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Today's
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Fake entries of Govt land worth
Rs 80 bln have been canelled: Arbab
KARACHI,
Jan 31 (APP) The government has cancelled the `fake entries' of land
worth Rs 80 billion in Karachi. This was stated by the Sindh Chief
Minister, Dr. Arbab Ghulam Rahim, during a surprise visit to the
office of the Board of revenue here on Wednesday. He said on the
occasion that the government has cancelled the `fake entries' of
land worth Rs. 80 billion in Karachi. The Chief Minister pointed out
that land in Karachi is being given on lease for industrial purpose
only. He said that after scrutiny, the land would be allotted later
on. Dr. Arbab said that the Government of Sindh would clear the land
of Karachi from the possession of `land mafia'. He pointed out that
the very purpose of his surprise visit to the office of the Board of
revenue was to ascertain the problems of the people and directed the
officers to resolve these in a transparent manner.The Chief Minister
called for shifting the office of the Board of Revenue to a better
place and renovate it because this building is a historic one and a
valuable asset.Senior member Board of Revenue, Syed Anwar Haider,
and other officers were also present on the occasion. |
Notice issued to Sindh Chief
Secretary, 26 Advisors to CM
Karachi, Jan 31 (PPI): Sindh High Court Wednesday issued notice
to Sindh Chief Secretary and all 26 Advisors to Sindh Chief Minister
on a petition filed by a citizen who challenged appointment of
Advisors. Petitioner Munir Ahmed Chandio through Abdul Waheed Katpar
Advocate submitted appointment of advisors was illegal and direct
violation of the Constitution as there was no provision in any
article of Constitution for appointment of advisors in any province
of country.He named Governor Sindh, Chief Minister and seven
Advisors as respondents. On Wednesday, petitioner filed separate
applications submitting that Chief Minister and Governor were
wrongly included in case.He requested to delete their names and add
Government of Sindh through Chief Secretary as respondent. He
requested to induct names of all Advisors to CM as in petition he
only named seven Advisors as respondents but total number of
Advisors was 26.He also sought service of Chief Protocol Officer
Sindh for issuing notices to Advisors.In another application he
sought direction against respondents to disclose list of advisors
along with their perks and privileges. SHC's division bench
comprising Justice Musheer Alam and Justice Afzal Soomro allowing
applications issued notice and adjourned mater till date in office.
Petitioner's counsel submitted petitioner as citizen was entitled to
question these illegal appointments, which were causing a huge loss
to the national exchequer.Citing Chief Secretary and all advisors to
CM as respondents, the court was prayed to declare appointment of
advisors illegal, unconstitutional and direct them to vacate status
of the advisors besides paying back their salaries and perks to the
provincial government. |
Pakistan wants U.S administration
makes legislation more balanced
ISLAMABAD : Foreign Office said on Wednesday it expects the U.S
administration to intervene to make the final legislation on Pakistan
more balanced. Responding to questions by newsmen at the weekly news
briefing in Islamabad about two pieces of legislation adopted by the
American House of Representatives, Foreign Office spokesperson pointed
out that the Senate has yet to come up its version. Ms.Tasnim Aslam said
the version passed by the House of Representatives is not balanced. She
pointed out that the US officials have said that the administration
would be working with the Congress to make the legislation more
balanced. With reference to the language used about Pakistan's nuclear
program, she said any categoric position of that nature would be
inconsistent with the spirit of Pakistan US bilateral relations and we
do not accept such position.“Pakistan is a nuclear power state and this
is a reality”. To another question the spokesperson said Pakistan is
interacting with the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). “Pakistan has
clearly conveyed its interested in establishing cooperation with the
group in peaceful uses of nuclear technology”. She said Pakistan fulfils
the criteria for membership of the NSG except that .. |
NATO, Pakistan agree on
comprehensive Afghanistan approach
BRUSSELSº NATO and Pakistan agree that the solution to
Afghanistan lies in a comprehensive approach involving economic,
political and military elements, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop
Scheffer has said.Speaking after talks with Pakistani Prime Minister
Shaukat Aziz at NATO headquarters in Brussels, de Hoop Scheffer said
both sides agree that all parties involved should step up their
efforts to get things right in Afghanistan. "There is no military
answer in Afghanistan. The answer in Afghanistan reads development,
reconstruction, where Pakistan also plays a role," he told
reporters. They agree that efforts should be made on both sides of
the Afghanistan Pakistan border to prevent Taliban sympathizers from
crossing the border to attack NATO and Afghan army troops, the NATO
chief said. Aziz, the most senior Pakistani official to visit NATO
headquarters to date, met representatives of NATO's 26 member
countries on Tuesday. Discussions focused on Afghanistan, where NATO
is leading the 32,000 strong International Security Assistance Force
(ISAF). NATO and Pakistan have shared objectives and are both
committed to a strong, stable, peaceful Afghanistan, Aziz told
reporters afterwards. "Pakistan is committed to a strong, stable
Afghanistan," said the prime minister. "The one country that will
benefit the most, after Afghanistan itself, will be Pakistan," he
said.Aziz stressed the need to find a strategy for Afghan refugees
in Pakistan in terms of their return to Afghanistan.There are
currently three million Afghan refugees in numerous refugee camps in
Pakistan's border area, which are seen as likely recruiting grounds
for terrorism. The international community should also focus on
reducing drug production in Afghanistan, which is linked to
terrorism, he said, noting that this "represents a threat for the
whole world." Highlighting the importance of economic development of
Afghanistan, Aziz said both Pakistan and Afghanistan need.
...Continued on page 11 |
Musharraf Badawi meeting; regional
situation discussed Pakistan, Indonesia call for end of tensions in
Muslim world
JAKARTA: Pakistan and Indonesia have agreed to establish a group of
influential and like minded countries to create harmony in Muslim Umma.
President Pervez Musharraf in a joint news conference along with his
Indonesian counterpart Susilo Bambang Yudhyono here Wednesday said that
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia would also consulted for setting up a
group of influential and like minded countries. The group would seek
solution of problems in Middle East .. |
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PPP condemns accusations against
party leaders
KARACHI : Pakistan Peoples Party, District Larkana President Ayaz Soomro
MPA and General Secretary Anwar Bhutto MNA have strongly condemned the
accusations against party leaders including Leader of the Opposition in
Sindh Assembly Nisar Khuhro and others by a local agent of the regime in
Larkana and said that PPP believes in clean politics based on people's
support.In a press statement issued here Wednesday, the PPP leaders said
that their party and its workers have nothing to with the blackening and
burning of the hoardings with the photographs of General Musharraf and
Arbab Rahim in Larkana..
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Youm e Ashur observed throughout
country with religious reverence
ISLAMABAD (Online): Youm e Ashur, the 10th of Muharram, was
observed with reverence and religious solemnity through out the
country including Azad Kashmir amidst tight security.Tazia, Alam and
Zuljinah processions taken out in all cities and towns across the
country including Rawalpindi, Lahore, Multan, Sukkur, Rohri,
Hyderabad, Karachi and Peshawar, were terminated successfully and
Majalis Sham e Ghariban were across the country. In Peshawar, the
major procession was taken out from Imam Bargah Agha Syed Ali Shah
Rizvi in Kocha Jan Muhammad and terminated at Imam Bargah Syed
Mustafa Shah.The mourners performed Marsaiya Khwani and Matam while
Sabeels were also set up on the route of processions in remembrance
of the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions who
laid down their lives for the supremacy of justice and
righteousness. In Kohat, the procession was taken out from Imam
Bargah Hussainia in Bannu Bazar and mingled with other processions
taken out from Imam Bargah Syed Habib Shah and Qaumi Imam Bargah at
Bazaar Zargaraan Chowk. In NWFP, the largest procession of Al'm and
Zul Jannah was taken out from Para Chanar and ended at the central
Imam Bargah. .. |
PM chairs meeting to review law and
order situation Government to continue its relentless struggle against
the terrorism and extremism: PM
ISLAMABAD, Jan 31 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Wednesday
chaired a high level meeting and reviewed the overall law and order
situation and progress made into the investigations of incidents of
terrorism that have taken place in the NWFP recently. The meeting was
attended by officials of the Ministry of Interior and representatives of
the law enforcement, security and intelligence agencies. The Prime
Minister was informed that other than NWFP, Muharram is being observed
peacefully throughout the country. The Prime Minister said that
elements, whether local or foreign, involved in the heinous acts must be
brought to book and given exemplary punishments. He paid glowing
tributes to the officials who laid down their lives in the discharge of
their duty to protect the lives of the citizens.He also offered his
heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The. |
SC directs police to submit final
challan of a rape case within 3 day
KARACHI (APP) The Supreme Court of Pakistan Wednesday directed
the concerned officials to submit the final challan of a case
against six accused in a rape case within three days, before trail
court.The Bench of the apex court comprising Justice Rana Bhagwan
Das, was hearing a Suo Moto court reference inside the chamber.The
Suo Moto reference was taken by Chief Justice of Pakistan, on an
application moved by Liaquat Rajput, father of the girl.In pursuance
of the directives to Inspector General of Sindh Police, Deputy
Inspector General (DIG), Crime Branch Hyderabad, Manzoor Qureshi and
Investigation Officer, Umeed Ali Mangi appeared before the
court.According to the details of the case of complainant, six
accused namely Nasir Ansari, Sanaullah Sheikh, Israr Ansari, Ismail
Gaho, Ayub Khoso and Khan Chand allegedly kidnapped a girl, daughter
of Liaquat Rajput and raped her, on June 6, 2006, in Tando Adam.The
FIR of the case has also been registered with Tando Adam Police on
June 9, 2006. |
Supreme Court disposes off
Benazir Bhutto’s petitions as infructuous
ISLAMABAD Jan 31 ( ): A bench comprising of the Chief Justice of
Pakistan Mr.Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Mr. Justice Tasaddaq Hussain
Jelani and Mr. Justice Jamshed Ali Shah of the Supreme Court of
Pakistan today disposed off two old petitions filed by Benazir
Bhutto, Chairperson Pakistan Peoples Party and Former Prime Minister
of Pakistan. The Court observed that the petitions had become
infructuous with the lapse of time and intervening events. In one
petition Benazir Bhutto had sought the transfer of an Ehtesab
Reference from a Bench of the Lahore High Court presided over by the
then judge of the Lahore High Court Mr. Justice Ihsan ul Haq
Chaudhry on the ground of the inveterate bias of the judge against
the petitioner.Counsel for the petitioner, Mr. Aitzaz Ahsan
submitted that since Justice Chaudhry had, in the meantime .. |
Opp submits three adjournment
motions in NA secretariat
ISLAMABAD (Online): Opposition on Wednesday has submitted three
adjournment motions in National Assembly Secretariate for discussion
in National Assembly session schedule to commence from February 06.
According to first adjournment motion submitted in NA Secretariate
revealed that the US House of representatives has authorized the
administration to ask Pakistan to surrender Dr. Abdul Qadir .. |
India repairing tracks for
resumption of Munabao train service
ISLAMABAD (APP): The Indian railway is repairing flood damaged
tracks for resumption of Thar Express train to Pakistan, Indian Zee
channel reported Wednesday. The report said the train service
between Munabao in Indian Rajashthan and Khokrapar in Sindh province
is likely to resume operations in March. It quoted railway official
A.K.Khana a saying the track restoration work would be completed in
next 20 days. The railway is currently repairing only the main line
so that the Thar Express can resume operations as soon as possible,
the official said. The train service was suspended on August 25 last
year following unprecedented floods in Rajasthan. |
Indo Pak mechanism against terror
to hold meeting on March 7
slamabad (Online): The Indo Pak anti terrorism committee would
hold its first meeting here on March 7 during which Islamabad is
expected to outline its response to the evidence provided by India
on the involvement of Pakistan based groups in terror related
incidents. "It has now been agreed by both the countries that the
joint committee which .. |
Sindh health department
bifurcated into two wings
Karachi (PPI): With the approval of competent authority, Sindh
Health Department, Wednesday was functionally bifurcated into two
wings Health and Public Health which will be effective from February
01, 2007. According a notification issued here the Terms of
Reference (ToRs) of bifurcation are: (1) The functional bifurcation
of the department is into health (curative) and public health
(preventive). (2) Secretary health will continue to be the
administrative secretary and exercise all powers except those
assigned to Special Secretary Health. (3) Special Secretary Public
Health will directly report and submit cases to Minister Health
except those that need policy decision, which would be routed
through Secretary Health.Special Secretary Public Health will be
overall in charge of all preventive programs and projects funded by
provincial, federal government, World Bank and foreign funded
agencies, etc, for effective functioning and coordination. He would
be overall in charge for proper and judicious utilization of project
funds, special secretary shall be co signatory with project
directors of all preventive projects/ programs. He will have to take
precise and prompt measures to prevent infectious and communicable
diseases from time to time. |
Govt.announces public holiday on
Feb 5
ISLAMABAD (APP): The government has announced public holiday on
the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day on February 5 (Monday).
According to a notification issued by Interior Division here
Wednesday, one minute silence would be observed throughout the
country on Monday at 10.00 a.m.to pay homage to the Kashmiri Shuhada.
All provinces and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration
have been asked to observe one minute silence on the Solidarity Day
at 10.00 a.m accordingly. |
Iran ready to give befitting
response to US, says Mottaki
ADDIS ABABA: Iranian foreign minister Menouchehr Mottaki has said
that Iran is ready to face US if it imposes war on Iran, however, he
said, US is not in a position to fight another war in Middle East.
Talking to newsmen here said, US cannot afford to wage a new war in
Middle . |
Six bids to destabilize peace
during Ashura foiled: Kamal
ISLAMABAD (Online): Federal Interior Secretary Syed Kamal Shah
said that the law enforcement agencies and Police have foiled six
attempts to destabilize the law and order situation of the country
during Ashura by arresting seven Taliban and eleven Afghan
nationalists. Talking to a group of reporters here on Wednesday, the
Federal Interior Secretary further said that Law enforcement
agencies and Police had taken seven Taliban belonging to Mehsud
group into custody in Dera Ismail Khan on midnight of January 28 and
29. He further said that Police and law enforcement agencies foiled
an attempt to blow up a women's mourning place by defusing bomb in
Kohat and found five kilogram explosive, a hand grenade in a
rickshaw and two rockets in Bannu. The Federal Interior Secretary
went on to say that two more bombs planted by unidentified
terrorists at railway crossing point in Bannu were recovered by
Police and arrested 12 Afghan nationalists in Faisalabad during
Ashura.Earlier, talking to William Nye Director Anti Terrorism
Britain, the Interior Secretary discussed various matters relating
to Anti terrorism. During the talks, Director Anti Terrorism Britain
demanded of the Pakistan government to hand over Rashid Rauf accused
in London Terror Plot which was rejected by Syed Kamal Shah, Federal
Interior Secretary. |
IRSA Advisory Committee meets
today
ISLAMABAD (Online): Chairman Indus River System Authority
Mohammad Khan Memon has summoned Advisory Committee meeting today
(Thursday) to review the discontinuation of unannounced load
shedding, increasing the power production and increasing out flow of
water from water reservoirs.The meeting would be attended by IRSA
members, four provincial irrigation secretaries, Tarbela and Mangla
Dam Wapda authorities and Advisor of Ministry of Water and Power
Riaz Ahmed Khan.According to sources, the Advisory committee meeting
would review increasing out flow of water from water reservoirs by
the wapda to meet the increasing demand of electricity during the
summer season.The advisory committee would also review the matter of
provinces seeking more water than necessary and then not using
it.According to sources, IRSA has written letters to Sindh and
Punjab provinces seeking explanation as to why they are seeking more
water then necessary and then not even utilizing it thus wasting
water, The letter also seeks explanation as to why Punjab did not
open up its rivers and neither it used the outflow of water from
these rivers.The meeting would review the water availability and
would asses the real needs of water by the provinces. |
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