DINA for the Issue of February 18, 2012

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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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February 18, 2012 Saturday Rabi-ul-Awwal 25, 1433
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The DAWN Internet News Alert (DINA) is a free daily news-service
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(c) Pakistan Herald Publications (Pvt.) Ltd., Pakistan - 2012

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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Nawaz visits missing persons camp
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By Ikram Junaidi
ISLAMABAD, Feb 17: PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif has said his party will move a resolution in parliament for amending laws which violate basic human rights to ensure recovery of all 'missing' persons.

Talking to reporters after visiting a camp set up by the families of missing persons here on Friday, he said those who would not support the resolution would be exposed...

http://www.dawn.com/2012/02/18/nawaz-visits-missing-persons-camp.html


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Security guarantees to be formalised
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By Syed Irfan Raza
ISLAMABAD, Feb 17: Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran agreed here on Friday "not to allow any threat emanating from their respective territories against each other and commence trilateral consultations on an agreement in this regard".

Under ordinary circumstances, this agreement would have been seen in the context of Pakistan-Afghan problems, but an aggravating crisis over Iran's nuclear programme and a growing likelihood of an Israeli or US attack on the country attach broader connotations to it...

http://www.dawn.com/2012/02/18/trilateral-summit-in-islamabad-security-guarantees-to-be-formalised.html


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Persisting differences mar Pak-Afghan talks
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By Baqir Sajjad Syed
ISLAMABAD: The Pak-Afghan dialogue on peace and stability in Afghanistan faltered because of persisting differences over how to fight terrorism and questions about US role in it.

"What we are talking is how to bring peace and stability to the two countries (Afghanistan and Pakistan) and the region at large. Our dialogue is at an advanced stage, we are discussing real issues. But what we have not come to as yet are the mechanisms we need to achieve the objective of a region free of extremism, radicalisation and violence it brings on us," President Hamid Karzai said at his breakfast meeting with a group of journalists...

http://www.dawn.com/2012/02/18/persisting-differences-mar-pak-afghan-talks.html


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Parachinar suicide blast claims at least 23 lives
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By Hussain Afzal
PARACHINAR / PESHAWAR, Feb 17: At least 23 people were killed and 37 others injured in a suspected suicide blast in a busy market in Parachinar on Friday.

According to local people, the powerful explosion after Friday prayers ripped through Kurrmi bazaar. There were three children among the dead...

http://www.dawn.com/2012/02/18/parachinar-suicide-blast-claims-at-least-23-lives.html


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US bill seeks Balochistan sovereignty
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By Anwar Iqbal
WASHINGTON, Feb 17: Three US lawmakers introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives on Friday, stating that the Baloch nation has a historic right to self-determination.

Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, a California Republican, was the motivator behind this resolution, which notes that Balochistan is currently divided between Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan with no sovereign rights of its own...

http://www.dawn.com/2012/02/18/us-bill-seeks-balochistan-sovereignty.html


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Doctors' suspension orders to be withdrawn, SC assured
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By Nasir Iqbal
ISLAMABAD, Feb 17: The Punjab government assured the Supreme Court on Friday that it would withdraw its orders of suspending doctors in the drugs reaction case.

The orders had triggered a three-day strike in Lahore by young doctors and caused inconvenience to hapless patients...

http://www.dawn.com/2012/02/18/doctors-suspension-orders-to-be-withdrawn-sc-assured.html


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New spell of snowfall in Balochistan
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QUETTA, Feb 17: Quetta valley and parts of northern and central Balochistan received heavy snowfall on Friday.

Snowfall in Quetta valley started at about 9.30am and continued for two hours. It was the fifth snowfall of the season. Many areas were cut off from the provincial capital. The valley and the surrounding mountains wore a white blanket...

http://www.dawn.com/2012/02/18/new-spell-of-snowfall-in-balochistan.html


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Pakistan can influence outcome in Afghanistan: US Senator
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By Our Correspondent
WASHINGON, Feb 17: Pakistan's links to various insurgent groups and its role in the reconciliation process gives it the power to influence outcomes in Afghanistan, says a senior US lawmaker.

The Senate Committee on Armed Services, during a special hearing on Thursday afternoon on worldwide threats to US interests, also learned that the US could not succeed in Afghanistan without support from Pakistan...

http://www.dawn.com/2012/02/18/pakistan-can-influence-outcome-in-afghanistan-us-senator.html


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22 die in fighting for 'strategic' hill in Khyber
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By Ibrahim Shinwari
LANDI KOTAL, Feb 17: Security forces seized control of a strategic hill in Khyber Agency on Friday after a fierce gunbattle in which 17 militants, two security personnel and three militiamen died.

The fighting erupted after troops and militiamen launched a joint operation in the Bara area, officials said...

http://www.dawn.com/2012/02/18/22-die-in-fighting-for-strategic-hill-in-khyber.html


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US voices concern over plan: Iran gas pipeline has seen many 'false starts'
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By Our Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Feb 17: The US State Department said on Friday that it would not predict if the proposed Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project would succeed but noted that it had seen many 'false starts' before.

"If, in fact, the pipeline does go forward — and there have been a lot of false starts and backing-and-forthing on that — you know, we have issues of concern. And we've been very clear about those with the government of Pakistan," State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland told a briefing in Washington...

http://www.dawn.com/2012/02/18/us-voices-concern-over-plan-iran-gas-pipeline-has-seen-many-false-starts.html


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Karachi Stocks Up 91.44 Points:
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KARACHI, Feb 17: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 12495.68, up 91.44 points.
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Forex Update:
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KARACHI, Feb 17: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at 91.2 to the US Dollar in the open market.
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