Mian Nawaz Sharif, chief of his faction of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), has categorically repudiated reports that he is under pressure from Pakistan's western and Middle Eastern friends to give up demand for trial of former military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf on treason charges.

"I was never part of any reported deal struck before Musharraf's resignation last year guaranteeing his protection against any court cases,” Sharif told a select group of journalists here.

Media reports here claimed that a covert understanding involving civil and military leadership, including Nawaz Sharif, besides the US, Britain and Saudi Arabia had secured Musharraf's resignation and is now blocking Musharaf's sedition trial. It was further reported that Sharif is currently under internal and external pressure to honour the understanding.

Emphasising that Musharraf's trial was imperative to block future adventurers from subverting the constitution, Shaif said he was disappointed by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's change of mind on the issue. But I am confident that Musharraf will definitely be put in the dock in a Pakistani court of law one day," he said.

He also claimed that US diplomat Richard Holbrook and British diplomat Mark Lyall Grant never asked him to forget Musharraf and he was not bound by any deal. Though he confirmed that Grant did mention the subject during their meeting last week, Sharif said the British diplomat simply sought his opinion but made no reference that Musharraf should be spared.

About Gilani who has been in close contact with him despite Sharif's long estrangement with President Asif Zardari, the PML-N chief said Gilani's statement linking Musharraf's trial to a unanimous resolution by parliament amounted to an indirect protection of Musharraf.

“I was not expecting this kind of statement from Gilani. He broke my heart,” Sharif observed.

Asked to comment on Sharif's remarks, Gilani on Saturday said he would share his arguments on the issue when he next meets the PML-N chief.

Information minister Qamar Zaman Kaira talking to reporters here said Musharraf's trial would open a Pandora's box. He said the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) was bound to consult its allies only. "The PML-N is in the opposition and not our ally," Kaira said, adding that it could not force the government to toe its line.

Sharif rejected the notion that he was pursuing a revengeful politics against Musharraf and insisted that his position was based on principles and that he was motivated only by his commitment to democracy and the rule of law.

Islamabad, August 22
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has declared Hakeemullah Mehsud as the successor to Baitullah Mehsud. TTP spokesman Maulvi Faqir Muhammad announced Hakeemullah's appointment while claiming that Baitullah was alive, the News reports.

Muhammad said Baitullah wanted to appoint his successor in his lifespan, so he has asked Hakeemullah to take over.

Muhammad said a 42-member council of the Taliban appointed Hakeemullah their chief and Azam Tariq as the new spokesman of the banned outfit.

Days ago, Muhammad had claimed that he had taken charge of the TTP, rejecting reports about Baitullah Mehsud's death. Muhammad claimed that Taliban elders had held a meeting recently in which it was decided to make him the 'acting' leader of the group.

"I have taken over the leadership of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. Two days ago our Shura held a meeting in which my leadership was endorsed," Muhammad said.

He denied that Mehsud had been killed in a drone attack, but said that the chieftain was ill.

"Baitullah Mehsud is alive, but he is seriously ill. In his absence, I am takingover his leadership," Muhammad said.

He also claimed that two other senior Taliban leaders, Hakimullah Mehsud and Waliur Rehman, who have been reportedly fighting for the post, had also endorsed his leadership.

Muhammad had also announced that the Taliban's Swat chapter spokesperson Muslim Khan had been made the Taliban's spokesman, replacing Maulvi Omer, who was arrested recently. — ANI

Indian students have more acceptability for jobs after completing their higher and technical education in Australia, says Lesleyanne Hawthorne, Associate Dean International at Melbourne University.

Ninety three per cent of the Indian students are appropriately employed in their respective fields within six months of their completion of higher studies in Australia, Hawthorne’s studies reveal, which was conducted on the basis of a data for a couple of years ending in 2006.

Compared to India, China was the next most successful nation as 75 per cent of their students also got jobs in commensurate with their professional qualifications. “We conducted our study in 10 select areas - in the field of science, medicine and other related subjects and found that the Indian students figured among the top four in almost all 10 streams followed by China.

The study, she said, was conducted to follow employment pattern and movement of migrant students. Interestingly, the Indian medicos were highly acceptable in Australia, Canada, UK and USA.

However, 55 per cent of the Indian doctors could start their practice within five years of arriving in Australia, while in case of Canada, the comparative success rate was only 19 per cent. The changed rules in Britain now also require Australian doctors besides Indian doctors to take a test before being allowed to practice medicine there.

Hawthorne said in Queensland of all international students studying medicine, 80 per cent came from Canada. The Indian students, she said were most favoured and acceptable for admissions in Australian medical schools.

United Nations, August 22
The World Health Organisation has said patients with uncomplicated illnesses do not need to take antiviral drugs.

A global group of experts has issued new guidelines for the use of drugs on swine flu.

Worldwide, most infected patients continue to display typical influenza symptoms and fully recover without any medical treatment, the WHO said.

The guidelines emphasise on using drugs such as oseltamivir and zanamivir, to which the pandemic virus is susceptible, to prevent severe illness and deaths, reduce the need for hospitalisation, and shorten hospital stays. — PTI