Nishtar Park Tragdey News In ENGLISH

Funeral prayers of Haji Hanif Billo offered

KARACHI: Funeral prayers of renowned social worker Haji Hanif Billo, who was martyred in suicide bomb carnage at Nishtar Park, offered at Memon Masjid here on Wednesday. Leaders of different parties attended the funeral prayers.

A procession brought the body of Hanif Billo from his residence to Memon Masjid for funeral prayers attended by large number of people.

The funeral prayers led by Shah Turabul Haq. Chairman Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee Mufti Munib-ur-Rehman, Mirajul Huda Siddiqui of Jamaat-i-Islami, Member Sindh Assembly Nasrullah Shajee, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Rashid Rabbani of Peoples Party, Saddar Town Nazim Dilawar, MQM activists and other eminent persons attended the prayers.

Religious scholars appealed people for clam on the occasion. Hanif Billo would be laid to rest at Karachi’s Mewa Shah graveyard.

Talking to media on the occasion Mufti Munib-ur-Rehman said that Nishtar Park tragedy was a conspiracy against Awam Ahle-Sunnat. He demanded arrest of culprits and urged the authorities to unveil hidden hand behind the tragedy.

Karachi Stock Exchange closed today

KARACHI: Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) would remain closed on Wednesday (today) to mourn the death of over 50 people killed in a suicide bomb attack on a religious gathering in city’s Nishtar Park. 

"The market will remain closed today to observe a day of mourning," M. K Lodhi, Managing Director of the KSE told Geo News.

Traders have also announced to close businesses on Wednesday to mourn Nishtar Park tragedy. 

Mufti Mukhtar’s body after funeral prayers sent to Mardan

KARACHI: The body of Mufti Mukhtar Ahmad Qadri, who was martyred in suicide bomb carnage at Nishtar Park here, was sent to Mardan after funeral prayer. 

The funeral prayers of the leaders of Tahrik-e-Awam Ahl-e-Sunnat Haji Hanif Bilo and Hafiz Mohammad Taqi would also be offered today, while Mufti Mukhtar Ahmad’s funeral prayer was offered at Darul Uloom Amjadia, Sharfabad, following early morning prayers today, which was attended by several local people including the students of the seminaries. Later, the mortal remain of Mufti Mukhtar Ahmad was sent to Mardan.

Mufti Mukhtar Ahmad was the president and Sheikul Hadees of Darul Uloom Amjadia, Sharfabad and he was residing in Liaquatabad area.

On the other hand, the funeral prayer of the leader of Awam Ahl-e-Sunnat, Haji Hanif Bilo would be offered this morning at 10.00 A.M. at Memon Masjid, Bolton Market, while that of Hafiz Taqi’s at Eidgah, Jama Cloth also at 10.00 A. M. in the morning.

The funeral prayers of Mohammad Ashraf Qadri’s two sons Mohammad Ali and Ahmad Raza and his nephew Mohammad Shahzad would be offered at 9.00 A. M. this morning at Darul Uloom Amjadia, Sharfabad. 

Death toll from Karachi Nishtar Park tragedy rises to 57

KARACHI: A suicide attack in here on Tuesday ripped through a religious celebration with regard to the birth of the holy Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), killing at least 57 people including several religious leaders, officials said.

The bombing had proved the deadliest in the nearly 20 years, sparking fears of possible further sectarian violence.

Angry mobs waving black flags rampaged through the streets after the blast, burning motorcycles, cars, a bus and a fire engine and police fired teargas and live rounds in the air to disperse them, witnesses said.

"Information we have received from hospitals and police suggest that the death toll is 57," Salahuddin Haider, spokesman for the government of southern Sindh province told. Officials said another 100 were injured.

One or possibly two attackers climbed onto a wooden stage in Karachi's historic Nishtar Park as around 50,000 people offered sunset prayers. They then approached the Sunni clerics and detonated powerful bombs, officials said.

The blast scattered body parts and corpses dressed in white ceremonial outfits across the park. Amid piercing screams and wails of grief, men wearing green turbans dragged the dead and wounded through the smoke to ambulances.

"I was near the back of the stage when I heard a huge explosion and something hit my head," said 40-year-old worshipper Mohammed Osman. "When I woke up there were pieces of flesh everywhere."

Karachi police chief Niaz Siddiqi said there was one suicide attacker disguised in the same robes as the Sunni followers.

"The suicide bomber got onto the stage and as they were praying he exploded himself. We took extra security measures but since he was part of the group on the stage it was very difficult to prevent."

However Haider said there a was a possibility that two suicide attackers were involved. "We have received two heads and their bodies missing," he added.

The influential chief of Pakistan's relatively moderate Sunni Tehreek religious party, Abbas Qadri, died in the blast, party official Abdul Rafey told.

Qadri, 45, was a firebrand speaker who had a massive following in volatile Karachi and had survived several attempts on his life in the past.

The party's deputy chief Akram Qadri and spokesman Iftikhar Bhatti also died in the blast, along with the leaders of two other moderate Sunni factions: Hafiz Mohammed Taqi and Hanif Billo.

"Since he was on the stage he was there for a specific purpose, and most of the leadership were on stage," police chief Siddiqi said.

After the blast religious leaders called from the remains of the stage for volunteers to go to hospital and donate blood.

Witnesses said the massive blast also triggered panic and a mob of up to 5,000 people fought running battles with riot police, which continued hours after the explosion.

Some of the faithful also surrounded local hospitals, where they chanted and waved their fists in the air as bodies covered in bloodstained white sheets were stretchered inside, television footage showed.

US condemns Karachi suicide bombing

WASHINGTON: The United States condemned Tuesday's suicide bombing that killed 57 people as Sunni Muslims celebrated the birth of the Prophet Mohammed.

"We strongly condemn this attack and can see no conceivable justification for this atrocity," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters at the daily press briefing.

The bombing was the deadliest in Pakistan for nearly two decades and sparked fears of new sectarian violence between majority Sunnis and Pakistan's minority Shiite community.

MQM chief condemns Karachi suicide attack 

KARACHI: Chief of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Altaf Hussain, has in strongest terms condemned the bomb blast at Nishter Park here on Tuesday.

In a statement he said those behind the incident even do not deserve to be called human beings.

The MQM Chief further stated that such persons cannot be calledMuslims either.

" This is an act of terrorism and I strongly condemn it", he added.

Altaf Hussain said that this is a conspiracy to pit brother against brother and to destroy peace in Sindh especially in  Karachi.

He appealed to the people of Sindh especially of Karachi and  the leaders and workers of Jamat Ahle Sunnat to understand this conspiracy, exercise restraint and do not get provoked.

The MQM Chief urged that with the spirit of unity and discipline, this conspiracy be frustrated.
He expressed deep sorrow and grief at the deaths of Haji Hanif Biloo, Hafiz Muhammad Taqi and leader of Sunni Tehrik Iftikhar Bhatti and those who sustained injuries in the incident.

Altaf Hussain sympathized with the families of the bereaved and prayed for the early recovery of the injured.

Governor Sindh chairs emergency meeting on Karachi law and order 

KARACHI: A high level meeting on law and order is in progress at the Governor House here Tuesday night, with Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan in the chair.

The emergency meeting has been called to review law and order situation in the city especially in reference to Nishtar Park incident.

Sindh Home Minister, M. Rauf Siddiqui, senior officers of law enforcing agencies are present in the meeting.

Sh. Rashid condemns Karachi blast, expresses condolence

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Tuesday condemned the blast in Karachi and expressed shock and grief over the loss of lives. 

The minister prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls and grant of fortitude to the bereaved families.
He also extended sympathies to the injured and prayed for their early recovery.

At least 50 martyred in massive Karachi blast

Karachi: At least fifty persons including prominent religious personalities were martyred and more than fifty injured as a huge bomb explosion went off here at the Karachi Nashtar Park. Prominent religious personalities including Haji Mohammad Hanif Billo, Itikhar Bhatti, Abbas Qadri, Akram Qadri and Hafiz Mohammd Taqi have been martyred in the blast incident. Riots in the nearby areas of the blast site were also reported. Sources informed that two petrol pumps, one fire tender and several cars were set ablaze by the enraged people. The injured have been rushed to the Jinnah , Civil and Abbasi Shaheed Hospitals for emergency treatments. Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao said he knew of 50 dead. "Till now the dead are 50 but we don't know exactly about wounded," he told. Television pictures showed dead bodies lying on the ground and wounded being taken to hospitals in vans after the bomb explosion. "What we know at this point is that there was a blast ... and that there are some injured who are being taken to the hospitals," Jehangir Mirza, police inspector general for Sindh province, told media. No-one has claimed responsibility for the bomb explosion at what was believed to be the biggest of such events being held in Pakistan. President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz condemned what they described the deadly terrorist bomb attack and asked the provincial government of Sindh to immediately arrest those behind the blast. They also expressed condolences with the bereaved families. A senior leader of Jamaat Ahli Sunnat Shah Turab ul Haq Qadri who led evening prayers said that when was leading the prayers the bomb exploded, leading to chaos and the people started running. Rauf Siddiqi, Home Minister,Sindh province, said that the security forces had checked the stage before it was handed over to the organizers. Siddiqi claimed that the police and paramilitary forces faced difficulties to reach the site of the blast, as the angry people were not allowing them. Former Prime Ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, president of Mutahida Majlis-e-Amal Qazi Hussain Ahmed and leader of Mutahida Qaumi Movement Altaf Hussain strongly condemned the blast.  News Source GEO Tv

KARACHI, Pakistan, Apr 11 (Agencies): A suicide attack in the Pakistani city of Karachi Tuesday ripped through Sunni Muslims celebrating the birth of the Prophet Mohammed, killing 57 people including several religious leaders, officials said. The bombing was the deadliest in the volatile Islamic republic for nearly 20 years and sparked fears of possible further violence.

Angry mobs waving black flags rampaged through the streets after the blast, burning motorcycles, cars, a bus and a fire engine, and police fired teargas and live rounds in the air to disperse them, witnesses said. "Information we have received from hospitals and police suggest that the death toll is 57," Salahuddin Haider, spokesman for the government of southern Sindh province, told AFP.

Officials said another 100 were injured. One or possibly two attackers climbed onto a wooden stage in Karachi's historic Nishtar Park as around 50,000 people offered sunset prayers. They then approached the Sunni clerics and detonated powerful bombs, officials said. The blast scattered body parts and corpses dressed in white ceremonial outfits across the park.

Amid piercing screams and wails of grief, men wearing green turbans dragged the dead and wounded through the smoke to ambulances. Karachi police chief Niaz Siddiqi said there was one suicide attacker disguised in the same robes as the Sunni followers.

"The suicide bomber got onto the stage and as they were praying he exploded himself. We took extra security measures but since he was part of the group on the stage it was very difficult to prevent." However Haider said there a was a possibility that two suicide attackers were involved.

"We have received two heads and their bodies missing," he added. The influential chief of Pakistan's relatively moderate Sunni Tehreek religious party, Abbas Qadri, died in the blast, party official Abdul Rafey told AFP. The party's deputy chief Akram Qadri and spokesman Iftikhar Bhatti also died in the blast, along with the leaders of two other moderate Sunni factions: Hafiz Mohammed Taqi and Hanif Billo.

"Since he was on the stage he was there for a specific purpose, and most of the leadership were on stage," police chief Siddiqi said. After the blast religious leaders called from the remains of the stage for volunteers to go to hospital and donate blood.

President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Tuesday strongly condemned the blast at Nishtar Park Karachi that claimed several lives during the Maghrib prayer.

They expressed deep sorrow and grief over the tragic loss of lives.

They talked to Dr. Ishrat-ul-Abad, Governor Sindh and Dr. Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Chief Minister Sindh and inquired about the tragedy.

They instructed the provincial authorities to provide immediately all medical care and support to the injured people and affected families.

They also directed the authorities to hold a detailed inquiry to fix the responsibility of those elements who are responsible for the heinous act.

They directed the authorities to beef up the security measures at the Mosques and Imambargahs and ensure safety during the Milad-un-Nabi celebrations across the country.

They said that the perpetrators of such heinous acts have no religion and such elements will not go unpunished.

KARACHI, Apr 11: Out of 25 bodies brought at Jinnah Hospital from Nishtar Park blast, 16 have been identified as Hafiz Taqui, Maulana Akram Qadri, Dr. Abdul Qadeer, Faridul Hasan Qazmi, Hussain Ahmed son of Ghulam Farooq, Asif Hussain, Mohammad Imran, Wajid Ahmed, Zahir Ahmed, Waheed Bandhani, Mohammad Shakeel, Nafees, Gul Zameen, Hafiz Noor Mohammad, Haji Faisal and Hafiz Yasin.

In civil hospital bodies of Hassamuddin, Shahid Kazmi, Haroon Qadri and Syed Kashif. Four bodies at civil hospital remained unidentified.

Soure PAKISTANI NEWSPAPER

At least 50 martyred in massive Karachi bomb blast 
Karachi: At least fifty persons including prominent religious personalities were martyred and more than fifty injured as a huge bomb explosion went off here at the Karachi Nashtar Park. 

Prominent religious personalities including Haji Mohammad Hanif Billo, Itikhar Bhatti, Abbas Qadri, Akram Qadri and Hafiz Mohammd Taqi have been martyred in the blast incident. 

Riots in the nearby areas of the blast site were also reported. Sources informed that two petrol pumps, one fire tender and several cars were set ablaze by the enraged people.

The injured have been rushed to the Jinnah , Civil and Abbasi Shaheed Hospitals for emergency treatments.

Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao said he knew of 50 dead. "Till now the dead are 50 but we don't know exactly about wounded," he told.

Television pictures showed dead bodies lying on the ground and wounded being taken to hospitals in vans after the bomb explosion.

"What we know at this point is that there was a blast ... and that there are some injured who are being taken to the hospitals," Jehangir Mirza, police inspector general for Sindh province, told media.

No-one has claimed responsibility for the bomb explosion at what was believed to be the biggest of such events being held in Pakistan.

President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz condemned what they described the deadly terrorist bomb attack and asked the provincial government of Sindh to immediately arrest those behind the blast. 

They also expressed condolences with the bereaved families. 

A senior leader of Jamaat Ahli Sunnat Shah Turab ul Haq Qadri who led evening prayers said that when was leading the prayers the bomb exploded, leading to chaos and the people started running. 

Rauf Siddiqi, Home Minister,Sindh province, said that the security forces had checked the stage before it was handed over to the organizers. 

Siddiqi claimed that the police and paramilitary forces faced difficulties to reach the site of the blast, as the angry people were not allowing them. 

Former Prime Ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, president of Mutahida Majlis-e-Amal Qazi Hussain Ahmed and leader of Mutahida Qaumi Movement Altaf Hussain strongly condemned the blast. 

China bus mishap kills 12 
(Updated at 1410 PST)
BEIJING: A passenger bus overturned on a steep central China roadway and plunged into a ravine on Tuesday, killing at least 12 people and injuring 32.

The government's news agency on Wednesday said the accident occurred outside Shaoyang city. Nine people were killed on the spot and three others died after rescue efforts failed.

All the injured were hospitalised, and five were in critical condition, the report said.

Nepal lifts daytime curfew 
(Updated at 1400 PST)
KATHMANDU: Nepal lifted on Wednesday a daytime curfew clamped on the capital but arrested more demonstrators, including 25 journalists, as protests continued against King Gyanendra's absolute rule.

"The daytime curfew in Kathmandu and Lalitpur districts has been lifted until further notice," a newsreader on state-run television said. A curfew remains in place at night.

England needs 224 runs to win sixth ODI
(Updated at 1350 PST)
JAMSHEDPUR: Despite a scintillating 107-run stand between MS Dhoni and Romesh Powar that brought the Keenan Stadium to its full bloom, it was England who assumed supremacy as India was bowled out for 223 before the stipulated quota of 50 overs.

Jharkhand marauder MS Dhoni brought the hosts fighting back in to the match by smashing a dazzling 106-ball 96.

His innings replete with 10 hits to the fence and three over it caught the opponents off-guard after England had India reeling at a calamitous position of 79/6.

The wicketkeeper-batsman joined hands by Ramesh Powar (54 runs) to pulverize the England bowling attack by using the long handle to good effect.

However, Dhoni's departure just 4 runs short of what could have been a superb ton and Powar's dismissal triggered a lower-order collapse which meant the hosts had to make do with a modest total.

Earlier, having won the toss and elected to bat at Keenan Stadium on Wednesday, India's makeshift skipper Virender Sehwag walked out with 'home-boy' MS Dhoni onto the field.

Though both are famous for their ability to wield the willow with ferocious power, one was woefully out of touch, while the other was blazing.

As expected, Sehwag's dismal endeavour at churning the run-mill in the series continued. He was dismissed for just 4 runs in the very first over from Anderson.

Dhoni launched into the attack to keep the tempo up despite Sehwag's dismissal. But Kaif followed Sehwag to the pavilion after being dismissed for just 15 runs.

After early shocks, there was still more to come!

India lost a flurry of wickets, with the middle order joining the procession, which the top order had started.

Yuvraj, who looked so good in all the games in the series, walked back for just 4 runs of 11 balls. Promising UP batsman Suresh Raina witnessing wickets falling at regular intervals, tried to consolidate, but for only 7 balls! He was caught down the leg side for just 2 runs.

Rao was next to go at a meagre 10. India lost half its side at the 19th over.

Virender Sehwag's third game as captain was proving miserable for the hosts as half of the side departed within the first twenty overs without making any significant contribution.

Negotiating the England pacers on a relatively seaming track proved to be a tough task as batsman one after the other committed the grave mistake of playing over-ambitious shots early in the innings.

With India in real danger of getting bowled out under 200, MS Dhoni powered his shots past the England fielders but at the same time remained dogged at his end.

Powar's batting was a revelation and did his ODI chances a world of good by not only providing Dhoni with a steady support, but also trying to match his scoring rate. In fact the first six of the innings was hit by the bulky all-rounder.

But after the fireworks from Dhoni and Powar's blade stopped, England assumed supremacy again as Indian team lost its lower order quickly.

Bomb hoax delays Shalimar Express
(Updated at 1330 PST)
LAHORE: A bomb hoax delayed Karachi bound Shalimar Express departure from Lahore for over one hour. 

Railway officials called bomb disposal unit and police as they received information that a bomb has been planted in Karachi bound Shalimar Express.

The report proved incorrect after thorough search of the train. The train left for Karachi at 7:45 am-75 minutes late than the scheduled time of 6:30 am.

According to railway officials they had received information from sub-inspector Ashiq Hussain of 15 Police. 

Funeral prayers of Haji Hanif Billo offered
(Updated at 1300 PST)
KARACHI: Funeral prayers of renowned social worker Haji Hanif Billo, who was martyred in suicide bomb carnage at Nishtar Park, offered at Memon Masjid here on Wednesday. Leaders of different parties attended the funeral prayers.

A procession brought the body of Hanif Billo from his residence to Memon Masjid for funeral prayers attended by large number of people.

The funeral prayers led by Shah Turabul Haq. Chairman Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee Mufti Munib-ur-Rehman, Mirajul Huda Siddiqui of Jamaat-i-Islami, Member Sindh Assembly Nasrullah Shajee, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Rashid Rabbani of Peoples Party, Saddar Town Nazim Dilawar, MQM activists and other eminent persons attended the prayers.

Religious scholars appealed people for clam on the occasion. Hanif Billo would be laid to rest at Karachi’s Mewa Shah graveyard.

Talking to media on the occasion Mufti Munib-ur-Rehman said that Nishtar Park tragedy was a conspiracy against Awam Ahle-Sunnat. He demanded arrest of culprits and urged the authorities to unveil hidden hand behind the tragedy.

Russia calls on Iran to halt enrichment
(Updated at 1250 PST)
MOSCOW: Russia called Wednesday on Iran to halt immediately all uranium enrichment work and attacked Tehran's announcement that it had successfully enriched uranium for nuclear fuel as a "step in the wrong direction," news agencies reported.

Iran must "suspend all work on uranium enrichment, including for research," the official news agency quoted foreign ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin as saying.

"This is of course a step in the wrong direction," the local agency quoted Andrei Krivtsov, Kamynin's deputy, as saying.

"It runs counter to the resolutions of the IAEA board of governors and the declarations from representatives of the United Nations Security Council," Krivtsov said.

US to consult UN for anti Iran measures
(Updated at 1210 PST)
WASHINGTON: The United States has said and made it known that it will be consulting the others in the Security Council on the next course of action against Iran.

Briefing newspersons aboard Air Force One on the way to Missouri, the White House Spokesman Scott McClellan took a pretty grim view of the statement of Ahmadnejad, but was careful in not making any rushed statement on the issue of economic sanctions and the Security Council.

“I think it only further underscores why the international community has serious concerns about the regime's nuclear ambitions. This is a regime that needs to be building confidence with the international community. Instead, they're moving in the wrong direction.”

Five US troops killed in Iraq
(Updated at 1200 PST)
BAGHDAD: Five US troops have been killed in Iraq over the last three days, the US military announced late Tuesday.

Three soldiers died on Tuesday after a roadside struck their vehicle bomb north of Baghdad at 3:45 pm (1145 GMT), the military said.

One soldier died on Monday from wounds suffered in enemy action on Sunday 
while operating in the western Al-Anbar province.

Near Balad, north of Baghdad, a soldier was killed Sunday when a roadside bomb hit his patrol, the military said, adding that another soldier was wounded in the bombing.

The latest fatalities brought the US military personnel death toll in Iraq since the March 2003 invasion to 2,360 according to a count based on Pentagon figures.

Two killed in Sri Lanka landmine blast
(Updated at 1155 PST)
COLOMBO: At least two policemen were killed and another two wounded when their truck was caught up Wednesday in a landmine blast blamed on Tamil rebels in northeastern Sri Lanka, officials said.

The victims were on their way to the port town of Trincomalee to buy provisions for policemen stationed further north of the main city in the coastal district when they were ambushed, a police official said.

"It is the Tigers who have carried out the attack," a police official in Trincomalee said.

"Two men were killed on the spot and the other two in the truck were injured," he said.

Australian PM called before Iraq bribes inquiry
(Updated at 1125 PST)
SYDNEY: Australian Prime Minister John Howard said on Wednesday he had been summoned to give evidence at an inquiry into the payment of sanction-busting bribes to Saddam Hussein's Iraq by the nation's monopoly wheat exporter.

Bangladesh set 307 runs target for Australia 
(Updated at 1100 PST)
DHAKA: Bangladeshis remained in upbeat mood despite a strong Australian fight back on the fourth day of the fluctuating first test on Wednesday.

The hosts lost their last five second-innings wickets for just 20 runs to leave the world champions needing 307 for victory, but Bangladesh fans were still optimistic about their
chances of recording only their second victory in 43 tests.

Bangladesh have won only one of their 42 test matches since 2000, that victory coming over a depleted Zimbabwe side.

The Bangladeshis lost their two previous tests against Australia in 2003 by an innings.

Karachi Stock Exchange closed today
(Updated at 1035 PST)
KARACHI: Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) would remain closed on Wednesday (today) to mourn the death of over 50 people killed in a suicide bomb attack on a religious gathering in city’s Nishtar Park. 

"The market will remain closed today to observe a day of mourning," M. K Lodhi, Managing Director of the KSE told Geo News.

Traders have also announced to close businesses on Wednesday to mourn Nishtar Park tragedy. 

Mufti Mukhtar’s body after funeral prayers sent to Mardan
(Updated at 1010 PST)
KARACHI: The body of Mufti Mukhtar Ahmad Qadri, who was martyred in suicide bomb carnage at Nishtar Park here, was sent to Mardan after funeral prayer. 

The funeral prayers of the leaders of Tahrik-e-Awam Ahl-e-Sunnat Haji Hanif Bilo and Hafiz Mohammad Taqi would also be offered today, while Mufti Mukhtar Ahmad’s funeral prayer was offered at Darul Uloom Amjadia, Sharfabad, following early morning prayers today, which was attended by several local people including the students of the seminaries. Later, the mortal remain of Mufti Mukhtar Ahmad was sent to Mardan.

Mufti Mukhtar Ahmad was the president and Sheikul Hadees of Darul Uloom Amjadia, Sharfabad and he was residing in Liaquatabad area.

On the other hand, the funeral prayer of the leader of Awam Ahl-e-Sunnat, Haji Hanif Bilo would be offered this morning at 10.00 A.M. at Memon Masjid, Bolton Market, while that of Hafiz Taqi’s at Eidgah, Jama Cloth also at 10.00 A. M. in the morning.

The funeral prayers of Mohammad Ashraf Qadri’s two sons Mohammad Ali and Ahmad Raza and his nephew Mohammad Shahzad would be offered at 9.00 A. M. this morning at Darul Uloom Amjadia, Sharfabad. 

SAARC agrees to grant US, S Korea observer status 
(Updated at 1000 PST)
DHAKA: The SAARC agreed in principle to grant United States and South Korea observer status in the regional grouping, Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Hemayetuddin said. 

The decision was taken by at the two-day 5th special session of the SAARC Standing Committee which ended the one-day deliberations due to what was described as "completing the agenda efficiently." 

"We have agreed in principle to the applications made by US and Korea seeking observer status in SAARC," Hemayetuddin told reporters. 

The Standan to become full member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and also guidelines for observer status for China and Japan. 

The SAARC Council of Ministers, which is expected to meet in Dhaka in July, would approve the draft of the Joint Declaration and the guidelines, Hemayetuddin added. 

Egypt frees hundreds of militants 
(Updated at 0920 PST)
CAIRO: Egypt has released about 900 members of the militant group Gamaa Islamiya, the interior ministry has said. 

It said the releases took place over the last 10 days and one of the founders of the group, Najeh Ibrahim, was among those freed. 

Gamaa Islamiya was once Egypt's largest militant group. It mounted attacks on tourists and Christians in the 1990s. 

But the group declared a ceasefire in 1999 and some of its imprisoned leaders went on to renounce violence. 

Saddam trial to resume 
(Updated at 0850 PST)
BAGHDAD: The trial of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein on charges of crimes against humanity resumes on Wednesday with the sometimes chaotic process at a crucial juncture as it starts to move forward.

However, Saddam Hussein and his seven co-defendants will not be present, the court said Tuesday.

Militant blows himself up in Philippines
(Updated at 0610 PST)
ZAMBOANGA: (Philippines) An Islamic militant accidentally killed himself while building a bomb in the southern Philippines, the military said Wednesday. 

The unnamed Abu Sayyaf suspect set off the bomb by mistake at his hideout near Maimbung on Jolo island Tuesday, said Brigadier-General Alexander Aleo, head of a counter-terrorist task force based in the southern port of Zamboanga. 

Mine attack on military bus kills 11 people, injures 11 in Sri Lanka 
(Updated at 0520 PST)
COLOMBO: A mine exploded near a bus carrying navy sailors in northeast Sri Lanka, killing at least 11 military personnel and injuring 11 other people, including two British tourists, the military said.

Military spokesman Brig. Prasad Samarasinghe blamed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam for the Claymore mine attack Tuesday in Trincomalee, about 230 kilometers (140 miles) northeast of the capital, Colombo.

Nishtar Park bomb blast: 16 bodies identified
(Updated at 0320 PST)
KARACHI: Out of 25 bodies brought at Jinnah Hospital from Nishtar Park blast, 16 have been identified as Hafiz Taqui, Maulana Akram Qadri, Dr. Abdul Qadeer, Faridul Hasan Qazmi, Hussain Ahmed son of Ghulam Farooq, Asif Hussain, Mohammad Imran, Wajid Ahmed, Zahir Ahmed, Waheed Bandhani, Mohammad Shakeel, Nafees, Gul Zameen, Hafiz Noor Mohammad, Haji Faisal and Hafiz Yasin.

In civil hospital bodies of Hassamuddin, Shahid Kazmi, Haroon Qadri and Syed Kashif. Four bodies at civil hospital remained unidentified. 

US condemns Karachi suicide bombing
(Updated at 0300 PST)
WASHINGTON: The United States condemned Tuesday's suicide bombing that killed 57 people as Sunni Muslims celebrated the birth of the Prophet Mohammed.

"We strongly condemn this attack and can see no conceivable justification for this atrocity," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters at the daily press briefing.

The bombing was the deadliest in Pakistan for nearly two decades and sparked fears of new sectarian violence between majority Sunnis and Pakistan's minority Shiite community.

MQM chief condemns Karachi suicide attack 
(Updated at 0300 PST)
KARACHI: Chief of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Altaf Hussain, has in strongest terms condemned the bomb blast at Nishter Park here on Tuesday.

In a statement he said those behind the incident even do not deserve to be called human beings.

The MQM Chief further stated that such persons cannot be calledMuslims either.

" This is an act of terrorism and I strongly condemn it", he added.

Altaf Hussain said that this is a conspiracy to pit brother against brother and to destroy peace in Sindh especially in  Karachi.

He appealed to the people of Sindh especially of Karachi and  the leaders and workers of Jamat Ahle Sunnat to understand this conspiracy, exercise restraint and do not get provoked.

The MQM Chief urged that with the spirit of unity and discipline, this conspiracy be frustrated.
He expressed deep sorrow and grief at the deaths of Haji Hanif Biloo, Hafiz Muhammad Taqi and leader of Sunni Tehrik Iftikhar Bhatti and those who sustained injuries in the incident.

Altaf Hussain sympathized with the families of the bereaved and prayed for the early recovery of the injured.

Governor Sindh chairs emergency meeting on Karachi law and order 
(Updated at 0230 PST)
KARACHI: A high level meeting on law and order is in progress at the Governor House here Tuesday night, with Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan in the chair.

The emergency meeting has been called to review law and order situation in the city especially in reference to Nishtar Park incident.

Sindh Home Minister, M. Rauf Siddiqui, senior officers of law enforcing agencies are present in the meeting.

Allama Hassan Turabi condemns Karachi suicide attack
(Updated at 0210 PST)
KARACHI: The Chief of Shia Ulema Council Pakistan, Allama Hassan Turabi has strongly condemned the bomb blast at Nishter Park here on Tuesday evening.

In a statement he said that those who are behind this tragic act, want to harm the unity of the Muslim Ummah. 

He said that these elements have the nefarious designs of creating discord among the Shias and the Sunnis. 

Allama Hassan Turabi said that the Muslims through restraint can foil such a conspiracy.

He vehemently condemned this dastardly act and demanded an enquiry through a High Court judge.

He also appealed to the Shias to provide blood for their injured Sunni brethren and help the injured in every possible way.

Governor Sindh announces three-day official mourning
(Updated at 0200 PST)
KARACHI: Sindh Governor Dr. Ishratul Ebad Khan Tuesday announced three-day official mourning throughout the  province on Nishtar Park tragedy.

The Governor also announced closure of all the educational  institutions to mourn the tragedy.

Sherpao rebukes bomb explosion in Karachi
(Updated at 0150 PST)
ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister, Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, on Tuesday condemned the bomb explosion at Nishtar Park in Karachi, where an Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi meeting was in progress.

Aftab Sherpao termed it a terrorist act aimed at undermining the law and order situation.

He said though strict security arrangements were made, but there was pressure due to a number processions in connection with Eid Milad un Nabi.

The culprits involved in this heinous act would be arrested, he added. 

The Minister said the administration had been directed to  be be vigilant in the wake of this tragic incident.

District Nazim Lahore aggrieved over Karachi tragic incident
(Updated at 0125 PST)
LAHORE: District Nazim Lahore, Mian Amir Mahmood expressed deep sense of grief and shock over the loss of precious lives in an unfortunate incident of bomb blast at a religious congregation in Karachi.

In his condolence message here on Tuesday night, the district nazim prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls and grant of fortitude to the bereaved families. 

He also extended sympathy to the injured and prayed for their early recovery.

Secy education notifies closure of schools and colleges for April 12
(Updated at 0125 PST)
KARACHI: In the wake of the situation arising out of the Nishter Park tragedy, all the schools and colleges in Karachi will remain close on April 12.

This was announced by the Sindh Secretary Education and Literacy, Syed Ghulam Ali Pasha on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, in a statement the Sindh Education Minister, Dr Hamida Khuhro, has expressed deep sorrow and grief at the Nishter park incident.

She sympathised with those whose near and dear ones lost their lives in the incident and prayed for the early recovery of those injured.

The Minister appealed to the people to remain peaceful and exercise restraint.

Sindh Governor Ebad voices grief, shock over Nishtar Park tragedy
(Updated at 0125 PST)
KARACHI: Sindh Governor Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan has expressed profound grief and sorrow over the Nishtar Park tragedy and appealed to people to show restraint and tolerance.

He prayed for peace for the departed souls, grant of fortitude to bereaved families and early recovery of injured.

The Governor anounced compensation of Rs 3 lac each for the heirs of dead and financial assistance for the injured. 

He issued directive for provision of all possible medical aid and other facilities for victims of bomb blast in all the hospitals.

The Governor said that this heinous act deserve every condemnation in the strongest terms. However, he said the nefarious designs of anti-Pakistan elements have to be foiled by excercising utmost restraint and patience so that the culprits are brought to justice.

He assured the people that no stone will be left unturned  to nab the elements involved in this tragedy.

He directed the agencies responsible for law and order to maintain strict vigil on elements which may cause harm to the lives and properties of people under the cover of this tragedy. 

Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad told the people to seek guidance from the teaching of benefactor of humanity on the occasion of his Jashn-e-Milad.

He said there is no doubt that elements involved in this abhorred act are the enemies of Islam, the country and the nation  and their nefarious designs have to be foiled with collective cooperation of all.

Tahir Qadri strongly condemns Karachi bomb blast
(Updated at 0125 PST)
KARACHI: The Chief of Tehrik Minhaj Al-Quran, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Tahir ul Qadri has condemned the bomb blast at Nishter Park here.

In a statement he expressed deep sorrow and grief at the deaths and injuries of ulema and others in the incident. 

Prof. Qadri demanded that those responsible be arrested and awarded exemplary punishment.

Khawaja Muhammad Ashraf also of the Tehrik, has also condemned the blast at Nishter Park.

Water Minister Liaquat Jatoi flays Karachi suicide explosion
(Updated at 0120 PST)
ISLAMABAD: Minister for Water and Power, Liaquat Jatoi Tuesday strongly condemned the bomb explosion in the a religious procession at Nishtar Park, Karachi which claimed a number of precious lives and left many other injured.

In a message, the Minister expressed great shock and grief over the tragic incident and prayed that may Allah Almighty rest the departed souls in eternal peace and grant patience to the bereaved families to bear this loss with fortitude.

Jatoi also prayed for the early recovery of injured, and hoped hospitals would provide them prompt medical assistance.

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