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Benazir, Nawaz to make a fresh start to restore democracy

     Jeddah: Two former prime ministers of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, who are presently living in exile, met yesterday in Jeddah and resolved to make a fresh beginning for restoration of democracy in their country and stop undemocratic forces attain powerful positions. Bhutto had flown in Jeddah to meet Nawaz, who was once her arch- rival in Pakistan politics. While Benazir lives in exile in London, Nawaz stays in Jeddah. According to The News, the two leaders vowed to continue their joint struggle and foil every attempt to create rift between their ranks. Quoting Nawaz's spokesman, the paper reported that the duo resolved not to allow undemocratic forces to negate the 1973 Constitution, democratic rights of the people and supremacy of the National Assembly. On the occasion, the two leaders said that Pakistan could only develop "if true democracy is allowed to flourish. Therefore, it must revert to 1973 Constitution as soon as possible and fair and free elections should be held under an independent election commission immediately. Both parties will co-operate and work at every level to achieve this sacred goal."

Pak ready to play ODI at Ahmedabad (Go To Top)

     Karachi: Pakistan might consider playing an ODI at Ahmedabad against India instead of a Test match during the next month's cricket series if the BCCI made a formal offer in this regard, the PCB has said. The touring country refused playing a Test at the venue citing "security" reasons. "So far we've not been given a formal proposal about playing a one-dayer instead of a Test in Ahmedabad. But, if and when such a proposal is made to us we will consider it," The News quoted PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan as saying. Pakistan's strong stance vis-`-vis holding a match at Ahmedabad is seen as a tit-for-tat to India, who during the last year's cricket series had out-rightly refused playing a Test at Karachi, and later agreed to play a ODI at the same venue. Khan further said: "We have made a request to BCCI to shift our Test from Ahmedabad. But it's not an ultimatum and we want to resolve this issue co-operatively. We want good cricket relations we enjoy with India not to be affected by our request. We certainly don't want any hurdles to be created in the way of the increased bilateral ties between the two countries." Yesterday, Pakistan foreign ministry had also averred similar opinion saying had reservations against playing a Test in Ahmedabad for "security" reasons. After nearly six years, Pakistan will be touring India from March to play a full cricket series, including three Tests and five ODIs. BCCI has proposed the Tests to be held in Mohali, Ahmedabad and Bangalore followed by the ODI series at Cochin, Vishakapatnam, Kanpur, Jamshedpur and Delhi.

Sania reach WTA Hyderabad Open final (Go To Top)

     Hyderabad: Sania Mirza overcame a spell of erratic display and a stubborn opponent to storm into her maiden WTA final at the 140,000 dollars Hyderabad Open on Friday. The 18-year-old, who became the first Indian to reach the third round of a Grand Slam event at the Australian Open last month, got the better of eighth seed Maria Kirilenko of Russia 6-4 7-6 (7/4) in the semifinals at the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh stadium in Hyderabad. Egged on by a vocifourous crowd, Sania looked like running away with the match as she opened up a 3-0 lead in the second set. But in a bid to finish off the match as early as possible she committed far too many unforced errors to her own liking and allowed her opponent to come back into the match. Sania, infact, made two successive double faults in the ninth game while serving for the match, thereby losing her serve. And when the Hyderabadi lass failed to hold her serve in the 11th game, it looked like the Indian was beginning to lose the plot. However, Sania had a different plan as she came up with a couple of big winners in a long-drawn 12th game and save a set point to force a tie-breaker. In the ensuing tiebreaker, the Russian took a 4-2 lead before Sania won the next five points to wrap up the match.