China calls Pakistan and India to defuse tension through dialogue

BEIJING: China said Thursday that the only way to defuse tension in the wake of Mumbai incident was holding dialogue between India and Pakistan. Responding to questions on terrorists attack in Indian economic hub, Mumbai last week, Chinese Foreign Office spokesman Liu Jianchao here said that the Indian government was investigating the Mumbai attack and “we hope they would find out the truth”.

He further said, “We take note of the Indians leaders who had made some remarks on this incident.

“From our point of view China as a friendly neighbor to both India and Pakistan” wants to see improvement of bilateral relations between the two countries.

“We hope that the two countries will defuse their disputes through dialogues and consultations”, he said.

Liu further said that it will “contribute to a better bilateral relations and regional peace and stability”.

On term of terrorism, he said that China position is solid; we firmly oppose all form of terrorism.

100-Index closes unchanged

KARACHI: The 100-Index of Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) closed unchanged at 9,187.10 on Thursday despite a big turnover, market sources said.

The turnover volume was estimated at 917,900 shares as two scrips recorded gains while two sustained losses and six remained unchanged out of a total of only 10 companies.

The market capitalization was eroded by Rs 264 billion to Rs2.817 trillion.

Analysts said that trading volume surged for the first time in last two months, but it was limited to one scrip only. Interest in other scrips remained thin.

Blast in Net café in Quetta; no casualties reported

QUETTA: A powerful blast occurred at an Internet café in Jinnah Complex here Thursday, however, it caused no loss of life.

The blast occurred at 6:15 PM which was heard in a large radius.

Computers and other equipment in the Internet café was damaged but no casualties were reported.

Jamaat-ul-Dawa rejects Indian allegations

MURIDKE: Jamaat-ul-Dawa Pakistan has rejected the terrorism’s allegations leveled by India in the wake of Mumbai attacks.

Jamaat al-Dawa clarified it had no connection with Lashkar-e-Tayyaba and those elements were responsible for Mumbai attacks who had torched the Samjhota Express.

In a briefing given to local and international media here on Thursday, Jamaat spokesman Abdullah Muntazir said Hafiz Saeed has no link with Lashkar-e-Tayyaba.

“Hafiz Saeed is being targeted for raising voice against Indian atrocities in Kashmir,” he commented.

He said India is creating an atmosphere of war and if it carries out attacks on Markaz-e-Tayyaba then it will be the responsibility of Pakistani government to protect it from foreign aggression.

The spokesman further said Markaz-e-Tayyaba is entirely an educational institute and a residential complex which has no link with terrorism.

I.G. Prisons passes away

KARACHI: The Inspector General of Prisons, Mohammed Yamin Khan passed away here on Thursday.

Yamin Khan was on duty when he had a heart attack and died.

Meanwhile, Sindh Governor Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan and Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah have expressed their profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Yamin Khan.

The funeral of Khan will take place on Friday.

Cheema assumes charge as DG Civil Defence

ISLAMABAD: Brig (Retd.) Javed Iqbal Cheema, the previous Director General of National Crisis Management Cell (NCMC) and Spokesman of Ministry of Interior has assumed the charge of Director General Civil Defence.

According to a notification issued here on Thursday Brig (Retd.) Cheema assumed the charge of DG Civil Defence on November 26.

Indian airstrikes may spur war: Dr. Samar

ISLAMABAD: Prominent nuclear scientist Dr. Samar Mubarak said on Thursday that country’s nuclear assets were safe and secure under the world’s best command and control system.

He termed the concerns regarding Pakistan’s nuclear weapons baseless.

Speaking to Geo News in its famour program “Capital Talk” here on Thursday, Dr. Mubarak said limited Indian air strikes could lead to a full-scale war between the two countries.

“Our atomic assets are fully secure through a secret code,” he said, adding that these weapons could not function accidentally.

“If India made the silly mistake of launching surgical attacks in Pakistan, it could cause a war,” he cautioned.

He further said that radar, air force and naval forces were fully capable to foil any surgical attack of India.

Miandad vows to strengthen national cricket

LAHORE: The Director General of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Javed Miandad has said that he will devise policies to improve the standards of cricket at grass root level in the country.

Talking to journalists here, Miandad said Australia remains the strongest team in the world because of their strong cricket system, which allows nurturing young talent.

He underlined that no talent would be wasted and no injustice would be done to any meritorious cricketer.

PMA’s biennial moot on Dec 19

KARACHI: The 28th biennial conference of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) will be held in the metropolis on Dec 19, 2008.

Addressing a press conference at the PMA House here on Thursday, Dr. Habib-ur-Rehman Soomro, Dr. Aziz Tanak, and others told that around 1000 doctors from U.S., England, Canada, Middle East and Pakistan would attend the moot.

He said the conference was being organized in Karachi after a span of eight years.

India asks Pakistan to hand over Mumbai attacks suspects

ISLAMABAD: India has asked Pakistan in writing for handing over Dawood Ibrahim and Maulana Masood Azhar for their alleged involvement in Mumbai attacks.

Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior Affairs, Rehman Malik at a press conference here at FIA Headquarters said Indian government has not provided any list mentioning names of wanted persons.

However, he said, India has asked Pakistan in writing for handing over three men, Dawood Ibrahim, Tiger Memon and Maulana Masood Azhar.

“Out of these three men, Dawood Ibrahim and Tiger Memon are not in Pakistan while India has asked to send more evidence regarding Maulana Masood Azhar,” the Advisor said.

He clarified that India has not asked in writing for Pakistan ISI Chief to come to India.