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5 Nepal parties to launch stir from Mar 8

     Kathmandu: Five major political parties in Nepal have announced plans to launch a fresh agitation against King Gyanendra's emergency rule from March 8, to demand restoration of people's rights, suspension of emergency and release of all political prisoners and journalists. The five parties, including the largest Nepali Congress and the Nepal Communist Party (UML), have announced that the agitation will be peaceful and will coincide with the International Women's Day. It will be marked by protest meetings, flag demonstrations and various other programmes throughout the country. "We demand that the Royal Proclamation be immediately withdrawn, emergency lifted, people's rights restored and all political prisoners and journalists released," the parties said in a joint statement, issued for the first time after the royal takeover. "We are shocked by the King's February one step of assuming powers and subsequent regressive steps, which were unconstitutional, undemocratic and authoritarian in nature," it said. "The royal step has hijacked the people's rights and established an authoritarian rule in the country." The joint statement was signed by Balbahadur Rai of Nepali Congress, Jhalanath Khanal of CPN-UML, Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar of NC (Democratic), Chitra Bahadur Ale of Janamorcha Nepal and Bharat Bimal Yadav of Nepal Sadbhavana Party (A).

PCB voices reservation over Dalai Lama inaugurating match (Go To Top)

     Karachi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has apparently voiced reservation over the invitation extended by the BCCI to inaugurate the three day match between Pakistan and the Indian Board President's Eleven at Dharamsala. The News quoted PCB official as saying that since Pakistan enjoyed good relations with China, therefore it would be better if politics and sports were not mixed together, adding that PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan has even spoken to BCCI officials that Pakistan should not be put in an embarrassing position. "The PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan spoke to the Indian board officials on Saturday insisting that Pakistan should not be put in an embarrassing position as it enjoyed very good relations with China," the paper quoted the source as saying. BCCI officials on their part said that the invitation extended to the Dalai Lama was done by the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association. "BCCI conveyed to Shaharyar that it was not their decision to invite the Dalai Lama to inaugurate the match and that this was done by the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association, But Pakistan has said it has no problems with the Dalai Lama opening the match or witnessing it from the confines of the pavilion. Shaharyar however has asked BCCI to be very selective while confirming future engagements of the Pakistan team on the tour," the source added.

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