God did not create the universe, says Hawking

LONDON: God did not create the universe and the “Big Bang” was an inevitable consequence of the laws of physics, the eminent British theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking argues in a new book.

In “The Grand Design”, co-authored with U.S. physicist Leonard Mlodinow, Hawking says a new series of theories made a creator of the universe redundant, according to the Times newspaper which published extracts on Thursday.

“Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing. Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist,” Hawking writes.

“It is not necessary to invoke God to light the blue touch paper and set the universe going.”

Hawking, 68, who won global recognition with his 1988 book “A Brief History of Time”, an account of the origins of the

Pakistan win but down to 11 on troubled tour

TAUNTON: Pakistan’s first match since a betting scandal engulfed the team on their tour of England ended with them having just 11 fit players at their disposal on Thursday.

Pakistan won a one-day tour game against southwest county Somerset by eight runs in the last over in their final match before Twenty20 and one-day series against England.

But the fixture itself was overshadowed by the announcement that Test captain Salman Butt and pace bowlers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif had withdrawn from the remainder of the tour after being named in a fixing ‘sting’.

Britain’s News of the World newspaper had alleged on Sunday the trio had all conspired with a ‘fixer’ to deliberately bowl no-balls during the fourth Test against England at Lord’s last week.

Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal was hit in the face batting in the nets at Somerset’s County Ground before

Blast damages shrine in Lahore

Staff Report

LAHORE: A low-intensity explosion damaged unfamiliar Khaki Shah shrine in Lahore on Thursday.

The bomb took place immediately after the end of Maghrib prayers, damaging portion of the shrine and injuring a worshiper.

According to the Bomb Disposal Squad, it was a low-intensity time-device, in which only half a kilogram of explosives were used.

The injured man, identified as Salamat Ali, was admitted to a nearby hospital. SAMAA

Chinese envoy calls on Gen Tariq Majid

RAWALPINDI: Ambassador of China Luo Zhaohui called on General Tariq Majid, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) at Joint Staff Headquarters and discussed bilateral defence collaboration aspects and other matters of mutual interest in follow up to the successfully concluded Visit of General Liang Guanglie, Defence Minister of China.

The CJCSC also lauded Ambassador Luo Zhaohui”s efforts for cementing relations and bringing two brotherly countries further closer.

15 firefighters faint battling Margala Hills blaze

ISLAMABAD: Fifteen firefighters fell unconscious due to smoke while trying to bring under control the blaze that suddenly erupted on Margala Hills on Wednesday.

DG Environment CDA, Dr. Suleman talking to Geo News here said difficulties are being experienced in putting out the fire in the absence of helicopters while fire tenders too cannot reach up on the hills due to tough terrain.

He said two helicopters remain at the disposal of CDA but they are, at the moment, engaged in carrying out relief and rescue activities in Hunza.

According to CDA sources, the blaze has spread across an area of 3 kilometers on the hills where 300 men are presently engaged in fire extinguishing exercise. During the struggle 15 of the men fell unconscious and were shifted to different hospitals of Islamabad.

CSICC Is Working For Controlling Price In Ramzan: Javed Mehmood

Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan: Chief Secretary Punjab, Javed Mahmood has said that Chief Secretary Implementation and Coordination Cell is working round-the-clock for controlling price hike in Ramazan-ul-Mubarrak and edible items are available in abundant quantity throughout the province. He said that 917 magistrates have been appointed and 23233 visits were paid in 36 districts of Punjab in order to control price hike and provide maximum relief to the people. He further told that during the last fifteen daysm 18440 persons were challaned on overcharging while action was taken against 20102 hoarders and 286 persons on different complaints and 4166 persons were arrested. Uptil now Rs.17249809 have been imposed as fine, he added.
The Chief Secretary informed that all Secretaries have been allotted one district where they visit thrice in a week and after inspecting various Ramazan bazaars, submit online report by 12 midnight which is immediately sent to the Chief Secretary and Chief Minister. He informed that prices in Ramazan bazaars are confirmed by the concerned DCOs while market committee also put the prices online which are also checked from other sources. The Chief Secretary said that MNAs and MPAs also check prices and standard of edibles in Ramazan bazaars. The Chief Secretary said that he himself is visiting different districts and reviewing the arrangements in Ramazan bazaars. He said that Punjab government is making all out efforts to provide edibles to the people during Ramazan on cheaper rates.

---

CSICC Is Working For Controlling Price In Ramzan: Javed Mehmood was first posted on September 1, 2009 at 12:29 pm.
©2009 “Pakistan News“.

Major Posting and Transfers In Punjab, Pakistan

Punjab, Pakistan: Ghulam Dastagir, awaiting posting in Services & General Administration Department, under transfer as Deputy District Officer (Revenue) Jhang, has been posted as Deputy District Officer (Revenue) Gujranwala City vice Muhammad Sohail Khawaja, DDO (Revenue) Gujranwala City, already transferred.

Zaka Ullah Bajwa, awaiting posting in Services & General Administration has been posted as Section Officer, Agriculture Marketing Department, Government of the Punjab against a vacant post.

The orders transferring Shahid Abbas, Section Officer, Tourism & Resort Department, Government of the Punjab, and placing his services at the disposal of Commissioner DG Khan Division, DG Khan for further adjustment.

The services of Sheikh Muhamamd Tahir, awaiting posting in Services & General Administration Department have been placed at the disposal of Commissioner DG Khan Division DG Khan Division for further adjustment.

Asif Raza, Section Officer (Estt-II), S&GAD has been transferred and his services have been placed at the disposal of Commissioner, Gujranwala Division Gujranwala for further adjustment except Hafizabad District.

Arooj ul Hassan, Deputy Secretary Information Technology Department, Government of the Punjab has been relieved of his duties in Government of the Punjab to join his new assignment in Federal Investigation Agency under Ministry of Interior, Government of Pakistan on deputation basis.

---

Major Posting and Transfers In Punjab, Pakistan was first posted on September 1, 2009 at 12:56 pm.
©2009 “Pakistan News“.