PM expresses grief over Chinese quake devastation • 05.15.08
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani Thursday expressed grief over the loss of lives in China due to massive earthquake, and said Pakistan stands by its brotherly country in this difficult hour.“The loss of human lives in China is also considered a loss for Pakistan. I assure you that at this odd hour, we are with you and stand by you,” the Prime Minister said during his visit to Chinese embassy to offer condolence with the ambassador on quake tragedy.The Prime Minister expressed sorrow over the colossal loss of lives and property in Sichuan province in the wake of 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the region, killing more than 15,000 people. In his comments in the visitors’ book placed at the embassy, the Prime Minister wrote, “In these moments of grief for the Chinese people, the whole Pakistani nation join me in extending the families of the deceased most profound condolences.”The Prime Minister said he also conveyed his condolence to the Premier of the State Council and assured solidarity with the people of China.“We hope that the great Chinese nation will overcome the tragic phase at the soonest,” he said.Later in a separate meeting with the Ambassador of China Luo Zhaohui, the President expressed sorrow over the tragic incident that claimed thousands of lives.Gilani said Pakistan enjoys excellent relations with China, which stands as a cornerstone of its foreign policy.
Angry residents of Damadola village stopped government officials on Thursday from approaching the ruins of a house struck by two missiles suspected to have been fired by a US drone.The missiles, which hit a house in the village of Damadola in the Bajaur tribal region, where pro-Taliban militants have been known to operate, killed eight people including three children and a woman on Wednesday evening, residents said. “It’s barbaric,” said villager Rehmatullah Khan.”They were innocent people,” he said, referring to the dead.Maulvi Omar, a spokesman for pro-Taliban militants based, said four of those killed were Taliban fighters and all the dead were innocent Pakistani.A security official in the area said between six and eight people were killed and he did not rule out the possibility some of them were foreign militants.The strike was the first since a new government was formed about six weeks ago.In January, 2006, a CIA-operated drone Predator aircraft fired missiles at a house in Damadola in the belief al Qaeda leader bin Laden’s deputy, Ayman al Zawahri, was visiting.He was not there and at least 18 people died in the strike, several of them believed to have been al Qaeda members.Before the Wednesday attack, US-controlled Predator aircraft had this year struck at least three sites used by al Qaeda operatives in northwest Pakistan, killing dozens of suspected militants.The house, which residents said belonged to an ethnic Pashtun tribesman, was almost completely destroyed. All that was left standing were badly damaged parts of some walls.
Pakistan and US Naval forces began exercise ‘Inspired Union 2008′ in the North Arabian Sea May 11, which will focus on air, surface and anti-submarine training, says a press release issued by US Embassy here on Wednesday.Pakistan forces from PNS Badr (D 184), PNS Shahjahan (D 186), PNS Nasr (A-47), and Pakistan Air Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal are participating in the bilateral exercise along with Sailors from USS Curts (FFG 38) and USS Ross (DDG 71). Other US forces participating include Destroyer Squadron 50, and Combined Task Forces 54, 55, and 57. “This exercise provides US and Pakistan forces the opportunity to work together and train across the spectrum of naval disciplines,” said Commander Yvette Davids, Curts’ Commanding Officer.”Inspired Union will improve the interoperability and tactical proficiency between our two nations and will enhance our navies’ effectiveness in supporting maritime security objectives.” US and Pakistan forces will conduct the bilateral exercise from May 11 to 21 as part of regional Maritime Security Operations (MSO). Inspired Union consists of two phases. The first phase will focus on air, surface, electronic warfare and subsurface exercises while the second phase will concentrate on Explosive Ordnance Disposal training.”The importance of Inspired Union cannot be minimized,” said Davids.”It is an opportunity to further develop our relationship with a very important partner that shares a similar commitment and desire for global maritime security.Exercises like these demonstrate our mutual respect for each other’s contributions to the overall effort and our commitment to building a stronger relationship.”"This is the first visit by a U.S ship to Karachi since September 2006 and we are grateful for the opportunity to visit Pakistan,” said Davids.”Visits by US Navy ships symbolize the continued friendship and partnerships between countries and military services - it allows us to increase our cooperative engagement and exemplifies our commitment to building trust and confidence among friends worldwide.”
According to Motorway Police dozens of vehicles including cars, buses and trucks collided on Motorway due to smoke of fire ignited along roadside killing six people and injuring fifty others. Those killed in the accident include sister and brother-in-law of Governor Punjab Khalid Maqbool. About twenty-five vehicles have been destroyed. The wounded have been shifted to hospitals.
Commenting on a news item published in a section of press about withdrawal of troops from South Wazirastan Agency (SWA), the spokesman of ISPR said on Tuesday.The pulling out troops from SWA will be the decision of the government depending upon the outcome of negotiations between the government officials and the Tribesmen. In line to facilitate the return of displaced personnel, Army has decided to readjust present positions and open various roads linking to different villages and townships in the area for return of the civil population, the spokesman.
In continuation of drive against unauthorized mobile phone SIM retailers, PTA along with Sindh Police raided a number of retailers here Tuesday.They were found selling SIMs in complete disregard to the PTA’s laid down procedures.The raids were conducted in Patel Para, Lasbella, Nishtar Road, New Town, PIB Colony, Saddar, Clifton and Kemari areas and violators were apprehended along with unauthorized SIMs of different mobile companies. PTA’s Zonal Director Rizwan Ahmed Hydri said that unauthorized retailers were issued several warnings through print media against selling SIMs without proper authorization and without carrying out proper verification of subscriber’s antecedents. He said that as per PTA policy, SIMs can only be sold by company Sales Centres, Franchisees and authorized retailers after proper verification of antecedents of subscribers.Subscriber verification includes seeing of original NIC or CNIC, keeping a photocopy of it and filling of customer agreement form.A PTA spokesman said the operation against illegal sellers of SIMs being carried out will shortly be extended other cities and towns of Sindh. PTA requested the customers to obtain SIMs after fulfilling all requisite formalities for a new connection to avoid any inconvenience.
At least 25 speeding vehicles in a row came crashing near interchange here perishing six persons and leaving several injured. Punjab Governor’s sister and brother-in-law were also included among the dead. Motorway Police said that this mishap occurred near Sheikhupura interchange on the Lahore-Islamabad Highway, when two cars clashed and later one bus truck and several vehicles coming from behind kept crashing in a row, which resulted in the death of 6 persons and 50 wounded, while over 25 vehicles left wrecked. Eyewitnesses said that the smokes emitting from the blazing bushes in the fields by the roadside blurring visibility caused this horrible accident, which also halted traffic on the Motorway, as vehicles were seen stranding in a very long queue.
New Zealand welcomed on Tuesday the Commonwealth’s decision to readmit Pakistan, saying the South Asian nation has demonstrated its commitment to a return to democracy.Key ministers from the 53-member Commonwealth of Nations met in London on Monday and decided to readmit Pakistan following a six-month suspension.”Pakistan has demonstrated its commitment to returning to democratic governance,” said Foreign Minister Winston Peters, who attended the meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group.”It has repealed emergency provisions that violated constitutional freedoms, and in February conducted successful parliamentary elections that led to the formation of a new government,” he said.Pakistan was suspended on November 22 last year, after President Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency, placed the chief justice under house arrest, and detained lawyers, rights activists and opposition members.Peters also welcomed the decision to continue Fiji’s suspension, which followed the bloodless coup in December 2006 led by military chief Voreqe Bainimarama.Bainimarama has promised to hold democratic elections by the end of March next year but little progress has been made in preparing for a vote.”It is clear that Fiji will only be welcomed back into the Commonwealth if and when it meets its own commitments… that it will hold free and fair elections by the end of March 2009,” Peters said.
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