ISLAMABAD: The government decided Friday to slash petrol and diesel prices by Rs5 and Rs4 per litre respectively from November 1.The decision was taken in view of the consistent decline in the international oil prices, officials said.After the above reduction the new price of petrol will be Rs76.66 per litre and that of diesel Rs64.16 per litre.
Chief Justice Islamabad High Court (CJIHC) Justice Sardar Muhammad Aslam had dismissed fresh application filed against the detention of Dr A Qadir Khan being non maintainable remarking that in the light of Supreme Court’s previous decisions only aggrieved person could file application against his detention in Habeas corpus cases therefore, Dr A Q Khan or his family should move the court if he wanted to seek justice.
At the inception of the hearing Javed Iqbal counsel for Dr A Q Khan argued his client was being kept in illegal detention since the last five years under the verbal orders of former president Gen (Retd) Pervez Musharraf. No statement in writing had been made pubic in this connection, he added.
Chief Justice observed verdict had already been given on a petition related to this matter. A review petition pertaining to this case was also dismissed later. Detailed judgment about his detention was pronounced on July, 21 with the mutual consent of all parties, he remarked. If Dr A Q Khan wanted justice then he himself or his wife or daughter should approach the court. In the light of previous verdicts of supreme court only affected person had privilege to move the court in connection with habeas corpus petition, he further observed.
Dr Qadir Khan contacts the media and issues the statement which comes under criticism, he observed. As to why Dr Khan does not approach the court. He himself should file application in the court along with his affidavit, CJIHC remarked.
Counsel for Dr A Q Khan submitted government was not implementing court’s July, 21 decision. Former Director General ISI tried to meet Dr A Q Khan but he was not allowed.
CJIHC remarked whether or not Dr A Q Khan wanted to meet former DG ISI. “You have been earlier asked to present before the court list of those persons who want to meet Dr A Q Khan. However this list has not been provided so far. The whole nation wants to meet Dr A Q Khan. But every one cant not be allowed to meet him”, he further observed.
Nine persons including 5 police officials were killed while over 30 were injured in a suicide blast occurred outside the office of DIG Mardan Akhtar Ali Shah.
The bomb blast occurred when a suicide bomber blew up himself near the convoy of DIG Akhtar Ali Shah who was going outside from his office for some work.
The police officials lost their lives in the blast have been identified as Asif, Akhtar Zada, Tariq, Sher Anwar and driver of DIG named Adil. The other deceased were Zeeshan, Sangeen, Nasir, Hazrat and one unidentified person.
More than 30 people were injured in the blast and 7 of them were in a critical condition when last reports came in.
The injured who were shifted to District Hospital Mardan included Ameen-ul-Haq, Ashfaq, Bacha, Naveed, Safooq Khan, Hamid, Darwaish, Jehanzeb, Sajjad, Abdul Aziz, Manzoor, Zawar, Shah Saeed, Khair Ullah and Police Constable Sardar Hussain.
The injured were shifted to the District Hospital Mardan and Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar immediately after the incident.
A senior police official told that the body parts of suicide bomber have been found. He said that the blast also damaged severely the building of nearby visa office, adding that civilians were also among death and injured as they were present at the visa office at the time of blast.
He said that after the incident, the entire area was cordoned off by the police and the security agencies have started the search of suspected persons. Emergency was also declared in the area.
The incident caused fear and panic among the people and shopkeepers left to their homes after closing their shops.
DIG Mardan Akhtar Ali Shah while talking to media told that he was the target of suicide blast but the police officials foiled the nefarious designs of suicide bomber by sacrificing their lives, adding that the intensity of loss could have been more if the suicide bomber entered inside the office.
He said that the head and leg of the bomber have been found and further investigation is underway, adding that 6 kilogram explosive material was used in the blast.
Responding to a question, the DIG Mardan vowed that the actions against anti state elements would be continued.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani have strongly condemned the Mardan suicide blast on the convoy of DIG Mardan.
Advisor to PM on Interior, NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani, Chief ANP Asfandyar Wali Khan, Chairman and Deputy Chairman Senate, Speaker and Deputy Speaker National Assembly were also among those who condemned the blast.
After the suicide blast, the security in the entire district has been enhanced and special contingents of police have been deputed on all entry and exit points of the district. The search of vehicles entering in the district has also been started.
It is relevant to mention here that it is the second suicide blast in the native village of CM NWFP in five months.
Saudi Arabia has agreed to supply oil on credit to Pakistan.
The acknowledgement follows the acceptance of special request by Pakistan and keeping in view the forthcoming visit of President Asif Ali Zardari to Saudi Arabia.
Reliable sources have informed that President Asif Ali Zardari is due to visit the Saudi Kingdom on 04th Nov, where besides meeting with top leadership, he would also request supply for oil on credit.
Sources have also informed that special advisor to PM on Finance, Shaukat Tareen would also visit Saudi Arabia in this connection, while the Saudi officials are also expected to make a formal official announcement in this regard soon.
Saudi Arabia has agreed to supply 1,10,000 barrels of oil daily , according to which Pakistan would be facilitated to pay U$. 65 per barrel, summing upto U$. 2 billion per year.
This facility would lessen Pakistan’s reliance on unreliable aid of Global Financial Funds.
PML-Q leadership has sought help from former president Gen (Retd) Pervez Musharraf for reconciliation with dissident leaders and narrowing down internal differences.
PML-Q top sources told PML-Q president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, Wajahat Hussain and several others met former president Pervez Musharraf and exchanged views at length on a set of issues including party internal strife, contacts with other political parties and other crucial matters.
Chaudhry Shujaat told the former president about his meeting with dissident leaders including Salim Saifullah, Gauhar Ayoub and Hamid Nasir Chattha and his efforts for removal of their reservations. Chaudhry brothers also briefed Pervez Musharraf about their contacts with other parties and future strategy of PML-Q and sought guidance from him on different matters.
Pervez Musharraf said prevailing situation of the country was not so encouraging adding he was however not hopeless about the future of the country. Democratic government would take better decisions in the national interest, he hoped. PML-Q should forge unity in its ranks and counter the challenges, he exhorted.
He was of the view government had so far failed to combat the menace of terrorism and overcome the challenges including economic crisis. “I have no intention to step in political arena. However I am ready to play my role in bridging differences and forging political reconciliation in party ranks”, he declared.
Federal Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf has said that government has exempted the cotton ginning factories from loadshedding while they have also overcome 90 percent electricity outages.
According to details a high level meeting of Water and Power Ministry convened by Raja Pervez Ashraf has also decided that 12 to 15 percent electricity rate likely to be reduced which would be announced formally in the next week.
Talking to media on this occasion the Federal Minister said that government has directed the PEPCO not to observe further loadshedding. He said that electricity deficit has been reduced to 2000 MW and its production has also increased.
He said that IRSA would release more water in Tarbela and Mangla Dam, which would result in increase in electricity production.
At least 20 people were including an Al-Qaeda leader were killed and several others injured in US air strike in Mir Ali, North Waziristan while more casualties were expected.
According to BBC, US drones fired two missiles in Essori village two kilometers away from Mir Ali between Friday and Saturday night.
The drones targeted the house of tribal leader Maulvi Amman Ullah in which 20 people died and several were injured.
According to Intelligence Agencies officials, an Iraqi national Al-Qaida leader Abu Akkash was among the dead.
It is pertinent to mention that the drones made low level flights and tribesmen started firing on the drones.
More than 150 people have been killed and dozens injured in an earthquake striking parts of Balochistan while it is feared that the death toll could rise as scores of people are still trapped under the rubbles.
According to officials 130 dead bodies have been recovered so far.
The US Geological Survey on its website said a magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck 60 km northeast of Quetta, the provincial capital at 5.10 a.m. While According to geological survey of Pakistan, the epicenter of the quake was in Chiltan Mountains.
Pishin, Ziarat, Qila Abdullah, Chaman, Loralai, Sibbi, Mastung are hit badly areas. Several houses and buildings have been collapsed.
Ziarat is the worst hit area where 10 people were killed after land sliding whereas four people were killed in Khanozai. Ten bodies had recovered from the rubbles and shifted to hospital in Ziarat.
Dozens of injured are under treatment as government has imposed emergency in all the hospitals of the province.
While an official of Red Cross has confirmed the death of 80 people and said that their teams have been dispatched to the affected areas to help in rescue work.
A government official Sohail Al Rehman also confirmed of 80 deaths and said that more than 500 homes have been destroyed.
According to ISPR, contingents of FC have been dispatched in affected areas for rescue operations along with medical team. Two army helicopters have also been sent in Wachun and Kowas villages of Ziarat for rescue operations.
FC troops also moved from Pishin for rescue operations in Ziarat.
DIG Frontier Corps Balochistan has been also been flown to Ziarat to access exact damage for rescue operations.
Deputy director of geological survey of Pakistan Asif Rana said that more aftershocks are expected in these areas within next 48 hours. Dilawar Khan, a local mayor in the worst affected Ziarat district, said he had information of 50 deaths and more than 100 people being injured. Most of the dead are women and children.
The earthquake triggered mudslides in several parts of Balochistan.
Chairman, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lt. Gen. (r) Farooq Ahmed Khan has informed President Of Pakistan and Prime Minister, who is in Turkey about the latest situation in Balochistan.
President and Prime Minister has directed to use all the resources to help the affected people. NDMA is coordinating with Balochistan government, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), GHQ, Army Corps in Quetta and all others concerned to make a concerted response for the help of affected people.
Relief goods and tents are being dispatched as per requirements. Chairman and Senior Memebr NDMA have talked to Chief secretary Balochistan and local authorities to extend all necessary help and relief items, he said.
Meanwhile CM Balochistan Muhammad Aslam Khan Raeesani has cancelled his visit to Khuzdar and ordered instant relief activities for the earthquake victims.
According to details, the CM Balochistan has called an emergency session to review the loss and relief activities and he would be reported after each hour.
While before leaving for Ziarat, he ordered Rs. 7.5 million, 1000 tents, 1000 blankets, bags of flour and pulses, sugar and other edibles to be provided in effective areas instantly.
A massive earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale shook Kashmir and Pakistan's mountain region Oct 8, 2005, killing at least 73,000 people.
Secretary Board of Investment, Ashraf Hayat has commended the German Government for undertaking collaborative efforts to meet the challenges of the ongoing World Economic and Financial Crises
He expressed these views While talking to three member German delegation comprising Von Fritch, Head of Directorate General for Economic Affairs and Sustainable Development at the Federal Foreign Office, Berlin, Jeroen Haberland, CEO Johanna Solar Technologies and Prof. Detlef Prinz, Prinz Media who called on him here on Tuesday.
Welcoming the German investment in Pakistan, Ashraf Hayat has also lauded the efforts of Pakistan German Business Forum, confidence shown by eminent German companies in the economy of Pakistan and for making huge investments.
He further added that in order to achieve the national GDP objective of the Government and to move the country on the dynamic path of social and economic development, Pakistan would need all support from Germany.
Secretary BOI said "For us it was important to deepen our integration process with world economies and that is why you would see Pakistan signing more free trade agreements and preferential agreements with other countries.
"There are short termed financial liquidity constraints to Pakistan that it will overcome sooner or later", he added.
The German delegates also enquired about the business potential and investment returns from the Pakistan's private sector present in the meeting.
To which, representatives of Metro Cash and Carry, Mercedes-Benz, PESCO Group, ALNO AG. Kitchens, National Book Foundation, Deutsche Bank, KSB Pumps Co. Ltd and Siemens Corporation expressed their satisfaction and referred to their business ventures as very profitable in Pakistan.
Von Fritch appreciated the efforts of Board of Investment for arranging and coordinating their visit. He further added that he was very happy to see some successful German brands operating successfully in Pakistan.
He promised to encourage more German investment in Pakistan especially in the SMEs Sector.
Chairman Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf Imran Khan has said his party will reinitiate movement for the restoration of all deposed judges including Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry from November, 3.
Imran Khan said this while addressing a press conference here Tuesday. He held recovery of those persons who were detained illegally on the false charges of terrorism after 9/11 incident could not be ensured unless the judiciary was restored in the country.
People could not expect any justice from the sitting judiciary nor did they accept the authority of PCO judges, PTI chairman underlined.
Hitting hard PPP for his backing out from promise on restoration of deposed judges he said PPP on one hand joined us in chanting slogans for reinstatement of deposed judges but it forgot this promise after coming into power.
He alleged the way the former president Pervez Musharraf served US interests to secure his government, the incumbent government was also pursuing this policy.
“We are not supportive of terrorists and extremists. But government is promoting extremism by killing people of the country through military operations”, he regretted. It should have now become clear on the government that use of force was no option to resolve this problem. We will have to bring the militants round the negotiating table, he urged.
The in-camera session of parliament for formulation of policy on terrorism was held without the element of seriousness, he said adding the presence of parliamentarians in the last days of the session was next to nil. Government had informed the politicians sitting outside the parliament a day before session deliberately so that they could not attend it, he charged.
No Jirga could succeed in the efforts for establishment of peace in the region unless Taliban were made part of this process, he maintained. US should have no objection if Karzai or Pakistan started talks process with Taliban, he added.
Pakistan and Turkey have agreed on the need for upgrading bilateral trade volume to $1 billion and adoption of joint strategy to deal with menace of terrorism besides supporting each other's stance on promotion of bilateral relations, eradication of terrorism, expansion in trade and economic ties, fiscal crisis and peace in Afghanistan.
The consensus was reached between prime minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani and Turkish Prime Minister in one on one meeting here Tuesday. Both the leaders exchanged views on a range of issues including peace in South Asia, energy and financial crisis, war on terror and key regional and international issues.
Both the leaders agreed during a joint press conference on evolving joint strategy to fight the scourge of terrorism besides expansion of trade relations. They decided to launch technical training programs and joint exercises on this count.
Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and Turkish prime minister said bilateral cooperation will be bolstered for launching joint ventures in the sectors of housing, agriculture, alternative resources of energy and other areas of activities.
Turkish Prime Minister said both the countries agreed on supporting each other stand on the issue of peace and security in Afghanistan. During the meeting it was decided that summit conference of heads of the state of Pakistan, Turkey and Afghanistan would take place in Istanbul. Both the counties would reactivate joint economic commission.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani would attend an official function in connection with Republic day of Turkey. He will also participate in international conference taking place in Istanbul under World Economic Forum.
The Turkish President Abdullah Gul reaffirmed his country's full support to Pakistan in counter terrorism campaign and to enhance economic and trade ties between the two countries.
He expressed these views while talking to Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani who was called on him here on Tuesday.
During the meeting they exchanged views on further promoting the bilateral cooperation in diversified fields between the two brotherly countries,
The Prime Minister highlighted the fact that his delegation included Parliamentarians from every political party to show solidarity of whole of Pakistan on the 85th anniversary of Turkish independence following tomorrow.
The Prime Minister later on called on the Speaker of Turkish Assembly. It was decided that Pakistan side would expeditiously form Pak-Turkish Parliamentary Friendship League to promote people to people and parliamentary contacts between the two countries.
The Speaker of the Turkish Assembly informed the Prime Minister that out of 447 members of the parliament 356 were members of Turkish-Pakistan Friendship League, and underscored that this reflected the profound reverence and friendship among the Turkish people for Pakistan.
The Prime Minister invited the Turkish Speaker to visit Pakistan at earliest convenience.
According to the un-official results of the SCBA (Supreme Court Bar Association) elections 2008-9, the popular leader of the lawyers' fraternity, Ali Ahmad Kurd has won by obtaining a massive 1002 votes, against 481 votes by the official candidate, M. Zafar.
Eight polling stations were established Nationwide to oversee the neck-to-neck competition between two rivals, in which 1724 lawyers exercised their voting mandate, was however ultimately won by Kurd.
From Lahore district, Ali Kurd representing the Professional panel netted 542 votes as compared to 220 for his rival M. Zafar, Multan region offered 34 votes for Kurd while M. Zafar got 25, Peshawar gifted Kurd with 62 while his rival got 37, Hazara division gave 16 as compared to 14 for his rival, Quetta gave Kurd 44 while M. Zafar gained 18, Bahawalpur rejected Kurd with a mere 18 compared to favorable 23 for m. Zafar, Karachi favored Kurd with a whopping 132, humbling M. Zafar with 75, while Islamabad which posted the most delayed non-official results , resulted in 146 votes for a victorious Kurd as compared to 69 for M. Zafar.
Ali Ahmad Kurd had the blessings and support of leading figures of lawyers' fraternity movement, while such prominent figures like Chaudhry Aitizaz Ahsan had also lobbied for his success.
The lawyers' projected frenzied and joyous celebrations upon the victory of their favorite Kurd, raising vociferous slogans in favor of reinstatement of deposed judiciary, and danced to the wild beating of traditional drums, while lugging Chaudhry Aitizaz and Kurd on their shoulders.
Hafiz S. A. Rehman had been appointed as returning officer to monitor the election process, while presiding officers included Raja Muhammad Bashir in Islamabad, Abdul Jamal Mandokheel in Peshawar, Qazi Muhammad Amin in Lahore, Muhammad Aslam in Karachi, Muzzafar Leghari in Multan, and Athar Shah Bukhari in Bahawalpur.
He official candidate had full support of Pakistan Bar Council, besides official support, while Attorney general Sardar Latif Khosa, and federal Law minister Farooq .H. Naik lobbied on his behalf.
President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in recognition of the services rendered by Pakistan’s former ambassador to UAE, Ahsan Ullah, has awarded him with Medal of Independence,
In his message the President of UAE has said:
“We, Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, in recognition of the excellent personal qualitites of H.E. Ahsan Ullah Khan, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in consideration of the sincere efforts exerted by him in strengthening and developing the relationship and cooperation between the United Arab Emirate and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan have, awarded him Medal of Independence of the first grade and have ordered to issue this certificate”.
This is the highest award ever given to a foreign diplomat by the UAE. It is recognition of the hard work of the officers/staff of the Pakistan Embassy.
PPP-Parliamentarian chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim has said he is not the part of government nor is he eager to join the government.
Makhdoom Amin Fahim said there is no substance in the reports about his appointment as senior minister, he added. These are sheer media reports and not more than this, he remarked.
Responding to a question about his meeting with Asif Ali Zardari he told President had invited him to tea and "we enquired about the welfare of each other during the meeting. But neither he talked about my induction as senior minister nor I had talked to him in this respect, Fahim indicated.
To another question he told cooperation between PPP and PML-N was continuing. But any decision on PML-N return to cabinet will have to be taken with the mutual understanding by the heads of both the parties, he underscored.
Nothing final could be said about the arrest of Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, Lt Gen (Retd) Hamid Gul and Ejaz Shah for their alleged involvement in the incident of Karsaz as per letter of Benazir Bhutto, he maintained. But it should be ascertained from the government if it would arrest these persons in case they were found involved in this carnage, he added. Elements behind the killing of Benazir Bhutto should be arrested, he demanded.
ISLAMABAD: Minister for water and power Raja Pervez Ashraf has said the recent rise in power tariff has been suspended adding he apologizes to nation on power crisis.
Minister for water and power said this while addressing a press conference here Thursday in ministry of water and power. He declared old time would be restored from November 1.
Demand and supply issue was behind the power crisis, he said adding supply was not matching with the demand of the electricity. Water supply was in abundance during the holy month of Ramadan, therefore, no energy problem was created. "We are generating 2000 megawatt electricity from hydro sources, he told. Power crisis would come to end by December, next year, he added.
Water is not being supplied to canals from dams, he indicated. Sindh and Punjab were saving the water so that water supply could be made available in surplus for the next wheat crop, he added.
Increasing the power tariff was decision of NEPRA rather than government, he told. It was an autonomous body, which decides to increase the tariff after determining profit and loss, he added. Parliamentarians, lawyers and civil society can challenge the rise in tariff, he pointed out. NEPRA has implemented new power tariff in Karachi, Hyderabad and Multan as power theft and line losses were on higher side in these areas, he said. Ministry of power was not earning profit on electricity, he indicated.
NEPRA proposed 64 percent increase in power tariff, which was rejected by the government, he said. Government had proposed 31 percent increase, he added. Government will have to give subsidy of Rs 65 billion under electricity head.
President and prime minister had constituted a committee under my chairmanship, he told. People from all the segments of society will participate in the meeting. All parliamentarians and members of committee should send proposals to the committee, he said.
NEW DELHI: Sachin Tendulkar became the highest scorer in Test cricket after surpassing West Indian legend Brian Lara in the ongoing second Test in MoSachin Tendulkar in action during the second Test against Australia at the Mohali Stadium.
The Master Blaster needed just 15 runs today to overtake Lara's Test match tally of 11,953 runs and establishing a fourth world record in his illustrious career. Tendulkar is also on the verge of creating another landmark as he will also be the first player to amass 12000 runs in Test cricket. The 35-year-old batting maestro is already the world's top-scorer in One-Day International (16,361) and has the most centuries in Test matches (39) and One-dayers (42).
The Mumbaikar came close to surpass Lara's milestone in the drawn first Test in Bangalore but he fell short of just 15 runs after playing a gritty knock of 49 runs in the second innings to help India seal a draw.
Sachin made his Test debut at the tender age of 16 against Pakistan in 1989 in Karachi. From there on the little master of world cricket has never looked back. The Mumbaikar came into limelight with his first Test century on a seaming Old Trafford track against a formidable English attack as he saved the match for India.
Tendulkar still remains the most admired cricketer from all quarters the world ranging from experts to cricket ardent fans despite not being in his best of form off late. The body of the master blaster has taken its toll as he has been playing international cricket to close to two decades. Though several injuries marred his playing career time and again during the last five years but his never-say-die attitude still makes him the heartthrob of cricketing world. Congratulate Sachin Tendulkar.
Pakistan army has said that security forces have found a Chinese engineer who had been kidnapped along with a colleague by local Taliban in August.
An army statement said only that one of the men was found Friday and that it would provide more details later.
Earlier two Chinese engineers kidnapped by local Taliban escaped from captivity on Friday but one of them was recaptured by the insurgents, a Taliban spokesman said.
The abductees managed to slip away when they were being transported in a vehicle from the Piochar area in the restive Swat district to the neighbouring Dir region in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP).
They were chased by the Taliban in the wooded mountains and one of them was caught after he received injuries due to a fall, the militants said.
Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan confirmed the incident, saying he 'hoped' that the other escaped Chinese would be caught soon. 'The entire region is in our control. Where can he go?' he told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa on the telephone from an undisclosed location.
The wounded engineer was given medical treatment at a small health unit run by the Taliban and moved to some 'safer place,' he added.
The engineers were abducted on August 29 together with their local driver and a security guard in Dir after repairing a communications tower of the China Mobile Pakistan company.
The two telecommunications engineers disappeared in the Dir region of western Pakistan on Aug. 29. A spokesman for Taliban militants in the neighboring Swat region claimed that they were holding the pair.
Pakistani officials say the victims had disregarded advice not to travel to the area without heavy security.
