DINA for the issue of January 4th, 2013

	Thursday 4th January 2013 | Safar 21, 1434
The DAWN Internet News Alert (DINA) is a free daily news service from Pakistan’s largest English language newspaper, the Daily DAWN.
SC orders local govt polls in cantonments Nasir Iqbal ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court directed the federal government on Thursday to ensure that local government elections were held in all 53 cantonment boards in the country soon after expiry of the term of the existing set-up run by military officers on May 5.	For suggestions and comments: Email: webmaster@dawn.com Website: http://dawn.com Fax: +92(21) 35693995 Karachi Stocks Down 304.88 Points: KARACHI, Jan 02: At the close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 16489.99, down 304.88 points. Forex Update : KARACHI, Jan 02: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at 97.8 to the US Dollar in the open market.
Two attacks leave 12 dead: ‘Good Taliban’ Maulvi Nazir killed by drone Dawn Report PESHAWAR / MIRAMSHAH, Jan 3: Militant ‘commander’ Maulvi Nazir was among 12 people killed in two drone attacks, one in South Waziristan and the other in the North on Wednesday night and Thursday morning. According to a security official, Maulvi Nazir, 39, perceived to be pro-government because he had signed a peace deal with the authorities in 2007, was killed along with his five guards when a missile hit his vehicle while he was going to Wana from Birmal in South Waziristan on Wednesday night.
Pakistan trounce India in Kolkata From the Newspaper KOLKATA, Jan 3: A sparkling century by Nasir Jamshed inspired Pakistan to trounce India by 85 runs in the second one-day international at the Eden Gardens and take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series on Thursday. Mohammad Hafeez was the other contributor with a rollicking 76 off 74 balls studded with 10 boundaries.
Democracy to be defended, says Raja From the Newspaper ISLAMABAD, Jan 3: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Thursday said the People’s Party-led coalition government would not let anyone derail democracy in the country. “The coalition government is going to complete its tenure and is heading towards elections,” the prime minister told his cabinet colleagues at a meeting at the PM House.
Gas consumers spared Rs9bn dent, for now From the Newspaper ISLAMABAD, SLAMABAD: The federal cabinet did not approve on Thursday a proposal by the petroleum ministry to pass on to honest consumers over Rs9 billion in annual cost of gas theft in areas hit by security problems and constituted a committee to examine its fallout after key ministers strongly opposed the move.. Approval of the request would have increased tariff for consumers of the SSGC and SNGPL by up to Rs12 per unit in the election year..
Govt prefers dialogue to military operation: Kaira Kalbe Ali ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said on Thursday the government generally preferred holding talks with militants to launching military operation against them because negotiations were the preferred mode of dispute resolution “We even held talks with Sufi Mohammad, despite opposition from many quarters. It is our policy to resolve issues through negotiations, but if needed we will carry out military operations,” Mr Kaira remarked.
Drastic cut in CNG supply Mubarak Zeb Khan ISLAMABAD: Cold weather and priority accorded to domestic consumers have forced gas companies to completely stop supply to CNG stations in Punjab during the current month and restrict the same in Sindh to two days a week. “The gas supply to CNG stations in Punjab is expected to remain suspended during the month of January because of low pressure and high domestic demand,” Amjid Latif, a senior official of the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), told reporters here on Thursday after a briefing to parliamentarians.
Stance on Kashmir reaffirmed Masood Haider UNITED NATIONS, Jan 3: Pakistan reaffirmed on Thursday that Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan should be resolved bilaterally under the framework of the United Nations resolution on the issue. Noting that relations between the two countries were on the mend, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Nations Masood Khan said at a press conference”. The dispute should be resolved according to the wishes of Kashmiri people “under the auspices of the United Nations.”
Zardari telephones Altaf MQM support to PPP, govt will continue Habib Khan Ghori KARACHI, Jan 3: President Asif Ali Zardari called London-based MQM chief Altaf Hussain on Thursday and exchanged views with him on political developments in the country. A brief statement issued by President’s spokesperson Senator Farhatullah Babar said that Mr Altaf Hussain had assured the President that MQM would continue to support the PPP and the government.
Report filed on elevation of PM’s son-in-law From the Newspaper ISLAMABAD, Jan 3: The federal government denied in the Supreme Court on Thursday that Azim-ul-Haq Minhas, son-in-law of Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, had been appointed executive director of the World Bank in Washington DC. ““The fact of the matter is that Mr Azim-ul-Haq has been appointed as alternate executive director,” said a report submitted to the court by Deputy Attorney General Dil Muhammad Khan Alizai on behalf of the economic affairs and establishment divisions.
Pakistani extradited from UK to US From the Newspaper LONDON, Jan 3: A suspected Pakistani Al Qaeda operative accused of planning attacks in the United States, Britain and Norway was on Thursday extradited to the US, the interior ministry in London said. ““We can confirm that today, January 3, Abid Naseer was extradited to America where he is accused of terrorism offences. His case is now a matter for the US authorities,” a statement from the Home Office said.
Siachen Glacier shrinking, says study Faiza Ilyas KARACHI: The Siachen Glacier has been reduced by 5.9km in longitudinal extent between 1989 and 2009 because of rising temperatures, says a study published recently. Human presence at Siachen may also be affecting the neighbouring glaciers of Gangotri, Miyar, Milan and Janapa which feed Ganges, Chenab and Sutlej rivers.
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