NEW DELHI: Mahendra Singh Dhoni?s India will be keen to maintain their consistency to fulfill their fans? expectations at the Champions Trophy startin

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PESHAWAR: NWFP government had extended detention of Sufi Mohammed, the chief of outlawed outfit Tehrik-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat Mohammed for 30 days.

DCO Peshawar Sahibzada Mohammed Anis talking to Geo News said that the detention period of Sufi Mohammed ? imprisoned at Peshawar Central Jail ? has been extended till Oct. 20.

It may be recalled that law enforcement agencies had arrested Sufi Mohammed with his three sons under MPO from Peshawar.

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ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Interior Affairs Rehman Malik although the information shared by the Indian authorities in connection with the Mumbai attacks, the Pakistan government has arrested 5 accused.

Addressing a news conference here, Rehman Malik said the fifth dossier has been handed over to India and that further information and statements have been sought from Indian authorities.

He said the FIA team under the supervision of Tariq Khosa has completed the investigation.

Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, Mazhar Iqbal, Umer Abdul Wajid, Zarrar Shah, Shahid Jamil Riaz have been arrested and statements of 10 witnesses recorded.

The charge-sheet will be made against the accused in the next hearing, Rehman Malik said.

He said Fahim Ansar, who was arrested in July, has given a statement against Hafiz Saeed.

The Interior Minister told the reporters that the court will be provided information regarding the hideouts of the terrorists while bank accounts used in the Mumbai attacks have also been unearthed.

He said it would prove important if Indian authorities provide statements of Indian forensic experts.

?Pakistan wants lasting relations with India and the soil of Pakistan would not be allowed to be used against any country including India,? he asserted.

He said Pakistan stands firm with the international community in war against terrorism.

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PESHAWAR: A non-official meeting of Ruet-e-Hilal committee has begun for sighting of Eid moon here today, shrinking the chances of celebrating one Eid across the country.

Two NWFP cabinet ministers and administer Auqaf NWFP Abdul Saeed is also present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, members of zonal Ruet-e-Hilal Commttee have refused to attend the meeting.

Senior NWFP Minister Bashir Ahmed Bilour has already announced that Eid will be celebrated in the Province in case Shawwal moon is sighted from Masjid Qasim Khan.

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Karachi

Hayatullah Mehsud had thought that migrating to Karachi from war-torn South Waziristan would protect the lives of his family members. H

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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusaf Raza Gilani on Saturday stressing need for resolution of the Kashmir dispute urged India come to the negotiations table for lasting peace in the region.

?We want to resolve the Kashmir dispute peacefully and invite India for negotiations, a gesture that it has continued to ignore,? Prime Minister Gilani said while addressing a gathering of Kashmiri leaders at an Iftar, here at the PM House.

Gilani said, ?Due to New Delhi?s stubbornness and reluctance, the Kashmir valley known as a heaven on earth, is today suffering oppression and tyranny.?

Gilani recalled his meeting with Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh at Sharm-el-Sheikh where he categorically stated that there can be no peace in the region unless the Kashmir dispute is resolved according to the aspirations of its people.

?We want to resolve the Kashmir dispute peacefully and have invited India for negotiations, a gesture that it has continued to ignore,? he said.

He said Pakistan was trying to make the world realize that the struggle of Kashmiri people could not be suppressed at gun-point, nor their movement of independence from oppression be stemmed, for which Kashmir?s innocent and courageous people were rendering sacrifices for the past 60 years.

?The people of held Kashmir cannot be enslaved for long,? Gilani added.

He said without the resolution of Kashmir dispute, peace in the region will remain a far-fetched dream and said it has also been acknowledged by the international community, without any hesitation.

?The land of Kashmir is scented with the blood of our sisters and brothers, and our blood is enriched with the love of Kashmir,? he said.

Prime Minister Gilani said ?we will not rest, till the Kashmiris get their right to self determination, the UN resolutions of Kashmir are acted upon in real terms and the peaceful struggle of the subjugated people of Kashmir reaches fruition.?

?Freedom will definitely dawn in Kashmir,? the prime minister said.

Regarding the government decision to grant internal autonomy to Gilgit-Baltistan and criticism by certain sections he said, ?I want to express in clear and unequivocal terms that this decision of the government will not bring any change in Pakistan?s principled stand on Kashmir.?

Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan has always expressed solidarity with its Kashmiri brethren and stood by them shoulder to shoulder. The Kashmir dispute is the cornerstone of Pakistan?s foreign policy and the entire world is aware of Pakistan?s principled stance.

He said Pakistan?s policy on Kashmir is based on the saying of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah who said ?Kashmir is the jugular vein of Pakistan.?

The Prime Minister said this is also the basis of policy of Pakistan Peoples Party which has formulated a clear and categorical stance on Kashmir.

He recalled the determination expressed by Quaid-e-Awam Zulfikar Ali Bhutto who vowed a thousand-year war for Kashmir, reflecting the true aspirations of the nation.

He waged an exemplary, political and ideological struggle to shake world conscience and to raise the Kashmir dispute at international level.

The same spirit was pursued by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto who carried forward the mission of her late father. The Shaheed leader who twice got elected as prime minister highlighted the principled stance for a just solution of the Kashmir dispute.

The prime minister said his government will continue to pursue the same policy to stand by their Kashmiri brethren with the same spirit and determination.

?We will not abandon our Kashmiri brethren in any case or at any cost,? he said.

Prime Minister Gilani recalled history of deep, cultural, religious and social relations with Kashmir and its people. The people of Kashmir are known for their intelligence and God-gifted abilities.

He said the people hailing from this region proved their mettle in all areas of intellect, knowledge, literature and peace.

He also mentioned the active frontline participation and numerous sacrifices of the Kashmiris for the independence of Pakistan. He acknowledged the firm commitment and affiliation of the Kashmiri people with Pakistan and its ideology, despite the passage of over half a century.

He said that Azad Kashmir was much more developed in political, social and economic terms as compared to the Indian held Kashmir.

The prime minister said presence of Kashmiri leadership here was a clear indication that the people of Pakistan and Kashmir were united and no one could create division among them.

He said the strong relations and bonds between people of Pakistan and Kashmir was a reality that cannot be denied by anyone. He said self-determination was everlasting right of Kashmiri people.

He said, ?I want to reiterate the determination of government of Pakistan that it still gives utmost importance to the progress of Kashmir because without development there can be no prosperity in Kashmir and the collective development of Pakistan could not be realized.?

He said, ?Pakistan will continue efforts to make the world realize the right of Kashmiri people to self-determination.?

?Let us renew our pledge during the holy month of Ramadan that we will continue moral and political support to the Kashmir people and play our due role to work for the progress and prosperity of the country with dedication, devotion, honesty and hard work,? he added.

Gilani said the government was making efforts to take realistic and solid steps for the resolution of challenges facing the country. He recalled that at the time the government took power, the nation was confronting severe issues with terrorism being the most serious one.

He said despite the efforts of anti-state elements to declare the country as a terrorist and failed state, the government with the blessing of Almighty Allah and with the nation?s support made significant progress in the resolution of issues.

?This is evident that the back of terrorists has been broken and they are running for cover after disintegration in their ranks,? he said.

He mentioned several steps taken by government for the betterment of masses including independence of judiciary and media, political reconciliation, introducing Benazir Income Support Program, Benazir Behan Basti Program, Benazir Green Tractor Scheme, Benazir Zarai Card and Benazir Employment Option Scheme for the uplift of poor.

He said the government has already announced a textile and educational policy, while plans are underway for the construction of Diamir Bhasha, Neelum and Dasu. Gilani also mentioned the amendments in the Frontier Crimes Regulations and permission of political activities in FATA.

He said the government has also increased salaries of government employees, allocated five percent quota for minorities, besides efforts are underway for end of child and bonded labour. The rights of women and their honour and dignity have been given legal protection.

Gilani said it was the endeavour of the government to extend maximum facilities for the under developed and deprived areas. It was with this objective that the government recently accorded complete internal autonomy and political self governance to Gilgit and Baltistan through the Empowerment and Self Governance Ordinance.

He said the step has been welcomed by the patriotic people of Pakistan, however certain sections expressed the apprehension that it might impact the Kashmir dispute. He dismissed apprehensions that it would have any impact on Pakistan?s stated policy on Kashmir.

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SWAT: Three children have been diagnosed with polio in Swat, pushing the total number of polio cases in the country to 10.

According to sources of Heath Department, polio has been detected in three children belonging to Qambar and Darosh Khela areas of Swat.

Polio campaign could be undertaken in Swat due to the volatile law and order situation in the valley.

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LAHORE: Secretary General, Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council Khalid Ejaz Mufti said that sighting of moon is not possible in any part of the country on Saturday evening.

Talking to Geo News in Lahore he said the age of moon will be less then 20 hours across the country on Saturday.

However moon may be sighted on Sunday evening, he added.

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PESHAWAR: Announcement has been made to celebrate Eid in many parts of NWFP after sighting of moon by witnesses while Ulema Committee has announced that Shawwal moon was not sighted in Swat.

The Ulema Committee made the announcement to celebrate Eid tomorrow after twelve witnesses reported sighting of Shawwal moon in Shabqadar Tehsil of Charsadda.

Similarly, many witnesses also came forward with reports of sighting the moon in Salarzai and Mamond tehsils of Bajor Agency.

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PESHAWAR: A number of witnesses reported sighting of Shawwal moon today after which un-official committees meeting has announced to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on Sunday.

Senior NWFP Minister Bashir Ahmed Bilour said the NWFP government supports the decision of the Ulema who announced to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on Sunday.

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