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UK curbs on first-time Pak visitors under 25

        London: The British Foreign Office has said that Pakistani citizens under the age of 25 will not be allowed to enter the country if it is their first visit because of perceived security concerns. This was revealed by Foreign Office Minister Baroness Crawley, who said that applications of first-time visitors under the age of 25 are not currently being accepted by the visa section of British High Commission in Islamabad. Baroness Crawley said that the visa section in Islamabad had been closed since May 2002 in response to security concerns. "Since then we have worked towards the restoration of a full service. On 4 May 2004, the visa service was extended to all applicants except those applying as working holidaymakers, "The Nation quoted her as saying. "Because of exceptionally high levels of demand, a restriction has again had to be imposed. Applications from first-time visitors under the age of 25 are not currently being accepted. Government is working hard to restore a full service as soon as possible, including by increasing the number of entry clearance officers", she added.

        Baroness Crawley was responding to a query put forward by Lord Nazir Ahmed, who questioned if the government was aware that the visa section in Islamabad is the most under staffed and under resourced yet the most profitable in terms of the income generated from visa applications? Crawley said that the situation there is under constant review with the aim of restoring a full service in all categories as soon as circumstances allow. "UK visas, the directorate that runs the visa department, has recently increased the number of entry clearance officer slots posted in Islamabad but it will take time to get staffing right. Both staffing numbers and productivity have increased. We are committed to offering customers in Pakistan the best service possible. Islamabad is currently accepting applications in all categories except for those under 25 applying as first-time visitors and working holidaymakers. Islamabad is handling 900 to 1,000 applications a day, equivalent to 220,000 a year, which is up from 120,000 last year. As regards the allegations of wrong- doing that my noble friend mentioned, if he will give me evidence, I shall certainly take it up with the department.," she was quoted as saying.

Pak for US technical support to nab terrorists  (Go To Top)

         Islamabad: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has said that it is imperative for the United States to provide all the technical support at its command to help Pakistan combat acts of terrorism and nab culprits behind such dastardly deeds. Expressing that his government attached great importance to its ties with the US and would seek to further consolidate it with the passage of time, Musharraf told visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs that Pakistan faces many challenges in its war against terrorism and would continue the fight to purge the terrorist menace from its soil. He said the US should increase technical assistance to Pakistan so that we could fight against terror in a more effective manner. With respect to bilateral ties between Pakistan and India, Musharraf said that the dialogue process between the two countries was on the right track. "If we remain on this track, then we are not far from settling the Kashmir dispute, " The Nation quoted him as saying.

Michael Jackson may commit suicide if he is convicted (Go To Top)

        London: Michael Jackson's family fears that the pop icon may commit suicide if he is convicted of sexual assault. Close relatives of the 'Thriller' star are, in fact, holding weekly meetings to decide the best possible way to bail him out of trouble. "Michael ain't going to jail, he's going to commit suicide first," The Sun quoted a source quoting Jackson's brother Jermaine as saying. The 46-year-old singing sensation is set to face trial early next year on charges of nine counts of child molestation.

US bans several Pak charities from collecting zakat (Go To Top)

        New York: The US has as part of its crackdown on terrorist organizations banned 27 charities, including several from Pakistan from collecting zakat, fitra or other forms of donations during the holy month of Ramazan. According to the Dawn, the US Treasury Secretary John Snow has also asked Muslims in Pakistan and elsewhere to refrain from giving any donations to these blacklisted charities as these, rather than carrying on charity for the community, were utilising the funds for carrying on terrorist activities all over the world including Pakistan. "Sadly, some have preyed on the charitable spirit of Americans and our friends worldwide by using charities as a conduit to finance terrorist activity. Those who have corrupted the goodwill of donors do not represent the mainstream values of people of good faith, including Muslims," the paper quoted him as saying. "When you open your hearts to charity during Ramazan, we encourage you to educate yourself on the activities of the charities to which you donate, to help ensure that your generosity is not exploited for nefarious purposes," he added. Offering his greetings for Ramazan, he further added that it was important for the devout and the faithful to give charity to the right organizations so that donations given out of religious fervour and in good faith do not fall into the hands of terrorist outfits like Al Qaeda or Hamas, which have infiltrated some charities. As per the report, the 27 banned charities include several one of Pakistani origin like the Al Rashid Trust, Wafa Humanitarian Organization Rabita Trust, Ummah Tamer-i-Nau, Revival of Islamic Heritage Society, Afghan Support Committee and others like Aid Organization of the Ulema.

Iran test-fires Shahab-3 missile (Go To Top)

         Tehran: Iran said it test fired on Wednesday a more accurate version of its Shahab-3 missile, already believed capable of hitting Israel and US bases in the Gulf. "Iran test fired a more accurate version of the Shahab-3 in the presence of observers," Defence Minister Ali Shamkhani told reporters after a weekly cabinet meeting.

Brisk business in eastern India in festive season (Go To Top)

        Siliguri: Traders in eastern India are doing brisk business with the festival of Durga Puja reaching fever pitch in terms of preparation and activity. In West Bengal's Siliguri district, a large number of people from hill areas are pouring in the city markets to buy clothes and other gifts for their children and relatives. Kanchan Goswami, a shopkeeper selling clothes, said this is the year's best time when their sales go up by 50 percent. "During the Durga Puja festival, market in Siliguri really does good business as people from nearby places come here for shopping," said Goswami. Scores of people are also thronging Pandals or makeshift temples which have sprout in the city. Besides depicting Goddess Durga in her various manifestations, pandals also recreate replicas of historical monuments such as Taj Mahal and Qutub Minar. Replicas of contemporary themes like Titanic ship when the film was released, also are the centre of attraction. More than 200 clubs in the area are organising puja in which 700,000-800,000 rupees have been spent. Sebon Rai, a customer from neighbouring Darjeeling city, said he is a regular to Siliguri for festival purchases due to its variety. "I have come here to shop for my children and family for the Puja. I come here every year during this time. Siliguri is a bigger place than Darjeeling hence we get everything here," said Rai, who had come shopping with his family. Durga is depicted as a powerful goddess, riding a raging lion, holding aloft ten weapons of war in her ten hands. Her trident is depicted plunging into the side of a monstrous buffalo, out of whose body emerges a demon symbolising evil.Worship of the goddess is part of the festival which culminates with the immersion of the idols on the final day.

         The festival which symbolises the triumph of good over evil, is marked by prayers, processions and musical programmes. Meanwhile, famous sand artist Sudarshan Panaik in neighbouring Orissa state has his unique way of paying respect to Goddess Durga. In the beach town of Puri, Patnaik and his students worked for 13 hours to sculpt the Goddess, seen by many as a symbol of power. The sculpture depicts a battle of good over evil, the dark forces eventually succumbing to the divine. Patnaik said he used 2,000 bags of sand to make the images and has not used any binding material. "Durga Puja is the biggest festival for us in eastern India. That is why I want to display my art of sand in front of people who come here from all over the world during the festival," said Patnaik. The sculpture will be on display till the end of the festival.

Pak badminton squad to arrive in India on Thursday (Go To Top)

        Karachi: Five Pakistani shuttlers will arrive in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh on Thursday to revive bilateral badminton ties through their participation in the eight-nation Asian Badminton Satellite Tournament to be held between October 25 and 29. Pakistani shutters will also play a two-test series with one test to be played at Chandigarh and the other at Jalandhar on October 30 and November 1 respectively on their way to back home. Aamir Hayat Rokri, Secretary General, Pakistan Badminton Federation (PBF) told 'The News' from Lahore on Tuesday that they had picked the best squad for Indian tour. The team includes national champion Wajid Ali, Waqas Ahmed, Umer Zeeshan, Ashraf Masih and Tahir Ishaq. Except Ashraf, the player from PTCL, all other players belong to Pakistan Wapda. Naqi Mohsin, Senior Vice President, PBF, is accompanying the team as manager. "We have included veteran Tahir as he is the best choice for doubles. Each test will consists of three singles and two doubles," he said and added that the tour would help promote friendship between the two countries. Earlier, apart from cricket, hockey, snooker, golf teams etc., have revived Pak-India sport ties. Meanwhile, Indian Badminton Confederation (IBC) has also named their team for the test series. The Indian team includes Abhinn Shyam Gupta, Sachin Ratti, Arvind Bhat, Utsav Mishra, Sanave Thomas, Jassel Ismail and P Diju.