Pakistan News Watch
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National
NY mob son Gotti eludes conviction for fourth time
President Barack Obama on Tuesday night telephoned his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari and briefed him on the White House’s new Afghan strategy, an official statement said here.
Police suspect attempt on CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry’s life
According to the Islamabad Police, the traffic mishap the chief justice and his family narrowly escaped was actually an attempt on the lives of the members of his convoy.
Key militant commander killed in Kurram Agency
Two militants including a key militant commander, Mula Launcher were killed in Kurram Agency on Wednesday, according to official sources.
Iran frees 5 British yachtsmen: reports
Three security personnel were injured when a suspected suicide bomber tried to attack the Naval Headquarters in Islamabad on Wednesday, according to a DawNews report.
13 dead after vehicle plunges into ravine
At least thirteen people lost their lives after a vehicle plunged into a ravine in the Kahori area of Muzaffarabad, DawnNews reported.
Obama expects support for more Afghanistan troops
President Barack Obama will Tuesday announce a swift six-month surge of 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan, but sketch an ‘end game’ to the war by saying an exit strategy will begin within …
Iraqi journalist turns tables on shoe thrower
A protester who presented himself as an Iraqi journalist in exile hurled a shoe Tuesday at the colleague who one year ago found fame hurling his own footwear at then US president George W. Bush.
Operations Rah-e-Nijat, Rah-e-Rast continuing in respective areas
President Barack Obama said on Tuesday that US success in Afghanistan, where he plans to deploy 30,000 more troops, was ‘inextricably linked’ to Washington’s partnership with Pakistan…
Iran releases detained British yacht crew
Iran has confirmed the release of five British yachtsmen seized in the Gulf last week, the Foreign Office said Wednesday, adding it understood their racing boat is being towed to international waters, …
Rights group urges probe into unmarked Kashmir graves
A human rights group in Indian-administered Kashmir urged authorities on Wednesday to launch a probe into 2,700 unmarked graves of people believed to have died as a result of the region’s revolt…
India pledges to help rebuild Afghanistan
India on Wednesday warily backed President Barack Obama's surge of 30,000 extra US soldiers for Afghanistan, and pledged to push ahead with aid for the reconstruction of the war-ravaged country.
New US troops to arrive in Afghanistan in 2-3 weeks
The first deployments of a 30,000-strong ‘surge’ announced by President Barack Obama will start arriving in Afghanistan in two to three weeks, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Wednesday…
India ready to withdraw some troops from Kashmir
India’s home minister said Wednesday the government was prepared to withdraw a ‘significant’ number of troops from the restive Muslim-majority Kashmir region.
Business & Economy
India’s Satyam defends position after allegations
Last week, police said the fraud enmeshing Satyam totaled more than three billion dollars — double the amount suspected when the revelations broke in January.
$621 million FDI received during July-October: 50 percent decline from last year
The oil and gas sector has been the major recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI) during July-October 2009 period with $161.7 million, which amounted to 26 percent of total FDI inflows, sources told…
Golden jubilee of first BIT: New Treaty Signed
Pakistan and Germany on Tuesday signed a treaty "Agreement of the Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of Investments (AERPI)" to enhance the co-operation between two countries in the fields of economy…
Zardari seeks Dutch expertise in water and energy sectors
President Asif Ali Zardari said on Tuesday that Pakistan looked forward to benefit from the Netherlands' expertise and technology in water management and energy sectors. In a meeting with Minister for…
‘NWFP team well prepared for NFC meeting’
Acting President of ANP, Mohammad Adeel, has said that the team of NWFP for National Finance Commission (NFC) would succeed in making a visible dent in the status quo at the NFC forum, ensuring provision…
Pakistan looking forward to talk on FTA with EU: Prime Minister
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday said that Pakistan is looking forward for early commencement of dialogue on Free Trade Agreement(FTA) with European Union, besides provision of market access…
Merkel assures help in getting access to EU markets
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has assured Pakistan of help in getting access to European Union markets to strengthen Pakistan's economy and bail the country out of crisis.
Lack of EPZA support to investors: country may lose exports worth $200 million from KEPZ
The government may lose its $200 million exports through Karachi Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) if the Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA) failed to fulfil its pledge of providing protection and support…
Minister opens uplift works
The Sindh Minister for Fisheries Zahid Ali Bhurgri has inaugurated the chain of development works in Taluka Qasimabad under the Relief Package of Rs 360 million announced by the Chief Minister Sindh for…
Fata, Swat and Malakand development: German help for projects could be useful: Prime Minister
Prime Minister, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani called on German President, Horst Koehler on Tuesday and discussed with him ways to further expand ties in all the areas of mutual interest. The Prime Minister …
Shortage of funds: mega development projects stopped
All the mega development projects of the city including Prime Minister Development Package have been stopped because of shortage of funds. According to the sources, the entire cost of projects under PM…
ECC to monitor Public-Private Policy Dialogue
The Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet has been tasked to monitor the performance of the forthcoming Public-Private Policy Dialogue (PPPD), which would provide a platform for systematic…
Ministers’ body to look into small traders’ problems
President Asif Ali Zardari has constituted a committee of ministers and parliamentarians to look into the problems of small traders/businessmen of twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi to give recommendations…
Business community flays oil price increase
The Pakistan Industrial and Traders associations Front (PIAF) on Tuesday strongly condemned the increase in petroleum prices and termed it an anti-trade, anti-industry and anti-people decision. PIAF Chairman…
Amendment to Competition Ordinance victory of cartels
Influential groups, cartels and powerful Mafias have successfully managed to get a major amendment incorporated in the Competition Ordinance 2009, increasing stages for hearing appeals by judicial fora…
FPCCI takes serious notice of FICCI report
Sultan Ahmed Chawla, President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI), has taken very serious notice of the recommendations contained in the report of the Federation of …
Saarc delegation flying to India to talk on FICCI report
A two-member Saarc delegation will fly out to New Delhi on Wednesday, December 2, to talk to Indian parliamentarians and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) on its report…
KCCI for setting up ‘US Economic Zone’ at Karachi
Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Tuesday suggested setting up of 'US Economic Zone' in the vicinity of Karachi. In a communication, KCCI President Abdul Majid Haji Mohammad cited Pakistan…
Land grabbers occupy 201 plots of government
Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Sasti Basti Scheme (SMBBSBS), a project of the Sindh Katchi Abadis Authority (SKAA) launched to resettle 0.5 million families who are living in post 1985 katchi abadis, …
Cargo handling at Karachi Port up by 8.24 percent
Despite the global financial meltdown, cargo handling at Karachi Port rose by 8.24 percent during July-November 2009 due to, what the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) said, "positive and friendly" economic policies…
Sports
Pakistan number seven in world snooker
Pakistan has leaped three steps to attain seventh place in the latest world billiard and snooker rankings from its previous position of 10.
India to launch cleanliness campaign for 2010 Games
In an effort to improve New Delhi’s image before the Commonwealth Games next year, the Indian capital is to launch a publicity campaign to stop people urinating in the street.
China using satellites to crack down on illegal golf courses
Hundreds of illegal golf courses have been built in China since a moratorium imposed to save farmland, and authorities are vowing harsh punishment for those responsible, state media said on Tuesday.
Tiger Woods admits ‘transgressions,’ apologizes
Golfer Tiger Woods, engulfed in media speculation over his private life after a car accident in the middle of the night, apologized on Wednesday for ‘transgressions’ in a statement that apparently…
Technology