Monday, July 19, 2010
PM takes Sharif into confidence over Pak-US strategic dialogue
Updated at: 2254 PST, Monday, July 19, 2010
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilanion Monday made a telephonic call to PML-N Chief Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and took him into confidence over the recently held Pakistan-U.S. strategic dialogue.
He informed the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief regarding the assistance that the United States government is planning to provide for the development of various sectors in Pakistan.
The prime minister also took him into confidence over the understanding to facilitate the Afghan Transit Trade that has been agreed between the two countries and which would open up route for Pakistani goods to Central Asia.
Both the leaders expressed their satisfaction over the unanimous approval of the Diamer-Basha Dam resolution by the Council of Common Interests (CCI) and stressed for comprehensive strategy to ensure its early completion.
The prime minister also took Nawaz Sharif into confidence over the recently concluded Pakistan-India Foreign Ministers meetings.
The PML-N chief supported the prime minister and said that all outstanding issues with India must be resolved through meaningful dialogue.
Acknowledging the statement of Nawaz Sharif regarding the arrest of Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman's brother, the prime minister informed him that Sindh Home Minister Sindh has been directed for his immediately release.
Prime minister said that he has also talked to Sindh Chief Minister in this regard and asked him to avoid any victimisation.
The premier also enquired about the health of Begum Kalsoom Nawaz and prayed for her early recovery.
The PML-Nawaz chief lauded the prime minister for his positive approach in developing consensus on matters of national importance, especially for according due consideration to the views of all the political leadership. He reiterated his support to the government to strengthen the democratic norms in the country.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilanion Monday made a telephonic call to PML-N Chief Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and took him into confidence over the recently held Pakistan-U.S. strategic dialogue.He informed the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief regarding the assistance that the United States government is planning to provide for the development of various sectors in Pakistan.
The prime minister also took him into confidence over the understanding to facilitate the Afghan Transit Trade that has been agreed between the two countries and which would open up route for Pakistani goods to Central Asia.
Both the leaders expressed their satisfaction over the unanimous approval of the Diamer-Basha Dam resolution by the Council of Common Interests (CCI) and stressed for comprehensive strategy to ensure its early completion.
The prime minister also took Nawaz Sharif into confidence over the recently concluded Pakistan-India Foreign Ministers meetings.
The PML-N chief supported the prime minister and said that all outstanding issues with India must be resolved through meaningful dialogue.
Acknowledging the statement of Nawaz Sharif regarding the arrest of Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman's brother, the prime minister informed him that Sindh Home Minister Sindh has been directed for his immediately release.
Prime minister said that he has also talked to Sindh Chief Minister in this regard and asked him to avoid any victimisation.
The premier also enquired about the health of Begum Kalsoom Nawaz and prayed for her early recovery.
The PML-Nawaz chief lauded the prime minister for his positive approach in developing consensus on matters of national importance, especially for according due consideration to the views of all the political leadership. He reiterated his support to the government to strengthen the democratic norms in the country.
Afridi wants to lead Pakistan to World Cup glory
Updated at: 0150 PST, Monday, July 19, 2010
LONDON: Former Pakistan Test captain Shahid Afridi vowed to return to England on Sunday, saying the limited over series starting next month will be the launch pad for his ambitions to win the 2011 World Cup.
The 30-year-old announced he would retire from Test cricket after the second and final Test against Australia at Leeds starting Wednesday, citing a lack of temperament for the five-day game.
His announcement came minutes after he led Pakistan to a 150-run defeat against Australia in the first Test on Friday, where Afridi slogged 31 in the first innings and hold out for two in the second.
But a side strain meant the batsman was ruled out of the second Test and he was released from the Pakistan squad which, after the Australia series, will stay on to play four Tests against England.
However, Afridi - who led Pakistan to the 2009 World Twenty20 title - is determined to return for the subsequent limited over series against England.
"I took a decision which I felt was right and now all my concentration is on the limited overs series against England which will be our first step towards winning next year's World Cup," Afridi said.
"I have won the World Twenty20, beaten England and India in Tests at home and have achieved some other milestones as well, but before I leave the game I want to win the World Cup," he added ahead of next year's tournament in Asia, where Pakistan will try to add to their lone World Cup title won in 1992.
Opener Salman Butt will lead Pakistan at Leeds and in the Tests against England.
"Butt must take coach Waqar Younis and others with him because this team will be tested against England," said Afridi who may join English county side Hampshire if they qualify for the domestic Twenty20 quarter-finals.
"I had to abandon the contract with Hampshire because I was here for the Test series but now they want me to play the last three matches of the Twenty20, provided they qualify," said Afridi, known as a Twenty20 specialist.
Afridi rubbished speculation his Test retirement came after differences with Pakistan team-mates.
"This team was unified and there were no problems, nothing. I took the decision in the best interest of the team and hope a youngster with a Test temperament takes my position.
"I also feel that there are other players who are not fit for the longer version of the game and my advice to them is to concentrate on the shorter forms," said Afridi, without naming names.
Afridi hopes a month's break will revive him for the two Twenty20 and five one-day internationals against World Twenty20 champions England which follow the Test series.
"I will be fresh for the limited over series which will be very tough because England have been doing very well in both ODIs and T20s, so if we could beat them it would be good for the progress of the team," said Afridi.
Pakistan's one-day squad is due to announced next month.
LONDON: Former Pakistan Test captain Shahid Afridi vowed to return to England on Sunday, saying the limited over series starting next month will be the launch pad for his ambitions to win the 2011 World Cup.The 30-year-old announced he would retire from Test cricket after the second and final Test against Australia at Leeds starting Wednesday, citing a lack of temperament for the five-day game.
His announcement came minutes after he led Pakistan to a 150-run defeat against Australia in the first Test on Friday, where Afridi slogged 31 in the first innings and hold out for two in the second.
But a side strain meant the batsman was ruled out of the second Test and he was released from the Pakistan squad which, after the Australia series, will stay on to play four Tests against England.
However, Afridi - who led Pakistan to the 2009 World Twenty20 title - is determined to return for the subsequent limited over series against England.
"I took a decision which I felt was right and now all my concentration is on the limited overs series against England which will be our first step towards winning next year's World Cup," Afridi said.
"I have won the World Twenty20, beaten England and India in Tests at home and have achieved some other milestones as well, but before I leave the game I want to win the World Cup," he added ahead of next year's tournament in Asia, where Pakistan will try to add to their lone World Cup title won in 1992.
Opener Salman Butt will lead Pakistan at Leeds and in the Tests against England.
"Butt must take coach Waqar Younis and others with him because this team will be tested against England," said Afridi who may join English county side Hampshire if they qualify for the domestic Twenty20 quarter-finals.
"I had to abandon the contract with Hampshire because I was here for the Test series but now they want me to play the last three matches of the Twenty20, provided they qualify," said Afridi, known as a Twenty20 specialist.
Afridi rubbished speculation his Test retirement came after differences with Pakistan team-mates.
"This team was unified and there were no problems, nothing. I took the decision in the best interest of the team and hope a youngster with a Test temperament takes my position.
"I also feel that there are other players who are not fit for the longer version of the game and my advice to them is to concentrate on the shorter forms," said Afridi, without naming names.
Afridi hopes a month's break will revive him for the two Twenty20 and five one-day internationals against World Twenty20 champions England which follow the Test series.
"I will be fresh for the limited over series which will be very tough because England have been doing very well in both ODIs and T20s, so if we could beat them it would be good for the progress of the team," said Afridi.
Pakistan's one-day squad is due to announced next month.
US wants stability of Pak economy, democracy: Clinton
Updated at: 1209 PST, Monday, July 19, 2010
ISLAMABAD: US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said her country wants the stability of Pakistan’s economy and the democratic institutions here, Geo News reported Monday.
Addressing a joint press conference along with her Pakistan counterpart Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi at Foreign Office after Strategic Dialogues, she said the US would give Pakistan $7 billion in non-military aid over five years.
She said her meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani were positive and various issues relating Pakistani public were mulled over.
Clinton said the US wants lasting and enduring relations and cooperation with Pakistan, adding her country will cooperate with Pakistan in sectors including energy, health and education.
She told that dialogues focused on raising the standards of living of Pakistan’s people and the projects of water and electricity were discussed.
The US top official said, ‘The action is better than the speech and we are acting.’
Responding a query, he said, ‘We are ready to talk to those willing for peace in Afghanistan,’ acknowledging that Afghan army and people both suffered a heavy toll.
Hillary also voiced sympathy and condolences to the affectees of suicide attacks at Data Darbar and the victims of other bombings.
She also mentioned Pak mangoes saying they are delicious and she bought and savored them.
The FM Qureshi said the negotiations are in the interest of the two countries, adding trilateral relations and strengthening the ties between the two nations were mulled over in the dialogues.
Kerry-Lugar Bill is a document of long-term relations, he said adding he talked to the US top official about issues relating education, health, and Pakistani people.
Next round of talks will take place in Washington in October, the FM said.
Responding another query, he said Pakistan is faced with energy crisis which heavily impacted the economy and agriculture of the country.
ISLAMABAD: US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said her country wants the stability of Pakistan’s economy and the democratic institutions here, Geo News reported Monday.Addressing a joint press conference along with her Pakistan counterpart Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi at Foreign Office after Strategic Dialogues, she said the US would give Pakistan $7 billion in non-military aid over five years.
She said her meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani were positive and various issues relating Pakistani public were mulled over.
Clinton said the US wants lasting and enduring relations and cooperation with Pakistan, adding her country will cooperate with Pakistan in sectors including energy, health and education.
She told that dialogues focused on raising the standards of living of Pakistan’s people and the projects of water and electricity were discussed.
The US top official said, ‘The action is better than the speech and we are acting.’
Responding a query, he said, ‘We are ready to talk to those willing for peace in Afghanistan,’ acknowledging that Afghan army and people both suffered a heavy toll.
Hillary also voiced sympathy and condolences to the affectees of suicide attacks at Data Darbar and the victims of other bombings.
She also mentioned Pak mangoes saying they are delicious and she bought and savored them.
The FM Qureshi said the negotiations are in the interest of the two countries, adding trilateral relations and strengthening the ties between the two nations were mulled over in the dialogues.
Kerry-Lugar Bill is a document of long-term relations, he said adding he talked to the US top official about issues relating education, health, and Pakistani people.
Next round of talks will take place in Washington in October, the FM said.
Responding another query, he said Pakistan is faced with energy crisis which heavily impacted the economy and agriculture of the country.
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