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PAF's next generation JF-17 fighters by next June

     Islamabad: Pakistan Air Force is set to induct the first squadron of supersonic state-of-the-art fighter planes, JF- 17 Thunder, a Sino-Pak venture, by June 2006. The News quoted a highly place source as saying that initially, there would be six ultramodern warplanes in the squadron and later the Force would equip itself with 150 JF-17 fighters in different phases. The engineers and technicians from both the countries have started building five prototype fighter planes. The first test flight of the supersonic jet was successfully conducted in September 2003 in China. The prototype project is expected to be finished within a couple of months. The planes have been equipped with latest avionics, which are also developed jointly by China and Pakistan. China Air Force is likely to induct more than 500 JF-17 fighter planes in the future. These fighters are being built to replace old workhorse of Chinese origin warplanes, A-5 and F-7, which are completing their stated life and would strengthen the striking power of the Pak force.

India to invite Musharraf for cricket match (Go To Top)

     New Delhi: The Indian government on Wednesday said that Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf would be visiting the country to witness one of the matches in the current Indo-Pak cricket series. "It is a friendly visit...Every visit does not have to become state visit," the Prime Minister's media advisor, Sanjaya Baru, said. India would be happy to host the Pakistan President for witnessing any of the matches, he said adding the External Affairs Ministry has been asked to check with Islamabad for his visit to enable the government make necessary arrangements, including security. In the past, he said, the late Pakistan President Zia ul Haq had come to watch one of the cricket matches between the two countries. "All our neighbours should feel free to come to India any time they want. It is a friendly visit. In the past (Pakistan President) Ziaul Haq had come" to watch a Indo-Pak cricket match," he said.

India takes firm control of Mohali Test (Go To Top)

     Mohali: With an unbeaten 95 at the close of the second day's play on Wednesday, opener Virender Sehwag placed India firmly in control of its first cricket Test against Pakistan at Mohali, the loss of three-and-half-hours of play notwithstanding. India chasing Pakistan's 312 were comfortably placed at 184 for 1 at close, just 128 runs adrift of the Pakistani total. Giving Sehwag company at the close of play was Indian vice-captain Rahul Dravid on 39. Play was called off due to bad light. Earlier, Sehwag and his opening partner Gautam Gambhir (41) provided a blazing start to the Indian innings, putting on 113 runs for the first wicket. None of the Pakistani bowlers made much of an impression on the Indian batsmen, despite the cloudy conditions. Naved-ul-Hasan Rana was taken off after four overs in which he was hit for four fours and a six. Mohammad Sami was only marginally better and conceded 29 runs in his five overs. Both the bowlers were replaced with Abdul Razzaq and Danish Kaneria from the two ends, but the Indians showed no inclination to drop down the gears.

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