COLOMBO: A seaming wicket and steaming hot conditions have forced Pakistan and Sri Lanka to delay naming their teams for the crucial second Test start

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KARACHI: The police have stopped Sindh minister for Transportation Akhter Jadon at Jinnah international airport over carrying unlicensed illegal weapons here late on Monday, Geo news reported.

According to details, the minister came here from Islamabad when the Airport Security Force (ASF) searched the vehicle arrived at airport to take him from there, recovering unlicensed illegal weapons.

The recovered armaments included one Kalashnikov, two pistols and several rounds of bullets, According to ASF sources.

The minister, when asked about the license of weapons by ASF, argued and quarreled with them, admitting the ownership of weapon and refusing to produce their license before them as this was his protocol, sources said.

Following the argumentation, the ASF handed him over to airport police while the provincial minister for Transportation Akhter Jadon was said to be belonging to Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), sources added.

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Pakistan News

Pakistan began on Monday to send home about two million people who fled their homes two months ago because of an army assault on Taliban militants in the Swat valley.

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NEW DELHI: Less than a year after the Nuclear Suppliers Group waived its export rules to allow the sale of nuclear equipment, fuel and technology to I

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LAHORE: Pakistan on Monday appointed former left-arm spinner Iqbal Qasim to chair its cricket selection committee responsible for both senior and junior affairs.
Pakistan last month disbanded its selection committees following the resignation of senior election committee chairman Abdul Qadir, who cited interference in his work by the national coach, captain and others.
Following that resignation, former captain Wasim Bari was appointed to act as a one-man interim committee to select the 15-man squad to tour Sri Lanka.
Pakistan’’s team are currently in Sri Lanka, where they are playing the second of three Tests, ahead of five one-day internationals and one Twenty20 international.
“Qasim will be heading a five-man selection committee,” the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement.
The other members were named as Salim Jaffer, Ijaz Ahmed, Mohammad Illyas and Azhar Khan, with Asif Baloch and Farrukh Zaman as co-opted members.
The 55-year-old Qasim, who played 50 Tests for Pakistan in the 1970s and 1980s, served as a member of the selection committee between 2005 and 2007.
The junior selection committee was previously headed by former Test all-rounder Ilyas.
The PCB practice of employing paid selectors since April 2007 has now been rescinded and there are reports in the local media that the new selection committee will be honorary.

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COLOMBO: Debutant Fawad Alam scored an unbeaten century as Pakistan produced a remarkable turnaround to claw their way back in the second Test against Sri Lanka on Monday.

The tourists, who were bowled out for 90 in their first innings, hit back to dismiss Sri Lanka for 240 and then cruised to 178-1 in their second knock by stumps on the second day.

Left-handed Alam led the way with a determined 102 not out to give Pakistan a lead of 28 runs with nine wickets in hand on a dry pitch that appeared to have eased out under the hot sun.

The fearless 23-year-old from Karachi moved to 98 by lofting left-arm spinner Rangana Herath for a six over mid-wicket and then flicked the next ball for two runs to reach the coveted century.

Alam put on 85 for the first wicket with Khurram Manzoor, who made 38 before he was caught behind by wicket-keeper Tillakaratne Dilshan off Herath.

Skipper Younus Khan, who was dismissed for zero in the first innings, was unbeaten on 35 at stumps after adding 93 for the unbroken second wicket with Alam.

Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara rotated his seam and spin attack in short bursts to gain quick breakthroughs, but Pakistan’’s batsmen were not found wanting a second time.

Pakistan’’s fightback was launched by seamer Umar Gul and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, who took four wickets each to keep Sri Lanka’’s first innings in check.

The hosts lost their last seven wickets for 63 runs after starting the day at a comfortable 164-3.

Gul extracted reverse swing with the old ball on the dry wicket to rip through the innings, including the wickets of Nuwan Kulasekera and Herath off successive deliveries.

Thilan Thushara denied Gul a hat-trick and Angelo Mathews hit a defiant 27 towards the end to boost Sri Lanka’’s total from 220-8 before the innings ended 20 minutes after lunch.

The hosts lost the overnight pair of Sangakkara and Thilan Samaraweera within the first hour for the addition of 24 runs.

Samaraweera, who made 21 in a fourth-wicket stand of 44 with his captain, was run out by a direct throw from Mohammad Aamer at mid-off while trying to attempt a cheeky single.

Sangakkara plodded from his overnight score of 81 to 87 but was denied a 19th Test century when Gul pegged back his off-stump with a reverse-swinging delivery that came in sharply.

Ajmal, who had claimed two wickets on Sunday, earned another crucial break when umpire Daryl Harper ruled Dilshan caught at the wicket by Kamran Akmal for 20 to make Sri Lanka 203-6.

The hosts tripped to 220-8 soon after, when Gul had Kulasekera edging a wild heave to Misbah-ul Haq at first slip before taking a return catch off Herath with the next delivery.

Thushara was leg-before to Abdur Rauf in the first over after lunch before Ajmal terminated the innings by having Mathews caught in the covers by Mohammad Yousuf.

Sri Lanka won the first Test in Galle by 50 runs last week to take the lead in the three-match series.

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LAHORE: Advisor to the Prime Minister on Petroleum Dr Asim has said that the benefits of reduction in international oil prices would be passed on to the consumers.

He was talking to newsmen at head office of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) here Monday. M.D.SNGPL and other senior officials were also present.

Dr Asim said that he can assess that there would be reduction in oil prices during the price revision next month.

The advisor said that two taxes are being charged at petroleum products, which are petroleum levy of around Rs 10 per litter and General Sales tax.

Responding to a query, he said that the government has presented its view point regarding oil prices at the Supreme Court.

He said that the word ?carbon tax? was not properly used for petroleum levy by its definition, that was the reason the mistake was rectified by issuance of an Ordinance.

The tax on petroleum products was imposed by the parliament in the unanimously approved budget, he said.

To a question, he said that all the three pillars of state, the Judiciary, Executive and Parliament are performing their duties within the ambit of the constitution.

Dr Asim said that the country is passing through a critical juncture of its history and every member of the nation must play his role in a more responsible, careful,dedicated and honest way to bring it out of crises and lead it on the road to progress and prosperity.

Regarding gas prices, he said that the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) would start regularizing prices of gas within a few days and.

He said that high rate of line losses at CNG stations is a big issue which needs to be checked, and assured that the performance of SNGPL would be improved in this regard.

Prices of gas would be rationalized and undue profits of the CNG stations would be controlled, he hoped.

MD SNGPL to a question said that SNGPL has outstanding bills against railways, hospitals and some other organizations and it is fully pursuing against its defaulters. Such amounts are just around 0.5% of total collection of SNGPL, he added.

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KARACHI: Karachi Stock Exchange Monday began its trade on the opening day of the week with an upbeat mood as fresh buying contributed 182 points to the benchmark KSE-100 Index which closed at 7,685.

Investors and financial institutions were seen making aggressive buying in cement, oil and gas, fertilizer and banking sectors.

The trade volume was recorded at 194.6 million shares.

DG Khan Cement was today?s star performer in terms of volume which, hitting upper circuit, gained Rs1.54 to close at Rs32.34.

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ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari Monday said the entire focus of the government will now shift to the rehabilitation of displaced persons and rebuilding of the damaged infrastructure in Malakand Division.

He was addressing a select gathering of international donors, NGOs and civil society who had contributed to the relief of the displaced person in and off camps and who were specially invited to the Presidency to honor them for their efforts and contributions.

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Federal Ministers, diplomats, senior government officials, representatives of donors, NGOs and civil society attended the function.

President?s daughters Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari and Aseefa Bhutto Zardari also attended the function.

Briefing newsmen about the meeting, Spokesperson former Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the President described it is an auspicious occasion as the formal return of the displaced persons back to their homes has started today.

The President said that the beginning of the return journey of the displaced person marked the beginning of the end of one phase; and the start of another.

President Zardari said that the issue of rehabilitation of displaced persons was a huge challenge before the nation which should be met through the collective effort of the people, the government and the international community.

Farhatullah Babar quoted the President as saying, ?Perhaps never before the world witnessed such large scale displacement in such a short span of time. The fallout was enormous. The challenge was huge.?

The President appreciated the huge sacrifices made by the internally displaced persons.

?They were forced to leave their homes, businesses and workplaces. They underwent great hardships but they courageously endured it. Without their patience and endurance it would have been most difficult for us to pursue the fight against the militants,? the President said.

?I salute their courage and the sacrifices they have made,? he said.

?We resolve not to abandon our brothers and sisters in this hour of trial. We will take every possible step to help them resume normal life in their homes.?

He said that the government deeply appreciates the humanitarian assistance provided by the civil society and the international community.

?Not only the displaced people but the people of Pakistan are grateful for their sincere support and assistance. Without your assistance it would have been most difficult,? the President said.

The President said that ?the problems of the IDPs are both short term and long term. In the short, term our aim was to provide immediate relief?.

?In the long term, we have to rehabilitate them in their homes and also rebuild and reconstruct the damaged infrastructure.?

The relief phase is phasing out but has not come to end and it will continue till the last family is relocated with dignity and honor, the President said.

The President urged the donors, the international community and members of civil society to keep this in mind and continue to extend humanitarian assistance to the IDPs.

?We have been emphasizing upon the world that rehabilitation of the IDPs is the most critical element of fight against militancy, the President said. ?We have asked them to come forward and play their role,? he added.

Pakistan expects the international community, the Friends of Democratic Pakistan to step forward, the President said.

?Help us in establishing peace, help us in fighting this cancer of militancy, otherwise the cancer will spread to other parts of world and no one will be safe,? he added.

Addressing the gathering Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said Pakistan needed an estimated US 2.6 billion dollars to help it meet rehabilitation and reconstruction needs in the areas where military operation was launched.

He termed the operation a ?significant success? as it gained the support of the locals, the entire nation and the political parties.

?However, the crisis is not yet over,? Gilani said and pointed that the government will be doing a Post Crisis Needs Assessment with the assistance of World Bank and the Asian Development Bank to help the people restart their lives.

He said the government has earmarked an amount of Rs 50 billion for the IDPs that will be used for their relief and rehabilitation.

He also pointed at the setting up of a Strategic Policy Committee, comprising senior political and official leadership of the NWFP that will provide details to the international aid agencies and donors.

The Prime Minister gave details of the measures taken by the government for the millions of displaced people from Malakand and Swat. He said the experiences of the devastating Oct 8, 2005 earthquake were used to launch a massive operation to provide immediate shelter, food, medicines and relief to the displaced.

He lauded the international aid agencies, donors, NGOs, the civil society and the host families for reaching out to the displaced people. He thanked them for working in tandem with the government in helping the affectees.

The Prime Minister lauded the country?s Armed Forces for re-establishing the writ of the government.

He said the infrastructure in the area has been partially restored and a medium and long term rehabilitation programme was being devised.

Gilani urged the nation to stand by and stand fast with the government as it takes extensive measures to make the troubled areas ready to receive back the displaced persons.

He stressed that measures need to be taken to ensure that the government does not have to resort to such measures. He said through good governance, provision of speedy justice and socio-economic measures such evils could be nipped in the bud.

Earlier, Chief Minister NWFP Amir Haider Khan Hoti said the entire nation, along with its Armed Forces exhibited strong courage, determination and sacrifice to counter the challenges it was confronting.

He paid rich tributes to the host communities and families, who opened their doors to the displaced families, reviving the great tradition set by the Ansar of Madinah.

He assured that the provincial government will take all necessary measures to ensure that the displaced people are well taken care of and their sufferings are mitigated.

UN?s Humanitarian Coordinator Martin Mogwanja, Country Director Oxfam Neva Humaira Khan and CEO SRSP Masood ul Mulk spoke about the challenges that were faced by the millions of displaced people from Malakand and Swat.

They were appreciative of the quick response by the civil society, the government, NGOs, national and international aid agencies and the Armed Forces for reaching out to the affected people.

They pointed that around 20,000 families got shelter and food with thousands of host families, but also pointed that 150,000 people need a place to live once they leave the school buildings they are currently staying.

The representatives of the aid agencies said the return must ensure that it is dignified, safe, sustainable and voluntary.

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Islamabad

Education has assumed a new dimension altogether and is no more limited to textbook knowledge, as the world is reshaping itself, with

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