Blast kills five, injures 50 in Karachi

KARACHI: At least five people have been killed while almost 50 others including women and children were injured in a huge explosion that took place near the Cantt Railway Station, here on Saturday. According to initial reports, the explosion occurred in a Sargodha-bound passenger bus which caught fire. Nearby vehicles and a hotel were also damaged in the explosion. Eight of those injured are said to be in critical condition and emergency has been declared at JPMC. Sindh police spokesman Imran Shaukhat said the cause of the explosion was not yet known. Interior Minister Rehman Malik has taken notice of the explosion and summoned a report from IG Sindh Fayyaz Leghari. However, SSP CID Chaudhry Aslam said no ball bearings were recovered from the bus, which indicated that a cylinder...

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Fond memories of a literary giant

Karachi I have very fond memories of eminent critic, scholar, translator and senior journalist Dr Mohammad Ali Siddiqui, who wrote a literary column every week in Dawn under the pen name, Ariel. I was introduced to him by my friend (late) Dr Qamar Abbas Nadeem in the early 1970s when we established Young Writers Forum. Dr Nadeem was also an excellent short story writer. In those days Siddiqui Saheb was Assistant Editor, daily Hurriyat, Dawn Group’s Urdu newspaper, and lived near Rizvia Society in a lower middle class locality. Previously, he was associated with the British Information Department. I had joined the Soviet Press & Information Department, Karachi, in those days. Very often we would meet at Dr Nadeem’s residence and at his house too. He was a bookworm and...

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Apple may launch iPhone Mini in 2014: Strategy Analytics

SEOUL: Samsung Electronics is expected to widen its lead over Apple in global smartphone sales this year with 35 percent growth, helped by a broad product lineup, market researcher Strategy Analytics told Reuters on Friday. Apple, returning the offensive, could roll out a smaller, cheaper 'iPhone Mini' next year to grab market share by targeting demand from users of lower-end smartphones, Strategy Analytics said. "We expect Samsung to slightly extend its lead over Apple this year because of its larger multi-tier product portfolio," Neil Mawston, executive director at Strategy Analytics, said in an e-mail interview with Reuters. Global smartphone shipments will jump 27 percent to 875 million shipments this year, slowing from last year's torrid 41 percent pace as growth eased...

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Simulated Mars mission shows sleep issue

WASHINGTON: Astronauts chosen for a manned mission to Mars could be in serious trouble if their sleep patterns are disrupted on the lengthy journey, a 520 day simulation has found. "The success of human interplanetary spaceflight, which is anticipated to be in this century, will depend on the ability of astronauts to remain confined and isolated from Earth much longer than previous missions or simulations," said David Dinges of the University of Pennsylvania, who co-authored the sleep study. "This is the first investigation to pinpoint the crucial role that sleep-wake cycles will play in extended space missions." Six volunteers...

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Matric student gunned down

LAHORE A MATRIC student was shot dead by unidentified persons in Factory Area on Wednesday. The deceased was identified as Arsalan of Yaseen Town, Factory Area. He was on his way home from a local academy when unidentified persons shot at and wounded him. He was rushed to a local hospital where he expired. The body has been shifted to morgue. DIES: A two-year-old child expired in a local hospital on Wednesday, shortly after he suffered burns in his house in the Akbari Gate area. Ayan, son of Muhammad Athar, was playing in his house when boiling water accidentally fell on him. As a result, he sustained serious burns. He was removed to a local hospital where he died. ROBBERS: Model Town CIA has arrested four robbers and seized loot and weapons from them. Police said that the...

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PML-N Germany coordinator meets Shahbaz

LAHORE PML-N coordinator in Germany Shahid Riaz Gondal called on Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif at Model Town on Wednesday. The chief minister said Shahid Riaz made commendable efforts for activating the party in Germany and resolving the problems of Pakistanis living there. He said Shahid also extended cooperation in his meetings with German authorities during his visit to Germany and in the conduct of the road show for the promotion of Pakistani products. Shahid Riaz praised the services of the chief minister...

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‘March drama’ aims at delaying polls: Shahbaz

LAHORE PUNJAB Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said democracy was restored in the country after a long struggle and sacrifices by all segments of society, but a few imported politicians were trying to derail the country from its democratic path. He said the people were aware of the nefarious designs of such elements with imported agenda and their efforts would be foiled. He said that holding of timely general elections was essential for the solidarity and security of the country, as any delay could be disastrous. He said that ‘march drama’ was being enacted to delay general elections. He said the country was faced with serious problems at internal and external levels, and it could not afford anarchy. He said the imported elements wanted to create chaos, however,...

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Hospital heads authorised to act against striking doctors

LAHORE Punjab Health Department has authorised Principals/Medical Superintendents of teaching hospitals to take action against striking/absent doctors. Necessary instructions have been issued in this regard on Wednesday. According to spokesman of Health Department, it is reiterated that Essential Services Act 1958 had already been invoked in government hospitals. Nobody will be allowed to create hurdles/interrupt smooth provision of healthcare facilities to the patients. The spokesman said that adequate security measures have been taken in teaching hospitals to provide protection to the doctors/paramedics on duty. Meanwhile, the Young Doctors Association (YDA), Punjab, has alleged that government had become a party against doctors as it had registered fake FIR against young...

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CM expresses condolence

LAHORE PUNJAB Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has expressed grief on the death of the father of Imran Younas, a senior news reporter. In a condolence message, the chief minister prayed may Almighty Allah rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant strength to the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss...

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CM takes notice of flour shortage

LAHORE CHIEF Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has taken notice of artificial shortage of wheat and flour in a few cities of the province and directed the food department to take strict action against those responsible for it. In his directive to the food department, the chief minister said that shortage of wheat and flour was not logically possible as stock of 2.7 million metric tonnes wheat was available. Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said the Punjab government had not only abundant stock of wheat to meet the food requirements of the people but had sufficient wheat for food security as well. He ordered strict action against those who created artificial shortage of wheat and flour. He directed immediate steps to remove artificial shortage of wheat and flour...

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Nawaz, PM to address SCBA’s APC

LAHORE PRIME Minister Raja Parvaiz Ashraf and PML-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif will address the All Parties Conference (APC) being held by the Supreme Court Bar Association here on Thursday (today). All the major political parties of the country have confirmed their participation in the conference aimed at discussing the existing circumstances, particularly long march, announced by Tahirul Qadri and the MQM. Nawaz Sharif, Hasil Bizenjo (Pakistan National Party) Liaqat Baloch (Jammat-e-Islami) and Asma Jahangir...

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Politicians urge Qadri to avoid confrontation

LAHORE LEADERS of mainstream political and nationalist parties from Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan have urged Dr Tahirul Qadri to avoid going for any move which may push the country towards further troubles. Terming the long march call by Qadri highly uncalled-for at a time when no much time is left in the general elections, the leaders from different political and regional parties advised the Tehreek-e-Minhajul Quran chairman to come up with a clear agenda and adopt a democratic path, rather than going for long march. Moreover, some of the nationalists from Sindh also said that by having the support of a party like MQM which had been part of the ruling benches from 1999 till date, the slogan for change did not seem justified. Former Punjab Governor and PPP central Latif...

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Shujaat to meet president today

Karachi PML-Q Chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain is scheduled to arrive in Karachi on Thursday (today) to attend a meeting with President Zardari at the Bilawal House. This was disclosed to The News by Halim Adil Sheikh, a PML-Q leader and adviser to the Sindh chief minister. Halim Adil Sheikh and Shujaat would attend the meeting with President Zardari, who had convened a meeting of the heads of the Sindh coalition parties. The president is set to discuss various issues such as the long march announced by Dr Tahirul Qadri on March 14 to Islamabad. One of the major coalition partners that decided to join the long march of Tahirul Qadri was the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). Meanwhile, the PML-F was among the parties that decided not to participate...

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Three THOs face music for skipping measles meeting

Karachi The Sindh health minister on Wednesday suspended three town health officers (THOs) for their absence from an important meeting held to review the measles vaccination drive in the city. Dr Sagheer Ahmed told the media that the THOs of Baldia, Keamari and Malir, Dr Arif Niaz, Dr Ashraf-uz-Zaman and Dr Irshad respectively, had been suspended for not attending the meeting. “These officials have shown a non-serious attitude. It is the height of irresponsibility.” Earlier, while presiding over the meeting of the city’s THOs, Dr Ahmed said emergency measures were being taken to prevent an outbreak of measles in Karachi. “Under these measures, 2.13 million children will be vaccinated for the disease in the city,” he said. He said the availability of anti-measles vaccine and...

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Ariel to write no more

Karachi Dr Muhammad Ali Siddiqui, renowned author, scholar, critic, educationist and columnist who was better known by his pen name Ariel, passed away on Wednesday. He was 75. He was admitted to the intensive care unit of a hospital and breathed his last after suffering a cardiac arrest. He has left behind a widow, two sons, three daughters and a brother. His funeral prayer was offered at Farooq-e-Azam Masjid in North Nazimabad and he was laid to rest at the Sakhi Hassan graveyard. Some prominent figures who participated in the funeral included Naseer Turabi, Ahmed Umar Sharif, Dr Mazhar Jameel, Prof Ali Haider Malick, Shahid Hameed, Mehmood Ahmed Khan, Yousuf Amin, Anwar Jawed Hashmi, Ehtisham Anwar, Salman Siddiqui, Naeem Siddiqui, Feroz Bakhat, Iqbal Nazar, Dr Arshad Javed...

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our correspondent Thursday, January 10, 2013 From Print Edition New 0 0 0 [Five ‘TTP’ men held for Ayesha Manzil blast] Karachi Five men affiliated with the outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP) were apprehended on Wednesday for their alleged involvement in the Ayesha Mazil blast that took place on the first day of this year and their role in the assassination of over six polio workers last year. The Crime Investigation Department (CID) also seized a large cache of arms and ammunition from their possession during a raid conducted in Muhammad Khan Colony in Orangi Town. Additional Inspector General (AIG) of police CID Ghulam Shabeer Shaikh during a press briefing at the Central Police Office said that acting on a tip-off the officials had raided the suspects’ hideout in Ittehad Town. On seeing the police, the gunmen opened fire, which was returned by the police. After an hour-long encounter, Ayub, Mohtim Khan, Bilal, Tauseef Ali and Saifullah were arrested. During the initial investigation, the accused confessed to being linked to the TTP. Seven people died and 45 other were injured in the Ayesha Manzil blast near Federal B Area after a remote-controlled bomb planted on a motorbike went off. Among the victims, one was a worker of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement. AIG CID Shaikh said that the accused were also involved in murdering polio workers during the year 2012, of which two female health workers were targeted in the Mochko police limits on December 18, 2012. The accused confessed to lobbing a Russain-made grenade inside the Tori Bangush police kiosk in July 2012. The low-intensity blast completely destroyed the kiosk and damaged three polio vehicles. The suspects had also killed a police constable and an ANP leader. The arrested men were planning an attack on the Quaid-e-Azam International Airport, the AIG added. The suspects said they had recently sent about 160 men to Waziristan to their commander Akram for training. They were also going to learn to make suicide jackets during their exercise. During the raid, police recovered a motorcycle planted with a bomb, 25 kilogram explosive material, five hand grenades, two pressure cooker bombs, nine tennis ball bombs, four Kalashnikovs, five 9MM pistols, five detonators and a number of live bullets. Sindh Governor Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad, on learning about the police efficiency, announced a reward of Rs2 million for the CID team. Today's Newspaper Top story National World Business Sports Karachi Lahore Islamabad Peshawar Editorial Opinion Newspost More from Karachi School principal shot dead Private schools to close tomorrow in protest ‘Siraj shot injured Shahzeb again after being egged on’ Five ‘TTP’ men held for Ayesha Manzil blast Doctors recommend Mehzar’s treatment abroad Ariel to write no more Fond memories of a literary giant Three THOs face music for skipping measles meeting Man seeks justice against influential criminals Shujaat to meet president today Latest News One killed, 2 hurt in Karachi car blast [Watch Now] Waseem Khawaja still serving as DSP [Watch Now] Pak strongly rejects Indian allegation [Watch Now] Polls will be on time, PPP reiterates [Watch Now] LoC: Pak offers ‘third party’ inquiry [Watch Now] China 2012 trade surplus surges 48pc [Watch Now] Markets rise in early Asian trade [Watch Now] Australia team for 1st ODI against SL [Watch Now] Australia races to beat heat spike [Watch Now] Several accused held in New Karachi [Watch Now]

Karachi Five men affiliated with the outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP) were apprehended on Wednesday for their alleged involvement in the Ayesha Mazil blast that took place on the first day of this year and their role in the assassination of over six polio workers last year. The Crime Investigation Department (CID) also seized a large cache of arms and ammunition from their possession during a raid conducted in Muhammad Khan Colony in Orangi Town. Additional Inspector General (AIG) of police CID Ghulam Shabeer Shaikh during a press briefing at the Central Police Office said that acting on a tip-off the officials had raided the...

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Private schools to close tomorrow in protest

Karachi Administrations of most private schools have decided to close their educational institutions on Friday (tomorrow) to protest the murder of the chairman of the United Private School Management Front. Engineer Ali Haider was gunned down on his way to work in Sector 11-A of North Karachi on Wednesday. Condemning Haider’s murder, the Private Schools Management Association announced keeping private schools closed on Friday in protest. The association has also convened a gathering of owners and administrators of private schools to condole Haider’s demise and hold Quran Khawani for the departed soul. The All Private Schools Management Association Sindh has also backed the decision to keep private schools closed on Friday...

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Man seeks justice against influential criminals

Karachi A man from Larkana has appealed to Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry to provide him justice in the murder case of his minor son, who was kidnapped and killed on March 9 last year. Addressing a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Wednesday, Azfar Hussain Jatoi said that the body of his four-year-old son Umer was recovered from a ditch on the disclosure of some suspects who were arrested on March 13 last year, but the case proceedings had been slowed down since the criminals happen to be connected with highly influential people in the province. On the occasion, Azfar Hussain played the voice of kidnappers that he had recorded in his mobile phone, demanding ransom money of Rs 5 million. He said that in the wake of non-payment of ransom money, the kidnappers...

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Fond memories of a literary giant

Karachi I have very fond memories of eminent critic, scholar, translator and senior journalist Dr Mohammad Ali Siddiqui, who wrote a literary column every week in Dawn under the pen name, Ariel. I was introduced to him by my friend (late) Dr Qamar Abbas Nadeem in the early 1970s when we established Young Writers Forum. Dr Nadeem was also an excellent short story writer. In those days Siddiqui Saheb was Assistant Editor, daily Hurriyat, Dawn Group’s Urdu newspaper, and lived near Rizvia Society in a lower middle class locality. Previously, he was associated with the British Information Department. I had joined the Soviet Press & Information Department, Karachi, in those days. Very often we would meet at Dr Nadeem’s residence and at his house too. He was a bookworm and...

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Fond memories of a literary giant

Karachi I have very fond memories of eminent critic, scholar, translator and senior journalist Dr Mohammad Ali Siddiqui, who wrote a literary column every week in Dawn under the pen name, Ariel. I was introduced to him by my friend (late) Dr Qamar Abbas Nadeem in the early 1970s when we established Young Writers Forum. Dr Nadeem was also an excellent short story writer. In those days Siddiqui Saheb was Assistant Editor, daily Hurriyat, Dawn Group’s Urdu newspaper, and lived near Rizvia Society in a lower middle class locality. Previously, he was associated with the British Information Department. I had joined the Soviet Press & Information Department, Karachi, in those days. Very often we would meet at Dr Nadeem’s residence and at his house too. He was a bookworm and...

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Doctors recommend Mehzar’s treatment abroad

Karachi When she was brought in 39 days back, the doctors had given up on her - she would spend her life on a ventilator, they had said. Today, 12-year-old Mehzar is just out of a strenuous physiotherapy session. She is trying to walk again. But her doctors recommend that she be taken abroad for further treatment. On November 30, Syeda Mehzar and her father Syed Nazar Abbas Zaidi were driving to school when they were shot by unidentified men. The father expired, while Mehzar survived, with two ruptured lungs, a spinal cord injury, and a fractured wrist. The family maintains that this attack was sectarian in nature and the police second it. Dr Gohar Javed, a neurosurgeon at the Aga Khan University Hospital who specialises in spinal cord injuries, has referred her to the Queen...

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‘Siraj shot injured Shahzeb again after being egged on’

Karachi Siraj Talpur, one of the two prime suspects in the Shahzeb Khan murder case, fired more shots after he seriously wounded the 20-year-old student – just to ensure his prey did not survive, a court was told on Wednesday. During an identification parade in the court of Judicial Magistrate (South) Waqar Ahmed Soomro, two witnesses identified Talpur, his brother, Sajjad Talpur, and their cook, Ghulam Murtaza Lashari, as three of the four men involved in the gruesome murder. Another prime suspect, Shahrukh Jatoi, fled the country on a passport with a fake name on December 27, two days after the life of Khan, son of DSP Aurangzeb Khan, was cut down in his prime near Mubarak Masjid in Phase V of the Defence Housing Authority. Jatoi’s father, Sikandar Jatoi, was named in...

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School principal shot dead

Karachi Armed men roamed the city streets for yet another day on Wednesday and targeted three people, including a former UC Nazim and a school principal, in separate incidents. Syed Ali Haider, 55, was gunned down when two armed men on a motorcycle sprayed his car with bullets from sophisticated weapons outside his residence in Sector 11/A of North Karachi in the Sir Syed Town police area. The victim’s family and residents of the area took the body to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for legal formalities. An MLO said the deceased suffered at least five bullets wounds to the upper body. SP New Karachi Syed Salman told The News...

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Women’s peace conference today

Islamabad A `National Women Peace Conference’ would be held here today (Thursday) to highlight role of women in managing situation of terrorism and resolving conflict as powerful actors, at a local hotel, at 11:30. a.m. The peace conference, titled `Women moderating extremism: Experience Sharing’, is being organized by Paiman Alumni Trust in collaboration with UN-Women. Special Assistant to Prime Minister on sector, Shahnaz Wazir Ali, would be chief guest at the inaugural session of the conference while Faisal Karim Kundi, Deputy Speaker National Assembly would preside over the session. A representative of Paiman Trust told APP here on Wednesday that the moot would help spotlight, amplify and promote the work of women’s rights activists, and researchers for addressing the...

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Signs of juvenile arthritis

Joint pain may be a common complaint among children, but prolonged joint pain accompanied by swelling can be signs of juvenile arthritis. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says common symptoms of juvenile arthritis include: Today’s Health Tips * Joint pain that is worse in the morning and improves during the day. A child may limp or complain that their hands and feet hurt. * Swelling in the joints and lymph nodes. * Irritability, fatigue or apathy toward playing with others. * A ‘hot’ sensation in the joints, and weakness of the muscles and tissues surrounding the joints. * A very high fever and a light pink rash, which occur infrequently and tend to go away quickly...

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Cold, dry weather forecast

Islamabad: Mainly cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country during next 24 hour and shallow foggy conditions will likely to continue over plain areas of Punjab during night and morning hours. Met office reported here on Wednesday that continental air is prevailing over most parts of the country. It informed that chilly and dry weather is expected in most parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during same time span whereas shallow foggy conditions will likely to continue over Peshawar division during late night and morning hours. In Sindh and Balochistan, met office reported, mainly cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the province during next 24 hours...

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Corrupt policemen pilfering valuables from ‘Maal Khanas’

Rawalpindi Besides involvement of police personnel in criminal activities, they are now benefitting from the recovered valuables, kept in the ‘Maal Khana’ of police stations, by gradually selling these in the market or to individuals. People lodge complaints every day with the concerned authorities against police officials, but receive a cold response from them. This attitude towards people’s complaints against guardians of law of the land encourages the ‘criminal’ cops, widening the gulf between public and police. As an example, a poor taxi driver, Mohammad Ejaz, son of Mohammad Riaz, resident of Amarpura, Rawalpindi, lodged a complaint with the city police officer (CPO), Rawalpindi, saying that his taxicab, bearing registration number IDE-6823, was stolen from the jurisdiction...

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National mercury reduction programme being launched

Islamabad The government is launching the National Mercury Reduction Programme under which all mercury sources in Pakistan would be indentified and an inventory would be made, said Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) Director General Asif Shuja Khan. He said this while chairing a panel discussion on ‘Regulating Global Mercury Uses and Releases Control: Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee Fifth Meeting (INC-5) — Issues and Concerns for Pakistan’ organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) in collaboration with the International Zero Mercury Working Group. Shuja said that the final round of international INC-5 on Mercury in Geneva in mid-January 2013 is “our world’s last chance” to cooperate in creating a strong international action on...

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Unusual fog brings record low temperatures,makes travel a dicey task

Islamabad The winter, normally a season of feast, excursion and joy in this region of the world, otherwise known for its enervating summers, has brought with it a strange phenomenon in recent weeks — record chill in the air sent people scampering to keep themselves warm and also made movement of vehicular traffic a dicey task, especially at night. The strange thing about this phenomenon in recent season has been that it gripped the Potohar region and plains of KP as well, in contrast to the trend of past few decades when nearly-blinding fog mostly affected the plain areas of the Punjab. This time around the 50-year cold records in the Punjab plains region were broken while also plunging the wide swathes of Potohar and KPK in an unprecedented cold spell which spread over a...

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Writers moot today

Islamabad: The Pakistan Academy of Letters will hold a two-day International Writers Conference on ‘Literature and Democracy’ here today (Thursday). Around 25 writers from all over the world and 650 local intellectuals are attending the conference, the PAL chairman said in a statement released here. He said the goal of this moot is to bring closer writers of different areas and languages. The chairman said that the conference is a milestone and it will help to promote democratic values in the country. “We are going to give a message to all over the world that Pakistan is peaceful and progressive nation, “he added. Eminent writers like Intizar Hussain, Bano Quddsia, Mustansir Hussain Tarar, Fakhar Zaman, Anver Shaur, Fehmeeda Riaz, Atta-ul-Qasmi, Zehra Nigah, Anver Sadeed,...

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Punjab CM to open Sixth Road flyover today

Rawalpindi: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif will address a public meeting in Arid Agriculture University and inaugurate Sixth Road flyover at 3 pm today (Thursday). Though, the newly-constructed Sixth Road flyover, on the pressure of the citizens, was opened for traffic on January 5 while its formal inauguration will be today. Earlier, the completion date of this project was fixed January 23 but the difficulties being faced by the citizens forced the authorities concerned to direct the contractor to accelerate the pace of work on the project and day and night construction work led to accomplishment of the project ahead of schedule. The chief minister had laid the foundation of the flyover on September 25. The 248 meter long bridge with 202 meter ramp has been constructed...

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USC increases price of 20-kg ‘atta’ bag by Rs90

Rawalpindi The Utility Stores Corporation (USC) has increased the price of 20-kg ‘atta’ bag by Rs90 through a notification issued here on Wednesday. Now the new price of a 20-kg ‘atta’ bag is Rs735 against its previous price of Rs645. On the other hand, ‘atta’ crisis has been worsening day-by-day, as retailers in the open market were selling it in ‘black’. A 20-kg ‘atta’ bag is being sold for Rs780 in the open market. The Government of Punjab has increased the ex-mill rate of 20-kg ‘atta’ bag by Rs30, increasing its price from Rs618 to Rs648. While the City District Government, Rawalpindi, has fixed the price of a 20-kilogram bag at Rs670, but retailers were openly violating the orders and selling it in ‘black’. Utility Stores Corporation (USC) Zonal Manager (ZM) Sardar Muhammad...

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England aim to beat India to cement top-spot

DUBAI: England will be aiming to carry their Test form into the ODIs and win their first series in India in 28 years, to cement their status as the number-one side in the ICC ODI ranking. India face England in a five-match series starting on January 11 in Rajkot. England currently lead second-ranked South Africa who play New Zealand in a three-match series from January 19, by a fraction of a point, but will take an outright lead on the championship table if they are successful in winning the series against India regardless of the outcome of South Africa-New Zealand series. However, England’s failure to win the series will give both India and South Africa opportunities to reclaim the top spot. If India win all five matches of the series, they will climb two places to top-spot,...

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Akber dazzles as Blues crush Sialkot

KARACHI: Karachi Blues overwhelmed Sialkot by ten wickets while Karachi Whites defeated Rawalpindi by three wickets on the third day of their third round four-day fixtures of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy here on Wednesday. At the NBP Sports Complex, after being forced to follow-on, Sialkot perished for 249, thus giving a 20-run target which Karachi Blues achieved in three overs easily. Ali Khan top-scored for Sialkot with a run-a-ball 82, hitting five sixes and four boundaries. Mohammad Ayub made 35-ball 39 with eight sweetly-timed boundaries. Leg-break bowler Akber-ur-Rehman, who sometimes also acts as a pacer, played a key role in Blues’ win as he bagged 4-65, ending with 8-84 for the match. Karachi Blues scored 354 in their first innings while in reply Sialkot were bowled out...

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PCB awards’ gala on Jan 12

KARACHI: Saeed Ajmal andMohammad Hafeez are leading candidates among national cricket stars for top honours at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) awards’ ceremony to be held in Lahore on Saturday. According to sources, Ajmal would be given the award for Cricketer of the Year at the ceremony. The award was promised to Ajmal by PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf after the prolific spinner was snubbed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) last year. Ajmal, who was widely seen among the favourites for the world cricketer of the year award, wasn’t even picked in the final list. Meanwhile, the logo unveiling ceremony of the so-called Pakistan Super league T20 tournament will take place in Lahore on Thursday. Ashraf will unveil the logo of the first-ever league which is likely too attract...

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Rare home win on the cards for SA

PORT ELIZABETH: South Africa will be looking to secure just their second home Test series win in over four years when they take on New Zealand in the second Test at St. George’s Park on Friday (tomorrow). The Proteas have risen to the top of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) test team rankings thanks to their wonderful away form which has seen them win back-to-back series in Australia and England and remain unbeaten on their travels since 2006. However, South Africa have won just one Test series at home since their 2-0 victory over Bangladesh in November 2008, a 2-1 victory over Sri Lanka in early 2012. The Proteas will...

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Kamal denies unconditional commitment over Pak tour

DHAKA: ICC vice-president Mustafa Kamal has denied any “unconditional commitment” from Bangladesh to tour Pakistan. Kamal, the former BCB president, said he approves the idea of touring Pakistan, but insisted that the final decision on touring rests with the BCB. “It [unconditional commitment] was not in any ICC meetings’ minutes,” Kamal told reporters. “I have not missed a single meeting [in my time as BCB president]. Such things cannot be written in minutes of a meeting. I deny it, this cannot have happened. “There were a lot of discussions in the ICC and those have been mentioned in their minutes. At every instance it was mentioned that if Bangladesh tours Pakistan, the ICC will be involved in some capacity. The assessment of their security team will determine whether...

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BCCI cannot digest Pak team’s supremacy: Sarfraz

KARACHI: Former Pakistan Test pacer Sarfraz Nawaz on Wednesday said that the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) cannot tolerate the supremacy of Pakistani cricketers, which has now been proved after Indian papers exposed BCCI’s influence over man of the match decision during the recently-concluded ODI series. According to the Indian media, BCCI influenced the jury of commentators to name Indian skipper MS Dhoni for the man of the match award for the third and final game of the ODI series that India won by 10 runs. “Dhoni was adjudged man of the match in the first match in which he was the top-scorer with an unbeaten 113 runs. However, during the same match, Pakistan opener Nasir Jamshed played a match-winning innings of 101 runs. But if someone could justify that then...

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Radwanska, Cibulkova, Li, Kerber into Sydney semis

SYDNEY: Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska clinched a seventh straight victory to reach the semi-finals of the Sydney International on Wednesday, as she builds towards next week’s Australian Open. The world number four and tournament top seed overcame Italian world number 16 Roberta Vinci, 6-4, 7-5 in just over an hour and a half to move into the last four. Radwanska, coming off a victory in Auckland last week where she beat Yanina Wickmayer in the final, will now face 2011 winner Li Na of China. Li took two hours and 19 minutes to down teenage American qualifier Madison Keys, 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 in a night match. “I was happy I could...

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Ajmal gets NOC for Big Bash

KARACHI: Saeed Ajmal, Pakistan’s premier spinner, would be leaving for Australia to strengthen Adelaide Strikers’ campaign in the ongoing Bid Bash Twenty20 tournament. Counted among the world’s best bowlers, Ajmal missed most of the Big Bash because of Pakistan’s tour of India. However, Ajmal has now been issued a No Objection Certificate by the Pakistan Cricket Board to feature in the lucrative Twenty20 tournament and would be leaving for Australia soon. He would return home later this month to join the Pakistan team ahead of itstour of South Africa. The Adelaide Strikers have been eagerly awaiting Ajmal’s return but were disappointed after being told that the spinner would not be available for Thursday’s (today’s) crunch match against Perth Scorchers. Ajmal had originally...

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Pietersen given full England contract

LONDON: Kevin Pietersen rubber-stamped his return to the England set-up on Wednesday by signing a full central contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB...

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