Murree Declaration: Agreement Between Zardari and Musharraf

Computer viruses make it to orbit

Nasa has confirmed that laptops carried to the ISS in July were infected with a virus known as Gammima.AG.

The worm was first detected on Earth in August 2007 and lurks on infected machines waiting to steal login names for popular online games.

Nasa said it was not the first time computer viruses had travelled into space and it was investigating how the machines were infected.

Orbital outbreak

Space news website SpaceRef broke the story about the virus on the laptops that astronauts took to the ISS.

Nasa told SpaceRef that no command or control systems of the ISS were at risk from the malicious program.

The laptops infected with the virus were used to run nutritional programs and let the astronauts periodically send e-mail back to Earth.

The laptops carried by astronauts reportedly do not have any anti-virus software on them to prevent infection.

Once it has scooped up passwords and login names the Gammima.AG worm virus tries to send them back to a central server. It targets a total of 10 games most of which are popular in the Far East such as Maple Story, HuangYi Online and Talesweaver.

Nasa is working with partners on the ISS to find out how the virus got on to the laptop in the first place.

The ISS has no direct net connection and all data traffic travelling from the ground to the spacecraft is scanned before being transmitted.

It is thought that the virus might have travelled via a flash or USB drive owned by an astronaut and taken into space.

The space agency also plans to put in place security systems to stop such incidents happening in the future.

Nasa told Wired News that viruses had infected laptops taken to the ISS on several occasions but the outbreaks always only been a "nuisance".

Pakistan presidential candidate Asif Ali Zardari 'suffering from severe mental problems'

Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto and himself a leading contender for the country's presidency, was suffering from severe mental illness as recently as last year, it has been reported।

Mr Zardari, co-chair of the Pakistan People's Party, was diagnosed with a range of psychiatric illnesses, including dementia, major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The illnesses were said to be linked to the fact that he has spent 11 of the past 20 years in Pakistani prisons fighting charges of corruption. He claims to have been tortured during his incarceration.

In March 2007 New York psychiatrist Philip Saltiel found that Mr Zardari's time in detention left him with severe "emotional instability", memory loss and concentration problems, according to court documents seen by the Financial Times.

"I do not see any improvement in these issues for at least a year," he wrote.

Stephen Reich, a psychiatrist from New York State, said Mr Zardari was unable to recall the birthdays of his wife and children and had thought about suicide.

Mr Zardari used the medical reports to successfully fight a now defunct English High Court case in which the Pakistan government sought to sue him over alleged corruption. The case was dropped in March.

Mr Zardari was not available to comment on the documents, but Wajid Shamsul Hasan, the Pakistan high commissioner to London said he was now fit and well.

Mr Zardari is his party's candidate to succeed Pervez Musharraf as president of the nuclear-armed country.

However, his coalition government with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, fell apart yesterday after Mr Sharif withdrew his party, the The Pakistan Muslim League-N.

Judges Restored

Eight of the judges sacked last November by former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf have been reinstated.
They took their oaths at the governor's house in Karachi. Reports say seven or eight more may be sworn in next week.
Mr Musharraf sacked some 60 judges, including Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, but some were restored later.
Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif pulled out of the ruling coalition on Monday amid a dispute about how to restore the judges.
Mr Sharif's PML-N party wants all the sacked judges to be reinstated in one go, through an executive order that declares their sacking illegal.
The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Karachi says the party's views are also supported by a lawyers' movement that is campaigning for the restoration of the judiciary as it existed on 2 November 2007 - one day before Mr Musharraf introduced emergency rule and sacked the judges.
The leader of the ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Asif Zardari - the husband of assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto - has promised to restore the judges but under a fresh oath.
Mr Zardari has said the top judge will ultimately get his job back too, but few analysts believe this, reports the BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad. They say the government sees him as too willing to challenge the establishment, and too close to the politics of the Muslim League.
Analysts say the reinstatement of judges by the PPP is likely to weaken the lawyers' movement and raise questions over PML-N's decision to quit the alliance.

Kalki Autar

Warner 'sues over Puttar movie'

Harry Potter maker Warner Bros is suing an Indian film company over the title of upcoming film Hari Puttar - A Comedy Of Terrors, according to reports.
Warner Bros feels the name is too similar to that of its world famous young wizard, according to trade paper The Hollywood Reporter.
A spokesman confirmed the lawsuit against Mumbai-based Mirchi Movies.
The case is reportedly due to be heard in Bombay High Court. The film is due to open in India on 12 September.
"We have recently commenced proceedings against parties involved in the production and distribution of a movie entitled Hari Puttar," Warner Bros spokeswoman Deborah Lincoln told The Hollywood Reporter.
"Warner Bros values and protects intellectual property rights.
"However, it is our policy not to discuss publicly the details of any ongoing litigation."

Zardari Hidden Assets

SOME OF KNOWN PROPERTIES & ASSETS OF ASIF ALI ZARDARI AS PER NAB OFFICIAL RECORD:THE LOCAL ASSETS ARE:
1. Plot no. 121, Street 16, Phase VIII, DHA Karachi . 2000 sq.yards.
2. Agricultural land situated in Deh Dali Wadi, Taluka, Tando Allah Yar measuring 107 acres.
3. Agricultural property located in Deh Tahooki Taluka, District Hyderabad measuring 165.15 acres.
4. Agricultural land falling in Deh 76-Nusrat, Taluka, District Nawabshah measuring 827.14 acres
5. Agricultural land situated in Deh 76-Nusrat, Taluka, District Nawabshah measuring 293.18 acres
Residential plot No 3 (Now House) Block No B-I, City Survey No 2268 Ward-A Nawabshah
Huma Heights (Asif Apartments) 133, Depot Lines, Commissariat Road , Karachi
Trade Tower Building 3/CL/V Abdullah Haroon Road, Karachi
House No 8, St 19, F-8/2, Islamabad
Agricultural land in Deh 42 Dad Taluka/ District Nawabshah 740 acres
Agricultural land in Deh 51 Dad Taluka Distt Nawabshah 530 acres
Plot No 3 & 4 Sikni (residential) Near 8000 sq. yards.
Housing Society Ltd. Nawabshah
CafT Sheraz (C.S No.. 2231/2 & 2231/3) Nawabshah
Agricultural land in Deh 23-Deh Taluka & District Nawabshah 940 acres
Agricultural property in Deh 72-A, Nusrat Taluka, Nawabshah 1230 acres
Agricultural land in Deh 76-Nusrat Taluka, Nawabshah 2117 acres
Plot No. A/136 Survey No 2346 Ward A Government Employee's Cooperative Housing Society Ltd, Nawabshah 8000 sq. yards
Agricultural land in Deh Jaryoon Taluka Tando Allah Yar, Distt. Hyderabad 711 acres
Agricultural land in Deh Aroro Taluka Tando Allah Yar 622 acres
Agricultural land in Deh Nondani Taluka Tando Allah Yar 1430 acres
Agricultural land in Deh Lotko Taluka Tando Allah Yar 2330 acres
Agricultural land in Deh Jhol Taluka Tando Allah Yar 230 acres
Agricultural land in Deh Kandari Taluka Tando Allah Yar 856 acres
Agricultural land in Deh Deghi Taluka Tando Mohammad Khan 743 acres
Agricultural land in Deh Rahooki Taluka, Hyderabad 932 acres
Property in Deh Charo Taluka, Badin 1140 acres
Agricultural property in Deh Dali Wadi Taluka, Hyderabad 3122 acres
Five acres prime land allotted by DG KDA in 1995/96
4,000 kanals on Simli Dam
880 acres of land at Hawkes Bay
13 acres of land at Maj Gulradi ( KPT Land )
One acre plot, GCI, Clifton
One acre of land, State Life ( International Center , Sadar)
FEBCs worth Rs. 48 million
SHARES IN SUGAR MILLS INCLUDE:
Sakrand Sugar Mills Nawabshah
Ansari Sugar
Mills Hyderabad
Mirza Sugar Mills Badin
Pangrio Sugar Mills Thatta
Bachani Sugar Mills Sanghar

FRONT COMPANIES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES:Bomer Fiannce Inc, British Virgin IslandsMariston Securities Inc, Marleton Business S A, Capricorn Trading S A, Fagarita Consulting INc, Marvil Associated Inc,Pawnbury Finance Ltd, Oxton Trading Limited, Brinslen Invest S A, Chimitex Holding S A, Elkins Holding S A, Minister Invest Ltd, Silvernut Investment Inc, Tacolen Investment Ltd,Marlcrdon Invest S A, Dustan Trading Inc, Reconstruction and Development Finance Inc, Nassam Alexander Inc.Westminster Securities Inc.Laptworth Investment Inc 202, Saint Martin Drive, West JacksonvilleIntra Foods Inc. 3376, Lomrel Grove, Jacksonville , FloridaDynatel Trading Co, FloridaA.. S Realty Inc. Palm Beach Gardens FloridaBon Voyage Travel Consultancy Inc, FloridaPROPERTIES IN UK ARE:355 acre Rockwood Estate, Surrey (Now stands admitted)Flat 6, 11 Queensgate Terrace, London SW726 Palace Mansions, Hammersmith Road , London W1427 Pont Street , London , SW120 Wilton Crescent , London SW123 Lord Chancellor Walk, Coombe Hill, Kingston , SurreyThe Mansion, Warren Lane, West Hampstead, LondonA flat at Queensgate Terrace, LondonHouses at Hammersmith Road, Wilton Crescent , Kingston and in Hampstead.PROPERTIES IN BELGIUM ARE:12-3 Boulevard De-Nieuport, 1000, Brussels, (Building containing 4 shops and 2 large apartments)Chausee De-Mons, 1670, BrusselsPROPERTIES IN FRANCE ARE:La Manoir De La Reine Blanche and property in CannesPROPERTIES IN USA -- in the name of Asif Zardari and managed by Shimmy Qureshi are:Stud farm in TexasWellington Club East, West Palm Beach12165 West Forest Hills , FloridaEscue Farm 13,524 India Mound, West Palm Beach3,220 Santa Barbara Drive , Wellington Florida13,254 Polo Club Road, West Palm Beach Florida3,000 North Ocean Drive , Singer Islands , Florida525 South Flager Driver, West Palm Beach , FloridaMarriott Hotel in Downtown Houston Owned by Asif Ali Zardari, Iqbal Memon and Sadar-ud-Din HashwaniBANK ACCOUNTS IN FOREGN COMPANIES ARE:Union Bank of Switzerland (Account No. 552.343, 257.556.60Q, 433.142.60V, 216.393.60T)Citibank Private Limited (SWZ) (Account No. 342034)Citibank N A Dubai (Account No. 818097)Barclays Bank (Suisse) (Account No. 62290209)Barclays Bank (Suisse) (Account No. 62274400)Banque Centrade Ormard Burrus S ABanque Pache S ABanque Pictet & CieBanque La Henin, Paris (Account No. 00101953552)Bank Natinede Paris in Geneva (Account NO.. 563.726.9)Swiss Bank CorporationChase Manhattan Bank SwitzerlandAmerican Express Bank SwitzerlandSociete De Banque SwisseeBarclays Bank (Knightsbridge Branch) (Account No. 90991473)Barclays Bank, Kingston and Chelsea Branch, (Sort Code 20-47-34135)National WestminsterBank, Alwych Branch (Account No. 9683230)Habib Bank ( Pall Mall Branch).National Westminster Bank, Barking Branch, (Account No. 28558999).Habib Bank AG, Moorgate, London EC2National Westminster Bank, Edgware Road , LondonBanque Financiei E Dela Citee, Credit SuisseHabib Bank AG Zurich , SwitzerlandPictet Et Cie, GenevaCredit Agricole, ParisCredit Agridolf, Branch 11, Place Brevier, 76440, Forges Les FauxCredit Agricole, Branch Haute – Normandie, 76230, Boise Chillaum

Why we failed in FATA

What has gone wrong with FATA? And why is the tribal area in such deep trouble and in the grip of an insurgency? Unless we address these issues sincerely and find answers to these troubling questions, we will be only dealing with the implications of the situation and not resolving the problem.In 2001, Pakistan took a somersault and a complete U-turn by aligning itself totally and unconditionally with the US led war on terror. Since this was a one man decision, there was no national consensus and no civil society input into this new approach or policy. It consequently lacked strength and substance and did not reflect the aspirations of the people of this country. Because there was no consensus on this policy, no thought was given on how to deal with the consequences that would flow from its execution and what would be the reaction generally and in FATA to a policy of complete submission and subservience to the US dictates and demands. The rules of engagement with the US were thus not settled. It was not realised that the decision would create an unwholesome disconnect between the government and the people. It was also beyond comprehension of the policy-makers to have visualised the convulsive effects of this policy on the tribal areas. No counter insurgency measures were, therefore, worked out to deal with any large-scale resistance. To make matters worse, the army was inducted in the interior of the tribal areas in 2003. To deploy troops on the border to block infiltration is understandable and would not have produced any sharp and intense reaction. But instead of doing just that, the troops were deployed in the interior of tribal areas in many causes substituting for the Frontier Corps personnel. This was an affront to the traditions and honour of the tribesmen who clearly began to see a connection between American policy and Pakistan's role in promoting America's agenda. As if the deployment of the troops in the hinterland of FATA was not enough provocation, the local administration and the political agent was totally sidelined. Shots were being called from Peshawar and all major decisions with regard to the deployment, role, duties of the troops and their interaction with the tribes were taken at the provincial HQ without involving the civil administration. This led to a profound distortion in the assessment of the situation, because the ground realities were totally ignored in the absence of the valuable advice that political agent alone was competent in providing. Soon it became common practice to send helicopter gunships or airforce jets to bomb the militants' positions. Collateral damage would follow, driving more people into the lap of the militants. In any such emergency, governments and administrations have throughout used the tribes to promote a certain policy and deliver a defined outcome. But for that to happen there would be no credibility gap between the tribes and the government. But in our euphoria and enthusiasm to win US support, we allowed the credibility gap to widen. This resulted in the tribesmen becoming totally disenchanted with the government. The only institution that they have known and respected i.e. the institution of the political agent was being demolished creating on administrative vacuum at a time of a great crisis. In such period of crisis, invigorated institutions can only deliver. Regrettably, on the one hand, we helped create a divergence of perception between the people and the government and on the other hand, began to demolish the institution which could have played a role in containing the damage. Sadly, this gruesome spectacle was being played while all the major actors were completely oblivious to the appalling rise of hatred and hostility that this policy was engendering. The folly began to perpetuate itself.As time passed, we were being sucked into a vortex of self-perpetuating violence which our ill-conceived and badly execution policy was helping to breed and nurture. The stage was set for the emergence on the tribal landscape of groups of militants. Even when it became apparent that insurgency is sweeping the tribal areas, no effort was made to comprehend the dynamics of the situation objectively. Half hearted attempts were made to conclude peace agreement. Lopsided measures tended to spread confusion and contributed to the growing loss of faith amongst tribesmen in the ability of the government to redress their grievances and help resolve the conflict. Now that the problem has assumed ominous proportions, yet another shortcut solution is envisaged to be put in practice: military operations based on actionable intelligence. Military operations would achieve quick results leaving many people to believe that the problem would soon be over. But once again, we would be unmindful of the long term damage that may be caused to the body politic of the tribal area and its awful implications for peace and tranquillity. A long-term approach would take into account the resurrection of the systems and institutions. It would focus on working through the tribes. With that end in view, the image of the tribal elders would be restored. The decision making process would have to be decentralised. The institution of the political agent would have to be equipped, strengthened and more importantly its image restored in the eyes of the tribesmen. Each tribe and section of the tribe would have to be engaged in meaningful, purpose oriented talks leading to tangible agreements. This would automatically insolate the Al Qaeda militants. The 'Riwaj' provides quick and comprehensive solution to persons of undesirable credentials and foreign militants on the soil of 'Quam' or tribe. This is feasible because it represents as institutionalised approach to deal with any group of people who are regarded by the political agent as unwelcome settlers in his area of jurisdiction.The government cannot cede its territory to any militant group nor can it allow any parallel administration to emerge and take hold in any pocket of any tribal area. But this will be brought about by working through the systems, through the tribes. The credibility gap will be removed if the government were to decide, after agreements have been reached with different tribes, to withdraw the troops from the tribal area and allow the Frontier Corps and Khasadars to assume the duties that the law requires them to perform. The government at the same time, in order to make Pakistan's sovereignty meaningful, will have to revisit and reappraise its policy of supporting the war on terror. While the support can continue, Pakistan should not be expected to underwrite the security of the Afghan government or accept internal instability as a cost of such participation.The writer is former chief secretary of NWFP

Faraz Died

His funeral prayer will be offered at the Islamabad Graveyard at 6pm on Tuesday, his son Shibli Faraz told a private TV channel. He leaves behind a widow and three sons.He had been in a critical condition in the ICU at Shifa International hospital, Islamabad, since his return from the United States last month where he had suffered kidney failure and had been put on dialysis in a Chicago Hospital.Ahmad Faraz was a passionate and popular voice for progress and change. A famed and eminent career in Urdu poetry and a life lived richly in the pursuit of progressive ideals has come to an end.Acclaimed, admired and widely sung, his poetry was rich in romance and progressive ideas on the side of the great unwashed and the downtrodden of the earth. His voice was unwelcome in the halls of power. He opposed usurpers and dictators alike.His reward was exile during the regime of Gen Ziaul Haq, who could not tolerate his association with the PPP government when he became the head of the Pakistan Academy of letters. Upon return of democratic rule, he was appointed head of the National Book Foundation. He earned recognition as a poet early with the publication of his first collection of verses. Successive books of poetry added to his stature as a leading poet of the country and the Urdu language. His name is reckoned with among the great of his contemporaries — Faiz, Rashed, Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi. He had a strong bass and a plaintive Sing-song style of his own in which he recited his verse to adulating audiences at mushaeras that made him a household name among lovers of poetry. In the last decade of his life largely during general Musharraf’s regime he had a hard time keeping his job as head of the national book foundation that he ultimately lost. His subdued disclaimers had then no holds left and he came out openly against military dictatorship and returned the national award that had been conferred on him. Since then in all of his public appearances he was strong in his opposition to the unlawful regime. He gave his full support to the lawyers movement for the restoration of judiciary. Although he will live in the romance and passion of his lyrical poetry, his death will e widely mourned, because in him the weak and the poor of the land have lost a friend. Born in a village near Kohat in January 14, 1931, Ahmed Faraz was a son of a traditional poet Agha Syed Muhammad Shah Bark Kohti and was considered one of the leading poets of the country. Faraz holds a unique position as one of the best poets of current times, with a fine but simplistic style of writing, even common people can easily understand and identify with. Ethnically a Pashto-speaking Pashtun, Ahmed Faraz learned and studied Persian and Urdu at the Peshawar University where he taught these subjects later. During his college time, Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Ali Sardar Jafri were the best progressive poets, who impressed him and became his role models. He initially worked as a script writer at radio Pakistan Peshawar and then moved on to teach Urdu at Peshawar University. In 1976 he became the founding Director General (Later Chairman) of Pakistan Academy of Letters. Outspoken about politics, he went into self-imposed exile during the Zia-ul-Haq era after he was arrested for reciting certain poems at a Mushaira criticising the military rule. He stayed for three years in Britain, Canada and Europe before returning to Pakistan, where he was initially appointed Chairman Academy of Letters and later chairperson of the Islamabad-based National Book Foundation for several years. He has been awarded with numerous national and international awards. He was inspired by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Pakistan People’s Party. He was awarded the Hilal-i-Imtiaz in 2004, in recognition of his literary achievements. He returned the award in 2006 against Gen Pervez Musharraf’s removal of judges and toeing American policies. “My conscience will not forgive me if I remained a silent spectator of the sad happenings around us. The least I can do is to let the dictatorship know where it stands in the eyes of the concerned citizens whose fundamental rights have been usurped. I am doing this by returning the Hilal-i-Imtiaz (civil) forthwith and refuse to associate myself in any way with the regime.” About his current writings he had said: “I now only write when I am forced to from the inside.” Maintaining a tradition established by his mentor, the revolutionary Faiz Ahmed Faiz, he wrote some of his best poetry during those days in exile. Famous amongst poetry of resistance has been “Mahasara” One amongst his great ghazals is the famous Ranjish Hi Sahi. He has so far written 13 books and all put together comes as “Shehr e Sukhn aarasta hai” his latest publication so far. He also joined civil society movement launched against former President Pervez Musharrf and reinstatement of deposed judges. He was seen several times in demonstrations staged in Islamabad for the cause. He also wrote a poem on the issue. Acting President Muhmmadmian Soomro, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari, PML-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan Academy of Letters Chairman Iftikhar Arif, Kishwar Naheed, Aftab OIqbal Shamim, Muttahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain and other political and literary personality expressed their deep sorrow and grief over the sad demise of the national poet. “He had ruled on Ghazal for a long time and the vacuum occurred after his death cannot be filled,” a poet Ghazanfar Hashmi said. Ahmed Faraz is considered one of the greatest modern Urdu poets of the last century and greatest living Urdu poet of present times. Faraz is his pseudonym ‘takhallus’, whereas his real name is Syed Ahmed Shah.

It is breating

By the Grace of God, Pakenews blog is now up and running both at blogger and wordpress. Your contribution would be highly appreciated in this regard.

Our Confused Leaders

When Pakistan's four-party ruling alliance took power just under five months ago, there was hardly any parliamentary opposition left in the country. They had completely trounced the allies of former President Pervez Musharraf in the 18 February elections. But since then, their only success has been to force Mr Musharraf out of office. Other than that, the two largest parties in the alliance, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), have been squabbling over one thing or another, leaving the country's worsening economic problems and a rising tide of Islamic militancy unattended. Analysts are now split over what the PML-N's decision to quit the alliance would mean for the future of the country. Some expect democracy to weaken and ultimately give in to the country's most powerful institution, the military. Others say the split may help the party in power, the PPP, to focus more clearly on problems at hand and also strike a new balance in its relations with an expanded opposition.

Riots In India

Four persons have been killed in armed clashes that broke out between Hindus and Christians in the Indian state of Orissa at the weekend.
Now a total of at least eight persons have been killed in the spiralling communal violence sparked by the killing of an eminent Hindu leader.
Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati was killed on Saturday night.
Seven of the eight deaths have taken place in Kandhamal district, the epicentre of the communal upheaval.
The incident took place at Barakhama village in the afternoon as rival groups attacked each other with guns and bombs. Those killed in the clash included a woman.
Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said: "Four bodies were found at the scene of the clash at Barakhama. But the identity of the deceased is yet to be established."
Making a statement on the incident in the State Assembly, Mr Patnaik said a small contingent of police personnel present there done "its best but could not prevent the violence".
Reinforcements have now been rushed in and the situation brought under control, he said.
The chief minister announced compensation of 200,000 Rupees ($5,000) for the next-of-kin of those killed in the violence.

Introduction

Welcome to pakistan...Please dont forget the helmet