Pakistan offers S.Africa matches at neutral venue (AFP via Yahoo! News)

Pakistan has offered to play South Africa in three Tests, five one-dayers and two Twenty20 matches in the United Arab Emirates later this year, an official said Saturday.

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Second F-22 Frigate ?PNS Shamsheer? arrives Karachi

KARACHI: The second F-22 P Frigate of Pakistan Navy- the PNS Shamsheer, constructed in China, arrived here Saturday after being commissioned in December last year at Shanghai, China. Enroute Karachi, the ship visited Singapore and Colombo.

This was announced in a press release of the ISPR (Navy) issued on Saturday.

Approaching Karachi harbour, the ship was welcomed by PN surface and aviation units out at sea.

Later, upon arrival of the ship, an impressive reception ceremony was held at PN Dockyard.

Commander Pakistan Fleet Rear Admiral Tanveer Faiz, a large number of PN officers and men and families of ship’’s crew were present on the occasion.

PNS Shamsheer is the second of the series of four ships being constructed in collaboration with China at Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai.

The third ship is also nearing completion and expected to be handed over to Pakistan in the third quarter of this year.

The fourth ship is under construction at Karachi Shipyard under Transfer of Technology arrangements and due completion by 2013.

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Chief Election Commissioner cancels India tour

ISLAMABAD: Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan Hamid Ali Mirza has called off his India tour on Saturday.

According to sources, the visit, on the invitation of Indian Election Commission, has been canceled. However, no apparent reason has been given in this regard.

Sources further said Secretary Election Commission Ishtiaq Ahmed was also due to travel with the Chief Election Commissioner.

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15 militants killed during Army?s surprise action in NWA

PESHAWAR/MIRAMSHAH: In a surprising move, security forces, who were till now ruling out any fresh offensive in the violence-stricken North Waziristan,

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Foreign tour not linked to Zardari?s arrival: Shahbaz

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that his visit to Turkey was scheduled months ago and it had no link with the visit of President

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Pakistan News

Operation to continue till govt?s writ established: CS

PESHAWAR: Additional Chief Secretary FATA Habib-ur-Rehman has said that operation will persist in tribal areas until the writ of the government is followed.

Talking to media here on Saturday, he said government is satisfied with the ongoing offensive in tribal region.
He further said situation of the affected areas was getting better after the military operation.

Rehman pointed out that construction work is underway in the region while residential colonies and school will be established for government employees.

Meanwhile, he praised the efforts of government staff, working in tribal areas in current situation.

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MQM ? party of not just Sindh but Pakistan

MULTAN: Member of MQM Coordination Committee Iftikhar Akbar Randhawa Saturday claimed that the public meeting of his party scheduled to be held in Lahore on February 28 will prove that MQM is not just a party of Sindh but of the entire Pakistan.

He said this while talking to journalists here at Multan Press Club.

Iftkhar Akbar Randhawa said MQM is the only political party that is struggling for the rights of 98 percent people belonging to the poor segments of the society.

He said Altaf Hussain aspires for establishment of a system based on justice by eliminating price hike, unemployment and corruption.

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French judge probes Zardari?s ?corruption?

PARIS: A French judge probing a Pakistan bomb attack that killed 11 French engineers has asked Britain and Switzerland to provide whatever information

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SBP to launch new Rs500 banknote Jan 25

KARACHI: State Bank of Pakistan says all offices of SBP Banking Services Corporation will start issuing new Rs 500Banknote with an Optical Variable Ink (OVI) Feature from January 25, 2010.

The new Rs 500 banknote with OVI feature will bear signature of Syed Salim Raza, SBP Governor. The launching of Rs 500 banknote with OVI feature is part of SBP’’s continuous efforts to improve security, durability and aesthetic quality of banknotes.

Optical Variable Ink (OVI) design appears at obverse right side as crescent and five-pointed star printed with surrounded design of Intaglio Optical Variable Ink which changes colour from green to magenta and vice versa when Rs 500 banknote is viewed from different angles.

Introduction of OVI feature in Rs 500 banknote distinguishes it from new design banknote of same denomination launched in November2006. The existing Rs 500 banknotes will, however, continue to remain legal tender, a SBP press release said on Saturday.

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PSM ex-chief sent to jail

KARACHI: A Karachi court has remanded Mueen Aftab, former chairman of Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) to judicial custody till 27 January.

The former PSM chief was presented before Judicial Magistrate Ghulam Farooq Sheikh on Saturday. The JM ordered the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to submit Challan before the court.

Mueen Aftab accused in at least four cases of corruption worth million of rupees including a recent one pertaining to Canteen contract award at PSM, was produced by the FIA before the JM who after perusing the investigation papers, remanded the accused to judicial custody for five days directing the Investigating Officer to submit formal charge sheet against the accused by next date.

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