UPDATE 1-Saudi telco Atheeb’s CEO resigns after big losses

RIYADH, June 13 (Reuters) – Atheeb Telecom 7040.SE, Saudi Arabia’s first private fixed-line phone operator, said on Sunday its top executive has resigned after it accumulated losses close to 40 percent of its capital one year after starting business.

Ahmad Abbas Sindi was replaced by Raed Kayyal, Atheeb said in a statement posted on the bourse’s website.

The company, which focuses mainly on broadband, started commercial operations in June, 2009.

It said last month its net losses stood at 379 million riyals between February, 2009 and March, 31, 2010 with sales of only 35.4 million riyals, which is below half the cost of sales themselves.

This has raised fears among investors that Atheeb would soon need to replenish its capital to keep the business running and competing with cash-laden rivals such as state-controlled Saudi Telecom 7010.SE and Mobily 7020.SE.

Bahrain Telecom BTEL.BH holds a 15 percent stake in Atheeb Telecom.

Saudi Telecom and Mobily dominate the broadband landscape, which offers the best growth potential in the Arab world’s largest economy.

Some analysts say Atheeb has put less focus on fixed-line voice services because it was bound to face a price war by Saudi Telecom.

Atheeb’s shares lost 15 percent since the firm started commercial operations. (Reporting by Souhail Karam; Editing by Thomas Atkins)

It’s ‘premature’ to say if Shehzad had links with Pak Taliban: Pak Army

Lahore, May 6 (ANI): While US officials have said that Faisal Shehzad, the main accused behind the foiled Times Square bombing plot, received bomb making training in Pakistan’s restive tribal region of Waziristan, the Pakistan Army has said it is premature to say that he had visited the region unless a link between him and the Taliban is established.

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) chief Major General Athar Abbas said those links are yet to be established.

“Unless a link is established, it will be premature to say that he had gone there,” The Daily Times quoted Abbas, as saying.

According to US officials privy to the investigations Shehzad, son of a former Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Chief Air Vice Marshal Baharul Haq, has already admitted to receiving terror training in Waziristan during his five-month trip to the country earlier this year.

When asked about the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) taking the responsibility for the botched up bombing plot, Abbas said : “As for the TTP claim, anybody can claim anything.” (ANI)

With three killings in 10 days Taliban haunts Swat Valley again

London, Apr.30 (ANI): Months after the Pakistan Army declared the Swat Valley safe claiming that the Taliban has been flushed out of the region, the extremists have resumed their activities killing at least three local leaders in ten days.

Pakistani officials also confirmed the target killings, but added that the recent murders does not mean the Taliban is re-entering the valley.

“There have been three incidents of targeted killings. But these incidents do not mean that the Taliban can return in any organised form to the Swat valley. The army is confident of this,” The BBC quoted Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) chief Major General Athar Abbas, as saying.

He said the militants who carried out the killings, have been “dealt with.”

“We carried out an operation after a tip-off and killed the four of them,” Abbas said.

Local residents, however, presented a different story, saying at least one militant had escaped after a gun battle with security forces.

Residents complained that though the Army claims that peace has returned to the valley, things have not improved much, and added that tourism, which once contributed a major chunk to revenue generated in the valley, still remains affected.

“Things have not improved and business is not good. We cannot even imagine that tourists will come here,” said Khalid, a local restaurant owner.

“How can things be better if there are still suicide bombings and people are being killed every few days?” he asked. (ANI)

Pak sets free six top Taliban commanders: Report

Lahore, Apr.29 (ANI): Pakistan has set free at least six top Taliban militants, including the extremist outfit’s second-in command Mullah Abdul Ghani Barader’s close aide Abdul Qayum Zakir, a report in a magazine has claimed.

According to Newsweek magazine, Zakir, who was nabbed days after Barader was picked up from Karachi, was among the six Taliban commanders who were released by the Pakistani authorities recently.

Zakir was Baradar’s top military commander and one of the Taliban chieftain Mullah Omar’s most effective and most feared commanders during the Taliban’s fight to defeat the resisting Northern Alliance 10 years ago, the magazine said.

It said that several Taliban sources have also confirmed the arrest and his subsequent release.

However, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) spokesman Major General Athar Abbas told said he has no information about the arrest and release of these militant leaders.

The incident has also been confirmed by a US official, who declined to be identified, who said that there was nothing surprising about it.

“It’s not a surprise that in a country where politics is often messy, competing interests are carefully balanced, and relationships are complex, some of those people have been let go,” the official said.

“We know they don’t have a consistent policy that they apply consistently, but that doesn’t mean we can’t work with them. Quite frankly, we have to,” he added.

The report regarding the release of Taliban commanders by Pakistan comes days after The Washington Post reported that US officials believe at least two of the arrested Taliban commanders were released by the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) recently.

U.S. military and intelligence officials said the releases, detected by American spy agencies but not publicly disclosed, are evidence that parts of Pakistan’s security establishment continue to support the Afghan Taliban. (ANI)

Brit toddler’s kidnappers killed in encounter: Pak police

Islamabad, Apr.16 (ANI): Three kidnappers, who were involved in the abduction of the five-year British kid Sahil Saeed, have been killed in an encounter, Pakistani police officials have said.

Sahil was kidnapped at gunpoint from her grandmother’s house in Jhelum last month just hours before he was to board a flight back to London.

He was released later after his family reportedly paid a hefty ransom of about 110,000 pounds.

The abductors identified as Safeer alias Safeera, Naveed alias Veda and Mudassar were killed in a police encounter near Kotla Arab Ali Khan, some 40 kilometres from Gujrat, while trying to flee, officials said.

Confirming reports about the encounter, District Police Officer (DPO) Tariq Abbas Qureshi said the Jhelum police had arrested Safeer last month, and was taking him to a village for identifying his other friends involved in the crime.

“The police party along with Safeer were intercepted by Naveed and Mudassar on their way to Sariya village. In a bid to free Safeer, Naveed and Mudassar opened fire, and in the ensuing gunfight they were killed,” The Dawn quoted Qureshi, as saying.

He, however, failed to clarify how Safeer, who was in police custody, was killed. (ANI)

Brit toddler’s kidnappers killed in encounter: Pak police

Islamabad, Apr.16 (ANI): Three kidnappers, who were involved in the abduction of the five-year British kid Sahil Saeed, have been killed in an encounter, Pakistani police officials have said.

Sahil was kidnapped at gunpoint from her grandmother’s house in Jhelum last month just hours before he was to board a flight back to London.

He was released later after his family reportedly paid a hefty ransom of about 110,000 pounds.

The abductors identified as Safeer alias Safeera, Naveed alias Veda and Mudassar were killed in a police encounter near Kotla Arab Ali Khan, some 40 kilometres from Gujrat, while trying to flee, officials said.

Confirming reports about the encounter, District Police Officer (DPO) Tariq Abbas Qureshi said the Jhelum police had arrested Safeer last month, and was taking him to a village for identifying his other friends involved in the crime.

“The police party along with Safeer were intercepted by Naveed and Mudassar on their way to Sariya village. In a bid to free Safeer, Naveed and Mudassar opened fire, and in the ensuing gunfight they were killed,” The Dawn quoted Qureshi, as saying.

He, however, failed to clarify how Safeer, who was in police custody, was killed. (ANI)

Sania should follow tradition, play for Pak after marriage: PTF chief

Karachi, Apr.1 (ANI): Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) chief Dilawar Abbas has said that India’s tennis sensation Sania Mirza should represent Pakistan in international tennis tournaments after entering into wedlock with cricketer Shoaib Malik.

“It is great news for our tennis community that Sania Mirza is getting married to Shoaib Malik. We welcome her and hope that she would become a Pakistani national and play for us in future. She has a great future ahead and we would be delighted if she plays for Pakistan,” The News quoted Abbas, as saying.

“Asian women traditionally follow their husbands which is why I’m hopeful that someday she would be inspired by Shoaib to play for Pakistan,” he added.

Sania has already made it clear that she would continue representing India even after her marriage.

Abbas said that even if Sania decides to continue playing for India, he hopes that she would associate herself with Pakistan tennis at some point of time.

“She can encourage our girls to take up tennis, she can inspire them to become world class players. We would hope that Sania would lend a helping hand to women’s tennis in Pakistan,” he said.

Abbas even suggested that Sania could team up with Pakistan’s Aisam-ul-Haq on the mixed-doubles circuit.

“Both Sania and Aisam are really good doubles players. I believe that their team would not just achieve great results internationally but will also help bridge the gap between India and Pakistan,” he said.

News regarding Sania marrying Shoaib were splashed in the media earlier this week, but controversy surrounded the sports couple soon after with reports of Shoaib already being married to a Hyderabad based girl, Ayesha Siddiqui.

MA Siddiqui, Ayesha’s father, had alleged that Shoiab had married his daughter over telephone in June 2002.

Siddiqui has even threatened to take legal action against Shoaib for marrying a second girl without divorcing his wife.

“As per law, Ayesha will be the first wife and Sania will be second. I want divorce for my daughter. I will seek legal recourse. I will sue Shoiab because he has wronged us,” Siddiqui told media persons.

However, Shoaib has denied the charges, saying he was only engaged to Ayesha and the marriage was called off because of problems between the two families. (ANI)

Ex Pak greats horrified over PCB’s ‘vindictive’ stance that led to Younis’ ‘retirement’

Lahore, Mar.31 (ANI): Former Pakistani cricketers have blasted the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for ill-treating prolific middle order batsman Mohammed Yousuf, who had announced his retirement from international cricket in protest against the indefinite ban imposed on him by the board.

Former fast bowler and the current team coach Waqar Younis has asked Yousuf to reconsider his decision of bidding adieu to international cricket, and said the middle-order batsman still has a lot to offer.

“Yousuf still has a lot of cricket left in him and he should review his decision for the sake of Pakistan cricket,” The Nation quoted Waqar, as saying.

Yousuf had announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, saying he is hurt by the treatment meted out by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which had imposed an indefinite ban on him following the winless tour Down Under.

However, Yousuf has kept the doors for a comeback ajar, as he had said that he is retiring from the game ‘ for the time being’.

Former captain Zaheer Abbas also rued Yousuf’s decision, saying Pakistan cricket would badly miss the services of the ace batsman.

Abbas said echoed Waqar’s statement, saying Yousuf still remains one of Pakistan’s best batsmen.

“Yousuf is a world-class batsman and can still play Tests for Pakistan.Everyone knows the reason behind his decision, so he should decide on his future and we must respect that,” Abbas said.

Yousuf’s former teammate, Inzamam-ul-Haq criticised the PCB for ill-treating a senior player like Yousuf.

“You don’t treat senior players like this, there is total confusion and contradiction in the charges made against Yousuf by the inquiry committee. I think Yousuf is hurt and will not change his decision,” Inzamam said.

Another former skipper Rameez Raja described Yousuf’s decision to hang his boots as a ‘bitter end to a glorious career.’

“For the last six months controversies have followed him and forced him to take this decision,” Raja said. (ANI)

Pakistan hands over 56-page wish list to US before strategic dialogue

Washington, Mar.24 (ANI): Unmanned Predator drones, helicopter gunships, more financial aid, a civil nuclear accord, and a direct role of the White House in reviving the stalled Indo-Pak composite dialogue are some of the ‘marked’ requirements in the 56-page wish list that Pakistan has handed over to the United States just ahead of the strategic dialogue.

The document also requests for greater cooperation between Pakistani spy agency (the ISI) and US intelligence outfits.

Islamabad also wants a role in any future talks between the West backed Afghanistan and the Taliban.

According to a Pakistani official, who refused to be named, Islamabad’s fears of being outflanked by New Delhi, which has forged close ties with Kabul, are reflected in the document’s ‘indirect’ language about regional security issues.

The wish list also raises concerns about India’s effort to modernise its military, in part through buying US equipment and weapons, The Nation reports.

When asked about the details of the wish list, the Pakistan military’s spokesperson, Major General Athar Abbas confirmed its presence but refused to divulge any detail regarding it.

Commenting on the reports, spokesman for the National Security Council, Michael Hammer said the White House is looking forward to Wednesday’s (March 24) dialogue but denied to comment on Pakistan’s specific proposals, which were made during a series of meetings between Pakistani and US officials in the recent past.

“During the course of those discussions, a considerable number of ideas, initiatives, and opportunities have been brought up by both sides,” Hammer said, adding: “We are not prepared to comment on any one set of ideas other than to say that we are encouraged by an open and robust dialogue.”

Meanwhile, the Pentagon has played down the chance of any big announcement of fresh aid at the end of the talks, saying the dialogue would focus on strengthening long-term bilateral ties.

“I would not look to this, at the end of it, for there to be some great announcement about any hard items that are being produced as a result of the conversations,” Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters.

“This is a dialogue designed to produce a better long-term strategic relationship … this is not simply about asking and receiving items,” Morrell added. (ANI)

Pak gives up on hosting Davis Cup tie against New Zealand

Islamabad, Mar 12(AN): The Pakistan’s Tennis Federation (PTF) has given up hope of hosting its Davis Cup tie against New Zealand in July following a series of militant attacks in the country like last Friday’s suicide bomb attacks in Lahore.

Pakistan has seen an unprecedented rise in the number of suicide attacks carried out across the country and loss of life over the past couple of years, including the ambush of the Sri Lanka cricket team’s bus last year, leading to the cancellation of several sporting events.

PTF president Dilawar Abbas said he saw little chance of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) agreeing to allow Pakistan host the game.

“We had sent a letter to the ITF pressing them to allow us to host the tie on schedule as it is imperative for Pakistan tennis to play international ties at home,” The Daily Times quoted Abbas, as saying.

“But now while we are waiting for a response there is no doubt the situation has changed after the Lahore blasts,” he added.

The ITF has already moved Davis Cup ties against Oman and Hong Kong out of Pakistan after both the nations refused to play in Lahore. (ANI)

Taliban must produce Hakimullah’s video to prove that he is alive: Malik

Lahore, Mar. 15 (ANI): Pakistan’s Interior Minister Rehman Malik has challenged the Pakistan Taliban by saying that the terror organisation must produce Hakimullah Mehsud’s video to prove that he is still alive.

The News quoted Malik as saying that Hakimullah Mehsud had died of wounds inflicted in a US drone aircraft attack in January.

Hakimullah was hit within 72 hours after the release of a confessional video of Jordanian doctor Human Khalil Abu-Mulal al Balawi, who killed seven CIA agents in Khost on Dec 30.

The video, which showed Hakimullah sitting with the Jordanian double agent Balawi, was released in the evening of January 9 and Hakimullah was hit in a drone attack in Shakoti on the night between Jan 13 and 14.

Meanwhile, Malik telephoned Senator Abbas Kumaili to clarify that Imamia Students Organization (ISO) was not being banned.

According to him, false reports were being circulated to create misunderstanding between ISO and the government. (ANI)

Pak intelligence calls for Afghan border to be closed

London, Mar. 15 (ANI): Pakistan”s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has called for tighter control of the Afghan border by NATO troops to stop Taliban fighters from escaping its operations in the North West Frontier.

Major General Athar Abbas, the director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), claimed that a cross-border flow into Afghanistan was hampering its campaign to crush the Taliban.

“We are at full stretch. I have to say that the border is a joint responsibility,” The Telegraph quoted Major General Athar Abass, as saying in a presentation to the Royal United Services Institute, a London think tank.

“NATO must stop the cross border flow,” he said.

Pakistan has rapidly expanded its presence along the Afghanistan border, which crosses mountains and deserts, after years of complaints from NATO that it was not doing enough to stop Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters finding safe haven in its territory.

According to Major General Abbas, there are now 821 Pakistan army checkpoints on the border, but just 112 Afghan Army or NATO posts.

Pakistan officials have proclaimed the success of its operations in the autonomous territories dominated by Pashtun tribes that have sheltered the Taliban. (ANI)

Pak lawmakers refuse body scan, cut short visit to US

ISLAMABAD: A delegation of Pakistani lawmakers refused to subject themselves to a controversial full-body scan at a Washington airport, a media report said on Sunday.

The six-member group of the parliament members from Pakistan’s restive tribal region cut short their official US visit immediately to return home, the Pakistani Express News channel said. It was the first official delegation that refused to go through the body scanners since they were installed at 19 US airports last month.

Abbas Afridi, the head of the delegation, said the US state department had invited them to Washington to discuss security and development projects in the tribal region, with a promise that they would not be subjected to body scanning. “We were not scanned when we arrived on March 28 in Washington from Pakistan, but on Saturday when we wanted to travel to another city the authorities told us that we would be scanned,” said Afridi.

Pak lawmakers refuse body scan, cut short visit to US

ISLAMABAD: A delegation of Pakistani lawmakers refused to subject themselves to a controversial full-body scan at a Washington airport, a media report said on Sunday.

The six-member group of the parliament members from Pakistan’s restive tribal region cut short their official US visit immediately to return home, the Pakistani Express News channel said. It was the first official delegation that refused to go through the body scanners since they were installed at 19 US airports last month.

Abbas Afridi, the head of the delegation, said the US state department had invited them to Washington to discuss security and development projects in the tribal region, with a promise that they would not be subjected to body scanning. “We were not scanned when we arrived on March 28 in Washington from Pakistan, but on Saturday when we wanted to travel to another city the authorities told us that we would be scanned,” said Afridi.

Obama to host tripartite meeting with Israeli PM and Palestinian President

Jerusalem, Sep 20 (ANI): In an effort to renew the peace process in the Middle East, President Barack Obama will host a tripartite meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday.
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said the meeting would take place after Obama meets separately with each of the two leaders.

“These meetings will continue the efforts of President Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Special Envoy George Mitchell to lay the groundwork for the relaunch of negotiations, and to create a positive context for those negotiations so that they can succeed,” the Jerusalem Post quoted a White House statement, as saying.

The meetings will take place in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly conference.

The White House announcement of the meeting comes as something of a surprise, since both Israel and the PA until Saturday continued to blame each other for the current stall in peace talks

And recently, Mitchell had failed to make progress in talks with the two leaders.

On Saturday, Mitchell said: “It is another sign of the president’s deep commitment to comprehensive peace that he wants to personally engage at this juncture.” (ANI)

US envoy to Pak visited Mingora last week

Mingora (Swat, Pakistan), Sep.15 (ANI): U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan, Anne W. Patterson, visited Mingora, the biggest town in Swat, last week, becoming the first senior American official to visit the region since the army took over.

The visit assumes significance in view of the fact that the Pakistan Army is being accused of extra-judicial killings and running much of the Swat region with an iron hand.

The army has acknowledged that bodies have turned up, but its spokesmen assert that the killings are the result of civilians settling scores.

“There are no extra-judicial killings in our system,” said ISPR spokesman Major General Athtar Abbas.

“If something happens, we have a foolproof accountability system,” the New York Times quoted him, as saying.

Pakistan’s military operations against the Taliban in Swat, begun in May under public pressure from the United States, has been hailed by Washington as a showcase effort of the army’s newfound resolve to defeat the militants.

Now, concerns over the army’s methods in the area threaten to further taint Washington’s association with the military, cooperation that has been questioned in Congress and has been politically unpopular in Pakistan.

The number of killings suggests that the military is seeking to silence any enthusiasm for the Taliban and to settle accounts for heavy army casualties, said a senior provincial official who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprimand by the army. (ANI)

Fazlullah vows Taliban will ‘bounce back’ from current state of ‘illness’

Peshawar, Sep.12 (ANI): Following the confirmation of the arrest of five of its important Shura members including the spokesperson Muslim Khan, Swat Taliban chief Maulana Fazlullah has admitted that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has been weakened in the region.

In a pre-recorded message conveyed by TTP’s makeshift spokesman Salman, Fazlullah said Taliban’s movement was in a state of ‘illness’, but vowed that the banned out fit will continue its struggle and will bounce back.

“The Taliban movement is presently in a state of illness. When you are ill, your activities are curtailed. That is what has happened to Taliban organisation, but it would bounce back,” The News quoted Fazlullah, as saying.

He said each of the Taliban operatives are ready to ‘embrace martyrdom’ like their slain chief Baitullah Mehsud.

“Like Baitullah Mehsud, all Taliban fighters want to embrace martyrdom. Getting arrested while fighting for a cause is no big deal for the Taliban,” Fazlullah said.

He also said that the Taliban now does not trust the Pakistan Army, as it arrested its members after calling them for ‘peace talks’.

Earlier, ISPR Director General Major Athar Abbas rejected reports regarding initiating a peace process with the Taliban.bbas said there could be no talks with the terrorists.

“We have already declared that no talks will be held with any terrorist. If they want to surrender, they should lay down their arms and hand themselves over to the law-enforcement agencies,” an ISPR spokesman added. (ANI)

Pak Taliban spokesman arrested

Peshawar, Sep.11 (ANI) The Pakistan Government on Friday announced that it had arrested the chief spokesman of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, Muslim Khan.

Khan was formerly a commander and spokesman of the Swat Taliban.

“Muslim Khan and Mahmood Khan with head money of 10 million rupees (120,482 US dollars) have been arrested by security forces in a successful operation in Swat,’ military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said in a statement.

Muslim Khan was second on the most-wanted list behind Mullah Fazlullah. He earned notoriety as the hardline Taliban spokesman in Swat but was largely impossible to reach after the military launched its summer ground and air assault.

Mahmood Khan was number four on the most-wanted list, described as commander of Kuza Banda in northern Swat.

“Along with them, three other terrorist leaders Fazle Ghaffar, Abdul Rehman and Sartaj have been also been apprehended,” the Dawn quoted Major General Abbas, as saying.

Pakistan says more than 1,900 militants and over 167 security personnel were killed in the offensive but the tolls are impossible to verify independently.

Answering a question on Muslim Khan’s arrest, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said it should be seen as a national success. (ANI)

KNP to hold Black Day on Oct.22

London, Sep.8 (ANI): The Supreme Council of the KNP held an important meeting in Luton on September 6, which was presided by the party Chairman Abbas Butt. The meeting discussed and analysed the current situation of the Kashmiri struggle and made important decisions.

The Supreme Council strongly condemned the government of Pakistan’s latest attempts to grab territory which is legal part of State of Jammu and Kashmir. The SC said Pakistani governments have never been sincere with the cause of Kashmir and always have formulated policies to snatch Kashmir; and have deliberately deprived people of their fundamental human rights.

The SC said people of Gilgit Baltistan deserve to have their basic human rights which have been denied since 1947; but no one should be allowed to implement their imperialist designs in name of giving rights to people of the region. The KNP leaders said, if Pakistani authorities were sincere they could have discussed the issue with the people of the region and given these rights without making the region a ‘province’ of Pakistan.

PPP government claims to advance rights of people and democracy, but their policies are designed to deprive people of basic rights and advance undemocratic and unconstitutional practises. They tried to make Pakistani Administered Kashmir a province after the Shimla Pact and they plan to make Gilgit Baltistan a province and pave way for division of Jammu and Kashmir.

KNP leaders said some people of Jammu and Kashmir hold Black Day on 27th October, as that is the day when Indian army landed in Kashmir. KNP leaders said in our opinion their wisdom is misdirected. We have to look at the root cause. Indian army came after the tribal invasion and subsequent ‘Provisional Accession’.

KNP Supreme Council said, ‘It was the Pakistani tribesmen supported by the Pakistani government of the time which violated the Standstill Agreement and invaded parts of the State territory. It was these tribesmen which contravened the State sovereignty and killed thousands of innocent Kashmiri men and women. It was because of this unprovoked and unjustified attack on our sovereignty which seriously threatened life, honour and property of people that the Maharaja was compelled to seek help from India.

KNP leaders said we have serious issues with India on their Kashmir policy, as we believe Kashmir is not their internal part; but as for the Black Day is concerned we should have Black Day on 22 October because this is the day when our troubles and miseries started.

KNP SC has decided to take a lead on this matter and hold a BLACK DAY on 22 October; and in this regard various responsibilities have been given to Dr Shabir Choudhry and Nawaz Majid who will liaise with other like minded people and parties. The meeting was addressed by ZubairAnsari, Nazam Bhatti, Nawaz Majid, Asim Mirza, Abbas Butt and Dr Shabir Choudhry.

Earlier KNP held an Iftar Party in which more than eighty people were present; among them were leaders and political activists of various Kashmiri parties who spoke against the new package for Gilgit and Baltistan and condemned designs of Pakistani government. In the meeting pro Pakistan and nationalist leaders were present, and they all strongly spoke against this new package and demanded that it must be taken back.

A unanimous resolution was passed which strongly criticised the new package and demanded from government of Pakistan to withdraw it as it will seriously damage our struggle for right of self determination. The resolution fully supported fundamental rights of people of Gilgit Baltistan; but added that the State of Jammu and Kashmir is one political entity and it must not be divided. (ANI)

55th National Awards announced: Gandhi, My Father wins two

New Delhi, Sep.7 (ANI): The Anil Kapoor produced film ‘Gandhi, My Father’ has won two National Awards while the Shahrukh-starrer ‘Om Shanti Om’ has won in the Best Art Direction category, and Shahid Kapur-starrer ‘Jab We Met’ won the award in Best Choreography category in the 55th National Awards that were announced on Monday.

Gandhi, My Father was pitted against commercial successes like Taare Zameen Par and Chak De.

Feroz Abbas Khan, the director of the Gandhi, My Father won the National Award for Best Screenplay and Darshan Zariwala bagged theaward for the Best Supporting actor for portraying Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation who strives hard to have a normal relationship with his son in the film.

Meanwhile, actor Prakash Raj has won the Best Actor award in the 55th National Awards for his sterling performance as a silk weaver in Priyadarshan’s Tamil film Kanchivaram, which has been adjudged as the Best Film of 2007.

“It’s a very human story of pre-partition time about Kanjivaram. The film’s script was written so well that I didn’t require any homework. It is

It is Prakash Raj’s second National award. The previous one was in the Best Supporting Actor category for Mani Ratnam’s Iruvar in 1998 and a special jury award in 2003.

Directed by Priyadarshan, the film depicts the lives and times of silk-weavers of Kancheepuram in pre-Independent India.

Actor Umashree has won the Best Actress award for her performance for her lead role ‘Gulabi’ in Girish Kasaravalli’s Kannada film “Gulabi Talkies”.

The Gulabi Talkies, which was made in the coastal dialect of Kannada is based on the communal tension in Karnataka.

The best child actor award has gone to Sharad Goyekar for his role in the Marathi film “Tingya”.

Darshan Zariwala has got the best supporting actor award for his role in Feroz Abbas Khan’s film “Gandhi My Father”.

There is also a special jury award for this film, which explores the troubled relationship between Harilal Gandhi and Mahatma Gandhi.

“Chak De” has got the award in the wholesome entertainment category and “Taare Zameen Par” in the family welfare category.

Playback singer Shankar Mahadevan has won the award for the song “Meri Maa” from the film “Taare Zameen Par”.

The jury members for the National Awards headed by Sai Paranjpe included Ashok Viswanathan and Namita Gokhale. About 102 films and 106 non-feature films were considered.

The list had been finalized last week but because of the death of Andhra Pradesh chief minister YSR Reddy, the announcement was postponed. (ANI)