Gas outage continues on 4th consecutive day | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

FAISALABAD: The gas supply remained suspended on fourth and the last day, on Wednesday to all industries of Faisalabad under gas load management plan, Geo News reported. The suspension of gas has badly affected industrial production resulting increase in miseries of daily wages workers. Sui gas authorities had announced gas outages to Faisalabad industrial units from Jan 30 to Feb 02.

Asian shares mixed, Egypt violence weighs | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

HONG KONG: Renewed concerns over protests in Egypt pushed Tokyo shares down on Thursday while Sydney was boosted by insurance companies after a huge cyclone caused less damage than expected in Australia. Most markets in Asia were closed for the Lunar New Year holidays. Tokyo fell 0.11 percent after news that the anti-government protests in Egypt had turned violent, with clashes between demonstrators and pro-government forces leaving three dead. The clashes erupted after almost a week of rallies against the three-decade rule of President Hosni Mubarak. Fears eased earlier this week after Mubarak said he will stand down at the end of the year but they were stoked again on Wednesday when television pictures showed the bloody clashes. The violence weighed on US stocks late Wednesday, with the Dow closing just 0.02 percent higher amid concerns over the wider implications for the Middle East. Oil continued its march upwards on the back of the trouble, with Brent North Sea crude for March up 22 cents at $102.56 in early Asian trade. New York's main futures contract, light sweet crude for March, climbed 47 cents to $91.24. In Sydney shares rose 0.24 percent amid relief that Tropical Cyclone Yasi -- described as one of the biggest to hit the country -- caused less damage than expected after slamming into the Queensland coast overnight. The huge storm did however devastate several towns and cut power to 175,000 homes in a state still reeling from months of catastrophic floods.

Euro falls ahead of ECB meeting | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

TOKYO: Risk averse investors pushed the euro lower against other major currencies in Asia Thursday as tension in Egypt prompted caution ahead of a meeting of the European Central Bank, dealers said. The euro fetched $1.3794 in Tokyo afternoon trade, down from $1.3808 in New York late Wednesday and falling away from a near-three-month high of $1.3862 touched in earlier trading. The euro traded at 112.62 yen, almost flat from New York late Wednesday. The dollar firmed to 81.63 yen from 81.54 yen. The euro fell as market players adjusted positions ahead of the European Central Bank (ECB) meeting later Thursday. Investors had previously expected tough rhetoric from the ECB, but the view that the ECB may not be so hawkish is gaining ground, a senior dealer at a major Japanese bank told Dow Jones Newswires. The euro had recently won support from speculation that eurozone interest rate hikes are likely. The main ECB interest rate will probably emerge from the meeting of its governing council unchanged at 1.0 percent, a level it fell to in May 2009, economists say. The euro is likely to also be hit by profit-taking ahead of closely watched US government non-farm payrolls data on Friday, said Satoshi Tate, senior dealer at Mizuho Corporate Bank. Investors "are likely to take profits after recent gains in the (euro/dollar) pair," he said. The euro fell back against the dollar after Ireland's credit rating was downgraded one notch by Standard & Poor's, casting a shadow over the eurozone economy. The dollar also benefitted from safe-haven buying amid heightened tension in Egypt. S&P on Wednesday reduced its short- and long-term debt ratings for Ireland by one notch, citing concerns about the health of its banking sector. It simultaneously lowered ratings on four Irish banks -- Allied Irish Banks, Anglo Irish Bank, Bank of Ireland and Irish Life & Permanent. The move cast a cloud over eurozone efforts to shore up the area's weakest economies through sovereign debt-buying by the Luxembourg-based European Financial Stability Facility. The dollar was mostly higher against regional Asian currencies, rising to Sg$1.2731 from Sg$1.2724 on Wednesday, to 30.87 Thai baht from 30.83, and to 1,113.60 Korean won from 1,101.70. It also rose to 9,030.00 Indonesian rupiah from 9,012.75 and to Tw$29.02 from Tw$28.94, while slipping to 43.94 Philippine pesos from 43.99.

ElBaradei tries to ease US, Israeli concerns | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

 WASHINGTON: Leading Egyptian opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei sought to ease Western fears Wednesday that a post-Mubarak Egypt could turn against Israel and the United States.

"The hype that once Egypt becomes a democracy, it will become hostile to the US and hostile to Israel... these are the two hypes, and are fictions," ElBaradei told media.

ElBaradei, who earned a Nobel peace prize for his stewardship of the United Nations atomic watchdog, returned to Cairo shortly after protests erupted last month against President Hosni Mubarak's regime.

The veteran diplomat, who was well respected internationally but little known on the Egyptian street, has become a key opposition figure during days of brutal protests against Mubarak that have left many dead and injured.

In excerpts of his interview in Cairo with program anchor Katie Couric, ElBaradei again dismissed Vice President Omar Suleiman's offer for dialogue, insisting Mubarak must step down first.

"I will never get into a dialogue while Mubarak is in power. Because all you do is you give that regime a legitimacy, which in my view, they have lost," he said.

Faced with the biggest protests of his presidency, Mubarak is stubbornly holding onto power after appointing Suleiman as his first-ever vice president and announcing he will not seek re-election in September.

"I don't think he understand what democracy means. I don't think he understands that he really needs to let go," said ElBaradei.

US keeps in close contact with Egypt's military | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

 WASHINGTON: US Defense Secretary Robert Gates conferred with his Egyptian counterpart on Wednesday, his third conversation in a week with Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi amid a wave of unrest shaking Egypt.

"Secretary Gates spoke by phone with Field Marshal Tantawi again today," press secretary Geoff Morrell said in an email.

With the United States seeking to keep the lines of communication open with Egypt's powerful military, Gates' conversation with the defense minister followed a phone call earlier Wednesday between the US military's top officer, Admiral Mike Mullen, and Cairo's army chief of staff, General Sami Enan.

In his conversation with the general, Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, "expressed his confidence in the Egyptian military's ability to provide for their country's security, both internally and throughout the Suez Canal area," spokesman Captain John Kirby said in a statement.

The Pentagon offered no further details about Gates' conversation with the defense minister.

US officials and analysts view the role of Egypt's army as crucial in eventually resolving the crisis, and the administration is hoping that longstanding US defense ties with Cairo will provide some leverage.

The White House said earlier that US contacts with various levels of the Egyptian armed forces had helped rein in possible violence before Wednesday.

Egypt army holds 'key' to power: Israeli politician | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

JERUSALEM: The Egyptian army holds the key to who will be the next rulers of Egypt, a senior Israeli politician said on Wednesday, as an unprecedented wave of anti-government protests gripped the country. "The main power that will decide what power or regime Egypt will have in the future is the armed forces," he said late on Wednesday, speaking on condition of anonymity. "The key is in the hand of the armed forces," the source said, as the massive protests continued to paralyse the country, with demonstrators calling for the removal of President Hosni Mubarak. "So far they are functioning very well, the situation is very well controlled." Earlier on Wednesday the protests turned ugly in central Cairo as hundreds of supporters of the Mubarak regime clashed with anti-government forces, leaving three dead and more than 600 injured, as the army looked on helplessly. Israel's leaders have said the greatest fear is that extremist Islamic elements will take advantage of the political turmoil to establish an Iran-like regime in Egypt. But the source said the choice of a new government was more likely to be influenced by Egypt's secular military leaders. "In the future, the leaders of the armed forces will decide, along with Omar Suleiman and Tantawi, who will run the country," he said, referring to Egypt's new vice president, Suleiman, and Defence Minister Mohammed Hussein Tantawi. "They cannot affect the elections but they can create an atmosphere for calm for the elections," he said. Israel would welcome any new government that included Tantawi and former intelligence chief Suleiman, who has had a long history of involvement with both Israel and the Palestinians, the source said. "Their approach towards Israel is very good. I hope that they will continue to be part of the Egyptian regime," he said. "I believe we can talk with them... I hope that they will be part of the leadership."

US urges citizens to leave Egypt | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

 WASHINGTON: The State Department issued a stark travel warning for US citizens in Egypt, urging those who want to leave to "immediately" head for the airport, adding that any delay was "not advisable."

"All remaining US citizens who wish to depart Egypt on a US government flight and who are able to do so should immediately proceed to the HAJ Terminal 1, Hall 4 as soon as possible on February 3," the State Department said in a statement, referring to the location within Cairo's international airport.

"Additional US government flights after Thursday are unlikely."

Days of protests turned increasingly violent in the key US ally, with gunfire aimed at anti-regime protesters leaving at least two dead in Cairo's central Tahrir, or Liberation, Square in the early hours Thursday.

Australian troop killed in Afghanistan | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

 SYDNEY: An Australian soldier has been killed and another wounded by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan, the Defence Department said Thursday, upping the number of Australian troops killed in the conflict to 22.

"It's with deep and sincere regret that I must inform you that an Australian soldier... has been killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan," acting chief of the defence force, Lieutenant General David Hurley told reporters in Canberra.

"A second soldier was seriously wounded in the incident."

Corporal Richard Edward Atkinson, 22, who was on his first deployment to Afghanistan, was killed on Wednesday while on patrol in Uruzgan's Deh Rahwod -- a region of southern Afghanistan at the heart of the Taliban-led insurgency.

Both men, members of the Darwin-based First Combat Engineer Regiment, were on a foot patrol with Afghan soldiers at the time of the incident.

The name of the wounded soldier was being withheld at the request of the family.

Sherry agrees to withdraw Blasphemy amendment bill | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

 ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Wednesday said that Sherry Rehman has agreed to withdraw Blasphemy amendment Bill.

Talking to parliamentary delegation here, Gilani said that Sherry decided to withdraw the said bill in accordance with the party policy.

Prime Minister urged religious parties to come forward with the policy to restrain the misuse of Blasphemy law.

Gilani made it clear that no committee was constituted to amend the said law.

FIA obtains Saud Aziz cell phone record | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

 ISLAMABAD: Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has, in the latest development on Benazir Bhutto’s murder case, recovered the record of cell phone kept and used by former CPO Saud Aziz during the murder of former prime minister of Pakistan, Geo News reported Wednesday.

However, it has been learnt through reliable sources that Saud Aziz had once again provided misleading information regarding the use of his cell phone.

The FIA when succeeded in obtaining record from the relevant mobile phone company, found that the cell phone remained in the use of Saud Aziz’s accountant, who has also been taken into custody, sources said.

Court decision in Raymond case to be accepted: PM | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday categorically said that the Government has no intention to amend the Blasphemy law, however its misuse should be prevented. "Neither the Government has moved a bill nor any Committee has been formed to amend the said law as both the treasury and opposition benches are on the same page and are unanimous on this sensitive issue," Prime Minister told the Lower House of the Parliament in response to a point raised by leader of the Opposition Ch. Nisar Ali Khan about policy statement by the prime minister regarding Blasphemy Law. He said that a Muslim cannot have two opinions on the blasphemy law and being descendant of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), he cannot even think of amending it. About Sherry Rehman's bill regarding the blasphemy law, the prime minister made it clear that it was not a party policy line and she had moved the bill in her individual capacity. The Prime Minister said he had talked to Sherry Rehman about it and told her that being a sensitive issue it should have been discussed within the party before moving and "she agreed with me". Gilani said that he called Ulema's conference on Namoos-e-Risalat and made it clear to them that the government has no intention to amend the law. He invited the Ulema to come forward and join hands with the government in its efforts to prevent misuse of the blasphemy law, adding that if the minorities have any reservations , the law can be made more effective in its functioning. The Prime Minister informed the House that majority of the cases under the blasphemy law have so far been registered against Muslims. He said the government respects the Ulema and they are free to take out rallies but it should not be against the government as it has made it clear that it fully respects the law. To another point of leader of the opposition regarding the US citizen Raymond Davis, the Prime Minister said the whole world has focused upon Pakistani nations reaction and wants to know whether it would be a mature move or not. He said Pakistan is a sovereign and responsible state, there is independent judiciary, media and a vibrant civil society, and the government has no intention to take steps which could bring a bad name to the country. He said that Raymond Davis matter is in the court and it will ask for his relevant record. The government respects the judiciary and whatever decision it gives would be accepted in letter and spirit. The Prime Minister condemned the blast in Peshawar in which precious lives were lost. The whole nation and the people of Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa in particular had given supreme sacrifices in the war against terrorism, he said, adding, they are sacrificing their today for the coming generations.

PM for policies to check misuse of BL | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday said that Pakistan is a sovereign state and the country has a sovereign Parliament, independent judiciary, independent media and a vibrant civil society. “We believe in the rule of law and will respect the decisions of the courts in letter and spirit,” he maintained. The Prime Minister was talking to a group of Parliamentarians who called on him separately here at his Parliament House Chamber on Wednesday morning. The Prime Minister asked the Parliamentarians to focus their debate on the national issues. Referring to the American national involved in the killing of three civilians in Lahore, the Prime Minister said the matter is subjudice, and “we should not discuss it till the court decides”. Referring to the Blasphemy Law, the Prime Minister categorically made it clear that the government has no intention to amend the law. Neither he nor the Speaker National Assembly has constituted any Committee to consider the amendment, he said and added Ms. Sherry Rehman has also agreed to withdraw her bill according to the party policy. The Prime Minister offered the religious parties to help the government in formulating the policies to check the misuse of Blasphemy Law against the citizens. Condemning the blast in Peshawar on Wednesday morning, the Prime Minister lauded the innocent citizens who are sacrificing their lives for the safe future of our next generation. He reiterated the resolve of the Government to root out the menace of extremism at all cost. The Prime Minister said that the government is focusing on the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the flood ravaged areas despite financial constraints. He maintained that the completion of ongoing projects will help generate economic activity and create employment opportunities. The Parliamentarians thanked the Prime Minister for disbursing the development budget irrespective of party affiliations. They apprised the Prime Minister of various development schemes in their respective constituencies. Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Minister for Interior Rehman Malik, Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Haji Munir Khan Orakzai, Ch Iftikhar Nazir, Mrs Khadeeja Waran, Lt Gen (Retd) Qadir Baloch, Ayaz Amir, Malik Nawab Sher Waseer, Ms Rubina Qaimkhani, Haider Abbas Rizvi, Omer Sohail and Ms Shehnaz Sheikh called on the Prime Minister.

System of 1st computerized arms license inaugurated | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

 KARACHI: The very first system for computerized licensing of arms was inaugurated in Karachi on Wednesday, Geo News reported.

Sindh Home Minister, Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza on the occasion, termed the start of the computerized licensing of arms as the first step towards elimination of illegal weapons in Sindh.

Dr. Mirza performed the inauguration of the computerized issuance of arms license and management system here at Sindh Home Department.

He described the system as a gift for the citizens of Karachi under which 30 licenses per day will be issued and its per license fee would be Rs4,500.

SC hints at action against IGs in missing person case | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has hinted at initiating proceedings against provincial police chiefs if cases, in which evidences were present, not filed, Geo News reported Thursday. Five-member bench headed by Justice Javed Iqbal heard the case of missing persons. The court while seeking the report from provincial police chief on missing persons, remarked that the cases of those persons whose evidences have been collected, would be listen first. Justice Javed Iqbal remarked that if cases, in which evidences were present, not filed, action would be taken against respective IG, adding that the purpose of this is to recover the missing persons. The court adjourned the hearing of the case till Feb 10.