Govt. tables GST Reforms Bill, others in NA today

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Despite stiff opposition from coalition partners, the PPP-led federal government has finalized arrangements to table GST Reforms Bill 2010, Federal Excise Duty Act Amended Bill and Flood Surcharge Bill in the National Assembly today (Friday).

Finance Minister Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh is likely to present these bills to the Lower House.

The bills, after being tabled in the House, will be forwarded to the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Finance.

It is being expected that the government will face firm resistance from opposition parties regarding the approval of bills. Trend Pk

Two MQM activists shot dead in Karachi

Staff Report

KARACHI: Two activists of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) were shot dead in different firing and terror incidents, said sources Tuesday.

According to police, dead body of 45-year old Aziz-ur-Rehman was found near Katiana Memon Hospital in Kharadar, who was shot dead after being kidnapped.

“The victim was kidnapped from Baghdadi area when he was on his way to receive Eid greetings from his in-laws,” said police.

The victim was an active member of MQM.

Separately, 30-year old Kaleem was gunned down Monday night near Hanifia Mosque in Liaquatabad. He was also an MQM activist.

Police have registered an FIR of these two murders against unknown culprits. SAMAA

US defence secretary makes surprise visit to Iraq

CAMP RAMADI: US Defence Secretary Robert Gates arrived Wednesday in Iraq on a surprise visit, as the US military officially ended its combat mission in the war-torn country, an AFP journalist said.

Gates was scheduled to attend a change of command ceremony for the head of US forces in Iraq that would also mark the beginning of a new training and advisory mission to be undertaken by remaining American troops.

General Ray Odierno, the top US commander in Iraq since taking over from General David Petraeus in 2008 is stepping down to be replaced by Lieutenant General Lloyd Austin.

Soon after his arrival, Gates headed to Camp Ramadi, an American base about 100 kilometres (80 miles) west of Baghdad, where he was to meet US soldiers.

US Vice President Joe Biden is also in Iraq, having arrived in the capital on Monday for talks with political

OGRA increases diesel price; slightly decreases price of petrol

Staff Report

KARACHI: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has announced new prices of petroleum products; diesel has been raised and petrol has slightly been decreased, SAMAA reported on Tuesday.

The Executive Director of OGRA, Jawad Nasim, announced new prices of petroleum products in Islamabad on Tuesday.

According to the new prices announced by OGRA, the price of diesel has risen by Rs. 1.57 per liter and the new price is fixed at Rs. 74.60 per liter, while light diesel’s price has been increased by Rs. 1.32 per liter and fixed at Rs. 62.67 per liter.

The price of kerosene oil, after an increase of 72 paisas, is fixed at Rs. 65.57 per liter.

The price of petrol, after being decreased by 48 paisas, is fixed at Rs. 67.26 per liter; the price of hi-octane, after decreasing by 49 paisas, has been fixed at Rs. 69.50 per

OGRA increases diesel price, slightly decreases petrol

Staff Report

KARACHI: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has announced new prices of petroleum products; diesel has been raised and petrol has slightly been decreased, SAMAA reported on Tuesday.

The Executive Director of OGRA, Jawad Nasim, announced new prices of petroleum products in Islamabad on Tuesday.

According to the new prices announced by OGRA, the price of diesel has risen by Rs. 1.57 per liter and the new price is fixed at Rs. 74.60 per liter, while light diesel’s price has been increased by Rs. 1.32 per liter and fixed at Rs. 62.67 per liter.

The price of kerosene oil, after an increase of 72 paisas, is fixed at Rs. 65.57 per liter.

The price of petrol, after being decreased by 48 paisas, is fixed at Rs. 67.26 per liter; the price of hi-octane, after decreasing by 49 paisas, has been fixed at Rs. 69.50 per

Khawaja named in Aussie squad for Pakistan tests

SYDNEY: Uncapped New South Wales batsman Usman Khawaja could become the first Muslim to play for Australia after being named Tuesday in the test squad to play two cricket matches against Pakistan in England next month.

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Khawaja named in Aussie squad for Pakistan tests

Israeli-freed convoy with 3 Pakistanis reached Jordan

AMMAN: The first convoy of pro-Palestinian activists detained in the Israeli raid on the Gaza aid flotilla arrived in Jordan after being deported from neighboring Israel.

Pakistani journalist and two other Pakistanis are part a convoy comprised of more than 100 people of Arab countries. The convoy crossed the Jordan River at sunrise Wednesday aboard four buses.

Jordanian Government spokesman Nabil Al-Sharif says there were 30 Jordanians in the group.

Three Pakistanis will likely leave for home today from Jordan. Twenty people were killed and 60 injured in an Israeli attack at aid flotilla traveling to Gaza.

124 Gaza aid flotilla activists arrive in Jordan

AMMAN: Dozens of pro-Palestinian activists detained in the Israeli raid on the Gaza aid flotilla arrived in Jordan on Wednesday after being deported from neighboring Israel, Jordanian officials said.

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124 Gaza aid flotilla activists arrive in Jordan

Shuttle survey stalled as NASA watches space junk

CAPE CANAVERAL, USA: Astronauts on space shuttle Atlantis are struggling with a camera-pointing problem as they speed toward the International Space Station.

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Shuttle survey stalled as NASA watches space junk

US men on trial deny terrorism charges

SARGODHA: The prosecution concluded its case Saturday against five Americans on trial in a Sargodha court facing life sentences after being charged with planning terrorist attacks in Pakistan.

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US men on trial deny terrorism charges

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