Malakand Nifaz-e-Shariat five-point accord finalized

TIMARGRAH: A five-point agreement for the enforcement of Shariat in Malakand Division has been finalized in the successful talks held between the NWFP government and Maulana Sufi Muhammad.

The final talks between Tahrik-e-Nifaz Shariat Muhammadi’s chief Maulana Sufi Muhammad and the NWFP government on the enforcement of Shariat in Malakand Division successfully concluded here after arriving at a five-point agreement.

NWFP government delegation constituting of NWFP Information Minister, Mian Iftikhar Hussain, ANP Central Secretary Information, Zahid Khan and provincial Minister, Haji Hidayetullah Khan on the one hand, while Sufi Muhammad and his shoora committee members on the other, held talks closed-door talks at Timargrah, the headquarter of District Dir at the Rest House here.

Following the talks, while addressing his associates and talking exclusively to Geo News, Maulana Sufi Muhammad said that the government delegation held talks on the draft agreement of Nifaz-e-Shariat and for maintenance of peace. He said that a five-member delegation of Nifaz-e-Shariat would be meeting NWFP chief minister tomorrow in Peshawar, when an announcement would be made relating to the success of the talks. He said that after the enforcement of Shariat, he would be visiting Swat for holding peace talks.

Punjab govt seeks Federation help for border patrol

LAHORE: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani Sunday said in order to strengthen democracy all the parties should be ensured fair share in Punjab senate seats.

He expressed these views during his meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif here at State Guest House.

On the occasion, they had an exchange of views on political situation of the country besides overall law and order.

Shahbaz Sharif said the needs help from the Federation is needed for stepping up patrolling on Punjab’s borders aimed at checking the intrusion of terrorists into the province. On this, the Prime Minister assured of extending complete cooperation of the Federation.

Afghanistan to take part in US review: Karzai

KABUL: US President Barack Obama has accepted Kabul's request to be part of a major review of US strategy in the "war on terror" in Afghanistan, President Hamid Karzai and a US envoy said Sunday.

Karzai said he asked Obama by letter for Afghanistan to have a role in the review, which is under way amid concerns about worsening security in this country seven years after a US-led invasion ousted the Taliban regime.

US envoy Richard Holbrooke brought the message to Karzai on Saturday that Obama had accepted, the Afghan leader told a joint press conference. A delegation from Afghanistan chaired by Foreign Minister Rangeen Dadfar Spanta would travel to Washington "and will be working jointly with the US government in the review of the strategy in the war on terrorism," he said.

Holbrooke arrived late Thursday and met with a range of Afghan officials and politicians, international military commanders and diplomats before holding talks with Karzai late Saturday. He has held similar wide-ranging meetings in Pakistan and is due to continue his tour of the region in India.

Global stock markets seen mixed this week

NEW YORK: Global stock markets was seen mixed this week, as the investors confidence could not be restored despite $787 billion of stimulus bailout package approval.

Dow Jones and Nesdec indexes went down by 431 and 56 points respectively. Asian markets also remained turbulent this week. At the end of this week, China’s Shanghai composite index recorded an increase of 37 points, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index after melting down 311 points closed at 13554 points. Japan’s Nikkei- 225 index eroded by 399 points wrapped up at 7779 points. At the end of second week, India’s BSE Sensix-30 up by 275 points closed at 9634 points.

European markets this week were seen in negative zone. British FTSE-100 index down by 109 points closed at 4189 points, while France and Germany indexes dropped by 113 and 214 points respectively.

Australia’s thrilling 1-run T20 win over New Zealand

SYDNEY: Australia defeated New Zealand by only one run In a sensational finish in the solitary Twenty20 International here at the SCG on Sunday.

Australia won the toss in this interesting match and batted first. They made 150 runs for the loss of seven wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

David Hussey was the top-scorer with 41 off 39 balls. He hit one four and one six.

Chasing 151 to win, New Zealand lost two early wickets to Peter Siddle but as the innings progressed they were looking on top. Brendon McCullum was the main destroyer who smashed 61 from 47 balls with five ofurs and two sixes.

However, the Kiwi batsmen after taking 20 in the penultimate over. unfortunately failed to make 14 runs required in the final over from Nathan Bracken. They finished on 149 losing the match by just one run.

India terms Pakistan probe into Mumbai attacks "positive"

NEW DELHI: India welcomed as "positive" Pakistan's admission Thursday that the Mumbai attacks were planned partly in Pakistan, but said Islamabad must now dismantle the "infrastructure of terrorism" on its soil.

"This is a positive development," a foreign ministry statement said in response to Islamabad's admission and announcement that it had filed a case against eight suspects, six of them in custody.

"It remains India's goal to bring the perpetrators of the terrorist attacks on Mumbai to book, and to follow this process through to the end," the foreign ministry statement said.
"We would also expect that the government of Pakistan take credible steps to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism in Pakistan," it added.

Chargesheet to be sent to CJ: Abid Sher Ali

LAHORE: Chairman National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Education Abid Sher Ali on Thursday said that he is preparing a chargesheet and questionnaire which will be sent to Chief Justice Abdul Hamid Dogar.

Talking to media outside Punjab Assembly here, Chairman Standing Committee said that he would try to cancel the admission of Farah Hamid Dogar. Even if she manages to get the medical degree, it will be cancelled, he said.

“I am preparing a charge sheet and questionnaire on the basis of written statement submitted by the journalist Ansar Abbasi,” said Sher Ali.

He questioned what was the fault of thousands of other students who secured more than 850 marks but failed to get admissions in medical colleges.