SC displeased with slackness in missing persons case

The SC said non-serious attitude of the government with regards to recovery of missing persons is not acceptable.

A 3-member bench of SC presided over by Justice Mian Shakir Ullah Jan took up the case for hearing Tuesday.

Additional Attorney General (AAG) KK Agha told the court 134 out of 382 missing persons had been recovered while 138 persons were being traced out. The chairman of the commission will soon be appointed, he added.

The court issued directives for appointment of the commission chairman within a week and questioned why chairman had not been appointed so far while government was given only one-week time in this connection.

The chairman of the commission be appointed forthwith, the court directed.

The Deputy Attorney General (DAG) told the court cases of 10 missing persons were very old and efforts were underway to trace out. Seven missing persons who were incorporated in another list of missing persons had been traced out, he said.

The Defence Ministry had constituted a special committee which was investigating the old cases, he said.

He submitted that Justice (Retd) Fazlur Rehman, chairman of a two-member inquiry commission, had joined the Election Commission and new chairman in his place would be appointed soon.

Justice Jawad S Khawaja expressed displeasure over it, saying Justice (Retd) Fazlur Rehman had joined the Election Commission six months ago.

KK Agha said the Interior Secretary remained preoccupied due to the Karachi situation due to which the delay occurred. One-week time be allowed and the chairman would be appointed, he pleaded.

Justice Shakir Ullah Jan observed it was responsibility of the government to trace out missing persons.

KK Agha said statistics were being collected about the missing persons in Balochistan and intelligence agencies were not involved.

Justice Shakir Ullah Jan said: “You should file a written reply”. KK Agha said a written reply would be filed within a week.

Aamna Masud Janjua, chairperson Defence of Human Rights, said no commission was working with reference to missing persons.

Jameel Fakhri son still unaccounted for

WASHINGTON: Renowned Pakistani actor Jameel Fakhri’s son could not be traced out even after the lapse of over year, trendpk.com reported Saturday.

Pakistani diplomats in Washington said the FBI completed its investigations. A report in this connection is expected in next week.

It should be mentioned here that Pakistan’s envoy in US Hussain Haqqani filed a report regarding Ayza Fakhri who went missing in the US, with the government officials in June this year. The search is underway ever since.

Jameel Fakhri said his elder son went missing in USA and that he tried his level best to be in touch with Pakistani Ambassador in USA as well as FIA and CIA but no body gave him proper response, adding nowadays Pakistani ambassador even does not respond him on phone call.

It is pertinent to mention here that Ayaz went out of his residence in New York along with his friend in February and did not return and could not be traced out as yet.

Manchhar Lake bloats to threatening level

As many as 400 villages have been inundated as the authorities could not be able to plug breaches in Suprio and FP Bunds, while Manchhar Lake reached its ultimate level of 121 feet.
Ural Head was breached to dilute the water pressure at the Lake, raising the outflow to 10,000 cusecs with inflow from MNV Drain at 28,000 cusecs. According to the Irrigation Department, the water from the Lake would be let out into Indus Link by causing a cut in MNV Drains Zero Point.
A three-member commission has struck final decision in this connection. Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah will formally announce it today. Meantime, the torrents from various canals of the Lake have inundated at least 60 villages and crops standing on several acres of land.
In view of massively precarious condition, the Irrigation Department officials are supervising the work regarding raising the bunds from Lakes Zero Point to RD-100 by two feet with the help of heavy machinery.
A temporary protective embankment is being built to save Tehsil Sehwan city of Bhan Saeedabad from the flood situation.

Geo’s transmission blocked on shoe hurling news at Zardari

KARACHI: The transmission of Geo News has been blocked overnight in various parts of country after it aired news regarding hurling of shoe at President Zardari during his party address in Birmingham, Geo News reported cable operators sources as saying.

Meanwhile, many offices of cable operators in Karachi have been set ablaze by angry activists of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

Some of PPP’s leaders and government officials have issued threats and warnings to cable operators across country against continuation of Geo News transmission, pressurizing them to shut Geo News transmission but most cable operators refused to do so, sources said.

However, a private company namely World Call and another one by the name KMPC blocked Geo News signals as late as 2am in morning.

Following the blockage, a large number of people registered a massive protest against closure of Geo News transmission across country and rampage, arson and riots triggered by workers of PPP, sources said.

Meanwhile, many a Geo News’ workers have decided to register a protest against government in reaction against blockage of Geo News transmission over keeping people updated with facts and truths.

People and Geo News employees have resolved staging a massive string of demonstrations against stoppage of Geo News transmission and burning of Jang and Thenews newspapers by PPP workers, sources said.

The Demos will be staged outside President House, Prime Minister House, in front of Oman Embassy in Islamabad, outside CM, Governor Houses, Press Clubs and offices of cable operators all over country.

Most copies of Jang and Thenews newspapers have been burnt to ashes after robbing them of hawkers at gunpoint in Karachi.

A meeting of journalists, and Geo News employees has been convened in this connection, which will decide further course of action over this issue, journalists told Geo News.

No sugar shortage in next three months: Iskander Khan

KARACHI: There will be not shortage of sugar in the country in next three months, Chairman Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) Iskander Khan said.

Talking to Geo News, Iskander Khan said sugar mills have seven to eight lac tonnes of sugar in stock. However, government should take timely measures for uninterrupted supply of sugar after three months. Sugar mill owners will help government in this connection.

He said the import price of sugar is more than Rs.70/kg whereas sale of sugar at Rs.61/kg is not possible in ramzan. He denied the reports that sugar price will be reach to Rs.100/kg in ramzan.

BP resolves closure of operations in Pakistan

BADIN: The British Petroleum (BP), an international oil-drilling company working in Badin, has resolved to close down all operations in Pakistan and will soon sale out its shares owing to financial crisis being faced on account of Gulf sea oil spill, Geo news reported.

According to sources, talks over sale of BP shares in Pakistan are in final phase with a UAE-based company and a meeting, in this connection, was held at Khaskheli Oil Field in Badin district on Monday.

BP sources said the final decision would much likely be announced following conclusion of series of meetings with the government of Pakistan to be held today in Islamabad.

Company employees, working in Pakistan, told Geo news that the owners have already announced to give three-month salaries to all employees as bonus.

Krishna denies calling Delhi during talks

NEW DELHI: Indian External Minister SM Krishna denied that he kept receiving calls during talks to get instructions from New Delhi.

Talking to media after reaching New Delhi, Krishna said the meetings with Pakistani President and Prime Minister were pleasant. He also lauded Pakistani hospitality and said exchange of parliamentarians’ delegations came under discussion during meetings with the delegations of ANP, MQM and PML-N.

Krishna said Pakistan assured that Mumbai attacks culprits will bring to justice, however, no timeframe is possible to be given in this connection. India wants strong relationship with Pakistan and I am looking forward for the visit of Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s visit to India, he added.

Obama eyes India as vital power

TORONTO: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President Barack Obama met on the sidelines of the G20 Summit here and discussed issues of bilateral interests.

President Obama at this occasion said India is a rising power of not only the region but also world and therefore huge responsibilities lie on it. He urged the India to work together with world community to restore peace.

Indian Prime Minister invited Obama to visit New Delhi and said during the visit he could review the efforts underway to curb poverty, illiteracy and diseases. He thanked US for its cooperation in the connection.

Pak seeks peace from Sino-Pak treaty: FO

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan termed as baseless the concerns voiced over nuclear treaty entered between Pakistan and China, Geo News reported Sunday.

Talking to Geo News, Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said the nuclear cooperation between Pakistan and China is for peaceful purposes and stands as per the precautionary requisites set by the IAEA.

The spokesman said all concerns and apprehensions expressed in this connection are quite baseless.

Kyber-Pakhtoonkhaw bars Nato containers entry

ISLAMABAD: The provincial government of Kyber-Pakhtoonkhaw has denied entry to 50 containers of NATO supplies on Wednesday.

According to sources, intelligence agencies informed the local government that the terrorists could target containers and therefore, the containers have been stopped at Attock Bridge to avoid any untoward incident. Intelligence agencies have shared the information with federal and provincial governments in this connection and recommended to boost security measures.

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