Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has acknowledged that the proposal for imposition of emergency was seriously discussed and then shelved but did not rule it out altogether.

“There is no plan to impose emergency for the time being,” Aziz told reporters on return from Kabul last night. He said the issue was discussed with President Pervez Musharraf for which several meetings were held. But it was realised that the circumstances prevailing in the country did not warrant invoking emergency for the “time being”.

Aziz pointed out that the President acts on the advice of the Prime Minister on the subject. “I have sent no advice to the President for proclamation of emergency in the country," he said. “The rumours in this regard are being spread by those who believe in politics of agitation and confrontation.”

Officials here acknowledged that the decision to impose emergency changed mainly after US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice talked to Musharraf by telephone and expressed serious concern over the reported decision. Rice was worried that media reports had cited US threats for unilateral military operations inside Pakistani territory in pursuit of Al-Qaida operators as among the top reasons for emergency. The Bush administration felt that it would further whip up anti-American sentiments in Pakistan which are currently at their maximum, these sources said.

The reports evoked fierce reaction from political parties, including the coalition partner Nuttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). This also played an important role in compelling Musharraf to back away.

The Supreme Court also adjourned hearing in the petitions by Nawaz Sharif till August 16 on Thursday morning that relieved immediate pressure to invoke emergency rules. The admission of the petitions by the SC had earlier sent shock waves and the regime thought of emergency to stall the move.

The PM said presidential elections would be held between September 15 and October 15 this year and the present assemblies would elect the President.

To a question, he said the President was eligible to contest the election again on expiry of his term.

Meanwhile, minister for information and broadcasting Muhammad Ali Durrani yesterday claimed that the President had rejected proposals to impose emergency in the country.

London, August 10
More than 2,000 movie buffs attended the world premiere of Shah Rukh Khan-starrer 'Chak de India', a film on women's hockey in India, at the famous Somerset House here.

Describing it as a new experience, Khan told the packed gathering at the open air theatre last night that it was a different kind of movie, "a little irregular film".

"It has a noble thought. It is important to talk about team spirit, women and their role in the world," he told the cheering crowd.

The premiere was part of the film4 Summer Screen at Somerset House and one of the glittering highlights of 'India Now', a three-month season celebrating London's growing relationship with India and exploration of India's culture and contribution to London life.

Produced by Aditya Chopra and directed by Shimit Amin, 'Chak de India' (Go for it India) is the comeback story of an ageing hockey player (Khan). The two-and-a-half-hour-long film, which kept the audience spell bound, has Khan starring as a coach, fighting his personal demons as he takes a motley group of girls to the pinnacle of the world hockey.

London Mayor Ken Livingstone, who was present on the podium with Khan, said "we have many wonderful events taking place across London throughout the three month duration of 'India Now' and the world premiere of 'Chak de India' is undoubtedly one of the biggest and most exciting. Asked whether he has any advice to Indian coaches, be it hockey or any other game, on how to win, Khan told PTI "I am only an actor. What advice I can give. It is the job of the coaches to prepare the teams and win matches." — PTI

Miranshah (Pakistan), August 10
Helicopter gunships pounded militant hideouts in northern Pakistan as the military scoured mountains today for 16 missing soldiers believed to have been kidnapped by Taliban rebels.

As the US called for greater efforts against militants using Pakistan's remote Hindu Kush mountains as a base for terrorist operations, the military said today at least 10 Al-Qaida and Taliban fighters were killed in the attack yesterday.

The operation, which also involved ground forces, took place in the restive North Waziristan region near the Afghan border, where military strikes on militants have taken place throughout the week. "The miscreants killed in yesterday's strike were local militants allied to Taliban and Al-Qaida," a security official told AFP.

Military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad said security forces were taking a proactive approach in the troubled region to squeeze out the militants, who include local and foreign fighters.

"There is no planned operation going on in North Waziristan but we are responding with greater force against militant attacks on security forces now," Arshad said. He said the military was hunting for 16 paramilitary soldiers who went missing yesterday morning in South Waziristan. — AFP

Kathmandu, August 10
The police have busted a major counterfeit Indian currency racket involving more than half a dozen countries aimed at smuggling the notes into Nepal and various Indian towns bordering the Himalayan nation.

The Kathmandu Metropolitan Police Crime Branch busted the organised network involving Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore after carrying out investigations by interrogating over half a dozen people involved in the counterfeit Indian currency smuggling, according to a police official.

A huge quantity of counterfeit Indian currency printed in Bangladesh and Malaysia have been pouring into Nepal on way to India via Pakistan, Thailand and Singapore, Superintendent of Police Devendar Subedi said.

The counterfeit currency is being supplied in the market through money exchange counters, casinos and business houses run by members associated with the network, the police official said.

Police officials said Pakistani nationals were involved both directly and indirectly in the smuggling.

The police recently arrested a Pakistani national Abdul Wahak when he landed here on board Pakistan International Airlines and seized Rs 1.2 crore counterfeit Indian currency notes in Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denominations, according to the Crime Branch of the KMP at Hanumandhoka.

A case was also filed against Gyan Prasad Acharya, the proprietor of Handshake Travel, based in Kathmandu's Thamel area, for his involvement in the racket. — PTI