NEWS ARCHIVED
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President Musharraf announces resignation
- 1430 PST, Monday, August 18, 2008 -
President Musharraf announces resignation:
ISLAMABAD: President Pervez Musharraf announced in a televised address to the nation Monday that he had decided to resign after nine years in power to avoid the threat of impeachment.
"After viewing the situation and consulting legal advisers and political allies, with their advice I have decided to resign," a grim-faced Musharraf said, backed by Pakistani flags and a portrait of the country's founder.
"I leave my future in the hands of people."
Musharraf made the shock announcement after denying that any of the impeachment charges against him could stand and launching into a lengthy defence of his time in power.
"Not a single charge in the impeachment can stand against me," Musharraf said. "No charge can be proved against me because I never did anything for myself, it was all for Pakistan."
He said that there was now law and order in the country, that human rights and democracy had been improved and that Pakistan was now an crucial country internationally.
"On the map of the world, Pakistan is now an important country, by the grace of Allah," he said.
The President dismissed the “false allegations” being leveled against him by the coalition government and said he was neither afraid of the charges against him, nor shy to face these through impeachment.
“For me it is always Pakistan first”, Musharraf said and added that politics of confrontation must come to an end and instead a policy of reconciliation be pursued.
He stressed immediate measure be taken to arrest the economic downturn and said the nation has the resilience to withstand any challenge.
He said it was not a time to show bravado, but to get serious as country’s dignity was at stake, the office of Presidency would bear the brunt.
“For 44 years I have safeguarded the country and will continue to do so.”
“No charge sheet can stand against me. Not even a single charge can be proven against me as I have full trust in Allah Almighty and I did everything with the belief of Pakistan First.”
The President said he took all decisions with consultation, took all stakeholders onboard, on the most difficult decisions.
“All stake holders, whether they were soldiers, politicians, bureaucrats, members of civil society, Ulema were consulted in all decisions. “I have nothing to worry about the charge sheet,” Musharraf said.
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Wana Missile strike death toll rises to 20
Sunday, March 16, 2008
SOUTH WAZIRISTAN:
The death toll in Wana Missile strike, the main town in the tribal district of South Waziristan, has increased to 20, the sources said.
Seven others were also injured when a missile struck a suspected militant compound in a lawless Pakistani tribal area on the Afghan border Sunday.
Residents said they heard several blasts after several missiles fired from an unknown site hit the home of a local tribesman in a village near Wana.
Foreigners linked with Taliban and Al-Qaeda militants were believed to be staying at the compound in Doog village, the residents said.
"Militants have cordoned the blast site and are taking out bodies from the rubble," one local tribesman said.
"The missile has left only part of a boundary wall intact and turned the compound into a pile of debris," he said.
"Body parts were flung into the air and were lying in nearby farmlands," he added.
Pakistan's chief military spokesman major general Athar Abbas said that he had received reports about blasts, but had no details about casualties yet.
"We are trying to get more details," Abbas said.
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Govt mulling over releasing Iftikhar Chaudhry
ISLAMABAD:
The federal government started mulling over terminating the detention of the deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry.
In the light of results of the recent general elections and pledges made by various political parties, the government is pondering to release the deposed Chief Justice.
The consultation process in this connection has set in, as the government has been given the same advice from diverse quarters.
The spokesman of President Musharraf, Rashid Qureshi refused to comment on any such news regarding the release of the deposed chief justice, �The government may release him, however, I have no knowledge of the same.�
Also, Attorney General of Pakistan Malik Qayyum refused to comment on the same.
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30 KILLED including Ms BHUTTO IN SUICIDE ATTACK
RAWALPINDI: Thirty persons including Chairperson, Pakistan Peoples Party PPP, Ms Benazir Bhutto were killed and several others injured in an attack here outside Liaquat Bagh, Rawaplpindi on Thursday...
Earlier, Asif Zardari, husband of Ms Benazir Bhutto informed that she had sustained serious injuries and was given medical treatment at a hospital.
Benazir Bhutto addressed a public meeting in Liaquat Bagh and soon after she went out, a suicide bomb blast occurred outside the venue.
At least 20 persons have been confirmed to have been killed in the incident, including policemen. Body parts of a number of people scattered around after the power blast.
Police have described the blast a suicide attack.
Leader of PPP, Farhatullah Babur said sound of a powerful blast was heard when the vehicle of Benazir Bhutto was moving past the gate of the bagh.
The rescue team said the blast took lives of more than 30 persons.
Initially, PPP leader Rehman Malik had said that Ms Bhutto remained safe.
Later, Asif Ali Zardari, husband of Benazir Bhutto informed that she had received severe injuries. The police sources also confirmed that Bhutto has sustained critical injuries and shifted to a hospital.
The latest reports said that Benazir Bhutto was killed by fire hitting her neck.
The death of PPP Chairperson agitated the party workers.
PML (N) Chief, Mian Nawaz Sharif, condemned strong words the attack on PPP public meeting. He said the PML (N) public meeting scheduled to be held in Rawalpindi had been cancelled in view of the tragic incident.
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100 Index surges beyond 14000 level
KARACHI: Shares prices bounced back across the board with fresh buying at Karachi Stock Exchange on Tuesday contributing 129 points to the 100 Index to close above the level of 14000 at 14009 points.
Starting positive, the benchmark KSE-100 Index marched on with firm footing throughout the session.
Souring prices of cement in the local markets attracted the investors to make a come back. Positive expectations regarding the financial results of oil refinery and oil marketing companies, their shares also witnessed attention of investors.
In terms of trade volume, the second tier stocks saw sizeable activity.
Total trade volume in broader market was recorded at 235 million shares.
Arif Habib Securities was the star performer of the day which gained Rs6.60 to close at Rs179.60. Fauji Fertilizer Bin Qasim grew expensive by 85 paisas at Rs42.60 and NIB Bank was up by 10 paisas at Rs23.15.
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