US terms Taseer death a big loss

Pak must make efforts to root out extremism

WASHINGTON: Terming the slaying of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer as a loss for Pakistan, the US has said the country has to make efforts to root out extremism and bring greater peace and stability. “This is an individual who had worked hard to promote tolerance, and his loss is a great one for Pakistan,” White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, said.

“We remain committed to the efforts that the Pakistani government is and must undertake to root out violent extremism and to bring greater peace and stability to that country and to that region of the world,” he said.
Gibbs was responding to questions about the assassination, which is said to be a reflection of violent extremism in the country.
Meanwhile, Lawrence Cannon, the Canadian Foreign Minister, in a statement also expressed his condolences to the people of Pakistan on the assassination of Taseer.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Governor Salman Taseer, and to the Pakistani people, in the wake of his vicious and cowardly assassination,” Cannon said.
“His death is a loss to the people of Pakistan and all those who shared his commitment to the promotion of tolerance and legal reforms in that country,” he said. -Online

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Posted in: assassination,country,death,extremism,Governor,Governor Salman Taseer,loss,Pakistan,Pakistani,Salman Taseer,US,White House

Acting US AfPak envoy arrives today

ISLAMABAD: Acting US special representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Frank Ruggiero is arriving in Islamabad on his maiden visit to the region on Wednesday (today). Diplomatic sources say that Frank Ruggiero assumed the post of Acting US special representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan following the death of predecessor Richard Holbrooke last month.

According to the diplomatic sources Ruggiero, who was Holbrooke’s deputy until the death of the veteran diplomat would arrive in Pakistan on January 5 (today) amid political chaos in the country. During his visit, the US envoy will hold talks with the country’s top political and military leadership on the current security situation in the region. Sources added that during his stay Pakistani leadership would again comment on unremitting drone attacks in the country, war against terrorism, needs of Pakistan besides political turmoil that has heated up the country in frosty conditions in Pakistan since last few days. -Agencies

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Posted in: Acting,Afghanistan,AfPak,country,death,envoy,Frank Ruggiero,Holbrooke,Pakistan,that,US

All set to observe BB’s third anniversary

KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs and District President Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Larkana Mohammad Ayaz Soomro has said that all arrangements have been completed to observe the third death anniversary of assassinated PPP chairperson and former prime minister, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto here at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto on December 27.

Addressing a press conference at Larkana Press Club on Friday evening Ayaz Soomro said that on December 27, 2010 Quran Khawani will also be held for the departed soul of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto. He said Mushaira will also be held at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto in which noted poets from across the country will pay homage to the great leader through their poetry. Ayaz Soomro said the supporters, workers and leaders of Pakistan Peoples Party from every nook and corner of the country will participate zealously in the death anniversary programmes to be held at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto, therefore special arrangements for them have also been made. He said a big public meeting on the occasion will be held at President House Naudero on Monday afternoon. All the provincial presidents of the party and central leaders will also address the public meeting. He said the death anniversary programmes will culminate at President House Naudero with the showing of documentaries of Mohtarma Shaheed to the participants in the evening. On the occasion District Coordination Officer (DCO) Larkana Abdul Aleem Lashari and District Police Officer (DPO) Larkana Irfan Balouch told media men that special security and traffic arrangement will be made on the occasion.
They said more than six thousand police personnel, including five hundred special police commandos and three hundred personnel of Shahbaz Rangers will also be deployed to ensure law and order on the occasion.

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Posted in: anniversary,BB,Bhutto,death,Garhi Khuda Bakhsh,Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto,House,PPP,President,President House,Sindh,that

Burqa-clad bomber kills 44 Bajaurians

Burqa-clad bomber kills 44 Bajaurians

PESHAWAR/ BAJAUR: A burqa-clad suicide bomber attacked a crowd of people waiting for aid in Bajaur on Saturday, killing at least 44 of them, officials said. The attack in the Bajaur region came a day after a clash between the Taliban and security forces in the neighbouring Mohmand region that left 11 soldiers and 24 militants dead.

“I myself have counted 40 bodies but the death toll could rise as several wounded people are in critical condition,” Dosti Rehman, an official at the main government hospital in Bajaur, told Reuters.
Zakir Hussain, the top government official in Bajaur, confirmed the death toll and said 60 tribesmen were wounded. He said the death toll could rise as some of the wounded were in critical condition. Several women and children were among casualties, officials said.
The suicide bomber, who was wearing a head-to-toe burqa but whose gender has not been ascertained, detonated explosives as hundreds of people from the Salarzai tribe were heading towards a food distribution centre set up by the World Food Programme (WFP) for people forced from their homes by earlier fighting between security forces and al Qaeda-linked militants. A WFP spokesman said the attack took place where people were being screened at a security checkpoint near their centre. Witnesses said the attacker first threw hand grenades at tribesmen before detonating the bomb. “First there were two small explosions and people started running for cover. But within seconds there was a major blast and there were dead bodies scattered everywhere,” witness Hussain Ahmed said. “It was very terrifying.” The WFP has halted distribution of food and services in Bajaur agency due to the attack. Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani strongly condemned the bomb blast in Bajaur Agency. They deplored the loss of precious lives in the blast and termed the act as a brutal activity of the militants who have no regard for the human and religion, added that these militant are on the run the brave people of Pakistan are united against them. They said that fight against these elements would continue till their complete elimination. President, Prime Minister directed the authorities for provision of best health facilities to the injured. -Agencies

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Posted in: ck,dead,death,food,forces,kills,militants,Minister,security,security forces,that,WFP