Gilani for bridging trust deficit between Pakistan, US

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has underscored the imperative of bridging the trust-deficit and need for positive messaging on Pakistan-US relationship from both sides.

The Prime Minister said this while talking to the new US Ambassador Cameron Phelps Munter who paid a courtesy call on him Saturday evening.

He stated that despite of havoc caused by the unprecedented flood in Pakistan’s history, his government remained determined to carrying on the fight against menace of terrorism.

Premier Gilani, however, called on the US to help build capacity of law enforcement agencies of Pakistan and enhance defence and intelligence sharing cooperation between the two sides to defeat the common enemy.

He said that losing this war against terrorism was not an option and Pakistan expected the US and its allies would also

Gilani for bridging trust deficit between Pakistan, US

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has underscored the imperative of bridging the trust-deficit and need for positive messaging on Pakistan-US relationship from both sides.

The Prime Minister said this while talking to the new US Ambassador Cameron Phelps Munter who paid a courtesy call on him Saturday evening.

He stated that despite of havoc caused by the unprecedented flood in Pakistan’s history, his government remained determined to carrying on the fight against menace of terrorism.

Premier Gilani, however, called on the US to help build capacity of law enforcement agencies of Pakistan and enhance defence and intelligence sharing cooperation between the two sides to defeat the common enemy.

He said that losing this war against terrorism was not an option and Pakistan expected the US and its allies would also

First Chile miners leave hospital

COPIAPO: The first three miners left hospital as they and their 30 comrades began adjusting to new lives in the media glare after 69 days trapped in a Chilean gold and copper mine.

The trio departed under high security in a government vehicle that was chased by a mob of photographers after hospital officials determined they were well enough to go home.

All 33 were admitted to hospital for treatment after their ordeal ended in a flawless rescue that inspired pride throughout Chile in an emotional saga that captivated the world’s attention following a partial mine collapse in August.

“Our plan worked, that’s why we’re so satisfied,” Mining Minister Laurence Golborne, the public face of the unprecedented rescue effort since its launch back in August, told reporters at the San Jose mine.

Hospital deputy director Jorge Montes said all 33 have undergone

Musharraf sees a chance of becoming next PM / President of PAKISTAN

Pervez Musharraf thinks he has a good chance of winning the next presidential election. He says he is not confident of victory, but its better to try and fail to lift the darkness enveloping the nation than to make no effort.
The ex-president told BBC News in an interview that he wants to help the country regain its self-confidence, saying Pakistan is in a pathetic situation. When asked if he is confident of becoming the next president of Pakistan, Musharraf replied: No I can’t be assured, I can’t be confident, but I believe there is a good chance of my winning on the political scene. I haven’t decided whether I’m going to be president or anything, but however, winning first of all in the next election is the issue.

When asked about fears that money donated towards flood relief in Pakistan might end up lost in corruption, he said: There is corruption in Pakistan, there is no doubt about it, it is heartbreaking how people are not bothered about the country. They have a lot of money and yet they are corrupt.

Musharraf said the advice to the donors he would like to give is that they ought to be careful on who they are giving the money to. One thing that I would like to advise when you give your money, a donor or an organization getting the money, it’s good that they show so many hundred thousand dollars collected but we should ask how much is going to the people?, he said.

Eid being celebrated across Pakistan with simplicity

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Eid-ul Fitr is being celebrated across the country on Saturday with simplicity to express solidarity with the millions of people devastated by the unprecedented floods.

People across the country offered Eid prayers on the occasion which marks the end of month-long fasting of Ramazan.

Old and young dressed in new clothes greeted each other and thronged to open places and mosques to offer Eid prayer and seek benediction of Almighty Allah and His forgiveness.

The day began with special prayers for the flood victims.

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, federal ministers and top civil and military officials offered Eid prayers at Faisal Mosque in Islamabad.

President Asif Ali Zardari, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad and provincial ministers offered Eid prayers at the Governor House in Karachi.

Gunmen attack army buildings in Peshawar

PESHAWAR: Suspected militants attacked army buildings near the US Consulate in Peshawar on Saturday, police said.

Police said armed fighters tried to get into a secure area close to the consulate and army buildings early in the morning, and that exchanges of fire between the attackers and security forces were continuing.

“Their target is not clear but they were trying to reach a very sensitive area. There is the US Consulate, army offices and buildings in that area,” Karim Khan, a senior police official in Peshawar, told a foreign news agency.

“The US consulate is completely safe,” he added.

Richard Snelsire, a spokesman for the US Embassy in Islamabad, said he had “no information right now” on whether the consulate was the intended target.

Police said the army had sealed off the site of the attack, preventing anyone from entering, while

Zardari, Fazl discuss flood situation

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Maulana Fazl-ur-Rahman, called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Thursday.

The devastation caused by the unprecedented flood in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, relief and rehabilitation efforts, coalition matters and overall political situation came under discussion during the meeting.

The meeting took place over an Iftar-cum-dinner hosted by the President in honour of Maulana Fazl-ur-Rahman.

Speaking on the occasion, Rehman said that his party was extending all possible help for the flood-ravaged people. SAMAA

Fight to save Shahdadkot from flooding

KARACHI: Authorities in Pakistan are battling on Monday to save Shahdadkot, a city in the flood-devastated southern province of Sindh after a mass evacuation as floodwaters threatened to wreak further havoc.

The near month-long floods have killed 1,500 people and affected up to 20 million nationwide, in the country’s worst natural disaster, with the threat of disease ever-present in poorly equipped relief camps sheltering destitute survivors.

Tens of thousands of people were evacuated from flood-threatened areas in the south on Sunday, including from Shahdadkot, with most of the city’s 100,000 residents escorted to safety or making a getaway by any means possible.

“Right now we are trying to protect Shahdadkot… which is threatened by the rising floodwaters,” Sindh provincial Irrigation Minister Jam Saifullah Dharejo told AFP.

“But there are still

Floods fill up Mangla, Tarbela reservoirs

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Unprecedented floods have filled up the country’s two key water reservoirs, Tarbela and Mangla dams.

According to the Meteorological Department, the Tarbela Dam has reached a peak storage point of 1,550 feet. The dead level in lake is at 1,378 feet.

The Indus water inflow at Tarbela has been recorded at 3,00, 800 cusecs against the outflow of 2,89, 000 cusecs.

Mangla Dam, located on Jehlum River, has touched a level of 1,206 feet.

The inflow and outflow of water in Jehlum River at Mangla has been recorded at 53, 832 cusecs. SAMAA

World Cup venue to be named after Muralitharan

COLOMBO: A new cricket stadium being built for next year”s World Cup will be named after the world”s most successful bowler Muttiah Muralitharan, a report said on Friday.

The 22,000-capacity stadium, being constructed in Pallekele in Muralitharan”s home district of Kandy, is due to host three matches of the World Cup in South Asia in February-March.

The Central Provincial Council in Kandy decided to name the venue as the Muttiah Muralitharan International Cricket Stadium to honour the recently retired spinner, the Daily Mirror said.

The move had the backing of the provincial governor, Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, and will be put to Sri Lanka Cricket shortly, the newspaper said.

Muralitharan, 38, quit Test cricket last week after reaching the unprecedented 800-wicket mark during the first Test against India in Galle.

He is also the leading wicket-taker in one-day cricket with 515 scalps and said he will be available for the World Cup if needed.

The matches in Pallekele are Pakistan v New Zealand on March 8, Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe on March 10 and Pakistan v Zimbabwe on March 14.

Sri Lanka, which co-hosts the showpiece tournament with India and Bangladesh, is due to organise 12 matches at three venues.

The other venues are the under-renovation Premadasa stadium in Colombo and a new cricket facility being built in Hambantota in the island”s south.

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