300 CNG stations closed down in Punjab due to non-supply of gas

Islamabad: The All-Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) has said that more than 300 compressed natural gas (CNG) filling stations have been closed in Punjab, while thousands are on the verge of economic failure due to partial supply of natural gas and irrational pricing.

The number of closed down CNG stations have been increasing creating problems for the masses, increasing unemployment and decreasing the income of the government, said APCNGA Supreme Council Chairman Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha.

In a statement issued here, he said that the natural gas allocated for CNG industry is being diverted to other sectors so that their profits could increase. He said that CNG industry is being deprived of natural gas despite the fact that it is the only sector which has no other alternative while other sectors have substitutes.

Punjab CM issued orders for firing, must resign: Qadri

 

LAHORE: Dr Tahirul Qadri, the chief of Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT), while rejecting the removal of Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah and terming it an eyewash, said that Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had ordered the police to open firing at the Minhajul Quran Secretariat in Model Town, Lahore, and he should tender his resignation.
He was addressing a press conference on Friday via video link as many opposition leaders were also present on the occasion. All the opposition parties gathered at the Minhajul QuranInternational (MQI) Secretariat on Friday to reiterate the demand that top ruling personalities including the prime minister, Punjab chief minister, some federal and provincial ministers, senior bureaucrats and entire team in Lahore operation should resign by accepting responsibility for the killing of its 11 workers.

On the other hand, Dr Tahirul Qadri said his workers had exercised restraint; otherwise, they would have set the whole country ablaze.

MQI Federal Council Chairman Hasan Mohiuddin Qadri – the eldest son of Qadri - addressed a press conference along with senior leaders of PPP, PML-Q, MQM, PTI, MWM, MYC, SIC and religious personalities. They demanded that a three-member judicial commission of impartial Supreme Court judges should hold inquiry with the help of unbiased officials of ISI, Military Intelligence and Intelligence Bureau to fix responsibility.

They termed the anti-encroachment operation at MQI secretariat state terrorism and slaughter of MQI workers to deter Qadri from returning to the country for launching anti-government movement.

The senior opposition leaders present on the occasion — PPP Secretary General Jahangir Badr, PPP Punjab President Manzoor Wattoo, PML-Q’s Chaudhry Zaheeruddin, MQM’s Rasheed Godale, PTI Punjab President Ijaz Chaudhry, Imtiaz Naqvi of MWM - stressed that they would stand by Qadri in his movement for restoration genuine democracy, electoral reforms, elimination of corruption and realisation of the fundamental rights of the people.

Hasan, who read out the demands, said the meeting of opposition leaders decided that the FIR registered by police should be discarded and all the arrested be released, as he also called for recovering the missing workers.

He thanked all the opposition parties for expressing solidarity with the MQI and said justice could be provided only through Qisas. He said Qisas for the martyred workers was the destination of revolution which was clear in the sight.

Later, Qadri addressed the press conference and said his workers had exercised restraint after the Model Town tragedy; otherwise, they would have set the whole country ablaze. He reiterated that the barricades around the MQI Secretariat and his house were not erected by his party but by the police on the orders of Lahore High Court (LHC) and if police wanted to remove them the issue could have been resolved amicably.

He rejected the reports that people of the area had lodged complaints against him for closing down several roads. He said if there were complaints, why the government did not address them earlier and why it removed the barricades when he was about to launch the anti-government movement.

Qadri alleged that the PML-N leadership had gone mad on the thought of him launching a movement to re-establish rule of law in the country and eliminate corruption, bad governance, and plunder of public wealth.

He alleged that the Punjab chief minister was actually (Qatil-e-Ala) who had written a historic chapter of brutality and barbarism by attacking MQI Secretariat and his house.

On the reports of removal of Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah and CM’s Principal Secretary Dr Tauqeer Shah, he said it was the victory of his stance that the provincial government had committed a gross injustice. He, however, said removal of one or two persons was just eyewash and demanded that entire team involved in the operation, including the prime minister and chief minister, must be removed.

Qadri opined that Rana Sanaullah was not actually removed but sent on ‘honeymoon’, so that he could be brought back any time. He said by Sana’s removal, Shahbaz Sharif had changed the earlier stance of his government and vindicated MQI’s position.

Earlier, the meeting of opposition leaders also passed a resolution on the murder of MQM MNA Tahira Asif and demanded an inquiry to identify the culprits. Manzoor Wattoo, Zaheeruddin, Rasheed Godale, SIC leader Sahibzada Hasan Raza, Ijaz Chaudhry and others also spoke on the occasion.

Punjab CM shows law minister the door

 

LAHORE: After an announcement from Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Friday evening, Punjab Minister for Law and Local Government Rana Sanaullah Khan resigned from the cabinet, while Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Dr Tauqir Shah was also removed in the wake of the Model Town incident.
Shahbaz Sharif, during a press conference on Friday evening, claimed that steps had been taken to fulfil the norms of justice. Shahbaz said Rana Sanaullah was his close friend and had rendered invaluable services for the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). He said when there was a martial law in the country, Rana Sana was in jail. Similarly, he added, Dr Tauqir was like his younger brother and he had been performing his duty honestly and devotedly for the last 15 years. After Rana Sana’s resignation, Education Minister Rana Mashood has been given the additional charge of law and local government departments.

The Punjab chief minister said tough decisions had to be taken for upholding the norms of law and justice as he considered himself answerable to Almighty Allah, the people and history. Shahbaz said he had full confidence in high court and ifapplication in the Supreme Court for the change of judicial commission. He said if the SC took suo moto notice of the incident, even then he had no objection.

Shahbaz said he was grieved at the tragic incident and, to fulfil requirements of justice, he had formed a judicial commission. He said the case registered against sons of Tahirul Qadri was withdrawn the same night. He said with the blessings of Allah Almighty, he survived a deadly disease like cancer and returned to the country and started serving masses. He said his six years’ tenure as Khadim-e-Aala Punjab was before the people. Shahbaz said he was the person who served the affected people round-the-clock during flood and other natural calamities. He said he always helped the oppressed whether cruelty was committed against girls in Sahiwal or in Muzaffargarh and spared no effort to take to task the powerful and cruel people.

The CM said those doing politics of dead bodies were levelling allegations against him that God forbid he was involved in the murder of the innocent people. He said when 42 people were killed in Karachi in 2007, those shedding crocodile’s tears and “Shaikh-e-Haram were celebrating Jashan with those waving fist in Islamabad”. He asked where those people were at that time who were now talking about justice and demanding resignations. Shahbaz said his past stood witness to the fact that he never compromised on justice and reiterated that he would not take rest till justice was provided in the Lahore incident. He said orders had been issued for immediate arrest of those who opened fire on innocent citizens and all-out steps would be taken to uphold the norms of justice. He said he would not compromise nor allow any hindrance in the way to justice.

Shahbaz said the day was very unfortunate for him when he put behind the bars his own son-in-law with handcuffs. He said God forbid such a time came to even an enemy. He said he was not praising himself but giving an example so that no one should raise a finger at him and those criticising him should know about his character. Shahbaz said he wanted that only doing justice was not enough but it should be seen being done so.

Replying to questions of journalists, the CM said he was not taking a defensive position and he had no concern with the demands of Shaikh-e-Haram. He said when the country was passing through difficult times and he was going to every nook and cranny of the province including Rahim Yar Khan, DG Khan and Muzaffargarh to help the people, those enjoying cool breeze and recreational foreign trips were saying that he was doing jugglery. The CM said by the grace of Almighty Allah the south Punjab gave the PML-N the biggest mandate of the history of the country, which was a proof of the fact that Allah Almighty did not waste services and hard work of any one.

Shahbaz said they decided to send a delegation comprising ministers to Minhajul Quran for expressing condolences, but they refused to receive. The CM said he was Khadim of the people and he was deeply shocked over the loss of precious human lives. If Minhajul Quran authorities permitted, he was ready to go there for offering Fateha. He said the people of Punjab were like his family members and those who died in the incident were his own people and he fully realised the grief of the heirs of the deceased. He said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, federal and Punjab governments and the entire nation equally shared the grief of the bereaved families.

Shahbaz said maintenance of law and order was the responsibility of the government and it would discharge its responsibility efficiently.The CM said Nandipur power project was completed within a record period of seven months and Chinese also termed it a miracle. He said those not aware of the miseries of the poor people of Balochistan, KP, Sindh and Punjab must know that a number of programmes had been launched for reducing sufferings of the people. “Is stopping energy projects a service to Pakistani nation?” he asked.

Rana Sanaullah resigns as Punjab Law Minister

LAHORE: Rana Sanaullah has resigned as Law Minister after Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif summoned his resignation.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore Shahbaz Sharif said he had asked Rana Sanaullah to resign over the Model Town tragedy in which nine people lost their lives.

Sources add that Rana Sanaullah has tendered his resignation and has sent it to Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

Punjab government sources further add that Rana Mashhood, provincial minister for education and sports, is likely to be made law minister.

Rana Sanaullah resignation sought by CM Punjab

LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has sought Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah's resignation over the incident in Lahore outside the Minhaj-ul-Quran International secretariat in which nine people lost their lives.

While addressing a press conference in Lahore, the Punjab Chief Minister said, that he has asked Rana Sanaullah to resign and has also removed his secretary who had been serving with him for the last 15 years.

The Chief Minister added that one more victim of the Model Town incident expired today, and he is in favour of a judicial inquiry and if the MQI is not satisfied with a High Court commission they may approach the Supreme Court as well.

All including Punjab CM should appear before commission: PM

 

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif while expressing anguish over the Model Town incident directed that all including Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif must appear before the judicial commission if it summoned them.
He also directed all the concerned to ensure that such incidents should not occur in future.He urged that the conspiracy behind the gory incident should be unearthed as it was being used to tarnish image of the government.

Nawaz Sharif expressed these views while chairing a high-level meeting here at the Prime Minister House on Thursday.Talking about Operation Zarb-e-Azb in North Wiziristan Agency (NWA), the prime minister said that Pakistan was fighting a defining battle in the nation’s history and God willing terrorists would be defeated. He said that national unity was the prerequisite to make the operation against the terrorists a success.

He also directed the provision of all the facilities to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan was conspicuous with his absence in the meeting which was attended by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid, Minister for Planning and development Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafiq and Minister for States and Frontier Regions (Safron) Lt Gen (R) Abdul Qadir Baloch.

It is understood that the prime minister will continue process of consultation with other likeminded political leaders on the subjects.The sources told ‘The News’ that the premier was firm on forwarding the economic revival ahead with faster pace and rid the country of terrorism.

The prime minister said that Operation Zarb-e-Azb required national unity and added, “A peaceful environment in the country would benefit the soldiers fighting in the North Waziristan tribal area.” He expressed confidence that militants would lose this war and added that the IDPs from North Waziristan would be provided with every facility.

The sources said that Shahbaz Sharif’s briefing on the Model Town incident also figured in the discussion.Various aspects of the incident were also brought to the light and Shahbaz Sharif assured that the provincial administration would submit details of the incident before the judicial commission.

The participants of the meeting expressed their regret on the incident that resulted in the death of nine innocent people and injuring others. Shahbaz Sharif assured that the provincial government would investigate the incident and those responsible for it would be brought to justice. He assured that strict action would be taken against the responsible for the incident.

KP to spend less on education, health than Punjab

 

ISLAMABAD: Comparison of provincial budgets for the next financial year 2014-15 shows that despite all its claims, the PTI’s government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has set aside a lower percentage for education and some other crucial sectors as compared to the Punjab government.
According to a study, a comparison of figures proposed for the budget of the next financial year for the KP and Punjab provincial governments show that PTI’s KP government plans to spend 21.49 percent of its total spending on education whereas the Punjab government will spend 27.3 percent.

Similarly, the KP government has fixed 6.17 percent for the health sector whereas Punjab has planned to spend 12.1 percent on this sector which directly benefits poor citizens.In the same way, KP will spend 0.39 percent on agriculture while Punjab will spend 1.49 percent.

KP has fixed 9.8 percent of total spending as its development budget whereas Punjab has fixed a massive 34.5 percent for the same. KP will spend 3.01 percent on transport and communication whereas Punjab plans to spend 11.09 percent on transport.

PTI has been claiming since long to improve its education sector by spending large shares of the budget but its figures are still on the lower side if compared to Punjab in this important sector.The party chief has been shown sitting on school desks monitoring the educational system in newspaper pictures but the same intention is not reflected in the budget figures. Apparently, the photo-shoots of the PTI chairman seem to give an impression as if he is working hard to improve different sectors of the provincial government but in fact, it is a classic case of ‘looking-busy-doing-nothing’.

Punjab beat Kolkata by 23 runs

ABU DHABI: Kings X1 Punjab restricted Kolkata Knight Riders to 109 runs to win by 23 runs at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

Kolkata won the toss and put Punjab in to bat who only managed 132 runs in their 20 overs with the help of a 30 ball 37 by V.Sehwag. His innings was laced with 3 boundaries and a maximum.

The spin duo of SP Narine and PP Chawla bowled extremely well for Kolkata to get 3 wickets a piece for 24 and 19 runs respectively.

In reply Punjab kept losing wickets at regular wickets and were finally dismissed for 109 falling 23 runs short of their target.

The only resistance came from SA Yadav who played a 17-ball cameo of 34 with 3x4s and a six.

Sandeep Sharma was the most successful bowler for Punjab picking up 3-21 for which he was later adjudged player of the match.

MG Johnson and AR Patel also bowled well for the winners.

Punjab beat Hyderabad by 72 runs

SHARJAH: Glenn Maxwell produced yet another blistering knock of 43-ball 95 before Lakshmipathy Balaji returned with a four-wicket haul as Kings XI Punjab notched up a crushing 72-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in their third IPL-7 match here on Tuesday.

After scoring 95 and 89 in his last two innings, Maxwell once again produced a devastating knock, which was studded with nine sixes and five fours as Punjab posted an imposing 193 for six in their stipulated 20 overs.

George Bailey's men then came up with a clinical bowling display to dismiss Hyderabad for 121 with four balls to spare at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium as Punjab registered their third straight win in IPL-7.

Maxwell, who was dropped by David Warner off Karn Sharma in the 10th over before Darren Sammy had him caught on a no-ball in the 15th over, shared 68 runs off 27 balls with David Miller for the third wicket. He also added 35 runs with Cheteshwar Pujara and 25 runs with skipper Bailey.

Seam bowler Lakshmipathy Balaji returned with incredible figures of 4-0-13-4, while Mitchell Johnson (2 for 26) and Akshar Patel (2/20) snapped two wickets each. Sandeep Sharma (1/26) and Rishi Dhawan (1/23) took one each for Punjab.

Chasing 194 to win, Hyderabad found the going tough as they were reduced to 33 for three in 4.5 overs.

While Mitchell Johnson struck the first blow, dismissing skipper Shikhar Dhawan (1) in his second ball, it was Balaji's twin strike in his opening over which derailed their run-chase.

Balaji first knocked off Aaron Finch's (19) stumps with an angled delivery, while two balls later, a back of a length delivery sent David Warner (8) back to the hut with Maxwell taking the catch at point.

Newman Y Venugopal Rao (11) tried his bit and scored a couple of boundaries off Dhawan's first over but he was sent back to the pavilion by Sandeep after the power-play overs.

Lokesh Rahul and Irfan Pathan tried to build a stand but spinner Akshar dislodged the latter's bails as Hyderabad slipped further to 74 for five in 10.2 overs.

Sammy blasted 15 off 11 balls before becoming the third victim of Balaji, while Rahul's 27-run innings was cut short by Patel in the 15th over. Rest of the batsmen also fell cheaply in their pursuit for quick runs. Earlier put into bat, Virender Sehwag (30) and Cheteshwar Pujara (35) gave Punjab a good start, amassing their best opening partnership of 51 runs off 40 balls.

Sehwag blasted three sixes and two fours in his 22-ball 30 before holing out to Sammy at long on.

Pujara too departed in the 11th over when his attempt to clear the midwicket boundary ended with a good catch by Y Venugopal Rao. The Saurashtra batsman scored 35 off 32 balls with the help of six boundaries.

Maxwell continued from where he left as he sent the bowlers for a leather hunt once again with an array of shots.

In the 12th over, the Australian cracked back-to-back boundaries, hitting a six and a four off Irfan Pathan, who was brought in the team in place of Ishant Sharma.

The 25-year-old allrounder exploded in the 13th over, blasting three successive sixes off Mishra, while David Miller added another one as Punjab amassed 25 runs.

In the next over, Maxwell smashed one six and a couple of boundaries to pile up 16 runs off Sharma.

He another reprieve when he was caught at deep midwicket on a no-ball in Sammy's second over. Maxwell made Hyderabad pay for their mistake as he plundered another six across the deep backward square leg area.

Brought back into the attack, Bhuvneshwar got rid off Miller when he was caught by Warner at long off but Maxwell continued his rampage on the other end as he sent Dale Steyn across the third man boundary.

He blasted two more sixes off Mishra in the 18th over before being caught by Sammy at long off in the last ball.

Bhuvneshwar then dismissed Bailey (10) and Mitchell Johnson (4) in the last over to contain Punjab within the 200-mark.

For Hyderabad, Bhuvneshwar was the best bowlers as he returned with figures of 4-0-19-3, while Mishra and Sammy took two and one wicket respectively.

ECP seeks 6-9 months time for LB polls in Sindh, Punjab

ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has sought more time for holding local bodies (LB) polls in Sindh and Punjab.

The ECP on Tuesday submitted a plea in the Supreme Court (SC) in which it had prayed that 6 to 9 months are required for delimitation of constituencies, therefore, more time is required for holding LB elections in Sindh and Punjab.

The commission said it will take 6 to 9 months for LB polls in both the provinces.

Sahiwal rape case: CM Punjab suspends negligent police officials

SAHIWAL: Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif visited the family of the rape victim in Sahiwal and suspended the police officers for mishandling and delaying the case, Geo News reported on Tuesday.

CM Punjab Shahbaz Sharif reached the victim’s house early today morning and assured of providing justice to the aggrieved family. On this occasion, the District Police Officer (DPO) briefed the CM Punjab about the case.

Shahbaz Sharif questioned the DPO about the delay in resolving the case and ordered to suspend the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and two Station House Officers (SHO) for being irresponsible and delaying the case for over a month.

Furthermore, CM Punjab ordered the police to arrest the molesters in 48 hours and sentence them for their heinous crime. He also ordered police to complete the challan against the culprits in three days and told that he would request the judges to hear the case on daily basis.

Shahbaz Sharif reprimanded the IG Punjab Police, RPO and other officials and instructed to take prompt action against the criminals and to provide justice to the victim’s family.

He also assured to provide educational assistance to the children of the affected family.

LHC summons defence secy, ISI, IB, MI DGs, Punjab IG police

 

RAWALPINDI: The Lahore High Court (LHC), Rawalpindi Bench, on Thursday reissued notices to the secretary Ministry of Defence, director generals (DGs) of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Military Intelligence (MI) and Punjab inspector general of police (IG) to appear in person before it in the case of a missing person from Wah Cantt.
Justice Ibadur Rahman Lodhi issued the order before the case was adjourned till April 7. The court took strong notice of non-appearance of any of these officials in Thursday’s hearing. The case was filed by Nageena Bibi through Taufeeq Asif, advocate, against the disappearance of her son, Khan Badshah.

The court was told that the government officers could not come due to security risks. The court then directed the defence secretary to make sure not only his presence but also that of the heads of three intelligence agencies. The Punjab chief secretary was told to make sure that the IG should be present in the court on April 7.