RPT-Iran ready for gas deal with Pakistan, without India: Reuters

TEHRAN, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Iran will sign a deal with Pakistan to sell gas to the neighbouring country, even if India, a third party to the deal, walked out, student news agency ISNA reported Iran's oil minister as saying on Monday.

India stayed away from talks in Tehran on a proposed $7 billion pipeline in September, saying it wanted to agree transit costs through Pakistan on a bilateral basis first.

Iran Oil Minister Gholamhossein Nozari said a delegation from Pakistan had arrived in Tehran for two days.
"Iran will sign a deal with Pakistan, if India does not take part in the project," ISNA quoted Nozari as saying.

In July, Iran said India and Pakistan had accepted Iran's demand for gas price reviews based on market changes, denying reports by some Indian newspapers that the pipeline talks had failed after Iran demanded a review every three years.

The pipeline would initially carry 60 million cubic metres of gas daily to Pakistan and India, half for each country. The pipeline's capacity would later rise to 150 million cu metres.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: RPT-Iran ready for gas deal with Pakistan, without India: Reuters

Sri Lanka's Pakistan tour cleared: Cricinfo

Sri Lanka's president Mahinda Rajapakse has cleared the national team's tour of Pakistan next month. The series had been confirmed by the Pakistan board last week but its status became uncertain after the Sri Lankan interim board, headed by Arjuna Ranatunga, was dissolved on Tuesday by the country's sports minister Gamini Lokuge.

Sri Lanka's foreign minister Rohitha Bogollagama announced the decision to tour after talks with President Mahinda Rajapakse. The foreign ministry said in a statement, "Minister Bogollagama is of the view that sport is an effective means of promoting connectivity between nations and thereby enhancing friendship and mutual goodwill between countries." The tour, it said, is scheduled to run from January 20 to February 25,

Unsurprisingly, the decision has been welcomed by a Pakistan starved of top-flight, international cricket. Javed Miandad, director general PCB, asked people to come out and watch the series. "Not only the cricket fraternity but the whole of Pakistan is thankful to the Sri Lankan president for clearing their tour to Pakistan," he told AFP

"I hope more and more people come to watch Sri Lanka play in Pakistan because we want to prove to the world that Pakistan is safe and secure for cricket," he added. His views were echoed by Shoaib Malik, Pakistan's captain. "It's great news. It will give us some much needed international cricket and we are determined to do well."

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Sri Lanka's Pakistan tour cleared: Cricinfo

Marriott reopens in Islamabad: Inquirer

By Nasir Jaffry
Agence France-Presse

ISLAMABAD--The luxury Marriott hotel in Islamabad was set to reopen Sunday, just three months after it was destroyed in a suicide truck bombing that killed 60 people, the worst attack in Pakistan this year.
The attacker rammed a truck containing 600 kilograms (1,300 pounds) of high explosives into the outer gates of the hotel on September 20, sending shockwaves through the capital, especially in the expatriate community.
Sadruddin Hashwani, 68, the owner of the Marriott and one of Pakistan's richest men, pledged immediately after the attack that he would rebuild the 289-room hotel, making it a "fortress" and "even better than before."
Three months later, an army of 2,000 laborers have restored the hotel to its former luster. A grand piano and glistening chandeliers grace the new lobby. The old one, which had a glass atrium, shattered in the attack.
The facility -- located near Pakistan's parliament and other key government buildings -- is also now surrounded by a massive security wall.
"The hotel will be fully functional from today, with the re-opening of all eight restaurants, coffee shops and the conference rooms," Khawar Jameel, a spokesman for Hashwani's Hashoo group, told AFP.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Marriott reopens in Islamabad: Inquirer

Motorola to expand WiMAX deployment: The News

ISLAMABAD: Spurred by continued interest in broadband technology to deliver rich media experiences at home and beyond, Motorola will carry long-term evolution work and expand WiMAX and fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) deployments.One of the leading providers of wired and wireless broadband solutions wrapped up 2008 with historic demonstrations, including the industry’s first CDMA to LTE network handoff, and a steady drumbeat of WiMAX and FTTH deployments and products.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Motorola to expand WiMAX deployment: The News

Tensions rise as troops mass on India's border: Scotsman

By SEBASTIAN ABBOT

PAKISTAN began moving thousands of troops to the Indian border yesterday, adding to the tensions triggered by the Mumbai terror attacks.

India has blamed Pakistan-based militants for last month's raid on its financial capital, which killed 164 people and provoked an increasingly bitter war of words between the nuclear-armed neighbours that have fought three wars in 60 years.The troops were being diverted away from tribal areas near Afghanistan, officials said, in a move expected to frustrate the United States, which has been pushing Pakistan to step up its fight against al-Qaeda and Taleban militants near the Afghan border.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Tensions rise as troops mass on India's border: Scotsman

Interpol 'not given Mumbai data': BBC

The global police agency Interpol says India has not shared any information with it about last month's deadly attacks in Mumbai (Bombay).

Interpol secretary general Ronald Noble, who is in Islamabad, said its only knowledge of what happened had come from the media.
Pakistan also says it has had no firm information from Delhi.
India says Pakistani militants carried out the attacks, which left more than 170 people dead.

Only one of the 10 gunmen, Mohammed Ajmal Amir Qasab, survived and he is in Indian custody.
On Monday India handed a letter to Pakistan it says was written by Mr Qasab, confirming he is Pakistani and asking for Islamabad's help.
The attacks have severely strained relations between the two countries.
But on Tuesday, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh dismissed talk of possible war with Pakistan.
"Nobody wants war," he told reporters. "The issue is terror - and territory in Pakistan being used to promote and abet terrorism."

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Interpol 'not given Mumbai data': BBC

Pakistan warns India it will respond to any attack: Associated Press

By KHALID TANVEER – 4 hours ago

MULTAN, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistan warned India on Thursday not to launch a strike against it and vowed to respond to any attack — a sign that the relationship between the two nuclear powers remains strained in the wake of the Mumbai attacks.

Though the South Asian rivals have engaged in tit-for-tat accusations in recent weeks, both sides have repeatedly said they hope to avoid conflict. But India has not ruled out the use of force in response to the attacks, which it blames on a Pakistan-based militant group.
"We want peace, but should not be complacent about India," Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told reporters in his hometown of Multan in central Pakistan. "We should hope for the best but prepare for the worst."

Pakistan and India have fought three wars since they were created in the bloody partition of the Indian subcontinent at independence from Britain in 1947.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Pakistan warns India it will respond to any attack: Associated Press

Cash registers ring at company selling 'Bush Shoes': The News

ISTANBUL: The Turkish company which made the shoes an Iraqi journalist hurled at President George W. Bush last week is reporting a massive increase in sales in the wake of the now infamous incident.Muntadhar al-Zeidi became a hero throughout the Arab world when he threw his shoes at the US president during a press conference last week.

Istanbul-based shoemaker Ramazan Baydan says his company, Baydan Shoes, has been inundated with requests for pairs of the shoes and he has had to employ 100 extra staff to meet the demand.

The 'Bush Shoes' as they have come to be known, are the company's Model 271 - black, polyurethane-soled brogues which sell for around 40 New Turkish Lira (NZ$47).Serkan Turk, the head of sales at Baydan Shoes told media the firm normally sold 15,000 pairs a year of the Model 271 shoes.Since the shoe-throwing incident on December 14 however, the company has received orders totaling 370,000 pairs.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Cash registers ring at company selling 'Bush Shoes': The News

India, Pakistan: Signs of a Coming War: Stratfor

Several major signs of a coming Indian-Pakistani war surfaced Dec. 24.

Indian troops reportedly have deployed to the Barmer district of southwest Rajasthan state along the Indian-Pakistani border. Furthermore, the state government of Rajasthan has ordered residents of its border villages to be prepared for relocation. The decision reportedly came after a meeting among the state’s director-general of police, home secretary and an official from the central government. Stratfor confirmed the report with an Indian army officer.
According to India’s ZeeNews, the Pakistani army replaced the Pakistan Rangers that regularly patrol the border with India. The Pakistani troop movements were later confirmed by U.K. Bansal, the additional director-general of India’s Border Security Force (BSF) in Barmer, Rajasthan.

As Stratfor reported Dec. 22, there is a high probability of India using military force against Pakistan after Dec. 26, when a deadline expires for Pakistan to deliver on Indian demands to crack down on Islamist militant proxies that threaten India. With low expectations that Pakistan has the will or capability to deliver on these demands, India has spent the past month preparing for military action against Pakistan. Pressure is now ratcheting up on both sides of the border, with Indian Air Marshal P.K. Barbora, air officer commanding-in-chief of the Western Air Command, telling reporters Dec. 24 that as many as 5,000 targets in Pakistan have thus far been identified, while saying that many of the militants hiding out in camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir have already fled.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: India, Pakistan: Signs of a Coming War: Stratfor

KSE sees 10 IPOs in its worst year: The News

KARACHI: The outgoing year will be the worst year for the local stock markets. With only five trading sessions remaining, the benchmark KSE-100 index is down 51 per cent (61 per cent in US dollars).This is its worst performance since the introduction of the index in 1991 when Pakistan’s market was opened to foreigners as part of financial sector liberalisation.However, despite a record fall in equity values and slowdown in overall economy, the Karachi market saw 10 Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) in 2008 compared with nine in 2007. Interestingly, nine out of 10 offerings in 2008 were made before the imposition of price floor.

Unlike 2007, which saw nine IPOs worth Rs15.5 billion (including greenshoe option), the calendar year 2008 witnessed 10 IPOs worth Rs7.4 billion (including greenshoe option). A total of Rs17.4bn was received from investors in 2008 (excluding Media Times Ltd) against these offerings, resulting in a value-wise over-subscription of 2.4 times.In 2007, total amount subscribed was Rs27.2 billion, recording over-subscription by 1.8 times. However, the smaller size in terms of the value of IPOs compared to the previous year could be linked to non-appearance of government offerings in 2008.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: KSE sees 10 IPOs in its worst year: The News

India has not shared any evidence of attack: Interpol: The News

NEW DELHI: Interpol chief General Ronald K Noble said in Islamabad on Tuesday that India had neither shared any evidence about the involvement of Pakistani nationals in the Mumbai attacks nor given any names to the agency.

While it may surprise some, the fact remains that even approaching the France-based global agency in the past has been of little help for India. According to senior Indian police and security officials, it's neither mandatory nor a norm to share probe details with Interpol.

"Whether or not to approach Interpol is entirely up to the country concerned. Even after the role of an accused is established and he is charge sheeted, there are other ways of nabbing him, like issuing a letter rogatory to the country where he might be hiding," a senior police officer said.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: India has not shared any evidence of attack: Interpol: The News

Gwadar Port officially open for business: Dawn

Saleem Shahid

QUETTA: The newly constructed Gwadar Deep Sea Port formally becomes functional on Sunday with starting unloading the first ship anchored at the port that brought imported fertilizer from Qatar, Dawn reported.

The Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping, Nabil Ahmed Gabbol and Balochistan Chief Minister, Nawab Mohammad Aslam Raisani attended the ceremony held at the port starting offloading the fertilizer.

Prime Minister, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani was also invited at the ceremony but due to his engagement he could not attended the ceremony.

Another huge ship also carrying fertilizer is also reached at the Gwadar port from Qatar on Monday while in next four months over 21 more ships would anchor at the third port of the country after Karachi and Port Qasim.

The Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping, Nabil Gabbol while speaking at the ceremony said that with making Gwadar port functional massive economic activities would be started in Gwadar as it would be prove hub of generating economic activities in the entire region.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Gwadar Port officially open for business: Dawn

Pak, Indian air forces step-up surveillance flight: Online News

LAHORE/NEW DELHI: Pakistan Air Force (PAF) jet fighters continued flying over the skies for the second consecutive day on Tuesday for protection of eastern border while Indian air forces have also stepped up flights along Pakistan border.

According to the details, 4 jetfighters equipped with extra-fuel tanks kept taking rounds of Lahore air space on Tuesday morning for surveillance.

PAF F-16 fighters and Miraj jet left Sargodha Air Base and landed at the Lahore air base after hovering over areas of Lahore for about 8 minutes. The jetfighters also made to and for surveillance flight from Sargodha to Lahore.

The people witnessing the jet-speeding fighters happily waved and welcomed the ever-eagle ’Shaheens’ and voiced slogans in support of the motherland. The people especially elders having tears in their eyes also shouted slogans "Allah-o-Akbar" "Allah-o-Akbar".

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Pak, Indian air forces step-up surveillance flight: Online News

Pakistan withdraws $1.7bn invested in US capital market: The News

By By Mehtab Haider
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has withdrawn around $1.7 billion invested with selected fund managers out of total $3.2 billion largely put into various tools of the US Treasury and the US capital market, The News has learnt.

Now around $1.5 billion foreign currency reserves are lying with the fund managers, market sources said and added that the reserves management had raised several questions in the past during the tenure of Musharraf-Aziz regime because the country got minimum return compared to giving huge profits to those foreign investors who purchased Pakistani papers such as eurobond and others.

However, the State Bank of Pakistan confirms that it did not pay any penalty for withdrawal of its investment funds.“Anticipating such a situation, the SBP had included terminal clauses in all investment management agreements. Therefore, the central bank can call back funds from fund managers without any notice period and without incurring any penalty. All transactions are conducted on prevailing market prices,” the SBP categorically said.

In a written reply, the SBP also confirmed that during the last four fiscal years, $1.73 billion has been accumulated through a focused investment strategy that contributed as investment income on the part of forex reserves held by the SBP.“These returns were achieved on an overall average investment portfolio of $9.71bn during the last four years, despite holding a conservative and risk adverse portfolio in turbulent global markets,” it added.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Pakistan withdraws $1.7bn invested in US capital market: The News

'Kashmir part of Pakistan: Nokia': Economic Times

JABALPUR: Sores of activists of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) rampaged a Nokia showroom for showing Kashmir as part of Pakistan's territory in its mobile navigation system.

They barged into a Nokia showroom and snatched mobile phones and burnt them. Besides, they also set hoardings on fire outside the showroom. Dozens of policemen were present when the attack took place. A BJP leader and a deputy in the state assembly demanded legal action against Nokia.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: 'Kashmir part of Pakistan: Nokia': Economic Times

GlaxoSmithKline Buys Bristol-Myers Squibb Pakistan: CNN Money

LONDON -(Dow Jones)- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) said Monday it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Bristol-Myers Squibb Pakistan (BMSP) and certain associated trademarks for $36.5 million (GBP24.6 million).

GSK will acquire a portfolio of over 30 established pharmaceutical brands, many of which occupy leading market positions in key therapeutic disease areas in Pakistan.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: GlaxoSmithKline Buys Bristol-Myers Squibb Pakistan: CNN Money

20: Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani: The Global Elite: Newsweek

In theory this mumbling, chain-smoking general answers to President Asif Ali Zardari. But Kayani and his troops remain the dominant power in what could be the most dangerous country in the world. He's responsible for Pakistan's nukes; for the battle against Al Qaeda and its tribal allies along the Afghan border; and for managing tensions with neighbor India. So far, his army has kept itself out of politics and seems focused on the battle against jihadists. In the wake of the November terrorist attacks in Mumbai, Kayani stood firm on Pakistan's sovereignty while also taking measures against the alleged sponsors of the outrage.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: 20: Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani: The Global Elite: Newsweek

'Pakistan will respond in case of attack': Press TV

Islamabad has expressed its desire for peace but warned New Delhi of an effective response, should India launch an attack on Pakistan. "Pakistan doesn't want war and we are desirous of peace, but if war is thrust on us, then we have all the rights to defend," Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Sunday. Qureshi's warning came as relations between the two neighbors continue to deteriorate with India repeatedly blaming a banned Pakistani group of orchestrating the deadly November attacks on Mumbai.

The minister further said that Pakistani Armed Forces were completely capable and prepared to defend the country should the row between the two nuclear-armed states escalate into a war. India and Pakistan have fought three wars since independence from Britain. According to some media reports, following the Mumbai attacks India went so far as to deploy its warplane to the border with Pakistan. Talking to reporters at Multan Airport, Qureshi reiterated Islamabad's call for concrete evidence implicating Pakistani militants in the attacks that left more than 170 dead.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: 'Pakistan will respond in case of attack': Press TV

Is India getting ready to strike Pakistan?: Donklephant

As the luxury Taj and Trident hotels prepared to reopen for the first time since the November 26th terrorist attacks in Mumbai, The Times of India reported that India is “keeping the military option alive and kicking in face of Pakistan doublespeak on the crackdown on terror.” According to the report, “a top-level meeting was held on Saturday evening to review the security situation in the region and the state of defence preparedness of the armed forces.” Similar accounts of high-level security meetings have appeared elsewhere in the nation’s press over the past couple of days. More ominously, another leading newspaper, The Telegraph, quoted “top government sources” saying that the Mumbai attacks were “the direct handiwork of Pakistan’s military that trained and armed the militants and planned the strike in detail.”

Meanwhile, on both sides of the Indo-Pakistan border, stories about apparent border incursions by air continue to appear, including an Indian report of “massive practice by Indian Air Force planes in Jamnagar” a city in western India a short jet hop from Pakistan.
This should not come as a surprise. Since the Mumbai attacks, Pakistani authorities have gone through the motions of rounding up the usual suspects associated with the Kashmiri terrorist outfits, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Muhammad, that U.S. intelligence officials believe were responsible for the attacks. But Pakistan resolutely refuses even to concede that Pakistanis were involved in the attacks, much less crack down hard on the Kashmiri groups it has long sponsored and supported.
The Mumbai attacks shook Indian society and the Indian leadership to the core. Unless it gets some hard concessions from Pakistan that are politically difficult or impossible for any Pakistani government to make, India’s governing Congress Party government simply cannot afford to kick up a little dust and hope the matter will go away. It will likely lose the next national election.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Is India getting ready to strike Pakistan?: Donklephant

Sri Lanka pads up for Pakistan: Herald Sun

SRI Lanka's cricket team will tour Pakistan next month in place of India, which cancelled the five-week series over the Mumbai attacks.

"We have a duty as a friendly neighbour in the region to help Pakistan when it is needed most," Sri Lanka Cricket head Arjuna Ranatunga said.

A Sri Lankan spokesman said it had agreed to take India's place and asked the host to scrap two Twenty20 games and replace them with one-day matches.

Sri Lanka is likely to play Test matches in Karachi, Lahore and Multan, while Karachi would host the two proposed one-dayers

Pakistan last played a Test match in December last year, against India in Bangalore.
The Pakistan Cricket Board said it was set to lose at least $35 million as a result of India's cancellation.

IAIN O'Brien was rewarded with a career-best haul as New Zealand turned the screws on the West Indies at McLean Park in Napier yesterday.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Sri Lanka pads up for Pakistan: Herald Sun

Patrick Cockburn: Keep out... a message for foreign leaders: The Independent

I used to think that all these official visits did little harm, even if they did no good

Tuesday, 16 December 2008

The sight of the Iraqi reporter Muntazer al-Zaidi hurling his shoes at President Bush at a press conference in Baghdad will gladden the heart of any journalist forced to attend these tedious, useless, and almost invariably obsequious, events. "This is a farewell kiss," shouted Mr Zaidi. "This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq."

Official press conferences of any kind seldom produce real news, but the worst are usually those given by foreign leaders on trips abroad in which they and their local ally suggest that they are in control of events and all is going according to plan.

One of the many infuriating, though also ludicrous, events in Iraq since the invasion of 2003 has been American and British leaders, arriving in secret at the enormous US base at Baghdad airport and travelling, accompanied by numerous armed guards, by helicopter to the heavily-fortified Green Zone. After a few hours there they would give upbeat press conferences, sitting alongside the Iraqi leader of the day, claiming significant improvements in security and chiding the assembled journalists for ignoring such clear signs of success.

Periodically reality would break in, such as the time a mortar bomb exploded nearby the press conference hall at the very moment when UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon was lauding security improvements, compelling him to cower down behind a display of artificial flowers.
Visiting US politicians during the presidential election sought determinedly to manicure what American television viewers would see. Diplomats at the US embassy complained that staffers of Republican candidate Senator John McCain had asked them not to wear helmets and body armour when standing next to him in case these protective measures might appear to contradict his claim that the US military was close to military victory. For similar reasons staffers of the Vice President Dick Cheney demanded that the siren giving a seven or eight second warning of incoming rockets or mortar rounds to people in the Green Zone be turned off during his visits.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Patrick Cockburn: Keep out... a message for foreign leaders: The Independent

EU publishes ‘Blue Book’ on ties with Pakistan: The News

Saturday, December 13, 2008
Mobarik A. Virk

IslamabadContrary to the general perception that the US, or Saudi Arabia or China are the largest economic and development partners/donors of Pakistan, the fact is that the European Union is the largest partner of Pakistan in trade, the development assistance and in strengthening the democratic process! These facts were highlighted in the ‘Blue Book 2008’ prepared by the European Union (EU) and jointly launched here Friday morning by the Ambassador of France, Daniel Jouanneau, and the Ambassador Jan de Kok, the Head of Mission of EU in Islamabad.The ‘Blue Book Pakistan 2008’ is the first edition launched in Pakistan focusing on the cooperation between the European Union and Pakistan in various fields.

“The ‘Blue Book’ highlights EU’s cooperation and assistance in many countries of the world is being published for the past many years. This is the first time that this ‘EU Blue Book’ for Pakistan has been published,” a spokesman for the French embassy told a select group of journalists invited to this launch of the book at ‘French Residence’ on Friday morning.The ‘Blue Book’ highlighted that the EU is Pakistan’s largest export market with EU-Pakistan bilateral trade in the year 2007 being 7.1 billion Euros.

According to the ‘Blue Book’, the EU is the destination of around 20 per cent of Pakistan’s foreign trade. “Due to lack of diversification, textiles and clothing still account for more than 65 per cent of Pakistan’s export to the EU. In 2007, Pakistan export to the EU was 3.4 billion Euros whereas the EU export to Pakistan was 3.7 billion Euros. The EU is also Pakistan’s largest source of foreign direct investment,” the ‘Blue Book’ said.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: EU publishes ‘Blue Book’ on ties with Pakistan: The News

£480m support package for Pakistan: Press Association

Details of a £480 million support package for the Pakistani government have been revealed at a Scottish mosque.

Douglas Alexander, the UK international development secretary, said the money is intended to help increase security in border regions and focus on education and health.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: £480m support package for Pakistan: Press Association

ADB approves $300 mln loan to Pakistan: Reuters

ISLAMABAD, Dec 11 (Reuters) - The Asian Development Bank will extend $300 million in loans to help Pakistan implement programmes aimed at reducing poverty and improving the health of women and infants, the bank said in a statement on Thursday.

The ADB will provide $100 million each to three of Pakistan's provinces -- Punjab, Baluchistan and Sindh."The programme could potentially save the lives of up to 11,000 women and 235,000 infants by 2015 compared to a scenario without such support," said Rie Hiraoka, senior social sector specialist for ADB's Central and West Asia department.The statement did not say when the loans would be disbursed.Like many developing economies, Pakistan has been hit hard by rising fuel and food prices and inflation is at its highest since the 1970s.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: ADB approves $300 mln loan to Pakistan: Reuters

Pakistan ranks 34th in WEF’s Financial Development Report: Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has been ranked 34 out of 52 countries in the World Economic Forum's first Financial Development Report, which was released in Pakistan through the Competitiveness Support Fund (CSF) Thursday.

The report is a comprehensive analysis of financial systems and capital markets in 52 countries that explores key drivers of financial system development and economic growth in developing and developed countries and serves as a tool by which countries can benchmark themselves and establish priorities for financial system improvement. Arthur Bayhan, Chief Executive of the Competitiveness Support, said: "I am very happy to see that financial system in Pakistan is well reformed and competitive vis-à-vis Asia and Europe.

Pakistan is ranked ahead of the Russian Federation (35), Indonesia (38), Turkey (39), Poland (41), Brazil (40), Philippines (48) and Kazakhstan (45)." The United States narrowly edged the United Kingdom to take the top position in the Financial Development Index. The United Kingdom was second while China ranked 24 and India 31.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Pakistan ranks 34th in WEF’s Financial Development Report: Daily Times

Pakistan to remove its market floor: Financial Times

By Farhan Bokhari in Islamabad

Pakistan’s stock market regulator on Thursday night ordered the managements of the country’s three stock exchanges to remove an artificial floor introduced in August this year to prevent share prices from tumbling further after many months of declines.

However, the floor became controversial amid charges from angry investors who argued this artificial mechanism effectively brought activity to a virtual halt as daily volumes of shares traded fell to an all-time low.

The order requires the Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad stock markets to end the limit from Monday, in spite of many brokers and investors opposing such a move on the grounds it would see a flight of capital.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Pakistan to remove its market floor: Financial Times

Pakistan's Nov trade gap narrows to $1.196 bln: Forbes

KARACHI, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Pakistan's trade deficit narrowed to $1.196 billion in November from $1.62 billion in November 2007, and fell even more sharply from last month's deficit of $1.94 billion.

According to the Federal Bureau of Statistics data released on Thursday, exports stood at $1.53 billion in November, little changed from $1.54 billion in the same period of last year.

Imports fell to $2.72 billion in November from $3.16 billion a year ago, the data showed.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Pakistan's Nov trade gap narrows to $1.196 bln: Forbes

United States an "International Migraine"

Never has there been so much strife and trouble in the world which threatens ordinary civilians living in the cities as has been since the US has taken over as the primary bully starting from the end of the cold war. In a uni-polar world the United States has left no stone unturned to use its military might to create chaos in one country or another. Whether, that is through supporting despotic regimes (Egypt etc.) to accomplish sinister designs or initiating war in the name of the so called “war on terror”. The United States is also in the fore front of the neo-conic crusade to settle the Jews in the Middle East in order for the second coming of Christ to take place, thereby, spreading chaos in the entire Middle East. Iraq is yet another mess along with Afghanistan where the war shows no sign of abating, thanks to overwhelming support from the local population of Afghanistan, besides help from the shadowy Al Qaeda.

Human Rights Violations by the US

US’s support for other like-minded terrorist states such as India and Israel is no surprise since they are all joined at the hip. Each of them is in business to terrorize, subjugate and suppress freedom of the respective countries or territories which they have occupied by force. Suppressing human rights has also been the main objective of these countries with human rights groups severely chastising these terrorist states but to no avail. Guatanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib are telling examples of how the US runs its business. Bush has finally conceded in the latest interview that the occupation of Iraq was a big mistake. Mahatir Mohamed, the ex-Malaysian Prime Minister in an interview with Al-Jazeera has called for the world to declare George Bush and Tony Blair as international terrorists and hold them accountable for the turmoil and misery they have spread throughout the world in the name of the so called “war on terror”. United States is continuing to destabilize neighboring Pakistan where Pakistani troops have already suffered close to a thousand deaths at the hands of the terrorists which the US is unable to handle in Afghanistan. Pakistani cities have also undergone a regular spate of suicide bombings for showing support to the US with the US having no plan or clear cut deadline for withdrawal.

Myopic Policies of the US and Pakistan in the Line of Fire

The Afghanistan government recently conceded that the real solution to the problem is to talk to the Taliban instead of fighting a losing battle. US firepower is of no use in the terrain, training and time the insurgents have at their disposal. If the US does not have support of the local populace, this war can go on for centuries without an end. It is about time Pakistan asked the US for at least 100 billion dollars in damages to the Pakistani way of life where terror has become part of ordinary everyday life. Pakistan should tell the US categorically to find a way that is workable without spreading terror through Pakistani cities. The best way for the US would be to leave immediately from Afghanistan and let the Taliban govern Afghanistan. The US can still maintain a good diplomatic relationship by having a pact with the Taliban emphasizing that no Al Qaeda be allowed to operate from Afghanistan. The sooner the US realizes the importance of diplomacy, the sooner we can stop the whole region and the world at large from descending into the US led chaos. Diplomatic engagement can accomplish much more than any bullet or missile can do and engaging Taliban is the key. Holding talks between the Afghanistan government and Taliban in Saudi Arabia was a step in the right direction. Myopic and gung-ho policies of the US are to blame for the current pandemonium we see everywhere in South Asia.

Indian Oppression in the Occupied Territories of South Asia

India has long been subjugating and oppressing freedom movements from various parts of India. Kashmir is in the forefront because Pakistan has fought three wars with India over Kashmir already and it has come very close to a full scale war with Pakistan on at least three occasions previously. Tamil freedom movement in the south is also not far behind in its scale and resolve where the movement has engaged India and Sri-lanka militarily on a daily basis. Khalistan movement in the Indian Punjab along with freedom movements in Assam, Nagaland and Mizo(90 percent Christian, wanted to join Burma) and parts close to Nepal have also shown their determination from time to time.

Kashmir is an especially troubled region where the indigenous population has fought against Indian occupation for many years now. Hundreds of thousands of Kashmiris have already laid their lives for the cause of an independent homeland. Recently, even Indian journalists have started to take notice of the human rights violations that the Indian Army is committing in the occupied Kashmir. State terrorism from India it seems would never be able to subdue the local population as there has never been any precedence from history where an occupier has ever held on to a territory without the consent of the locals.

Hindu Muslim Conflict in India and India’s International Relations

Muslim population in India elsewhere has also suffered at the hands of the majority Hindus with Gujarat Massacre the most publicized event of them all. Even in Mumbai there has always been a sense of uneasy calm between the Muslims and the Hindus at daggers drawn during the Mumbai bombings a few years back. Even very recently there have been riots in the Hyderabad Deccan between Hindus and Muslims. On a national level India itself has never had good relations with any of its neighbors including China, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Burma and Bangladesh; blaming each of these countries for supporting insurgencies or intrusions in the adjoining areas. Pakistan is no exception.

Militant Attacks in India

The acts of terrorism brought about by these freedom movements are also not so uncommon in India. In fact, they are the result of the oppressive Indian policies towards its own populace. It is interesting to note that some of the acts of terrorism have also been perpetrated by the extremist right wing Hindu parties. Very recently a serving Colonel of the Indian Army was arrested on charges related to terrorism. Blaming Pakistan for all of India’s problems can be a workable cry during election rallies but holds no weight if India itself does nothing to alleviate the problems in Kashmir and elsewhere.

Historical Freedom Movements in India

India has a history of territories that have broken apart from India simply because many South Asians do not find it acceptable that their territories and their lives be governed from the Hindu majority ruling from the center. Many states have already achieved freedom or separation from India. Pakistan and Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Burma and Chinese Kashmir are the territories which have already separated. In order to avoid any further division of India, the Indian Army is in the habit of using full force to subjugate freedom fighters to keep modern India in one piece and calls these freedom movements as terrorist movements. United States is also hand in hand with India in depriving humanity freedom from oppression and calls many of these movements as terrorist movements. United States and India think they can fool the world in whatever banner or politically correct name they can conjure up.

Towards a Multi-polar World

United States thinks that bank rolling the United Nations can help it run the entire world as it feels free. It is about time the head quarters of the United Nations was shifted from the US to a neutral country or territory say Antarctica and all countries given their due voice. The current UN Security Council is ruled by the rich and powerful for the rich and powerful. Present day UN is just a tool used by the US to wage and legitimize one war after another. United States of Warica as it should be called should stop its bullying tactics and start following the playbook of China if it truly wants to earn respect and succeed as an economy. Waging war and financing current account deficits from borrowed money from the central banks of the entire world using the US treasury bills might have worked in the past but I am afraid in the modern world where there are plenty of sound options available especially with the West in the financial crunch; old strategies would be of no use. It is about time the US saw the writing on the wall; worried about its own economic problems and stopped meddling in the affairs of the entire world. Ethics over the politics of power would prevail.

Pakistan: KRL scientists develop off-season citrus plant: Fresh Plaza

Scientists at the department of Civil Works Organisation (CWO) at Kahuta Research Laboratories (KRL), in a landmark achievement have developed a new organic, off-season citrus plant, which will produce up to two tonnes of citrus fruit in the month of July. KRL’s, s research officer Liaqat Ali Khan told Daily Times that the research project was started in 1999 and the results have been obtained in 2008.

Talking about the significance of the variety he informed that there is no variety in the world, which offers citrus fruit in the month of June. It has an average yield potential of up to 2 tonnes of citrus per plant, which is many times higher then average per plant production of citrus grown in different parts of the country.Normally citrus tree is planted for giving 90 to 99 citrus plants per acre, respectively; but this variety can give 267 plants per acre, and multiple crops could be obtained from the farm until the plant did not start bearing the fruit.

Khan said that the problems of shortage of land, energy, water, together with higher farm inputs, which have contributed to the increase of farm outputs, has also been addressed in the variety.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Pakistan: KRL scientists develop off-season citrus plant: Fresh Plaza

ESPN bags rights for ICC events in Pak, Canada & US: ExpressCricket

AgenciesPosted: Dec 11, 2008 at 1734 hrs IST

Singapore: ESPN STAR Sports has announced its partnerships with three major broadcasters to make International Cricket Council (ICC) events exclusively available to cricket fans across Pakistan, Canada and the USA for 2009-2011.

The deal has extended ESPN STAR's broadcast distribution of the ICC events to more than 116 countries across the globe. Under these agreements, Pakistan Television Network (PTV) has acquired the terrestrial television rights for the ICC events while ATN, Canada's South Asian Broadcaster, and Willow TV, a leading portal for live internet streaming of international cricket events, have acquired multi-platform rights for television, internet and mobile to showcase all ICC events.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: ESPN bags rights for ICC events in Pak, Canada & US: ExpressCricket

Pakistan Gets Aerial Refueling: Strategy Page

December 9, 2008: Pakistan has received the first two of four Il-78 aerial refueling aircraft from Ukraine. The Il-78 is a modified Russian Il-76 transport. The tanker version can carry 105 tons of fuel. This will give Pakistan its first aerial refueling capability.

Meanwhile, the pioneer in aerial refueling, and largest practitioner, the U.S., is still trying to select a new aerial tanker. The chief competitors are the U.S. made KC-767, which has already been sold to Italy and Japan this year. The KC-767 is based on the Boeing 767-200 airliner, which sells for about $120 million. The 767 has been in service since 1982, and over 800 have been manufactured so far. Boeing developed the KC-767, at a cost of nearly a billion dollars, on its own. Boeing also developed the original KC-135 tanker in the 1950s, and has since built over 2,000 aerial tankers.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Pakistan Gets Aerial Refueling: Strategy Page

Pakistanis Traveling To Malaysia should Get Registered With Pakistan High Commission: OnlineNews

KUALA LUMPUR: All Pakistanis visiting Malaysia should get themselves registered with Pakistan High Commission to ensure their safety and well being during their stay in Malaysia.
The High Commissioner for Pakistan, Lt General (Retd) Tahir Mahmud Qazi, in a statement issued in Kuala Lumpur, said that as per prescribed rules, all the Pakistani visiting Malaysia are required to register themselves with Pakistan High Commission, on arrival.

He appealed to all Pakistanis visiting Malaysia to voluntarily get registered with Community Welfare Section of the Pakistan High Commission either personally on their arrival in Malaysia, or provide their essential information telephonically to the Community Welfare section at Tel Number, 2164-5949. An option for on line registration will also be provided in Pakistan High Commission’s website, he added.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Pakistanis Traveling To Malaysia should Get Registered With Pakistan High Commission: OnlineNews

Pakistan goes on military alert against India: Malaysia Sun

The Pakistan Air Force has been put on alert over what it has called India’s aggression.A PAF spokesman has said the airforce is focused on the Indian situation and is ready to defend the security and safety of its airspace.

A Pakistan Navy spokesman also said the navy was put on alert to closely watch Indian Navy's movements at sea.Tensions between Pakistan and India are rising as India accused Pakistan-based militant groups of involvement in the terrorist attack on India's financial centre, which killed more that 170 people and injured over 200.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Pakistan goes on military alert against India: Malaysia Sun

30 trillion cubic feet gas lying trapped in Tight Reservoirs of Pakistan: APP

ISLAMABAD, Dec 11 (APP): The natural gas in excess of 30 Trillion Cubic Feet may be lying trapped in the Tight Reservoirs of Pakistan. There is a need to further develop local and foreign exploration and production companies and service sector to further strengthen the oil and gas producing capacity of the country, said a senior official sources in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources.

According to Pakistan Petroleum Exploration and Production Companies Association (PPEPCA) Technical Expert Committee the tight reservoirs are of poor quality and therefore require additional effort and expensive technologies to recover gas from them.
As the cost is very high, it becomes economically prohibitive for the oil companies to produce gas from these reservoirs.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: 30 trillion cubic feet gas lying trapped in Tight Reservoirs of Pakistan: APP

What Did Kashmir Have to Do with the Mumbai Attacks?: Time

Two suspected members of Lashkar e Toiba (LeT) — the same militant group that is under suspicion for orchestrating the Mumbai attacks — were killed by Indian authorities Friday night after trying to cross the border into Kashmir near the village of Dardpura. Two AK-47s were recovered from them, along with ammunition. That encounter, police say, is part of a slight increase in infiltration by militants from Pakistan over the last few months.

That development added to the growing evidence of both infiltration from Pakistan and local Indian collusion in the siege of Mumbai. Early on Saturday, Indian authorities revealed that two men had been arrested for illegally providing SIM cards to the attackers: one of them is believed to be a police officer from the Indian-occupied half of the disputed region of Kashmir. If so, it is a disturbing development. Police in Kashmir are deeply involved in the fight against the militants who sneak in from Pakistan as well as local Kashmiri separatists. Local newspapers report that Mumbai police officers have been in Srinagar this week investigating the role of Mukhtar Ahmed, the police constable from the area allegedly involved in the SIM card purchase. It is the first evidence so far that the attackers had help within India.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: What Did Kashmir Have to Do with the Mumbai Attacks?: Time

Pakistan’s Richest Man Defies Terrorism to Expand Bank Empire: Bloomberg

By Yoolim Lee and Naween A. Mangi

Dec. 3 (Bloomberg) -- On a September evening when many of Pakistan’s 165 million people were breaking their fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, billionaire Mian Mohammad Mansha, the country’s richest man, was deciding whether to buy an Indonesian bank.
A phone call to his Lahore office interrupted him: Turn on the television, his son Hassan implored. The Marriott Hotel in Islamabad was in flames after terrorists had detonated a truck packed with explosives. The blast, in a security zone less than a kilometer from the presidential residence, killed 53 and injured 266.
“It was terrifying,” says Mansha, 61, chairman of the Nishat Group financial, textile and cement-making empire, who says he stays at the Marriott when he’s in the capital. Just hours before the blast, Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan’s new president, had vowed to rid the country of the “cancer” of terrorism.
As Pakistan battles extremist-inspired violence and its worst economic crisis in a decade, Mansha says he’s keeping Nishat Group’s expansion on track.
At home, where his MCB Bank Ltd. is the biggest lender by market value, he was in talks in October to buy a rival he declines to name. He’s looking at four banks in Indonesia, the only country with a bigger Muslim population than Pakistan.
By May, he’ll open a machinery and automobile leasing company in Azerbaijan, a predominantly Muslim country between Iran and Russia. He’s eyeing Kazakhstan and the Mideast for banking. And he’s also looking at Canada, with a Pakistani community estimated at more than 300,000 people.
Following India
Mansha started building in the decades of upheaval that followed Pakistan’s split with India after their independence from Britain in 1947.
Now he’s taking a cue from entrepreneurial Indians. Billionaire Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries Ltd., and Ratan Tata, chairman of Tata Group, expanded as India grew at an average annual rate of 8.8 percent in the five years ended on March 31, 2008.
Pakistan almost kept pace with its larger neighbor: Its gross domestic product rose at an average of 7 percent during the five years that ended on Dec. 31, 2007.
“I want to be the first Pakistani, like some of our counterparts in India, to really go out and show that we Pakistanis can even be successful outside Pakistan,” Mansha says two days after the Marriott bombing.
Mansha is optimistic during a dire period for Pakistan.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Pakistan’s Richest Man Defies Terrorism to Expand Bank Empire: Bloomberg

Il-78 Tankers Arrive in Pakistan: Defense News

ISLAMABAD - Two Il-78MP Midas tanker aircraft have arrived in Pakistan, apparently the first of four purchased from the Ukraine.
Though the Pakistan Air Force declined to comment, the two aircraft landed at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi on Dec. 2, and were clearly visible from the observation lounge in their low-observation-gray PAF livery.

Though it was unusual that the two military aircraft did not land at the nearby Masroor or Faisal air bases, their presence validates November reports in local media about their impending arrival.
But reports that Cobham was to equip Pakistan's Il-78s with refueling pods were incorrect. A Cobham official said at last week's biannual Pakistani defense exhibition, IDEAS2008, that the pods were still the Soviet-designed UPAZs, and that the refueling kits on receiving aircraft, such as the newly upgraded Mirage-IIIs, were likely to be South African in origin.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Il-78 Tankers Arrive in Pakistan: Defense News

Accord inked for first tranche of $180m ADB loan: Upgradation of road network: Dawn

By Mubarak Zeb Khan

ISLAMABAD, Dec 3: The Asian Development Bank and the Economic Affairs Division on Wednesday signed an agreement for the first installment of the Multitranche Financing Facility (MFF) as part of the National Trade Corridor Highway Investment Programme.The project is expected to be completed by Dec 31, 2013, which would drastically reduce travel time between Karachi and Peshawar, a distance of 1,700 kms from existing 72 hours to 36 hours.Of the total agreed amount of $900 million ADB loan, the first tranche of $180 million would be used for construction of a 58km highway (section-1) between Faisalabad and Khanewal.The loan agreement was signed by ADB Pakistan Resident Mission’s Country Director Rune Stroem and Secretary of Economic Affairs Division, Farrukh Qayyum, while the project agreement was signed by ADB’s country director and NHA’s Altaf Ahmed Chaudhry.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Accord inked for first tranche of $180m ADB loan: Upgradation of road network: Dawn

Pakistan ranks 5th in banking efficiency: The News

KARACHI, Dec 3: Pakistan has been ranked 5th in the world’s banking efficiency index, while it stood among the top 25 countries in terms of foreign direct investment and foreign labour as per the world competitive report compiled by the World Economic Forum, Switzerland .This was stated by Sushant Rao, director and head of South Asia of the World Economic Forum (WEF).He was speaking at the 11th management convention organised by the Management Association of Pakistan here on Wednesday.He said that in overall terms, Pakistan ranked at 101 out of 134 countries, which are part of the report. He said that efforts should be made to improve the country’s perception among the international community regarding the business and trade environment.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Pakistan ranks 5th in banking efficiency: The News

Europe buyers skip India, buy basmati from Pakistan: The News

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

NEW DELHI: European traders have bought 80,000 tonnes of basmati rice from Pakistan in the last 10-15 days, sidestepping India’s new season crop because of higher prices, a senior industry official said on Tuesday.Gurnam Arora, joint managing director of Kohinoor Foods and former president of the All India Rice Exporters Association, told Reuters Indian exporters lost out largely because of an export duty of $200 a tonne imposed in April.

He said Indian basmati rice was quoting between $1,400 to $1,500 per tonne, about $400 to $500 above Pakistani prices.“Traditionally, our rice is usually priced about $200 more than the Pakistani rice,” he said. “We have requested the government to remove the export tax as Pakistan is eating into our share.”“There is no sense in this duty,” Arora said, adding that Indian rice stocks were comfortable.India had also banned the export of non-basmati rice in April.The country exported about 1.5 million tonnes of basmati rice in the year to March 31, 2008, out of total exports of 5.5 million tonnes of rice.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Europe buyers skip India, buy basmati from Pakistan: The News

Gwadar to handle cement exports in future: The News

Wednesday, December 03, 2008
By our correspondent

ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to manage all cement export activities from Gawadar Port in future while some part of import of wheat and fertilizer would also be shifted on this port to enhance business activities in Balochistan besides creating job opportunities. Federal Minister for Industries and Production Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo said this in a meeting with the Chief Minister Balochistan, Nawab Mohammad Aslam Khan Raeesani here on Tuesday.

They also discussed matters on various development plans initiated by Federal government especially Ministry of Industries and production in the province, says a news statement issued here. During the meeting, Industrial Minister said that Federal Government has prepared various development plans for the development of this province including supply of clean drinking water, development of precious stone industry, establishing of Export Processing Zone, facility of Utility stores and scheme of tax holidays for Gawadar Port.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Gwadar to handle cement exports in future: The News

Pakistan ranks 4th in broadband Internet growth: Daily Times

By Muhammad Yasir

KARACHI: Pakistan is ranked fourth in terms of broadband Internet growth in the world, as the subscriber base of broadband Internet has been increasing rapidly with the total base crossing 170,000 in the country.The rankings are released by Point Topic Global broadband analysis, a global research centre. According to the statistics, there are around 382. 4 million broadband subscribers worldwide by the end of August 2008 as compared with 317 million in August 2007, showing 17 percent growth.

Regional Broadband trend revealed that Western Europe has the largest share of broadband users with 26 percent followed by North America at 22 percent. South and East Asia regional is in the third place with 22 percent share.In Pakistan operators are offering wide range of technologies like DSL, Cable, FTTH and WiMax.

They have added 25,500 new broadband connections in the financial year 2007-08, which is around 150 percent increase compared to the previous financial year, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) statistics reported.The Internet Protocol (IP) traffic through high-speed access link has become the success factor that have made rapid the transfer of online information and communication services, data, voice and video footage. The easy way of communication owing to highly competitive market of service providers has been penetrating in the country with modest acceleration in the metropolis.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Pakistan ranks 4th in broadband Internet growth: Daily Times

Brazil to sell 100 missiles to Pakistan: Chinaview

BRASILIA, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's Chamber of Foreign Trade approved on Tuesday official guarantees for the sale of 100 missiles to Pakistan.
The missiles, to be produced by Mectron, a company from Sao Jose dos Campos, in Sao Paulo state, would equip aircraft to detect and destroy radars, local media reported.
The sale was negotiated in April between the Pakistani government, the Brazilian Air Force and Mectron, but it needed approval from the Brazilian authorities to be completed.
After the meeting of the Chamber of Foreign Trade, Brazilian Defense Minister Nelson Jobim said this was a transaction between two countries.
"It's a very effective tool, which monitors land from airspace, locates and destroys if an order is given," he said.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Brazil to sell 100 missiles to Pakistan: Chinaview

Muslims -- India's new 'untouchables': LA Times

The condition of the country's Muslims has deteriorated, and the world has overlooked the nation's problems.

By Asra Q. Nomani
December 1, 2008

The news of the attacks in Mumbai eerily took me back to a quiet morning two years ago when I sat in Room 721 of the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower hotel, reading the morning newspaper, fearing just the kind of violence that has now exploded in the city of my birth. The headlines recounted how the socioeconomic condition of the people of my ancestry, Muslims in India, had fallen below that of the Hindu caste traditionally called "untouchables," according to a government report."Muslims are India's new untouchables," I said sadly to my mother, in the room with me. "India is going to explode if it doesn't take care of them." Now, indeed, alas it has. And shattered in the process is the myth of India's thriving secular democracy.

Mumbai police said over the weekend that the only gunman they'd captured during the attacks -- which left nearly 200 dead and more than 300 wounded -- claimed to belong to a Pakistani militant group. But even if the trouble was imported, the violence will most certainly turn a spotlight of suspicion on Muslims in India. Already, my relatives are hunkered down for a sectarian backlash they expect from anti-terrorism agencies, police and angry Hindu fundamentalists.

India, long championed as a model of pluralism, used to be an example of how Muslims can coexist and thrive even as a minority population. My extended family prospered as part of an educated, middle class. My parents, who settled in the United States in the 1960s when my father pursued a doctorate at Rutgers University, were part of India's successful diaspora. I love India, and on that trip, I wanted to show it off to my son, Shibli, then age 4.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Muslims -- India's new 'untouchables': LA Times

Pakistan cuts petrol, diesel prices: Reuters

KARACHI, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Pakistan cut petrol prices by 13.5 percent on Monday, following a decline in international oil prices, the state Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) said.
Global oil prices CLc1, which have tumbled almost 64 percent from a record level of $147 per barrel in July, fell more than a dollar on Monday towards $53 a barrel.

Pakistan's latest cut brought the price of petrol to 57.66 rupees (73 U.S. cents) a litre from 66.66 (85 cents), OGRA said on its website.
The government also cut the price of diesel by 9.4 percent, or 5 rupees, to 48 rupees from 53 rupees.
It was the third cut in the price of petrol since Nov. 1.

The government has abolished all petroleum subsidies as part of efforts to bring down a budget deficit.
Pakistan's economy is facing widening twin deficits and inflation at 25 percent. At the same time, investor confidence has evaporated because of political and security problems.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Pakistan cuts petrol, diesel prices: Reuters

Pakistan develops impressive UAV capabilities: Domain-b

Pakistan has developed an impressive capability to design and build drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), some of which are being used to spy on al Qaeda and Taliban militants and listen in on their phone calls. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) currently fields two UAV squadrons and has plans to boost the number up to six.

In addition to the Bravo+ UAV, which, according to PAF chief Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed, has been built indigenously, the air force will also receive the Falco UAV produced by SelexGalileo of Italy. The two systems will be used mainly for aerial reconnaissance and information gathering, although the PAF will later also induct UAVs equipped with weapon systems to carry out offensive operations.

"This capability we are developing fairly rapidly; we are becoming mature. It is part of our operations now and I look forward to seeing this in real operations by [the] beginning [of] 2009," said ACM Tanvir Ahmed.

Meanwhile, Pakistani sources said that in the current war against terror al-Qaida and Taliban fighters not only use mobile and satellite phones for communication, but also sophisticated military radios. This has led to the development of SIGINT [signals intelligence] capabilities for small drones and robotic blimps by companies like EastWest Infiniti aimed at capturing such conversations.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Pakistan develops impressive UAV capabilities: Domain-b

IMF tranche boosts Pakistan's reserves to $9.4 bln: Forbes

KARACHI, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Pakistan's foreign currency reserves stood at $9.4 billion by Nov. 26 after receiving the first tranche of $3.1 billion from the International Monetary Fund last week, the State Bank of Governor said on Monday.
Reserves had totalled $6.6 billion as of Nov. 22.



The IMF last week approved a $7.6 billion loan to avert a balance of payments crisis and prevent the government defaulting on its international debt obligations.



For more on this article, please click on the following link: IMF tranche boosts Pakistan's reserves to $9.4 bln: Forbes

Mumbai: The Perils of Blaming Pakistan: Time

By Aryn Baker

Indian accusations of a Pakistani hand in last week's Mumbai massacre couldn't have come at a worse time for the government in Islamabad: As a Taliban insurgency continues to simmer in the tribal areas along the Afghan border, clashes on Sunday between rival political groups in the southern metropolis of Karachi killed 13 people and wounded 70. The country is on the verge of economic collapse, its desperate pleas for financial assistance from China and Saudi Arabia last month having been rebuffed, forcing Pakistan to accept loans from the International Monetary Fund — but those loans come with stern conditions limiting government spending, the implementation of which will risk inflaming further unrest. A suspected U.S. predator drone attack in the tribal areas on Saturday — one of dozens in recent months — has further alienated a population already suspicious of U.S. interference. Hardly surprising, then, that Pakistani leaders have reacted with alarm to politicians and the media in India pointing a finger at Pakistan-based terror groups over the Mumbai attack. Some foreign investigators have made similar claims, although not in any official capacity.

Most Pakistanis reacted with horror to news of the Mumbai killing spree starting Wednesday, having lived through equally devastating attacks on their own soil. But that initial sympathy quickly gave way to hostility as the focus of blame landed on Pakistan — a knee-jerk first reaction, rather than one based on any solid evidence. "It is a tragic incident, and we also felt bad about it as Pakistan is going through the same problem," says Abdur Rashid, a 67-year-old retired government servant in Rawalpindi, near Islamabad. "But it was really unfortunate to see that even before the operation [to clear out the attackers] was finished, the Indian government stated that Pakistan is involved. It sounds that the entire incident was concocted to punish Pakistan."

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Mumbai: The Perils of Blaming Pakistan: Time

Germany in 40bn euro debt swap with Pakistan: Gulf Times

By Anwar Elshamy

SETTING an example of innovative financing for development, Germany, Pakistan and the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria have signed a new type of debt swap on the sidelines of the Second International conference on Financing for Development being held in Doha.

Under this Debt2Health agreement, Germany cancelled 40mn euros of Pakistani debt on the condition that Pakistan invests 20mn euros in domestic health programmes supported by the Global Fund.

The agreement was concluded by the Heidermarie Wieczorek Zeul, the special envoy of the UN General secretary for the conference and Federal Minister of economic cooperation and development, Germany and Hina Rabbani Khar minister of state for finance and economic affairs, Pakistan and Dr Michel Kazatchkine, executive director of the Global fund. Speaking at a press conference, the Minister of Economic Co-operation and Development of Germany Wieczorek-Zeul said that Pakistan is only the second country to benefit from the Debt2Health creative financing instrument.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Germany in 40bn euro debt swap with Pakistan: Gulf Times

Pakistan sets army on alert: Focus Information Agency

Islamabad.

Pakistan set its army on alert due to the worsening of the crisis with India over the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, ITAR-TASS reports.According to a source who preferred to stay anonymous, a representative of country’s military units informed that due measures have been taken in response to the increasing Indian military forces on the border to Pakistan.

“In case of emergency, Pakistan’s army will send extra military contingent at the border to India”, the source said, adding that the official decision will be taken over the next 24 hours. According to him, Pakistan’s army is “ready to resist to any kind of aggression”. For that purpose, an army of 100,000 soldiers would be placed on the borderline to India.

Content take from the following source: Pakistan sets army on alert: Focus Information Agency

Gulf looks overseas for food sources: SFGATE

Adam Schreck, Associated Press

In the dunes around this sun-scorched desert village, where camels still plod along dusty roads an hour south of Dubai's skyscrapers, they're making the wasteland bloom.

Row upon row of bell peppers grow plump in a temperature-controlled greenhouse. Lilies and roses bud nearby, and strawberries are on their way, all thanks to sophisticated water-saving irrigation.

Yet even high-tech establishments like the Mirak Agricultural Services farms here and elsewhere in this riverless country will never feed the region's rapidly growing population. It's that realization that is persuading wealthy Gulf Arabs to look far beyond their shores for more fertile acreage - tens of thousands of acres, in some cases.

There are simply too many mouths to feed and not enough water. Lush urban landscaping and ambitious agricultural projects here and in Saudi Arabia - which once spent so much on farm subsidies that it exported surplus wheat - are quickly draining aquifers, including some that are millennia old and cannot be refilled.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Gulf looks overseas for food sources: SFGATE

Pakistan May Build Up Troops on Indian Border: WSJ

By ZAHID HUSSAIN

ISLAMABAD -- A Pakistani official warned Saturday that troops would be diverted from its war against al Qaeda and Taliban militants and deployed on the Indian border if Pakistan felt threatened by its neighbor in the wake of the Mumbai terrorist attacks.

A senior security official accused India of heightening tension between the two nuclear-armed nations by blaming "elements from Pakistan" for the coordinated terrorist attacks against Indian commercial capital which killed 195 people.

"The next 48 hours are critical in determining how things unfold," the top security official told a group of journalists. He said the war on terror wouldn't be Pakistan's priority in the event of India military buildup on eastern borders.

Indian officials see Pakistan's complicity for the worst terrorist attacks on their soil which they said were carried out by Islamic militants with links to Pakistan. Pakistan has demanded that India present hard evidence and has strenuously condemned the attacks. President Asif Ali Zardari also said that nobody backed by Pakistani state was involved.

"If they have evidence they should share it with us," Pakistan's foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Saturday on his return from Delhi. "Our hands are clean."

As the tension mounted Pakistan also backed off a pledge made Friday to send the chief of its Inter Services Intelligence agency in person. Pakistan's top civil and military leaders met on Saturday night to discuss the unfolding situation. It now appears likely an ISI will visit Delhi instead.

Pakistan said it was willing to help India into the investigation into last week's grisly attacks and share intelligence, but won't be brow beaten. Mr. Zardari on Saturday warned India of any "overreaction" and vowed to take action against Islamic militant group found involved in the attack.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Pakistan May Build Up Troops on Indian Border: WSJ

Lockheed to supply F-16, C-130, P 3 Orion to Pakistan: APP

KARACHI, Nov 26 (APP) - Lockheed Martin, USA will supply upgraded F-16 jets, C-130 transport planes and P 3 Orion surveillance aircraft to Pakistan armed forces. This was stated by President Lockheed Martin, Middle East and Africa, Gen (rtd) James Jamerson in an interview here Wednesday.

To a question, he said that he had meetings with top officials of Ministry of Defence, Chief of Naval Staff and Air Chief of Pakistan Air Force.

“I have discussed with the Naval Chief the Orion aircraft up-gradation project,” he said mentioning that Orion aircraft were being upgraded for Pakistan Navy in the United States and they will soon come to Pakistan.

Regarding the supply of F-16 jets, he said that these fighters were upgraded and overhauled in Pakistan as well as in USA.
“We are also supplying equipment and parts to Pakistan for F-16s overhauled in Pakistan. Similarly, we are also upgrading F-16s in USA for supply to Pakistan,” said the Lockheed Martin President.

James said that his company was also upgrading a number of C-130 for Pakistan Air Force in USA.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Lockheed to supply F-16, C-130, P 3 Orion to Pakistan: APP

Pakistan offers UN help to combat high sea piracy: Dawn

By Our Correspondent

UNITED NATIONS, Nov 25: Pakistan on Monday offered to help the international community combat the menace of piracy off the coast of Somalia and the Red sea.The offer to supplement United Nations’ efforts to combat piracy was made at a meeting between Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN Adbullah Hussain Haroon and Belgian Minister of Defence Pieter De Crem and heads of UN peace-keeping operations.

They were discussing issues relating to the peacekeeping troops presently being deployed by the United Nations world over under the UN Security Council mandate.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Pakistan offers UN help to combat high sea piracy: Dawn

Pakistan to Buy German Submarines: DW

Pakistan, which has relied on French defense suppliers, is buying German-made submarines for the first time, but is still technologically behind its nuclear rival India.

Pakistan has formally agreed to buy three Type 214 German submarines under deal worth more than $1 billion (773.7 million euros) that the two countries are expected to sign within the next few months, according to a media report on Wednesday.

The German shipbuilding company Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft GmbH (HDW) will construct the diesel-electric submarines in a shipyard in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi, Pakistan's English-language daily The News reported.

"The commercial contract has been finalized up to 95 percent," said Walter Freitag, the chief executive officer of the HDW, the largest conventional submarine maker in the world.
Freitag, who was interviewed by the newspaper during a defense products exhibition called IDEAS 2008 in Karachi, said that once the contract is signed, the first submarine would be delivered to the Pakistan navy in 64 months, with the rest delivered in the following 12 months.



For more on this article, please click on the following link: Pakistan to Buy German Submarines: DW

Construction of Pakistan-China Friendship Center kicks off: China View

ISLAMABAD, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- The construction of the proposed Pakistan-China Friendship Center kicked off here on Wednesday.
Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony, the Minister for Planning and Development, Makhdoom Shahabuddin said the project signified a special feature of cultural relations between Pakistan and China.
He pointed out that China had made commendable contributions to Pakistan's economic development and the Friendship center would provide a wide range of facilities to promote understanding in some fields of life especially in education and exchange of programs related to integrated development of the youth.
Chinese ambassador to Pakistan Luo Zhaohui pointed out that the ties between the two governments were established dozens of years ago while the cultural communication between people in both countries had a history of thousands of years.
Concrete efforts are needed to deepen the traditional friendship between the two countries, Luo said, adding that the Pakistan-China Friendship Center would help enhance people to people communications.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Construction of Pakistan-China Friendship Center kicks off: China View

Pakistan 'mulls US drone action' : BBC

By M Ilyas Khan
BBC News, Karachi

Pakistan's PM Yousuf Raza Gilani says his government is considering "a number of options" to counter attacks by US drones inside its territory.
His statement came after Pakistan's air force chief said his force was equipped to tackle the drones militarily.
US-operated pilotless drones have launched more than 20 missile attacks in Pakistani tribal areas since August.
The government is under immense public pressure to defend its territory against such attacks.
The drone attacks are believed to have been largely on-target, hitting Taleban and al-Qaeda hideouts in the north-western Waziristan tribal region.
There have been few civilian casualties, officials say.
But Pakistani media and opposition parties term these attacks as a violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Pakistan 'mulls US drone action' : BBC

Rupee firms: Dawn

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

KARACHI: The Pakistani rupee ended firmer on Monday on expectation the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will approve a $7.6 billion stand-by arrangement for the country, dealers said. IMF officials are due to meet in Washington on Monday to discuss a stand-by arrangement for Pakistan, according to the Fund’s Web site.

The rupee was quoted closing at 78.90/79.00 to the dollar compared with Saturday’s close of 79.06/16. “The rupee has been strengthening slowly for the past few days following the decision to enter an IMF programme,” said a currency dealer. The loan should help the rupee stabilise, at least in the short term, after a sharp depreciation this year as a balance of payments crisis developed, dealers said.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Rupee firms: Dawn

Steel bar prices drop by Rs7,000 per ton: Dawn

By Aamir Shafaat Khan

KARACHI, Nov 24: The price of steel bars (sarya) plunged to Rs55,000-56,000 from Rs61,000-62,000 per tons two weeks back following cut in prices of billets by Pakistan Steel.

The cut in steel bar prices may provide some relief to the people as the cost of construction, which surged substantially, may come down to some extent.However, the importers and dealers of steel products feel that the prices of steel products could further come down if the Customs resolves the clearance problem.

President Karachi Iron and Steel Merchants Association (KISMA) Shamoon Bakar Ali said that the prices of steel items had fallen sharply in world markets. For example, he said billet price has declined to $350 per ton from $700 per ton few months back. Similarly, the price of galvanised items has plunged to $600 from $1,000-1,200 per ton.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Steel bar prices drop by Rs7,000 per ton: Dawn

Petrol may cost less than diesel: Dawn

By Sher Baz Khan

ISLAMABAD, Nov 24: The government is mulling over a proposal to make petrol cheaper than diesel to enable the country’s refineries to operate at their full capacity and save foreign exchange.

Industry sources told Dawn that the proposal had been forwarded to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani by the ministry of petroleum and natural resources.At present, petrol (premium motor gasoline) is being sold at Rs66.66 a litre and high speed diesel at Rs61.14.International crude oil prices have come down to $53 a barrel from a peak of $147 a barrel in July. But since refineries in the country are operating generally at half their capacity, the government has to spend foreign exchange on the import of refined petroleum products.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Petrol may cost less than diesel: Dawn

Military rift with Pakistan hurts war: Washington Times

Sara A. Carter

Two senior U.S. military officials say the U.S.-led war on terror is facing challenges in part because Pakistan's young military officers don't have the same relationship with their U.S. counterparts that their predecessors had.

In a recent interview with The Washington Times, Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said a top priority for the Pentagon is healing the longtime rift between the two militaries, which he said has deprived both nations of the trust needed to combat extremism.
"We don't know each other well enough, and us participating with them in their country is equally as important as them participating with us in our country," he said.

Army Maj. Gen. John M. Custer agreed. The commander of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center at Fort Huachuca, Ariz., he said U.S. forces are "dealing with guys who don't have any exposure to us."

"The older military leaders love us, they understand American culture, and they know we are not the enemy, but they are aging out of the force," he said.

Tensions with Pakistan's army go back long before the emergence of the Taliban and al Qaeda, both officers said.

"There's not a Pakistani junior officer that doesn't know who former Senator Pressler is, and there's not a junior officer in the U.S. military that knows who Senator Pressler is," Adm. Mullen said.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Military rift with Pakistan hurts war: Washington Times

Pakistan Air Force prepares to induct UAVs into service: Janes

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) will formally induct unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into service for the first time in 2009, the chief of the PAF has told Jane's.

This comes five years after the PAF launched a programme to acquire UAVs for intelligence-gathering and reconnaissance operations.

In addition to the Bravo+ UAV, which, according to PAF Chief Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed, has been built indigenously, the air force will also receive the Falco UAV produced by Selex Galileo of Italy. The two systems will be used mainly for aerial reconnaissance and information gathering, although the PAF will later also induct UAVs equipped with weapon systems to carry out offensive operations.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Pakistan Air Force prepares to induct UAVs into service: Janes

Pakistan can stop drone raids: air force chief: Reuters

By Zeeshan Haider

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan's air force is fully capable of stopping missile strikes by pilotless U.S. drones but it is up to the government to decide whether to do that, the air force chief said on Tuesday.

U.S. forces in Afghanistan have carried out at least 26 air strikes by unmanned aircraft on militant targets in northwest Pakistan this year, according to a Reuters tally, more than half since the start of September.

Pakistan supports the U.S.-led campaign against militancy but does not allow foreign troops or strikes inside its territory. It says the attacks violate its sovereignty and undermine efforts to deal with militancy by inflaming public anger.

The attacks put pressure on the civilian government to stand up to the United States and opposition parties have been critical of the government's failure to stop the strikes.
Air force chief Air Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed said it was up to the government to decide whether to stop such strikes through diplomatic and political means or by force.

"The air force is ready for any type of air defense," Ahmed told reporters, referring to various types of unmanned aircraft.

"First this nation, you people, our parliament, our government, has to debate how we have to engage the foreign UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles). Whether we have to engage them diplomatically and politically to resolve it or engage them militarily," he said.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Pakistan can stop drone raids: air force chief: Reuters

AirBlue Pakistan Sets Off Flights to Sharjah and Abu Dhabi next month: Pakistan Daily

Written by www.daily.pk

Monday, 24 November 2008 02:07

With zestful plans to provide excellent, proficient, cozy and comfy service to travelers – at home and abroad – Pakistan’s fast growing new generation largest airline in the private sector – airblue – sets-off service to two new overseas destination – Sharjah and Abu Dhabi from next month – December.

The service to Sharjah is being initiated from the Lahore, the Punjab metropolis as well as Islamabad, the Federal Capital.

While the flights on Lahore - Sharjah - Lahore circuit shall begin on December 01, the Islamabad - Sharjah – Islamabad service is scheduled to be launched with effect from December 15.
Yet, another destination being introduced by AirBlue is Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. The airblue flights to Abu Dhabi shall commence from Islamabad on December 15.

Amid its mounting popularity and to meet the traveling needs of people from all segments of society – AirBlue – has decided to explore optimal destinations, Syed Nasir Ali Managing Director of the magnificent airline told.

We feel optimistic of grand success with the new venture as well, he said by adding; not only that the service is being set in motion on peoples’ intense demand – the fare shall also be competetive and affordable.

He expressed optimism that still more new destinations shall be introduced by AirBlue in Pakistan as well as countries to the East.
At present, in addition to several destinations in Pakistan – AirBlue operates flights to Manchester in UK – as well as to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates [UAE] and to Muscat.Oman.

Increase the number of flights is also being contemplated in the light of the increasing digit of patrons – the clients, who have extended unique acclaim and ovation for the airline – and that too in a short span of time, Syed Nasir Ali said.

Listing yet another marvelous accomplishment of airblue, the Managing Director said; ‘Our next destination in UK is going to be London’.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: AirBlue Pakistan Sets Off Flights to Sharjah and Abu Dhabi next month: Pakistan Daily