New UNP led coalition formed in Parliament
http://www.dailymirror.lk/
The new UNP led coalition comprising 12 political parties was formed at the Parliament premises today with the signing of the agreement. The coalition includes the SLMC, Democratic Peoples Front and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party – Mahajana Wing.
The agreement was signed at the Parliamentary Complex during a special ceremony.Ranil Wickremasinghe, Opposition leader and leader of the UNP; Mangala Samaraweera, leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Mahajana Wing; Rauff Hakeem, leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress; Mano Ganeshan, leader of the Democratic People's Front, those representing eight other parties and representatives of the national intellectuals forum signed the agreement
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Car Bomb kills 86 in Pakistan city of Peshawar
Car bomb kills 86 in Pakistani city of Peshawar
AP – People gather at the site of an explosion in Peshawar, Pakistan on Wednesday Oct. 28, 2009. A car bomb …
Riaz Khan, Associated Press Writer –
AP – People gather at the site of an explosion in Peshawar, Pakistan on Wednesday Oct. 28, 2009. A car bomb …
Riaz Khan, Associated Press Writer –
PESHAWAR, Pakistan –
A car bomb tore through a market popular with women in northwestern Pakistan on Wednesday, killing 86 people hours after U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton arrived in the country to show American support for its campaign against Islamist militants.
More than 200 people were wounded in the blast in the main northwestern city of Peshawar, the deadliest in a surge of attacks this month. The government blamed
militants seeking to avenge an army offensive launched this month against al-Qaida and Taliban in their stronghold close to the Afghan border.
The blast hit a market selling bangles, dresses and toys in an old part of town crisscrossed with narrow alleys. It set scores of shops on fire, collapsed buildings, including a mosque, and sent a cloud of gray smoke over the city. TV footage showed wounded people sitting amid the debris as people grabbed at the wreckage, trying to pull out survivors before carrying them to a hospital.
One two-story building collapsed as
firefighters doused it with water.
Clinton, on her first visit to Pakistan as secretary of state, was three hours' drive away in the capital, Islamabad, when the blast took place. Speaking to reporters, she praised the army's anti-Taliban offensive in South Waziristan and offered U.S. support.
"I want you to know that this fight is not Pakistan's alone," she said in remarks carried live on Pakistani news channels. "This is our struggle as well."
Sahib Gul, a doctor at a nearby hospital, said 86 people were killed and more than 200 injured. Many of the victims were women and children.
No group claimed responsibility for the bombing, but that is not unusual, especially when the victims are Pakistani civilians.
Three bombs have exploded in Peshawar this month, including another one that killed more than 50 people
, part of a barrage of at least 10 major attacks across the country that have killed some 250 people. Most have targeted security forces, but some bombs have gone off in public places, apparently to sow fear and expose the weakness of the government.
The Taliban have warned Pakistan that they would stage more attacks if the army does not end a new ground offensive in the South Waziristan tribal
region, where the military has dispatched some 30,000 troops to flush out insurgents. South Waziristan is a major base for the Pakistani Taliban and other foreign militants.
North West Frontier Province Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain blamed the militants for Wednesday's attack.
"We are hitting them at their center of terrorism, and they are hitting back targeting Peshawar," he said. "This is a tough time for us. We are picking up the bodies of our women and children, but we will follow these terrorists and eliminate them."
More than 200 people were wounded in the blast in the main northwestern city of Peshawar, the deadliest in a surge of attacks this month. The government blamed
militants seeking to avenge an army offensive launched this month against al-Qaida and Taliban in their stronghold close to the Afghan border.The blast hit a market selling bangles, dresses and toys in an old part of town crisscrossed with narrow alleys. It set scores of shops on fire, collapsed buildings, including a mosque, and sent a cloud of gray smoke over the city. TV footage showed wounded people sitting amid the debris as people grabbed at the wreckage, trying to pull out survivors before carrying them to a hospital.
One two-story building collapsed as
firefighters doused it with water.Clinton, on her first visit to Pakistan as secretary of state, was three hours' drive away in the capital, Islamabad, when the blast took place. Speaking to reporters, she praised the army's anti-Taliban offensive in South Waziristan and offered U.S. support.
"I want you to know that this fight is not Pakistan's alone," she said in remarks carried live on Pakistani news channels. "This is our struggle as well."
Sahib Gul, a doctor at a nearby hospital, said 86 people were killed and more than 200 injured. Many of the victims were women and children.
No group claimed responsibility for the bombing, but that is not unusual, especially when the victims are Pakistani civilians.
Three bombs have exploded in Peshawar this month, including another one that killed more than 50 people
, part of a barrage of at least 10 major attacks across the country that have killed some 250 people. Most have targeted security forces, but some bombs have gone off in public places, apparently to sow fear and expose the weakness of the government.The Taliban have warned Pakistan that they would stage more attacks if the army does not end a new ground offensive in the South Waziristan tribal
region, where the military has dispatched some 30,000 troops to flush out insurgents. South Waziristan is a major base for the Pakistani Taliban and other foreign militants.North West Frontier Province Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain blamed the militants for Wednesday's attack.
"We are hitting them at their center of terrorism, and they are hitting back targeting Peshawar," he said. "This is a tough time for us. We are picking up the bodies of our women and children, but we will follow these terrorists and eliminate them."
Country burning with problems : only media suppression and people oppression are Govt.’s solutions- Ranil Wickremesinghe
Country burning with problems : only media suppression and people oppression are Govt.’s solutions- Ranil Wickremesinghe
UNP and opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing Trade unions at the Cambridge place Office yesterday (27) , said, while the country is burning with raging problems , the President and his Govt. are not seeking solutions to them , but only moving heaven and earth to suppress the media which exposes the Govt. weaknesses, corruption and backstreet politics , while also oppressing the people with untold hardships.
The Govt. is so jittery and unstable , it is even trying to hide the truths seeping through the media. He was referring to the latest action of the Govt. to forbid publication of reports on military leaders and their entry to politics. This is clear testimony of the Govt.’s worry . It is very unfortunate that this Govt. is obsessed only with matters concerning its power perpetuation . It is shaken because the military leaders , if they come to politics will be a threat to it. It has no concern about uplifting the people or with country’s development and progress. If there is even a slightest threat to its power from the remotest quarters , it gets cold feet . But even if the people are in dire problems and acutely suffering , the Govt. elected by the people for the people is not worried.
It is the President who has the power to decide on the date of the election. He can call for a Presidential election before the term is over . Those decisions are of the President , and the UNP is not concerned about his decisions. The UNP has no need to focus on the Presidential elections until it is announced.. At the moment the focus is on human rights protection , Ranil added.
The emergency regulations do not preclude journalists from reporting on military or matters pertaining to Presidential candidates. Yet , the Govt. is unduly worried. The constitution is more important than the emergency laws . Section 14 of the constitution guarantees freedom of expression of the people. This should be preserved.
There is nothing wrong in the Media Reporting of a military officer going to contest Presidential election. Such news deserve publication not suppressed., he pinpointed
The Govt. is so jittery and unstable , it is even trying to hide the truths seeping through the media. He was referring to the latest action of the Govt. to forbid publication of reports on military leaders and their entry to politics. This is clear testimony of the Govt.’s worry . It is very unfortunate that this Govt. is obsessed only with matters concerning its power perpetuation . It is shaken because the military leaders , if they come to politics will be a threat to it. It has no concern about uplifting the people or with country’s development and progress. If there is even a slightest threat to its power from the remotest quarters , it gets cold feet . But even if the people are in dire problems and acutely suffering , the Govt. elected by the people for the people is not worried.
It is the President who has the power to decide on the date of the election. He can call for a Presidential election before the term is over . Those decisions are of the President , and the UNP is not concerned about his decisions. The UNP has no need to focus on the Presidential elections until it is announced.. At the moment the focus is on human rights protection , Ranil added.
The emergency regulations do not preclude journalists from reporting on military or matters pertaining to Presidential candidates. Yet , the Govt. is unduly worried. The constitution is more important than the emergency laws . Section 14 of the constitution guarantees freedom of expression of the people. This should be preserved.
There is nothing wrong in the Media Reporting of a military officer going to contest Presidential election. Such news deserve publication not suppressed., he pinpointed
Sri Lanka- Bulgeriya Business Forum
Sri Lanka – Bulgaria Business Forum
A Sri Lanka-Bulgaria Business Forum is being organized by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) with the support of the Foreign Ministry, on Sunday 1st November 2009, from 9.00 to 12.00 hrs, at Hotel Taj Samudra, Colombo (Crystal Lower Ballroom), on the occasion of the visit of a Bulgarian Business Delegation that will accompany the President of Bulgaria on a visit to Sri Lanka.
The Bulgarian delegation to the Business Forum will be led Hon. Traicho Traikov, Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism, and will include leading businessmen from Bulgarian and an Agreement on Cooperation is also scheduled to be signed on this occassion.
It would be appreciated if you could assign a journalist/photographer/media crew to cover the above event.
Please inform the names of your representatives to the following contact details in order to facilitate security clearance.
Tel : 2437633
Fax : 2472488
E-mail : publicity@formin.gov.lk
S. Khan
Director / Public Communications
for Secretary / Foreign Affairs
A Sri Lanka-Bulgaria Business Forum is being organized by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) with the support of the Foreign Ministry, on Sunday 1st November 2009, from 9.00 to 12.00 hrs, at Hotel Taj Samudra, Colombo (Crystal Lower Ballroom), on the occasion of the visit of a Bulgarian Business Delegation that will accompany the President of Bulgaria on a visit to Sri Lanka.
The Bulgarian delegation to the Business Forum will be led Hon. Traicho Traikov, Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism, and will include leading businessmen from Bulgarian and an Agreement on Cooperation is also scheduled to be signed on this occassion.
It would be appreciated if you could assign a journalist/photographer/media crew to cover the above event.
Please inform the names of your representatives to the following contact details in order to facilitate security clearance.
Tel : 2437633
Fax : 2472488
E-mail : publicity@formin.gov.lk
S. Khan
Director / Public Communications
for Secretary / Foreign Affairs
Death of Sri Lankan national in Italy--Help to Find
Death of a Sri Lankan national in Italy
Help to Find
The Sri Lanka Embassy in Rome has informed the Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Mr. Samson Surendran Benedict has passed away in Italy.
The details provided by the Sri Lanka Embassy in Rome are as follows:
1. Name of the deceased : Mr. Samson Surendran Benedict
2. Date of birth : 21.02.1948
3. Place of birth : Jaffna
The Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry has requested assistance of the general public to trace the Next of Kin (NOK) of the deceased person.
Any information of above mentioned person’s NOK or any contact details could be communicated to the Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the following:
Address : No:14, Sir Baron Jayatilleke Mawatha
Colombo 01
Tel : 2437635
Fax : 2473899
Help to Find
The Sri Lanka Embassy in Rome has informed the Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Mr. Samson Surendran Benedict has passed away in Italy.
The details provided by the Sri Lanka Embassy in Rome are as follows:
1. Name of the deceased : Mr. Samson Surendran Benedict
2. Date of birth : 21.02.1948
3. Place of birth : Jaffna
The Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry has requested assistance of the general public to trace the Next of Kin (NOK) of the deceased person.
Any information of above mentioned person’s NOK or any contact details could be communicated to the Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the following:
Address : No:14, Sir Baron Jayatilleke Mawatha
Colombo 01
Tel : 2437635
Fax : 2473899
Most prosperity living country in the world
Most prosperity living country in the world
SINGAPORE (Reuters Life!) – For those who value their freedom of expression as much as health, wealth, and prosperity, then Finland is the place to be, with an index ranking the Nordic nation the best in the world.
The 2009 Legatum Prosperity Index, published on Tuesday and compiled by the Legatum Institute, an independent policy, advocacy and advisory organization, ranked 104 countries which are home to 90 percent of the world's population.
The index is based on a definition of prosperity that combines economic growth with the level of personal freedoms and democracy in a country as well as measures of happiness and quality of life.
With the exception of Switzerland, which came in at number 2, Nordic countries dominated the top 5 slots, with Sweden in third place followed by Denmark and Norway.
The top 10 were all also Western nations, with Australia (6th place) and Canada (7th place) both beating the United States, ranked 9th. Britain came in at number 12.
In Asia, Japan was the region's highest ranked country at number 16, followed by Hong Kong (18th place) and Singapore (23rd place) and Taiwan (24th place).
Dr. William Inboden, senior vice president of the Legatum Institute, said the lower rankings for Asian nations were largely due to their weak scores for democracy and personal freedoms.
"Many Asian nations have good economic fundamentals, but the Index tells us that true prosperity requires more than just money," Inboden said in a statement.
"Democratic institutions and personal freedom measures are letting some Asian nations down. Furthermore, countries which have low levels of economic stability, such as Cambodia, finish even further down in the overall rankings."
Cambodia came in the 93rd slot while China, with its tight political controls, came in 75th despite booming economic growth.
And the world's least prosperous country? According to the Legatum Index, it is Zimbabwe, with Sudan and Yemen close runners-up.
The index combines objective data and subjective responses to surveys. More details can be found on http://www.prosperity.com.
(Writing by Miral Fahmy, editing by Ron Popeski)
SINGAPORE (Reuters Life!) – For those who value their freedom of expression as much as health, wealth, and prosperity, then Finland is the place to be, with an index ranking the Nordic nation the best in the world.
The 2009 Legatum Prosperity Index, published on Tuesday and compiled by the Legatum Institute, an independent policy, advocacy and advisory organization, ranked 104 countries which are home to 90 percent of the world's population.
The index is based on a definition of prosperity that combines economic growth with the level of personal freedoms and democracy in a country as well as measures of happiness and quality of life.
With the exception of Switzerland, which came in at number 2, Nordic countries dominated the top 5 slots, with Sweden in third place followed by Denmark and Norway.
The top 10 were all also Western nations, with Australia (6th place) and Canada (7th place) both beating the United States, ranked 9th. Britain came in at number 12.
In Asia, Japan was the region's highest ranked country at number 16, followed by Hong Kong (18th place) and Singapore (23rd place) and Taiwan (24th place).
Dr. William Inboden, senior vice president of the Legatum Institute, said the lower rankings for Asian nations were largely due to their weak scores for democracy and personal freedoms.
"Many Asian nations have good economic fundamentals, but the Index tells us that true prosperity requires more than just money," Inboden said in a statement.
"Democratic institutions and personal freedom measures are letting some Asian nations down. Furthermore, countries which have low levels of economic stability, such as Cambodia, finish even further down in the overall rankings."
Cambodia came in the 93rd slot while China, with its tight political controls, came in 75th despite booming economic growth.
And the world's least prosperous country? According to the Legatum Index, it is Zimbabwe, with Sudan and Yemen close runners-up.
The index combines objective data and subjective responses to surveys. More details can be found on http://www.prosperity.com.
(Writing by Miral Fahmy, editing by Ron Popeski)
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Colombo stocks close lower in broad sell-off
Sri Lankan stocks close lower in broad sell-off
Oct 27, 2009 (LBO) - Sri Lanka stocks closed lower for a second day Tuesday, falling 0.9 percent in a broad sell-off that saw while buyers were awaiting earnings reports, brokers said.
The All Share Index closed at 2,989.05 points down 34.9 points while the Milanka Index of more liquid stocks closed down 1.19 percent (21.7 points) at 3,378 points according to provisional Colombo Stock Exchange data.
Brokers said stocks could be expected to react to earnings in the near term, with the third quarter reporting season just starting, and investors paying more attention to fundamentals following an extended rally that saw the market double so far this year.
Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings closed at 227.0 rupees, down 7.75, Carson Cumberbatch closed at 345.0 down 5.00, Asiri Surgical at 11.00 down 0.50 and Bogala Graphite at 18.50 down 0.75.
In banking, Commercial Bank closed ay 180.0 rupees down 1.25, HNB 167.75 down 1.25, DFCC 149.0 down 1.50 and NDB 185.00 down 2.75.
Dialog Telekom closed flat at 7.25 rupees and Sri Lanka Telecom at 44.00 down 1.00.
Diversified John Keells Holdings closed at 141.50 rupees down 2.50 and Distilleries closed flat at 99.00, Chevron Lubricants closed flat at 182.0.
Colombo Dockyard was down 1.50, closing at 117.25. -->
Kashmiris observe Black Day
Kashmiris observe Black DayISLAMABAD, Oct 27 (APP):
Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and all across the world are observing Black Day, today, to convey to the international community that they reject India’s illegal occupation of their soil. According to Kashmir Media Service,call for the observance has been given by the All Parties Hurriyet Conference and senior Kashmiri Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani.
It was on October 27 in 1947 when Indian troops invaded Kashmir in clear violation of the partition plan of the Sub continent and the Kashmiris’ aspirations.Senior APHC leader, Agha Syed Hassan Al Moosvi addressing a party meeting in Badgam urged India to shun its intransigence and take steps towards resolving the Kashmir dispute, once and for all.People took to the streets in Habba Kadal, Maisuma and Gaw Kadal in Srinagar against subjecting peaceful protesters in the city to brute force by the troops, yesterday. Several demonstrators were injured and the condition of one of them was stated to be critical.Demonstrations continued in Handwara against the killing of a 12th class student by Indian troops
It was on October 27 in 1947 when Indian troops invaded Kashmir in clear violation of the partition plan of the Sub continent and the Kashmiris’ aspirations.Senior APHC leader, Agha Syed Hassan Al Moosvi addressing a party meeting in Badgam urged India to shun its intransigence and take steps towards resolving the Kashmir dispute, once and for all.People took to the streets in Habba Kadal, Maisuma and Gaw Kadal in Srinagar against subjecting peaceful protesters in the city to brute force by the troops, yesterday. Several demonstrators were injured and the condition of one of them was stated to be critical.Demonstrations continued in Handwara against the killing of a 12th class student by Indian troops
WHY KASHMIRIS OBSERVE OCTOBER 27 AS BLACK DAY!
Pakistan
e World Body. Although the ceasefire and demarcation of the ceasefire line was implemented while demilitarization of the occupied territory and a free and impartial plebiscite under UN supervision remains unimplemented till date. As a result of the demarcation, about 139,000 square kilometers area of Jammu and Kashmir remained with India while 83,807 square kilometers constituted the territory of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Indian rulers promised before the UN to resolve the dispute and provide the people of Kashmir with their basic right of self-determination, but later backed away from their commitments. India has been putting peace, security and stability of the entire South Asia at stake by demonstrating continued rigidity and stubbornness and not responding positively to the efforts made by the international community to settle the Kashmir dispute since last six decades.
Disappointed at the failure of all the efforts aimed at resolving Kashmir dispute through peaceful means, the people of occupied Kashmir launched a massive uprising in 1989 to secure their right to self-determination. This movement gathered moment
um with the passage of time and pushed the Indian authorities to wall, forcing them to sit around the negotiation table with Pakistan in January 2004. The talks process continued till it was hampered after Mumbai attacks on November 26, 2008, when India without any substantive evidence laid the responsibility of these attacks on Pakistan and its intelligence agencies.
It is worth mentioning that Pakistan demonstrated considerable flexibility in the dialogue process by floating various proposals including demilitarization, self-governance and joint-management to settle the conflict over Kashmir, but India’s intransigent approach continued to remain the biggest hurdle in making successful any effort made in this regard. The ground situation in the occupied territory remains unchanged, as the confidence building measures and the dialogue process could not provide Kashmiri people respite from the Indian state terrorism.
India has exhausted all its r
esources and means but has not been able to deter Kashmiris from continuing their liberation struggle. It has given a free hand to its troops and police to subject peaceful protesters to brute force. Over 70 people were killed only within a 
period of two months in 2008 when Indian police personnel resorted to indiscriminate firing to break up demonstrators in Kashmir. The Chairman of All Parties Hurriyet Conference, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq was placed under house arrest for two months to prevent him from addressing public gatherings. Liberation leaders including Syed Ali Gilani, Shabbir Ahmed Shah, Aasiya Andrabi, Nayeem Ahmed Khan, Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai, Masarat Alam Butt and Muhammad Saleem Nunnaji have been booked under the infamous draconian law, Public Safety Act to keep them away from the people. The troops have been setting new records of human rights violations by killing innocen
t people, arresting youth, disgracing and harassing women and setting residential houses afire with impunity.
The troops have killed over ninety-two thousand Kashmiris, widowed more than twenty five thousand women, orphaned more than one hundred thousand children and molested or gang-raped around ten thousand Kashmiri women during the past 20 years. The whereabouts of thousands of innocent Kashmiris, disappeared in the custody of troops, are yet to be made known while hundreds of unnamed graves have been discovered in the occupied territory, which are believed to be of disappeared Kashmiris. This whole mayhem is being carried out with the protection of draconian laws, by virtue of which any person can be killed or put behind the bars without any accountability.
The Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Asia Watch and other international humanitarian organizations in their regular reports have been raising their concern over human rights violations in IOK. Even the European Union Parliament during its session in Strasbourg on July 10, 2008 unanimously passed a resolution calling upon the Indian Government to urgently conduc
t an independent and impartial probe into the issue of discovery of mass graves in the territory. It also strongly condemned unlawful killings, enforced disappearances, torture, rape and other human rights abuses, which have been taking place at the hands of the occupation troops in Jammu and Kashmir since 1989.
It was yet another exposition of India’s callousness that the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh on India’s Independence Day, this year, tried to hoodwink the international community by stating that the elections in Kashmir had rendered the freedom element irrelevant. The mammoth anti-India protest demonstrations, participated by millions of people in Indian occupied Kashmir, last year, should be taken as Kashmiris’ referendum against the Indian illegal occupation of their soil.
These are the reasons which force Kashmiris to observe October 27 as Black Day. The observance is intended to send a loud and clear message to the international community to take cognizance of the miseries of Kashmiri people, help stop human rights violations in the occupied territory and play its role in bringing about a solution of the Kashmir dispute in ac
cordance with Kashmiris’ aspirations. It is also aimed at calling upon India to read writing on the wall, accept the ground realities and come forward with a realistic approach to settle the dispute for the larger interest of the people of the region.
Read Pakistan news paper article (Pakistan daily)
http://www.daily.pk/kashmir-black-day-12579/
Kashmir Black day
WHY KASHMIRIS OBSERVE OCTOBER 27th AS BLACK DAY?
M. Raza Malik
Kashmiris o
n both sides of the Line of Control and across the globe observe October 27 as Black Day and consider it as the blackest day in their history. This is the Day when India landed its army in Jammu and Kashmir, in total disregard to the Indian Independence Act and Partition Plan of 1947. In order to change the demographic composition of the territory, Indian troops, the forces of Dogra Maharaja Hari Singh, and Hindu extremists massacred over three hundred thousand Kashmiri Muslims within a period of only two months.
The Indian Independence Act and Partition Plan of 1947 had stated that the Indian British Colony would be divided into two sovereign states, India, with Hindu-majority areas, and Pakistan, with Muslim-majority areas of Western provinces and east Bengal.
India by landing its
Army in Jammu and Kashmir, violated the guidelines set for deciding the future of Hyderabad, Junagarh and Kashmir, three of the independent Princely States at that time, which were given the choice either to accede to Pakistan or India, considering the geographical situation and communal demography. It forcibly occupied Hyderabad and Junagarh, which had Hindus in majority but their rulers were Muslims. Kashmir was a Muslim-majority state and had a natural tendency to accede to Pakistan, but its Hindu ruler destroyed the future of Kashmiri people by announcing its accession to India under a controversial accession document (Instrument of Accession). Many neutral observers deny the existence of such document with the argument that had it existed, Indian government would have made it public either officially or at any international forum.
It is a historical fact that if the partition was done on the principles of Justice, then India had no land route to enter into Jammu and Kashmir but the so-called Boundary Commission, headed by British Barrister, Cyril Radcliff, that demarcated partition line, under a conspiracy split Gurdaspur, a Muslim majority area, and handed it over to India, providing it land access to the territory.
Right from the day one, people of Kashmir did not accept India’s illegal occupation and started an armed struggle in 1948, which forced India to approach the UN Security Council to seek its help to settle the dispute. The UN Security Council approved a ceasefire, demarcation of the ceasefire line, demilitarization of the state and a free and impartial plebiscite to be conducted under the supervision of th
Kashmiris o
n both sides of the Line of Control and across the globe observe October 27 as Black Day and consider it as the blackest day in their history. This is the Day when India landed its army in Jammu and Kashmir, in total disregard to the Indian Independence Act and Partition Plan of 1947. In order to change the demographic composition of the territory, Indian troops, the forces of Dogra Maharaja Hari Singh, and Hindu extremists massacred over three hundred thousand Kashmiri Muslims within a period of only two months.The Indian Independence Act and Partition Plan of 1947 had stated that the Indian British Colony would be divided into two sovereign states, India, with Hindu-majority areas, and Pakistan, with Muslim-majority areas of Western provinces and east Bengal.
India by landing its
Army in Jammu and Kashmir, violated the guidelines set for deciding the future of Hyderabad, Junagarh and Kashmir, three of the independent Princely States at that time, which were given the choice either to accede to Pakistan or India, considering the geographical situation and communal demography. It forcibly occupied Hyderabad and Junagarh, which had Hindus in majority but their rulers were Muslims. Kashmir was a Muslim-majority state and had a natural tendency to accede to Pakistan, but its Hindu ruler destroyed the future of Kashmiri people by announcing its accession to India under a controversial accession document (Instrument of Accession). Many neutral observers deny the existence of such document with the argument that had it existed, Indian government would have made it public either officially or at any international forum.It is a historical fact that if the partition was done on the principles of Justice, then India had no land route to enter into Jammu and Kashmir but the so-called Boundary Commission, headed by British Barrister, Cyril Radcliff, that demarcated partition line, under a conspiracy split Gurdaspur, a Muslim majority area, and handed it over to India, providing it land access to the territory.
Right from the day one, people of Kashmir did not accept India’s illegal occupation and started an armed struggle in 1948, which forced India to approach the UN Security Council to seek its help to settle the dispute. The UN Security Council approved a ceasefire, demarcation of the ceasefire line, demilitarization of the state and a free and impartial plebiscite to be conducted under the supervision of th
e World Body. Although the ceasefire and demarcation of the ceasefire line was implemented while demilitarization of the occupied territory and a free and impartial plebiscite under UN supervision remains unimplemented till date. As a result of the demarcation, about 139,000 square kilometers area of Jammu and Kashmir remained with India while 83,807 square kilometers constituted the territory of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.Indian rulers promised before the UN to resolve the dispute and provide the people of Kashmir with their basic right of self-determination, but later backed away from their commitments. India has been putting peace, security and stability of the entire South Asia at stake by demonstrating continued rigidity and stubbornness and not responding positively to the efforts made by the international community to settle the Kashmir dispute since last six decades.
Disappointed at the failure of all the efforts aimed at resolving Kashmir dispute through peaceful means, the people of occupied Kashmir launched a massive uprising in 1989 to secure their right to self-determination. This movement gathered moment
um with the passage of time and pushed the Indian authorities to wall, forcing them to sit around the negotiation table with Pakistan in January 2004. The talks process continued till it was hampered after Mumbai attacks on November 26, 2008, when India without any substantive evidence laid the responsibility of these attacks on Pakistan and its intelligence agencies.It is worth mentioning that Pakistan demonstrated considerable flexibility in the dialogue process by floating various proposals including demilitarization, self-governance and joint-management to settle the conflict over Kashmir, but India’s intransigent approach continued to remain the biggest hurdle in making successful any effort made in this regard. The ground situation in the occupied territory remains unchanged, as the confidence building measures and the dialogue process could not provide Kashmiri people respite from the Indian state terrorism.
India has exhausted all its r
esources and means but has not been able to deter Kashmiris from continuing their liberation struggle. It has given a free hand to its troops and police to subject peaceful protesters to brute force. Over 70 people were killed only within a 
period of two months in 2008 when Indian police personnel resorted to indiscriminate firing to break up demonstrators in Kashmir. The Chairman of All Parties Hurriyet Conference, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq was placed under house arrest for two months to prevent him from addressing public gatherings. Liberation leaders including Syed Ali Gilani, Shabbir Ahmed Shah, Aasiya Andrabi, Nayeem Ahmed Khan, Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai, Masarat Alam Butt and Muhammad Saleem Nunnaji have been booked under the infamous draconian law, Public Safety Act to keep them away from the people. The troops have been setting new records of human rights violations by killing innocen
t people, arresting youth, disgracing and harassing women and setting residential houses afire with impunity.The troops have killed over ninety-two thousand Kashmiris, widowed more than twenty five thousand women, orphaned more than one hundred thousand children and molested or gang-raped around ten thousand Kashmiri women during the past 20 years. The whereabouts of thousands of innocent Kashmiris, disappeared in the custody of troops, are yet to be made known while hundreds of unnamed graves have been discovered in the occupied territory, which are believed to be of disappeared Kashmiris. This whole mayhem is being carried out with the protection of draconian laws, by virtue of which any person can be killed or put behind the bars without any accountability.
The Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Asia Watch and other international humanitarian organizations in their regular reports have been raising their concern over human rights violations in IOK. Even the European Union Parliament during its session in Strasbourg on July 10, 2008 unanimously passed a resolution calling upon the Indian Government to urgently conduc
t an independent and impartial probe into the issue of discovery of mass graves in the territory. It also strongly condemned unlawful killings, enforced disappearances, torture, rape and other human rights abuses, which have been taking place at the hands of the occupation troops in Jammu and Kashmir since 1989.It was yet another exposition of India’s callousness that the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh on India’s Independence Day, this year, tried to hoodwink the international community by stating that the elections in Kashmir had rendered the freedom element irrelevant. The mammoth anti-India protest demonstrations, participated by millions of people in Indian occupied Kashmir, last year, should be taken as Kashmiris’ referendum against the Indian illegal occupation of their soil.
These are the reasons which force Kashmiris to observe October 27 as Black Day. The observance is intended to send a loud and clear message to the international community to take cognizance of the miseries of Kashmiri people, help stop human rights violations in the occupied territory and play its role in bringing about a solution of the Kashmir dispute in ac
cordance with Kashmiris’ aspirations. It is also aimed at calling upon India to read writing on the wall, accept the ground realities and come forward with a realistic approach to settle the dispute for the larger interest of the people of the region.Read Pakistan news paper article (Pakistan daily)
http://www.daily.pk/kashmir-black-day-12579/
Pakistan
Terror group leader arrested in NWFP
Terror group leader arrested in NWFP
PESHAWAR:
Acording to GEO TV repot The chief of the group involved in Hyatabad and Sukarno chowk bombings has been arrested.IG NWFP Malik Naveed while talking to media said the leader of the group involved in Hyatabad and Sukarno chowk. He said no severe reaction of terrorists has been emerged due to better strategy of police. Malik Naveed said red alert security has been imposed in the province and hundreds of militants and commanders have been arres.
US welcomes Sri Lankan probe on US human rights report
US welcomes Sri Lankan probe on US human rights report
The United States (US) has welcomed reports that Sri Lanka plans to set up an investigative commission to probe a US report on allegations of human rights abuses in Sri Lanka. The government had said it will probe the report submitted by the US State Department to the US Congress.
More: http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=66004
The United States (US) has welcomed reports that Sri Lanka plans to set up an investigative commission to probe a US report on allegations of human rights abuses in Sri Lanka. The government had said it will probe the report submitted by the US State Department to the US Congress.
More: http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=66004
Sri lankan Business deligation visits Jeddah
Sri Lankan Business Delegation visits Jeddah
A twenty eight member Sri Lankan business delegation headed by the Sri Lankan Export Development Board embarked on a 3 day visit to Jeddah on 24.10.2009, organized by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Jeddah.
The Business delegation from various sectors will explore the market potentials for further enhancing the export of Sri Lankan products in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The group will visit the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and arrangements have been made to meet Jeddah based reputed Business community at Chamber of Commerce premises.
They will also visit leading Supermarket chains such as Bin Dawood and Hyper Panda in addition to other reputed companies in Jeddah in order to establish business relationships.
The Consulate General has made arrangements for the delegation to meet Jeddah based Sri Lankans from commercial organizations at the Consulate and to hold discussions with a view to obtain their assistance in trade related matters.
This is the first time a Sri Lankan business delegation comprising of such a large number of participants is visiting Jeddah. It is expected that the visit will help to increase trade opportunities for Sri Lankan products in Saudi Arabia. The Delegation will then proceed to Riyadh on 27th October.
It is noteworthy to mention that the visit has been organized by Consulate General based on the directives given by Hon. Rohitha Bogollagama, Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Conference for Heads of Missions of Middle Eastern countries which was held in Dubai last year.
A twenty eight member Sri Lankan business delegation headed by the Sri Lankan Export Development Board embarked on a 3 day visit to Jeddah on 24.10.2009, organized by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Jeddah.
The Business delegation from various sectors will explore the market potentials for further enhancing the export of Sri Lankan products in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The group will visit the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and arrangements have been made to meet Jeddah based reputed Business community at Chamber of Commerce premises.
They will also visit leading Supermarket chains such as Bin Dawood and Hyper Panda in addition to other reputed companies in Jeddah in order to establish business relationships.
The Consulate General has made arrangements for the delegation to meet Jeddah based Sri Lankans from commercial organizations at the Consulate and to hold discussions with a view to obtain their assistance in trade related matters.
This is the first time a Sri Lankan business delegation comprising of such a large number of participants is visiting Jeddah. It is expected that the visit will help to increase trade opportunities for Sri Lankan products in Saudi Arabia. The Delegation will then proceed to Riyadh on 27th October.
It is noteworthy to mention that the visit has been organized by Consulate General based on the directives given by Hon. Rohitha Bogollagama, Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Conference for Heads of Missions of Middle Eastern countries which was held in Dubai last year.
President to appoint committee to study
President to appoint committee to study
President Mahinda Rajapaksa has decided to appoint an expert committee within one week to verify the facts behind the allegations against the Sri Lanka Government in the report submitted by the US State Department to the US Congress on incidents during the recent conflict in Sri Lanka, Human Rights and Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said.
The Government stance on the report will be announced after the report was made by the committee appointed by the President, he added.
He was addressing a media conference held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday to explain the new situation following the submission of the said report.
Minister Samarasinghe said that the third paragraph of the report itself highlights that the facts included in the report are without any legal value and cannot be proved. They are not in a position to prove the allegation contained in the report. more:
www.dailynews.lk
President Mahinda Rajapaksa has decided to appoint an expert committee within one week to verify the facts behind the allegations against the Sri Lanka Government in the report submitted by the US State Department to the US Congress on incidents during the recent conflict in Sri Lanka, Human Rights and Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said.
The Government stance on the report will be announced after the report was made by the committee appointed by the President, he added.
He was addressing a media conference held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday to explain the new situation following the submission of the said report.
Minister Samarasinghe said that the third paragraph of the report itself highlights that the facts included in the report are without any legal value and cannot be proved. They are not in a position to prove the allegation contained in the report. more:
www.dailynews.lk
Russia assures support for Sri lanka
Russia assures support for Sri Lanka
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergey V. Lavrov met Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa this evening at the President's House in Colombo.
Following the meeting the Russian Foreign Minister with his Sri Lankan counterpart, Minister Rohitha Bogollagama signed a bilateral agreement between the two countries on cooperation to suppress illicit traffic in, and abuse of, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
The Russian Foreign Minister is expected to meet with the Sri Lanka - Russia Business Council and deliver an address at the BMICH this evening.
Sri Lanka's Ambassador in Russia Mr. Udayanga Weeratunga was also present at the meeting.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergey V. Lavrov met Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa this evening at the President's House in Colombo.
Following the meeting the Russian Foreign Minister with his Sri Lankan counterpart, Minister Rohitha Bogollagama signed a bilateral agreement between the two countries on cooperation to suppress illicit traffic in, and abuse of, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
The Russian Foreign Minister is expected to meet with the Sri Lanka - Russia Business Council and deliver an address at the BMICH this evening.
Sri Lanka's Ambassador in Russia Mr. Udayanga Weeratunga was also present at the meeting.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
More funds form Japan to uplift Damabana Hospital
More funds form Japan to uplift Damabana Hospital
The Government of Japan has decided to provide funds for “The Project for Establishment of a New Maternity and Dental Units at the Damabana Hospital, Badulla District” be implemented by the Regional Director of Health Services Office, Badulla.
The grant contract will be signed between Kunio Takahashi, Ambassador of Japan and Dr. Neelamani S.R. Hrwageegana, Regional Director of Health Services Office, Bandulla on Wednesday 21st October 2009, at the Embassy of Japan Colombo 7.
The Government of Japan has decided to provide funds for “The Project for Establishment of a New Maternity and Dental Units at the Damabana Hospital, Badulla District” be implemented by the Regional Director of Health Services Office, Badulla.
The grant contract will be signed between Kunio Takahashi, Ambassador of Japan and Dr. Neelamani S.R. Hrwageegana, Regional Director of Health Services Office, Bandulla on Wednesday 21st October 2009, at the Embassy of Japan Colombo 7.
Colombo Stockmarket record declines
Colombo Stockmarket record declines
Declines in the prices of large cap stocks brought down the indices at the Colombo Stock Exchange with the more sensitive MPI losing 151 points (-4.34 percent) to close at 3,327. The broader market index the ASPI lost 100 points (-3.24 percent) to close at 2983.
Declines in the prices of large cap stocks brought down the indices at the Colombo Stock Exchange with the more sensitive MPI losing 151 points (-4.34 percent) to close at 3,327. The broader market index the ASPI lost 100 points (-3.24 percent) to close at 2983.
EU Commission statement on Sri Lanka GSP+ report -Brussels, 19 October 2009
EU Commission statement on Sri Lanka GSP+ report -Brussels, 19 October 2009
Following the adoption of a report on Sri Lanka and GSP+ treatment, the European Commission spokesperson for Trade, Lutz Güllner, issued the following statement :
(Lanka-e-News 20.Oct.2009 12.45PM) "The Commission has completed a thorough investigation into the human rights situation in Sri Lanka and in particular whether Sri Lanka is living up to the commitments it made to respect international human rights standards when it became a beneficiary of the European Union's GSP+ trade incentive scheme which provides for additional trade benefits.The report comes to the conclusion that there are significant shortcomings in this area and that Sri Lanka is in breach of its GSP+ commitments.
Following the adoption of a report on Sri Lanka and GSP+ treatment, the European Commission spokesperson for Trade, Lutz Güllner, issued the following statement :
(Lanka-e-News 20.Oct.2009 12.45PM) "The Commission has completed a thorough investigation into the human rights situation in Sri Lanka and in particular whether Sri Lanka is living up to the commitments it made to respect international human rights standards when it became a beneficiary of the European Union's GSP+ trade incentive scheme which provides for additional trade benefits.The report comes to the conclusion that there are significant shortcomings in this area and that Sri Lanka is in breach of its GSP+ commitments.
Four dead, 20 injured in IIUI twin blasts
Four dead, 20 injured in IIUI twin blasts
ISLAMABAD, Oct 20 (APP): Four persons were killed while 20 persons were injured in twin suicide blasts at IIUI, Police Spokesman informed APP here on Tuesday. Quoting DIG Operations Binyamin, the police spokesman said both the blasts were “suicide”, killing at least four people - three female and one male.
Chief Commissioner Islamabad Fazeel Asghar said the blasts could not be dubbed as security lapse as the police had taken all possible safety measures.
He said investigation was underway. He also avoided questions on identification of the responsible, saying it would be premature to fix responsibility of the blasts.
ISLAMABAD, Oct 20 (APP): Four persons were killed while 20 persons were injured in twin suicide blasts at IIUI, Police Spokesman informed APP here on Tuesday. Quoting DIG Operations Binyamin, the police spokesman said both the blasts were “suicide”, killing at least four people - three female and one male.
Chief Commissioner Islamabad Fazeel Asghar said the blasts could not be dubbed as security lapse as the police had taken all possible safety measures.
He said investigation was underway. He also avoided questions on identification of the responsible, saying it would be premature to fix responsibility of the blasts.
No need of foreign army assistance in operation against terrorists: Information and Broadcasting Minister Kaira
Pakistan
No need of foreign army assistance in operation against terrorists: Information and Broadcasting Minister Kaira
ISLAMABAD, Oct 19 (APP): Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Qamar Za
man Kaira Monday said Pakistan does not need any foreign army or intelligence assistance on its side of border in the on going operation against terrorists. In a joint briefing with Director General, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), Maj General Athar Abbas regarding operation in South Waziristan here, he said Pakistan’s Armed Forces with complete support of nation are capable enough to achieve the targeted results within stipulated timeframe.
He said Pakistan Armed Forces have launched operation Rah e Nijjat after a thorough preparation and within their own resources and expressed the confidence that they would succeed.
He commended their courage and bravery in Swat and Malakand operation, saying the networks of terrorists were smashed there as development work would soon start in the area.
Answering a question, Information Minister, Qamar Zaman Kaira said the government took all political parties and groups into confidence before launching operation in South Waziristan.He said so far 14,500 Internally Displaced Families of Waziristan have been registered and they are being provided food items. Soon they would be provided non food items as well, he added.Giving break up of registered IDP families, he said around 11,000 were already registered while 3500 families were newly registered.The Minister said the government realizes the sufferings of IDPs and would manage finances from its own resources for their betterment. He said the government has always kept the door for dialogue open and added Swat peace deal was a proof of the government’s commitment to settle issues through talks, but our agreements were violated in the past.The Minister said the dialogue with extremists cannot be initiated at this stage and they should surrender themselves first.“The terrorists in Waziristan are anti state and talks with them can only be held after their voluntary surrender,” he said. Answering another question, Qamar Zaman Kaira said Pakistanis are very generous people and usually donate to different charity organisations, but people do not know if any organisation uses this money for negative purposes. He said that is why the government has introduced money laundering laws to check misuse of donations.
Objectives of Rah e Nijat being achieved successfully: DG ISPR
ISLAMABAD, Oct 19 (APP):
The aims and objectives during ongoing Operation Rah e Nijat in South Waziristan Agency are being achieved successfully due to armed forces effective planning, Director General Inter Services Public Relations Major General Athar Abbas said. Briefing media persons about the details of ongoing operation in South Waziristan Agency here on Monday, he said that they were ahead of their objectives according to the set time frame. He said the operation is being carried out with the resources available to them without relying upon any support from outside.
Minister for Information Qamar Zaman Kaira, Principal Information Officer Rashid Ahmed Chaudary, Director General External Publicity Wing and a senior representative of Special Support Group (SSG) were also present.Director General ISPR said the armed forces during the last 60 hours, since the formal launch of the operation have entered 15 kilometers inside Mehsud dominated areas by adopting three pronged advancement strategy. He said the area around Kotkai heights, a home town of Qari Hussain, the notorious mastermind of suicide attacks has been secured.He said forces have also reached Kaskai feature, which is north of Kund and West of Kotaki besides securing Tor Ghundai feature (east of Kotkai) and Shishwarm (north east of Kotaki), overlooking town of Kotkai.Responding to a question he said the effective planning included laying of siege and lethal air strikes weakening terrorists’ positions, including effectively engaging the peaks where Anti Aircraft Guns were installed.About time frame of ongoing operation, he said definitely they have atimeframe in their mind but would not disclose it for the time being and any of divulgence of the fact may cause misunderstandings.To a query about the number of terrorists present in the area, DG ISPR replied that their number was estimated to be around 5,000 to 10,000 with foreign elements in their ranks.Moreover, the Director General ISPR said, majority of the people were forced to join their ranks, who could leave the terrorist outfit as and when they got an opportunity to run away.“Any high value target of foreign origin, if found among the terrorists present in the area, would definitely be targeted,” he said.Presently, the high value target was the terrorists’ leadership that has been marshaling its foot soldiers, he added.To another question, he said the operation was launched at an appropriate time.About the level of force deployment, he said the planners of the operation had decided the numbers under a well thought out plan, taking into account all factors including the nature of the terrain.Answering a question regarding strategy of the terrorists, he said that so far they have been occupying certain mountain peaks and their other hideouts were scattered in the area. About possible supply of arms and ammunition to terrorists from across the border, he said arms and ammunition were being supplied from Afghanistan and the confiscated arms and ammunition included Russian made weapons. About suspected Indian involvement, DG ISPR said, “Foreign intelligence agencies never leave their footprints; we have seized arms but you cannot say that it was truckloads of ammunition. Moreover funding for terrorists elements can also be arranged through various untraceable means.” “We have always emphasized the need for better steps on the other side of the border to block any possible movement of such elements and supply of arms. This can be achieved by setting up of biometrics system and establishment of check posts on the other side as we have already placed such system on our side,” the DG ISPR said. He said that the security forces know that splinter groups existed but their main training ground is located in South Waziristan Agency where the banned organization (TTP) has established its own writ. So, Operation was imperative to make state functionaries work in the area, where the terrorists had also subjugated the local tribesmen, Major General Athar Abbas said.Replying to a question regarding process of dialogue with militant commanders like Maulvi Nazir in Wana, he said the tactics was meant to isolate the main terrorists organization.He said there was no harm in negotiating with such elements to isolate the top terrorists leadership. The terrorists had taken positions on mountain heights with anti aircraft guns but their bastions were effectively targeted and that was why they had deserted the places, he said.Major General Abbas said main areas had been thoroughly surrounded with deployment of armed forces. He however did not rule out possibility ofindividuals sneaking here and there. Giving further details about the operation, he said in the last 24 hours 18 terrorists were killed in South Waziristan Agency while two soldiers embraced shahadat and twelve others were injured. Two ammunition dumps were blown up alongwith 1 x 14.5 mm and 1 x 12.7 mm gun positions at Spin Ghara, he added. He said on Shakai Ladha axis, positions were being consolidated after securing Sherwangi. Parameter of security was being enhanced around Wuzi Sar and Boya Narai. Stiff resistance was faced by security forces in Sherwangi where after heavy fighting, a number of terrorists were killed and their positions captured.One post of 12.7 mm Anti Aircraft gun was vacated by terrorists without fighting, he added.DG ISPR said security forces were also consolidating their positions in the south and south west of Razmak. Rocket fire was received from the direction of Makeen injuring one soldier.Arms and ammunition dumps in the caves between Ladha and Makeen had been destroyed by precision air targeting, he said, adding that terrorists fired rockets at Shakai fort but there was no loss of life.
No need of foreign army assistance in operation against terrorists: Information and Broadcasting Minister Kaira
ISLAMABAD, Oct 19 (APP): Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Qamar Za
man Kaira Monday said Pakistan does not need any foreign army or intelligence assistance on its side of border in the on going operation against terrorists. In a joint briefing with Director General, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), Maj General Athar Abbas regarding operation in South Waziristan here, he said Pakistan’s Armed Forces with complete support of nation are capable enough to achieve the targeted results within stipulated timeframe.He said Pakistan Armed Forces have launched operation Rah e Nijjat after a thorough preparation and within their own resources and expressed the confidence that they would succeed.
He commended their courage and bravery in Swat and Malakand operation, saying the networks of terrorists were smashed there as development work would soon start in the area.
Answering a question, Information Minister, Qamar Zaman Kaira said the government took all political parties and groups into confidence before launching operation in South Waziristan.He said so far 14,500 Internally Displaced Families of Waziristan have been registered and they are being provided food items. Soon they would be provided non food items as well, he added.Giving break up of registered IDP families, he said around 11,000 were already registered while 3500 families were newly registered.The Minister said the government realizes the sufferings of IDPs and would manage finances from its own resources for their betterment. He said the government has always kept the door for dialogue open and added Swat peace deal was a proof of the government’s commitment to settle issues through talks, but our agreements were violated in the past.The Minister said the dialogue with extremists cannot be initiated at this stage and they should surrender themselves first.“The terrorists in Waziristan are anti state and talks with them can only be held after their voluntary surrender,” he said. Answering another question, Qamar Zaman Kaira said Pakistanis are very generous people and usually donate to different charity organisations, but people do not know if any organisation uses this money for negative purposes. He said that is why the government has introduced money laundering laws to check misuse of donations.
Objectives of Rah e Nijat being achieved successfully: DG ISPR
ISLAMABAD, Oct 19 (APP):
The aims and objectives during ongoing Operation Rah e Nijat in South Waziristan Agency are being achieved successfully due to armed forces effective planning, Director General Inter Services Public Relations Major General Athar Abbas said. Briefing media persons about the details of ongoing operation in South Waziristan Agency here on Monday, he said that they were ahead of their objectives according to the set time frame. He said the operation is being carried out with the resources available to them without relying upon any support from outside.
Minister for Information Qamar Zaman Kaira, Principal Information Officer Rashid Ahmed Chaudary, Director General External Publicity Wing and a senior representative of Special Support Group (SSG) were also present.Director General ISPR said the armed forces during the last 60 hours, since the formal launch of the operation have entered 15 kilometers inside Mehsud dominated areas by adopting three pronged advancement strategy. He said the area around Kotkai heights, a home town of Qari Hussain, the notorious mastermind of suicide attacks has been secured.He said forces have also reached Kaskai feature, which is north of Kund and West of Kotaki besides securing Tor Ghundai feature (east of Kotkai) and Shishwarm (north east of Kotaki), overlooking town of Kotkai.Responding to a question he said the effective planning included laying of siege and lethal air strikes weakening terrorists’ positions, including effectively engaging the peaks where Anti Aircraft Guns were installed.About time frame of ongoing operation, he said definitely they have atimeframe in their mind but would not disclose it for the time being and any of divulgence of the fact may cause misunderstandings.To a query about the number of terrorists present in the area, DG ISPR replied that their number was estimated to be around 5,000 to 10,000 with foreign elements in their ranks.Moreover, the Director General ISPR said, majority of the people were forced to join their ranks, who could leave the terrorist outfit as and when they got an opportunity to run away.“Any high value target of foreign origin, if found among the terrorists present in the area, would definitely be targeted,” he said.Presently, the high value target was the terrorists’ leadership that has been marshaling its foot soldiers, he added.To another question, he said the operation was launched at an appropriate time.About the level of force deployment, he said the planners of the operation had decided the numbers under a well thought out plan, taking into account all factors including the nature of the terrain.Answering a question regarding strategy of the terrorists, he said that so far they have been occupying certain mountain peaks and their other hideouts were scattered in the area. About possible supply of arms and ammunition to terrorists from across the border, he said arms and ammunition were being supplied from Afghanistan and the confiscated arms and ammunition included Russian made weapons. About suspected Indian involvement, DG ISPR said, “Foreign intelligence agencies never leave their footprints; we have seized arms but you cannot say that it was truckloads of ammunition. Moreover funding for terrorists elements can also be arranged through various untraceable means.” “We have always emphasized the need for better steps on the other side of the border to block any possible movement of such elements and supply of arms. This can be achieved by setting up of biometrics system and establishment of check posts on the other side as we have already placed such system on our side,” the DG ISPR said. He said that the security forces know that splinter groups existed but their main training ground is located in South Waziristan Agency where the banned organization (TTP) has established its own writ. So, Operation was imperative to make state functionaries work in the area, where the terrorists had also subjugated the local tribesmen, Major General Athar Abbas said.Replying to a question regarding process of dialogue with militant commanders like Maulvi Nazir in Wana, he said the tactics was meant to isolate the main terrorists organization.He said there was no harm in negotiating with such elements to isolate the top terrorists leadership. The terrorists had taken positions on mountain heights with anti aircraft guns but their bastions were effectively targeted and that was why they had deserted the places, he said.Major General Abbas said main areas had been thoroughly surrounded with deployment of armed forces. He however did not rule out possibility ofindividuals sneaking here and there. Giving further details about the operation, he said in the last 24 hours 18 terrorists were killed in South Waziristan Agency while two soldiers embraced shahadat and twelve others were injured. Two ammunition dumps were blown up alongwith 1 x 14.5 mm and 1 x 12.7 mm gun positions at Spin Ghara, he added. He said on Shakai Ladha axis, positions were being consolidated after securing Sherwangi. Parameter of security was being enhanced around Wuzi Sar and Boya Narai. Stiff resistance was faced by security forces in Sherwangi where after heavy fighting, a number of terrorists were killed and their positions captured.One post of 12.7 mm Anti Aircraft gun was vacated by terrorists without fighting, he added.DG ISPR said security forces were also consolidating their positions in the south and south west of Razmak. Rocket fire was received from the direction of Makeen injuring one soldier.Arms and ammunition dumps in the caves between Ladha and Makeen had been destroyed by precision air targeting, he said, adding that terrorists fired rockets at Shakai fort but there was no loss of life.
Twin blasts rocked International Islamic University
Twin blasts rocked International Islamic University
ISLAMABAD, Oct 20 (APP)
Twin blasts rocked International Islamic University on Tuesday at around 3:15pm injuring 13 students and killing a female student on the spot. As per hospital sources, eleven females and two male injured were admitted to PIMS while a body of a female was also brought to the hospital.
Dr Wasim Khawaja, spokesman of PIMS, informed that two human limbs and a head were also brought to the hospital while some of the injured were in critical condition.
The first blast rocked girls section of the university while the second occurred in the cafeteria
ISLAMABAD, Oct 20 (APP)
Twin blasts rocked International Islamic University on Tuesday at around 3:15pm injuring 13 students and killing a female student on the spot. As per hospital sources, eleven females and two male injured were admitted to PIMS while a body of a female was also brought to the hospital.
Dr Wasim Khawaja, spokesman of PIMS, informed that two human limbs and a head were also brought to the hospital while some of the injured were in critical condition.
The first blast rocked girls section of the university while the second occurred in the cafeteria
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