Alliance under Musharraf falls apart on second day

ISLAMABAD: Several parties have dissociated themselves from Awami Ittehad alliance only a day after the announcement of its formation under the leadership of former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf.

After Pakistan Awami Tehrik distanced from Awami Ittehad on Saturday, Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) also denied being part of the alliance. MWM Central Spokesman Allama Mukhtar Imami said his party has not decided to join any alliance.

MWM officials said their leaders are focused on the recovery of their missing party leader Nasir Sherazi. "Neither anyone has consulted us over an alliance nor any of our leaders attended meetings of any political or electoral alliance," they said, adding that the party has not approved participation in any alliance.

Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza also clarified that his party's alliance with Awami Ittehad is not meant for the election. 

He said the election politics will be conducted from the platform of the grand alliance of Ahl-e-Sunnat parties: 'Nizam-e-Mustafa Muttahida Mahaz'. 

He asked the Punjab government to stop arresting Ulema Ahl-e-Sunnat involved in the ongoing Islamabad sit-in.

It should be noted that over a dozen parties among 23 which claimed to be members of Musharraf's Awami Ittehad are non-functional while activities of several others are very 

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Imran asks: Is there any law that will give us justice?

Imran asks: Is there any law that will give us justice?

SAHIWAL (Channel4pk Desk) – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan has asked the intellectuals, judiciary, journalists and Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) that whether there is any law that will give them justice if a corrupt government comes in power.
He asked this while addressing the PTI rally participants in Sahiwal on Saturday.
He asked the intellectuals, judiciary, journalists and election commission that whether there is any law that will give them justice if a government does rigging and comes in power.  He said that the election tribunal did not give them justice for one and a half year.
He said that once a corrupt government comes in power then all the doors that lead to justice are closed. He said that they give Rs ten billion to the Pakistan Television (PTV) every year. Khan also said that the corrupt government should be made accountable to its wrongdoings.
Khan said that today, every citizen owes Rs 90,000 to the international organisations. He said that the country which lacks justice and rule of law could never progress.
He said that for the past 67 years, only one class is ruling in the country after masking its real identity. He said that Mir Shakeelur Rahman, Geo and Jang news group are in the pockets of leaders of the country.
Khan said that today the Pakistani population does not have potable water, education and employment under the rule of the current government.

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Mullah Baradar is in Pakistan, free to meet anyone: FO

  Last Updated On 31 October,2013 About 2 hours ago

Foreign Office spokesman says he cannot comment about foreign travel of Mullah Bradar.

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Foreign Office Spokesperson Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said Pakistan released prominent Taliban Leader Mullah Bradar to facilitate the Afghan reconciliation process. He said Mulla Baradar is in Pakistan and is free to meet anyone.
In Foreign Office weekly briefing to media persons, Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said that date of Afghan Peace Council visit to Pakistan has not been announced so far.
Responding to a question regarding Shakeel Afridi‚ Aizaz Chaudhry said his fate will be decided by Pakistani courts as currently he is facing legal process. He said Pakistan has been doing efforts to repatriate Dr. Afia Siddiqi.
On the issue of tapping Pakistani phone calls‚ he said Pakistan raised this issue with United States in June and has been in touch with US authorities. He said Pakistan believes this acts as illegal.
When asked about Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project‚ the spokesperson said Pakistan will pursue all the energy related projects including Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project in view of its growing energy requirements.
On Pak-India situation, Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said Pakistan wants resolution of Kashmir dispute through dialogue. He‚ however‚ said Pakistan believes that third-party mediation can also be productive in this regard.
He said Prime Minister's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz will visit India on the tenth of next month to attend Asia-Europe summit in New Delhi.
The spokesman said Pakistan is focusing on establishing ceasefire on Line of Control and in this regard‚ certain steps have been taken including communication between the two DGMOs through hotline and sectoral flag march.
He said Pakistan is committed in implementing decisions of both the prime ministers recently made in their meeting in Washington.
On drone attacks‚ the spokesperson said Islamabad has forcefully raised this issue at all international forums including with the United States. He maintained that these attacks amount to violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and international laws.
On a question about Saudization policy‚ he said Pakistani embassy in Riyadh has done tremendous work in regularizing the status of its citizens in Saudi Arabia.
 

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Misbah wants Pakistan to forget batting collapse

  Last Updated On 31 October,2013 About 4 hours ago

The skipper said Friday's second game in Dubai was alltogether a different prospect.

DUBAI (AFP) - A disgruntled Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq Thursday urged his team to move on after gifting a one-run win to South Africa and called on his batsmen to rectify their mistakes.
Pakistan snatched the proverbial "defeat from the jaws of a win" in the first of five one-day internationals in Sharjah on Wednesday.
Chasing a modest 184-run target, Pakistan were in sight of victory at 165-4 in the 41st over, but lost their last six wickets off just 39 balls in the space of 17 runs.
But Misbah said Friday's second game in Dubai was alltogether a different prospect.
"If we keep recalling about what happened in the last match it will be difficult. We must forget that and all our players should play the next match as a new game," said Misbah.
For South Africa Wayne Parnell shone with both bat and ball, hitting a career best 56 in South Africa's 183 all out in 49.5 overs before taking 3-41 in his eight overs. He was deservedly declared man-of-the-match.
Misbah said he was disappointed at his batsmen's failures.
"The last six batsmen should have batted, knowing how many runs were needed to score. It is very disappointing that they played very irresponsible shots," he said
"I think it is high time players understand how to play under such situations," added Misbah, whose dismissal for 31 in the 36th over proved to be the turning point.
Ahmed Shehzad set the tone with a confident 58 but once he and Misbah fell, Pakistan's batting collapsed.
Umar Akmal (18), Umar Amin (20) and Shahid Afridi (nine) fell in the space of 11 runs before Morne Morkel bowled Mohammad Irfan to seal an unlikely win for South Africa.
"I think we could say that my dismissal and then those of Amin and Umar were crucial and after that Afridi was left alone and we wanted him to stay there till the end," said Misbah.
Misbah urged his batsmen to learn from Parnell and Lonwabo Tsotsobe (16 not out) who added an invaluable 52 runs for South Africa's ninth wicket.
"Our batsmen should also rise to the challenge in such situations," said Misbah.
"We just needed two runs an over and one and half runs per over and I don't know what was going through the batsmen's mind, maybe, they over-relaxed a little bit."
South African captain AB de Villiers said his team never lost hope.
"South Africans always believe we can turn things around. When you get a sniff you have drive it home," said De Villiers, who praised leg-spinner Imran tahir for his return of 3-45.
"Immi (Tahir) was fantastic. Have to also give credit to Tsotsobe for his two wickets. Immi followed him and did his magic."
The remaining matches will be played in Abu Dhabi (November 6 and 8) and Sharjah (November 11).
The eams will also play two Twenty20 internationals in Dubai on November 13 and 15.
 

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Misbah wants Pakistan to forget batting collapse

  Last Updated On 31 October,2013 About 4 hours ago

The skipper said Friday's second game in Dubai was alltogether a different prospect.

DUBAI (AFP) - A disgruntled Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq Thursday urged his team to move on after gifting a one-run win to South Africa and called on his batsmen to rectify their mistakes.
Pakistan snatched the proverbial "defeat from the jaws of a win" in the first of five one-day internationals in Sharjah on Wednesday.
Chasing a modest 184-run target, Pakistan were in sight of victory at 165-4 in the 41st over, but lost their last six wickets off just 39 balls in the space of 17 runs.
But Misbah said Friday's second game in Dubai was alltogether a different prospect.
"If we keep recalling about what happened in the last match it will be difficult. We must forget that and all our players should play the next match as a new game," said Misbah.
For South Africa Wayne Parnell shone with both bat and ball, hitting a career best 56 in South Africa's 183 all out in 49.5 overs before taking 3-41 in his eight overs. He was deservedly declared man-of-the-match.
Misbah said he was disappointed at his batsmen's failures.
"The last six batsmen should have batted, knowing how many runs were needed to score. It is very disappointing that they played very irresponsible shots," he said
"I think it is high time players understand how to play under such situations," added Misbah, whose dismissal for 31 in the 36th over proved to be the turning point.
Ahmed Shehzad set the tone with a confident 58 but once he and Misbah fell, Pakistan's batting collapsed.
Umar Akmal (18), Umar Amin (20) and Shahid Afridi (nine) fell in the space of 11 runs before Morne Morkel bowled Mohammad Irfan to seal an unlikely win for South Africa.
"I think we could say that my dismissal and then those of Amin and Umar were crucial and after that Afridi was left alone and we wanted him to stay there till the end," said Misbah.
Misbah urged his batsmen to learn from Parnell and Lonwabo Tsotsobe (16 not out) who added an invaluable 52 runs for South Africa's ninth wicket.
"Our batsmen should also rise to the challenge in such situations," said Misbah.
"We just needed two runs an over and one and half runs per over and I don't know what was going through the batsmen's mind, maybe, they over-relaxed a little bit."
South African captain AB de Villiers said his team never lost hope.
"South Africans always believe we can turn things around. When you get a sniff you have drive it home," said De Villiers, who praised leg-spinner Imran tahir for his return of 3-45.
"Immi (Tahir) was fantastic. Have to also give credit to Tsotsobe for his two wickets. Immi followed him and did his magic."
The remaining matches will be played in Abu Dhabi (November 6 and 8) and Sharjah (November 11).
The eams will also play two Twenty20 internationals in Dubai on November 13 and 15.
 

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Dialogue with Taliban underway: Nawaz

  Last Updated On 31 October,2013 About 1 hour ago

Says govt cannot just wait and watch innocent civilians and member of security forces being killed.

LONDON (Dunya News) - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that dialogues with the Taliban have started, adding that the government could not wait and watch the innocent people and members of law enforcement agencies being killed in the streets of Pakistan.
He expressed these views while talking to British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Thursday.
The two discussed Talks with Taliban, relations with India, energy situation and economic reforms agenda.
During a discussion on various issues of mutual interest in a meeting between both the dignitaries, Nawaz Sharif said that talks with the Taliban had already started.
The PM said the dialogue with Taliban would be done within the framework of Constitution of Pakistan. He stated that the government could not see the innocent people and members of law enforcement agencies being killed in the streets of Pakistan.
Nawaz said the government was making its counter-terrorism forces and intelligence agencies fully capable to root out extremism and terrorism from Pakistan.
The enhancement of the capacity of the counter-terrorism forces was a part of different options to deal with extremism and terrorism, he said.
The PM also briefed Mr Clegg on the recently promulgated Protection of Pakistan Ordinance and said that it was specifically prepared to deal with those terrorists who were waging war against the people and the state of Pakistan.
On Pakistan-India relations, the Prime Minister said that he had made sincere efforts to resolve all outstanding issues with India.
“We have made India bashing a non-issue in Pakistan but unfortunately Indian politicians are still engaged in unwarranted Pakistan bashing”, he said.
On reduction of energy subsidy, the PM said that some segments of society were not happy at partial withdrawal of subsidy on electricity but the direction of the present government was correct.
During the next 3-4 years, new energy projects would start generating several thousand megawatts of electricity which would significantly reduce the demand-supply gap as well as the prices of energy.
British Deputy Prime Minister Mr Clegg told Prime Minister Sharif that he and his government was full of admiration for his pro-active approach of reaching out to India before and after elections. He assured that the UK would fully support Pakistan’s case for GSP Plus in the EU market.
Mr Clegg also appreciated recently introduced economic reforms agenda by the Pakistan government.
The Prime Minister appreciated UK’s support in various sectors especially education in Pakistan. Both the sides agreed to further solidify bilateral relations.
 

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Why Pooja Chopra avoids link ups

Thursday, October 31, 2013 12:04 IST

By Santa Banta News Network

Actress Pooja Chopra comes from a non-film background which makes it more imperative for her to stay away from link ups.

"I come from a non-film background. So to take all this is very, very difficult for me," said Pooja.

"More than me, my family would be affected after reading any link up news in newspapers. I think as far as I am concerned, I will be very careful because I usually don't indulge in things like that," she added.

She expressed her views Tuesday at an event organised at a radio station here.

"I know what my focus is, where I have to go and I will just keep working towards that," said Pooja who was seen in the female lead in "Commando".

If she ever falls in love she will not hide it.

"To give respect to your partner is the basis of a relationship. So there is no point if I can't give an identity to the relationship or the guy," said Pooja.

The actress will next be seen in the sequel "Commando 2".

'Ambitious' Pooja keen to team up with Ranbir, Hrithik



Former beauty queen and actress Pooja Chopra aspires to share screen space with Bollywood stars Hrithik Roshan and Ranbir Kapoor.

Pooja was last seen opposite Vidyut Jamwal in action-packed "Commando".

"I am totally in awe of Hrithik and Ranbir. I hope some time in near future I get to work with both of them," said the actress Tuesday at an event here at a radio station.

The actress also confessed to be over-ambitious and said her family asks her to relax at times.

"I think I am too ambitious and I want to do everything. My family members say that I am extremely passionate about my work... I can't sit idle at home even for two minutes. I love going to the studios, do photo-shoots, workshops and shooting," said Pooja.

"I hate sitting even for 10 minutes at home and my family tells me to relax," added the actress.

She is gearing up for "Commando 2" and Vipul Shah's next.

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Anything Salman does will help us: Aamir

Thursday, October 31, 2013 12:19 IST

Actor Aamir Khan enjoys a good relationship with his colleague and contemporary Salman Khan and said that latter's actions will always be beneficial for him.

Salman is planning to launch "Jai Ho" trailer somewhere close to the release of Aamir's "Dhoom 3", which is schedule to come out Dec 20.

Asked if this would affect his "Dhoom 3", Aamir said: "Salman is a dear friend and anything he does will only help us."

His last film "Talaash" didn't do well at the box office, but his "Ghajini" and "3 Idiots" were blockbusters.

Asked about his expectations from "Dhoom 3", a Yash Raj Films' venture, he said: "I am not looking at setting any records. What really is important for me is that the audience should like the film. It should be entertaining and satisfying for the audience. I don't get into box office figures."

Known as the marketing guru, he didn't reveal anything promotional plans for the film and said: "There is no strategy as such. Let's see."

Directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya, "Dhoom 3" also stars Abhishek Bachchan, Katrina Kaif and Uday Chopra.

'Dhoom 3' my toughest role so far



Aamir Khan, who has played a variety of roles in his 25-year-old career, says "Dhoom 3" is his toughest role so far.

In the last couple of years, the 48-year-old star gave hits in the form of "Taare Zameen Par", "Ghajini" and "3 Idiots" and his role in each of them was as different as chalk to cheese.

But he said: "I think 'Dhoom 3' is my toughest role so far. I have never played anything like this before."

"Every film is challenging, but this was a tough role. I had a great time working in the film," Aamir told reporters Wednesday at the trailer launch of the film.

In terms of preparation, the actor had to workout a lot for "Dhoom 3".

"I am playing a gymnast in the film. I also went for circus training for the film. There was a lot of hard work for the film. I followed a strict diet."

The actor plays a negative role in director Vijay Krishna Acharya's sleek and stylish thriller -- but says not to compare it with the typical villain of the big screen.

"I liked the story and I was amazed after reading the script. I am not playing a typical Hindi cinema villain in 'Dhoom 3'. I don't want people to feel I am playing a villain," said Aamir.

Abhishek Bachchan, his co-star in the film, was also present at the event.

"'Dhoom 3' is much more edgier. I wouldn't call Aamir villain of the film," said Abhishek who featured in the earlier two parts of "Dhoom" that started in 2004.

Also featuring Katrina Kaif and Uday Chopra, the film will come out Dec 20.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

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