Altaf welcomes restoration of LG system
The MQM chief in his statement issued from London that he offered congratulations to the Pakistan People’s Party and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement for conducting successful dialogs and restoring the local government system in Karachi and Hyderabad.
He offered gratitude to Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and President Asif Ali Zardari for their efforts to establish peace in Karachi.
He said that decision taken about Sindh would prove a mile stone for the promotion of democracy in the country.
Earlier, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad issued the ordinance to restore local government system and cancel the commissionerate system in Karachi and Hyderabad on the night between Saturday and Sunday.
The decision came at a meeting between PPP leader Babar Awan, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad at the Sindh Governor’s House.
Vidya celebrates 33rd birthday today
January 1, 2011 by Trend PK
Filed under Entertainment
MUMBAI: Vidya Balan turns 33 on January 1. The actress plans on bringing in her birthday and the New Year at her parents” place in Khar, Mumbai.
Initially, she was planning to spend the special day with friends, but given the fact that she”s been on the road promoting No One Killed Jessica for the last few weeks, Vidya wants to be with her mom and dad.
A source close to Vidya says, “She”s been in and out of Mumbai for the last six months. Earlier she was shooting for Sujoy Ghosh”s Kahaani for almost two months.
After that she got into the promotion of Jessica travelling to almost every major city. Her busy schedule hasn”t given her any chance to spend time with her parents.”
Since her birthday and New Year fall on the same day, Vidya has a double reason to celebrate.
Despite buying a new apartment in Khar, the actress wasn”t able to renovate the place or spend time in it. Her New Year resolution is to buy some antique furniture and do up her place.
Every year, Vidya prefers to keep her birthday a low-key affair. Rather than go out with friends, she enjoys spending quality time with her parents. “This year will be no different. She will bring in her birthday and the New Year at her parents” house. Since she doesn”t believe in cutting a cake, her mom plans to prepare a sweet dish on the occasion,” a source said.
After the release of No One Killed Jessica, Vidya plans to start preparing for her next film Balaji”s Dirty Picture based on the life of Silk Smitha.
Big B bars family from appearing on KBC
After Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, it’s Abhishek Bachchan, who has stayed away from Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), hosted by his father Amitabh Bachchan.
This week, the director Ashutosh Gowariker and his leading lady Deepika Padukone of Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey recorded an episode of KBC. Abhishek opted out, although this is a crucial release for him.
Apparently, there was much behind-the-scenes maneuvering to convince Abhishek to occupy the hot seat in front of his iconic dad-host. Abhishek refused to budge.
Says a source, “Both the channel personnel and the crew of Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey felt getting Abhishek and his dad on the same platform would be great publicity for Abhishek’s film. Abhishek wouldn’t relent. They finally went on the show without him.”
In fact, the channel’s plans to bring the entire Bachchan parivar for the grand finale on December 9 has also fallen through. According to sources, the Big B thwarted the plans of getting his family on the show by throwing the rule-book at the channel. They finally had to make the finale a Sholay special featuring the Big B with Dharmendra.
Says Sony Entertainment’s CEO Ajit Thakur, “We were indeed in advanced talks with the Bachchan family to come on the show. However, it finally didn’t work out. Even Abhishek is missing in the episode featuring his colleagues for the promotion of their film.”
Argues Big B, “As per the rules and regulations of the company that owns the original rights of KBC, relatives of the anchor are not permitted to participate in the show. There’s a signed contract in this regard.”
However, the channel’s personnel argue that the contract rules don’t apply to special episodes of KBC.
Says the source, “We were very keen to have the family on the show. But the Bachchans don’t want anyone to say they’re using the show to promote their family.”
Akshay – Ash fly to Dubai for Action Replayy premiere
Things are heating up for Diwali releases. The lead pair of Action Replayy, Akshay Kumar and Aishwarya Rai, are in Dubai today. There would be a glittering premiere of the film tonight which would be followed by a round of celebrations.
Akshay and Ash would be back tomorrow to further pump up the promotion leading to Friday’s release of the film.
Confirms Vipul, “Both Akshay and Ash have a huge fan base in the overseas and it was imperative for them to travel for the premiere.”
Vipul stayed back in Mumbai to oversee the promotional activities within the country. He was in Ahmedabad on Monday to show the film to Indian cricket team which was stationed there in advance as they play a test match against New Zealand starting tomorrow.
“Yes, there was a special show organised for them on Monday. Of course the team has liked the film a lot. However, I am now waiting for all-India audience to pass their verdict once the film opens on Friday”, says Vipul.
His anxiety is understandable. After all, Diwali releases come with huge expectations and with another major film Golmaal 3 releasing on the same day, it has to be seen if it turns out to be double dhamaka for the makers of both the films.
PM Gilani promotes 29 officers to BPS-22
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has approved the promotion of 29 government officers to BPS-22. PMs principal secretary Ms. Nargis Sethi is one of those officers who were promoted.The meeting of promotion board was held in Islamabad, presided over by PM Gilani. 29 officers were promoted in the meeting. Of those promoted include 5 officers from PSP, 1 from FSP, 2 from CEG while 21 officers from the Secretariat group.
US imposes sanctions on Iranian officials for human rights abuses
The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on eight Iranian government officials for serious human rights abuses against the people of Iran.
The White House charged that these senior Iranian officials, based on credible evidence, were involved in the commission of serious human rights abuses during or after Iran’s 2009 presidential election.
The individuals designated will be subject to financial sanctions and visa ineligibilities under U.S. law, the White House said in a statement. The list of names is not exhaustive and will continue to grow based on events in Iran, and as additional information and evidence becomes available.
The statement claimed that the United States is strongly committed to the promotion of human rights around the world, including in the Islamic Republic of Iran, and will always stand with those in Iran who aspire to have their voices heard.
We will be a voice for those aspirations that are universal, and we continue to call upon the Iranian government to respect the rights of its people, the White House said.
In his address last week to the United Nations General Assembly, U.S. President Barack Obama listed human rights as a matter of moral and pragmatic necessity for the United States.
US imposes sanctions on Iranian officials for human rights abuses
The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on eight Iranian government officials for serious human rights abuses against the people of Iran.
The White House charged that these senior Iranian officials, based on credible evidence, were involved in the commission of serious human rights abuses during or after Iran’s 2009 presidential election.
The individuals designated will be subject to financial sanctions and visa ineligibilities under U.S. law, the White House said in a statement. The list of names is not exhaustive and will continue to grow based on events in Iran, and as additional information and evidence becomes available.
The statement claimed that the United States is strongly committed to the promotion of human rights around the world, including in the Islamic Republic of Iran, and will always stand with those in Iran who aspire to have their voices heard.
We will be a voice for those aspirations that are universal, and we continue to call upon the Iranian government to respect the rights of its people, the White House said.
In his address last week to the United Nations General Assembly, U.S. President Barack Obama listed human rights as a matter of moral and pragmatic necessity for the United States.
‘Kajraare’ will not arrive on 6th Aug., shifted ahead’
KAJRAARE has been pushed ahead! Initially slated for release on 6th August, the film will now release on Eid, on 10th September. That’s the buzz in the industry. The postponement has come as a surprise, since the promotion of the film is in full gear.
Bhushan Kumar, the producer of KAJRAARE, sheds light on the issue, “Yes, we are not releasing the film on 6th August. In fact, we haven’t taken a call on the new date yet.” The buzz is that the film will now hit the screens on Eid. Will it withstand the tough competition posed by DABANGG and WE ARE FAMILY? “It’s uncertain at the moment. We will arrive at a decision [on the new date] within a week or so,” he states.
Why this sudden shift? “Our distributors are of the opinion that we shouldn’t release the film during the holy month of Ramzan. Also, since we are planning to have a really big release in Pakistan, releasing the film during Ramzan would’ve hampered the business prospects. In view of the fact, we decided to shift the film to a latter date,” the head honcho of T-Series reveals.
NRO case: Ex-ADG FIA promotion report submitted in SC
ISLAMABAD: The interior ministry has submitted a report about an inquiry conducted into the promotion of former Additional Director General of Federal Investigation Agency, Ahmed Riaz Sheikh in the Supreme Court.
The report has put the blame on Additional Secretary Tahir Sarfraz.
A five-member larger bench of the apex court headed by Justice Nasir ulna Mulk is hearing a case about implementation of NRO verdict.
Other judges include Justice Raja Muhammad Fiaz, Justice Jawad S. Khawaja, Justice Rehmat Hussain Jafri and Justice Tariq Parvez.
In his statement, Additional Secretary Tahir Sarfraz told the court that Secretary Establishment and interior ministry, who were served contempt of court notice, were deliberately trying to drag him into the case.
Justice Raja Fiaz remarked that four and half months were gone but still the NRO verdict was not implemented.
Meanwhile, the court put off the hearing till next Thursday.
SC suspends promotions of 54 federal secretaries
ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court (SC) issued orders declaring the promotion of 54 bureaucrats as null and void and notification on these promotions has been cancelled, Geo News reported Wednesday.
These 54 bureaucrats are federal secretaries recently promoted to grade 22 by the Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on September 4, 2009.
The SC directed the PM to again make appointments on these posts on merit.
It should be mentioned that the promotion of at least 173 bureaucrats was overlooked in making these 54 promotions.
The promoted federal secretaries include the PM’s Principal Secretary Nargis Sethi, former Chief Secretary Punjab Javed Mehmood, Secretary Election Commission Ishtiaq Ahmed, Secretary Narcotics Tariq Khosa, Secretary Petroleum Kamran Lashari, Home Secretary Qamar Zaman Chaudhry, Chairman CDA Imtiaz Inayat, Khyber Pakhtoonkhaw’s Chief Secretary Javed Iqbal, Secretary Ombudsman Sami Saeed, Chairman FBR Sohail Ahmed and Inspector General of the Punjab Police, Tariq Saleem Dogar.
The PM made these promotions under his discretionary powers.
