Pakistan satellite enters test orbit

 BEIJING: A communications satellite launched in China for Pakistan entered its test orbit located at 37.8 degrees east longitude on Sunday, China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) has announced.

PAKSAT-1R, which was launched at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the South Western China’s Sichuan Province on Aug. 12, will soon begin an in-orbit test, the CGWIC said Tuesday. The satellite is expected to enter its final orbit located at 38 degrees east longitude before delivery to Pakistan, the CGWIC said.

It is China’s first in-orbit delivery to Asian customers and also the first commercial satellite export to international users this year.

The contract for the PAKSAT-1R was signed in 2008 between the CGWIC and the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission of Pakistan.

PAKSAT-1R will provide a range of services, including broadband Internet, telecom and broadcasting, covering regions in Europe, South Asia, the Middle East, and eastern Africa.

China and Pakistan share a long history of space technology cooperation.

Pakistan’s first low-orbit satellite, BADR-A, was launched by China in 1990, carried by the Long March 2E rocket. (APP)

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Police and militants exchange fire in Peshawar

PESHAWAR: An exchange of fire is taking place between militants and police in Mattani, Geo News reported.

The militants attacked police by opening fire and the police retaliated. There were no immediate reports of any casualties or arrests.

On Tuesday, militants attacked a school van in which five including four children were killed while several others were injured.

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Jhang: five killed in separate incidents

 JHANG: Five people were killed in separate incidents of firing in Jhang, Geo News reported Wednesday.

A man was killed when three armed robbers with covered faces opened fire on a jeweler on resistance in Jhang Rail Bazar. The robbers were fleeing with hundreds of thousand worth of gold and jewelry when the shopkeeper, Fayaz, tried to stop them. The robbers opened fire and injured him seriously.

Fayaz was rushed to District Headquarter Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.

In another incident, a man gunned down his younger brother on a domestic dispute in Ahmedpur Siyal 6/3-L.

In Mochiwala Chak No 262, Abid and Zulfiqar fired and killed Sultan Ahmed while in yet another incident of violence a group of four men attacked and killed a man on a land dispute.

A man named Shakir lost his life in a collision between a car and truck near Taba Road bypass.

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US vows action against Haqqani network in Pakistan

 SAN FRANCISCO: Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on Wednesday warned the United States would retaliate against insurgents based in Pakistan blamed for staging a dramatic attack in the Afghan capital.

A day after a 19-hour assault staged near the US embassy and NATO headquarters, Panetta expressed frustration that the Pakistani government has so far failed to crack down on Haqqani network militants that Washington suspects carried out Tuesday's attack.

"Time and again we've urged the Pakistanis to exercise their influence over these kinds of attacks from the Haqqanis and we've made very little progress in that area," Panetta told reporters aboard his plane before landing in San Francisco.

"I'm not going to talk about how we're going to respond. I'll just let you know that we're not going to allow these kinds of attacks to go on," he said.

Panetta's tough words come amid strained relations with Islamabad following the US raid that killed Osama bin Laden on May 2, a raid that Panetta oversaw while he was CIA director.

US officials have for years demanded Islamabad move against the Haqqani network, which operates in part out of sanctuaries inside Pakistan's borders.

Before the Kabul attack, the US military blamed the Haqqani militants for a truck bombing on Saturday against a NATO base in Wardak province that wounded 77 American troops.

"I'm very concerned about the Haqqani attacks because, number one, they're killing people, they're killing our forces. "But number two, they escape back into what is a safe haven in Pakistan. And that's unacceptable. So the message they need to know is that we're going to do everything we can to defend our forces." (AFP)

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City violence Karachi worse than Waziristan : Rangers chief

KARACHI: Chief of the paramilitary Pakistan Rangers Sindh has called Karachi’s situation graver than that of terrorism-hit South Waziristan but solvable once the state decides to act against criminals.

“Karachi, unfortunately, has political, ethnic and religious polarisation. The problem begins as an ethnic one but once that is quelled, religious violence erupts,” Maj-Gen Ijaz Chaudhry told a five-member bench of the Supreme Court during Wednesday’s hearing of the suo motu case on Karachi violence.

But he categorically rejected the idea that a military operation was the answer to continuous violence in Karachi. “The army or the Rangers cannot assure a durable solution to Karachi’s issues. The only long-term solution is political,” he said. However, he stressed that violence could be quelled if full powers were given to law-enforcement agencies. “There is a realisation on part of the government and that’s why Rangers were given police powers. If a free hand is given to us, we can put the city back on track and return Karachi to its people,” he said.

(Read: ‘As long as the parties deny responsibility, killings will continue’)

The bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, has so far summoned Sindh police chief Wajid Ali Durrani, Supreme Court Bar Association President Asma Jahangir, and counsel for Awami National Party Iftikhar Gilani.

MQM joins in

Meanwhile, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), which had been cautiously observing court proceedings for the past week, has finally decided to assist the case.

Confirming that the party has decided to participate in the proceedings, Barrister Farogh Naseem told The Express Tribune that he will appear on behalf of the MQM. “We want to help the court find a way forward. The focus of our arguments will be what was done internationally in similar cases and how it can be emulated [in Karachi],” Naseem said, stressing that the MQM believes that the Supreme Court is an apolitical platform.

However, octogenarian nationalist leader and chief of Awami Tehrik Rasool Bux Palejo said that the MQM, hand-in-glove with feudal landlords, is acting as an agent of international imperialism. “The MQM has an organisational setup in countries like Japan, Canada and the US. It is a terrorist organisation like al Qaeda.”

The bench interrupted and asked him to confine his submissions to recent incidents as per an order of bench dated August 28.

“The problem has its roots in the period after our so-called independence [from British rule]. Some people came and abolished our freedom,” he said, urging that, in view of the evidence, the federal government should consider imposing a ban on the party.

Palejo’s argument was seconded by former chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Iqbal Haider who said Karachi’s problems date back to 1986. “Many commissions were established and reports were prepared but none were made public thus the real issues remain hidden.”

New legislation

As lawyers for various stakeholders presented their arguments and suggested constitutional or extra-constitutional steps to guarantee peace in Karachi, the chief justice hinted at new legislation for quick dispensation of justice.

Citing examples of Italy and Chicago, he said that families and cartels grew so strong that the government was left with no choice but to act on information and sentence them immediately in a summary trial.

Earlier, Khawaja Naveed Ahmed, appearing for the UK-based Friends of Lyari International, submitted that under a sub-section of Section 6 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, extortion can be checked.

Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) counsel Ghulam Qadir Jatoi said that the assembly could be suspended for six months or till such time that law and order improves in the city. “The carnage in Karachi has been built up before the upcoming Senate elections so that pressure can be applied for negotiations on number of seats,” he alleged.

Responding to JI counsel’s request to summon former Sindh minister Zulfiqar Mirza to court, the chief justice said that if Mirza wanted to appear, he should submit an affidavit in court himself.

Punjabi Pakhtoon Ittehad’s Irfanullah Khan Marwat said that, while the court is hearing the case, bodies continued to be found in gunny bags.

The bench asked the responsible police officers to come forward and explain.

The deputy inspector-general, who appeared on behalf of the police department, was unable to tell the name of a person who was killed and another policeman appeared ignorant about a torso found from a garbage bin in Orangi Town.

“We have observed that, prima facie, the government has failed. This is more evidence,” the CJ said.

Blaming the ‘politics of reconciliation’ for the law and order breakdown in Karachi, Marwat said that police and Rangers should be allowed to work freely and the city should be deweaponised. “The real problem in Karachi is control over the city.”

The court also heard arguments by Advocate Javed Ahmed Chattari, a resident of Qasba Colony, who informed the court about the area’s topography including that of Kati Pahari, Qasba Colony, Gulfamabad, Aligarh Colony and other adjoining areas.

The PML-N’s panel of lawyers proposed special security for business centres, neutral officials be appointed to the Citizens Police Liaison Committee, a Mass Transit System for Karachi, monitoring through CCTV cameras and creation of job opportunities.

Proceedings were then adjourned till Thursday.

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Resurgent Pakistan overcome Korea 3-2

LAHORE / KARACHI: 

Pakistan recovered from a shock against Japan to overcome Korea 3-2 and boost their chances of reaching the Asian Champions Trophy final in Ordos, China.

The Asian Games champions, who gifted a win to Japan courtesy poor finishing, displayed a much-improved performance in their fourth match of the tournament to go top of the table.

Pakistan dominated the first-half, with Mohammad Waqas Sharif scoring in the seventh minute. Six minutes later Mohammad Irfan struck by converting a 13th-minute penalty-corner to make it 2-0. Korea made several attempts but failed to score as the Greenshirts were on top at the interval.

Korea hit back after the break and reduced Pakistan’s lead in the 43rd minute through Sun Hoon Cho. The score was levelled nine minutes later when Hyun Woo Nam converted a penalty corner.

With the match balanced, Shafqat Rasool grabbed an opportunity and sealed the win in the 57th minute.

‘Team played with responsibility’

Pakistan team manager Khwaja Junaid was delighted after the win. “All the players showed responsibility,” Junaid told The Express Tribune. “After the loss to Japan, it was good to see the players showing commitment.”

‘Team has weak defence’

Former captain Mohammad Saqlain has urged the team to work on its defence, which he feels is the Greenshirts’ only weakness.

“I see Pakistan have a weak defence,” Saqlain told reporters in Lahore. “For the past year, they have conceded nearly 50 goals because of the folding approach. This is one area they need to improve.”

This fact was acknowledged by the manager before the team left for China when he said that Pakistan were relying on the traditional approach and Saqlain added this needed to change.

“There are gaps which aren’t covered and goals are scored due to the weak defence,” asserted Saqlain.

The former captain said that the win over Korea will boost Pakistan’s confidence before their clash against arch-rivals India.

India, Malaysia share points

India played their second draw of the tournament following a 2-2 deadlock against Malaysia. Japan outclassed China 3-1 to maximise their chances of reaching the final.

Pakistan face India tomorrow where a draw will take them to the final while Korea play China and Malaysia meet Japan in the other matches.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 8th, 2011.

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Two Pakistani planes make emergency landing over bomb threat, one cleared

ISTANBUL: Two Pakistan International Airline aircrafts, were forced to make emergency landings after the state carrier received bomb threats aboard the two flights, AP reported.

Turkish Television on Wednesday reported that a suspected bomb threat had forced the UK bound PK 709 to make an emergency landing at the Istanbul airport. Its 378 passengers and crew were evacuated and the plane was searched by the bomb squad.

Turkish NTV had reported that the Boeing 777 belonging to the Pakistan state carrier, PIA, was flying from Islamabad in Pakistan to Manchester in England.

The flight, which had to make the unscheduled stop while flying through Bulgarian airspace, was cleared by Turkish authorities and allowed to resume its journey.

Sniffer dogs were used to scour the plane for explosives.

AFP adds

A second PIA plane with 164 passengers on board landed at Kuala Lumpur airport after a bomb alert, officials said Thursday.

The scheduled flight from the Pakistani city of Lahore to the Malaysian capital landed at 9:24 pm (1424 GMT) local time, on Wednesday, airport authorities said, after a bomb threat was received while it was in mid-air.

“At 8:45 pm (1345 GMT) Malaysia Airports received information from Pakistan International Airline Headquarters informing of an aircraft bomb warning for Airbus 313 Flight PK 898 from Lahore,” the airport authorities said in a statement.

“The flight PK898 safely landed at 9:24pm. The airline confirmed a total of 164 passengers, 3 cockpit crew and 10 cabin crew on board.”

Airport authorities said the aircraft had been parked at an isolated bay at the airport while police investigate.

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Blackwater-MQM: who is meddling with investigations of Karachi Terrorism?

Blackwater-MQM: who is meddling with investigations of Karachi Terrorism?

By Special Correspondent
Wednesday 06 January 2010
Karachi: Some elements in the current Government are trying to divert the investigation from its logical route. Senior security sources confirmed that, ‘to protect the coalition partner some senior government elements are putting pressure on the investigating officers to outcome this investigation as ‘sectarian’. That would suit the Blackwater/Xe agenda to further alienate the local population, leading to sectarian violence.
  
“The other demand is not arrest or charge members of the ruling MQM (Altaf) who were involved in the firing and lootings incidents and is over the age of 25. They are already instructed to go underground. These people might be seen in the CC TV cameras. They are the local masterminds who brought deaths and destructions to the city”, said the source.   There are approximately 45 people in the custody at the moment according to reports.
It is very important to find out who are trying to protect the ‘Blackwater Agents’ in living villas in Karachi?
 
According to a reports, ‘Blackwater USA’ is that they are hiring in Pakistan. While BlackwaterUSA.com does not exist on the Web any longer, I am giving you the link of employment form on a secured page of the private security firm’swebsite that clearly indicates the private mercenary army is hiring Urdu- and Punjabi-speaking agents. This would complement the existing Pashto-speaking agents that both Blackwater private mercenary army and its employer, the US military, have on the ground in Afghanistan and – as reports increasingly indicate – in Pakistan”.
Current Zardari is compromised when it comes to naming Indian and MQM involvement in the terrorist activities in Karachi and Pakistan. It is time to name and shame the mercenaries and Blackwater.

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Altaf Hussain caught escaping to South Africa?

London: Altaf Hussain self exiled leader of MQM-A caught escaping to South Africa by the authorities. According to sources, ‘Altaf Hussain was hiding in the Wrexham area close to Slough in Berkshire for the past few days. He was stopped when was going to Heathrow Airport in a private taxi. Interestingly the taxi driver was a Pakistani whom Mr Hussain thought as an English man due to his appearance.   

According to sources Altaf Hussain told the authorities that, ‘he is leaving UK and going to South Africa for security reasons and personal protection’. According to sources he was told that, ‘security can be provided to him in the UK’. It is not yet clear if Mr Hussain detained or taken in protective custody. Mr Altaf Hussain is a British Citizen and living in self imposed exile since 1992.  He is never been to Pakistan since 1992, not a registered voter now and never voted in any elections ever since.  

Earlier yesterday it was reported that British police raided two addresses including an office of  MQM-A in London in connection with the on going murder investigation of Dr Imran Farooq. It is reported that police took the crucial evidence in custody including the carpets for forensic investigation.   According to reports 35 well trained officers of the Scotland Yard took part in the operation on Thursday 24th August 2011”. 

It is reported that those MQM-A terrorists arrested in Karachi were actually coming from Colombo Sri Lanka and had connections with the murder of Dr Imran Farooq. The arrests took place as result of tip off from British authorities. 

According to reports both Khalid Shamim and another MQM-A terrorists who were arrested in Karachi while arriving from Colombo actually called in to be eliminated in Karachi by their own party MQM-A.   They had crucial information related to Dr Imran Farooq’s murder as well as target killing cells in various countries including South Africa. They knew too much about the MQM-A illegal and terrorist activities and needed to be eliminated that is why they were called in Karachi. They are lucky to be alive in the custody of Pakistani authorities than killed by their own death squad.   

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