CJP Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry says law, order major reason of martial laws

Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has said that martial laws were imposed on the basis of worsening law and order situation, but now this way has been closed.

Moratani under custody of Pak security agencies: Rehman Malik

Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik has said that Al-Qaeda Leader Younis Moratani is under custody of Pakistani security agencies, adding that his fate will be decided after the completion of legal interrogation and then would be handed over to other countries after reaching at some deal.

Floods, heavy rains played havoc in Sindh, claim 16 lives

Torrential rains continued to lash parts of Sindh province, perishing 16 people in various rain incidents; meanwhile Army and Navy personnel arrived in Naukot and kicked off relief operation.

Security forces held 62 suspects from Karachi during search operation

The rangers and police have arrested 62 suspects during ongoing combined search operation in Federal B Area’s Yousuf Plaza after Pehalwan Goth here on Thursday.

Three-day conference of Election Management Bodies of SAARC member states begins

A three-day conference of the Election Management Bodies of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Member States began here in Islamabad on Thursday.

Quetta police detain 250 suspects in wake of Wednesday suicides attacks

Quetta police on Thursday arrested more than 250 suspects in a search operation conducted in sensitive areas of the city after the capital was hit by twin blasts on Wednesday.

Two dacoits killed in police encounter in Jhang

Two dacoits were killed in an armed encounter with police in Jhang; meanwhile police arrested two dacoits including a woman here on Thursday.

Zardari urges Nawaz not to ’play’ politics as country is afflicted with worst floods

NAWABSHAH: President Asif Ali Zardari has said this is time for extending help to Dengue fever and rain affectees rather than playing politics.

He said this while talking to different delegations here at Zardari House Thursday. He held the recent rains had caused massive disaster in Sindh. Thousands acres land had been destroyed and damage had been caused to standing crops, he told.

On this occasion positive thinking should be pursued rather than playing politics, criticizing law enforcement agencies and other national institutions, he underlined.

“We are much concerned over fast spread of Dengue fever. I direct all concerned institutions and federal and provincial governments to take every possible step to prevent dengue fever. My cooperation is for them. All medical facilities be provided to Dengue fever patients, he stressed.

Good programs and steps taken by the government and parliament be appreciated rather than criticizing all the time, he said. Independence of judiciary and NFC award are the big achievements of present government, he held.

Struggle spanning 100 years have to be waged to bring democracy and it takes only few minutes to sabotage it, he underscored.

He said Nawaz Sharif should join hands of afflicted people of Sindh rather than holding meetings in Lahore. “I invite him to visit Nawab Shah and other areas of Sindh. I offer my home at Nawab Shah to him.” he underlined. Online

Commanders support Rangers’ operation in Karachi

RAWALPINDI: The 142nd Corps Commanders Conference (CCC) held under Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has expressed grave concerns over terrorists attacks from across Afghan borders and demanded of Afghanistan and NATO to forthwith stop the infiltration of terrorists.

Pak-US ties heading back to normalcy: FO

ISLAMABAD: Efforts on both sides to remove operational difficulties in bilateral ties are yielding thus Pakistan’s relations with US are fast heading back to normalcy.

President Zardari for impartial action against Karachi criminals

KARACHI: President Asif Ali Zardari has directed authorities to carry out impartial action against criminal elements of Karachi, regardless of their affiliations.

Heavy rains likely in Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan

ISLAMABAD: Another spell of rains will likely to continue in lower Sindh, South Punjab, and Balochistan in the next two days.

According to Meteorological Department, different areas received different quantity of rain. The officials recorded 333 millimetres rainfall at the Mithi, 312 mm at Saplo in the suburb of Chachar.

Cabinet for early release of abducted Pakistani boys

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Cabinet appealed for the release of 30 Pakistani boys who are being held by the Taliban in Afghanistan, Geo News reported. The cabinet also demanded that the Afghan government take steps to secure their release.

Pak-Iran gas pipeline to be completed by 2014: Iranian FM

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran on Thursday reaffirmed determination to complete mega project of Gas Pipeline by 2014 as construction was already underway on Iranian side.

President assures flood victims govt’s support in rehabilitation

NAWABSHAH: President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday assured flood victims of Sindh, government’s fullest support for food, shelter and relief and vowed to rehabilitate them at the earliest.

SC orders govt to appoint chairman of commission on missing persons before 26th

ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court has showed its annoyance over delay in chairman’s appointment of the commission constituted for search of missing persons and asked the government that why it could not induct head of the committee so far. The court instructed Additional Attorney General that appointment of chairman should be made before 26 September.

Implement the constitution for God’s sake otherwise army will have to come: CJP

KARACHI: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has remarked constitution be implemented for God’s sake otherwise army will have to come.

Kishenganga project: Pakistan submits additional information to CoA

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has submitted additional information and comments to the Court of Arbitration (CoA) at The Hague (Netherlands) on Kishenganga Hydro Electric Plant.

Dengue virus erupts, several new cases make situation worse

LAHORE: Dengue virus is on the rampage in Punjab where Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif Thursday directed the concerned authorities to purchase medicines and machines on emergency basis for elimination of dengue virus.

PML-N tables adjournment motion in NA against increase in power tariff, faulty PIA aircrafts

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League (N) on Thursday submitted adjournment motion regarding increase in the electricity tariff and three incidents in last 36 hours involving PIA ATR-42 Aircrafts in which two has been developed engine fault and one got fire.

UK wanted Asif Ali Zardari to send ISI chief to India

WASHINGTON: Britain had pressed President Asif Ali Zardari to send ISI chief Ahmad Shuja Pasha to India following the 2008 Mumbai attacks but the Pakistani Army had vetoed the move, WikiLeaks has indicated.

CM Punjab for coping with Dengue virus in effective manner

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that all out efforts are being made for saving the people from dengue virus. The deadly outbreak would be controlled through collective efforts, cooperation of people and consultation of experts.

No new unit added; power shortfall hits 3300MW

LAHORE: Electricity shortfall has climbed to 3300 MW as no new addition could be made to the national grid and as a result the energy crisis has worsened and loadshedding increased across the country.

17 die in floods, lightning

ISLAMABAD: Ongoing flood killed at least 17 in Noushehro Feroz, Badin, Sanghar and Hyderabad.

Japan grants $88,175 for construction of primary school in FATA

ISLAMABAD: The Government of Japan decided to extend financial support of US$ 88,175 (approx. Rs 7.4 million) to the Learning Awareness and Motivation Programme (LAMP) for Construction of Primary School in Raziq Kalay, Khyber Agency, FATA.

Foreign Minister Hina receives Iranian counterpart

ISLAMABAD: The Iranian Foreign Minister is on a two days visit to Islamabad to lead the Iranian delegation to the 18th Session of the Pakistan-Iran Joint Economic Commission. The Pakistan’s Finance Minister Mr. Hafiz Sheikh is leading the Pakistan delegation to the Joint Commission.

Pak soldier killed by Indian forces in Kashmir

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani soldier was killed by shots fired by Indian forces across the disputed border in Kashmir, a private TV channel reported on Thursday.

APML’s ‘open letter’ to Chief Justice LHC on dengue situation

LAHORE: All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) has written an ‘Open Letter’ to Chief Justice Lahore High Court seeking attention of the court on alarming situation regarding dengue fever in Punjab.

Rehabilitation of Kohistan’s flood affectees: Rally blocks KKH over govt‘s slackness

ABBOTTABAD: Thousands of people from across Kohistan region converged onto Dassu and blocked the Karakorum Highway protesting against the government’s complete failure to help rehabilitate the people and areas of Kohistan devastated by the 2010 floods.

Malik meets Iranian Foreign Minister

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik met Iranian Foreign Minister Dr Ali Akbar Salehi. The meeting was held in a very cordial atmosphere in which mutual relations and matter of bilateral interests were discussed.

Sanaullah rejects news of Rs 2 billion ransom by Shahbaz Taseer’s kidnappers, assures his safe release

LAHORE: Punjab’s law minister Rana Sanaullah has strongly rejected news of Shahbaz Taseer’s kidnappers demanding Rs 2 billion for his release, and has assured of his safe release.

Parliamentary body approves regularization of 2 out of 6 SHC additional judges

ISLAMABAD: Parliamentary Committee constituted for appointment of judges in superior judiciary has accorded approval to regularise 2 out of 6 additional judges of Sindh High Court (SHC) and it will take decision regarding regularization of remaining 4 judges today.

Committee met here Thursday under its chairman senator Nayyar Hussain Bokhari in parliament house to review the recommendations sent by Judicial Commission (JC).