Appointment of New Chairman NAB Challenged in LHC

LAHORE: Appointment of Justice (Rtd) Deedar Hussain Shah as a Chairman of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has been challenged in Lahore High Court (LHC) on Saturday.

Petitioner stance that appointment of Justice (Rtd) Deedar was not by the consultation from Cheif Justice and opposition.

Yesterday, President Asif Ali Zardari had appoint Justice Deedar Hussain Shah as Chairman of NAB.

Syed Deedar Hussain Shah is the ex-Chief Justice of Sindh High Court. He became member of Sindh Assembly in 1988 on the ticket of Pakistan People’s Party.

N-League body seeks review of Mastikhel expulsion

LAHORE: A three-member committee of PML-N declared member Punjab Assembly Sanaullah Mastikhel innocent and recommended Mian Nawaz Sharif to review the decision of expulsion of Mastikhel from the party.

The committee comprised of provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, Senator Pervez Rashid and Senior advisor Zulfiqar Khosa had been constituted to investigate the issue of anti-media resolution.

The committee in its report stated that Mastikhel is not solely responsible for the resolution as it was prepared with the consultation of 18 other members belonged to all political parties. Therefore, it is not appropriate to punish Mastikhel alone. The report also recommended review of decision of expulsion of Mastikhel from the party. The report has been sent to Nawaz Sharif.

Swiss cases: Babar Awan will appear before SC today

Law Minister Babar Awan will appear before the Supreme Court on Tuesday to convey government’s stand regarding non-implementation of NRO and reopening Swiss cases.
The government called a meeting last night to consult the appearance of Law Minister Babar Awan in the Supreme Court and finalized a strategy in presence of federal ministers and legal experts.
According to sources, the consultation meeting was held in the private chamber of Babar Awan in which presence of all ministers and legal experts were present.
The strategy about the appearance of Babar Awan in the SC, writing a letter to Swiss authorities to reopen cases, possible directive and decision of the SC was finalized.
On Monday, the Supreme Court heard the petitions related to the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) and adjourned the hearing till June 7.

Dasti puts match fixing allegations on Ijaz Butt, PCB

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt said that differences among players caused deafeat in Australian tour and allegation of match fixing by Jamshed Dasti destroyed the career of Younas Khan.
He was talking in the meeting of Senates standing committee for sports. He said that The PCB chairman said that Muhammad Yousuf forced Shoaib Malik out of the team when he became the captain.
On the other hand, Senates standing committee for sportss former chairman Jamshed Dasti said that Ijaz Butt and PCB are involved in match fixing.
Chief Operating Officer Wasim Bari said that Muhammad Yousafs inefficient captaincy was also the reason of defeat from Australia. Whereas Akmal Brothers were playing the role of pressure group. Former Coatch Intikhab Alam said that the country gets bad name due to bad conducts of cricketers in the foreign tours. Committee chairman Iqbal Muhammad Ali said that team coach and manager should be given powers to take action against the players involved in violation of code of conduct.

Pakistan-China sign defence agreements

China on Monday agreed to provide four trainer aircraft for Pakistan Air Force and 60 million yuan for undertaking professional training of the Armed Forces of Pakistan.
Both countries signed agreements to implement the decisions undertaken at a meeting held at the Ministry of Defence between Minister for Defence, Ch. Ahmad Mukhtar and the Chinese Defence Minister, General Liang Guangile, representing their respective nations.
Earlier, the seventeen-member defence delegation, led by General Liang Guangile, Minister for National Defence of China, called on Minister for Defence, Ch. Ahmad Mukhtar, and exchanged views on bilateral defence cooperation, geo-strategic situation of the region and the anti-terror efforts made by Pakistan.
Both sides agreed to further increase military cooperation and strategic communication at all levels so as to overcome the challenges being confronted by the two countries.
In order to promote and increase interaction and closer collaboration between the Armed Forces of the two friendly countries, the meeting agreed to hold Joint Exercises of the militaries of the two countries.
The meeting discussed the security environment of the region and emphasized the need for making joint efforts to weed out terrorism. It was also agreed to share intelligence gathering which was essential for defeating the terrorist elements.
General Liang Guangile assured his Pakistani counterpart that China would continue to provide military and economic assistance to Pakistan so as to make it a stronger and prosperous country.He also assured that his country would continue to support Pakistans stance on different issues on every international forum.
Appreciating the unflinching support provided by the Peoples Republic of China to Pakistan, the Defence Minister said that Pakistan was highly indebted to China for supporting Pakistan in difficult times and specially its role in developing and strengthening the defence sector of Pakistan.
The meeting was attended by Secretary Defence, Lt General Syed Athar Ali (Retd), Rear Admiral Shah Sohail Masood, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Defence, and other senior military and defence officials of Pakistan.

Swiss cases: Babar Awan calls meeting to finalize strategy

The government has called a meeting tonight to consult the appearance of Law Minister Babar Awan in the Supreme Court tomorrow regarding the non-implementation of the NRO and reopening of Swiss cases.
According to sources, the consultation meeting will be held in the private chamber of Babar Awan in which presence of all ministers and constitutional experts is mandatory.
The strategy would be finalized about the appearance of Babar Awan in the SC, writing a letter to Swiss authorities to reopen cases, possible directive and decision of the SC.
Earlier, the Supreme Court heard the petitions related to the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) and adjourned the hearing till June 7.

New Finance Advisor Is Dr Hafiz Sheikh

ISLAMABAD PAKISTAN : The government has decided to appoint Dr Abdul Hafiz Sheikh as the new advisor to Finance Ministry.

The name of Dr Hafiz Sheikh was finalized after the consultation between Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and President Asif Ali Zardari.

PM Gilani convinced President Zardari for appointment of Dr Abdul Hafiz Sheikh as Finance Advisor.

Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh had also served as State Minister for Privatization in Musharaf Regime when Shaukat Aziz was the prime minister of the country. But later on, he had some difference with the government and resigned from the Minister for Privatization.

Afterwards he had served in many international donor organizations.

Dr Hafiz Sheikh is presently in Dubai and working with the international donor organization.

Dr Hafiz Sheikh is expected to reach Pakistan soon and will take oath as Finance Advisor at any time in coming two days.

Traders And Industrialists Have Efforts For Positive: Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan :- Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that traders and industrialists have made commendable efforts for national development and prosperity and played an effective role in every hour of need. He said that Punjab government has provided a favourbale atmosphere for the promotion of industrial and trade activities and maximum facilities are being offered to industrialists for this purpose. He said that various projects for energy generation through hydel power and coal are being implemented in the province. He said that by giving another cheque of Rs.one crore, Lahore Chamber of Commerce has fulfilled its promise of donating Rs.5 crore for the relief and rehabilitation of Swat affectees.

This was stated by him during a meeting with office-bearers and members of executive committee of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Chief Minister’s Secretariat, here today. President Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mian Muzaffar Ali, Senior Vice President Tahir Javed Malik and Vice President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh were present on the occasion.  The Chief Minister said that Punjab government is implementing a comprehensive strategy for the promotion of industrial and investment sector and Investment Board has been activated for this purpose. He said that industrial and trade sectors can be promoted only through overcoming energy crisis, therefore, various projects for generation of energy through hydle power and coal are being implemented. He said that 120 megawatt power will be generated through Taunsa Barrage Hydel Power Project. He said that government is paying special attention to the promotion of vocational education and a comprehensive plan is being evolved for vocational training with the consultation of industrialists and traders. He said that a skilled workforce will be developed in accordance with the market needs so that lakhs of students acquiring various skills could get jobs in industrial institutions. He appreciated the humanitarian spirit of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry and said that Punjab government will set up a modern hospital equipped with the latest medical facilities for Swat affectees and negotiations are being held with NWFP government in this regard.

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Traders And Industrialists Have Efforts For Positive: Shahbaz Sharif was first posted on August 31, 2009 at 6:46 pm.
©2009 “Pakistan News“.

Operation Started Without Consultation: Ahsan Iqbal

ISLAMABAD: Secretary Information PML-N Ahsan Iqbal has underlined that the military has not taken the Government into confidence in 1992, as the Military carried operation against MQM without political consultation.

Talking in a media program here on Monday, he emphasized that MQM Chief has been airing allegations against PML-N for being responsible for the military action of 1992 in Karachi city by stating that General Asif Nawaz initiated the operation in Karachi against MQM without the approval of the Government at that time.

Ahsan Iqbal further elucidated that if, PML-N was to be held accountable for 1992 operation then MQM should also seek explanation from PPP for the operation that was launched before 1992 during the PPPP’ s regime.

Secretary Information PML-N also acknowledged that in past, the democratic regimes were not authorized completely, but today MQM after serving a term with Former Dictator Pervez Musharraf for 5-years rule, was now airing allegations, “if they were so innocents, why did not MQM voiced during the tenure of the dictator” he remonstrated.

He also emphasized that MQM has been airing allegation at this juncture of time to avert the attention from the 12th May 2007 incident’s investigations, since MQM did not ask for the accountability for bloodshed of its members during the military action of 1992.

“The establishment has never conceded the Supremacy of the democratic regimes and for the supremacy of democratic institutions PML-N made agreements under CoD with (L) Benazir Bhutto to ensure the supremacy of the democratic institutions over the establishment.” He elucidated.

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Operation Started Without Consultation: Ahsan Iqbal was first posted on August 25, 2009 at 11:58 am.