Karachi’s Kabari Market death toll rises to ten

 KARACHI: The death toll in firing incident in Karachi’s Kabari Market of Sher Shah, mounted to ten.
According to Breaking News All Over The World, at least six unidentified armed men riding three motorbikes, opened indiscriminate fire in Kabari Market in Sher Shah area of Karachi, killing at least ten people including shopkeepers and shoppers and injuring several others.

The eyewitnesses told Breaking News All Over The World that the miscreants, wearing helmets, went on firing spree for five minutes, triggering the panicked people to break up in stampede.

The saboteurs fled the scene effortlessly.

The injured have been shifted to hospitals, where emergency has been declared with more medical staff called on duty. 

According to police sources, arriving late on the mishap site, the personnel of police and the Rangers put a security cordon around the Market.

Meantime, more additional contingents of security forces have been called in.

Hospital sources confirmed ten deaths. Two bodies were transported to Abbasi Hospital and eight in Civil Hospital.

Karachi target killings death toll mounts to 54

KARACHI: The death toll of three days’ ongoing target killings in Karachi has climbed to 54 on Tuesday; even the presence of Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik could not stop this killing spree in the metropolis and during the last 24 hours 16 persons have lost their lives in various parts of the city.

This new row of killings started Saturday evening; within a few hours more than eight people had been shot dead in different areas of the city, while many dead bodies were also recovered.

On Sunday, the city was gripped by fear owing to the constant firing and killing incidents in various parts and the by-election of PS-94. Target killings continued throughout the day and by the end of the day, the death toll had risen to 38.

Killings continued on Monday as well. Even the presence of the Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik did not make any difference as the death toll mounted to 47.

During Monday’s spell of killings, a police head constable, Asif, was shot dead near Bagh-e-Malir when he was going for duty. Asif just got married this Sunday.

The other victim was a pick up driver, Noor Mohammad, who was shot dead by unknown attackers near Norus Chowrangi in SITE. 

Two more bodies were found from Korangi and Gulshan-e Iqbal Moti Mahal respectively. 

Another victim, security guard Aqeel, was shot dead in Federal B. Area while two men have been targeted in Baldia Town and Liaquatabad. A 40 year old was killed in Gulshan-e Iqbal. 

Last night, three more persons were killed by unknown miscreants and seven more have been shot dead, before the mid day, on Tuesday in different parts of the city. Karachi's three day death toll has reached 54.

Violence claims 9 more lives in Karachi

 KARACHI: At least nine people were killed in an incident of firing in Sher Shah Market area of Karachi.

The Rescue souces said some unidentified armed men riding motorbikes, opened fire in Kabari Market in Sher Shah area of Karachi, killing at least seven people on the spot and injuring several others.

Later on, two more succumbed to injuries.

According to police sources, the personnel of police and the Rangers put a security cordon around the Market.

Meantime, more additional contingents of security forces have been called in.

One shot dead by unknown gunmen in Quetta

QUETTA: At least one person has been killed in an attack by unknown gunmen on a saloon in Saryab Kechi Baig area of the city.

According to sources, three armed men on their motorbike managed to escape the scene after the attack. The victim, Muhammad Arif, died on the spot.

The dead body of the deceased was moved by an Edhi ambulance to Civil Hospital, Quetta; after completion of necessary proceeding it was handed over to the family of the victim. Muhammad Arif was a resident of Toba Tek Singh, Punjab.

Abdul Ghaffar, brother of the deceased, said that unknown armed gunmen opened fire with a Kalashnikov at the saloon and escaped from the scene.

Polling continues in PS-94 by-election

KARACHI: Polling has begun in Sindh Assembly's constituency PS-94 (Orangi Town) amid tight security.

Over 1,000 rangers and 2,015 police personnel have been deployed at 86 polling stations, out of them 12 were declared highly sensitive.

The polling will continue without any break and come to an end at 5pm.

In a press conference on Saturday, rangers and police officials feared that terrorists could strike the city on the polling day.

Pakistan observes World Poverty Elimination Day

KARACHI: Pakistan observed World Poverty Elimination Day on Sunday, along with rest of the global community to high light the importance of the poverty elimination from the world.

The United Nations approved in 1992 to observe every year a day, on October 17, as the World Poverty Elimination Day to express solidarity with the global poor community and high light the importance of the practical efforts for the eradication of the poverty.

According to a World Bank report, more than 1100 million people of the world are hardly able to earn mere 1 US dollar daily and, due to this nominal earning, they are severely afflicted by the poverty.

By-election in PS-94 tomorrow

KARACHI: Rangers officials on Saturday said that terrorists can disturb by-elections at PS-94 with suicide attack/s and firing. Everyone is ready for the elections in the constituency where people will cast their votes in a critical situation tomorrow (Sunday).

Sachal Rangers Commandant Brigadier Waseem Ayoob along with DIG West Zone Sultan Khwaja said during a press conference on Saturday that there is a threat of a suicide attack and firing during the by-polls. Therefore, he added, Article 144 has been imposed in the area.

Twelve polling stations have been declared highly sensitive and 1,022 troops of rangers and 2,015 policemen are deployed in the constituency.

Sultan Khwaja said that ten suspected men have been held. He also said that law enforcement agencies will hold a search operation in the area before the polling starts. 

Fear grips Karachi: 12 killed, 35 hurt

KARACHI: Fear prevails in the city on Saturday night before the by-polls start at PS-94. Twelve people have been shot dead while 35 others wounded in different areas after the announcement of Awami National Party's (ANP) boycotting the polls due unfavorable situation in the constituency.

Two buses have been set on fire in Gulistan-e-Jauhar while markets and shopping centers have been closed after the recent wave of target killings in the city where a dozen people have been killed in less than five hours.

Police said three people have been shot dead in Garden, while one man was killed in Sector 13 of Orangi Town. 

Unknown gunmen started fire on a bus in Bukhari Colony where Zaffar, 25, and an unknown man killed. Zaffar Abdul Razzak, 18, was killed and four others wounded in Baldiya Town when unknown men fired in the area. 

Mirza lifts ban on pillion riding in Karachi

HYDERABAD: Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulifqar Mirza finally announced to lift the ban on the pillion riding in Karachi Saturday.

Mirza announced this today while talking to the reporters in Hyderabad.

The ban in the city was imposed on 02 November, 2008 by the home department saying the crime in the city specially targeted killing was increasing due pillion riding. 

Karachi CCPO Fayaz Laghari said that he did not know about the announcement of the home minister while the home department has to issue the written statement after the orders by the authorities. 

Not afraid of jail's mosquitoes: President Zardari

BENAZIRABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari said that he is not afraid of jail's mosquitoes, adding that army generals wronged the country, which can not withstand such happenings in the future.

He said this while addressing a public gathering after inaugurating development projects in his home town on Monday.

President Zardari was of the view that his party, Pakistan Peoples Party, suffered losses whenever dictators interfered in the country's political affairs.

He said that anti-government forces are looking at such chances, adding that political actors are coming forward but the government will complete its tenure.

"There has been no justice with PPP in the past, not even fair and transparent elections, but the people of Pakistan always supported the party."

Pakistan bags two golds at the C'Wealth Games

NEW DELHI: Two Pakistani wrestlers, Azhar Hussain and Mohammad Inaam, won gold medals in different categories at the Commonwealth Games Sunday.

Azhar Hussain defeated Nigerian Wilson in the 55 kilogram category and won the first gold medal for Pakistan, while Mohammad Inaam won the second gold medal when he defeated Indian wrestler Anoj Kumar. 

NATO supply begins after 11-day halt

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has reopened a vital supply route for NATO forces in Afghanistan 11 days after it was shut following a cross-border air strike.

The Torkhan supply route was opened after the United States and NATO tendered apology to Pakistan over killing of three soldiers. 

According to reports, NATO trucks and oil tankers left for Afghanistan immediately after opening of the supply route.

US drone kills six in NWaziristan

MIRANSHAH: A US drone strike killed seven militants at a compound in Pakistan's tribal North Waziristan region Sunday, security officials said.

The compound was located by a road in Shewa district about 40 kilometres (25 miles) northeast of the region's main town of Miranshah.

The drone fired four missiles at the compound and two vehicles parked outside were also destroyed, an intelligence official in Miranshah said.

"At least seven militants were killed and three wounded," a security official in Peshawar said, raising his earlier casualty estimate.

The casualties were confirmed by two other intelligence officials in Miranshah.

The strike is the latest in a series of US operations in the region.

Security officials said last week that a drone strike had killed five German militants. 

Pakistani authorities have reported 27 drone attacks that have killed more than 150 people since September 3.

Pakistan has said there is no justification for the drone strikes, describing them as "counter-productive" and a violation of the country's sovereignty.

The United States does not as a rule confirm drone attacks, but its military and the Central Intelligence Agency operating in Afghanistan are the only forces that deploy the pilotless aircraft in the region.

Officials in Washington say previous drone strikes have killed a number of high-value targets, including the former Pakistani Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud.

Taliban militants have launched a string of attacks on NATO supply vehicles in Pakistan in the past week to avenge the drone strikes.

Pakistani Taliban on Sunday claimed responsibility for the latest attack on a NATO supply convoy in the southwest and vowed these would continue until the US drone strikes stopped.

Gunmen on Saturday torched at least 29 oil tankers in southwest Pakistan, the sixth attack in just over a week on vehicles carrying supplies for the 152,000-strong foreign forces fighting in Afghanistan.

Pakistani officials said on Sunday they had reopened the main land route for NATO supplies to Afghanistan and officials at the Torkham border in the northwest Khyber region, closed in a response to a NATO helicopter incursion.

3 terrorists of Sipah-e-Sahaba arrested in connection with shrine attack

Three persons belongs from banned terrorists outfit Sipah-e-Sahaba and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi were arrested by the Law Enforcement Agencies late Friday night for their allegedly involvement in Thursday’s twin suicide bombings at Abdullah Shah Ghazi's shrine in Karachi, Sources informed.

According to reports, security agencies raided a house in Mominabad area of Orangi Town and arrested three terrorists of Sipah-e-Sahaba  and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Kamran, Asad and Shafiq.

The investigation teams shifted the accused to an undisclosed location and started interrogations.

Abdullah Shah Ghazi shrine to open today

KARACHI: The terror-hit shrine of Hazrat Abdullah Shah Ghazi will be opened for pilgrims after a closure of four days. 

The shrine was closed for visitors after two suicide bombs struck the shrine on Thursday, killing 10 people and injuring dozens of others. 

Speaking to SAMAA, Clifton SSP Tariq Dharejo said that strict security measures have been on the occasion of third-day of mourning. 

The shrine, he said, will be opened after the end of Soyem ceremony

vOICE OF PAKISTAN AND WORLD!

Afghan governor, 14 others killed in mosque blast: police

KUNDUZ: An Afghan provincial governor and 14 other people were killed Friday when a powerful blast tore through a mosque in northern Afghanistan, a police commander said.

The nature of the blast in the town of Taluqan, the capital of Takhar province, was not immediately clear.

"There was a blast in the mosque. The governor, the imam, altogether 15 people have been killed," provincial police chief Shah Jahan Noori said.

Governor Mohammad Omar was the governor of the neighbouring province of Kunduz, but orginally came from Takhar.

5th anniversary of October 8 earthquake being observed today

 MUZAFFARABAD: The 5th Anniversary of history's worst and deadly earthquake of October 8, 2005 across Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) is being observed today with a commitment to rebuild the affected areas.

The anniversary observed as the "National Disaster Awareness Day" coupled with special prayers for the rest of the departed souls of the quake victims in eternal peace and to express complete solidarity and sympathies with the survivors of the history's worst natural catastrophe.

Public holiday throughout AJK while the day had dawn with special prayers in the mosques at Fajr for the departed souls of the earthquake victims. 

Fateha Khawanis offered for the martyrs and sirens had blown at 8:52am across the country besides observing two minutes silence. 

A major ceremony, to observe the anniversary, will be held at Muzaffarabad, which will be attended, among others, by AJK President and Prime Minister as well as members of both houses of the State Parliament, social and political workers, and civil society members.

Saudi Ambassador was also expected to attend the ceremony. Meanwhile, special prayers were also being held at Athmaqam, Rawlakot, Nalakot and Baitian and the affectees were protesting against the delay in the rebuilding of their areas.

Ghazi's shrine remains closed despite Shah’s orders

KARACHI: Despite clear instructions given by Sindh's Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, Abdullah Shah Ghazi's shrine remains closed to devotees and pilgrims on Friday.

The shrine was closed to visitors after two suicide attacks left at least nine people dead Thursday night. 

Speaking to newsmen outside the shrine the previous night, Shah announced that the shrine would open on Friday morning. 

On the other hand Home Minister Zulfiqar Ali Mirza, ignoring Shah’s announcement, maintained that the shrine would not be opened till the issuance of security clearance. 

Attack on shrine: death toll raises to nine

KARACHI: Two suicide bombers blew themselves up at Abdullah Shah Ghazi's shrine in Karachi killing nine worshippers, including two children, Geo News reported.

The bombs exploded at the entrance of the shrine to Abdullah Shah Ghazi as devotees packed it for a weekly gathering in the city's seaside Clifton district.

Karachi shut down Friday after religious and political parties called on people to protest the attacks in the city.

Shopping centres, gas stations, schools and shops were closed, and the usually jam-packed roads were deserted.

More than 3,700 people have been killed in a series of suicide attacks and bombings in Pakistan during the past three years.

Heavy contingents of law enforcement agencies have been deployed in the city to handle any untoward situation.

Educational institutions were remained open but the attendance was lower than normal.

Missile strike kills four terrorists in N.Waziristan

NORTH WAZIRISTAN: At least four terrorists have been killed in the recent spying missile attack in Tehsil Mir Ali, SAMAA reported Thursday evening.

Sources told that missile was fired on a vehicle in Khushali area of the Tehsil Mir Ali. Four terrorists have been killed on the spot according to the recent reports, sources added.

Watan Card seeking flood victims attack NADRA office

NAUSHERO FEROZE: Desperate flood victims attacked a NADRA office and damaged office furniture and property after failing to receive their Watan Cards.

According to details, a large crowd of flood victims stormed into the NADRA office, in protest of not having received their Watan Cards from concerned authorities.

Police arrived at the scene and forced the angry flood victims out of the office with batons.

The protesting flood victims have been complaining that NADRA is issuing Watan Cards to powerful individuals, instead of the affected people.

US report questions Pakistani efforts against Qaeda

WASHINGTON: A White House assessment of the war in Afghanistan concludes that Pakistan's military avoided direct conflict this spring with the Afghan Taliban and al-Qaeda militants, in part for political reasons.

The biannual evaluation of progress in the war also said devastating monsoon flooding in August has prompted Pakistan to scale back its military effort against the insurgents, a move that could ultimately result in gains for the militants.

"The Pakistan military (between April 1 and June 30) continued to avoid military engagements that would put it in direct conflict with Afghan Taliban or al-Qaeda forces in North Waziristan," the report said.

"This is as much a political choice as it is a reflection of an under-resourced military prioritizing its targets," said the report, which was compiled by the White House National Security Council and sent to Congress earlier this week.

It included a cover letter from President Barack Obama saying no adjustments to the Afghan war strategy were needed.

It is a sensitive time for U.S.-Pakistani relations.

Cross-border incursions by U.S.-led NATO forces in Afghanistan killed two Pakistani border guards this week, prompting Pakistan to close a border checkpoint to trucks ferrying supplies to international forces in Afghanistan.

Since then militants have repeatedly destroyed trucks ferrying U.S. supplies, including seven vehicles on Wednesday.

The NSC report came just two weeks ahead of a third round of the U.S.-Pakistan strategic dialogue, which aims to reverse

decades of mistrust between the two countries.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs played down the significance of the report. "I don't think it is surprising that we have challenges in that region of the world. Our belief is that despite those challenges we are making important progress," he told reporters.

COUNTERINSURGENCY STATUS QUO

The report used eight measures to evaluate the war against al-Qaeda and the Taliban, including progress toward disrupting terrorist networks in Afghanistan and Pakistan and degrading their ability to launch international terrorists attacks.

Details of the efforts against terrorist networks were contained in a classified annex that was not released. But the unclassified report did discuss efforts to support Pakistan's counterinsurgency initiatives.

Record monsoon flooding in August prompted Pakistan to shift its counterinsurgency strategy from clearing out insurgents in the northwest to holding the ground they had already taken, the report said.

"The current military effort to maintain the status quo could ultimately result in militant gains if extremist groups remain undisturbed in their safe havens," it said.

On the other hand, the Pakistani military's flood relief efforts have boosted its standing with the population, which the report said could improve its counterinsurgency effectiveness once the country has recovered.

The report criticized President Asif Ali Zardari, whose popularity has slumped, for traveling to Europe after the August floods, saying the move had "exacerbated inter-party tensions, civil-military relations, and damaged his image." AGENCIES

Missile attacks kill five in Waziristan

MIRANSHAH: At least five terrorists have been killed in the spying missile attacks in Datta Khel Wednesday evening.

Sources told SAMAA that two missiles were fired on a house located in Datta Khel Serai area of Miranshah. 

Five terrorists have been killed while two others wounded. The house was completely damaged in the attacks, sources added. 

Bar-Bench’s bone of contention removed, Judge Zawar goes on leave

LAHORE: The bone of contention between the Lahore High Court (LHC) and Bar Association has been removed as Sessions Judge Zawar Ahmad Sheikh has gone on leave for four months to placate the ongoing dispute between the bar and bench.

Lahore High Court lawyers had been demanding for the transfer of Judge Zawar Sheikh for many weeks, but the Chief Justice (CJ) of Lahore declined to accept their demand.

After many weeks of conflict between Lahore bar and bench, lawyers stormed into the LHC-CJ court and made violent protests. Later on, lawyers announced to take out rally and staged protest for the removal of Sessions Judge Zawar Ahmad Sheikh. 

Judges of Lahore High Court called an emergency meeting and went on strike as a protest against the violent misconduct of lawyers. The following day, the situation became worse when lawyers tried to take out a rally from Lahore High Court. 

Police used excessive force to prevent lawyers from taking out their rally amid the government ban under Section-144. Police entered LHC to arrest lawyers which enraged lawyers all across the country.

Called by Lahore High Court Bar, lawyers observed a countrywide strike on Saturday and imposed a restriction on many prominent lawyer leaders, including and CJ-LHC Khwaja Sharif.

The bar-bench scuffle intensified on Monday amid lawyers' day long strike and protest rally at LHC; all of the lower courts judges and staffers of Punjab resigned from their posts in protest against the misbehavior and disrespectful conduct of lawyers.

According to the latest development, the bone of contention between the bar and bench has been removed by sending Judge Zawar Sheikh on leave. During this period, Judge Sohail Nasir will replace him as acting Sessions Judge of Lahore. 

Pervez Musharraf launches APML: PART 2

Pervez Musharraf launches APML: PART 1

Five killed in Iraq violence

BAGHDAD: Five people were killed in violence in Baghdad and central Iraq on Monday, including a roadside bomb targeting a junior minister, medical and security officials said.

A convoy transporting Fuad al-Mussawi, a deputy minister of science and technology, struck a bomb along a road in the upscale neighbourhood of Jadriyah, in the centre of the capital.

The minister was unharmed, but the early morning blast killed one of his guards and wounded four other people, said an interior ministry official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Also in central Baghdad, an employee of a telephone exchange was killed and another wounded by a bomb which detonated near Al-Alwiyah communications centre in Karrada.

And in Diyala province, north of the capital, a bomb attack killed three people in the ethnically mixed town of Jalawlah, in a tract of disputed land claimed both by the autonomous Kurdistan region and Iraq's central government.

An initial magnetic "sticky bomb" attached to a car, which appeared to be targeting Kurdish peshmerga security forces, detonated but did not cause any casualties, Diyala operations command said.

When police arrived at the scene, a second bomb detonated, killing one two policemen and a civilian, and wounding 18 others, including 11 police.