W O R L D

Lahore Ambush
More security lapses revealed
While Pakistan continues to receive a lot of flak for lax security cover provided to the Lankan team, a close look at the agreement signed by the two sides has revealed that most of its provisions were not followed by authorities in Lahore.

Probe suggests LeT footprints
Islamabad, March 6
The preliminary investigations into the attack on Sri Lankan cricket team have suggested that Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) activists could have carried out the assault.

Indian-led UN panel slams Canada on housing rights
Toronto, March 6
Miloon Kothari, a globally respected Indian who heads a UN committee on housing rights, has warned Canada to urgently have a “comprehensive and coordinated national housing policy” to meet its international housing rights obligations.

TOP SERVICE: US first lady Micheile Obama serves food at Miriam’s Kitchen in Washington that provides meals and support to neary 250 homeless men and women in the city. — Reuters

PML-N bandh successful
Shops and business centres observed shut down in cities across the country, some complete and others partially, on a call by PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif in protest against the imposition of ‘Governor’s Rule’ in Punjab amid reports that President Asif Zardari had responded positively to the reconciliation efforts by the two top leaders of coalition partners.

Researchers rein in rogue light waves
Washington, March 6
Rogue waves of light, rare and explosive flare-ups that are mathematically similar to gigantic and terrifying freak waves at sea, have recently been tamed by a group of researchers.

London Book Fair
Spotlight on Indian writing
New Delhi, March 6
The London Book Fair, which is focusing on India as an emerging market and literary hub this year, will take a look at not only English writing from the south Asian nation but also other vernacular languages, said Alistair Burtenshaw, group exhibition director of the event. The April 20-22 fair will also introduce new Indian writers to publishers and sellers from 67 countries, said Burtenshaw, who was here on Thursday to promote the event.

Lahore Ambush
More security lapses revealed
Afzal Khan writes from Islamabad

While Pakistan continues to receive a lot of flak for lax security cover provided to the Lankan team, a close look at the agreement signed by the two sides has revealed that most of its provisions were not followed by authorities in Lahore.

Probe suggests LeT footprints Islamabad, March 6 The preliminary investigations into the attack on Sri Lankan cricket team have suggested that Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) activists could have carried out the assault. The initial probe suggested that a group of headstrong LeT activists, who went underground and hid in the garrison city of Rawalpindi after the crackdown on the terrorist group and its front organisation Jamaat-ud-Dawa, had acted on its own and carried out the attack, the Dawn newspaper quoted its sources as saying. Though officials did not confirm the involvement of the LeT, the daily said they categorically ruled out the possibility of the involvement of India’s Research and Analysis Wing or the LTTE in the attack as no evidence had been found so far in the regard. Investigators probing the assault on the cricket team believe the attackers received commando training in the camp of LeT’s operations commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, as their modus operandi had similarities with that of the terrorists involved in the Mumbai attacks .— PTI

Much of the criticism has been directed against the Punjab government under Governor Salman Taseer who was given all executive powers after President Zardari imposed emergency in the province toppling Shahbaz Sharif’s government. He is accused of having made a drastic reshuffle in the police and bureaucratic set-up in Lahore and adjoining areas that remained too preoccupied in political manipulations, while neglecting the highly sensitive visit of Lankans.

The Interior Ministry that played a key role in the signing of the agreement between the Pakistan and Lankan cricket boards was also found neglecting its part for almost identical reasons. However, both advisor to the Interior Ministry Rehman Malik and Punjab Governor Taseer, have rubbished charges levelled against them.

A perusal of the agreement show that security agencies paid no heed to important clauses, resulting in easy route access to terrorists. Also, no police detail was deployed along the route. The Liberty Roundabout --- the site of terrorist attack --- remained open, instead of being cordoned off one hour before the scheduled departure of the teams. No senior police official was assigned to the team.

The rickshaws allegedly carrying terrorists were allowed to come very near to the team convoy. Another vital issue is related to the quality of the police escort accompanying the buses. While government claims it comprised elite commandos, the six policemen were killed as sitting ducks without anybody firing at the assailants.

Indian-led UN panel slams Canada on housing rights

Toronto, March 6
Miloon Kothari, a globally respected Indian who heads a UN committee on housing rights, has warned Canada to urgently have a “comprehensive and coordinated national housing policy” to meet its international housing rights obligations.

In a new global report, Kothari, who is the United Nations’ Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing, says Canada is the only major country in the world without a national housing plan. This leaves poor Canadians in deep housing insecurity and homelessness, Kothari says in his report. The report will be tabled at the United Nations’ Human Rights Council in Geneva on Monday.

Lauding Kothari for his report, Michael Shapcott of the local Wellesley Institute which specialises in urban issues, said, “As a leading and well-respected global expert on housing and homelessness, Kothari is telling Canada that it is failing to meet its fundamental obligations in international law. “This is the latest in a series of damning reports from the United Nations - and should be a clear warning that Canada needs to adopt the practical recommendations set out by Kothari.” — IANS

PML-N bandh successful
Afzal Khan writes from Islamabad

Shops and business centres observed shut down in cities across the country, some complete and others partially, on a call by PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif in protest against the imposition of ‘Governor’s Rule’ in Punjab amid reports that President Asif Zardari had responded positively to the reconciliation efforts by the two top leaders of coalition partners.

The PML-N activists and supporters staged rallies in most cities, the biggest in Lahore as people shouted slogans against Zardari.

Researchers rein in rogue light waves

London Book Fair
Spotlight on Indian writing