Railways settles uplift priorities

ISLAMABAD: Following a bailout package of Rs1.1 billion announced by the federal government, the crisis-hit Pakistan Railways was finalising its priorities including maintenance of 145 locomotives and rehabilitation of rail tracks and coaches.

A meeting in this regard would be held by mid-January between Minister for Railways and Minister for Finance in which the former would brief the latter about projects to be executed after release of funds.
“We have planed to spend Rs 6.1 billion on maintenance of 145 locomotives, Rs 2 billion each on rehabilitation of tracks and coaches while Rs one billion would be reserved for future use,” Minister for Railways Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour told APP.
After their maintenance, 75 per cent of locomotives would be used for freight carrying and the rest would be used for passenger coaches. According to the estimates, a locomotive of 3000 horse power generates up to Rs 60 million per annum against Rs50.5 million by the one with 2000 horse power.
He said for maintenance purpose, the spare parts would be imported and 10 to 12 locomotives would be repaired each month hoping that it would help a lot to minimize losses of this public entity..-Agencies

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Posted in: billion,help,hit,Islamabad,January,losses,lot,Minister,Pakistan,projects,Railways,rehabilitation

MQM hails Gilani decision

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Sunday welcomed Pakistan Muslim League-N’s withdrawal of ultimatum given to the government, media reported. Speaking to MQM party leaders and journalists on the telephone from London, Dr Farooq Sattar also hailed Prime Minister’s acceptance of ten-point national agenda proposed by Nawaz Sharif. Sattar said the Prime Minister decision will certainly take the country our of prevailing crisis.    

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Posted in: decision,Dr Farooq,dr farooq sattar,Farooq Sattar,Karachi,Minister,MQM,Nawaz Sharif,Pakistan Muslim League,party,Prime Minister,Sattar

Govt rolls back POL price hike

Gilani announces decision in National Assembly

Parliamentary leaders taken on board; Opposition hails decision

Special Correspondent/ Agencies

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday announced restoration of prices of POL products to the level of December 31, last year and withdrew the latest increase announced by the government. Making a policy statement on the issue in the National Assembly, he said the decision has been taken in deference to the demand of the public, parliament and the political leadership.

He said the decision was arrived at the meeting of leaders of all parliamentary parties in Islamabad where they were briefed by the Finance Minister and other members of the government’s economic team on the petroleum prices and the overall economic situation. Prime Minister said there was consensus in the meeting that the latest increase should be withdrawn.

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Posted in: assassination,back,decision,Govt,hike,issue,Minister,parliamentary,POL,price,prices,Prime Minister

SC orders to dig deeper into scam

CJ says Hajj corruption report unsatisfactory

ISLAMABAD: The Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry Thursday described the report of Director General FIA Wasim Ahmad into Hajj scam as unsatisfactory and ordered comprehensive investigation into the scam. During hearing of the Hajj scam case, the court observed that the Director General FIA did not take any interest while the Interior Minister got the name of the main accused removed from the Exit Control List through an SMS.

It also observed that this is not a small thing and Azam Swati lost his ministry due to this scam. Justice Khalil-ur Rahman Ramday observed that if he had been the head of DG FIA, he would have sent him to jail. Judge advised Advocate Latif Khosa not to try to turn the court into a political field.
While ordering payment of 700 Riyals each to the pilgrims of Maktab -5 the seven member bench adjourned the hearing till 11th of January.
Former Minister Azam Swati submitted before the court that he was not satisfied with the inquiry of the FIA and termed it as unsatisfactory.
Azam Swati’s lawyers said that the two witnesses in the Hajj scam Abdul Rehman and Farooq are in Saudi Arabia and they are unable to get security in Pakistan. Chief Justice said that DG FIA has retired and he is on contract employment, his job is at the mercy of the Government and thus was not taking interest in Hajj scam.

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Posted in: Azam,Azam Swati,corruption,DG,Director General,FIA,General,Minister,Saudi,SC,SC orders,scam

Gilani sees no threat to govt

Says ‘Q’ assures support to government

BHERA: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has reiterated that government is not facing any threats and rather will complete its constitutional term. He was talking to media at Bhera Services Area while commuting between Lahore and Islamabad via motorway on Tuesday.
During the course of his conversation, he said that PPP is a national party and it will complete its term. Time demands from all political parties who believe in democracy to collectively solve the crises.

PM also said country is facing terrorism threats other than inflation and unemployment that we received in inheritance. He said finance ministry is briefing leaders of all parliamentary parties related to recent increase in petrol prices. He said terrorism and floods are among the other contributors to inflation, which we are trying to cope with.
While responding to a question, PM said Ch. Shujaat Hussain has ensured him to support government for the eradication of inflation and to improve law and order situation.
He further said we are trying to remove all reservations of JUI-F and MQM and added that Fazl-ur-Rehman left coalition because of dismissing Azam Swati whereas MQM holds reservations with Home Minister Sindh Zulfiqar Ali Mirza.
It has also been learnt that during his stay in Bhera, member of PML-N’s central committee Barrister Pir Farooq Bahadur-ul-Haq Shah met PM Gilani and extended a special message.-Agencies 

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Posted in: Ali,inflation,Minister,MQM,PM,PM Gilani,PML,Shujaat Hussain,support,that,threat,threats

Sindh employees health policy ends

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has approved on Sunday the abolishing of the health insurance policy of the government employees. Earlier, Sindh’s special secretary finance mailed a summary, regarding the closure of the health insurance policy of the government servants, for approval of the Chief Minister.

The closure of the health insurance policy will affect more than six thousand employees of the Sindh Government. Sindh Secretariat’s workers have announced that on Monday (today) they would protest against the abolishing of the health insurance policy. -Agencies

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Posted in: Chief Minister,health,Minister,policy,Qaim Ali Shah,Sindh,Sindh Chief Minister,Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah,that

Gilani positive over govt’s fate

Govt can’t afford subsidies on POL products

Special Correspondent

LAHORE: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani looks determined and confident over despite latest political move, as on Sunday he said that government is not going anywhere. He was talking to the newsmen here in Lahore after meeting with former JI Ameer Qazi Hussain Ahmed. Prime Minister Gilani said that MQM’s departure makes no difference to the government and says that he doesn’t see any crisis or the government’s collapse.

Gilani asserted that government would continue to function with or without any coalition partner. He was optimistic that PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif is in favor of democratic process and would not let it derail.
To a question on the recent increase in the prices of petroleum products, Gilani said that government could not afford to grant any more subsidies on petroleum products, added that prices of the petroleum products was determined by an independent authority, that adjust the local fuel prices keeping its international prices in fore.
Prime Minister Gilani replying to another question said that PPP government doest not believe in horse-trading. Gilani said that government has no intention to bring amendments in the blasphemy law, while Sherry Rehman has submitted the motion in her personal capacity, added that govenment can’t even think of doing so.

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Posted in: gilani,Minister,PML,POL,POL products,PPP,prices,Prime Minister,Prime Minister Gilani,Sharif,that,trading

CM Punjab returns from Turkey with big hopes

CM Punjab returns from Turkey with big hopes

Says Turkey vows to set up 150MW plant, a varsity

LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif said that a university and a power plant of having capacity of generating 150 megawatts would be setup in Punjab with the cooperation of Turkey. He was talking to media persons at Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore after his arrival back from Turkey, here on Sunday.

Shahbaz Sharif termed his visit to Turkey as successful and said that number of MoUs for mutual cooperation in various sectors have been signed with Turkish government and private sector during the visit.
He said that Turkish government would extend financial assistance to Punjab government to setup a university and a power plant with 150 megawatts power generation capacity.

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Posted in: CM,cooperation,gas,help,Minister,PM,Punjab,Shahbaz Sharif,Sharif,that,Turkey

It’s time to end hostility, Krishna tells Pakistan

NEW DELHI: Indian Minister for External Affairs S M Krishna said on Sunday that Pakistan’s posture of “compulsive hostility” will not help a serious and sustained dialogue between the two countries. In an interview, Krishna said New Delhi would “walked the extra mile in reaching out” to its neighbours “We earnestly hope that our neighbour would see the merit in constructive engagement and discard the posture of compulsive hostility”, he said.

The External Affairs Minister said, “Our only expectation from Pakistan is to dismantle the terror infrastructure that operates from the territories under its control. A serious and sustained dialogue can thrive only in a peaceful and terror free climate.” Krishna said that terrorism, whether state-sponsored or not, has no place in today’s world and needs to be rooted out through concerted efforts of each and everyone. -Agencies

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Posted in: Affairs,dialogue,end,External,external affairs,Krishna,Minister,Pakistan,terror,that

BESOS Trust formed in PR

ISLAMABAD: A representative 9-member delegation of Pakistan Railways (PR) CBA PREM Union led by its Secretary General Ishtiaq Ahmed Aasi, which held a meeting with Senator Waqar Ahmed Khan Federal Minister for Privatisation here, lauded the formation  of Benazir Employees Stock Option Scheme (BESOS) Trust in Pakistan Railways (PR) and the government’s announcement for not privatising PR.

The meeting was first of the series to initiate consultations with the CBA Workers Unions of Public Sector Entities (PSEs) to take on board the workforce, management and all the respective stakeholders for the capacity building and improvement of SoEs and to resolve the employees fears, doubts and grievances if any in this regard.
Senator Waqar directed the Privatisation Commission officials to set up BESOS Trust in Pakistan Railways after having workers nominations as Trustees from all the workers unions of PR and to register it without any further delay in order to distribute 12 per cent GoP shares of PR among the employees for empowering them and to have their representation on PR Board for participating in the decision making process for the improvement and the progress of the entity for making it profitable. The Minister briefed the delegation regarding the turnaround plan for PR and informed that through equity related instrument fund raising for PR without selling any asset and on the basis of asset based security, was in accordance with the President Asif Ali Zardari and the Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s instructions to strengthen the PSEs to make them functional and enhance their productivity while protecting the jobs and the worker’s rights. A meeting of the management and workers would soon be convened to reach at a consensus for making joint efforts for making improvements in PR, he added. CBA PREM Union Secretary General Ishtiaq Ahmed Aasi urged the need to have competent professionals in an important institution like PR as the institution have been ruined and made loss making by inefficient non professional officials and the corruption. The PR employees would extend full support to the government, without any opposition in every such step, which was designed for the betterment of the institution, however, there was a need to further understand the concept and to establish an atmosphere of understanding, he said. -Online

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Posted in: Ahmed,BESOS,CBA,General,Minister,officials,Pakistan,Pakistan Railways,PR,Railways,Senator Waqar

Govt, MQM iron out wrinkles in alliance

Malik assures resolution of outstanding issues

KARACHI: The on-going tension within the ruling alliance seems to have been resolved much to the satisfaction of the MQM, as Interior Minister, Rehman Malik assured the resolution of all issues. Talking to media here outside Bilawal house Saturday, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that PPP is not going to present bill for restoration of Commissioners’ system in Assembly.

He further said that reservations of MQM would be removed while such steps would be taken that would satisfy MQM chief Altaf Hussain. He added that MQM did not demanded replacement of Home Minister Sindh Zulfiqar Mirza.
He further said that meeting with Governor Sindh Ishrat-ul Ebad was amicable. Answering to question about traveling on without number plate vehicle, he replied that the without number plate vehicle has been used to hide identity in wake of security concerns.

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Posted in: Ali,Asif,asif ali zardari,Govt,Malik,Minister,MQM,Rehman Malik,Sindh,that,Zardari

Pak to fight suit against ISI in US

Our foreign policy based on national interests: FO

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday announced to strongly defend the law suit filed against country’s elite intelligence agency to seek its dismissal.
A statement from the Foreign Office said, “Government of Pakistan has taken a firm decision to strongly contest the suit filed against the ISI, its present and past Directors General.”
A US court had issued summons to senior Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) officials including its head Major General Ahmed Shuja Pasha, in response to a lawsuit filed by relatives of two American victims accusing him and some others of providing material support for the Nov 11 Mumbai attacks.
“The Government of Pakistan and the Pakistan Embassy in Washington shall defend the legal suit on behalf of ISI and its Directors General fully and properly,” the FO statement said.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani last week categorically told the National Assembly; “We do not believe the ISI, as an agency of the Government of Pakistan, or its present and former officials could be subjected to civil litigation in the courts of the United States and we intend to take appropriate steps to obtain dismissal of this action.”

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Posted in: countries,fight,Foreign,ISI,Minister,Pak,Pakistan,policy,relations,that,US

Malik, Rabbani fail to lure Fazl

JUI-F Chief refuses to rejoin government

ISLAMABAD: Government cronies on Wednesday made other effort to woo back JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazl-ur Rehman back into the fold of the government however the JUI-F Chief has refused to review of his decision.

According to sources Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Head of Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reforms Raza Rabbani, and 10-member Parliamentary Delegation from Fata led by Munir Khan Orakzai met JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazl separately at his residence and asked the Maulana to Fazl reconsider his decision.

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Posted in: back,decision,issues,JUI,Malik,Maulana Fazl,Minister,party,PM,Rehman Malik,that

Cabinet mulls PR, PSM rejig

Gilani chairs meeting, reviews progress on decisions

Meeting also accords approval to pacts with China

Special Correspondent/ Agencies

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Cabinet which met here Wednesday reviewed the status of implementation of Cabinet decisions pertaining to food and agriculture, foreign affairs, health, housing and works and industries and Production decisions. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani presided the meeting.

During the meeting Cabinet deliberated upon the declining performance of Pakistan Railways, Pakistan Steels Mills and other government’s institutions including Pepco and PM directed that restructuring plan of these departments be presented in the next Cabinet meeting.

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Posted in: Cabinet,decisions,kaira,loan,Minister,Pakistan,Pakistan Railways,PR,PSM,Railways,that

Fazl asks Zardari to replace PM

ISLAMABAD: Terming him a threat to the democratic process in the country, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) called upon President Zardari to replace Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

During a press briefing here Tuesday, Fazal asked the President to take strict action against the PM for derailing the democratic process in the country and acting against the reconciliatory policy of the PPP government.
“Bring a new Prime Minister for it is impossible for the democratic process to run in Gilani’s being in power”, the JUI-F chief asked the incumbent government.
He asserted that he was in touch with all the political parties regarding the current political scenario, however added he was expecting some big decision from MQM chief Altaf Hussain.
“We stick to our guns, but the problems facing the country cannot be resolved till the government does not take a solid step”, Fazal maintained. He deplored the political situation in the country. When asked about Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) clash, he said that PML-N has got its own philosophy but it did target MQM first.
Regarding his trip to Saudi Arabia, Fazl said he is going to offer Umrah and added that his tour has nothing to do with Hajj scandal or its investigation. -NNI

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Posted in: chief,country,Fazal,JUI,Minister,MQM,PM,PML,President,Prime Minister,that,Zardari

Cameron, Zardari talk ties over phone

KARACHI/ ISLAMABAD: British Prime Minister David Cameroon telephoned President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday afternoon. Bilateral relations and situation in the region figured in the talks. David Cameroon called the President soon after the President arrived in Karachi from Naudero where he had been for the Party meeting and public address on the eve of the third anniversary of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto on Monday.

According to Presidency sources, British Prime Minister David Cameroon discussed host of issues with the President including national, international and Pak-UK relations in length. PPP would continue its five-year term and next elections would be fair and free, President told British Prime Minister David Cameroon.
He further said that Pakistan would continue to fight the menace of war against terrorism while British PM assured President that UK will continue to support Pakistan thick and thin for a strong and stable democratic Pakistan in this regard, Sources concluded. -Online

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Posted in: British,British Prime Minister David Cameroon,Cameron,Cameroon,David Cameroon,Minister,Pakistan,President,Prime Minister,relations,that,Zardari

Sharif criticizes govt’s policies

Says it only making good Baloch rebels

MURREE: PML-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif has condemned arresting and manhandling of slain Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Bugti’s grandson Nawabzada Shahzain Bugti and urged not to make good Baloch rebel.

Talking to media in Murree on Saturday, Nawaz Sharif pointed out that the PML-N did not like the present agenda of the government, adding that they quitted the government due to its policies and agenda.
He made it clear that the PML-N quitting the government was not result of differences among ministers or personal differences.
Nawaz Sharif noted that baseless cases were registered against him but the court declared him as innocent and the government was continuing this practice and maltreatment was being adopted against Baloch leaders.
The PML-N Quaid pointed out that the attitude, which was adopted against the grandson of Akbar Bugti, was condemnable and questioned why the government wants to make good Baloch and citizens as rebels through such tactics.
He announced that he urged Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and Balochistan Chief Minister to handle the issue and not allow any one to challenge the writ of the government.- Online

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Posted in: agenda,Akbar Bugti,Baloch,Minister,Nawaz,Nawaz Sharif,PML,policies,Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani,Sharif,that

Commissionerate System Bill soon

Qaim says Bill to be approved with consensus

KARACHI: Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has said bill for restoration of Commissionerate System in Sindh will be presented in Sindh Assembly (SA) on January, 7. Qaim Ali Shah said this while addressing a press conference here Saturday on the occasion of making announcement by PML-F leader Sayed Javed Shah to join PPP.

Federal Minister Syed Khurshid Shah, Sindh interior minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza and others were also present on the occasion. Chief Minister Sindh alleged that dictator Musharraf imposed local government ordinance in all the provinces which undermined the entire system.
Bill for restoration of Commissionerate system will be presented in Sindh Assembly on January, 7 at every cost, he said hoping the bill will be approved with consensus.

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Posted in: Bill,Chief Minister,Commissionerate System,consensus,cost,GST,January,Minister,Qaim,Qaim Ali Shah,Sindh,System

Burqa-clad bomber kills 44 Bajaurians

Burqa-clad bomber kills 44 Bajaurians

PESHAWAR/ BAJAUR: A burqa-clad suicide bomber attacked a crowd of people waiting for aid in Bajaur on Saturday, killing at least 44 of them, officials said. The attack in the Bajaur region came a day after a clash between the Taliban and security forces in the neighbouring Mohmand region that left 11 soldiers and 24 militants dead.

“I myself have counted 40 bodies but the death toll could rise as several wounded people are in critical condition,” Dosti Rehman, an official at the main government hospital in Bajaur, told Reuters.
Zakir Hussain, the top government official in Bajaur, confirmed the death toll and said 60 tribesmen were wounded. He said the death toll could rise as some of the wounded were in critical condition. Several women and children were among casualties, officials said.
The suicide bomber, who was wearing a head-to-toe burqa but whose gender has not been ascertained, detonated explosives as hundreds of people from the Salarzai tribe were heading towards a food distribution centre set up by the World Food Programme (WFP) for people forced from their homes by earlier fighting between security forces and al Qaeda-linked militants. A WFP spokesman said the attack took place where people were being screened at a security checkpoint near their centre. Witnesses said the attacker first threw hand grenades at tribesmen before detonating the bomb. “First there were two small explosions and people started running for cover. But within seconds there was a major blast and there were dead bodies scattered everywhere,” witness Hussain Ahmed said. “It was very terrifying.” The WFP has halted distribution of food and services in Bajaur agency due to the attack. Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani strongly condemned the bomb blast in Bajaur Agency. They deplored the loss of precious lives in the blast and termed the act as a brutal activity of the militants who have no regard for the human and religion, added that these militant are on the run the brave people of Pakistan are united against them. They said that fight against these elements would continue till their complete elimination. President, Prime Minister directed the authorities for provision of best health facilities to the injured. -Agencies

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Posted in: ck,dead,death,food,forces,kills,militants,Minister,security,security forces,that,WFP