‘Shoaib-Sania matter should be kept away from politics’
SIALKOT: Member of the Pakistan Muslim League (N) and National Assembly Khwaja Asif, who is also heading the organizing committee formed for the arrangement of the welcome dinner for Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza, said here on Sunday that the arrangements of the reception have been finalized and tight security arrangements have been made for the event.
The meeting of the Shoaib-Sania welcome dinner organizing committee was attended by Khwaja Asif, Chaudhry Akhlaq, Jalaluddin and other members.
Khwaja Asif told Geo News after the meeting that fool-proof security arrangements have been made on the occasion of the reception in honour of the newly-married couple.
He said that this matter should be kept away from politics of the two countries. However, he prays for the happy married life of Shoaib and Sania.
Foreign Secretaries meet for Saarc summit draft
THIMPHU: The foreign secretaries of the SAARC member countries are currently holding a meeting on Sunday to consider the fine print of draft agreements due to be signed at the 16th SAARC summit scheduled for April 28 and 29.
The agreements relate to cooperation on environment and on trade in services in the SAARC region.
The secretaries of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka also considered the text of the final summit declaration. Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir is leading Pakistani side.
The standing committee meeting will suggest amendments to the drafts made by the SAARC programming committee that sat on Saturday.
On Tuesday, foreign ministers of the eight countries will propose further changes to the declarations and the drafts of the agreements– one on cooperation on environment and the other on trade in services in the SAARC region.
The resolution of the council of ministers will then go to the meeting of the top leaders on April 28 and 29 for final approval and adoption.
The summit is expected to draw regional attention to the pressing issue of climate change, which is also the theme of the summit. Bhutan has also proposed a summit declaration entitled “towards a green and happy south Asia” and a separate ministerial declaration on climate change, according to news agencies.
The SAARC agreement on trade in services is expected to enable the realisation of the region’s immense potential in service areas, such as health, hospitality, communications, computer and information services and air transport and augment intra-regional trade in services.
The SAARC convention on environment is expected to promote cooperation among the SAARC countries in the field of environment and sustainable development.
Khyber Pakhtoonkhaw website with old monogram
PESHAWAR: The name of the Khyber Pakhtoonkhaw province has been changed at the government’s website; however, the monogram with the NWFP name is still there, Geo News reported Sunday.
The webmasters changed the name of the province; however, they forgot to make the necessary change in the monogram which still flashes NWFP at its head.
According to government sources, the decision relating how to abbreviate Khyber Pakhtoonkhaw with KP or KPK, is still to be made.
MNA Sardar Mehtab sends resignation to Sharif
ISLAMABAD: Sardar Mehtab Abbasi of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) decided to resign from his National Assembly seat, Geo News reported Saturday.
Abbasi has sent his resignation to PML-N Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif.
A letter attached with the resignation, said, ‘I was elected on PML-N ticket; accordingly, he is sending his resignation to Nawaz Sharif.’
It should be pertinent to mention here that Sardar Mehtab demurred at change of the NWFP’s name and also he did not vote in the National Assembly in favour of Khyber Pakhtoonkhaw to be the new name of the NWFP.
PML-Q supports new provinces: Shujaat
ISLAMABAD: President Pakistan Muslim League-Q Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has called for making new provinces wherever needed.
He was addressing a party meeting here today.
Backing Southern Punjab’s demand for separate province, he was of the view that Hazara Division must be given provincial status.
‘Punjab should not grab others’ rights,’ he added.
Bilour rules out review of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa name
PESHAWAR: NWFP senior minister Bashir Ahmed Bilour said Wednesday that review of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa was out of question.
How could the Awami National Party (ANP) support a resolution demanding separate province, he asked?
“It took us six decades to rename the NWFP. The supporters of Hazara Division should wage a struggle for 50 years,” he remarked.
The senior minister claimed the situation is returning to normal after talks.
Judicial commission to probe Hazara riots
PESHAWAR: The NWFP government has constituted a judicial commission to probe Abbotabad riots, Geo News reported on Wednesday.
According to a notification issued by provincial government, a judge of Peshawar High Court Abdul Aziz Kundi will be the head of the commission. The commission will present its report within 15 days.
It should be noted here that strong protest is going on in Hazara over the renaming of the NWFP as Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. At least nine people have been killed and more than 100 wounded so far during the wave of unrest in Hazara.
ANP minister tables resolution for Hazara province
PESHAWAR: A provincial minister belonging to the ruling Awami National Party (ANP) has presented a resolution seeking a separate province for Hazara Division.
Speaking to Geo, Minister for Higher Education Qazi Asad confirmed he has tabled the resolution in support of Hazara province in the NWFP Assembly.
The resolution called for the establishment of a separate province for Hazara Division.
It further said the separate province will neither have any negative effect on the country nor it will be opposed by the ANP.
Blast heard in Islamabad
ISLAMABAD: An explosion heard in sector H8/4 in Islamabad on Tuesday, Geo News reported.
PML-N to consider new agreed name for NWFP
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) leader Senator Ishaq Dar said his party will re-consider any new name of the NWFP, if a consensus name is brought to fore, Geo News reported Tuesday.
Speaking at Senate, Dar said it is hypocrisy to flee from the affairs settled with consultations in the Constitutional amendment, adding Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) should not have signed the package of Constitutional Amendment, if it had reservations over the new name of the NWFP.
Senator Ishaq Dar said his party would definitely review its stance, if any new consensus name appears.
The PML-N leader stressed that non-state elements are active to get the Constitutional Package stalled from being implemented.
He requested Awami National Party (ANP) to take strict action against the Abbottabad administration.
