Showing posts with label Pakistan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pakistan. Show all posts
Sunday, 11 May 2014
Wednesday, 16 April 2014
PM calls urgent meeting on national security
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has called an urgent meeting of the cabinet committee on national security on Thursday at PM House, official sources told Dawn.com on Wednesday.
Federal ministers for defence, interior, information and adviser on national security have been invited to attend the meeting.
Chairman joint chiefs of staff committee, three services chiefs, DG IB, DG ISI are also expected to attend the meeting.
“Latest developments with regard to government, Taliban peace talks would come under consideration,” said a cabinet source.
Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan would brief the participants about the latest situation of the dialogue process between government and the Tehreek-i-Taliban including demands of the umbrella militant group.
The cabinet source said that recent Afghan elections and the impact of its result would also come under consideration.This is the first time in last one month that civil and military leadership would face each other after tension rose between them due to statements of few cabinet members against the military establishment.
Federal ministers for defence, interior, information and adviser on national security have been invited to attend the meeting.
Chairman joint chiefs of staff committee, three services chiefs, DG IB, DG ISI are also expected to attend the meeting.
“Latest developments with regard to government, Taliban peace talks would come under consideration,” said a cabinet source.
Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan would brief the participants about the latest situation of the dialogue process between government and the Tehreek-i-Taliban including demands of the umbrella militant group.
The cabinet source said that recent Afghan elections and the impact of its result would also come under consideration.This is the first time in last one month that civil and military leadership would face each other after tension rose between them due to statements of few cabinet members against the military establishment.
No more extention in ceasefire,warns TTP
ISLAMABAD: The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Wednesday said that they would not be extending the ceasefire, the group’s spokesperson Shahidullah Shahid said.
The reason for this, they claim, is the lack of progress from the government’s side regarding the Taliban’s demands.
The central council of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan will not be extending the ceasefire, the TTP spokesman said in a statement.
The Taliban had earlier declared a month-long ceasefire on March 1, 2014, and later extended it for ten more days. The extended ceasefire expired on April 10, 2014.
The reason for this, they claim, is the lack of progress from the government’s side regarding the Taliban’s demands.
The central council of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan will not be extending the ceasefire, the TTP spokesman said in a statement.
The Taliban had earlier declared a month-long ceasefire on March 1, 2014, and later extended it for ten more days. The extended ceasefire expired on April 10, 2014.
PPP tells Faisal Raza Abdi to quit senate seat
ISLAMABAD-Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has demanded of Faisal Raza Abdi to resign as senator, a private news channel reported on Wednesday.
PPP leader Pervaiz Ashraf conveyed the message from party leadership to Abidi who is known for his bold and brazen discussions various talk shows.
The report added that the decision was taken after much consultations among the party leaders and their chief Asif Ali Zardari.
PPP leader Pervaiz Ashraf conveyed the message from party leadership to Abidi who is known for his bold and brazen discussions various talk shows.
The report added that the decision was taken after much consultations among the party leaders and their chief Asif Ali Zardari.
PM Nawaz, Zardari meet up to discuss army, PPO, peace talks
Their meeting comes against the backdrop of the tensions between the country's civilian and military leaderships.
Both leaders also discussed the ongoing operation in Karachi and other matters of mutual interest besides reviewing dialogue process with Taliban.
Earlier, both leaders held delegation-level talks and discussed the country’s political situation.
Federal ministers Ishaq Dar and Zahid Hamid assisted the prime minister and senior PPP leaders, including Khurshid Shah and Mian Raza Rabbani, accompanied Asif Ali Zardari.
Hamid briefed the meeting on the Protection of Pakistan Bill while a member of from the government side, Fawad Hassan Fawad, briefed the PPP delegation on the latest situation in the dialogue with the Talban.Wednesday’s was one of the very few meetings between the two leaders since Zardari’s departure from the presidency.
It also comes a day after PPP Senator Farhatullah Babar extended his party’s support to the PML-N government against any “undemocratic adventurism”.
Unpaid dues: Saudi aviation authority threatens to stop PIA flights
KARACHI: Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) warned the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) of halting all flights in case unpaid dues were not cleared by the national airliner by April 17.
According to the notification, sent by Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation , PIA flights will be stopped from April 17 onwards if the dues were not paid.
Sources said that the dues owed to the Saudi aviation also include 500,000 riyals from year 2005.
PIA has been suffering losses worth billions since many years and its accumulated dues have been on the rise. The national airline had recorded cumulative losses of Rs141 billion from 2002 to 2012.
The PIA had also suffered financial losses to the tune of Rs401 million in Hajj operations 2012.
According to the notification, sent by Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation , PIA flights will be stopped from April 17 onwards if the dues were not paid.
Sources said that the dues owed to the Saudi aviation also include 500,000 riyals from year 2005.
PIA has been suffering losses worth billions since many years and its accumulated dues have been on the rise. The national airline had recorded cumulative losses of Rs141 billion from 2002 to 2012.
The PIA had also suffered financial losses to the tune of Rs401 million in Hajj operations 2012.
Sunday, 13 April 2014
34 hashish-selling tribesmen released
KHYBER AGENCY:34 tribesmen were released on Sunday by militants who abducted them from Khyber Agency’s Tirah Valley, DawnNews reported.
Sources said that 40 tribesmen were kidnapped from the opium and hashish selling “grand fair” Saturday from the Haider Kando area of Tirah Valley.
The militants also took away hundreds of kilograms of cannabis and hashish from the area, said the sources.
They added that Sheikmal Khel sub tribesmen of the Qamberkhel tribe were segregated from the others and were taken away by the militants.
At least six tribesmen are still held captive by militants.
According to unofficial sources, the number of kidnapped tribesmen is close to 100 and they had been picked up for their involvement in the drug trade.
Security forces also conducted a search operation in the area to rescue the men, according to the sources.
Other sources claimed that the release of the abductees was made possible through the efforts of tribal elders.
A lush green forested, snow-bound valley, Tirah has long served as one of the smuggling routes between Pakistan and Afghanistan and is approximately an hour's drive away from Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Friday, 4 April 2014
Taliban dictatorship not acceptable: Bilawal Bhutto
GARHI KHUDA BAKHSH: Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Friday that Taliban are deceiving in the name of negotiations, adding that his party won’t bow before savages, Dunya News reported. Addressing a public gathering in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh on the occasion of 35th death anniversary of party’s founder Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Bilawal said that those who termed Quaid-e-Azam as ‘Kaafir-e-Azam’ are being negotiated with today. He said that those who level allegations against PPP are politicking over children’s dead bodies. He alleged that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif only issued statements and made promises when he came to Tharparkar, claiming that Prime Minister’s team stopped aid of drought affectees. He said the nation is at a point of history right now where uncertainty prevails and every heart is filled with fear. “Terrorists want to take away our identities and existence,” he said, adding that people are asking for way from blind in the name of negotiations. “What did we do that history is not willing to forgive us?” he asked the audience. He said that the country is facing the crises today because the nation buried the man thirty five years ago that was akin to light for nation. “Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was a philosophy and ideology; he was the man upon whom the poor relied,” he said. Bilawal said that it was his grandfather who transformed the country into an atomic power. He said that he is worried seeing Punjab as held hostage in the hands of terrorists, adding that this wouldn’t be the case if Z.A. Bhutto was alive. Pakistan needs a Bhutto once again today, he said. Lamenting at the privatization scheme of government, Bilawal said that nation’s house is being auctioned in the name of privatization, adding that no one even thought of taking the nation into confidence. Pakistan’s assets are capital of nation’s poor people, he said, adding that the nation will not be thrown in unemployment. Our nation has built these assets after making several sacrifices, he added.
“If government cannot run the country, does this mean we should sell it?” He asked. Bilawal asked what price Pakistan has to pay for friendly money paid by friendly country. He said those who want to rob the country in the name of privatization are not friends. He said the government has left the nation as professional beggars. Bilawal said that his party is descendant of martyrs, adding that dictatorship of Taliban will not be tolerated. Several Jiyalas (party workers) are confronting terrorists even today, he added. He said that his party’s government will not remain silent on demolishing of temples unlike Punjab government. Harming and burning minorities’ worship places is not Islam, he said, adding that the army is honourable and not anyone’s private property. He said that it is not wise to muddle in others’ war. Bilawal kept chanting “Khappay khappay Bhutto Khappay” slogan which literally means “Bhutto needed.”
“If government cannot run the country, does this mean we should sell it?” He asked. Bilawal asked what price Pakistan has to pay for friendly money paid by friendly country. He said those who want to rob the country in the name of privatization are not friends. He said the government has left the nation as professional beggars. Bilawal said that his party is descendant of martyrs, adding that dictatorship of Taliban will not be tolerated. Several Jiyalas (party workers) are confronting terrorists even today, he added. He said that his party’s government will not remain silent on demolishing of temples unlike Punjab government. Harming and burning minorities’ worship places is not Islam, he said, adding that the army is honourable and not anyone’s private property. He said that it is not wise to muddle in others’ war. Bilawal kept chanting “Khappay khappay Bhutto Khappay” slogan which literally means “Bhutto needed.”
Wednesday, 19 March 2014
Supreme Court instructed inquiry into UK Journalist home Qabaz by judge
LONDON: Justice Tasdiq Gillani, Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Pakistan 
instructed an enquiry into the Qabza group run by Safdar Bhatti additional session judge Lahore. An official at Supreme Court of Pakistan, Human Rights Cell told senior British Journalist Dr Shahid Qureshi that his home Qabza case by Safdar Bhatti has been referred to the District and Session Judge Lahore for enquiry and submit report with two weeks on 10th March 20014’. Supreme Court case reference number is: 4354 – E-2014.The case was presented to the Justice Tasdiq Gillani, Chief Justice Supreme of Pakistan who instructed director of human rights cell at the Supreme Court to immediately instruct District and Session Judge Lahore to submit report on the matter within two weeks. A senior District and Session Judge head the human rights cell.
While speaking on a British Radio program News26 on Friday 14th March 2014, Shafqat Choan President Lahore High Court Bar Association said, ‘I will take up this matter with Chief Justice Lahore and expose this additional session judge Safdar Bhatti’. All the relevant documents have been sent to the Lahore High Court Bar Association Secretary Mohammad Ahmad. Mr Ahmad said, ‘It will be discussed in the bar meeting’
Family of Senior British journalist rented his house (built in 2004) on the request and guarantee of Safdar Bhatti to his close friend Javeed Iqbal Hashmi and his younger brother Mukthar Bhatti signed as a guarantor on the tenancy agreement which was duly submitted to the Johar Town Police Station as required by the law and terrorist threat.
Since Mr Safdar Bhatti moved in the area in 2006 cases of land grabbing and Qabza group activities skyrocketed as reported in Pakistani media.
While speaking to senior journalist Dr Shahid Qureshi Senator Zafar Ali Shah senior vice president of PML-N said: ‘I will raise this matter in the Senate as question the government of Punjab to submit a report immediately
Shafqat Mahmood MNA also told Dr Shahid Qureshi that: ‘he would submit question in the National Assembly as an urgent matter and problem overseas Pakistanis are facing due to the criminal activities of these groups”.
Dr Ashraf Chohan former MPA also submitted a question on the issue in Punjab Assembly. Dr Chohan strongly condemned this qabza by additional session judge Safdar Bhatti in ARY TV Channel popular show Khara Such with Mubashar Luqman (pure truth) aired on 4th March 2014.
Earlier on HE Wajid Shasulhassan , High Commissioner of Pakistan in London also wrote to the Governor of Punjab Mohammad Sarwar but these qabza mafias are too strong for a Governor and CM Punjab?
It is to be noted that President British/Pakistan lawyers association and legal advisor Pakistan Journalist Association UK Barrister Amjad Mailk referred this case to the Chief Justice Supreme Court of Pakistan on behalf of the Dr Shahid Qureshi.
Sunday, 16 March 2014
Rs7m spent on ex-CJ’s temporary residence
ISLAMABAD: After his retirement last December, former Supreme Court chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has comfortably settled into a government house next to his old official residence for six months. However, what is disturbing is that the renovation and maintenance work done at his ‘temporary’ abode has cost over Rs7 million.
According to official details of renovation and maintenance at the residence of the former CJ available with Dawn, the amount has been spent on the purchase of new furniture, bathroom fittings, curtains, wooden floor and rugs.
Just the purchase of new furniture cost Rs1.6m and renovation of bathrooms ran up a bill of Rs1.4m.
The ex-chief justice, who retired on Dec 11, left his former official residence and was given house No 12 in the Judicial Enclave, where a judge of the apex court was residing.
According to official details of renovation work, Rs1.6m was spent on the purchase of new furniture, Rs1.4m utilised on renovation of bathrooms, Rs0.6m on bathroom fittings, Rs0.27m on whitewashing, Rs0.75m on purchase of new curtains, Rs0.15m on supply of new rugs, Rs0.6m on construction of a shed, Rs0.35m on laying of wooden floor, Rs0.35m on purchase of floor tiles, Rs0.25m on roof treatment and Rs0.2m on purchase and fixing of marble slabs.
It has been learnt that some of the work is still in progress and the details of these expenses will be known later.
The opposition has already obtained information about what it termed ‘extravagance’ committed in the name of maintenance and brought the matter to the notice of parliament.
An inside source said the former CJ, who gave a number of historical decisions during his five-year term in office, asked for renovation and maintenance work in his present official residence soon after he shifted his family there.
The order was conveyed to the Pakistan Public Works Department (Pak PWD), which is responsible for maintenance work in many government buildings, including the Prime Minister House, the Presidency, Supreme Court building, Ministers’ Enclave and Judicial Enclave.
However, a senior official of the Pak PWD, under whose domain the Judicial Enclave fell, refused to carry out heavy maintenance work in the residence. He said he did not have the funds required to meet the expenses of the extraordinary maintenance work.
Later the case was referred to the Pak PWD headquarters and the department’s top brass gave approval for the work.
The Pak PWD Director General, Attaul Haq Akhtar, said he was not aware of any expenditure in the house of the former CJ. He, however, said it would not be around Rs7m. “Normally we carry out petty maintenance work at government houses but not for that huge [an] amount. How is it possible that Rs7m have been spent on the maintenance of a three-bedroom house?”
The DG said whatever amount had been spent on the residence of the former CJ had not been approved by him. “I have neither seen any such estimates nor approved them,” he claimed.
In reply to a query, Mr Akhtar said the former CJ has been provided a house in the Judicial Enclave for six months, for which he was authorised.
Opposition curious
An opposition politician, Senator Farhatullah Babar, said he had sent a question to the Senate Secretariat asking for details of the amount spent on lodging, security and stay of the former CJ in his new house. “We have already invoked parliamentary instruments to find the truth behind reports of extravagance at public expense in massaging the ego of individuals. We will then [raise] the issue in parliament appropriately,” he added.
“One is not surprised given the well-known penchant of the former CJ for protocol, security, pomp and show,” Mr Babar said.
Supreme Court Registrar Dr Faqir Hussain told Dawn he was not aware of the maintenance and renovation work.
The registrar agreed that he would reply to queries on the renovation work if they were e-mailed to him, but was unable to answer them even two weeks after the questions were sent to him.
“I have checked such kind of renovation work at my end but could not find anything. I came to know that all such details would be available with PWD so it is better to contact the PWD people to confirm your report,” the registrar told this reporter.On the other hand, sources said the registrar was fully aware of the work done in the residence of the former CJ because he was coordinating with officials of Pak PWD on the matter.
Information Minister Pervez Rashid, who also holds the portfolio of law, was reluctant to comment on the issue, saying he was not aware of any such renovation and maintenance work.
He, however, said that maybe the condition of the official residence provided to Mr Chaudhry required such a heavy maintenance work. “If such a heavy amount has been spent on that house, even then it would be considered as value addition to an official residence that would be handed over to any other judge after six months’ stay of the former CJ.”
According to official details of renovation and maintenance at the residence of the former CJ available with Dawn, the amount has been spent on the purchase of new furniture, bathroom fittings, curtains, wooden floor and rugs.
Just the purchase of new furniture cost Rs1.6m and renovation of bathrooms ran up a bill of Rs1.4m.
The ex-chief justice, who retired on Dec 11, left his former official residence and was given house No 12 in the Judicial Enclave, where a judge of the apex court was residing.
According to official details of renovation work, Rs1.6m was spent on the purchase of new furniture, Rs1.4m utilised on renovation of bathrooms, Rs0.6m on bathroom fittings, Rs0.27m on whitewashing, Rs0.75m on purchase of new curtains, Rs0.15m on supply of new rugs, Rs0.6m on construction of a shed, Rs0.35m on laying of wooden floor, Rs0.35m on purchase of floor tiles, Rs0.25m on roof treatment and Rs0.2m on purchase and fixing of marble slabs.
It has been learnt that some of the work is still in progress and the details of these expenses will be known later.
The opposition has already obtained information about what it termed ‘extravagance’ committed in the name of maintenance and brought the matter to the notice of parliament.
An inside source said the former CJ, who gave a number of historical decisions during his five-year term in office, asked for renovation and maintenance work in his present official residence soon after he shifted his family there.
The order was conveyed to the Pakistan Public Works Department (Pak PWD), which is responsible for maintenance work in many government buildings, including the Prime Minister House, the Presidency, Supreme Court building, Ministers’ Enclave and Judicial Enclave.
However, a senior official of the Pak PWD, under whose domain the Judicial Enclave fell, refused to carry out heavy maintenance work in the residence. He said he did not have the funds required to meet the expenses of the extraordinary maintenance work.
Later the case was referred to the Pak PWD headquarters and the department’s top brass gave approval for the work.
The Pak PWD Director General, Attaul Haq Akhtar, said he was not aware of any expenditure in the house of the former CJ. He, however, said it would not be around Rs7m. “Normally we carry out petty maintenance work at government houses but not for that huge [an] amount. How is it possible that Rs7m have been spent on the maintenance of a three-bedroom house?”
The DG said whatever amount had been spent on the residence of the former CJ had not been approved by him. “I have neither seen any such estimates nor approved them,” he claimed.
In reply to a query, Mr Akhtar said the former CJ has been provided a house in the Judicial Enclave for six months, for which he was authorised.
Opposition curious
An opposition politician, Senator Farhatullah Babar, said he had sent a question to the Senate Secretariat asking for details of the amount spent on lodging, security and stay of the former CJ in his new house. “We have already invoked parliamentary instruments to find the truth behind reports of extravagance at public expense in massaging the ego of individuals. We will then [raise] the issue in parliament appropriately,” he added.
“One is not surprised given the well-known penchant of the former CJ for protocol, security, pomp and show,” Mr Babar said.
Supreme Court Registrar Dr Faqir Hussain told Dawn he was not aware of the maintenance and renovation work.
The registrar agreed that he would reply to queries on the renovation work if they were e-mailed to him, but was unable to answer them even two weeks after the questions were sent to him.
“I have checked such kind of renovation work at my end but could not find anything. I came to know that all such details would be available with PWD so it is better to contact the PWD people to confirm your report,” the registrar told this reporter.On the other hand, sources said the registrar was fully aware of the work done in the residence of the former CJ because he was coordinating with officials of Pak PWD on the matter.
Information Minister Pervez Rashid, who also holds the portfolio of law, was reluctant to comment on the issue, saying he was not aware of any such renovation and maintenance work.
He, however, said that maybe the condition of the official residence provided to Mr Chaudhry required such a heavy maintenance work. “If such a heavy amount has been spent on that house, even then it would be considered as value addition to an official residence that would be handed over to any other judge after six months’ stay of the former CJ.”
Thursday, 6 March 2014
Army should not become part of govt-Taliban talks: Khursheed Shah
ISLAMABAD: Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah on Wednesday opposing involving the army in negotiations with the Taliban said that they should not become part of the process under any circumstance.
Talking to newsmen at the Parliament House after the PAC meeting, Shah said the government should not involve the army in the dialogue process with the Taliban as only the government itself could go for the dialogue.
"The army is meant to obey the government orders and armed forces involvement in talks with the terrorists will produce a very dangerous result," he said while talking to newsmen at the Parliament House after the PAC meeting.
The opposition leader said the army works under the government, so by involving the army in the dialogue process, the government had admitted that the army was a separate institution not under it. "The army is only included in such a committee in case of a ceasefire with an enemy country after a battle," he said.
However, Shah said he had no objection if a former member of the armed forces participated in the peace talks. "The terrorists are the murderers of 60,000 Pakistanis and it would be unfortunate to see the army sitting with them," he added
Talking to newsmen at the Parliament House after the PAC meeting, Shah said the government should not involve the army in the dialogue process with the Taliban as only the government itself could go for the dialogue.
"The army is meant to obey the government orders and armed forces involvement in talks with the terrorists will produce a very dangerous result," he said while talking to newsmen at the Parliament House after the PAC meeting.
The opposition leader said the army works under the government, so by involving the army in the dialogue process, the government had admitted that the army was a separate institution not under it. "The army is only included in such a committee in case of a ceasefire with an enemy country after a battle," he said.
However, Shah said he had no objection if a former member of the armed forces participated in the peace talks. "The terrorists are the murderers of 60,000 Pakistanis and it would be unfortunate to see the army sitting with them," he added
Federal Minister Inaugurates Pakistan Pavilion at International Tourism show
BERLIN (PR):Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, Muhammad Barjees Tahir inaugurated the Pakistan Pavilion at the World's leading Travel Trade Show, ITB-2014 in Berlin today. Chief Minister of Gilgit Baltistan, Syed Mehdi, Provincial Minister for Tourism,Culture and Youth,Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mehmood Khan, and Adviser to Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan on Culture and Tourism Sadia Danish were also present on this occasion.
Nine Tour Operators from the Private sector alongwith Departments of Tourism,Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan Provinces are participating in this World’s largest trade fair of Travel & Tourism sector.
Talking to the participating tour operators on this occasion, Federal Minister said that there was a need for active marketing of Pakistan’s beautiful landscape and its ancient civilizations to attract tourists from around the world. He said that travel & tourism sector was a key driver for investment and economic growth.The Federal Government has been giving due attention to the development and improvement of infrastructure facilities including road networks and other related services, he added. Mr. Muhammad Barjees Tahir said that since Tourism was a provincial subject, therefore, all the provinces should take necessary steps including development and improvement of various tourist spots in their respective provinces to boost both internal and external tourism in their respective regions.
Federal Minister also held a meeting with the representatives of German Tour Operator,Oriental Tours and exchanged views as how Pakistan could be made attractive destination for German tourists. He informed them that development of Travel & Tourism sector was on the priority agenda of Pakistan Government and various steps were being taken to attract investment and promote this sector.
Managing Director of the Oriental Tours, Ms Andrea Diefenbach said Pakistan has a great potential of tourism and there is a need to improve various industry related facilities including a good network of air/road links and hotel industry to attract the foreign tourists.
Earlier,while talking to Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (WTO),DR.Talib Rifai, the Federal Minister apprised him of various challenges Pakistan had been facing in its fight against terrorism. Dr. Rifai appreciated Pakistan government's efforts that it had been making to put the country on the track of development and prosperity against many odds.
ITB is world’s largest Travel Trade Show held every year in March in Berlin. It provides an opportunity to the participants to learn about new trends, market developments, and to deepen existing business relations. Over 110,000 trade visitors are expected to attend this year’s show besides general public in large number. The Show offers representative overview of travel products from 10147 tourism & related services companies hailing from 189 countries.
Nine Tour Operators from the Private sector alongwith Departments of Tourism,Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan Provinces are participating in this World’s largest trade fair of Travel & Tourism sector.
Talking to the participating tour operators on this occasion, Federal Minister said that there was a need for active marketing of Pakistan’s beautiful landscape and its ancient civilizations to attract tourists from around the world. He said that travel & tourism sector was a key driver for investment and economic growth.The Federal Government has been giving due attention to the development and improvement of infrastructure facilities including road networks and other related services, he added. Mr. Muhammad Barjees Tahir said that since Tourism was a provincial subject, therefore, all the provinces should take necessary steps including development and improvement of various tourist spots in their respective provinces to boost both internal and external tourism in their respective regions.
Federal Minister also held a meeting with the representatives of German Tour Operator,Oriental Tours and exchanged views as how Pakistan could be made attractive destination for German tourists. He informed them that development of Travel & Tourism sector was on the priority agenda of Pakistan Government and various steps were being taken to attract investment and promote this sector.
Managing Director of the Oriental Tours, Ms Andrea Diefenbach said Pakistan has a great potential of tourism and there is a need to improve various industry related facilities including a good network of air/road links and hotel industry to attract the foreign tourists.
Earlier,while talking to Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (WTO),DR.Talib Rifai, the Federal Minister apprised him of various challenges Pakistan had been facing in its fight against terrorism. Dr. Rifai appreciated Pakistan government's efforts that it had been making to put the country on the track of development and prosperity against many odds.
ITB is world’s largest Travel Trade Show held every year in March in Berlin. It provides an opportunity to the participants to learn about new trends, market developments, and to deepen existing business relations. Over 110,000 trade visitors are expected to attend this year’s show besides general public in large number. The Show offers representative overview of travel products from 10147 tourism & related services companies hailing from 189 countries.
Wednesday, 5 March 2014
"Pakistan has tremendous potential for tourism"
BERLIN:Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Mohammad Barjees Tahir has said that Pakistan has tremendous potential for tourism by virtue of its long rich history, cultural diversity, geo-strategic position and captivating landscapes.He was addressing the participants of 4th UNWTO Silk Road Ministers Meeting in Berlin. He said that efforts were under way to improve infrastructure including road network and other related services to boost this important sector of the economy.
Sunday, 23 February 2014
No coexistence with Taliban: Rally led by Altaf Hussain resolves
KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain said in his telephonic address on Sunday that Pakistan’s existence is threatened adding that those who support Taliban are hypocrites and not Pakistan’s friends.
Addressing a rally held in solidarity with armed forces, Altaf Hussain said that external forces have abused Pakistan for their own agendas; world wants to see India playing a role in the region and that India wants to see a disintegrated Pakistan, he claimed. If we’re strong internally, no external power can disintegrate us, he said.
Altaf Hussain said the army should step ahead as it has backing of every Pakistani. Dedicating the rally to martyrs of the country, he said that whoever supports Taliban is a traitor of Pakistan.
Altaf Hussain said that Pakistan’s existence is under threat and isolated among the international community.
Those who slaughter innocent children and blow up schools are beats, he said.
MQM Chief said that these people were brainwashed and funded in the name of Afghan war and that we supported America in the name of cold war. Taliban were meant to be used against Soviet Union, he said while alleging that America used Muslims against Russia.
Assuring the support to Pakistan army, Altaf Hussain said that every Pakistan stands united in support of armed forces. He said that he had warned about the threat of Talibanization years ago adding that his statement about Karachi being infiltrated by Taliban was made fun of.
The rally also approved a resolution that said Taliban and Pakistan cannot coexist.
Taliban terrorists should be severely dealt with; pro-terrorism organizations should be strictly boycotted, he said.
“We term the acts of terrorism as un-Islamic,” he said. “We send tributes to all martyrs who lost their lives in terrorist attacks.”
MQM’s resolution also said that Pakistan is not anyone’s property and that everyone is equal.
Addressing a rally held in solidarity with armed forces, Altaf Hussain said that external forces have abused Pakistan for their own agendas; world wants to see India playing a role in the region and that India wants to see a disintegrated Pakistan, he claimed. If we’re strong internally, no external power can disintegrate us, he said.
Altaf Hussain said the army should step ahead as it has backing of every Pakistani. Dedicating the rally to martyrs of the country, he said that whoever supports Taliban is a traitor of Pakistan.
Altaf Hussain said that Pakistan’s existence is under threat and isolated among the international community.
Those who slaughter innocent children and blow up schools are beats, he said.
MQM Chief said that these people were brainwashed and funded in the name of Afghan war and that we supported America in the name of cold war. Taliban were meant to be used against Soviet Union, he said while alleging that America used Muslims against Russia.
Assuring the support to Pakistan army, Altaf Hussain said that every Pakistan stands united in support of armed forces. He said that he had warned about the threat of Talibanization years ago adding that his statement about Karachi being infiltrated by Taliban was made fun of.
The rally also approved a resolution that said Taliban and Pakistan cannot coexist.
Taliban terrorists should be severely dealt with; pro-terrorism organizations should be strictly boycotted, he said.
“We term the acts of terrorism as un-Islamic,” he said. “We send tributes to all martyrs who lost their lives in terrorist attacks.”
MQM’s resolution also said that Pakistan is not anyone’s property and that everyone is equal.
Tuesday, 18 February 2014
PM‚ COAS discuss security situation of country
ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Islamabad on Tuesday.
On Monday, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Rashad Mehmood and Army Chief Raheel Sharif held separate meetings with Saudi Crown-Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz on Monday.
During the meeting of Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif and Saudi Crown-Prince, regional security was discussed. The leaders also discussed matters regarding the cooperation in defence field between the two countries.
In a separate meeting, CJCSC General Rashad Mehmood discussed the issue of cooperation in the defense sector.
Earlier, Saudi Minister for Information and Culture Dr. Abdul Aziz called on his Pakistani counterpart Pervaiz Rashid in Islamabad.
They discussed prospect for cooperation between the media of two countries.
On Monday, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Rashad Mehmood and Army Chief Raheel Sharif held separate meetings with Saudi Crown-Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz on Monday.
During the meeting of Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif and Saudi Crown-Prince, regional security was discussed. The leaders also discussed matters regarding the cooperation in defence field between the two countries.
In a separate meeting, CJCSC General Rashad Mehmood discussed the issue of cooperation in the defense sector.
Earlier, Saudi Minister for Information and Culture Dr. Abdul Aziz called on his Pakistani counterpart Pervaiz Rashid in Islamabad.
They discussed prospect for cooperation between the media of two countries.
Iran should respect international borders law: Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has emphasized that Iranian forces have no authority to cross the borders in violation of the international law.
Reacting to an Iranian statement that it can send forces into Pakistan to free five border guards abducted by militants‚ Foreign Office spokesperson said the two countries must respect each other s borders.
The spokesperson said Pakistan has already informed the Iranian authorities that Frontier Corps teams have intensively combed the entire region. However‚ it could not verify the entry or presence of these Iranian border guards on its territory.
On Monday, Iran said that it would send forces into Pakistan to free five border guards said to have been kidnapped by militants if Islamabad did not take measures to secure their release.
According to Iranian media reports, the guards were seized on February 6 in the Iranian province of Sistan-Baluchistan by militants who allegedly took them across the border to Pakistan.
"If Pakistan doesn’t take the needed steps to fight against the terrorist groups, we will send our forces into Pakistani soil. We will not wait for this country," Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani-Fazli was quoted as telling the semi-official Mehr news agency.
A Sunni insurgent Iranian group calling itself Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice) had claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, according to a Twitter account purporting to belong to the group. The account s authenticity could not be immediately verified.
The area where the kidnappings took place has a history of unrest, with the mainly Sunni Muslim population complaining of discrimination by Iran’s Shiite Muslim authorities, a charge Iran denies.
Iranian security forces have also fought drug traffickers in the region that borders Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The Iranian armed forces deputy chief of staff was quoted as telling the semi-official Fars news agency that Iran would "show tough confrontation in this case".
"We will have no soft stand in this case and our neighboring country ... should account for its lack of action," Major General Hossein Hassani Sadi told reporters in Tehran on Monday, according to Fars English language website.
Sadi said the guards were still alive, and underlined that "political and military measures are underway to set them free", without elaborating.
Interior Minister Rahmani-Fazli said an Iranian delegation would visit Pakistan on Monday to secure the guards’ release, state news agency ISNA reported.
In October, 14 Iranian border guards were killed and three others captured in the same area in an attack that ISNA said was carried out by Jaish al-Adl.
Sunni Muslim militant group Jundollah, which Iran says is linked to al Qaeda, has claimed a number of attacks and kidnappings since 2003, including a 2010 suicide bombing that killed dozens of people at a Shiite mosque
Reacting to an Iranian statement that it can send forces into Pakistan to free five border guards abducted by militants‚ Foreign Office spokesperson said the two countries must respect each other s borders.
The spokesperson said Pakistan has already informed the Iranian authorities that Frontier Corps teams have intensively combed the entire region. However‚ it could not verify the entry or presence of these Iranian border guards on its territory.
On Monday, Iran said that it would send forces into Pakistan to free five border guards said to have been kidnapped by militants if Islamabad did not take measures to secure their release.
According to Iranian media reports, the guards were seized on February 6 in the Iranian province of Sistan-Baluchistan by militants who allegedly took them across the border to Pakistan.
"If Pakistan doesn’t take the needed steps to fight against the terrorist groups, we will send our forces into Pakistani soil. We will not wait for this country," Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani-Fazli was quoted as telling the semi-official Mehr news agency.
A Sunni insurgent Iranian group calling itself Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice) had claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, according to a Twitter account purporting to belong to the group. The account s authenticity could not be immediately verified.
The area where the kidnappings took place has a history of unrest, with the mainly Sunni Muslim population complaining of discrimination by Iran’s Shiite Muslim authorities, a charge Iran denies.
Iranian security forces have also fought drug traffickers in the region that borders Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The Iranian armed forces deputy chief of staff was quoted as telling the semi-official Fars news agency that Iran would "show tough confrontation in this case".
"We will have no soft stand in this case and our neighboring country ... should account for its lack of action," Major General Hossein Hassani Sadi told reporters in Tehran on Monday, according to Fars English language website.
Sadi said the guards were still alive, and underlined that "political and military measures are underway to set them free", without elaborating.
Interior Minister Rahmani-Fazli said an Iranian delegation would visit Pakistan on Monday to secure the guards’ release, state news agency ISNA reported.
In October, 14 Iranian border guards were killed and three others captured in the same area in an attack that ISNA said was carried out by Jaish al-Adl.
Sunni Muslim militant group Jundollah, which Iran says is linked to al Qaeda, has claimed a number of attacks and kidnappings since 2003, including a 2010 suicide bombing that killed dozens of people at a Shiite mosque
Sunday, 16 February 2014
Taliban likely to announce ceasefire soon
ISLAMABAD :Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) nominated committee’s spokesman Yousuf Shah anticipated that the Taliban will soon announce ceasefire.
He was talking to media on Sunday where he said that the meeting of Taliban shura (council) regarding announcement of ceasefire was underway, however, he added that it could not be specified when the meeting would end.
He further termed it premature to say anything about decisions of the Taliban shura. He informed that Taliban shura is underway, presided over by Qari Shakil, to discuss ceasefire.
He said Taliban will soon announce ceasefire in order to keep the dialogue process going.
The Taliban committee member said they had demanded for a meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and military leadership, however, they had not been given response yet.
Meanwhile, Taliban-nominated committee and government committee for peace talks also had a contact wherein they discussed matters pertaining to ceasefire.
A committee member, requesting anonymity, said a meeting might be called tomorrow (Monday) to reach a final decision on ceasefire issue.
Amid an ongoing peace talks’ between the government and the Taliban, a police van was targeted in a blast on Thursday (February 13) in Karachi, killing at least 13 police personnel. TTP claimed the responsibility of the attack terming it as a revenge activity
He was talking to media on Sunday where he said that the meeting of Taliban shura (council) regarding announcement of ceasefire was underway, however, he added that it could not be specified when the meeting would end.He further termed it premature to say anything about decisions of the Taliban shura. He informed that Taliban shura is underway, presided over by Qari Shakil, to discuss ceasefire.
He said Taliban will soon announce ceasefire in order to keep the dialogue process going.
The Taliban committee member said they had demanded for a meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and military leadership, however, they had not been given response yet.
Meanwhile, Taliban-nominated committee and government committee for peace talks also had a contact wherein they discussed matters pertaining to ceasefire.
A committee member, requesting anonymity, said a meeting might be called tomorrow (Monday) to reach a final decision on ceasefire issue.
Amid an ongoing peace talks’ between the government and the Taliban, a police van was targeted in a blast on Thursday (February 13) in Karachi, killing at least 13 police personnel. TTP claimed the responsibility of the attack terming it as a revenge activity
Saturday, 15 February 2014
Bilawal Bhutto lashes out at the ‘stone-age’ Taleban
KARACHI: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the son of Pakistan’s assassinated premier Benazir Bhutto, on Saturday slammed the Taleban for trying to drag the country back to the “stone-age.”
Addressing a gathering during the closing ceremony of a two-week cultural festival in his home province of Sindh, Bhutto also urged the country to rise up against the threats.
“The Taleban want to impose the law of terror in the country, but I want to tell them, if you have to live in Pakistan you will have to follow its constitution,” he said.
“We don’t accept the law of terrorists” he added. “Some people are trying to bring back the stone-age era in the country in the name of Islam.”
The start of 2014 has seen a surge in militant violence with more than 130 people killed.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government has been under fire from political opponents for failing to mount a strong response to the upsurge in attacks.
The government has for months said it favoured talks with the Taleban but 25-year-old Zardari has spoken in favour of military action against them.
Former premier Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in December 2007 by the Pakistani Taleban after leaving a campaign rally of her Pakistan People’s Party.
Her husband and Bilawal’s father Asif Ali Zardari was president from 2008-2013.
The Taleban’s demands include the nationwide imposition of Shariah law and an end to US drone strikes, conditions the government and army are unlikely to be able to meet.
“The terrorists should think of the time when the whole nation will stand against them,” Zardari added on Saturday in Makli, around 100 kilometres to the north of Karachi.
“We are Muslims and the terrorist groups should not try to teach us Islam.”
Nearly 7,000 people have been killed in the insurgency by the Tehreek-e-Taleban Pakistan (TTP) since it began in 2007, according to an AFP tally.
Stability in nuclear-armed Pakistan is seen as important to neighbouring Afghanistan, where US-led Nato troops are pulling out after more than a decade of war.
Washington has said it is watching the peace talks with the Taleban closely.
It has long been pushing Pakistan to take action against militants using Pakistan’s tribal areas as a base to attack Nato forces across the border.
Addressing a gathering during the closing ceremony of a two-week cultural festival in his home province of Sindh, Bhutto also urged the country to rise up against the threats.
“The Taleban want to impose the law of terror in the country, but I want to tell them, if you have to live in Pakistan you will have to follow its constitution,” he said.
“We don’t accept the law of terrorists” he added. “Some people are trying to bring back the stone-age era in the country in the name of Islam.”
The start of 2014 has seen a surge in militant violence with more than 130 people killed.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government has been under fire from political opponents for failing to mount a strong response to the upsurge in attacks.
The government has for months said it favoured talks with the Taleban but 25-year-old Zardari has spoken in favour of military action against them.
Former premier Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in December 2007 by the Pakistani Taleban after leaving a campaign rally of her Pakistan People’s Party.
Her husband and Bilawal’s father Asif Ali Zardari was president from 2008-2013.
The Taleban’s demands include the nationwide imposition of Shariah law and an end to US drone strikes, conditions the government and army are unlikely to be able to meet.
“The terrorists should think of the time when the whole nation will stand against them,” Zardari added on Saturday in Makli, around 100 kilometres to the north of Karachi.
“We are Muslims and the terrorist groups should not try to teach us Islam.”
Nearly 7,000 people have been killed in the insurgency by the Tehreek-e-Taleban Pakistan (TTP) since it began in 2007, according to an AFP tally.
Stability in nuclear-armed Pakistan is seen as important to neighbouring Afghanistan, where US-led Nato troops are pulling out after more than a decade of war.
Washington has said it is watching the peace talks with the Taleban closely.
It has long been pushing Pakistan to take action against militants using Pakistan’s tribal areas as a base to attack Nato forces across the border.
Friday, 14 February 2014
Blast near Rangers' vehicle in Karachi injures two
KARACHI: An explosion near a Rangers' vehicle in Karachi's Qayyumabad area injured two personnel on Friday, DawnNews reported.
A rescue source said one of the wounded men was wearing the Rangers' uniform whereas the other was dressed in plain clothes.
The wounded were shifted to PNS Shifa hospital for treatment.
A Rangers' spokesman said the explosion had targeted a wing commander of the force who was travelling in the vehicle. He added that body parts, including a head and legs, were found from the site which suggested that the explosion was carried out by a suicide bomber.
The body parts were sent to Jinnah Hospital for analysis and identification.
The targeted vehicle was partially damaged in the blast which was heard from far distances.
Police and Rangers' personnel reached the blast site and cordoned off the area as a probe into the incident went underway.
Earlier during the day, Rangers' personnel had conducted targeted operations in Mullah Essa Goth in the city's Sohrab Goth and Surjani Town's Sector 5-E areas during which several suspects were taken into custody.Around 800 Rangers' personnel, including women, took part in the operations.
A number of weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the arrested suspects.
Saturday, 8 February 2014
Bilawal appreciates MQM Chief
KARACHI:Patron-in-Chief of Pakistan Peoples Party(PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has appreciated and thanked MQM Chief Mr. Altaf Hussain for taking notice of a party official for not following Mr. Altaf Hussain's party line.
He also condemned the killing of MQM worker Mohammed Salman and offered heart felt condolence and sympathies for grieved family. He reiterated that any such killing is not acceptable and the culprits involved must be arrested and punished.
Bilawal also appreciated the action taken by Rabta committee for announcing to end the strike earlier today.
He also condemned the killing of MQM worker Mohammed Salman and offered heart felt condolence and sympathies for grieved family. He reiterated that any such killing is not acceptable and the culprits involved must be arrested and punished.
Bilawal also appreciated the action taken by Rabta committee for announcing to end the strike earlier today.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)