PPP’s core committee resolves policy shift

TrendPK.com

ISLAMABAD: The shift in the government’s policy is of ‘mandatory importance’ to provide people with relief, so was decided amid the core committee meeting of PPP that met here at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Wednesday, reports TrendPK.

The meeting was jointly presided over by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani.

Spokesman to President House, Farhatullah Babar confirmed to media what sources had claimed earlier that the core committee agreed to substantial shift in policy of the PPP-led government to provide masses with relief.

The meeting also resolved continuation of reconciliatory strategy, taking along all coalition partners towards resolution of core issues in order to address the prevailing challenges being faced by Pakistan and the nation alike.

The attendees, by the conclusion of meeting, reposed full confidence in the joint leadership of President Zardari and PM Gilani. TrendPK

Little progress in govt-Taliban talks: Report

ISLAMABAD: Exploratory peace talks between Pakistan and al Qaeda-linked Taliban insurgents have made little progress, a senior security official told Reuters on Thursday.

The official said the group, seen as the biggest security threat to the strategic U.S. ally, had flatly rejected a demand that it work through tribal elders to reach a deal whereby fighters approach authorities and lay down their arms.

“They felt it would be humiliating,” he said. “The talks are not making progress.”

A total breakdown in talks, especially if it led to any new waves of Taliban suicide bombings or shootings, would likely make Pakistan’s civilian government even more unpopular.

The government is currently under severe pressure from the Supreme Court.

Supreme Court on Thursday adjourned a contempt hearing for Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani in a case that could push him from office.

Gilani was in court to explain why he should not be charged with contempt for failing to re-open old corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari. The government maintains Zardari has presidential immunity. AGENCIES

Fasih Bukhari appointed chairman NAB

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ISLAMABAD: Admiral (Retd.) Fasih Bukhari has been appointed as Chariman National Accountability Bureau (NAB), TrendPK reported Sunday.

The appointment was made after President Asif Ali Zardari brushed aside opposition leader Chaudhry Nisar’s objection to the nomination on technical grounds.

The notification of his appointment has been issued.

The Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) has raised its voice against Bukhari’ s appointment as NAB chairman but the government has rejected PML-N’s reservations by appointing him. TrendPK

Finance team briefs President Zardari on overall economic situation

Discussing futuristic concept of investment, President Asif Ali Zardari directed the Finance team to consider the feasibility of floating infrastructure bonds for raising equity for building infrastructure projects.

Chairing a meeting of finance team of the government at the Presidency, the President said that Pakistan needed to build massive infrastructure projects but it lacked financial resources for the purpose. It may therefore be advisable to raise equity through infrastructure bonds, he said. The infrastructure projects, the President said, would create economic and business activity in the country on one side and help generate employment opportunities on the other.

The meeting took stock of the overall financial and economic situation of the country and the various measures being undertaken to address the economic issues facing the country.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue & Economic Affairs, M. Salman Faruqui, Secretary General to the President, Yasin Anwar, Acting Governor, State Bank of Pakistan, Khalil Ahmad, Ambassador at Large, Dr. Waqar Masood Khan, Secretary Finance, Salman Siddique, Chairman, Federal Board of Revenue and Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar.

Briefing the media about the meeting, Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar said that a detailed briefing was given on the financial and economic situation, revenue collection measures, status of proposed currency swap agreements with Turkey and Sri Lanka, measures for increasing remittances through incentives to Pakistanis working abroad and documentation of economy.

The spokesperson said that the President directed the government’s finance team to prepare a workable plan in the shortest possible time by taking in to account all aspects of the proposal for raising equity through floating infrastructure bonds.

The President said that the early finalization of currency swap agreements with Turkey and Sri Lanka would further strengthen the mutual trade and economic ties of Pakistan with these countries and help reduce pressure on their foreign exchange reserves.

The President was briefed on the Pakistan Remittance Initiative (PRI) and the significant increase in the inflows of remittances as a result of the incentives policy.

The President urged for vigorous implementation of the incentive packages for expatriate Pakistani to curb the illegal flows of remittances and facilitate their flow through official channels.

The President also asked for encouraging overseas Pakistanis to fully avail from the government’s incentive package for expatriate Pakistanis to send home remittances through legal channels so as to maximize the inflow of capital.

Sindh govt. restores LG Ordinance 2001 in entire province

KARACHI: Sindh government after the tough resistance from the Sindhi nationalist parties has restored the Local Government Ordinance 2001 in the entire province, TrendPK reported Sunday late night.

This was decided in a high level meeting chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah.

Earlier, Sindh’s nationalist parties condemned the restoration of LG Ordinance 2001 in Karachi and Hyderabad, calling it a conspiracy to divide the province on the ethnic basis.

It is pertinent to mention here that within a short span of 24 hours after Commissonerate System was rolled back in Karachi and Hyderabad divisions, Sindh government has resolved withdrawal of that system in other districts of the province.

Provincial Information Minister Sharjil Memon told TrendPK that the government reached the decision to restore LG Ordinance 2001 issued by the then president Musharraf in the entire province after it countered intense resistance from Sindhi nationalists against withdrawal of Commissionerate System in Karachi and Hyderabad.

Setting an example of ‘sitting on the fence’, Awami National Party (ANP) welcomed restoration of ordinance but said that the party was still in favour of Commissonerate System.

CM Sindh Qaim Ali Shah has issued orders to restore LG Ordinance 2001 in all the districts and divisions of Sindh.

President Asif Ali Zardari has convened an important meeting of the PPP’s ministers in Sindh cabinet at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Monday. The meeting would likely review the fast changing political landscape in province.

Governor Ebad signed two ordinances, restoring LG system in Karachi and Hyderabad and the delimitations in Hyderabad on Saturday night. TrendPK

Local governments reinstated in whole Sindh

KARACHI: With the mark of pen, Governor Sindh Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad finalized reinstatement of Local Government system in entire Sindh province, TrendPK reported early Monday.

Meanwhile, Quaid Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Altaf Hussain has welcomed the decision whereas Awami National Party (ANP) said that president Zardari and Governor Ebad jointly foiled attempts of conspiracy to divide Sindh on ethnic basis.

MQM to re-join govt soon: Wasan

Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wasan has said that he will invite MQM leaders to his village and will serve them with dates and butter.

Reconciliatory efforts between the MQM and the government began on Friday.

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad met with President Asif Ali Zardari in Islamabad and attended an Iftar party hosted by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah in Karachi.

Home Minister Wasan said that MQM would soon rejoin the PPP-led ruling coalition.

He said that he would take MQM leaders to his village for a trip. He said that local body systems of Karachi and Hyderabad would be amended if needed. But he explained that there would be no amendments in Commissionerate System and Police Act.

Nawaz agreed to support Musharraf: WikiLeaks

WikiLeaks claimed that President Asif Ali Zardari told former US ambassador Anne Patterson that PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif was willing to support Pervez Musharraf. In another cable, it was revealed that the United States stopped Zardari from buying cheap oil from Iran.

Former US ambassador Anne Patterson wrote on March 10, 2008 that Zardari told her that Nawaz Sharif was ready to support Musharraf and accommodate Justice Dogar as the chief justice. According to another cable, Zardari told former ISI chief Nadeem Taj that Justice Iftikhar should be shifted to his ancestral house in Quetta.

Nadeem Taj said that people’s sympathies were with Justice Iftikhar and the move could backfire.

On one occasion, the American ambassador asked Zardari that what would happen to his 30-day deadline, he (Zardari) replied laughingly that political dates should not be taken seriously.

In February 2008, Anne Patterson wrote that Zardari feared Musharraf would try to harm Pakistan People’s Party through Amin Fahim. Zardari said that Nawaz’s demand about judiciary would be buried in a committee and he (Nawaz) would also be satisfied.

President Zardari calls Ahmadinejad

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari called Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Saturday.

According to the president’s spokesperson, two leaders discussed on Pak-Iran ties, economic cooperation and regional situation.

Both leaders agreed on stepping up economic cooperation. TrendPK

Peshawar: 9 killed in Swabi Interchange suicide blast

PESHAWAR: At least nine people, including a policeman, have been killed and several others wounded in a suicide bomb blast at a reception arranged for JUI-F chief Maulana Fazal-ur Rehman, near Swabi Interchange, TrendPK reported Wednesday.

Police and other law enforcement agencies cordoned off the area; the bodies and injured have been taken to Swabi’s district hospital.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman remained safe in the attack.

President Asif Ali Zardari, Altaf Hussain and other key politicians condemned the attack. TrendPK

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