Dunya TV

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• Oil falls on new signs of slowing global economy
• Euro rises on Italian auction, ECB speculation
• Pakistan faces pertinent issue of terrorism: COAS
• Nation celebrates 66th Independence Day today
• Moderate 4.6 quake hits Pakistan
• President confers civil and military awards on Independence Day
• Pakistan military plans to open new front: Panetta
• President greets nation on Independence Day
• PM, PML-Q chief discuss current political situation
• Clinton greets Pakistan on Independence Day
• 2 ANP workers among 5 gunned down in Karachi
• Quetta: Blast near hotel injures 8
• Karachi: Funds not yet released for NICVD
• Younis Khan dropped from Pak squad
• Taliban considering peace talks with Afghan govt: US envoy

Oil falls on new signs of slowing global economy Posted: Japan says its economy grew less than expected during the second quarter. Consumer spending, which makes up more than half the nations economic activity, fell, and export demand was anemic.Economies in China, a huge importer of oil, India and other Asian countries also have slowed. That is worrisome because the Asia-Pacific region helped carry the global economy when the U.S. and Europe began to slow.The Japan news comes after the International Energy Agency last week cut its global oil demand forecast for the year, citing a weak economic backdrop.Benchmark oil fell 14 cents to finish at $92.73 per barrel in New York. The drop mirrored a decline in U.S. stock prices.Brent crude, which is used to price international varieties of oil, rose 65 cents to end at $113.60 per barrel in London.Brent is likely getting support from traders concerned about supply disruptions from the Middle East because of the potential for a regional conflict. That could affect shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of the worlds oil travels.

Euro rises on Italian auction, ECB speculation Posted: Traders also bought the euro on speculation that the European Central Bank will soon take action to reduce borrowing costs for Spain and Italy.Italy said it easily raised $9.9 billion Monday, although the rates it had to pay investors rose slightly.Expectations have risen that the ECB will start buying Spanish and Italian government bonds soon. The central banks president, Mario Draghi, hinted earlier this month that the bank would start doing so.The euro rose to $1.2336 in late trading Monday from $1.2294 late Friday.The yen weakened against the dollar after Japan said that its economy grew at a slower rate than analysts were expecting in the April-through-June period. The dollar rose to 78.35 Japanese yen late Monday from 78.26 yen late Friday.In other trading Monday, the British pound rose to $1.5689 from $1.5673. The dollar fell to 0.9737 Swiss franc from 0.9766 Swiss franc.The dollar rose to 99.24 Canadian cents from 99.19 Canadian cents.

Pakistan faces pertinent issue of terrorism: COAS Posted: Chief of Army Staff General Pervez Ashraf Kayani has said that Pakistan currently faced the most pertinent issue of terrorism; “an issue definitely not evolved by us,” he declared.Addressing the Independence Day ceremony at the Kakul Military Academy, he also reasoned that launching operations against terrorism was not the sole and even correct solution to the issue; rather “we would have to understand and comprehend the exact and logical interpretation of terrorism, in its truer context,” he said.“Any mistake of ignoring the issue in raw or misinterpreting it could be fatally divisive for the Nation,” he cautioned.He also warned against any endeavors or struggle by elements, merely to enforce dogmas by force or volatile means; as “any such factors would make us declare an open war against such elements.”“War against terrorism was a war owned by entire Nation, and not Army alone,” he declared, adding, “Cooperation of masses was mandatory for Army’s success against it.”Congratulating the nation on the auspicious day, he also expressed his pride that he was also participating the auspicious parade, and reminded the nation about countless sacrifices made in one of the most daring feat witnessed by history.Reminding the nation that Pakistan was not just a geographical expediency, he cited that the Country was to be evolved as a modern Islamic welfare republic, replete with full rights for minorities and human rights. “Something we have, unfortunately failed to achieve,” he regretted.He also expressed his concerns over the fact “Currently we are passing through the most difficult and decisive juncture of our history,” citing prevalent rampant pessimism, hopelessness, religious hypocrisy, political disorientation, and chaos at its worst.“All are well aware of rampant corruption, deteriorating economic situation, and host of demons plaguing common masses, all of which have grasped hapless masses strongly in their ruthless grasp,” he expressed, adding that “We all need to unite to face the challenges against such odds.”“We are all, more or less equally responsible for mistakes made in past, but crying over spilt milk has taken no Nation anywhere” he declared, stressing that “to attain our destination, we should all look forward, restructure the present, and keep an eye on future.”

Nation celebrates 66th Independence Day today Posted: The day dawned with special prayers in mosques for the progress and prosperity of the country.The Independence Day celebrations begun with a 31-gun salute in the Federal Capital and 21-gun salute in all the four provincial capitals.A colourful ceremony of change of the guard took place at the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Mohammed Ali Jinnah, Pakistan’s founder, in Karachi.A number of events have been chalked out to celebrate the Independence Day in a befitting manner and pay homage to those, who laid down their lives to create an independent motherland for the coming generations.People from various walks of life have decorated their houses with national flags and the buildings, city shopping centres, bazaars and all the main roads are also being adorned with flags and fancy lights.National songs are in the air, which give the message that whole the nation is united and tidy. The national flag is being hoisted at the important buildings to celebrate the day with befitting manners.

Moderate 4.6 quake hits Pakistan Posted: A moderate 4.6-magnitude earthquake struck the far northern region of Pakistan early Tuesday, the US Geological Survey said, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.The quakes epicentre, at a depth of 35 kilometres (21.7 miles), was recorded some 74 kilometres from Manshera and 130 kilometres from Gilgit in Kashmir.The quake struck near the border between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and Indian-held Kashmir around 1:30 am local time (2030 GMT on Monday) which was also felt in Azad Kashmir and different cities in Punjab.Pakistan was hit by a 7.6-magnitude earthquake on October 8, 2005 that killed more than 73,000 people and left about 3.5 million homeless, mainly in Azad Kashmir and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

President confers civil and military awards on Independence Day Posted: President Asif Ali Zardari has conferred non-operational military awards upon 35 PAF officers and 192 civil awards on the occasion of 66th Independence Day of Pakistan.The awards include 02 Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military), 13 Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military), 12 Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Military), 03 Sitara-i—Basalat and 05 Tamgha-i-Basalat.The President has conferred a total of 192 Civil Awards including Nishan-i-Imtiaz (07), Hilal-i-Pakistan (01), Hilal-i-Iimtiaz (17), Sitara-i-Pakistan (01), Sitara-i-Shuja’at (03), Sitara-i-Imtiaz (45), President’s Award for Pride of Performance (24), Tamgha-i-Pakistan (01), Tamgha-i-Shuja’at (15), Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (76), and Tamgha-i-Quaid-i-Azam (02), for which the investiture ceremony will take place on the coming Pakistan Day, 23rd March.Late Fauzia Wahab, Ansar Burney, Abida Parveen and Fatima Suriya Bajia are among the recipients of Hilal-i-Iimtiaz. Singer Mehdi Hassan was posthumously awarded Nishan-i-Imtiaz.Hilal-i-Iimtiaz was conferred upon ‘Azizi’ (Sohail Ahmad) of Dunya New programme ‘Hasb-e-Haal’ in the field of acting.Hilal-i-Iimtiaz was conferred upon compare and actor Zia Mohyeddin and Anwar Maqsood while Tamgha-i-Imtiaz was conferred upon senior journalist Aslam Khan.

Pakistan military plans to open new front: Panetta Posted: Pakistan has indicated that it plans to launch combat operations against Taliban militants soon in a tribal area near the Afghan border that also serves as a haven for leaders of the al-Qaida-affiliated Haqqani network, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Monday.The U.S. long has been frustrated by Islamabads refusal to target Afghan Taliban militants and their allies using Pakistani territory to stage attacks against U.S. and coalition troops in Afghanistan. Many analysts believe Pakistan is reluctant to target groups with which it has strong historical ties and could be useful allies in Afghanistan after foreign forces withdraw.Speaking to The Associated Press in his Pentagon office, Panetta said Pakistans military chief, Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, discussed the planned operation in recent conversations with the top American commander in Afghanistan, Gen. John Allen.Panetta said he did not know when the Pakistani operation would start, but he said he understands it will be in the near future, and that the main target will be the Pakistani Taliban, rather than the Haqqani network.Saying he had previously lost hope that Pakistans military would take action in the North Waziristan tribal area, Panetta welcomed Kayanis initiative, even though the main target may not be the Haqqani leadership.The Pentagon chief said relations with the Pakistani military have improved a great deal lately, after a falling out over American airstrikes that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers in November and Pakistans subsequent closing of border crossings that facilitated the flow of military supplies to U.S. and coalition troops in Afghanistan.He said Allen and Kayani have discussed concerns about the Haqqanis, whose fighters have moved back and forth across the border to launch attacks in Afghanistan.Gen. Kayani did indicate that they had developed plans to go into Waziristan, Panetta said. Our understanding is that hopefully theyre going to take that step in the near future. I cant tell you when. But the indication that we have is that they are prepared to conduct that operation soon.He added: Theyve talked about it for a long time. Frankly, Id lost hope that they were going do anything about it. But it does appear that they in fact are going to take that step.Pakistan has denied this, saying its forces are stretched too thin fighting Pakistani Taliban militants at war with the state. It also has criticized NATO and Afghan forces for not doing enough to stop Pakistani militants holed up in Afghanistan from launching attacks across the border into Pakistan.Haqqani leaders fled to Pakistans North Waziristan region from their homeland in eastern Afghanistan following the U.S.-led invasion in 2001.

President greets nation on Independence Day Posted: On the eve of 66th Independence Day of Pakistan, President Asif Ali Zardari announced introduction of local governments in tribal areas in the coming year.He declared that the coming year will witness the beginning of local self governance in tribal areas, in accordance with the wishes, customs and traditions of its people. We owe it to the people and to the peace and stability of the country, and the region, to bring these areas into the mainstream of national life, he saidThe President made this announcement while addressing a special ceremony here at Aiwan-e-Sadr to celebrate 66th Independence Day of the country.President Zardari then had also announced extension of Political Parties Order 2002 to the tribal areas enabling for the first time all political parties to hold public meetings and take their political message to the people of tribal areas.The President in his address on the eve of 66th Independence Day last night also called for safeguarding the dignity and honour of the elected Parliament and for protecting it from new forms of assaults. The President said the Parliament was the voice of the people and cannot be silenced and will never be.He said that the independence anniversary this year was of special significance as it was taking place in the month of Ramazan. He said that Pakistan came into being on the 27th of Ramazan, the night of Lailatu Qadar which is the most auspicious and special occasion for the Muslims.There is another significance of the Independence Day this year, the President said. It is being celebrated at a time, when a democratically elected government, is about to complete its mandated term in office. This is a historic milestone. It augurs well for democracy and democratic traditions in the country, the President said.He said that it was natural to rejoice and celebrate the occasion of independence day but it was also an occasion, to pause and ponder over, whether we have moved towards, or away, from the ideals, for which Pakistan was created.He said that the founding fathers of Pakistan saw Pakistan as a country, where democracy, constitutionalism and rule of law would reign supreme. It was envisaged to be a country, where ballot would determine the political choices of the people.He said that countless lives were sacrificed for the achievement of these ideals. Those who laid down their lives, the President said, for these ideals, included the countrys first directly elected Prime Minister, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. It also included Muslim world’s first elected woman Prime Minister, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, he said.The President said that unfortunately for most part of our independent existence, the people were often denied, right to rule, and the Constitution was repeatedly abrogated. It is reassuring; he said that the present Parliament unanimously restored, to a large extent, the democratic Constitution of 1973.He said that the restoration of the Constitution, by all political forces, and provinces, raises our hope. It shows that despite setbacks, we will restore to Pakistan, the values and ideals, for which it was created. Let us on this day, re-dedicate ourselves, to the democratic ideals and principles, of the Quaid, the President asked the nation.He said that this quest demands that we banish all forms of bigotry, extremism and militancy. On this occasion, the President said, I wish to call upon everyone, to work together, for the strengthening of democracy, and empowerment of the people. He urged everyone to work for a progressive, tolerant, moderate and modern Pakistan.Pakistan was envisaged to be a tolerant, modern and democratic country, the President emphasized.The President said that today Pakistanis have reasons to celebrate, as they were an independent, and a strong nation. But, he continued, there are dangers and threats also. He said that the militants pose the greatest threat to the country.A great challenge that we are faced with, is defeating the militant mindset. For this, the President said, we must defend democracy and promote tolerance, discussion and debate.On the occasion, the President urged the nation to seize the opportunities, to make Pakistan more prosperous and stronger.“Let us rise above self and let us rise above petty considerations, we must work together for the benefit of all. Let our collective strength be used for collective good”, he said concluding his speech and wished good luck to all.

PM, PML-Q chief discuss current political situation Posted: President PML (Q) Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Deputy Prime Minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi called on Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf at Prime Minister House here on Monday and discussed with him the current political situation of the country.The Prime Minister said that the government was exploring all avenues to mitigate the sufferings of commonman in order to provide basic amenities of life at their doorsteps.The Prime Minister said the government has made substantial budget allocation for the uplift of the people of remote and backward areas aiming to bring them at par with the developed ones as soon as possible.The Prime Minister thanked the PML (Q) Chief for extending their support to the government. The President of PML (Q) appreciated the policy of reconciliation of the government and consulting coalition partners on matters of national interests.

Clinton greets Pakistan on Independence Day Posted: Greeting the Pakistani nation on its Independence Day, the United States Monday reaffirmed its support for a stable, secure and democratic Pakistan, as envisioned by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.In a statement issued on Monday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said “On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send best wishes to the government and people of Pakistan as you celebrate the anniversary of your independence this August 14.”Clinton noted since 1947, Pakistan has persevered in the face of immense challenges to build upon the democratic ideals of your country’s founders.Today, we take time to honor your sacrifices and renew our support for a stable and secure Pakistan for generations to come, she said in a statement released by the State Department.Muhammad Ali Jinnah, she said, dreamt of a vibrant, self-reliant Pakistan – a goal we all share.As Muslims around the world reflect upon the meaning of community and sacrifice during this holy month of Ramadan, the United States celebrates the hardworking Pakistanis who strive to fulfill Jinnah’s vision of a stable, secure, and prosperous Pakistan, Clinton added.

2 ANP workers among 5 gunned down in Karachi Posted: According to details, some unidentified opened fire in Frontier Colony area of Orangi Town and critically wounded four people. The injured were rushed to Jinnah Hospital where ANP activists Toor Khan and Zahid Khan and a passerby succumbed to their injuries.Panic gripped the area after the incident and all the markets were shut down. Some unidentified persons opened fire in Federal B Area and Mominabad and forced the traders to close their shops.In Shershah area, a man was shot dead while another received injuries on resisting a robbery attempt while another man was gunned down in Garden area.

Quetta: Blast near hotel injures 8 Posted: According to police, some unidentified miscreants have planted explosive material under a table outside a hotel in Shahbaz Town which went off with a bang, injuring at least eight people and damaging a vehicle.Police, FC and bomb disposal squad reached the blast sight and shifted the injured to hospital where condition of two people is stated to be critical. The security officials cordoned off the area and started search for the accused.

Karachi: Funds not yet released for NICVD Posted: Due to shortage of funds, the institution has been confronted by colossal crisis.After transfer of the institution from Federation to Sindh, the provincial government is bound to bear expenditures of the hospital but it finds itself unable to face the challenge.Budget worth Rs 800 million had been suggested for fiscal year of 2012-13 but only Rs 350 million could be approved for current year. On the other hand, the expenditures are more than Rs 1.3 billion yearly.According to sources, the provincial government has suggested Rs 800 million for fiscal year 2012-13 but approved only Rs 350 million. It is deplorable to say that not a single penny has been released in this regard.The hospital management is of the view that if required funds are not arranged in time, the institution may confront with sheer monitory crisis.

Younis Khan dropped from Pak squad Posted: Pakistan has dropped former captain Younis Khan and recalled wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal for the three-match one-day international series against Australia later this month.Akmal has not played international cricket since last years World Cup, and appeared before the Pakistan Cricket Board integrity committee last month.Khan is apparently being left out after performing poorly with the bat against Sri Lanka in the one-day series last month.The one-day series against Australia begins Aug. 28 in the United Arab Emirates, followed by three Twenty20 matches.

Taliban considering peace talks with Afghan govt: US envoy Posted: There are signs that the Taliban are considering peace talks with the Afghan government and contacts are taking place, the new US ambassador to Kabul said Monday.His comments came as Afghan officials said government representatives had held secret talks with a key member of the Taliban, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who is being held in a Pakistani jail.Baradar, whose 2010 arrest in Pakistan was blamed by Kabul for sabotaging peace initiatives, is the most important Taliban leader held in prison and was known as a trusted aide to the militants elusive leader Mullah Mohammad Omar.Ambassador James Cunningham, who formally took up the post Monday, did not refer directly to those talks, but told a news conference in answer to a question: There are contacts taking place, mostly at this point among Afghans -- Taliban and Afghans.There are a number of different elements at play. None of them are yet definitive, creating a concrete way forward, but we do see signs that... there is some rethinking going on among the Taliban about the future choices that they face.Cunningham attributed this to the clarity of the message the United States and the West have sent out that they will not abandon Afghanistan when NATOs 130,000 troops pull out in 2014.The strategy, which includes a partnership agreement with the Afghan government covering relations beyond 2014, and international aid pledges, has now come together (and) really does put us in a new place, he said.We have created a unique and and sustainable framework of international support for Afghanistan going forward.Cunningham said the United States had made no decision on the transfer of Taliban prisoners held at the military prison at Guantanamo Bay -- an issue which led the militants to break off tentative contact with Washington earlier this year.Pakistan, which is accused of providing safe havens for Taliban Islamists, had a role to play in the peace process, he said.We want to see Pakistan play a positive cooperative role on this across the board. Pakistan obviously has a role to play here and we are encouraging them to play that role.

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