Drone attacks are a curse for Pakistan: Rehman

Updated at: 1928 PST, Thursday, December 10, 2009

LAHORE: Interior Minister Rehman Malik Thursday ruled out presence of any US terrorist in Pakistan.Addressing a seminar here, the Interior Minister termed the drone strikes as a curse for the country, saying that the government of Pakistan and its people strongly condemn these attacks.“There is no presence of Black Water in Pakistan,” the Interior Minister ruled out, adding, “Unfortunately, all the terrorists in the country are Pakistani nationals.”He said so far 74 terrorists have been apprehended. Rehman Malik said Ulema belonging to every school of thought have supported us.

Senior journalist Najeeb Ahmed dies of heart failure

Updated at: 1944 PST, Thursday, December 10, 2009

KARACHI: Former president of Karachi Press Club, and senior journalist Najeeb Ahmed died of heart failure here Thursday morning. He was 48.His funeral prayers will be held at 9 PM at Masjid Ashraf Hashim Ali Khan Road. He will be laid to rest in Model Colony graveyard.Najeeb Ahmed had been suffering from a heart disease and had underwent a heart operation a few months back.He suffered a heart attack at 10 AM today and died of heart failure while he was being rushed to hospital. On reaching hospital doctors confirmed his death.Najeeb Ahmed was a senior journalist of Karachi. He started his journalistic career from daily Jasarat after completing his education from the University of Karachi. He served in a number of dailies as a journalist.He remained associated with daily Jang for the last 18 years and was known as a devoted crime reporter in the city. Najeeb also provided his services for Geo News.He was elected many times on various positions of Karachi Press Club including president and secretary.He has been survived by an aged mother, wife, three sons and thousands of mourning journalists.

Another CCTV footage of Moon Market blast on Geo TV

Updated at: 2035 PST, Thursday, December 10, 2009
LAHORE: Another CCTV footage of the blast in Lahore’s Moon Market has been obtained by Geo TV.The footage shows images of people running in confusion and security alarms of the parked vehicles going off after the blast.

Another CCTV footage of Moon Market blast on Geo TV

Updated at: 2035 PST, Thursday, December 10, 2009
LAHORE: Another CCTV footage of the blast in Lahore’s Moon Market has been obtained by Geo TV.The footage shows images of people running in confusion and security alarms of the parked vehicles going off after the blast.

Army Chief visits Jehlum Tilla Range

Updated at: 2044 PST, Thursday, December 10, 2009

JEHLUM: The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani Thursday visited Field Firing and Battle Inoculation exercises at Tilla Ranges (Jhelum). He witnessed troops engaged in various firing exercises as part of Army’s ‘Year of Training’ programme. He appreciated the professionalism, dedication and high spirits of the troops. Earlier on arrival in the area, COAS was received by Corps Commander Gujranwala Lieutenant General Nadeem Taj.

Pakistan cricketers missed IPL deadline: Lalit Modi

Updated at: 1907 PST, Thursday, December 10, 2009

MUMBAI: Indian Premier League Commissioner Lalit Modi today said the Pakistani cricketers have missed the deadline for the third IPL and the only way they can be part of the Twenty20 tournament is through the January 19 auction.Modi said the Pakistani cricketers missed the bus by failing to get visas by the December 7 deadline and the IPL franchises have already replaced them with fresh recruits.In such a scenario, the Pakistani cricketers could hope to be part of the event only through the next round of players auction scheduled on January 19."Yesterday all the teams were required to do the replacement strategy and the replacement was allowed for those players who are not going to be part of the squad."Unfortunately the teams have already signed their replacements.

Forex reserves decline by $147.9 mln

Updated at: 1940 PST, Thursday, December 10, 2009
KARACHI: The total liquid foreign reserves held by the country stood at 13.57 billion dollars, showing a decline of 147.9 million dollars during a week ended Dec 5, State Bank of Pakistan said here on Thursday.According to break up, the Foreign reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan amounted to 9.93 billion dollars while net foreign reserves held by banks (other than SBP) stood at 3.64 billion dollars.