The Nation News

At least 5 people killed, 4 injured in US drone strike in North Waziristan

Agencies — Sun, 27 May 2012 21:13:22 PDT

At least five people were killed and four others were injured in a U.S. drone strike in North Waziristan in the wee hours of Monday, a private TV reported. According to the report, the strike came at about 1:00 a.m. (local time) when a U.S. drone targeted a house and a vehicle in Mir Ali area of North Waziristan, one of the seven semi-autonomous tribal areas along Pakistan- Afghanistan ...

No constitutional bar on dual nationality

Agencies — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Sunday said there was no restriction on dual citizenship in the country’s constitution.Speaking in a private television programme, he said he was in favour of expatriates getting right to vote and becoming members of the parliament. There should be a debate on the issue of dual citizenship and the parliament should decide the issue ...

Imran declares legal war on Gilani

Syed Danish Hussain — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

ISLAMABAD - Announcing to move Supreme Court against national assembly speaker’s ruling on PM Gilani’s qualification on Monday (today), PTI chief Imran Khan has asked the masses to join him transforming Pakistan into a land of prosperity and justice.Addressing a mammoth gathering, majority of them youth, at historical Liaquat Bagh on Sunday evening Imran Khan advised rulers to bow to ...

Drone strikes ‘absolutely essential’, says Panetta

Special Correspondent — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

NEW YORK - “We want a fair price,” US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said Sunday while rejecting Pakistan’s demand for $5,000 for every truck that carries NATO supplies into Afghanistan across its border.“We’re not about to get gouged in the price. We want a fair price,” Panetta said on ABC’s Sunday news programme ‘This Week’.Panetta described ...

Subsidy to be slashed by 60pc

Salman Abduhu — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

LAHORE - Resolution of energy crisis that curtailed country’s economic growth for last few years, is expected to be one of the main themes while subsidy for power consumers would be reduced by 60 per cent in upcoming Federal budget 2012-13.Financial experts said that government will introduce energy sector reforms including announcement of subsidy target of Rs 120 billion, which is less ...

Yaum-e-Takbeer today

Our Staff Reporter — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

LAHORE - Yaum-e-Takbeer is being celebrated across the country today to mark the 15th anniversary of successful nuclear explosions by Pakistan carried out in response to India’s just two weeks earlier.Pakistan became a declared nuclear power on May 28, 1998 when it successfully carried out five nuclear tests at Chaghi, Balochistan. The day is marked with great passion to remember the ...

MQM unveils Rs36tr shadow budget

Maqbool Malik — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

ISLAMABAD - With all the ‘ifs and buts’ about implementation of its proposal, Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM), PPP's important coalition partner, unveiled a shadow Federal budget of Rs 36.1 trillion for the year 2012-2013 here on Sunday.The proposal presented by MQM Deputy Convener and Parliamentary Leader, Dr. Farooq Sattar and scores of other party MPs at a well-organised media ...

Three killed in Quetta blast

Bari Baloch — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

QUETTA - Three persons were killed and eight others sustained injuries Sunday in a remote-controlled bomb attack in the provincial capital outskirts.The bomb planted underneath a donkey cart went off seconds after a van of New Sariab Police Station passed by, killing a rickshaw driver, two owners of donkey carts and their two donkeys. The donkey carts were blown into pieces while the rickshaw was ...

Shahbaz sees no difference between drone hits, terror

Our Staff Reporter — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

LAHORE - Calling for an end to drone attacks, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday said there was hardly any difference between terrorism and these air raids, as innocent people lost their lives in both cases. Talking to senior political editor of a leading German daily Der Tagesspiegel, Ingrid Muller here, the chief minister said that US should offer an apology on the killing of ...

Speaker defends ruling on PM

Agencies — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

BADIN – National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza has said that her decision against referring the case of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to the election commission is based on requirements of justice.She was bitterly criticised by the opposition at her ruling, saying she did not act impartially as required by her office and merely followed the dictates of her party boss ...

Stay away from politics, Fazl to army

Our Staff Reporter — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

QUETTA - JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that the establishment was creating hurdles in the way of JUI-F, adding that if transparent elections were conducted JUI-F would emerge as the biggest party in the country.“The indifferent attitude of the establishment has forced Baloch youth to move to mountains and wage war for their rights,” he said while addressing the ...

Two more bodies recovered at Gayari

Agencies — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

SIACHEN - Rescue teams recovered two more bodies on Sunday from the site of an avalanche that buried 140 people at a high-altitude army camp more than seven weeks ago on Sunday. Earlier, body of soldier Mohammad Hussain was recovered on late Saturday night.According to ISPR, the search operation for soldiers and civilians buried under the avalanche continued on Sunday. The identities of the ...

Fauzia Wahab in critical condition

Our Staff Reporter — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

KARACHI - Pakistan People’s Party leader Fauzia Wahab has been shifted to intensive care unit (ICU) of a private hospital in Karachi, after she developed complications following a surgery.Fauzia, who had earlier undergone a surgery two days ago in which her gall bladder was removed, was admitted to Orthopaedic and Medical Institute Saturday night. According to PPP media cell, the ...

PML-N won’t let rulers ridicule courts: Nawaz

Agencies — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

LAHORE - PML-N President Nawaz Sharif has said his party will not allow the rulers to violate the constitution and make a mockery of the apex court’s verdicts.Talking to PML-N Punjab’s Joint Secretary Rana Sajid Iqbal and other party workers here on Sunday, he said it is incumbent upon everyone to show respect to judiciary and implement its decisions but the PPP men have made ...

19 Pakistani pilgrims wounded in Iraq bombing

AFP — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

FALLUJAH - A roadside bomb in Iraq's Anbar province wounded 19 Pakistani Shia pilgrims on Sunday, police and a doctor said. "A bus carrying Pakistani pilgrims was targeted by a roadside bomb at around 4:00 pm (1300 GMT) on the highway to Baghdad" from Fallujah, Anbar police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Taher Kitab told AFP. The attack wounded the driver of the bus and 18 ...

No meeting between Kayani, Anthony: ISPR

Online — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

RAWALPINDI - The Army has rejected the notion of any meeting between COAS Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and the Indian defence minister in Singapore’s Sigari-la conference. An ISPR statement has strongly rejected Indian media reports that Gen Kayani would be meeting the Indian Defence Minister AK Anthony in Singapore’s June 1st Sigari-la dialogue moot, as baseless and ...

MQM activist, two others mowed down in City

Our Staff Reporter — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

KARACHI - Two people, including an activist of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, were killed in the ongoing spree of violence in the metropolis on Sunday.Body of man was recovered from Memon Society, Lyari. Identified as 28-year-old Shahid, son of Zikariya, a resident of Nippier area, the victim was kidnapped from Lea Market in Kharadar area when he went there to meet one of his friends on Saturday. ...

KMC team leaves for Thailand to lure investors

Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

KARACHI - KMC Administrator Muhammad Hussain Syed on Sunday left for Thailand on an official visit. According to a statement, the administrator and nine other KMC officials left for Bangkok, where they would meet Japanese government officials and businessmen. The KMC administrator and his team would hold meetings with Japanese investors for joint ventures in development ...

Zardari condoles on demise of Bushra’s father

NNI — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

KARACHI - President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed grief and sorrow on the demise of father of MNA Bushra Gohar, Col Ali Gohar Khan. In his message of condolence, the president while expressing his grief prayed to Almighty Allah to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and to give courage to the bereaved family to bear this loss with fortitude.

Global polio eradication faces funds paucity

APP — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

KARACHI - Despite the dramatic drop in polio cases last year, the threat of continued transmission due to funding and immunization gaps has driven the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) to launch an Emergency Action Plan.Full implementation of the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is currently hindered by a critical funding gap of nearly US$1 billion through 2013, said a communication ...

Commissioner takes notice

APP — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

KARACHI - Commissioner of Karachi, Roshan Ali Shaikh has taken strong notice of the demolition of a wall of Anjuman Tarraqi e Urdu’s office in the city by members of a land mafia. Sources associated with commssioner of Karachi office on Sunday said Roshan Ali Shaikh has ordered immediate re-erection of the boundary wall, surrounding the office premises. He has also asked ...

Women role pivotal for nurturing generations

NNI — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

KARACHI - Under the dynamic leadership of Sindh Minister for Youth Affairs Syed Faisal Ali Sabzwari, the Inspiring Leadership, Empowerment and Development in Youth (iLEAD) organised “Active Women Walk” from DA Recreational Park to Floating Ship, Main Sea View Road. Women from different walks of life participated in the event. Minister for Youth Affairs Faisal ...

MQM observes 22nd anniversary of Pakka Qila tragedy

Our Staff Reporter — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

KARACHI – The Muttahida Qaumi Movement on Sunday observed the 22nd anniversary of the Pakka Qila operation paying rich tributes to its martyred party workers. Fateha was offered for the martyred workers at special ceremonies organised across the country by the MQM.The main gathering was held at Lal Qila ground in Azizabad, in which MQM Coordination Committee deputy onveners Anis Ahmed ...

Citizens say no to rallies, strikes

APP — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

KARACHI - Karachiites have called for imposing ban on shutter-down and rallies taken out in the city. Talking to APP they urged the concerned authorities to ensure that rallies taken out under one or the other pretext, if unavoidable, must be restricted to specifically designated areas. “This is prerequisite for our safety,” said Mrs. Khalida Qaiser, a banker. People from ...

Cloud computing emergeing as cutting-edge tech

Our Staff Reporter — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

KARACHI - “Local and multinational companies have realized the importance of cloud computing as emerging and cutting-edge technology and are adopting it at a fast pace to expand with minimum investment and space.”This was stated by Engr. Farrukh Nizami, IT Head, CTTP, while speaking at a the seminar on “Cloud Computing” held on Sunday, organised by the Computer Engineering ...

Rs3,314m budget approved for FY 2012-13

Our Staff Reporter — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

KARACHI - The Karachi University (KU) syndicate has approved a budget of Rs3, 314 million for the fiscal year 2012-13. Rs2, 645 million will be demanded from the Government. KU increased PhD allowance by Rs10, 000, Chairmanship allowance by Rs5000 and Deanship allowance by Rs6000.KU syndicate met under the chairmanship of Prof. Dr Muhammad Qaiser. During the meeting, the finance department ...

Kids contract Hepatitis A before six, says research

APP — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

KARACHI - Ninety six percent children in Pakistan contract Hepatitis A before the age of six years due to contaminated water.As per a research report published by Macter International contaminated water consumed by people, pertaining to all age groups, is a major cause of Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E.Hepatitis E was identified as a major threat for pregnant women makin it necessary that they are ...

President chairs meeting on law and order today

INP — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

KARACHI - President Asif Ali Zardari would chair a meeting on deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi today (Monday).The meeting called by President Asif Ali Zardari in the wake of failing law and order situation would be attended by Chief Secretary Sindh, DG (Rangers) Inspector General Sindh police and high officials of other departments. Sources said that IG Sindh Police ...

MQM against Sindh’s division

AFP — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

KARACHI - The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) does not want division of Sindh and it will continue to play its role for the province’s unity and for promoting harmony among the people of the province, said Saleem Shahzad, a member of MQM’s coordination committee.Addressing a gathering of party workers in Tando Allah Yar, he said the Muttahida Qaumi Movement is struggling ...

N to move SC against NA Speaker’s ruling

Our Staff Reporter — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

LAHORE - The PML-N on Sunday decided to file a constitutional petition in the Supreme Court of Pakistan to challenge National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza’s verdict in favour of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. The PML-N MNA Khawaja Muhammad Asif, with the permission of the party leadership, will file a petition in the Supreme Court on Monday (today) under Article 184(3) of the ...

Nato strike kills 6 Afghan children

AFP — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

KABUL - A Nato air strike killed a family of eight, including six children, when it hit their home in eastern Afghanistan, local officials said on Sunday.President Hamid Karzai, who is a fierce critic of civilian deaths attributed to Nato forces, immediately ordered an investigation into Saturday night's incident in Paktia province, his office said in a statement. "Eight people, a man, his wife ...

DPC leaders united to block Nato supplies restoration

Our Staff Reporter — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

KARACHI – JI Pakistan Chief Syed Munawwar Hassan said that the DPC was prepared for the defence of country’s ideological and geographical boundaries, here on Sunday.Eminent leaders of the political and religious parties addressed the workers convention held here at New M.A Jinnah Road near Islamia College under the aegis of DPC against the proposed restoration of Nato supply routes to ...

4 coalition troops killed

AFP — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

KABUL - Four Nato soldiers have been killed in bomb blasts in southern Afghanistan, the International Security Assistance Force said Sunday. The soldiers died "following separate improvised explosive device attacks" on Saturday, ISAF said in a statement, without providing further details or the nationalities of the victims.The latest deaths take the toll among Nato troops in Afghanistan this ...

US drone attack in NWA kills 5

Agencies — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

MIRANSHAH - A suspected US drone attack in North Waziristan has left at least five people dead and two others injured. The drone strike took place in the town of Mir Ali late on Sunday night, security officials said. Reports suggest that a house located in an area called Khuskhel was targeted in the drone attack. The house was struck by four missiles, the officials said.

Iran to launch new nuclear project

AFP — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

TEHRAN - Iran is to build a new nuclear power plant, alongside its sole existing one in the southern city of Bushehr, by early 2014, state television reported on Sunday, quoting the head of the country's Atomic Energy Organisation."Iran will build a 1,000-megawatt nuclear power plant in Bushehr next year," the television quoted Fereydoon Abbasi Davani as saying. He was referring to the ...

‘Pakistan was a N-power in 1983’

Sikander Shaheen — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan had acquired nuclear technology in 1983 and was capable of conducting full-scale nuclear explosions on a week notice but the fast unfolding developments in the region kept the country away from becoming a nuclear power till it finally happened in 1998.Veteran nuclear scientist and architect of Pakistan’s nuclear programme Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan said this during a detailed ...

Lawyers threaten movement to oust unconstitutional PM

Our Staff Reporter — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

LAHORE - Lawyers from across the Punjab, at a convention here on Sunday, said Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani should step down immediately as he is holding the office of the prime minister in violation of the Constitution. A convicted prime minister has no justification to stay on, and in case he did not quit, the lawyers will be constrained to launch a movement against him, they said in a declaration ...

Registered Afghan refugees to get visa after 2012

APP — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

QUETTA- Registered Afghan refugees living in Pakistan will get visa after 2012 under a policy while the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in collaboration with the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan has been making efforts in this regard.According to a press release issued by the UNHCR Balochistan here on Sunday, this was said in a workshop ‘Refugee Protection and ...

6 militants killed in Orakzai operation

Our Staff Reporter — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

ORAKZAI AGENCY - At least six militants along with a key commander were killed while two others sustained injuries in a clashes with security forces in Upper Orakzai here on Sunday.According to details, the security forces were on their routine patrolling when suddenly militants attacked them from two sides at Dabori area, some 68 km in the north of Gheljo, the headquarters of Upper Orakzai ...

Norway raises Kashmir issue at Geneva HR Council meeting

INP — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

GENEVA/OSLO - Norway has raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir at the 13th session of the Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group which is being held in Geneva (from May 21st to June 4th) during which the next group of 14 States will have their human rights records examined under this mechanism. The group of States to be reviewed by the UPR working group ...

No harm in meeting Musharraf, says Shujaat

INP — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

LONDON - PML-Q Chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has said that his party backs National Assembly Speaker Fehmida Mirza’s decision about disqualification of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani as MNA.He also said that the Prime Minister’s stance of not filing an appeal against conviction is also correct. Talking to a private TV channel at the Pakistan High Commission in London, ...

Armyman killed in Nowshera blast

Our Staff Reporter — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

NOWSHERA - A security personnel died and five others including a captain sustained injuries in a remote control bomb blast at Rashakai area of district Nowshera on Sunday.According to details, a convey of security forces was on its way to Nowshera from Swat, when it reached Sherin Koto area on main Mardan-Nowshera road, a remote control bomb planted by unidentified miscreants exploded hitting a ...

Pakistani student makes headlines in Turkish media

Online — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

ISLAMABAD - A student of Pak-Turk School Peshawar has mesmerised the entire Turkey by singing the immortal songs of legendary singer (late) Ahmet Kaya.Arsalan Naseer has become a hot topic in Turkish masses, social and mainstream media. Some newspapers have published headings like “Ahmet Kaya is not dead; he is living in Pakistan”.Class 10 student Naseer is among 12 Pakistani ...

Justice Iftikhar in London to receive award

Online — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

LONDON - Chief Justice Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry Sunday arrived here to receive International Jurists Award 2012 for his contributions to the justice administration at two-day International Jurists Conference. International Council of Jurists (ICJ) has organised the conference that would cover wide range of topics from judicial reforms to role of jurists in nuclear ...

Speaker’s ruling victory of democracy: Bilour

Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

RAWALPINDI - Minister for Railways Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour has said that Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza’s decision about a reference is a victory for democracy and the Parliament. In a statement on Sunday, the minister said that the Speaker had proved that the Parliament is a supreme forum. He said the Speaker National Assembly gave a decision in favour of ...

Centre urged to announce special package for KP

Our Staff Reporter — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

PESHAWAR - Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) ex-president Senator Haji Ghulam Ali on Sunday urged the federal government to announce a special incentives package for industrial development of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Fata and Pata. Speaking at a function held at Tribal Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry (TACCI), he said that KPK government during the last four years ...

"4 terror-hit schools reconstructed in Bajaur

Our Staff Reporter — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

PESHAWAR - In order to improve the educational standard and provide better learning environment to the students of conflict-hit areas, the political administration has accelerated the pace of infrastructure development in Bajaur Agency by rehabilitating four state-run schools in various areas of the agency. A total of 650 chairs, tables, 18 ceiling fans, 12 cupboards and other necessary ...

Hafeez briefs PM on budget relief plans

Our Staff Reporter — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

ISLAMABAD - Federal Finance Minister Dr Abudl Hafeez Sheikh has briefed Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on the decisions of the National Economic Council and the government decision to give maximum relief to the masses in the next budget, which would likely to be tabled before the National Assembly on June 1. In a meeting at the Prime Minister House on Sunday, the Federal Finance Minister ...

"Wasa starts Nullah Leh cleaning to cut flood risk

INP — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

RAWALPINDI – Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) has started cleanliness of Nullah Leh at 11 different points on its own resources by releasing Rs 5 million to reduce possible flood risk in coming monsoon season. Half of the portion of Nullah Leh was cleaned at the cost of Rs47 million last year but rest of the cleanliness and dredging of the said nullah was stopped due ...

Street crimes make Pindi insecure

APP — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:00 PDT

RAWALPINDI - The residents of Rawalpindi are concerned with the prevailing insecurity due to street crimes and other criminal incidents in various parts of the city. The increasing incidents of street crimes, car lifting and mobile and purse snatching are the major concern for Pindiites and they demand the high authorities to take notice of the situation. Talking to APP on Sunday, the ...