KSE index could increase by 25pc: Credit Suisse

KARACHI: Karachi stock market could see a surge in index by 25 percent, following the successes in war against terrorism.

Credit Suisse analyst, Farid Khan in an interview to a foreign agency told this. He said that a surge in the stock market could be seen, as the government has stepped up its operation against the terrorists.

Farid Khan said that Pakistan stock market index could be included in the Morgan Stanley Frontier Index, which would help in reviving the confidence of the investors.

He said that inflation has mellowed down and a further cut in the interest rate by the Central Bank was expected.

Pakistan seeks world aid for IDPs'

UNITED NATIONS: President Asif Ali Zardari appealed for global aid for the hundreds of thousands of civilians displaced by the fighting against Taliban militants.

‘We're appealing to the world, myself and the UN secretary general to draw attention on the human catastrophe that is taking place,’ he told reporters after conferring with UN chief Ban Ki-moon.

‘They civilians are losing their crops, they're losing their earnings, their livelihood and their homes, so we want the world to help us,’ he added.

‘The secretary general has been kind enough to accept our appeal to him and he is going to appeal to the world with us jointly to help Pakistan.’

Ban meanwhile told reporters that in his meeting with Zardari, he expressed his ‘deep concern’ about the humanitarian situation in northwestern Pakistan where commandos are stepping up a punishing offensive against militants that has now displaced more than half a million people.

Tens of thousands of terrified civilians have been streaming out of three battle-torn northwest districts each day, with the UN refugee agency saying that 501,496 stranded people had registered with authorities since May 2.

‘I expressed my deep concern and I expect President Zardari to take all necessary care to protect the civilian population,’ the UN boss said.

‘The UN is ready to stand by to provide the necessary humanitarian assistance.’ Ban said he asked the Pakistani leader ‘to facilitate the smooth delivery of humanitarian assistance and the protection of humanitarian workers,’ adding ‘it is a very serious situation.’

A UN statement said Ban ‘supported the fight against extremism and expressed confidence and trust in the leadership of President Zardari.’

10 militants killed in Lower Dir

Updated at: 1210 PST, Wednesday, May 13, 2009
DIR: Ten more militants were killed during ongoing operation in district Lower Dir.

According to sources, ten militants were killed during overnight shelling at militants’ strongholds in tehsil Maidan of district Lower Dir. The death toll feared to be rise. Three underground bunkers and key hideouts of militants were also destroyed during seucirty forces operation.

Meanwhile, clashes between security forces and militants underway in different areas of Swat as security forces jets pounding militants’ positions. Security forces took control of Landakas area of Mingora and started targeting militants’ hideouts in Peochar. No causality was reported immediately.

Indefinite curfew imposed in district Swat, Lower Dir, Malakand Agency and Shangla created shortage of food in these areas. Thousands of people still trapped in troubled areas whereas several reaching relief camps after traveling through risky mountainous routes.

WB to provide $320 mln for education

ISLAMABAD: World Bank will provide 520 million dollars by June this year to Pakistan out of which 320 million will be used for development of its education sector.

The above amount is in addition to 300 million dollars already announced by Friends of Pakistan.

According to Economic Division sources, the above financial assistance is being provided on easy terms of 0.7 per cent mark up.

The World Bank will provide 200 million dollars to Pakistan in the fourth quarter under Pakistan Safety Net.

APHC urges Kashmiris to boycott Indian polls

SRINAGAR: In occupied Kashmir, the Chairman of All Parties Hurriyet Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has urged people to totally boycott tomorrow’s Indian Parliamentary polls last stage.

The Hurriyet leader addressing a public gathering here said he hoped that Kashmiris would boycott the so-called elections. He said India wanted to divert the attention of the international community from the Kashmir dispute.

Kashmiris boycotted the previous three phases of Indian polls that resulted in low turnout.

Cabinet okays Swat operation

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet endorsed on Saturday the ongoing military operation in Malakand division.

In a media briefing following the cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said the cabinet has decided to set up a PM fund for the affectees of military operation with a sum of Rs 200 million deposited.

The prime minister said directives had been issued to all Pakistani missions abroad to step up efforts for global assistance for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

Gilani said the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) and the ministry of health have been directed to take care of the IDPs. He said a parliamentary delegation will be sent to variouis capital to project Pakistan’s viewpoint on prevailing situation.

militants killed in Swat operation: Army

ISLAMABAD: Army’s helicopter gunships and ground forces killed at least 55 militants in the troubled Swat valley as part of a full-scale operation against the militants, the Director General of Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Athar Abbas said on Saturday.

"Early morning attack helicopters engaged militants hideouts in Mingora. Fifteen militants are reportedly killed in the engagement," Abbas said in a statement.

He said that several militant hideouts were targeted and their main headquarters were destroyed.

Militant bases in Matta were attacked too, he added.

"Militant hideouts were also engaged in Peochar, Qambar, Banababa, Ziarat, Mushkomai and Chamtalai areas in Khawzakhela. Reportedly, 30-40 militants have been killed," the army spokesman said.

Pakistan wants to hold 2011 World Cup matches in Dubai The

Press Trust of India KARACHI, April 27: Facing the stark reality of not being able to host any international teams at home, the Pakistan Cricket Board is keen on making Dubai its "neutral home venue" with the tacit approval of the big guns behind the Dubai Sports City, including Mr Abdul Rehman Bukhatir. Sources in the PCB said Pakistan were now trying get back their share of 2011 World Cup matches, wishing to hold them at the Dubai Sports City ground...

Pakistan may not play 2011 WC matches in India

Agencies KARACHI, April 19: The 2011 World Cup, scheduled in the sub-continent, ran into fresh trouble with a senior cricket board official here indicating that Pakistan might decline to play its matches in India. Mr Saleem Altaf, chief operating officer of the Pakistan Cricket Board, said the PCB would take its time before deciding where it would play its 2011 World Cup matches. “It is our right to decide where we play our World Cup matches now that the games have been relocated from Pakistan,”...

India is not safe for 2011 World Cup: Miandad told ICC

KARACHI: Former captain Javed Miandad argued in International Cricket Council's recent Dubai meeting that if Pakistan is unsafe to host 2011 World Cup matches, India is not a safe venue either. Sources privy to the meeting that took place in...

Losing 2011 WC evokes anger in Pakistan cricket circle

17 Apr 2009, 2051 hrs IST, PTI Text: KARACHI: Pakistan's cricket officials and former players on Friday reacted with disappointment and anger to the International Cricket Council's decision to shift the 2011 World Cup matches away from Pakistan because of security concerns. Saleem Altaf, the chief operating officer of the Board, said he had just heard about the news but had no details. "I don't know what has transpired at the...

Pakistan make known anger over ICC decision

Dubai: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lodged a protest with the International Cricket Council (ICC) after being denied the rights to host the 2011 World Cup. "The Pakistan Cricket Board was...

Pakistan focus on pace ahead of Twenty20 World

Dubai: Pakistan emphasised on pace attack as they announced their Twenty20 World Cup team on Monday. Shoaib Akhtar, who got the nod despite not bowling his full quota of 10 overs during the series against Australia in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, will be backed by Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul, Yasir Arafat and 19-year-old uncapped...

Pakistan pick unfit Shoaib for Twenty20 World Cup

Rookies Mohammad Aamer and Shahzaib Hasan also included in 15-man squad Tuesday, May 05, 2009 By Khalid Hussain KARACHI: Just days after Shoaib Akhtar flopped miserably in the one-day series against Sri Lanka at home earlier this year, a senior team official rejected the controversial pacer as spent force and stressed that Pakistan will be "complete fools" if they took him to England for this June's Twenty20 World Championships. On Monday, the 33-year-old Shoaib was named by national selectors...

ICC moving Champions Trophy out of Pakistan

The International Cricket Council (ICC) stripped Pakistan of hosting this year's Champions Trophy on Sunday after several teams voiced security concerns about playing in the country.

The tournament had been postponed from 2008 to September/October this year after five of the eight teams involved in the premier one-day event had said they would not send a team due to security worries.

"The ICC Board accepted that, with several members expressing reservations about touring Pakistan, it would be prudent to relocate the event .... from that country," the ICC said in a statement after its two-day board meeting in Perth.

"In view of the challenges facing the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) which are out of its control, the Board agreed that, irrespective of the location of the event, Pakistan would retain the revenue due for hosting the tournament."

The board intends to find a new location before its next scheduled meeting in April and plan to form a task team to visit Pakistan and find ways to work with the PCB to ensure more international cricket is played in the country.

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat sympathised with Pakistan but cited the need for certainty in planning the event.

"It is unfortunate the ICC Champions Trophy will not take place in Pakistan due to circumstances completely beyond the control of the PCB," he added.

"However, the Board has accepted the need for certainty in planning for and delivering a world-class event and will now assess where the event should be held."



GREAT SHAME

Pakistan's sports minister Aftab Shah Jillani said the decision to relocate the tournament was disappointing.

"It is a great shame because we have been working hard for this tournament and we were confident we could provide the best security for the Champions Trophy," Jillani told Reuters.

Pakistan cricket has been badly hit by the refusal of teams to travel there following several suicide bombings last year.

They did not play a single test in 2008 as a result.

Security concerns in Pakistan and strained political ties with India following militant attacks in Mumbai in November have also raised concerns over the 2011 one-day World Cup, due to be jointly staged alongside Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Punjab beat Deccan in exciting finish

KIMBERLEY: In an exciting finish, Kings XI Punjab emerged victorious by three wickets against Deccan Chargers in the 36th Twenty20 match in the second edition of the Indian Premier League here at the de Beers Oval on Saturday.

Chasing a tough target of 169 runs, Punjab lost their both openers Sunny Sohal (30) and Simon Katich (9) for 42 runs and later lost captain Yuvraj Singh (25) and Kumar Sangakkara (18) at 86 runs on the board.

However, Mahela Jayawardene took charge and steered his team close to victory before being declare... more


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Pakistan legally challenges ICC on World Cup move

LAHORE: Pakistan has registered a case at the International Court of Arbitration for Sport against the International Cricket Council (ICC) for moving Pakistan’s World Cup matches.

This has been told by chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ijaz Butt while addressing at a press conference here on Saturday.

He said that Pakistan has served legal notice to the ICC in this regard and the PCB wants to obtain stay order against the ICC decision.

Pakistan has challenged the ICC's decision to move the World Cup and "in this regard a notice has been sent through our lawyer Mark Gay to the ICC president David Morgan," Butt told reporters.

"The PCB believes that the manner in which the decision was taken, with no security assessment of Pakistan or any other host country and without the issue being on the agenda of the meeting, it was legally flawed," the PCB chairman said.

The ICC last month stripped Pakistan of 14 World Cup matches, including a semi-final, citing the "uncertain security situation" in the country.

Co-hosts India will now host 29 matches inclusive of a semi-final and the final, while Sri Lanka will host 12 matches with one-semi-final and Bangladesh eighth matches and the opening ceremony.

"There was no prior notice that the Cup matches will be moved and more could have been done in an indiscriminate manner before the decision was taken," said Butt.

"We believe that more could and should have been done to review the actual situation to deal with the matter on a non-discriminatory basis."

Butt said the issue had been referred to the president of the ICC's dispute resolution committee.

"He can either refer the matter to the dispute resolution committee which is made up of ICC Officials or to independent arbitration before the Court of Arbitration for Sport," Butt said.

"The PCB prefer impartial arbitration, in the interest of justice, equity and fair play. The PCB will push for this matter to be expedited so the PCB's status can be restored as soon as possible."

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DURBAN: Having registered a comprehensive nine-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Daredevils stand-in skipper Gautam Gambhir said he wanted to bat through the innings and make sure that his team registered a win against the Brendon McCullum-led side.On his batting form: I think it was important for us to win this game. To be honest I was not hitting the ball well. So it was important for me to grind my way through. I have not many runs under my belt so it was important for me to hang in there and finish it off. We were not chasing a big total and the target was 150 odd runs so we decided that one person has to bat till the end. We thought if one of us could bat till the end then we would end up winning the game.On the pitch at Durban: If you go through the history of Durban then you would find that the ball swings a bit under light. So I think that 150-160 was a good total. I think our bowlers bowled well to restrict them to such a score. At one time they were looking set for 180 but I think our bowlers pulled it back.On his role as a senior batsman: I think being a senior batsman there is a sense of responsibility. Viru's (Virender Sehwag) absence is a challenge for us. It was important for me to hang in there and finish the game. So, I think it is a blessing in disguise as well. If he were there I would go overboard and go after the bowling because he is the senior partner. I wanted to take the responsibility today and finish the game.On Glenn McGrath: He is match-fit but our combination does not permit us to field him in the playing XI. As we know Dirk Nannes has been bowling very well throughout the tournament. We needed pace and he is someone who is quick. But McGrath is fully match-fit.On his batting form: I always knew that there are 14 matches for a team. Specially coming from New Zealand where we played a lot of Test cricket. So, coming directly from different conditions it is always difficult to adapt to the local conditions. But I would like to continue in the same way I played today in the rest of the tournament. On complacency: We are at the top of the table and we can't be complacent. Our focus is to qualify for the semifinals.On strategy against KKR: They had nothing to lose and we had everything to lose. They have got some good players in the side and we had to play them well. We will be playing against them twice and it is important for us to win both matches. On Proteas performing well in IPL: You must remember that last year when IPL was in India a lot of Indians players had performed well. The Indian cricketers were used to the conditions and pace. If you see the entire tournament the South African are playing really well. AB de Villiers is doing well for us. And he and Dilshan are key players for us to reach the semi-finals.On keeping an eye on points chart: Yes, we are keeping a tap at the points table. With the standings changing every day we have to keep an eye on the points.On missing Sehwag: I have always felt comfortable batting with Viru. He is the most dangerous batsman. If he comes back into the side then we would be a very strong batting side.