ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that judiciary is working with complete freedom as the government believes in strengthening of institutions rather than personalities.

Speaking at a ceremony in the federal capital today, the prime minister urged all state organs to work within their parameters.

?The government will get rid of the menace of militancy,? he said.

Gilani said today?s government is tomorrow?s opposition, while today?s opposition is tomorrow?s government. He stated some elements want to create difficulties for the government.

About good governance, he urged the people to change their behaviors in this regard. ?I want to make it clear that we can not enhance the country?s natural resources,? he added.

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ISLAMABAD: The differences among provinces over the distribution of water have intensified even further due to rising water scarcity in country, Geo news reported.

Meanwhile, the Sindh province has barred share of Balochistan water. Also, IRSA has failed to get Balochistan its due share of water.

Sources told Geo news, the province of Sindh has kept Balochistan?s share of water blocked for last 10 days. Only 1800 cusec of water is being released for Balochistan instead of 3000 cusec, which becomes 40 percent of its share.

The Chief Engineer Irrigation of Balochistan Ahmed Ibrahim Rind Monday lodged strong protest over the blockage of Balochistan?s 40 percent share of water and called upon IRSA for its help to resolve the issue.

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LAHORE: Pakistan cricket team coach Intikhab Alam has submitted his report regarding the team?s tour of Australia.

He said in the repoprt that a lack of planning was seen in the Pakistan team on the tour.

Rejecting reports of discord in the team, he said his team lacked the temperament needed to win against the world champions Australia and blamed the players for being physically and mentally inferior to the Kangaroos.

In his tour report, Alam has blamed the negative approach of players for their abysmal performance Down Under.

The report, which has been sent to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) underlined various reasons for Pakistan’’s complete whitewash during the tour, however, there is no mention of severe differences between senior and junior players of the team.

“The senior players were simply not up to the mark as some of them were out of form while others are already in the twilight stages of their international career,” the report said.

Taking the responsibility for the disastrous tour, Alam has suggested that the PCB should ensure proper grooming of young players.

“The next generation of Pakistani cricketers should be groomed into world class fielders and trained and hardened in a way that they exhibit better temperament when representing their country at the highest level,” Alam said in his report.

He, however, washed his hands off the continuous display of poor fielding skills by the players, saying no coach can bring about an improvement in the fielding within a few days.

“The PCB should take this issue seriously and ensure that the standard of fielding is improved at the junior, club and domestic levels through regular and specialised fielding camps all over the country,” the report said.

According to Intikhab, Shahid Afridi showed irrisponsibility being the captain and his bid to tamper the ball is beyond any sense.

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PESHAWAR: Awami National Party leader Haji Adeel said Tuesday that national identity cards (NICs) were not being issued to Pakhtun people in Punjab and
Sindh.

He said that Pakhtuns were being asked to produce copies of parents? marriage certificate in Sindh, whereas in Punjab there was a condition of mother language being Punjabi for Pakhtuns.

Speaking in the Senate, he demanded that the process of unjustice facing Pakhtuns in Punjab and Sindh should be stopped.

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TEHRAN, Feb. 9 (UPI) — A gas pipeline from Iran’s South Pars gas field to Pakistan is symbolic of the level of friendship between Tehran and Islamabad, officials said.

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LAHORE: The Cricket Council of the United States of America (CCUSA) sent a legal notice to chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) blaming him that he insulted the Council in a press statement.

PCB chief operating officer Wasim Bari said that the PCB would reply the notice after consulting with legal experts.

The notice was sent by CCUSA lawyer David C Rioben in Florida.

According to the notice, PCB Chairman in his statement blamed former cricketer Javed Miandad that he wants to take illegal US team to China.

US cricket council lawyer declared these allegations as baseless and said these statements don?t suit Ijaz Butt. Cricket Council of US doesn?t want to send team to China or any other country. The notice has asked chairman PCB to deny his statement or withdraw it otherwise legal action will be taken against him.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has clarified a news item that appeared in a section of press regarding a notice issued to Chairman PCB Ejaz Butt by Cricket Council of USA (CCUSA).

In reply, PCB COO Wasim Bari said that CCUSA is not an International Cricket Council (ICC) recognized member as earlier cricket?s international governing body had written to PCB, objecting to any association with CCUSA.

The PCB had informed Director General PCB Javed Miandad of ICC?s protest and he had clarified not to have any dealings with the CCUSA in an official capacity.

The PCB clarified that United States of America Cricket Association (USACA) is the officially recognized ICC member and any statements made by Chairman PCB on this issue was to reflect the factual position.

Earlier, the ICC had written to PCB, lodging strong concern on any official of PCB travelling with CCUSA to China.

The notice sent on behalf of CCUSA will be attended to in due course by the legal advisor PCB, said Bari.

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Pakistan News

ISLAMABAD: Former interior minister Aftab Ahmed Sherpao admitted Tuesday that he was aware of the training agreements with the United States, but denied he had any knowledge about Blackwater.

PML-Q NWFP President Amir Muqam said that the personnel of US security firm Blackwater were present in different cities under the cover of different organizations.

He demanded that the government should present a clear report about all Americans, including those who were killed in Dir blast in the house.

?Who are the armed men and what are they doing in Pakistan in vehicles with black glasses?? he asked.

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The US needs the Pakistani government to deny the Afghan Taliban sanctuary. Pakistan needs incentive.

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ADELAIDE: Australia outplayed West Indies by eight wickets, second time in a row, here at the Adelaide Oval on Tuesday.

Doug Bollinger’’s first-ball dismissal of West Indies captain Chris Gayle effectively determined the outcome of the contest as the West Indies slid as low as 4-16 and were ultimately bowled out for 170, leaving Australia a leisurely chase they duly completed inside 27 overs.

Shane Watson extended his outstanding summer by cracking 51 and captain Ricky Ponting was also smooth in compiling an unbeaten 57.

The West Indies never recovered from the hammer blow of Gayle’’s instant dismissal by the excellent Bollinger (4-28).

He had plenty of support as there were wickets for every bowler on an Adelaide pitch that offered plenty of bounce to the pacemen and turn for Nathan Hauritz (1-45).

Of the visitors only the middle order quartet of Narsingh Deonarine (23), Denesh Ramdin (30), Kieron Pollard (33) and Dwayne Smith (43) offered any sort of resistance.

Australia’’s chase was never going to be in any trouble from the moment Watson muscled two boundaries from Kemar Roach’’s opening over.

Watson added 51 with Shaun Marsh (27) before the left-hander dragged a ball onto his stumps via a crooked bat.

Ponting had little difficulty finding the winning runs alongside Michael Clarke (27 not out) after Watson fell to Roach.

Travis Dowlin was caught behind while trying to leave Clint McKay (2-33), before Runako Morton and Lendl Simmons departed cheaply.

Regular wickets then ensured there would be no chance of the visitors reaching 200.
Teams:
Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Shane Watson, Shaun Marsh, Michael Clarke, Cameron White, Michael Hussey, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Clint McKay, Doug Bollinger. 12th man: Ryan Harris.

West Indies: Chris Gayle (captain), Runako Morton, Travis Dowlin, Lendl Simmons, Narsingh Deonarine, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Smith, Denesh Ramdin, Nikita Miller, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach. 12th man: Darren Sammy.

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ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has directed the FM radio network to air a radio program of Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira.

According to the authority, Kaira will take part in an hour-long Radio Pakistan program ?Naye Ufaq? every Tuesday. The PEMRA has asked the FM radio network also to air Kaira?s program.

When contacted, the PEMRA authorities said the FM radio network has been requested, not directed, to air Kaira?s program. Year 2010 has been declared a year of Radio and this program is a part of this announcement.

The radio owners have expressed concerns about the move, saying they have to suffer financial losses besides loss of listeners.

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