Thursday 19 May 2016

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

US House seeks to tighten restrictions on Pakistan aid

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - US lawmakers are looking to use a defence policy bill to increase restrictions on military aid for Pakistan, expressing frustration with what they see as Islamabads failure to crack down on Afghanistans militant Haqqani network.The US$602 billion (£412.2 billion) National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, passed by the House of Representatives late on Wednesday would block US$450 million in aid to Islamabad unless it does more to fight the network, which lawmakers see as a major threat to US forces in Afghanistan.The bill requires the Pentagon to certify that Pakistan is conducting military operations to disrupt the Haqqani network, not letting the network use North Waziristan as a safe haven and actively coordinating with Afghanistans government to fight the network along their border.As they finalised the 2017 version of the annual bill, House members added three amendments related to Pakistan. All passed by unanimous voice vote.One added a fourth requirement to the release of the aid, that the administration certify Pakistan has shown progress in arresting and prosecuting Haqqani network senior leaders and mid-level operatives.Another required that the Secretary of Defense certify Pakistan is not using its military or any funds or equipment provided by the United States to persecute minority groups.And a third added a sense of Congress that Shakil Afridi is an international hero and calls for his immediate release from prison. Afridi is a Pakistani doctor believed to have helped the CIA hunt down Osama bin Laden.Pakistan sentenced Afridi in 2012 to 33 years in jail on charges of belonging to a militant group, which he denies. That sentence was overturned and Afridi is now awaiting trial on another charge.Pakistan says its courts will decide Afridis fate, and has angrily criticized US politicians, including Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, over calls to release him.The House version of the NDAA is not the final version of the legislation. It must be combined with a Senate bill before being sent to the White House for President Barack Obama to sign, or veto.However, there is also strong criticism of Pakistan in the Senate. This month, Senator Bob Corker used his authority as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee to bar the use of any US funds for Pakistan to buy American F-16 fighter jets.

Muzaffargarh: 6 terrorists killed in CTD, police operation

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MUZAFFARGARH (Dunya News) – According to details, Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and police on a tip-off that six terrorists who escaped after an operation in Multan on Wednesday are planning to flee to Balochistan intercepted a car and a motorcycle at the Link Road near Dera Ghazi Khan on Thursday night. The terrorists opened fire at the law enforcement agencies which was retaliated as a result six terrorists were killed.Automic rifiles, explosive material, a car and a motorcycle was recovered from the dead terrorists. Sources said that the terrorists were planning attacks on the universities in the area.It is pertinent to mention here that eight terrorists were killed during a joint operation of CTD and police at the bank of Chenab River near Multan on Wednesday while six of their accomplices managed to escape.

Power breakdown: Parts of Karachi plunge into darkness

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KARACHI (Dunya News) - K-Electric’s extra high tension line tripped on Thursday night due to which supply of electricity to most areas of Karachi was suspended, Dunya News reported.The power outage hit Saddar, II Chundrigar Road, Lyari, Old City area, Sultanabad and its adjacent areas. Governor House, Chief Minister House and other areas of Red Zone were also affected by power failure.The K-Electric sources said that the power outage was caused due to tripping of extra high tension line. Sources further informed that the repair work was underway and electricity supply will be restored soon.

Afridi sets sights on Pakistan comeback

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KARACHI (AFP) - Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi said Thursday he hopes to force his way back into national contention and put the disastrous World Twenty20 behind him with a strong return to English club Hampshire this season.The 36-year-old was not included in an ongoing boot camp ahead of Pakistans tour of England that begins in July, with many pundits suggesting it was time for the flamboyant all-rounder to call time on his two-decade long career.Afridi issued a video apology to the cricket-mad nation after Pakistans exit at the group stages of the WorldT20, and his leadership style was slammed in separate leaked reports by then coach Waqar Younis and team manager Intikhab Alam -- both since sacked.It was disappointing that people lied and tried to drag my name in the mud, he told AFP, without directly referring to the leaks.They tried to save their positions and then I was subjected to a trial by media, he added. We played badly and lost but it was not correct to blame one man only. It was a collective failure.Afridi, who retired from one-day internationals last year and from Tests six years ago, said he was looking forward to returning to Hampshire for the first time since 2011.It will help me force my way back in the Pakistan Twenty20 team and I will always be ready to play for my country, he said.Once a leading light in the games shortest format who helped his country to their only WorldT20 win in 2009, Afridis form has slumped badly in recent times.He managed only 107 runs across his last 10 matches at an average of 13.4 -- almost half of them coming from a 49 against Bangladesh.His once sharp leg-bowling has also fallen away, managing seven wickets over the same period at an average of 36.0 and a best return of 2/27.But he has enjoyed success for English clubs throughout his career. Turning out for Hampshire in 2011, he took 17 wickets in 10 matches and thumped 80 off 42 balls in the T20 semi-final defeat to Somerset, cementing his place as a fan favourite. I have played for Hampshire before and enjoyed the stint and I am going to have another blast this time around as well, he insisted.Pakistan are set to play four Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 on the tour of England. In September and October, they will host the West Indies in a series either in United Arab Emirates or Sri Lanka.

Hales and Bairstow keep Sri Lanka at bay

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LEEDS (AFP) - Alex Hales and Jonathan Bairstow frustrated Sri Lanka after debutant all-rounder Dasun Shanaka sparked a top-order collapse on the first day of the first Test against England at Headingley on Thursday.England, who were 70 for four, had moved on to 171 for five when rain prevented any play after tea and forced an early close to an intriguing opening day in the 75th Test staged at Headingley. Hales, under pressure for his place as an opener after a modest return in Englands series win in South Africa, was a Test-best 71 not out, with Bairstow unbeaten on 54 on his Yorkshire home ground.The pairs so far unbroken sixth-wicket partnership of 88 was the cornerstone of an England recovery after Shanakas treble strike helped justify Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathewss decision to field first.There was consistent swing all day a bit of nibble, I almost had to rein myself in a bit. I am pleased I managed to get through it, Hales told reporters after stumps.The Nottinghamshire batsman said he would try to avoid letting the fact he is now just 29 runs shy of a maiden Test hundred prey on his mind.Ill come back tomorrow (Friday) and try not to put any extra pressure on myself, just do what I did today, the 27-year-old insisted.Hales paid tribute to Bairstow, whose runs Thursday came off a mere 67 balls, by saying: The way Jonny came in and counter-attacked, that was brilliant on what I thought was a pretty tricky pitchMathews won the toss in overcast conditions reminiscent of those at Headingley two years ago when his side triumphed in the second Test to seal their first series win in England.England captain Alastair Cook, who started his innings needing just 36 more runs to become the first Englishman to score 10,000 in Tests, got off the mark with a trademark clip legside clip for four.But the left-handed opener was caught behind for 16 going trying to cover-drive a wide but full delivery from medium-pacer Shanaka.Three deliveries later, Shanaka had the under-fire Nick Compton out for nought with first slip Lahiru Thirimanne holding a low catch.Joe Root, Englands recently crowned player of the year in all formats, also fell for a duck as he edged Shanaka to gully.Shanaka, showing the value of maintaining a good length in helpful but not excessively swing-friendly conditions, had taken three wickets for one run in eight balls.Its a great start to my career, the conditions suited my bowling, said Shanaka, who had figures of three for 30 in nine overs at stumps. As for claiming England great Cook as his maiden Test scalp, the all-rounder added: I will remember the moment I got that wicket until the end.Early in the second session, England saw both debutant James Vince and all-rounder Ben Stokes fall cheaply as they slumped to 83 for five.Hales pressed on to complete an admirable 112-ball fifty in the circumstances when he drove Dushmantha Chameera behind point for his 10th four.He then went on to surpass his previous highest Test score of 60 against South Africa at Cape Town in January.Bairstow was given out lbw on 41 but successfully reviewed the decision and soon afterwards lofted spinner Rangana Herath for six.Sri Lanka then reviewed a not out call in favour of the wicket-keeper when Heraths lbw appeal was rejected, with replays again favouring Bairstow.Players from both sides wore back armbands in memory of all those killed by recent flooding and landslides in Sri Lanka.

Strauss backs day/night Tests

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LEEDS (AFP) - Andrew Strauss said Thursday he was in favour of day/night Tests as one o his fellow England and Wales Cricket Board officials said it was just a matter of time before such a match was played in the sports birthplace.Attendances for Test cricket in England have held up well compared to many other countries.And there is a view that, with the English cricket season coinciding with the longest daylight hours in Britains calendar, there is no great need for radical change.But the way spectators flocked to the first Test played under floodlights between Australia and New Zealand in Adelaide in November has not gone unnoticed by former England captain Strauss, despite concerns from players regarding the visibility of the pink ball deemed necessary for day/night matches. Theres much more of a will around the world to embrace day-night Tests, Strauss, now the ECBs director of England cricket, told BBC Radio.Theres still some niggley issues, but, in principle, Im for it, he added in an interview broadcast during the opening days play in the first Test between England and Sri Lanka at Headingley.If people can come after work and see a stunning spectacle in the five-day format, Im for it.His comments were backed up by ECB chairman Colin Graves, who said: You cant turn your back on it, it will happen.We just have to decide when it is going to happen. Were doing a lot of work on it and wed love to see day/night cricket.Strauss has already been responsible for introducing one innovation this English season in the form of the Super Series.Taking a cue from the womens Ashes, for the first time in mens cricket points will be on offer in all the matches between England and Sri Lanka to produce an overall winner across all three international formats -- Tests, one-day internationals and Twenty20 matches.But while the rationale in the womens game -- where far fewer fixtures take place in a bilateral series and often with no Tests at all or just a lone long-format clash -- is clear, many pundits are unconvinced by the need for something similar in mens cricket.I dont get it. It doesnt rock my boat, former England captain Michael Vaughan told BBC Radio.I think T20 cricket and Test cricket is a different sport. The focus has to be how do we make Test cricket stand alone. By bringing them all together, you will dilute Test match cricket.The administrators have to look at Test cricket. They have to make promotion and relegation, so theres a relevance.But Strauss defended the new system by saying: This is one way of providing extra context. There is no harm in trying things.We see quite different audiences for the three formats and this is a way of connecting them together.Meanwhile Graves insisted the ECB were committed to supporting Englands existing 18 first-counties, saying two or three had been saved from insolvency in the past year.

Govt forms committee after successful dialogue with Farmer's Union

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Shehbaz Sharif met Farmer Union’s delegation convened by Chaudhry Anwar while it has been decided that committee would be formed to draft agricultural policy and solve farmers’ problems with their consultation, reported Dunya News.The meeting will be held on Friday where new agricultural policy will be drafted through consultation with Farmer’s Union.On this occasion, Shehbaz Sharif said that he has acknowledged farmers’ reservations and their problems while small farmer has been buried under so many problems.He said that priors farmers’ interest and would defend it at on every front.He said that Punjab government has already been drafting agricultural policy and several meetings have been held in this regard.

In Somalia, UN pushes for on time election

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MOGADISHU (AFP) - A UN Security Council delegation visited Somalia Thursday to insist August elections proceed as planned, warning that political wrangling could derail a process intended to signal the countrys growing stability.With Somalias parliament so far failing to back the governments proposed election plan, the 16-person Security Council team urged an end to the deadlock.We are very concerned by anyone trying to unpick part of the deal, because very soon the whole thing could unravel, said Britains UN ambassador Matthew Rycroft.Somalia was supposed to hold a one person, one vote national election in 2016 but late last year -- with Al-Qaeda-inspired insecurity still rife and political squabbling endemic -- the government admitted it would be impossible.It instead opted for a system of clan-appointed electoral colleges choosing MPs for the lower house, with an upper house of regional representatives.Some parliamentarians, eager to stay in office as long as possible, are blocking the bill to legalise the electoral model.We urge the parliament as a matter of extreme urgency to endorse that model, said Rycroft.The last election in 2012 involved clan elders gathering in the capital to select MPs who would back their interests.Diplomats say the current plan is broader and better, and would be a stepping stone towards a genuinely democratic elections in 2020.Its nowhere near one person, one vote but it is a bridge towards that, and hopefully they can get there in one more go in 2020, said Rycroft.We understand there are challenges but the most important thing is to move forward, said Egypts ambassador Amr Abdellatif Aboulatta.Security fears meant the UN diplomats did not leave Mogadishus fortified airport compound, so Somali officials went to them instead.Shortly after the diplomats left, at least one person was killed in a suicide bombing at a cafe in Mogadishu.We are very much happy, very much optimistic and a little bit tired, said Somalias President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud before assuring the Security Council that the elections would be held in August.Despite the promises, diplomats privately talk of likely delays, with some conceding a vote may not happen until the end of the year.The risk with delay is that you end up with a downward spiral, warned Rycroft. There has been a lot of progress but its fragile, and its reversible.

Brazil's suspended president launches online fightback

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BRASILIA (AFP) - Critics branded her aloof and inaccessible in leadership, but since being suspended as president pending impeachment proceedings, Brazils Dilma Rousseff is reaching out to the nation in a feverish online campaign.This week the 68-year-old leftist leader took to Facebook to answer users questions -- taking the opportunity to lay into one of the men who got her suspended, the now acting president Michel Temer.Ahead of her suspension, media had painted a picture of a lonely and isolated Rousseff hunkering down in the presidential residence, where she is still allowed to live, as she prepared her defense against a Senate impeachment trial.Instead the former guerrilla member, who was tortured during Brazils 1964-1985 military dictatorship, has gone on the attack openly on the social media networks.She is accused of fiddling government accounts to hide the state of Brazils economy as she ran for re-election in 2014. She says the impeachment drive is a coup by Temer and other rivals.Temer, like Rousseff, suffers low approval ratings. As well as having to win over Brazilians to his liberal economic reforms, he now also faces a fierce online campaign from the suspended leader who refuses to go quietly.Kisses on Twitter Practically all the measures Temer and his government have passed since he stepped in as interim head of state on May 12 have been met by scornful messages by Rousseff on Twitter.On Wednesday she sent a big kiss in a message on the popular messaging service to the cast of a Brazilian film who held up signs in her support on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival.On Wednesday she discussed Temers planned social welfare cuts.On Thursday she fielded questions on Facebook about Temers decision to downgrade the culture ministry to a smaller ministerial department.Rousseff appeared on her page smiling, seated at a laptop computer alongside her former culture minister Juca Ferreira.Rousseff said that creating the culture ministry was one of the first measures she took after becoming president.That was not a coincidence. The end of the dictatorship allowed the country to dream of greater liberties, she said.It is as if they wanted to return to the authoritarian past.The man seen as the main mastermind behind the impeachment drive, former congressional speaker Eduardo Cunha, is fighting for his political life, like Rousseff.He has been suspended by the Supreme Court over bribery allegations.

Raja Riaz sees Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in Imran Khan

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FAISALABAD (Dunya News) – Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) former leader Raja Riaz, who recently joined Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), says he sees PPP founder Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in PTI chairman Imran Khan. He added that Khan’s ideology was similar to Bhutto and former Prime Minister (PM) Benazir Bhutto.According to the details, Riaz, who is fond of Bhutto, has now started supporting Khan has even started equating him to the PPP founder, though the way of addressing rallies is different for both leaders.Riaz claims that more PPP leader will be joining PTI soon.The former PPP leader had earlier decided to join PTI after meeting Khan through Shah Mehmood Qureshi.A number of PTI leaders were not pleased with Riaz’s inclusion in the party and even protested against it while ten of them complained about the cases filed against him in regards to gas theft. They also presented proofs of various allegations leveled against him when a local leader of the party arrived at Khan s Bani Gala residence to inform him about the preparations of the Faisalabad public meeting. The leaders claim that the party s reputation will be tarnished as a result of Riaz’s inclusion.Riaz was kept out of PPP s meetings by its chairman Bilawal Bhutto, upon which the former held a press conference to reflect upon his thoughts of being ignored. He also met with PPP leader Faryal Talpur who assured him of arranging a meeting with the party’s chairman but Bilawal decided not to meet Riaz.

Karachi has 15-20 terrorist groups, could not be traced: Additional IG

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Additional Inspector-General (IG) Counter Terrorism Department Sanaullah Abbasi Thursday stated that there were 15-20 terrorist groups who are active in Karachi, but admitted that law enforcement agencies had been unable to track them down up until now.Talking to Dunya News during the program ‘Dunya Kamran Khan Kay Sath’ Abbasi stated that peace and stability situation had improved significantly in the city due to the on-going operation, adding that dangerous elements of terrorist groups were still active in the city while incidents of crime could not be decrease as well.On the other hand, action against terrorists is also underway in Punjab. IG Punjab stated that 60 terrorists had been eliminated in one years time while their facilitators had also been exterminated from the Province.

U-turn signs on roads should be replaced with Imran's picture: Fazl

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QUETTA (Dunya News) – Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman Thursday lambasted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan, saying that the PTI chairman had become so famous for going back from his words that U-turn signs on roads should be replaced with a picture of Khan.Addressing a Workers Convention in Railways hockey ground of Quetta, the JUI-F chief stated that those crying about robbers have now been revealed as robbers themselves. He added that those who had crucified Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif and saved themselves will not be allowed a safe exit. Fazl stated that the Opposition itself was unable to reach a decision on the Panama Leaks matter. He further stated that the Opposition had first demanded a probe by FIA, then called for an investigation headed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and is now attempting to spread anarchy through the nation with Terms of References (TORs) fiasco.Deputy Chairman Senate Maulana Abdul Ghaffur Haideri, Hafiz Hussain Ahmed and other leaders also addressed the Convention on the occasion.

Lahore: Punjab CM meets Balochistan counterpart

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Shehbaz Sharif met Balochistan CM Sanaullah Zehri at Lahore Airport on Thursday, reported Dunya News.Both the leaders discussed matters of mutual interest, exchanged views over political situation and promotion of inter-provincial harmony. On this occasion, Sanaullah presented compensation cheques worth Rs 5.5 billion for the victims of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park attack.CM Balochistan, on his visit to Lahore on March 29 announced compensation for Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park victims including Rs 5 hundred thousand for victims of the martyred while Rs 3 hundred thousand for critically injured victims. Shehbaz Sharif thanked Sanaullah for helping the victims.

Indian nuclear missile tests pose serious threat to Pakistan: Sartaj Aziz

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - During Senate session held on Thursday and convened by Chairman Senate Raza Rabbani, Advisor to the Prime Minister (PM) on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz explained the policy and said that India has stepped into a new race of weapons in the region while Pakistan has reservations and serious concerns regarding Indias new nuclear missile tests which may lead to imbalance in the region, reported Dunya News.He said that India is affecting peace process in the region and that Pakistan is considering to highlight the issue in United Nation’s (UN) General Assembly. He said that Pakistan will present a resolution endorsing the Indian Ocean as a nuclear weapons-free region.Pakistan had invited India for negotiations over nuclear weapons but India did not respond positively to Pakistani invitation, he added.Aziz said that India does not seem a responsible country and that Indian nuclear missile tests have posed a major threat for Pakistan and peace in the region.Raza Rabbani expressed reservations over America’s U-turn over F-16s’ sale and said that Pakistan is a sovereign country and no country is allowed to intervene in Pakistan’s national issues. He added that Pakistan has extreme concerns over US State Department’s statement and that the US should be acknowledged of Pakistan’s concerns.Aziz said that 2393 Pakistanis have been stranded in Saudi Arabia while 64 of them had been accused of murder and 868 of them had been accused of drug smuggling. The prisoners have been detained in Riyadh and Jeddah, he added.He said that radical steps should be taken to bring those prisoners back who have completed their sentence. There are 22 hundred thousand Pakistanis currently working in Saudi Arabia, he added.

Faisalabad: PTI completes security arrangements for rally

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FAISALABAD (Dunya News) – Despite disapproval by the administration, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has completed security arrangements in Dhobi Ghat Ground for upcoming rally while DCO Faisalabad Salman Ghanim, CPO Afzal Kausar and PTI leaders examined the venue and arrangements made by the party, reported Dunya News on Thursday.PTI has also formed ‘Tiger Force’ which would be deployed to protect women and prevent any unpleasant happening in the rally.There would be 3 main gates to enter the rally while iron fences have been removed from 4 points to provide temporary way.Iron fence and barbed wire have also been placed to form separate enclosure for women. To ensure security measures, 1800 police personnel have been deployed at the venue.Lady police officers would also be deployed to secure women workers in the rally. All possible arrangements have been made to deal with incidents like that of Lahore and Islamabad.
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