BB murder case: Musharraf absent from court due to security risk

RAWALPINDI: Former military dictator Pervez Musharraf could not be presented in the court due to security issues.
The counsel of Perverz Musharraf requested the court that his client is being threatened; so he should be exempted from appearing in the court.
On the other hand, police also have expressed their reservations regarding security of Pervez Musharraf; that is why it is not possible to present him in the court for proceeding of Benazir murder case.
Court put off hearing of the aforesaid case for July 9.
DFIA prosecutor Chaudhry Azaher also could not appear in the court due to security risk. Monitoring Desk

Siena

Today, July 2, 2013, one of the most exciting sporting events on our planet occurs in Siena, Italy. I've been to it twice and it's a fantastic experience. The Palio di Siena is a horse race that is held twice each year, on July 2 and August 16, in Siena. Ten horses and riders dressed in the appropriate colors, represent ten of the seventeen contrade, or neighborhoods. The race itself, in which the jockeys ride bareback, circles the Piazza del Campo in Siena. Atop a thick layer of dirt laid in the piazza, the race is only three laps, and usually lasts no more than 90 seconds. It is not uncommon for a few of the

Police 'independently' probing Imran Farooq case: British HC

ISLAMABAD: British High Commissioner Adam Thomson said that issue of MQM Chief Altaf Hussain did not come under discussion during the meeting between Pak-UK prime ministers.
Talking to media in Islamabad on Tuesday‚ Adam Thomson said that British police is investigating the matter‚ which is an independent institution.
He said that Prime Minister David Cameron and Nawaz Sharif discussed ways to overcome the menace of terrorism which is common threat to both

Pakistan, India exchange lists of prisoners

ISLAMABAD: The Governments of Pakistan and India on Monday exchanged lists of prisoners lodged in each other's respective jails.
According to the Consular Agreement signed between the two countries in May 2008, lists of prisoners are to be exchanged twice a year: on January 1st and July 1st respectively.
Consistent with the provisions of this Agreement, the Foreign Office handed over to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, a list of 491 Indian prisoners lodged in Pakistani jails.
A similar list of 386 Pakistani prisoners was also handed over to the Pakistan High Commission in New

Murray survives slump to reach last-eight

LONDON: British second seed Andy Murray survived a second set wobble to carve out a 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 win over Russian 20th seed Mikhail Youzhny to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals on Monday.
Murray, the runner-up to Roger Federer in 2012, will face Spain's Fernando Verdasco for a place in the semi-finals.
The Scot has an 8-1 winning record over unseeded Verdasco, a former top-10 player.
Murray had to battle back from 2-5 down in the

Pakistan, Turkey agree to enhance cooperation in Oil & Gas sectors

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Turkey have agreed to further enhance the cooperation in the Oil & Gas sectors to help Pakistan cope with its energy shortfall.
Turkish ambassador Mustafa Babur Hizlan on Monday called on Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi here on Monday and discussed various issues in mutual cooperation.
The Minister while welcoming the Turkish ambassador, stated that present government attached the utmost importance to its cordial ties with Turkey and was determined to take these relations to even higher level by expanding mutual cooperation in all fields.
He assured the ambassador of his government’s cooperation to achieve their common goals. The Minister

USAID Continues to support Market Linkages for Pakistani Mango Growers.

Islamabad: The U.S. continues to support Sindh mango growers through U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) as farmers send another round of shipments of popular Sindhri mangoes, worth USD 0.25 million, to the Netherlands, United Kingdom (UK) and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
A total of 13 consignments, carrying 106 tons of Sindhri mangoes were shipped to the buyers that include Univeg, Special Fruit, and Fair Fruit in the European Union (EU) and KSA.
"Shipments of premium quality mangoes sent to high-end European and UK markets have materialized

Ruet-e-Hilal committee meets on 9 July to sight Ramadan Moon

KARACHI :A meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will be held in Karachi on 9 July to determine the sighting of the moon of Ramadan or otherwise.
This was announced by the Chairman of the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Mufti Munibur Rehman on Monday.
On the other hand, the fasting month of Ramadan is expected to start on Wednesday, July 10 in Saudi Arabia as the current lunar month of Shaaban will likely be 30 days this year, a well-known Saudi astronomy expert was reported as saying.

IMF agrees to give Pakistan $5 billion loan

ISLAMABAD :International Monetary Fund’s clutches have expanded further as the Fund agreed to pay $5 billion loan to Pakistan, media reported on Monday.
The loan agreement on fresh loan was reached after two days of talks in Islamabad. Ministry of Finance has also confirmed the breakthrough.
During talks, the government officials addressed IMF’s reservations over energy sectors and taxation side.
The authorities assured IMF that tax collection target

PTI slams Altaf's remarks about Imran

ISLAMABAD : Central Information Secretary, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Shireen Mazari has expressed shock at MQM leader Altaf Hussain s naming of PTI Chairman Imran Khan as one of three people allegedly used by international "Establishment" (whatever that means) against him.
In a press statement issued, she stated that PTI wanted to make it absolutely clear that the Scotland Yard search of Altaf Hussain s house and its ongoing investigations are all related to the Dr Imran Farooq murder investigation.
This is an internal matter of the UK involving a crime that took place in the UK and Altaf is also a British citizen, Dr Mazari stated.
She reiterated that PTI and its leader have never issued any statement on this case.
Therefore, it is irrational to try and bring in PTI and its Chairman into what is an entirely British government

3 labourers killed, four injured in Balochistan

Quetta: In an awful incident on Monday, at least three labourers were shot dead in an area of restive Balochistan’s Nasirabad district when their camp was attacked, officials said.
Officials said the incident took place in Nasirabad’s Khan Kot area where unidentified armed attackers fired shots at several labourers sleeping inside their roadside camp. Three of them were killed on the spot while many others were injured, police said.
They said the attackers were riding motorbikes and fled from the scene after the attack, adding that the labourers were working on Magsi Shah and Umrani

Hazara blast: Shutter down strike observed in Quetta

Quetta, :After strike call from Hazara community, humanitarian groups and traders’ community, all shops and markets were closed during the strike on Monday.
The flow of traffic remained thin throughout the day during the strike.
Strict security measures were adopted by the provincial administration to maintain law and order and avoid occurrence of another untoward incident in the provincial capital.
Meanwhile, a First Information Report (FIR) regarding the tragic mishap has been lodged after 12 hours.
Terrorism, murder etc charges have been mentioned in the FIR. The case has been registered against

KSA: Foreign workers active to benefit from amnesty

RIYADH (AFP) - Illegal foreign workers in Saudi Arabia, mostly Asians, are in a race against time to take advantage of an amnesty ending Wednesday that would allow them to stay or return home without prosecution.

King Abdullah announced the amnesty on April 3, granting foreign workers three months to regularise their residency or leave the oil-rich Gulf monarchy to avoid being blacklisted or jailed and fined.

More than 1.5 million illegal foreign workers came forward during the first two months of the amnesty, the labour ministry said.

It did not say how many illegal foreign workers currently live in the kingdom, but the number is reported to 

Snooker player Ali Carter diagnosed with cancer

SHEFFIELD (AP) - Snooker's world governing body says two-time world championship finalist Ali Carter has been diagnosed with testicular cancer.
The 33-year-old Carter, who has battled Crohn's disease since being diagnosed with the illness in 2003, will have surgery on the cancer on Tuesday before beginning chemotherapy treatment.
In a statement released by World Snooker on Monday, the 15th-ranked Carter says "I hope to be back in action soon."
Carter reached world finals in 2008 and 2012 at The Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, losing to Ronnie

Tri-series: West Indies beat India by one wicket

KINGSTON :Opener Johnson Charles made a vital 97 and birthday boy Kemar Roach hit the winning run as West Indies secured a thrilling one-wicket victory over India in their Celkon Mobile Cup match at Sabina Park.
India were restricted to 229-7 in their 50 overs and the hosts then recovered from 26-3 to sneak over the line with 14 balls to spare.
Having been put into bat, India had Champions Trophy star Shikhar Dhawan caught and bowled by Roach (2-41) for 11.
And Virat Kohli went for the same score, well

GST imposed: POL, CNG prices soar

ISLAMABAD: People suffered multiple blows following the imposition of general sales tax (GST) that subsequently increased the prices of petroleum products, CNG and other products including mobile calling cards.
The price of petrol has been raised by Rs 2 per litre and that of high speed diesel (HSD) by Rs2.16, according to an official of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra).
The petroleum ministry has also imposed an additional nine per cent GST on CNG, increasing it to 24pc. As a result, the price of CNG has gone up

PM Nawaz orders to cancel contracts of corrupt officials

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has ordered all the federal secretaries to cancel the contracts of the corrupt officials.
In a letter to the federal secretaries, the prime minister said that government s top priority is to root out corruption from every sector. He said there is no room for corrupt persons in our government.
Nawaz Sharif also stated that his directives should be implemented in letter and spirit for better results.
He said corruption is a big hurdle in the way to provide facilities to masses, adding that officials of

Equal distribution of gas should be ensured: SC

ISLAMABAD: During proceedings of the load shedding case, the three member bench remarked that those who pay their bill should not have to suffer because of electricity and gas thieves. The Supreme Court has summoned chief secretaries of the provinces, finance secretary and the CEO of KESC.
In its order the apex court has directed the chief secretaries to appear before the court or have the Advocate Generals appear on his behalf. The court stated that equal distribution of gas should be

SC directs FIA to probe EOBI corruption case

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to probe eighteen transactions of the Employees’ Old Age Benefits Institute (EOBI).
During proceedings of the EOBI multibillion scam case, the apex court directed the FIA to complete the probe and submit its reply with ten days.
Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaurdry took suo moto notice o the EOBI scam case on Saturday and issued notices to attorney general of Pakistan,

Two policemen killed in Peshawar

PESHAWAR: Unknown gunmen attacked a police check post situated on Ring Road and killed two policemen.
DSP Banaras Circle told Geo News that the gunmen attacked the police check post near Abbas Terminal on Ring Road where the policemen were performing their duty. Two of the three gunmen got off the motorcycle and opened fire on the check post, killing two policemen.
The gunmen fled from the scene following the attack, while the police launched a search operation in the area.
The bodies of the deceased policemen Sajan and Usman were shifted to Lady Reading Hospital.