MQM calls for day of mourning tomorrow
KARACHI: The Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) Rabita Committee has condemned the suicide attacks on the shrine of Sufi saint Abul Hassan Ali Ibn-e-Usman al-Hajvery known as Data Ganj Bakhsh late on Thursday night.
In a hurriedly called meeting held jointly in London and Karachi, the Committee called for observing day of mourning tomorrow (Saturday).
In a statement issued here, the Committee expressed deep grief and shock over the loss of human lives, caused by this heinous act of terrorism at the shrine of the great Persian scholar who significantly contributed to the spreading of Islam in South Asia.
The statement also called for weaving black flags and praying for the martyrs.
Data Darbar volunteer sacrifices his life preventing bomber
LAHORE: A volunteer at Data Darbar set an example of courage when he sacrificed his life in trying to prevent the bomber here late Thursday night.
Salim Akhtar, who neither was a policeman nor a government servant, used to work as a volunteer at Data Darbar. The CCTV footage of Data Darbar carnage shows that when red light at a walk through gate installed at the entrance of Data Darbar blinks, Salim Akhtar jumps to action without any fear of risking his life and runs after the suspect and immediately after that a powerful blast occurs.
Salim Akhtar could have saved his life by continuing to stand at the door but his sense of duty proved much stronger than his instinct to save his own life. He lost his life along when the bomber blew himself up.
Courts have no sympathies with criminals: CJP
ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry Friday said courts have no sympathies with criminals and a case be built against any suspect apprehended in the course of investigation into incidents of terrorism.
A three-judge bench, headed by the Chief Justice, heard the case of suo motto notice taken in connection with recovery of Hassan Sharjeel – missing son of Islamabad based journalist Shakeel Turrabi.
IG Islamabad told the court that father of the missing son has received a letter which says that Hassan Sharjeel is in Khost area of Afghanistan and is safe. The Chief Justice in his remarks said these ‘police tactics’ are aimed at diverting attention from the main issue.
The IG said a lead has been found during investigation into the act of terrorism in Rawalpindi Parade Lane Mosque that also indicates link with Hassan Sharjeel.
The Chief Justice on this said unfortunately such acts of terrorism have become a frequent occurrence and stressed upon production of evidence in case there is any culprit for building a case.
Later, the hearing was adjourned till January 9.
Japanese rocket blasts off
Japan has successfully launched its H-2A rocket, which is seen as vital to the future of the national space programme. The rocket blasted off into a clear blue sky from its launch site on Tanegashima island, about 1,000 km (625 miles) south of Tokyo, at 1600 local time (0700GMT).
Forty minutes later, the craft deployed a test satellite, crowning a mission described by a National Space Development Agency (Nasda) spokesman as very much a success. The H-2A rocket is intended to establish a Japanese presence in the commercial satellite launch market, now dominated by the United States and Europe, but it has suffered repeated technical problems.
A Nasda official said the payload and second stage engine would remain in orbit for about a year until they burned up on re-entering the atmosphere. The launch had been delayed several times – a last-minute hitch with loading rocket fuel put back the schedule by several hours on Wednesday.
Last week, a problem with a valve in one of the rocket’s engines was exacerbated by the arrival of Typhoon Pabuk, which prevented investigators from flying to the launch site from the mainland. Nasda was set up in 1969 and launched Japan’s first totally self-developed rocket, the H-2, in 1994.
Embassies to submit details of Pakistanis jailed in foreign countries
Ministry of Foreign Affairs has asked the Pakistani Overseas Embassies to submit details of Pakistanis jailed in foreign jails and their cases. According to sources, Foreign Ministry has formed a special cell led by additional secretary policy planning Hassan Javed and he has been handed over responsibilities to get information about Pakistani prisoners in foreign countries. At least 6,000 prisoners are jailed in foreign countries.
Finance Advisor Dr Abdul Hafeez Calls On Prime Minister Gilani
ISLAMABAD PAKISTAN : New Finance Advisor Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh has met Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Friday.
PM Gilani congratulated Dr Shaikh on his appointment as the new finance advisor. It may be reminded that the notification of his appointment was issued on Thursday.
Moreover, the Finance Ministry today briefed Dr Shaikh about future planning and economic challenges of the country.
Finance Advisor Dr Abdul Hafeez Calls On Prime Minister Gilani was first posted on March 19, 2010 at 3:08 pm.
Copyright @ A Pakistan News
Fourteen Hours Of Load Shedding Announced In Balochistan
QUETTA PAKISTAN : Fourteen hours of load shedding has been announced in various rural areas of a Balochistan province.
According to the report, KESCO Chief Shafiq Khattak said fourteen hours load shedding will be carried out in various rural areas of Balochistan.
He said KESCO was facing 858MW power shortfall and it required 1200MW power. Explosions of power transmission tower for the last three years have caused loss of Rs 200 million, he added.
Fourteen Hours Of Load Shedding Announced In Balochistan was first posted on March 19, 2010 at 3:12 pm.
Copyright @ A Pakistan News
FIA Police Arrested Militant Commander In Karachi
KARACHI PAKISTAN : FIA police arrested Timar Girah’s militant commander Hassan Khan from Karachi.
Militant commander was arrested from Jamshed Town area of Karachi nine days before.
FIA Police Arrested Militant Commander In Karachi was first posted on March 19, 2010 at 5:28 pm.
Copyright @ A Pakistan News
