Aid To Pak Through Pakistani Agencies: Tareen
LONDON: Federal Finance Minister Shaukat Tareen urged the US to channel its assistance through Pakistani agencies to save on high intermediation costs incurred by US counterparts.
In an interview with Financial Times, Tarin said half of the planned assistance pledged by the US to Pakistan is likely to be wastefully spent on administrative costs
“Whatever aid the US is giving must have full impact on the ground which is why they should route as much of this aid through our agencies than their own agencies,” Tarin told the Financial Times.
“Frankly, we only receive almost 50-55 per cent of the aid, 40-45 per cent becomes expenses because of intermediation costs by the US.”
Tarin added that Pakistan would resist any linkage of financial assistance to the country’s nuclear programme or confidence-building measures with arch-rival India. He said aid would be “unacceptable” if it was tied to greater monitoring of the country’s nuclear arsenal.
The newspaper adds that Pakistan has become one of the largest recipients of US aid as Washington seeks to help stabilise the country threatened by a Taliban insurgency. US President Barack Obama plans to raise economic assistance to about $1.5bn a year, or $7.5bn over the next five years.
Aid To Pak Through Pakistani Agencies: Tareen was first posted on August 27, 2009 at 11:34 am.
Weapons Recovery Drive, Curfew Imposed In DIKhan
DERA ISMAIL KHAN, PAKISTAN: A day-long curfew has been imposed in the city in a bid to support ongoing drive by the forces for the recovery of illegal arms.
Four centers have been established in various localities of the city where the citizens were asked to submit their weapons being possessed illegally.
Local Authorities have warned common people and activists of all the banned outfits of strict action if they failed to bow their illegal weapons before the authorities by today, Aug 27.
Security forces were also carrying out search operation in various areas of D I Khan in which at least 30 suspects have so far been arrested.
All the offices, educational institutes and business centers were closed in the city due to curfew, remained effective from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The streets of the city were offering a deserted view with heavy contingents of police and FC personnel deployed and patrolling at various points.
Weapons Recovery Drive, Curfew Imposed In DIKhan was first posted on August 27, 2009 at 11:39 am.
Gunbettle In Quetta 4 Killed
QUETTA: At least four persons were gunned down while two sustained critical injuries here in Natha Singh Street on Jinnah Road early on Thursday morning before dawn, Geo news reported.
According to police sources, unknown armed militants opened indiscriminate fire in Natha Singh Street on Jinnah Road here which, resulted in sudden death for two persons, identified as Sahahzad and Naveed, while four critically injured persons were rushed to hospital wherein two wounded, Rauf and Asif, succumbed to injures.
Top police officials arrived on the firing scene shortly after the incident and the a large number of relatives and friends stormed into hospital and staged protest demonstration for the early arrest of the offenders involved into killing, sources added.
Gunbettle In Quetta 4 Killed was first posted on August 27, 2009 at 12:15 pm.
Force Against Blochis Must Stop: Altaf
LONDON: Quaid Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Altaf Hussain, expressing condolence on the occasion of third death anniversary of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, prayed on Wednesday for the eternal happiness for soul of deceased Bugti.
According to the statement released from London, Altaf asked government for provision of justice for the suppressed people Balochistan province and urged upon ruling leaders to end use of force against Baloch people.
Those Baloch leaders, who having been sick of the behavior of government, have migrated onto mountains, must be called back to hold dialogue for resolution of their problems and asked ruling leaders for embracing Baloch people after burial of hatches, Altaf urged.
Force Against Blochis Must Stop: Altaf was first posted on August 27, 2009 at 12:21 pm.
