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Pak rules out “official support” for “heinous crime” committing Kasab

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:09:00 -0500

After accepting that the lone surviving Mumbai gunner is a Pakistani national, Islamabad has now refused to give any official support to Ajmal Amir Kasab.

“Kasab has committed a heinous crime. He will not be provided any official support or consular access,” the Daily Times quoted Pak Foreign Office Spokesman Muhammad Sadiq, as saying.

Earlier, after a prolonged delay in accepting that Kasab belonged to its soil, Pakistan finally accepted that Kasab was its national.

“Ajmal Kasab is a Pakistani. Further investigations are under way,” Pakistan Information Minister Sherry Rehman said yesterday.

The acceptance from Pakistan comes after India provided a ‘dossier’ of evidence to prove that the perpetrators of the Mumbai carnage had links to Pakistan.

Kasab had written a letter to the Pakistani High Commission in India, seeking support and legal assistance from the Government of Pakistan.

However, Pakistan consulate had denied receiving any such letter. (ANI)

Pak Information Minister admits Qasab is a Pakistani national

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:09:00 -0500

Pakistan''s Information and Broadcasting Minister Sherry Rehman on Wednesday said that Ajmal Amir Qasab, the lone terrorist captured after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, is indeed a Pakistani national.

In a text message to the Indian television channel NDTV, Rehman confirmed the news.

"We (Pakistan) are confirming Ajmal Qasab is from Pakistan, but investigations are going on," Rehman was quoted, as saying.

"Qasab has no connection with the official agencies," she added.

The Pakistan Foreign Office has also confirmed this news. The confirmation came two days after New Delhi handed over the evidence linking the Mumbai attackers to Pakistan.

On Tuesday, Oasab had again asked Pakistan Government for consular access and legal aid, which Islamabad has refused.

He has been remanded to further police custody till January 19 for his role in the shootout at the Cama and Albless Hospital in South Mumbai.

Ajmal and his slain accomplice Ismail Khan had attacked the Cama and Albless Hospital in South Mumbai killing seven persons there.

Till Wednesday, Pakistan had been consistent in denying that Qasab was one of its citizens despite news reports saying that media had visited his village in Faridkot in Pakistan''s Punjab Province. Reports also carried an interview with Qasab''s father in which he identified Ajmal as his son.

Earlier, a high-ranking government official had told the Dawn newspaper that because of the nature of his crime the government has still not taken any decision on whether to provide Qasab with consular access.

The top official said the investigations had started soon after the initial reports had suggested that Ajmal Kasab may possibly be a Pakistani national.

However, the authorities wanted to be doubly sure of his identity as there existed no record of Kasab and his family in the National Data Base which is maintained by the NADRA. Details of the preliminary investigations submitted to the government have still not been made public.

The official said Qasab is the son of Amir Kasab and Noor Illahi.

But the identity of other militants killed in the Mumbai carnage is yet to be established.

Senior security officials said that preliminary investigations have established these militants were operating on their own and had absolutely no link with any section of the country’s security apparatus.

A formal announcement in this regard is expected in the next few days. (ANI)

Mumbai attackers linked to Pakistan: Boucher

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:08:00 -0500

United States Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Richard Boucher, on Wednesday said those involved in the Mumbai terror attacks have links in Pakistan.

The latest statement from the US has supported India''s view, which describes the involvement of Pakistan-based terror outfits in Mumbai terror attacks.

Boucher, who engaged the Pakistani leadership on this issue at length, reiterated that whoever was involved in this, needs to be held responsible.

Boucher, however, refrained from saying anything about the evidence given by India to Pakistan on Mumbai attacks, at this stage while the investigations were still on.

Boucher was responding to a question related to Pakistan''s role in the investigation related to Mumbai attacks in which several US nationals were killed.

"I think there''s a determination here to follow up, find those who are responsible, make sure that we know all we can about how they did it, and even better than that, making sure that they can''t ever do it again," he said.

Boucher referred to his meetings with the Pakistani leadership.

"We talked about how to ensure that, particularly how to ensure the flow of information back and forth so that the pieces of the puzzle that are on the Indian side can be known to the rest of us that are interested, and the pieces of the puzzle that are on the Pakistani side can be known to the Indians who want to get to the bottom of this," he said.

Boucher informed that the US has tried to encourage sharing of information so that everybody who is determined to stop this kind of attack can conduct their investigations and pursue all possible leads. (ANI)

Pak steps up security for Moharram processions

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:08:00 -0500

Authorities in Pakistan stepped up security across the country on Wednesday as Shia mourners began annual Ashura processions to commemorate the martyrdom of the grandson of Prophet Mohammad, Hazrat Imam Hussain.

The Dawn quoted Punjab Province Minister Tanvir Ashraf Kaira as saying: "Foolproof security arrangements have been completed to maintain law and order during Ashura. Police and other law enforcement agencies have been put on alert and army personnel have been deployed in sensitive districts."

The authorities have also placed the town of Hangu under curfew in a bid to avert violence, two days after a suicide bomber killed seven people in a nearby town, officials were quoted, as saying.

They said police commandos would be deployed along routes used by marchers in NWFP.

In Lahore, a major procession was to begin later on Wednesday, culminating at a major mosque late Thursday.

A similar procession will begin in Islamabad late Wednesday, joining a big gathering of Shia mourners in Rawalpindi, the paper reported. (ANI)

Mumbai attack: India''s claim that Pak agencies involved disappointing: Qureshi

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:06:00 -0500

Pakistan''s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday described as ‘disappointing’ India’s claims that official agencies in Islamabad were involved in the Mumbai attacks.

Qureshi, who has accompanied President Asif Ali Zardari on an official visit to Afghanistan, said such claims would not help build cooperation between the two countries.

Qureshi expressed particular dismay over Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh''s statement on Tuesday that agencies under the Pakistan Government''s control were behind the Mumbai terror attack. The dawn quoted Qureshi as saying that he expected more constructive comments from Singh.

"A statement of that nature coming from such a mature, such seasoned statesman is rather disappointing," Qureshi told a press conference here.

"The Indians are not being far-sighted enough, because if we want to get to the bottom of what happened in Mumbai, we have to cooperate at the operational level," he added.

"How do you cooperate when you start pointing fingers? For God’s sake, if you want cooperation, then stop the accusations," he said.

Qureshi reiterated that Pakistan was not interested in engaging India in a war, but would defend itself if provoked.

"We do not want to fight with India, period. On the other hand, God forbid, if war is imposed on Pakistan, then Pakistan will fight back. And, every Pakistani will fight back with full commitment and force of conviction. But we do not want a war." (ANI)

Lahore HC to take up plea against use of Benazir’s image on coins

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:06:00 -0500

The Lahore High Court (LHC) Registrar’s Office has fixed the hearing of a petition that seek directions for the government to stop issuing a coin with the image of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

The hearing will be held on January 13 as an objection case, the Daily Times reports.

Earlier, the office had returned the petition with the objection that the Islamabad High Court was the proper forum to file this petition.

The petitioner, Asim Bhatti, submitted that such a coin would set a precedent for future governments to issue coins with images of their party leaders.

He said that only Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal’s images should be retained on coins. (ANI)

50 pilgrims to reach Pak on Jan. 8 for 300th birth anniversary of Shada Ram

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:05:00 -0500

A delegation of 50 Hindu pilgrims from India will cross the Wagah border into Pakistan on January 8 to attend saint Shada Ram’s 300th birth anniversary at Shadani Darbar in Ghotki, Sindh.

Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Chairman Asif Saeed Hashmi said on Tuesday that Yudhishter Lal Ji Maharaj will lead the pilgrims.

Hashmi said it was the Pakistan government’s policy to facilitate and accommodate the pilgrims in the country.

ETPB Additional Secretary Siddique Khurram said the pilgrims would be provided accommodation and travel facilities.

Shadani Darbar organiser Jai Ram Das said, “It is a mega event in which people from across the world take part. Stage shows and musical programmes will be arranged.”

Every year, Indian pilgrims participate in the festival and also visit various religious places, he said.

According to the legend, Ghulam Shah Kalhoro, the ruler of Sindh, terrorised Hindus in 1700.

Perturbed by his actions, Hindus prayed to Lord Shiva at Mathelo. One night the Sarpanch saw Lord Shiva in his dream. Lord Shiva told him that he had taken birth in the form of ‘Shadaram’ in Lahore and would come to Mathelo for their salvation.

Shada Ram came to Mathelo in 1768 and kindled ‘Dhuni Saheb’ there. When Kalhoro insulted a Hindu widow, Shadaram cursed the ruler, saying that Kalhoro would lose the kingdom.

Shada Ram’s words came true and Kalhoro lost his kingdom and died in misery. After that Shadaram shifted to Hayat Pitafi and laid the foundation of the Shadani Darbar.

Ram Das said Yudhishter Lal was the son of late Gobind Ram. He said 15-year-old Gobind was elevated to Shadani Gaddi on April 4, 1960. (ANI)

Church of England writes new prayer to comfort those sacked amidst recession

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:04:00 -0500

With a view to helping the unemployed through troubled times, the Church of England has come up with a new prayer.

It has been written in order to comfort people who have lost their jobs amidst the global financial crisis.

The new prayer suggests that belief in God can help the jobless cope with their circumstances.

According to the Telegraph, the prayer includes the verse "Hear me as I cry out in confusion, help me to think clearly, and calm my soul."

The Church has also written another prayer that describes the feelings of sadness, guilt, and worries about the future among people who have kept their jobs, while their colleagues in the same office or factory have been sacked.

It asks of God: "In the midst of this uncertainty, help me to keep going: to work to the best of my ability, taking each day at a time."

The ‘Prayer on Being Made Redundant’ and ‘Prayer for Those Remaining in the Workplace’ have been published on the Church of England''s website, and are being printed in a leaflet to be handed out in churches.

The Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, the Rt Rev John Packer, said that the prayers showed that the Church was there for people in times of crisis.

"This is a pastoral initiative. We need to be on the look out to support those facing redundancy. Neighbourliness is so important in crisis situations, whether it''s offering people new prayers to God, or by simply being there with a listening ear," he said.

The two prayers are the latest attempt by the Church of England to respond to the deepening economic crisis.

Earlier, the Church had published the ‘Prayer for the Current Financial Situation’ on the Internet during September''s crash in the finance world, which has been viewed more than 30,000 times to date. (ANI)

Controversial French minister returns to work five days after giving birth

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 01:59:00 -0500

French Justice Minister Rachida Dati has returned to work five days after giving birth to a baby girl.

The 43-year-old glamorous minister, who has refused to name the father of the child, gave birth by caesarean section, reports the Telegraph.

Dati, recently, sparked a guessing game over the identity of the father after telling reporters that she had "a complicated private life.”

Rumours have been rife that President Nicolas Sarkozy''s younger brother Francois is the father. The buzz was fuelled after he was seen leaving the hospital on Sunday but has since denied the child is his.

The controversial minister wore a black polo neck jumper with a black suit to attend the first cabinet meeting of the year, smiling broadly to journalists and posing briefly for photographers.

Hours earlier, she had checked out of the Paris maternity clinic where her first child, named Zohra, was born two weeks prematurely on Friday. (ANI)

Pakistan’s terror infested ‘safe havens’ a threat to India, region: US

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 01:58:00 -0500

Pakistan’s troubled tribal areas are a threat not only to the US led operation in Afghanistan, but also to India and the whole region, the US has said.

“Pakistan’s increasingly turbulent border region poses threats not just to the US mission in Afghanistan, but also to India, as shown by the Mumbai attacks, ” the Daily Times quoted US National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley, as saying.

Washington, alarmed by the volatile situation in the Pakistan-Afghan border region, has shown serious concern over the increasing activities of the Taliban and other extremist groups.

Hadley said that the real issue was the deteriorating condition of Pakistan, and if the extremists succeed in taking command over Pakistan then the consequences would be far reaching.

He said that the US led ‘war on terror’ in Afghanistan can not yield result unless Pakistani extremism is rooted out.

“You can’t really solve Afghanistan without solving Pakistan,” Hadley said. (ANI)