Mansoor Ijaz decline to come Pakistan

Layer of Mansoor Ijaz stated that Mansoor want security on his arrival to pakistan.

Akram Sheikh Advocate told the media persons adding he will get his statement recorded while sitting in his office.

He also said that Mansoor Ijaz has many truth and secrets about memo case and he does not want to trigger confrontation among institutions.

Akram Sheikh Advocate said that After having defied the orders of the Supreme Court (SC), the government did not accede to comply with the decision made up at the Corps Commanders meetings.

Mansoor Ijaz Also requested the Supreme Court of Pakistan to record his hearing in abroad, as he is not coming to Pakistan due to some security reasons.

Ijaz told that “I am all the willing to come to Pakistan And, through my evidences, the impression will be dispelled that I don’t want to come to Pakistan,”

Pakistan to be most populous Muslim nation by ’30: Study

The world’s Muslim population is expected to reach 2.2 billion in 2030 from 1.6 billion in 2010, with Pakistan becoming the most populous Muslim nation, says a study.

Under current projections, a majority of the world’s Muslims — about 60 per cent —  will continue to live in the Asia-Pacific region, says the study by the Washington-based Pew Research Centre. “But Pakistan is expected to surpass Indonesia as the country with the single largest Muslim population” with a population of about 256 million in 2030 from current 178 million.

Pakistan used to be the largest Muslim nation till 1971, when its majority province — East Pakistan — became an independent nation of Bangladesh. Indonesia is projected to have 238.8 million Muslims in 2030, with India a close third with 236.18 million and Bangladesh fourth with a projected 187.5 million.

In the United States, the Muslims will more than double in the next 20 years — from 2.6 million in 2010 to 6.2 million in 2030. Europe’s Muslim population will grow from 44.1 million in 2010 to 58.2 million in 2030.

Muslim populations in some parts of Europe will reach the double digits, with France and Belgium at 10.3 per cent by 2030. In Britain, Muslims will account for 8.2 per cent of the population in 2030, up from an estimated 4.6 per cent today.

The top countries of origin for Muslim immigrants to the US in 2009 were Pakistan and Bangladesh. They are expected to remain the top countries of origin for Muslim immigrants to the US in 2030. The number of Muslims in Canada will nearly triple, from about 940,000 in 2010 to nearly 2.7 million in 2030.

Argentina will have the third-largest Muslim population in the Americas, after the US and Canada. Argentina, with about one million Muslims in 2010, is now in second place, behind the US.

Globally, the Muslims will grow at about twice the rate for the non-Muslims — an average annual growth rate of 1.5 per cent, compared with 0.7 per cent for non-Muslims. If current trends continue, Muslims will make up 26.4 per cent of the world’s total projected population of 8.3 billion in 2030, up from 23.4 per cent of the estimated 2010 world population of 6.9 billion.

Muslim-majority countries, however, are not the only ones with aging populations. As birth rates drop and people live longer all around the globe, the population of the entire world is aging.

Pakistan: Our National Purpose

“What we must look for is, first, religious and moral principles; secondly gentlemanly conduct; thirdly intellectual ability.” – Thomas Arnold.

The national resilience of the Pakistani people is to be judged by the degree of their consciousness and commitment to guard their values, traditions and honour, called the National Purpose, or the raison-d’etre, as the French call it. National Purpose, is sacrosanct and sublime. Quaid-e-Azam first of all preferred to affirm his own faith, belief and commitment to the cause of Pakistan. On October 22, 1939, while addressing All India Muslim Council, he said:

“I have seen enough in my life, experienced the pleasures of wealth, fame and life of repose and comfort. Now I have one single ambition, to see Muslims gaining freedom and rise to the pinnacle of glory. It is my very ultimate wish that when I die, my conscience and my Allah may testify that, Jinnah never betrayed Islam and that he relentlessly struggled for the freedom of Muslims, to forge institutional discipline among them and strengthen their resolve. I do not wish to get acclamation or reward from you. I only nourish the desire that, my heart, my faith and my conscience, all bear testimony till my death that Jinnah, ‘You contributed your share for the resistance against Islam and my Allah proclaim that “Jinnah you were a born Muslim, lived as such and died, quite steadfastly, holding the banner of Islam against the evil forces.”

After Pakistan was created, Quaid-e-Azam provided the guidance and defined the parameters of our National Purpose, on following occasions:

* First Constituent Assembly of Pakistan, August 1947. You may belong to any religion or cast or creed – that has nothing to do with the fundamental principle that we are all citizens and equal citizens of one state …. Now keep this as your ideal and you will find that in course of time, Hindus would cease to be Hindus, and Muslims would cease to be Muslims, not in the religious sense, because, that is the personal faith of each individual, but in the political sense, of the citizens of the state of Pakistan.
* February 1948 at Malir Cantt. You have to safeguard our ‘Islamic Democracy’, based on social justice and for the furtherance of the principles of Islamic equality and brotherhood; social equality and unity are the cardinal principles of our ‘Deen’ and our civilizational and cultural values.
* 23 March 1948, at Chittagong. I can say with conviction that our system of governance shall be based on the foundation of basic principles of Islam, which shall be democratic. These principles are applicable in our lives now as these were thirteen hundred years ago.
* 14 February 1948  at Sibbi Darbar. Adherence to the golden principles of life is the only source of our viability and strength, which has been enunciated as laws, by our prophet Hazrat Mohammad Mustafa (Peace be upon him).

His guidance was explicit, and directional, embodying the vision of Pakistan, yet the nation took almost a quarter of a century to frame a Constitution, that identified our true vision of life, based on a democratic system of governance. The Constitution defined the National Purpose: “To strive for a democratic order based on the principles of Quran and Sunnah.” Thus its, main ingredients were: “Democracy” and “Islamic Ideology”, as the fountain-head, but unfortunately, we failed to serve the cause of both, democracy and the Islamic Ideology. and, till today no system has really emerged which could reflect our hopes and aspirations. The recurrent intrusions by the Army and short interlude of weak civil administrations, have led to a feeling of antipathy towards democracy.

The present democratic system, however, is fortunate that those, who trampled democracy in the past, are now reconciled to taking a back-seat. For instance USA is now in no position to install a government of it choice, as the military leadership is not prepared to play their game. The opposition, which in the past always relished a change, is now committed to the continuance of the democratic order, under the Charter of Democracy. Our higher judiciary has attained its legitimate position and has discarded the notion of “Law of Necessity”. Thus, never before, a government has had such a favourable opportunity to deliver a clean governance based on justice. But it is indeed unfortunate, that corruption, incompetence and lawlessness have weakened the very roots of societal order. If this malaise is not removed, people’s faith in democracy would erode and they would be justified in demanding a different system of governance.

‘Islamic faith’ is an integral element of our Vision of Life, but we paid no heed to it. Allegiance to faith can be built through moral principles, knowledge and action, but the tragedy is that, over 70% population of Pakistan is devoid of the knowledge of the ‘Deen’. This is so on account of the fact that 42% population is illiterate and of the remaining, only 30% possess both, the knowledge of the ‘Deen’, as well as the ‘worldly affairs’, and truly represent the Pakistani sensibility. These statistics were based on the survey conducted during 1990 by the Army, of the officers and men inducted in the Army, whose knowledge of Islamic faith was similar to what was in the general national context. It is but natural that the majority, the 70% will rightly be demanding a ‘secular’ system of governance.

In fact, we ourselves are responsible for this state of affairs. We don’t impart knowledge of Deen to our children. Our schools are also reluctant to impart religious education. And the 5-6%, who get the requisite religious education, in the ‘madrassas’ are kept out of the main-stream, suffering from a sense of deprivation and frustration, and on very trivial issues they raise big agitation, to gain a sense of ‘identity.’ The situation, therefore is greatly obscuring the real issues of Pakistan.

People with belief and commitment to their National Purpose, know how to protect the ‘values’ and ‘traditions’ that lend resilience to the nation. The living example is that of Afghans, who during the last thirty years have made great sacrifices protecting their way of life. In 2001, when USA had occupied Afghanistan, we sent the message to Mullah Umer that, “should they engage in another war of liberation, it could entail much of bloodshed and destruction. It was therefore expedient that they follow the American Plan and their promise for democracy for Afghanistan.” Few months later, we received a firm reply:

“We have resolved to fight back the occupation forces till they are routed. When we gain freedom, we would take decisions under a free environment. It is unthinkable for the Afghan nation to follow the American plans, as it was not in harmony with their religious values and traditions. We shall engage in war and Insha Allah we will triumph over the enemy and we will win our freedom.”

For the last thirty years, the Afghans have waged a grim struggle for freedom, reaching a point of victory, as ordained by Allah:

“You shall prevail, No doubt, you have suffered, but so have they” (Al-Imran, 138-139). Very soon the invaders will be forced to run away, turning their back on you (Al-Qamar, 45)

Boxing star Amir Khan arrives in Pakistan for tournament

British boxer Amir Khan arrived in Pakistan on Monday to participate as a chief guest in the second Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Tournament.

Speaking to the media at Benazir Bhutto International Airport in Islamabad, Khan said that Pakistani boxers were getting better.

“I can see in the next couple of years, they will be amongst toughest nations out there.”

Khan said he will support Pakistani boxers and that he was here to boost their morale.

Khan arrived in Pakistan on an invitation from the Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) and will stay in Islamabad for four days.

Earlier, boxing legend Mohammad Ali turned down an invitation from PBF to attend the event due to health issues.

A total of 16 teams are participating in the tournament including Pakistan, India, Iran, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Central Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Nepal, Philippines, Syria, Slovenia, Singapore.

US suspends drone attacks in Pakistan

 The US Central Intelligence Agency has suspended drone missile strikes on gatherings of low-ranking militants in Pakistan due to tensions with that country, according to The Los Angeles Times.

Citing unnamed current and former US officials, the newspaper said late Friday the undeclared halt in CIA attacks is aimed at reversing a sharp erosion of trust between the two countries.

US-Pakistani relations deteriorated last month after a series of US air strikes killed 24 Pakistan soldiers near the border with Afghanistan.

A joint US-NATO investigation concluded that a disastrous spate of errors and botched communications led to the deaths. Pakistan has rejected the findings.

The pause in the missile strikes comes amid an intensifying debate in the administration of President Barack Obama over the future of the CIA’s covert drone war in Pakistan, the paper said.

The CIA has killed dozens of Al-Qaeda operatives and hundreds of low-ranking fighters there since the first Predator strike in 2004, but the program has infuriated many Pakistanis, the report noted.

Some officials in the State Department and the National Security Council say many of the airstrikes are counterproductive, The Times said.

They argue that rank-and-file militants are easy to replace, and that Pakistani claims of civilian casualties, which the United States dispute, have destabilized the government of President Asif Ali Zardari.

Some US intelligence officials are urging the CIA to cut back the paramilitary role it has assumed since the September 11, 2001, attacks to refocus on espionage, the paper pointed out.

They suggest handing the mission to the Pentagon’s Joint Special Operations Command, which flies its own drones and conducts secret counter-terrorism operations in Yemen and Somalia, The Times noted

Pakistan won hockey series against China

Pakistan on Sunday completed a clean sweep of China in their four-match hockey series. Pakistan won the final match 2-1 to emerge unbeaten in the series after taking the first three games in Karachi and Faisalabad earlier this week by 3-0, 5-3 and 3-1.

Pakistan gained the early lead when Vice-captain Shakeel Abbasi made a field goal in the first major attack of the match.

Fareed Ahmed drew the second in the 26th minute to double the lead, while China’s lone goal came in the 33rd minute when Dong Yang dodged Pakistan’s defence in the final moments of the first half.

“The Chinese played a much improved game today. They kept us tight,” said Pakistan captain Muhammad Imran. “We had a clear edge on them in the first two matches but they had a good come back in the last two,” he added.

Pakistan, however, gifted the series trophy to their rivals to acknowledge their support for the violence-hit country.

“China lost the hockey series but won the friendship series by coming to Pakistan. So, we will give this trophy to them,” Asif Bajwa, the secretary of Pakistan Hockey Federation, said at the awards ceremony.

“They have proved that there is no security threat to any foreign team in Pakistan and sport is fully protected over here,” he said.

Pakistan, which last hosted an international major hockey event seven years ago, hopes the Chinese tour will help convince other foreign teams to visit.

The country is also working to resume a bilateral hockey series with India.

Pakistan could become a failed state, says Romney

Hardening stance on Pakistan, leading Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney has said that the country is in danger of becoming a failed State.
?You are dealing with a nation like Pakistan, with a hundred-plus missiles, which is a fragile State, and could be become a failed state?, Romney said.
In his speech at Nashua, New Hampshire, Romney said the world has become more dangerous.
?It?s become more dangerous, and you recognise that. North Korea, over the last several years, has tested a nuclear device, has tested long-range missiles. Iran is, of course, arming Hezbollah, Hamas?, he said.
?To a degree, Taliban, as well, has pursued their nuclear ambitions. Russia is acting in a more belligerent way with their neighbours and former satellites. China makes friends with some of the most unsavoury characters in the world. Whether in Burma/Myanmar, whether in Sudan, North Korea, China seems to be gathering a union of totalitarian states of some kind. The world is dangerous?, Romney said.
?Our friends are in fragile settings, Israel in particular. With the development of the Arab Spring, that could be either some of the best news we?ve had in half a century or some of the worst, depending on how it turns out?, he added.
?We, of course, want to see the expansion of freedom, free enterprise, across the globe. Yet, there are other models. There are a number of players who want to see an expansion of totalitarianism and are building a network of totalitarian States?, he added.
?Having thrown aside, to a degree, Communism or socialism as economic principles, they?ve grabbed onto a form of free enterprise, and by virtue of the power, economic power, of free enterprise, they have greater funding than they?ve had before and greater prosperity, and they?re using that to build extraordinary military might?, Romney said.
?Now, there?s of course a third competitor, and the third competitor is the jihadist competitor... In a setting like this, the idea that we?re going to devastate our military is simply unacceptable. I would call on the President to immediately introduce legislation which says we will not have a USD 600 billion cut to America?s military?, he added.

Pakistan face Lanka in final ODI today

 Pakistan are likely to make two changes in today?s final One-day International against Sri Lanka here at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. Asad Shafiq and left arm fast bowler Junaid Khan will be included in the playing XI, an inside source confirmed on condition of anonymity.
On the other hand, team management and captain Misbahul Haq have denied any changes in the team from the side which played in the last match but these two players will make their way in the playing XI.
One more name of left arm spinner Abdul Rehman was also considered but due to the importance of the outcome of the match he is highly unlikely to get the nod. The main reason behind these two changes are, Imran Farhat has also failed to cement his place in the side despite getting numerous chances and Shoaib Malik also flopped in the fourth match.
Pakistan team can?t afford to take this match lightly although they have already won the series but they have to win this match to ensure their fifth position in the ICC ODI rankings currently being held by England. If Pakistan win the fifth and final ODI against Sri Lanka they are guaranteed the fifth position.
On a query, Misbah, said the current Pakistan team was more mature than the one which lost to India in the World Cup semi-final in March. "That World Cup team wasn't so different to this side, maybe one or two changes," he said. "That also had teamwork and commitment in it. But this team is now more mature than before. We've won a few series since then and the confidence grows more as you win. If these performances continue and these players stay together, then definitely we can get better. It looks more improved basically because it has more experience."
Misbah said his team would not ease off going into their final ODI against Sri Lanka. "We want to win every game we play. The series win had its own importance but in Wednesday's game we will play like a series decider, or the first match," said Misbah.
If Pakistan take the series 4-1, they will jump to fifth in ICC one-day rankings, relegating England to sixth and Misbah said that was one of the goals. "Of course to improve our rankings is a team goal. We have been playing for the last 18 months and through that we want to improve our ranking," said Misbah, whose team has won 22 of their last 33 one-day matches.
Misbah also hoped that there could soon be a resumption of Test matches between his country and India, stalled after the terrorists? attacks on Mumbai in 2008.
"Of course, we'd like to play against India," Misbah said. "It's a very important series for both players and fans. It's always good fun to play in these contests. The interest is high, I hope it happens because for all fans and players it is a good occasion."
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Zaka Ashraf is due to meet Narayan Srinivasan, his counterpart in India's Board of Control for Cricket in India, in Chennai early next month to discuss the possibility of a resumption of ties sooner than later. Both countries are slated to play in International Cricket Council (ICC) Future Tours Programme but are hard pressed to find a slot because of India's hectic schedule.
When this correspondent asked him whether he was feeling any pressure as three past captains, Younus Khan, Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi, are playing under him, Misbah replied that there was no problem whatsoever in the team and all are playing as a one unit. ?As far as these past captains are concerned they are helping me and when we feel the situation is tight we make decision with each others consent and I am more than happy with all of them?, he added
Misbah was full of praise for Afridi and said: ?I have full confidence in his abilities as everyone knows he is a big match player and whenever team needs him he always delivers like he did in the fourth ODI.?
Misbah rubbishes the talk of rift among the team and said that he is satisfied with the behaviour of each player and everyone has performed in his capacity that is why after a long time Pakistan team has managed to win both ODI and Test series after a long time.
Sri Lanka will be without their ace batsman Mahela Jayawardene who returned home after aggravating a knee injury and is replaced by Chamara Silva. Mahela Jayawardene has been ruled out of Sri Lanka's last two matches against Pakistan and returned home, team manager Anura Tennekoon said on Tuesday.
Mahela played last match in some discomfort after injuring his knee. Tennekoon said.

Pakistan TOA team seek govt help

 Pakistan TOA team, silver medalists of the World TOA Championship, urged the government of Pakistan and corporate sector to come forward and assist them for the participation in upcoming international events so that they may earn more laurels for the country.
Pakistan TOA team consisted of Zahir Hussain Sarwari (team head), Habib Ullah Jaffari (coach), Irum Shahzadi (player) and Fareed Hussain (player) participated in the World TOA Championship in Shiraz City, Iran from Nov 6 to 12 and had the great hounor of securing the second position among the 43 international countries by clinching two silver medals.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Pak team participated in the event without any support from government or sponsor rather went for the event on their own expenses and returned home with earning second position with silver medals.
The championship was hosted by Iran Kung Fu Federation in which as many as 43 countries from Asia, Europe, South and North America participated while a 27-member contingent of Pak players were invited but the Pak TOA Association named 14-member contingent for the event. Later, when the players heard that they would go to take part on their own expenses, all refused to appear in the event but four patriots came forward to represent country on their own expenses. The players were Fareed Hussain from Lahore and Irum from Attock.
Talking to this scribe, Irum said she was thankful to her organization Pakistan Ordnance Factories who helped her to represent Pakistan. "I am hopeful the POF will continue supporting me in the upcoming events and I will try my best to earn more laurels," she added.
It is was awkward that the players who raise flag of the country are now worried about their participation in the upcoming events as they were invited by three countries to take part in their international events. Due to lack of finance as well govt interest towards these silver medalists, they will be deprived of representing the country. It is the need of the hour that govt and corporate sector should come forward to assist them financially.

Pakistan, Lanka qualify for Women�s World Cup

 Sri Lanka and Pakistan won its vital cross-over matches today in the ICC Women?s World Cup Qualifier 2011 (WWCQ) in Bangladesh capital Dhaka and by virtue of this victory they have qualified for the ICC Women?s World Cup 2013.
The two sides will join West Indies and South Africa at the event in 2013 which also features current world champions England, along with Australia, India and New Zealand.
Pakistan and South Africa have also qualified for the ICC Women?s World Twenty20 Sri Lanka 2012 by finishing in the top four of the event. West Indies and Sri Lanka are already qualified for the tournament which will be played in September next year.
At Khanshaheb Osman Ali Stadium (KSOAS), Sana Mir?s Pakistan made sure runs went on the board to make it a tough task for Helmien Rambaldo?s side when it came to chasing down the target.
The Dutch were set a mammoth total of 278 after Sana, along with Bismah Maroof, Nida Dar and Javeria Wadood piled on the runs for the Pakistanis to help them on their way to qualification for the ICC Women?s World Cup 2013.
Javeria?s 67 along with Nida?s half-century were helped by in-form all-rounder Bismah who finished the game 66 not out as the side displayed some masterstrokes against the Dutch pace and spin attack.
In reply, The Netherlands were once again undone by spin, with Bismah and Nida combining to take three wickets each while Sadia Yousuf claimed two wickets also. Qanita Jalil?s pace took the early wickets of Rambaldo and Miranda Veringmeier and the Dutch batting line-up collapsed for 84, with only Denise Hannema and Kerry-Anne Tomlinson managing double figures.
Pakistani captain Sana was delighted on qualifying for an ICC Women?s World Cup, saying: ?It feels great to qualify again for the ICC Women?s World Cup again, I have to say though the competition has been much tougher this time round. We were in a group with the likes of Bangladesh, Ireland and West Indies all of whom have proven a tough opposition,? she added.
?Today?s performance was great and we wanted to make at least 250 and we did that, with three of the team making half-centuries too. There was some good bowling which was really tight, the only thing I would like to improve upon ahead of our match against South Africa is the amount of extras that we bowled,? jubilant Sana claimed.
Sana added that qualification for the 2013 event would mean even greater things for women?s cricket in Pakistan: ?After we won gold at the Asian Games recently, women?s cricket has really taken off in the media in Pakistan and increased in popularity.
?With our qualification for the ICC Women?s World Cup and the ICC Women?s World Twenty20 it means two more years of competitive women?s cricket for Pakistan which is great, it will mean the Pakistan Cricket Board can plan further about the women?s game and develop women?s cricket even more than it already has done,? she concluded.
Rambaldo was disappointed to miss out on World Cup qualification but admitted it was now about learning from the past mistakes and focussing on the ODI play-off against Ireland with the victor retaining its ODI status.
Rambaldo said: ?It?s obviously extremely disappointing to have missed out again on an ICC Women?s World Cup qualification but we?ve now got to focus on the game against Ireland.?

Stable Afghanistan in favour of Pakistan, says Gilani

 Appreciating Pakistan's role in the war on terror, Britain has said that economic stability is necessary to effectively work as a bulwark against the tide of terrorism.
"His country would continue co-operation with Pakistan in multiple fields as envisaged in the Enhanced Strategic Partnership," said Sir Peter Ricketts, National Security Advisor, UK, who heading a five-member UK delegation called on Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani at the PM House to hold discussion on the Enhanced Strategic Dialogue between the two countries.
The meeting was part of the Enhanced Strategic Dialogue between Pakistan and the UK.
Other components of the strategic partnership between the two countries are counter-terrorism co-operation, trade and commerce relations, financial macro economic stabilization, development assistance and cultural co-operation.
The Prime Minister was assisted by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani, DG ISI Lt. Gen Ahmad Shuja Pasha and Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir. Sir Peter Ricketts, UK Security Advisor, was assisted by General Sir David Richards, Chief of Defence Staff, Sir John Sawers, Chief of SIS (MI-6), Ambassador Mark Sedwill, UK Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan and Adam Thomson, British High Commissioner.
The Prime Minister mentioned his meetings and joint press interaction with the British Prime Minister at the Commonwealth Summit in Perth along with Canadian Prime Minister, Australian and Nigerian President regarding polio eradication initiative among other subjects.
The Prime Minister highly appreciated the assistance of the UK particularly in the field of health and education that would go a long way to help the Government of Pakistan to meet the Millennium Development Goals.
The Prime Minister mentioned that the Council of Common Interests, representing all the provinces including Azad Kashmir and Gilgit/Baltistan, had passed a unanimous resolution on setting the national standards of education and enhancing budgets for education.
The Prime Minister was highly appreciative of the UK assistance in the development of the economy. UK was one of the biggest foreign investors in Pakistan, co-operation in the various sectors of economy was progressing well, the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister complimented the UK for giving generous financial assistance during the natural calamities this year, as well as in 2010 and in 2005.
The British delegation appreciated the recent improvement in Pak-India relations observing that surge in trade relations would definitely enable Pakistan to offset the fast approaching global recession which has already engulfed many countries of the developed world. Economic security is assuming added significance in the international diplomatic and inter-state relations, the advisor said.
The Prime Minister said that an Afghan delegation was coming soon to Pakistan and Pakistan would extend full co-operation in the investigation of the gruesome murder of Professor Burhanuddin who was a great friend of Pakistan. His murder was a setback to the peace process, the Prime Minister observed.
He further said that Pakistan was in favour of the peace process in Afghanistan, which was Afghan led and Afghan owned because independent, prosperous, stable and sovereign Afghanistan is in our interest.
The Prime Minister emphasized that Pakistan did not want a solution that would destabilize Pakistan as was the case last time when three million Afghan refugees had taken shelter in Pakistan and are still in Pakistan. "We want their early return with honour and dignity," he said.

Trade with Pakistan tops Indian agenda

  Indian High Commissioner in Pakistan Sharat Sabharwal on Tuesday said that India was very keen to increase trade with Pakistan, saying that strengthening trade ties with Pakistan was the top priority of India. He also said that his country wanted to enhance the Pak-India trade volume from existing $2 billion to $6 billion.
He was addressing the members of the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) here. Arvind Saxena, Counsellor Economic & Commercial, Aquino Vimal, First Secretary-Visa of Indian High Commission, and SCCI President Naeem Anwar Qureshi were also present on his occasion.
The Indian High Commissioner said that India was actively building up its trade and economic relations with Pakistan and other countries on priority basis. He said the Indian government has warmly welcomed the MFN status to India by Pakistan and said that Indian government was actively considering exploring trade potential between India and Pakistan besides considering Pakistani proposal of removing the non-tariff barriers (NTBs).
He further said the trade promotional dialogue between Pakistan and India was moving towards the right direction, saying that Pakistan have given very positive response to India in this regard. He said that the time was ripe for both of the neighbours to strengthen the mutual trade.
The Indian envoy vowed to continue the dialogues between Pakistan and India in this regard and said ?we wish to promote trade with Pakistan and both sides should keep it up?. He said that a separate gate and other facilities were being established at the Wagha border for speedy handling of export cargo, adding that the establishment of a separate gate would provide hurdle-free transportation facilities at the border.
The Indian HC said that Pakistani Commerce Minister Makhdum Amin Faheem had a very successful visit to India and had very positive discussions there with Indian officials and businessmen.
Relying to a question, he disclosed that Pakistan and India would soon sign a ?Liberal Visa Agreement? for giving maximum relief to the businessmen of both of the countries. He said that the businessmen of Pakistan and Indian have shown very keen interest in strengthening the trade and economic relations between Pakistan and India. He said that both the neighbours would soon enjoy the fruits of the ongoing trade and economic dialogues between the two countries.
Later, talking to the newsmen at SCCI, Sabharwal hoped that the ongoing dialogues between Indian and Pakistan would be fruitful, as they have very effective agenda. He said that both India and Pakistan should resolve all the core issues including the Kashmir dispute by dialogue.
While presenting his address of welcome, President SCCI Naeem Anwar Qureshi said Indian High Commissioner?s visit to SCCI would go a long way in creating better understanding between the business communities of the two neighbouring countries besides helping in creating new areas of commercial interaction to have far-reaching effects on expanding bilateral trade.
Qureshi revealed that both countries need to avoid short-sighted policies, which have resulted in bedevilling their relations in the past and diverting their attention from the gigantic task of eradicating poverty and raising the standard of living of their peoples.
The two countries must recognise that peace between them is a strategic imperative. It may be said that composite dialogue between the two neighbours must continue to build up trust and confidence, establish a strategic restraint regime, develop mutually beneficial cooperation and make progress towards the resolution of disputes and expansion of bilateral and regional trade.
The prospects of increasing trade between the two countries are considerable. It is encouraging that the two countries have recently held successful trade talks, moving a way forward towards progress and prosperity of the two countries.
The SCCI chief was of the view that issue of NTBs and certain restrictions by India outside statutory MFN status does not commensurate to the MFN position and somehow restricts exports from Pakistan especially those of textile items. It is time that India may reconsider its policy of specific tariffs and regulatory duties and give maximum relief to exports from Pakistan, crucially important for enjoying MFN status and enhancing bilateral trade as India can become most attractive and important market for Pakistani goods.
He said that there should be ship cargo service between both countries in order to facilitate interaction between private sectors and making easy the transportation of goods.
Trade between the two countries also suffers due to visa restrictions. It may be proposed that both countries should modify their visa policy and issue multiple visas. It is also recommended that Indian business visa must not be city specific rather business visa for all cities may be issued so that visitors from Pakistan may explore the massive Indian market in totality, he added.
?We hope that things will improve and improve rapidly to open a new era of economic cooperation, friendly relations and trade boost to bring prosperity, happiness and peace to our peoples, he narrated.

Zaka Ashraf greets Pakistan women team

Sports Desk
LAHORE ? Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Zaka Ashraf on Tuesday congratulated Pakistan women cricket team for qualifying for the 2013 World Cup to be held in India and World Twenty20 to be played in Sri Lanka.
In a telephonic conversation with Pakistan team captain Sana Mir, manager Shahid Aslam and coach Mohtesham Rashid, the pcb chief felicitated them for their achievement.
He expressed the hope that women team will also continue to perform like this in future also and bring more laurels for Pakistan. ?If the women players carry on their performances like this they will also win the World Cup qualifiers final,? he said.

Apologise for 1971 war crimes, Bangladesh tells Pakistan

To be honest, Pakistan did not win it, it has just lost the 1971 war with India.

The war crimes have been committed by all 3 parties. so all of us must accept the fact that whenever Army is used or in war situation, human rights issue arise, Kashmir, Afghanistan, Tribal areas of Pakistan etc are examples.

by the way all of us must behave well in blogs/forums, i have seen folks abusing and using dirty language. i hope we all must use our arguments instead of swearing at each other.

i hopeful that india and pakistan will have good relations in future