Hearing of treason case against Musharraf to resume shortly

The court has summoned the former President to face the charges.

ISLAMABAD (AFP) - Former military ruler Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday faces trial for treason over his imposition of emergency rule in 2007, charges he has dismissed as politically motivated.
The 70-year-old is expected to appear in person before a specially-convened court in the capital Islamabad, after legal efforts to have the tribunal ruled invalid failed.
Armed government paramilitary Rangers were stationed around the National Library building, where the hearing is to take place, and shipping containers put in place to form a security barrier to the compound.
The government had earlier filed a complaint under article 6 of the constitution and other relevant laws against the former president for subverting‚ suspending‚ abrogating and holding in abeyance the constitution.
It is the first time in Pakistan's history that a former military ruler has been put on trial for treason.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who won a third term in May's general election, was the man Musharraf ousted in his 1999 coup and the former general's lawyers say he is using the case to exact revenge.
Since returning from self-imposed exile in March to run in the election, Musharraf has faced a range of serious criminal cases dating back to his 1999-2008 rule.
He stands accused of murder over the death of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, killed in a gun and suicide attack in December 2007, as well as charges over the death of a rebel leader, a deadly military raid on a radical mosque and the detention of judges.
Musharraf was put under house arrest in April over the cases but was granted bail in each, one by one.

High level postings in Pakistan Army

Zamiur ul Hasan as Adjutant General and Obaidullah as Commander Army Strategic Force.

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - High-level transfers and postings have been made in Pakistan Army on Monday.
According to ISPR, Lt Gen Obaidullah has been posted as Commander Strategic Force, Lt Gen Javed Iqbal as Corps Commander Bahawalpur, Lt Gen Zameerul Hassan as Adjutant General at GHQ, Lt Gen Ikramul Haq as IG Training & Evaluation and Lt Gen Mohammad Zahid Latif has been posted as Commander Army Air Defense.

Rawalpindi: Mobile services to be suspended on Imam Hussain's Chehlum

A decision over suspension of mobile phones services in Rawalpindi has been taken.

RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – The Punjab government has finalised the security plan for the Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain in Rawalpindi.
According to sources, the government has imposed a ban on pillion ridding, use of loudspeaker and exhibition of arms in the city.
Meanwhile, the government is also considering closing all educational institutions on the eve of Hazrat Imam Hussain’s Chehlum.
A decision over suspension of mobile phones services has been taken. However, decision over suspension of complete or partial cellular services will be taken in evening, the sources added.
Meanwhile heavily contingents of police, Rangers and army would be deployed on main points of the procession.
A group of ulema refused to follow the suggestions of police and district administration.
Earlier on Sunday, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar directed all concerned officials to ensure strict security measures on Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain.
Chairing a high-level meeting, Nisar ordered Islamabad police to make foolproof security arrangements on the occasion.
 

Nuclear deal with Pakistan only for peaceful purposes: China

Says Pak-China nuclear deal aims help Pakistan tackle the shortage of power.

Beijing (Dunya News) - Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying has said that it will continue cooperating with Pakistan in the civil nuclear energy to solve the power shortage of Pakistan.
Addressing a daily news briefing‚ a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in Beijing that such cooperation is entirely for peaceful purposes‚ in line with international obligations‚ and subject to the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
With reference to the construction of a nuclear power plant in Karachi‚ she said it helps to ease Pakistan's electricity shortage and China will continue to provide assistance within its ability.
Construction of Pakistan's largest nuclear power project with the Chinese cooperation was launched in Karachi on Nov. 26.
According to local media reports‚ the Coastal Power Projects K-II and K-III are designed to produce 2‚200 megawatts of electricity when completed in November 2019.

Great Catch By Umar Akmal

Great Catch By Umar Akmal 

Kamran Akmal as a great player in Pakistan Cricket team

Kamran Akmal great player in Pakistan Cricket team by jeelanisports

Chinese users welcome Apple, China Mobile deal

The deal gives Apple a bigger entry into the huge Chinese market.

BEIJING (AFP) - Chinese users welcomed a long-awaited tie-up between Apple and China Mobile, the world's biggest wireless operator, but analysts warned Monday that the deal's impact depends on the quality of the carrier's 4G network.
The US technology giant and China Mobile on Sunday unveiled the agreement to bring the iPhone to customers on a network with an estimated 760 million subscribers and until now dominated by low-cost Android smartphones.
The US company's iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c phones will be available at China Mobile and Apple retail stores across mainland China starting January 17, they said in a joint statement.
Chinese mobile phone users gave the deal a rousing ovation, hailing it as "a marathon love affair that finally came to a happy ending", in the words of one fan.
"It finally comes -- I've been waiting for so long that I'm exhausted," a user with the online handle Gluttonous Miser posted on Sina Weibo, a Chinese equivalent of Twitter.
Apple iPhones can currently be used on China Mobile's 2G network but not on its higher-speed 3G network due to a home-grown standard the carrier has adopted.
While users were generally upbeat, some raised concerns about the cost of the devices to be offered by China Mobile.
"Come on, the price must not let us down, it has to be encouraging, better not to go over 4,000 yuan ($660)," wrote another user.
The unsubsidised price of the iPhone 5, a model with slightly reduced cost to appeal to budget-conscious consumers, is $550 in the United States but higher in other countries, often due to tax and regulatory costs. In China the 5c sells at more than $700.
Negotiations between Apple and China Mobile took years, with one key hurdle reportedly being the US company's demand for sales volume guarantees.
The deal gives Apple a bigger entry into the huge Chinese market, as the company is facing declining market share and seeking to counter the flood of low-cost smartphones from rivals.
Even though iPhone sales grew 25.6 percent in the third quarter from a year earlier, growth was slower than the overall market and Apple's market share fell to 12.9 percent from 14.4 percent in the same period last year, according to a survey by market intelligence firm IDC.
But analysts said that the immediate benefit from the partnership will be limited given that many of China Mobile's customers are already using iPhones, lessening the prospect of a sharp boost to sales.
They said the main rationale for the deal was likely both companies' strategy in the 4G era, which will allow users to -- among other things -- watch movies and play games on mobile networks at a much faster speed and in better quality.
In the statement, Apple and China Mobile said the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c "both offer more 4G LTE bands than any other smartphone in the world."
"The collaboration between Apple and China Mobile will give a big boost to the development of China's homegrown 4G/TD-LTE technology," it said.
China granted three state-owned operators licenses early this month to offer services on the new network, and China Mobile is rolling out the world's biggest 4G network.
"If (China Mobile's) 4G network comes online (with good quality), the impact will be rather big," Xu Zhipeng, a Beijing-based analyst with research firm Zero2ipo Group, told AFP.
However, given the operator's problem-prone 3G network, it will take time for Chinese users to build up confidence and accept the new network, he said.
"Customers may take a wait-and-see attitude towards its 4G network and will not rush to (grab an iPhone) as its price is rather high," Xu said.

'Fast and Furious 7' to be released in 2015: Vin Diesel

Cricket: Ahmed Shehzad fined 50 percent of fee

The International Cricket Council (ICC) said Pakistani opener Shehzad pleaded guilty to the offence.

DUBAI (AFP) - Pakistani opener Ahmed Shehzad has been fined 50 percent of his match fee for pushing Sri Lankan opener Tillakaratne Dilshan during the third one-day game, the sport s governing body said Monday.
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 113 runs on Sunday to go 2-1 up in the five-match series, with the last two games in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday and Friday.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) said Shehzad pleaded guilty to the offence.
"The opener was found to have breached Article 2.2.4 of the ICC code of conduct for players and player support personnel, which relates to  inappropriate and deliberate physical contact between Players in the course of play during an international match ," said a ICC statement.
The charge had been laid by the on-field umpires Johan Cloete of South Africa and Pakistan s Shozab Raza, as well as third umpire Richard Illingworth from England and fourth umpire Ahsan Raza of Pakistan.
The incident happened at the end of the 19th over when Shehzad got involved in a debate with Dilshan, which ended with the former pushing the Sri Lanka opener s shoulder.
Shehzad scored a brilliant 81 as Pakistan notched up a massive total of 326-5 in 50 overs before bowling out Sri Lanka for 213 in 44.4 overs.
Pakistan won the first game in Sharjah by 11 runs while Sri Lanka clinched the second in Dubai by two wickets.

Gold facing first annual price drop since 2000

Gold stood at $1,205 an ounce on the London Bullion Market, down almost 27 percent in 2013.

LONDON, Dec 22, 2013 (AFP) - Barring a late price surge, gold's value will suffer its first annual drop since the start of the millennium, while the precious metal risks further losses in 2014.
Gold stood at $1,205 an ounce Friday on the London Bullion Market, down almost 27 percent in 2013 on weaker demand and easing inflation -- snapping twelve years of uninterrupted annual price growth.
That leaves gold, whose twin drivers are jewellery demand and investment buying, set for its the first annual price loss since 2000 when its value had fallen by 5.6 percent.
"There are two distinct factors behind the gold price decline this year," Macquarie banking group analyst Matthew Turner told AFP.
"The first one is obviously the investor sell-off," he said, citing a sharp slump in demand from so-called exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that allow investment without trading on the futures market.
According to Turner, ETFs are on course to have sold 840 tonnes of gold this year with the metal's haven status dented by signs of economic recovery despite ongoing strains across the eurozone.
Gold's value took a knock during 2013, also from growing speculation that the US Federal Reserve would start to scale back its quantitative easing (QE) stimulus programme that propped up the world's biggest economy by billions of dollars.
Gold in June hit a three-year low at $1,180.50 an ounce on Fed speculation, before bouncing back.
It came close to matching this level at the end of last week as the US central bank ended months of speculation by finally announcing it would start to scale back its stimulus next month.
Turner said gold demand had fallen for a variety of reasons, including "a growing anticipation of the Fed ending QE... a reduced sense of crisis around the world and the fact that inflation has fallen in most countries this year, especially in the US".
He added: "This last point is very important -- the concept of QE leading to inflation has not really happened." Gold is seen also as a hedge against rising prices.
Fed tapering of its $85-billion-a-month QE policy is meanwhile set to boost the greenback, making dollar-priced gold more expensive for countries using other currencies, further weighing on demand.
Gold has been pushed lower also by rising supply, Turner said, noting that global gold mine output was increasing amid falling purchases by central banks.
In a further blow, the government of top consumer India has hiked gold customs duty three times this year to curb imports and rein in its current account deficit.
"In the very near term, Fed monetary policy stimulus will continue to be the big driver of gold prices, with improving economic data in the US increasing bets of (further) stimulus withdrawal," said National Australian Bank (NAB) economist James Glenn.
The US central bank last Wednesday announced that it would cut QE by $10 billion (7.3 billion euros) a month to $75 billion from the start of 2014. Analysts are forecasting further $10-billion cuts throughout the course of next year.
While NAB predicts that the price of gold will drop to $1,050 an ounce by late 2014/early 2015, Commerzbank is forecasting the metal to reach $1,400 by the end of next year as global monetary policy stokes inflation.
"Gold is... likely to gain greater acceptance again from Western investors as a means of hedging against a loss of purchasing power due to inflation and currency devaluation," they said in a research note.
Gold has fallen back sharply from a record high of $1,921.15 an ounce recorded in September 2011, when investors rushed to snap up the precious metal on fears of a fresh global recession amid the eurozone debt crisis.

Saif is a genuine nawab: Soha Ali Khan

Saif was anointed the 10th Nawab of Pataudi after his father Mansoor Ali Khan's death in 2011.

MUMBAI (Web Desk) - Soha Ali Khan, currently busy promoting her forthcoming film 'Mr Joe B. Carvalho', describes her brother and actor Saif as a genuine nawab.
Saif was anointed the 10th Nawab of Pataudi after the death of his father and former India cricket captain Mansoor Ali Khan in 2011.
When asked about the personality traits of her brother in real life, Soha said: "He is very special, and Saif was born a prince."
"He was born in 1970 and in 1971 (under the 26th Amendment to the Constitution) all the princely titles were abolished. So, he was actually a prince for a year," she said.
"Maybe because of that, his style and his taste is so different. Even when he has lunch during shoots, he has a table, table-cloth - he is a genuine nawab," she added.
Soha, who is active in films for about a decade and did films like Rang De Basanti and Mumbai Meri Jaan, says she has shed the girl-next-door image in the comedy, Mr Joe B. Carvalho, directed by Samir Tewari.
"It's a comedy film and I got an opportunity to do action and cabaret - so it was fun for me. All this while I have done more of the girl-next-door kind of a role, but in this film I have come out of that image," said the 35-year-old.
In the film, which is coming out Jan 3, Soha has teamed up with Arshad Warsi.

Turk PM Tayyip Erdogan reaches Pakistan

Turkish PM Tayyip Erdogan reached Pakistan on two-day official visit on Monday.

LAHORE (Dunya News) - Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan reached Pakistan on two-day official visit on Monday to strengthen bilateral ties and enhance co-operation in various fields.
Chief Minister Punjab, Mian Shahbaz Sharif and some provincial ministers received the distinguished guest at the Lahore Airport.
The Turkish Prime Minister is leading a delegation comprising ministers‚ businessmen and entrepreneurs to explore the investment avenues in diverse fields in Pakistan.
The Turkish PM would move to Islamabad on Tuesday and meet with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The meeting will be followed by delegation level talks.
President Mamnoon Hussain will also host a luncheon for the Turkish Prime Minister.

Dilshan and Ahmed shehzad pitch turned battlefield

Oil prices mixed in thin trading

Oil prices were narrowly mixed on Friday as trading slowed down ahead of the festive season.

LONDON (AFP) - New York s main contract, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for February delivery, fell 29 cents to $98.75 a barrel.
Brent North Sea crude for February rose 21 cents to $110.50 in London.
Both contracts had risen on Thursday as investors read the Fed s decision to cut its monthly asset purchases by $10 billion from January as a sign of the central bank s confidence in the US economy.
"The US benchmark (oil) price has rallied 6.5 percent since the start of the month as commodities and equity indices surge on renewed market optimism on the Fed decision to begin tapering in January," Kash Kamal, research analyst at Sucden brokers, said on Friday.
The Federal Reserve added this week that it planned to continue with its ultra-low interest rates, even after achieving its goal of bringing unemployment to below 6.5 percent.
"The commitment from the Fed to keep its key interest rates low had lifted confidence, garnering support for crude oil prices," Singapore-based broker Phillip Futures said in a note to clients.
Investors had been concerned that a wind-down of the stimulus would hit oil demand outside of the United States.

Aamir Khan's 'Dhoom 3' set to break Salman Khan's 'Ek Tha Tiger' record

Dhoom 3, which will release in theatres on December 20, is now set to shatter all the records.

MUMBAI (Web Desk) - Aamir Khan s 3 Idiots was the all time highest grosser Hindi film until the release of Shahrukh Khan s Chennai Express, which smashed most of its records.
Later, Hrithik Roshan s Krrish 3 has erased almost all the old records and become the highest grosser of all time with its collection Rs 244 crore nett at the Indian Box Office. Dhoom 3, which will release in theatres on December 20, is now set to shatter all the records.
Dhoom 3, the latest installment in YRF s Dhoom series, has been creating positive buzz ever since Aditya Chopra announced it.
There are several reasons for the hype surrounding the film. Firstly, the previous installments have been very successful and they created a brand name for this series. Secondly, Mr Aamir Khan and Katrina Kaif s participation has added more hype for the flick.
Even with ticket prices raised to Rs 800 in certain multiplexes,  Dhoom 3  is getting a positive response. Bollywood s biggest release in 2013, it is expected to rule the overseas market as well with its release in 700 screens outside India.

Syria views Saudi Arabia as number one enemy

Saudi Arabia was providing unfettered support for "terrorist groups" in Syria, an official said.

DAMASCUS (AFP) - Syria now views Saudi Arabia as its number one enemy and accuses it of trying to destroy the country by arming jihadists and other rebels fighting to oust President Bashar al-Assad.
The oil-rich Gulf monarchies have sided with the opposition from the start of Syria s conflict in March 2011, with Riyadh leading calls for the fall of Assad.
Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Muqdad told AFP this week that Saudi Arabia was providing unfettered support for "terrorist groups" in Syria, while other nations had reviewed their positions.
"I think that all those who supported these terrorist groups have the feeling now that they have made big mistakes," Muqdad said in an interview on Thursday, referring to the rebels seeking to topple Assad.
"The only party who is declaring the full support to the terrorist groups, to Al-Qaeda, is Saudi Arabia," he said.
Muqdad urged the world to press Saudi Arabia to halt its support for the rebels, to prevent what he said was "another 11 September incident".
"I think that if the world wants to avoid another 11 September incident, they must start telling Saudi Arabia  enough is enough ," he said, referring to Al-Qaeda s 2001 attacks on the US.
Earlier this month, Assad s government urged the United Nations to take a stand against Saudi support for Islamist groups whose influence has grown on the battlefield.
"We call on the UN Security Council to take the necessary measures to put an end to the unprecedented actions of the Saudi regime, which is supporting takfiri (Sunni extremist) terrorism tied to Al-Qaeda," the foreign ministry said in a message to UN chief Ban Ki-moon.
It was the first time the Syrian government has appealed to the international body to take action against Riyadh.
"Saudi Arabia is not content to merely send weapons and to finance but also mobilises extremist terrorists and sends them to kill the Syrian people," the Syrian message said.

Saudi  not to stand idle
=========================

Saudi-Syrian relations had been tense for years, long before the start of the brutal conflict that has now killed an estimated 126,000 people.
The Sunni-ruled kingdom severed diplomatic relations with Damascus following the February 2005 assassination in Beirut of Lebanese ex-premier Rafiq Hariri who had close ties with Riyadh.
Four years later, diplomatic ties resumed and Assad, who belongs to the Alawite Shiite sect, paid an official visit to Riyadh in March 2009.
Saudi King Abdullah, who rarely embarks on official visits abroad, reciprocated in October that year and made a landmark visit to Damascus to seal ties.
But relations deteriorated from the onset of the Syria war and were finally severed, with Riyadh repeatedly calling for the end of Assad s regime.
Saudi officials have simultaneously chided the West for its reluctance to intervene militarily on the side of the armed opposition.
On Tuesday, the Saudi ambassador to Britain, Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf bin Abdul Aziz, published in The New York Times a bluntly worded assessment of the West s policies on Syria and Iran.
"We believe that many of the West s policies on both Iran and Syria risk the stability and security of the Middle East," he wrote in the commentary.
The senior diplomat said Saudi Arabia has "global responsibilities", both political and economic, and vowed it will continue to support the rebel Free Syrian Army and opposition fighters.
"We will act to fulfil these responsibilities, with or without the support of our Western partners," wrote the ambassador.
He also acknowledged the threat of Al-Qaeda-linked groups in Syria, arguing however that the best way to counter the rise of extremists among the rebels was to support the "champions of moderation".
Muqdad on Thursday told AFP that "Saudi Arabia should be put on the list of countries supporting terrorism."
Outside regime circles, there is also growing animosity towards Saudi Arabia.
Earlier this month, a film which depicts the Saudi royal family in an unflattering light was screened at the Damascus opera house.
"It was important for me to show this movie," said director Najdat Anzour of his "The King of Sands" movie, which opens with Al-Qaeda s 9/11 attacks on the US.
"Al-Qaeda didn t come from Mars but from Saudi Arabia, from the Wahhabi, extremist way of thinking," Anzour told AFP.
Anzour said a Saudi cleric has issued a fatwa, Islamic decree, authorising his killing.
 

Polio worker gunned down in Khyber Agency

The murder took place at a government-run dispensary in Jamrud town in the Khyber tribal district.

PESHAWAR (AFP) - Two gunmen shot dead a health worker administering polio drops and other vaccines to children in a restive Pakistani tribal region bordering Afghanistan on Saturday, officials said.
The murder took place at a government-run dispensary in Jamrud town in the Khyber tribal district. The gunmen ordered women and children to leave before shooting dead the vaccinator, doctor Sameen Jan, the top health official in Khyber told AFP.
Nobody immediately claimed responsibility for the killing, but Taliban militants have been targeting health workers and security personnel during vaccination campaigns.
A local administration official confirmed the incident and said that the assailants left a note on the body warning of dire consequences for anyone continuing to vaccinate children in Khyber.
The attacks come despite a recent fatwa by a prominent Pakistani religious scholar, known as the "Father of the Taliban", who urged parents to immunise their children against polio and other life-threatening diseases and said vaccinations were compliant with Sharia.
Last year the Taliban banned polio vaccinations in the tribal region of Waziristan, alleging the campaign was a cover for espionage.
Eradication efforts have also suffered due to long-standing rumours that the vaccine was part of a Western plot to sterlise Muslims.
Ansarul Mujahideen, a little-known militant group linked to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, the umbrella Taliban faction in Pakistan, has threatened opposition leader and former cricket hero Imran Khan for criticising attacks on polio vaccination teams.
Khan on Wednesday declared polio workers as soldiers of Islam and said those attacking them were not doing any justice to humanity, Islam or Pakistanis.
Pakistan is one of three countries in the world where polio remains endemic and efforts to stamp it out have been badly affected by attacks on health workers inoculating children. Polio is also endemic in Afghanistan and Nigeria.
According to the World Health Organization, Pakistan recorded 72 cases of polio this year compared with 58 in 2012.

Foreign agencies involve in serial killings in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Two accused who were involved in Mulana Shamsur Rehamn and Nasir Abbas killing captured and they revealed a conspiracy hatched by the foreign agencies.

Law enforcement agencies has arrested eight suspects in the killing of Mulana Shamsur Rehman and four in killing of Shia cleric Nasir Abbas.

Intelligence agencies sources told that during investigation two accused revealed that some foreign personalities has given them Rs seven million for the killing of both scholars. police has also recovered arm, cash and lap top from their possession.

Sindh Assembly Turns “Marriage Hall”

Karachi:  Provincial Sindh Assembly building, the government property, used as a platform to discuss law and order strategies of the country by the lawmakers turned to a marriage hall after the Speaker of Sindh Assembly, Agha Siraj Durrani chose the place for wedding event of one of his close relatives.

Sindh Assembly members, themselves deviated from the laws restriction. Organizing of the reception with in the premises was synonymous to bringing disgrace to the governing house. Agha Siraj Durrani by organizing the wedding event violated the rule and misused the government property.

As per the details, over 1000 people were invited at the reception where the comers were given the VPI protocol as enjoyed by the Sindh Assembly lawmakers. While, police forces were also deployed on the occasion to ensure strict security measures.

The guests were allowed to park their cars with in the premises, which are sheer over-ruling of the assembly regulations. Only assembly members and staff members are permitted to park their cars, in accordance to the rule.

Green Number Plate Cars were also used for Personal Work.

Media sources have reported that the valima reception of Agha’s nephew was held. The problem solving place turned to an amusing place. Large number of people gathered wearing heavy dress. The building was heavily decorated while aroma of scrumptious dishes spread wide in the area.  They are breaking rule of ending events before 12 AM while one dish concept, remained notification for the citizens only.

Umar Gul wins Twenty20 international performance of the year award

List of winners of the International Cricket Council awards announced by the world governing body on Friday:
Twenty20 international performance of the year: Umar Gul (PAK) – for bowling figures of 2.2-0-6-5 v South Africa, March 3, 2013. Other nominees: Martin Guptill (NZL ) – 101 not out off 69 balls v South Africa, December 23, 2012; Brendon McCullum (NZL) – 123 off 53 balls v Bangladesh, October 1, 2012; Ajanth Mendis (SRI) – Bowling figures of 4-2-8-6 v Zimbabwe, September 18, 2012.
Women´s Twenty20 cricketer of the year: Sarah Taylor (ENG)Other nominees: Suzie Bates (NZL), Shanel Daley (WIS), Deandra Dottin (WIS), Meg Lanning (AUS), Stafanie Taylor (WIS)
Cricketer of the year: Michael Clarke (AUS)Other nominees: Hashim Amla (RSA), James Anderson (ENG), Alastair Cook (ENG), Mahendra Singh Dhoni (IND), Kumar Sangakkara (SRI).
Test cricketer of the year: Michael Clarke (AUS)Other nominees: Hashim Amla (RSA), James Anderson (ENG), Ravichandran Ashwin (IND), Cheteshwar Pujara (IND), Dale Steyn (RSA).
One-day cricketer of the year: Kumar Sangakkara (SRI)Other nominees: Saeed Ajmal (PAK), Shikhar Dhawan (IND), Mahendra Singh Dhoni (IND), Misbah ul-Haq (PAK), Ravindra Jadeja (IND).
Women´s one-day cricketer of the year: Suzie Bates (NZL)Other nominees: Charlotte Edwards (ENG), Meg Lanning (AUS), Dane van Niekerk (RSA), Anya Shrubsole (ENG), Stafanie Taylor (WIS).
Emerging cricketer of the year: Cheteshwar Pujara (IND)Other nominees: Trent Boult (NZL), Joe Root (ENG), Mitchell Starc (AUS).
Associate and Affiliate cricketer of the year: Kevin O´Brien (IRL)Other nominees: Kyle Coetzer (SCO), Ed Joyce (IRL), Nawroz Mangal (AFG).
Umpire of the year: Richard Kettleborough (ENG)Other nominees: Aleem Dar (PAK), Steve Davis (AUS), Kumar Dharmasena (SRI), Marais Erasmus (RSA), Ian Gould (ENG), Tony Hill (NZL), Richard Illingworth (ENG), Nigel Llong (ENG), Bruce Oxenford (AUS), Paul Reiffel (AUS), Rodney Tucker (AUS).
Spirit of cricket award: Mahela Jayawardena (SRI) – for not waiting for umpire´s decision after edging a catch to the wicket-keeper when he was batting on 91 against New Zealand in a Test match in Galle in November 2012. Other nominee: Farhad Reza (BAN) – for confirming he had touched the boundary ropes and signalled a six after catching Pakistan opener Nasir Jamshed during the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka in 2012.
People´s choice award (announced earlier): Mahendra Singh Dhoni (IND)Other nominees: Alastair Cook (ENG), Michael Clarke (AUS), Virat Kohli (IND), AB de Villiers (RSA).
ICC´s Test team of the year (in batting order – announced earlier):Alastair Cook (ENG, capt), Cheteshwar Pujara (IND), Hashim Amla (RSA), Michael Clarke (AUS), Michael Hussey (AUS), AB de Villiers (RSA), Mahendra Singh Dhoni (IND, wicket-keeper), Graeme Swann (ENG), Dale Steyn (RSA), James Anderson (ENG), Vernon Philander (RSA). 12th Man: Ravichandran Ashwin (IND).
ICC´s one-day team of the year (in batting order – announced earlier):Tillakaratne Dilshan (SRI), Shikhar Dhawan (IND), Hashim Amla (RSA), Kumar Sangakkara (SRI), AB de Villiers (RSA), Mahendra Singh Dhoni (IND, capt and wicket-keeper), Ravindra Jadeja (IND), Saeed Ajmal (PAK), Mitchell Starc (AUS), James Anderson (ENG), Lasith Malinga (SRI). 12th Man: Mitchell McClenaghan.

Four Pakistani, accused of smuggling migrants arrested in Greek

Greece is the main port of entry into the European Union for migrants and refugees.


ATHENS (AFP) - Greek authorities arrested four Pakistani nationals accused of smuggling migrants and freed eight Syrians held captive in a house near Athens, police said Sunday.
"The four arrested Pakistanis are members of a criminal organisation specialising in snatching and illegally smuggling migrants, who were kept captive and forced to pay money," police said in a statement.
Police freed eight Syrian nationals from the house in Koropi, who were found chained and had been subjected to frequent beatings.
Only given scarce food and water, the Syrians were forced to communicate with relatives who had to make payments to the captors.
Authorities were alerted after two other Syrians managed to escape from the house and seek help.
Greece is the main port of entry into the European Union for migrants and refugees fleeing war-torn or impoverished countries in Africa, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent.
Refugee traffic has soared over the past year because of the ongoing war in Syria, while arrivals by sea have increased owing to stricter controls on the Greek-Turkish northern land border.
In November, authorities in western Greece arrested four people -- three Greeks and a foreign national -- after 12 migrants, including four children, drowned while trying to reach Italy in an eight-metre (26-foot) fibreglass boat.

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Huge fireball explosion over Homs, Syria by itnnews

Mathira Clarifies Her Statement on Shahid Afridi

 
Mathira Mohammed, the scandal queen has clarified her statements regarding Boom Boom Afridi. One of the local channels when approached her for the interview, she stated that they were the misquoted words by the media to get hype to their news stories.
 She further said that item songs are demand of people. Since, without dance performances and some interest material audience would not be much attracted. Earlier, Media Reported that Mathira Criticized Shahid Afridi because of Afridi’s reservation on immoral scenes in “Main Hoon Shahid Afridi”.
It had been reported earlier that Boom Boom Afridi had expressed displeasure over the item song done by the host and anchor person Mathira. To Afridi, it was a bold song and hence calling ‘Mein Hoon Shahid Afridi’ was not a family movie.
 Quoting the cricketers words, media had quoted Mathira using wrong statements about the player. But in her recent interview, she clarified the false items. ‘Can anything be spoken against such a hero’, said the diva. Hence, she stepped forward to disown the statements, clarifying the resentment between the two figures.
                  Further she stated that she has not decided about her marriage. ‘For sure it would be a man, to whom I would tie the knot, that is all I can say right now,’ stated Mathira.

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Baby Wakes Up Dancing to Gangnam Style by Jokeroo

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Army Chief arrives in Quetta on two-day official visit

The COAS visited the headquarters of Southern Command where he was given a comprehensive briefing.

QUETTA (Web Desk) - Army Chief General Raheel Sharif arrived here on Wednesday on a two day official visit.
On arrival, the COAS was welcomed by Corps Commander Lt. General Nasir Khan Janjua.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) the Army Chief visited the headquarters of Southern Command where he was given a comprehensive briefing on the prevailing security situation in Balochistan.
General Raheel Sharif was also briefed about the relief activities of Pakistan army in Awaran and other quake affected areas of the province.
The Army Chief was informed about various educational and development projects being undertaken by the Army.

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'Frozen' takes over top spot at box office

"Frozen" is loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen's classic fairytale "The Snow Queen."

Los Angeles (AFP) - Disney animated musical "Frozen" extinguished the box-office flames of "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" to take top spot as the highest-earning movie in North American theaters this weekend, industry figures showed Monday.
The 53rd movie in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series, which began with "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" in 1937, "Frozen" is loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen s classic fairytale "The Snow Queen."
Box office tracker Exhibitor Relations showed the movie had deposed "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" after raking in a cool $31.6 million.
The latest installment of the blockbuster "Hunger Games" franchise continued to hold up well, however, earning $26.2 million for second place, taking its overall earnings to date to a healthy $335.9 million in North America alone.
The series stars Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, a teenager forced into a deadly battle for survival in the macabre post-apocalyptic kingdom of Panem.
In a distant third place with $5.2 million was "Out of the Furnace," a thriller starring Christian Bale and Casey Affleck as two brothers who are sucked into the criminal underworld as they attempt to break free from poverty.
In fourth spot was superhero flick "Thor: The Dark World," the latest movie based on Marvel s iconic comic book character, which took in $4.8 million on its fourth weekend.
In fifth was "Delivery Man." The comedy, starring veteran funnyman Vince Vaughn as a sperm donor who discovers he has sired 533 children, earned $3.7 million.
Gritty action-thriller "Homefront," about a former drug enforcement officer forced to battle a meth druglord in small-town America, was in sixth, taking in nearly $3.4 million on its second weekend in theaters.
In seventh place was World War II drama "The Book Thief," based on Markus Zusak s best-selling novel about a girl who steals and shares books in Nazi Germany, earning just over $2.6 million on its fifth week out.
Romantic Christmas comedy "The Best Man Holiday," a sequel 15 years in the making to "The Best Man," in which old college friends reignite old romances and rivalries, was just behind with $2.6 million.
In ninth spot was "Philomena" starring Steve Coogan and Judi Dench, about a journalist who helps a woman s search for her long-lost son, seized when she was forced to live in a convent. It made $2.2 million.
Rounding the out the top 10 was drama "Dallas Buyers Club", the critically acclaimed drama starring Matthew McConaughey, based on the true story of an AIDS-stricken rodeo cowboy who set up an illegal ring to provide unapproved anti-viral drugs to people battling the disease in the 1980s.
The movie, which has earned rave reviews and talk of a possible Oscar nod for McConaughey, earned $1.5 million.

Afridi wins 1st T-20 with bat

DUBAI: Pakistan won the 1st T-20 against Sri Lanka by 3 wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Chasing 146 for victory, Pakistan got to the target after some anxious moments with 3 wickets and 5 balls to spare.
Shahid Afridi played a match winning but more surprisingly a sensible knock of 39 off just 20 balls 2 fours and 3 towering sixes.
Shahid Afridi also became the first player to score 1000 runs and get 50 wickets in T-20 internationals.
Sharjeel Khan also played a handy innings scoring 34 and skipper M.Hafeez got 32.
Malinga was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers picking up 3 wickets for 26 runs.
- See more at: http://www.geo.tv/article-129952-Afridi-wins-1st-T-20-with-bat#sthash.Ri5NpdOr.dpuf

DUBAI: Pakistan won the 1st T-20 against Sri Lanka by 3 wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Chasing 146 for victory, Pakistan got to the target after some anxious moments with 3 wickets and 5 balls to spare.
Shahid Afridi played a match winning but more surprisingly a sensible knock of 39 off just 20 balls 2 fours and 3 towering sixes.
Shahid Afridi also became the first player to score 1000 runs and get 50 wickets in T-20 internationals.
Sharjeel Khan also played a handy innings scoring 34 and skipper M.Hafeez got 32.
Malinga was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers picking up 3 wickets for 26 runs.
- See more at: http://www.geo.tv/article-129952-Afridi-wins-1st-T-20-with-bat#sthash.Ri5NpdOr.dpuf

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Thai PM dissolves Parliament, calls elections

BANGKOK: Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has announced the dissolution of the lower house of Parliament and called for elections in an attempt to calm the country’s deepening political crisis.
Yingluck´s announcement Monday came as thousands of anti-government protesters vowed to march through Bangkok in a "final showdown" against her government.
Yingluck said "there will be new elections according to the democratic system." She did not set a date. (AP)

Dollar mixed in Asia after strong US jobs report

TOKYO: The dollar was mixed in Asia Monday after a solid US jobs report for November boosted the chances of an early pullback on the Federal Reserve´s stimulus programme.
The greenback fetched 103.01 yen in Tokyo morning trade, from 102.85 yen in New York on Friday.
The euro strengthened to $1.3707 and 141.21 yen against $1.3705 and 141.03 yen in New York.
On Friday the Labor Department said the jobless rate dropped to a five-year low of 7.0 percent in November, from 7.3 percent in October. It also said the economy added a healthy 203,000 jobs.
The figures raised the chances of a wind down in the Fed´s $85 billion-a-month bond-buying scheme, which it has said it dependent on the economy showing it can stand on its own two feet. A rollback is seen as positive for the dollar.
"The US November employment report helped to reinforce expectations that the Fed will begin tapering soon, possibly as early as the FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) meeting in mid-December," Credit Agricole said.
"The jobs data followed on from several other firm US data releases over the week highlighting strengthening signs of recovery."
Weighing on the yen, official data Monday showed Japan logged a surprise 127.9 billion yen deficit in its current account -- the broadest measure of trade with the rest of the world. The reading reversed a 420.8 billion yen surplus a year ago.
Tokyo also announced on Monday that economic growth in the three months to September eased to 0.3 percent quarter on quarter, from the 0.5 percent initially stated and well down from the 0.9 percent in the previous three months.
The euro has been supported by the European Central Bank´s decision last week to hold off any new interest rate cuts despite prolonged low inflation.
The move follows the ECB´s surprise cut last month of its central refinancing rate by a quarter-point to counter the threat of deflation. (AFP)

Oil prices climb in Asian trade

SINGAPORE: Oil prices rose in Asian trade Monday as robust US jobs data boosted hopes for stronger energy demand in the world´s biggest economy.
New York´s main contract, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for January delivery, was up 23 cents at $97.88 a barrel in mid-morning trade, while Brent North Sea crude for January rose 13 cents to $111.74.
Singapore´s United Overseas Bank said in a research note that prices were supported "by the outlook for increased demand after strong jobs data from the US, the world´s top oil consumer".
The US government reported last week that the unemployment rate fell sharply to 7.0 percent in November from 7.3 percent in October.
The data, which pointed to further strength in the US economy, also saw a better-than-expected surge of 203,000 jobs generated.
As the world´s largest oil consuming nation, the health of the American economy has a major influence on the crude oil market. (AFP)

WI juniors squad pulled out of Bangladesh

ST. JOHN´S: West Indies on Sunday withdrew their Under-19 national cricket team from a tour of Bangladesh after a bomb explosion in the port city of Chittagong sparked fears over the squad´s safety and security.
Police said a small device went off during a nationwide strike on Saturday evening outside Hotel Agrabad in Bangladesh´s second largest city where the visiting team were staying.
Although there were no injuries in the incident, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) decided to withdraw their squad after considering a report from their security manager Paul Slowe, a statement said. "The report emphasized that the current security environment in Bangladesh is not conducive to the playing of cricket in light of the 72 hours nationwide blockade and calls for countrywide dawn to dusk protest," said the WICB."
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officials had held a series of meetings with the visitors Sunday morning in an effort to reassure their visitors. "We´ve assured them of stepped-up security and they are now convinced," BCB director Akram Khan told AFP earlier in the day in Dhaka.
The explosion came during a nationwide transport blockade called by the country´s 18-party opposition alliance, which is demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and polls under a neutral government.
At least 70 people have died in the violence triggered by the protests since late October.
They include several people hit by small bombs. Crippling blockade and strikes have paralysed much of the country, forcing suspension of bus, lorry, ferry and train services.
Bangladesh is due to host the 2014 World Twenty20 championship in March and April next year with Chittagong, Dhaka and Sylhet all scheduled to host matches. (AFP)

Arsenal handed 1-1 stalemate by Everton

Arsenal handed 1-1 stalemate by Everton
Deulofeu late show stops Arsenal pulling away
LONDON: A fine 84th-minute goal by substitute Gerard Deulofeu earned Everton a 1-1 draw at Arsenal on Sunday that prevented the Premier League leaders from moving seven points clear.
Arsenal had taken the lead only four minutes earlier, through Mesut Ozil, but with a handsome advantage beckoning, on-loan Barcelona forward Deulofeu smashed home to earn his side the point that their endeavour deserved.
Having seen Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United drop points on Saturday, Arsenal are nonetheless five points clear of Liverpool and Chelsea ahead of their trip to City next weekend.
Defending champions United, meanwhile, are now 13 points behind Arsene Wenger´s side in ninth place. "We regret we were 1-0 up and couldn´t keep a clean sheet," said Arsenal manager Wenger. “We were caught a bit on the flanks. This team has a fantastic attitude and respond always. They give everything. We know we have quality and at least we took a point. "There is always room for improvement. The three points would have been better, but the attitude and quality of the players is there and is a good basis for improvement."
It was another spirited performance from Roberto Martinez´s Everton, who won 1-0 at United on Wednesday and continue to stalk the Champions League contenders, sitting a point below fourth-place City in fifth. "Their goal came from nothing, but to display the character and come back to score with a goal of that quality was fitting for a game of that standard," said Martinez.
Everton were unchanged from the team that had prevailed at Old Trafford, while Arsenal recalled Kieran Gibbs, Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere and Olivier Giroud following Wednesday´s 2-0 victory at home to Hull City.
Buoyed by their first win at United since 1992, Everton took the game to Arsenal from the off, with Kevin Mirallas drilling a low cross across the face of goal and Sylvain Distin hooking wide from the edge of the box.
Mirallas also shot wide after a break led by Ross Barkley, before Arsenal provided the first glimpse of their attacking capacity in the 27th minute.
A sweeping cross-field move culminated in Santi Cazorla playing a low ball into the box from the right that eluded the sliding Gibbs by inches.
With half-time nearing, and dissent in the crowd growing, Arsenal roused themselves, but when first Giroud and then Aaron Ramsey were sent through, Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard twice flew out to block with his legs.
The assault continued in the second half, with Howard obliged to save a header from Cazorla, but Everton served a reminder of their threat on the break when Steven Pienaar extended Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny with a 25-yard shot.
Back at the other end, Howard was called into action again to push away a volley from the sliding Ramsey, before the impressive Barkley stung Szczesny´s palms with a rasping drive.
With 23 minutes to go, Wenger elected to twist rather than stick, introducing Theo Walcott, Tomas Rosicky and Mathieu Flamini in place of Wilshere, Ramsey and Cazorla.
Flamini thrashed a shot inches wide shortly after coming on, but Everton continued to menace, with Mirallas hitting the side netting and Distin heading over the bar.
The game had opened up, and with 10 minutes remaining, Arsenal went ahead.Rosicky´s deep cross was knocked back across goal by Walcott and although Giroud completely miscued his volley, Ozil was on hand to lift the ball into the roof of the net from close range.
It looked destined to be the winner, but with 84 minutes on the clock, Deulofeu collected the ball on the right-hand side of the box, shifted it away from Gibbs and thrashed a rising shot past a startled Szczesny.
Romelu Lukaku threatened twice in the closing stages, but Arsenal came closest to snatching all three points when Giroud rattled the crossbar with a 25-yard half-volley in added time.(AFP)

Mullah Fazlullah moves to district Dir of KP

ISLAMABAD: Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Mullah Fazlullah has moved from North Waziristan to district Dir of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reports said.
Sources said there were reports that fugitive TTP chief first went to Kunar in Afghanistan and than shifted to an undisclosed location in district Dir of KP.
Taliban sources have not confirmed the movement of Mullah Fazlullah.
Last week, Mullah Fazlullah arrived in North Waziristan first time after he was made TTP chief. He had presided over the meeting of Taliban Shura in the Waziristan.
Sources said Mullah Fazlullah had decided to use Dir district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as the headquarters of TTP instead of North Waziristan which has been declared insecure by his aides due to the growing intensity of drone attacks.

Accountability court summons Asif Zardari

RAWALPINDI: The Accountability Court has summoned former president Asif Ali Zardari, Geo News reported.
The accountability court judge Muhamamd Bashir was hearing five NAB references against former president Zardari here on Monday.
Farooq H Naek, the counsel of ex-president, said his client faces security threats.
The references against Asif Zardari were reopened as after his presidential immunity ended and NRO was declared null and void.
It is expected that the former president will be indicted on next hearing in Polo Ground Reference.
The hearing was adjourned till December 23.
NAB references
The accountability court had reopened references against former President Asif Ali Zardari.
The references against Zardari were deferred as he enjoyed immunity during his tenure as the President of Pakistan.
The court had earlier released several of the co-accused in the references against Asif Ali Zardari.

Afghans give tough time as Pakistan win T20

SHARJAH: Pakistan defeated Afghanistan by six wickets off the penultimate ball in the only Twenty20 International here at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing an easy target of 138, Pakistan found it difficult to achieve the target as Afghans gave them a tough time. However, Pakistan emerged victorious in the end.
Skipper Mohammad Hafeez top scored with an unbeaten 42 while opener Ahmed Shehzad made 35.

Judiciary strongest institution in Pakistan: CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry

HYDERABAD: Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has said that judiciary is the largest and strongest institution of the country, Geo News reported.
Addressing Sindh Bar Association in Hyderabad, the Chief Justice said a dictator sent reference against him, however, he could not be succeeded in his desire as the judges and lawyers were united.
First time in the history of Pakistan, seven judges opposed martial law on Nov 03, the CJP said and added that no one can dare to attack judiciary now.
CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry said that his retirement does not make any difference as the judiciary is the strongest institution of the country.
The CJP said the constitution safeguards the rights of every citizen and treats everyone equally, adding that all should be treated equally in the country.

'Fast and Furious' star died from trauma, thermal injuries

LOS ANGELES: "Fast and Furious" star Paul Walker died of "traumatic and thermal injuries" in a fiery car crash, coroners said Wednesday, as the franchise's makers said they were shutting down production at least temporarily.
Walker, 40, was killed Saturday when he was in the passenger seat of a red Porsche sports car driven by his friend Roger Rodas in the Californian city of Santa Clarita, north of Los Angeles.
Rodas died of "multiple traumatic injuries," according to preliminary autopsy results, while Walker´s cause of death was listed as the "combined effects of traumatic and thermal injuries."
The results of toxicology tests are still pending, and could take six to eight weeks, the LA County Coroner´s office said.
Meanwhile makers of the blockbuster film franchise announced they have shut down production of "Fast and Furious 7" following Walker´s death.
"Right now, all of us at Universal are dedicated to providing support to Paul´s immediate family and our extended ´Fast & Furious´ family of cast, crew and filmmakers," said a statement cited by industry journal Variety.
"At this time we feel it is our responsibility to shut down production on Fast & Furious 7 for a period of time so we can assess all options available to move forward with the franchise."
Shortly before the crash Walker had been at an event to raise money for victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines for Reach Out Worldwide (ROWW), a non-profit disaster relief group the actor founded.
The actor was taking a Thanksgiving break from filming the seventh "Fast and Furious" movie, which had been scheduled for release in July.
The filmmakers added: "We are committed to keeping ´Fast & Furious´ fans informed, and we will provide further information to them when we have it. Until then, we know they join us in mourning the passing of our dear friend Paul Walker."

پاک فضائیہ کے 3 اہلکاروں کیخلاف کورٹ مارشل کارروائی

منہاس ایئر بیس کامرہ پر حملے کے دوران فرائض سے غفلت برتنے کے الزام میں پاک فضائیہ کے تین اہلکاروں کے خلاف کورٹ مارشل کاروائی شروع کر دی گئی۔
اسلام آباد: (دنیا نیوز، ویب ڈیسک) پاکستان ایئر فورس کے اہم مرکز منہاس ایئر بیس کامرہ پر شدت پسندوں کے حملے کے دوران فرائض سے غفلت برتنے کے الزام میں فضائیہ کے تین اہلکاروں کے خلاف کورٹ مارشل کی کارروائی شروع کر دی گئی ہے۔ سینیئر ٹیکنیشن ظفر اقبال، کارپورل ٹیکنیشن وسیم اقبال اور سینیئر ایئر کرافٹ مین شاویز خان کے خلاف منہاس ایئر بیس کے اندر ہی قائم کی گئی فوجی عدالت میں کارروائی کا آغاز ہو چکا ہے۔ ملزمان کے وکیل لیفٹینٹ کرنل ریٹائرڈ انعام الرحیم ایڈووکیٹ کے مطابق ان تینوں ملزمان کے خلاف فرائض سے غفلت برتنے کا الزام عائد کیا گیا ہے۔ فوجی عدالت کی جانب سے جاری کردہ الزامات کی فہرست کے مطابق یہ تینوں افراد 16 اگست 2012ء کی شب شدت پسندوں کے حملے کے دوران ایئر بیس کی حفاظت میں ناکام رہے۔ انعام الرحیم کے مطابق یہ تینوں افراد جہازوں کی مرمت کے شعبے میں کام کرتے ہیں اور فوجی اڈے کے حفاظت کی ذمہ داری ان کی نہیں ہے۔ واضح رہے کہ صوبہ خیبر پختونخوا کی سرحد کے قریب واقع فضائیہ کا یہ اڈہ حساس ترین فوجی تنصیبات میں شامل ہوتا ہے جس کی حفاظت کے لیے ایک سے زیادہ ادارے ذمہ دار ہیں۔ جن تین تکنیکی اہلکاروں کے خلاف جہاز کی حفاظت میں ناکامی کے الزام کے تحت کورٹ مارشل کی کارروائی کی جا رہی ہے ان میں سے ایک کا کام جہاز کی مینٹیننس ہے۔ دوسرے کی ذمہ داری جہاز میں موجود آکسیجن کے نظام کو درست رکھنا اور تیسرے کا کام اسی جہاز کو ایندھن اور اسلحے سے لیس کرنا ہے۔ حیرت انگیز طور پر اس حملے کے بعد اس اڈے کی حفاظت پر معمور حفاظتی عملے کے کسی رکن کے خلاف کسی قسم کی تادیبی کارروائی نہیں کی گئی ہے۔ پچھلے سال ہونے والے اس حملے کے دوران پاکستانی فضائیہ کا ایک ساب 2000 طیارہ مکمل طور پر تباہ ہو گیا تھا جب کہ دو کو جزوی نقصان پہنچا تھا۔ اس حملے میں نو حملہ آوروں اور حفاظتی عملے کے دو ارکان سمیت کل 17 افراد ہلاک ہوئے تھے۔

Mathira Set To Fire The Bollywood Industry

The VJ turned actress Mathira has all set to attract the Indian movie men through her charming style. Soon she would be seen screening in a Bollywood movie, media sources have learnt.  Mathira would be show casting her acting talent in Sunil Bohra, upcoming comedy movie, ‘Ikki te vikki te nikki’.

The movie story revolves around a young man who is busy in making up his career in the Bollywood industry. Script would be written by the professional writer and actor Varun Sharma. Varun had played the child artist’s Darsheel Safary father role in Amir Khan’s movie, ‘Taaray Zameen Par.

Indian newspaper has quoted news item relating to Bohra’s statement.Bohra has confirmed the news pertaining to Mathira’s appearance in the movie as an actress. He is reported to have said that the movie’s shooting would begin from 3 rd of November; however the Pakistani icon would begin with her part after two days.

Bohra talking upon the selection of Mathira for the role stated that her picture had been shown to him by one of his friends, resident of U.A.E. Being highly impressed with her picture, Sunil showed the picture to Varun, who agreed to call the ‘actress’ for the audition.

Mathira acted well during audition and hence we decided to choose her for our movie, said the script writer.

Mathira giving statements about the movie expressed immense pleasure. After performing an item song in Pakistan’s one of the hit movies, ‘Main Hoon Shahid Afridi’, getting offer to work with Varun Sharma is a privilege to her.  The Pakistani bold girl, heart throb of many, said that following month she would leave for India where the shooting would be done for the movie.

US admits to tensions with Pakistan

"We hope to continue to make progress in the relationship, and we continue to seek ways for our countries to cooperate on the entire range of shared interests that we have, from economic to security issues, " says White House spokesperson Jay Carney. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE

WASHINGTON: The United States Monday admitted to “tensions” and occasional “misunderstandings” in its relations with Pakistan, but implicitly defended the killing of a key extremist leader in a drone strike.

The government in Islamabad reacted angrily to the attack on Hakimullah Mehsud, leader of the Pakistani Taliban on Friday, saying it would scuttle its peace talks with the group.

“There inevitably will be some tensions and occasional misunderstandings between our two countries,” White House spokesperson Jay Carney said.

“We hope to continue to make progress in the relationship, and we continue to seek ways for our countries to cooperate on the entire range of shared interests that we have, from economic to security issues.”

Carney would not confirm the drone strike that killed Mehsud, in line with normal practice in such attacks, but he said the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leader had a long list of extremist credentials, including a failed bombing in Times Square, New York, in 2010.

Carney charged that Mehsud and other TPP leaders had “publicly vowed to continue targeting the United States and Americans.”

Mehsud was also wanted in connection with the killings of  seven Americans at a US base in Khost province, Afghanistan.

The suicide bomb attack was one of the CIA’s deadliest days in decades, as five of the agency’s anti-terror officers and two contractors were killed.

The killing of Mehsud came just over a week after Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif asked President Barack Obama in Oval Office talks to stop drone strikes.

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar on Saturday accused Washington of sabotaging peace efforts with the drone strike on Mehsud.

Anti-American sentiment runs deep in Pakistan and drone strikes are hugely unpopular, with many criticizing them both for civilian deaths and as a violation of sovereignty.

While expressing public fury, partly for domestic political reasons, Pakistani leaders will have to carefully weigh how to respond to the drone attack and may be unwilling to again alienate Washington as they try to reheat the economy.

As Sharif visited the White House last month, the State Department announced the release of $1.6 billion in aid, including $1.38 billion for the country’s powerful military.

The money had been frozen as relations plummeted amid a series of crises in 2011 and 2012 including the US raid to kill Osama bin Laden at his hideout in Pakistan — carried out without Pakistani knowledge.

Special cabinet session: Govt won’t allow peace process to derail, says PM

The army chief drives the prime minister to witness military exercises in Bahawalpur. PHOTO: AFP

ISLAMABAD: 

The government has ruled out any major shift in its US policy in the aftermath of the American drone strike that took out Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Hakimullah Mehsud – a strike earlier dubbed by the government an ‘attack on the peace process’.

Yet, come what may, Islamabad will pursue the peace process it initiated with the Taliban, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif told a special meeting of the federal cabinet on Monday.

“The federal cabinet has decided to respect the decisions of the all parties’ conference (APC) and pursue dialogue for peace. We will not let dialogue with the Taliban derail,” he added. “Pakistan has the right to take its decisions on its own according to its interests.”

The prime minister admitted that Friday’s deadly drone strike damaged the government’s efforts to restore peace through dialogue. “Drone strikes have severely damaged our efforts for peace talks… if cooperation cannot be extended then at least the process should not be damaged.”

The premier, however, told the cabinet that the government would not take any drastic step while reviewing its bilateral relations with the United States, an official privy to the meeting told The Express Tribune.

“National interest and national security is the top priority for our government. On such matters decisions are not taken on emotional grounds…  We have to think a thousand times of the consequences,” the official quoted the premier as telling his cabinet.  The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media on record.

The premier pointed out that unabated drone attacks indicated that Pakistan’s viewpoint on the establishment of durable peace and elimination of terrorism on a sustainable basis has not been understood.

Nawaz said the APC proved that the entire political and military leadership‚ people‚ media and civil society wanted an end to terrorism and militancy through serious and meaningful dialogue. The international community also wants an end to bloodshed.

He said Pakistan has paid the highest price of terrorism, rendering unmatchable sacrifices. “We are fully alive to the severity of the issue, but we should be allowed to address our problems according to our own strategy,” he added.

The prime minister recalled his recent statement in which he revealed the start of peace dialogue. “The ice was melting and contacts had been established from both the sides. Amidst this scenario, the drone strike inflicted serious damage to the government’s efforts for dialogue and peace.”

Earlier, Interior Minister Nisar briefed the cabinet on the sequence of events that took place before and after Friday’s drone attack, reaction of political parties to the incident, its possible fallout and ramifications across the country, the preparedness of security forces and the options available to the government.

Officials from the Foreign Office told the prime minister that the American side has clearly conveyed them that Hakimullah was among top three high-value targets set by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the US side doesn’t feel a need to explain further.

The unnamed official told The Express Tribune that the option of blocking Nato supply routes was not discussed in Monday’s meeting. The prime minister said that the military leadership would be consulted on the issue.

After briefings by the interior minister and foreign ministry officials, the prime minister directed Chaudhry Nisar to take all parliamentary leaders into confidence to set a future roadmap for talks with the Taliban.

Earlier in the day PM Nawaz warned peace could not be achieved ‘by unleashing senseless force’. Though he did not mention the drone strike directly, he stressed his desire to “give peace a chance”.

“My government is firmly resolved to bringing the cycle of bloodshed and violence to an end.

“But it cannot be done overnight, nor can it be done by unleashing senseless force against our citizens, without first making every effort to bring the misguided and confused elements of society, back to the mainstream,” the premier said.

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