Fake protest being staged against drone attacks: JUI

LAHORE: Liaqat Baloch, the General Secretary of Jamaat-i-Islami Monday said fake protest has been staged against drone attacks to deceive the masses.

Talking to different delegations in Lahore Liaqat Baloch said that General Petraeus’s statement has uncovered ‘the Government lies’.

He said, “Government is responsible for the slaughter of innocent Pakistani, they (government) should renounce the practice of deceiving masses with their false statements”.

The JUI leader said that regional stability could not prevail without USA’s exit from the region.

JUI believes that USA is increasingly pressurizing Pakistan to fulfill Indian aspirations.

He added that rather than mounting pressure; Pak Government is coaxing India after recovering Indian-made weapons from Waziristan.

Hungary says it will forego IMF loan

BUDAPEST: Hungary will forego the next installment of an IMF loan and will postpone assistance offered by the European Union, Finance Minister Peter Oszko said Monday.

"Hungary will not draw on the next installment of its IMF loan and is preparing an agreement on postponing its next installment of a loan from the EU," Oszko said at a press conference following talks with an IMF-EU delegation.

Hard hit by the financial crisis, with investors shunning its markets, Hungary a year ago received a credit worth 20 billion euros (25.1 billion dollars) from the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the European Union.

The IMF-EU team said it backed the government's public deficit targets, pencilled in at 3.9 percent of output in 2009 and 3.8 percent in 2010, an election year.

The 2010 figure has been widely criticised by the opposition party Fidesz, tipped to win the poll, but is considered realistic by IMF delegation head James Morsink.

"We met with Fidesz leaders who said the deficit could rise to 7.0 percent, but as we see it, the 3.8 percent general government deficit is achievable in 2010," Morsink said.

Hungary has been in recession for five quarters, starting in the second quarter of 2008.

The government is forecasting a contraction of 6.7 percent this year and 0.6 percent in 2010, an improvement on an earlier projection of a 0.9 percent shrinkage.

The international bailout package helped stabilize the economy but at a heavy cost, as Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai was forced to introduce austerity measures.

But in a sign of returning investor confidence, Hungary successfully launched its first eurobond in July. Its key interest rate was cut to 7.0 percent from last October's 11.5 percent.

"Hungary has achieved good progress in containing public spending through numerous measures, which have supported the strong adjustment of the external imbalance, increased investor confidence, and contributed to a substantially improved access to market financing," EU Finance Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said in a statement.

So far Hungary has received 8.34 billion euros (12.5 billion dollars) of the IMF's 11.5-billion-euro facility and 5.5 billion euros of the EU's 6.5-billion-euro loan, set to expire next November.

President enjoys immunity under Constitution: Nawaz

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-N Chief Nawaz Sharif Monday said the President enjoys immunity under the Constitution and the courts will reach a verdict in the backdrop of this fact.

He said this in an exclusive interview given to Geo News’ anchors Hamid Mir and Sohail Waraich.

Nawaz Sharif pointed out that the matter of National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) is subjudice.

“Terrorism flourishes uner martial law,” he asserted, adding, the door leading to martial law will have to be closed to eradicate terrorism there.

The PML-N Chief observed that it is consistent democratic regimes in India that have blocked the way to terrorism.

Atlantis blasts off towards space station

Space shuttle Atlantis launched Monday afternoon to deliver key spare parts to prolong the life of the International Space Station.
The shuttle lifted off as scheduled, at 2:28 p.m. ET from the Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral.
The delivery will add years to the station's life after the space shuttle fleet is retired next year, according to NASA. Monday's launch is among six planned before then.
"You'll see this theme in some of the flights that are going to come after ours as well," said Brian Smith, the lead space station flight director for the 11-day mission. "This flight is all about spares. Basically, we're getting them up there while we still can."
Some parts are for systems that keep the station from overheating or tumbling through space, according to NASAThe mission also will include three spacewalks and installation of two platforms to the station's backbone. The platforms will hold spare parts to sustain station operations after the shuttles are discontinued.
"As the only vehicle large enough to carry many of the big pieces of equipment into space, several of the flights are devoted to the task," NASA said. iReporter attends NASA "Tweet-up"
Other items set for delivery include nitrogen and ammonia tank assemblies, a high-pressure gas tank and the station's robotic arm. The tanks help cool and pressurize the station.

Pak’s Asif, Sajjad make winning start in WSC

HYDERABAD DECCAN: National Champion Muhammad Asif got off to a sterling start in IBSF World Snooker Championship when he out-potted Ahmed Aly of United States of America 4-1 on Sunday in Hyderabad Deccan (India).

Faisalabad-born Asif making his debut in world championship, recovered after dropping the to opening frame to thrash Aly 36-59, 63-53, 62-49, 74-17, 83-16.

Asif, who dethroned Muhammad Sajjad earlier this year to win his first national crown, make a nervous start but raised his game as the match progressed.

Pakistan number one Muhammad Sajjad also outclassed Farhan Mirza of Sweden 4-0.

On Monday, Muhammad Asif will be facing a big challenge as he take on former World Champion Steve Mifsud of Australia while Sajjad play Juha Erkinmikko of Finland.

Top four cueists from each of six-men group will qualify for the last 64-stage of the competition.

US camp in Iraq was Qaeda breeding ground, say ex-inmates

BAGHDAD: Iraq's Camp Bucca, the US-run jail where around 100,000 prisoners were kept over six years, was a breeding ground for the Al-Qaeda terror network, according to police and former inmates.

Bucca, located in an isolated desert north of the border with Kuwait, was a school for scores of Takfiris, or Sunni extremists who usually ended up in Al-Qaeda, said Abu Mohammed, freed in 2008 after 26 months behind its bars.

"The illiterate and straight-forward people were the easiest prey for indoctrination," said the 32-year-old resident of Ramadi, the former insurgency stronghold 100 kilometres (62 miles) west of Baghdad.

Opened after the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, Camp Bucca was the biggest detention centre in Iraq housing up to 22,000 prisoners in 2007.

At its closing on September 17 this year, there were only 8,000 inmates who were transferred to Camp Cropper in Baghdad and Camp Taji, north of the capital.

"The two suicide bombers and the majority of suspects detained after the twin bombings of August 19 against the foreign affairs and finance departments, which killed 95, were released shortly before from Camp Bucca," a senior interior ministry official told sources.

"We reached the same conclusion for the double attack of October 25 which left 153 dead," the official said of the almost simultaneous blasts at the justice and public works ministries, after which 73 people were arrested.

In addition, according to an officer, "the Iraqi police belatedly realised that many terrorists from Al-Qaeda were released because they had been detained in American prisons under false names and were not under our review."

Captain Brad Kimberly, spokesman for the US prisons authority in Iraq, said, "To date, we've not received any evidence suggesting a former detainee may be involved in either attack."

Op Rah-e-Nijat: 5 terrorists killed, Ahmed Wam secured

RAWALPINDI: Five terrorists have been killed in the ongoing operation Rah-e-Nijat during the last 24 hours.

According to ISPR, security forces conducted search operation at Ahmed Wam and cleared Shahvzai, Khaznikai, Udin Sar, during clearance operation, exchange of fire took place with terrorists, resultantly 5 terrorists were killed.

Security forces conducted search operation around Tiarza and recovered cache of arms and ammunition on Shakai – Kaniguram Axis.

Security forces established check post at Shah Wali Alghad, on Razmak- Makeen Axis.

Route to Laddah Bridge has been cleared from all obstacles; during the process of route scanning 4 IEDs were neutralized. Security forces also recovered large quantity of arms and ammunition.

Security forces completed concentration around Tauda China and searched 25 houses in village at Kam Narakai during the process 3 IED were also diffused.

Terrorists fired few rockets from southern direction of village of Wouchaba which was effectively responded.

During the ongoing operation Rah-e-Rast in Swat – Malakand, security forces conducted search operation at Karakar Banda, Ilam Saand, Ashar Banr, Gari Shamozai and killed 12 terrorists, while apprehended 2 suspects at Shalpin.

Seven terrorists voluntarily surrendered to security forces at Charbagh, Roria, Zara Khela.

11,533 Cash Cards have issued to displaced families of Waziristan.

Four mega hydel power projects in AJK, GB to lead Pakistan get rid of load shedding: Sardar Asif

MIRPUR, Nov 14 (APP): Deputy Chairman Planning Commission of Pakistan Sardar Asif Ahmed Ali disclosed here that Pakistan would get rid of the chronic problem of the load shedding of power most probably on permanent grounds as a result of construction and completion of four ongoing and new mega hydel power projects, two each in Azad Jammu Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).He was addressing a news conference at Mangla near here late Friday after visiting the under construction Rs. 102 billion Mangla Dam raising project in Mirpur district and Neelam-Jhelum Hydel Power project at Noseri in Muzaffarabad district.

AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider, members of the planning commission Lt. Gen. Muhammad Zubair and Malik Muhammad Akram, Chief Secretary AJK Khalid Sultan and senior officials of the government of Pakistan, AJK and WAPDA were also present on this occasion.

Sardar Asif Ahmed Ali said that the Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani led coalition government was paying special attention for the establishment of maximum water reservoirs in the country under a phased program to combat and resolve the issue of power load shedding. He said that there was complete cohesion and unanimity over the emergence of more dams at the suitable sites among all the coalition partners of the sitting government of Pakistan. Asif Ahmed Ali said that had there been consistency in the construction of required water reservoirs in Pakistan in the past, there would not have been the shortage of water as well as the scarcity of power in the country as was being faced by the nation today.

Deputy Chairman Planning Commission said that four hydel power projects were being constructed and expanding on the soil of Kashmir including Diamer-Basha Dam and Boonji dam in Gilgit-Baltistan and Mangla dam raising project and Neelam Jhelum Hydel power project in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

He said that all these hydel power projects enjoyed the significance of vital national importance, since all these water reservoirs would not only lead to end the load shedding problem besides to bring about the green revolution in the country besides strengthen the national economy to greater extent.

Asif Ahmed Ali said that construction work for raising of Mangla dam has been completed by one hundred per cent. He said that the process of raising of water in the dam will start next year, only after completion of the process of resettlement and rehabilitation of the affectees falling displaced due to raising of the dam.

The Deputy Chairman Planning Commission said that raising of Mangla dam will help increase additional three million acre feet in the reservoir. It will, resultantly, lead to raise the power generation besides production of wheat, rice and other edible crops in the country to a greater extent, he added.

Elaborating Diamer-Bhasha dam in Gilgit Baltistan, Sardar Asif Ahmed Ali said that construction work on Bhasha dam was being started swiftly next year with the financial assistance of the Asian Development Bank. He pointed out that the World Bank had denied the financing of the project due to its being located on the disputed land of Kashmir. He said that Diamer-Basha dam will have the water storage capacity of five million acre feet of water. He said that 4500 megawatt of power would be generated from the Bhasha dam.

Highlighting the salient features of the proposed Bhoonji dam, the Deputy Chief of Planning Commission said that Boonji dam will be constructed on run of the river through the construction of a mega canal on the meeting point of Gilgit and Indus rivers. He said that Boonji dam would have 7500 megawatt of power generation capacity.

Sardar Asif Ahmed Ali revealed that process for resettlement and rehabilitation of Mangla dam affectees has been geared up on emergent grounds with the fixation of period of eight months. He said that a reputed Chinese construction company has replaced a Pakistani firm to ensure the completion of New Mirpur garden city and four new townships, exclusively meant for the rehabilitation of the affectees of Mangla dam raising project. He said that the Chinese construction company has been given the stipulated time of eight months to complete all said five residential sites for housing the affectees.

The Deputy Chief of Planning Commission said that the reservations and apprehensions of the Mangla Dam affectees as well as those relating to Neelam Jhelum Hydel Power projects would be removed. He revealed that the issue of the rehabilitation of additional families of Mangla dam affectees has yet been resolved. He disclosed that additional families comprising married kin of basic affectees will also be separately allotted the residential plots at par with their parents.

He said that construction work on Dhan Gali bridge over Poonch River on Dadayal-Rawalpindi Road and Rathua-Harayam cable stay bridge over Mangla dam reservoir will also be completed within the stipulated period. He pointed out that Rathua-Harayam bridge to link Mirpur city with adjoining village of Islamgarh, being designed to ensure its maximum utilization for a longest possible period.

Sardar Asif Ahmed Ali paid highest tributes to the people of Mirpur for lending great sacrifices, for second time, of the graves of their elders and ancestral places for the socio-economic progress and prosperity of Pakistan.

He said that the government of Pakistan was fully committed to ensure the speedy development progress and prosperity of Azad Jammu Kashmir.

To a question, Asif Ahmed Ali said that both the governments and Pakistan and AJK were paying fullest attention to resolve the resettlement and other related minor issues of the Mangla dam affectees. He said that similarly WAPDA and NESPAK have launched a study to resolve the issue of water in Muzaffarabad, feared to be caused following Neelam Jhelum Hydel Power project.

Nation soon to hear good on TTP’s defeat: Rehman Malik

ISLAMABAD, Nov 14 (APP): Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Saturday Pakistan Army had gained major achievements in operation Rah-e-Nijat in short time through its professionalism and the nation would soon hear good news of defeating Baitullah Mehsud’s network in South Waziristan.“Wars can’t be predicted...I can’t give you definite time, but I assure you that nation will hear good news soon,” the minister told APP.He said it was targeted action against Baitullah Mehsud network as well as other foreigners associated with the notorious outfit, who were holed up there and perpetrating nefarious acts of terrorism in the country.

Rehman Malik played down the ill-mongering of certain hostile elements who were bent on declaring Pakistan as a failed state in the wake of recent spat of violence. “I am proud of army and law enforcement agencies who are fighting bravely against enemies of humanity. It is our country and we have to defend it”.

He also appreciated police force for its determination to defeat terrorists, adding all necessary measures were being taken to face any challenge.

Replying to a question, he said it was Pakistan’s war and there wasn’t any need of foreign support. “We only need moral support from international community in this war.”

The minster said country’s armed forces were fully capable of taking any action without any foreign support, adding the entire nation supported army’s operation against terrorists in Waziristan and Swat.

Time ripe to end politics of revenge: Fouzia Wahab

ISLAMABAD, Oct 31 (APP): Secretary Information, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Fouzia Wahab on Saturday underlined the need to bring an end to politics of revenge saying, “it is necessary to end all political cases for strengthening democracy in the country”. She said PPP leadership rendered supreme sacrifices for strengthening of democracy and democratic institutions in the country, said a statement issued here.

She said PPP Co-Chairman, President Asif Ali Zardari, was implicated in false cases and remained behind the bars for eight years.
He was also subjected to severe torture during confinement and even an assassination attempt was made against him, she added.
Fouzia said the President could have registered a case against those who made this attempt but he followed a reconciliation policy devised by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
The President boldly faced allegations levelled against him and faced the false cases, she added.
Fouzia said that during a meeting with Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in London, Mian Nawaz Sharif himself conceded that all the cases registered against Asif Zardari and other PPP leaders were political.
Even a prominent columnist in his column stated that Saifur Rehman also confessed that cases against him were based on revenge, she added.
She said opponent of National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) did not want to see reconciliation politics in the country.
She said that accountability laws enacted against PPP leadership were discriminatory, adding that under article 25 discrimination was made between a common man and political leadership.
She said that the people wanted to know why billions of rupees were spent on fake cases against PPP leaders and who should be held accountable for that.
Fouzia Wahab said that PPP wanted to introduce such legislation in the country which would bring an end to the cases based on politics of revenge.
She lauded those democratic forces which openly supported NRO in the teeth of negative propaganda of opponents of NRO.