if Asian Development Bank didnt reply in a week.

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.

All set for by-polls in PP-34 Sargodha

SARGODHA: Preparations have been completed for by-elections in PP-34 Sargodha scheduled to be held on July 26.

In all 350 polling booths have been set up in 112 polling stations while special powers of a magistrate have been delegated to the presiding officers allowing them to have the people arrested and send to jail for attempting to cast fake votes. These additional powers will remain in force till the completion of polling process.

Ballot papers and ballot boxes have been handed over to the polling staff.

Over 1000 police personnel have been deployed to ensure maintenance of law and order during polling day while some of the polling stations have been declared sensitive under categories A, B and C.

Lowari Tunnel to be ready by 2012

ISLAMABAD: Lowari Tunnel project is expected to be completed by 2012 as excavation work of Lowari Tunnel has already been completed.

Lowari Tunnel is an important project costing Rs.8 billion and it was launched in July 2006.

September 2010 is fixed for completion of the project.

However, sources said law and order situation, shortage of funds and natural impediments are the main causes of its delay, they said.

The total length of the proposed tunnel is 8.8 kilometres, height 7.14 metres and width 7.55 metres. It is being built between Dir and Mirkhani. With the completion of the project, Lowari tunnel will be the only road link between Chitral valley and other parts of the country.

Meanwhile, the government is also all to set to construct an elevated Khushal Garh Bridge and work on the proposed would be started by the end of the current year.

An amount of Rs 2.6 billion has been approved for the construction of the bridge and it would interconnect the southern parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces, they added.

The new bridge will not only facilitate the road users but will also be helpful in transportation of goods and services from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to Punjab.

The existing Khushal Garh Bridge connects Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to Punjab with a train track on the top and was built about 1870 for logistics to support the Afghan wars.

It now serves as the link between the two provinces and is a beautiful piece of architecture.

Deprived areas being developed: Gilani

BAHAWALPUR: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the government is paying attention to the development of deprived areas and steps are being taken to bring them at par with developed areas.

Talking to the office-bearers of Pakistan Peoples Party Bahawalpur and notables at airport on Tuesday afternoon, the Prime Minister said the government would utilize all available resources to provide basic necessities to the people.

He said the role of elected representatives is very vital in this regard. They should point out development projects and monitor them till their completion, he added.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira, Advisor to Prime Minister on Political Affairs Nawabzada Ghazanfar Gul and Senator Sughra Imam were also present on the occasion.

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