NEWS PULSE: December 2011

Saturday, December 31, 2011

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D A W N I n t e r n e t N e w s A l e r t
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December 31, 2011 Saturday Safar 5, 1433
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The DAWN Internet News Alert (DINA) is a free daily news-service
from Pakistan's largest English language newspaper, the Daily
DAWN.

We encourage comments & suggestions. We can be reached at:

e-mail webmaster@dawn.com
WWW http://dawn.com
fax +92(21) 35693995
snail-mail DAWN Media Group,
Haroon House, Karachi 74200, Pakistan

(c) Pakistan Herald Publications (Pvt.) Ltd., Pakistan - 2011

The link at the end of each extract can be used to access the
complete story on DAWN - the Internet Edition.

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Judicial commission for memo case probe
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By Nasir Iqbal
ISLAMABAD, Dec 30: The Supreme Court accepted on Friday PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif's petition on the 'memogate' issue and set up a judicial commission comprising chief justices of three high courts to investigate the scandal.

Announcing a unanimous verdict of the nine-judge SC bench, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry observed: "To delineate measures to ensure enforcement of the fundamental rights, a probe is called for to ascertain the origin, authenticity and purpose of creating/drafting of memo for delivering it to (then) chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen through Gen (retd) James Logan Jones, former US National Security adviser."..

http://www.dawn.com/2011/12/31/judicial-commission-for-memo-case-probe.html

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Government to file review petition
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By Syed Irfan Raza
ISLAMABAD, Dec 30: Stunned by the Supreme Court order on the maintainability of the petitions on the memo case, the government decided on Friday to file a review petition.

The government said it believed the 'memogate' was not based no facts and, therefore, would go for a review...

http://www.dawn.com/2011/12/31/government-to-file-review-petition-2.html

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BLA claims responsibility of the blast in Quetta: 13 killed
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By Saleem Shahid
QUETTA, Dec 30: At least 13 people were killed and 30 others injured, six among them seriously, when a bomb placed in a car parked near the house of a former minister of state on Arbab Karam Road exploded on Friday evening.

The proscribed Balochistan Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for the attack...

http://www.dawn.com/2011/12/31/bla-claims-responsibility-of-the-blast-in-quetta-13-killed.html

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PCNS to summon ISI chief, Haqqani and Mansoor Ijaz
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By Ahmad Hassan
ISLAMABAD, Dec 30: The Parliamentary Committee on National Security investigating the controversial memo issue decided on Friday to summon ISI Director General Lt-Gen Shuja Pasha, former ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani and Pakistani-American businessman Mansoor Ijaz. The 17-member committee tasked on Nov 30 to investigate the matter already held a couple of preliminary meetings and has been briefed by officials of the defence and foreign ministries.

The committee decided to first summon the ISI chief and then the others...

http://www.dawn.com/2011/12/31/pcns-to-summon-isi-chief-haqqani-and-mansoor-ijaz.html

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Heated debate in NA over gas crisis
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By Raja Asghar
ISLAMABAD, Dec 30: Amid talk of a month of 'gas emergency' that could shut down CNG stations, the government and opposition remained far apart in the National Assembly on Friday on a possible consultative process to tackle Pakistan's energy crisis.

On the second successive day of protests by members of the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) against severe gas shortages, the government proposed that an opposition-led committee of the house investigate the causes of the crisis or an existing house committee on energy be asked to expedite its work, promising implementation of 'fair findings'...

http://www.dawn.com/2011/12/31/heated-debate-in-na-over-gas-crisis.html

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100 ex-army officers may join Musharraf's party
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By Zulqernain Tahir
LAHORE, Dec 30: About 100 retired army officers are getting ready to join former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf's All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) on his homecoming next month, Dawn has learnt.

The former president is set to return but will announce the date of his arrival during his address to a public meeting to be held on Jan 8 in Karachi...

http://www.dawn.com/2011/12/31/100-ex-army-officers-may-join-musharrafs-party.html

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Militant, elder killed in S. Waziristan
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By Sailab Mehsud
LADDAH, Dec 30: A militant was killed and eight others were injured in an attack by helicopter gunships on their hideout in Makeen area of South Waziristan on Friday, officials said.

They said that two helicopter gunships shelled the hideout belonging to the outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan...

http://www.dawn.com/2011/12/31/militant-elder-killed-in-s-waziristan.html

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National Saving Schemes rates reduced
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By Kalbe Ali
ISLAMABAD, Dec 30: The profit rates for National Saving Schemes have been reduced by up to 84 basis points (bps) for the Jan-March quarter of 2012. The new rates will apply to all fresh purchases.

Although the interest rate has been kept unchanged by the State Bank, profit rates for the National Saving Schemes have declined because they are linked to 3-, 5- and 10-year Pakistan Investment Bonds...

http://www.dawn.com/2011/12/31/national-saving-schemes-rates-reduced.html

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Russia hands over N-submarine to India
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MOSCOW, Dec 30: Russia has handed over the nuclear-powered attack submarine Nerpa to India following more than two years of delays, according to a senior naval official.

"The signing ceremony happened yesterday at the Bolshoi Kamen shipbuilding facility in the (Far East) Primorye region where the Nerpa is now based," the official in the naval chief of staff told ITAR-TASS on Friday...

http://www.dawn.com/2011/12/31/russia-hands-over-n-submarine-to-india.html

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Karachi Stocks Down 119.13 Points:
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KARACHI, Dec 30: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 11316.54, down 119.13 points.
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Forex Update:
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KARACHI, Dec 30: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at 90.3 to the US Dollar in the open market.
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To subscribe or unsubscribe to this mailing list, please fill the form located at: http://www.dawn.com/alerts
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Dunya TV

PML-N public rally in Gujranawala today
772nd urs of Hazarat Bahauddin Zikria starts today
4 children burnt alive in Lahore
Nepal elephants play soccer in festival
First mass pillow fight breaks out in Beijing
Karachi: CNG stations, public transport on strike today
Bomb attacks kill 4 civilians, 2 ISAF members
Iran to test-fire missile in strategic waterway
Al Qaeda trying to recruit fighters in Libya: report
Security in Lahore put on high alert after Quetta blast
Euro rises against dollar in thin trading
Djokovic, Ferrer to clash in Abu Dhabi final
South Africa squad for Sri Lanka ODIs nemed
Indian stars under fire after MCG debacle
Brother of MPA gunned down in Karachi

PML-N public rally in Gujranawala today

Posted:

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will hold a public meeting in Gujranwala today against governemt’s corruption, ongoing loadshedding and price hike. PML-N leader Hamza Shahbaz has been supervising the arrangements for the public meeting to be held at Jinnah Stadium, Gujranwala. The PML-N workers have decorated the city with party flags and banners. PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, Chief Minister Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif and other party leaders will address the meeting.

772nd urs of Hazarat Bahauddin Zikria starts today

Posted:

Former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi will inaugurate the three-day urs of Hazrat Bahauddin Zikria today with bath to the shrine. Pilgrims from Sindh and all over the country are reaching Multan to participate in the urs. Arrangement have been made to accommodate the pilgrims in the Govt Walayat Hussain College, Govt Alamdar College and Haji Camp while 700 police officials have been deployed for security reasons.

4 children burnt alive in Lahore

Posted:

According to sources, fire broke out in the house of police constable Sarfaraz during night between Fariday and Saturday, killing four children and critically injuring wife of the police constable. The sources informed that Sarfaraz went to his office after locking his wife and children in the house. Fire brigade brought the fire under control after a hectic effort. The affected family members were shifted to the nearby hospital where condition of the wife of constable Sarfaraz is stated to be critical.

Nepal elephants play soccer in festival

Posted:

Nepal s elephants used all four legs and their trunks to play soccer on the last day of a three-day festival aimed at boosting the country s tourism industry. Sauraha town, located at the gateway of Chitwan National Park, hosted the game for the fourth year. The elephants, between the ages of four and five, though large and bulky, nimbly manipulated the ball, to the cheers of both local residents and tourists. Teams of four elephants used a regular sized ball, blocking passes, kicking the ball and nudging it with their trunks, pushing each other for control of the play. The game concluded with a score of 2-1, with the Lions Club team beating defending champions Kist Bank. The Chitwan Elephant Festival aims to attract visitors to the conservation forests some 170km (105.6 miles) south of the capital, Kathmandu.

First mass pillow fight breaks out in Beijing

Posted:

Chinese youngsters charged at each other with their weapons of choice -- soft, fluffy pillows -- in Beijing one night before New Year s Eve on Friday. In the first "Super Pillow Fight Party" in the Chinese capital, a hundred students and young white-collar workers slammed pillows at laughing friends and complete strangers alike. Some even jumped on each other s backs for a full-on tackle. The organiser of the Beijing "Super Pillow Fight Party" said she hoped the event could help stressed-out people to let off some steam. "We organized this event mainly because now the pace of living is getting faster and people are feeling more pressure. We hope through creative events, we can help more people to release stress and become happier," said Ye Zi of The Creative Party Network. Shanghai had already seen at least five massive pillow wars, with some arming more than a thousand people with the fluffy weapons. But for Beijingers, the chaotic scene of hundreds of pillows flying in the air was new.

Karachi: CNG stations, public transport on strike today

Posted:

According to the All Pakistan Petrol and CNG Dealers Association chairman Abdul Sami Khan, all the CNG station in Karachi will remain shut today in protest against imposition of Rs 5 levy on CNG sector. He further said that there will be no sale of diesel on petrol pumps today. However, the sale of petrol will remain open.

Bomb attacks kill 4 civilians, 2 ISAF members

Posted:

A roadside bomb killed four civilians in southern Afghanistan Friday during a day of violence which also saw the deaths of two ISAF service members and an attempted suicide bombing. "Four male civilians were killed and one injured when their vehicle hit a Taliban-planted mine in Trinkot city this morning," said Gulab Khan, a police chief from the Uruzgan province. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but roadside bombs are frequently planted by Taliban-led insurgents fighting a decade-long war against NATO-led foreign troops and Afghan government forces. "Those responsible for this shameful attack must be held to account for their actions against the people of Afghanistan," said ISAF commander General John Allen. In a separate incident in the same city police shot dead a man wearing a suicide vest. "A suicide bomber and his accomplice were on a motorbike and wanted to target a local police commander," Khan said. "They were identified by police who opened fire and killed them. Nobody else was hurt." Meanwhile the International Security Assistance Force announced the deaths of two service members in separate IED (improvised explosive device) attacks, both also in the volatile south of the country. The nationalities were not released in line with policy. The deaths bring the toll for foreign troops in 2011 to 565. The attacks followed another roadside bomb attack on Thursday which killed a local police commander in the southern province of Kandahar. The Taliban claimed responsibility. "Last night a police vehicle hit a roadside mine in Spin Boldak district. As a result a border police commander was killed and two of his bodyguards were injured," said provincial police chief General Abdul Razeq.

Iran to test-fire missile in strategic waterway

Posted:

Tehran said it will test-fire missiles in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, a move likely to stoke tensions with Washington already running high over Iran s threats to close the strategic oil waterway if sanctions are enforced. "Shorter- and longer-range, ground-to-sea, surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles will be tested on Saturday," the ISNA news agency quoted Iran s navy spokesman, Commodore Mahmoud Mousavi, as saying on Friday. Iran, which has been carrying out war games in the Strait of Hormuz over the past week, has said that "not a drop of oil" would pass through the strait if Western governments follow through with planned additional sanctions over its nuclear programme. The US State Department said on Thursday that Iran s threat to close the waterway, through which more than a third of the world s tanker-borne oil passes, exhibited "irrational behavior" and "will not be tolerated." The naval manoeuvres launched by Iran in the strait on December 24 have so far included mine-laying and the use of aerial drones, according to Iranian media. Analysts and oil market traders have been watching developments in and around the Strait of Hormuz carefully, fearing that the intensifying war of words between arch foes Tehran and Washington could spark open confrontation. With tensions over the straight simmering, Iran-rival Saudi Arabi announced that it had signed a deal to buy 84 new US fighter jets in order maximise defence capabilities in the oil-rich kingdom. On Thursday, the US said the $30 billion (23 billion euro) deal sent a "strong message" to the Gulf region, where Riyadh has voiced concerns about Tehran s efforts to boost its influence. In addition to buying the new aircraft, Saudi Arabia will be able to modernize 70 existing planes while procuring munitions, spare parts, training and maintenance contracts, US officials said. Two US warships had entered a zone where Iran was conducting its war games, but a US naval spokeswoman said the ships were travelling as part of a pre-planned, routine operation and were not deployed as a show of strength.

Al Qaeda trying to recruit fighters in Libya: report

Posted:

Al Qaeda has sent seasoned militants to Libya in a bid to recruit a fighting force after the fall of Moamer Gaddafi s regime, CNN reported Friday, but US officials played down the threat. The militants include a veteran operative who was once detained in Britain as a terror suspect and who was allegedly sent to Libya on the orders of Al Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri, the television news channel reported, citing a Libyan source briefed by Western officials. The operative, who arrived in Libya in May, has since recruited some 200 fighters in the country s east and Western intelligence agencies are tracking his efforts, CNN said. Another operative, with European and Libyan passports, was arrested en route to Libya from the Afghanistan-Pakistan region in "an unnamed country," according to CNN. Following the collapse of Gaddafi s regime in the face of an armed rebellion and a NATO-led air campaign, Western governments have voiced concern about violent extremists trying to exploit instability in the country or getting their hands on surface-to-air missiles. But US officials say Al Qaeda remains severely weakened from American operations and that there are no signs the network has made major advances in Libya in the wake of Gaddafi s death. "It is way too early for people to suggest that Al Qaeda is going to establish a firm foothold in Libya," said one US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "They have a long ways to go to win the hearts and minds of the Libyan people," the official told AFP, saying Libya was unlikely to serve as fertile ground for Al Qaeda. "It is entirely conceivable they would reject out of hand any attempt by Al Qaeda or other extremist groups to shape their future." However, a US diplomatic cable from 2008 published earlier this year by the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks portrayed the eastern Libyan town of Derna as a bastion for extremists. Al Qaeda in Iraq drew heavily from Libyans from the eastern area, according to documents found in Iraq.

Security in Lahore put on high alert after Quetta blast

Posted:

According to DIG operations Ghulam Mahmood Dogar, instructions have been issued to all the SPs to increase patrol in their respective areas after bomb blast in Quetta of Friday. He further informed that police officials posted on all the entrance points to the city have been instructed to wear bullet proof jackets while checking the vehicles. He said that officials present in the Police Lines have also been put on high alert.

Euro rises against dollar in thin trading

Posted:

Trading is slower than usual Friday heading into the New Year s holiday. Stock and bond trading will be closed on Monday in observance of New Year s Day. The euro rose to $1.2974 in midday trading from $1.2938 late Thursday. The euro had fallen as low as $1.2857 Thursday, its lowest point since Sept. 2010. The euro is down about 3 percent against the dollar so far this year. The single currency has fallen as European leaders failed to solve the region s debt crisis. In other trading, the British pound rose to $1.5532 from $1.5395. The dollar fell to 77.17 Japanese yen from 77.65 yen and to 0.9380 Swiss franc from 0.9415 Swiss franc.

Djokovic, Ferrer to clash in Abu Dhabi final

Posted:

David Ferrer stunned fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal in straight sets on Friday to set up a final showdown with world number one Novak Djokovic at the $250,000 three-day exhibition tournament here. Ferrer took advantage of a below-par Nadal, winning 6-3, 6-2, after Djokovic had earlier demolished Swiss Roger Federer 6-2, 6-1 at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship. Two-time defending champion Nadal blamed a shoulder injury as the world number two trailed from the outset going 5-0 down in the first set. "I was not in my best condition. I had a little trouble with my shoulder in the last month, but David was fantastic," said Nadal. "Rafael has not been able to practice much because of his shoulder," said Ferrer. "But I played very consistent and was happy with my match." Earlier Djokovic showed no signs of the back and shoulder injuries which hampered his final months of last season as he took just 44 minutes to dispatch world number three Federer. "Definitely an incredible performance. Lots of confidence if I continue playing like this," said Djokovic, the winner of three Grand Slam and five Masters titles for a 70-6 winning record last season. "I expected him to be very strong again next year, and he s going to be tough to beat," Federer said. Fifth-ranked Ferrer said he was relishing another clash with the world s top player whom he has a 5-6 record against and handed a rare defeat in the ATP World Tour finals in London last month. "It will be very difficult. Novak is number one in the world. I will do my best to make a good match against him," warned the Spaniard.

South Africa squad for Sri Lanka ODIs nemed

Posted:

Wicketkeeper Mark Boucher was one of three players dropped on Friday when South Africa named their squad for next month s one-day internationals against Sri Lanka. Boucher, 35, who holds the world record for most test dismissals (540), batsman David Miller and leg-spinner Imran Tahir have paid the price for the limited-overs series defeat at home to Australia in October. Dean Elgar, a left-handed batsman and part-time spinner, and all-rounder Rory Kleinveldt were called up as Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced a 14-man squad for the first two games of January s five-match series against Sri Lanka. Kleinveldt, 28, is in line for his ODI debut after two Twenty20 internationals while Elgar, 24, impressed in South Africa s domestic limited-overs competition. The team will be led by wicketkeeper-batsman AB de Villiers for the first time since he was appointed as ODI captain. "Elgar fully deserves his opportunity," CSA selection convener Andrew Hudson said in a statement. "He was the leading run-scorer in the (domestic) one-day cup and also had the best average. In addition he gives us very useful bowling options as a left-arm spinner. "Kleinveldt played an important role with the ball in helping the Cobras to win the one-day cup and he also has a lot of potential as a lower-order power hitter." The first game of the series takes place in Paarl on Jan. 11 with the final match scheduled for Jan. 22 in Johannesburg. South Africa squad: Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, AB de Villiers (captain), JP Duminy, Francois du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Jacques Kallis, Rory Kleinveldt, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Graeme Smith, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

Indian stars under fire after MCG debacle

Posted:

Indian media on Friday lashed out at the country s famed batting line-up for letting the team down in the opening Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Chasing a 292-run target on Thursday, India failed to cope with Australia s pace attack as they were shot out for 169 despite the batting experience of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Venkatsai Laxman and Virender Sehwag. "Melbourne Meltdown" said a Times of India headline after the tourists  122-run defeat. "Those expecting India s much-vaunted batting line-up to give Australia a run for their money were disappointed when Dhoni and Co surrendered without even putting up a semblance of a fight," the paper wrote. Australian fast bowlers James Pattinson, Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle all struck it rich on a seamer-friendly track, grabbing 19 of the 20 Indian wickets to lead their side to a crushing victory. "Mauled in Melbourne" the Hindustan Times said on its front page and "Bat-erred India fall apart" on its sports page. "The chase was always going to be an uphill task, considering the recent barren run which has seen the famed batting line-up not cross the 300-run mark in the last 10 away innings," said the paper. The Hindu newspaper also blamed the batsmen for defeat, saying the "famed batting line-up fails to deliver". Ravi Shastri, former India all-rounder and now a noted TV commentator, said the Indian batsmen needed to show grit to bounce back in the four-Test series. "India need runs from all their main batsmen. Now that bowlers look the part, batters have no business to let them down," he wrote in the Times of India. "I wouldn t be surprised if this completely turns out to be a bowlers  series. If so, then every run saved or made would count. India have the skills. All they need is resolve," he wrote. Former India paceman Javagal Srinath said the tourists could fight back. "Saddled with the reputation of being poor starters overseas, India did precious little to rectify the anomaly in the Melbourne Test," he wrote in the Hindustan Times. "Barring England, where nothing went right for them, India have bounced back after first-Test losses. There is no reason, given the experience and quality of the India batting, why they can t do so again in Sydney." The second Test starts in Sydney on January 3.

Brother of MPA gunned down in Karachi

Posted:

According to details, some unidentified persons opened fire on the car of Dr Salim Kharal, head of Pathology Department of Jinnah Hospital near Punjab Chowrangi in Karachi, critically injuring him. He was rushed to Jinnah Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The deceased Dr Salim was brother of PPP MPA Naeem Kharal. According to police the firing occurred on resistance in a dacoity attempt. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qail Ali Shah took strong notice of the incident and asked IG Sindh to submit report.

Friday, December 30, 2011

DINA for the issue of December 30, 2011

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D A W N I n t e r n e t N e w s A l e r t
----------------------------------------------------------------
December 30, 2011 Friday Safar 4, 1433
----------------------------------------------------------------
The DAWN Internet News Alert (DINA) is a free daily news-service
from Pakistan's largest English language newspaper, the Daily
DAWN.

We encourage comments & suggestions. We can be reached at:

e-mail webmaster@dawn.com
WWW http://dawn.com
fax +92(21) 35693995
snail-mail DAWN Media Group,
Haroon House, Karachi 74200, Pakistan

(c) Pakistan Herald Publications (Pvt.) Ltd., Pakistan - 2011

The link at the end of each extract can be used to access the
complete story on DAWN - the Internet Edition.

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US disagrees with Zardari remarks on 'tailor-made democracy'
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By Anwar Iqbal
WASHINGTON, Dec 29: The US State Department rejected on Thursday President Asif Ali Zardari's claim that it was propping up 'tailor-made' democracies in the Middle East, insisting that democratic movements in that region were indigenous and these people were only demanding the rights denied to them by their rulers.

President Zardari had criticised US policies in the Middle East in his speech in Larkana on Dec 27, although he never named the United States...

http://www.dawn.com/2011/12/30/us-disagrees-with-zardari-remarks-on-tailor-made-democracy.html

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Shortage to force gas emergency: minister
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By Shamim-ur-Rahman
KARACHI, Dec 29: Petroleum Minister Dr Asim Hussain issued a grim warning on Thursday about nationwide gas emergency that would lead to closure of CNG stations from next month.

Dr Asim did not give a cutaway date or duration of the shutdown and told journalists that no final decision had yet been taken about his proposal for a month-long closure...

http://www.dawn.com/2011/12/30/shortage-to-force-gas-emergency-minister.html

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Kharotabad case forensic investigator shot dead
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By Saleem Shahid
QUETTA, Dec 29: Police surgeon Dr Syed Baqir Shah, who had conducted the post-mortem on the bodies of five foreigners killed by security forces in the infamous Kharotabad shooting, was gunned down here on Thursday.

He had been facing death threats...

http://www.dawn.com/2011/12/30/kharotabad-case-forensic-investigator-shot-dead.html

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Memo scam petitions: Decision on admissibility likely today
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By Nasir Iqbal
ISLAMABAD, Dec 29: The Supreme Court is expected to announce on Friday whether to admit or reject requests by PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif and others to order a judicial inquiry into the so-called memorandum scandal.

Petitioners Barrister Zafarullah of the Watan Party and Advocate Tariq Asad concluded on Thursday their rebuttals to arguments advanced by Asma Jehangir, the counsel for former ambassador Husain Haqqani. Advocate Rasheed A. Razvi will present his arguments on Friday in favour of acceptance of the petitions, after which the court is likely to speak out its mind...

http://www.dawn.com/2011/12/30/memo-scam-petitions-decision-on-admissibility-likely-today.html

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Javed Hashmi's 'double blow' in NA
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By Raja Asghar
ISLAMABAD, Dec 29: Veteran politician Javed Hashmi said a formal goodbye to the National Assembly on Thursday with a double blow: blaming perceived wrongs of his former party and parliament for switching loyalties from the Pakistan Muslim League-N to Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf.

But the blow was only partly returned when he had left the house after delivering his resignation as lower house member as a consequence of leaving the PML-N and a long speech that showed him overtaken by a sense of self-righteousness...

http://www.dawn.com/2011/12/30/javed-hashmis-double-blow-in-na.html

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Pasha visits Qatar to repair ties with US
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By Baqir Sajjad Syed
ISLAMABAD, Dec 29: ISI Chief Lt-Gen Shuja Pasha's visit to Qatar, home to US Centcom's regional headquarters, has led to speculations about an 'intelligence back channel' between Pakistan and the US to reset troubled security cooperation.

Gen Pasha, whose overseas trips are not officially announced, is said to have returned on Wednesday from a trip to Qatar, which had been 'authorised' by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani...

http://www.dawn.com/2011/12/30/pasha-visits-qatar-to-repair-ties-with-us.html

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Gilani rejects business plan of PIA
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By Amin Ahmed
ISLAMABAD, Dec 29: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has refused to approve the 'business plan' submitted by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and asked its management to formulate a better strategy to overcome the organisation's financial difficulties.

Reviewing the proposed plan at a meeting on Thursday, Mr Gilani asked a committee comprising secretaries of the cabinet, finance, establishment and defence departments to chalk out final recommendations on the issue for submission to the Cabinet Committee on Restructuring...

http://www.dawn.com/2011/12/30/gilani-rejects-business-plan-of-pia.html

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FBR accused of fresh fudging of figures
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By Mubarak Zeb Khan
ISLAMABAD, Dec 29: The Federal Board of Revenue claims to have collected Rs640.1 billion in the first five months (July-November) of the current financial year, but the data available with Dawn shows that the revenue collected during the period actually stands at Rs634 billion.

With last year's fudging of revenue figures still fresh in people's minds, the FBR has apparently tried again to fudge the collection figures by over Rs6 billion...

http://www.dawn.com/2011/12/30/fbr-accused-of-fresh-fudging-of-figures.html

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EC plans to stop use of graft money in polls
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By Iftikhar A. Khan
ISLAMABAD, Dec 29: As part of its efforts to make the electoral process transparent and the results unquestionable, the Election Commission will put in place a mechanism to check the use of 'ill-gotten' money in the polls and scrutinise the statements and declarations of the contesting candidates and elected representatives.

An EC official told Dawn on Thursday that in collaboration with the Auditor General Pakistan Revenues and Federal Bureau of Revenue a fully-fledged 'political finance wing' would be set up soon to streamline political finance...

http://www.dawn.com/2011/12/30/ec-plans-to-stop-use-of-graft-money-in-polls.html

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Babar Awan made PPP vice-president
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By Our Staff Reporter
LAHORE, Dec 29: The Pakistan People's Party has finally given a party office to former law minister Senator Babar Awan.

There has been criticism in and outside the party that Mr Awan, who actively represents the PPP at all forums, does not have party office...

http://www.dawn.com/2011/12/30/babar-awan-made-ppp-vice-president.html

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Karachi Stocks Up 91.94 Points:
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KARACHI, Dec 29: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 11444.53, up 91.94 points.
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Forex Update:
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KARACHI, Dec 29: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at 90.3to the US Dollar in the open market.
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*DINA*DINA*DINA*DINA*DINA*DINA*DINA*DINA*DINA*DINA*DINA*DINA*
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Dunya TV

CNG stations across Sindh closed for 24 hours
Oil prices go up amid simmering tension
Asian stocks rise on last trading day of 2011
China manufacturing slowing further
Titanic artifacts up for auction in NY in April
Indian lawmakers slam govt for not passing Ombudsman Bill
8 booked for Gujranwala incident
LPG price increases by Rs 5-10 per kg
Motorway opened for traffic
Kasuri meets Musharraf in Dubai
Team formed to probe into Baqar Shahs assassination
Country in grip of cold waves
Harris added to Australia squad for 2nd India test
US finalizes deal to sell F-15s to Saudi Arabia
Top US diplomat to visit Asia after Kims death

CNG stations across Sindh closed for 24 hours

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Gas supply to all the CNG stations has been suspended today (Friday) at 9am and will be restored on Saturday 9am. According to Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), closure of CNG stations has become essential to make enough availability of gas to domestic consumers.

Oil prices go up amid simmering tension

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In morning trade, New York s main contract West Texas Intermediate light sweet crude for February delivery advanced 47 cents to $100.12 a barrel. Brent North Sea crude for February was seven cents higher at $108.08 a barrel. A showdown between Iran and the United States over Tehran s threats to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz to oil tankers is the main factor influencing short-term crude prices, analysts said. "It s a cat and mouse game," said Jonathan Barratt, Sydney-based chief executive of Barratt s Bulletin (barrattsbulletin.com), an independent commodity research firm. "There is still a risk premium that will be bought into the market," he told AFP. The United States said Thursday that Iran had exhibited "irrational behavior" by threatening to close a major oil shipping lane it also needs. "We ve seen quite a bit of irrational behaviour from Iran recently," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said when asked about Tehran s threat to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for more than a third of the world s tanker-borne oil. "One can only guess that the international sanctions are beginning to feel the pinch, and that the ratcheting up of pressure, particularly on their oil sector, is pinching in a way that is causing them to lash out." The United States and the 27-nation European Union are considering new sanctions aimed at Iran s oil and financial sectors. But EU governments have been divided over whether to impose an embargo on Iranian crude. Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi has warned that "not a drop of oil will pass through the Strait of Hormuz" if the West adopts sanctions on Iran s oil exports in a bid to curb its nuclear ambitions. The closure could cause havoc on world oil markets, disrupting the fragile global economy, although analysts say the Islamic republic is unlikely to take such drastic steps as it relies on the route for its own oil exports.

Asian stocks rise on last trading day of 2011

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Asian stock markets strengthened, following Wall Street higher on a spurt of positive U.S. economic data. Japan s Nikkei 225 index, after three straight days of losses, rose 0.4 percent to 8,428.64. Hong Kong s Hang Seng Index gained 0.4 percent to 18,477.04. Benchmarks in mainland China, Taiwan, Malaysia and New Zealand were also higher. Australia s S&P ASX 200 fell 0.1 percent to 4,065.40. Singapore also fell. On Wall Street, positive news on home sales and improved prospects for job growth sent stocks higher Thursday. The four-week average of unemployment claims fell to a 3 1/2 year low, an indication that hiring could pick up. And the number of Americans who signed contracts to buy homes in November rose to the highest level in 18 months, industry experts said. The Dow closed at 12,287.04, a gain of 1.1 percent. The S&P 500 rose 1.1 percent, to 1,263.02. The technology-heavy Nasdaq composite rose 0.9 percent to 2,613.74.

China manufacturing slowing further

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The HSBC Purchasing Managers Index released Friday stood at 48.7 on a 100-point scale on which numbers below 50 indicate a contraction in activity. It said that showed a "modest deterioration in business conditions." The survey said new export business fell during December, ending a two-month period of growth. It said companies reported a drop in foreign orders due to sluggish foreign demand.

Titanic artifacts up for auction in NY in April

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At least 100 years to the day after the luxury liner sank in the Atlantic with some 1,500 people on board. In a filing with the Security and Exchange Commission, Premier Exhibitions, which owns sole salvage rights to the Titanic through its RMS Titanic unit, said it has engaged New York auctioneers Guernsey s to handle the sale. It will take place April 15, the 100th anniversary of the day the White Star liner -- on its maiden voyage to New York from Southampton, England -- slipped under the icy North Atlantic Ocean after hitting an iceberg off Newfoundland. No reserve price has been set, but publicly-listed Premier Exhibitions said the artifacts -- some of which are now on show in Singapore and Curitiba, Brazil -- were appraised at $189 million in 2007. "We expect to identify a buyer capable of serving as a proper steward of the collection and the wreck site," said RMS Titanic s president Christopher Davino in the filing. No reason was given for the sale, but last month Premier Exhibitions reshuffled its top management team after reporting a second-quarter loss of nearly $2 million due in part to fewer people going to its shows. A new 3D version of director James Cameron s 1997 blockbuster "Titanic" is to open in Canadian and US theaters on April 6, four days before the centenary of the day the doomed ship began its ill-fated voyage.

Indian lawmakers slam govt for not passing Ombudsman Bill

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Leaders of various opposition political parties slammed the federal government for not being able to pass the Lokpal (Ombudsman) Bill in Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Indian parliament. They also termed it as a conspiracy to adjourn the house sine die. While interacting with media persons in New Delhi today (Friday), federal lawmaker and politburo member of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM), Sitaram Yechury slammed the federal government by saying that since the government wanted to bring in a weak Ombudsman bill it was not supported by the opposition parties. "The minister of the federal government cleared that the government will decide the business of the parliament and the reason was clear that they didn t have the numbers in the Rajya Sabha, they didn t have majority in Rajya Sabha. They didn t want changes to be made in the Lokpal Bill and they wanted an ineffective Lokpal Bill to work as an institution, so stop all these things, a conspiracy has been hatched and I believe that it is very unfortunate for our democratic country and it is huge defeat of the federal government," said Yechury. The Rajya Sabha was adjourned sine die late Thursday on amid uproar created by several MPs, without voting on the bill. The anti-graft legislation for which social activist Anna Hazare and his team have fomented a successful mass movement may now be taken up in the budget session of parliament, probably in March. Leader of India s regional Bahujan Samaj Party, Satish Chandra Mishra said that the government completely failed today in the floor of the house and it never wanted to present a strong Ombudsman bill. "Definitely, the government has completely failed today, because it was in minority, it continued the debate deliberately till 12 O  clock, we kept on insisting, when we smelled the mind of the government, we insisted that it should continue for the whole night, if required," said Mishra. The bill, which was passed by the Lok Sabha - lower house of parliament - on Tuesday (December 27), was taken up for a discussion and vote in the upper house on Thursday. But after a marathon debate that stretched until midnight, the vote failed to take place for lack of time. Regional Trinamool Congress party lawmaker Sukhendu Sekhar Roy termed the whole episode in the upper house as sad day for Indian democracy. "We wanted the Lokpal Bill to be passed properly but the amendments which we wanted to make on the Lokayukta were necessary and we wanted the government to pass them. We also wanted part three to be omitted from the Bill. This is what we asked for and we also gave amendments but it s very unfortunate that when we were waiting for voting suddenly an atmosphere was created to disrupt the house proceedings and according to us it is very sad for the democratic country," said Roy. The Congress-led government had extended the winter session of parliament until December 29 to meet a deadline set by Hazare to pass the anti-graft legislation before the end of the year.

8 booked for Gujranwala incident

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According to police, a case has been registered against six nominated and two unknown persons. At least fourteen people were killed amid the worst clash and gunfight between two clans in Gujranwala on Thursday. It is pertinent to mention here that the police have registered a case with no arrest after 17-hours of the tragic incident.

LPG price increases by Rs 5-10 per kg

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The move would increase by Rs 240 the price of gas per domestic cylinder and Rs 480 per commercial cylinder with immediate effect. Prices in Gilgit Baltistan, FATA, Balakot, Swat, Muree and Muzaffarabad have been raised from Rs 150 to Rs 160 per kilogram. In Lahore, Gujranwala, Kasur, Sahiwal, Khanewal, Jhang and Sarghodha, prices have been increased from Rs 125 to Rs130 per kg.

Motorway opened for traffic

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According to Motorway police, there was zero visibility at the Motorway therefore it had been closed for heavy and light traffic which now has been reopened after decrease in the intensity of fog. However, the Motorway officials say that citizens must only travel on necessary basis and must also switch on their car’s fog lights while travelling.

Kasuri meets Musharraf in Dubai

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According to sources, both the leaders discussed current political situation of the country and Musharraf’s return to Pakistan in January. Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri has served as foreign minister in Musharraf’s government and their meeting is very important as many leaders are joining PTI.

Team formed to probe into Baqar Shahs assassination

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The investigative team comprises SP Investigation, SP and DSP Saryab as members. On the other hand Dr Baqar Shah’s body has been shifted to his native town Jacobabad. Police Surgeon Baqir Shah was shot dead by some unknown people on Sabzal Road in Quetta on Thursday. Dr Baqir Shah, of Bolan Medical Complex, was the key forensic investigator in the Kharotabad incident of May 17 this year in which five foreigners were killed by security personnel.

Country in grip of cold waves

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Pakistan Metrological Department predicted dry and cold weather during next 24 hours. The intensity of fog would increases in plain areas of the country in the coming four days. Minimum Temperature for next 24 hours in different cities, Islamabad - (-1), Lahore (-1), 10 Karachi (10), Peshawar (0), Quetta (–06), Skardu (–08), Ziarat (-04), Murree (-03), Gilgit (-1).

Harris added to Australia squad for 2nd India test

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Paceman Ryan Harris has been added to Australia s 12-man squad for the second test against India, joining the 11 that beat the visitors by 122 runs in the first test. Harris, who is working his way back from a hip injury, will give Australia the option of a four-man pace attack. He replaces left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc, who was 12th man in Melbourne. Though the Sydney Cricket Ground has traditionally been a spin-friendly wicket, it may be prepared to suit paceman this time to negate India s strength against spin bowling. If so, Harris could join a four-man pace attack while offspinner Nathan Lyon is demoted to 12th man. Allrounder Shane Watson has not yet recovered from a calf injury and will miss the test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, which starts on Tuesday. Harris was regarded as Australia s No. 1 fast bowler before his injury absence, but the performances of James Pattinson, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus in the first-test victory have cast doubts on whether Harris can force his way into the team. Watson s continued absence ensures the six batsmen from the Melbourne test will be retained, although the strong performances of Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey the men under most scrutiny going into the series opener had already ensured their spots. Wicketkeeper-batsman Brad Haddin is also safe, despite his continued poor form. Chairman of selectors John Inverarity said the team would take great confidence and momentum into the second test and he welcomed Harris  return to the squad after a four-test absence. "Ryan has had carefully monitored preparation, which has gone to plan," Inverarity said. "Mitchell Starc and Daniel Christian, who were both in the squad for the first test, have been omitted but remain very much in our thinking."

US finalizes deal to sell F-15s to Saudi Arabia

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Boosting the military strength of a key U.S. ally in the Middle East to help counter Iran, the Obama administration announced Thursday. Under the agreement, the U.S. will send Saudi Arabia 84 new fighter jets and upgrades for 70 more. Production of the aircraft, which will be manufactured by Boeing Co., will support 50,000 jobs and have a $3.5 billion annual economic impact in the U.S., the White House said. The sale is part of a larger U.S. effort to realign its defense policies in the Persian Gulf to keep Iran in check. The announcement came as U.S. officials weighed a fresh threat from Tehran. Tehran warned this week it could disrupt traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital Persian Gulf oil transport route, if Washington levies new sanctions targeting Iran s crude exports. The fighter jet sale is part of a larger 10-year, $60 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia that also includes helicopters, a broad array of missiles, bombs and delivery systems, as well as radar warning systems and night-vision goggles. Congress gave the deal the go-ahead about a year ago. The plan initially raised concerns from pro-Israeli lawmakers, but U.S. officials reassured Congress that Israel s military edge would not be undercut by the sale. Additionally, there is now broad agreement among Israel, the Gulf Arab states and the West that Iran poses a significant and unpredictable threat. Saudi Arabia and Iran are bitter regional rivals. Tensions between them were further stoked earlier this year after the U.S. accused Iran of plotting to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the U.S. in Washington earlier this year. Saudi Arabia is already the most militarily advanced of the Arab Gulf states, one of the richest countries in the world, and central to American policy in the Middle East. It is also vital to U.S. energy security, with Saudi Arabia ranking as the third-largest source of U.S. oil imports. The White House announced the agreement with Saudi Arabia from Hawaii, where President Barack Obama is vacationing.

Top US diplomat to visit Asia after Kims death

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Senior US diplomat Kurt Campbell will visit China, South Korea and Japan next week to discuss developments after the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, the State Department said Thursday. Campbell will travel to Beijing on Tuesday, Seoul the following day and Tokyo on January 6 for a range of talks with senior officials, "including latest developments related to North Korea," a State Department statement said. The United States said last week it hoped to work with North Korea after its mourning for Kim, who led an isolated Stalinist state that has alarmed its Asian neighbors and the United States with its nuclear and missile programs. It confirmed the United States had had telephone contact with Pyongyang s UN mission in New York amid efforts to determine whether to offer food assistance or schedule future talks with North Korea. Pyongyang and Washington have no diplomatic relations. The State Department said Campbell, the assistant secretary for East Asian and Pacific affairs, will also discuss developments related to Myanmar, which has made tentative steps at reform by opening talks with the opposition and ethnic minorities. Earlier this month, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made a landmark visit to Myanmar, an ally of China. Campbell is set to leave Tokyo for Washington on January 7, the State Department said.

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