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US plans to vacate Pakistan air base
US urges Pakistan to review Bonn talks boycott
Clinton regrets Pakistan boycott of Bonn Moot
Wasim advocates one coach for Pakistan
India beat Windies by one wicket
Merkel very sorry about Nato attack, Pakistan's Bonn boycott
US military refuses to apologise over Nato attack
Cable operators to ban International news channels
Iranian protesters re-enter British embassy compound
Countrywide protests against NATO aggression
Zardari, Munter discuss Nato attack aftermath
3512 students get degrees in AJK varsity Convocation
Eight killed in Orakzai operation
NATO to retrain troops to stop killing civilians
Pakistan important to Bonn conference: Kabul

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According a UK news network, Washington is treading lightly not to aggravate an already fragile relationship that was bruised further by a NATO attack on a Pakistani military outpost last weekend that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers near the Afghanistan border. Pakistan demanded that the United States leave the Shamsi Air Base within 15 days and blocked ground supply routes through Pakistan to US forces in Afghanistan. Three sources, who declined to be identified because of the issue’s sensitivity, said US planning is under way to leave the base, a remote facility in Balochistan that has been a point of contention. The cross-border incident escalated tensions between the two countries and the US military is conducting an investigation to find out exactly what happened on the ground. The moves by the Pakistanis to block ground supply routes and the air base were not expected to significantly hinder US operations. One US government source said the United States has spent months preparing for a possible eviction from the Pakistan base by building up other drone launching and staging capability. Earlier this year, after the US raid that killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, some Pakistani officials demanded that Washington vacate the Shamsi facility. At the time, however, US officials said that American personnel would remain at the base and would continue to conduct drone flights in pursuit of militants. But in one concession, the United States stopped conducting lethal drone operations from that base and limited operations to surveillance flights. US officials believe that this time Pakistan appears much more resolute about carrying out the eviction threat. Vacating the air base was seen more as an inconvenience rather than a critical blow to drone operations which the United States also conducts from Afghanistan and possibly elsewhere.

US urges Pakistan to review Bonn talks boycott

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It said it plays a key role in the future of its war-torn central Asian neighbour. Pakistan decided earlier Tuesday to boycott the December 5 Bonn conference as it widened its protest over lethal cross-border Nato strikes on Saturday that have exacerbated a deep crisis in US ties. “It’s important to note that this conference is… about Afghanistan, about its future, about building a safer, more prosperous Afghanistan within the region,” State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner told reporters. “It’s very much in Pakistan’s interest to attend this conference,” Toner said. Toner, who declined to be drawn on whether the United States regretted the decision in Islamabad, said Pakistan had not informed Washington directly of its decision because Germany is the host of the conference. But he repeated that “it’s in their interests, so we think… it’s important that they be there.”He added: “Pakistan has a crucial role to play in supporting a secure and stable and prosperous Afghanistan. “It’s absolutely critical that Afghanistan’s neighbours play a role in its future development,” Toner said. “Its relationship with Pakistan has been critical in that regard.”

Clinton regrets Pakistan boycott of Bonn Moot

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Speaking at an aid conference in South Korea, Clinton reiterated the US stance that the border killing of Pakistani soldiers was a "tragic incident" and pledged an investigation "as swiftly and thoroughly as possible." "Frankly this is regrettable that Pakistan has decided not to attend the conference in Bonn because this conference has been long in the planning," Clinton told reporters. "Pakistan like the United States has a profound interest in a secure, stable and increasingly democratic Afghanistan," Clinton said. Clinton voiced hope that Pakistan would find a "follow-up way" to take part in talks on Afghanistan s future. NATO air strikes killed 24 Pakistani troops on the Afghan border while violating international law, inflaming new tensions between Islamabad and the West.

Wasim advocates one coach for Pakistan

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The ex-skipper opposed three separate coaches for bowling, batting and fielding. Pakistan have been on hunt for a national team coach since Waqar Younis quit the post in September this year citing health problems. Former opening batsman Mohsin Khan has since led the team on an interim basis and has shown a willingness to continue. But the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has formed a three-man committee to find a replacement for Younis, suggesting a foreigner would be better suited to the hot-seat. New PCB chief Zaka Ashraf has stressed the need for separate batting, fielding and bowling coaches in addition to a head coach, but Wasim cautioned against complicating team affairs. "I think the idea of separate coaches doesn t suit Pakistan," Wasim told AFP. "Pakistan need one head coach who should guide the team... in case the of too many coaches things will get complicated." The PCB committee had shortlisted five candidates for the post but progress has been delayed after Ashraf said he wanted separate coaches for each department. Sources within the PCB told AFP that former Australian batsman Dav Whatmore, who also guided Sri Lanka to World Cup glory in 1996, is favourite to take the post.

India beat Windies by one wicket

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Indian has taken a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. The hosts reached the 212-run target with seven balls to spare in the day-night match, with Rohit Sharma top-scoring with an impressive 72. Brief scores: West Indies 211-9 in 50 overs; India 213-9 in 48.5 overs

Merkel very sorry about Nato attack, Pakistan's Bonn boycott

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The conference is due next week in the German city of Bonn on the future of Afghanistan. Merkel said Germany would still "see what could be done to change" Islamabad s decision to bow out of the international meeting, taken in protest at NATO air strikes which killed 26 Pakistani soldiers.

US military refuses to apologise over Nato attack

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Gen Martin Dempsey, the most senior figure in the US military has refused to apologise for an air strike at the weekend that killed 26 Pakistani soldiers. The Pakistan Army claimed the attack lasted almost two hours, and that it continued even after commanders on the ground contacted Nato to ask what was going on. In a TV interview, Gen Dempsey said he telephoned Pakistan Army Chief General Ashfaq Kayani and “expressed regret”. “They have reason to be furious that they have 24 soldiers dead and that what killed them was the ordinance of a partner,” he said. Asked if there was anything to apologise for, Gen Dempsey said: “absolutely not.” Gen Dempsey also admitted that the US relationship with Pakistan, viewed from the outside is “the worst it’s ever been.”

Cable operators to ban International news channels

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Pakistani cable television operators on Tuesday announced to block Western news channels as fury spread over a NATO attack that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. “We want to send them a strong message to stop this. If they don’t stop this, then it is our right to stop them,” Khalid Arain, president of the All Pakistan Cable Operators Association said in a live press conference. The BBC was the focus of criticism.

Iranian protesters re-enter British embassy compound

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The second entry came shortly after police had chased out a group of more than 20 demonstrators who had stormed the mission. The protesters back inside were scattering papers taken from the embassy and setting them on fire, witnesses told AFP. Police fired tear gas at the protesters inside the embassy grounds to disperse them, the Fars news agency reported. It added that several protesters had been injured, one critically, as had several officers. Tehran police chief General Hossein Sajadi-Nia was at the scene, ordering the protesters to end their action.

Countrywide protests against NATO aggression

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Different cities of Pakistan including Lahore, Dera Ghazi Khan, Gujranwala and Bahawalnagar witnessed protest rallies of students, doctors, lawyers, traders and different social and political parties. in Lahore, Punjab University students organised a protest rally from Institute of Communication Studies to Faisal Auditorium against the cowardly attack of NATO forces that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers in Mohmand Agency. Hundreds of students participated in the rally. Protesting students demanded the government give up dual policy and adopt a clear policy over NATO aggression. Students warned the rulers of countrywide protest if a courageous policy was not adopted over the tragedy.

Zardari, Munter discuss Nato attack aftermath

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Pak-US bilateral relations in the aftermath of NATO’s attack on Pakistani posts were discussed during the meeting. President Zardari reportedly told the US envoy that the NATO attack on Pakistani forces in unacceptable and no one should consider Pakistan’s desire for peace its weakness. The meeting lasted for over an hour and Pak-US strained ties were discussed. Munter conveyed the Us administration’s message to President Zardari. The details of the message were not immediately released. President Zardari told Munter that Pakistan has rendered uncountable sacrifices in the war on terror and incidents such as the attack on Pakistani forces cannot be tolerated. He said the people are very upset over such attacks while all the political parties and the citizens of Pakistan are very concerned and worried. He said that Pakistan would never compromise its sovereignty and national security. Munter said that US admin was investigating the attacks on Pakistani posts. On the other hand, authorities in the political wing of the US Embassy in Islamabad had a meeting with Defence Council of Pakistan head Maulana Sami-ul-Haq. Sources said that US officials will also meet leaders of political parties as well in order to put a halt to decisive decisions such as closure of Shamsi airbase pending probe into the attack by the US admin.

3512 students get degrees in AJK varsity Convocation

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At least 3512 graduating students of M.A/M.Sc., B.A/B.Sc./B.ED, M. Sc. Agriculture, B.Sc., Agriculture, M.Sc. Engineering, B.Sc., Engineering, BS Geology, B.Sc., Home Economics, BBA,MBA,M.Com/MPA,BFA,B.S Ed and B.Com were awarded degrees. As many as 40 students were decorated with gold medals. While addressing the Convocation President AJ&K/Chancellor University Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan said, “If we really want to make progress, we will have to increase our higher education capacity by increasing the number of institutions of higher learning. At present, most of the students are denied admissions in the disciplines of their choice thus posing an alarming situation.” He said that our government has established two medical colleges at Muzaffarabad and Mirpur which will start functioning by this year providing an access for the students of the area to the medical education. The 3rd medical college will soon be established at Rawalakot. He informed that the Prime Minister of Pakistan has also announced the up-gradation of Rawalakot Campus of the University to a full-fledged University. The directive to this effect has also been issued and the establishment of the University is to be materialized in a couple of months. The Prime Minister of Pakistan has also announced the establishment of IT University at Kotli which will also be established in near future, he added. “I have arranged the adequate funding for Rawalakot Campus of the University. The mobilization advance will be released to the firm and construction work will be started soon”, he added. He thanked the Prime Minister of Pakistan for having shown keen interest in promoting higher education in the AJK. He urged the University to consider resource diversification as it cannot develop unless some alternate funding resources are explored. Nevertheless, while doing so, University should take into account the interests of all the stakeholders. He showed his satisfaction that University has established the ‘Students Support Fund’. He announced the grant of Rs.5, 00,000 for this fund. While talking about Kashmir issue, he maintained that “Kashmir Issue is a long standing issue and needs early solution as per aspirations and wishes of Kashmiri people. While negotiating this Issue, Kashmiris should be taken into confidence and involved in deliberations at all level. Without their participation, no durable solution to the Kashmir Issue can be found out”. While congratulating graduating Students and their proud parents, President said, “You have been awarded degrees, medals and transcripts by the University, yet the process of learning continuous, it is a never ending process. What seems an end is, in fact, a beginning the spirit needs several sorts of foods of which knowledge is only one”. The Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Habib-ur-Rehman Congratulated the graduating students and wished them a successful future. While addressing the students he said “The University is proud of your performance and achievements. I am certain that you will prove to be an asset to our nation and contribute towards the progress of the country”. He hoped that they would continue to display the same degree of commitment in the future.

Eight killed in Orakzai operation

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According to reports, the security forces pounded the hideouts of militants in Dabori area of Upper Orakzai Agency overnight killing eight militants and injuring several others. Forces destroyed two other sanctuaries during the onslaught.A troop was injured in the attack, reports said.

NATO to retrain troops to stop killing civilians

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NATO s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) confirmed the order had gone out to commanders, but would not confirm the deadline, nor release the full text of the internal letter leaked by Karzai s office. The move comes with NATO already facing uncomfortable fallout after an air strike killed 24 Pakistani troops near the Afghan border on Saturday. Karzai s office quoted a letter from force commander US General John Allen saying he had issued orders "for all units to conduct retraining on our methods of employing force against insurgents while protecting Afghan civilians." "No later than 5 December, units will confirm to me that they have complied with these orders," it said. The letter quoted Allen as saying that he had "initiated aggressive action" across the alliance force to investigate incidents of civilian casualties and to ensure they do not reoccur. An ISAF spokesman, Brigadier General Carsten Jacobson, confirmed that retraining had been ordered. "It is (in) the highest interests of ISAF to protect the civilian population so the commander of ISAF... took action in his orders to his commanders," he said. Another spokesman for ISAF, Lieutenant Commander Brian Badura, said it was not releasing the full text of the letter, which was intended to be an "internal document." There are around 140,000 foreign troops fighting a 10-year, Taliban-led insurgency in Afghanistan, with around 100,000 from the United States.

Pakistan important to Bonn conference: Kabul

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Kabul expressed hope that Islamabad could reverse a decision to boycott the talks. "We regard Pakistan as an important country in the region, we hope our Pakistani brothers will be there," foreign ministry spokesman Janan Mosazai told AFP of the December 5 conference on Afghanistan s future. Mosazai said the ministry had not received an official confirmation from Pakistan that it would not attend. But he added: "Our Pakistani brothers should remember that Bonn is an Afghan conference, it will be chaired and led by Afghans." A Pakistani government official told AFP on condition of anonymity Tuesday that the cabinet had decided not to attend the event amid a crisis over a NATO air strike near the Afghan border which killed 24 Pakistani soldiers Saturday.

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Cricket - Sports

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

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