Geo436.com blog: Govt set to raise power tariff by 2 percent

Geo436 Staff Report

KARACHI: After dropping petrol bomb on the nation, the government is all set to raise electricity tariff by two percent.

The new hike is being announced in line with the instructions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The government has hiked prices of electricity by 90 percent in the name of fuel adjustment surcharge during the last one and half year.

Under the IMF conditions, the government now intends to increase per unit price of electricity to another 20 percent by June next year.

People say that days are not far when only affluent section of the society will have access to electricity. Geo436

Geo436.com blog: Cricket-Inspired Razzaq blasts Pakistan to unlikely victory

Geo436 ABU DHABI: Abdul Razzaq gave Pakistan welcome on-field respite with a stunning century to set up a dramatic one-wicket victory over South Africa in the second one-day international on Sunday.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) earlier confirmed suspensions on three Pakistan players over spot-fixing allegations and the team looked to be struggling as they chased a formidable target of 287.

But Razzaq launched an astonishing assault to smash an unbeaten 109 from just 72 balls and seal victory with one ball to spare.

Razzaq struck seven fours and 10 sixes to rescue Pakistan from 228 for seven, adding 32 for the final wicket with Shoaib Akhtar who faced just a single delivery.

South Africa’s huge total of 286 for eight was built around a second century by 25-year-old left-hander Colin Ingram in just his fifth match and featured rapid half-centuries

Geo436.com blog: Gold price hikes hit sales in India as Diwali approaches

Geo 436 MUMBAI: Soaring prices are making Indians hesitant about buying gold as the Hindu festival of Diwali approaches, despite it being seen as an auspicious time to purchase the precious metal.

Firm international and local prices have made people delay or stagger buying, hoping that prices level off as the annual wedding season starts next month, analysts and consumers said.

Shantilal Makwana is typical of many Indians. He is looking to buy jewellery for his teenage daughter, which he will give to her when she gets married.

But he has been watching and waiting for three months to see if prices fall.

“I”ve saved up money. It is an auspicious time, but gold is just too costly,” said the 46-year-old, who works at an electronics repair shop in India”s financial capital, Mumbai.

“I will wait till prices drop,” he said.

International gold prices have gone up by 27 percent this year, hitting a record 1,387 dollars an ounce, as investors look for a safe haven amid continuing economic uncertainty and a weakening dollar.

Since 2000, when gold was an average of 255 dollars an ounce, prices have skyrocketed by nearly 400 percent. Industry figures have predicted that prices could hit 1,450 dollars an ounce by the end of next year.

India is the world”s largest importer of gold, with jewellery bought either as an investment or to wear. Bars, coins and exchange-traded funds are usually purchased for wealth creation.

Demand traditionally peaks in early November on “Dhanteras”, the first day of Diwali.

But this year could be different, a local industry body said.

“Demand is down by at least 40 percent,” said the director of the Bombay Bullion Association, Haresh Kewalramani, who owns a silverware firm in Mumbai”s jewellery quarter. “People are waiting for a correction.”

Analysts also say demand could waver.

Anand James, chief analyst with trading firm Geojit Comtrade, expects demand to “taper down marginally” this year.

“It will not be drastic fall but we could see an impact,” he said by telephone from the southern city of Chennai, which is a major gold centre in India.

The country head of the World Gold Council (WGC), Ajay Mitra, said he was confident that sales would pick up.

“Indian consumers are price sensitive. They wait and watch during periods of high volatility but when prices show signs of stabilising, demand comes back,” said Mitra.

India buys an average 700 to 800 tonnes of gold every year, making the country the largest consumer of the precious metal in the world.

In the first six months of this year, India bought 365 tonnes of gold — nearly double last year”s volume — worth 13.5 billion dollars, according to the WGC.

The country”s largest importer, state-run trader MMTC Ltd, has said it plans to bring in more than 200 tonnes of gold in the financial year ending March 2011.

One of India”s oldest branded retail jewellery chains, Tanishq, which is owned by the Tata conglomerate, says demand for gold jewellery has risen by 10 percent since last year.

“Consumer confidence has improved due to economic recovery and a boost in rural income,” said Sandeep Kulhalli, vice president of Tanishq, which has 120 showrooms across the country.

But Kewalramani argues that gold has got costlier.

“With a fixed sum, you could have bought more gold last year,” as local prices have jumped 25 percent from October last year, he said.

Geo436.com blog: Need to reaffirm dialogue with Pakistan, China: Manmohan

Geo436 NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday reaffirmed the need for dialogue with both Pakistan and China to resolve outstanding issues, and said his meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao saw both sides concurring on the need to remove misunderstandings between each other.

One reflection of China’s desire to narrow the areas of differences was Mr. Wen accepting Dr. Singh’s invitation to visit India in the near future, during which they would attempt a practical, pragmatic and satisfactory solution to the border problem.

Till the border issue was solved, the Hanoi interaction saw both Prime Ministers agreeing on the need to maintain peace and tranquillity on the Line of Actual Control.

The possible meeting between the two Prime Ministers in Delhi before the end of the year would be preceded by the arrival of senior Chinese leader Zhou Yong

Geo436.com blog: Pak-SA second ODI today

Geo 436 ABU DHABI: Pakistan will try to break the loosing string as they prepare to meet energetic South Africa in their second ODI counter here at the Zayed Cricket Stadium today, Geo News reported.

Coach Waqar Younus is hoping that Pakistan cricket will rise from what he terms a “serious, tough time”.

Three abysmal batting displays in four days has left the team management searching for answers, Younus said.

“I don”t really know what exactly the reason is but definitely we are not getting runs on the board. So definitely some pressure is building and I would make sure that we will break it tomorrow and …try to work it out,” he said on Friday night after another eight-wicket drubbing at the hands of the Proteas.

“We were struggling with the middle order, lower middle order not getting runs. Which is probably the key, which is where we bank the most. They did not really click at all,” said Younus, who was left alone to explain the team”s third successive loss with skipper Shahid Afridi skipping the post-match press conference for a second time.

“Everybody is feeling the pressure. When you are losing you do feel the pressure. I think he (Shahid Afridi) is a human being and definitely feeling the pressure. He has played over 300 ODIs and he is the kind of the character who will bounce back and I”m sure he will,” Younus said.

Afridi and Abdul Razzak, who has gone without a half century or two wickets in an innings in a one-day game for over four years now, need to regain form and make up for the absence of their suspended players.

South Africa on the other hand have been well served by their young brigade with Colin Ingram and Lonwabo Tsotsobe in prime form. Having quickly adapted to the conditions here and with three wins on the trot, the Proteas will be looking to build on their best international run for some time now.

“It”s good to post a win and make it three in a row. It is our best run of victories at the international level in a long time. We want to definitely make it 2-0 on our way to Dubai,” said Johan Botha, the vice-captain and the man who dismissed Younis Khan and Mohammad Hafeez, the two Pakistani half centurions in the first match.

“But we know how aggressive the Pakistan team is and they will come back strong on Sunday and we are aware of that,” he added.

South Africa”s only worry is the fitness of skipper Graeme Smith (who was hit by a Shoaib Akhtar delivery on his left hand) and Jacques Kallis, who was carried off the field because of severe cramps after scoring 66.

The progress of both players is being monitored before any final decision is made on their availability, according to team doctor and manager Dr Mohammad Moosajee.

Geo436.com blog: Sanctions ”most ridiculous” act: Iran

Geo436 TEHRAN: Imposing sanctions on Iran has been the “most ridiculous and failed” move adopted by the world powers, the country”s hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Saturday.

“Imposing sanctions on Iran was the most ridiculous political decision ever. It was a failed thing from the beginning,” Ahmadinejad said in an interview broadcast live on state television.

Ahmadinejad, who has repeatedly dismissed UN and other unilateral sanctions imposed on Iran over its nuclear programme, reiterated that the punitive measures were like “torn paper” which failed to hurt Iranians.

“What do you want to sanction? Energy. We are energy producers. We have the second largest reserves of energy products in the world,” he said.

The United Nations and world powers have imposed sanctions on Iran for refusing to suspend its controversial nuclear programme which has ploughed ahead under the presidency of Ahmadinejad.

The six major world powers — Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States — have proposed to hold talks with Iran on the issue from November 15.

The talks between the two sides have been deadlocked for more than year, with the last round held in Geneva.

Ahmadinejad reiterated the talks must be held on “the basis of justice and respect” but said the tone of negotiations would depend on what answers the world powers give to Iran”s set of questions.

“We will negotiate with enemies in one way and with friends in another way,” he said, indicating that the response to Iran would colour Tehran”s tone during the discussions.

Geo436.com blog: China PM plans to visit India

Geo436 HANOI: Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Friday he would visit India later this year, against a backdrop of frosty relations between the giant Asian neighbours.

“I will pay a visit to India by the end of this year,” Wen said during talks with his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of a Southeast Asia summit in the Vietnamese capital.

Border disputes, a short war in 1962 and the presence in India of Tibet”s spiritual leader the Dalai Lama have all contributed to an atmosphere of suspicion between India and China.

India is also watchful of China”s growing presence in the region, including investments in ports in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Playing down simmering tensions between the two countries, Singh said Wednesday there were “enormous possibilities” to work with China.

“Are India and China in competition? I sincerely believe that there are enormous possibilities of our two countries to work together,” he told a gathering of business leaders in Malaysia.

“I look upon the world as a large enough place to accommodate the growth and ambitions of both India and China and it is in that sense that we approach India-China relations,” he said.

New Delhi recently agreed to provide a stable supply of rare earth minerals to Tokyo amid a diplomatic row between China and Japan.

Geo436.com blog: Butt, Amir leave for ICC hearing

Geo436 Staff Report

LAHORE: Suspended Pakistani cricketers, Muhammad Amir and Salman Butt, have left for Dubai where they are due to appear before an ICC tribunal in connection with spot-fixing allegations.

The duo were suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in September for their alleged involvement in spot-fixing and violating ICC’s anti-corruption code.

Pacer Muhammad Asif, who was also provisionally suspended by the ICC, has withdrawn his appeal against the suspension and will not be attending the hearing.

Speaking to newsmen at Lahore airport today (Friday), Butt maintained he is innocent.

"My lawyers have prepared well for the case. I will be cleared of spot-fixing charges very soon," he said.

Butt's counsels, Aftab Gul and Khalid Ranjha, hoped that the decision would come in favour of the suspended cricketer.

Geo436.com blog: Muslim Leagues Union: Pir Pagara summons meeting tomorrow

Geo436 Chairman of Muslim League (functional) Pir Sahab Pagara has summoned an important meeting for the union of all the muslim leagues of the country tomorrow on Friday. Important leaders have started reching Karachi for the meeting whereas PML-Q has not been invited for the meeting, Geo436 News reported on Thursday.
Hamid Nasir Chattha, Humayun Akhter, Salim Saif Ullah Khan, Gohar Ayub Khan and Khurshid Mehmood Kasoori from the like-minded goup would attend the meeting that is to be held in Kingri house Karachi whereas President of PML-Functional Punjab Makhdoom Ahmed Mehmood and Jahangir Tareen would also participate in the meeting.
On the other hand Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed has also reached Karachi to attend the aforementioned meeting. Many important political leaders would informally meet Pir Pagara in Kingri house tonite while the formal meeting would be held on Friday after which Pir Pagara would do a press conference along with all other political leaders.

Geo436.com blog: Rehman to meet Qazi Hussain in Lahore Friday

Geo436 ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik Thursday said that he would visit Mansoora, Jamat-e-Islami's Headquarter, tomorrow to meet former JI Amir Qazi Hussain Ahmed.

According to JI sources, the Interior Minister telephoned the former JI Amir and had an exchange of views on a wide range issues. Rehman Malik said that he would visit Mansoora tomorrow to have a discussion some important matters with Qazi Hussain Ahmed.

Qazi Hussain in reply said to Rehman Malik that he had never closed his doors to anyone.

Geo436.com blog: Sindh police to get phone caller location technology

Geo436 KARACHI: Sindh Police Department will soon get the facility of cell phone caller location technology, which will help investigate terrorism and kidnapping cases.

Chairman, Standing Committee of National Assembly on Interior, MNA Abdul Qadir Patel, chaired the meeting. The PPO Sindh, Sultan Salahuddin Babar Khattak, Capital City police Officer Karachi; Additional IGs CID Special Branch; Zonal DlGs; DlGs of CID and others attended the meeting.

The police authorities also pointed out towards absence of uniform policy in issuance of computerized/standardized motorcycle registration plates due to which the criminals avail undue advantage.

The committee extended assurance to take-up the matter at both the federal and provincial levels for a practical solution.

NA body was informed that due to pro-active policing and police response to the recent wave of killing in the city, 56 target killers have so far been arrested against 265 registered cases.

The committee was informed that peace committees have been organized at identified police stations, besides, establishing strong pickets and gearing-up intelligence network at local police stations to control killing of innocent people and arrests of those involved.

It was also informed to the meeting that because of coordinated police strategy 25 percent significant decline in street crimes has been witnessed.

During the year 2010, 734 encounters with criminals / dacoits took place as a result of which 514 gangs busted, 72 criminals / dacoits killed and 6002 criminals/dacoits arrested. The police also arrested 343 proclaimed offenders and 3884 absconders besides recovering 2 LMGs, 80 SMGs, 84 Rifles, 132 repeaters, 9 shotguns, 4042 pistols, 265 revolvers, 8 R.P.G, 59 Hand Grenades and 200 kg high explosives.

The chairman and members of Standing Committee appreciated efforts of Sindh Police in maintaining Law Order situation following the pro-active policing.

The Standing Committee assured the IGP Sindh that all of their recommendations would be taken up at federal level and decided to further improve policing in the Province.

Geo436.com blog: PBC nominates Ranjha for JC

Geo436 ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Bar Council nominates Dr Khalid Ranjha for Judicial Commission of Pakistan as its member, Geo News reported Thursday.

Meanwhile, Hamid Khan has submitted a dissenting note against the nomination.

A meeting of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) had been summoned for today to nominate a senior lawyer as member of the judicial commission for appointment of superior courts” judge under the 18th Amendment.

Attorney General of Pakistan Maulvi Anwarul Haq, who is ex-officio chairman of the PBC, had summoned the meeting.

Dr Ranjha is a former Law Minister and a PML-Q senator.

Geo436.com blog: Abu Dhabi to have Ferrari-themed park

Geo436 ABU DHABI: Abu Dhabi has always been considered the quieter emirate when compared to gaudy cousin Dubai.

But all that could be set to change as the state prepares to welcome an estimated 10,000 tourists a day to the new Ferrari-themed amusement park – billed as the largest in the world.

Tourism chiefs hope the world”s fastest rollercoaster – which travels at 149mph in 4.9 seconds, recreating the G-force felt in a Formula One car – and the more sedate life-size Scalextric-style track, will catapult it onto the world stage.

The park is expected to become a good hub for Grand Prix racing fans, particularly as the Formula One race is due to take place there next month, and the United Arab Emirates is said to have ploughed billions into the 861,000 square foot park.

The red roof of the indoor complex is modelled on the side profile of a Ferrari GT and is adorned with the largest prancing horse logo ever created.

”We had only a few malls and desert safaris, we need such thrilling amusements and now we don”t have to run to Dubai on weekends,” said Mohamed Mazroui, an Emirates” businessman and racing buff.

Once, Abu Dhabi was known as the more sober neighbour of glitsy Dubai, which made its name with extravagant property projects, outlandish tourist attractions and luxury shopping.

While Dubai spent the past decade transforming itself into a regional hub offering a Western-style nightlife, it remained more conservative when it came to drink and dress.

Geo436.com blog: We should learn from mistakes, says PM

Geo436 ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said we should learn from our mistakes. It is the age to waste money and time, Geo News reported.

The nation should collectively work for betterment of Pakistan. The premier was addressing an inaugural ceremony of 14th International Congress of Architects.

Prime Minister urged local builders to use homemade material to construct durable and nature-friendly buildings.

"Government will devise policies for helping builders construct Green Buildings", the premier pledged.

Geo436.com blog: Terrorists plotting to disunite nation: Shahbaz

Geo436 PAKPATAN: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif Wednesday termed bomb blasts on Mazars as a conspiracy to disintegrate the nation, saying the terrorists are attempting to trigger a clash among different sects but added that he would defeat their design with the help of the nation.

Talking to media men during his visit to the recently attacked Mazar of Baba Farid Ganj Shakar in Pakpatan, Shahbaz Sharif declared the security arrangements put in place at the Mazar as satisfactory, saying the presence of tight security stopped the terrorists from entering Dargah.

The Punjab Chief Minister offered fateha at the Mazar and later distributed cheques of Rs500,000 each to the families of the dead victims and of Rs75,000 each to the injured.

Earlier, Shahbaz Sharif arrived at Dargah Baba Farid in a helicopter and inspected the blast site. He visited the injured at District Hospital and suspended the MS on failing to provide proper treatment to them.

Geo436.com blog: Asma Jehangir leading with 720 votes

Geo436 LAHORE: Supreme Court Advocate and Human Rights activist Asma Jehangir is leading with 720 votes while Ahmed Owais who is her closest competitor bagged a total of 692 votes in the Supreme Court Bar Association's elections, Geo News reported Wednesday.

According to an unofficial results of vote count: Karachi – Asma Jehangir 73 votes, Ahmed Owais 67; Lahore – Asma 419 votes, Owais 409; Multan – Asma 44, Owais 45; Quetta – Asma 42, Owais 29; Bahawalpur – Asma 27, Owais 29; Islamabad – Asma 124, Owais 29; Abbotabad – Asma 17, Owais 11 and; Peshawar – Asma 47, Owais 33.

Geo436.com blog: Three dead in NWA drone attack

Geo436 MIRANSHAH: At least three people killed and scores others injured in a US surveillance plane missile attack in North Waziristan Agency, Geo News reported Wednesday.

According to the sources, US spy plane fired at least missiles in Dattakhel area of North Waziristan Agency, killing three people.

There are some reports regarding the injured people as well.

Geo436.com blog: Two killed in Larkana firing

Geo436 LARKANA: At least two men have been killed while another two suffered injuries in what police termed firing on a dispute of possession of plot near Science College in Larkana, Geo News reported.

Police have commenced investigation into shooting incident. No arrest has been made so far.

Injured men have been moved to hospital for medical attainment, police said.

Geo436.com blog: Polling for SCBA elections underway

Geo436 KARACHI: The polling for the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) elections is underway since 8:00am.

The polling is underway at the Sindh Bar Council (SBC) inside the Sindh High Court.

SBC Vice Chairman Ali Muhammad Dahri is supervising the elections as the presiding officer to elect the SCBA president and other office bearers for the approaching tenure of 2011-12.

The 325 voters, lawyers from Sindh, would cast their votes. While talking to media, Dahri said that all arrangements including polling booths, ballot boxes and voter lists had been completed before polling began.

Geo436.com blog: Obama phones President Zardari

Geo436 ISLAMABAD: US President Barack Obama telephoned President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday evening and held a detailed conversation, covering several important subjects.

Both Presidents welcomed the substantial progress made at the recently concluded Third Round of the Strategic Dialogue and underscored the importance of forging a comprehensive partnership between the US and Pakistan.

President Obama, in particular, reiterated his strong support for democracy in Pakistan and expressed appreciation for Pakistan's accomplishments in numerous fields.

President Obama invited President Zardari to visit the US. President Zardari, thanking President Obama for the invitation, said he was also looking forward to the visit of President Obama in the early part of 2011 to Pakistan.

The two Presidents exchanged views on regional matters and agreed on the need to enhance consultations and cooperation at all levels to promote peace, development and stability in the region as well as to achieve success in the fight against extremism and terrorism.

President Zardari thanked President Obama for the strong expression of support for Pakistan, the democratic forces and progress and prosperity of the Pakistani people.

Geo436.com blog: Sugar price up Rs.15/kg at Utility stores

Geo 436 ISLAMABAD: Utility Store Corporation (USC) has sent a summary to Ministry of Industries Production, seeking Rs.15/kg raise in sugar price at Utility stores, Geo News reported Tuesday.

The officials at the ministry have also confirmed the same, saying that currently, sugar is available at Rs.55/kg at Utility stores whose price is going to be hiked by Rs.15/kg to sell at Rs.70/kg from Rs.55.

Sources privy to ministry said the price may be inflated latest by Friday.

Talking to Geo News, the USC officials said Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) decided to maintain the difference of Rs.10-15 in sugar price between Open Market and Utility store.

On contacting by Geo News, ministry sources were of the view that the sugar sells at Rs.85/kg in open market while Utility store price is Rs.55/kg.

After approval of summary, the sugar prices will be raised within two to three days, ministry officials added.

Geo436.com blog: Pentagon fears Wikileaks has more secret files

Geo436 WASHINGTON: The Pentagon believes WikiLeaks likely has more secret government documents in its hands, beyond those the website has already released or mentioned publicly, a spokesman said Tuesday.

“We have reason to believe they have other documents as well,” Colonel Dave Lapan told reporters, without elaborating.

WikiLeaks, which portrays itself as a whistle-blowing media outlet, released last week an unprecedented 400,000 classified US documents on the Iraq war, and in July posted 77,000 secret US files on the Afghan conflict.

WikiLeaks has said it still has 15,000 documents and video on Afghanistan in its possession.

Media reports have also speculated that the website has tens of thousands State Department cables, but WikiLeaks has denies this.

WikiLeaks and the Pentagon have been engaged in a war of words over the website”s dump of secret military files, with US officials accusing the organization of endangering the lives of troops and civilians who worked with US-led forces.

WikiLeaks argues the release of the documents has shed light on the wars, including alleged widespread torture by Iraqi forces and reports that suggested 15,000 additional civilian deaths in the Iraq conflict.

Although US officials condemned WikiLeaks as jeopardizing the security of its troops, Australia said Tuesday that the release of documents in July had not hampered its operations in Afghanistan.

Geo436.com blog: Pakistan collapse at 119 against South Africa

Geo 436 ABU DHABI: Paceman Lonwabo Tsotsobe and captain Johan Botha took three wickets apiece as South Africa”s disciplined bowling backed by superb fielding restricted Pakistan to a paltry 119 in the first Twenty20 at Abu Dhabi Stadium here on Tuesday.

Left-arm paceman Tsotsobe removed both the openers during his economical spell of 3-16 while off-spinner Botha ripped through the middle order with 3-31 as Pakistan struggled to get past 100-run mark after deciding to bat on a batting-friendly Abu Dhabi Stadium pitch.

Recalled Misbah-ul-Haq topscored with an undefeated 32-ball 27 while skipper Shahid Afridi hit an aggressive 25 off just seven balls, hitting three sixes and a boundary before holing out to Botha in the tenth over.

Pakistan raced to 16 in the second over before Tsotsobe removed opener Imran Farhat (10) and then Shahzaib Hasan (nine) in the sixth over.

Botha removed Mohammad Hafeez (13), Afridi and Abdul Razzaq to end Pakistan”s hopes of reaching a respectable total.

This is Pakistan”s home series shifted to United Arab Emirates due to security fears.

The two teams play the second Twenty20 on Wednesday before playing the first two one-day internationals here at the same venue.

The series then move to Dubai where the last three one-day matches and the first Test will be staged. Abu Dhabi will host the second Test.

Geo436.com blog: Pakistan win toss, elect to bat against Proteas

Geo 436 ABU DHABI: Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi won the toss and decided to bat in the first Twenty20 match against South Africa at the Abu Dhabi Stadium here on Tuesday.

Pakistan recalled 36-year-old batsman Misbah-ul-Haq for the veteran”s first match since being dropped after the World Twenty20 in May this year.

South Africa received a boost when fast bowler Morne Morkel recovered from an ankle injuiry and was included in the eleven, but allrounder Jacques Kallis and fast bowler Dale Steyn remained on the sidelines due to injury.

This is Pakistan”s home series shifted to the United Arab Emirates because of security fears.

The two teams play the second Twenty20 on Wednesday before playing five one-day internationals and two Tests.

Teams:
Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (captain), Shahzaib Hasan, Imran Farhat, Mohammad Hafeez, Umar Akmal, Misbah-ul-Haq, Abdul Razzaq, Zulqarnain Haider, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Akhtar

South Africa: Johan Botha (captain), Graeme Smith, Loots Bosman, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Colin Ingram, David Miller, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Rusty Theron, Lonwabo Tsotsobe

Umpires: Ahsan Raza (PAK) and Asad Rauf (PAK), Tv Umpire: Nadeem Ghouri (PAK)
Match Referee: Andrew Pycroft (ZIM)

Geo436.com blog: Pakistan ranked 34th most corrupt country in 2010

Geo436 KARACHI: Pakistan”s decline continue in Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) and now its Index Score is 2.3 against 2.4 in 2009, and out of 178 countries, its ranking as most corrupt country has slipped 7 ranks, from 42 in 2009 to 34 most corrupt country in 2010.

The 2010 CPI shows that nearly three quarters of the 178 countries in the index score below five, on a scale from 0 (perceived to be highly corrupt) to 10 (perceived to have low levels of corruption), indicating a serious corruption problem.

Syed Adil Gilani, Chairman TI Pakistan said in last two year there have been unprecedented cases of corruption involving tens of billions of rupees in public sector organization, which under the Rule of Law, should have been taken up by the National Accountability Bureau.

He said the political will of the government to fight corruption is lacking which has resulted in the Supreme Court of Pakistan to take suo moto action against mega corruption in NICL, Pakistan Steel, Rental Power Plants.

The CPI 2010 reveals that corruption in Pakistan is increasing, while in Bangladesh it is decreasing. Bangladesh was perceived to be the most corrupt country in 2001, 2002 and 2003 and its ranking in 2010 is 39 most corrupt country.
Reduced corruption has paid dividends to Bangladesh whose annual GDP growth last year was over 5%, while Pakistan”s GDP growth last year was near 2.4 %. Delay in formation of An Independent Accountability Commission by the parliament may further aggravate the situation.

Chairman TI Pakistan said that the Supreme Court of Pakistan, which has a declared policy of Zero-Tolerance for Corruption on 22 March 2009, in its order of 12th October, 2010 in NICL Case No.18 of 2010 involving six procurements is considers the Violation of Public Procurement Rules 2004 as a criminal act. It is a landmark order, treating violation of Public Procurement Rules 2004 as a federal crime and it will help reduction in Corruption.

The direct impact of increased corruption is witnessed in the rise in the prices of food commodities which according to the latest official data of Federal Bureau of Statistics, have increased up to 120 percent in last one year viz. sugar from Rs 54 to Rs 80, pulses from Rs 50 to Rs 110, eggs from Rs 35 to Rs 60, and the Foreign Direct Investment for the fiscal year 2009-2010 dropped to US $ 2.21 billion from US$ 3.71 billion in FY 2008-2009, and in July-Sept 2010 it is further dropped to US $ 387.4 million ( 68% of last year).

Foreign debt on Pakistan increased from US $ 40 Billion in 1999 to US $ 46 billion in 2008, whereas in last two years it has increased to US $ 53.5 billion.

Across the board Application of Rule of Law, Merit based appointments and easy Access to Justice is the only solution to save Pakistan from corruption, which is responsible for poverty, inflation, terrorism, illiteracy, lack of electricity and hording of essential food commodities.

In the 2010 CPI, Denmark, New Zealand and Singapore tie for first place with scores of 9.3. Unstable governments, often with a legacy of conflict, continue to dominate the bottom rungs of the CPI. Afghanistan and Myanmar share second to last place with a score of 1.4, with Somalia coming in last with a score of 1.1.

Geo436.com blog: Dengue rapidly spreading across Pakistan

Geo436 Staff Report

KARACHI: The deadly dengue virus is spreading rapidly across the country as two dengue fever patients have been brought to a hospital in Mianwali, while two more have died in Karachi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

After Karachi, Hyderabad, Lahore and Haripur, the virus has now attacked Mianwali, a city situated hundreds of miles away from Lahore, where two dengue fever patients Muhammad Zubair and Hasan Nadim have been brought to a hospital.

According to the latest dengue victim details, one more patient has died in Jinnah Hospital of Karachi. Deceased Salim was brought from Tando Allahyar for dengue treatment; he was 18 years old. After Salim, the death toll of Sindh's dengue victims has mounted to 18.

The Chief Minister of Sindh has issued Rs. 10 million to the Sindh Health Department to curb the virus.

Over the past one week, the

Geo436.com blog: SBP issues guidelines to facilitate Watan cardholders

Geo 436 KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Monday directed all commercial banks to ensure enhanced efforts and facilitate the Watan cardholders.

The issuance of Watan Card is an effort of the government to help victims of floods, which affected the lives of the people and incurred heavy losses to the economy.

The central bank issued special instructions to banks and ATM Switch Operators for Watan Cardholders through a circular with immediate effect.

According to the SBP circular, in case a Watan Card is captured and/or disabled by automated teller machine (ATM), the acquirer branch staff would properly assist the cardholder and facilitate him/her in lodging a complaint to the issuing bank for immediate resolution.

"The acquirer branch shall send the captured card along with the complaint lodged by the cardholder on the same day to the nearest branch of the issuer bank," the circular said.

"Accordingly, the acquirer branch staff shall advise the complainant to collect the card from the nearest issuer branch," it added.

The nearest issuer branch, after receiving the complaint along with the captured card, would conduct due verification for authenticity and afterwards return the card within two working days to the complainant. And in case of warm/disabled cards, the acquirer branch would assist the cardholder in contacting the issuing bank for reactivating the card, it said.

To assist Watan Cardholders in conducting transactions, if so requested by a cardholder, branch managers or any designated senior officer of the acquirer branch would assist the Watan Cardholder and document/log the subject event for every cardholder who requires assistance, the circular said.

The acquirer banks would deploy at least one point of sale terminal at all their branches located in the flood-affected areas to facilitate cash withdrawal on Watan Cards, it added.

The SBP also directed the banks to take all necessary steps to prevent fraudulent use of Watan Cards at their outlets.

The State Bank has issued these special instructions in view of complaints received from Watan Cardholders, after soliciting inputs from the banks.

Geo436.com blog: Alleged American spy killed in Northern Waziristan

Geo436 Staff Report

MIRANSHAH: An alleged American Spy has been killed in Dutta Khel area of Northern Waziristan.

According to details, few days ago a local resident had been kidnapped by the unknown miscreants. His dead body was recovered from Dutta Khel on Monday.

A letter, written by the unknown kidnappers, was also found with the dead body. The letter described that the deceased person was an American spy and that is why he has been killed. Geo436

Geo436.com blog: Three dead in Orakzai blast

Geo436 PESHAWAR: At least three people were killed and two others injured in a remote-controlled Lower Orakzai Agency, Geo News reported Monday.

According to the sources, a vehicle was blown up with a remote-controlled explosive device in Lower Orakzai area of Tanda, killing three people and injuring two others.

The injured were transported to Kohat after giving preliminary medical treatment in Orakzai Agency.

The vehicle was completely destroyed in the blast.

Political administration has commenced the inquiry into the incident.

Geo436.com blog: Fourteen dead in oil well blaze in Myanmar: official

Geo436 YANGON: At least 14 people have been killed and 58 more injured in a fire at an oil well in central Myanmar, but the cause was unknown, an official in the military-ruled country said Monday.

Authorities were battling to put out the blaze, which broke out on Sunday near Pakokku town in the Magway region.

“At least 14 people were killed and 58 other injured so far during the incident,” said the official, who did not want to be named. “There could be more casualties.”

Further details were not immediately available.

Myanmar is rich in natural resources including oil and gas.

But nearly a third of the population lives below the poverty line, according to World Bank figures, as the junta and its associates exploit raw materials for their own benefit.

The resources are a major target for energy-hungry Asian economies such as China, India and Thailand.

Oil giants Total of France and Chevron of the United States are two of the biggest Western companies in Myanmar and have faced criticism from rights groups for their dealings with the regime.

Myanmar is due to hold its first election in 20 years on November 7 but Western nations have said the vote will not be credible unless detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other opposition figures are freed.

Geo436.com blog: Cylinder explosion kills one in Karak

Geo436 Staff Report

KARAK: One person has been killed while four others wounded when an explosion took place in a shop, Geo436 reported Monday.

Police said that explosion took place in a puncture shop situated in village Mandha Wah and the reason of the blast was gas cylinder. Fear spread in the area as explosion was so powerful.

One person died and four others hurt in the blast. Injured have been shifted to district hospital Karak. Geo436

Geo436.com blog: Nato death toll in Afghanistan this year hits 600

Geo436 KABUL: A Nato soldier was killed in an insurgent attack in eastern Afghanistan on Sunday, the military alliance said on Monday, bringing the death toll among foreign troops this year to 600.

Nato”S International Security Assistance Force announced the death in a statement, but gave no further details. Another Nato troop was killed in a bomb blast in the Taliban heartland of southern Afghanistan on Sunday.

The latest death brings to 600 the number of foreign soldiers who have died in the Afghan war this year, compared with 521 in all of 2009, according to a tally based on a count kept by the icasualties.org website.

A total of 2,170 Nato soldiers have been killed since the 2001 US-led invasion of Afghanistan which overthrew the Taliban regime, including almost 1,350 US troops.

The United States and Nato have more than 150,000 soldiers in Afghanistan fighting the Taliban-led insurgency, which is at its most intense in the southern provinces of Kandahar and Helmand.

International and Afghan forces are currently engaged in a major offensive around Kandahar city — capital of the province of the same name — aimed at pushing the insurgents out of the area to bring an end to the nine-year war.

Geo436.com blog: UK coalition looking at ”restrained” tuition fees

Geo436 LONDON: British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg suggested the coalition was looking at imposing a limit on university tuition fees days after a proposal to remove the cap caused tensions within the government.

Clegg said he felt “uneasy” about unlimited fees, as recommended in a review earlier this month, and that an announcement would be made in the next couple of weeks.

“We are looking at something that would be more restrained,” he said on Sunday.

The plans in a government-ordered review, written by former BP Chief Executive John Browne, caused tensions in Clegg”s party, the junior partners in the coalition government, with speculation it could lead to a parliamentary defeat if enough Liberal Democrat legislators rebelled.

Some did voice their concern, including the party”s deputy leader Simon Hughes.

Free university tuition had been a cornerstone of the Lib Dems” election campaign before it entered government with the right-leaning Conservatives in May. Legislators, including Clegg, had signed pledges not to vote for a rise.

The government broadly has backed Browne”s proposals to remove a cap of 3,290 pounds ($5,164) a year that universities in England are allowed to charge students for their tuition.

They would be free to set their own annual fees but would be hit with a levy on fees over 6,000 pounds.

By transferring a big chunk of costs from the state to the student, the plan will help the government”s efforts to curb a record peacetime budget deficit.

The Lib Dems have bled support since joining the coalition with the latest opinion poll, by ICM for the News of the World on Sunday, showing it down two points at 16 percent – seven percent lower than at the election.

“I am uneasy about the idea that you have in theory unlimited fees, so we are looking at something that is more restrained,” Clegg said.

“We will hear about it soon. We are very keen to make sure that people know exactly what is going to happen as soon as possible, within in the next couple of weeks or so.”

Business Secretary Vince Cable, a Liberal Democrat, said the government was working on a way to make sure that those students who go on to very high-earning jobs and pay off their debt relatively quickly still contribute interest payment.

“We do have to think about how to find a way by which they make some sort a contribution towards low-earning graduates,” he told SKY news television.

“It is a tricky, technical problem, but we are working on it.”

Geo436.com blog: SSC Part I Sc Group result today

Geo436 KARACHI: The Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BSEK) will declare the result of SSC Part I Science Group Annual Examination 2010 on October 25.

This was announced by the Controller of Examinations of the BSEK on Sunday.

Geo436.com blog: Blair’s sister-in-law converts to Islam

Geo436 Reported: Lauren Booth, employee of Iranian Press TV awarded diplomatic status by Hamas, wishes to educate former UK prime minister on true Islam.
The sister-in-law of former British prime minister Tony Blair has reportedly converted to Islam after "a holy experience" while on a visit to Iran.
Anti-Israel activist and journalist Lauren Booth said she took the decision after visiting the Fatima al-Masumeh Shrine in Qom, the second most holy city in Shi’ite Iran after Mashhad, leading her to convert immediately on returning to the UK.
"It was a Tuesday evening and I sat down and felt this shot of spiritual morphine, just absolute bliss and joy," she told The Mail on Sunday newspaper.
The 43-year-old activist, a presenter for the Iranian news channel Press TV who was given a Palestinian diplomatic status by Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in 2008, said she now covers her head with a hijab when she leaves the house and prays five times daily. She also refused to rule out wearing a burka.
"Now I don't eat pork and I read the Koran every day, I'm on page 60," she claimed.
Booth also said she visits her local mosque when she can and has given up drinking.
"I also haven't had a drink in 45 days, the longest period in 25 years. The strange thing is that since I decided to convert I haven't wanted to touch alcohol, and I was someone who craved a glass of wine or two at the end of a day," Booth told the Mail.
Booth also said that she had always been "sympathetic" to Islam.
"I was always impressed with the strength and comfort it gave," she said.
The activist said she hoped her conversion would have an impact on Blair helping him to change his presumptions about Islam.
On a visit to Gaza in 2008, Booth compared Gaza to a "concentration camp" and a "humanitarian crisis on the scale of Darfur."
Speaking on Press TV after her visit, Booth dismissed descriptions of Gaza as a prison.
"I want to say thank you for using the word concentration camp because the word prison has been applied in the last few years and that's a lie. In a prison you get three meals a day, a nourishing diet, visits from outsiders and some hobbies and rehabilitation and a date for your release," she said.
A few days before the interview, the Agence France Presse agency released a picture of Booth shopping in a well stocked grocery store in Gaza.
In August, Britain's media regulator ruled a Press TV program on the Gaza flotilla incident presented by Booth breached broadcasting code rules on impartiality.
According to the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries, known as Ofcom, the program began with a pro-Palestinian song and anti-Israel images, featured an array of recorded and live interviews with similar views and included descriptions of the incident such as "barbaric" and "massacre."
Presenting a program titled “Remember Palestine” on the Iranian channel Booth said: "Israeli commandos committed a massacre of innocent civilians sailing aid ships to the besieged Gaza Strip…This was obviously a barbarous attack on civilians… As Turkey buries its murdered citizens… the brave men and women on the ships in one move have shifted world opinion against Israeli apartheid."
Ofcom ruled that the program was one-sided and failed to offer alternative views.
In 2003, British journalist Yvonne Ridley converted to Islam following her kidnap at the hands of the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2001.
Also an anti-Israel activist and Press TV presenter, the 51-year-old Respect party member declared the party "Zionist- free" in 2006 and described Israel as "that disgusting little watchdog of America that is festering in the Middle East."
"If there was any Zionists in the Respect Party they would be hunted down and kicked out. We have no time for Zionists," Ridley said.
In 2008, Press TV was accused of Holocaust denial after it published an article on its website claiming the massacre of Jewish people during the Holocaust was "scientifically impossible.”

Geo436.com blog: Dialogue covered civil nuclear technology: FM

Geo436 LAHORE: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has termed the Pak-US strategic dialogue 'successful', 'progressive' and 'fruitful', adding that the talks helped improve ties of two close allies of war on terrorism, Geo News reported.

Upon his arrival at Lahore airport, FM Qureshi talking to newsmen said the Pak-US strategic dialogue focused on 13 main issues of national interest besides matters pertaining to the common man. He regretted that in previous regimes even the most crucial matters were kept out of the agenda for talks.

"Efforts were made to have desirable outcome from the strategic dialogue," he said.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi said in past Pakistan only nodded to US demands. But now it does both – accedes to US demands and get its demands accepted.

"We did not just have a verbal exchange of views, it was all got properly documented," he said.

Pak-US relations, he observed, have both depth and understanding and the benefits of the strategic dialogue flow both ways.

He said the US has pledged support to Pakistan towards building dams.

Referring to war on terror, the Foreign Minister said, Pakistan made it clear that it rendered numerous sacrifices in this war, therefore, there should not be any pointing of fingers and that the US policy should not smell of discrimination. Pakistan expressed its reservation on the issue of Afghanistan, he added.

Regarding freedom of media, Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the press should be both free and responsible and that the US will offer opportunities for the training of Pakistani journalists.

He said Pakistan needs civil nuclear technology to overcome its energy crisis. The obtainment of civil nuclear technology did come up during the talks, he added.

Geo436.com blog: ME recovery robust, closer eye on prices: IMF

Geo 436 DUBAI: The Middle East and North Africa”s economic growth is recovering robustly, the International Monetary Fund said on Sunday.

The region”s gross domestic product should expand by 4.2 percent this year, unchanged from May”s projection, after 2.3 percent in 2009 the IMF said in its regional economic report for the MENAP region, which also includes Afghanistan and Pakistan.

“We expect most countries in the region to grow faster in 2010 and 2011 than in 2009,” said Masood Ahmed, director of the IMF”s Middle East and Central Asia Department.

GDP growth is projected at 4.8 percent in 2011, still short of 5.7 percent seen ahead of the 2008 global credit crunch.

For the MENAP oil exporters, economic activity is picking up considerably, the IMF said, adding that crude oil production was projected to grow to 25 million barrels per day in 2010 and 26 million in 2011 because of a pick-up in global demand.

The rise in oil prices by 23 percent in 2010 and more than 3 percent in 2011 would lead to a marked turnaround in external balances, the global lender said.

Oil prices stood at $81.69 per barrel on Friday, lifted by positive German business data, French strikes and a volatile dollar index.

The combined current account surplus of the MENAP oil exporting nations is projected to rise by around $80 billion in 2009-2011 on current oil price expectations, the IMF said, of which almost $50 billion is accounted for by six Gulf Cooperation Council countries (GCC).

The IMF expects Saudi Arabia”s GDP growth of 3.4 percent in 2010 and 4.5 percent next year, and for the United Arab Emirates to grow by 2.4 percent and 3.2 percent respectively, repeating forecasts from its World Economic Outlook earlier this month.

Non-oil activity in crude-exporting countries is set to pick up, although more gradually, with lacklustre private demand offset by supportive policies, the IMF said.

“In many countries, accommodative fiscal and monetary policies will continue to be appropriate over the coming year, but with a closer eye on emerging inflationary pressures,” the IMF said.

“… some, including Saudi Arabia, are seeing inflation picking up, which may call for a tempering of stimulus in 2011,” it said, adding the Saudi stimulus would start to be unwound with a 5 percentage point cut in the non-oil primary deficit.

Flexibility of monetary policy is limited in most Gulf Arab countries by their currency pegs to the dollar, which makes government spending policies a key tool to steer economies of the GCC, the world”s top oil exporting region.

Geo436.com blog: WikiLeaks release puts lives at risk: Mullen

Geo436 WASHINGTON: The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen has condemned a new release of Iraq war documents by the group WikiLeaks, saying it was putting lives at risk.

“Another irresponsible posting of stolen classified documents by WikiLeaks puts lives at risk and gives adversaries valuable information,” Mullen said in a one-sentence posting on the website Twitter late Saturday.

On Friday, WikiLeaks released 400,000 classified US military documents on the war in Iraq, saying they revealed the “truth” about the conflict.

The mass of documents from 2004 to 2009 offer a grim snapshot of the conflict, especially of the abuse of Iraqi civilians by Iraqi security forces.

Geo436.com blog: Pak banks improve in competitiveness: Kent

Geo 436 ISLAMABAD: Pakistani banks in public sector have higher cost-inefficiency compared to foreign banks operating in the country, said Professor Kent Matthews of Cardiff University, UK, here.

Professor Kent, who delivered a lecture on ”Banking efficiency in emerging market economies” at National Institute of Banking and Finance (NIBAF) here on Saturday at 17th lecture of Zahid Memorial Lecture series, said that the banking sector in the emerging economies is facing stronger competition due to globalisation in financial system.

However, he added that after reforms in banking sector, efficiency of banks had improved and concentration was reduced in recent years, which was because of competitiveness. He said that human capital and development, along with incentives, is very critical to motivate management to perform best. The foreign banks were the most efficient in terms of cost in Pakistan whereas the public sector banks have cost technical and allocative inefficiencies.

The reasons for high cost-inefficiency of local banks, he said, was because of their large network of branches, even in remote areas. But there is a need to introduce improved management and increase motivation levels to reduce cost, and increase profits in the banking sector.

The performance of Islamic banks surged during the earlier years and this was due to the fact that only two banks were operative till 2005. The index goes down because a couple of new entrants started their operations in 2005-06. Thus, it was seen that the performance of Islamic banks had been most consistent after the year 2006. Moreover, the efficiency scores of Islamic banks are getting closer to that of the foreign banks.

It is also evident that the consolidation in Pakistani banking sector due to the raise in minimum paid up capital requirement has led to stable performance of these banks. He said that he used input and output variables in estimating bank efficiency in Pakistan by applying five models. These, in turn, are decomposed into its technical inefficiency and allocative inefficiency components.

The results suggested that there was sufficient independent variation in each bank category type to separate the distribution of technical efficiency from the rest of the population. Also, the only bank category that had a distribution of allocative inefficiency that could be separated from the rest was foreign banks. However, these statistics are only indicative as the means and distribution could be signalling other relevant but unidentified factors, he said.

Rof Kent said: “Bank efficiency is clearly a topic worthy of consideration and it is particularly worthy of study in the case of emerging markets. In economies where capital and debt markets are as yet undeveloped, the principal conduit for economy wide investment and saving is through the banking system. The efficiency of the banks is an indicator of the efficiency of financial intermediation. Furthermore, the banking sector of the emerging economies is facing stronger competition due to the globalisation of the financial system.

While the trend in deregulation and global competition will be muted for the next few years as a result of the financial crisis, the pace will pick up once the world economy is stabilised.”

Geo436.com blog: Formation of judicial commission begins according to article 175-A

Geo436 Ministry of Law has initiated the formation of judicial commission according to the article 175-A. Letter was written to bar councils by Ministry of Law for the formation of judicial commission.
It has been demanded in the letter that bar councils should appoint their representative for judicial commission. According to article 175-A, one representative of Pakistan Bar Council will be present in the judicial commission formed for judges of Supreme Court; where as each representative of provincial bar councils related to provincial high courts will be present. Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry will call the meeting of judicial commission. On 21st October, in the decision of 18th amendment case, Supreme Court ordered to implement article 175-A with immediate effect, according to which the judicial commission and parliamentary committee was to be formed for appointment of judges.

Geo436.com blog: Gunmen storm party, kill 15 youths in Mexico

Geo436 CIUDAD JUAREZ: Gunmen burst into a party early Saturday and shot to death 15 young people and wounded at least 10 others in this Mexican border city”s third massacre this year, police said.

“The victims were in the back yard of the house having a party when hooded men, in dark uniforms and with rifles, arrived in several vans, broke in and began shooting indiscriminately at those inside,” a police official said in this troubled metropolis across the border from the US city of El Paso, Texas.

The young gunmen screamed insults as they opened fired on the crowd, according to witnesses, who told the police the hail of fire went on for five minutes.

“We have an initial toll of 12 dead and more than 10 wounded who have been taken to different hospitals,” the municipal police official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

At least four women were among the dead, and a seven-year-old girl was wounded, police said.

Local media reported that the death toll rose to 15 after three people died of their wounds in hospital, and that five other people were in serious condition. The media reports said five women between the ages of 16 and 24 were killed.

The massacre, which bore the chilling hallmarks of a drug cartel attack, began at 1:40 am Saturday.

Geo436.com blog: Dengue kills three more

Geo436 KARACHI: Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne disease, is on the rise and claiming more lives.

Karachi: Two more dengue patient died today taking the toll to 15 in 2010 only, while 86 more admitted to the hospitals in the last 24 hours.

Lahore: At least 130 patients have been confirmed to be infected with the virus in last 24 hours, and one each in Okara and Sialkot. The number of patients in Punjab has reached to 735 from which 627 were from Lahore.

In Matiari, a minor, 5 year old Nimra died today. Dengue cases have also been reported from Hyderabad, Shahdadpur, Mir Pur Khas and Sukkur.

WHO regional figures show there were 212,988 dengue cases with 674 deaths in 2008, increasing to 242,424 cases and 785 deaths last year. There have been 204,759 cases with 831 deaths so far this year.

A WHO communicable diseases expert, said that dengue had traditionally been an urban problem, but was now now affecting rural areas.

“This is because of the increase in population density, movement of people and their habits which create breeding sites,” he said, adding that people with no public services had to collect water in buckets and tanks.

Standing water attracts dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

“At present, 40 percent of the world”s population is at risk of dengue,” he said. “It”s not only being detected more, it”s also increasing.”

Geo436.com blog: Power shortfall shrinks as winter begins to set in

Geo436 LAHORE: Total power shortfall experienced by the country has declined to 659 MW as winter season begins to set in, tilting the weather towards colder side and causing a drop in demand.

PEPCO officials have said that duration of load-shedding has also been reduced as a result of decrease in electricity shortfall.

The country's total power production stands at 11,913 MW whereas demand at 12,572 MW while Karachi received 720 MW electricity during the last 24 hours.

The share of hydel power generation in the total production is 5030 MW while that of thermal 1972 MW. IPPs are producing 4894 MW and Rental Power Plants 62 MW.

Geo436.com blog: India kills 3 Kashmiris in Srinagar

Geo436 SRINAGAR: In occupied Kashmir, dead body of one more youth was recovered from the debris of the houses destroyed by Indian troops in Srinagar.

With the recovery of the body, the toll of martyred youth has risen to three at Maloora Shalteng in the city outskirts.

The troops on Thursday during clash with Mujahideen destroyed two residential houses with heavy mortar shelling and bodies of two youth were recovered from the debris, last evening, after the operation ended.

On the other hand, three Indian troopers including Captain, Gaurav, Lance Naik, Karnail Singh and Sepoy, Karan Singh were killed in a landslide triggered by heavy rains at Tikri in Uri area of Baramulla district.

Meanwhile, the occupation authorities strictly restricted the movement of people in Srinagar, Islamabad, Bijbehara, Shopian and other towns by imposing curfew and other restrictions.

Geo436.com blog: UN office in Afghan city under attack: officials

Geo436 HEART: The United Nations office in the western Afghan city of Herat came under armed attack on Saturday, officials said.

“The incident is ongoing. We are working closely with local authorities,” Dan McNorton, media officer for the UN in Kabul, said.

Another UN official, who asked not to be named, said: “There appears to have been an attack of some kind.”

A reporter of a French news agency on the scene said small arms fire and explosions could be heard from inside the UN compound, just outside the city centre.

The attack began at 12.30 pm (0800) GMT, he said.

Interior ministry spokesman Zemarai Bashary confirmed that an attack on the compound was underway. “Yes, there has been an attack against the UN office in Herat,” he said, adding: “Police have cordoned off the area.”

The UN official who asked not to be named said there were no casualties.

“We”re working closely with local police and security, and at this stage there are no casualties,” he said.

Herat, Afghanistan”s second biggest city, is near the border with Iran. It has until recently been relatively peaceful though the security situation has been deteriorating.

Residents say that the road to the airport is controlled after dark by criminal gangs. Some districts of the city, notably those dominated by ethnic Pashtuns, are controlled by Taliban insurgents, they say.

Geo436.com blog: Pakistani student sentenced to jail in US

Geo436 An American court has sentenced a Pakistani student Adnan Mirza to 15 years of jail for having links with Taliban.
According to the US officials, American investigation agency FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) arrested Adnan Mirza in 2006 from Houston, USA. At the time of arrest, Adnan was studying in the USA on student visa. He was alleged for being trained by the extremists. FBI has stated that Adnan was planning to send money to Taliban with the help of his friends.

Geo436.com blog: Washington: Kiyani meets CENTCOM Commander

Geo436 Chief of The Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kiyani called on the commander of American Central Command General James N. Mattis in Washington.
Matters of professional and common interest as well as the security situation were discussed in the meeting. Army Chief also visited Walter Reed medical center where he met with the injured personnel of ISAF forces who got injured during fighting in Afghanistan. Earlier General Kiyani participated in the planning session of Pak-American strategic dialogue.

Geo436.com blog: Haiti cholera claims 150 lives; WHO sends help

Geo436 GENEVA: UN health experts rushed to northern Haiti to help tackle a sudden outbreak of diarrhoeal disease that has left 150 dead, after some initial tests showed traces of cholera, the WHO said on Friday.

If confirmed, it would mark the first time that cholera has been reported in Haiti for more than a century, the World Health Organisation added.

“Some stool samples were positive for cholera by rapid diagnostic tests,” said WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib.

“Stool samples were taken to a laboratory in Port-au-Prince for laboratory confirmation. So final confirmation that it is or not cholera is still pending,” she added in an e-mail to journalists.

The WHO spokeswoman said Haitian authorities asked for assistance with the outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting.

“Although we cannot confirm the nature of this illness until the laboratory results are given to us we are concerned at the speed which which it has spread,” Chaib told journalists earlier.

Haitian officials said on Thursday that 135 people had died and 1,500 people were taken ill with the disease.

The outbreak is being blamed on the Artibonite river, an artery crossing Haiti”s rural center that thousands of people use for much of their daily activities from washing to cooking.

The WHO said Friday that 150 had died, with the same number infected.

Claude Surena, president of the Haitian Medical Association, told AFP that laboratory analysis on the outbreak in Saint Marc, about 100 kilometers (60 miles) north of the capital Port-Au-Prince, showed it was cholera.

The WHO said samples from hospitalized patients were being tested for different diarrheal-disease pathogens, including the cholera bacteria..

Chaib said: “Medical teams have been mobilised including epidemiologists from our office in Washington, medical supplies are being provided to the local hospitals, including 10,000 boxes of rehydration tablets and water purification sachets.”

More teams of international health experts in Haiti were also travelling to the area to assist the local authorities, she added.

The epidemic has grown in the past few days but had not reached the major camps for displaced people in and around Port-au-Prince further south.

The city was ravaged by a 7.0 earthquake in January that left 1.2 million people homeless.

But officials in the country fear that an outbreak in densely-populated tent cities that have poor sanitation and meagre medical facilities has the potential of unleashing a public health disaster.

Geo436.com blog: President for further strengthening Pak-Iran ties

Geo436 ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari Friday urged further strengthening of Pak-Iran bilateral cooperation in all areas particularly trade, energy, communication and infrastructure.

Talking to Iranian ambassador to Pakistan Mashaalah Shakeri at Aiwan-e-Sadr the President said Pakistan attaches great importance to its friendly equation with Iran and regards it an important friend and player in the region. Matters relating to bilateral relations, Iranian assistance for rehabilitation of the flood affected and regional situation were discussed during the meeting.

The President appreciated the Iranian Government and its people for their generous support and assistance during the recent devastating floods.

He emphasised enhanced connectivity projects through improved roads, rail and airlinks between the two countries. The President said the successful operation of Islamabad- Tehran- Istanbul container train was a major step to improve intra-regional cooperation and business opportunities among the three important regional countries.

The President commenting on fight against militancy said the whole region was facing the common enemy of militancy and urged a joint strategy and mutual cooperation to curb violent extremism.

Mashaalah Shakeri thanked the President for meeting and assured continued support of the Iranian government to the government and people of Pakistan in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of flood affected.

Deputy Head of Mission Mansour Afrasiabi also accompanied the ambassador.

Geo436.com blog: Three dead, 22 injured in mosque attack

Geo436 PESHAWAR: At least three people were killed and fifteen injured in a blast at mosque in Pushta Khara area of Peshawar, Geo News reported Friday.

Blast occurred during Friday prayers. The explosives were fixes inside the mosque.

According to police, 1.5 kilogram's of explosives was used. The blast was caused by an improvised explosive devise (IED).

The injured and the dead have been shifted to the hospital. The blast shattered the windowpanes of nearby buildings. Police and rescue personnel have reached the spot.

Geo436.com blog: Fresh case of attempted forced marriage of minor girl surfaces

Geo436 Staff Report

DADU: An attempt was filed to marry a three-year-old minor girl with a six-year-old boy in Mehr tehsil of Dadu on Thursday.

Parents of the innocent girl, Zahida, managed to take her daughter to the Dadu Press Club just half-an-hour before the marriage was about to take place. They staged a demonstration and demanded immediate justice.

Girl's father Shadi Khan told journalists that his father-in-law had been forcing them to marry Zahida with his grandson.

Khan also moved an application in District and Session Court, Dadu.

On this, a District and Session judge summoned all parties, including SHO of the concerned police station, to the court on October 23. Geo436

Geo436.com blog: PPP, MQM agree to work together

Geo436 Staff Report

KARACHI: The Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) agreed on Thursday in a meeting that both the parties will work together for maintaining peace in Karachi.

The meeting between the two parties held at Sindh Governor House where Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulifqar Mirza were presented while the MQM delegation included Dr Farooq Sattar, Babar Ghauri and Raza Haroon.

The meeting decided that strict action would be taken against those who do not hand over illegal weapons, men involved in criminal activities and target killings.

Rehman Malik said that neither the PPP nor the MQM will leave each other while Mirza said that the MQM is a coalition partner.

Farooq Sattar said that the MQM will support the government, if it takes