PESHAWAR – At least four personnel of bomb disposal unit (BDU) were killed and two others injured when a remote-controlled explosive device targeted their vehicle in Badhabera area in the outskirt of Peshawar on Monday. Police sources said the incident took place in the wee hour of Monday when bomb disposal unit was on its way to examine a low intensity blast site. As police mobile arrived at the blast site, suddenly another remote-controlled device exploded with a bang. The blast killed in-charge bomb disposal squad Abdul Haq, head constable Ameenul Haq, constable Imtiaz and a passerby Nazirul Haq while driver Kashif sustained serious injuries. Edhi ambulances and Rescue 1122 staff shifted the injured to Lady Reading Hospital where one of the injured Nazirul Haq succumbed to his injuries while another passerby was stated to be stable.
Magnetic ink excuse gets thumbs down
ISLAMABAD – The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday rejected the statement of Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan over the use of magnetised ink during the general elections in the country. ECP Secretary Ishtiak Ahmed said that magnetised ink was used during the general elections according to the guidelines of National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra). The secretary said the record over the use of magnetised ink along with the details of despatch were available with the commission. He said 450,000 magnetised ink pads were used during the elections. The ECP secretary also stated that the magnetised ink was prepared following the directions of Nadra, adding that the ink contained iron particles.
NA warns B’desh against ‘resurrecting 1971’
ISLAMABAD – The National Assembly on Monday passed a resolution against hanging of Jamaat-i-Islami Bangladesh leader Abdul Qadir Molla for his ‘loyalty’ with Pakistan during the events of 1971. The resolution moved by JI’s Sher Akbar Khan on the anniversary of the fall of Dhaka also expressed condolence with family members of Abdul Qadir Molla and demanded the BD government not to resurrect the issues of 1971 and end all cases against leaders of JI Bangladesh through the spirit of understanding. The resolution endorsed by all other political parties was however opposed by the PPP and the MQM who said that it was tantamount to intervening into the internal affairs of Bangladesh as the decision was taken by the apex court of the country.
Govt requests for initiation of treason case against Musharraf
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Government has submitted a petition in the special court to initiate hearing of a case of high treason against former dictator Pervez Musharraf. An application in this regard has been submitted by the Federal Interior Secretary in the office of registrar Abdul Ghani Soomro of special court in Islamabad. The application submitted that a case may be initiated against the former dictator under article six of the constitution for abrogating the constitution of the country by imposing emergency on 3rd November 2007.
India must learn from ODI defeats, says Dhoni
CENTURION: India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is hopeful his squad will learn from their defeat against South Africa in the just-concluded One-day Series in time for the first of two Test matches at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on December 18. The Indians lost the ODI series 2-0 after rain prevented the tourists batting in the third match on Wednesday which was subsequently declared a no-result. Despite the outcome, Dhoni said that he was glad the one-day games were played before the Tests because it had given his players a chance to get used to the pace and bounce of South African pitches.
EU grants GSP Plus status to Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: The European Union (EU) on Thursday granted Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) Plus status to Pakistan with an impressive count of 406 votes, granting Pakistani products a duty free access to the European market. According to media reports, 406 members of the European Parliament expressed their support for Pakistan while 186 lawmakers voted against the status, which has been granted till 2017.
US defense secretary did not threaten to stop Pakistan aid: FO
ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Thursday clarified that US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel held positive talks with Pakistan leadership during his visit to Pakistan and did not convey any threat to stop assistance. Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Chaudhry told media during weekly briefing in Islamabad today that news reports regarding threats by the US defence secretary to halt aid for Pakistan are baseless.
No room for Jamshed, Amin as Pakistan name ODI squad
Pakistan left out opener Nasir Jamshed and middle-order batsman Umar Amin from their 15-man squad for the five-match one-day series against Sri Lanka starting in Sharjah from Wednesday. Jamshed and Amin were part of the squad which beat South Africa 2-1 away last month — Pakistan’s first-ever win against the Proteas. The 24-year-old Jamshed scored two and 24 in the two matches he played of the series while Umar Amin made 25 in his only appearance. They beat Sri Lanka in the first Twenty20 on Wednesday and will complete the two-match series on Friday before starting the one-day leg. The second one-day will be in Dubai on December 20, the third in Sharjah on the 22nd while the fourth and fifth one-days will be played in Abu Dhabi on the 25th and 27th, respectively.
Heydar Aliyev: The Architect of Modern Azerbaijan
Muhammad Asif Noor
The history knows the names of the prominent figures that stood with their nations during the days of need and led them to the prosperous future. Heydar Aliyev was one of such leaders who made a modern Azerbaijan, a country of civilization, high culture and most harmonious mixture of ancient history with strong traditions and the boldest modernism, and thus engraved his name to the history. The great journey of development that has made Azerbaijan stood amongst the greatest nations of the world is correlated to the life and efforts of Heydar Aliyev. This name is steadily connected with the socio-political, economic and cultural uplift of the people of the country as well.
Defence ministry may seek SC verdict review
ISLAMABAD, Dec 10: The Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday that it might seek a review of the Supreme Court verdict in the case of 35 missing persons. “We are waiting for the detailed judgment of the honourable court so as to be able to analyse it after which we may go for a review petition which is our legal right,” a defence ministry official said after the verdict held that the military authorities had unlawfully taken away detainees from an internment centre.
