All Pakistani News

Pakistan Beauiful Actress Humaima Malik Wins Lux Award For Best Actress of Pakistan

Khalid — Thu, 17 May 2012 06:32:10 +0000

Humaima Malik has already proved herself as one the youngest best actress of Pakistan who has beaten famous international big wigs of Bollywood such as Shilpa Shetty, Frieda Pinto and Shabana Azmi at London Asian film festival award. She has continued to maintain her decorum as young talented actress by winning ‘Best actress at Lux Award 2011’ unanimously.

No other actress could compete the standards that she has set through her amazing acting skills in Shoaib Mansoor’s ‘Bol’. She has made her point very clear that your talent could also recognize internationally, if you work at a good project and show brilliant talent. She is not only an actress with pretty face but also won hearts through her mind blowing acting. Bold yet talented, charming and beautiful, Humaima has made Pakistan proud again at national as well as at international level.

Consumers to Pay Rs63b for Govt Inefficiencies (Pass The Parcel)

Khalid — Thu, 17 May 2012 06:17:34 +0000

Decisions taken by the government in the energy sector have been inefficient and piled up huge dues, to cover this huge backlog of funds the federal cabinet has decided to charge electricity consumers extra and collect Rs63 billion.

The government will use these funds to pay interest against debt instruments – a move taken to reduce the circular debt – and compensate independent power producers.

The decision was taken by the federal cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, on Wednesday. The cabinet allowed issuance of five-year Terms Finance Certificates – an instrument used to raise money – to raise Rs82 billion for easing the circular debt. The government will pay Karachi Interbank Offered Rate (Kibor 12.5% plus 0.5%) that bring the interest rate payment to Rs10.7 billion per annum and Rs53.3 billion for five years. This amount will be recovered from electricity consumers.

As elections approach, experts argue that the government is desperate to resolve the energy crisis without addressing core issue.

The government has resorted to ad-hoc measures instead of taking on the root cause of circular debt, which is difference between cost of electricity generation and end consumer, currently Rs4.05 per unit, according to Finance Secretary Abdul Wajid Rana’s latest statement in a parliamentary committee.

The Finance Secretary had told the committee that the government will not bear the cost of TFCs. Rana said TFCs will be issued by Central Power Purchasing Agency and help release Rs300 billion in the system, largely to address the circular debt.

The PPP-led government has given Rs1.3 trillion in power subsidies in four years of its rule, a figure that is expected to reach Rs1.6 trillion by the end of this fiscal year, according to finance ministry estimates.

In another decision, the federal cabinet endorsed a decision of Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet in which it decided to recover Rs8.3 billion annually from electricity consumers through monthly utility bills for payments to independent power producers (IPPs) against their idle generation capacity because of non-availability of fuel.

The decision has been taken despite serious reservations shown by Secretary Finance Abdul Wajid Rana. Secretary Finance recorded his dissenting note in the decision, saying the financial impact of the decision was enormous and also feared that it could increase government’s subsidies if National Electric Power Regulatory Authority refuses to pass on this burden onto consumers.

The move was strongly backed by oil lobby representatives who have strong influence as many aides occupy top slots in Planning Commission, according to a source.

Experts fear that idle capacity payments to IPPs may end up like the Rental Power Plants scandal in which they made billions of rupees on account of idle capacity payments without producing a single unit in many cases. According to the decision, Rs674 million will be paid monthly to IPPs against their idle capacity for 15 months. The idle capacity remains out of reach due to non-availability of fuel because of non-resolution of circular debt. The decision will take effect from September 2011.

According to the summary, in return of idle capacity payments the IPPs will not call sovereign guarantees. The government defaulted on Rs18.5 billon sovereign guarantees on May 9, for the first time in the country’s history, and the IPPs delayed legal proceedings after the government promised to get a favourable decision from the ECC.

World XI tour of Pakistan Postponed (Cricket)

Khalid — Thu, 17 May 2012 05:57:34 +0000

The organisers who had earlier confirmed the arrival of a World XI to play two matches in Pakistan have postponed the two Twenty20s and will now work with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on revised dates.

Sindh Sports Minister Dr Mohammad Ali Shah, in association with the US-based company Xtreme Sports, roped in renowned current and former cricketers for the matches scheduled for May 25 and 26.

The cricketers who the organisers claimed to have confirmed included former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya, Justin Kemp, Charl Langeveldt, Paul Adams, Andre Nel, Richard Levi and Jerome Taylor.

The organisers requested the PCB to allow the matches to take place at the National Stadium Karachi (NSK)
and also sanction the national team. The event, according to the organisers, would have created a soft image of the country which has been facing a drought of international cricket since March 2009.

However, the PCB refused to be part of the plan that late in the day and said that hosting international cricketers was a huge task which needed careful planning. The officials went on to request the organisers to postpone the series, a move that has been confirmed by Shah.

“We want our national team to take on the World XI,” said Shah in a statement. “It is also the demand of the sponsors that a second-string side should not be involved. The matches will now be held after the tour of Sri Lanka that ends on July 13. The tentative dates are July 14 and 15 but it will be finalised after consultation with the PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf.”

Organisers wanted no tiff with the PCB

However, according to an organiser who played an effective role in the planning of the matches, the organisers took the decision after the PCB changed its stance.

“The PCB, after looking at the potential in the event, wanted a role in the matches,” the official told The Express Tribune. “Earlier, the company approached the PCB before going to Dr Shah to arrange these matches but they refused. We were left with no choice but to postpone as the PCB is the game’s governing body in the country and we don’t want any tiff with it but want to host these matches in a befitting manner.”

The organisers, meanwhile, are hoping that they will be able to convince the foreign players over the new schedule.

“We had done our homework and had confirmed their participation. Now, hopefully, the players that we confirmed earlier will be able to fit in the new dates in their schedule.

Earlier, the board felt that a lot of time was needed to make appropriate arrangements and it was not possible to sort things out in a short time. Even the national players are busy on the given dates which forced the postponement of the scheduled matches.”

US to Pay $365 Million More a Year for Nato Supply

Khalid — Thu, 17 May 2012 05:43:27 +0000

The cost of the US-led war effort in Afghanistan is about to rise by $365 million annually under an agreement that would reopen a key NATO supply route through Pakistan that’s been closed for nearly six months, The Christian Science Monitor reported.

The accord, which the Pakistani government announced late Tuesday, would revive the transport of vital supplies of food and equipment from Pakistani ports overland to land-locked Afghanistan.

In return, the US-led coalition will pay Pakistan a still-to-be-fixed fee of $1,500 to $1,800 for each truck carrying supplies, a tab that officials familiar with negotiations estimated would run nearly $1 million a day. The officials requested anonymity because they weren’t authorized to reveal details of the agreement.

In return, the US is asking Pakistan to provide security for the supplies, which are trucked through the country by private local transport companies, and much speedier clearance of customs and checkpoints.

The NATO traffic in and out of Afghanistan through Pakistan is anticipated to be as many as 600 trucks a day between now and the end of next year.

In a major climb-down, Pakistan dropped its demand that Washington apologize for the deaths due to the November raids. There was also no agreement to end controversial strikes by American drone aircraft against suspected militants in Pakistan’s tribal area, as demanded by a cross-party resolution of Pakistan’s Parliament.

ISAF Commander sees Positive Signs for Pak-US Relationship

Khalid — Thu, 17 May 2012 05:37:27 +0000

The top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan pointed to indications today that Pakistan is preparing to open cross-border NATO supply lines into Afghanistan.

Speaking by video teleconference, Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, commander of the International Security Assistance Force, told the sixth annual 2012 Joint Warfighting Conference he would welcome the move as well as improved relations with Pakistan for the stability of the region.

“There have been in the last several days, some very important signals coming out of Islamabad that there is a consideration to re-open the ground lines of communication, and we, frankly, would welcome that, we would applaud that decision,” Allen said. “It would, in fact, be helpful to us if the ground lines of communication were opened, not just because of what could flow into Afghanistan but what could flow out of Afghanistan.”

Relations between ISAF and Pakistan have been strained since a November 26 engagement near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border left 24 Pakistani soldiers martyred. Pakistan closed ISAF ground supply lines into Afghanistan in response. Allen noted the closing of the routes has not affected the ISAF mission.

“I will tell you the effect of the closure of that route on the campaign has not slowed us at all,” he said. “The air bridge into Afghanistan and the flow of materiel across the Northern Distribution Network were modulated in a way that continued to support the campaign in every operational respect.”

He said there has been a general review by the Pakistani Parliament of relations with the United States and some “very hopeful signs”.

Allen also said Pakistan has “paid a great price” in fighting terrorism on its own soil. “I have to take a few minutes to honor the sacrifices of the Pakistani military who have fought across the border from us against their own insurgent elements.”

Pakistani casualties in just the last two years, Allen said, far exceed ISAF casualties in the entire 10 years of the Afghan war. “The numbers of their troops that have been wounded by IEDs, the civilians who have been killed by suicide bombers – the price has been very high in Pakistan as well,” he said. “And often, that has been overlooked.”

There have been occasions when ISAF and Pakistan have conducted “coordinated operations” along the border for a common interest in security, although “there haven’t been any for a couple years now,” he said.

“So I would say that over the next several months, we may well see, between ISAF and the Afghan national security forces and the Pakistani military, an ability to work very closely to ensure that we can coordinate operations along the border,” Allen said, ensuring an avoidance of any new cross-border incidents.

Allen said he believes there could “conceivably” be coordinated operations between ISAF, Afghanistan and Pakistan to ensure “a stable, peaceful and secure Afghanistan.”

“My hope is, in the weeks and months ahead, we can leverage all of that opportunity for common ground, both to improve the relationship at a policy level, but certainly to improve the military to military relationship as well,” he said.

Nasir Jamshed out of Sri Lanka Series

Khalid — Thu, 17 May 2012 05:21:27 +0000

Fast-rising opener Nasir Jamshed was Wednesday ruled out of Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka after fracturing a finger on his left hand.

The 22-year-old, who hit a brilliant one-day hundred against arch-rivals India in the Asia Cup in Dhaka two months ago, injured his finger during a club match, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said.

Jamshed, only named in the one-day squad for Sri Lanka, has been advised to take four to six weeks’ rest by the medical team and the PCB said a decision on a replacement will be announced in due course.

Pakistan will play two Twenty20s, five one-day internationals and three Tests on their tour of Sri Lanka starting early next month.

Pakistan announced separate squads for all three formats last week, with Mohammad Hafeez taking over as Twenty20 captain for the first time.

Misbah-ul Haq, who also lost his Twenty20 place, will lead the team in one-dayers and Tests.

Ex Haq Parast Nazim Among 11 Killed (Karachi Violence)

Khalid — Thu, 17 May 2012 05:06:51 +0000

Violence in the city continued on Wednesday as 11 more people, including an ex-Haq Parast Nazim and a woman were killed in different areas.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) activist and ex Haq Parast Nazim Khursheed Iqbal was laid to rest in Malir Kala Board area amid tears and sobs.

Hundreds of the party workers, friends, neighbors and family members participated in his funeral. Saeed and Mujeeb were gunned down by unidentified people in Baldia Town.

25 year old Rizwana’s tortured dead body was found from New Karachi’s sector C-5. Hasnain Malik was killed in a firing incident occurred in Orangi Town sector 15.

A cracker attack at Quaidabad area of the city left one dead and seven injured.

Three passengers received injuries as gunmen opened fire on a bus in Gulistan-e-Jauhar.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Cabinet Holds Police FC Responsible for Failure (Bannu Jail Break)

Khalid — Thu, 17 May 2012 05:02:03 +0000

In light of the inquiry committee report on the Bannu jail break, the special cabinet meeting of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government held police, Frontier Corps (FC) and the Bannu civil administration, along with both federal and provincial intelligence agencies, collectively responsible for failure.

“The cabinet agreed to the report of the inquiry committee,” K-P Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain said during a media briefing after the cabinet meeting on Wednesday. The meeting declared 25 officials and related staff as Officers on Special Duty (OSD) with immediate effect.

Clarifying the decision, Mian Iftikhar said that declaring the 25 officials OSD was a technical prerequisite to suspend them along a departmental basis. Those declared OSD in the meeting will be suspended through their respective departments today (Thursday) after they have been served show cause notices to fulfill all technical aspects of the case. The departments will be directed to carry out further disciplinary action against those held responsible.

Regarding officials held responsible belonging to the centre he said a report will be sent to the federal government mentioning the concerned officers as incapable of performing their duties.

According to Iftikhar, despite receiving intelligence reports from the centre and the Special Branch some four months before the jail break, the concerned authorities could not fulfil their responsibilities. The report also gave a deplorable account of the Bannu Jail control room’s performance. The control room officers did not notify authorities until at least two hours into the incident.

The provincial information minister further said the report had brought certain cases regarding official appointments and postings in law enforcement agencies to the fore. Giving details, he said merit was often ignored in the agencies and many officers lost interest in their duties due to long overdue stays in their stations. It was suggested that all employees apart from those belonging to Class-IV, should be appointed in districts not native to them. He added that these suggestions will be acted upon.

Iftikhar said a new high-security prison for high-profile detainees will be set up in two years. In the meantime, he added, the cabinet has decided to return inmates from other provinces in various K-P jails to their respective provinces.

Supreme Court Orders to Transfer Pakistan Steel Mills corruption case to NAB

Khalid — Wed, 16 May 2012 06:23:29 +0000

The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) has announced the verdict in a suo moto case regarding an alleged corruption of Rs 26 billion in the Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) Wednesday, News reported.

The verdict was announced by Justice Tariq Pervaiz.

While announcing the judgement, the court expressed complete dissatisfaction over the investigations conducted by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and ordered to transfer the case to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

The apex court ordered the NAB chief to carry out investigations under his supervision and to conclude the case in three months. The SC also ordered to cancel the bail of accused in the case.

During the verdict, the SC issued contempt of court notice to Interior Minister Rehman Malik on constituting a new investigating team in PSM corruption case without court’s consent.

The court has directed him to respond in two weeks.

On March 15, a three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, reserved judgement in this regard.

In the last hearing, the SC had ordered Industries Secretary Gul Muhammad Rind to come up with an explanation about why had his ministry failed in taking timely action on a forensic audit report (2008-09) that identified cumulative losses of Rs 26.5 billion suffered by the PSM in one year. Rind told the bench that after receiving the FIA’s report they would decide about sending it to the NAB.

The CJP said that the audit report had proved massive corruption in the PSM, adding that the case could only be send to NAB, which would take action against those responsible and recover the plundered money.

He said, “It was your responsibility to send the cases to NAB. To establish good governance is the duty of the government.”

The court reserved its judgement after the Ministry of Production secretary said they had not yet decided to refer the case to NAB.

Indian Premier League (IPL) Match Fixing Exposed Five Players Suspended

Khalid — Wed, 16 May 2012 06:13:20 +0000

The Indian Premier League’s (IPL) Governing Council on Tuesday, suspended five players from cricket, who were caught in a TV channel’s sting operation for their alleged involvement in spot-fixing.

IPL chairman, Rajiv Shukla made an announcement on Tuesday evening and briefed the media. These players are suspended pending an inquiry.

TP Sudhindra (Deccan Chargers), Amit Yadav (Kings XI Punjab), Abhinav Bali, Mohnish Mishra (Pune Warriors) and Shalab Srivastava (Kings XI Punjab) are the suspended players. Apart from Sudhindra and Mohnish, the other three players haven’t played in this year’s IPL.

IPL Governing Council members and BCCI officials had a teleconference for over six hours on Tuesday and arrived at this decision.

“The Governing Council has recommended to BCCI President, strong possible action to those who are found guilty or suspicious (in spot-fixing) in TV report. After that conversation, there are other matches which are not of IPL in the TV report, they will also be referred to BCCI. A preliminary inquiry will be conducted by Ravi Sawani, who is heading BCCI’s anti-corruption unit,” Shukla said.

“Pending inquiry, the five players are suspended from all cricket activities with immediate effect. There names are TP Sudhindra, Amit Yadav, Abhinav Bali, Mohnish Mishra and Shalab Srivastava. We will await the report of the preliminary inquiry and proper action will be taken only after that,” Shukla added.

The IPL Governing Council has acted after India TV channel claimed to have exposed these players in spot-fixing through a sting operation on Monday.

The channel claimed it had done a sting operation in which many players confessed on hidden camera they get much more than their prescribed auction under the table.

According to the channel, its operation also revealed that spot-fixing is not only prevalent in IPL but also that first class matches are fixed and women played an important role in match-fixing.

Superstars of Indian cricket and even an international player, who is a captain of one of the teams, are involved in fixing the matches, the channel said in a statement.

Asked about the sting operation, BCCI chief N Srinivasan said, “We will ensure that the integrity of the game is protected. BCCI believes in the integrity of the game. We will take the strictest possible action. We will have to have the tapes and the moment we see it, whoever is the player, we will take very very strict action.”

“If there is any truth in it… It is a fact that we will take strictest action. Even if it means suspending the player immediately. But (that has to be) based on some evidence and fact, for which I have asked the COO of IPL Sundar Raman to request for the tape,” he said.

All Pakistani News

Pakistan Beauiful Actress Humaima Malik Wins Lux Award For Best Actress of Pakistan

Related Links

Consumers to Pay Rs63b for Govt Inefficiencies (Pass The Parcel)

Related Links

World XI tour of Pakistan Postponed (Cricket)

Related Links

US to Pay $365 Million More a Year for Nato Supply

Related Links

ISAF Commander sees Positive Signs for Pak-US Relationship

Related Links

Nasir Jamshed out of Sri Lanka Series

Related Links

Ex Haq Parast Nazim Among 11 Killed (Karachi Violence)

Related Links

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Cabinet Holds Police FC Responsible for Failure (Bannu Jail Break)

Related Links

Supreme Court Orders to Transfer Pakistan Steel Mills corruption case to NAB

Related Links

Indian Premier League (IPL) Match Fixing Exposed Five Players Suspended

Related Links