Pakistan seek Lawson?s help ahead of first Test
KARACHI: Pakistan have turned to their former coach Geoff Lawson for advice ahead of the Test series opener against the hosts getting underway at the
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MVNOs may challenge PTA?s demand for $5m licence fee
LAHORE: Prospective Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) are planning to challenge Pakistan Telecommunication Authority?s framework for MVNO servi
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Pakistan News
Profit taking dominates KSE, benchmark shed 30 points
KARACHI: Investors preferred booking profits at the local bourse on Wednesday, however, KSE-100 index managed to close above 9,300 points psychological level.
The benchmark-100 index lost 30 points to close at 9,303 points.
Market was positive in the opening and KSE-100 index gained 52 points during the session. However, market was unable to sustain the positive stance due to the selling pressure at the end.
Business activity at the equity market remained dull ahead of Muharram and Quaid-e-Azam Day holidays.
AHSL was crowned as the volume leader of the day with a gain of Rs0.39/share to close at Rs49.15. Moreover, ready market volume stood at 117 million shares.
Analysts said stock market may witness renewed buying activity due to the upcoming results session.
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Barcelona?s Messi named world?s best footballer
ZURICH: Just a few weeks after Argentinian striker Lionel Messi earned the prestigious Ballon d”Or prize as Europe’’s best soccer player, he’’s managed to top that with another very prestigious honor: the title of World Player of the Year, given by soccer’’s governing body FIFA.
The past year gave the 22-year-old Messi plenty of chances to prove his ability as the world’’s best footballer. He’’s been a key player at his club side FC Barcelona since joining the first team for the 2004-05 season, and led the team to a slew of major titles in 2009.
In the spring, Messi’’s nine goals were essential to Barca’’s march to the Champions League trophy, including one in his team’’s 2-0 victory over Manchester United in the final.
Lionel Messi is officially the Best Footballer for the year 2009 according to FIFA. The managers of the national teams voted for Messi and the two times second placed candidate finally got this great distinction.
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Pakistan News
Modi threatens to terminate Australian players? contracts
MUMBAI: Chairman Indian Premier League Lalit Modi has threatened to terminate contracts of Australian cricketers and ban State sides from the Champions League if they fail to release their players for the third edition of the T20 event.
Dates of the last round of the Australia’’s domestic competition — Sheffield Shield — and the mega BCCI event are clashing but Modi wants States sides to release their contracted players for the competition.
Modi said they respect players” commitments to their countries but would not mind if players skip domestic duties for IPL.
The IPL 2010 season is in March-April, when a lot of domestic tournaments will still be on. This is a one-off situation. The IPL requires No-Objection Certificates from the home boards for players to participate in IPL.
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Commentary: Surreal Pakistan (UPI)
By ARNAUD DE BORCHGRAVE UPI Editor at Large WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 (UPI) — Pakistan is teetering on the edge of political disaster. Its Supreme Court revoked a general amnesty, decreed by former President Musharraf, for more than 8,000 politicians guilty of corruption, financial bungling, misuse of authority and various and sundry criminal charges. One provincial minister had 16 cases against him …
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Army can be called in if needed: Bilour
PESHAWAR: NWFP?s senior minister Bashir Ahmed Bilour said Wednesday a comprehensive strategy was in place to maintain law and order situation during Muharram but added that army could also be called if needed.
Speaking to newsmen during a visit to city?s Imam Bargahs, he said the city has been completely sealed amid security concerns.
The police and rangers have been deployed at all entry and exit points of the city, he said.
The senior minister said that concrete measures have been undertaken to maintain peace in the city.
Bilour said that enforcing curfew in Peshawar was out of question. He ruled out talks with the terrorists and vowed to continue struggle till the elimination of last militant.
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?Over 200 victims of Doctors Hospital?
LAHORE
AQEEL Malik, father of three-year-old Imanae Malik who died due to the alleged negligence of doctors, has said his family is not the onl
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Pakistan’s Zardari talks tribal security (UPI)
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Dec. 23 (UPI) — Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari met with his top military officials Wednesday to discuss security issues in the volatile border regions near Afghanistan.
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PML-N will not ask President Zardari to resign: Nisar
ISLAMABAD: Opposition leader in the National Assembly and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N)?s leader Chaudhry Nisar has said his party will not ask Asif Ali Zardari to step down as the President of Pakistan.
While briefing the journalists in Islamabad, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said he does not want to create more differences by asking President Zardari to resign. However, he said, his party policies are linked to the implementation of Supreme Courts? orders.
He expressed his concerns over amendments in the Army Act, saying the Act should not be applicable on civilians.
He said General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani had distanced the army from the politics.
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