Swiss freeze over $200M in bribe money: report

The money was reportedly intended to be given in suspected bribes intended for foreign officials since 2008.

The paper cites the federal prosecutors office as saying the funds were deposited in Swiss accounts by multinational companies for the purpose of bribing officials around the world to secure contracts. The report didn t name any individual companies.

An email to the prosecutors office Sunday was not immediately answered.

In the past, Switzerland was a popular place for multinational companies to “park” bribes due to its lax anti-corruption laws.

Since 2000, the country has tightened its legislation to conform with the requirements of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Diplomatic immunity law: notice issued to federal govt

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court issued the notice to the federal government over Diplomatic and Consular Privileges Act 1972, TrendPK.com reported.

A petition has been filed against the law. The CJ LHC Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry refused to summon former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi saying its too early to call him at the moment.

The petitioner Azhar Siddiqui pleaded that no law gives diplomats license to kill. Later, the court adjourned the hearing till 14th March.

Pak govt. ends Saturday’s weekly off

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to end weekly holiday of Saturday so offices and educational institutions will remain open today (Saturday), Trend Pk reported Saturday.

According to a notification issued by the federal government, two holidays in a week had been announced in the country to curb energy crisis.

After reduction in electricity demand due to winter season, the government has decided to end Saturday’s weekly off from 27th of November.

As per notification, now, one weekly off will be observed in the offices and public institutions from November 27, 2010 and government offices and public institutes will remain open on Saturday. Trend Pk

Saturday’s officially off ends in Pakistan

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The government has decided and announced to abolish Saturday off for offices, banks and educational institutes effective November 27, 2010.

According to a notification issued by the federal government, a two weekly off had been announced in the country to end the energy crisis. However, electricity demand has automatically reduced in winter. Therefore, the government has decided to end Saturday as a day off.

As per the notification, there will only be one weekly off in offices from November 27, 2010; government departments and educational institutes will remain open on Saturday. Trend Pk

Govt. okays nominations for judges committee

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Ignoring its coalition partners, the federal government on Tuesday approved four names for a parliamentary committee, formed to approve judges nominations.

Top PPP leadership has also endorsed the nominations, including Asma Arbab Alamgir of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh’s Aftab Shaban Meerani, Balochistan’s Sabir Balochistan and Nayyar Bokhari of Islamabad.

All the nominated members belong to the ruling PPP. Trend Pk

Pakistan Railways to increase fares

Staff Report

LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways has asked the federal government to provide the subsidy on the fares or to allow the department as it could raise traveling charges.

Sources in the Pakistan Railways informed that the department has to pay Rs 50 million to Pakistan State Oil and with the increase in petroleum products, the debt burden would be huge.

The Pakistan Railways asked the government to announce subsidy or it will announce raise traveling fares. Trend Pk

JI to stage symbolic sit-in for missing persons

Staff Report

LAHORE: Jamat-e-Islami (JI) on Saturday unveiled a plan to hold a protest against the government’s failure to recover missing persons.

Addressing a press conference in Mansoora, JI chief Syed Munawar Hasan said that primarily a token sit-in will be staged in front of Parliament House on November 2 before a permanent sit-in, for which the date will be announced later.

He said that JI activists will stage demonstrations in the federal capital to push for recovery of missing persons.

The JI leader said that the Supreme Court had announced to summon representatives of intelligence agencies; since then the matter has not been heard. Trend Pk

World Teachers Day marked in Islamabad

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: A large number of students from private schools held a walk in the federal capital to mark World Teachers Day on Tuesday.

The walk was led by Dr. Warren Mellor, UNESCO’s Director and Representative in Pakistan.

Addressing the participants, Dr. Mellor said that the presence of better teachers, along with modern facilities is vital for the growth of education sector. SAMAA

No deal between BB, Musharraf held: Babar

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Federal Law Minister Dr. Babar Awan has said that there was no deal between Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and former president, General (retd.) Pervez Musharraf. He said that Musharraf has begun his political career with a fake statement.

While talking to SAMAA Friday evening, the federal minister called All Pakistan Muslim League as Pardesi League.

He said that Benazir Bhutto always counted days before returning home.

Musharraf has not apologized but confessed. He should appear before court, he added. SAMAA

SIC demands removal of Punjab Law Minister

Staff Report

LAHORE: The Chairman of Sunni Ittehad Council (sic), Sahibzada Fazl Karim, has demanded the removal of Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, adding that the federal and provincial governments failed in maintaining the peace in Punjab.

Addressing a seminar of Sunni Tehreek at Al-Hamra Hall on Sunday, he said that all Sunni people will show their unity in upcoming elections and would not support the political party that failed in arresting the culprits of data Darbar blasts. SAMAA

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