Aim is to Keep Enemy Engaged in Arduous War: Mullah Omar

KABUL: Fugitive leader of Afghan Taliban Mullah Omar in a message to Taliban said that the US is facing defeat and siege in each part of Afghanistan, ‘in line with our aim to keep the enemy engaged in the arduous war.’

In a written message spreading on four pages, Mullah Omar said the increase in number of troops in Afghanistan has only resulted in more deaths of these soldiers. “The US is losing lives in Afghanistan every other day,” he added.

He said ground realities have forced the US to become to open to peace talks.

In the message, Mullah Omar has called himself ‘Khadim-e-Islam’ and ‘Amir-ul-Maomineen’. His full name appears in the message as Mullah Muhammad Umar Mujahid.

Strongly criticising the Karzai government, the one-eyed Taliban leader said in the present regime the condition of Afghan people has only gone from bad to worse and their difficulties have only risen.

Obama: more effort needed to improve Muslim ties

JAKARTA: President Barack Obama said on Wednesday much more needs to be done to repair frayed U.S. relations with the Muslim world in an acknowledgement of the difficulties in eradicating “years of mistrust.”

In a speech highlighting a nostalgic visit to Indonesia, where he spent four years as a young boy, Obama spoke fondly of his formative years in the world’s most populous Muslim country.

“Indonesia is a part of me,” said Obama, who left around 10:45 a.m. (10:45 p.m. EDT) for the G20 summit in South Korea, the next stop on a 10-day Asia tour.

His speech was an update to a major address he gave 17 months ago in Cairo where he declared a “new beginning” in U.S.-Muslim relations after the tensions over the September 11, 2001, attacks and the Bush government’s response to them.

Since his Cairo address, irritants remain on both sides. Al Qaeda still

Obama: more effort needed to improve Muslim ties

JAKARTA: President Barack Obama said on Wednesday much more needs to be done to repair frayed U.S. relations with the Muslim world in an acknowledgement of the difficulties in eradicating “years of mistrust.”

In a speech highlighting a nostalgic visit to Indonesia, where he spent four years as a young boy, Obama spoke fondly of his formative years in the world’s most populous Muslim country.

“Indonesia is a part of me,” said Obama, who left around 10:45 a.m. (10:45 p.m. EDT) for the G20 summit in South Korea, the next stop on a 10-day Asia tour.

His speech was an update to a major address he gave 17 months ago in Cairo where he declared a “new beginning” in U.S.-Muslim relations after the tensions over the September 11, 2001, attacks and the Bush government’s response to them.

Since his Cairo address, irritants remain on both sides. Al Qaeda still

Sialkot lynching accused sent to 3-day remand

Staff Report

SIALKOT: A Special Anti-Terrorism Court on Monday handed over 18 accused of Sialkot lynching case to police on three-day physical remand.

Prime accused ex-Station House Officer Rana Ilyas, Constable Mubarak and 16 other persons were produced before the court in Gujranwala under tight security.

On the request of police, the court sent all the accused, including suspended policemen, on three-day physical remand.

Besides, the court reprimanded a police constable for giving VIP protocol to accused Rana Ilyas.

It may be mentioned here, 18 people, including policemen, arrested in connection with the brutal murder of teenage brothers, Hafiz Mugheez and Muneeb, in Sialkot on August 15. SAMAA

PM pays homage to Sep 6 martyrs

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani renewed his government’s pledge to make Pakistan a strong and invincible country by inculcating unity, faith and discipline in lives of Pakistani people.

In a message on Pakistan Defence Day, the Prime Minister said September 6 is a red letter day in the history of Pakistan when the armed forces with the solid support of the people exhibited unprecedented valor in thwarting grave threats to the country.

“On this day, we pay homage to our valiant martyrs and our ancestors who defended their country heroically.”

He said Pakistan is facing gigantic and myriad challenges and is passing through a critical period of history. Our security is challenged by multi-dimensional and multi-directional threats. Our adversaries taking full advantage of the situation on the one hand are adding to the difficulties of Pakistan and

Stormy winds hit KP, uproot relief camps

Staff Report

PESHAWAR: In Peshawar and its surrounding areas, rain and stormy winds uprooted many camps of flood victims alongside the Motorway, adding the difficulties of the affected people.

According to the Meteorological Department, central districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa are likely to witness more light showers and windy storms during the next few days.

Besides, the scenic Swat valley, Buner and its adjacent areas are also expected to receive heavy downpour.

The Met office has forecast a fresh spell of rain from Aug 25 in the entire province. But there is no threat of flooding due to the rain.

The rains will bring down the sizzling temperature, it said. SAMAA

PM takes bird’s eye view of KP flood-hit areas

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani flew to Peshawar Friday afternoon to meet Chief Minister and senior officials of the provincial government of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa to express solidarity and witness first hand information about the damages caused by heavy rains and floods in different parts of the province.

After a brief stopover at Peshawar Airport, the Prime Minister boarded a helicopter and took an aerial view of the flood-affected areas to personally see the situation and assess the difficulties of the people.

While undertaking the aerial view he issued instructions to the concerned organizations for urgent rescue, relief and rehabilitation of the people trapped and dislocated because of floodwaters.

The federal government, he said would extend all possible support and assistance for the safety of the people.

He appreciated the efforts being made by the various organizations particularly military helicopters engaged in the relief operations.

Pak-US strategic dialogue successful: PM

ISLAMABAD: Expressing satisfaction over Pakistan-US strategic dialogue, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said on Monday that Pakistan-US strategic dialogue indicated that the two countries were enjoying cordial relationship, which would further strengthen with the passage of time.

He appreciated the US’s support to the democratic government and the assistance in various sectors, especially energy and infrastructure development.

The Premier expressed these views in a meeting with Ambassador of Pakistan to the US, Hussain Haqqani, who called on him here at PM Secretariat on Monday.

Prime Minister Gilani expressed satisfaction over the conclusion of the fifth Round of Strategic Dialogue and declared these productive, which would have far-reaching and positive results.

He specially mentioned the understanding between the two countries on the negotiation for acquisition of civil nuclear technology and said that it would help resolve the energy shortage faced by the country.

He added that the US eagerness to provide wide access to the Pakistani products to the American markets would also go a long way in translating the relationship into a long-term partnership.

The Prime Minister asked the Ambassador to develop closer coordination with the American leadership so that there might be complete harmony between the two countries regarding any matter.

He further asked him to facilitate the Pakistani community living in the US so as to help resolve their difficulties and assist them to focus on their jobs and businesses. Hussain Haqqani briefed the Prime Minister about the fifth Round of Pakistan-US Strategic Dialogue.

He informed that the US has agreed to further enhance its assistance to Pakistan to support programmes and projects in the priority areas of energy, food security and social sector development.

He apprised that the US has announced financial assistance for 18 projects in the energy sector in different parts of the country.

India, Pakistan to take process of trust building forward

ISLAMABAD: The foreign ministers of India and Pakistan had what they called a prolonged discussions aimed at paving the way for serious, comprehensive and sustained dialogue on issues of mutual interest and concerns.

Indian Minister for External Affairs, S M Krishna and Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi held a press briefing after holding a comprehensive meeting in Islamabad on Thursday.

The briefing had to be delayed for six hours because what Krishna said that ‘the nature of the discussion we had was such that it could not be concluded on time’.

“India is committed to being a sincere partner in the effort to establish peaceful and progressive relationship between India and Pakistan,” the Indian External Minister asserted, reiterating that India desires peaceful, stable and prosperous Pakistan.

To a question regarding Indian involvement in Balochistan unrest, Krishna said: “This was mentioned in Sharm al-Shaikh, where the two prime ministers met. We have been waiting for some evidence being provided by Pakistan of Indian involvement. If credible evidence or any evidence is provided to the government of India of our involvement, India will certainly look into it.”

Shah Mehmood replying to the same question said, the issue of destabilization in Balochistan and Brahamdagh Bugti was raised during the meeting with his Indian counterpart. He demanded of the Indian government to cancel the Indian passport held by Brahamdagh Bugti.

The Indian External Minister said there has been an increase in infiltration across the line of control, particularly in 2008 and 2009 and government of India has been monitoring these infiltrations.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi reacted to it by saying, ‘infiltration is not he policy of Pakistan or any intelligence agency of Pakistan.’ He said he told the Indian delegation to deal firmly with the individuals who cross over; Pakistan would cooperate.

He said that DGMOs could have taken up the issue of infiltration, if any, during their weekly interaction, saying it is the only appropriate way to tackle the issue.

Regarding investigation into Mumbai attacks, S M Krishna said all evidence has been given out to Pakistan including the leads provided by Richard Headley and ‘I am going back with the assurance coming from the highest level of the political leadership of the country.’ He said he is pleased that the Foreign Minister Qureshi has assured him to bring all the perpetrators of Mumbai attack to justice.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi in the matter said that ‘we should allow the judicial process to take its time in undertaking the due course.’

Replying to a query on human rights violations by Indian government in parts of occupied Kashmir, the Indian External Affairs Minister said: “We have an institution to monitor human rights violation besides NGOs. The state government and appropriate human rights agencies will certainly take up any violation that takes place there.”

Earlier, S M Krishan said the two foreign ministers had a cordial exchange of views on a number of issues including the current state of bilateral relations, keeping in view the mandate given to them by their respective prime ministers.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi said relations between Indian and Pakistan have been complex. “Let’s not forget the difficulties, let’s not forget history and impediments that have come between us. Today we are democracies which engage. We are politicians who believe in dialogue. We will never come to dead ends.”

PIA flight delayed over passengers’ protest

KARACHI: A flight of PIA en-rout to Lahore from Karachi suffered a two-hour delay over passengers’ protest upon announcement by the airline authorities at the eleventh hour to make an unscheduled stop at Faisalabad.

According to sources, the Lahore bound PIA flight No.306 was scheduled to depart from Karachi at 7 PM. The passengers were informed two-minutes before the departure that the plane would make a brief stop at Faisalabad airport and then complete its journey to Lahore. This enraged the passengers and the captain of the plane had to stop the plane on the runway to sort things out. The plane finally took off after a delay of two hours.

A PIA spokesman said spare parts were being shifted for a grounded plane in Faisalabad and that the passengers were informed about this. “The passengers exchanged hot words in protest with the captain and tried to enter the cockpit, prompting the captain to call security,” he said.

More than 200 passengers including women and children had to bear the hot weather inside the plane without air-conditioning besides facing other difficulties.

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