Missing containers case: Inquiry expanded to Afghanistan

Head of the investigation team Hafiz Anees Ahmed has reached Afghanistan in this regard. In the case, at least 50 FBR officials have been dismissed while putting their names on the Exit Control List (ECL). When detail of the properties of FBR officials was sought, all the officials feared a number of scandals could come to surface after this.

FBR has asked all housing schemes to give details of those officials, supposed to be involved in the embezzlement of billion of rupees. Besides, details of accounts of these officials have also been demanded.

Kazmis judicial remand extended for 14 days

Former religious affair minister Hamid Saeed Kazmi was brought to the senior civil judge of Islamabad Aslam Gondal’s court in Haj corruption case on Wednesday.

Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Additional Director General Khalid Butt told the court that the FIA found 14 plots that were registered against the name of Kazmi’s family members. He said that the total value of plots was estimated around Rs 4 million and the FIA would submit evidence to the court in this regard.

Extending the judicial remand of the former minister, the court sent him to jail for 14 days.

PSO gives ultimatum to suspend supply over nonpayment of dues

According to officials, PSO is liable to pay Rs 40 billion to international suppliers and Rs 80 billion to local oil refineries. Volume of PSO circular debt has reached Rs 154 billion including RS 134 billion arrears of power sector. According to PSO officials, Ministry of Petroleum and Ministry of Finance have been informed in this regard but ministries concerned have not yet taken any step to solve the issue.

PSO officials have warned that they will block supply to HUBCO, WAPDA and KEPCO if 50 percent dues are not paid till February 14.

Ban on Pillion Riding in Karachi to Continue

Karachi, trendpk: The duration of ban on pillion riding in Karachi has come to an end today but provincial Minister for Interior Affairs has decided to extend this duration till Chehlum. Notification for this extension might be issued today.

In order to avoid any sort of terrorist activities, a ban on pillion riding in most of the major cities including Karachi was imposed during the month of Muharram. A notification was issued by Ministry of Interior, Sindh, for ban of pillion riding under the act 144 from 2nd December 2010 till 19th December 2010. However the provincial Minister for Interior Affairs has announced to extend this ban till Chehlum but no notification in this regard has been so far issued. According to the sources of Ministry of Interior, a notification can be issued in this regard today. Earlier to this, a ban on pillion riding in Karachi was lifted on 23rd November 2010. This ban on pillion riding has also been lifted in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

We Cant Overlook Write-off loans Issue: CJP

News Trends: Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Friday remarked that the issue of waived loans on political basis could not be overlooked nor anyone would be spared in this regard.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Chaudhry is hearing the suo motu case of written off loans.

The CJ asked the State Bank of Pakistan to submit details of waived loans during the last two years in an hour. Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry remarked: Why dont people realize their responsibilities? The court cannot teach everyone.

Counsel SBP Iqbal Haider read Governor Shahid Kardars letter to the court which stated that the loans were written off during the last 8 years to save countrys economy. He assured the SC of assistance in this regard, however he added that more loans are also likely to be waived due to slump in the international market.

The CJ said that why the central bank fearing the consequences. Those working under the constitution should not be afraid of anyone.The Chief Justice issued orders to the central bank to submit the list of the names of the people that have got their loans written off within one hour.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry said that 50 persons who had written off big bank loans were summoned but only eight of them appeared before the court. The CJP also admonished the State Bank officer, …you have written off billions of rupees loans within two years. Writing off the loans is wrong, he said. Don’t you think that your actions should not harm the nation.Justice Ramday, a member of the bench, said What the court can do when all are in same league.

We cant overlook write-off loans issue, says CJP

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Friday remarked that the issue of waived loans on political basis could not be overlooked nor anyone would be spared in this regard.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Chaudhry is hearing the suo motu case of written off loans.
The CJ asked the State Bank of Pakistan to submit details of waived loans during the last two years in an hour. Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry remarked: Why dont people realize their responsibilities? The court cannot teach everyone.
Counsel SBP Iqbal Haider read Governor Shahid Kardars letter to the court which stated that the loans were written off during the last 8 years to save countrys economy. He assured the SC of assistance in this regard, however he added that more loans are also likely to be waived due to slump in the international market.
The CJ said that why the central bank fearing the consequences. Those working under the constitution should not be afraid of anyone.The Chief Justice issued orders to the central bank to submit the list of the names of the people that have got their loans written off within one hour.
Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry said that 50 persons who had written off big bank loans were summoned but only eight of them appeared before the court. The CJP also admonished the State Bank officer, …you have written off billions of rupees loans within two years. Writing off the loans is wrong, he said. Don’t you think that your actions should not harm the nation.Justice Ramday, a member of the bench, said What the court can do when all are in same league.

3rd round of Pak-US strategic dialogue from today

The eagerly awaiting third round of Pak-America strategic dialogue would start from today (Wednesday) in Washington. Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani left Tuesday for United States of America to attend the dialogue.
According to diplomatic sources the third round of Pak-US strategic dialogues is going to be started from October 20 and continue till Oct 22 in which issues related to power, agriculture, education and security would be discussed. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi would lead the Pakistani delegation while US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would lead US delegation.
Strategic Dialogue working group leaders from both governments will report out on the tangible outcomes of their work. Besides Army Chief and FM Qureshi, Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Sheikh and other senior officials will be among the delegation.
During the Ministerial-level bilateral Strategic Dialogue that was launched in Washington on March 24-25, 2010 has thirteen separate working groups that have met in Islamabad over the past three months: agriculture; communications and public diplomacy; defense; economics and finance; education; energy; health; law enforcement and counter-terrorism; market access; science and technology; security, strategic stability and nonproliferation; water; and women empowerment Pakistan would try to convince US to make progress in investment in the power and water sector. Sources also told media that Pakistan would adopt a decisive stance on Indias violation of Indus River Water treaty and would demand US to play its role in this regard. Foreign Office Sources told media that Pakistan will demand from US for establishment of Reconstruction Zones (RoZs) in the Tribal Areas while urge various Members of the Congress for methodical legislation and immediate removal of hurdles in this regard, drone technology and stalled dues under the Coalition Support fund. During their stay, COAS, FM will meet US Defense Secretary Robert Gates, United States Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen besides US National Security Advisors and other high ups to throw light on some of the thorny issues like war against terrorism, security, defence and enhancing cooperation on military and other fields in length.
Earlier, COAS was seen off at Lahore Airport by Lieutenant General Rashad Mehmood, Corps Commander Lahore and other senior military officials.

Gen. Kayani assures tackling Waziristan terrorists: Mullen

Staff Report

WASHINGTON: U.S. Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen has said that the Pakistan Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvaiz Kayani has assured him of taking action against terrorists in Northern Waziristan.

Mullen made a claim during a recent interview that Northern Waziristan is an epicenter of terrorists and Al Qaeda is still active in that area.

He added that Pakistan has made sacrifices in the war against terror and suffered losses of civilian lives in this regard.

Admiral Mike Mullen further added that Pakistan’s Army Chief and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff have given assurances of tackling terrorists in Northern Waziristan. SAMAA

HEC halts process of degree scrutiny

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has halted the process of degree scrutiny of politicians and has asked the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to investigate the process itself, SAMAA reported Wednesday.

Executive Director of HEC, Dr. Sohail Naqvi said that the process of degree scrutiny has been stopped and a report in this regard had been sent to ECP.

According to the report, the verification of 428 politicians was not completed because they (the law makers) had not submitted some certificates.

Dr. Sohail said that several times HEC wrote letters to the universities but received no reply. He said that the ECP will look into the matter itself. SAMAA

Dismissal of 62 law officers: LHC seeks explanation from Punjab govt

Lahore High Court sought a reply from the Punjab government for sacking around 62 law officers, Dunya News reported on Wednesday.
The dismissed officers filed a petition in the LHC, contending that they have been sacked sans furnishing any reason and without any show cause notice and as such the decision is unlawful. Taking notice of the issue, the court sought explanation from the Punjab government in this regard.

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