Benazir’s Blackberry sets found

KARACHI: Interior Ministry has recovered two Blackberry handsets of Benazir Bhutto from the servants of Bilawal House.

When contacted, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) confirmed the reports regarding recovery of Benazir Bhutto’s cell-phones that were lost in Liaquat Bagh Rawalpindi on the day of her assassination.

The investigative agencies were on the look for these mobile phones for three years.

The spokesman said they have not received the sets as yet, adding the records from the mobile phones will be extracted as soon as they are here.

Sources said the information from these mobile phones could provide some important clues and even breakthrough leading to the real culprits behind her assassination. TrendPK

Karachi: Swine flu patient dies

Karachi trendpk.com: A patient of swine flu died in Karachi on Saturday and Health Department has also verified his death.

According to Sindh Swine Flu Cell Dr Soraish Kumahr, 48-year Iftikhar Ullah, a patient of swine flu was admitted in Abbasi Shaheed hospital on 29th of December. Iftikhars blood and other tests were sent to National Institute of Health but he died on late Friday. The doctor said that the reports have declared that Iftikhar was a patient of swine flu. On the other hand, doctors have decided a complete check up of Iftikhars family.

Karachi: 50 arrested during Rangers’ operation

Sindh Rangers have arrested atleast 50 more people during an operation on Mangho Pir Road Karachi, News Trends reported on Wednesday. Local people protested against the operation while a person died and another got injured of firing by unknown gunmen.

Rangers’ operation continued on second consecutive day after the reports of terrorists’ presence in the area of Mangho Pir road. 50 people were arrested during the operation that continued for 2.5 hours whereas media was kept away from the operation. Some people protested against the operation and closed the shops. The protesters demanded immediate release of those arrested by Rangers. On the other hand a person died while another got injured in the same area of firing by some unknown gunmen. According to sources many of those who were arrested on Tuesday have been freed.

President, PM order probe into Haj mismanagement

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani have taken notice of the Haj mismanagement while President Zardari directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to investigate reports of poor accommodation arrangements made for Haj pilgrims in Mecca by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said that the President, taking note of the reports of huge mismanagement in hiring accommodation and the complaints of non-provision of basic facilities to pilgrims, has asked the FIA to submit its report without any delay.

He said that a number of Haj pilgrims had sent their complaints direct from Mecca to the Presidency.

In another development, the President also called for a report from the Ministry of Minorities Affairs over the sentencing to death of a Christian woman for

President orders probe into Haj mismanagement

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari today directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to investigate reports of poor accommodation arrangements made for Haj pilgrims in Mecca by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said that the President, taking note of the reports of huge mismanagement in hiring accommodation and the complaints of non-provision of basic facilities to pilgrims, has asked the FIA to submit its report without any delay.

He said that a number of Haj pilgrims had sent their complaints direct from Mecca to the Presidency.

In another development, the President also called for a report from the Ministry of Minorities Affairs over the sentencing to death of a Christian woman for alleged blasphemy in Nankana Sahib last Monday, he said.

Aasia Bibi, a resident of Nankana Sahib

Initial probe report on CID attack prepared

Staff Report

KARACHI: A preliminary probe into the attack on November 11 on CID’s security compound has revealed that attackers were riding two motorcycles, one white Prado and an explosives-laden truck.

According to the reports, armed attackers first opened fire at the main gate and then hurled hand grenades, leading to a power breakdown in the building.

It further mentioned that one terrorist got out of the white-colored Prado and opened the main gate which made way for the explosives-filled truck to enter the compound.

Two bombers were aboard the truck, one was opening fire while the other was driving.

The report said that security alarms did not work due to the power breakdown caused by firing and hand grenade explosions.

An ASI and police constable who were deployed at the main gate suffered bullet wounds.

US ‘concerned’ about Iran influence in Afghanistan: WHouse

WASHINGTON — The White House said Monday the world has “every reason to be concerned” about Iranian influence in Afghanistan, after President Hamid Karzai admitted receiving bags of cash from Tehran.

Bill Burton, the White House deputy spokesman, told reporters traveling with President Barack Obama that the administration had seen the reports about the payments made to Karzai’s chief of staff.

“And I think the American people and the global community have… every reason to be concerned about Iran trying to have a negative influence on Afghanistan,” he said.

He added Iran had a responsibility to exert “a positive influence on the formation of a government there, and to ensure that Afghanistan is not a country where terrorists can find safe harbor, or where attacks can be planned on their soil.”

Karzai acknowledged that his chief of staff had received

Gilani vows to foil conspiracy against democracy

PM Gilani said that he has taken notice of the issue of withdrawal of notification of judges restoration and such news could widen gulf between Govt and Judiciary.
Terming the reports of media as baseless, the PM said that the Govt respects constitutional institutions and PPP always respected the judiciary and gave sacrifices for its independence. He said that every conspiracy against Govt and Judiciary would be foiled. Elements behind this conspiracy wanted to destabilize the country but they couldnt be succeeded, he added.

Cotton prices surge as international production decreases

Cotton prices stared increasing internationally after the news of lesser production than the total estimates. Per 40 kg price exceeded 8000 rupees in the New York cotton exchange.Local cotton prices also witnessed an increase after the international increase.Per 40 kg price of cotton went up by 100 rupees in the local markets to reach 7200 rupees in Punjab and 7300 in Sindh. A week ago, the international cotton prices were less than that of the local prices. However bullish trend was seen after the reports of reduced cotton production by American Agriculture Department.

North Korea threatens nuclear ‘holy war’ if attacked

BEIJING: North Korea would answer any attack on it with a nuclear ‘holy war,’ the country’s ambassador to Cuba said, according to official Chinese media, while the North’s leader Kim Jong-il appeared to be visiting China.

The ambassador Kwon Sung-chol made the remarks on Friday at a ceremony marking 50 years of diplomatic ties between North Korea and Cuba, the same day that Pyongyang said it was open to returning to nuclear disarmament negotiations.

“If Washington and Seoul try to create a conflict on the Korean peninsula, we will respond with a holy war on the basis of our nuclear deterrent forces,” Kwon said, according to China’s Xinhua news agency on Saturday, in a story datelined Havana.

“Our government will strive for the denuclearization of the peninsula and the establishment of a lasting peace as the beginning of the reunification process of the two

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