Srinagar hawkers making brisk business during summers

Srinagar, June 11 (ANI): With tourists thronging Srinagar in large numbers, the hawkers selling warm clothes here are making brisk business.

The chilly weather in Kashmir valley, a complete contrast to the heat wave in the rest of the country, has pushed up the sale of woolen clothes.

The hawkers sell garments like shawls, sweaters, leather jackets, gloves, fur coats and fur caps on the banks of the Dal Lake.

“The weather here is very cold. The tourists come here from warm places. And therefore warm clothes sell a lot. Fur, shawls, any warm clothes sell a lot,” said Tariq Ahmad, a hawker.

There are more than 38 hawkers, who have been selling warm clothes on the banks of the Dal Lake.

“When we came here, it was pretty sunny, but now every one is crowding around the hawkers. They are not only buying clothes for themselves but also for their relatives back home,” said Prabhat Kumar, a tourist. (ANI)

Strong comeback by Cadence Academy in Under-19 cricket tournament

After being dismissed for 184 in 40.1 overs on the first day of the Varroc Cup Cricket tournament (under-19), Cadence Cricket Academy responded strongly by bowling out the Varroc Cricketv Academy for 150 in 55.3 overs. Earlier, Vipul Raut, Jaydeep Khetre and Hira Choudhri bowled well for Varroc.

Scores: Cadence Cricket Academy: All out 184 in 40.1 overs Jimit Parmar 50 not out. Shubam Ranjane 50 n.o. Prayag Bhati 23 Sudhakar Bhosle 21 Vipul Raut 3/40 Hira Choudhri 2/28 Jaydeep Khetre 2/48

PCMCS’ VARROC Vengsarkar Academy: 128 for 7 wickets in 48 overs Saurabh Phengse 42, Tariq Ansari 28, Aatique Quereshi 22, Chirag Khurana 3/34

On the second day’s play, PCMCS’ VARROC Vengsarkar Academy (U-19) was 150 for all out in 55.3 overs. Cadence Cricket Academy made 290 runs for 5 wickets in 52 Overs in second innings

Pak court dismisses plea against extradition of Taliban No.2

Islamabad, May 12 (ANI): The possible extradition of 12 Afghan Taliban militants, including Taliban No.2 Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, arrested by Pakistan has benn stalled after the Lahore High Court dismissed petitions regarding the extradition.

Chief Justice Khawaja Muhammad Sharif on Tuesday rejected the plea of petitioner’s lawyer Tariq Asad, stating that the petitioner, Khalid Khawaja, was now dead.

He said a fresh petition needed to be filed for the case to proceed, the Daily Times reports.

Khawaja was kidnapped and later killed by the Afghan Taliban.

The kidnappers had linked his release with the withdrawal of petitions pending in the Lahore High Court regarding their arrested men.

Khawaja had challenged the possible extradition of Mullah Baradar, Mullah Abdul Salam, Maulvi Kabir, Mullah Muhammad, Ameer Muawiya, Tayyab Agha, Hakeemuddin Mehsud, Mullah Tayyab Popalzai, Abdul Qayum Zakir, Musa and Mohtasim Agha and others. (ANI)

Pak police kills militant wanted in Iran consulate official’s murder

Peshawar, May 12 (ANI): The Peshawar police has killed an alleged militant wanted over terror attacks, including last year’s murder of an official with the Iranian consulate, officials said.

Sources told Daily Times that Amanullah, a resident of Badhber village, was travelling in a car in the Sheikhabad area when police flagged him down but he made a run for it.

Amanullah was asked to surrender for a complete search but he refused to do so, which led to an exchange of fire.

The militant was killed on the spot while two policemen – identified as Tariq and Javed – were wounded during the gun-battle.

However, local police chief Liaquat Ali told a foreign news agency that police, acting on a tip-off, conducted a raid on a house in the provincial metropolis where Amanullah had been hiding.

A gun battle broke out and Amanullah was killed, he said, adding that two police officials were wounded in the clash, which lasted for about half an hour. (ANI)

Non-implementation of NRO verdict: Why Gilani should not be notified asks Pak SC

Islamabad, Apr.30 (ANI): Reprimanding the authorities over non-implementation of its verdict on the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) even after four months, the Pakistan Supreme Court has asked as to why it should not issue notice to the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

During a suo motu hearing against the non-implementation of the NRO verdict, Justice Raja Fayyaz Ahmed asked Deputy Attorney General Agha Tariq Mehmood as to why the apex court’s orders have not been implement in real terms.

“The prime minister represents the government, so it’s his responsibility to ensure implementation of the NRO verdict. What is happening?” Justice Ahmed asked.

“Why are the government functionaries delaying the implementation of the NRO verdict? What about compliance with the court’s orders?” he said when Mehmood pleaded the court to grant more time for implementing its verdict.

Mehmood told the court that the Prime Minister had ordered a fact-finding inquiry to look into the issues, but documents regarding his orders could not be procured.

The apex court then asked him to produce all documents regarding the developments in the case before it during the next hearing. (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)

Pak intelligence agencies warns of attacks on US citizens, ex-intelligence officials

Lahore, Mar.20 (ANI): Pakistani intelligence agencies have warned of terror attacks
on US citizens and former secret services officials.

According to intelligence reports, suicide bombers from Kohat region might use a black Honda city have entered the Punjab province to wreak havoc in the region targeting foreign nationals in particular.

The provincial Home Department has alerted all senior police officials of the region and has directed the concerned agencies to take immediate steps to prevent any untoward incident.

Punjab Police Inspector General (IG) Tariq Saleem Dogar has also been directed to provide foolproof security to US citizens and retired intelligence officials across the region, The Daily Times reports. (ANI)

Police swoop on sellers of Jaswant Singh’s pirated book in Pak

Lahore, Sep.18 (ANI): Expelled Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jaswant Singh’s book on Mohammad Ali Jinnah has sent the Pakistani book piracy nexus working overtime, but it has also landed people in police custody.

Pakistani security agencies have arrested three people for selling pirated editions of the book ‘Jinnah: India, Partition, Independence,’ following a countrywide crackdown on publishers and sellers of counterfeit editions of the controversial yet popular book.

Several fake copies of the book have also been recovered and cases have been registered in Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Rawalpindi and Lahore, The Daily Times reported.

Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officials said the action was taken on a complaint filed by Tariq Haq, regional sales head of the Oxford University Press (OUP).

Tariq said the OUP had the sole rights of publication and distribution of the book and the company is facing heavy losses due to large scale piracy of the book.

Singh’s book which has created a furor in India, has received an overwhelming response in Pakistan.

Not only intellectuals, but people from different strata of the society have also shown interest in the book, in which Singh has praised Muhammad Ali Jinnah and described him as a leader who had strong faith in united India, while blaming Sardar Patel for the partition in 1947. (ANI)

Musharraf conveyed fabricated stories to Pakistanis about Kargil: Lt.Gen. Tariq

Rawalpindi, Sep 1 (ANI): Pakistan troops and people were conveyed only fabricated stories about the Kargil War by then Army Chief General Pervez Musharraf, according to a senior Pakistani commander having long experience of serving on the Line of Control.

Former Quetta corps commander Lt. General (retired) Tariq Pervez said: “At the beginning of the Kargil conflict, Musharraf, Mehmood and their cronies had tried to display their feelings that they had achieved what I had thought impossible.”

“I conveyed that like every Pakistani in uniform, I would have been too happy if the Indians were beaten. Later, it was proved that only fabricated stories were conveyed to the troops and the public,” he added.

Lt. General Tariq said Pakistani causalities were in great number and the claims about building bunkers proved false. The fact remains that no precautionary measures were made to ensure victory or the safety of life of the troops; The News quoted him, as saying.

When asked as to what were his differences with Musharraf and why he as corps commander met Nawaz Sharif bypassing him, Lt General Tariq Pervez said “their differences on professional matters were old. They had multiplied during the Kargil adventure where Lt. General Mehmood and Lt. General Aziz were also involved.”

“During the briefings on Kargil, Musharraf used to boast over his successes. However, I wanted to be heard in those meetings and transfer my long experiences as commander over the Line of Control. I was keen that the army benefits from my experiences,” he said.

Lt. General Tariq said he had met Musharraf early in October 1999 on news that he was immediately being retired from service. “He just gave me a couple of days more when requested that sufficient time should be given so that one can make up his mind as it had been a long service in the Army”.

It was Lt. Gen Tariq’s perception that by the time he met Musharraf, he had already made up his mind to overthrow the Nawaz Sharif Government. “The day he took over, it was my last day in uniform,” he said.

He recalled that although it smelled fishy on October 12, 1999, but he never knew that such a major step was on the anvil.

Tracing the track that moved Musharraf to the office of the Army chief, Lt General Tariq disclosed that he used to meet Nawaz Sharif without taking even Army Chief General Jehangir Karamat into confidence and assured complete loyalty and service, if promoted. (ANI)

Torkham attack our ‘first revenge’: TTP

Peshawar, Aug.29 (ANI): The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for Thursday’s suicide attack in which 22 security personnel were killed and 20 others were injured in Torkham area of Khyber Agency, saying it was their ‘first revenge’ for the death of their leader Baitullah Mehsud.

“We claim responsibility for the blast. This is our first response since the death of our chief Baitullah Mehsud. We will continue similar attacks in the future also,” TTP spokesman Azam Tariq told a foreign news agency over phone from an undisclosed location.

Tariq said all those who were killed in the attack were supporters of US policies, The Dawn reports.

On Thursday, a group called ‘Dr Abdullah Azzam Brigade’ had claimed the responsibility for the strike.

Meanwhile, all 22 Khasadar Force personnel, who were killed in the attack, were cremated in Brag and Karamna villages of Bazaar-Zakakhel late on Friday. (ANI)

Petition against US drone attacks filed in Pak SC

Islamabad, July 2 (ANI): A petition has been filed in the Pakistan Supreme Court asking the government to table a comprehensive report on the US led drone strikes inside the geographical boundaries of the country.

The petition has been filed by one M. Tariq Asad, who claimed that only innocent tribal people are being killed in the drone strikes.

“I have filed the petition in the Supreme Court as a protest to let the world know about the sentiments of the people of Pakistan on consecutive drone attacks which are killing scores of people,” The Dawn quoted Asad, as saying.

Asad, in his petition, has also asked the apex court to give directions to the federal government to approach the International Court of Justice or the United Nations (UN) against the United States.

The petition termed the ongoing military operation in Swat and Malakand Divisions as ‘illegal, and said that it was against the citizens, and in derogation of Article 245 (functions of the armed forces) of the Constitution.

“The war against the citizens is not permitted under the 1973 Constitution, besides the military operation against the civilians also does not fall within the purview of Article 245 of the Constitution,” the petition stated.

Incidentally, Asad is the same man who had approached the Supreme Court against the Lal Masjid operation in 2007.

Asad, who himself is a lawyer, also represented some of the families of the missing persons in that case. (ANI)

Separatists call strike in Kashmir over Baramullah killings

Srinagar, June 30 (ANI): Roads in Srinagar wore a deserted look following the strike call given by the hardline faction of the separatist Hurriyat Conference Party over the killing of two youths in Baramullah district of the state.

“The call has been given by the Hurriyat to protest against killing of the two youths in Baramullah yesterday. So, strike is being observed in the whole valley,” said Shabir Ahmad, a resident.

Crfew continued without relaxation in Baramulla for the second successive day on Tuesday.

On Monday, at least two people were killed and 10 others injured, including policemen, after police resorted to firing to quell protests over an alleged misbehaviour with a local woman here on Monday.he dead were identified as Saleem Rashid Wani and Tariq Ahmad Malik.A probe has been ordered to investigate the firing incident and allegations of the woman.

The Additional Deputy Commissioner has been assigned the responsibility for probing the incident and submit the report within 10 days. (ANI)

Two killed, 10 injured during protest in Baramulla (Lead: Baramulla)

Baramulla, June 29(ANI): At least two people were killed and 10 others injured, including policemen, in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir after police resorted to firing to quell protests over an alleged misbehaviour with a local woman here on Monday.
Hundreds of protestors took to streets to protest and demand action against the guilty persons.

The protestors soon turned violent and police finally resorted to firing after baton-charging to control the stone-hurling mob.

The dead were identified as Saleem Rashid Wani and Tariq Ahmad Malik, and the injured were rushed to a hospital in Srinagar.
According to police, security forces initially tried to disperse the sloganeering crowd by baton-charging them and lobbing teargas. However, the crowd later swelled and pelted stones at the police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers, police said
An undeclared curfew was imposed in the area following the clashes.

“Curfew has been imposed in the town to maintain law and order. We are monitoring the situation which is very tense,” said Latif-u-Zaman Deva, Deputy Commissioner of Police in Baramulla.

Meanwhile, a probe has been ordered to investigate the firing incident and allegations of the woman. The Additional Deputy Commissioner has been assigned the responsibility for probing the incident and submit the report within 10 days. (ANI)

UK cop gets 11 K pound as compensation for ‘Osama’ slur

London, June 27 (ANI): A Muslim cop won 11,000 pounds in a religious discrimination case – after his boss said he looked like Osama Bin Laden.

Darren Yates made several remarks about the length of 42-year-old Tariq Dost’s beard.

Yates compared his West Midlands Police colleague to a newspaper picture of al-Qaeda chief Bin Laden – and once referred to Muslim prayer as “shouting and wailing”.

According to The Sun, constable Dost told a Birmingham employment tribunal he found the comments “ignorant”.

Judge Pauline Hughes said: “This was a sustained course of conduct.”

She said the remarks were offensive, more so because Dost was “very religious”.

Dost, 40, said Yates laughed at his off-duty Islamic clothing and said: “You look like a terrorist.”

Dost, who had filed a case of racial and religious discrimination against West Midlands Police, won the claim, though victimisation was not proven.

He said later: “This was never about money, it was about principle. I feel vindicated.” (ANI)

Brit Muslin cop called Osama bin Laden by boss sues over racial discrimination

London, June 24 (ANI): A British Muslim cop has complained to an employment tribunal that his boss allegedly said that he looked like terror mastermind Osama bin Laden.

PC Tariq Dost, 40, said force recruitment manager Darren Yates compared his beard to the al-Qaeda leader’s, and referred to Muslim prayers as “shouting and wailing”.

The officer, from Birmingham, also said Yates laughed at his off-duty Islamic clothing and said: “You look like a terrorist.”

PC Dost claims racial and religious discrimination against West Midlands Police, saying: “I feel betrayed by the force.”

The hearing in Birmingham continues, The Sun reports. (ANI)

Britain ready to release, deport Pak student as charges of security threat withdrawn

London, May 30 (ANI): The British authorities have agreed to release and deport Pakistan student, Tariq-ur-Rehman, who was arrested in the terror raids carried out on May 8.

The Nation reports that Rehman is being released after British Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, agreed to withdraw the charges of threat to the national security labeled against him.

Smith’s counsel, in a letter to Rehman’s lawyer, said that if Rehman leaves Britain voluntarily, the Deportation Order will not be made against him.

It added that once Rehman leaves the United Kingdom, the Notice of Intention to Deport will be formally withdrawn.

However, the British Home Secretary could not give any assurance that Rehman will not be harmed or ill-treated by Pakistan authorities.

“It would be open to Tariq-ur-Rehman to seek permission to bring a fresh appeal out-of-time against the decision to refuse leave to enter once he had left the United Kingdom. However, it would be for the appellate body to decide whether or not to accept such an appeal,” the British Foreign Secretary said. (ANI)

Fears about Pak nukes falling into extremists hands ‘unfounded’: General Majid

Islamabad, May 27 (ANI): Pakistan Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman General Tariq Majid has said that the country’s nuclear weapons are in safe custody and the world wide concerns about it being falling into the Taliban’s hands are ‘unfounded’.

General Majid assured a US delegation here that Pakistan’s nukes were absolutely safe and that there is an immaculate multilayered security arrangement guarding the country’s nuclear assets.

“Based on the pillars of responsibility and restraint, Pakistan has developed and operationalised an immaculate nuclear weapons’ security regime which is multilayered, has stringent access controls, material control and accounting procedures,” The Dawn quoted General Majid, as saying.

He asserted that the Pakistan Army is committed to root out extremism from the country, and its sacrifices are much more than any other country involved in the war against terrorism.

“We as a nation have sacrificed more than any other coalition partner in this war,” General Majid said.

Fears about extremists, particularly the Taliban and Al-Qaeda, establishing their control over Pakistan’s nuclear weapons has heightened in the recent past, but Islamabad has consistently rejected the concerns terming it as ‘malicious propaganda’ being carried out against it by the some countries. (ANI)

Flower business booms amidst signs of peace in Kashmir

Srinagar, May 26 (ANI): Amidst signs of normalcy returning to Jammu and Kashmir, the flower business is steadily prospering in the State.

Due to non-existence of flower shops, people could not sell the flowers.

However, that is set to change as the New Delhi-based leading chain of floral boutiques, Ferns ‘N’ Petals, has launched its first store in Srinagar.

It is expected that the newly opened flower store will give boost to the flower market in the state and create a market for the customers, which did not exist earlier.

It is expected that more persons will be involved in the production of flowers, which help boost the economy of the state.

“For the first time in Kashmir, a show room dealing exclusively in fresh flower has opened up so that we can cater to the demands of fresh flower by the customers. It is used in marriages and on a daily basis. Now, people have ventured into production of fresh flower that we send to Delhi and other places. With this showroom, the market will be created,” said Nusrat Jahan, owner, Ferns ‘N’ Petals.

The climatic conditions in Kashmir are favourable for the cultivation of exotic flowers.

“The production of flower is very high. At other places, we need to make a green house and then only the flowers can grow. But here, we don’t need green house, as the climate is very good and the land is fertile, so because of these reasons the business can flourish here,” said Tariq Ahmad, a flower salesman.

The people are happy about the developments taking in the flower sector within the state, as they feel that since it is impossible for the government to provide employment to everyone, hence, shops such as these should be encouraged because it generates employment for the people. (ANI)

Leading Iraqi party chooses new leader

Baghdad – The Iraqi Islamic Party, a leading political party representing Sunni Muslims, on Monday announced it had chosen a new leader.

Osama Tawfiq al-Tikriti succeeded Iraqi Vice-President Tariq al-Hashemi as party leader, it said in a statement sent to reporters on Monday.

“The party’s leadership and supporters wish to express their thanks and praise for him,” the statement said.

The Iraqi parliament’s selection in April of Iyad al-Samarrai as its speaker gave the Iraqi Islamic Party a second key post in the government, alongside the vice-presidency.

In the 2005 elections, the party ran as a part of the Iraqi Accord Front, which won 44 seats in the 275-seat legislative assembly, more than any other Sunni coalition. (dpa)