Nationalization of education institutions was wrong decision: PM

Saff Report

GUJRAT: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday said that nationalization of educational institutions was a wrong decision.

He said this while addressing a public gathering arranged for late Nawab Fazl Ali in Gujrat on Saturday.

PM Gilani said that no one can progress without accepting mistakes, adding that compensation should be given for such mistakes. Trend Pk

SC orders AG to file written reply on Oct. 18

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court summoned the government to explain reports about plans to revoke the notification of judges restoration.

A 17-member panel of judges asked Attorney General Anwar-ul-Haque to explain last night’s allegations broadcast on television channels.

Those reports claimed that the government is considering withdrawing its March 2009 order to reinstate judges fired by Musharraf.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry gave Haque till October 18 to submit a written statement from Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, explaining the government’s position on the news reports, after he failed to do so today.

The court restrained the government from sacking any judges.

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani denied the reports last night, saying there is no truth behind the news. SAMAA

PM Gilani sacks two NRO beneficiaries

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani sacked two National Reconciliation Order (NRO) beneficiaries, Pir Mukarram and Sadiq Ali Khan on Wednesday.

Pir Mukarram, the Executive Director of Printing Corporation, will not be able to use privileges given by the corporation. His termination will be recorded as of September 8, 2009.

Sadiq Ali Khan, Managing Director of Federal Employees Benevolent Group Insurance, will be considered terminated from August 14, 2009. SAMAA

60 villages inundated in Shikarpur

SHIKARPUR: Flood water continued to wreak havoc across the country as water submerged in Shikarpur, destroying more than 60 villages. Three women drowned, two died of gastroenteritis in Ameer Shah.

Five people were swept away as the roof of a house collapsed in Muzaffargarh.

More than 16 breaches in Begari and Sindh Canal in district Shikarpur have not been built, even after 13 days have passed. Over 16 villages are inundated with flood water: passing through Shikarpur, into Golo Daro, Jacobabad and Indus Highway.

The flood also destroyed agriculture crops spread over 35 acres of land.

Thousands of people were stranded in 50 villages of katcha area. They are facing shortage of food items and other necessities.

Raging water in Kotri Barrage threatened the villages of Sajan Detho, Sehrish Nagar, Gul Baig Chandio, Latifabad no. 4, Panhor and

USC reduces prices of 200 food items

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The Utility Stores Corporation (USC) has reduced the prices of 200 food items by 10 percent as per the orders of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, said sources on Thursday.

According to sources, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has ordered to decrease the prices of food items at all utility stores to ease the miseries of the common man during the month of Ramazan.

USC has reduced the prices of several food items including ghee, cooking oil, pulses, milk, dates and other edibles.

Sources said the government will provide utility stores a subsidy of Rs. 5 billion over the reduction of food prices. SAMAA

UNSC reduces prices of 200 food items

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The Utility Stores Corporation (USC) has reduced the prices of 200 food items by 10 percent as per the orders of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, said sources on Thursday.

According to sources, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has ordered to decrease the prices of food items at all utility stores to ease the miseries of the common man during the month of Ramazan.

USC has reduced the prices of several food items including ghee, cooking oil, pulses, milk, dates and other edibles.

Sources said the government will provide utility stores a subsidy of Rs. 5 billion over the reduction of food prices. SAMAA

Butt warns Yousuf alone can”t save Pakistan

NOTTINGHAM: Pakistan captain Salman Butt insisted recalling Mohammad Yousuf was far from a miracle cure for the team”s batting ills after their crushing 354-run first Test loss to England.

Just hours after Pakistan were bowled out for 80 – their lowest Test score against England – at Trent Bridge, the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed former skipper Yousuf had been added to the squad.

The 35-year-old, a batsman with 7,431 Test runs to his name at an average of over 53, announced his retirement in March, having been handed an indefinite ban by the PCB after Pakistan”s disastrous tour of Australia where the team failed to win a single international match under his leadership.

Butt, speaking before the PCB announced Yousuf”s call-up, insisted the team
as it stood could turn things round in the five days between their defeat by England at Trent Bridge on Sunday and the start of the second of a four-Test
series at Edgbaston on Friday.

The opening batsman said Pakistan had shown their resilience by winning the previous week”s second Test against Australia by three wickets at Headingley, Butt”s first match as captain, after days earlier losing by a huge 150 run-margin to Ricky Ponting”s men at Lord”s.

Pakistan had no answer on Sunday as swing bowler James Anderson wreaked havoc with an astonishing return of six wickets for 17 runs in 15 overs on his way to a Test match-best haul of 11 for 71.

Consequently, Pakistan were never in the hunt for what would have been a new world record fourth innings victory total of 435.

Azhar Ali and Umar Amin, batting at three and four, managed just one run between them in the second innings slump in what was only their third Test after they each made their debuts at Lord”s.

Butt though insisted Pakistan had no option but to stick with Ali and Amin who both then played at Headingley where Pakistan ended a run of 15 years without a Test win over Australia with a three-wicket victory that squared that two-match series at 1-1.

“Whoever is in the Pakistan team is there because of his ability and needs to be given time to show what they are capable of,” said 25-year-old Butt, who inherited the captaincy after Shahid Afridi quit Test cricket following the loss at Lord”s.

Pakistan have now won just three out of their last 21 Tests and Butt said: “How many wins have Pakistan had with the people who were previously playing? Had we been winning with them in the team in the past two years then it could have been a mistake (to omit them).

“But the results were the same,” he added.

“In fact these guys (the current team) pulled off a victory after 15 years (against Australia). So people are not seeing the reality. We have to make people understand these are the guys for the future.”

However, Butt was careful to avoid giving a direct answer when asked whether favoured a recall for either Yousuf or Younus Khan, another ex-captain and experienced batsman who has been playing for English county Surrey this season.

“To bring somebody in or to send somebody back is not in my hands. That is
what the selectors are there for and it”s for the board to decide.”

Nevertheless, Butt stressed it was important for his novices to be given a fair chance.

“I am just two games old (as a captain). We have won one and lost the other. What do you expect from them – win every game? That will not happen.

“This is the time when you back your players. I know they can come back.”

The PCB also announced leg-spinner Danish Kaneria had been released back to English county Essex after his lone wicket at Trent Bridge cost an expensive 171 runs.

PM directs chairman DMA to be in Balcohistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has directed Chairman Disaster Management Authority (DMA) to immediately reach flood hit-Balochistan.

According to official reports, PM Gilani has directed Chairman DMA Lieutenant to visit flood affected areas of Balochistan and prepare a review report for the rehabilitation of the affectees.

Degree of PML-Q MNA challenged in LHC

LAHORE: The bachelors degree of PML (Q) member of National Assembly Khadim Hussain Watto has been challenged in Lahore High Court.

More:
Degree of PML-Q MNA challenged in LHC

India develops world’s cheapest laptop

NEW DELHI: India has come up with the world’s cheapest laptop, a touch-screen computing device that costs $35.

Read the original: 
India develops world’s cheapest laptop

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