Afghanistan’s neighbours reach security agreement

ISTANBUL: More than a dozen countries in the volatile region around Afghanistan have reached a security agreement that emphasizes non-interference in the troubled country’s affairs, in a diplomatic push to prevent proxy wars and state partition as NATO troops withdraw.

Dr Qadeer defends PML-N

ISLAMABAD: Dr Abdul Qadeer, a renowned scientist, has said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) neither possesses a team nor a party, hence can’t bring about a revolution. 

Cabinet approves MFN status to India

Islamabad: The Federal Cabinet has approved to give India the status of “Most Favourite Nation” (MFN) by declaring that government policy on Kashmir would not be changed.

Pakistan, Afghanistan agree on installation of bio metric system

ISTANBUL: Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed upon installation of biometric system on borders by the end of this month.

Mohmand Agency: 2 security personnel killed in a check post attack

Mohmand Agency: At least 2 security personnel killed and 2 other injured in a militant attack on a check post.

2 more die of dengue in Lahore

LAHORE: At least two more patients of dengue died in Lahore while death toll has reached 261.

Power tariffs likely to surge

ISLAMABAD: Power tariffs are expected to surge once again by Rs. 1.77 per unit on request by Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA). The power tariffs will be raised for the month of September, media reported on Wednesday.

Chinese officials brief Imran on poverty alleviation, population control

Beijing: On the second day of the PTI delegation’s China visit, a visit to Chairman Mao’s mausoleum was arranged. The delegation also met with officials specifically dealing with poverty alleviation, population control and discipline (anti corruption measures).

2 killed, 2 injured in Turbat bomb blast

QUETTA: At least two persons were killed and two sustained injuries when remote control bomb exploded near Frontier Corp’s convoy here in Turbat on Wednesday.

KP govt to challenge swelling power tariff

Peshawar: Provincial government has rejected the enhancing power tariff and has decided to move the court against the increase of electricity prices.

Pak-Egypt must enhance cooperation in various fields: Naek

ISLAMABAD: The Acting President Farooq H. Naek, has stressed the need for further strengthening multi-faceted bilateral relations between Egypt and Pakistan.

NA body discusses pace of development projects in GB

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on Kashmir-Gilgit Baltistan Affairs discussed pace of developmental works in Kashmir-Gilgit Baltistan and affairs regarding Atta Abad Lake.

Ministers’ absence irk ‘aggravated Senators’

ISLAMABAD: Senators of both treasury and opposition benches have strongly protested over absence of ministers, declaring it as a strong underestimation of esteem of House.

Pak needs to act on Taliban from its side of border: US

Washington: At a time when the US is supporting a reconciliation effort in Afghanistan, Pakistan needs to focus on the Taliban on its side of the border by both signalling its support to the talks and squeezing down the militants, the State Department has said.

No possibility of premature elections: Liaqat Baloch

JAHANIAN: Central General Secretary Jamaat Islami Liaqat Baloch said on Wednesday that there is no possibility of premature elections in the country.

One killed in Peshawar blast

Peshawar: At least a man was killed and a dozen others wounded in an explosion in a busy market here on Wednesday, officials said.

Differences over Law officials’ appointment: AG Punjab resigns

LAHORE: Advocate General Punjab, Khawaja Haris has resigned on Wednesday due to differences with the Punjab government over issue of Law officials’ appointment.

Farzana seeks world support for achievement of BISP’s objectives

ISLAMABAD: The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) has proved to be highly effective programme for poverty alleviation and women empowerment considering its efficiency, technology based operations and transparency; the programme ought to be replicated in the other countries of the world as well.

Experts stress convergence of Pak-US interest in region

ISLAMABAD: Speakers at a conference have urged Pakistan and US to put their act together for regional peace as soon as possible.

Additional police contingent deployed in I-11 animal bazaar

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Traffic police have deployed additional police contingent in sacrificial animal bazaar in sector I-11 to make smooth traffic flow.

32 contract employees deprived of salaries

RAWALPINDI: The thirty-two contract employees of Medical college and Allied hostels are deprived of salary for last three months.

Private schools fleecing people

ISLAMABAD: Private School’s Administrations are looting the innocent people with both hands by increasing fees.

Common men just dreams to buy dry fruit

ISLAMABAD: The prices of dry fruits has become beyond the reach of a common man with the advent of winter season in twin cities.

As rain turned the weather in Rawalpindi and Islamabad the demand for dry fruits has increased to a marked extent.

However, with the increasing demand, the prices have also gone up beyond the reach of low income groups as apart from regular shop-keepers in the important markets of the twin cities the dry-fruit vendors have significantly hiked the prices.

Encroachment in Aabpara market irks visitors

ISLAMABAD: Encroachment and illegal car parking in Aabpara and Melody market is creating intense inconvenience for the visitors.

Raid at gambling den, 7 held

RAWALPINDI: Rawalpindi police raided at the gambling den in jurisdiction of Saddar police station and arrested seven gamblers and seized gambling money from their possession, here on the other day.

NH&MP creating road safety awareness: IG

ISLAMABAD: Zafarullah Khan, Inspector General, National Highways & Motorway Police, has said that NH&MP is creating road safety awareness among masses.

KP govt cancels Eid holidays of police, paramedical staff

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has cancelled Eid vacations of law enforcing agencies including police, Rescue 1122 and paramedical staff.

PM approves promotions of 15 officers in BS-20

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has approved the recommendations of the Central Selection Board for promotion of 15 Officers in BS-20 from BS-19.

Criminal Procedure Amendment bill-2011 approved

ISLAMABAD: Senate standing committee on law and justice has unanimously approved Criminal Procedure Amendment Bill-201.

Mohammad Amir, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif all guilty in Pakistani spot-fixing trial

Pakistan cricketers Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif were convicted Tuesday of fixing parts of a test match in the most serious corruption scandal to hit the sport in more than a decade.

Pakistan denies spying on German forces in Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani officials on Monday rejected a German newspaper report that the country’s secret service spied on German security forces in Afghanistan, media reported.

Alliance with Nawaz Sharif possible if he declares real assets: Imran Khan

LAHORE: Chief Pakistan Tehreek-I-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan said that alliance with Nawaz Sharif is possible if he would declare his real assets.

ECP completes 99pc electoral rolls verification process

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan(ECP) has completed an important stage of preparation of accurate, error-free computerized Electoral Rolls in collaboration with NADRA as 99 percent nationwide verification process has successfully been completed.

Country stepping back rather than moving forward: CJP Iftikhar Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has remarked Pakistan is stepping back rather than moving ahead despite being a nuclear state.

Nusrat Bhutto, symbol of courage: Kaira

ISLAMABAD: Information Secretary of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Qamar Zaman Kaira has said that ‘mother of democracy’ Nusrat Bhutto was martyred as cause of her demise was not physical.

Promotion of 85 bureaucrats okayed

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has approved the recommendations of the Central Selection Board for promotion of following officers belonging to the Services/Groups.

PM extends old design note of Rs.500 for next year

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister (PM) Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has approved the date of exchange of old design note of Rs.500 for further one year.

Govt announces two Eid holidays

ISLAMABAD: Federal government has announced 2 holidays on the occasion of Eid ul Azha.

Trilateral moot on Afghanistan opens today

Istanbul: The sixth trilateral summit to find a peaceful and everlasting solution of the Afghanistan issue will be held here today (Tuesday).

Lawyers to observe Black Day on 3rd Nov

ISLAMABAD/JAHANIAN: Lawyers’ Community would stage protest and observe Black Day throughout the country against Musharraf’s unconstitutional acts on 3rd of November, 2007.

Pak-US dialogue on water crises tomorrow

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan-US strategic dialogue with the focus on water crisis will be held in Islamabad on Wednesday (tomorrow).

Zardari bigger dictator than Musharraf: Sherpao

ISLAMABAD: Former interior minister and chief of PPP (S) Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has said Asif Zardari is bigger dictator than Pervez Musharraf and he has failed to deliver democracy pledged by him.

My hands are clean in RPPs case: Pervez Ashraf

ISLAMABAD: Former minister for water and power Raja Pervez Ashraf has said Rental Power Projects (RPPs) were initiated during Faisal Saleh Hayat tenure and his hands are clean on this count.

Zardari doing trade instead of politics: Chaudhry Nisar

Islamabad: Opposition leader in National Assembly and leader of PML(N) Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan has said that President Asif Zardari is carrying out trade instead of politics to save his rule.

Deadly dengue takes 3 more lives: toll pushed to 280

LAHORE: The death toll caused by killer dengue fever mounted to 280, as at least three more people were killed at the hand of the disease on Monday, media reported.

PML-N, PML-LM leaders to meet again after Eid

ISLAMABAD: No headway has been made in the third round of talks between PML-N and PML Like-Minded and leaders of both the parties will meet after Eid ul Azha to finalise the matters.

Nusrat Bhutto, symbol of courage: Kaira

ISLAMABAD: Information Secretary of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Qamar Zaman Kaira has said that ‘mother of democracy’ Nusrat Bhutto was martyred as cause of her demise was not physical.

Minister escapes unhurt in militants’ attack

KOHAT: Provincial minister Amjad Khan Afridi escaped unhurt Monday when Taliban militants opened fire on his vehicle in the country’s troubled northwest, officials said.

Quetta railway employees go on strike against corruption

QUETTA: The railway employees in the provincial capital city here went on a strike protesting against acute financial crisis due to alleged astronomical corruptions in railway that has delayed departures of all the trains to upcountry.

Protest rally in Karachi against attacks on PML-N offices

KARACHI: Hundreds of PML-N workers staged a protest in front of Karachi Press Club on Monday against the torching of their offices in different cities of Sindh in recent days.