30 die in Afghan hospital car bomb: officials

PULI ALAM: Thirty people were killed in a suicide car bombing Saturday targeting a hospital in Afghanistan's Logar province, just south of the capital Kabul, a provincial official said.

"A suicide car bomb attacker targeted a hospital in Azra district of Logar province," Din Mohammad Darwaish, the Logar provincial spokesman, said. "The suicide blast killed 30 people and wounded another 45. The casualties are all patients, their visitors and relatives and hospital personnel."

He added: "The blast was caused by an SUV packed with explosives and driven by a suicide attacker. "The target of the blast is not clear but what is obvious is that a hospital was attacked and civilians were killed."

The head of Logar's provincial council, Abdul Wali Wakeel, confirmed the toll and said local officials had contacted foreign forces to ask for help in evacuating the wounded to hospital.

A spokesman for the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Kabul said he was "not aware" that ISAF had been approached for assistance. Militants in Afghanistan frequently target the Afghan police and other government employees as well as foreign forces in their near decade-long insurgency. But civilians are the biggest casualties in the war, with 2,777 killed last year, according to the United Nations.

 

MQM’s Sindh Assembly walkout MQM’s Sindh Assembly walkout on AJK seat polls put off

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)’s members of Sindh Assembly staged a walkout in protest against the putting off of Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) seats’ polling in Karachi.

Sindh Assembly went into session here today with Speaker Nisar Khuhro in the chair, when the MQM members of the assembly led by the party deputy parliamentary leader, Faisal Sabzwari chose this occasion to ventilate their grievances and express their protests against the postponement of tomorrow’s polling on AJK seats in Karachi by staging a walkout from the assembly.

Later talking to the media, Faisal Sabzwari said that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) wanted that MQM should give up contesting on anyone of the two seats. He said that it was absolutely against the democratic norms to use Election Commission and Sindh IG for getting the elections deferred on these two seats only on the pretext of bad law and order situation.

On the other hand, efforts by the Sindh assembly PPP members Jam Mahtab, Ayaz Somroo and Murad Ali Shah to bring back the hurt MQM members into the assembly through talks failed. 

 

Osama weighed name change for Al-Qaeda: US official

WASHINGTON: Osama bin Laden was so worried about Al-Qaeda's image that he proposed changing the group's name to try improve its ‘brand,’ a US official said Friday.

In a letter found at his compound, the late Al-Qaeda mastermind contemplated new names for his network that he hoped would better reflect his vision of war with the West, the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told this news agency. "It was sort of like brand-imaging," the official said.

Bin Laden's proposals for alternative names were not exactly dynamic.

He suggested possibly Taifat al-Tawhed Wal-Jihad, or Monotheism and Jihad Group, and Jama'at I'Adat al-Khilafat al-Rashida, translated as Restoration of the Caliphate Group, the official said.

News of the letter, which was first reported by the Associated Press, quickly sparked a flurry of online parodies, including satiric contests to select Al-Qaeda's new name.

The defense blog Danger Room's contest included entries for "League of Extraordinary Beards," "iQaeda" and "Kandahar Ardent Brotherhood Of Orthodox Muslims (KABOOM)."

Danger Room proposed a new slogan: "Now With 20 Percent Less Eschatological Violence."

Bin Laden debated the name change because he was unhappy that the original name of his group -- Al-Qaeda Al-Jihad, or The Base of Holy War -- had been widely referred to only as Al-Qaeda, dropping the reference to religious war, the US official said.

"His concern was that the al-Jihad part was dropped and it was short-handed to just al-Qaeda," the official said. "From his perspective, that sort of separated the religious aspect of Al-Qaeda's mission. And that allowed the West to portray it as an organization and not tied to a ...religious movement," he said.

Bin Laden, who was killed in a raid by US Navy special forces last month, comes across in the letter as a leader struggling to get the upper hand in the "information war" against the United States, the official said.

"What he was being frustrated by was that most people were seeing the fight against Al-Qaeda for what it really is -- it's an effort stop a violent organization not a war on religion," he said. "That bothered him."

It was not clear who the letter was addressed to or whether or not it was delivered, but the document appeared to be written in the last couple of years, according to the official.

In other letters, bin Laden also wrote to his then number two, Ayman al-Zawahiri, to voice his concern that attacks that had left Muslims dead -- especially in Iraq -- had harmed Al-Qaeda's image, the official said. (AFP)

Freed Pakistanis: Daughter, father reunite

KARACHI: Emotional scenes were witnessed when Laila Wasi, the daughter of Captain Wasi reunited with her father. It took ten months for this moment to happen and included several obstacles. Laila Wasi burst into tears when she met he father after the ordeal he went through.

Speaking to the media Laila Wasi said that the promise made by Governor Sindh Ishrat ul Ibad and Ansar Burney to bring her father back home was fulfilled. Captain Wasi also spoke and thanked the media for the role it played in bringing the crew back home. He also thanked Governor Sindh, Ansar Burney, naval Chief and the Captains and crews of the PNS Zulfiqar and Babur for bringing them back home.

Captain Wasi was among the 22 crew members who were kidnapped by Somali pirates and held hostage for ten months. They were released after a ransom was paid.

KARACHI: Emotional scenes were witnessed when Laila Wasi, the daughter of Captain Wasi reunited with her father. It took ten months for this moment to happen and included several obstacles. Laila Wasi burst into tears when she met he father after the ordeal he went through.

Speaking to the media Laila Wasi said that the promise made by Governor Sindh Ishrat ul Ibad and Ansar Burney to bring her father back home was fulfilled. Captain Wasi also spoke and thanked the media for the role it played in bringing the crew back home. He also thanked Governor Sindh, Ansar Burney, Naval Chief and the Captains and crews of the PNS Zulfiqar and Babur for bringing them back home.

Captain Wasi was among the 22 crew members who the MV Suez who were kidnapped by Somali pirates and held hostage for ten months. They were released after a ransom was paid.

Oil prices down in Asia

SINGAPORE: Oil prices dropped in Asian trade Thursday as investors took profits from an overnight rally powered by strengthening US energy demand.

New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) light, sweet crude for delivery in August, was down $1.19 to $94.22 a barrel while Brent North Sea crude for August tumbled $1.00 to $113.21.

"This is just basically a consolidation of prices, especially after a 
strong rally last night," said Serene Lim, a Singapore-based analyst at ANZ Bank.

Crude prices rallied Wednesday after the US central bank decided to keep interest rates at near-zero levels "for an extended period" to boost the flagging US economic recovery.

Prices were also supported by data showing stronger-than-expected energy demand in the United States, the world's biggest economy and the largest oil-consuming nation.

The US Department of Energy (DoE) said in its weekly report that crude reserves sank 1.7 million barrels in the week ending June 17, much more than forecasts for a drop of 800,000 barrels.

Gasoline stockpiles fell 500,000 barrels, while analysts had forecast a 
gain of 800,000 barrels.

Gasoline figures are closely watched during the peak-demand driving season in the United States, with many Americans hitting the road for their summer holidays. (AFP)

Marvi Memon resigns from NA, PML-Q

ISLAMABAD: Marvi Memon has resigned from her seat in the National Assembly and from the PML-Q, Geo News reported. 
Speaking to the media, Memon said that she took the decision in protest of the PML-Q joining the government and in opposition of the budget which was against the aspirations of the people.

She added that current government was working against the people of Pakistan and the PML-Q leaders did not live up to the voters by leaving the opposition and joining the government.

“The PML-Q did not correct the disastrous course of the government” she said. The statement read out by Marvi Memon listed the government as being inadequate, not serving the people, not responding to natural disasters, not protecting the country’s sovereignty and depriving people of basic human rights. 
Memon added that under these circumstances she could no longer be a member of the National Assembly and that she would not take back her resignations under any circumstance. She however did say that her struggle for justice would continue on the streets and in courts.

Former Indian chief justice to face graft probe: report

NEW DELHI: India's home ministry has ordered revenue officials to investigate allegations of corruption levelled against a former Supreme Court chief justice, a report said Wednesday.

The ministry has called for a probe into the assets of K.G. Balakrishnan, who was India's highest ranked judge for more than three years from 2007 and currently heads the National Human Rights Commission.

The ministry's order followed a petition which alleged Balakrishnan had "acquired assets disproportionate to his known sources of income," the news agency said, citing unnamed home ministry officials.

"The petition with allegations has been sent to the secretary (of the) revenue department for inquiry," PTI said.

The home ministry's official spokesman was not immediately available for comment on the report.

A string of corruption scandals has dented the image of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Congress party-led government and fomented outrage across Indian society at the apparent scale of graft by officials going unpunished.

The government has offered to draft an anti-graft bill in consultation with civil society activists who are pushing for tough provisions to punish corrupt bureaucrats, members of the judiciary and politicians.

India has a dismal record of bringing corrupt senior public officials to justice, with current laws requiring the government's approval before any sitting bureaucrat or minister can be prosecuted.

In six decades only one senior politician has been convicted of graft and served a jail term. (AFP)

Pak, India peace talks begin today

ISLAMABAD: Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao will arrive here on Thursday to hold two rounds of talks on June 23 and 24 with her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir to discuss peace and security, Jammu and Kashmir and promotion of friendly exchanges between the two countries.

The meting between the two foreign secretaries is part of the resumption of dialogue process following meeting between Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and his Indian counterpart Dr Manmohan Singh in Thimpu, Bhutan in April last year on the sidelines of the Saarc Summit.

According to the foreign office sources, there will two rounds of talks between the foreign secretaries. They will discuss peace and security related issues on June 23 while on June 24 they will focus on disputed Jammu and Kashmir issue.

The Indian Minister for External Affairs S.M. Krishna told reporters in New Delhi this week that talks between two foreign secretaries would narrow the trust deficit and pave the way for normalisation of relations.

The two foreign secretary meetings at Islamabad on June 23 and 24 is expected to review the results of the meetings between the home/interior, commerce and defence secretaries of the two countries held since the two foreign secretaries met at Thimphu on the margins of a Saarc meeting in last year.

It is expected that the two sides will also finalise the dates for the meeting of two foreign minister being held in New Delhi next month so that the progress made at the meetings of different secretary level talks could be reviewed for taking final decisions.

Meanwhile, an Indian official said on Wednesday that after many false starts, hopes were being kept deliberately low for the two days of talks. According to Indian media reports, the Indian government suggested not to make high expectation from today’s talks between the two arch-rival countries.

“We have realistic expectations,” an Indian government official said. “We should not expect quick and dramatic resolutions.” He added. Though both sides do not expect major results and disagree on Kashmir and terrorism, sources in the government repose faith in a sustained dialogue process to narrow the trust deficit and build an understanding to resolve issues of discord, TV said quoting Indian official.

Obama declares beginning of end of Afghan war

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama Wednesday ordered all 33,000 US surge troops home from Afghanistan by next summer and declared the beginning of the end of the war, vowing to turn to nation building at home.

In a watershed moment for American foreign policy, Obama also significantly curtailed US war aims, saying Washington would no longer try to build a "perfect" Afghanistan from a nation traumatized by its blood soaked history.

"Tonight, we take comfort in knowing that the tide of war is receding," Obama said in 13-minute primetime speech at a time of rising fatigue over costly foreign wars among Americans ground down by deep economic insecurity.

"Even as there will be dark days ahead in Afghanistan, the light of a secure peace can be seen in the distance. These long wars will come to a responsible end," Obama said.

The president argued US forces had made large strides towards the objectives of the troop surge strategy he ordered in December 2009 by reversing Taliban momentum, crushing Al-Qaeda and training new Afghan forces.

But he ultimately rejected appeals from the Pentagon for a slower drawdown to safeguard gains against the Taliban and his decision will be seen as a political defeat for talismanic war General David Petraeus.

The president said he would, as promised, begin the US withdrawal this July and that 10,000 of the more than 30,000 troops he committed to the escalation of the conflict would be home this year.

A further 23,000 surge troops will be withdrawn by next summer, and more yet-to-be announced drawdowns will continue, until Afghan forces assume security responsibility in 2014.

"This is the beginning -- but not the end -- of our effort to wind down this war," Obama said.

More than 1,600 US soldiers have died in Afghanistan since the US invasion after the September 11, 2001 attacks. The US death toll already this year stands at 187.

The president's speech came as domestic questions mount over the purpose of the Afghan war, following the killing of Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden by Navy SEALs last month, and as Washington backs fragile Afghan reconciliation talks with the Taliban.

But despite the drawdowns, there will still be more than 65,000 troops in Afghanistan when Obama asks Americans to give him a second term in November 2012. 

Turning to Al-Qaeda, Obama said documents seized from bin Laden's compound in Pakistan showed the organization was under "enormous strain." "Bin Laden expressed concern that Al-Qaeda has been unable to effectively replace senior terrorists that have been killed, and that Al-Qaeda has failed in its effort to portray America as a nation at war with Islam -- thereby draining more widespread support," he said.

Obama also placed the Afghan mission in the context of his wider foreign policy and war strategy, arguing he has drawn down 100,000 troops from Iraq and will oversee the full withdrawal by the end of this year.

He announced a NATO summit to review progress on Afghanistan will take place in Chicago in May 2012, alongside the G8 summit of industrialized nations. (AFP)

Haqqani's inputs on Pak-US ties revisit

WASHINGTON: Pakistan's ambassador to the United States has said it is through demonstration of mutual respect that the two countries can forge a long-term relationship.

"Both countries have their respective processes. We need to show respect for each other's processes. We need to show respect for each other's people and then develop a partnership that is long term," Haqqani told The Washington Times in an interview.

The envoy noted that the U.S.-Pakistan relationship has some strength and many challenges. "We are working on the challenges.

I think what is needed is for the Americans to show patience to the emerging democratic process in Pakistan and understand that all the concerns you have about public opinion adherence to the rule of law...etc. in the context of the United States should also be applied to Pakistan.

"You cannot have the attitude that Pakistan should just do anything on demand whereas the American side while delivering anything for Pakistan has to go through a process."

On America's reputation in Pakistan, the ambassador said it is something that the U.S. has to work to change public opinion and to ensure that the Pakistani people feel the benefits of the U.S. Pakistani partnership. It is a consistent phenomenon for several years that Pakistanis have not looked upon the United States as a reliable friend ever since the United States walked away from Pakistan in the aftermath of the war with the Soviets, Haqqani explained.

Questioned about value of the bilateral relationship, Haqqani said the U.S. is Pakistan's largest trading partner and a major supplier of sophisticated conventional weapons for Pakistan. "There are almost a million people of Pakistan living in the United States and above all we are both democracies committed to strengthening democracy around the world."

Regarding Islamabad's policy toward Afghanistan, the diplomat reaffirmed that Pakistan has always been supportive of the Afghan-led reconciliation process in that country. Pakistan would like to see a stable Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, Pakistani and American officials indicated that the two sides are discussing provision of two additional P3C Orion aircraft and equipment for Pakistan. The United States has used U.S. military assistance to refurbish and upgrade P-3C aircraft that were provided to Pakistan under the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program in the past, the State Department said.

"Discussions concerning the provision of additional military equipment under the EDA program are ongoing," the office of spokesperson said in response to a question about the status of the Pakistani request regarding replacement of two maritime aircraft, which were destroyed in a terrorist attack in Karachi.

Political speech of Zardari won’t affect masses: Ahsan Iqbal

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-N secretary information Ahsan Iqbal, while reacting on President Asif Ali Zardari’s remarks about Nawaz Sharif, stated that it seems the soul of General (retd) Musharraf was speaking in PPP Co-Chairman, Geo News reported.

Talking to ‘Geo News’, Ahsan Iqbal said that 120 million people of Pakistan would not be affected by political speech of the President.

He further said that President Zardari has hit the personality of Nawaz Sharif, adding that he wanted to be focused in this way but it would not benefit him.

Nawaz had criticised the policies of the government, he added. PML-N leader said the whole nations knew how Zardari struck deal with Musharraf.

Ahsan Iqbal said, “ thinking of Nawaz Sharif is high and he talks about democracy”. “PML-N never criticises army, adding that it is a national institution and we want to see its professional action”.

The nation would make government accountable and that they had option of democratic change, he said and added that PML-N wanted to strengthen democratic system.

Nawaz wants to bring army, govt face to face: Zardari

NAUDERO: PPP Co-Chairman and President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari has alleged that PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif wanted to bring army and the government face to face, Geo News reported.

Addressing a gathering in connection with 58th birth anniversary of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto in Nauder, Larkana, the President said that there is no difference between thinking of Nawaz Sharif and Taliban leader Mullah Omer.

Zardari said that PPP always fight with doctors rather than any institution.

Asif Ali Zardari said that the thinking of ‘Molvi’ Nawaz Sharif resulted in assassination of Benazir Bhutto. “Our first fight is with the thinking of Nawaz Sharif,” he said. He added that thinking of Nawaz Sharif defeated.

Zardari further said, “All of my cases were created by Nawaz Sharif”

CNG stations to remain closed for 2 days in Pothohar

CNG stations to remain closed for 2 days in Pothohar

ISLAMABAD: Secretary Petroleum Aijaz Chaudhry Thursday said CNG filling stations will remain closed for two days (Friday and Saturday) in Pothohar regions this week, Geo News reported.

Talking to Geo News he said the CNG stations in the region were closed for only day in the previous week due to shortage of petrol.

He said now there was no such shortage of petrol, so the CNG stations will be closed for two days in line with the normal practice.

To a question he said, observing one day CNG closure affects the supply of gas to other industries which had to suffer last week due to one day closure of CNG stations.

Youth only hope of Pakistan’s future: Nawaz

KOTLI: Pakistan Muslim League-N Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif has stated that war is not the way out of problems and that dialogues can resolve all such issues, Geo News reported.

Addressing the party workers during election campaign of PML-N candidate Malik Muhammad Saleem in Kotli, AJK on Thursday, Nawaz Sharif said during his tenure the situation in the country was much better.

The Indian Prime Minister during his visit to Pakistan had promised to resolve Kashmir issue till 1999, Nawaz said and added that a group of conspirators had damaged all that process by raising Kargil issue.

He said our army personnel are rendering sacrifice of their lives and that in this era issues could be resolved through dialogues rather than war.

PML-N leader was optimistic that youth are the only hope of future of Pakistan, adding that alongwith this youth he would rebuild the country 

We will kill Zawahiri just like Osama: US

WASHINGTON: The United States Thursday dismissed new al Qaeda supremo Ayman al-Zawahiri as a pale imitation of Osama bin Laden and warned the Egyptian to expect a similar fate to his slain predecessor.

US officials painted the 59-year-old long-time number two as an "armchair general" with no combat experience, saying he not only lacked charisma and leadership skills but was also a divisive figure who could fracture al Qaeda.

Top US military officer Admiral Mike Mullen told Zawahiri to expect the same treatment meted out to bin Laden, who was killed by US commandos in the dead of night in a May 2 raid on his hideout in Pakistan.

"As we did both seek to capture and kill -- and succeed in killing -- bin Laden, we certainly will do the same thing with Zawahiri," said Mullen, who is chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates, giving his valedictory press briefing at the Pentagon, could barely disguise his scorn, but warned that the announcement should serve as a reminder of the continuing al Qaeda threat.

"First of all I think we should be mindful that this announcement by al Qaeda reminds us that despite having suffered a huge loss... al Qaeda seeks to perpetuate itself, seeks to find replacements for those who have been killed, and remains committed to the agenda that bin Laden put before them."

But Gates, who joked that it was "probably tough to count votes when you're in a cave," said Zawahiri faced "some challenges."

"Bin Laden has been the leader of al Qaeda essentially since its inception," he said. "In that particular context he had a peculiar charisma that I think Zawahiri does not have. I think he was much more operationally engaged than we have the sense Zawahiri has been."

Gates also alluded to possible suspicion within al Qaeda because of Zawahiri's Egyptian nationality, a point taken up earlier by a senior administration official.

"He hasn't demonstrated strong leadership or organizational skills during his time in AQ (al Qaeda) or previously while in the Egyptian Islamic Jihad," the official said, asking to remain anonymous.

"His ascension to the top leadership spot will likely generate criticism if not alienation and dissension with al Qaeda."

The official stressed that Zawahiri had not had any actual combat experience, and had opted instead "to be an armchair general with a 'soft' image."

"The bottom line is that Zawahiri has nowhere near the credentials that (bin Laden) had," he added.

"No matter who is in charge, he will have a difficult time leading AQ while focusing on his own survival as the group continues to hemorrhage key members responsible for planning and training operatives for terrorist attacks.

First pre-monsoon showers during next 48 hours

KARACHI: The Met office has predicted that the first pre-monsoon showers over the North-Eastern parts of the country (Islamabad, Hazara, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sargodha division and Kashmir) will take place during the next 48 hours.

According to the Met office, some pre-monsoon currents have started to penetrate the upper parts of Pakistan. These are likely to produce the first pre-monsoon showers. The expected showers will lead to a decline in temperatures in Punjab, KPK and Kashmir from Saturday.

The second spells of pre-monsoon showers are expected from 20th June and the third spell will be in the last week of June.

Regular monsoon rains are likely to start from the first week of July.

 

SC to hear PFUJ plea today

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) has admitted for hearing a constitutional petition of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), seeking formation of a high-powered judicial commission under an apex court judge to probe the Saleem Shahzad murder case, and the first hearing will be held on Friday (today).

According to SC Registrar Dr Faqeer Hussain, a three-member Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, and comprising Justice Tariq Mahmood and Justice Ameer Hani Muslim, will hear the petition.

The PFUJ, invoking Article 184-3 of the constitution, has sought the SC order about formation of a high-powered judicial commission under a Supreme Court judge to probe the mysterious circumstance in which renowned journalist Saleem Shahzad was kidnapped and killed.

The petition also seeks the apex court instructions to the administrative and law-enforcing authorities to appoint a competent police officer to investigate the Saleem Shahzad case and provide complete protection to the journalists.

Former Supreme Court Bar Association president Munir A Malik would represent the PFUJ in the court, in which the federation has been made the respondent party.

Extrajudicial killing: Witnesses identity Rangers

KARACHI: Two witnesses have identified the Rangers and seven others in the extrajudicial killing of Sarfaraz Shah, Geo News reported.

Six Rangers and seven others were presented in the court of Judicial Magistrate Nadeem Badar Kazmi. The statements of the two witnesses were recorded before the court and they identified the Rangers.

The witnesses informed the court that accused Afsar Khan had handed over Sarfaraz Shah to the Rangers. Shahid Zafar was the Ranger who shot Sarfaraz Shah. Witnesses further said that Sarfaraz Shah was pleading with the Rangers and after being shot he was begging for his life but no one helped him. The witnesses informed the court that they were not aware if the deceased had committed a crime in the park.

Family enmity claims five lives in Lahore

LAHORE: Five members of the same family were shot dead in Mangla Mandi, an area of Lahore, Geo News reported Thursday

According to police sources, the reason of the incident is personal enmity.

The five family members were killed when they were on their way to appear before court when the family was attacked by their enemies. They opened fire on them that left five people dead on the spot. The culprits fled from the scene after targeting the family.

Later, police took control and dead bodies were sent to the hospital while the search for the attackers is still underway.

Demand of protesting journalists accepted

ISLAMABAD: Government has accepted the demand of journalists and appointed a sitting judge of the Supreme Court Justice Saqib Nisar to head the commission for the investigation of the murder of journalist Saleem Shehzad, Geo News reported.

Federal Information Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan on early Thursday development announced that the government has accepted the demand of journalists and announced that Justice Saqib Nisar will now head the commission.

Dr Firdous said that Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has signed the summary to appoint Justice Saqib Nisar as the head of the commission.

Journalists had boycotted the National Assembly and Senate sessions on Wednesday and launched a 24-hour sit-in in front of the Parliament House to protest the killing of Shehzad.

However, after the announcement by Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan the protesting media personnel decided to end the sit-in which was planned to continue till 4pm on Thursday.

Salman, Ash top online search poll

MUMBAI: Ex-couple Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan were the most searched celebrities online in the month of May, according to a recent survey.

Salman’s latest film, Ready, was named the most popular movie of the month. He’s also been in the news for his charity work.. He is followed by Shahid Kapoor at number two, Shah Rukh Khan at three, Akshay Kumar at four and Aamir Khan at five.

The survey pegged Rai as number one after the announcement of her film Heroine at the Cannes Film Festival. Next in line is Katrina Kaif, followed by Kareena Kapoor. Rounding off the list are Sonam Kapoor at number four, and Zarine Khan at five.

House panel puts bar on US aid to Pakistan

WASHINGTON: US lawmakers expressed growing scepticism about the war in Afghanistan on Tuesday as a House panel approved $649 billion in defence spending for the 2012 fiscal year, including $118 billion for wars abroad.

The bill imposes limits on American aid to Pakistan and creates a special bipartisan group to review the US role in Afghanistan. The panel agreed to a proposal by Representative Jeff Flake to tighten congressional oversight over $1.1 billion in counterinsurgency funds approved for Pakistan. Congress would have 30 days to review administration spending plans before 75 percent of the funds could be released.

Lawmakers urged President Barack Obama to step up the pace of US troop withdrawals from Afghanistan and endorsed tougher oversight of US spending in Pakistan as the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee debated defence spending for next year.

The panel approved the $649 billion in defense spending bill on a voice vote and forwarded it to the full House for consideration, expected later this month. The Senate is still working on its version of the bill. The two houses must pass the same bill before sending it to Obama for his signature.

The $649 billion for the Pentagon's base budget plus overseas operations like the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan was nearly $22 billion less than the spending approved for the current fiscal year, mainly due to falling costs associated with the Iraq war.

But Democratic Representative Norman Dicks warned the cost of the conflict in Afghanistan was becoming unsustainable. "I am increasingly convinced that the administration has to accelerate the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan and at the same time work for a political settlement," Dicks said.

While endorsing the president on Iraq and Afghanistan, Dicks said it "is not going to be realistic" to continue funding the wars at the current levels in coming years. "Are we going to educate the American people, are we going to take care of the unemployed, or are we going to continue doing nation-building in Afghanistan?" he asked. "I think that is a choice we are all going to have to consider in the days ahead."

The bill approved by the committee cuts $8.9 billion from Obama's request for 2012 defense spending, mainly by delaying procurement and development costs for some weapons systems to later years.

Death toll reaches 24 in Karachi violence

KARACHI: The death toll from Karachi violence has reached 24 during the last 3 days, Geo News reported on Wednesday.

Today, unidentified armed men shot dead three, including two children in Qasba colony, while six others were injured in different areas because of firing and violence.

The situation is improving following armed clashes between groups in Orangi, Banaras, Qasba, Ali Garh and nearby places.

Situation in Orangi Town is improving following the clashes with public transport seen on roads, shops and petrol pumps are open whereas extra police contingent has been deployed to control law and order situation.

Meanwhile, clash between two student groups in Urdu University Gulshan-e-Iqbal left a policeman and two students injured.

On Tuesday evening, unidentified men opened heavy fire near civic centre and Purani Sabzi Mandi triggering tension in the region.

Police blocked the road from civic centre to Purani Sabzi Mandi for traffic

No evidence of links between ISI, Haqqani network: US

WASHINGTON: United States has said that aid given to Pakistan is in the interest for the national security of both the countries.

Talking to media in a press briefing, US State Department's spokesman Mark Toner said that US aid given to Pakistan is for building the democratic institutions and infrastructure and to strengthen economy.

He said that the substantial amount of the aid has been given for the relief of flood affectees.

Replying to a Question, Toner said that there was no evidence found of any link between Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) and Haqqani network.

"We remain committed to working with Pakistan on counterintelligence or counterterrorism operations. We believe they've been successful to date,"he said.

Toner said there are challenges in the relationship with Pakistan but the US is committed to working through them.

Blogger becomes latest victim of Turkish Internet bans

The ban on Blogger is expected to fully go into effect within a few days unless it is successfully challenged in court.

A spat over rights to broadcast Turkish football matches has led a local court to issue a blanket ban on the popular blogging platform Blogger, angering Turkish Internet users with what experts said was a disproportionate response.
The court in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır banned the website, a property of Google Inc., in response to a complaint by the satellite television provider Digiturk, which owns the broadcast rights to Turkish Super League games. Matches broadcast on Digiturk’s Lig TV channel had been illegally posted by several Blogger users on their blogs.
“This is a disproportionate response by the court and undoubtedly has a huge impact on all law-abiding citizens,” cyber-rights activist Yaman Akdeniz told the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review on Wednesday, adding that millions of Turkish bloggers and blog readers would be affected by the Diyarbakır court decision.
“[I understand] there is a legitimate concern [regarding Digiturk’s commercial rights] but banning all these websites will not solve the issue. The decision opens the way to collateral damage,” said Akdeniz, who is also a law professor at Istanbul Bilgi University.
There are more than 600,000 Turkish bloggers actively using Blogger and some 18 million users from Turkey visited pages hosted by the site last month, Akdeniz said. The ban is expected to fully go into effect within a few days unless it is successfully challenged in court.
“If two people plan a criminal activity on the phone, should we ban the use of telephones all over the country?” asked Deniz Ergürel, the secretary-general of the Media Association.
“We believe this is a wrong approach to the issue and deprives millions of bloggers and Internet users from writing and sharing ideas online,” Ergürel, who is also a regular blogger, told the Daily News on Wednesday. He added that while the violation of Digiturk’s commercial rights should not be ignored, other solutions had to be found. “Even cursing, threatening or cheating over the phone is considered a crime, but this does not imply access to phones all over the country would be banned if there is a case against them,” he said.
In a press release Wednesday, Digiturk said illegal broadcasts of the league games had not stopped despite many warnings about the issue.
“Digiturk has spent $321 million in order to get the right to broadcast Spor Toto Super League matches. However, matches [whose broadcasting rights] belong to Digiturk and Lig TV are broadcasted by certain websites, disregarding all relevant laws,” the company said in its statement. “Thus, we applied to court to ban these websites, and the court decided to ban access to them, after it was proved that although all legal procedures were conducted, the violations were not stopped.”
Bloggers and their readers reacted angrily and quickly to the court decision, with nearly 9,000 users of the social-networking website Facebook joining a group called “Do not touch my blog” in less than two days after the decision was announced. Similar campaigns have also been created on other websites, such as Twitter.
“I can understand that a company tries to protect its rights when they are violated. But I cannot make sense of the banning of all blogs for content illegally used on only a few blogs,” regular blogger Gülşen Çetin, 24, told the Daily News on Wednesday. “The company that is involved says it couldn’t handle the issue with Google. Of course, everybody is responsible for their own claims, but this is not an excuse for them to cause such a big censorship event.”
In addition to harming innocent parties, the court decision is unlikely to solve the copyright problem, said another regular blogger.
“The people doing pirate broadcasting are skilled in this. Shutting down only one or a few [sites] will not solve the problem because they will find other ways to do it,” said Güldem Zeybek. “How about us, the innocent bloggers? Here, without doing anything, we face the charge of [being] criminals and have to [find ways to work around the ban]. No company’s copyrights should come before me expressing my thoughts.”
Cyber-rights activist Akdeniz drew a differentiation between regular websites and platforms for user-generated content such as Blogger, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, saying the courts must be sensitive to this distinction when they make decisions. “In my view, access to such platforms should not be banned, whatever the cause,” he said, adding that other technical solutions could be found to address issues of property and intellectual rights.
“The [impact of the decision] will be censorship, although it might not have been the court decision’s final purpose,” said Ergürel of the Media Association. He added that depriving millions of people of a way of communicating and sharing with each other could be considered a kind of censorship.
“We would not see such a phenomenon [like this court decision] in more developed democracies, such as in the EU countries,” Akdeniz said.

Legal action to be taken against accused policemen: Dr Baqar

QUETTA: A police surgeon who conducted post-mortem of the victims of Kharotabad shooting incident has been tortured, Geo News reported.

Talking to Geo News, surgeon Dr Baqar Shah claimed that he was tortured by police personnel. 10 police mobiles reached the restaurant on Prince road where he visited to take meal.

Dr Baqar said that Police personnel asked his name, threatened him over his statement on Kharotabad incident and started beating him.

He received injuries on his head, waist, and arms after which he was shifted to Civil Hospital for medical treatment.

Dr Baqar said that he stated the reality about Kharotabad incident before the inquiry tribunal, adding that he still stood firm over his previous statement.

He said that he would take legal action against the accused policemen. He demanded to provide security to all the doctors involved in conducting post-mortem.

IG Balochistan Rao Amin Hashim while taking notice of the incident directed to registered the case

Speculation rife as Hamilton meets Red Bull

MONTREAL: McLaren team chief Martin Whitmarsh appeared to have a fight on his hands here on Monday as news leaked out that dissatisfied controversial 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton has held talks about his future with Red Bull.

Hamilton, it was reported, spent some time at the Red Bull team’s offices in the paddock at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve here on Saturday evening — 24 hours before he made his crashing exit from Sunday’s spectacular rain-hit Canadian Grand Prix.

According to sources at Red Bull, the 26-year-old Briton spent more than 15 minutes in a private meeting with Red Bull team chief Christian Horner.

Asked what they talked about, the source said it was just “a social visit.”

Hamilton is under contract to McLaren to the end of 2012 and has often declared that he wants to complete his racing career with the Woking-based outfit.

But it has been long-rumoured by paddock insiders that Hamilton would be prepared to leave McLaren and be a teammate to his greatest rival, defending world champion Sebastian Vettel, in exchange for a chance to win the title again in a truly competitive car.

He believes McLaren have struggled not only to build a competitive machine, but also to deliver the upgrades or on-track management performance required to compete at the very top level despite the team delivering the only two non-Vettel wins this year in seven races.

Compatriot and 2009 champion Jenson Button’s astonishing and dramatic triumph in Sunday’s rain-hit race will have buoyed the team, but is not regarded as likely to have done more than paper over the cracks in Hamilton’s view, according to paddock insiders.

Hamilton signed a new management team for his career this year and is now in the same stable as former England soccer captain David Beckham with Simon Fuller’s XIX Entertainment.

This management agency played a leading role in Beckham’s switch from Real Madrid to Los Angeles and may this time help Hamilton move his loyalty from Woking to Milton Keynes.

Vettel’s Red Bull teammate, Australian Mark Webber, has a rolling one-year contract and could be seen by McLaren as a good replacement for Hamilton alongside Button.

Hamilton’s current boss Whitmarsh said he felt sympathy for Hamilton in his current difficulties following crashes at both Monaco and Montreal, amid the speculation over his ‘aggressive and dangerous” driving style.

Lisicki wins Aegon Classic

BIRMINGHAM: Sabine Lisicki, who slipped outside the world’s top 200 last year after seven weeks on crutches, beat fourth-seeded Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia 6-3, 6-2 to win the Aegon Classic on Monday.

The 21-year-old German, whose only previous tour victory was in Charleston in 2007, won after the final had been postponed from Sunday due to rain.

Lisicki showed how well she has recovered from an ankle injury and how ideally her game is suited to grass. She broke her opponent in the fourth game and from there, her booming serve and fierce groundstrokes kept her in control.

Monday’s victory in the grass-court event comes a week before the start of Wimbledon, where Lisicki reached the quarter-finals in 2009. It also confirmed the wisdom of the Wimbledon committee, which decided Sunday to give Lisicki one of two remaining wild cards for the championships.

“I am in disbelief,” Lisicki said. “I am shaking. It’s an amazing week. At the start of it, I never thought I would be standing here today. The comeback from injury was so difficult. It means so much to me.”

The German regained her composure after gently being asked not to drip tears into the Maude Watson trophy, an elegant antique silver bowl.

“There were so many doubters, and so much stuff coming from the sidelines that I wouldn’t get there,” she said of her recovery. “So I had this tunnel vision about getting back. I always thought I would.”

Hantuchova, who beat former top-ranked player Ana Ivanovic in the semifinals, had been bothered by a shoulder injury, which may have affected her serve.

Lisicki was on the verge of the top 20 two years ago before getting hurt.

“If I hadn’t been given the wild card, I would have been playing the qualifying tomorrow and it will be very helpful to be able to rest for a couple of days instead,” she said. “But I don’t want to put pressure on myself.”

Pakistan Players Undergo Dope Test

Three Pakistani cricketers including pace bowler Shoaib Akther were taken for a random dope test ahead of the ICC cricket World Cup, a team official said on Thursday.
“The ICC conducted a dope test of Shoaib Akthar, wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal and Umar Gul on Wednesday,” team manager Intikhab Alam told Reuters.
“It’s a normal process and I think some members of every team will be tested at some stage,” Alam said.
An ICC spokesman in Dhaka declined to give details.
“The ICC normally does not want to comment on dope tests,” said Sami-ul-Hasan, The ICC’s media and communications operations manager.
Shoaib, who was recalled for the World Cup after being out of action for a major part of the last three years, tested positive for the banned substance nandrolone in 2006.
He did not play against Bangladesh in Pakistan’s first warm-up match on Tuesday.
Pakistan will sign off their preparation for the Feb.19-April 2 tournament on Friday with a warm-up game against England at Fatullah, near the Bangladesh capital Dhaka.

King Khan’s new look in Don 2

Director Farhan Akhtar’s film Don 2 will see the Baadshah Khan sporting a new look. He along with his co-star Priyanka Chopra is currently shooting in Malaysia.

It is heard that the superstar has undergone a makeover from short hairdo to long locks. He has gone for this look in Malaysia because he is shooting the sequences in the prison. SRK is also sporting a ‘D’ tattoo on his forearm which he has been flaunting rather fondly.

Shooting in Sungai Udang, SRK has been overwhelmed by the adulation showered by the people of Malaysia.

Here are a few pics of SRK from his Malaysia shoot

Pakistan win toss; elect to field against England

KARACHI: Pakistan won the toss and chose to field first against England in their last warm-up match at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium, Fatullah on Friday.
Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by 88 runs in their first warm-up match.
Squads:
Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Kamran Akmal, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi (Capt), Abdul Razzaq, Umar Akmal, Wahab Riaz, Abdur Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Akhtar, Asad Shafiq, Junaid Khan
England: Andrew Strauss (Capt), Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Ajmal Shahzad, Graeme Swann, James Tredwell, Michael Yardy, Jonathan Trott, Luke Wright, Chris Tremlett, James Anderson, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood

Hrithik Roshan: Nobody knows Dancing better than Shammi Kapoor

Bollywood super star Hrithik Roshan is known for his dancing expertise said that Shammi Kapoor is a god of dancing.

Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan is known to be an excellent dancer. His expertise has made him famous in the industry to move at the hardest dance best effortlessly. Hrithik Roshan while giving an interview said that dance is the best way to express oneself and when it comes to dancing, no one knows dancing better than Shammi Kapoor.

Gold price increases by Rs 250 per tola

Gold price in the local markets was increased by Rs 250 per tola today.

According to Sindh Sarafa Association, after the increase of Rs 250 per tola, gold price has reached to Rs 44,500 per tola. While, 10-gram gold closed at Rs 38,185 with an

Last World Cup for cricket’s greatest players

For some of the greatest players in cricket, this will likely be their last World Cup Tournament. Only from Pakistan but players from all over the world make into the list.

There are a lot of famous players that are likely to play their last World Cup. One of these star players includes master batsmen, Sachin Tendulkar. With a record 17629 runs in one day cricket, having scored the highest runs in one day cricket, Tendulkar also hold the record of the highest runs scored in test cricket, also having the highest runs in test cricket with more than 14692 runs. Not only that he has the record of scoring the highest score of 200 not out in a one day international match and he has the most number of centuries in test cricket. At the age of 37, Sachin Tendulkar is playing is 4th world cup and it seems that it might be his last.

Ricky Ponting’s inclusion as a captain in the Australian squad has been by far the most successful captaincy ever. Ricky pointing has led the Australian side to World Cup glory three consecutive times. At the age of 36 with three World cups under his belt, this will most likely be Ricky Ponting’s last world cup.

The 34 year old Australian fast bowler, Brett Lee was at one time the fastest bowler in the world. Having partnered Ricky pointing to the world cup glory, in 2003, He is regarded as one of the most consistent, accurate and feared bowler in the world. Despite a few injuries, Brett Lee made it into the world cup squad but for him to maintain his form at such an age would be a challenge which is why this could be the last world cup he plays.

Jacques Kallis is regarded as one of the best all round cricketer in the world. Scoring more than 11,000 runs in One Day and Test Cricket, He is a top class batsman. Not only that, He has also taken more than 250 wickets in One Day and Test Cricket. Although Jacques Kallis and his South African side have never won a world cup they have often made it in the semi finals. At the age of 35, maintaining form becomes a challenge as younger players keep up the challenge hence this may be Jacques last world cup.

Muttiah Muralitharan is by far the greatest bowler in the world as his statistics speaks for him. Having bowled out more batsmen in test and one day cricket then anyone, he is the most feared spinner in the world. He has taken a record 800 wickets in test cricket and has taken a record 519 wickets in one day matches. Muttiah Muralitharan has told that after the 2011 world cup he will bid Farwell to cricket forever. He is participating in this world cup as a last hurrah.

From Pakistan, the legendary Rawalpindi express, the fastest bowler in the world, Shoaib Akhtar will be playing his last world cup. Akhtar has giving Pakistan match winning performance at many occasions. Not only that, his blistering bowling pace with Sachin Tendulkar’s master strokes has often sparked rivalry between the neighboring nations. His competition with Brett lee for the fastest bowling will be a sight not to miss. But sadly this will most likely be the last world cup for these cricketing legends.

NASA ready for next week's space shuttle launch

NASA will launch the first of three final space shuttle missions next week, sending the shuttle Discovery on its last flight on a long-delayed cargo run to the International Space Station, officials told Dunya News Friday.

Problems with the ship s fuel tank have kept the mission on hold since November. An unrelated hydrogen leak forced NASA to cancel a launch attempt on 5th November 2010. Technicians then discovered a crack in the insulating foam that covers the shuttle s fuel tank, a potentially serious safety issue.
In 2003, space shuttle Columbia was damaged by a piece of foam insulation that fell off the tank and hit the ship s wing during liftoff. The shuttle broke apart as it flew through the atmosphere for landing 16 days later, killing all seven crewmembers aboard.

The shuttle will be carrying an Italian-made storage room that will be added to the $100 billion space station, a project of 16 nations nearing completion after 12 years of construction. The shuttle also will deliver food, science equipment and supplies for the six crewmembers aboard the station and a prototype humanoid robot.

Two spacewalks are planned during Discovery s weeklong stay at the station.

India beat Bangladesh by 87 runs in WC opener

In the opening match of the ICC World Cup 2011 between the co-hosts, India defeated Bangladesh by 87 runs. India gave a huge target of 371 runs to Bangladesh in the first match played at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur, on Saturday.

Bangladesh won the toss and elected to field first. Sachin Tendulkar who was playing his 6th World Cup scored only 28 runs. Ghambir scored 39 runs but Virendar Sehwag played a thrilling innings of 175 runs along with young talent Kohli who completed his maiden world cup century in the last over of the match. India put a huge total of 17o runs at the loss of 4 wickets and with the help of twin centuries.

Chasing this momentous target, Bangladesh showed tremendous resistance to World Cup favorites. Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan remained prominent batsmen who scored 70 and 55 runs respectively. MM Patel proved to be disastrous for Bangladesh as he took 4 wickets and collapsed opponents’ batting line.

Final squads:

India

Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar G Gambhir, V Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni, YK Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Z Khan, S Sreesanth, MM Patel

Bengldesh
Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Raqibul Hasan, Naeem Islam, Mahmudullah, Abdur Razzak, Shafiul Islam, Rubel Hossain

Sri Lanka put massive total of 332 against Canada

Sri Lanka put massive total of 332 against Canada

Sri Lanka gave a massive target of 333 runs to Canada in their first world cup match being played at Mahinda Rajapaksha International Cricket Stadium, Sooriyawewa, Hambantota in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka chose to bat after winning the toss against Canada and their decision proved right when all of their main batsmen succeeded to score.

Twin fifties and one century made it possible for Sri Lanka to make a wonderful start of their world cup campaign as one of the favorites of the mega event. Dilshan, Sangakkara and Jayawardene scored 52, 92 and 100 runs respectively. Badwan and Davison took 2 wickets each.

Operation against terrorists ends, 10 officials killed

At least 8 navy and two rangers’ personnel are martyred in the attack. Four terrorists also killed.

Army commandos cornered a team of terrorists in a naval base on Monday after the insurgents raided the complex the night before, destroying two US-supplied surveillance aircraft and killing at least 13 security officers, a navy spokesman said.

Between 10 and 15 insurgents armed with grenades, rockets and automatic weapons stormed PNS Mehran late on Sunday before splitting into smaller groups, setting off explosions and hiding in the sprawling facility. The operation has ended but security officials are searching terrorists in the building.

The raid was one of the most audacious in years of militant violence in Pakistan. The insurgent s ability to penetrate the high-security facility raised the possibility that they had inside help.

At least 11 navy and two rangers personnel were killed, while 14 security officials were wounded, he said, adding that it was unclear how many militant casualties there were.

This is the fourth major attack the group has claimed since the Bin Laden killing, including a car bombing that slightly injured American consulate workers in Peshawar and a twin-suicide attack that killed around 90 Pakistani paramilitary police recruits.

The raid began with at least three loud explosions, which were heard by people who live around the naval air station. It was unclear what caused the explosions, but they set off raging fires that could be seen from far in the distance. The media teams outside the base heard at least six other explosions and sporadic gunfire.

Authorities sent in several dozen navy and police commandos to battle the attackers, who responded with gunfire and grenades. At least two P-3C Orions, maritime surveillance aircraft given to Pakistan by the US, were destroyed, he said.

The United States handed over two Orions to the Pakistan Navy at a ceremony at the base in June 2010 attended by 250 Pakistani and American officials. By late 2012, Pakistan would have eight of the planes.

At least one media report said a team of American technicians were working on the aircraft at the time of the strike, but a US Embassy spokesman said no American was on the base. He also stated there were no foreigners inside the base.

Meanwhile, the naval chief, Noman Bashir, has called a high level meeting to discuss the situation.

Sony faces another hack attack

Sony is under the gun once again as Hackers targeted So-net Entertainment of Sony Corp.

Another unit of Sony Corp. has come under attack from hackers and this time it’s a mobile Internet service provider in Japan called So-net Entertainment Corp.

So-net said that someone gained improper access to user accounts and successfully used so-called "So-net points" to obtain goods worth about $1,225.

So-net said it discovered the activity late Wednesday after customer complaints and cut off the Internet Protocol address behind about 10,000 attempts to break into the system. The intruder used points from 128 accounts and illicitly checked the e-mails of 90 users.

The attack occurred just after Sony began last weekend restoring service to users of its PlayStation Network in the United States and Europe. The system was down for nearly a month after a massive security breach that compromised about 100 million accounts.

Gold prices dip in local, int’l markets

Gold prices decreased by $3 per ounce.

According to Jewellers Association, 10-gram gold price closed at Rs 42,214 after a decrease of Rs 300 and one to

Pakistan scent victory over W. Indies

BASSETERRE: Hundreds from Taufeeq Umar and Misbah-ul-Haq followed by purposeful bowling led by Abdur Rehman had Pakistan on the verge of victory over West Indies in the second Test on Monday.

Rehman captured three for 26 from 14 overs, as West Indies, in pursuit of 427 for victory, slumped to 130 for six in their second innings at stumps on the fourth day at Warner Park.

Left-hander Darren Bravo has been the only West Indies batsman that has come to terms with the Pakistani bowlers, hitting the top score so far of 50.

Taufeeq had equalled his career-best of 135 and Misbah, the Pakistan captain, was undefeated on 102, as the visitors reached 377 for six in their second innings before they declared about 45 minutes after lunch.

Taufeeq struck 13 fours from 315 balls in close to seven hours batting, and Misbah stroked 10 fours and two sixes from 141 deliveries in close to four hours.

Devendra Bishoo was the most successful West Indies bowler with two for 149 from 38 overs.

"It is really, really good to score a Test hundred as a captain because the team is always looking towards you for something special," said Misbah. "For your own confidence, and the sake of the team, it is really important that you chip in and perform at all stages of the game.

"But we have not won the Test match yet. Until we have taken the final wicket, we have not won it yet. "It's still a game of cricket, and we have to finish the game, unless it's half the job done."

Tanvir Ahmed made an early breakthrough for the Pakistanis, leaving West Indies 54 for one at tea, when he bowled West Indies opener Kraigg Brathwaite for a duck in the third over of the innings.

After tea, the visitors made a huge charge for victory, with Rehman playing a leading role, with the wickets of Lendl Simmons and Ramnaresh Sarwan in the space of five deliveries.

The Pakistan left-arm spinner had Simmons caught at second slip for 24, and Sarwan, the most experienced batsman in the West Indies line-up, was lbw playing back and across for a duck, a decision from New Zealand umpire Billy Bowden, which was changed after it was reviewed.

Rehman added the scalp of Marlon Samuels caught behind for six to leave West Indies 77 for four, but the Pakistanis met defiance from the left-handed pair of Bravo and West Indies vice captain Brendan Nash.

The visitors spent over an hour working away on the West Indies pair before Bravo cracked under the pressure, and was lbw to left-arm fast bowler Wahab Riaz. He struck two fours and two sixes from 144 balls in close to three hours of batting.

Earlier, Pakistan jammed their foot down on the accelerator, anticipating the declaration after they reached 202 for three at lunch. Misbah reached his hundred from 141 balls, with a thick edge to third man off Ravi Rampaul for his last boundary to prompt the declaration.

Umar Akmal shared 62 with him for the sixth wicket before Bishoo bowled him for 30, and Mohammad Salman was caught at deep fine leg off Rampaul for eight before the declaration came.

Pakistan trail 0-1 in the two-Test series, following a 40-run defeat inside four days in the first Test, which ended last Sunday at the Guyana National Stadium, crushing their dreams of a maiden Test series victory in the Caribbean.

Petroleum prices likely to remain unchanged in June

Petroleum prices are lowered by Rs 2 per liter in the international market.

According to sources, the government should increase petroleum levy instead of lowering the prices of petroleum products.

The government is charging Rs 3.16 per liter petroleum levy whereas a subsidy of Rs 40 billion has been given this year.

No such attack to be tolerated in future: Gilani The government and all its institutions are determined to defeat the militants, says PM. While talking to the media at Sindh Governor House, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said that the country was facing huge challenges and the people should unite to fight against the menace of terrorism and extremism. He directed the authorities to collect the evidences of the attack to conduct probe in a scientific manner. He stressed to enhance cooperation among all the law enforcement agencies. Earlier, Sindh governor apprised the PM of various security measures taken to protect the life and property of the people in the province. The Chief Minister also briefed Gilani on several decisions taken to strengthen the police and other provincial security agencies to ensure safety and protection of people as well as government property.

The government and all its institutions are determined to defeat the militants, says PM.

While talking to the media at Sindh Governor House, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said that the country was facing huge challenges and the people should unite to fight against the menace of terrorism and extremism.

He directed the authorities to collect the evidences of the attack to conduct probe in a scientific manner. He stressed to enhance cooperation among all the law enforcement agencies.

Earlier, Sindh governor apprised the PM of various security measures taken to protect the life and property of the people in the province.

The Chief Minister also briefed Gilani on several decisions taken to strengthen the police and other provincial security agencies to ensure safety and protection of people as well as government property.

Pakistan beat West Indies in 2nd test, to level series

Pakistan beat West Indies by 196 runs on the fifth day of the second test to draw series.

Abdur Rehman finished with figures of 4-65 as West Indies, resuming on 130 for five and needing to bat through the day to win the series, were bowled out for 230 before lunch. Saeed Ajmal did the damage with the key wickets of Brendan Nash (30), Darren Sammy (41) and Ravi Rampaul (20).

Sammy was caught at midwicket off a shot off Ajmal and although Rampaul showed some defiance, it ultimately proved futile. Once again West Indies struggled against spin which will give great heart to their upcoming opponents India who begin their tour of the Caribbean next month.

Pakistan, who won the five-match one day international series earlier in the tour 3-2, took full advantage of poor West Indian fielding in their second innings.