Barack Obama issues orders for Afghan troops build-up

US President Barack Obama has issued new orders for the US military in Afghanistan after deciding how many more troops to send, officials say.

Mr Obama told senior military leaders about his long-awaited decision on troop numbers on Sunday night, a White House spokesman said.

The president is now briefing the UK, French and Russian leaders on the plan.

The moves come as British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he would send 500 more soldiers to the country.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Mr Obama held an unannounced meeting on Sunday night with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Associated Press reported.

He then spoke to senior staff including Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and National Security Adviser James Jones before holding a videophone conference with the head of the US operation in Afghanistan, Gen Stanley McChrystal and Karl Eikenberry, ambassador to Afghanistan.

Australia Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who is currently visiting Washington DC, was told of the plans in person.

'Duty'

Mr Obama's plans for Afghanistan - which are expected to involve sending tens of thousands extra troops - are due to be formally announced on Tuesday.

Mr Gibbs said Mr Brown, Mr Rudd, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev were not told exactly how many extra troops the US intends to despatch, the Associated Press reported.

The US currently has about 68,000 troops in Afghanistan, which contribute to total foreign forces of more than 100,000.

Last week, Mr Obama said he intended to "finish the job" in Afghanistan.

He has been considering a request from Gen McChrystal for 40,000 more US troops and ccording to US media reports, he may announce a further 30,000 troops are to be sent.

On Monday, Mr Brown said he was sending a further 500 soldiers to Afghanistan, taking the country's total deployment in the country to 10,000.

"We should failing in our duty if we didn't work with our allies to deal with the problem where it starts," Mr Brown told parliament.LINK

Switzerland votes to ban minarets

Switzerland voted to ban the construction of new minarets on Sunday, a surprise result certain to embarrass the neutral government and which the justice minister said could affect Swiss exports and tourism.

The Swiss news agency ATS and other media said about 57.5 per cent of voters and all but four of the 26 cantons approved the proposal in the nationwide referendum, which was backed by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP).

The government and parliament had rejected the initiative as violating the Swiss constitution, freedom of religion and the country’s cherished tradition of tolerance. The government had said a ban could “serve the interests of extremist circles“.

The government said it would respect the people’s decision and construction of new minarets would no longer be permitted.

“Muslims in Switzerland are able to practise their religion alone or in community with others and live according to their beliefs just as before,” it said in a statement.

Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf said the outcome of the vote reflected a fear of Islamic fundamentalism, but the ban was “not a feasible means of countering extremist tendencies“.

“I am assuming our trade relations with other countries will become more difficult,” she told a news conference in Berne.

“We’ll see the consequences in the export sector and possibly in the area of tourism. In recent years we’ve seen particular growth (in tourism) from Gulf states, it helped us a lot, and how that develops we’ll have to see,” she added.

The Alpine country of nearly 7 million is home to more than 300,000 Muslims, mainly from Bosnia, Kosovo and Turkey.

A group of politicians from the SVP, the country’s biggest party, and the conservative Federal Democratic Union gathered enough signatures to force the referendum on the initiative.

Its campaign poster showed the Swiss flag covered in missile-like minarets and the portrait of a woman covered with a black chador and veil associated with strict Islam.

Four mosques of Switzerland’s estimated 130 to 160 Muslim cultural and prayer centres, have minarets. The call to prayer is banned in the country.

Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey said she was “shocked“ and “deeply regretted” the outcome which had to be seen in the context of globalisation and economic crises.

“Fears and anxieties were played on,” she told reporters.

Swiss ambassadors in Muslim countries would work to explain that the vote was a result of Switzerland’s democracy and its foreign policy of promoting dialogue would not change, she said.

Muslim community groups in Switzerland voiced dismay.

“The most painful thing for us is not the ban on minarets but the symbol sent by this vote. Muslims do not feel accepted as a religious community“, said Farhad Afshar, president of the Coordination of Islamic Organisations in Switzerland.

Walter Wobmann, president of the initiative committee, voiced glee in a victory speech near Berne. “We’re enormously happy. It is a victory for this people, this Switzerland, this freedom and those who want a democratic society.”

Earlier, he told Reuters: “We just want to stop further Islamisation in Switzerland, I mean political Islam. People may practice their religion, that is no problem.”

The result is likely to strengthen the hand of the SVP, which has been accused of racism for its anti-immigration campaigns, including a poster showing white sheep kicking a black sheep off a Swiss flag.LINK

World powers threaten new sanctions against Iran

PARIS — World powers threatened new sanctions against Iran on Monday after Tehran defiantly pledged to build 10 more uranium enrichment plants, but Russia warned against further escalating the dispute.

Iran's weekend vow to build the plants sparked strong reactions from the United States, Germany, Britain and France -- four of the six world powers negotiating with Tehran over its nuclear programme.

But China had yet to respond to Iran's announcement, while Russia's energy minister said Moscow was against escalating Iran's nuclear row. Backing from China and Russia, close trade partners with Iran, would be key to imposing new penalties.

France was harsh in its criticism, with Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner branding Iran's threat "ridiculous" and "childish".

Defence Minister Herve Morin said Tehran's defiance meant the international community "would probably have to impose new economic sanctions."

"The uranium enrichment programmes have no other goal than a military goal," he said, citing what he said was evidence "from the intelligence services of several countries, notably France."

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said Iran would face new sanctions if it builds the plants.

"What is clear is that if Iran rejects the hand that has reached out, it must expect heavier sanctions," Westerwelle said in a statement.

"Iran must know that the international community's patience is not unlimited."

Britain could begin mulling new sanctions next month, Prime Minister Gordon Brown's spokesman said, while also stressing the importance of talks.

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said that "instead of engaging with us, Iran chooses to provoke".

"Iran can flaunt its isolation but this will only increase the calm, determination and unity of the international community," Miliband said.

Iran's announcement on Sunday that it planned to construct the new plants came after a resolution passed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) last week condemning Tehran for building a second uranium enrichment site.

Russia and China had backed the IAEA resolution on the plant near the Shiite holy city of Qom.

Western countries suspect Iran's nuclear programme is aimed at building atomic weapons, a charge that Tehran has consistently denied.

The UN Security Council has already imposed three sets of sanctions on Iran for enriching uranium at its first plant in the central city of Natanz.

But Western powers, led by the United States, are seeking to both engage Iran and hold out the threat of new sanctions.

They want Tehran to agree to an IAEA-brokered deal which envisages sending its stocks of low-enriched uranium abroad in one go.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said in a statement after Iran's announcement that time was running out for Tehran.

"If true, this would be yet another serious violation of Iran's clear obligations under multiple UN Security Council resolutions, and another example of Iran choosing to isolate itself," Gibbs said in a statement.

"Time is running out for Iran to address the international community's growing concerns about its nuclear programme."

Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko, who was visiting Iran on Monday, said Moscow wanted to see more talks.

"I think there is still good scope to continue negotiations," Shmatko told a joint media conference with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki.LINK

Australian PM arrives at White House for talks

WASHINGTON — Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd arrived at the White House on Monday for talks with US President Barack Obama expected to focus on Afghanistan and climate change.

White House officials said Obama would brief Rudd on the new US strategy for Afghanistan that he is due to announce publicly in a prime-time address on Tuesday from the prestigious West Point military academy in New York state.

Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters the president had ordered the new strategy implemented on Sunday and began informing the leaders of several countries, including France, Russia and Britain, of his plan.

Australia has about 1,550 troops in Afghanistan, making it the ninth biggest contributor of forces to the conflict there.

Rudd has ruled out sending additional Australian forces to Afghanistan, but during a recent visit to the country gave assurances his troops were in for the long haul.

Obama is expected to announce Tuesday that the United States will add around 30,000 more US soldiers to the 68,000-strong US contingent in Afghanistan.

The US and Australian leaders are also expected to discuss climate change ahead of key United Nations climate talks that begin in Copenhagen next month.

Rudd arrives at the White House fresh from a Commonwealth summit in Trinidad where he helped draw up a landmark declaration backing the development at the Copenhagen talks of a legally binding pact to lower emissions.LINK

I run the country, not Zardari: PM Gilani

BERLIN: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani told a German press agency that he runs the government and not President Asif Ali Zadari, DawnNews reported.

Gilani said in the interview during his visit to Germany that he was the chief executive and in a parliamentary system of government the chief executive was the head of the government.

Zardari, he said was the head of the state, and that it was a ‘childish question who runs the government.’ However he downplayed suggestions of differences between him and Zardari on the issue.

In a symbolic move, an embattled President Zardari amended a key law last week to relinquish the executive control over the country’s nuclear weapons to the prime minister.

Gilani said Sunday that the transfer of the powers was ‘a true litmus test’ of relations between him and the president, whose popularity has sunk significantly since he took over in September 2008.

Applauding the move, Shahbaz Sharif, the chief minister of the country’s largest province and an opposition leader, asked the president to shed the rest of the powers before it’s too late. ‘The nation would appreciate this act,’ Sharif told reporters Sunday.

Analysts have argued that Zardari’s reluctance to take the ceremonial role is leaving the country with a ‘lack of unity of command’ that is essential, especially at a time when the country is in the midst of a crucial fight against Taliban.

Gilani dispelled the impression that the Pakistan was ‘leaderless.’

‘It’s just a perception, not reality,’ Gilani told dpa. ‘There is difference of opinion ... but that does not mean that the government is not stable.’

He said the recent ‘successful’ military offensives against the Taliban in north-western districts of Swat and South Waziristan showed that Pakistan did not ‘lack unity of command.LINK

Seventeenth Amendment to be repealed soon: Babar

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Babar Awan on Monday said that the constitutional package was in the pipeline and the 17th Constitutional Amendment would soon be repealed.

The minister affirmed that his party (PPP) believed in democracy with a mission to restore the 1973 Constitution in its letter and spirit.

He urged the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to demonstrate flexibility over the repeal of the 17th Constitutional Amendment and changing NWFP’s name to Pakhtunkhwa.

‘PML-N must show flexibility and agree on the issue if it really believes in restoring complete democracy,’ Babar Awan said.—APP LINK

Ten suspected militants killed in Kurram Agency

Security forces target militants in South Waziristan during a military operation. – Reuters (File Photo)

PESHAWAR: At least ten suspected militants have been reportedly killed and several injured as security forces targeted militant hideouts in Kurram Agency. Meanwhile, ten suspects have also been arrested from Swat and Waziristan.

According to official sources, security forces have destroyed five vehicles of militants including one belonging to an important commander.

Sources said that strict searches are being conducted at checkpoints and various pickets have been established in the agency.

Moreover, an ISPR press release says nine suspects have been arrested during the latest round of operation Rah-e-Rast from near Pallai, while another suspect has been arrested from South Waziristan.LINK

Kapoor’s statement on limited nuke war irresponsible: Gilani

Prime Minister Syed Raza Gilani on Monday termed the statement of Indian Army chief about limited nuclear war as irresponsible and urged restoration of composite dialogue process to resolve the key Kashmir issue. Gilani departed for a four-day visit to Germany and Britain where he would meet leadership of the two countries and will exchange views on bilateral ties besides global and regional issues. Talking to newsmen, the PM said Germany was a key economic partner of Pakistan and his visit would help boost the ties between the two countries. The premier said the Indian Army chief’s Gneral Deepak Kapoor’s statement relating to the limited nuclear in the region was “irresponsible.”LINK

Obama seeks new partnership with Pakistan

WASHINGTON — The Washington Post reports that the White House is seeking to bring Pakistan into a new strategic partnership that would increase trade and military cooperation between the two nations.

The newspapers said Monday that President Barack Obama's offer was in a two-page letter this month to Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari. The letter, delivered by national security adviser James Jones, included a blunt warning that the U.S. would not tolerate support within Pakistan's military and intelligence operations of insurgents fighting in Afghanistan.

The letter, the Post said, also assured the Pakistanis that the U.S. would increase its efforts in Afghanistan and plans no early pullout.

The Post says Pakistan has been the subject of a long strategy review that concluded that a failure in Pakistan, which has nuclear weapons, would be far worse than in Afghanistan.LINK

‘If I am working well or that if my leadership is not satisfied with my performance, the Prime Minister has the right to take decision on me,’ stated Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik. – Photo by AP.

LONDON: Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik has refuted rumours of his departure in a possible Cabinet reshuffle expected in the coming weeks.

Responding to a question on a possible change of his portfolio or his outright exit in the wake of the announcement that a Cabinet reshuffle is to take place, he told a news conference at his Central London residence last evening, he said he was answerable to his leadership.

‘If I am working well or that if my leadership is not satisfied with my performance, the Prime Minister has the right to take decision on me. However, as far as I know and understanding given to me there is no such truth in these rumours,’ he said.

Answering another question on NRO, the Minister said the matter is before the Supreme Court and nobody has the right to impose its views on an issue which is a subjudice matter.

Malik said under section 264, a closed case cannot be reopened.

He also spoke of his meeting with the MQM leader Altaf Hussain and said he delivered messages of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to him.

The Minister said in democracy differences of opinion do exist.

He said MQM differed with PPP on the issue of NRO but this did not mean that either party will abandon each other. ‘We are very much allies in Sindh and at the Federal level.’

Malik said during the course of their meeting, it was agreed to solve all issues with mutual understanding. The meeting also decided to ensure mutual consultation between higher leadership of both the political parties for avoiding possible differences in future.LINK

New Zealand surrender dominance to Asif, Aamer

DUNEDIN - New Zealand surrendered a rare position of dominance as costly misjudgments and a batting collapse provided Pakistan with the chance to claim the first cricket test at University Oval here tomorrow.
Despite conceding a 97-run first innings lead, Pakistan had regained the initiative at the close of play on a day notable for Peter Fulton's reluctance to employ the new umpire decision review system - and some questionable decisions by West Indian umpire Billy Doctrove.
Shane Bond's five-wicket haul - his fifth in tests - early on day four was almost relegated to an after thought given the 34-year-old will likely need to repeat the feat if his test comeback is to have a happy ending .
New Zealand were 147 for eight, an overall lead of 244, when bad light stopped play.
Fast bowler Chris Martin admitted another batting wobble was disappointing but felt a target of 250 might be defendable.
"With the lead we had and the runs we've got now, the game is poised and it's definitely there for us to take," he said.
"Anything over 250 on a wearing wicket with variable bounce is going to be a big ask for them, especially if we do everything in a disciplined manner."
Grant Elliott restarts on 20 - the first double figure score of his four-test career - with Iain O'Brien alongside on four.
Not even Daniel Vettori could play saviour this time - the captain's loose flick at a ball while on eight runs after being dropped in the slips encapsulating New Zealand's batting frailties.
New Zealand quickly set about negating their advantage as teenage tormentor Mohammad Aamer removed Martin Guptill and Daniel Flynn without a run on the board.
Guptill was beaten by a delivery that bent back middle stump though, in the opener's defence, a blow to his right eye during warm-ups affected his vision.LINK

PCB chief points out financial irregularities in the past

LAHORE - PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt has pointed out massive financial irregularities in the past and the PCB would do all possible efforts to make the game worthwhile at domestic as well as at international level.
In a statement here Friday, he thanked to the honorable members of sub-committee of National Assembly sports committee after their two-day meeting here at the National Cricket Academy on Nov 25-26.
He reemphasised his resolve to continue to make every possible effort for the improvement of the game in the country and to make a strong impact internationally.
In his follow up statement, Butt said that there had been massive financial irregularities in the past and those were brought to the notice of honorable members of the committee. "It was the remarkable openness of the current PCB management that has made all these facts come out in the public domain.
"Whether it was the public accounts committee of the National Assembly or the Standing Committee on sports, the current PCB management has been cooperative at every step and has provided all the details of how the board was made to suffer because of the arbitrary and unaccounted actions of former managements. It was the current management that pushed forward with the auditing of accounts and their subsequent release," he said.
"Expenditure on the 2008-2009 budgets, which was approved under former administration, was cut to half of the approved amount, saving over a billion rupees. The budget on 2009-2010 also stands on less than half of the amount of approved budget of the last year. It was done by carrying out a comprehensive cost cutting in all financial matters by cutting expenditures, streamlining staffing, and adopting a policy of austerity in all matters of the board during his term," he said.
It is pertinent to mention here that this is in direct contrast with the previous PCB managements from 2003-2008 when the expenditure of the board increased manifold in every subsequent year. The previous PCB managements from 2003-2008 increased the financial burdens by paying hefty salaries and perks to the management, investing in suspicious projects and throwing the money around without any proper procedure and accountability mechanism. LINK

Asif rips through Black Caps

Mohammad Asif has had a tumultuous time in the last two years both on and off the field but one feels he has returned stronger from the experience. The controversy-hit paceman, making his Test comeback following a two-year absence, was the star performer for Pakistan on day four of the first Test against New Zealand at Dunedin. Asif first added 10 runs with the bat early in the day as Pakistan reduced the first innings deficit to double figures. When Pakistan were all out for 332 in their first innings with a deficit of 97 runs they needed their bowlers to take early wickets and peg back the New Zealanders. Mohammad Asif combined excellently with Mohammad Aamer to do the job for Pakistan. Aamer took the first two wickets after which Asif got into the act. The lanky paceman continued with his impressive first innings display where he took 4-108 and seamed the ball to near perfection. On day four Asif was even more accurate and on the money than in the first innings. He seamed the ball both ways at will and made the life difficult for the New Zealand batsmen.
Asif's first dismissal of the day was opener Tim McIntosh who had batted resolutely by then. Asif trapped him leg before for 31. Soon after he squared up Kiwi dangerman Brendon McCullum for a duck as Kamran Akmal took the catch behind the stumps. Asif then removed New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori caught on the leg side as Pakistan's position was consolidated further with Kiwis at 123-7. Asif took one final wicket for the day when he clean bowled Shane Bond.
Asif ended the day with fine figures of 4-41 off 17.5 overs. Undoubtedly it was Mohammad Asif's spell on day four which has brought Pakistan right back into the game. Now on day five Asif will have a chance of completing his five wicket haul and if he takes both the remaining wickets than a well deserved ten wicket match haul is also possible. Its really heartening to see Asif comeback so well after what he has gone through and one hopes that Pakistan make full use of his efforts on day four and win the game on the final day. LINK

Navy maintain place at the top

LAHORE - Mian Chunnu-born international midfielder and current Navy's skipper Nomi Martin Gill played pivotal part as the seamen still got hold of supremacy in the Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL).
The 58 matches of the PFF's blue riband event out of the total 182 matches were played prior to Ramzan ul Mubarak, 104 matches in between Eids, two religious festivals celebrated by Muslims. Twenty matches will be held after Eid ul Adha. In all, sixteen venues of eight cities are hosting the matches of top soccer show of Pakistan.
After completion of 162 matches, that saw 412 goals and eighth hat-tricks, Navy registered 54 points from 25 matches while other close-rivals KRL, Pakistan WAPDA and Pakistan Army, all three having four matches in hand, are from second to fourth respectively berth with 50, 48 and 47 points
"Having won the National Football Challenge Cup (NFCC) last year at Karachi, we are still looking for first national title. We were losing finalist in 46th National Championship at Lahore in 1999 while stood at 6th, 9th, 7th, 7th and fifth respectively in five PPFL from 2004-2008," said Khalid Zubair Shaukat who adopted fine game plan, efficiency as coach of the Navy team.
Khalid praised Nomi Martin for his sparkling hat-trick in the competition and said that team work and staminaful display allowed Navy to grip top slot at the moment. WAPDA's Arif Mehmood was the first to achieve three-goal feat on 26 July against at PMC Athletico Club Faisalabad, followed by two more against PIA and Pakistan Navy.
Navy's Nomi Martin Gill hit thrice against KESC at Islamabad's Naval Complex on August 7 while two PIA's players reached the honor of getting the feat are: Shakir Lashari v Nushki's Baloch FC and Zeeshan Ali vs Afghan FC. Infact, Nushki conceded three hat-tricks. HBL's Bilal Ahmed and KESC's Aurangzeb were others to smash past Nushki's defence with 3-goal spree. LINK

Cowie quits as ICC manager for umpires, match-referees

MUMBAI- Doug Cowie, the former Kiwi umpire quits as ICC's manager for umpires and referees, it is reliably learnt here. According to the Dubai-based sources, Cowie (who turns 64 on December 2) has already submitted his resignation citing "domestic reasons".
He officiated at New Zealand first-class level for over two decades, before a 10 years spell in international cricket which saw him officiate in 22 Tests and 71 ODIs. He officiated in the 1999 World Cup in England.
"The satisfaction gained from the challenges of umpiring no longer outweigh the sacrifices necessary to perform on the field,", he had said at the time of his retirement in 2005, before joining the ICC.
Now currently overseeing the Umpires Decision Review System (UDRS) in Dunedin Test match between New Zealand and Pakistan, he refused to comment and reveal his retirement and post-retirement plan.
Doug Cowie, during his tenure as an ICC manager for umpires and referees, was first to acknowledge controversial umpire Darrell Hair's one-of, non-negotiable offer of resigning for the payment of US dollars 500,000. "Your offer may have merit and is acknowledged and under discussions with ICC management. Your timeframes seemed impractical at first glance even if agreement were achieved on the suggestion", his mail-reply to Hair got leaked.
Australia's Brent Silva is likely to be appointed as Cowie's replacement. Though not umpire, he had worked with Cricket Australia (CA) in this capacity a few years ago, it is understood.

PPP nominates Mehdi Shah for CM of Gilgit-Baltistan

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Peoples Party has nominated Syed Mehdi Shah for Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Secretary Information of the PPP Fauzia Wahab held a news conference in Islamabad along with Syed Mehdi Shah.

She said Mehdi Shah has served the PPP well for 35 years and co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has nominated him to be leader of the House in the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly.

Syed Mehdi Shah said the PPP has the required majority to form government on it's own, and the party is not considering the option of a coalition government.

NFC to hold next meeting in Lahore: Tarin

KARACHI: The National Finance Commission on Thursday arrived a decision in principle to base the NFC award on a multiple criteria which would include revenue, backwardness, population and inwards population density besides contribution from the provinces and federation to create a fund to compensate NWFP for losses of war against terror.

The Commission had a marathon session on Thursday held under the chairmanship of Federal Finance Minister Senator Shaukat Tarin and ended with the decision to hold the next meeting in Lahore on December 9 and 10.

The Chief Ministers of the four provinces also participated this important meeting.

Later, Shaukat Tarin told press briefing that in the Lahore meeting the NFC will calculate the weightages of various factors suggested by the provinces and said even in terms of percentages, the provinces would get more.

'There is good progress made on horizontal distribution and we would complete the work on vertical distribution also in Lahore meeting'.

Shaukat Tarin, who was flanked by Punjab Finance Minister Tanveer Kaira, Balochistan Finance Minister Dr Asim Kurd, Senator Adil representing NWFP as technical expert, Dr. Kaiser Bengali (Sindh), said the participants discussed in detail the horizontal distribution of divisible pool and in case of any loss the same would be compensated under vertical distribution formula.

Tarin said positions of the provinces on horizontal distribution are very strong which need more work and refining.

He said there was consensus between the provinces and the Federation that NWFP be compensated for the losses in war against terror and it was decided that a fund would be created before horizontal distribution of the resources.

Hence, Federal Government would contribute more in the fund by cutting its expenses, he added.

Referrring to revenue based distribution criteria, Shaukat Tarin informed that two grounds i.e. revenue collection and revenue generation came up for discussion and both the positions were very valid.

'We would collect data in this regard to reach a practical formula', he stated.

He said in the Lahore meeting the horizontal distribution will be finalised which was left open for adjustment, if needed.

The Federal Finance Minister said the Federation would be trying to cut its expenses and divert more resources to the provinces.

It would also increase its revenue including enhanced tax-GDP ratio, set at 13.9 per centage, within next 6 years. This year the target is 10.6 per cent, he added.

'We would have to enlarge the ‘cake’ for big share from divisible pool to all stakeholders,' he remarked adding that for this purpose 'we have to adopt various techiques and stratagies'.

Replying a question Shaukat Tareen explained that as far as VAT or GST was concerned, only one of them would be levied at one time with provincial tax going to provinces and Federation’s tax to federation.

In Conclusion the Finance Minister had all praise for the Provinces for showing flexibility and particularly the Punjab which showed magnanimity. 'All the provinces made compromises on many things,' he said......LINK

Pakistan take lead in warm-up tie

QUEENSTOWN: Pakistan batsmen didn’t have the most satisfying of warm-ups on the second day against the New Zealand Invitation XI here on Thursday, with only two scoring half-centuries, but did well enough to secure a first-innings lead of 52.

Imran Farhat and Fawad Alam made good use of the opportunity but the rest were guilty of not converting their starts.

The Pakistanis began the day well when Fawad and Imran, resuming overnight, added 97 for the second wicket.

It was the day’s lone half-century partnership and was broken by seamer Brent Arnel in the 34th over when he had Imran caught by Craig Cumming for 52.

Salman Butt, batting in the middle order, skipper Mohammad Yousuf, Umar Akmal and Faisal Iqbal didn’t stick around long enough to get batting practice. Fawad, though, went on to score 77 — including ten fours — before becoming the fifth man out with the score on 190.

Pakistan were in danger of being bowled out for less than Invitation XI’s 234, but the lower order, led by Sarfraz Ahmed, ensured a lead.

The seamers — Iain O’Brien, Tim Southee and Daryl Tuffey — and leg-spinner Tarun Nethula all took two wickets apiece.

Abdur Rauf then struck early with the wicket of Cumming as the hosts ended at 24 for one. If the seamers dominate again on the final day, there could be a result in this match.....LINK

Health Care Reforms! : Immigrants have a huge stake in reform

NEW YORK: PR - The New York Immigration Coalition and New York Community Media Alliance jointly organized a press briefing on health care reform for the members of the ethnic and community media at NYIC's office on Tuesday, November 17.
Attended by about 50 journalists representing different community media publications and television and radio channels, the press briefing was addressed by NYIC Executive Director Chung-Wha Hong, Mark Hannay, Director, Metro New York Health Care for All Campaign; Jenny Rejeske, Health Advocacy Coordinator, NY Immigration Coalition; Ayaz Ahmad, Director South Asian Council for Social Services; Lana Khrapunskaya, Intake Coordinator and Case Worker, Shorefront YM-YWHA of Brighton-Manhattan Beach; Noilyn Abesamis-Mendoza, Manager of Health Policy, Coalition for Asian-American Children and Families and Theo Oshiro, Director of Health Advocacy, Make the Road NY.

In her remarks, Chung-Wha Hong highlighted some of the concerns of the immigrant communities about the health care reform. She called for making immigrants part of the solution when fixing the country's broken health delivery system. She said legal immigrants who paid the same amount of taxes as the US citizens should have equal access to health insurance programs, referring to the present five-year wait imposed on documented immigrants before getting access to Medicaid. She also opposed denial of health insurance to undocumented immigrants.

Jenny Rejeske, Health Advocacy Coordinator, NY Immigration Coalition addressing the press briefing which was attended by about 50 journalists representing different ethnic and community publications, television and radio channels. – Photo by Norman Eng

The speakers gave details of Affordable Health Care for America Act, HR3962, the health care reform bill passed by the House of Representatives on November 7, and on the potential effects on Americans, particularly immigrants. Some highlighted the adverse impact of five-year bar on permanent residents to get Medicaid, saying it denies critical health coverage to 358,000 people across the nation. It may be pointed out that the House bill does not restore federal Medicaid eligibility for the recently arrived, lawful permanent residents.

All the speakers are strong supporters of the health care reform initiative and demand that all legal US residents should be treated equally and afforded equal access to the health care system. They advocated for the education of the communities on the critical issues in the health care reform debate and pressed the need to get their concerns addressed in the proposed legislation. They pointed out that immigrants have a huge stake in health care reform and that the communities need to play a more active role to get their needs met. ......LINK

Obesity epidemic negating efforts to cut heart disease risks

Washington, Nov 19 (IANS) A swelling tide of obesity over the past two decades has set back efforts to cut down the risks of heart disease.

Kami Banks, cardiology research fellow at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre-Dallas (UTSMC-D), is calling on the medical community to put more emphasis on prevention to reverse the obesity trend.

“Lifestyle changes and physical activity are the key,” she said. “As physicians we need to prescribe prevention — writing exercise prescriptions and healthy dietary prescriptions just like we prescribe medication.

“Despite focused public health efforts, there is no net improvement in the overall cardiovascular risk factor profile over the past two decades in the US population,” said Banks.

Researchers led by Banks analysed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1988 to 2006, representing 8,264 adult men and women between the years 20 and 85.

All had complete risk factor profiles of their blood pressure (BP), fasting glucose, low density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad” cholesterol) and smoking status.

Researchers found that during this time period, the average body mass index (BMI) increased. BMI, a measure of body fatness, is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilos by height in metres squared.

In the same period, the number of people with optimal (best) BP decreased from 48 percent in NHANES III, 1988-94, to 43 percent in NHANES in 2005-06.

The number with optimal fasting glucose decreased from 67 percent to 58 percent. Both BP and blood glucose are closely linked to obesity and these adverse trends track with the change in body weight, said an university statement.

These findings were presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2009....LINK

ECB willing to help Pak cricket in the best possible way: Clarke

LONDON, Nov 19 (APP)- England and Wales Cricket Board has indicated its willingness to host Indo-Pakistan Test series due in 2011 in England as way to help Pakistan cricket which due to the current security situation in the South Asian country is deprived of international cricket at home.Speaking at a reception hosted here at the Lord’s last evening to mark the launch of the Pakistan-Australia series next summer in the UK, ECB President Giles Clarke said if both Pakistani and Indian Boards agree, this could be organised in England given the fact that Britain has substantial population of people belonging to the sub-continent living in this country.

“The English cricket is willing to help Pakistan in every possible way but it was up to both Pakistan and Indian Boards to decide,” he told.

Under the ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP), India is due to visit Pakistan in 2011.

Butt responded by saying that much will depend on the security situation in Pakistan in the coming months.

Responding to a question posed by former England captain Mike Atherton who anchored the event, Butt said the financial position of PCB was in a good shape and with a number of Test matches lined up till next summer, this will have further healthy impact on the finances.

Earlier, in a short speech, he said Pakistan was looking at the next summer twin series against Australia and England with great anticipation although it would have loved to organise these matches on its own home soil.

“We could not get a better venue to play our ‘home series’ in England and hopefully we will get more matches to play in England until such time when the situation back home stabilises and international cricket returns to Pakistan.

He thanked ECB for going out of way to help PCB in organising the series against Australia in July.

Pakistan High Commissioner Wajid Shamsul Hasan expressed hope that the upcoming series in England will be great success given the enthusiasm and passion found in British-Pakistanis for cricket.

He said Australia is one of the top cricketing playing nation and the game lovers will have plenty of thrilling moments to savour when the two teams clashes in a Test series.

The British Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe speaking on the occasion spoke about cricket bringing two communities together. He said it will be fascinating to watch Pakistan and Australia battle out on the English grounds next summer.

“We would do everything possible to ensure a successful Test series between Pakistan and Australia.”

Clarke in his formal speech complimented PCB Chairman for showing enormous determination to ensure that this remarkable ground breaking series go ahead smoothly.

“Long and happy relationship between England and Pakistan has never been so strong,” said Clarke who also thanked his Australian counterpart Jack Charles for agreeing to hold Pakistan-Australia series in England.

He said it was essential that all those who care about cricket do what they can to ensure that this Pakistan tour was a great success.

During the course of next summer, there will also be over 80 days of international cricket throughout the season with Australia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India A, New Zealand A, New Zealand women, and Australia U19s all touring, beginning in May when Bangladesh take on England Lions in Derby and ending on September 22 when England face Pakistan in the final ODI of the five match NatWest Series.

The President of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), John Barclay said Pakistan needs cricket as the country is a part of a rich cricketing culture. “This culture must be preserved and cherished,” he remarked.

He said MCC is honoured to host Pakistan at Lord’s which the club owns.

The British Communities and Cohesion Minister Shahid Malik said cricket was a passion among the Pakistan-origin people living in the UK. He said when the international cricket eventually returns to Pakistan it would be a powerful signal to the world. The support for Pakistan in the UK was phenomenal as some 80,000 journeys take place between the two countries annually.

Malik said the British people salute the courage and determination of Pakistanis to face the challenges and stabilise their country.

Resting’ captain Younus Khan said the series both against Australia and England would provide good opportunities for the upcoming youngsters to prove their mettle against Australia on seaming English wickets.

Present among the guests were former Pakistan Test cricketers Asif Iqbal and Nasim ul Ghani, former England captain Mike Brearley, President, UK-PCCI Dr.Ashraf Chohan, members of the business community, senior Pakistani diplomats and officials of English cricket.....LINK

Balochistan package must have constitutional cover

LAHORE - Abdur Rauf Sasoli, General Secretary Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) (Mir Aali Bhugti Group) has demanded formation of a committee comprising PPP, PML-N and ANP to ensure implementation of the package for Balochistan, which is being announced by the federal government. He said the packages should be presented before the nation so that everybody may know what the government is planning to give to Balochistan.
Rauf Sasoli said the package should be given a constitutional protection and political parties of Balochistan should be taken into confidence on it. He said it is strange that only Lashkari Raisani and PPP leader Dr Babar Malik know about the package and Balochis are unawareness about the details of the package.
The government should consult Pakhtonkhawn Mili Awami Party, Balochistan National Party (Mengal), Jamhoori Watan Party and other national parties about the package and the committee comprising PPP, PML-N and ANP representatives should hold dialogue with these Baloch parties.
He said political leadership of Balochistan will not trust the PPP government as long as the federal government fails to bring former president Pervez Musharraf before the court of law for the crimes he committed against the people of Balochistan.
Jamhoori Watan party condemns target killing, he said, adding that foreign hands are involved in the target killings and terrorists are being given funds and weapons by India, Israel while USA is supporting them.
He said this while talking at Awan-i-Waqt forum on Wednesday. He appreciated that initiative of PPP government to announce a package for Balochistan but expressed reservation whether it will be implemented or not at the end of the day.
Earlier, Abdur Rauf Sasoli also called on Editor-in-Chief Nawa-i-Waqt Group Majid Nizami at his office......LINK

Monitoring, evaluation of higher edu launched

LAHORE - The Punjab Education Department has launched monitoring and evaluation of higher education in the province for improving quality of education at undergraduate level.
The monitoring teams comprising officials of the higher education wing and DPI (colleges) paid surprise visit to the colleges to check attendance of students and teachers in the classrooms according to the timetable, security arrangements, uniform and ID cards display by the students. The visits are usually conducted in the early periods starting from 8:00am. The absenteeism of teachers is recorded in their ACRs. Similarly, the result of colleges in the Intermediate Boards and the University is also monitored and evaluated. Principals of colleges, which show below 8 per cent result, are punished. Recently the department has suspended as many as 36 principals for showing zero or below 8 per cent result in BA, BSc exams 2009 of the Punjab University.
The monitoring and inspection teams also checked the development projects and on-going schemes under the Punjab Education Sector Reforms Programme (PRSP) to provide missing facilities in colleges including furniture, shortage of classrooms, laboratories, libraries, drinking water facilities and lavatories.
Sources in the Education Department said the work on boundary walls was in progress at dozens of colleges while the principals had been allowed to use college funds for provision of security equipments.
In the light of experiences during the inspection, one window operation has been introduced at the Civil Secretariat headed by a deputy secretary to redress the grievances of college teachers like their re-imbursement cases, leave applications, GP fund, posting, transfers and promotions. The teachers need not to go pillar to post for the redress of their applications. Thus the teachers’ precious time is saved enabling them to concentrate on classroom instructions. .....LINK

Shahbaz directs smooth supply of sugar to masses

LAHORE - A high level meeting was held here Wednesday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif to review arrangements for smooth supply of sugar in the province. Provincial Minister for Food Nadeem Kamran Malik, Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, IG Police, Secretaries for Food and Industries Departments, Commissioner Lahore Division and senior officers concerned were present on the occasion.
The chief minister said provision of sugar to the consumers at the fixed rate was the responsibility of administration and no negligence would be tolerated in this regard. He directed to ensure supply of sugar to the people at the rate of Rs40 per Kg at any cost and the people should also be apprised about the sale points of sugar set up by the government through print and electronic media.
He said there should be no complaint about the availability of sugar at the fixed rate anywhere in the province and he should be apprised of the measures taken in this regard on daily basis. He said ample supply of sugar should be maintained at the sale points so that people should not face any difficulty to get it.
He said in case of any complaint about the availability of sugar or its rate from any district, the officers held responsible for it, would not be spared. He also issued instructions for increasing the quota of sugar for the benefit of consumers.
Earlier, Provincial Minister for Food, Nadeem Kamran Malik apprised the meeting of the measures taken for the supply of sugar in the province. Commissioner Lahore Division informed that sugar is being supplied at more than two thousand sale points in Lahore and it is easily available to the consumers.
He said in addition to sale points, sugar is also being supplied at big stores. The Chief Secretary informed the meeting that further measures are being taken for the supply of sugar to the people at the fixed rate throughout the province and quota of sugar is also being increased......LINK

Pakistani troops kill seven militants in South Waziristan

Islamabad: Pakistani troops killed seven militants as they strengthened their positions in the lawless South Waziristan tribal region and cleared several Taliban hideouts, the military said today.

Seven militants were gunned down during a skirmish that erupted when security forces cleared a Taliban hideout at Kikrai near Sararogha, a former Taliban stronghold. Soldiers also conducted "area domination and consolidation" operations around their positions in Tor Wam and seized a cache of arms and ammunition.

Troops also strengthened their positions around Kaniguram and Makeen, two other militant strongholds. The military said large quantities of arms and ammunition were recovered during these actions.

Soldiers found the bodies of two militants during a search operation at Imar Khel Zangi near Makeen. The Pakistani military says nearly 560 militants and more than 60 soldiers have died so far in fighting in South Waziristan though these figures cannot be independently verified as reporters have no access to the conflict zone.

The Taliban have dismissed the casualty figures provided by the military and said militants had pulled out of South Waziristan as part of a strategy. They have also said they will soon launch attacks on the soldiers.

The army mobilised over 30,000 troops last month for Operation Rah-e-Nijat (Path to Salvation), which is aimed at flushing out an estimated 10,000 Taliban and foreign fighters from South Waziristan.

Security forces also continued search and clearance operations in the northwestern Swat valley, where four suspects were arrested while eight militants surrendered to authorities. .....LINK