Karachi: Foreign exchange reserves reduced by 72.1 million dollars

According to the figures issued by State Bank of Pakistan, the foreign exchange reserves fell to 17.31 billion dollars in the first week of February. During this period, the reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan fell to $13.76 billion from $13.85 billion, while those held by commercial banks rose to $3.54 billion from $3.53 billion.

Foreign Exchange Reserves Down by $24mn

Pak foreign exchange reserves witnessed record decrease of $2.4 crore this week.

According to State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) data, the foreign reserves reached 16.49 billion dollars after a nominal decrease. The SBP reserves recorded at Rs 12.63 crore while, reserves of commercial banks reached at 3.76 billion dollars.

PM dismisses Foreign Service Officer GR Baloch

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has dismissed a Foreign Service officer G.R. Baloch upon conviction from the accountability court.
According to an official declaration G.R. Baloch was involved in misappropriation of powers during his stay in US as counsel general and was found involved in issuing illegal passports.
A Rawalpindi accountability court convicted G.R. Baloch and decided a penalty of one year imprisonment as well as a fine of Rs. 10,000 for him.
G.R. Baloch was working as director general research division in the foreign office. He was appointed as the first counsel general in US state of Houston in 2004 when the consulate was opened for the first time in the state. G.R. Baloch was a captain in Pak Army and joined foreign services on armed forces quota.

Iran says stoning sentenced suspended, under review

TEHRAN: Iranian authorities have suspended the sentence of death by stoning for a woman convicted of adultery, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

“The verdict regarding the extramarital affairs has stopped and it’s being reviewed,” Foreign Ministry Ramin Mehmanparast told Iran’s state-run English language Press TV. The case has rovoked international outrage and further strained relations between Iran and the West. AGENCIES

India PM sees reasons for optimism on Pakistan ties

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Tuesday there was “some hope” that Pakistan would crack down on militant activity targeting India following talks between the two countries.

“I think there is some hope,” Singh told reporters accompanying him aboard a plane carrying him back to India after attending the G20 summit in Toronto.

“In dealing with Pakistan our attitude has to be — trust — trust but verify,” Singh said, according to a transcript of his comments sent to media by the foreign ministry.

“So only time will tell which way the animal will turn,” Singh said.

Sweden summons Israeli envoy over ”unacceptable” Gaza raid

STOCKHOLM: Sweden on Monday summoned the Israeli ambassador to Stockholm over the “unacceptable” Gaza flotilla raid in which Israeli commandos killed more than 10 people, the foreign ministry said.

Turkey summons Israeli envoy over aid ship attack

ANKARA: The Israeli ambassador was summoned to the Turkish foreign ministry Monday after Israeli forces stormed a Turkish aid ship and activists said two people were killed, a Turkish diplomat said.

“The ambassador (Gabby Levy) was summoned to the foreign ministry. We will convey our reaction in the strongest terms,” the diplomat, who asked not to be named, said.

Reports by activists that two people were killed and about 30 wounded on the Mavi Marmara ship “seem to be true,” the diplomat said.

Turkey summons Israeli envoy after aid ship sormed

ANKARA: The Israeli ambassador was summoned to the Turkish foreign ministry Monday after Israeli forces stormed a Turkish aid ship and activists said two people were killed, a Turkish diplomat said.

“The ambassador Gabby Levy was summoned to the foreign ministry. We will convey our reaction in the strongest terms,” the diplomat, who asked not to be named, told foreign news agency.

Reports by activists that two people were killed and about 30 wounded on the Mavi Marmara ship “seem to be true,” the diplomat said.

India has not shared solid evidence against Saeed: FM

THIMPHU: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that India has not furnished solid evidence against Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed.

Speaking to media in Bhutanese capital of Thimphu, he said despite several Mumbai-like incidents happened in Pakistan, Islamabad sincerely wants to move on.

The holdup in Pakistan-India talks is benefiting terrorists only, he opined.

To a question, the foreign minister said: “I think Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wants to move ahead with the talks. But he is not getting support from opposition and the Congress party.”

21 extremists killed in Orakzai, 3 in Malakand

SWAT: At least 21 extremists were killed in 15 others were injured in security forces action in Okrazai Agency, Geo News reported Sunday.

Also, three extremists were killed in forces’ action in Malakand Agency area of Palai.

In Bajaur Agency, 28 extremists surrendered to the security forces; while, some saboteurs blew up another school in Mohmand Agency.

The security forces’ operation in Orakzai Agency is in progress today against the extremists. In fresh action, a clash between the security and the extremists occurred in Syed Khalil Baba area, where 21 extremists including a commander were killed and 15 others injured.

Curfew has been clamped in Feroz, Anjani and Kalaya for indefinite period.

According to the FC sources, the killing of extremist commander Saifur, who was killed in an attack at the FC Fort five days ago in Khyber Agency Tehsil of Bara, has been confirmed. The killed commander was highly wanted criminal with a head money of Rs2.5 million.

The saboteurs blew up a government girls middle school overnight in Mohmand Agency’s Tehsil of Lakro in its area of Bakhmal Shah; however, no fatality was reported. The number of destroyed schools in the Agency rose to 36.

At least 28 extremists handed their arms to the security forces in Bajaur Agency’s Tehsil Mamond and Chaharmang and surrendered.

The security forces continued today their search operation in the Tehsil Salarzai’s area of Gang and Mandal with heavy amount of gunpowder and ammunition was recovered in their action.

Meantime, the sources said the forces killed at least three extremists in a clash while the latter were busy with their bid to enter Malakand in the dark of night in Palai area of Buner-Malakand border.

Arms were recovered from the killed extremists. The security forces put a security cordon around the entire area and started the search operation.

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