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Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif distances himself from army as crisis drags on

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<b>BY MEHREEN ZAHRA-MALIK AND MARIA GOLOVNINA</b></div>
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<span class="location" style="font-weight: bold; margin: 0px;">ISLAMABAD</span></div>
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<span class="location" style="font-weight: bold; margin: 0px;"><img alt="Pakistan's newly appointed army chief General Raheel Sharif attends the change of command ceremony in with outgoing army chief General Ashfaq Kayani (not in picture) at army headquarters in Rawalpindi November 29, 2013. REUTERS/Mian Khursheed/Files" border="0" src="http://s3.reutersmedia.net/resources/r/?m=02&d=20140829&t=2&i=968604156&w=580&fh=&fw=&ll=&pl=&r=LYNXMPEA7S0I6" style="color: black; display: block; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; width: 580px;" /></span></div>
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Pakistan's newly appointed army chief General Raheel Sharif attends the change of command ceremony in with outgoing army chief General Ashfaq Kayani (not in picture) at army headquarters in Rawalpindi November 29, 2013.</div>
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CREDIT: REUTERS/MIAN KHURSHEED/FILES</div>
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Pakistan's prime minister, weakened by weeks of opposition protests calling for him to resign, distanced himself from an army move to intervene in the crisis on Friday, saying he was not turning to the military for help to defuse the stand-off.</div>
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But in an embarrassing twist for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the army quickly denied this, saying it had been specifically instructed by the government to step in to help mediate with the opposition.</div>
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Despite the army's intervention, the crisis appeared far from being resolved, with thousands of protesters still massing outside key government installations in centrail Islamabad late on Friday demanding Sharif's resignation.</div>
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Sharif's efforts to end the conflict have failed in recent days, undermining his clout in a country prone to army coups.</div>
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The protests have been led by opposition leaders Imran Khan, a hero cricket player turned politician, and Tahir ul-Qadri, a firebrand cleric, who have both announced they would now directly negotiate with army chief General Raheel Sharif.</div>
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Sharif has emerged much weakened from the crisis, his already uneasy relationship with the military hitting new lows. He was toppled in a military coup in 1999 during a previous stint in office.</div>
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Addressing parliament on Friday, Sharif said he had nothing to do with the army's decision to step into the conflict.</div>
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"The army did not ask to play the role of mediator, neither have we requested them to play such a role," he told the assembly where he enjoys a strong majority.</div>
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Sharif added that he had not objected to both Khan and Qadri meeting the army chief. "If ... they want to meet the army chief then they should certainly meet," he said.</div>
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However, the army's press wing tweeted afterwards: "(The army chief) was asked by the Govt to play facilitative role for resolution of current impasse, in yesterday's meeting, at (Sharif's) House."</div>
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The army's intervention late on Thursday heralded hopes that the crisis would soon be over, but as of Friday night, protest leaders showed no signs of abandoning their call for Sharif to resign, with Khan announcing he would organise more protests around the country.</div>
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"I am fighting a war," Khan told supporters. "I don't trust Nawaz (Sharif). He is a liar and he is not true to his words."</div>
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Officials in Sharif's camp have accused the army of backing the protesters, though the army has so far been expressly neutral.</div>
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Pakistan has been gripped by mass protests for more than two weeks, with thousands of protesters occupying the centre of the capital. Late on Friday night, up to 8,000 protesters, some armed with clubs and shouting slogans, had again gathered outside parliament, with police on standby to prevent any trouble.</div>
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Pakistan, a nuclear-armed nation of 180 million, has been ruled by the military for half of its entire history and has repeatedly oscillated between civilian and military rule.</div>
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ARMY'S ROLE</div>
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Although the army's role is key to how the crisis unfolds, few believe the army is bent on seizing power again.</div>
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Nevertheless, its public intervention has demonstrated just how fragile Pakistan's democracy still is more than a year since Sharif swept to office in the country's first democratic transition of power.</div>
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"This is the end of democracy, the constitution and supremacy of the parliament in the country," retired Justice Tariq Mehmood was quoted as saying by the respected Dawn daily.</div>
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Sharif has displeased the army by trying to strengthen civilian rule and improve relations with India and Afghanistan, and the latest conflict has given the military an opportunity to sideline him on security and foreign policy issues.</div>
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Sharif also angered the military by putting the former army chief, Pervez Musharraf, on trial for treason. Musharraf ousted Sharif in the 1999 coup.</div>
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The army's involvement is likely to unnerve some Pakistanis but it also offers Khan and Qadri a face-saving solution to end their deadlocked protest as both are seen as close to the military.</div>
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In a bid to appease the protesters on Thursday, the authorities registered a murder case to investigate the killing of 14 Qadri supporters during clashes with police at a protest in the city of Lahore in June.</div>
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The legal case names Sharif and his powerful brother Shahbaz Sharif -- Punjab's chief minister -- among those responsible. Although it is not a legal indictment, the move could lead to Shahbaz's resignation and put further pressure on the prime minister.</div>
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(Writing by Maria Golovnina; Editing by Robert Birsel,Credit: Reuters)</div>

Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif distances himself from army as crisis drags on

BY MEHREEN ZAHRA-MALIK AND MARIA GOLOVNINA ISLAMABAD Pakistan's newly appointed army chief General Raheel Sharif attends th...

August 30, 2014

India funded development projects worth Rs. 365 million inaugurated in Northern Sri Lanka

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<b>Jaffna: </b>The Government of India has granted Sri Lanka Rs. 365 million for two major development projects in Jaffna, the capital city of Sri Lanka's Northern Province.<br />
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The Indian government has granted Rs. 145 million to renovate the Duraiappah Stadium in Jaffna and another Rs. 220 million to set up the Atchchuvely Industrial Estate in Jaffna.The Atchchuvely Industrial Estate in Jaffna district was inaugurated Wednesday (August 27) by Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and High Commissioner of India Y.K. Sinha at a function held at Atchchuvely.Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Douglas Devananda Governor of Northern Province G.A. Chandrasiri,<br />
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Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran and Mayor of Jaffna Yogeswary Patkunarajah also attended the function.Addressing the gathering, Minister Devananda noted that the Government of India has been providing assistance for a variety of projects covering different sectors to help the people of Sri Lanka.The High Commissioner, in his remarks, emphasized that India and Sri Lanka share a dynamic and multi-faceted relationship, rooted in history, language, culture, religion and trade These relations have matured and diversified with the passage of time, encompassing all areas of contemporary relevance.The Industrial Estate is expected to attract potential investors, from within and outside Sri Lanka, by providing suitable infrastructure and amenities.</div>
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Source: IPCS</div>

India funded development projects worth Rs. 365 million inaugurated in Northern Sri Lanka

Jaffna: The Government of India has granted Sri Lanka Rs. 365 million for two major development projects in Jaffna, the capital city of Sri...

August 29, 2014

Colombo's first Seychelles forum attracts Sri Lankan businesses

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<b>Colombo:</b> More than 130 Lankan private sector representatives from 125 companies attended a Seychelles business forum inaugurated in Colombo today.Addressing the inauguration of "Seychelles Trade and Investment Forum-Sri Lanka: Fostering Economic Partnership" event organized by the EDB on Wednesday (27) in Colombo Minister Rishad Bathiyutheen said Today's event can be a stepping stone for more bilateral trade between both countries, which is an urgent need at this moment."The total bilateral trade has been low at only US$3.7 million.</div>
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 Today's initiative therefore is a major step in this direction" said Bathiyutheen.More than 130 Lankan private sector representatives from 125 companies packed the three hour long in-depth session of presentations.Seychelles' 20 member delegation is led by Minister for Finance, Trade and Investment of Seychelles Pierre Laporte and joined by CEO of Seychelles Investment Board Rupert Simeon.

Source: IPCS
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Colombo's first Seychelles forum attracts Sri Lankan businesses

Colombo: More than 130 Lankan private sector representatives from 125 companies attended a Seychelles business forum inaugurated in Colomb...

August 29, 2014

Pakistan's powerful army steps in to resolve political crisis

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BY MARIA GOLOVNINA AND MEHREEN ZAHRA-MALIK</div>
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displays a document to supporters while speaking to them in front of the Parliament House building during the Revolution march in Islamabad August 28, 2014.</div>
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CREDIT: REUTERS/FAISAL MAHMOOD</div>
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<span class="location" style="background-color: white; font-family: "aria" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">ISLAMABAD (</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 13px; text-transform: uppercase;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 13px; text-transform: uppercase;">REUTERS)</span></span><span class="location" style="background-color: white; font-family: "aria" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> :</span></span><span class="location" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: "aria" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">Addressing the roaring crowd late at night, Qadri said the army had offered to mediate in the stand-off, a proposal he immediately endorsed.(Reuters) - Pakistan's army stepped into a political struggle between the country's embattled prime minister and the opposition on Thursday, signalling a possible end to a crisis that has destabilised the coup-prone nation.</span></div>
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Pakistan has been gripped by mass rallies for more than two weeks, with protesters led by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan and firebrand cleric Tahir ul-Qadri camped outside parliament demanding Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif resign.</div>
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Attempts to resolve the crisis through talks have failed, creating a deadlock and raising the spectre of violence as thousands of increasingly impatient activists, some armed with sticks, massed in the heart of Islamabad despite intense heat.</div>
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"The army chief has asked us to give him 24 hours to solve the crisis," he told thousands of flag-waving supporters. Khan, speaking shortly after him, echoed his remarks.</div>
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"The army will compile and put together a package of our demands and make sure they are implemented," Qadri added.</div>
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The army's press wing tweeted that army chief General Raheel Sharif would meet both opposition leaders late on Thursday. No other official comment was immediately available.</div>
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Some officials in Sharif's administration have accused the army itself of orchestrating the protests as a way to weaken the prime minister, and many believe that the fate of the anti-government movement ultimately lies in the military's hands.</div>
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Pakistan, a nuclear-armed nation of 180 million, has been ruled by the military for half of its entire history and has repeatedly swung between democracy and military. Sharif himself was toppled in a coup in 1999 during his previous tenure.</div>
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WHAT NEXT?</div>
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This time few observers expect the army to try to grab power again, although the prime minister seems sure to emerge significantly weakened from the crisis, with the military likely to further sideline him on security and foreign policy issues.</div>
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A military source told Reuters late on Thursday that the prime minister had asked General Sharif to "play his role" in resolving the conflict.</div>
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"All stakeholders have been requested to negotiating table to resolve the issue ... but it’s just the beginning," the source said.</div>
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At least 10,000 people have crowded Islamabad's so-called Red Zone, where parliament, the prime minister's residence and embassies are located since Aug. 15. With many sleeping rough, the site is now littered with rubbish and reeks of human waste.</div>
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Tensions came to a head earlier on Thursday, with Qadri declaring it "Revolution Day" and security forces sealing off the protest site in case the crowd tried to storm nearby government buildings, which had been evacuated.</div>
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Both Qadri and Khan used fiery language throughout the day refusing to back down.</div>
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The army's mediation could provide a face-saving solution to both of them in a country where the military is still respected widely and seen as an antidote to a civilian government many resent for corruption and red tape.</div>
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When Qadri told the protesters that the army was getting involved, the crowded chanted and waved flags in approval.</div>
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Sharif, who met the country's powerful army chief earlier in the day, flew to the city of Lahore - his political powerbase - for a funeral but was expected back late Thursday night.</div>
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The demonstrations come at a difficult time for Pakistan, already plagued by an Islamist insurgency, sectarian tension and recurrent power shortages. Many Pakistanis are deeply unhappy with the government's performance since it came to power after winning an election in May last year.</div>
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(Additional reporting by Mubasher Bukhari in Lahore, Sheree Sardar in Islamabad and Asim Tanveer in Multan; Writing by Maria Golovnina; Editing by Tom Heneghan)</div>
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Courtesy by: <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 13px; text-transform: uppercase;">REUTERS</span></div>

Pakistan's powerful army steps in to resolve political crisis

BY MARIA GOLOVNINA AND MEHREEN ZAHRA-MALIK Tahir ul-Qadri, Sufi cleric and leader of political party Paki...

August 29, 2014

Bangladesh shows 'very positive attitude' to Indian proposals

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<b>AGARTALA:</b> Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed a "very positive" attitude to Indian proposals of allowing Ashuganj River Port of her country as a port of call and introduction of Agartala-Kolkata direct bus servive via Dhaka, a Tripura minister has said. State Industries and commerce minister Tapan Chakraborty along with an Indian delegation headed by MoS for Development of North Eastern Region VK Singh met Hasina during an Indo-Bangladesh business conclave on August 23 last and put forward seven proposals for connectivity, which also included access to Chittagong port, among others. "Sheikh Hasina expressed a very positive attitude towards our proposal and said Bangladesh had decided to allow other countries to use ports for mutual interests. India had stressed for better connectivity through the neighbouring country for the people living in the north eastern states of the country," Chakraborty told reporters last evening. Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma was also in the Indian delegation, he said. Recently 5,000 metric tonnes of foodgrains were ferried from Kakinada port in Andhra Pradesh to the Tripura capital via Kolkata and Ashuganj ports, Tripura Transport minister Manik De had said.</div>
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Sourced: Economic Times, </div>

Bangladesh shows 'very positive attitude' to Indian proposals

AGARTALA: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed a "very positive" attitude to Indian proposals of allowing Ashug...

August 29, 2014

Summit to highlight Bangladesh's success to foreign investors

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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Daily Star,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"> </span></b>A daylong summit to tell Bangladesh's success story and lure in foreign investors is set to take place early next month in Singapore, Asia's financial hub.<br />
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Dubbed the second Bangladesh Investment Summit in Asia, the forum, which is expected to be attended by nearly 300 Asia-based delegates, will be an important platform for businesses and policymakers to showcase Bangladesh as an exciting investment destination.FinanceAsia and AsianInvestor, both published by Haymarket Financial Media Group, is organising the event at the Four Seasons Hotel Singapore on September 4.Standard Chartered Bangladesh is the summit's headline sponsor and City Bank Ltd is the platinum sponsor.

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Summit to highlight Bangladesh's success to foreign investors

Daily Star, A daylong summit to tell Bangladesh's success story and lure in foreign investors is set to take place early next month i...

August 29, 2014

Ahmedabad to host first Shape South Asia summit

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AHMEDABAD: Ahmedabad is set to host first ever two day international Shape South Asia summit to celebrate Gandhian spirit of 'doing good for all', entrepreneurship and innovation. The event will be organized by Ahmedabad Global Shapers (AGS) community, a voluntary youth organistion that is a part of Global Shaper Community, initiated by the World Economic Forum. Participants will be coming from 36 different cities of six South Asian countries which include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal. <br />
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Global Shapers Community is a worldwide network of city-based hubs developed and led by youths. Globally, there are 356 hubs spread with more than 4000 shapers. <br />
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The summit is themed on 'Roaring South Asia' and will be hosted on the 145th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi to commemorate the day. It will address some common challenges and explore opportunities to tackle common problems which are as wide ranging in scope as the cultural diversity of South Asia. <br />
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The first edition of SHAPE South Asia aims to serve a long lasting impact in building bridges and connections for a better future. Kumar Manish, vice curator of AGS said, "South Asia has common history, common culture and common challenges. South Asia has youngest population, who are roaring to make a difference in the society. This will be an opportune time start a new dialogue. The summit will also have major digital activity to engage with people globally." </div>
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Shape events are meeting of regional hubs from across borders and are geared towards bringing together shapers from neighboring countries to have a dialogue, collaborate and co-create, which results in a lot of positive energy and output.</div>
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<span style="color: #999999;">Sourced by: <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 11px;">TNN</span></span></div>

Ahmedabad to host first Shape South Asia summit

AHMEDABAD: Ahmedabad is set to host first ever two day international Shape South Asia summit to celebrate Gandhian spirit of 'doing goo...