Akram's wife dies at the age of 42

Updated at: 1351 PST, Sunday, October 25, 2009
CHENNAI: Huma, the wife of former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram, has died in a hospital in Chennai on Sunday after developing heart and kidney complications.

According to sources, she was admitted to the Apollo Hospital last Tuesday after her condition deteriorated on board an air ambulance flying from Lahore to Singapore, where she was due to be treated.

Huma, 42, is survived by two sons, and arrangements are underway to fly her body back to Pakistan, hospital sources said.

Ijaz Butt, the PCB chairman, also expressed his grief over the demise.

"We are with Wasim and his family at this hour of need and pray to God to give them strength to bear this great and irreparable loss," he said.

A trained medical practitioner herself, Huma had a brief stint as psychologist of the Pakistan team in the mid 1990s.

Supply of edibles, cash cards among SWA affectees

DI KHAN/TANK: The supply of food items and cash cards among displaced persons of South Waziristan is underway in Dera Ismail Khan and Tank.

Important link roads have been reopened for traffic for access to safe places from the conflict-affected areas.

Lt. Col. of Special Support Group Imdad Hussain told Geo News that over 2,700 cash cards were prepared. Of these, 500 were distributed among SWA affectees in Dera Ismail Khan. The rest of the cards are also being distributed.

The affectees will receive Rs5,000 per month through smart cards.

Op. Rah-e-Nijat: Security forces take control of Kotkai

WANA: Security forces have taken control of Kotkai – the native village of Taliban Chief Hakeemullah Mehsud, whereas 13 extremists were also killed in the clashed Saturday.

According to reports, security forces were advancing toward Kotkai – the village of banned outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Chief Hakeemullah Mehsud and Qari Husain, who is allegedly known as a recruiter of suicide bombers.

The security forces took control of the region previous night.

During the operation security forces had to face stiff resistance on part of the extremists and 13 militants were killed in the clashes.

3 killed, 2 injured in Bajaur helicopter crash

Updated at: 2048 PST, Saturday, October 24, 2009

BAJAUR AGENCY: Three persons are killed and 2 others injured when an MI-17 helicopter crashed in Bajaur Agency.The army helicopter MI-17 crashed in Tehsil Nawagai. Three persons on board were killed and 2 others injured, sources said.

NWFP schools to remain closed for another week

Updated at: 1827 PST, Saturday, October 24, 2009
PESHAWAR: NWFP Government has decided to keep the schools closed for another week in the backdrop of deteriorating law and order situation.

In a statement issued by NWFP’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, it has been notified that the schools will remain closed till November 1.

Initially the schools in NWFP including Peshwar were closed down from October 21 to 25. This period has now been extended till November 1.

Punjab will decide about reopening of schools in the province by tonight.

Nobel Prize for Good Will (America)

Just like Goodwill Ambassadors who stand for international organizations and propagate their activities, especially philanthropic ones, the Nobel committee surprised us by granting the American president, Barrack Obama, the Nobel Peace Prize not for his accomplishments, but for the good deeds he has vowed to do!

More often than not, the awarding of this very prize is liable to cause arguments, especially if it involves various political factors. However, Obama’s winning is the most controversial in the history of this prize, which dates back to 1901. But what was the reaction of journalists who attended the conference where the winner of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize was announced? They just stood agape! And, supposedly, this is the feeling shared by everyone from one end of the globe to the other, including Obama himself, who said he did not deserve it.

At the writing of this article, sarcastic criticism has not ceased, to the extent that some dubbed the prize the “Nobel Prize for Talk,” alluding to the speeches and vows Obama has made since he was inaugurated on January 20, 2009, and has not yet achieved. And that is damnably true.

During his electoral campaign, Obama promised to pull back his troops from Iraq, close the “ill-famed” Guantanamo detention camp, extend dialogue bridges to the Islamic world, defuse the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and make gains in the so-called “war on terror” in Afghanistan. However, nothing of the sort was carried out before he was announced the Nobel laureate.

It is beyond any shadow of doubt that Obama has created a new universal situation. He is the first president ever who depends on public relations on such a broad basis. Even before he became president, Obama went from being an ordinary candidate for the American presidency to being a universal character. And, like movie stars, he was friendly enough to reach out to everyone!

Obama might be serious about changing the way the world sees his country. He is keen on proliferating unprecedented waves of universal peace. He adopts the language of diplomacy rather than war. Yet, he has forwarded nothing realistic, except for a heap of good intentions. That is why he may be called the “Nobel Ambassador for Good Will!”

India concerned over safety of Pak's nuclear installations

ndia has expressed concern about the security of the Pakistan's nuclear arsenal after militants struck near a nuclear facility in Kamra in Punjab province on Friday.

Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said on Friday that India hoped Pakistan government would take steps to ensure its nuclear weapons do not fall into the hands of militants.

The statement holds significance in the wake of an attack near a nuclear facility in the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex within the cantonment in Kamra in Punjab on Friday, which killed seven people. The terrorists struck near a nuclear facility in Pakistan for the fourth time since 2007.

Apart from the Karma blast, a bus carrying a marriage party was also blown up in a landmine explosion near Mohmand Agency. Several women and children are among the dead in the incident.

Hours before the bus blast, at least 10 people were injured in a bomb attack outside a restaurant in the northwestern city of Peshawar.

Immunisation (Immunization)

What is immunisation?
Immunisation is a technique that allows us to protect both children and adults from harmful infections that they may come into contact with, which may otherwise produce serious illness or even death. To 'immunise' someone means to produce in someone the ability to fight off an infection. This can be done through giving vaccinations, which are usually in the form of an injection.
Why is immunisation important?
Immunisation is a very important part of disease prevention. By immunising as many people as possible in the population, we can help reduce the number of people who will become infected, and reduce the spread of any infections that do occur. So far, immunisation programs in Australia have been very successful. Largely thanks to these programs, deaths from diseases like diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type b infection and measles are now rare in Australia; and poliomyelitis (polio) is virtually unknown in the developed world. The process of immunisation usually begins in childhood (see the article on childhood immunisations for more information), but it is important to keep up to date with vaccinations throughout adult life to make sure you stay protected.
How does immunisation work?
Immunisation is actually a natural process which happens almost every time we are exposed to a new bug such as a virus or bacteria. It explains why a second infection of a bug is much less likely to cause disease than the first infection. (For example, once a person has had one attack of chicken pox, they are much less likely to develop the disease again.) This happens because of the way our immune system works. The first time the immune system is exposed to a bug, it reacts slowly, and can take a long time to clear the bug from the body. The second time it is exposed, though, it recognises the bug much faster and can clear it much more efficiently, before the disease has a chance to develop or become serious. We can make this process of immunisation happen artificially by giving someone a modified or killed version of the bug in a 'vaccine'. Their system will recognise and respond to the modified version in the same way it would to a natural infection - but without getting sick. Then, if the person ever comes into contact with the real bug in the community, their body will be able to make a rapid response to it, clearing the bug away before the disease has a chance to develop or become serious.
What is in vaccines?
Vaccines may contain either a modified (weakened) version of a live virus, a small dose of killed bacteria or part of the bacteria, or even a small dose of a weakened toxin produced by bacteria. They may also contain small amounts of preservative, antibiotic, or aluminium salt, which help keep the vaccine stable over time and help it work better. Examples of vaccines which contain a modified version of a live virus include the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, and the varicella (chicken pox) vaccine. These vaccines are very effective at achieving long-lasting immunity to the diseases, because they produce a strong immune response. Vaccines which contain killed bacteria or viruses, or parts of the bacteria, are usually not quite as effective as the modified live vaccines. This is because the immune response they produce is not as strong. These vaccines will often require several doses over a period of time, or 'booster' doses throughout life, to maintain adequate immunity.
What are the risks of vaccination?
Overall, the risks associated with vaccinations given in Australia are very small compared to the dangers of the diseases they protect against. Because vaccinations are designed to produce an immune response in your body, it is not uncommon to experience some mild side-effects after a dose is given. These might include a mild fever, rash, or pain and swelling at the injection site. Paracetamol may be used to reduce fever and soreness. Rarely, more serious problems do occur following an immunisation. Allergic reactions to part of a vaccine may be life-threatening. In addition, some live attenuated (modified) vaccines do carry a very small risk of the vaccinated person developing the illness. Though childhood vaccinations such as the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine have occasionally been linked to development of conditions such as autism and asthma, extensive research has failed to find any connection.
Are there some people who can't receive vaccinations?
A person should not receive a vaccine if they have:
A history of anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction) after a previous dose of the vaccine; or
Known anaphylactic sensitivity to a component of the vaccine, indicating that a severe allergic reaction would be likely.
In addition, vaccines containing modified 'live' viruses should generally not be given if:
A person's immune system is suppressed, either due to a disease or a medication they are taking; or
A woman is pregnant.
What vaccinations are recommended for adults in Australia?
The vaccination schedule described below is that funded and recommended by the Australian Government for older Australians:
Any Australian aged 65 years and older should receive a yearly influenza (flu) vaccine;
Any Australian aged 65 years and older should receive one dose of the pneumococcal polysaccharide (23vPPV) vaccine if they are not already immune, or one booster dose if they have been vaccinated before;
Any Australian aged 50 years and over who has not received a booster dose of the adult diphtheria-tetanus (ADT) vaccine in the last 10 years should receive a booster;
In people who have missed some or all of their childhood vaccines, 'catch-up' vaccinations against diseases such as varicella (chicken pox) may be needed if they are at risk of infection;
Occasionally, vaccinations against other diseases (such as hepatitis A and hepatitis B), may be offered to patients with medical, occupational, travel or other reasons.
The Influenza (flu) Vaccine
Influenza (the flu) is a viral illness transmitted from person to person by respiratory droplets, such as in a cough or sneeze. It may produce a wide range of symptoms, from mild respiratory illness to pneumonia or even death. Some people are at increased risk of developing a serious illness with the flu. Risk factors include being elderly; having a chronic medical condition like heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes; pregnancy; and smoking. There are many different 'strains' of influenza virus in existence, and immunity against one strain of the virus will not always protect you against a different strain. A new influenza vaccine is developed and distributed every year to protect specifically against a number (usually three) of the strains of influenza virus that are expected to be common in the community that year. To be protected, you need to receive the flu vaccination every year. Even if you received a vaccination the previous year, it will not be effective against the strains of the virus expected in the current year. Receiving the flu vaccine will not protect you against every strain of the flu virus; nor will it protect you from the common cold (this is caused by a different kind of virus for which there is no vaccine). The flu vaccine is one injection, usually given into the muscle of your upper arm. It is generally given in the autumn months, in anticipation of flu outbreaks in winter. It is recommended that the following people receive the influenza vaccination every year:
Any person aged 65 years and over;
Any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander over 50 years;
Any person over the age of 6 years who is at increased risk of infection or complication due to underlying medical illness or immunosuppression;
Residents of nursing homes and other care facilities;
Health care workers and other contacts of high-risk patients.
In addition, many workplaces in Australia provide influenza vaccinations for their staff. Any person who wishes to receive a flu vaccine but is not listed above can request one from their doctor. Side effects of the influenza vaccine are usually mild, and may include soreness at the vaccination site, fever, or muscle aches and pains.

The Pneumococcal Vaccine
Pneumococcal disease refers to disease caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae. In adults, this is usually a pneumonia (lung infection), but it may also cause meningitis. It is particularly dangerous for people who have underlying lung disease, and in smokers. The adult pneumococcal vaccine (the pneumococcal polysaccharide (23vPPV) vaccine) protects against the 23 most common subtypes of pneumococcal infection encountered in Australia. It is given as a single injection, usually into the upper arm. The adult pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for:
Any person aged 65 years and older;
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 50 years and over;
Any person over the age of 5 years who is at increased risk of infection or complication due to underlying medical illness or immunosuppression, or people who do not have a spleen.
Revaccination ('booster' doses) should not be given within 3 years of the last dose, but may be required 5 to 10 years after the first dose if a person is still at increased risk of developing the disease. Up to half the adults who receive the pneumococcal vaccine experience some pain and swelling at the injection site. Mild fever is also possible. Booster doses are slightly more likely to produce pain and swelling at the injection site than the first dose.
Special groups
Children
For information about childhood immunisation schedules, see the article on childhood immunisation.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Respiratory diseases are a major cause of preventable sickness and even death in Australian Indigenous communities. As a result, the Australian Government recommends and funds some additional vaccinations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people between the ages of 15 and 49 years who are at increased risk of infection and/or serious complications, for example because they have heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, asthma, drink excessive amounts of alcohol or smoke tobacco should receive:
Annual influenza vaccination; and
A booster dose of pneumococcal polysaccharide (23vPPV) vaccination, given either 5 years after their first dose, or 10 years after re-vaccination
All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are 50 years and over should receive:
Annual influenza vaccination; and
A single booster dose of pneumococcal polysaccharide (23vPPV) vaccine, 5 years after their first dose.
Pregnant women
Vaccination is generally avoided during pregnancy, though there is little evidence to suggest that any vaccine in regular use in Australia will cause harm to the baby if given to a pregnant woman. Occasionally, however, a pregnant woman will be exposed to an infection where the risk of developing the infection will be greater than the risk of vaccination, and in this case the vaccine should be used. In other cases, changing travel plans can eliminate the risk of exposure and therefore remove the need for vaccination. Another exception to the rule is the influenza (flu) vaccine, which is recommended for pregnant women when they are at increased risk of infection for any reason, or when they are expected to be in their second or third trimester during 'flu season'.

Reference
Braunwald, Fauci, Kasper, Hauser, Longo, Jameson. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 16th Edition. McGraw-Hill. 2005.
Hibberd, PL. 'Approach to immunizations in healthy adults' [online] UpToDate, 2005.
NHMRC, 'The Australian Immunisation Handbook' [online]. Department of Health and Ageing. 2003. Available at: http://www9.health.gov.au/immhandbook/ (last accessed: 29/7/06)
Peakman M, Vergani D. Basic and Clinical Immunology. Sydney: Churchill Livingstone, 2002.
Robinson, M.J., Roberton, D.M. Practical Paediatrics (fifth edition). Sydney: Churchill Livingstone, 2003.

High-level meeting stresses enhanced cooperation among LEAs

ISLAMABAD: A high-level meeting held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani decided to enhance cooperation among law enforcement agencies and improve operational capability of police, CID and special branch.

Senior military leadership and heads of law enforcement agencies participated in the meeting at PM Secretariat.

Chief ministers of Sindh, Balochistan and NWFP, advisor to Chief Minister Punjab, federal ministers besides Army Chief, DG ISI, head of FC, IGs police and provincial chief secretaries were present.

The meeting took stock of the security measures being adopted across the country, the wave of terrorism and the ongoing operation against terrorists.

The participants reiterated their resolve to root out terrorism by employing all the available resources, sources told Geo News.

It was decided during meeting that the Army will provide training to the police commandoes and equip them with modern weapons.

Decision was also made to release Rs2.5 billion for the relief and support of the displaced persons of Waziristan.

The military representatives gave detailed briefing on Waziristan operation while the Interior Ministry briefed the participants on the overall law and order situation.

Man, wife, two siblings dead in Islamabad accident

Updated at: 2139 PST, Friday, October 23, 2009
ISLAMABAD : Man and his wife and their two siblings lost their lives when a dumper fell on their car off Shakriyal area off Islamabad, Geo News reported Friday.

The couple was riding the ill-fated car along with their three siblings. The third injured child has been brought to PIMS Hospital.

The driver and another man on the dumper fled the scene as soon as the accident happened

Obama’s Balance Wobbles

First Things First. We may have underestimated the significance of yesterday’s discussions between Iran and the “5+1″ power when we wrote (1640 GMT), “The Iranians have achieved their primary objective, which is to avoid an immediate condemnation and the threat of sanctions from a “breakdown” of today’s discussions.”

The biggest signal of a breakthrough at the talks was not the declaration, from all sides, that Iran would invite the International Atomic Energy Agency to visit the second enrichment facility at Qom “in the next couple of weeks” (1715 GMT). That was always the likely Iranian concession to “the West”: contrary to the exaggerations in the US and British media, Qom is not that significant a plant, serving at this point as potential back-up to the main enrichment site at Natanz. So Tehran can accept inspections, provided its sovereignty is also maintained in an agreement, with the assurance that there’s nothing illegal to be seen at the second facility.

No, here was the white smoke of a larger deal: “the Western media continues to miss the announcement, enthusiastically proclaimed by Press TV, that officials from Iran and the “5+1″ powers will have technical talks on 18 October on ‘third-party enrichment’” (1935 GMT). A couple of hours later, McClatchy News Service put out the news:

Iran agreed in principle at high-level talks here to ship most of its enriched uranium to Russia, where it would be refined for exclusively peaceful uses, in what Western diplomats called a significant, but interim measure, to ease concerns over its nuclear development.

Under the tentative deal reached here, Iran would ship what a U.S. official said was “most” of its approximately 3.300 pounds of low-enriched uranium to Russia where it would be further refined. French technicians would then fabricate it into fuel rods and return it to Tehran, to insert into a nuclear research reactor that is used to make isotopes for nuclear medicine.

This morning, The New York Times headlines, “Iran Agrees to Send Enriched Uranium to Russia”, and The Washington Post also picks up on the development. Perhaps most importantly, President Obama slipped the news into his statement last night, “Taking the step of transferring its low-enriched uranium to a third country would be a step towards building confidence that Iran’s program is in fact peaceful.”

Of course, this is far from a done deal. The head of Iran’s delegation, Saeed Jalili, was cautious when he appeared on CNN last night, saying that the matter would not have to be discussed by the “experts” in the IAEA, rather than the 5+1 Powers. Press TV’s website, in contrast to the network’s excited declaration of the technical talks on 18 October, is now silent on the matter.

Yet make no mistake. At this point the outcome is a victory for the Ahmadinejad Government. A week ago, President Obama, flanked by the British and French leaders, was loudly declaring that the US would be punishing Iran economically if Tehran did not concede on the “secret nuclear plant”. The White House scrambled last night to keep the stick on the table, with Obama putting out boilerplate warnings, Talk is not substitute for action. Pledges of cooperation must be fulfilled….Our patience is not unlimited.” An official added the specific caution to The New York Times, “[This] would represent a major accomplishment for the West, reducing Iran’s ability to make a nuclear weapon quickly and buying more time for negotiations to bear fruit. If Iran has secret stockpiles of enriched uranium, however, the accomplishment would be hollow.”

Now, however, that stick would have to be waved in the face of not one but two tracks of conversations. There are the technical talks, and there is the next meeting of the 5+1 powers with Iran, flagged up for the end of October. So, unless the US is prepared to pull the plug suddenly on both processes (or unless the Iranian Government is foolish enough to abandon the discussions), there is no pretext for further sanctions before the end of the year, even if Tehran draws out the talks with the IAEA over access to the second enrichment facility.

And even then, Washington’s stick has been a limp one. Juan Cole enthuses this morning, “Barack Obama pwned Bush-Cheney in one day, and got more concessions from Iran in 7 1/2 hours than the former administration got in 8 years of saber-rattling,” but the Obama Administration probably could have had the same result that it got yesterday had it kept its collective mouth shut last week. Instead, the President and his advisors raised the stakes with threats and then found, in the 72 hours leading up to Geneva, that they could not deliver if necessary: neither Russia nor China was on board, and the European Union as well as the IAEA signalled their preference for genuine discussions.

This alone would be excellent reward for Tehran, but President Ahmadinejad’s victory — and this will be the unnoticed side-effect of the discussions — is even greater. For over the last week, the “Western” powers have given him the legitimacy for which he has struggled at home. Have no doubt: the President and his advisors will be proclaiming loudly that they have defended Iran’s sovereignty, upheld the rights of other peoples with their insistence on discussion on wider political and economic issues, and forced the US, Britain, and France to back down. Last night Jalili was already denouncing the “media terrorism” which tried to humiliate Iran and refusing to acknowledge a question from an Israeli reporter.

In other words — I doubt you can find many non-Iranian commentators who will note this, although The Guardian has noted somewhat clumsily, ”An Islamic regime involved in rape…is more of an issue in Tehran than the nuclear one” — the Geneva discussions were the second theatre for the Ahmadinejad Government. What it needed, even more than the disappearance of the sanctions threat and space for its nuclear programme, was the drama and spectacle of recognition to take back home.

The President and his advisors may have been playing to the Western galleries, but they recognise that the primary theatre is still at home. So now the question arises: can the regime use the nuclear talks to push aside the challenges to its authority or will other issues — detentions, abuses, Constitutional manipulations — now return to centre stage?

10 Ways to Stay Looking Young By Kathy Burns-Millyard

If you're worried about the effects of aging, and you want to do everything you can to remain looking as young as possible for as long as possible, here are some great tips that will help.

1. Eat healthy foods. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, make sure you get plenty of fiber, and avoid sugary foods and simple carbohydrates.

2. Keep your body healthy. Be sure to get plenty of exercise, so that your muscles stay toned, sleak, and sexy.

3. Be sure you're getting enough of the right vitamins. All of the antioxidants are most important for keeping your skin looking much younger and healthier. So be sure to get plenty of vitamin A., vitamin C, and vitamin E. from either supplements or your food.

4. Protect your skin from direct sunlight. Strong direct sunlight can help damage your skin and cause it to wrinkle much faster than normal. This damage and wrinkly will cause you to look much older than you actually are. If you really enjoy being out in the sun, be sure to use strong sunblock lotions.

5. Avoid being out in the sun during the primary times of the day. If you're out in the sun between about 10 in the morning and three in the afternoon, your skin will receive much more damage than it does if you are out of the sun and the earlier mornings or later afternoon. Staying indoors during the sunniest parts of the day will help protect your skin for much longer.

6. Wear protective clothing when you're outside. It may seem contradictory to wear long sleeved shirts when you're out in the heat of the sun, but those long sleeves will help protect the skin on your arms which will allow it to continue looking younger for much longer.

7. Don't smoke cigarettes, or quit smoking if you currently do. Some studies suggest that cigarette smoking can damage your skin and make it age prematurely.

8. Use gentle cleansers when you're cleaning your skin. Strong and harsh so can actually dry your skin and make a crack. Also try to avoid any additives to your soaps and lotions, such as perfumes and dyes which can also be harmful to the skin.

9. Keep your skin moist by using gentle moisturizers regularly. Keeping your skin moist will help it avoid drying out and cracking, and the moisturizers also leave it very supple and sexy looking which is usually associated with younger skin.

10. Remove your unwanted hair carefully, and gently. Shaving usually does not have to be gone on a daily basis, but when you do shave frequently you run the risk of causing more damage to your skin. If you use a razor, the gentle so that you don't cut yourself. And if you use creams and lotions that remove hair, be aware of what type of chemicals are contained in those products.

Black Water (American) in Pakistan ; Is That True ?

Black Water is in Pakistan, and what it stands for was first divulged by TPS back in October 2008. It is world’s biggest, richest, deadliest and most powerful mercenary army, which operates from United States of America and even the world’s sole super power hasn’t got any tangible control over this army, though Black Water always acts as sidekick for the US armies around the globe.

Black Water hires retired army-men and villains and criminals from around the world. Especially they target the poor countries in Asia and Africa for the fodder. They act as NGOs and welfare organization in poor countries and recruit people in the name of sending them to the land of dreams; the USA. They also reach first to the areas where earthquakes and floods strike, and pickup the strong helpless men and give them “jobs.”

Black Water now operates under the name of “Xe”. After Black Water name became so notorious with respect to the Iraq war, the company president Gary Jackson changed the name. Black Water or Xe is based in the U.S. state of North Carolina, Xe operates a tactical training facility which the company claims is the world’s largest, and at which the company trains more than 40,000 people a year, mostly from U.S. or foreign military and police services. The training consists of military offensive and defensive operations, as well as smaller scale personal security. That’s only a cover, and the workings of this covert organization comprises of all the dirty and murderous acts.

Iraq is just one example. Black Water recruited the Iraqi men and used them against the Iraqi people. Iraqis are very well of this evil outfit and in Fluja city they killed the Black Water personnel who were working in the garb of food contractors and hung their corpses along with the banks of Euphrates. Now the media in Pakistan is reporting that Black Water has well established itself in the country, especially in the Peshawar and Islamabad.

Orya Maqbool Jan of Express News wrote in is column that University Town in Peshawar is the headquarter of Black Water in Pakistan. He also claims that Black Water people can been frequently seen in the area guarding vehicles and people, clad in black suits and black glasses. He also says that the biggest embassy of America in Islamabad having thousands of employees is just another Black Water plan. He also says that Black Water is operating in Pakistan under the cover of a NGO Creative Associates.

If that is true, then what exactly is the purpose and objective of Black Water in Pakistan? What they are guarding or are they planning some kind of offensive? Our politicos are dead silent over that. Our parliament is a rubber stamp, and our president is as usual on foreign trips and our premier is all-time-confused. Our opposition is luke-warm and rest of the parties are plain hopeless. The only hope against any Black Water is our security forces and the people of this country, who are ready to shed every last drop of their blood for the motherland.

Pakistan for mutually beneficial Pak-India relations 20/10/2009

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Friday said it desires mutually beneficial and harmonious cooperative relationship with India.

"We are committed to a serious, sustained and constructive engagement with India and early and full normalization of relations on the basis of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and non-interference," said Foreign Office Spokesman Muhammad Sadiq in his weekly press briefing.

He said considerable progress has been made in building mutual confidence through the Composite Dialogue process and it is Pakistan's desire that this process should be carried forward and made result oriented for the benefit of the people of the two countries.

Replying to a question, the spokesman said, he had no knowledge about the progress on back channel diplomacy on Pak-India relations as the Foreign Office always involved in front channel diplomacy.

"Pakistan is committed to expanding bilateral trade with India and we are also ready for liberalization of visa regime," he added.

The spokesman said Pakistan supports the right of the Kashmiri people to determine their destiny.

"We are committed to promoting intra-Kashmir interactions including cross-LoC trade," he said.

The spokesman said Pakistan would also like to make early progress in resolving Sir Creek and Siachen disputes.

He said Pakistan has made a number of suggestions to address mutual concerns on security and counter terrorism which include making the Joint Anti-Terrorism Mechanism more effective to discuss cooperation in counter terrorism and regular contact between DGs MO to ensure respect for the ceasefire.

The National Security Advisors of the two countries will also meet shortly, he added.

While commenting on the reports that India is violating the Indus Basin Water Treaty by curtailing the flow of water in Chenab River the spokesman said, "We are seriously concerned over significant reduction in flow of water in Chenab River."

He said it has caused extensive damage to Pakistan's agriculture and the Indian action is a clear violation of Indus Waters Treaty.

Pakistan was prompt to take cognizance of the issue both at the Indus Water Commission level and diplomatic level.

He said the reduction in flow was protested by Pakistan Commissioner with his Indian counterpart through various letters and telephone calls.

He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also conveyed Pakistan's concern to the Indian government through a note verbal on September 5 with the request to restore full supply to Pakistan.

The spokesman said the matter was also raised by the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan with the Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad on September 4 and by the Pakistan High Commissioner with the Indian Foreign Secretary in New Delhi on September 12.

He said the Indian Deputy High Commissioner in Islamabad was called in on September 13 to convey Pakistan's concerns and request the Government of India for immediate remedial action.

The spokesman said in response to Pakistan's demarches, the Indian Commissioner for Indus Water Commission has invited Indus Water Commissioner to inspect the Baglihar Dam. The visit is expected to take place from October 18.

"We were assured that Indian government will take steps necessary to rectify the situation. Our efforts, however, will continue and intensify till the issue is resolved," he added.

Replying to a question about civilian trekking expedition to Siachen by India, the spokesman said Siachen glacier, occupied by India in 1984 in violation of the bilateral agreements, is on the agenda of the Composite Dialogue between Pakistan and India.

He sid its final status is yet to be determined, as agreed upon by the parties.

Pakistan has taken up the matter with India expressing concern over the weeklong trekking expedition, he added.

The spokesman said Pakistan had also conveyed its objection to the organizing of a similar trekking expedition last year.

He said Pakistan also called upon the Indian side to desist from acts that cast shadow on the peace process between Pakistan and India.

The Kerry-Lugar Bill: details and conditions

WASHINGTON: The following is the text of the Kerry-Lugar Bill passed by the Senate on Thursday, Sept 24, 2009. It will now go to the House of Representatives and if passed without amendments, will be sent to President Barack Obama for signing into law:

S.1707

Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009 (Engrossed as Agreed to or Passed by Senate)

SEC. 203. LIMITATIONS ON CERTAIN ASSISTANCE.

(a) Limitation on Security-related Assistance: For fiscal years 2011 through 2014, no security-related assistance may be provided to Pakistan in a fiscal year until the Secretary of State, under the direction of the President, makes the certification required under subsection (c) for such fiscal year.

(b) Limitation on Arms Transfers: For fiscal years 2012 through 2014, no letter of offer to sell major defence equipment to Pakistan may be issued pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act (22 USC 2751 et seq.) and no license to export major defence equipment to Pakistan may be issued pursuant to such Act in a fiscal year until the Secretary of State, under the direction of the President, makes the certification required under subsection (c) for such fiscal year.

(c) Certification: The certification required by this subsection is a certification by the Secretary of State, under the direction of the President, to the appropriate congressional committees that: (1) the Government of Pakistan is continuing to cooperate with the United States in efforts to dismantle supplier networks relating to the acquisition of nuclear weapons-related materials, such as providing relevant information from or direct access to Pakistani nationals associated with such networks;

(2) the Government of Pakistan during the preceding fiscal year has demonstrated a sustained commitment to and is making significant efforts towards combating terrorist groups, consistent with the purposes of assistance described in section 201, including taking into account the extent to which the Government of Pakistan has made progress on matters such as (A) ceasing support, including by any elements within the Pakistan military or its intelligence agency, to extremist and terrorist groups, particularly to any group that has conducted attacks against the United States or coalition forces in Afghanistan, or against the territory or people of neighbouring countries; (B) preventing al-Qaeda, the Taliban and associated terrorist groups, such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, from operating in the territory of Pakistan, including carrying out cross-border attacks into neighbouring countries, closing terrorist camps in the Fata, dismantling terrorist bases of operations in other parts of the country, including Quetta and Muridke, and taking action when provided with intelligence about high-level terrorist targets; and (C) strengthening counterterrorism and anti-money laundering laws; and (3) the security forces of Pakistan are not materially and substantially subverting the political or judicial processes of Pakistan.

(d) Certain Payments: (1) IN GENERAL- Subject to paragraph (2), none of the funds appropriated for security-related assistance for fiscal years 2010 through 2014, or any amounts appropriated to the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund established under the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009 (Public Law 111-32), may be obligated or expended to make payments relating to (A) the Letter of Offer and Acceptance PK-D-YAD signed between the Governments of the United States of America and Pakistan on September 30, 2006; (B) the Letter of Offer and Acceptance PK-D-NAP signed between the Governments of the United States of America and Pakistan on September 30, 2006; and C) the Letter of Offer and Acceptance PK-D-SAF signed between the Governments of the United States of America and Pakistan on September 30, 2006.

(2) EXCEPTION: Funds appropriated for security-related assistance for fiscal years 2010 through 2014 may be used for construction and related activities carried out pursuant to the Letters of Offer and Acceptance described in paragraph (1).

(e) Waiver: (1) IN GENERAL - The Secretary of State, under the direction of the President, may waive the limitations contained in subsections (a), (b), and (d) for a fiscal year if the Secretary of State determines that is important to the national security interests of the United States to do so.

(2) PRIOR NOTICE OF WAIVER: The Secretary of State, under the direction of the President, may not exercise the authority of paragraph (1) until seven days after the Secretary of State provides to the appropriate congressional committees a written notice of the intent to issue to waiver and the reasons therefore. The notice may be submitted in classified or unclassified form, as necessary.

(f) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined: In this section, the term `appropriate congressional committees’ means (1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives; and (2) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.

SEC. 204. PAKISTAN COUNTERINSURGENCY CAPABILITY FUND.

(a) For Fiscal Year 2010: (1) IN GENERAL - For fiscal year 2010, the Department of State’s Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund established under the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009 (Public Law 111-32), hereinafter in this section referred to as the `Fund’, shall consist of the following: (A) Amounts appropriated to carry out this subsection (which may not include any amounts appropriated to carry out title I of this Act).

(B) Amounts otherwise available to the Secretary of State to carry out this subsection.

(2) PURPOSES OF FUND: Amounts in the Fund made available to carry out this subsection for any fiscal year are authorised to be used by the Secretary of State, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Defence, to build and maintain the counterinsurgency capability of Pakistan under the same terms and conditions (except as otherwise provided in this subsection) that are applicable to amounts made available under the Fund for fiscal year 2009.

(3) TRANSFER AUTHORITY: (A) IN GENERAL - The Secretary of State is authorised to transfer amounts in the fund made available to carry out this subsection for any fiscal year to the Department of Defence’s Pakistan Counterinsurgency Fund established under the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009 (Public Law 111-32) and such amounts may be transferred back to the Fund if the Secretary of Defence, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, determines that such amounts are not needed for the purposes for which initially transferred.

(B) TREATMENT OF TRANSFERRED FUNDS: Subject to subsections (d) and (e) of section 203, transfers from the Fund under the authority of subparagraph (A) shall be merged with and be available for the same purposes and for the same time period as amounts in the Department of Defence’s Pakistan Counterinsurgency Fund.

(C) RELATION TO OTHER AUTHORITIES: The authority to provide assistance under this subsection is in addition to any other authority to provide assistance to foreign countries.

(D) NOTIFICATION: The Secretary of State shall, not less than 15 days prior to making transfers from the Fund under subparagraph (A), notify the appropriate congressional committees in writing of the details of any such transfer.

(b) Submission of Notifications: Any notification required by this section may be submitted in classified or unclassified form, as necessary.

(c) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined: In this section, the term `appropriate congressional committees’ means (1) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives; and (2) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate.

SEC. 205. REQUIREMENTS FOR CIVILIAN CONTROL OF CERTAIN ASSISTANCE

(a) Requirements: (1) IN GENERAL - For fiscal years 2010 through 2014, any direct cash security-related assistance or non-assistance payments by the United States to the Government of Pakistan may only be provided or made to civilian authorities of a civilian government of Pakistan.

(2) DOCUMENTATION: For fiscal years 2010 through 2014, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defence, shall ensure that civilian authorities of a civilian government of Pakistan have received a copy of final documentation provided to the United States related to non-assistance payments provided or made to the Government of Pakistan.

(b) Waiver: 1) SECURITY-RELATED ASSISTANCE: The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defence, may waive the requirements of subsection (a) with respect to security-related assistance described in subsection (a) funded from accounts within budget function 150 (International Affairs) if the Secretary of State certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that the waiver is important to the national security interest of the United States.

(2) NON-ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS: The Secretary of Defence, in consultation with the Secretary of State, may waive the requirements of subsection (a) with respect to non-assistance payments described in subsection (a) funded from accounts within budget function 050 (National Defence) if the Secretary of Defense certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that the waiver is important to the national security interest of the United States.

(c) Application to Certain Activities- Nothing in this section shall apply with respect to (1) any activities subject to reporting requirements under title V of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 413 et seq.); (2) any assistance to promote democratic elections or public participation in democratic processes; (3) any assistance or payments if the Secretary of State determines and certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that subsequent to the termination of assistance or payments a democratically elected government has taken office; (4) any assistance or payments made pursuant to section 1208 of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (Public Law 108-375; 118 Stat. 2086), as amended; (5) any payments made pursuant to the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement between the Department of Defense of the United States of America and the Ministry of Defense of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan; and (6) any assistance or payments made pursuant to section 943 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 110-417; 122 Stat. 4578).

(d) Definitions- In this section (1) the term `appropriate congressional committees’ means the Committees on Appropriations, Armed Services, and Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Appropriations, Armed Services, and Foreign Relations of the Senate; and (2) the term ‘civilian government of Pakistan’ does not include any government of Pakistan whose duly elected head of government is deposed by military coup or decree.

TITLE III—STRATEGY, ACCOUNTABILITY, MONITORING, AND OTHER PROVISIONS SEC. 301. STRATEGY REPORTS.

(a) Pakistan Assistance Strategy Report- Not later than 45 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report describing United States policy and strategy with respect to assistance to Pakistan under this Act. The report shall include the following: (1) A description of the principal objectives of United States assistance to Pakistan to be provided under title I of this Act.

(2) A general description of the specific programs, projects, and activities designed to achieve the purposes of section 101 and the respective funding levels for such programs, projects, and activities for fiscal years 2010 through 2014.

(3) A plan for program monitoring, operations research, and impact evaluation research for assistance authorized under title I of this Act.

(4) A description of the role to be played by Pakistani national, regional, and local officials and members of Pakistani civil society and local private sector, civic, religious, and tribal leaders in helping to identify and implement programs and projects for which assistance is to be provided under this Act, and of consultations with such representatives in developing the strategy.

(5) A description of the steps taken, or to be taken, to ensure assistance provided under this Act is not awarded to individuals or entities affiliated with terrorist organizations.

(6) A projection of the levels of assistance to be provided to Pakistan under this Act, broken down into the following categories as described in the annual `Report on the Criteria and Methodology for Determining the Eligibility of Candidate Countries for Millennium Challenge Account Assistance’: (A) Civil liberties. (B) Political rights. (C) Voice and accountability. (D) Government effectiveness. (E) Rule of law. (F) Control of corruption. (G) Immunization rates. (H) Public expenditure on health. (I) Girls’ primary education completion rate. (J) Public expenditure on primary education. (K) Natural resource management. (L) Business start-up. (M) Land rights and access. (N) Trade policy. (O) Regulatory quality. (P) Inflation control. (Q) Fiscal policy.

(7) An analysis for the suitable replacement for existing Pakistani helicopters, including recommendations for sustainment and training.

(b) Comprehensive Regional Strategy Report: (1) SENSE OF CONGRESS: It is the sense of Congress that the achievement of United States national security goals to eliminate terrorist threats and close safe havens in Pakistan requires the development of a comprehensive plan that utilizes all elements of national power, including in coordination and cooperation with other concerned governments, and that it is critical to Pakistan’s long-term prosperity and security to strengthen regional relationships among India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

(2) COMPREHENSIVE REGIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY: The President shall develop a comprehensive interagency regional security strategy to eliminate terrorist threats and close safe havens in Pakistan, including by working with the Government of Pakistan and other relevant governments and organizations in the region and elsewhere, as appropriate, to best implement effective counterinsurgency and counterterrorism efforts in and near the border areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan, including the FATA, the NWFP, parts of Balochistan, and parts of Punjab.

(3) REPORT: (A) IN GENERAL- Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the comprehensive regional security strategy required under paragraph (2).

(B) CONTENTS- The report shall include a copy of the comprehensive regional security strategy, including specifications of goals, and proposed timelines and budgets for implementation of the strategy.

(C) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES DEFINED: In this paragraph, the term `appropriate congressional committees’ means (i) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives; and (ii) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.

(c) Security-related Assistance Plan- Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a plan for the proposed use of amounts authorized for security-related assistance for each of the fiscal years 2010 through 2014. Such plan shall include an assessment of how the use of such amounts complements or otherwise is related to amounts described in section 204.

SEC. 302. MONITORING REPORTS.

(a) Semi-Annual Monitoring Report- Not later than 180 days after the submission of the Pakistan Assistance Strategy Report pursuant to section 301(a), and every 180 days thereafter through September 30, 2014, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that describes the assistance provided under this Act during the preceding 180-day period. The report shall include—

(1) a description of all assistance by program, project, and activity, as well as by geographic area, provided pursuant to title I of this Act during the period covered by the report, including the amount of assistance provided for each program or project, and with respect to the first report a description of all amounts made available for assistance to Pakistan during fiscal year 2009, including a description of each program, project, and activity for which funds were made available; (2) a list of persons or entities from the United States or other countries that have received funds in excess of $100,000 to conduct projects under title I of this Act during the period covered by the report, which may be included in a classified annex, if necessary to avoid a security risk, and a justification for the classification; (3) with respect to the plan described in section 301(a)(3), updates to such plan and a description of best practices to improve the impact of the assistance authorized under title I of this Act; (4) an assessment of the effectiveness of assistance provided under title I of this Act during the period covered by the report in achieving desired objectives and outcomes as guided by the plan described in section 301(a)(3), and as updated pursuant to paragraph (3) of this subsection, including a systematic, qualitative, and where possible, quantitative basis for assessing whether desired outcomes are achieved and a timeline for completion of each project and program; (5) a description of any shortfall in United States financial, physical, technical, or human resources that hinder the effective use and monitoring of such funds; (6) a description of any negative impact, including the absorptive capacity of the region for which the resources are intended, of United States bilateral or multilateral assistance and recommendations for modification of funding, if any; (7) any incidents or reports of waste, fraud, and abuse of expenditures under title I of this Act; (8) the amount of funds authorized to be appropriated pursuant to section 102 that were used during the reporting period for administrative expenses or for audits and program reviews pursuant to the authority under sections 101(c)(2) and 103; (9) a description of the expenditures made from any Chief of Mission Fund established pursuant to section 101(c)(5) during the period covered by the report, the purposes for which such expenditures were made, and a list of the recipients of any expenditures from the Chief of Mission Fund in excess of $100,000; (10) an accounting of assistance provided to Pakistan under title I of this Act, broken down into the categories set forth in section 301(a)(6); (11) an evaluation of efforts undertaken by the Government of Pakistan to (A) disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda, the Taliban, and other extremist and terrorist groups in the FATA and settled areas; (B) eliminate the safe havens of such forces in Pakistan; (C) close terrorist camps, including those of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed; (D) cease all support for extremist and terrorist groups; (E) prevent attacks into neighbouring countries; (F) increase oversight over curriculum in Madrassas, including closing Madrassas with direct links to the Taliban or other extremist and terrorist groups; and (G) improve counterterrorism financing and anti-money laundering laws, apply for observer status for the Financial Action Task Force, and take steps to adhere to the United Nations International Convention for the Suppression of Financing of Terrorism; (12) a detailed description of Pakistan’s efforts to prevent proliferation of nuclear-related material and expertise; (13) an assessment of whether assistance provided to Pakistan has directly or indirectly aided the expansion of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program, whether by the diversion of United States assistance or the reallocation of Pakistan’s financial resources that would otherwise be spent for programs and activities unrelated to its nuclear weapons program; (14) a detailed description of the extent to which funds obligated and expended pursuant to section 202(b) meet the requirements of such section; and (15) an assessment of the extent to which the Government of Pakistan exercises effective civilian control of the military, including a description of the extent to which civilian executive leaders and parliament exercise oversight and approval of military budgets, the chain of command, the process of promotion for senior military leaders, civilian involvement in strategic guidance and planning, and military involvement in civil administration.

Country in state of war:

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Interior Rehman Malik on Tuesday appealed to the nation to unite at this critical stage when the country is in state of war.

Talking to journalists at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences after enquiring after the health of wounded persons, the minister said the perpetrators of such acts are not the friends of Islam and Pakistan and they are testing the nerves of our nation.

Malik said all roads are leading to North Waziristan and South Waziristan where operation is underway. He said first these elements targeted educational institutions in Swat and now in Islamabad.

“Our Army is fighting against these elements and we would not allow any one to destabilise the country,” he maintained. He said security in Islamabad is highly alert and this incident occurred on the outskirts of the city. He said zonal security is being enhanced and the area of each zone is being expanded.

The minister said a meeting of vice chancellors of universities and principals of colleges has been called and future course of action whether to close the educational institutions or not would be made in it.

He appealed to the people to remain vigilant and inform the police about the suspicious elements around them. Malik said there are few Afghans serving as `Prayer Leader’ (Imam Masjid). “I ask them to quit immediately,” he said, adding illegal weapons were recovered during a raid at a seminary.

President, International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), Anwar Hussain Siddiqui, said the security guard at the cafeteria intercepted the suicide bomber at the entrance. University guards were performing their security duties, he said, adding that no one was being allowed to enter on the university premises without showing ID cards. He said the university area spans over 700 acres and it is being planned to construct boundary wall and erect fences around it.

Zardari issues ‘charge-sheet’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has issued a long charge-sheet against the deposed superior court judges, saying they never came to his rescue and were responsible for his eight years in jail.

In the clearest indication that the PPP may not stand by the Murree Declaration to restore the judges, the PPP leader told his central executive committee in Naudero that he was not interested in the restoration of personalities but wanted a judicial reforms package.

Analysts said things were getting complicated for Zardari, both within the PPP and outside, as he was moving closer to allies of President Musharraf and drifting away from his coalition partner Nawaz Sharif.

As Zardari issued his charge-sheet against the judges, Makhdoom Amin Fahim demanded the disbandment of the Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians which he heads. Others in the PPP blasted the party leadership's decision to join hands with the MQM.

On the other hand, the PML-N is determined not to compromise on the issue of restoration of the deposed judges through a resolution in the National Assembly. The party says it seeks strict adherence to the Murree Declaration and would not accept any formula or constitutional amendment that restores all the deposed judges minus chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

"After gaining so much because of the political initiative that Zardari has taken in the recent weeks, the PPP co-chairperson is on the verge of losing all," a senior PPP leader told this correspondent from Naudero, revealing the situation in the interior Sindh was extremely tense after Zardari's visit to the MQM headquarters popularly known as Nine Zero.

In a post-dinner gathering of the PPP's central executive committee, the source said, many PPP leaders minced no words in criticising Zardari's decision to woo the MQM. PPP MNA Shugufta Jamani and Sethi Ishaq were among those who expressed strong resentment and wondered how the PPP could join hands with the MQM, which was responsible for the killing of PPP workers.

"The Sindhi people have not given a mandate to Zardari to thrust upon them his personal agenda of humiliation in the name of reconciliation," a PPP leader told The News, adding, "We strongly oppose and condemn the PPP-MQM coalition in Sindh."

The leader asked: "Who caused the May 12th incident? Who was behind the Oct 18 blast? Who killed Murad Baloch and Munawar Suhrawardy? But you still went to the Nine Zero to express solidarity with the MQM against the wishes of the nation. Now it's time for us to rethink our support for you, Mr Zardari," said the source, who sounded quite disturbed.

"There is a wave of anger," a PPP leader said. The likes of Raja Pervez Ashraf, Shah Mehmud Qureshi, Jahangir Badr, however, showered Zardari with praises and called him a great leader. Badr even crossed all limits by saying that the PPP had become more popular under Zardari.

Zardari, however, defended his party's rapprochement with the MQM and termed it a sensible political move having far-reaching impact. He said he wanted to open all political avenues for his son, Bilawal, and never liked to see the doors of Nine Zero closed for him. He said the MQM would be forming a government with the PPP.

Aitzaz Ahsan, who sought the restoration of the deposed judges, told the meeting that it would be in the interest of the party to get the judges restored.

Zardari, according to sources, came hard on the issue of the judges’ restoration. According to one source, Zardari snubbed the widely-respected lawyer leader and said he knew the worth of the judges whose restoration was being sought by the lawyers' community.

Zardari said these were the same judges who had earlier taken oath under the PCO and validated the military rule. Referring to his jail life, a source quoted him as saying that he was let down by these judges, who had even refused to release him on parole to attend the funeral of his nephew. He said he was allowed only a two-hour parole despite Farooq H Naek's pleading before the same judges.

He said the then Justice Wajihuddin Ahmed had also refused him a parole. He termed the same judiciary biased, which he said was responsible for his eight years in jail. Party sources reported that Asif Ali Zardari was quite emotional while speaking on the judges' issue. One source said he talked of the restoration of the judges but linked it to a constitutional package. He said the party was interested in the independence of the judiciary and not in personalities.

A party leader said he was disappointed to hear what he termed the charge-sheet issued by the PPP co-chairperson against the deposed judges. According to him, almost 60 per cent of the co-chairman's speech was on Aitzaz Ahsan and the judges.

While the PPP is clearly seen connecting the judges restoration issue with a constitutional package, the PML-N is determined not to budge from what had been agreed between the two parties in Murree on March 9, 2008.

"We don't accept the 'Minus-One Formula' or any such solution that excludes Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry," PML-N minister Ahsan Iqbal told this correspondent, adding the "Minus-One Formula" would mean accepting March 9, 2007 Gen Musharraf's action of suspending chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry as legitimate.

Ahsan said as per the Murree Declaration, the deposed judges would be restored through a resolution. Ahsan categorically said that the question of any constitutional amendment for the judges' restoration did not arise.

Ahsan said the coalition was committed to the Murree Declaration and clarified that the PML-N was not averse to a mutually-agreed constitutional package having no link with the restoration of the judges.

Schools across Pakistan close after deadly suicide blasts

Pakistani authorities have closed all educational institutions across the county until at least the end of the week, following twin suicide bombings at an Islamic university Tuesday.
By Wednesday, the death toll from the attacks at Islamabad's International Islamic University had climbed to six. Twenty-nine others were wounded, said Naeem Iqbal of the Islamabad police.

Officials in the North West Frontier Province, Balochistan and Sindh shuttered their schools and colleges until Sunday. Educational institutions in Punjab will remain closed until further notice.

The back-to-back explosions Tuesday took place in the faculty area of the men's section and in the women's section cafeteria at the university. Watch more about the attacks »

In recent weeks, Pakistan has been relentlessly rocked by suicide attacks as Islamic militants have retaliated against a military offensive to rout insurgents operating along the Pakistan-Afghan border.

Fifteen militants were killed in the offensive between Tuesday and Wednesday, the military said. Three members of the security forces died and seven others were wounded, the military said.

Both sides have released casualty claims daily, but it is impossible to verify the figures. The figures are not a good measure of success in any case, says analyst Reva Bhalla of the global intelligence company Stratfor.

The best way to judge whether an offensive has achieved its aims is to see if the army gains control of territory it had not previously controlled,

Israel, U.S. begin joint military exercises

Israel and the United States commenced what is believed to be their largest ever joint military exercises in missile defense Wednesday.
The long-planned, two-week air defense exercise has been dubbed Juniper Cobra 10 and will involve participation of 1,000 personnel from the U.S. European Command and the Israeli military, according to a statement from the Israel Defense Forces. It's the fifth such exercise since 2001.

According to the global security analysis firm Stratfor, the Juniper Cobra drill will be the "largest and most complex bilateral ballistic missile defense exercise" the two countries have conducted together and "will include a series of ballistic missile defense systems that would be used to defend against a hypothetical ballistic missile attack launched from Iran."

In a news release about the joint air defense exercises, the Israeli military said the drill "is not in response to any world events," but the maneuvers do come at time of increasing tensions amongst the United States and Israel with Iran over its nuclear program.

Younis Khan's resignation denied, spirit renewed

Ruffled feathers in the Pakistan cricket camp finally seem to be smoothened down. After the Pakistan Cricket Board rejected Younus Khan's resignation for the last time, the skipper now looks forward to continuing his captaincy, and will lead the national team in the upcoming series against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi. Khan is also delighted by the overwhelming support he has garnered from fans and fellow cricketers through all the controversy and drama following allegations levelled against him and the team, of match-fixing and deliberate under-performance in their recent Champions Trophy defeats against New Zealand and Australia.
"Obviously I am very happy and delighted that the Board has shown so much confidence in me and given me respect. The amount of support I have got from the people and media is amazing," Younus said, reacting to PCB's decision.
Praises are all round. "He (Khan) is a good captain, he led Pakistan to the World Twenty20 title," said Butt of Pakistan's June triumph in England, led by Younis Khan.
Khan will hopefully be at the reigns till the 2011 World Cup, which was his condition when he went to meet PCB chairman Ejaz Butt in Lahore to negotiate his recall of the resignation. Butt, however, refused to set any tenure for Younus. "When I made him captain earlier this year I did not set any tenure, so there will be no fixed tenure. As long as Younus is fit he will remain our captain and I hope that he leads Pakistan until the 2011 World Cup," said Butt. "His reaction to match-fixing allegations was natural and had I been in his place, my reaction would have been the same. This was unacceptable, so we now want the team to get settled for the next series under Younus," added the PCB chairman, empathizing with Khan, who handed in his resignation in angry protest against his accusers.
Putting into perspective all the goodwill and support he has received since the PCB's decision, Khan admits he also feels pressured now that he feels expectations soar higher. The captain promises to work towards uniting the team and get more positive results from it in coming events. " It just adds that much more pressure on me to do better as captain. Since being made captain this year I have given my best for my country. But now I will have work harder and deliver more results than the last eight months as captain," he said.

Pakistan is due to play three one-day internationals and two Twenty20 internationals against New Zealand in the United Arab Emirates starting November 3, before touring New Zealand and Australia for a Test series.