W O R L D

I will quit if people don’t want me: Musharraf
President Pervez Musharraf has said he would quit as country’s head if people did not want him to continue. “The day I realize that I can’t contribute for the country and people don’t like me to continue, I will quit,” official APP news agency quoted Musharraf as telling BBC television in Davos, Switzerland.

Pak tests nuke capable missile
Islamabad, January 25
Pakistan’s Army Chief dismissed today fears that the country’s nuclear weapons could fall into the hands of Islamist militants as the military test fired a nuclear-capable missile.

Italy’s PM quits after losing vote
Rome, January 25
Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi resigned following 20 rocky months in office after the centre-left leader lost a vote of confidence in the Senate.

Congo declares truce
Kinshasa, January 25
The Democratic Republic of Congo government officially declared a ceasefire in the embattled east following a peace deal signed by warring parties, the defence ministry said.

I will quit if people don’t want me: Musharraf
Afzal Khan writes from Islamabad

Musharraf insisted judges had been sacked for “corruption and nepotism” and said the independence of their replacements was not in question.

Mush pictures in uniform removed

President Pervez Musharraf’s pictures in military uniform have been replaced from all army installations with those in civilian gear. All army offices including those of corps commander, services headquarters, messes and other defence buildings now have fresh pictures of the President along with Jinnah and the new army chief Gen. Kayani.

Chaudhry asked to vacate official residence

The deposed Chief Justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, and two other sacked judges have been given final notice to vacate their official residence.

The Public Works Department in its notice gave a threat that in case of non-compliance the deposed judges would face forcibly eviction. The PWD said the new Chief Justice and other judges needed official accommodation. Justice Iftikhar maintained that even in case of retirement he was entitled to retain official residence for six months.

Pak tests nuke capable missile

Islamabad, January 25
Pakistan’s Army Chief dismissed today fears that the country’s nuclear weapons could fall into the hands of Islamist militants as the military test fired a nuclear-capable missile.

Speaking at the test-firing of a medium-range Shaheen-1 (Hatf-IV) ballistic missile, he said such concerns were based on a “lack of understanding of Pakistan’s command and control mechanisms.”

Kayani said Pakistan had developed a strong nuclear deterrence capability but it did not harbour aggressive designs against anyone.

The Shaheen-1 missile, which can travel up to 700 km (435 miles), is routinely fired for training purposes. — Reuters

Italy’s PM quits after losing vote

Congo declares truce

Kinshasa, January 25
The Democratic Republic of Congo government officially declared a ceasefire in the embattled east following a peace deal signed by warring parties, the defence ministry said.

In a statement, the ministry yesterday said “the ceasefire is decreed, this day January 24, 2008, as well as the cessation of hostilities” in Nord-Kivu and Sud-Kivu provinces, under an “act of engagement” signed on Wednesday by all parties to the conflict.

Meanwhile, Congo’s government has not renewed an arrest warrant for war crimes against rebel Gen Laurent Nkunda and he can be given amnesty under a peace deal signed with his rebel group this week, officials said today. Doubts over amnesty to Nkunda had raised fears of possible obstacles to the ceasefire pact. — Agencies