Canadian Pakistani Times
Thursday
June 6, 2013
Volume 1, 61
Pakistan protests after diplomat manhandled in New Delhi
Pakistan’s High Commission in New Delhi has lodged an official protest with the Indian government after its first secretary Zargham Raza was reportedly manhandled by an unidentified mob. – File Photo
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s High Commission in New Delhi lodged an official protest with the Indian government on Monday night after its first secretary
driver reportedly sustained injuries in the attack. According to diplomatic sources, Is-
According to details gathered so far,
lamabad has urged a probe into the matter and also demanded the Indian authorities to increase security of the Pakistani staff stationed there.
Raza was manhandled by a group of unknown motorcyclists when he was busy shopping in the evening. Both Raza and his
“Our first secretary and his driver both of whom sustained serious injuries have
Zargham Raza was reportedly manhandled by an unidentified mob.
Premier's Statement on the 60th Anniversary of the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Premier Kathleen Wynne issued the following statement:
been provided medical treatment and an FIR (police complaint) has also been lodged,” Aizaz Ahmed, Pakistan's foreign office spokesman was quoted by NDTV. Officials in the Indian foreign ministry and Pakistani authorities were not immediately available to react to the press reports. According to another Hindi-language news channel, Raza did not suffer any seri-
ous injuries. Relations between the two countries have been fractious in recent weeks, with both sides protesting at the deaths of prisoners held by the other's government. The latest incident comes after the murder of Indian prisoner in a Pakistani jail, which was followed by the murder of a Pakistani prisoner in an Indian jail last month.
Grenade blast wounds six in Indian-administered Kashmir SRINAGAR: An Indian policeman and five others were injured in a grenade attack Tuesday by suspected militants on army vehicles in Indianadministered Kashmir, police said. “Militants hurled a grenade at two army vehicles that were parked along the highway injuring a head constable and five civilians,” superintendent of police, Ramesh Jala, told AFP over the phone.
"I would like to congratulate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the 60th anniversary of her coronation.
No militant group claimed responsibility for the explosion in Anantnag town, 50 kilometres south of the main city of Srinagar.
As Monarch she has reigned with dignity, poise, strength and intelligence, inspiring the respect and admiration of the Commonwealth. She has demonstrated her unwavering abilities through times of war and peace, and serves as an enduring symbol of British resolve.
The attack comes less than a week after suspected militants of the Hizbul Mujahideen, one of around a dozen rebel groups said to be fighting to end Indian rule over Kashmir, killed two India maintains deployment of an estimated 700,000 soldiers in the Kashmir territory.—AP/File Photo Indian soldiers in an ambush in which one militant also died. India maintains deployment of an estiKashmir is divided between India and mated 700,000 soldiers in the territory. Last month, government forces claimed Pakistan by a heavily militarised and UNthey had killed the chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba monitored line of control (LOC), with both The conflict has left tens of thousands in Indian-administered Kashmir during an countries claiming the disputed territory in of people, mostly civilians, dead. early morning gun-battle in the congested full. downtown area of Srinagar, the summer capital of the state.
On behalf of the people of Ontario, I thank her for her devotion to duty and extend our well wishes to her growing family and loyal subjects around the globe."
02
June 6, 2013
Weekly Fortune by Kiran Pandey Rai (kiranpandeyrai@gmail.com) 6Th JUNE -12th JUNE ARIES (21 Mar- 20 Apr)
TAURUS (21Apr- 21 May)
Cluster of planets are boosting your courage and communication skill. Your offspring is doing well. You may try to control your fluctuating finance by putting your effort. You can enchant people through your communication skill. Visit to some religious places can be expected. Take good care of your father’s health. You are in great mood to romance.
Planetary influences are favourable for you. A number of planets are crowded in your finance sector ,your all doors related to money will be opened including loan, inheritance (if any) or scholarship to your kids. But the effect of these planets on eighth house asks you not to take any risk this week. Meditation can ward off the influence of malefic planets on your temperament. Good time for your mother.
GEMINI (22 May- 21 June)
CANCER (22 June- 22 July)
What a family reunion after a long span ! Spending money for family outing which has been due since long. This is the best time to get what is genuinely required in your life. Somewhere you are missing your internal peace. Live your present , and use sweet words in your interaction with everybody to enjoy your family time. Take good care of your health.
Progeny can be source of happiness. Few of you may plan some foreign trip . Very good gains in business can be expected in this week. A job can be offered to you in this week. Students will enjoy their studies. Drive Safe. Avoid any loan in this week, better delay it. Keep safe distance from your siblings to avoid any dispute.
LEO (23 July- 22 Aug)
VIRGO (23 Aug- 23 Sept)
A very successful week for profession. You may get recognition in society for your work. Need to check your temper while dealing any issue. Multi sources of income are opened for you. This period is very good for your father. Your creativity is at its peak. Don’t allow any controversial thought to let in. As this may hamper the beauty of this time.
In spite of all adverse situations at your work place, your hard work will be rewarded. Gain in business. Mother’s health may be the area of concern. You can plan to purchase house or vehicle. Good for younger siblings. Dispute with father.
LIBRA ( 24 Sept-23 Oct)
SCORPIO (24 Oct-22Nov)
Plenty of planets are moving in the house of your destiny and pilgrimages. Destiny can play unpredictable game with you. Drive carefully. Few may visit any religious place. Utilize your will power in accurate way. Your father can be a great help for you.
Do not take any risk. If possible , go for meditation. Your relation with your mate seems strenuous. Focus your goal, and keep moving on that path for domestic peace .Have faith in yourself . Even this will pass.
SAGITTARIUS (23 Nov-21 Dec)
CAPRICORN (22 Dec-20 Jan)
It’s time to have fun but relation with your mate needs to keep on check. Your love life is also at bay. You may plan for some charity work. Good time to socialize at weekend. Good time for your parents. Take good care of health.
Hard work but lack of peace in mind. Favourable time to fight any court case. Inclination towards sports. Channelize your energy in some creative work. Have fun by travelling in nearby areas. This period is not good for mother. Father may get some long awaited offer.
PISCES (20 Feb-20 Mar)
AQUARIUS (21 Jan-19 Feb)
Mix with people who make you laugh or encourage you to see the world from a different angle. Call on your circle of acquaintance to band together and help you imagine your way out of, through, or around your current dilemma. Student can perform well and other people would wish to do some charity for needy.
Favourable time for travelling. One of the good time to earn in business. Number of creative ideas may float in this week it. Dispute with younger sibling. Mother’s health will be effected. You're laying the ground work for a future worth having built. You're in love all over again, and it's the last thing you'd ever have come to expect.
CAIR.CAN denounces ban of Sikh turbans on Quebec soccer pitches Sikh and Muslim soccer players and referees have faced ongoing challenges since at least 2007. However, just last year the International Football Association Board ruled that Muslim women could wear speciallydesigned headscarves. Sikh players in other parts of the country have had no issue wearing turbans on the soccer pitch. “The federation’s ban sends a harmful message to young people: What matters is not your skill, nor your sportsmanship, but how you look. So long as there is no demonstrable safety hazard, the federation should not compel young people to choose between their faith and their sport,” reiterates Mr. Gardee. CAIR.CAN is a national, non-profit, grassroots organization striving to be a leading voice that enriches Canadian society through Muslim civic engagement and the promotion of human rights. CONTACT: (Ottawa, Canada – June 3, 2013) The Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR.CAN), a national Muslim civil liberties organization, is calling on the Quebec Soccer Federation to reverse its discriminatory ban on Sikh turbans.
its ban today, despite an opposite directive issued by the Canadian Soccer Association in early April. This will be the second season that young Sikh players wearing turbans are prevented from participating in soccer games in Quebec.
The provincial soccer federation upheld
“It’s disappointing that the Quebec Soc-
cer Federation refuses to accept diversity on the soccer pitch, while the rest of the soccer world has moved on to become more inclusive. Clearly, the QSF is out of step and once again neglecting to respect the religious freedoms guaranteed to Canadians through various human rights codes,” says Ihsaan Gardee, CAIR.CAN’s Executive Director.
Ihsaan Gardee, Executive Director, 613254-9704 or 613-853-4111; Amira Elghawaby, Human Rights Coordinator, 613-254-9704
03
June 6, 2013
Harper Government Announces New Fines to Strengthen the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act
June 4, 2013 - The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, today announced new fines for companies who violate orders under the CCPSA. She was joined by MP Pierre Lemieux (Glengarry-Prescott-Russell), and Louise Logan, President and CEO of Parachute. OTTAWA - Today, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, announced the Harper Government has introduced new fines of up to $25,000 per day for companies who violate orders under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA). The Administrative Monetary Penalties (Consumer Products) Regulations coming into force provide a flexible and responsive enforcement approach for dealing with specific incidents of non-compliance with an order made under the Act, such as refusing to comply with a recall order. "Canadian consumers expect the products they pick up on store shelves to be safe for
them and their families," said Minister Aglukkaq. "By introducing significant fines for companies who violate orders to recall unsafe products, our Government is ensuring that companies who break the law will pay the price." Penalties are calculated based on the Administrative Monetary Penalties (Consumer Products) Regulations. They reflect the seriousness of the violation and past violation history of the person or company. The maximum penalties range from $5,000, (for a violation committed by an individual or a nonprofit corporation, for non-commercial purposes), to $25,000, (in any other case). These
numbers represent daily penalties - meaning that the financial burden on the company can increase with each passing day until the matter is resolved. "We all share an interest in making sure that Canadians are protected from unsafe consumer products," said Louise Logan President and CEO of Parachute. "Today's announcement by Minister Aglukkaq brings in new measures to support compliance with the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act. Canadian parents now have further reassurance that the products they're buying won't harm their children." Typically, industry voluntarily takes ac-
tion to address unsafe products. Administrative monetary penalties only come into effect when a company does not comply with government orders to recalla product within specified time frames, or orders to take other measures such as stopping the manufacturing, importation, sale or advertising of a noncompliant product. "In most cases industry shares our concern for having safe products on the Canadian marketplace," concluded Minister Aglukkaq. "These penalties will zero in on companies and organizations who won't take action to protect Canadians from dangerous products."
Premier's Statement on the 60th Anniversary of the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Premier Kathleen Wynne issued the following her coronation. statement: As Monarch she has reigned with dignity, "I would like to congratulate Her Majesty poise, strength and intelligence, inspiring the Queen Elizabeth II on the 60th anniversary of respect and admiration of the Commonwealth.
She has demonstrated her unwavering abilities for her devotion to duty and extend our well through times of war and peace, and serves as wishes to her growing family and loyal suban enduring symbol of British resolve. jects around the globe." On behalf of the people of Ontario, I thank her
04
June 6, 2013
China poultry plant fire death toll rises to 113
In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, smoke rises from a poultry farm at the Jilin Baoyuanfeng Poultry Company in Mishazi township of Dehui City, northeast China's Jilin Province Monday, June 3, 2013.—Photo by AP BEIJING: A fire at a locked poultry slaughterhouse in northeast China killed at least 113 people on Monday with several still unaccounted for, the local government and state media said, triggering online outrage at the high death toll.
“About 100 workers have managed to escape from the plant whose gate was locked when the fire occurred,” Xinhua said. “The complicated interior structure of the prefabricated house in which the fire broke out and the narrow exits have added difficulties to the rescue work,” it added.
“Was this place never regularly inspected by fire safety authorities?” wrote one user on China's popular Twitter-like service Sina Weibo.
“Senior officials need to be sacked because of this,” wrote another. Pictures carried by state The fire broke out just after dawn near Dehui media showed smoke rising from a long, lowin Jilin province, the provincial government The exact number of people unaccounted for rise building, whose roof had been almost towas unclear, as was the cause of the fire, Xin- tally burned away, with fire engines and other said on its official microblog. hua said. The Jilin government said 54 people rescue vehicles parked in front. More than 300 workers were in the plant when were injured and had been rushed to hospital. the fire broke out, with employees reporting Jilin is a largely agricultural province and an hearing a sudden bang and then seeing dark People took to social media sites to express important grower of corn and soy beans. smoke, state news agency Xinhua added. their anger at the fire and the high death toll. China has a poor record on fire safety. Fire
exits are often locked or blocked and regulations can be easily skirted by bribing corrupt officials. A fire at a nightclub in Shenzhen, just across the border from Hong Kong, killed 44 people in 2008. A senior policeman was jailed for taking bribes to allow the unlicensed venue to remain open. One of modern China's worst fire disasters occurred in late 2000, when fire engulfed building workers at a discotheque in a mall in the central city of Luoyang, killing 309.
05
June 6, 2013
SPORTS India thrash Australia in Champions Trophy warm-up side and we'll just have to see who misses out when we play against South Africa. I'd like him to play at the top of the order but we'll see,” Dhoni added before turning to his
CARDIFF: India hammered Australia by 243 runs in a Champions Trophy warm-up match after skittling out the defending champions for just 65 in Cardiff on Tuesday.
attack.
Umesh Yadav did the bulk of the damage, taking the first five wickets to fall in a
“We used five bowlers and all of them got wickets. Umesh is one of the quickest
stunning return of five for 18 in just five
bowlers we have and with the two paced
overs.
pitch here, the ball was holding up, not much, but just enough which was why there were so many inside edges.”
Meanwhile fellow paceman Ishant Sharma bagged three for 11 against an Australia side where Shane Watson was given a rest from batting following his hundred in a warm-up match against the West Indies. Only two Australia batsmen Adam Voges (23) and Phil Hughes (14) made it into double figures, with the innings all wrapped up in the 24th over. “It was a disappointing game, I'm not sure how we'll react to it,” said George Bailey, captaining Australia in the absence of the injured Michael Clarke. “It was certainly not the way we wanted to play but if you are going to have a game like that, you may as well have it in a practice game.”
This was Karthik's second century, albeit in warm-up matches, after his unbeaten 106 against Sri Lanka on June 1.
ind-aus-ct-warm-up-ap-800
Earlier, world champions India collapsed to 55 for five before Dinesh Karthik revived the innings with a superb 146 not out, adding 211 for the fifth wicket with captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (91) to get the side to a total of 308 for six. “It was really well batted by Dinesh and MS, we couldn't quite get the sixth and seventh wickets to really nail that innings off,” Bailey said. “Two new balls is challenging, you saw that with both sides losing their top-order
Ex-Bangladesh captain Ashraful admits matchfixing, apologises
cheaply, in English conditions.” Dhoni was delighted by the form of Karthik, his understudy as wicket-keeper, and said he was now set to play as a batsman only when India open the tournament proper against South Africa in Cardiff on Thursday. “Well, to start off Dinesh batted really well. That partnership between me and him got us to a respectable score and then the bowling was up to the mark. “I think he has earned his place in the
“I've been hitting the ball really well,” Karthik said at the innings break. “When you come in at six, it's important to assess the situation. When you have Dhoni around it's important to rotate the strike. “It was a good bowling attack, and it feels good to get some runs. I have had a good IPL and it's important to keep the same momentum from that.” Australia were without Clarke because of a recurrence of a longstanding back injury which has made him doubtful for the side's tournament opener against England at Edgbaston on Saturday.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga downs Roger Federer in 3 sets at French Open TORONTO — Blue Jays outfielder Melky Cabrera is on a list of about 20 major -league players facing possible suspensions in connection with an investigation into a Florida clinic that allegedly provided players with performance-enhancing drugs, according to espn.com. The list also includes Alex Rodriguez, Ryan Braun and Jhonny Peralta, the report says. ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” said Major
Tony Bosch, who founded the clinic, is under criminal investigation in Florida. He has agreed to co-operate with MLB, ESPN reported, citing anonymous sources. “One source familiar with the case said the commissioner’s office might seek 100game suspensions for Rodriguez, Braun and other players, the penalty for a second doping offence,” the ESPN story said. “The argument, the source said, is the players’
Mohammad Ashraful. -File photo by AP
DHAKA: Former Bangladesh cricket captain Mohammad Ashraful on Tuesday admitted match-fixing and apologised for the latest damaging scandal to hit the sport. “I should have not done this injustice to the nation. I feel guilty,” he told the Independent TV channel in a televised interview. “I would only say 'Please all forgive me, my conduct was improper',” he added. His apology came shortly after the Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hassan announced the right-handed batsman had been suspended pending the full report of an investigation by the International Cricket Council. The ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) has been probing allegations of match-fixing during the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), a Twenty20 competition.
“I felt that I have done an injustice, so I have told them (the ACSU team) the truth at the first chance. I tried to help the ICC as much as I could for the welfare of our cricket,” Ashraful said. “You all know me, I have been playing international cricket for 12 years. I did not tell them a single lie,” he added. Ashraful became the country's youngest Test centurion in 2001 at the age of 17 and captained Bangladesh between 2007 and 2009. The alleged fixing involves a match between the Dhaka Gladiators and the Chittagong Kings teams during the second edition of the BPL. Local media have reported that 28-yearold Gladiators star Ashraful was allegedly paid about one million taka ($12,800) to lose the February 2 match.
League Baseball, which has already filed a lawsuit against the Miami-area clinic, had reached an agreement with the clinic’s founder to provide MLB with material it needs to suspend the players. Cabrera, then with the San Francisco Giants, served a 50-game suspension at the end of last season after testing positive for testosterone. The Blue Jays signed him to a two-year, $16-million US contract after the season. He has been their everyday leftfielder, batting .281 with a .325 on-base percentage. Cabrera’s name turned up again in January when the Miami New Times reported that Biogenesis of America, a sinceclosed anti-aging clinic in Coral Gables, Fla., distributed PEDS to players. Cabrera has refused comment. Braun said he used the clinic as a “consultant” when he successfully appealed his own suspension in 2011 for elevated testosterone levels.
connection to Bosch constitutes one offence, and previous statements to MLB officials denying any such connection or the use of PEDS constitute another.” ESPN said the suspensions could be announced within the next three weeks. “The players who might ultimately face discipline from MLB include: Rodriguez, Braun, Cabrera, [Bartolo] Colon, [Yasmani] Grandal, Nelson Cruz, Francisco Cervelli, Jesus Montero, Jhonny Peralta, Cesar Puello, Fernando Martinez, Everth Cabrera, Fautino de los Santos, Jordan Norberto and a number of players who are either identified by code names or whose names appear in other documents not obtained by ‘Outside the Lines,’ the report said. “All are on major league rosters except for Puello, a top outfield prospect for the New York Mets who is playing in Class AA Binghamton.”
06
June 6, 2013
Pakistan bags two awards at Sri Lanka’s SAARC Film Festival
A scene from "Seedlings- Lamha"
Group photo of award winners with the Chief Guest.
Cultural performance during the festival.
COLOMBO: Pakistan won two prestigious awards at the 2013 SAARC Film Festival awards ceremony held at the National Films Corporation Sri Lanka. Pakistan won awards in the categories of Best Actress and Best Feature Film in this third edition of the annual SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) Film Festival, which was held from 26 to 31 May. The film festival focuses on promoting some of the best films featured from 2010 to
2012, screening feature and documentary films made by member states of the SAARC Association such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The films in competition were later adjudicated by an international panel of jury from Singapore, Iran and Russia. This year’s Best Actress award in SAARC Region went to Pakistan’s Aamina Sheikh, for her role in “Seedlings- Lamha”, which has also won Silver Medal in the category of Best Feature Film of SAARC Region.
The other two nominations were “The Story of a Living Saint” and “A Bike Ride from USA to Pakistan”, which were both competing in the documentary category. The award-winning 90 minutes feature, “Seedlings”, is directed by Mansoor Mujahid and produced by Meher Jaferi. It chronicles the story of a happy couple whose lives are changed forever after a devastating accident. The circumstances surrounding the tragedy leave the couple besieged with unanswered questions, leading them to re-evaluate their whole approach to life and their mutual rela-
Michael Jackson lawsuit is extortion attempt, says concert promoter
tionship. The ceremony was held under the distinguished patronage of Honourable Minister Dhilan Perera, Minister of Foreign Employment, Promotion and Welfare, Sri Lanka. The Chief Guest congratulated Pakistan for receiving the awards and appreciated the cinematic excellence displayed by the Pakistani presentations.
John Travolta turns wedding crasher
John Travolta.
Katherine Jackson's lawsuit against concert promoter AEG Live over her popstar son Michael Jackson's 2009 death is now in its sixth week.
The head of AEG Live told a jury on Tuesday that he believes a lawsuit filed by Michael Jackson's mother against the concert promotion com-
pany was a baseless extortion attempt.
Actor John Travolta delighted a newlywed thumbs up as he posed for pictures with the couple at the weekend by showing up at their happy couple, and he also took a snap with the wedding to extend his congratulations. entire wedding party. The Grease star met the bride and groom at a bar in Georgia and accepted their invitation to watch them exchange vows at the ceremony the following day. Travolta, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, gave a
Photos of Travolta's wedding crasher stunt were posted on Reddit.com by a friend of the groom, who wrote, "My friend ran into John Travolta the night before his wedding, and he shows up the next day."
07
June 6, 2013
The eighth annual ‘Caring with Style’ fashion show in Mumbai on June 2, 2013, sees Bollywood stars take the ramp with elegance and grace. The show was held in association with The Cancer Patients Aid Association which supports children suffering from blood cancer. —Photos by AFP
Nafisa 'Jiah' Khan dead: British Bollywood star found hanged 'following row with boyfriend over other woman'
A British Bollywood starlet was found hanged at her home following a row with her boyfriend over another woman, it was claimed yesterday. Jiah Khan, 25, was discovered by her mother at the apartment they shared in Mumbai around 11.30pm local time on Monday. She was rushed to nearby Cooper hospital but was declared dead on arrival. Boyfriend Suraj Pancholi has been questioned by police in connection with the apparent suicide. Police confirmed the last call to the actress’s mobile phone came from Pancholi at 10.53, shortly before she was found hanging from the ceiling. Reports in India suggested Khan had received a bouquet of flowers from her lover,
which she is believed to have hurled from a window shortly after the phone call. It was also reported that Khan had accused her boyfriend of cheating in the last text message sent from her phone. A post-mortem is being carried out to establish the cause of death and police say they are seeking information from her neighbours. Police have recorded the death as accidental while inquiries continue. A director friend also told how Jiah was “depressed about her career and scared for her future”. Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, directed the rising star in her first Hindi film, Nishbad, in 2007, said he had”never ever seen a debutant actress with more spunk and more spirit than Jiah.”
Writing on Twitter, he said: "The last time I met her Jiah told me that everyone around her makes her feel like a failure.
Khan made her debut in 2007 opposite Amitabh Bachchan, and went on to act with stars including Aamir Khan and Akshay Kumar.
"In spite of being highly appreciated in Nishabd nd being a part of hugely successful Ghazni and Houseful she had no work for the last 3 years.
Bachchan tweeted of his shock, saying: "WHAT ...!!! Jiah Khan? What has happened? Is this correct? Unbelievable!!!"
"I dont know the reason what led to this but Jiah was very depressed about her career and scared for her future." Jiah, real name Nafisa Khan, was born in Chelsea and grew up in London before moving to Mumbai to fulfil her dream of becoming a Bollywood actress. Her death has sent shockwaves around the industry, with tributes pouring in from actors and directors.
Paying tribute to the actress, fellow actress Dia Mirza said on Twitter: "RIP Nafisa (Jiah) Khan. You were too young and beautiful…" Khan also starred in Bollywood hit Ghajini, alongside Aamir Khan. Her last film was in the 2010 comedy Housefull. She also featured in an advert for the animal rights group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta).
08
June 6, 2013
Five killed as tornadoes hit Oklahoma
This aerial photo shows damage in the Rolling Meadow Estates neighborhood on Friday, May 31, 2013 in Broken Arrow, Okla. after a tornado passed the area overnight. —AP Photo
Overturned trucks block a frontage road in El Reno, Oklahoma, after a tornado moved through the area on Friday, May 31, 2013. —AP Photo Tornadoes killed at least five people and wreaked massive damage Friday in the US state of Oklahoma near the battered city of Moore, still recovering from a monster twister less than two weeks ago. The Oklahoma Medical Examiner's office confirmed the death toll, but said it had no further details on the victims. But the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management confirmed a mother and child were killed as they traveled in their car on Interstate 40 near Oklahoma City.
overturned vehicles, including semi-trailers “Large hail, damaging winds and isoand trailers, Oklahoma Highway Patrol lated strong tornadoes are all possible,” the spokeswoman Betsy Randolph told NBC tele- weather center said on its website. vision affiliate KFOR. “It is a heartbreaking situation,” Randolph said. While storms continued to pass through the state, Cain said, “they're much less severe.” However, “there's still a lot of flooding in areas,” she said, warning residents to stay off roads and avoid high water.
Weather forecasters lifted an emergency for parts of the tornado-prone midwestern At least 12 people were injured in the state, though flash flood warnings, severe storm, with that number expected to rise, the thunderstorm watches and tornado watches agency told AFP. Media reports, citing local remained in place. hospitals, put the injury toll at 39 or even higher, but officials said it would take time to Photos showed streets looking like rivget an accurate count. ers, with stranded cars submerged in water as “We will have to wait for flood waters to recede before we get out to assess damage,” spokeswoman Keli Cain said, adding that if the rain continued, that could take several days. Several people were hurt in crashes and
In Missouri, which borders the Mississippi River, Governor Jay Nixon declared a state of emergency Friday night, urging “Missourians to closely monitor weather conditions, so they can take shelter or move to higher ground if needed.
sive damage around the cities of El Reno and Yukon. More than 170,000 people were said to have lost power in the Oklahoma City metro area.
Officials for Oklahoma City's Will Rogers World Airport said on Twitter that passengers had been evacuated to an underground tunnel and that flights in and out had been suspended. The airport was re-opened by around 3:30 am local time (0830 GMT), but all early depar”Reports said five twisters had struck the area tures had been cancelled, they said. around Oklahoma City, with winds of up to 90 miles (145 kilometers) per hour, accompanied Friday's storms were far less damaging than by very large hail. the Moore tornado nearly two weeks ago that left 24 dead and demolished large swathes of Flash floods also hit the area, the Tulsa World the town with winds above 200 miles per hour, affecting a total of 33,000 people. newspaper said. One large tornado touched down west of Oklahoma City, the state's biggest city, news With an average of 1,200 tornadoes per year, the United States is the most hurricanereports said. prone country in the world. They are particuOklahoma Governor Mary Fallin said earlier larly prominent in the Great Plains states of she was “heartsick” that Moore, struck by a Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, as well as in powerful tornado on May 20, could be hit Florida.
high as their door handles in some places. National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma warned the severe weather was shifting eastward Saturday, with the Ohio and Mississippi River once again. Valleys set to receive the bulk of the storms.
KFOR television, meanwhile, reported exten-
09
June 6, 2013
Sharif returns to power ISLAMABAD: After surviving a military coup, a seven-year exile to Saudi Arabia and a government dismissal, third time lucky chief of PML (N) returns to power today. Nawaz Sharif has secured majority in the May 11 elections making him the only leader to assume power for the third time amid hopes and promises that he will steer the country out of crisis.The National
The May 11 polls see a PML-N govern-
Sadaruddin Rashdi for development, Sardar
The process for the election of the prime
ment at the centre and in Punjab, while the party also holds a key role in the government to be elected in Balochistan. Khyber
Yousuf for food security and Kamran Michael for minority affairs.
minister began on Tuesday with the submission of nomination papers. Sharif’s papers were submitted to the office of the NA secre-
Pakhtunkhwa has voted for PTI whereas former ruling party PPP only managed to secure its stronghold of Sindh.
The names of Tariq Fazl Chaudhry, Anusha Rehman and Saira Afzal are also on the list for federal ministerial slots.
On the other hand, Fahim and Hashmi visited the parliament house to submit their
Assembly will elect the country’s 18th prime minister.
nomination papers. The PPP, which had withdrawn its candi-
Sharif’s election to the office of premier is a foregone conclusion as other candidates
dates from the race for the offices of speaker and deputy speaker, is determined to contest the election this time, saying it will not leave the field open for Sharif.
which include Pakistan Peoples Party’s Makhdoom Amin Fahim and Pakistan Tehrik -i-Insaaf’s Javed Hashmi lack the numbers to get elected.
The election will be held through a division vote under the Second Schedule and Rule 35 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly,
During his campaign for the May 11 elections, 62-year-old Sharif had vowed that his party would turn Pakistan into a new, modern and developed country if the people voted it to power. The PML-N chief has also been vocal on the issue of Balochistan and missing persons. He supports friendly relations with India and opposes the United States’ policy on drone strikes. Calling terrorism a challenge for the country, the PML-N chief is also in favour of peace talks with the Taliban. In his recent interviews and press conferences, Sharif has repeatedly said that the first
2007. The members will be asked to proceed to the lobbies designated for the candidates Pakistan's incoming Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. — File Photo
for recording their votes.
Sharif is expected to announce a roadmap to economic recovery in his inaugural speech upon being formally elected.
The PML-N chief is scheduled to take oath from President Asif Ali Zardari on
The incoming federal cabinet
Meanwhile, Tariq Fatemi’s name is also present as adviser on foreign affairs PML-N’s nominees, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq
Earlier on Tuesday, Dawn.com received a list of names for the future federal cabinet.
and Murtaza Javed Abbasi, were elected as the NA speaker and deputy speaker on Monday, both securing 258 votes.
Senior PML-N leaders Ishaq Dar, Chaud-
Sharif’s vote tally is expected to be higher
priorities of his government will be to resolve the energy crisis by reducing load-shedding and improving the country’s economy. He
hary Nisar, Ahsan Iqbal, Khurram Dastigir in today’s elections after the announcement and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and PML-F’s of unconditional support by MQM for him as Saduruddin Rashadi will be handling major a “goodwill gesture”. The 23-member MQM
has also made a number of promises regard-
portfolios.
ing construction of roads, motorways and airports at various places during election rallies, besides running a bullet train for the country. These pledges have led to an un-
According to the list, the following names have been selected for the ministerial slots: Ishaq Dar for finance, Chaudhary Nisar for
However, analysts believe that his actions should reflect the promises he made during
interior, Pervez Rashid for information, Khurram Dastagir for trade, Murtaza Jatoi for overseas Pakistanis, Ahsan Iqbal as IT Minister, Zahid Hamid for law, Shahid Khaqan
the election campaign.
Abbasi for petroleum and natural resources,
precedented rise in the stock market.
tary by Ishaq Dar, Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Khawaja Mohammad Asif and Mehmood Khan Achakzai.
had fielded its candidates for the offices of speaker and deputy speaker. JUI-F chief, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, and Aftab Sherpao of the Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) also announced after holding separate meetings with PML-N delegations on Tuesday that they would vote for Sharif.
Wednesday evening. Sharif’s political background Sharif started his political career in 1980 and served first as Punjab’s finance minister and later as chief minister. He became prime minister for the first time in November 1990 in the mid-term general elections held after the dissolution of a PPP government, led by late Benazir Bhutto. He, however, was ousted by the then president Ghulam Ishaq Khan in 1993 because of political differences between the two. Although the Supreme Court restored his government, he resigned from the office and dissolved the NA, paving way for new elections as a result of which Bhutto became prime minister for the second time.
Nominations
Recent Riots In Turkey
Riots erupt in Turkey during a protest against the destruction of trees in a park brought about by a pedestrian project, in Taksim Square in central Istanbul May 31, 2013.
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June 6, 2013
Pakistani stocks close higher, rupee weakens, o/n fall
KARACHI: Pakistan's stocks closed higher on Tuesday, with unending foreign inflows taking the market to a new high.
302 rupees while Muslim Commercial Bank closed up 4.43 percent at 281 rupees.
Pakistan inflation eases to 5.13 per cent in May
Led by heavyweight Muslim Commercial Bank, the benchmark KSE posted gains, which were supported by
The Karachi Stock Exchange's benchmark 100-share index closed 0.88 percent, or 193.66 points, higher at 22,274.51.
Pakistan Telecommunication Co Ltd, Pakistan State Oil Co Ltd and Lucky Cement.
The rupee ended weaker at 98.53/98.57 against the dol-
Low priced stocks remained speculators' favourites, dealers said.
Pakistan inflation eases to 5.13 per cent in May
lar compared to Monday's close of 98.46/98.51. Overnight rates in the money market fell to 7 percent from Monday's close of 9.40 percent.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's inflation rate eased to 5.13 percent in May year-on-year from 5.8 percent in April, the Bureau of Statistics said on Monday. On a month-on-month basis, prices rose 0.51 percent. Average inflation rate from July-May was 7.51 percent.
The Pakistan State Oil Co Ltd was up 1.23 percent at
MQM holds key to race for opposition leader ISLAMABAD: Soon after the general elections in which the PML-N emerged as the largest party and secured a simple majority in the National Assembly, it became almost certain that the party chief, Mian Nawaz Sharif, will be the next prime minister.
He said: “Since the MQM has decided to sit on opposition benches in the Sindh As-
joins the PML-N on treasury benches at the centre or decides to contest for the leader-
sembly against the PPP, the two can’t join hands on opposition benches in the National
ship of treasury benches, eight members of the National Assembly who have opted to
Assembly.”
remain as independents will determine who
On the other hand, if the MQM and PTI resolve their differences, they can put up a
becomes leader of the house. At the moment, however, the election for
However, who will hold the charge on other side of the aisle on opposition benches, remains unclear, though the PPP leads the numbers game at the moment.
sition” in the National Assembly would be represented by Imran Khan. According to rule number 39 of the rules of procedure and conduct of business of the National Assembly, soon after election of the prime minister which is due on Wednesday (today), the speaker can announce a date, time and place for submission of the name for the leader of opposition.
As of Tuesday, according to the
Any member sitting on opposition benches having the support of majority of members can become
official website of the National As-
leader of the opposition, for which,
sembly, the PPP carries a clear majority on the opposition benches with 39 votes, followed by the PTI’s 29
he/she is supposed to get their signatures in his/her support. After verification of the signatures, the
seats and the MQM’s 23.
speaker declares the name of the leader of the opposition.
Although the PTI, with the support of Jamaat-i-Islami’s four seats, PML-Q’s two, one each of the Awami Muslim League (AML), All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) and some independents, can catch up with the PPP, the MQM’s 23 members of the National Assembly will actually determine which party will head the opposition benches. Talking to Dawn, a leader of the MQM said both the PPP and PTI had sought the party’s support for slot of the leader of the opposition. The MQM leader said the party had yet to take a decision on the matter.
Newly elected speaker of the National Assembly, Ayaz Sadiq, on Tuesday said whichever party would command majority on the
joint candidate for the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, he added. The Peoples Party has given an open offer to the MQM to become part of the provincial government in Sindh. In that case, the PPP, with the Muttahida’s support, can take charge of opposition in the National Assembly. There is a third possibility: if the MQM
the leader of the opposition seems quite open, with the PPP having clear advantage over the PTI and MQM. Talking to Dawn, former information secretary of the PTI and sitting member of the National Assembly, Shafqat Mehmood, said the party wasn’t making any serious effort to secure majority on opposition benches. He said it was immaterial for the party as the nation knew that the “real oppo-
opposition benches, would be given the charge of the opposition without any delay. Meanwhile, the leader of the house in the Senate, Senator Farooq Naek and leader of the opposition, Senator Ishaq Dar, resigned from their positions on Tuesday.
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June 6, 2013
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June 6, 2013
Opening of Universal Mortgages Bokerage in Malton - Ontario - Canada
Punjabi Movie Saada Haq team meet's Punjabi Press Club of Canada members in Mississauga - Ontario - Canada.