SRINAGAR: Stating that participation of India, Islamabad, Muzaffarabad and people of Kashmir was imperative for resolution of Kashmir, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman of the moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference on Friday announced readiness for “sincere and meaningful talks”” with New Delhi.

“Hurriyat Conference believes in talks, but it should be sincere and meaningful for resolving Kashmir. The government should come up with concrete and lucid policy, clear from any confusion for there have been variance in the statements between the Indian home and foreign Minister,”” Mirwaiz told a Friday congregation at Jamia Masjid in old city’’s Nowahatta area in Srinagar.

“We have to proceed in a phased manner and we strongly believe that no dialogue would be consequential until the six-point proposal by the Hurriyat Conference was adhered to,”” he added.

Among the six points, the amalgam demands revoking of all draconian laws, unconditional release of all detainees and withdrawal of troops from the state.

In a direct reference to chairman of the other faction of the Hurriyat, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, the Mirwaiz said that there was no breach in mutual agreement of last year.

The hardline Geelani faction believes that right of self-determination is the only option for resolving the Kashmir issue

MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly session to elect the new leader of the house will be held on Thursday, 22nd October.

The assembly session would be held with Shah Ghulam Qadir presiding over at 10am.

Raja Farooq Hyder Khan of Muslim Conference and Haji Yaqoob Khan are contesting for the slot of 9th Premier of Azad Kashmir.

Secretary Assembly has issued the list of candidates contesting for the Prime Minister slot.

Security has been beefed up in Muzaffarabad, besides snap checking arrangements at entry points to capital. Security passes have also been issued to relevant people enter the Assembly Secretariat.

MUZAFFARABAD: Prime Minister (PM) Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that Pakistan principled stance on Kashmir issue remains unchanged and Islamabad will continue to play its political, diplomatic and moral role for the independence of the occupied Kashmir.

Talking to various ceremonies in Muzaffarabad Thursday, PM said that giving autonomy to Gilgit Baltistan will not in any way affect the Kashmir cause.

PM advised to keep a watchful eye on the elements who are trying to derail the democracy in the country for their personal interests.

To eliminate terrorism from the country we will have to counter the elements that are tarnishing the image of Islam and Pakistan, with the same altruism and selflessness witnessed after the devastating quake of October 2005.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has been grieved and expressed anguish over the loss of precious lives due to falling of a bus in a ravine near Muzaffarabad on Thursday.

In a message to the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Sardar Mohammad Yaqub Khan, Prime Minister Gilani conveyed his heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathies to the members of the aggrieved families.

He prayed to Almighty Allah to shower His blessings upon the departed souls and grant courage to their families to bear this irreparable loss with equanimity.

LAHORE: The spell of downpour in the country is in full swing Thursday, causing several low-lying areas to be inundated with water.

At least two people were killed in rainfall and hailstorm in Taunsa.

In Faisalabad, the rain starting from last night is still in progress intermittently. The downpour rendered the low-lying areas under water; also, the power supply was badly damaged.

In Jhang and its suburbs also, it is still raining. In Multan, the citizens are troubled with the accumulated water all around.

In Dera Ghazi Khan tehsil of Taunsa Sharif, downpour and hailstorm caused the rooftops and walls of over 50 houses collapsed, killing two people and injuring 20 others. Hailstorm damaged the standing crops and hundreds of livestock were killed.

In Muzaffarabad, Neelum Thoroughfare could not be re-opened after the yesterday’s rain.

HYDERABAD: The spell of downpour across the country is in progress today (Saturday). According to Met Department, 86mm rain was recorded in Hyderabad.

The most rain was recorded in Hyderabad at 86mm, 53mm was recorded in Plandari.

Besides, Marree received 44mm, Kotli 43mm, Phallar 39mm, Mandi Bahaud Din and Zafarwal 36, Thatta 34mm, Badin 21mm, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot and Islamabad 17mm, Chorr, Sialkot and Jhelum 14mm, Garhi Dopatta 12mm, Kakool 11mm, Mithi 10mm, Rawalpindi and Karachi were washed with 5mm.

Met Department said light and heavy showers are expected in most areas of the country during the next 36 hours. Also, the downpour spell is expected to continue in upper areas, northeastern Punjab including Islamabad and Lower areas of Sindh including Karachi.

Met Department said 30 percent less rains are expected in the current monsoon season. These rains will have good effects on various crops including paddy in the country.

Meantime, the flood center in Lahore said the inflow at the upper level in Tarbela Dam was recorded at 206600 cusec and the flow of water was recorded at 35000 cusec.

The water level at the dam was recorded at 1460.16 foot in the morning.

The inflow at Mangla Dam was recorded at 51892 cusec and outflow was 35000 cusec with its water level at 1177.60 foot.

ISLAMABAD: Tremor jolted upper parts of the country on Monday morning. However, no causality was reported.

According to reports, quake hit Abbotabad, Muzaffarabad, Mansehra, Batgram, Noseri, Jora, Utthmaqam, Chinari and Hattian areas of Neelum Valley at 7: 57am. The magnitude of tremor recorded 4.2 at Richter scale and its epicenter was in Manshera.

BANNU: The anti-terrorism operation, launched by Pakistan army, is continued in Jani Khel locality of FR Bannu, sources reported while curfew for an indefinite period has been clamped in the area, sources added.

Security forces have been shelling militants sanctuaries for several hours but no causality or loss of property was reported in preliminary reports, sources added.

Meanwhile during local Jirga, the government has asked local forces and area residents to help in the establishment of peace in the region, sources clamed.

MUZAFFARABAD: Two soldiers embraced shahadat while three others were injured when early this morning a suicide bomber exploded himself against an Army vehicle closed to Shaukat lines, Muzaffarabad, said ISPR in an statement.

The injured personnel have been evacuated to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Muzaffarabad. #12288;#12288;#12288;#12288;#12288;