US launch first drone strike on Libya

At least 25 were killed and more than 100 were injured as heavy fighting continued in the rebel-held city of Misrata. Three people were also killed when NATO forces bombarded the near the residence of Muammar Gaddafi.

On the other hand, rebel leader Jamal Saleem said that the pro-Gaddafi forces failed to enter the city but they are still present on the outskirts. According to the hospital officials in Misrata, government forces are also among the people killed.

In a statement, the Pentagon said that after the approval from President Obama, the United States drone aircraft fired missiles on the base of pro-Gaddafi forces. The Pentagon said it was the first attack carried out in Libya by drone aircrafts but no details were issued.

NEPRA approves reduction of 9 paisas per unit in power tariff

ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has approved a reduction of 9 paisas per unit in the power tariff.

The reduction was approved under fuel adjustment; the implementation of the approval will be effective for all consumers. TrendPK

Govt. decides to call joint parliamentary session on Dec. 18

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The government has decided on Thursday to call a joint parliamentary session on December 18 and National Assembly’s session on December 20.

The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs has sent an official summary, for calling both sessions, to President Asif Ali Zardari.

During the joint session, one house will present other house’s rejected bills, under the 18th Amendment, for the approval. Before 18th Amendment a mediation committee was formed for such rejected bills.

According to sources, in the session of National Assembly, on December 20, the Reformed General Sales Tax Bill can be presented for discussion. Trend Pk

Poll shows Sarkozy ratings up but new scandal looms

PARIS: French President Nicolas Sarkozy received a boost from a poll on Sunday showing his popularity rebounding from record lows, but he faced a growing scandal over allegations of back payments on 1990s naval deals with Pakistan.

The 55-year-old conservative leader hoped a cabinet reshuffle last week would help turn the page on a difficult year marred by allegations of illegal funding of his conservative UMP party and a series of national protests over his pension reform.

Sarkozy is also trying to use an ambitious agenda under France’s year-long presidency of the G20 group of nations, which began this month, as a platform for rebuilding his popularity in the run-up to a presidential election in early 2012.

A survey by pollsters Ifo published in the Journal du Dimanche offered Sarkozy some respite. It showed his approval rating inching up by 3 percentage

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

Sindh Assembly passes resolutions against TI, fees rise

Staff Report

KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly on Thursday unanimously adopted two resolutions, condemning the recent Transparency International’s report on corruption and private schools’ fees increase.

Sharjil Inam Memon of the PPP tabled the first resolution against the Transparency International.

It was endorsed by all political parties, including MQM, PML-F and Muslim League-Q.

After passing the approval, female lawmakers chanted slogans against the TI and thumped their desks.

They alleged that some non-government organizations (NGOs) are working against the national security.

In addition, the provincial assembly passed a resolution against the huge rise in fees by private schools. Trend Pk

NAB chief appointment: Petitioner refuses to appear before Justice Nasir

Petitioner Barrister Iqbal Jaffery, who moved the Lahore High Court against appointment of Justice (r) Deedar Hussain as NAB chief, expressed dissatisfaction over Justice Nasir Saleem Sheikh and refused to appear before his court.
In the petition, Barrister Iqbal pleaded that Justice Deedar has been appointed against the approval of opposition and Chief Justice of Pakistan, which is against 15 articles of the Constitution.
Today, Barrister Iqbal refused to appear before Justice Nasir Saleem to plead his case.
Justice Nasir immediately sent the copy of the case to Chief Justice LHC.

NAB chief appointment: Petitioner seeks change of judge

Petitioner Barrister Iqbal Jaffery, who moved the Lahore High Court against appointment of Justice (r) Deedar Hussain as NAB chief, expressed dissatisfaction over the Justice Nasir Saleem Sheikh and refused to appear before his court.
In the petition, Barrister Iqbal pleaded that Justice Deedar has been appointed against the approval of opposition and Chief Justice of Pakistan, which is against 15 articles of the Constitution.
Today, Barrister Iqbal refused to appear before Justice Nasir Saleem to plead his case.
Justice Nasir immediately sent the copy of the case to Chief Justice LHC.

PML-N stages walk-out against Employees Restoration Bill

Though both PPP and PML-N were on the same page against Musharraf but they failed to agree on Employees Restoration Bill. PML-N staged a walk-out from the National Assembly against the Employees Restoration Bill and announced that it will not participate in the coming sessions of the Assembly.
On the other hand, PM Yousaf Raza Gilani said that the bill was approved with complete consensus. He also congratulated the nation on the approval.
Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that the PML-N members would participate in the next session after formulating a strategy. He also said that the approved bill was controversial and it was decided that the bill would not be brought in the House but PPP backtracked.
He said that the approval of the bill would have an additional fiscal burden of 17 billion rupees on our economy. He further said that 80percent of CoD has been implemented.

Pak Rangers set up 31 relief camps in Karachi

Staff Report

KARACHI: Pakistan Rangers Sindh has set up relief camps for flood affectees at 31 places in Karachi, said sources Monday.

According to the spokesman of Pakistan Rangers Sindh Major Aurangzeb, at least 31 relief camps have been established in Karachi where philanthropists are giving their aid and funds for the flood victims.

The aid included cash, pulses, rice, flour, medicines, drinking water and other relief goods.

AGENCIES ADD:

Different relief and monitoring committees have been constituted with the approval of Sindh Chief Minister to provide relief and monitor the situation at the camps set up for flood victims in the metropolis.

The committees will assess the needs of the victims living in these camps and identify donors for providing essential commodities to them, said a statement issued here on

Next Page »