In a display of power between the Palestine lobby versus the Israeli lobby there is a fierce competition underway to decide the virtual support for each side. Until this moment over 608,000 votes have been cast, of which the Israeli lobby is edging ahead by a mere 2% [49% in support of Palestine and 51% in support of Israel]
We here need to rally in support for our Muslim brothers in Palestine, spread the word
Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf believes Shoaib Malik does not deserve to be the national captain and said his appointment was an injustice.
Yousuf, who is banned from playing in Pakistan having joined the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) last year, said Malik’s appointment in 2007 over other senior players was hugely unfair.
“It is perhaps for the first time in Pakistan cricket that a player who is not a certain choice in the Test and one-day team has been made captain,” Yousuf told the Geo Super.
The veteran of 79 Tests and 269 One-day Internationals and former ICC test player of the year said he joined the ICL and put his international career on the line because of shabby treatment from Malik and former chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed.
“Tell me, does Malik command an automatic place in the Pakistan test or one-day team?” he asked. “Yet the board made him captain.”
Yousuf was one of several senior players overlooked for the captaincy after Pakistan’s first round exit from the last World Cup.
Yousuf, who set a world record for most Test runs in a calendar year in 2006, said he still wanted to play for Pakistan but did not regret his decision to join the ICL.
“The way they dropped me from the Twenty20 team in 2007 without giving any reason or criteria for selecting players, I was hurt and disappointed,” he added.
“Our board needs to stop toeing the line of the Indian board. What have they done for us? They even refused to tour when we needed a series most.”
Yousuf admitted he had left a training camp in Karachi in protest before the Twenty20 World Cup in 2007 after learning Malik did not want him.
“After so many years of service to Pakistan cricket I could not accept the humiliation and packed my bags and left camp,” he said.
I personally watched that show, yousuf was so frustrating. So lets see how much he can diplomatic!
The mystery over cricketer Mohammad Asif’s confinement in Dubai and his eventual release last summer has finally been resolved following revelations that authorities there almost initiated criminal proceedings but decided not to at the last moment fearing “extra pressure” on the trial courts.
‘The News’ has obtained exclusive copies of all investigations conducted during the player’s over two-week ordeal in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The reports show that Asif accepted using opium to enhance his energy.
Following confirmation that he was in possession of banned drugs when caught at the Dubai Airport, the bowler’s name was placed on the list of persons barred from entering the UAE again.
In the release order, the Dubai Police General admitted that considering the fear of extra pressure on the trial courts, it had been decided not to go ahead with the criminal proceedings by passing an order that there was no ground of criminal charge against the accused.
The release order states that the felony of procuring and possessing drugs as evident from the above facts was established and was sufficient for putting the accused to criminal trials to face the prescribed penalty.
It points out that this was based on the admission during the Public Prosecution investigation that he had brought the relevant drug, the customs inspector statement and the criminal laboratory findings that the material was a 0.24 gm of opium which was included in the schedule 1 of the law No 14 of 1995 regarding drugs as amended by the Federal Law No I of 2005.
The order goes on to say that in view of the fact and circumstances of the case that the accused was arrested at Dubai Airport before being able to actually enter the state, the trifle amount of the drug, the serious consequences of putting him for trials and enforcing a judgment against him, and for the sake of avoiding pressure on the courts and prisons, the Public Prosecution is of the opinion that it is appropriate to stop the proceedings at this stage by passing an order that there is no ground for criminal charge against the accused.
Asif’s release was made possible by one of the former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials who used his personal connection to good affects.
The cricketer, however, had messed up his case himself after falsely declaring in a statement that he slapped an airport inspector – which, in fact, turned out to be the reason for his long detention.
During a question-answer session with Shakir Hashim Al Darmakl, the Senior Public Prosecutor in Dubai, and Issa Mohammed Yousuf, the Investigation Clerk at Dubai Airport, Asif made some startling revelations. He admitted using the “dark herbal substance found on him as a source of energy.” The bowler disclosed that he had started using it once every year and then had one small piece each time it was required.
Asif has been in the news for all the misadventures he committed over the last two years. He tested positive for a banned substance nandroline days ahead of the Champions Trophy in India last year.
The PCB had to spend millions to get the bowler, along with Shoaib Akhtar, cleared by the World Anti Doping Authority (WADA) on technical grounds.
Asif was caught again for using the same drug during the Indian Premier League (IPL) in India a few months ago.
Contrary to Asif’s confession during confinement in Dubai last summer that he used opium, he insisted all along in later interviews that he had never taken the ‘black herbal substance’ found in his wallet.
He openly admitted during questioning by the Dubai Airport authorities that he had been using this particular herbal substance for almost a year now. (See questions and answers).
Asif was however surprised to learn that ‘The News’ was in possession of all the details of his questioning by the airport authorities. “Who has given you this report? How did you get hold of the report,” he asked and said that he would give his reaction only after the report was published.
He later claimed he did not say he had consumed the ‘black herbal substance’. However, he stressed that I had to read the report to him first, which I did. When he listened to the part of question and answer session (between the Dubai Airport Authorities investigator and the bowler), his tone changed and he said: “what do you want?”
When he was told in clear words that the phone call is meant to know his reaction on the report, he answered he had no comments.
When he was told that the publishing of the report is not meant to destroy his (Asif’s) career but to show the world what actually had happened to him during the 15-day ordeal, his reply was: “It would definitely spoil my career.”
The PCB has been trying to hide facts of the report submitted by the Dubai authorities. No official has admitted that the report mentions that Asif’s was a fit case to initiate criminal proceedings and that he escaped the trials using connections of the then PCB set-up.
When PCB’s Chief Operating Officer Saleem Altaf was approached for comments, he said that he had no knowledge about it.
However, he failed to explain why no efforts had been made to get the details of the report and if it was with the previous officials, why were they not asked to submit it.
Mohammad Asif is currently undergoing temporary suspension from all forms of cricket after testing positive for the banned substance Nandroline at the end of the IPL. He was the only player to fail a drug test from about 100 cricketers who were tested. He faces a two-year ban from all forms of cricket, though it will be after this hearing that a final penalty is likely to be announced.
Brazilian cartoonist Carlos Latuff creates artworks that call on the world to condemn Israeli holocaust of Gaza.
IT IS CALLED GENOCIDE.
AND THE WORLD REMAINS SILENT….!
Carlos Latuff’s statement on his Deviant Art website
I’d like to beg all viewers to spread this image anywhere, as a way to expose Israeli war crimes against Palestinians. Use it on t-shirts, posters, banners. Reproduce it in zines, papers, magazines, and make it visible everywhere. Here is the high-resolution version for printing purposes: link ]
Thank you in the name of every suffering Palestinian.
ISLAMABAD: Former President Pervaiz Musharraf has rubbished do more rhetoric from US and said there is no secret understanding over cross-border attacks. Pakistan has done more than anyone else in war against terror.
Talking to media before his departure to US for lectures, Musharraf said India should stop talking about surgical strikes, as Pakistan is ready to cope up any adventure with full force.
Replying to a question, Musharraf said Mumbai attacks created war hysteria in India and Pakistan.
He said said root causes of terrorism needed to be address and this is the time to resolve Kashmir and Palestine issue. He declined to comment on government’s performance.
Israel has mounted a massive offensive against the Gaza Strip. The attacks have claiming the lives of over 112 Palestinians, including many civilians. The clashes reached a peak on March 1st, when Israel sent in a regiment of ground troops killing 77 Palestinians in two days. According to Gaza health ministry statistics, 22 children were killed and more than 350 people were wounded.
Despite the large number of civilian casualties, Israel says the operation was aimed at rooting out the Palestinian fighters who have been firing homemade rockets at southern Israel. Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal insists that Palestinian rocket attacks are a result of, not the cause of, ongoing Israeli aggressions against the Palestinian people. "They [Israelis] do not want to end the occupation, stop attacks or lift the siege. What do people expect the Palestinians to do," Meshaal told a press conference in the Syrian capital Damascus.
On Monday March 4rd, Israel began to pull ground troops from Gaza, but Israeli aircraft continue to carry out bombing raids. The lull in fighting is perhaps due to a visit by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Tuesday. Monday Rice called for "talks" but refuses to call for a cease-fire. A senior Israeli official told Reuters “This very limited (Gaza) operation was intended to show Hamas what could happen, what you may call a "prequel”. He went on to say “If they continue to fire the rockets, then there will be more operations like this one or worse.”
The Israeli assault has drawn worldwide protests for excessive use of force. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has formally suspended contacts with Israel. In Berlin, Germany’s Foreign Minister insisted that Israel "must preserve the principle of proportionateness." United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also issued a condemnation of what he termed Israel’s "excessive and disproportionate" response and called on Israel "to cease such attacks". Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the IDF attacks can have no humanitarian justification and added that Israel was rejecting a diplomatic solution to the dispute. Saudi Arabia called on the international community to stop the "mass killings" of Palestinians. In Egypt, thousands of students held protests at universities across the country calling on Arab leaders to stop Israeli aggression and support the Palestinians. In Lebanon, several hundred school children from 20 schools took part in a Hezbollah-organized demonstration outside UN headquarters in Beirut. In Syria, tens of thousands filled the central square of Damascus to protest ongoing Israeli attacks.
Now how could you expect sweets in your home door after killing innocent childs, mens and womens? Majority they were Muslims and you expect that Muslim kid who survived in this attack will treat you as good person? No, atleast not me. You guys are creating terrorists by your hands. Beware before the fullage of tank!
So finally, Pakistan officially accepts that dog who was involved in Mumbai attack, is from Pakistan. But now what? Will Pakistan catch that chain who is actually involved in Mumbai Attack case? What do you think? Yes? Lolzzz 
Let me tell you, we have not even catch those who Killed Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Benazir Bhutto, and Zia Ul Haq. So how we can even think any positive result for Mumbai Attack? But this time newly thing is that our new democrative government does not know that how to handle these kind of issues. WTF? A irrelevant men comes over the media and announces that men a Pakistani, and then other comes and do samethings and finally minister announced that news officially. Is is something way how government works? Where are bundle of policies which used to occurs in the period of Musharraf’s government as "issues" ?
Think about it we have allowed this government to lead Pakistan, think again!
Hello everyone, I want to wish happy new year but i can not because i do not think that there is anything about happy and new in year 2009. May be some of you take it as my “no-hope” attitude but before blaming on me just ask once yourself about what you faced in 2008 and what are you going to face in 2009? Then most probably you wont say a happy new year.
In 2008 i faced lot of things such as bomb blasts, terrorist operations in own territory, Stock market down, government issues, Law situation, dump electricity, Indian threats, street crimes, no gas, deaths, murders, robberies, and blah blah.
In 2009 i may face war, more pressure from America, again government issues, no electricity, gas shortage, water shortage, same old education pattern, terrorism in institutes, clashes between political parties and so on on…..
Both 2008 and 2009 nothing have any new so how could i say “NEW YEAR”? and there is nothing like happy in both years so how could i wish?
Just pray for good, Allah knows best!
Currently very hot drama between India and Pakistan is Mumbai Attack activities. India says terrorists from Pakistan are involved in Mumbai Attack without any proof, and constantly Indian Politician stating that “India is more powerful if war comes” and proudly first time Pakistan shows some patience. For me there is no point of power between India and Pakistan. I am really against war specially between India and Pakistan. This could not be a issue for a war, let me tell my Indian friends we are still actually more facing terrorists activities in our nation as compare to India. We have lost our leader Mohtarma Benzair, we have lost our several soldiers and natives just because of this terrorism.
We should stand together against these peoples who are trying to disturb our peaceful relationship. Remember past three wars, we have not achieved anything from them, we and you both only lost our peoples and resources. We and you have nuclear power but this is not for each other this arm should use against our enemies. Sonia Gandhi i respect a lot of this lady, and still do but i can not believe that you state some thing fishy and unrecognized phrase against Pakistan.?
I am from the thousand of Pakistanis who are totally against the war, Please be friendly and stand together against these terrorists activities. Pakistan is ready to take action against your Mumbai Attack but at least give us proof. Keep relax your army, and forces because it is not the good way to end our long term friendship. 
May Allah save both of us from War! Ameen!
I don’t know how to talk about this issue, may be I don’t want to discuss but surely I want to highlight. Have you seen shehzaad roy’s video laga rahay? In that video shehzad roys said “When i was 10 years old, i heared that Pakistan is going from Tareeki Dorr, and now when I am 20 I am still listening that Pakistan is suffering from Tareeki Dorr”. I realized this statement now, on my birthday 10 Nov. Let me tell you so you can better understand what I am trying to say. I came in this world in 1986, when there a war was held between Phattan and Muhajir. My father took my mother to hospital in curfew. Yes if you remember we had great terrorism in 1985-86 in Karachi, and now after 22 years we are facing same war between Phattan and Muhajir. In 1985 they fought because they both need power in Karachi. Proudly say I am fortunate that MQM won that time, and now after 22 years in 2008 they are again fighting for power of Karachi. But this time MQM is more stable and established.
Anyways I am not here to promote MQM, I am just highlighting mentality in these 22 years. We still fight with each other, We can easily kill anyone due to some issues. There is nothing change in education in these 22 years, there is zero percent management in traffic and highways, there is no authorization of leaders, there is no democracy, there is no civilization, and there are lot things which still missed from our Pakistan.
What we improved? we have now more advance music artists, we have small IT industry, our youth can speak English now, we now have lot of foreign universities and industries, we now can insult anyone, we can now fire in our marriage ceremony, but do you think this improvisation really effects on Pakistan health? Yes they are but not enough. We are missing main parts, main concepts of Pakistan. Can anyone tell me that where i can find two nation theory in Pakistan, except inside books?, Can anyone tell me that where i can see implementation of 14 points of Quaid? We all studies history, constitution and other social studies but problem is we only study, we don’t implement them. Just once implement them you will great nation in all over the world.
Can not understand issues, because we have lot of peoples who only disturbs our plans just to run their corrupt business. But we need to stop it, otherwise you won’t need to wait long for revolution period.
May Allah help us to improve our nation. Ameen!
