US funds end up in Taliban hands

About USD 360 million of US taxpayer s money has ended up in the hands of Taliban and local criminals in Afghanistan, through US financed contracts awarded to Afghan companies.

The findings come after examining hundreds of combat support and reconstruction contracts in Afghanistan, in an investigation by a special task force assembled by General David Petraeus which began last year.

Petraeus has recently relinquished command in Afghanistan to become Central Intelligent Agency (CIA) director.
American-led coalition has spent nearly a decade battling in Afghanistan, however the coalition had little visibility into the connections many Afghan companies and their vast network of subcontractors had with Taliban and local criminals.

In a process known as “reverse money laundering”, money was sent from US to businesses and individuals in Afghanistan who had ties to Taliban or criminal networks, through companies hired by the US military for transportation, construction, power projects, fuel and other services in the war troubled country, The Huffington Post reported.

US officials have requested anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation into the movement of US contract money in Afghanistan.

Overall, the USD 360 million represents a fraction of the USD 31 billion in active US contracts that the task force reviewed. But insurgents rely on crude weaponry and require little money to operate.

The US has reportedly spent over USD 1 trillion in taxpayer money on its wars in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001. Some experts estimate indirect costs such as interest on the additional debt will exceed the direct costs.

The 2001 US-led invasion of Afghanistan was launched with the official objective of curbing militancy and bringing peace and stability to the country.

The security situation remains fragile in Afghanistan despite the presence of 150,000 US-led foreign forces in the country.

The escalating human cost of the war is putting a great deal of pressure on NATO member states to withdraw their troops.

YRF to cast a fresh face as the female lead for Dhoom 3

Ever since it was announced Yash Raj Films’ Dhoom 3 has been the talk of the town. The biggest news was when YRF announced the presence of Aamir Khan in the film along with Dhoom regulars Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra. While the male cast has been locked, there has been a lot of speculation about who the female lead would be?

While many top names were being floated around, YRF has now decided to refute all rumours once and for all and has officially announced that for Dhoom 3 they are looking out for a fresh face for the female lead.

Apparently producer Aditya Chopra and director Vijay Krishna Acharya are keen to cast a totally new face to play the female lead role in the movie and the hunt for a fresh face begins now.

Filming of Dhoom 3 starts around end of 2011 and the film is slated for a 2012 Christmas release worldwide.

Tendulkar And Murlitharan Careers Ended In Perfect Way

Tendulkar and Murlitharan two legends in the cricket have completed their career in perfect match. Tendulkar and Murlitharan have dominated the cricket world in their careers. Tendulkar was well known for his batting records while Murlitharan the magical spinner of Sri Lanka is well known for his bowling.

Raymonds acquittal according to Islamic law, says Aitzaz

Speaking on the occasion of an exhibition of art work, Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan said that families of Faheem and Faizan forgave Raymond Davis after receiving the blood money according to Islamic law in the presence of the court, after which Raymond was released.

Aitzaz further said that it was beyond understanding that why the people who favour Islamic law, were criticising the decision which was made according to Islamic law.
If Raymond was released on the basis of some special immunity, then the objection was right, Aitzaz concluded.

World Cup eclipses 7 Khoon Maaf

MUMBAI: The Cricket World Cup 2011 has over shadowed Vishal Bharadwaj’s latest presentation ”Saat Khoon Maaf” which was expected to lead the box office.

The film is a thriller, a dark comedy and comes riding on enticing trailers and promos.

However, the film, despite the presence of Priyanka Chopra in a notorious avatar, has received lukewarm response at the box office. The film has garnered mixed reviews from the critics but it hasn”t transformed into box office success.

The film is facing the World Cup hurdle and it is being reflected on its collections.

Sanjay Dutt to make small screen debut

After the Khans and various other Bollywood celebs, it’s time for Sanjay Dutt to make his presence felt on the small screen. Sanju Baba will soon be hosting a new show on TV.

trendpk.com has learnt that despite earlier rumours that Dutt would be replacing Salman on the popular show ‘Dus Ka Dum’, the fact is that he be hosting a brand new show. However, details about the show are still a bit sketchy.

Confirming this Sanjay’s spokesperson says, “Yes Sanjay, will soon be seen on the small screen but right now I cannot give out much details as we are still in talks with a couple of channels. Besides this, we have not yet locked in on the show, as that aspect of the deal is also being worked upon.”

Katrina Kaif tops Eastern Eye’s list again

MUMBAI: Leading Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif, who made her presence felt in Telugu and Malayalam with Venkatesh’s Malleswari, Balakrishna’s Allari Pidugu and Mammootty”s Balram vs. Taradas, has been voted as the Sexiest Woman in the World in the British magazine Eastern Eye’s list for the third time.

The poll was held on all the top actresses across the world, pop stars and TV personalities.

Speaking after receiving the award, Katrina Kaif said: “I’m very happy that I have made it to the top of Eastern Eye’s list again. England is of course a very special place to me and I think it’s very sweet to be voted the sexiest by them. I just want to thank everyone for the support.”

Eastern Eye showbiz editor Asjad Nazir, who was also Chairman of the selection panel, said that Katrina”s win is all the more remarkable because of the incredibly high standard.

“Although Bollywood heroines dominated the top 10, the list for 2010 included stunning beauty pageant winners, top actresses from around the world, pop stars and TV personalities. That is why Katrina should be deservedly proud of her amazing win.”

Kaira defends sacking of Kazmi, Swati

ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira defended the sacking of Hamid Saeed Kazmi and Azam Swati as federal ministers, saying that it was the demand of the media and judiciary.

Speaking to journalists in Islamabad toady, he denied reports of differences between President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani over the issue of ministers’ removal.

“Those talking about these differences will fail to achieve their vested interests,” he said.

He quoted the judiciary saying that a transparent probe into Haj corruption was not possible in the presence of the Secretary and Federal Minister. TrendPK

Govt policies causing rise in inflation: Nawaz

PML-N Patron Nawaz Sharif on Monday underscored the need of unity to resolve all the issues facing the country.

Talking to media at Rajanpur, the chief of his own faction said that the wrong government policies are causing rise in inflation. There is no margin of the RGST in the presence of corruption, he asserted. He maintained that dams should be build to check flooding in future.

He said that no dam was built in Musharrafs 8 years rule. He said that 75 percent work could have been done regarding the building of dams, but no such thing initiated. He vowed to set up modern villages for the flood affectees, adding that a good life standard is a revolution in itself. He said he would be glad to attend the dinner hosted by President Zardari in honour of the Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.

Karzai Admits Bugti’s Presence in Afghanistan: Leaks

KABUL: Afghan President Hamid Karzai has finally admitted the presence of Baloch leader Brahmdagh Bugti in his country, according to WikiLeaks cables.

Karzai revealed this during a meeting with a UN official in February 2009.

The Afghan government has been reluctant to publicly admit the Baloch rebel’s presence in the country despite Islamabad’s repeated requests for his extradition to Pakistan where the authorities blame him for instigating an uprising in the restive Balochistan province.

According to WikiLeaks, during a meeting in 2007 with the then US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher, Karzai had expressed his unawareness about Brahmdagh’s presence in Afghanistan. When Boucher asked him if he knew anything about the Baloch leader, he said he was aware that around 200 Bugtis, “with their sons and money”, had entered his country to seek shelter. According to Karzai, he had advised them to go to the United Nations for asylum but they were frightened. Besides, Karzai added that the UN had declined to deal with the issue considering it “too sensitive.”

Although Karzai told Boucher that he was not interested to allow Baloch rebels in Afghanistan, he argued that Bugtis would blame the United States if Afghanistan turned them in. He declined to call Brahmdagh a terrorist. “Fomenting uprising doesn’t make one terrorist,” he said when Boucher told him that Pakistan had been blaming Brahmdagh for stirring unrest in Balochistan. For Karzai, the matter was so “sensitive” that he asked US officials to stop taking notes during the meeting.

The Afghan president went on to add that the elder Bugti was highly respected in the United States. “Karzai explained that Bugti had once tried to call Karzai but he had refused for the sake of good relations with Pakistan. Now he cannot forgive himself for refusing,” says a cable released by WikiLeaks.

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