Wasim advises PCB to introduce new cricketers

KOLKATA: Former captain Wasim Akram severely criticizing Pakistani cricketers playing in Australia, has advised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to give chance to new cricketers. Wasim Akram, who is present in India for coaching of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), said that senior players are the cause of chaos in the Pakistan team and they are scoring less runs. Therefore, they should be replaced by such young players who by learning in a year may be able to serve the country for the next two decades. Wasim understands that Test cricket is the only game of cricket and it is like a long race for which every team requires special talent, mental fitness and spirit. Presently, Pakistan cricket team lack all these qualities. Wasim Akram termed Mohammad Yousuf an inexperienced captain but added that he has the potential of looking a better captain in coming days.

Liyari Committee not linked with PPP: Malik

ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Rehman A Malik said the government will take action against anyone who challenges the writ of the government, Geo News reported Tuesday. Addressing National Assembly, he said the Interior Ministry is performing its duties in accordance with the Law. No Blackwater is operational in Pakistan and no visa has been issued in this connection, he maintained adding no diplomat would be allowed to carry out any illegal and clandestine activities in the country. He continued to say there are at least 411 US nationals residing in various sectors of the federal capital, of them, 289 are diplomats with 118 vehicles in their use. A group named Aman Committee based in Liyari also takes extortion money, the federal minister said the Committee has nothing to do with Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). He said the Liyari Aman Committee is working since the time of Rehman Dacoit. Earlier talking to journalists outside the Parliament, he said the law and order situation in Karachi has been brought under control, as no untoward incident occurred during the last 48 hours, adding issue in Karachi is not a political one; nor is it factional. The Interior Minister said the surgical operations have been ordered in specific areas of the provincial capital. On query regarding his differences with PPP MNAs over government measures, he said these MNAs have right to protest; but, he will keep on performing his duties as interior minister. He also vowed to provide every support to the Sindh government at all cost, which it wants.

SBP report expects inflation by 12 pc in first quarterly

ISLAMABAD: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said the tax revenues will stand low owing to the ongoing war against terrorism. The central bank issued its report for the first quarterly, which anticipated that inflation rate will remain between 10 and 12 percent. However, at the time of budget 2009-10, the Government was expecting that inflation would come down to a single digit at the end of the year and it pursued a tight monetary policy throughout the year. However the Government’s expectations were not met due to rising prices of food items, which accelerated the inflation. Inflation declined from a record high level of 25.3 percent in August 2008 to a 22-month low in October 2009 of 8.87 percent. However due to soaring oil prices and increase in electricity tariff during the last couple of months, inflation once again entered into double digits and went up to 10.51 percent in November and 10.52 percent in December 2009. Inflation recorded at 10.52 percent in the last month (December) of previous year as against of 23.34 percent of December 2008. Inflation would further go up in the current month (January) and in the coming months, as the Government has increased the power tariff (gas and electricity prices) with the start of New Year 2010. The prices of electricity would be further enhanced from March, which would further accelerate the inflation so it might be feared that inflation would remain in double digits in the second half (Jan-July) of the financial year 2009-10. The report also said the rate of economic growth is expected to stay at 3.3 percent during the current fiscal year; while, the foreign remittances are expected to remain between $7.80 billion to $8.80 billion. The first quarterly reports said the export volume will remain between $18.50 billion $19 billion; while the volume of imports is expected to remain between $30.50 billion and $31 billion during the first quarter. The fiscal deficit account is expected to remain between 4.7 and 5.2 percent and the current account deficit will range between 3.7 and 4.7 percent. The Agricultural and industrial sectors have been expected to show recovery; however, the biggest challenge would be to improve tax and GDP rate.

Power crisis intensifies across country

LAHORE: No sigh of relief for people of Pakistan as the ongoing power impasse has intensified even further, surging the 11 to 18 hours-long laodshedding in many parts of state located in four provinces with no exception whatsoever including the federal capital Islamabad, Geo news reported. According to details, most of the small factories have been shut down due to unavailability of electricity and low gas pressure. The thermal powerhouses have testified abject cut in electricity generation after decline in hydel generation, worsening the already torturing electricity shortfall to 4000 megawatt per day, knowledgeable sources said. PEPCO officials were noticed to have claimed generation of 9000 megawatt of electricity through making operational all Independent Power Producers (IPPs) but merely around 7500 megawatt electricity could be generated through them thus far whereas the overall demand ligers around 11,500 megawatt, sources further said. Consumers have lodged many complaints against unannounced long hours power cuts, along voicing serious questions of sky-high claims made by federal water and power minister which stated that government would overcome power outages by the end of 2009.

China tests anti-missile defense system

BEIJING: Amid rising tension between Beijing and Washington over the US weapons delivery to Taiwan, China test fires a system for intercepting missiles. A successful test report of "ground-based midcourse missile interception technology" was released on Monday by the official news agency. "The test is defensive in nature and is not targeted at any country," it said, adding that the test was conducted within Chinese territory and achieved the expected objective. The report follows repeated complaints in recent days by Beijing over the US-Taiwan weapons deals. Though, China split with Taiwan amid civil war in 1949, it continues to regard Taiwan as part of its territory. In recent weeks, the US awarded a 969-million-dollar contract to Lockheed Martin for the provision of 263 PAC-3 air defense missiles to Taiwan. A USD1.1 billion contract was also awarded to Raytheon Co. for production of the Patriot Air and Missile Defense System for Taiwan. The sale rounds out a USD 6.5 billion arms package approved under then US President George W. Bush in late 2008. China has reiterated objection to the US arms sales to Taiwan, calling it interference in Beijing's internal affairs that could undermine relations with Washington.

Pakistan’s inflation will be 11 percent: IMF

NEW YORK: International Monetary Fund (IMF) hinted that Pakistan’s inflation rate will be increase from 9 to 11 percent for current fiscal year. In an analytical report, IMF has increased the inflation rate for Pakistan from 9 percent to 11 percent for current fiscal year. The increased in the target has been made keeping in view increment in the crude oil prices and rise in power tariff. The economic growth rate will be 3 percent whereas threats to economic progress will also remain same. The report added that there is increment in flow of remittances in Pakistan therefore, it is expected that current accounts deficit will be decline from 4.7 percent to 4.2 percent.

Rangers protest with IBSF over cross-border terrorism

LAHORE: Officials from Pakistan rangers have extended contacts with Indian Border Security Force (IBSF) in order to hold Flag Meeting over registration of protest against unprovoked cross-border terrorism from Indian forces on Wagha Sector on Saturday morning, Geo news reported. Rangers officials said IBSF opened unprovoked fire on Wagha Sector inside Pakistan territory at 12:35 am today, subsequently, Pakistan rangers’ officials have called for holding a Flag Meeting to register protest with Indian forces. They said Indian forces opened senseless fire inside Pakistan territory at 12:35am and after 10 minutes, some of Indian channels aired television footages of rocket firing at 12:45am, leveling wrongful allegations on Pakistan rangers of launching rocket attack on Indian forces from Pakistan. Spokesman Pakistan rangers, terming, Indian accusations as baseless and fabricated, have dubbed footages telecast on Indian television channels as pre-planned conspiracy to malign Pakistan border security forces. Spokesman, supporting their stance, said it is entirely impossible for any television channel to get to border area amid dense foggy environment within short span of 10 minutes and to air video footages of incident.

Egypt bars George Galloway from country

CAIRO: Egyptian security escorted MP George Galloway to take a flight out of the country on Friday and he was barred from returning after violent protests over an aid convoy he led into Gaza, local news agency said. The Foreign Ministry declared the left-wing politician an "unwelcome individual," the agency said. An Egyptian security source said Egypt reached a deal with members of the aid convoy to take supplies to Palestinians in Gaza after protests overnight. Egyptian security forces and members of the convoy had thrown stones at each other when tempers frayed over the route the trucks were to take. Cairo had insisted the food and other supplies should enter Gaza via an Israeli-controlled checkpoint but convoy leaders wanted to use the Egyptian-controlled Rafah border crossing. Galloway, who had re-entered Egypt to ask about the fate of seven detained convoy members, was immediately asked to leave the country, security sources said. Galloway was escorted by Egyptian security personnel as he went to Cairo airport heading for London, agency said. Police said later the seven detained convoy members had been freed and placed on a "watch list." No member of Galloway's convoy was immediately available for comment.

High level meeting mulls over Karachi situation

KARACHI: A high level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah and Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik is mulling over law and order situation in Karachi. According to sources, interior secretary Sindh, DG Rangers and other high officials participating in the meeting. The meeting is reviewing recent target killings, group clashes and other issues. Dozens of people were shot dead in different areas of Karachi during last three days whereas police arrested several suspects in Lyari.

PM arrives in Peshawar

PESHAWAR: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani arrived here on a daylong visit. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani will announce tax exemption for war torn areas of FATA and NWFP. Earlier, Governor NWFP Owais Ahamd Ghani and Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti received prime minister at Peshawar Airport. Accompanied by ministers for Information Qamar Zaman Kaira, Finance Shaukat Tareen and Interior Rehman Malik, Gilani will meet the provincial leadership and discuss the ongoing operation against militants. Prime Minister Gilani on Thursday visited the residence of Federal Minister for Communications Dr. Arbab Alamgir Khan soon after his arrival in Peshawar to condole the demise of his mother, and wife of former Chief Minister NWFP (late) Arbab Jahangir Khan.

Wicketkeeper Sarfraz will be sent to Australia

Karachi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has called up wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed as a cover for struggling wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal for the third Test match against Australia in Hobart, starting from January 14. Kamran dropped three regulation edges from Australian middle-order batsman Michael Hussey off Kaneria's bowling, on 27, 45 and 52. Hussey went to score an undefeated 134 runs, and played a crucial role in Pakistan’s shocking 36-run defeat. Sarfraz was earlier selected ahead of Kamran for the 2008 Asia Cup, during which he impressed with his keeping skills, but did not have a chance to show his batting skills. Pakistan’s teenage pacer Mohammad Aamir is likely to be fit for the third and final Test. Aamir suffered a minor groin injury during the opening Test in Melbourne where he took a sensational five-wicket haul in the second innings to bring Pakistan back in the match. Pakistan team manager Abdul Raqeeb while talking to Geo News said Aamir has received some treatment and is responding well. “He had some icing and will be resting for a few days. He was rested on the advice of doctors because he was really stiff but hopefully he will be fully fit for Hobart.” According to team sources, all rounder Shoaib Malik will replace Misbahul Haq in the third test.

Dollar over 85 in open market

KARACHI: The US dollar is seen declining in international market for some days but its value continued to surge in open market with all time high level here. US dollar has crossed Rs.85 level in open market today Thursday and is seen selling at all time high in inter-bank market at Rs84.92, gaining 15 paisa more. According to forex market dealers, dollar is in demand in banking sector and was recorded at Rs.84.92 level during trade today. The rupees value is seen under pressure today following buying of 75 million dollars in banking sector, said dealers. Meanwhile, the spokesman Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan (ECAP) Naeem Uddin said buying price of dollar has crossed Rs.85 level and being sold at Rs85.05 in open market today.

Snowfall, cold shivers Europe

LONDON: Europe shivered in bitterly cold temperatures again Thursday, as Britain braced for more snow that has already caused chaos amid its most brutal winter in decades. Millions of Britons endured another day of icy conditions and disrupted transport links that have already kept many away from work and knocked Britain's recession-hit economy. Temperatures overnight dropped to minus 18 degrees Celsius in Woodford outside Manchester, northwest England, and in Benson, southern England. Glasgow saw minus nine degrees Celsius, while London fell to minus three. No major British airports reported closures Thursday, with runways open following a day of disruption Wednesday. Britain's Met Office weather service said the cold spell was the worst since 1981 and warned of more to come. Much of the rest of Europe was also hit by the winter blast, with freezing temperatures causing treacherous conditions and travel mayhem across the continent. In France, snow caused traffic problems in Paris, Grenoble Bordeaux and the north. Thirty-one departments, largely in the south, were put on alert for further snowfall and icy conditions. In Austria authorities are on standby amid forecasts of some 50 centimetres of snow at the weekend in low-lying parts of the country, normally spared much of the regular snowfalls in its Alpine areas. On Thursday, Norway was among the coldest countries, with temperatures ranging from minus 15 degrees Celsius (about minus 42 Fahrenheit) to minus 40 degrees Celsuis. No buses ran in Olso on Thursday as temperatures plunged so low that the petrol froze in the tanks. Ferry services in the capital also came to a standstill. The cold snap also hit train services in the Netherlands. Meanwhile, torrential rain hit parts of Italy and officials feared the swollen River Tiber could threaten Rome in coming days. In Britain, hundreds of schools were closed Thursday, giving children another chance to spend the day playing in the snow. Fallen trees bringing down lines left about 4,000 homes in southern England without electricity. Meanwhile police in Manchester, northwest England, caught a fugitive prisoner by following his footprints in the freshly-fallen snow.

LHC issues notices against rise in power, gas and POL tariffs

LAHORE: Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday has issued notices to provincial governments, federal government, Nepra and OGRA against the rise in power, gas and petroleum tariffs. Jamaat-e-Islami Punjab leader Dr. Waseem Akhtar filed a petition in the Lahore High Court stating that federal government has increased power tariff several times that forced public to face severe load shedding and it creates negative impact on country’s economy. Similarly, prices of gas and petroleum prices were also increased. The Court has issued notices to the government and concerned departments on January 21 to elaborate the matter.

Australia beat Pakistan by 36 runs, win series 2-0

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SYDNEY: Pakistan were all-out for 139 runs loosing second cricket Test match against Australia by 36 runs here at SCG, Geo news reported.Australia set Pakistan 176-run easy target to win Test match but despite easy wicket on fifth day, Pakistan could not defeat World Champions.Hauritz claimed 5-wicket haul, while Johnson and Bollinger took 3 and 2 wickets respectively.

Cold hits hard UK, China, U.S.

WASHINGTON: The life seems to have paralyzed in the U.S., China AND Britain, as the extreme cold weather keeps lashing even today, Geo News reported Wednesday. Millions of people living in southern England and the Home Counties were told to prepare themselves for up to 40cm (16in) of snow last night, as Britain remained in the grip of the longest prolonged spell of cold weather in 30 years. The Met Office issued its highest level of alert, warning of an impending "extreme weather event" that would bring travel chaos and threaten power supplies. Worst hit overnight will be Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire – parts of which have not seen any snow since the arctic weather began before Christmas. All flights in and out of London's Gatwick and Luton airports were canceled as workers rushed to clear snow from runways. Other airports across the U.K. -- including Manchester Airport, the John Lennon Airport in Liverpool and Southampton Airport -- also closed temporarily, while delays and cancelations hit many other international airports, including London's Heathrow. Forecasters said it would be snowing in London before dawn, bringing widespread disruption to the capital and forcing many workers to stay at home. Last night, all flights were suspended from Luton, Southampton, Gatwick and Birmingham airports. Much of the United States was confronting extremely cold weather that has brought freezing rain leading to rivers of ice and chilling floods in residential neighborhoods, while many agricultural areas try to help their crops survive through the season. In Illinois, ice jams on the Fox River in Illinois are causing the freezing water to spill into the streets and yards near East Dundee, resulting in particularly cold flood waters. Nearly a foot of ice surrounds some homes. Several families had to leave their homes, but some residents say they'll stick it out as long as they have power. Officials say the river rose faster than usual for this time of year. Meanwhile, farmers in several southern states including Louisiana are worried their profits and crops will plummet with the temperatures. A cold snap hit one strawberry farm right in the middle of its growing season and farmers strived to pick the strawberries that were ready, covering the ones that were not. Farmers are bracing for a long week with overnight temperatures below freezing. Below freezing temperatures have emergency experts in Texas standing by. The Salvation Army is gearing up in case they are needed. That organization has emergency service vehicles, like one in Lubbock, Texas ready to go. Beijing authorities shut schools, mobilized extra buses and ordered thousands of residents to help clear icy roads and paths with shovels on Monday, as the Chinese capital struggled with its harshest winter weather in years. North China began the working week after a blast of harsh cold and heavy snow blanketed the region over the weekend, paralyzing highways and forcing the cancellation of many flights. "Low temperatures and ice-covered roads are expected to severely affect local traffic on Monday," Song Jianguo, the head of the Beijing traffic management bureau, told a local news agency.

Oil pulls back in Asian trade

SINGAPORE: Oil prices were down in Asia on Wednesday as a stronger dollar offset rising demand for heating fuel due to cold weather in the northern hemisphere, analysts said. New York's main futures contract, light sweet crude for delivery in February, was down 15 cents to 81.62 dollars a barrel. Brent North Sea crude for February delivery shed 14 cents to 80.45 dollars. "Positive market sentiment from the continued cold weather across the US and Europe was partly offset by a firmer US dollar," said the Commonwealth Bank of Australia in a report. A stronger US unit makes dollar-denominated oil more expensive to holders of other currencies, dampening demand and leading to lower prices. Cold weather in the United States and Europe had been driving prices higher because of strong demand for heating fuel. But independent oil analyst Ellis Eckland said the US cold snap is easing up. The cold weather is "definitively adding to oil demand, but the American weather looks like it is going to ease up, so it's slightly bearish for oil," he said.

Tarar Khal blast: 4 security men dead, 10 hurt

RAWLA KOT: At least four people were killed and 10 others injured in a blast in Fauji Field Hospital situated in Tarar Khal area of Palandari district of Azad Kashmir, Geo News reported Wednesday. The blast occurred near a residential barracks of Military Dispensary Hospital at 0650am, injuring at least 14 people, who were rushed to CMH Rawla Kot. However, four of them succumbed to injuries. The government officials said the blast occurred near a laundry of Tarar Khal military barracks. The security forces put security cordon around the area after the blast and stopped movement of all kinds. Azad Kashmir Prime Minister Raja Farooq Hyder, reacting on the blast, said the attack on the Army in Azad Kashmir is unacceptable, adding the attackers are implementing the agenda put up by India. Raja Farooq Hyder said the attackers are not human beings, instead they are mice, as they hide themselves after their activities; but, we will grab the responsible and will take them to task.

Nawaz rules out anti-govt move

KARACHI: Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif said the country is beset with the kind of problems which could not singly be tackled by one party; accordingly, it is not time that any movement aimed at dismantling the government be initiated, Geo News reported Wednesday. Addressing a press conference here along with Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, he said, ‘We all can concertedly steer the country clear of the present critical times and this necessitates acting upon the Charter of Democracy (CoD), so that the problems could be resolved. Responding a query regarding the government, he underscored that if there emerges any conspiracy, then PML-N will be on the ground even before the government, adding, ‘We should tolerate the criticism on each other.’ ‘We want respect for our mandate,’ he stressed. Nawaz demanded that the CoD should be implemented and 17th Amendment be abolished and those who violate the Constitution should be punished, not awarded Guard of Honour. Mian Nawaz said he is proud of agreement on water in 1991. He said he is deeply grieved seeing the sad spectacles at the Boulton Market, adding the terror incidents in Karachi are quite deplorable.

Pakistan take 204-run lead over Australia 2nd day

SYDNEY: Pakistan gained a big lead of 204 runs over the Aussies despite a collapse in the final session of the second day of the second Test match here at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday. They lost seven wickets in the third and the last session of the day. At stumps, Pakistan were 331 runs for nine wickets with tail-enders Danish Kaneria (2) and Mohammad Asif (0) at the crease. Pakistan resumed at 14-0 in the morning and both openers, playing steadily added 70 runs in the first session and succeeded in reaching 100 without being separated after lunch. This was the second century stand between the pair of Imran Farhat and Salman Butt in Test cricket. However, the partnership was broken by spinner Nathan Hauritz when Imran Farhat was caught behind by Brad Haddin on an attempted sweep shot. Imran made 53, his 13th half-century in 32nd Test. He hit four boundaries in his 140-ball innings and together with Salman Butt made 109 runs. Later, Salman Butt was also caught behind off Mitchell Johnson for 71, made with the help of nine fours. This was his eighth fifty in 26th Test. Pakistan were 190-2 at tea with Faisal Iqbal and captain Mohammad Yousuf batting patiently. They carved out a 61-run partnership off 83 balls before Faisal departed on 27. Yousuf was joined by young Umar Akmal who batted aggressively and scored 49 from 48 balls with nine fours. Yousuf also fell in the forties (46). Misbah-ul-Haq and Kamran Akmal could not make good scores and were dismissed on 11 and 14, respectively. However, Misbah completed 1,000 runs in his 19th Test. Mohammad Sami and Umar Gul contributed 13 and 12 runs, respectively. For Australia, Doug Bollinger was the most successful bowler, taking three for 70 runs while Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson claimed two wickets each. Peter Siddle and Hauritz took one wicket each.