2 Pak players involved in match-fixing: US TV

2 Pak players involved in match-fixing: US TV

Updated at: 2101 PST,  Saturday, February 27, 2010  LAHORE: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has provided match fixing proves to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) against alleged involvement of wicket keeper Kamran Akmal and medium pacer Rana Naveed-ul-Hasan. PCB chairman Ijaz Butt on Friday made the startling revelation that ICC had provided PCB with the concrete proves of their alleged involvement in match fixing. Despite repeated questions, Ijaz Butt had refused to name the players. On investigation, a highly placed official in PCB exclusively told Voice of America on the condition of anonymity that “the two players were wicket keeper Kamran Akmal and medium pacer Rana Naveed-ul-Hasan”. Wicket keeper Akmal had come under heavy fire for his repeated fumbles on the Australian tour. Its worth mentioning that both players were dropped from the T-20 series against England recently played in Dubai. When asked if the proves were so concrete, why PCB included Akmal and Rana in the initial list of 30 players for the T-20 world cup, the source said that “both will be missing from the final list for the T-20 WC. The source further insisted that “PCB has announced an additional wicket keeper Zulqarnain Haider along side Kamran Akmal and Sarfaraz Ahmed in 30 initial players which indicates that Akmal would not feature in the final squad for T-20 WC to be played in West Indies in April. Both of them Denied of the alligations

Eid Milad un Nabi celebrated with religious solemnity

Eid Milad un Nabi celebrated with religious solemnity

Updated at: 2114 PST,  Saturday, February 27, 2010  ISLAMABAD: The Nation celebrated Eid Milad-un-Nabi (Peace Be Upon Him) with religious reverence and solemnity, renewing the pledge to follow true teachings of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). Mehfil-e-Milad and public meetings were held in various cities. The processions to mark the birth of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) were taken out across the country. The celebrations started with the sighting of the Rabi ul Awwal moon; however, it culminated on 11 Rabiul Awwal night, when the mellow and soothing sounds of Durood and Salaam took us into the spiritual trance amid decorations and illuminations all around. The major congregation took place at Nishter Park where different processions from the city converged and was later addressed by Allama Syed Shah Turab-ul-Haq Qadri. The day began with special prayers for development, safety, peace, unity and brotherhood amongst the followers of Holy Prophet (PBUH). The nightlong Mehfil-e-Milad were held where the lovely, pure and sacred life of the Last and Final Prophet of Islam (PBUH) was stated. The refreshing sun of the 12th Rabiul Awwal heralded the Spring Season of Festivities. This is the day which all Muslims awaited to present the word of dedication to their beloved master (PBUH). Special arrangements were made to commemorate the birth anniversary of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The religious, political and social organsiations convened gatherings and sittings of Mehfil-e-Milad across the country. The political, social and religious groups set up camps in the country to welcome the Milad processions. The images of Khana-e-Ka’ba and Masjid-un-Nabawi were erected at various places. Green flags of all sizes to commemorate the great birth generated a riveting spectacle. Divine sounds of Durood and Salaam came from every quarter. Banners with Durood and Salaam written on them with the messages to greet the entire Islamic world on Eid Milad-un-Nabi, were hoisted in the country. The kiosks and water sabeels were also established by the roadsides of these processions. The processions were taken out from all Pakistani cities including Rawlapindi, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Mulatan, Faisalabad, Sukkar, Hyderabad and Dera Ismail Khan attended by huge number of the lovers and devotees of the Holy Prophet. People in large number were on foot in these processions. While, the decorated vehicles of all kinds were the also part of these processions being sprinkled with flowers at their routes. Special security arrangements were made on the occasion with security personnel appointed all along the processions’ routes.

Butt says match-fixing evidence against 2 players

ISLAMABAD: The head of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Ijaz Butt, says he has strong evidence of match fixing by two former Pakistan cricketers but not against members of the current team.

Butt said on Friday the evidence was provided by the International Cricket Council to previous officials of the cricket board. Butt took over as PCB chairman in October 2008.

Without revealing the names of the cricketers, Butt told a news conference here Friday that the two players are not on the cricket board's current list of available players or the national team.

Life bans were imposed in 2000 on former Pakistani test captain Salim Malik and paceman Ata-ur-Rehman for match fixing, though the bans were overturned on appeal.

Bilour says Urdu is not national language

PESHAWAR: NWFP senior minister Bashir Ahmed Bilour triggered another controversy Friday when he declared Urdu only a language for coordination, denying its status of national language, ARY NEWS reported.

“A language can only be declared national when it is being used by the whole nation. Thus Urdu is not our national language but a language for mutual coordination among the masses,” Bilour said on assembly floor when responding to a query by MPA Moulvi Abdullah during Question Hour.

Bilour’s comments annoyed various parliamentarians from both sides of the house who criticized his statement.

Bilour is famous for offering controversial comments in media time to time and then issuing denial of his own words.

On a point of order, Mufti Kifayatullah – an MPA of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazlur Rehman), quoted the Article 251 of the Constitution that categorically declared Urdu as Pakistan’s national language.

He said senior minister is committing an intentional violation of the Constitution despite having oath on it and sought Speaker’s ruling on the issue.

However, the opposition members walked out from the session as Speaker Karamatullah Chugharmati, who belongs to the same ruling Awami National Party (ANP) Bilour is associated with, refrained himself  from offering any solid ruling on the issue.

President tenders apology over childbirth in rickshaw

 President tenders apology over childbirth in rickshaw Updated at: 2148 PST,  Friday, February 26, 2010
 QUETTA: President Asif Ali Zardari Friday tendered an apology over birth of a child in an auto rickshaw due to blocakage of roads during his (President) visit to Quetta on Thursday.

The President also announced Rs500, 000 for the family.

However, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani showed a non-serious approach on the issue.

It may be reminded here that a woman gave birth to her baby girl in an auto-rickshaw stuck in a traffic jam when police closed roads to let President Asif Ali Zardari's motorcade drive by.

The woman was being driven to hospital in the city of Quetta on Thursday evening when police blocked roads for Zardari and his convoy to pass.

The woman’s brother Mohammad Yaseen said the rickshaw he had hired to take his sister to the Civil Hospital was stopped by policemen near the Askari Park.

“We waited for around two hours. And despite repeated requests the policemen did not allow us to go to the hospital,” he told this correspondent.

“We pleaded with the policemen as it was an emergency but they refused citing orders that no one should be allowed to move until the president passed,” the brother told reporters.

“The baby was born in the rickshaw, surrounded by vehicles stuck in the traffic jam. At that time police officials allowed us to return,” he said.

11th Cricket Asia Cup to be held in Sri Lanka

11th Cricket Asia Cup to be held in Sri Lanka  Updated at: 1639 PST,  Thursday, February 25, 2010  COLOMBO: The eleventh Cricket Asia Cup will be played this year in Sri Lanka in and Pakistan will also participate in this event. Asian Cricket Council spokesman Shahryar Khan told Geo News that the four-nation Asia Cup would be played from June 15 to 24 and this has been decided to give the hosting of the event to Sri Lanka. Teams from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh will take part in the event. Sri Lanka have hosted the event thrice and this time, Sri Lanka will take the field for a hat-trick of winning the team title.

Woman gives birth on road during President’s Quetta visit

Woman gives birth on road during President’s Quetta visit

Updated at: 2131 PST,  Thursday, February 25, 2010  QUETTA: A woman has given birth to her baby on an auto rickshaw over closure of airport road and other connecting roads due to the presence of President Asif Ali Zardari in Quetta. The woman was riding on a rickshaw, which could not reach the hospital due to the closure of major roads. The rickshaw carrying the pregnant woman was also not allowed to proceed to the hospital for more than 3 hours. As a result, she suddenly went into the labour in rickshaw and had her baby over there. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani has ordered an inquiry into the closure of airport road. The airport road, Zarghoon road and other main roads of the city were closed for all kind of traffic hours before the President Zardari’s visit to Quetta. These roads remained closed for several hours during the movement of President Zardari in the city. The wife of a local resident Momin Khan was also barred from going to hospital. Despite the fact that the security personnel were informed about the condition of pregnant mother, she was not allowed to go.

Rashid accuses PML-N of poll rigging

Rashid accuses PML-N of poll rigging

Updated at: 2216 PST,  Wednesday, February 24, 2010  RAWALPINDI: Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid accused rival Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) of ‘pre-planned’ rigging for by-election in National Assembly constituency NA-55 held here on Wednesday. However, he said that he would not take up the rigging incidents before the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Addressing a news conference, AML chief Rashid said that local administration was used for the rigging purpose. “We don’t have personal differences with anyone. We have political differences,” he said. He alleged that all his party’s wagons were captured by Punjab Police while some of his weak supporters were coerced to change their loyalties. Rashid further said that all politicians should take a lesion from the by-election in NA-55.

N-League celebrates winning NA-55 slot

N-League celebrates winning NA-55 slot

Updated at: 2311 PST,  Wednesday, February 24, 2010  RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Muslim League-N candidate Malik Shakil Awan has won the by-election held in NA-55 constituency of Rawalpindi on Wednesday, according to unofficial results. Awami Muslim League Chief Sheikh Rashid in a press conference Wednesday night leveled rigging charges against Punjab government but said he would not lodge his complaint with the Election Commission of Pakistan. “Election Commission is helpless before Punjab government,” he said The unofficial results continue to pour in. According to unofficial results of 221 polling stations, Shakil Awan has secured a decisive lead of 73,766 votes against Sheikh Rashid who has bagged 46,022 votes in today’s by-polls. Addressing PML-N workers outside the party’s election office, Malik Shakil Awan said Rawalpindi is the city of PML-N loyalists who, he said, made the opponents an example for learning a lesson from. The total number of registered voters is 333928 in NA-55 where 250 polling stations were set up. Following the announcement of unofficial results, PML-N workers came out on streets and started dancing amid slogans in support of their party to celebrate the win.

Tendulkar's world-record 200 boosts India

Tendulkar's world-record 200 boosts India
Updated at: 1859 PST,  Wednesday, February 24, 2010
 GWALIOR: Sachin Tendulkar hammered a world-record 200 not out as India posted a massive 401-3 against South Africa in the second one-day international on Wednesday.

Zimbabwean Charles Coventry (194 not out) and Pakistan's Saeed Anwar (194) were the joint-record holders for the highest individual score before Tendulkar became the first batsman to hit a double-century in one-dayers.

Tendulkar, 36, reached the milestone in the last over when he took a single off paceman Charl Langeveldt, much to the delight of the sizeable crowd at Gwalior.

The veteran Indian opener smashed 25 fours and three sixes in his 147-ball knock for his 46th one-day hundred in the day-night match to boost his team's hopes of clinching the three-match series.

The hosts lead 1-0 following their one-run victory in the previous game in Jaipur on Sunday.

Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Yusuf Pathan also feasted on the South African attack on a flat track. Dhoni hit a 35-ball 68 not out and Pathan 36 off 23 balls as India posted their highest total against South Africa.

But the day belonged to Tendulkar who delighted the spectators with his rich stroke play, executing breathtaking shots on both sides of the wicket to reduce the South African bowlers to a state of helplessness.

India lost Virender Sehwag (nine) in the fourth over after electing to bat, but Tendulkar received valuable support from Dinesh Karthik, who scored a career-best 79 in a record 194-run stand for the second wicket off 29.3 overs.

India's previous best for the second wicket against South Africa in one-dayers was 180 between Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid in Nagpur in 2000.

Tendulkar went for shots early in the innings, racing to his half-century off just 37 balls with nine fours. He took 53 more deliveries to reach his hundred.

Runs came thick and fast from both the ends as Karthik also batted aggressively, cracking three sixes -- one each off Dale Steyn, Jacques Kallis and Jean-Paul Duminy.

Karthik was caught by Herschelle Gibbs at mid-wicket while attempting to pull seamer Wayne Parnell, but not before he had put the hosts on course for a big total with his fourth half-century in one-day internationals.

South Africa made three changes from the team that lost the opening match, bringing in Hashim Amla, Duminy and Roelof van der Merwe in place of Loots Bosman, Albie Morkel and Johan Botha.

PML-Ns Awan on winning path in NA-55

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s Shakeel Awan has secured a definite lead in NA-55 leaving his main rival Sheikh Rashid Ahmed far behind as the vote counting entered in last phases, reported ARY NEWS.

Shakeel Awan is leading with 66355 votes while chief of Awami National Party Sheikh Rashid Ahmed is trailing far behind him with 41632 votes in 202 polling stations where the vote count has been completed, the channel reports.

None of the other 20 candidates tested their luck in today’s bye-election have so far secured the highest votes in any of the polling stations results of those have been announced. Seeing the course, Awan is likely to win the race with a heavy margin of more than 15000 votes, the channel added.

Around 250 polling stations (133 for males and 117 for females) were established with 597 polling booths to facilitate 334,000 voters of NA-55. The polling started at 8:00 am and continued without any major interruption till 5:00 pm, however, the voters who entered the polling station premises before end of time were allowed to cast their votes.

The overall polling atmosphere remained peaceful and under control without any major outbreak of violence. However, supporters of Sheikh Rashid and PML-N’s Shakeel Awan scuffled at some polling stations in noon, causing suspension of voting there. Later, the polling resumed and ended peacefully as security was tightened at affected sites.

More than 5,000 police personnel and Rangers were deployed to ensure smooth conduct of the poll.

Twitter users creating 50 mln tweets a day

Twitter users creating 50 mln tweets a day

WASHINGTON: Twitter users are creating 50 million messages of 140 characters or less per day, the micro-blogging service said Monday.

Kevin Weil, a member of Twitter's analytics team, said in a blog post that Twitter users were writing 5,000 "tweets" per day in 2007, 300,000 per day in 2008 and 2.5 million per day in 2009.

"Tweets grew 1,400 percent last year to 35 million per day," Weil said. "Today, we are seeing 50 million tweets per day -- that's an average of 600 tweets per second."

Weil said the 50-million figure does not include messages from accounts identified as spam.

The number of actual "tweets" delivered is far higher because many messages are delivered to multiple accounts, he added.

The San Francisco-based Twitter does not release figures on the total number of users of the service, which was launched in August 2006.

Electioneering at peak in NA-55

Electioneering at peak in NA-55
 Updated :   Monday  February  22 , 2010  9:42:28 PM

 RAWALPINDI: The election campaign is in full swing in NA-55 where polling will be held on February 24 (Wednesday), reported ARY NEWS here Monday.

Candidates are holding rallies and organising public gatherings to woo voters to their side on the last day of election campaign the deadline of which will expire by 12:00 tonight.

Chief of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and former premier Mian Nawaz Sharif, amir Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Munawar Hassan and chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan are holding large public gatherings in the constituency to woo voters to their parties’ candidates, Malik Shakil Awan, Dr Muhammad Kamal and Ijaz Khan Jazi, respectively.

Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed who is contesting for the same seat for the seventh time is also holding his final election rally at Liaqat Bagh today.

Strict security measures have been taken in the city to avoid any untoward situation and terror attack. The contingents of Frontier Constabulary and Rangers have also been called that will patrol in the constituency during Wednesday’s voting to ensure peace as well as fool proof security, said Minister for Interior A. Rehman Malik on Monday.

Senate passes resolution in support of Aafia At last

 Senate passes resolution in support of Aafia Updated at: 2025 PST,  Monday, February 22, 2010
 ISLAMABAD: A unanimous resolution was passed in the upper house on Monday in support of Dr Aafia Siddiqi.

The resolution demanded the government of taking concrete measures and diplomatic efforts to secure early release of Pakistani neuroscientist from the US custody.

Federal Law Minister Dr Babar Awan told the house that at least three links were missing from the incidental evidence submitted against Dr. Siddiqi. He said the benefit of the doubt always goes to the accused. Therefore, she should be released.

National cricket team arrives home

National cricket team arrives home

Updated at: 0754 PST,  Monday, February 22, 2010  DUBAI: Pakistan cricket team has arrived home after playing a 2-match T20 series against England in Dubai. Players belonged to Lahore including Shoaib Malik, Saeed Ajmal, Abul Razzaq and Imran Farhat arrived in Lahore from Dubai on Monday morning. Manager Yawar Saeed, who was also along with players, said he was satisfied over the performance of team. Captain Shoaib Malik and All rounder Abdul Razzaq, on the occasion, talked to media. Both players were pleased with their performances against England in Dubai and hoped to carry on in positive shape. To a question, Shoaib Malik said he was overjoyed over captaining national team, terming the responsibility as nothing short of an honour. Shahid Khan Afridi can prove a better skipper national cricket team, he told media.

Piolot Flies Friends without Boarding pass and Ticket To London

PIA pilot flies friend sans boarding pass

Updated at: 1549 PST,  Monday, February 22, 2010  KARACHI: A pilot of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flew his friend to London without ticket and boarding card bypassing all formalities, Geo News reported Monday. According to Geo News exclusive report, the incident happened on Sunday at PIA’s flight PK-787 bound for London. Pilot Hamid Gardezi, also serving as Principal Director Airport Services in Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on deputation took his friend Syed Salim Zaidi, a member of CAA and former minister along with him without fulfilling the requirements and immigration formalities. Defying all rules and regulations, Gardezi stunned personnel of the FIA, immigration and the ASF that formalities will be completed later. The flight than departed but soon was forced to land at Karachi airport again after a passenger Azam Khan got heart attack. All the details of the incident have been registered in PIA’s logbook. Captain Hamid declared himself as a close friend of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Salim Zaidi called him as a friend of President Asif Zardari.

Pak can damage India in N-war: AQ Khan

Pak can damage India in N-war: AQ Khan
ISLAMABAD: Nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan has said that in the event of a nuclear war, Pakistan can inflict irreparable damage to India.

"Neither India can inflict any loss to Pakistan nor destroy Lahore. However, Pakistan can inflict irreparable loss on India (in case of a nuclear war)," Dr Khan said.

He however, said, "Neither we can conquer New Delhi and Agra, nor India can destroy Lahore and dare to inflict loss on Pakistan."

Talking to an Indian newspaper, he said, "We are Muslims and India is a Hindu state and an isolated country. But we talk more and work very less."

About giving civil nuclear technology to India by the US, he said the Americans do not like to extend such generosity to the Muslim countries. "The worries of the Western countries about falling of Pakistani nuclear arsenal into the hands of militants are unfounded. The US does not trust Pakistan but has confidence in India," Dr Khan said.

He ruled out the allegation about exporting nuclear secrets to any country including Iran. "This was a drama created (former military ruler) Pervez Musharraf.

"He is a liar and tried to falsely implicate me," Dr Khan said. "He (Musharraf) should be tried under treason charges for levelling allegations on me," the scientist said.

Aussies beat Windies in 1st T20

Aussies beat Windies in 1st T20
HOBART: The top order batting collapse from West Indies handed Australia an easy 38-run win in the first Twenty20 here at Bellerive Oval on Sunday.

Set a challenging 180 to win their first match on Australian soil this summer, the tourists slumped to 53 for six before a 73-run partnership between Denesh Ramdin (44 off 26 balls) and Runako Morton (40 from 40) added some respectability.

The Windies eventually finished 141 for eight from their 20 overs.

Fast bowler Shane Tait (three for 30) was named man-of-the-match and was well supported by Dirk Nannes (three for 21) and Mitchell Johnson (two for 28).

Chris Gayle’s disappointing run continued, bowled for five in the second over attempting to swing the hostile Tait over mid-wicket.

Narsingh Deonarine was out next ball for a golden duck, beaten for pace and edging Tait to second slip where Shane Watson held onto a sharp catch.

Kieron Pollard survived the hat-trick ball but in the next over he held his nerve at third man to snare a skied catch from Lendl Simmons off Nannes.

The Windies were 14 for three just 14 balls in and the match was as good as over.

Pollard (12) became Tait's third victim in the fourth over, edging a rearing delivery to Brad Haddin.

Watson produced a fine running catch to end Wavell Hinds' stay on 11 and Dwayne Smith soon followed, caught by Steve Smith on the mid-wicket rope off the bowling of Johnson.

Ramdin and Morton then combined to send the score past 100 but it was only delaying the inevitable. When they both departed with the score on 126, the end was nigh.

Some big hitting from Brad Haddin late in the innings helped Australia set the West Indies a competitive total earlier in the night.

The hosts slumped to 151 for seven on the first ball of the 19th over but Haddin picked up the pace, blasting two sixes in his 16-ball 37 to drag Australia's total towards 180.
Dave Warner and Watson, who clubbed four sixes, sped to 83 from just 47 balls at the top of the order before the home side lost its way.

Watson (37 from 19) was the first man out, deceived by a well-flighted Gayle (two for 15) delivery and skying a simple catch to wicket-keeper Ramdin.

Just three runs later a typically exhilarating Warner innings came to a soft end just one run short of his half century.

He pushed a Dwayne Smith (two fro 38) full toss straight back to the bowler, guilty of attempting to massage a run down the ground instead of belting the loose delivery.

The New South Welshmen's knock lasted just 32 balls and contained six fours and two sixes.

The Windies had done well to hang in the contest during the early onslaught but it got away from them at the end.

Having taken six for 46 to reduce Australia to 129 for six in the 16th over, Haddin took it upon himself to push the total well beyond the 150 mark. He single-handedly rescued the Australian innings, his intelligent knock in the closing overs ensuring the West Indies were left confronting a total they never threatened to overhaul.

‘Lahore Fashion Week a befitting reply to extremists’

Acclaimed Pakistani fashion designer Mahmood Bhatti has said the Lahore Fashion Week is an answer to futile efforts of extremists to enforce the culture of fear in the country. In an exclusive interview with The News, the flag bearer of Pakistan in the world’s fashion capital, Paris, said that he was overwhelmed by the amazing display of skill and innovation at the Lahore Fashion Week. Bhatti, who is also the honorary Consul General of Pakistan in Paris, praised young designers of Pakistan, saying there was no doubt that Pakistan had some of the most creative people in the field of fashion designing and given right exposure these entrepreneurs could become an international sensation. The quality of work, chic models and thorough professionalism were the astounding features of this avant-garde experience, he said. He said Pakistan needed to break the negativity associated with its image by negative media propagation as it was hurting the perception of the country and the market of its rich culture internationally. He said the most important task at hand was to work towards building a soft and colourful image of the country in the international arena which will result in opening up broader horizons for the emerging talent of the country. He praised the Jang Group’s ‘Aman ki Asha’, saying he would love to be a part of this effort to create harmony in the region as it will open new horizons for both countries. Talking about Pakistan’s first fashion show he organized in 1996 with the collaboration of The News International, he said that it was an uphill task as there were no facilities available at that time. Commenting on the ways to improve Pakistan’s international image, he said the recent boom in media had brought about an information revolution but there was a need to use this opportunity not merely to broadcast catastrophes and wrongs in society but to project a positive image and use media as an image building tool.

Mid-term polls no solution to problems: PM

Mid-term polls no solution to problems: PM

Updated at: 1521 PST,  Sunday, February 21, 2010  LAHORE: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said the democracy should be accorded chance to flourish and get strengthened in the country, Geo News reported Sunday. Addressing a ceremony here, he said mid-term elections offer no solution to the problems, adding the country cannot afford the mid-term elections at the moment. ‘It is incumbent on all of us to defend the democracy and not frame a deadline for its fall, adding the country cannot afford to live with weak democracy,’ he stressed. The PM Gilani said a democratically elected president should not be compared with a dictator, as it would be quite unjust to do the same, adding there is difference in accountability and revenge. Political faces are no film actors that could be changed, he maintained. The PM Gilani said the government wants all institutions to work in their stipulated constitutional jurisdiction, adding all the institutions in the country are quite strong. The government will not compromise on the national interest, its solidarity and stability, he observed adding everyone will have to deliver his duty in this connection. The investment will pour into the country provided there is peace, he added.