Eid prayer timing announced for sheikhupur imam bargah bangla asad abad Dina Jhelum

Eid prayer timing announced for  sheikhupur imam bargah bangla asad abad Dina Jhelum
The biggest congregation will be held at Shia Masjid imam Bargah sheikhupur dina jhelum  at 8.30 a.m

Eid prayers timings announced for Lahore

LAHORE: The Eid-ul-Azha prayers will be offered at over 300 places including big mosques in the city. The biggest congregation will be held at Badshahi Mosque at 7.30 a.m. According to schedule issued by the Auqaf Department the timings of prayers are as follow; Jamia Masjid Data Darbar at 7:15 a.m, Masjid Neela Gumbad at 6:30 a.m, Masjid Wazir Khan at 7:15 a.m, Jamia Masjid Auqaf Colony at 6:45 a.m, Jamia Madina Masjid Anarkali 6:45 a.m, Masjid Jamia Ashrafia Ferozepur Road at 7:00 a.m, Jamia Masjid Chowk Dalgiran at 6:30 a.m, Jamia Naeemia Garhi Shahu at 6:30 a.m, 6:30 a.m: Government High School, Baghbanpura, Masjid Eidgah Salamatpura, Jamia Masjid Anwar Shahdra Railway Station, Jamia Masjid Kubra, New Samanabad, Jamia Masjid Rehmania, Qila Laxman Singh, Eidgah Bahawalpur Road Mozang, Jamia Masjid Ghousaia, Chowk Misri Shah. for more visit  http://www.geo.tv/GeoDetail.aspx?ID=73070 At 6:45 a.m: Masjid Madina, Mian Mir Colony, Garden outside Sheranwala Gate, Jamia Masjid Sufaid, Misri Shah, Jamia Masjid Naqshbandia, outside Sheranwala Gate. At 7:00 a.m: Jamia Masjid Wazir Khan, Jamia Masjid Darbar Hazrat Shah, Abdul Mua'ali, Jamia Mansoora, Jamia Masjid Al-Najm, Rajgarh, Jamia Masjid Shah Inayat, Bhatti Gate, Aitchison College Ground, Government MAO College ground. At 7:15 a.m: Jamia Masjid Usmania, behind Noori Building Islampura, Eidgah Muhammad Park, and Rajgarh. At 7:30 a.m: Iqbal Park, Baitul Mukarram Green Town, Masjid Mai Lado, Jamia Masjid Thokar Niaz Baig, Jamia Masjid Qasmia, Mini Market Ground, Gulberg, Onchi Masjid Hanfia Rizvis, Texali gate, Tomb of Jehangir, Jamia Masjid Muhammdia Rizvia, New Shalimar Town. At 7:45 a.m: Jamia Masajid Hanfia Wapda House, Jamia Masjid Ghousia Chishtia, Morr Samanabad, Jamia Masjid, Akbari Mandi, Jamia Masjid Jamiatul Quraish, Walton Road, Karim Block, Model Town. At 8:00 a.m: Masjid Jamia Imrania, Gulberg-II For Fiqah-e-Jafria, 7:00 a.m: University Ground, Qasr e Batool, 178-Shahman Colony, Masjid Shah Khurasan Neelum Block, Allama Iqbal Town, Jamia Al-Muntazir, Muslim Town, Jamia Masjid Shia Salam Link Road, Model Town, Jamia Masjid Quds, Sector A-I Township, Jamia Amjuman-e-Muhammadi. (APP)

Selective mobile blackout across Pakistan on Eid day: Malik

Selective mobile blackout across Pakistan on Eid day: Malik

ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister, Rehman A Malik has announced selective cellular blackout on October 27, the first day of Eid-ul-Azha, as a security measure, Geo News reported. ... for more visit
http://www.geo.tv/

Anti-Islam film: FO registers protest with top US diplomat

ISLAMABAD: US Charge d' Affaires, Richard Hoagland was summoned to the Foreign Office on Friday to register Pakistan’s protest against the anti-Islam film. The Foreign Office informed Hoagland that the anti-Islam film was equivalent to an attack on two billion Muslims worldwide. The Foreign Office also demanded that the anti-Islam film be taken of Youtube immediately. According to the Foreign Office, the anti-Islam film was a conspiracy to spread hatred amongst different religions. A press release by the US Embassy stated that Ambassador Hoagland reiterated in his meeting at the Foreign Office that the United States Government has condemned this video’s content and its message and emphasized that the United States Government has nothing to do with it. Ambassador Hoagland stated that this act was a deeply insensitive decision by a single individual to disseminate hatred. It does not reflect the values of the United States, a nation of more than 300 million people, built upon the pillars of religious freedom and tolerance. Ambassador Hoagland echoed the call by the Prime Minister and other officials from the Government of Pakistan for citizens to remain calm and express their views peacefully. Ambassador Hoagland also underscored his appreciation to the Government of Pakistan for its commitment to protect the facilities and personnel of diplomatic missions.

Pakistan-US ties doing ‘better than expected’: Khar

WASHINGTON: Pakistan and the US are repairing ties which had plunged to an all-time low, Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said Friday, despite violent anti-American protests rocking her country. “The last 18 months were very, very difficult,” Khar said at the start of talks with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, adding the nations were doing “better than we could have expected to do in rebuilding the trust.” The two women leaders were meeting at the State Department as violent protests flared for another day across Pakistan, targeting American diplomatic missions, and fueled by anger at an anti-Islam film which Muslims say insults their faith. As Pakistani police fought back with gunshots and tear gas in five major cities, 15 people were killed and more than 200 wounded. Anger in Pakistan has spiked since the killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in a secret US commando raid on his Pakistani compound in May 2011, and a US airstrike in November which killed more than 24 Pakistani troops. The incidents saw relations plunge, as Islamabad closed border crossings into Afghanistan to Nato convoys, forcing them to take a longer, more expensive route to supply their troops, until the blockade was lifted in July. But Khar insisted that after efforts to renew the relationship over the past few months “we stand at a time of opportunity.” ”At a time of opportunity to seize the trust deficit mantra and start building on the trust by walking the talk, that achieves the interests that are clearly common.” Clinton said their shared top priority was “pursuing our joint counter-terrorism objectives to ensure the security of American and Pakistan citizens alike.” The two nations “both recognized that we can achieve more when we work together on a focused agenda,” said Clinton who will meet with President Asif Ali Zardari next week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. “At each meeting we are working to identify the strategic goals we share, and there are many. And the concrete actions we can each take to accomplish them.” (AFP)

Sacrilege be declared a crime globally: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf Friday demanded from the world community to declare sacrilege a crime globally.
Sacrilege was intolerable for the Muslims, as it was not the issue of freedom of expression instead it was the question of violence on earth, Geo News reported.
Addressing the Ishq-e-Rasool Conference here, the prime minister said that freedom of expression didn’t mean that revered personalities be made a target, adding that protest against such despicable acts was our religious duty.
Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said that the world today was threatened by the religious extremism and one of the reasons of extremism was disrespect to other religions.
PM said that the miscreants have targeted the greatest personality of the universe whom no power on earth could ever cause any damage.
PM said that the sentiments of the Muslims were not taken care of, while the debate on holocaust was forbidden. Pakistan has the right to protest against the anti-Islam film and added that all the religions, beliefs and the revered personalities must be respected.
He said that Pakistan was the only Islamic country observing protest day officially and this was not all but President Asif Ali Zardari would be taking up this issue in the General Assembly of the United Nations.
He said anti-social elements were using the concept of freedom of speech in an offensive manner, adding that, Islam was a religion of peace and preached respect for all faiths.
PM Ashraf further said that a significant factor leading to increased extremism the world over was lack of mutual respect among followers of different religions.
He said if such actions did not stop, they would create instability worldwide. fore more http://www.geo.tv/GeoDetail.aspx?ID=68614 اسلام آباد… وزیر اعظم راجہ پرویز اشرف نے عالمی برادری سے مطالبہ کیا ہے کہ توہین رسالت کو عالمی سطح پر جرم قرار دیا جائے، ان کا کہنا تھا کہ مسلمانوں کے لیے توہین رسالت ناقابل قبول ہے، یہ آزادی رائے کا مسئلہ نہیں بلکہ فساد فی الارض کا مسئلہ ہے۔ اسلام آباد میں عشق رسول اللہ ﷺ کانفرنس سے خطاب میں وزیراعظم کا کہنا تھا کہ آزادی اظہار کا یہ مطلب نہیں کہ برگزیدہ ہستیوں کو نشانہ بنایا جائے اور اسے شر پسندمقاصد کیلئے استعمال کیاجائے۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ آج دنیا مذہبی شدت پسندی کے خطرے سے دوچار ہے، اور شدت پسندی کی ایک وجہ دوسرے مذاہب کا احترام نہ ہونا بھی ہے۔ وزیراعظم نے کہا کہ شر پسند عناصر نے کائنات کی سب سے عظیم ہستی کو نشانہ بنایا جسے دنیا کی کوئی طاقت نقصان نہیں پہنچا سکتی۔ وزیراعظم نے کہا کہ ہولوکاسٹ کا ذکر نہیں ہونے دیاجاتامگرمسلمانوں کااحساس نہیں کیاجاتا، توہین رسالت کیخلاف پاکستان کا ردعمل اس کا حق ہے اور دنیا کے ہرمذہب، عقیدے اور مقدس ہستی کا احترام لازمی ہونا چاہیے۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ پاکستان واحد اسلامی ملک ہے جس نے سرکاری سطح پر احتجاج کیا، یہی نہیں بلکہ صدرزرداری اقوام متحدہ کی جنرل اسمبلی میں آوازاٹھائیں گے۔ وزیر اعظم نے متنبہ کیا کہ اس سلسلے کونہ روکاگیاتودنیا میں کسی ہستی کااحترام باقی نہیں رہیگا۔

Violent protests continue in twin cities

ISLAMABAD: Protests against anti-Islam film and blasphemous cartoons continued Friday morning as well where protesters took to the streets and pelted stones on the vehicles, Geo News reported. According to sources, demonstrators from the suburban areas surrounding the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi occupied the streets in Pir Wadhai area and blocked the road for traffic. The demonstrators kept on marching at IJP road and pelted stones on the moving vehicles. The angry mob also torched the toll plaza at IJP road after damaging the plaza’s cabins and signboards along the road. It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan is observing Youm-e-Ishq-e-Rasool (PBUH) today. Tens of thousands of people are expected to protest as global Muslim anger mounts over a US-made anti-Islam film and blasphemous cartoons in a French magazine. Huge crowds attempted to storm Islamabad's diplomatic enclave on Thursday, and similar demonstrations took place around the world. The government has called an impromptu public holiday on Friday - a "day of love for the prophet" -- and has urged people to protest peacefully to show their opposition to the crudely made "Innocence of Muslims" film. All of Pakistan's major political parties and religious groups have announced protests, as have many trade and transport organisations. Shops, markets and petrol stations will remain closed and transport is likely to come to a standstill, but authorities hoped there is no repeat of the violence scene on the streets of the capital on today. geo.tv

Cellular services suspended ahead of Youm-e-Ishq-e-Rasool

KARACHI: Mobile phone services have been suspended in 15 cities across Pakistan as a security measure to ward off any adverse incident during the observance of Youm-e-Ishqe-Rasool on Friday, as millions will hit the streets to condemn an anti-Islam film, Geo News reported.
Cellular coverage was blocked in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Multan, Jhang, Rhimyar Khan, Attock, Murree, Chakwal, Chakri, and Kot Momin.
The services will remain suspended till 6:00 PM in the evening.
Consumers, especially in the violence-prone Karachi, are suffering at the loss of connectivity for not being able to stay in touch wit their love ones.
Previously, the government had blocked the service during the Eid-ul-Fitr in a bid to keep any probable acts of terrorism at bay.for more http://www.geo.tv/GeoDetail.aspx?ID=68558

The government on Wednesday announced a public holiday to observe Youm-e-Ishq-e-Rasool (Day of Prophet Mohammad’s love) across the country on September 21 (Friday).
The decision was taken during a federal cabinet meeting held under chairmanship of Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf in Islamabad.

Country braces for widespread protests today

ISLAMABAD: The country, particularly the federal capital, will see yet another wave of widespread protests today (Friday) against a blasphemous film that was posted on the internet and has sparked demonstrations across the Muslim world.
All religious and political parties have given a protest call to workers and the public to march towards Islamabad from Rawalpindi and adjoining areas of the twin cities.
In light of the decision taken by the federal government, governments in the centre and provinces have announced a public holiday today (Friday) to observe “Yaum-e-Ishaq-e-Rasool (SAW)” while appealing to the masses to register peaceful protest against the condemnable blasphemous act.
The traders’ community and petroleum and CNG associations have announced shutting down their businesses and joining the protest rallies while the transporters’ association has also said that public transport will remain off the roads.
Official sources said in view of Thursday’s strong protest and clashes between protestors and police, which resulted in injuries to scores of police personnel and others, authorities concerned have decided to review security arrangements in Islamabad.
A spokesman for the Difa-e-Pakistan Council on Thursday said that the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Jamaatud Daawa and other religious parties would take out a rally from Aabpara Chowk after Jumma prayers to the National Press Club. He said the JI amir Syed Munawar Hassan, Maulana Muhammad Ahmad Ludhianvi, Ejazul Haq and other leaders would lead a protest demonstration in Lahore.
Maulana Muhammad Ahmad Ludhianvi, amir of Jamaat Ahle Sunnat, has asked people to participate in the protest demonstrations, and announced that an all parties conference would also be held in Islamabad on September 26. He also appealed to the masses to register their protest in a peaceful manner, adding that they should not damage or put on fire public property and vehicles.
The spokesman said that besides Islamabad, calls have been given for protest rallies in four provincial capitals, other major cities and Azad Kashmir.
Dr Waseem Akhtar, a senior central leader of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), said it would not be possible to cool down people all over the country unless the US ambassador was ousted from Islamabad. “The US, in the name of freedom of expression, is continuing to patronise elements that time and again commit blasphemous acts,” he said, adding that the US government should apologise to Muslims all over the world.
The PPP, PML-N, PTI, JUI-F and other parties have also announced holding protest programmes in major cities of the country.  for more http://www.geo.tv/GeoDetail.aspx?ID=68555

Australian experts ask SHC to order a halt on culling sheep

Experts maintain that the sheep should be tested before they are culled. PHOTO: PPI/ FILE

KARACHI: Australian experts moved the Sindh High Court on Thursday asking the court to order a halt on culling thousands of imported sheep, reported Express News.
The experts maintained that the sheep should be tested before they are culled.
The Sindh High Court has already stayed the further culling of sheep, but the practice continues despite the order.
On Wednesday, Managing Director of Australia-based livestock exporter Wellard Rural Exports Stephen Meerwald also held a press conference and demanded an independent inspection of the animals by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Meerwald added that until their findings were announced, the culling should immediately be stopped.
The importer of the sheep had earlier filed a petition and had claimed that the Islamabad-based Research and Safety Laboratory had declared the sheep as ‘clean of any disease’, and contended that the government authorities collected samples of sheep without permission.

Enforced disappearances can't be justified under any circumstance: UN group

ISLAMABAD: Pointing that no nature of national emergency could be used to justify enforced disappearances, the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances on Thursday pressed the government and the judiciary to fulfill their duty to thoroughly investigate the enforced disappearances and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The group, addressing a press conference on concluding its 10-day trip said that there was a “declared will” of government in Pakistan to tackle issue of enforced disappearances but what it termed, “serious challenges remain.”
The Working Group’s head Olivier de Frouville, and Member, Osman El-Hajj acknowledged security challenges being faced by Pakistan.
However, the experts said according to the 1992 Declaration for Protection of All Persons Against Enforced Disappearances, no circumstances whatsoever, whether a threat of war, a state of war, internal political instability or any other public emergency, may be invoked to justify enforced disappearances.
Frouville pointed out that there is acknowledgement that enforced disappearances have occurred and still occur in the country. He said during the visit, the Group received information on cases of enforced disappearances and studied the measures adopted by State to prevent and eradicate enforced disappearances, including issues related to truth, justice and reparation for the victims of enforced disappearances.
“We note that cases continue to be reported to national authorities, but there are controversies both on figures and on the nature of practice of enforced disappearances,” he observed. To date, the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances still has more than 500 cases in its docket in the entire Pakistan. They added that some sources in Balochistan gave them a figure of 14000, while the government maintains the figure of missing persons is below hundred. They noted that the number of officially registered allegations may not be reflective of the real situation, rather is an indication of the existence of the phenomenon.
Frouville though welcomed the role played by the judiciary to shed light on the phenomenon of enforced disappearances in Pakistan and to trace missing persons. He said the relatives of disappeared persons have right to know the truth about fate and whereabouts of their loved ones and added it is responsibility and duty of the State to thoroughly investigate all allegations of enforced disappearances and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The US Expert underlined the need to reinforce the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, as well as to ensure the oversight and accountability of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, and to provide protection for victims and witnesses.
Suggesting a solution, Frouville said that one important challenge that Pakistan needs to overcome is the absence of a provision qualifying enforced disappearances as an autonomous crime, and lack of subsequent reparation measures and social assistance programmes for relatives of the disappeared.
The two members of the Working Group had held meetings with state authorities, civil society organisations and relatives of disappeared persons in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar during their ten day visit. However, a number of Pakistan officials refused to meet them including the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and the IG FC in Balochistan.
He said Working Group also welcomes the ratification by Pakistan of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and of the Convention against Torture. It calls on the government to ratify the Convention for the protection of all persons against enforced disappearances.
Answering a question, he said the Group undertook its visits in a spirit of dialogue and cooperation which aims at formulating constructive recommendations.
The UN Expert said the analysis of the information received during and prior to the visit will be considered in the preparation of the report which will be presented to Human Rights Council at a session in 2013.
View full text of the UN report here.

'Ishq-e-Rasool (pbuh)' day: Government announces holiday on September 21

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Cabinet meeting on Wednesday has decided to observe September 21 as ‘Ishq-e-Rasool (pbuh)’ day to express reverence for Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) and register the government’s protest against the recently released anti-Islam film in the US, Express News reported. 
The day has been declared as a national holiday as well.
Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, addressing the Cabinet meeting, said, “At this moment, I call upon the people of Pakistan to register their protests peacefully but to observe restraints and not to damage their own property.”
He added, “I have directed the Ministry of Information Technology to block YouTube in order to register our protest at the availability of this sacrilegious film on the website, and our demand for its immediate removal.”
Earlier, Prime Minister Ashraf suspended all agenda items on the list for today’s meeting and instead discussed ways and means to express Pakistan’s strong resentment against the film.
The controversial film has sparked protests all across the world by Muslims, protesting against the portrayal of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) in the film.
The government has recently blocked YouTube in the country after the company refused to remove the film’s trailer from the site.
Along with Pakistan, other Muslim countries, including Afghanistan  and Bangladesh have also blocked the website. In India, Youtube complied with government’s order and blocked the content.
Google said it was censoring the video in India and Indonesia after blocking it on Wednesday in Egypt and Libya.
Proposal on agreement with YouTube
The cabinet discussed a proposal for entering into an agreement with YouTube to block only the required videos on the website, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira told the media after the cabinet meeting.
He added that not only the US Ambassador to Pakistan, but also the US president and ministers have strongly condemned the blasphemous film. There was also a proposal to hold a meeting of Pakistani ambassadors to discuss the issue, he said.
Kaira also supported the idea of summoning the US Ambassador to Pakistan to the Foreign Office lodge a strong protest.
‘Government to provide protection during protests’
Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that special security arrangements will be made on the Ishq-e-Rasool Day on Friday and the government will provide complete protection to protests being held on that day, reported Radio Pakistan.
Chairing a high-level meeting in Islamabad on Wednesday, Malik said that no one will be allowed to take law into his own hands and damage private or public property during the protests.
He further directed the Crisis Management Cell to fully monitor the processions and directed all hospitals to stay on high alert.

Ishq-e-Rasool day: Government mulls cellular shutdown, army deployment

ISLAMABAD: With rage against the sacrilegious movie ‘Innocence of Muslims’ expected to reach its crescendo on Friday, government and security forces are bracing for a bitter showdown in the capital.
As anger against the movie is directed towards Western missions, the interior ministry is considering a complete lockdown to protect diplomatic missions in the capital, including suspension of cellular services in major cities and deployment of army and Rangers.
Thousands of demonstrators protesting against the anti-Islam movie are expected to march on to the United States embassy in Islamabad today (Friday), designated the Ishq-e-Rasool (pbuh) day, and declared a national holiday by the government.
Suspending cellular services
The government might order the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to suspend cellular services in some sensitive areas to foil attempted terrorist attacks on Ishq-e-Rasool (pbuh) day, said officials associated with the interior ministry. Cellular services are likely to be suspended in Karachi, Lahore, Multan, some areas of Balochistan, Peshawar and areas surrounding the diplomatic enclave in Islamabad, the officials added.
On Thursday evening, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said “the government has not yet decided to block cellular services.”
A senior official of PTA, however, said they have been directed by the interior ministry to stay alert to implement the order of suspending cellular services.
Deploying the Army
“Army and Rangers have been put on alert for the security of the diplomatic enclave in Islamabad,” said Interior Minister Rehman Malik.
“The move aims to protect foreign missions, particularly the US embassy in Islamabad,” a spokesperson of Interior Ministry quoted Malik as saying. The deliberations to put the Army and Rangers on “alert” came after the capital police faced troubles in controlling demonstrators on Thursday.
Malik said the interior ministry had successfully convinced clerics to observe a peaceful Ishq-e-Rasool (pbuh) day.
Intelligence reports, however, suggest that protests may turn violent on Friday as hardcore clerics have planned to force their way into the diplomatic enclave after clashing with the police, a senior official associated with the National Counter-Terrorism Authority (NACTA) told The Express Tribune.
Demonstrators, the report suggests, can also target other diplomatic missions located in residential areas of the federal capital, the official added.
Embassies cancel activities
The Unites States, meanwhile, has directed its staff in Pakistan to avoid any non-essential travel to other cities.
“The US Embassy and consulates in Pakistan will be closed on Friday due to the national holiday,” said an official statement by US Embassy on Thursday night. Other foreign missions have also cancelled their activities on Friday. The German mission has canceled a jazz concert on Friday.
Banned outfits
As protesters head to the capital, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira and Interior Minister Rehman Malik hit out at the Punjab government for letting activists of banned outfits to march on to Islamabad.
“Stop sending banned outfits’ activists from Punjab to the capital,” Malik said.
Kaira appealed to the Punjab government to not let protesters enter Islamabad, particularly from Muree and Rawalpindi.
Chief Commissioner Islamabad, meanwhile, has cancelled the government-announced holiday on Friday for all district and police officers.
Police Inspector General Bani Amin said no one would be allowed entry into red zone without proper documentation to prove their purpose of visit. He said the rally participants would not be stopped from protesting, but they would not be allowed to create a law and order situation.
Cycle race cancelled
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has announced cancellation of an international mountain bike race that was scheduled to be held at the Kaghan valley on Friday (today), in protest against the anti-Islam film.
‘Tour of Himalayas 2012’ was meant to be a fundraiser for the Kaghan Memorial Trust (KMT), a non-governmental organisation that launched schools for the earthquake-hit communities of the valley after 2005.
The three-day event was to include participants from different countries.
K-P Sports Minister Syed Aqil Shah, on Thursday, said the event was cancelled not due to any threats faced by the contestants, but to register their protest against the sacrilegious film.
With additional input from Umar Nangiana in Islamabad and Muhammad Sadaqat in Haripur.

Attackers from Egypt kill 7 inside Israel,JERUSALEM — Squads of gunmen armed with heavy weapons and explosives crossed into southern Israel on Thursda

JERUSALEM — Squads of gunmen armed with heavy weapons and explosives crossed into southern Israel on Thursday, killing seven in an attack on buses, cars and an army patrol in one of the boldest attacks on the Jewish state in years, officials said. Israel said the Palestinian assailants came from Hamas-ruled Gaza and crossed through Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.

Exchanges of gunfire across the Israel-Egypt border continued late into the evening, but it was not clear whether assailants were still at large within Israeli territory, Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai said. Gaza militants fired a rocket at the southern city of Ashkelon Thursday night, but Israel’s new missile defense system knocked it down, said Israel’s chief military spokesman, Brig. Gen. Yoav Mordechai.

The series of attacks were the boldest against the Jewish state in years and stoked concerns that Palestinian militants might be exploiting instability in Egypt. Within hours, Israeli aircraft bombed southern Gaza in retaliation, and Gaza medical official Adham Salmia said five militants and one child were killed in a strike on a private home.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would not put up with stepped up attacks from Sinai.

“If the terror organizations think they can strike at our civilians without eliciting a response, then they will find that Israel will exact a price — a very heavy price,” Netanyahu said in a brief broadcast statement Thursday night.

In Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton condemned the attack. “This violence only underscores our strong concerns about the security situation in the Sinai Peninsula,” she said in a statement, praising “commitments by the Egyptian government to address the security situation.”

Egypt and Hamas denied involvement.

The onslaught on southern Israel began at midday. The attacks came close together in time and location and appeared coordinated. Mordechai said security forces killed five assailants in all — three on the Israeli side of the border and two others who had been shooting at Israeli forces from Egypt. Earlier military reports said seven assailants were killed.

The attackers were booby-trapped, Mordechai said. There was no word on whether any of the attackers were captured alive or exactly how many in all were involved.

Israel said the gunmen started out from Gaza and made their way through Sinai, which borders both Israel and Gaza. Eilat and Gaza are about 130 miles (200 kilometers) apart along the border.

“The incident underscores the weak Egyptian hold on Sinai and the broadening of the activities of terrorists,” Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said in a statement. “The real source of the terror is in Gaza, and we will act against them with full force and determination.”

Mordechai said Israel coordinated its operation against the assailants with Egyptian security sources, who helped to battle gunmen operating against Israel from its side of the border.

It was the deadliest assault in Israel since a Palestinian gunman entered a religious seminary in Jerusalem in March 2008 and killed eight people.

Security in Sinai has deteriorated sharply since February, when longtime leader Hosni Mubarak was ousted in a popular uprising. Many Israelis saw Mubarak as a source of stability with shared interests in containing Iran and its radical Islamic proxies in the region, such as Hamas. Mubarak also upheld the decades-old peace treaty with Israel.

Last week, Egypt moved thousands of troops into the Sinai peninsula as part of an operation against al-Qaida inspired militants who have been increasingly active in Sinai since Mubarak’s ouster in February. The militants have taken advantage of the security vacuum caused by the abrupt withdrawal of police forces. Authorities have blamed the militants for brazen attacks on police patrols as well as a string of bombings on a key pipeline carrying natural gas to Israel and Jordan.

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Obama demands Syrian leader step down,After watching Syria’s bloody crackdown on anti-government protesters for months, President Obama on Thursday mo

**FILE** Syrian President Bashar Assad delivers a speech at Damascus University in Damascus, Syria, on June 20, 2011.

After watching Syria’s bloody crackdown on anti-government protesters for months, President Obama on Thursday morning called for Syrian President Bashar Assad to step down.

“For the sake of the Syrian people, the time has come for President Assad to step aside,” Mr. Obama said in a statement. “His calls for dialogue and reform have rung hollow while he is imprisoning, torturing, and slaughtering his own people.”

The president said his administration is imposing “unprecedented” new sanctions against Syria's government to further pressure Mr. Assad to step down, including a freeze of Syrian assets in the United States.

The demand for Mr. Assad’s departure comes more than a month after Mr. Obama said the Syrian leader had lost legitimacy. There is a growing clamor in the United Nations to formally condemn the violence.

Human-rights activists say Syrian forces have killed more than 2,400 anti-government demonstrators since the uprising began about five months ago. As Syrian protesters have taken to the streets, Mr. Assad has sent tanks and ground troops to retake control in rebellious areas. Syrian leaders maintain they are dealing with a rebellion led by Islamic extremists.

As the pro-democratic “Arab spring” uprisings have spread throughout North Africa and the Middle East, Mr. Obama has spoken out forcefully against strongman leaders such as Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak and Libya’s Col. Moammar Gadhafi. But critics say he has been slow to take the same forceful posture against Mr. Assad, despite the Syrian government’s clear acts of brutality.

As the killings mounted, the White House has issued a series of statements calling on Mr. Assad to “lead or get out of the way.” The administration also has imposed sanctions, including penalties on senior members of Mr. Assad’s inner circle.

“It is clear that President Assad believes that he can silence the voices of his people by resorting to the repressive tactics of the past,” Mr. Obama said. “But he is wrong. As we have learned these last several months, sometimes the way things have been is not the way that they will be. It is time for the Syrian people to determine their own destiny, and we will continue to stand firmly on their side.”

Mr. Obama signed an executive order freezing Syrian assets and banning U.S. imports of petroleum products that originate in Syria. It prohibits people in the U.S. from operating or investing in Syria.

Minutes after the president’s statement was released, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said that “no outside power can or should impose” on Syria’s transition, a warning directed at Iran.

“We understand the strong desire of the Syrian people that no foreign country should intervene in their struggle, and we respect their wishes,” Mrs. Clinton said. “We will do our part to support their aspirations for a Syria that is democratic, just and inclusive. And we will stand up for their universal rights and dignity by pressuring the regime and Assad personally to get out of the way of this transition.”

In Europe, British Prime Minister David Cameron, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel issued their own statement, saying Mr. Assad, who succeeded his father as president in July 2000, should quit and announcing they were imposing new sanctions as well on Damascus.

“Our three countries believe that President Assad, who is resorting to brutal military force against his own people and who is responsible for the situation, has lost all legitimacy and can no longer claim to lead the country,” they said. “We call on him to face the reality of the complete rejection of his regime by the Syrian people and to step aside in the best interests of Syria and the unity of its people. Violence in Syria must stop now.”

On a visit to Israel, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, Virginia Republican, echoed Mr. Obama’s call for Mr. Assad’s resignation.

“Under the Assad regime, Syria has been a proxy for Iran, a supporter of terror, and a threat to United States interests and our allies in the region,” Mr. Cantor said. “The recent atrocities and Assad’s brutalization of his own people in Syria are extremely alarming and reflect a long history of anti-American hostility, and I join President Obama in calling for Mr. Assad’s resignation.”

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Traders decide to shut markets,KARACHI: Markets in old city areas were shut in protest against increasing incidents of extortion from various mafias a

KARACHI: Markets in old city areas were shut in protest against increasing incidents of extortion from various mafias active in the city, Geo News reported.

The Traders' Action Committee has warned if extortion is not stopped than markets and Eid bazaars will be closed down. In a statement the chairman of the committee said that markets and Eid bazaars were operating without any security and traders were living in fear.

President Karachi Chamber of Commerce Industry (KCCI) Saeed Shafique told Geo news that due to volatile city situation a decision has been taken to close the markets. The KCCI has also convened a meeting to discuss the situation.

Hazare to launch 15-day hunger strike, NEW DELHI: India's beleaguered government caved in to popular fury over corruption on Wednesday after thousand

Hazare to launch 15-day hunger strike

Updated at: 1947 PST, Thursday, August 18, 2011
NEW DELHI: India's beleaguered government caved in to popular fury over corruption on Wednesday after thousands protested across the country, granting permission for a self-styled Gandhian crusader to stage a 15-day hunger strike in public.

Anna Hazare was arrested on Tuesday, hours ahead of a planned fast to demand tougher laws against the graft that plagues Indian society from top to bottom.

But the jailing of the 74-year-old campaigner sparked nationwide protests and put Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government on a backfoot, forcing it to relent.

"We are India's youth. We are with Anna. I've already seen corruption at this age," said 21 year-old Sweta Dua outside the jail. "In my college people got admitted despite being unable to clear the required cut-off scores, simply by paying money."

The Congress party-led government, facing one of the most serious protest movements since the 1970s, at first agreed to release Hazare, but he refused to leave the high-security Tihar jail until he won the right to lead an anti-corruption protest.

Crowds by the jail erupted in joy after a deal was struck to allow Hazare to fast in public, reached early on Thursday, shouting "I am Anna" and "We are with you". An impromptu stage was set up with musicians playing for the crowds.

"Anna wishes to congratulate everyone as we have started a great momentum for this fight against corruption," said Arvind Kejriwal, a social activist and close aid of Hazare.

Hazare is expected to postpone his public fast until Friday because the Ramlila Maidan grounds in central Delhi are not ready to host massive crowds, his advisers told reporters.

A medical team is on standby to monitor Hazare's health as he has already begun his fast in jail and a sharp deterioration could further worsen the crisis for the government, although there were signs a compromise would eventually be reached.

"It's an indefinite fast, not a fast-unto-death. He will be there as long as he can sustain it," said Kiran Bedi, a former senior police officer and a member of Hazare's team.

The protests across cities in India, helped spread by social networks, have not only rocked the ruling Congress party, they have sent shockwaves through the political class.

Students, lawyers, teachers, executives and civil servants have taken to streets in cities and remote villages stretching to the southern end of the country.

"The movement has meant politicians realise that they cannot fudge these issues or ignore public opinion any longer," said Vinod Mehta, editor of the weekly Outlook magazine.

"It has succeeded in concentrating the minds of politicians across the political spectrum on one issue for the first time."

A weak political opposition means that the government should still survive the crisis, but it could further dim the prospect for economic reforms that have already been held back by policy paralysis and a raft of corruption scandals. (Reuters)

Several villages in Thatta, Mirpur Khas and Badin inundated,THATTA: Flood affectees are awaiting relief in Thatta and Mirpur Khas, while protests were

Updated at: 1400 PST, Thursday, August 18, 2011 THATTA: Flood affectees are awaiting relief in Thatta and Mirpur Khas, while protests were held against the lackluster conditions in relief camps in Badin, Geo News reported. 40 villages are inundated in Badin because of a breach in the Left Bank Outfall Drain (LOBD) and locals are fleeing the area.Diseases are spreading in relief camps and affectees complain of a lack of medicine, food and clean drinking water in these camps. Due to these horrid conditions several locals have refused to leave their homes. Meanwhile water continues to seep through cracks in drains in Mirpur Khas and Thatta. Several villages in the area are inundated and relief work has not been initiated in affected areas. Flood affectees are fleeing their homes without any assistance.

47 killed in Karachi since yesterday,KARACHI: Firing continues in old city areas including Lyari and those surrounding it while the death toll during

Updated at: 1415 PST, Thursday, August 18, 2011
KARACHI: Firing continues in old city areas including Lyari and those surrounding it while the death toll during the last 17 hours in the targeted killings in the provincial capital has mounted to 31, bringing the number of people killed in two days to 47.

Eighteen out of the 31 killed are those who were slain after being abducted from houses and passenger busses in different parts of the city.

During the last 36 hours post-mortem of 39 bodies has been carried out, said a Senior Medico-Legal officer Dr. Aftab Chunar. He said 34 autopsies were done in Civil Hospital while 5 in Jinnah Hospital. Medical cases of 35 injured were also registered.

He said many families were taking away the bodies of their loved ones without waiting for the legal formalities to be completed.

The spokesman of Edhi Welfare Trust said that 19 bodies had so far been shifted to Edhi morgue and out of these 10 were yet to be identified.

According to police and Capital Police Liaison Centre (CPLC), reports were coming in of 30 people having gone missing.

Violence in Karachi claims six lives

Updated at: 1058 PST, Wednesday, August 17, 2011
KARACHI: Six persons were shot dead in the fresh wave of violence in the city Wednesday, Geo News reported.

According to police, three bodies were recovered from PECHS Block 2 and Tariq Road area who were shot dead. The victims were identified as Kamran, Saqib and Shahnawaz who were the residents of Lyari and went for shopping to Tariq Road Tuesday night.

A trussed up body was found from Soldier Bazar area who was identified as Shahabuddin.

Another body, bearing torture marks was found near Hashoo Centre, Saddar who was also shot dead while a body was recovered from Malir Nadi in the vicinity of Shah Faisal Colony police station. The victim was not identified until last reports.