US distances itself from Wisner's remarks on Mubarak

WASHINGTON: The United States distanced itself Saturday from a one-time envoy's suggestion that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak should remain in office during a democratic transition. Frank Wisner, an influential retired diplomat and former US ambassador to Egypt who met with Mubarak at President Barack Obama's request this week, "was speaking for himself and not for the US government," a senior Obama administration official said in Washington. Wisner earlier called Mubarak an "old friend" of the United States, and said he "must stay in office in order to steer those changes through." "President Mubarak's continued leadership is critical," Wisner told the Munich Security Conference via video link. "It's his opportunity to write his own legacy. He has given 60 years of his life to the service of his country, this is an ideal moment for him to show the way forward." Another US official said he did not actually hear Wisner's comments and declined to comment on them when reporters read them out loud, but stressed the former diplomat was acting in a private capacity. "Frank Wisner was speaking as a private citizen... analyst... not as a representative of the US government," the official said on condition of anonymity. On Friday, Obama said the proud "patriot" Mubarak should listen to his people and make the "right decision," avoiding an explicit request for the longtime US ally to step down immediately. But citing unnamed US and Egyptian officials, The New York Times reported on Saturday that new vice president Omar Suleiman and senior Egyptian military leaders are exploring ways for Mubarak to make a graceful exit. Mubarak, who has led the most populous Arab nation with an autocratic hand for nearly three decades unchallenged until now, has said he is "fed up" with his job, but prefers to stay in power until September elections while calm is restored. Wisner said the Obama administration dispatched him on Monday to Cairo, where he met with the 82-year-old Egyptian leader and Suleiman. He is now back in the United States. "The crisis is of extraordinary importance. What happens in Egypt affects all of our interests throughout the region," Wisner said. "The United States has had a long and very close relationship -- 30 years plus -- standing with Egypt. Where Egypt goes, the domestic order, the external orientation of the Middle East, will be profoundly affected." Wisner said his mission "was to make sure that we communicated in a respectful manner to a man who has been an old friend of the US but who now faces the huge responsibility of having to lead Egypt through a transition to a new and a different future, and to do so without resorting to force."           current news,news headlines,world news today,latest news headlines, news 24, top news,headline news,business news,national news,news update, news articlesnews headlines today, world news headlines,      breaking news english,current news events,local news,latest world news,news stories,recent news,cnn headline news,latest breaking news,cnn world news,prime news,msn news, current world news,philippine news,urdu news,world news now,local breaking news,funny news,international news,latest local news,       breaking world news,breaking news headlines,late breaking news, win news,boxing news,economic news,      world breaking news,current news stories,news in hindi,news nz,irish news,economy news, it news,news,       worldnews,news today,breaking news,

Mubarak must make 'right decision': Obama

 WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama Friday delivered a clear hint that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak should step down now, saying the proud "patriot" should listen to his people and make the "right decision."

Obama did not explicitly call on Mubarak to resign, but said the Arab strongman had already made the psychological leap of realizing his rule was ebbing, and now should reconsider his position amid a mass uprising.

The US president staked out a veiled, but forceful, position as tens of thousands of demonstrators held "departure day" protests in Cairo, and the United States sought a way to prod Mubarak to the exit after 30 years in power.

"I believe that President Mubarak cares about his country. He is proud, but he is also a patriot," Obama said.

"What I've suggested to him is, is that he needs to consult with those who are around him in his government.

"He needs to listen to what is being voiced by the Egyptian people, and make a judgment about a pathway forward that is orderly, but that is meaningful and serious."

Obama did not explicitly say Mubarak should leave power immediately, with the White House highly sensitive to perceptions that it is engineering Egypt's political future in a region that pulsates with anti-American feeling.

But his choice of words made clear that Washington's call for an immediate political transition did not include its wily ally of three decades, who has been a fulcrum of US Middle East policy.

"The key question he should be asking himself is, 'how do I leave a legacy behind in which Egypt is able to get through this transformative period?'" Obama said.

"My hope is, is that he will end up making the right decision."

Amid reports that Washington was working on a number of scenarios with key players in Cairo that would result in Mubarak's departure, Obama stressed Egyptians must decide their future themselves.

But he said he understood "some discussions" were already underway in Egypt on a transition to a system that would respect universal rights and lead to free and fair elections.

Mubarak's one-time foreign minister and a future possible presidential candidate, Arab League chief Amr Mussa, meanwhile said he doubted his former boss would leave any time soon.

The New York Times reported that Washington has been pushing proposals for Omar Suleiman, Mubarak's veteran intelligence chief and now vice president, to head a transitional government.

The White House took issue with aspects of the report, but did not deny it outright, and its response hinted that the United States may be studying a range of options to prod Mubarak to go and defuse the confrontation in Cairo.

"It's simply wrong to report that there's a single US plan that's being negotiated with the Egyptians," a senior White House official said on condition of anonymity.

Egypt's Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq however ruled out the possibility that Mubarak would transfer power to Suleiman.

Amid signs of intense US diplomacy on a crisis which could impact Washington's foreign policy for years, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton headed to a major security conference in Munich with Egypt topping her agenda.

During the flight, she called Egyptian foreign minister Ahmed Abul Gheit and was in "constant" touch with Washington, a State Department official said.

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates meanwhile spoke by phone to his Egyptian counterpart, Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi.

The Pentagon is apparently seeking to guard its ties with Egypt's politically powerful military.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff cautioned against cutting the 1.3 billion dollars in US annual support to the Egyptian military, following signals from the White House that the aid bonanza was under review.

"I would just caution against doing anything until we really understand what's going on," Admiral Mike Mullen said in an interview on media.

For years, Egypt has been the second largest recipient of US foreign aid after Israel.

Obama also delivered another unequivocal warning that violence against journalists, human rights activists and journalists was unacceptable, though said he was pleased with restraint shown on a mass day of protests on Friday.

Speaking at a press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Obama said he told Mubarak clearly in two telephone calls that the "old ways" that had sustained his 30-year-rule were not going to work.

"Suppression is not going to work, engaging in violence is not going to work."

Later Friday the White House said Obama had spoken to key regional ally Recep Tayyip Erdogan, prime minister of Turkish prime minister to discuss the situation in Egypt, and the pair agreed their countries "would continue to consult closely as events unfold in Egypt."

Egypt minister sorry for 'harsh treatment'

WASHINGTON: Egypt's Finance Minister Samir Radwan apologized Friday for any instance of journalists or Egyptian protestors that have been subject to "harsh treatment" at the hands of government forces, in an interview with CNN. "I would apologize to any journalist or any foreigner or any egyptian for that matter that has been subjected to this harsh treatment," the newly appointed minister told CNN's "Piers Morgan Tonight." "I inquired and I was told that there is zero tolerance, zero tolerance of this government on attacks against foreigners, let alone journalists whom we need to have them on our side, to watch this situation unfold and convey a much better image to the outside world," he said. Radwan acknowledge the protestors that have mounted massive protests across Egypt in recent days had "fair demands." "They are talking about jobs. They are talking about corruption. They are talking about, you know, the freedom and so on... Now the fact that there are other political agenda that interfered with the situation and unfortunately on Wednesday the situation turned a bit nasty." Clashes left at least eight people dead and more than 800 hurt on Wednesday and Thursday. According to UN estimates, more than 300 people have been killed since the protests began. Egypt's defiant strongman Hosni Mubarak meanwhile Friday showed no sign of quitting following a "departure day" on Friday that drew tens of thousands opposed to his 30-year grip on power and international calls for him to quit. US President Barack Obama meanwhile hinted that Mubarak should step down saying the "patriot" should "listen what is voiced by the people," while EU leaders clearly said it was time for change.

Two Nato troops killed in Afghan blasts

 KABUL: NATO says two of its service members have been killed in separate bomb attacks in southern Afghanistan.

Details of the service members' identities and the exact location of Saturday's blasts were not immediately disclosed.

Five service members with the international coalition have been killed so far in February, and 36 since the start of the year. Last year was the deadliest of the nearly decade-long war for international troops, with more than 700 killed, compared to just more than 500 in 2009, previously the worst of the war.

Attempt to assassinate Egypt VP fails, 2 bodyguards killed

CAIRO: A failed assassination attempt on Egyptian VP Omar Suleiman — a possible successor to President Mubarak — has left two guards dead. Suleiman had been appointed as vice president by embattled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to control the unrest in the country. According to US TV, Suleiman was attacked in recent days.

Ten killed in China bus accident

BEIJING: Ten people were killed when a minibus toppled into a reservoir in southeastern China, state media reported Saturday, in the latest fatal crash on the country's notoriously dangerous roads.

The accident happened Friday afternoon near Shaowu city in Fujian province when the driver of the minibus carrying 21 people apparently swerved to avoid a motorbike, the official Xinhua news agency said, citing local authorities.

The bus rolled over and fell into the Qianling hydropower station reservoir, Xinhua said.

Nine people were rescued, while about 200 police and rescuers were searching for two people still missing.

China's roads are among the most dangerous in the world, with traffic laws widely flouted. Almost 70,000 people died in road accidents in 2009, or around 190 fatalities a day, according to police statistics.

Mubarak resigns as head of ruling party

 CAIRO: The leadership of Egypt's ruling National Democratic Party resigned on Saturday, including Gamal Mubarak, the son of President Hosni Mubarak whose rule has been shaken by days of protests, state television said.

Al Arabiya television said Mubarak had also resigned as head of the ruling party. This could not immediately be confirmed.

A party official could not confirm the television report but said that if Mubarak had resigned from the party it would not affect his position as president.

"These are two different positions," the official said.

In its report, state television named the new secretary-general as Hossam Badrawi, seen as a member of the liberal wing of the party.

"(The resignation) is very important politically because this party was exploiting the state for the interests of the party, and that has caused a lot of criticism," said analyst Diaa Rashwan, adding that it had fuelled anger over corruption.

Protesters who have rocked Egypt's political system have complained about corruption, poverty and political repression that left power in the hands of Mubarak and his allies.

"Practically, it is important because the people using violence were being mobilised by the party ... and now they have been stripped of this protection and they won't feel secure that they have a party behind them," Rashwan said.

The outgoing leaders include secretary general Safwat el-Sherif, 77, who has been powerful in the Egyptian establishment since the 1960s and is a pillar of the old guard. Sherif is also speaker of the upper house of parliament.

Without a place in the leadership, Gamal Mubarak would no longer qualify as the party's presidential candidate under the existing constitution.

President Mubarak himself bears the title of NDP president and state television did not say that had changed.

The outgoing leadership make up the five-man core committee in the party. The other members are Zakaria Azmi, Mubarak's chief of staff, NDP spokesman Ali el-Din Hilal and steel magnate Ahmed Ezz, who had already resigned a few days after the outbreak of the popular uprising against Mubarak.

The party was one of the main targets of the uprising and its headquarters near Tahrir Square was gutted by fire during the protests.

Bilal Fathi, 22, a member of the protest movement, said: "These are not gains for the protesters. This is a trick by the regime. This is not fulfilling our demands. These are red herrings."

The protesters' main demand is that President Mubarak leave office.

Envoy spoke about Mubarak as private citizen: official

MUNICH: A retired diplomat who carried a US message to Egypt's Hosni Mubarak last week and on Saturday said he should stay in office during a transition, was speaking as a private citizen, a US official said.

"Frank Wisner was speaking as a private citizen... analyst... not as a representative of the US government," the official told reporters on condition of anonymity.

The official said he did not actually hear Wisner's comments and declined to comment on them when reporters read them out loud, but stressed he was acting in a private capacity.

Wisner went to Cairo on Monday to carry a message from US President Barack Obama's administration to the Egyptian leader. He is now back in the United States.

US seeks support for Egypt's transition

MUNICH: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called Saturday for international support for an orderly transition to democracy in Egypt as she warned of forces that might try to derail it. Visiting Munich, Germany, Clinton also advocated support for open and accountable governments across the Middle East -- shaken by mass protests in Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan and Yemen -- despite the short-term risks of chaos and instability. And the chief US diplomat praised the restraint of Egyptian security forces in largely peaceful mass protests on Friday. A transition in Egypt "will become immeasurably harder if there is not restraint by government and security forces, and we thankfully saw that yesterday with the very large but peaceful demonstration," she said. Clinton, who was addressing the international Munich Security Conference, also worried about other threats to stability, referring to an attack by unknown saboteurs on an Egyptian gas pipeline supplying Jordan. The attack forced authorities to switch off the gas supply from a twin pipeline to Israel, an official told media. "There are forces at work in any society, and particularly one that is facing these kinds of challenges that will try to derail or overtake the process to pursue their own specific agenda," Clinton said. This, she said, is "why I think it is important to support the transition process announced by the Egyptian government actually headed by now-Vice President Omar Suleiman." Her remarks raised Suleiman's profile even though she said he was acting under Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's orders. Citing unnamed US and Egyptian officials, the New York Times reported on Saturday that Suleiman and senior Egyptian military leaders were exploring ways for Mubarak to make a graceful exit. Rather than go immediately, they said, Mubarak's powers would be scaled back, enabling the creation of a transitional government headed by Suleiman, the former intelligence chief, to negotiate reforms with the opposition. However, the picture became confused when Frank Wisner, who last Monday was sent by President Barack Obama with a message for Mubarak, said the Egyptian president should stay in office during the transition. "President Mubarak's continued leadership is critical," Wisner said. "It's his opportunity to write his own legacy. He has given 60 years of his life to the service of his country, this is an ideal moment for him to show the way forward." US officials, however, quickly distanced themselves from Wisner's remarks, saying he was speaking as a private citizen. On Friday, Obama said the proud "patriot" Mubarak should listen to his people and make the "right decision". He avoided an explicit request for the longtime US ally to step down immediately. Mubarak, 82, whose three decades as leader of the Arab world's most populous nation had gone unchallenged until now, has said he is "fed up" with his job, but prefers to stay in power until September elections while calm is restored. Clinton meanwhile appeared to ease the pressure on the Egyptian leadership when she said a number of "concrete steps" were needed before elections could take place in September. "That takes some time," she said, her comments less insistent than those she and other officials in the Obama administration had made in the past week, when they called for the transition to start "immediately". In a speech that recalled one she gave last month in Qatar calling for reform in Arab countries, Clinton said the "challenge is to help our (Middle East) partners take systematic steps to usher in a better future." Clinton, whose speech in Doha came just a day before Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia after mass popular protests, said the Middle East was being battered by a "perfect storm" of powerful trends. She spoke of too many young people seeking too few jobs in countries with depleting water and energy resources -- and expressing their frustrations on social-networking sites. "Across the region, there must be clear and real progress toward open, transparent, fair, and accountable systems." Nonetheless, "there are risks with the transition to democracy," Clinton added. "(The) transition can backslide into just another authoritarian regime," she said. "Revolutions have overthrown dictators in the name of democracy, only to see the political process hijacked by new autocrats who use violence, deception, and rigged elections to stay in power, or to advance an agenda of extremism."

Muslim Brotherhood in talks with Egypt authorities

CAIRO: Egypt's key opposition Muslim Brotherhood said Sunday it had launched talks with authorities "to see up to what point they are ready to accept the demands of the people."

An official from the brotherhood, which the government has accused of trying to profit from the sweeping protests posing the greatest threat to Mubarak's three-decade-old grip on power, said talks had taken place on Saturday morning between them and Egypt's new Vice President Omar Suleiman.

They were the first talks ever between the government its bete noire.

"Keeping in mind the interests of the nation and its institutions and concerned about preserving the country's independence ...we began talks to see up to what point they are ready to accept the demands of the people," the official told media, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The official also said the dialogue was aimed at eliminating "foreign or regional interference in our affairs," in an effort to distance the group from Iran, which has called for the installation of an Islamist regime in Egypt.

The brotherhood, which is officially banned but tolerated in Egypt, is the best-organised opposition movement drawing on a vast social aid network.

Senior members of Mubarak's National Democratic Party resigned on Saturday, but demonstrators staging a 12th day of anti-regime protests rejected the shuffle as a cosmetic move.

The resignations came after Mubarak huddled with his new government for the first time on, and an official said that the country's stock exchange would remain closed indefinitely as the stand-off continues.

Chinese vessel not hijacked: state media

 BEIJING: A Chinese-flagged commercial ship reportedly hijacked by Somali pirates was safe and being escorted by anti-piracy naval vessels, state press said on Sunday.

The ship had not been hijacked off the Yemeni coast, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the China Maritime Search and Rescue Centre.

A Chinese naval fleet working as part of an international anti-piracy force in waters off Yemen was "safely" escorting the ship, it said.

Yemen's interior ministry said Saturday that Somali pirates had hijacked the "Tien Hau" off Yemen's western port of Al-Hudaydah.

China's military attaché to Yemen, earlier quoted by Xinhua, had also confirmed the apparent hijacking.

Heavily armed pirates using speedboats operate in the Gulf of Aden where they prey on ships, often holding vessels for weeks before releasing them for large ransoms paid by governments or ship-owners.

Egypt protests enter 13th day

CAIRO: Senior members of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's ruling party resigned on Saturday, but demonstrators staging a 12th day of anti-regime protests rejected the shuffle as a cosmetic measure.

The resignations came after Mubarak huddled with his new government for the first time on, and an official said that the country's stock exchange would remain closed indefinitely as the stand-off continues.

State television said the executive committee of the ruling National Democratic Party had resigned en masse. Among those stepping down was Mubarak's son Gamal, once viewed as his heir apparent, state television reported.

Hossam Badrawi -- reputed to have good relations with opposition figures -- will take over as NDP secretary general and political bureau chief, it said.

US President Barack Obama's administration welcomed the reshuffle.

"We view this as a positive step toward the political change that will be necessary, and look forward to additional steps," a Washington official said.

But protesters rejected it as a meaningless gesture that showed the regime was in trouble.

"Some people say it is cleaning out but I believe these are cards they are throwing on the table to please the street, it's like a striptease show," said Mahmud Momen, a 46-year-old businessman.

Farid Ismail, a prominent member of the opposition Muslim Brotherhood, said the resignations were a sign of the regime's demise.

"The regime's pillars are crumbling. This means that the revolution of the youth has caused a large earthquake and many of the regime's symbols are falling -- it is trying to save itself," he declared.

The political turmoil in Cairo loomed large over international meetings in Munich, Germany, where Obama's special envoy Frank Wisner said Mubarak should stay in office during a democratic transition.

"The president must stay in office in order to steer those changes through," Wisner, who met Mubarak this week, told the Munich Security Conference via video link, describing the leader as an "old friend" of the United States.

"President Mubarak's continued leadership is critical," he said.

But officials in Washington quickly distanced themselves from Wisner's remarks, saying he spoke as a private citizen.

Also in Munich, for a meeting of the Middle East diplomatic Quartet, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned that the region faced a bumpy road on the transition to democracy.

And she praised the "restraint" shown by the Egyptian security forces during a mass demonstration on Friday.

At least 300 people are believed to have been killed and thousands injured since the protests began on January 25, according to the United Nations high commissioner for human rights.

With big crowds swelling anew in Tahrir Square, Mubarak met for the first time with the government he swore in five days earlier.

Present were his new prime minister Ahmed Shafiq, the ministers of petroleum, trade, finance and social solidarity, and the head of the central bank, state news agency reported.

Elsewhere in Egypt, a pipeline in northern Sinai sending gas to Jordan was attacked, officials said, prompting gas supplies to Israel to be halted also. It was unclear if the attack was linked to the anti-regime protests.

A blast followed by a fire was reported at a Coptic church in Rafah bordering the Gaza Strip, although a local official denied an explosion was the cause.

France said it had suspended sales of arms and riot police equipment to Egypt two weeks ago after the outbreak of the mass protests.

Despite a return to relative calm, Egypt's stock exchange will not reopen on Monday, as previously announced, state news agency reported. Banks, however, were due to resume business on Sunday.

Mubarak, 82, who has ruled the Arab world's most populous nation for 30 years, has said he is "fed up" and pledged he will not stand in September's election, but has said he will stay in power until then, while calm is restored.

But protesters -- inspired by the downfall of Tunisia's long-time president last month -- want him out immediately, and the European Union and the United States are stepping up pressure for a transition to begin.

The Muslim Brotherhood, which is refusing to negotiate with the government, has kept a low profile because it does not want the revolt to be seen as an Islamic revolution, a leader said in an interview to be published on Monday.

"It is an uprising of the Egyptian people," Rashad al-Bayoumi, a spokesman for the influential group, told the German weekly Der Spiegel.

George Ishaq of the opposition group Kefaya ("Enough" in Arabic), speaking on Arabic television channel, said his secular group was opposed both to a religious state in a post-Mubarak Egypt and to foreign intervention.

He denied any rift between the uprising's secular and Islamic members. "The opposition has demands which should be taken into account... The demands are united and we will hold on to them," he said.

Citing unnamed US and Egyptian officials, the New York Times reported that new vice president Omar Suleiman and senior Egyptian military leaders are exploring ways for Mubarak to make a graceful exit.

Rather than resign immediately, Mubarak's powers would be scaled back, enabling the creation of a transitional government headed by Suleiman, the former intelligence chief, to negotiate reforms with the opposition.

In Munich, Clinton warned that a transition in Egypt could "backslide into just another authoritarian regime."

"Revolutions have overthrown dictators in the name of democracy, only to see the political process hijacked by new autocrats who use violence, deception, and rigged elections to stay in power, or to advance an agenda of extremism."

But she told her Quartet partners "the status quo is simply not sustainable... Across the region, there must be clear and real progress toward open, transparent, fair, and accountable systems."

PPP CEC approves dissolution of Federal Cabinet

ISLAMABAD: PPP's Central Executive Committee (CEC) has approved the dissolution of federal cabinet, Geo News reported. According to the report, the CEC meeting, jointly chaired by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani at the Presidency, held on Friday to discuss the matter of Cabinet dissolution/reduction. The meeting okayed dissolution of federal cabinet.

PM to dissolve Federal Cabinet soon: Badar

ISLAMABAD: The Central Executive Committee of Pakistan People’s Party Friday reached a decision during its meeting to dissolve the Federal Cabinet.

This was announced by Senior PPP leader Jehangir Badar at a news briefing along with PPP Information Secretary Fauzia Wahab after the party’s CEC meeting here.

He said Co-Chairman PPP Asif Ali Zardari has authorized Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani to make the decision of dissolving the Federal Cabinet. The Prime Minister can dissolve the Cabinet by taking PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari into confidence, he added.

“Resignations have been submitted to the PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari who would use them as and when required,” Jehangir Badar said.

He said Federal Minister for Commerce Amin Fahim was the first to hand over his resignation to the Co-Chairman PPP Asif Ali Zardari.

Jehangir Badar said the CEC meeting was held with an agenda to discuss the challenges being faced by the country with particular reference to the economic condition and war against terrorism.

He said all the CEC members reposed confidence in the PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari and paid tribute to him for all the achievements made during the past three years of PPP-led government.

To a question, Jehangir Badar said that the decision to dissolve the Federal Cabinet was not made on the proposal of Pakistan Muslim League-N Chief Nawaz Sharif.

Earlier, the CEC meeting was held with Co-Chairman PPP and President Asif Ali Zardari in the chair here at President House.

The decision of dissolving the Federal Cabinet was made with a view to reducing the present size of the cabinet which comprises of an army of 60 ministers. The cabinet had, for its enormous size, been facing severe criticism from the cross sections of society.

Kashmir settlement imperative for peace: Fehmida

ISLAMABAD: Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Speaker National Assembly said that the peaceful settlement of Kashmir issue in accordance with the aspirations of Kashmiri people was imperative for the peace and development of the region.

"Pakistan would extend its unwavering moral, political and diplomatic support to the just struggle of the Kashmiri people for their unalienable right of self determination, as enshrined in the UN Charter and relevant UN resolutions", she said this in her message on the eve of Kashmir Solidarity Day being commemorated on February 5 (Saturday).

Madam Speaker said that this day serves as an opportunity to recognize the countless sacrifices of the brave people of Kashmir who have remained resolute and steadfast against the oppression, spreading more than six decades.

She said that Pakistan remains firmly committed to finding a just and peaceful solution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the People of Kashmir.

She assured the Kashmiri People, of Pakistan's continued moral, political and diplomatic support at all regional and international forums till realization of their objective.

She said that Kashmir issue was included for the first time in the agenda of extra-ordinary meeting of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Islamic Countries held in Abu Dhabi with efforts of Pakistan's Parliamentary delegation.

She said that it is an important diplomatic success and hope that it will give a new strength to struggle of right of self-determination of Kashmiri people.

She called upon the United Nations and International Community to playtheir due role in bringing and end to the repression, violence and human rights violations being committed against the people of Kashmir.
Dr. Fehmida Mirza called an end to the human rights violations in theoccupied Kashmir.

She also urged for association of Kashmiri people in the dialogue process so that the dispute comes to its peaceful settlement in accordance with due aspirations and wishes of Kashmiri people.

Mirza orders strict security during Rabi-ul-Awwal

KARACHI: Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza on Friday condemned the bomb blast at the shrine of Baba Haider Sain in Lahore and condoled with the bereaved families.

Mirza in the view of Lahore blast directed Inspector General of Sindh police to ensure foolproof security around major shrines of Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur regions, adding district and town police officers should remain in close coordination so as to avoid any untoward incident.

He directed police to chalk out a solid security plan for the shrines with help of Auqaf Department and install CCTV Cameras and walk-through gates at the sensitive places.
He directed police to ensure frisking of visitors of shrine with help of volunteers of the Auqaf Department.

Home Minister directed that to build boundary walls around the shrines, adding that the hawkers and the food stalls should be removed from the shrine courtyards. He directed police to brief private security guards deployed at shrines about the security plan. He asked for sharing of intelligence reports with other law enforcers.

Mirza directed IGP Sindh to alert the police on the eve of Rabiul Awal and ensure foolproof security around the mosques, Imambarghas and other public places. He directed to provide security to the gatherings and procession, being organized on the eve of Rabiul Awwal.

PM takes Asfandyar into confidence over cabinet reduction

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has started contacts with the coalition partner after the approval of dissolution of Federal Cabinet by PPP’s Central Executive Committee, Geo News reported.

Prime Minister telephoned ANP Chief Asfandyar Wali and head of parliamentary group of FATA to take both the leaders into confidence over all decisions including new Federal Cabinet.

Sources told Geo News that PM Gilani made first telephone call to Asfandyar. ANP Chief will reply to PM after holding consultations with his party members.

Gilani also contacted with the parliamentary head of FATA via telephone and took him into confidence about the decision taken by PPP’s CEC.

Munawar demands Fazl to quit Kashmir Committee

ISLAMABAD: Jamat e Islami (JI) Ameer Syed Munawar Hassan Friday said that Kashmir committee tried to sabotage the Kashmir cause and demanded the committee’s chairman Maulana Fazlur Rehman to resign.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of Al Khidmat Foundation’s office in Islamabad, JI Ameer said that whole nation will express solidarity with the Kashmiris on February 5.

He said US court sentenced Dr Aafia Siddiqui to 86 years of imprisonment, adding that Davis Raymond should be sentenced to 172 years on the charges of killing two Pakistanis.

President Zardari calls Nawaz Sharif

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari Friday night telephoned PML-N Quaid Mian Mohammed Nawaz Sharif.

Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar said that current political situation was discussed during the telephonic conversation between the two leaders.

PM, President rings Fazal; try wooing to rejoin cabinet

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani late Friday telephoned chief JUI-F Maulana Fazlur Rehamn, inviting the latter to rejoin federal cabinet, Geo News reported.

As per sources, while trying to woo JUI-F chief Fazal, the duo said during the telephonic conversation, that the new cabinet was going to be formed under new mandate, insisting that inclusion of JUI-F in federal cabinet would help government run matters of national interests.

However, according to sources, the spokesman to JUI-F, Mufti Abrar told Geo News that Fazalur Rehamn declined the invitation to rejoin cabinet.

Also, he said that Fazal told them that his party had decided not to rejoin PPP-led federal government, adding that formation of new cabinet was PPP’s internal affair.

Kashmir Solidarity Day today

MIRPUR: Arrangements have been finalised to observe the Kashmir Solidarity Day throughout Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, besides rest of the world on Saturday (today) to show solidarity with the Kashmiri people, Geo News reported.

Observing of this day means renewal of the pledge to provide all-out moral, political and diplomatic support to their legitimate right to self-determination being denied by India for the last 63 years by keeping Held Kashmir under unlawful and forcible occupation.

In AJK, all necessary arrangements have been finalised to observe the day with traditional zeal and fervour, and with the renewal of the Kashmiris’ firm resolve to continue their struggle for liberation of their motherland from the Indian yoke in order to reach their ultimate destination - Pakistan, through the accession of entire J&K state to this country under the spirit of the historic July 19, 1947 resolution, unanimously passed in the meeting of All Jammu Kashmir Muslim Conference in Srinagar.

It would be a public holiday today throughout the country and in Azad Kashmir to show solidarity with the Kashmiris living under the subjugation of India.

Kashmiris too observe the solidarity day every year not only to renew their deep-rooted love and affection for Pakistan but also to reiterate their commitment to get their freedom from the Indian occupation.

It may be mentioned here that the day is observed every year in continuation of the first call given by then prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in 1975.

The day will dawn with special prayers for the martyrs of Kashmir, success of the freedom struggle and expression of solidarity with the Kashmiri people.

Rallies mark Kashmir Solidarity Day

MULTAN: Kashmir Solidarity Day was observed across the country with the pledge to continue moral, diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiris in their fight to win right to self-determination.

Different political parties took out rallies to mark the event wherein large number of people participated.

The main rally was taken out by Jamat-i-Islami, led by JI leader Asad Ullah Bhutto. The rally started from Hussain Agahi chowk and it culminated at Clock Tower Chowk. The demonstrators were carrying banners, placards inscribed with slogans in support of Kashmiris.

The rally was also joined by students from Jamiat Tulba-e-Islam under leadership of Tayyab Majeed and Hafiz Hafeez ur Rehman. "Shabab Milly" workers led by Sheer Babar Khan also participated in the rally.

In Sialkot, the people participated in All Parties Kashmir rally which began from Sialkot cityIs congested Allama Iqbal Chowk and would end at District Courts after passing through from all the main roads and bazaars.

The participants were holding agitational banners and placards and they chanted anti-India slogans. Several local Kashmiri leaders, local candidates of various mainstream
political parties, senior journalists and the members of Sialkot District Bar Association (DBA) participated in this rally.

In Attock, a rally was organized by Jammat-e-Islami activists led by party's Deputy Secretary Punjab Maulana Abdul Jalil Naqshbandi and District Ameer Iqbal Khan.

Pakistan Muslim League (N) also staged demonstration protest in support of Kashmiris. The demonstration was led by Sheikh Athar Mumtaz, Shahid Mukhtar and Babu Nafees and joined by scores of PML-N stalwarts.

PML-N Women Wing led by Sultana Shaheen also took out rally to mark the day. The rally started from Chungi No 8 and ended at Chungi 9.

Jamat Ulma Islam (F) also staged demonstration at Hazoori Bagh. The protest demonstration was led by Syed Khursheed Gardezi. The protestors were carrying banners and placards. They stressed upon to speed up political, moral and diplomatic support for the people of occupied Kashmir.

Aamir tol consult lawyer to appeal against ban

DOHA: One of the Pakistani cricketing trio, Mohammed Aamir, who has been charged with spot-fixing and faced ban for five years from international cricket by ICC anti-corruption tribunal, stated after the decision rocked the cricket world that he would consult his counselor first before making mind to appeal against ban, Geo News reported late Saturday.

He said he was disappointed at ICC’s tribunal’s decision, adding that he had not even thought of such an unsympathetic punishment.

It is pertinent to mention here that ICC’s anti-corruption tribunal, which heard spot-fixing case against temporary suspended Pakistani trio, Mohammed Asif, Salman Butt and Mohammed Aamir, pronounced ruling against suspects on Saturday.

The tribunal banned Salman Butt, Mohammed Asif and Mohammed Aamir for ten, seven and five years from international cricket respectively.