The Nation : Politics News

Three killed in Hangu car blast

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0600

Three persons were killed in remote-controlled bomb blast in Jora Ghandi area of Hangu on Saturday. The blast completely wrecked the vehicle killing three persons travelling in it,a private reported.

Five killed due to old enmity in Chak Jhumra

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0600

Five persons were killed in shootout to settle old enmity in Chak Jhumra area of Faisalabad on Saturday, a private TV reported.

Babar Awan meets UN General Assembly president

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0600

The visiting Federal Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Senator Babar Awan, on Thursday discussed the current situation in Pakistan with UN General Assembly Miguel d�Escoto when he called on the 192 member body chief. The minister thanked the President for his role in the process that led to the posthumous conferment of the UN Human Rights Award on Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, according to a press release of the Pakistan Mission to the U.N. He also expressed condolences to the

US House okays $1.5 billion assistance for Pak

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0600

The U.S. House of Representative approved on Thursday a $ 48.8 billion State and Foreign Operations bill that authorizes $ 1.519 billion in assistance for Pakistan in the fiscal year 2010, beginning October 1. On the same day, Senate Appropriations Committee also passed its own version of the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations measure that provides $ 1.57 billion in aid for Pakistan in 2010 financial year. The differences in versions of the two chambers are to be worked out

Six security men killed in Bajaur, Zhob attacks

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0600

Six security men were killed in attacks over check posts in Bajaur tribal region and Zhob area of Balochistan. At least four security men were killed in militants attack at a check post in Khar, the chief town of Bajaur tribal region. The militants raided a Levies Force check post in Khar on Friday morning killing four security men, sources said. Meanwhile, in Warsala area of Zhob in Balochistan, militants attacked a security post this morning killing a security person on the spot

Nato for operation in Balochistan too

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0600

ISLAMABAD - Nato on Thursday said that either Pakistan was already carrying out a military operation against militants in Balochistan bordering southern Afghanistan or would be doing so in line with ongoing action on the other side of the border.
�We are trying to dry up the breathing line of the militants by intensifying our engagements in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan. And I think Pakistani government and the armed force are doing or will be doing the same in

IDPs can go home from 13th

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0600

ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the military had cleared Malakand Division and the returning process of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their homes would start from July 13.
�The government has achieved the targets of military operation and the return of IDPs will start on July 13. However, the military will stay in Swat to counter militancy, as still black sheep could be present in the area. Military Cantonments will be constructed in Malakand

Public enraged at POL Ord

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0600

ISLAMABAD/LAHORE/KARACHI - The Presidential Ordinance raising prices of petroleum products stunned the people throughout the country on Thursday, triggering brawls and clashes at various filling stations and leading to protests against the government.
With the promulgation of the late-night Presidential Ordinance of imposing Petroleum Development Levy instead of Carbon Tax, suspended by the apex court, the prices of petroleum products immediately shot up in the market.
The

A bitter pill again

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0600

LAHORE - The reversal of petroleum prices to those of July 7 resuscitating the old nomenclature through a Presidential Ordinance has soured taste of the fruit which the people were enjoying after it had been borne by the Apex Court only two days ago by way of slashing carbon tax.
Almost everyone chatting with this scribe bewailed over the govt decision. Many were pensive that the two steps taken in opposite direction in a quick succession by two different organs of the State on

Parliament supreme: PM

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0600

ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said �I have resolved to protect the institutions instead of securing my office. I want the supremacy of the Parliament. We respect the decision of the Supreme Court but carbon surcharge on petroleum products was passed unanimously in the Parliament.� Answering questions while addressing a Press conference here on Thursday, the Prime Minister made it clear that the President released Petroleum Development Levy Ordinance on his advice. �We

IMF rules the roost

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0600

ISLAMABAD - Succumbing to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) pressure, the government again increased the petroleum prices in order to save its credit line from the Fund including existing standby loan of $7.6 billion and request for another $4.5 billion.
The relief given to masses after the Supreme Court�s suspension of carbon tax, proved to be short-lived as the government early Thursday morning re-imposed the same amount of tax on petroleum products by changing its name

ANP wants Fata merger into NWFP

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0600

PESHAWAR - Awami National Party President Asfandyar Wali Khan has expressed satisfaction over the ongoing military action against Taliban militants.
He was briefing the media persons after chairing the ANP Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting on Thursday.
The committee discussed the current political and economic situation in the country in detail.
He said that according to his information most of the hideouts and compounds of the militants had been destroyed or

Some 'elements' out to harm Sino-Pak ties

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0600

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan on Thursday said that some �elements� wanted to harm Pak-China relations and damage the interests of old friendly nations but Islamabad and Beijing would not allow them to succeed.
Answering a query at his weekly press briefing about the ongoing unrest in northwestern Chinese city of Urumqi and Pakistan�s position on the issue, the Foreign Office Spokesman Abdul Basit said that China was the all-weather friend of Pakistan. �There are some �elements� which are

Five FC men die in mine blast

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0600

QUETTA - At least five personnel of Frontier Corps were killed and five wounded in a landmine explosion in Marwar area on Thursday while six people injured in two different bomb blasts in Sibi and Quetta.
According to reports reaching here, FC personnel were patrolling the Marwar area when their vehicle hit a landmine laid by unknown militants.
The landmine exploded and killed five security personnel and wounded five others. The injured were shifted to nearby hospital for

Zardari seeks access to world markets

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0600

ISLAMABAD - President Asif Ali Zardari Thursday said that Pakistan�s economy was hit hard by almost a decade-long global war on terror in the region and inside the country, and asked the world to give access to its products in the US and European markets to help the country meet the challenges of poverty and unemployment.
�Our economy has been bruised by the war against militancy,� Spokesperson to the President quoted him as telling the British Foreign Secretary David Miliband,