DINA for the issue of September 08, 2013

	September 8, 2013 | Ziqa'ad 1, 1434
The DAWN Internet News Alert (DINA) is a free daily news service from Pakistan’s largest English language newspaper, the Daily DAWN.
PM orders blocking of illegal SIMs By Zulqernain Tahir LAHORE, Sept 7: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed the authorities concerned to consult mobile phone operators to block unregistered and illegal SIMs (subscriber identity modules) “before launch of the Karachi operation”.	For suggestions and comments: Email: webmaster@dawn.com Website: http://dawn.com Fax: +92(21) 35693995
7 Taliban freed to ‘facilitate’ peace talks By Baqir Sajjad Syed ISLAMABAD, Sept 7: The government announced on Saturday the release of seven more Taliban militants ‘to facilitate’ the troubled Afghan reconciliation process. A statement by the Foreign Office identified the freed detainees as Mullah Mansoor Dadullah, Said Wali, Abdul Manan, Karim Agha, Sher Afzal, Gul Mohammad and Mohammad Zai.
Kidnapped Afghan legislator set free KABUL, Sept 7: The Taliban said on Saturday they had released an Afghan female legislator held hostage since Aug 10 in exchange for six prisoners who were relatives of their fighters. Fariba Ahmadi Kakar, one of the 69 female Afghan MPs in the 249-seat of the lower house of Afghanistan’s parliament, and her three children were kidnapped last month by insurgents in the province of Ghazni on the highway from Kabul to Kandahar.
Zardari to leave President House today By Iftikhar A. Khan ISLAMABAD, Sept 7: Asif Ali Zardari, one of the most powerful civilian presidents the country has ever had, is set to vacate Aiwan-i-Sadr on Sunday after holding the office for a record five years. He will make history by becoming the first elected president to complete his constitutional tenure and to be replaced by an elected individual.
Rs2.9bn package approved for Pakistan Steel By Mubarak Zeb Khan ISLAMABAD, Sept 7: The Economic Coordination Committee of the cabinet on Saturday approved a much-awaited Rs2.9 billion bailout package for Pakistan Steel Mills and also gave the go-ahead to export of 500,000 tons of sugar. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, who presided over the meeting, later said that the country had received the first instalment of $550 million from the International Monetary Fund. The amount would help build up the dwindling foreign exchange reserves, he added.
Kashmiris protest over deadly police shooting SRINAGAR, Sept 7: A protest erupted on Saturday after police said they killed two alleged militants and two civilians in India-held Kashmir. Inspector General Nalin Prabhat said police were retaliating against alleged militants who had opened fire on a police camp in Shopian district, which is about 50km south of Srinagar.
Mehta holds concert SRINAGAR, Sept 7: Celebrated conductor Zubin Mehta led the Bavarian State Orchestra in a classical music concert in Srinagar on Saturday despite objections from Kashmiri leaders. The heavily guarded event was staged in the sprawling Mughal-era Shalimar Gardens on the banks of picturesque Dal Lake.
Singh says ready to work under Rahul Gandhi ON BOARD PM’S SPECIAL AIRCRAFT: Indicating he was ready to play any role in the Congress after the 2014 general elections, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Saturday he would be “very happy” to work under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. Mr Singh also maintained that Mr Gandhi, the Congress vice-president, would be an “ideal choice” for the premier’s post after the next Lok Sabha polls.
Tokyo to host 2020 Olympics BUENOS AIRES, Sept 7: Tokyo was awarded the 2020 Olympics on Saturday, capitalising on its reputation as a “safe pair of hands” and defying concerns about the Fukushima nuclear crisis. Tokyo defeated Istanbul 60-36 in the final round of secret voting on Saturday by the International Olympic Committee. Madrid was eliminated earlier after an initial tie with Istanbul.
European FMs call for ‘strong response’ PARIS, Sept 7: European Union nations called for a ‘strong’ response to chemical attack in Syria on Saturday but stopped short of endorsing military action, as US President Barack Obama warned of the dangers of turning ‘a blind eye’ to the attack. Fresh from a G20 summit in Saint Petersburg where he failed to win over world leaders to his cause, Mr Obama urged Congress to authorise an intervention over President Bashar al-Assad’s alleged use of chemical weapons.
Egyptian army launches assault on Sinai militants CAIRO, Sept 7: At least 10 people were killed as Egypt’s armed forces launched an air and ground assault on Sinai militants on Saturday while foiling a railway bombing near the canal city of Suez, officials said. A military-appointed prosecutor levelled new accusations, meanwhile, against deposed president Mohamed Morsi, already facing trial on other charges, alleging the leader insulted the judiciary when he was president, military-controlled state media said.
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