ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday launched the monsoon tree plantation campaign by planting a sapling at Aiwan-e-Sadr, and urged the nation to make country green by enthusiastically participating in the national cause.

?It is our national and religious duty to grow more trees and protect existing forests and trees,? the President said in a message on the occasion.

The tree planting ceremony was also attended by the Environment Minister Hameedullah Jan Afridi, Kamal Majidullah SAPM, Secretary General Salman Faruqui, Chairman CDA Imtiaz Inayat Elahi and other senior officials.

President?s children Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Bakhtwar and Aseefa also separately planted saplings of lychee.

Spokesman to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar said the President congratulated the nation and the Ministry of Environment for setting a new world record on July 15 this year of planting 5,41,176 trees in one day at Keti Bundar, Thatta, Sindh.

This signifies our resolve and commitment to make Pakistan green and environmentally friendly, the President said.

The President said genuine and lasting development had to be sustainable. Sustainability of development demands that they protect and enhance the quality of environment, he said.

He said trees and forests were an essential part of the ecosystems regulating water supplies.

?In the year 2009 that has been designated as the Environment Year, I ask the people to grow trees to improve the ecosystems and enhance the environment?.

The President said the government planned to launch tree plantation twice a year to increase forest cover of land. He urged all stakeholders including farmers, local communities, forest owners and right holders, civil society organizations, the private sector and students to participate in the drive.

Farhatullah Babar said the President also cautioned against the continuous depletion of forest reserves over the past several years and called for reversing the trend by strengthening the existing forest monitoring system.

?As forestry is a provincial subject I would strongly urge the provincial governments to employ all available legal instruments to stop illegal cutting of trees?, the President said adding, ?We also need to introduce new technologies and concept both in commercial and environmental forestry?.

?I invite all citizens to participate in our national effort to cover Pakistan with trees and make the country lush green. This is the only way to achieve the goal of sustainable social and economic development?, the President said.

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KARACHI: The benchmark KSE-100 Index of Karachi Stock Exchange Wednesday registered a modest gain of 21 points to close at 7,802.

Today?s trade began in the green territory and the Index managed to float above the negative zone throughout the session. At one point it was also seen at 7,872 points. But, selling in banking took away the earlier gains.

The trade volume stood at 210 million shares today.

DG Khan Cement emerged as today?s volume leader which moved up by paisas 62 to close at Rs38.05.

KSE-30 Index finished the day 13 points up to 8,395.

The market analysts say that correction could make its way into the market in the coming sessions.

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NEW DELHI: Indian Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon said on Tuesday that Pak-India joint statement could be a case of ?bad drafting? but its meaning was clear that India would not budge on the issue of terrorism.

Manmohan Singh government has been facing criticism from opposition parties within Parliament and outside on Pak-India Joint statement.

?One can argue how good or bad the drafting was…you can say it is bad drafting, but the meaning is clear,? he said in a lecture here which was attended by parliamentarians.

Menon said India?s policy towards Pakistan has been three-fold, one of which is to ?bring it back to the fundamental issue of terrorism?.

?Our intent is clear. We are not going to budge (on the issue of terrorism), he said. ?

Referring to the inclusion of Balochistan in the joint statement, Menon said, ?Pakistan has been saying this for long. We said we have nothing to hide.?

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ISLAMABAD: Former president General (Retd.) Pervez Musharraf contacted lawyers to seek their expert advice following a notice served on him by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Pervez Musharraf held consultations with senior lawman Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada and former attorney general of Pakistan Malik Muhammad Qayum in which various aspects of the case being heard by a four-member bench of the Supreme Court came under review.

Malik Muhammad Qayum told Geo News that Pervez Musharraf sought legal advice from him.

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COLOMBO: Former captain Shoaib Malik hit an unbeaten 106 on Wednesday to put Pakistan on course for a face-saving victory in the third and final Test against Sri Lanka here.

Pakistan, who lost the first two Tests to hand Sri Lanka a decisive lead in the series, finally flexed their batting muscle to pile up 300-5 in their second innings by stumps on the third day.

Kamran Akmal returned unbeaten on 60 after adding 114 for the unbroken sixth wicket with Malik as Pakistan established an overall lead of 366 runs with five wickets in hand.

Sri Lanka will need to put on their best batting display in the series to record a 3-0 sweep over the remaining two days after failing to cross 300 in any of the five previous innings.

Pakistan appeared to have thrown away the advantage of a 66-run first innings lead when, starting the day at 16-1, they lost three quick wickets to slip to 67-4 before lunch.

Malik and Misbah-ul Haq led the fightback with a 119-run stand for the fifth wicket, staying together for the entire post-lunch session to frustrate the Sri Lankan bowlers on a hot and humid day.

Misbah made 65 before he gifted his wicket after tea, attempting a wild heave off seamer Angelo Mathews that took the edge to wicket-keeper Kumar Sangakkara.

Malik reached his second Test century just before close by lofting left-arm spinner Rangana Herath for a six, having survived a missed stumping by Sangakkara in the bowler’’s previous over.

“We have learnt our lessons,” said Malik. “All of us have been working hard on our game and trying to do the basics right.

“This wicket is a lot flatter than the ones in the previous two Tests, but we still needed to put our heads down and put up a big score.

“There could be some turn on the last two days. The captain and coach will decide on when we need to declare, if at all.”

Sri Lankan coach Trevor Bayliss conceded the hosts missed a second spinner alongside Herath after dropping Ajantha Mendis to accommodate veteran seamer Chaminda Vaas for his final Test.

Vaas, who claimed one wicket in the first innings, was kept out of the firing line till the 33rd over on Wednesday before sending down 14 unsuccessful overs for 29 runs.

“We lacked a bit of variety in the attack,” said Bayliss. “But we stuck it out there. Pakistan batted very well and showed what we need to do when our turn comes.”

Pakistan had added just six runs to their overnight score when Fawad Alam fended at a short ball from left-arm seamer Thilan Thushara and spooned an easy catch to the bowler.

Left-handed Alam, who hit 168 on his debut in the second Test, scored 16 in each innings here.

Younus Khan looked solid while making 19 when he was unfortunate to be given leg-before to Nuwan Kulaksekera by umpire Ian Gould. Television replays showed an inside edge off the bat.

Younus walked back dejected as Pakistan slipped to 54-3, just 120 runs ahead.

Veteran Mohammad Yousuf was on 23 when he poked at a good length delivery from left-arm spinner Herath and edged a catch to wicket-keeper Sangakkara.

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ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister A Rehman Malik visited France?s Special Group of National in Paris where he was received by Chief of French Police and other top police officials of police.He was briefed on the training imparted by France to its Special Group to eradicate terrorism.

He was also informed on the successful operations conduced elsewhere in France against terrorism.

During the briefing, the Interior Minister was shown latest weapons used to fight terrorism which included: laser guns, small helicopters equipped with night vision camera and wireless.
Rehman Malik also visited Police Headquarters in Paris where he was greeted by Chief of French Police.

During the visit, he was told that latest security system was in place at Paris Police Headquarters, and that over 5000 CCTV were installed at different public spots that enabled the police to keep an eye over rest of the city.

Speaking on the occasion, the Interior Minister said world community had unanimity of thought over terrorism.

He said terrorist would soon have nowhere to go, and they would be eliminated.

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RAWALPINDI: Search and clearance operations were conducted in Swat and Malakand during last 24 hours, ISPR said on Wednesday.

It said that the security forces conducted search operation at Malukabad and killed 2 terrorists and apprehended 1.

Security forces carried out search operation at Tsapparai Kandao, Dir, killing 16 terrorists and also destroyed 3 Markaz cum terrorists training centers.

During operation at Ningulai, Swat, 6 terrorists were killed and 4 suspects were apprehended along with 5 machine guns and ammunition.

Search operation was also carried out at Qalagai Banda, in which 5 terrorists were arrested. One house was also destroyed while a vehicle was recovered.

In exchange of fire at Dewana Baba, Buner, 2 soldiers were injured. One vehicle of terrorists loaded with weapons and ammunition was destroyed. 3 terrorists were also killed in the process.

Security forces made an announcement to return the stolen items of Paitham Hotel Gulibagh. The announcement was responded well and 10 trucks load of items mostly furniture has been returned by the locals.

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ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday asked the business and industrialist community to join hands with the government in a partnership for

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ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court Tuesday extended deadline for three main accused in Rs9 billion Bank of Punjab loan scam case and directed them to appear

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LAHORE

THE Punjab government is spending Rs 12 billion annually for the institutionalisation and improvement in functioning of judiciary to en

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