Ejaz hopeful for sooner settlement of IPL issue

LAHORE: The ray of hope has been pined once again for the inclusion of Pakistani players in Indian Premier League (IPL’s) third edition as the Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ejaz Butt said the issue of Pakistani players’ participation in IPL 2010 edition will be settled within two to three days to come, Geo news reported.

In an interview with newsman, he said I am fully bent upon making possible the inclusion of Pakistan players in IPL third edition. “PCB has not surrendered yet and the issue will soon be resolved.”

Pakistan players will surely be performing in IPL, he hoped.

It is pertinent to mention that due to visa problems it seems hard for Pakistan players to partake in IPL third edition.

Meanwhile, Indian High Commission in Islamabad, in a statement said Pakistani players have not been denied Indian visas and their visa applications are in process.

According to sources, Sohail Tanveer applied for Indian visa in Pakistan while, Umer Gul, Kamran Akmal and Misbah-ul-Haq applied in Indian High Commission from New Zealand.

Pakistani players will hand Indian visas within a few days to come, Chairman PCB said.

Sangakkara powers Sri Lanka to T20 win against India

NAGPUR: Kumar Sangakkara smashed a career-best 78 off just 37 balls to set up Sri Lanka's 29-run win in the first Twenty20 international against India here on Wednesday.

Sangakkara smashed 11 fours and two sixes to help Sri Lanka amass 215-5 before Angelo Mathews and Sanath Jayasuriya picked two wickets each to restrict India to 186-9 in 20 overs at the Vidarbha Cricket Association stadium.

The Indians were set back by the early dismissal of the explosive Virender Sehwag, caught at deep point off paceman Nuwan Kulasekara (1-36). His 14-ball 26 contained three fours and a six.

The in-form Gautam Gambhir (55) tried to counter-attack, hitting the second fastest Twenty20 half-century, off 19 balls, with the help of 11 fours, but fell while trying to paddle sweep Mathews in the ninth over.

Spurred by the key wicket of Gambhir, the islanders triggered a middle-order collapse to register their first win on the tour after losing the preceding Test series 2-0.

Sangakkara earlier played a captain's knock, putting on 74 runs in 6.1 overs for the second wicket with Tillakaratne Dilshan (34) after the visitors were put in to bat.

Sangakkara, 32, hit left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha for two fours and a six to race to his fourth half-century in his 19th Twenty20 international before being run out off the last ball of the innings.

Chamara Kapugedera further boosted the total with a quickfire 47 off 20 balls with seven boundaries and a six.

India paid the price for some sloppy fielding with Yuvraj Singh dropping a sitter at point when Jayasuriya (26) was on two, the unlucky bowler being Ishant Sharma.

But Jayasuriya, who slammed Ashish Nehra for five fours in an over, could not make the most of the reprieve, with Ishant taking a fine catch off debutant Ashok Dinda.

Dilshan, dropped on 13 by Ishant off his own bowling, combined with Sangakkara to take Sri Lanka to 89-1 after 10 overs before being bowled by a yorker from Rohit Sharma.

India struck again to remove Mahela Jayawardene cheaply for nine but Kapugedera and Sangakkara made light of the setback, unleashing a flurry of hits to the fence to unsettle the Indians.

The second and final Twenty20 match will be played in Mohali on Saturday.

Sohail Tanvir signs to play T20 for Victoria

MELBOURNE: Australia’s Victoria club has signed up with Pakistan pace bowler Sohail Tanvir for Twenty20 tournament.

Sohail Tanvir is waiting for NOC from the Pakistan Cricket Board for playing the tournament in Australia.

The Pakistani pacer will represent Victoria club in Australia’s T20 tournament which will begin from December 28.

He will replace Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan as a foreign recruit for Victoria in Australia's domestic season.

Muralitharan was unavailable due to national commitments, making room for Tanvir to join West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo as Victoria's two international signings.

Sohail Tanvir was the leading wicket-taker in the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League, taking 22 wickets at an average of 12.09 for the Rajasthan Royals, including a record 6-14 in a match against Chennai. He played for South Australia last season in the Australian T20 competition.

Sohail Tanvir has requested the PCB for permission to play for Victoria in Australia.

Jilani voices concern over players security in IPL

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Sports Pir Aftab Shah Jilani has voiced serious concerns over the security of Pakistani players in Indian Premier League (IPL’s) third edition, Geo news reported.

Talking to media here on Thursday, he said Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should look into its policy over sending of Pakistan players where they are not seen respectable.

He said I am worried at finding differences in statements from PCB and IPL administration over the security arrangements of Pakistani players.

Pak players get visa for IPL

NEW DELHI: The Indian Home Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday has cleared visas for four Pakistani players who were scheduled to be a part of the next season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The four players are Sohail Tanvir, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Gul, Kamran Akmal. The Pakistan Cricket Board said at the time that all the visa papers had been sent to the Indian High Commissions in Islamabad and New Zealand where the Pakistan team is currently playing a series.

They said that the delay was all from the Indian side. With the Indian MEA now clearing those visas, it's likely that the Pakistani cricketers will be allowed to play in March next year.

The Indian Premier League 3 will be played at various venues in the country in March-April.

India ranks fourth in world in wind energy generation

NEW DELHI: Dotted across miles of hills and villages in western India, hundreds of windmills stand tall, generating more than 1000 mega watts of electricity.

Located in an obscure little-known town named Dhule in India's western state of Maharashtra, is Asia's largest wind mills project.

In 2006, India overtook Denmark to become the fourth largest producer of wind energy in the world.

Indian company Suzlon ranks among the world's top manufacturers of wind turbines. A few year's ago, it was modest textiles firm.

And today, it is setting up massive wind mill projects in countries like China and Australia.

On the Indian home front, the federal government is zealously promoting the tapping of wind energy.

A friendly tax regime has made wind mills project as an ideal and safe investment opportunity for the entrepreneurs.

Bajaj Auto Limited, one of India's automobile giants, happens to be among the earliest investors in wind energy.

Today it gets 90 percent of its power from the wind. Now many other corporate houses have followed suit.

India is tapping wind energy to generate over 8,000 mega watts electricity, and this is just the beginning. Just three percent of India's total power mix now comes from renewable sources of energy.

Similar to the windmills 'farm' of Dhule, there is another project at Chalkewadi in Satara district of Maharashtra state and this boasts of more than 1000 windmills.

"The Chalkewadi wind farm in Satara district is located 3500 feet above sea level. There are more than 100 windmills, which produce a large amount of electricity in the region," said Sandeep Shorotri, an expert on wind energy.

India has already attracted about $5 billion worth of investment in renewable energy over the past two years -- leading to 4,000 megawatts of green power, mostly from wind -- but the high initial investment cost of green power has deterred many investors.


Experts say maximum energy should be generated through non-conventional energy source.

"For reducing global warming, there should be a minimum use of energy, and we should try that maximum energy should be produced from non-conventional source. In non-conventional energy the best is solar energy, second is wind energy and third is energy produced by sea waves as well as energy generated from hot water springs. All these are non-conventional source of energy, which can help in reducing global warming," noted Sandeep Shorotri.

India hopes to attract about $21 billion worth of investments in renewable energy during the 2007-2012 Five-Year Plan period.

The wind energy has a number of advantages vis-à-vis other sources.

"Second benefit is that the cost of maintenance of wind mill is the least. Of course, initial cost is higher but that can be managed through some promotions and sponsorships. Third benefit is that its source is infinite. It is not that like if coal finishes work stops… There are no adverse effects. You have seen recently in Kaiga, where around 100 people were affected. In Russia a population of about twenty to thirty thousand was affected due to nuclear radiation. Fourth is that we can use the natural source of windmills as an eternal supplementary source of power," added Sandeep Shorotri, wind energy expert.

Shyam Saran, India's special envoy for Climate Change, recently said that the country will have to work for making wind as a prime source of energy with an aim to safeguard the nation's energy security.

"So, in terms of insuring India's energy security, even though the impact will not be immediate, we have to take decision now in order to insure that this becomes a major source of energy," Saran, said in New Delhi.

According to the latest study released by Global Wind Energy Council, the wind could generate a 'considerable share' of India's power and the country's total installed capacity for wind power could go up five times to 231 GW by 2030.

In spite of its pledge to adopt clean technology, pollution-spewing coal remains the backbone of India's power sector -- making up about 60 percent of generation -- with the government planning to add about 70,000 MW over the next 4 years.

Wind now provides more power than other renewable energies such as solar or bio-fuels.

Renewable energy sources are attracting investments in a shift from fossil fuels that emit greenhouse gases linked to rising temperatures, more droughts, floods and rising seas.

Tarin claims most issues sorted out at NFC meeting

LAHORE: Federal Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin has dispelled impression of any kind of deadlock at the current NFC session, saying that a final decision to this regard will hopefully be made within few weeks. Talking to newsmen at the end of first day of 6th NFC meeting here on Wednesday, he said the 19 year old issue was about to be solved, adding that there was a consensus among all the four provinces on the subject to division of resources on the basis of population and area. He said differences among provinces over distribution of revenue have been ironed out as the federating units have demonstrated conciliation over the issues. He said Punjab and Sindh would hopefully be reaching a consensus till tomorrow after which the question about division of resources would be solved soon. Punjab Finance Minister Tanveer Kaira said not a single right of any province would be usurped. Haji Adil, who was representing NWFP here, said his province was most affected from terrorism, and expressed his gratitude over what he called “Token money”, adding that their point would be taken into consideration in the NFC. Balochistan Finance Minister Asim Kurd, speaking on this occasion, demanded to provide funds on the basis of area of their province. Sources privy to the meeting, however, spoke of a deadlock between Punjab and Sindh. Sources claimed that a flexibility by Punjab would cost the province Rs.50 billion, while Sindh, if retreats from its stance, would have to loose a major share from the divisible pool. Sources said final recommendations were unlikely to be prepared till Thursday, saying that there might be needs for more meetings.

Owners pressed for closure of CNG stations twice a week

LAHORE: The Sui Northern Gas Company (SNGC) has issued notices to the owners of CNG stations, asking them closure of stations twice a week, Geo news reported on Wednesday night.

According to General Manager of SNGC Chaudhry Masood Ahmed, the company is facing shortfall of 250 million cubic meter gas per day.

He said the owners of CNG stations all across Lahore have been directed for closure of station on December 13 and 14 but they will not be forced to comply with directions but nonetheless, we will only monitor them.

On the other hand, the Chairman CNG association Ghayas Paracha said despite governments’ several assurance that it would not force owners over closure of CNG stations, notices have been sent but we will hold dialogue with government officials over this issue and will move courts if needed.

Oil prices up in Asia trade

SINGAPORE: Oil rose in Asian trade on Thursday as traders invested in cheap crude on the back of sliding prices, analysts said.

New York's main futures contract, light sweet crude for delivery in January, gained 38 cents to 71.05 dollars a barrel after closing at a two-month low in overnight trade in the US. Brent North Sea crude for January delivery was up 42 cents to 72.81 dollars.

Investors were snapping up oil as crude prices headed south in recent sessions, analysts said.

No deadlock on issues in NFC meeting: Tanvir Kaira

LAHORE: A meeting of National Finance Commission (NFC) meeting is being underway with the Finance Minister, Shaukat Tarin on chair on the second consecutive day here on Thursday.

Finance Minister of Punjab Tanvir Ashraf Kaira said there is no deadlock on any issue in NFC meeting. Several proposals are under consideration and chief minister Punjab will take the final decision.

Talking to media, Kaira said discussion underway on poverty, deprivation and revenue generation. He expressed hope that meeting will produce positive results.

Earlier, Federal Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin said that although there is no deadlock on the 7th National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, two provinces have yet to reach consensus on two points of multiple criteria formula for horizontal distribution, namely poverty and revenue generation

Israel army chief meets Indian armed forces brass

NEW DELHI: Israeli chief of defence staff Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi Wednesday met the top brass of the Indian armed forces and discussed boosting cooperation in the field of counter terrorism besides talking about the delivery schedule of weapons and equipment purchased by India.

“The Israeli chief of defence staff today (Wednesday) met chiefs of the Indian Army, air force and navy,” said a defence official.

“He discussed the delivery schedule of AWACS (Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems) with the Indian Air Force chief (Air Chief Marshall P.V. Naik). The Israeli chief is also seeking to expand the counter-terrorism cooperation between the two countries especially post 26/11,” the official added speaking strictly on condition of anonymity.

This is the first visit of an Israeli chief of defence staff to India. Indian Army chief General Deepak Kapoor, during his Tel Aviv visit last month, had invited Ashkenazi.

India is Israel’s biggest customer for weapons and has a longstanding relationship with Tel Aviv. India has bought military hardware and software from Israel worth about $8 billion since the 1999 Kargil conflict with Pakistan.

In 2004, India ordered three Phalcon AWACS from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), fitted on Russian-built Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft. The first of the AWACS were inducted in the Indian Air Force in May this year.

Israel has also sold IAI Malat-built Searcher MkII and IAI Heron unmanned aerial vehicles to the Indian Air Force. The IAI recently upgraded 32 Mi-24 helicopters for the Indian Army.

Also, Rafael, the Israeli authority for development of weapons and military technology, is a major company vying for a $10 billion contract for the supply of 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft to the Indian Air Force.

Iran vows to strike Israel's nuclear sites if attacked

BEIRUT: Lebanon television channel says Iran's defense minister has warned that his country will strike Israel's nuclear sites if the Jewish state attacks Iranian nuclear facilities.

The Wednesday report says Gen. Ahmad Vahidi made his comments to reporters while visiting Damascus, capital of neighboring Syria.

Lebanon television is the mouthpiece of Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed Lebanese guerrilla group and political party. Iran's English language Press TV also carried Vahidi's comments.

Israel has not ruled out a military strike against Iran's nuclear facilities. Israel, the United States and other Western nations say Iran is seeking to acquire nuclear weapons.

Iran denies the charge. It says its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes.

Kashmiri leaders under house arrest on Human Rights Day

SRINAGAR: In occupied Kashmir, the occupation authorities, today, put the Chairman of All Parties Hurriyet Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Shabbir Ahmad Shah, Nayeem Ahmad Khan and other Hurriyet leaders and activists under house arrest, while renowned human rights activists, Muhammad Ahsan Untoo, Firdaus Ahmad Shah and other liberation leaders and activists were arrested and locked up in different police stations.

The All Parties Hurriyet Conference is holding a rally in Srinagar, today, from the APHC headquarters in Rajbagh to the Municipal Park under the leadership of APHC Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

The objective of the rally is to draw the world attention towards the gross human rights violations perpetrated by Indian troops to suppress Kashmiris’ liberation struggle.

The occupation authorities have deployed large contingents of Indian police personnel in the area and installed barricades to stop the liberation leaders and activists from holding a peaceful rally on the occasion of International Human Right Day.

On the other hand, complete strike is being observed in Shopian against the continued human rights violations by the Indian troops.

Mavis Spencer declared Miss Golden Globe 2010

LOS ANGELES: Mavis Spencer has been declared Miss Golden Globe for 2010.

Spencer is the 18-year-old daughter of the Emmy winning (and 1984 Best Supporting Actress Oscar nominee) Alfre Woodard.

Apparently Mavix Spencer is both an aspiring actress and equestrian show jumper who will be attending Columbia University next fall.

McChristal says Al-Qaeda is being weakened

KABUL: America's top General in Afghanistan has said that the al-Qaeda is being weakened and the US build up in the country includes more terrorist-hunting forces to chase down militants. Stanley McChrystal, the Commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, said, "al-Qaeda will continue to be made less and less relevant around the world. Their ideology is bankrupt. It takes a while for that to be proven, but I think it is being proven." "Their organisation is being weakened. I do think it's important that Osama bin Laden be brought to justice in some way, not as complete closure, but as a step toward closure," the General said. The General, who along with US army top brass is currently deposing before the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the new forces induction in Afghanistan, said the border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan is the epicentre of terrorism. "Clearly there are locations elsewhere around the world, but I believe that from that (Af-Pak), emanates a tremendous amount of the danger," he said. "I believe over time, it's important that, around the world, but particularly inside Pakistan and inside Afghanistan, the counter-insurgent effort to go against extremism be maintained consistently," he said. "I think that we will find Osama bin Laden brought to justice at some point, but I think it will be defeated en route, regardless of when he is," Gen McChrystal said. The General said Afghanistan is critical to stability and the future of security of Pakistan. "I think the government of Pakistan understands that, as well." Later on appearing on the Charlie Rose Show, he said: "I believe it (Af-Pak region) is probably the epicentre." Noting that the US has a shared strategic stake with the government of Pakistan and the Pakistani people, he said: "I think it's critical that as they deal with their internal insurgency -- which is significant, and people call it the Pakistani Taliban or TTP, and it's creating great pain for Pakistanis -- I think they are increasingly looking at what's going on in Afghanistan, and realising that their success depends upon the success of Afghanistan to solve its own internal insurgency, and the converse is true as well." Referring to the new Afghan policy announced by President Barack Obama, Gen McChrystal said: "I believe it's important in the near term, which I defined as about 18 months, that we reverse the momentum that the Taliban have, some of what's real and some of which is perceived, but therefore is also important."

Five terrorists killed, soldier martyred in SWA

WANA: As many as five terrorists have been killed and one terrorist apprehended while one soldier martyred and one injured in operation Rah-e-Nijat during last 24 hours in South Waziristan Agency, ISPR said on Thursday.

In Jandola sector, security forces carried out sanitization at Partigai near Ahmadwam and Kazha Kats and cleared 30 compounds in area around Abdullah Nur Kaskai, Bangiwala and Akakhel Pungai.

In Shakai sector, notables and administration of the area assured complete cooperation and support to security forces for ongoing operation against terrorists.

Security forces cleared Nanu and destroyed terrorists' houses at Barwand including the house of terrorists commander Wali ur Rehman.

During encounter one soldier embraced Shahadat and one injured at Khassadar Ridge, while 5 terrorists were killed near Kaniguram.

On expiry of deadline given to terrorists,local Jirga destroyed the house of terrorist commander Shabeeb Khan in Shakkai. In Razmak Sector, security forces carried out search operation at village Marobi Raghozai near Makeen, Tara Tiza and recovered one ammunition factory along with huge cache of arms ammunition.

Security forces conducted clearance operation near Pash Ziarat and found a terrorists tunnel (50 feet long) and 10 bunkers. Security forces apprehended a suspect near Mana.

In operation Rah-e-Rast in Swat-Malakand, security forces conducted search operation at Azad Banda near Sakhra and recovered 10 liters of poisonous chemical along with 6 kilogram explosives.

Security forces apprehended 3 suspects at Pabbi, Dandai Sar near Fatehpur and Tilligram. One terrorist voluntarily surrendered himself to security forces at Roria near Gulibagh.

About relief activities, as many as 20,976 Cash Cards have been issued to displaced families of Wazirsitan.

President Zardari calls Aitzaz for meet

ISLAMABAD: Co-chairman Pakistan People’s Party and the President Asif Ali Zardari has called Aitzaz Ahsan to meet him here at the Presidency. According to sources, the meeting is expected to be held at 8 PM Thursday. It may be recalled that relations between President Zardari and Aitzaz Ahsan turned cold during the lawyers movement and the former’s membership of PPP’s Central Executive Committee had been suspended.

Drone attacks are a curse for Pakistan: Rehman

LAHORE: Interior Minister Rehman Malik Thursday ruled out presence of any US terrorist in Pakistan.

Addressing a seminar here, the Interior Minister termed the drone strikes as a curse for the country, saying that the government of Pakistan and its people strongly condemn these attacks.

“There is no presence of Black Water in Pakistan,” the Interior Minister ruled out, adding, “Unfortunately, all the terrorists in the country are Pakistani nationals.”

He said so far 74 terrorists have been apprehended.

Rehman Malik said Ulema belonging to every school of thought have supported us.

Senior journalist Najeeb Ahmed dies of heart failure

KARACHI: Former president of Karachi Press Club, and senior journalist Najeeb Ahmed died of heart failure here Thursday morning. He was 48.

His funeral prayers will be held at 9 PM at Masjid Ashraf Hashim Ali Khan Road. He will be laid to rest in Model Colony graveyard.

Najeeb Ahmed had been suffering from a heart disease and had underwent a heart operation a few months back.

He suffered a heart attack at 10 AM today and died of heart failure while he was being rushed to hospital. On reaching hospital doctors confirmed his death.

Najeeb Ahmed was a senior journalist of Karachi. He started his journalistic career from daily Jasarat after completing his education from the University of Karachi. He served in a number of dailies as a journalist.

He remained associated with daily Jang for the last 18 years and was known as a devoted crime reporter in the city. Najeeb also provided his services for Geo News.

He was elected many times on various positions of Karachi Press Club including president and secretary.

He has been survived by an aged mother, wife, three sons and thousands of mourning journalists.

Another CCTV footage of Moon Market blast on Geo TV

Updated at: 2035 PST, Thursday, December 10, 2009 LAHORE: Another CCTV footage of the blast in Lahore’s Moon Market has been obtained by Geo TV. The footage shows images of people running in confusion and security alarms of the parked vehicles going off after the blast.

Portfolios of 3 federal ministers changed

Updated at: 2041 PST, Thursday, December 10, 2009 ISLAMABAD: Portfolios of three federal ministers have been changed after shuffling of the federal cabinet. The portfolios of federal ministers Pir Aftab Shah Jilani, Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani, Makhdoom Shahabuddin have been changed. Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani has been assigned the portfolio of Federal Minister for Sports; Makhdoom Shahabuddin Federal Minister for Health and; Pir Aftab Shah Jilani has been made Federal Minister for Inter-provincial Coordination.