NRO implementation case

Raja authorises Naek to withdraw Qayyum’s letter

SC orders govt to write letter to Swiss authorities by Sept 25

Islamabad—Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf appearing in the Supreme Court for the second time in NRO implementation case Monday submitted that he has asked the Law Minister to write letter to the Swiss authorities revoking the letter written by former Attorney General Malik Qayum about closure of Swiss cases. A five-member bench comprising Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa, Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry, Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Athar Saeed heard the contempt of court proceedings against PM Ashraf in the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) implementation case.

Karachi twin blasts kill 8, hurt 27

Karachi—At least 8 persons were killed and over 27 sustained multiple injuries in two bomb blasts in a crowded bazaar known as Hyderi Market here Tuesday evening. Since Hyderi market usually is crowded by women shoppers and known as the business shopping in North Nazimabad, the majority of the victims were women including a minor girl. The fear of violence shattered the nerves of the people following reports of bomb blasts and violent rallies taken out by political groups which resulted in a total chaos in road traffic as everyone rushed home in a state of panic.

Fresh protests erupt against anti-Islam film

Peshawar—Police used tear gas to disperse a crowd of more than 2,000 protesters trying to reach the US consulate in Peshawar on Tuesday, as fresh demonstrations erupted against an anti-Islam film. Protesters chanting anti-US slogans and burning the American flag gathered outside the US mission in the city of Peshawar to vent their fury at the “Innocence of Muslims” film, which was made in America and disrespects the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Around 2,000 people marched through the country’s largest city, Karachi, towards the US consulate to protest against the film, which has triggered a week of deadly protests across the Muslim world.

Pak, IMF to review $6.4b payback in Dubai

Islamabad—The first round of talks between Pakistan and International Monetary Fund (IMF) will start from September 25 in Dubai where Pakistan’s ability to pay back a remaining debt of approximately $6.4 billion will be reviewed. According to an official, during the week-long talks, an IMF team will arrive in Islamabad to hold policy-level dialogue. A significant part of the parleys will involve meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf.

Middle East peace process likely to remain ‘unsolved problem’: Romney

JUST hours after Mitt Romney struggled to explain a blunt cultural assessment revealed in a leaked video from a private fund-raiser, footage of an equally blunt foreign policy assessment from the same event threatened to further derail his efforts to focus on his domestic economic policy. In a new video posted by Mother Jones, a liberal magazine, Mr. Romney says the Middle East peace process is “likely to remain an unsolved problem.”

Foreigners among 12 killed in Kabul car bombing

Kabul—At least 12 people, including eight foreigners, were killed Tuesday morning in a suicide car bombing in Afghan capital Kabul, the police said. “A suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into a minibus carrying foreign staffs of a local company at around 6:45 local time (0215 GMT) Tuesday, killing eight foreigners and a local driver named Ahmad Zia on the spot,” head of criminal investigation department of Kabul police, Gen. Mohammad Zahir said.

Nato restricts joint operations with Afghan troops

Kabul—Nato force on Tuesday said it is to restrict operations with Afghan troops following a string of deadly attacks on its personnel by rogue Afghan security forces. Only large operations will now be conducted jointly, with joint patrols evaluated on a case-by-case basis.This is a major step back for Nato’s strategy. It comes as a suicide bomber targeted a bus carrying foreigners in the capital, killing 12 people on Tuesday morning.