M, President rings Fazal; try wooing to rejoin cabinet Pk geo News
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani late Friday telephoned chief JUI-F Maulana Fazlur Rehamn, inviting the latter to rejoin federal cabinet, Geo News reported.
As per sources, while trying to woo JUI-F chief Fazal, the duo said during the telephonic conversation, that the new cabinet was going to be formed under new mandate, insisting that inclusion of JUI-F in federal cabinet would help government run matters of national interests.
However, according to sources, the spokesman to JUI-F, Mufti Abrar told Geo News that Fazalur Rehamn declined the invitation to rejoin cabinet.
Also, he said that Fazal told them that his party had decided not to rejoin PPP-led federal government, adding that formation of new cabinet was PPP’s internal affair.President Zardari calls Nawaz Sharif
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari Friday night telephoned PML-N Quaid Mian Mohammed Nawaz Sharif.
Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar said that current political situation was discussed during the telephonic conversation between the two leaders.
Pk geo News geo news headlines
England choose to bat against Australia
SYDNEY: England won the toss and chose to bat against Australia in the sixth one-day international at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday.
Australia already have an unbeatable 4-1 lead in the seven-match series.
Both sides were forced to make changes for the match, with England recalling spinner Michael Yardy to replace injured paceman Ajmal Shazad, who has been sent home with a hamstring strain.
Australia promoted Callum Ferguson for the injured Shaun Marsh, also sidelined with a hamstring problem, while paceman Shaun Tait returns at the
expense of Doug Bollinger.
Teams
Australia - Michael Clarke (capt), Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, Cameron White, David Hussey, Callum Ferguson, Steve Smith, John Hastings, Shaun Tait, Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson.
England - Andrew Strauss (capt), Matt Prior, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Chris Woakes, James Anderson, Steve Finn, Michael Yardy.
Umpires: Marais Erasmus (RSA), Daryl Harper (AUS)
TV Umpire: Asad Rauf (PAK)
Match Referee: Javagal Srinath (SRI)
New Zealand batsmen told to follow Misbah
HAMILTON: New Zealand cricket coach John Wright has made in-form Pakistan batsman Misbah-ul-Haq the focal point for his side on the eve of the crucial fifth one-day cricket international.
New Zealand trail Pakistan 1-2 after four matches and need to win in Hamilton on Thursday to keep the series alive going into Saturday's final match in Auckland.
Misbah has been the key difference between the two sides and Wright has told his batsmen to study and analyse the master strokemaker's unbeaten 93, which set up Pakistan's two-wicket win in the fourth match in Napier on Tuesday.
"His was exactly the type of innings we need," Wright said. "I think throughout this series he's been their glue, and we probably need some glue."
In six innings so far in the Test and one-day series, Misbah has passed 50 five times with an average of 115.50 in the Tests (62, 99, 70no) and 89 in the
one-dayers (50, 35, 93no).
Wright said New Zealand would need at least two of their top order batsmen to produce an innings of substance.
"The answer is clearly that we have to start generating some runs and the boys are aware of that. They're trying real hard and they can play."
Meanwhile, the 36-year-old Misbah believes he is in the best form of his career.
"I'm really enjoying this form and I'm really enjoying New Zealand, I'm happy that my performances are doing a good job for the team," he said.
"Cricket is all about confidence and at the moment the confidence is high, that's why the form is good and I'm scoring runs."
Misbah's golden form is not the only problem facing New Zealand as there are concerns over captain Daniel Vettori, who tweaked a hamstring in Tuesday's fourth match in Napier.
However, Jesse Ryder is expected to start after being a later withdrawal in Napier because of a finger injury.
"We'd be pretty hopeful about Jesse," Wright said.
"I'm not quite so sure about Dan, I think it's just general stiffness but we'll have to have a look. He's probably more uncertain but we've got a physio who is very experienced so we'll act on the expert's advice."
Wright is also keen to end the player rotation system New Zealand have used in the Pakistan series, saying the time for experimentation is over if New Zealand are to have a chance of taking the series.
"I think we need to go with our frontline side," injuries permitting, Wright said.
"I've always believed at this level you pick your best side, that tends to solve a lot of problems because you have your best chance of winning and getting some momentum going.
Vettori, Ryder injury worries for 5th Pakistan match
AUCKLAND: New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori and Jesse Ryder are injury concerns for their side's must-win fifth one-day international against Pakistan in Hamilton on Thursday.
Vettori suffered a hamstring injury in the two-wicket loss in Napier on Tuesday that gave Pakistan a 2-1 lead in the series, while Ryder was a late withdrawal from that match after he suffered a bruised finger at the weekend.
"We'd be pretty hopeful about Jesse," coach John Wright told reporters in Hamilton on Wednesday. "I'm not quite so sure about Dan, I think it's just general stiffness but we'll have to have a look.
"He's probably more uncertain but we've got a physio who is very experienced so we'll act on the expert's advice."
New Zealand's entire World Cup squad are in Hamilton so they should be able to cope with late decisions on Vettori and Ryder, though the hosts had hoped to field their strongest line up for the final two matches of the six-game series.
"I've always believed at this level you pick your best side, that tends to solve a lot of problems because you have your best chance of winning and getting some momentum going," Wright said.
"Players identify with the opportunity to play and those who miss out want to take their place, so I've always thought survival of the fittest."
News Online update
64,500 evacuated after China quake
: reportBEIJING: Chinese authorities have evacuated 64,500 people from their homes in a remote region of the country's southwest following a quake that damaged hundreds of houses, state media reported Wednesday.
The 4.8-magnitude quake rattled a border area of Yunnan province shortly after 3:00 pm (0700 GMT) on Tuesday, according to the US Geological Survey.
A total of 678 homes were damaged, but only one collapsed, China's official news agency said.
No casualties have been reported in the quake which occurred in Dehong prefecture, a rugged region along China's border with Myanmar.
It forced the emergency evacuation of 64,500 people as of Tuesday night, agency quoted county officials saying.
The county government also sent emergency supplies of tents, quilts, coats and rice to the area.
The quake struck as families across the huge nation of 1.3 billion people gathered at their homes to celebrate the Lunar New Year, China's most important holiday
Gas outage continues on 4th consecutive day
FAISALABAD: The gas supply remained suspended on fourth and the last day, on Wednesday to all industries of Faisalabad under gas load management plan, Geo News reported.
The suspension of gas has badly affected industrial production resulting increase in miseries of daily wages workers.
Sui gas authorities had announced gas outages to Faisalabad industrial units from Jan 30 to Feb 02.
3 die, 600 hurt in fresh Cairo clashes
CAIRO: Another two persons died in clashes between pro- and anti-government protesters in the Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, bringing the death toll to three, Egypt's health ministry said.
More than 600 people were injured in the violence, it added.
A member of the security forces died in clashes between pro- and anti-regime protesters in the square, the epicenter of the demonstration, according to Egypt's state TV.
Health Ministry spokesman Abdel-Rahman Shahine told the state television that one conscript was killed, adding all the injured had been sent to hospitals.
"To all, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters, to all Egyptian citizens, we urge you all to keep the security of our country, homeland is lasting forever but people always die," military forces said in mobile messages to all citizens.
"The army is with the people", protesters hailed in the Tahrir Square, while a senior military officer drove into the square and started to make a public speech, according to media.
Egyptian authorities ordered the public to leave the Tahrir Square to prevent more bloodshed after many people were injured in the clashes, according to Egypt's state TV.
Five police killed, D’Comissioner lifted in Jafferabad
JAFFERABAD: At least five police personnel including the SHO of Dera Allahyar police station were killed by unknown gunmen at a time when the crime site was in the spotlight as Deputy Commissioner Jhal Magsi had gone missing from the place a couple of hours ago, Geo News reported from Balochistan area Jafferabad on Wednesday.
According to Levies forces, the heinous offensive occurred when SHO Dera Allahyar Ali Nawaz Khosa along with four police personnel, was out in a city on official duty. As they reached within the limits of Levies force near Mach area, some unidentified militants surrounded and opened fire at them.
Head Constable Rasool Baksh and Constable Fakharuddin succumbed to injuries on the spot while the gunmen kidnapped the remaining three to gun down the rests some kilometers away.
Upon the information of the murder, Mach police handed the five dead bodies over to police station.
It is pertinent to mention here that Deputy Commissioner Jhal Magsi Shaukat Marghazani had been abducted from the same crime scene a few hours ago who remained missing till filing of this story.
Marghazani was on the way to Quetta together with family but offenders only took D’Commissioner under captivity.
Car bomb kills 7 in Peshawar
PESHAWAR: A car bomb exploded near a police station in Budabar area of Peshawar on Wednesday, killing at least seven people and wounding another 10, police said.
"The bomb was planted in a car. Seven people have been killed and 11 wounded," police and hospital sources said.
Geo News footage showed a destroyed car and shops badly damaged, with dozens of local people assisting ambulances and police with the rescue effort.
Peshawar car bomb toll rises to nine
PESHAWAR: A car bomb killed nine people and wounded another 15 in a bustling market in Peshawar on Wednesday, a hospital chief said.
"We have received nine dead bodies. There are three children and one woman among the dead," Abdul Hamid Afridi, the head of Peshawar's main Lady Reading Hospital, said.
"Fifteen people were also injured. Children and women are among the
Sherry agrees to withdraw Blasphemy amendment bill
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Wednesday said that Sherry Rehman has agreed to withdraw Blasphemy amendment Bill.
Talking to parliamentary delegation here, Gilani said that Sherry decided to withdraw the said bill in accordance with the party policy.
Prime Minister urged religious parties to come forward with the policy to restrain the misuse of Blasphemy law.
Gilani made it clear that no committee was constituted to amend the said law.
Sherry agrees to withdraw Blasphemy amendment bill
ISLAMABAD: Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has, in the latest development on Benazir Bhutto’s murder case, recovered the record of cell phone kept and used by former CPO Saud Aziz during the murder of former prime minister of Pakistan, Geo News reported Wednesday.
However, it has been learnt through reliable sources that Saud Aziz had once again provided misleading information regarding the use of his cell phone.
The FIA when succeeded in obtaining record from the relevant mobile phone company, found that the cell phone remained in the use of Saud Aziz’s accountant, who has also been taken into custody, sources said.
ISLAMABAD: Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)
Court decision in Raymond case to be accepted: PM
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday categorically said that the Government has no intention to amend the Blasphemy law, however its misuse should be prevented.
"Neither the Government has moved a bill nor any Committee has been formed to amend the said law as both the treasury and opposition benches are on the same page and are unanimous on this sensitive issue," Prime Minister told the Lower House of the Parliament in response to a point raised by leader of the Opposition Ch. Nisar Ali Khan about policy statement by the prime minister regarding Blasphemy Law.
He said that a Muslim cannot have two opinions on the blasphemy law and being descendant of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), he cannot even think of amending it.
About Sherry Rehman's bill regarding the blasphemy law, the prime minister made it clear that it was not a party policy line and she had moved the bill in her individual capacity. The Prime Minister said he had talked to Sherry Rehman about it and told her that being a sensitive issue it should have been discussed within the party before moving and "she agreed with me".
Gilani said that he called Ulema's conference on Namoos-e-Risalat and made it clear to them that the government has no intention to amend the law. He invited the Ulema to come forward and join hands with the government in its efforts to prevent misuse of the blasphemy law, adding that if the minorities have any reservations , the law can be made more effective in its functioning.
The Prime Minister informed the House that majority of the cases under the blasphemy law have so far been registered against Muslims. He said the government respects the Ulema and they are free to take out rallies but it should not be against the government as it has made it clear that it fully respects the law.
To another point of leader of the opposition regarding the US citizen Raymond Davis, the Prime Minister said the whole world has focused upon Pakistani nations reaction and wants to know whether it would be a mature move or not.
He said Pakistan is a sovereign and responsible state, there is independent judiciary, media and a vibrant civil society, and the government has no intention to take steps which could bring a bad name to the country.
He said that Raymond Davis matter is in the court and it will ask for his relevant record. The government respects the judiciary and whatever decision it gives would be accepted in letter and spirit.
The Prime Minister condemned the blast in Peshawar in which precious lives were lost.
The whole nation and the people of Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa in particular had given supreme sacrifices in the war against terrorism, he said, adding, they are sacrificing their today for the coming generations.FIA obtains Saud Aziz cell phone record
Court decision in Raymond case to be accepted: PM
PM for policies to check misuse of BL
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday said that Pakistan is a sovereign state and the country has a sovereign Parliament, independent judiciary, independent media and a vibrant civil society.
“We believe in the rule of law and will respect the decisions of the courts in letter and spirit,” he maintained. The Prime Minister was talking to a group of Parliamentarians who called on him separately here at his Parliament House Chamber on Wednesday morning.
The Prime Minister asked the Parliamentarians to focus their debate on the national issues.
Referring to the American national involved in the killing of three civilians in Lahore, the Prime Minister said the matter is subjudice, and “we should not discuss it till the court decides”.
Referring to the Blasphemy Law, the Prime Minister categorically made it clear that the government has no intention to amend the law.
Neither he nor the Speaker National Assembly has constituted any Committee to consider the amendment, he said and added Ms. Sherry Rehman has also agreed to withdraw her bill according to the party policy.
The Prime Minister offered the religious parties to help the government in formulating the policies to check the misuse of Blasphemy Law against the citizens.
Condemning the blast in Peshawar on Wednesday morning, the Prime Minister lauded the innocent citizens who are sacrificing their lives for the safe future of our next generation.
He reiterated the resolve of the Government to root out the menace of extremism at all cost.
The Prime Minister said that the government is focusing on the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the flood ravaged areas despite financial constraints.
He maintained that the completion of ongoing projects will help generate economic activity and create employment opportunities.
The Parliamentarians thanked the Prime Minister for disbursing the development budget irrespective of party affiliations. They apprised the Prime Minister of various development schemes in their respective constituencies.
Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Minister for Interior Rehman Malik, Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Haji Munir Khan Orakzai, Ch Iftikhar Nazir, Mrs Khadeeja Waran, Lt Gen (Retd) Qadir Baloch, Ayaz Amir, Malik Nawab Sher Waseer, Ms Rubina Qaimkhani, Haider Abbas Rizvi, Omer Sohail and Ms Shehnaz Sheikh called on the Prime Minister.
PM for policies to check misuse of BL
System of 1st computerized arms license inaugurated
KARACHI: The very first system for computerized licensing of arms was inaugurated in Karachi on Wednesday, Geo News reported.
Sindh Home Minister, Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza on the occasion, termed the start of the computerized licensing of arms as the first step towards elimination of illegal weapons in Sindh.
Dr. Mirza performed the inauguration of the computerized issuance of arms license and management system here at Sindh Home Department.
He described the system as a gift for the citizens of Karachi under which 30 licenses per day will be issued and its per license fee would be Rs4,500.
System of 1st computerized arms license inaugurated
