Jazba Blog|Seeking For Truth|

History of NRO and the its beneficiaries

2009-12-16T09:55:00.000-08:00

Former President Pervez Musharraff promulgates NRO in 5 October 2007, according to this ordinance 8 thousand cases from 1st January 1986, to 12 October 1999 have been cancelled. Supreme Court of Pakistan in his decision has ordered to reopen all the cases which were struck down by this ordinance.

According to the list of the beneficiaries of the National Reconciliation Ordinance a total of 8041 people including 34 politicians, bureaucrats and three ambassadors took benefit from the ordinance.

On top of the list is the name of President Asif Ali Zardari while his several close associates, both political and bureaucratic, including Rehman Malik, Salman Farooqi and his brother Usman Farooqi, Hussain Haqqani and Siraj Shamsuddin are also included, he said.

The list, which also reflects a brief introduction of the cases dropped against each name under the NRO, also includes the name of serving and former ministers, federal and provincial secretaries, ex-chief secretaries, existing or former members of the national and provincial assemblies and others, he added.

Video of Attack on Italian Prime Minister

2009-12-13T10:53:00.001-08:00

Video of attack on italian Prime Minister

CCTV footage of Lahore Moon Market Bomb Blast

2009-12-09T11:15:00.000-08:00

CCTV footage of Lahore bomb blast released

Owner of vehicle used in Rawalpindi tragedy arrested

2009-12-05T04:29:00.001-08:00

Police has arrested owner of the vehicle used in the parade Line mosque suicide attack from E-11.

According to a private TV channel, the car used by the attackers was bearing a fake number plate.

The police has arrested the registered owner of the car from a posh sector of the federal capital E-11 and took him to an undisclosed location for interrogations.

Shuhada package: Rs0.5m approved for jawans, Rs 1 million for officials

2009-12-05T04:27:00.000-08:00

The government has approved to give RS 0.5m to each martyred Jawan of Frontier Constabulary (FC) and Rs 1 million to each officer under "Shuhada Package" while Finance department has issued funds for recruitment of seventy-five new platoons.

According to a notification issued by Finance department here on Saturday jawans of FC have played role of front line in war against terrorism so government has approved RS 500,000 for each jawan of FC who has embraced martyrdom and Rs 1million for officers under "Shuhada package".

It has also been approved to build Intelligence unit and Commando medical unit in Frontier Constabulary while, Frontier Constabulary is being equipped with latest technology, salaries and facilities for FC personals and officials are being increased in this regard.

Seventy-five new platoons would be recruit in NWFP and tribal areas for maintaining law and order situation in the areas.

Martyrs of Pindi blast laid to rest

2009-12-05T04:11:00.000-08:00

Funeral of martyred of Friday's barbaric act of terrorism at a mosque in Rawalpindi that claimed 40 innocent lives were held at various placed in the country

Funeral prayers Major General Bilal Umar, Waleed Mumtaz and Hashim Masood were held at Chakala Garrison on Saturday.

Waleed Mumtaz and Hashim Masood were sons of Brig Mumtaz and Corps Commander Peshawar, Lt. General Masood Aslam respectively.

The funeral was attended by Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee, General Tariq Majeed .

Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani prayed for the departed souls and expressed his sympathy with grieved families.

Federal Interior Minster Rehman Malik, Defence Minister Chuadhary Ahmed Mukhtar, Governor NWFP Owais Ahmed Ghani and Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti, Deputy Chairman Senate Jan Muhammad Jamali, former DG ISI Hameed Gul and retired and in-service officers and people attended the funeral in a great number.

After the funeral prayers Major Gen Bilal Umar was laid to rest at Army graveyard with full military honors. while the dead bodies of Omar Hashim Masood and Waleed Mumtaz were sent to their native areas for burials.

Meanwhile Major Rashid Qureshi was laid to rest in his native area Kalar Syedan Rawat and Major (retd) Shoaib who was the administrator of the parade land mosque was laid to rest in Lahore.

16 year old Hafiz Zafran and Mohammad Zamin, son of Army engineer Mohammad Akmal, were laid to rest in Lahore.

Funeral prayers of Lt Col Farooq Awan's father Mohd Anwar Awan was held in Karachi, Brigadier Abdul Raouf in Renala Khurd, Lance Nail Abdul Rehman in Mianwali, Mohd Arshad in Malkwal.

All the funeral prayers of these martyred were held with full military honors and were attended by senior army officers and nobles of the respective areas.

Video of Parade Lane mosque attack

2009-12-04T11:22:00.001-08:00

A raw video of Bomb blast in a mosque in Parade Lane Peshawer Road Rawalpindi Pakistan.

Shoot to Kill orders issued after Liyari carnage

2009-12-04T05:39:00.000-08:00

Following brutal clashes in Liyari, additional police force is deployed at all sensitive places while orders of 'Shoot to Kill' militants have been issued.

It is pertinent to mention that police the other day raided various areas in lyari and had to bear the brunt from a stiff resistance of anti state elements who fired rockets at vehicles and opened shelling and fire on police.

Police officials say that additional police is deployed in the war torn area while Shoot to Kill on site orders have been issued if police spots any militant.

A wave of fear and tension has gripped the entire area of Liyari.

Arrest warrants of Raja Pervez Ashraf cancelled

2009-12-03T07:14:00.001-08:00

Civil and Judicial Magistrate Rai Afzal Ahmed Kharal on the appearance of Federal Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf before the court has canceled his arrest warrants

The court also restored his bail and on the minister's request exempted him from appearing before the court

The federal minister appeared before the court with his counsel and requested the court that he could not appear before the court due to his hectic schedule and therefore he be exempted from court proceedings. The court granted him his request and exempted him.

The court also cancelled his arrest warrants and restored his bail. The hearing has been adjourned till December 12.

It is pertinent to mention here that cases were filed against Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Naheed Khan and other PPP members in thana airport on charge of misbehaving with staff of High court and agitation in 1998.

COAS witnesses Army War Games in Karachi

2009-12-03T07:12:00.000-08:00

The Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited Karachi Thursday and attended a session of Army War Games organized to determine the operational preparedness of the formations.

Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman also attended the session.

Earlier, on arrival at Karachi, Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani was received by the Corps Commander Lieutenant General Shahid Iqbal.

According to sources, COAS expressed his satisfaction over the results of the army war games and said that war games would continue as schedule for the improvement of army professionalism and training capabilities.

Air Chief Rao Qamar Suleman also congratulated Corps Commander Karachi on holding of successful games and said that such exercises would improve the capabilities of the armed forces

List of beneficiaries of loans relief valuing Rs 60 billion during Pervez Musharraf regime made public

2009-12-03T07:10:00.000-08:00

List of the persons who had got loans over 60 billion rupees written off during former president Pervez Musharraf regime have been made public.

Loans amounting to Rs 120 billion were waived during the period from 1985 to 1999. About 2000 companies and persons got relief in loans under different schemes introduced by State Bank of Pakistan which include retired generals, industrialists, actors and businessmen.

As per list available in National Assembly (NA) library major chunk of the loans was written off by National Bank of Pakistan (NBP). NBP waived loans to the tune of Rs 23.51 billion which were lying outstanding against 1086 persons. Zarai Tarqiati Bank wrote off loans valuing Rs 7.56 billion against 883 loan defaulters including feudalists, industrialists and traders.

The catalogue consisting of more than 850 pages revealed that Bank of Punjab (BoP) waived loans of Rs 2.39 billion which were outstanding against 86 defaulters. Saudi Pak Investment wrote off outstanding loans to the tune of 462 million against 31 persons. 46 persons from Pak Libya Holding companies got waived loans of Rs 1.39 billion.

6 women also stand in the line of the persons who benefited from loan waiver facility. Loans over 12 million were written off against these influential women.

Loan amounting to Rs 110 million was waived against PML-Q senator Haroon Akhtar, Rs 8 million against Halim Aadil Sheikh, Rs 1.5 million against Jam Madad Ali, Rs 1.7 million against Samina Pirzada, Rs 50 million against former chairman NAB Lt Gen (Retd) Amjid, Rs 900 million against Lt Gen (Retd) Abdul Qayyum, Rs 980 million against LT Gen (Retd) Farhat Ali.

Yousuf Saigol of Kohi Noor Textile Mills got loan relief to the tune of Rs 945 million, Punjab minister Mujtaba Shuja Rs 768 million, Aamra Textile mills Rs 6 million and Fouji Cement Company Rs 52 million.

This list was provided to NA a year back in response to a question from Mian Abdul Sattar and it is now part of the record.

Senator Haroon Akhtar denied the report of seeking any loan relief saying no loan was written off against him but adjustment was made under the directives of Lahore High Court in line with State Bank policy after he had paid Rs 180 million. Advertising any loan which was written off after the payment was made double than the original sum of debt was wrong, he added.

To a question he said action should be taken against those who obtain loans in the name of others and then get them write off. This falls under the purview of banking fraud, he remarked.

PML-Q leader Haleem Adil Sheikh demanded action should be taken against those who had sought waiver for their outstanding loans in unfair manner. If a settlement is made with bank under any policy then it is a legal way as only interest has been waived in the settlement. "We had obtained loan of Rs 3.9 million which was repaid in full under state bank policy. Settlement was made on interest and not a single penny of loan was got waived", he told.

PM meets Bilawal Bhutto

2009-12-03T07:07:00.000-08:00

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday met Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and discussed issue related to Party and current political situation of the country.

Sources informed Online that the Prime Minister took Bilawal Bhutto Zardari into confidence over Balochistan package, national reconciliation ordinance and others political and national issues.

During the meeting, new strategy with regard to make active party at lower level and direct talks with party activists were reviewed. Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari speaking at the occasion has said that PPP is largest political party of Pakistan. Despite enormous challenges, Government would help families of those Party activities who lost their lives for cause of democracy and Pakistan, he said.

He said he intends to run Party on paths of Shaheed Zulifqar Ali Bhutto. He also declared Balochistan Package as very vital to remove sense of deprivation of masses of Balochistan. The Package would change the fortune of masses of Balochistan, Bilawal added.

Sources said the Prime Minister informed Bilawal Bhutto Zardari that Government is committed to resolve problems being faced by masses and every available resource are being utilized in this respect.

Islamabad to be covered in Security Blanket on Eid days

2009-11-26T08:58:00.000-08:00

Stringent security measures will be taken during the auspicious occasion of Eid ul Azha in Federal Capital.

This was decided in a meeting in Islamabad under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Amir Ali Ahmed in which security plan of Islamabad was chalked out in length.

The meeting informed police had made a comprehensive plan to ensure safety of public life and property before and during Eid days.

According to the security plan, huge deployment of police would be made throughout the city, especially in sensitive areas and at entry and exit points of the city to monitor the movement of suspected people and vehicles.

Eid holidays of the police officers have been canceled to ensure maximum security to the citizens, he said.

He said walkthrough gates would be installed outside the mosques and imambargahs where police would frisk worshippers entering the premises.

Wanted terrorist Abdullah Shah Mehsud nabbed, 5 villages cleared: ISPR

2009-11-26T05:43:00.000-08:00

Security forces apprehended wanted terrorist Abdullah Shah Mehsud with Rs. 10 million head money from Tank (the head money has been paid to the informer).

According to ISPR, Security forces cleared village Bangi Wal, Janata, village Kunj Mela, Zawar Killi, Gund and Umar Raghzai.

Security forces cleared 60 houses at village Shahu and defused 10 IEDs and apprehended 4 suspects.

Security forces carried out sanitization of Spin Kot, Sharkai Sar near Kot Langar Khel and Narakai.

Security forces established link up at Khuni Mor and Sarwekai and defused 15 IEDs.

Security forces carried out consolidation of their positions at village Behram Shah near Laki Ghund. Security forces cleared 15 compounds at Pash Ziarat and 20 compounds at Salarai Shag near Kandai Sar. At Tauda China Khula a terrorists training centre has been discovered along with hate material and plenty of arms and ammunition including 10 IEDs.

Security forces carried out search operation at village Gashkor and Kalam and apprehended 2 suspects.

8 suspects voluntarily surrendered themselves to security forces at Shangwatai, Qambar and Kabal.

10 passengers died, 40 injured in Wah Cantt traffic incident

2009-11-26T04:01:00.001-08:00

At least ten passengers died and forty were injured when a passenger bus going from Lahore to Abbottabad turn turtle due to over speeding near Wah garden here on Thursday while, three deceased could not be identified yet.

According to details passenger bus number 0399-PA was going from Lahore to Abbottabad when it turned turtle near Wah garden due to over speeding killing ten passengers and injuring forty. Hospital sources told that five injured are in precarious condition and three deceased could not be identified yet.

The deceased have been identified as Fazal Karim, Gul Noroz Khan, Rafaqat, Ata Muhammad, Arif, Shafique, Khudadad and other three. Injured have been identified as Ali Farman, Mashqoor Ahmad, Ibrara, Nazaqat, Muhammad Tabraiz, Khan Muhammad, Wali Muhammad, Shahid, Shabana Shahid, Imran, Muhammad Nadeem, Sher Bahadur M . Ayaz, Mubarak Shah, Aman Ullah, Amir Khan, Shahid, Musawar, Iftikhar, Sher Bahadur, Muhammad Rafique, M. Arif, Khaysta Gul, Zakir, Muhammad Aslam, M. Iftikhar,Bahawal, M. Ijaz, Sanober Khan, Abdul Manan, Taj Jan, Naeem, M. Rafique, Zaqria, Abdul Waheed, Allah Dad and others.

Eyewitnesses said that the accident took place due to driver's drowsiness. After the accident zonal incharge of Edhi center Capt. (Retd) Rasheed and incharge of Edhi center Taxila Zahir Shah with whole team reached at the spot.

The three deceased who have not yet been identified have been shifted to THQ and POF Hospital Hassanabdal.

The ill-fated deceased were going to celebrate Eid-Ul-Azha with their families but driver's negligence killed them.

Chairman NRB resigns

2009-11-26T03:59:00.000-08:00

Chairman National Reconstruction Bureau (NRB) Dr. Asim Hussain has submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani because of his differences with Government functionaries as well as ending of his institution role in local bodies. It may be recalled here the system of local bodies would be shifted to Provinces after December 31.

After the decision of Federal Government to hand over system of local bodies to Provinces, there were differences between Chairman NRB and Government functionaries, well placed sources in NRB informed Online.

Resigned Chairman NRB Dr. Asim Hussain was of the view that the role of his institution should also be included in local bodies otherwise his institution would become zero and null. He told the Government that he without any authority would not continue to work as Chairman NRB.

On Thursday, Chairman NRB has submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani. Sources went on to say that Federal Government can give some task to NRB in upcoming months or can also merge NRB in Federal Ministry for local bodies.

Online when contacted Chairman NRB Dr. Asim Hussain to take his point of view he refused to comment by saying he is busy at this time.

However a senior officer of NRB has confirmed resignation of Dr. Asim Hussain.

Islamic banks’ assets, Rs 323 bn till September 2009: SBP

2009-11-25T09:10:00.000-08:00

Syed Salim Raza, Governor State Bank of Pakistan has said due to active support of the central bank total assets of Islamic banking industry have grown to Rs 323 billion till September 2009 while their deposits reached to Rs 245 billion.

Speaking at a function held at a local hotel in connection with the launching of ten new branches of Dubai Islamic Bank in Karachi on Wednesday. Raza said that in terms of market share total assets and deposits account for 5.3% and 5.5% of the conventional bankig industry, respectively. He said cumulative growth rate of islamic banking industry has remained above 55 percent since inception despite a healthy growth in conventional banks. The growth rate has slowed down during 2008 and 2009 due to global economic down turn, however, when compared with their conventional counterparts it is impressive by all counts, he added.

SBP Governor said that last year central bank unveiled its Strategic Plan for Islamic Banking in Pakistan that broadly outlines the future direction of Islamic banking until year 2012. “Our target is to increase the share of islamic banking in Pakistan to 12% of total assets of the banking sector,” he added. He pointed out that branch network of six full-fledged Islamic banks and 13 conventional banks with dedicated Islamic banking branches increased to 560 branches. The Islamic banking branches are spread over the length and breadth of the country covering 80 cities, he said.

SBP Governor said that the central bank is determined to ensure a level playing field for the Islamic banking industry and it has put in place a robust regulatory framework with a strong focus on Shariah compliance and competitiveness. He said State Bank played a key role in issuance of Govt. of Pakistan Ijara Sukuk, which has paved the way for effective liquidity management of Islamic banks. “We have also ensured a tax neutral regime for Islamic banking transactions through amendments in tax laws,” he said.

He said that SBP has introduced a comprehensive Shariah compliance framework which includes the first-ever Shariah compliance inspection of Islamic banking by a central bank coupled with joint audit of profit distribution to depositors by the external auditors and Shariah Advisor of the bank. Each bank is also required to publish report of their Shariah Advisor on Islamic banking operations in annual accounts, he added.

At the end, Raza congratulated the management of Dubai Islamic Bank, which is one of the oldest Islamic banks in the world, and hoped that they will continue to work for the growth of Islamic Banking in Pakistan.

Jamil Akbar Bugti Slaps Mubashar Luqman at Lahore Airport

2009-11-22T11:43:00.000-08:00

Jamil Bugti, Son of Nawab Akbar Bugti,slapped famous TV anchor Mubashar Luqman, at Lahore Airport after the anchor used abusive language against Jamil Akbar bugti and Balochistan.

While talking to media Jamil Bugti said that "I was standing in the line to get my boarding pass at Lahore Airport, when I reached at the reception, I requested the officer to give me a comfortable seat on plane , the anchor Mubashar Luqman, was standing behind me at that time, he started criticizing me by saying “they take PIA on contract”.

Jamil Bugti said that he ignored the anchor’s remarks but he did not stop and start using abusing language against me and Balochs and showed his hatred against us which he cannot bear and to shut his mouth he slapped the anchor.

Jamil Bugti said that the producer of Mubashar Luqman’s programme has invited him in his programme a few days back but he refused to go because he do not go to those programmes whose anchors’ are agents of agencies.

List of NRO beneficiary: Zardari and Altaf take lead

2009-11-21T04:43:00.000-08:00

On the directives of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Government on Saturday released the list of the beneficiaries of the National Reconciliation Ordinance.

Meera's Interview Skill

2009-11-06T06:51:00.000-08:00

Watch how the Pakistani Actress Meera trying to learn English to take an interview, watch the reaction of the person sitting in front of him.

Zardari shows his acting utmost skill in a Pakistani movie of late sixties

2009-10-14T07:05:00.000-07:00

A video clip of black and white film of Pakistan, released in late sixties has become talk of the town these days in which President Asif Ali Zardari played the role of confidant young Waheed Murad and performed this character with utmost skill.

The name of the film was Salgira and it was released in 1969. Asif Ali Zardari, according to his birthday, was 14 years young when he worked as a child star in this film.

The film had a melodious love story which was directed by Qamar Zaidi and produced by Najma Hassan.

The film cast Waheed Murad, Shamim Ara, Tariq Aziz, Santosh Rissal, Nirala, Nighat Sultana and Talish

It was a super hit film and it also has all time nation's favourite songs “Meri zindagi hai naghma” and “Lay aai phir kahan par” sung by Melody Queen Noor Jehan.

The video shows a scene in which the co actor said to Zardari that he is not going school today as he has pain in his stomach. Asif Ali Zardari in reply said that this is your routine play. The co actor then said to Zardari not to go school so we both play together, in reply the little Zardari said “go state to school”.

The perfect dialogue delivery made Zardari a confidant child star actor in that film. Although Asif Ali Zardari, who is the current president of Pakistan, has not seen, showing his acting skills again in any other film of Pakistan.

Fight of Women: Kashmala Tariq vs Firdose Ashiq

2009-09-19T10:08:00.001-07:00

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CCTV video footage of the UN WFP suicide attack released

2009-10-11T10:33:00.001-07:00

A private TV Channel has released the CCTV video footage of the suicide attack carried out here at UN World Food Program office on Monday.

In the video footage one can easily identify a suicide bomber, wearing black uniform of FC personnel and holding a bottle in his hand. He entered the central gate right after a man dressed in two-piece suit. In a lightening span of the next few seconds he blew himself up at the reception of the office.

Shahrukh Khan stopped at US airport for questioning

2009-08-15T05:19:00.000-07:00

Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan said he was detained for questioning Saturday at a US airport because he has a Muslim name.

Khan, known as the "King of Bollywood", said he was questioned at Newark Airport in Newark, New Jersey, for two hours but was let go after the Indian embassy in the United States intervened.

Khan "is a Muslim name and I think the name is common on their checklist", the 43-year-old actor told an Indian television station by telephone from Chicago.

Khan, named as one of the top 50 most influential men in the world in 2008 by US magazine Newsweek, was detained by US immigration officers early Saturday.

The immigration officers wanted to know why the actor was visiting the United States after his name popped up on the computer screen at the counter.

"I was waiting for my bags... I thought it was nice of them to take me to another room... but that was apparently a second check," Khan said, adding: "I had my papers in order."

"I was really taken aback," Khan told the CNN-IBN television station.

"I did not want to say anything just in case they took everything wrong because I am little worried about Americans because they do have this issue when your name is Muslim," he added.

US airport officials are frequently accused by human rights groups of racially profiling Muslims.

The actor, who was heading to Chicago to take part in celebrations Saturday to mark India's Independence Day, said the incident was a "little embarrassing" for an entertainer of his stature.

India's government reacted sharply, saying many such incidents have taken place in the United States.

"I am of the opinion that the way we are frisked -- for example I too was frisked -- we should also do the same to them," Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told reporters in New Delhi.

In the Indian capital, US Ambassador Timothy Roemer described Khan in a statement as a "global icon" who is a welcome guest in the United States.

"We are trying to ascertain the facts of the case -- to understand what took place," he said. AFP

Ballot Result through Telephone and SMS message

2009-08-10T10:14:00.001-07:00

Successfull Applicant will have to deposit Original Machine Readable International Passport with the same bank branches within seven (7) days of the ballot, otherwise, they will be declared un-successful.

Ballot Result - Hajj 2009

Ballot Result through Telephone:

The Ministry has arranged telephone enquiry for Hajj Ballot Results from 08:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Telephone Nos: 051-9205696 and 051-9201564

Ballot Result through Mobile Short Message Service

To facilitate the Hajj applicants, Ministry has made arrangements this year with VectraCom to provide ballot results through Mobile SMS services. If an applicant wishes to obtain result through Mobile, simply write HS Application Form No. (only first six digit)

(Example: HS 123456) in the message box and send to 32532.

This service will return status of Hajj Applicant against valid Application Number.

Intimation Letter to Successful and Un-Successful Applicants:

Congratulation Letters to successful applicants and intimation letter to unsuccessful applicants would be dispatched through post on 11th August 2009.