HEC fails to hold a single meeting in 14 months

ISLAMABAD: Despite getting a hefty allocation of Rs63 billion in the budget 2014-15, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has almost become dysfunctional in the absence of six members and a permanent principal accounting officer.

According to sources, the commission has failed to meet even once during last 14 months, which is a grave violation of the HEC Act 2002. The Act requires at least two meetings of the commission within one financial year.

The documents available with The News also confirmed that after remaining without a permanent chairman for 8 months, now the commission is functioning without its permanent executive director since April 15, 2014, the day when current chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmad was appointed.

Dr Mukhtar Ahmad was previously serving as executive director of the commission. However after his elevation as chairman, the post became vacant and a member of the commission Dr Mansoor Akbar Kundi had been holding the acting charge of the position.

According a notification no 5-496/HEC/HRM/2014/6854 issued on June 24, 2014, Dr Mansoor Akbar Kundi has been given another month extension on temporary charge, which means the post will remain vacant for at least three months.

Section 11 (B) of the HEC Act clearly states “the secretariat, headed by an executive director, shall act as the executing wing of the commission and shall be responsible for implementation of all the orders, decisions, directives and policy of the Commission”.

He is also principal accounting officer. Since there is no full-time ED, most of the HEC’s functions have stopped and there will be a serious doubt on the decisions made by the acting ED.

Moreover, the vice chancellors of Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) and Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) and rector of International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) could also not be appointed by the commission for the last six months. An advertisement was published in the national dailies on December 15, 2013 for appointments on these posts but no further progress could be made on the issue despite formulation of a search committee by the HEC.

Sources said the commission is itself functioning without its six (out of total 17) members for the last one year.When contacted by The News, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said the commission could not meet to appoint the permanent HEC executive director owing to lack of quorum.

“We need at least nine members to complete the quorum for the commission’s meeting but owing to budget and other engagements some members of the commission were not available,” he said adding that two members of the commission are federal secretaries.

On the issue of non-appointment of VCs and rector of three top universities, he said there were some technical problems which have now been sorted out and a new search committee headed by minister for education and training Balighur Rehman will select the head of these institutions soon.

He said the appointment of six members of commission would also be made as soon as the commission met for the first time under his chairmanship.According to HEC Act 2002, the commission is an autonomous body, which deliberates on issues pertaining to evaluation, improvement and promotion of higher education, research and development and also formulates policies, guiding principles and priorities for higher education institutions.

As per the minutes of the 28th meeting of commission held on April 9, 2013, the commission nominated 29 scholars of eminence for the appointment of its remaining members but no progress could be made on the issue ever since.

PM-chaired high-level meeting reviews security situation

ISLAMABAD: A high-level security meeting chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Tuesday took a detailed stock of the security situation of the country in the backdrop of Sunday night’s attacks on Karachi airport and pilgrims in Taftan.

The meeting was attended by the country’s top civilian and military leadership including Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar, Army Chief General Raheel Sharif and DG ISI Lt. General Zaheerul Islam.

The internal security and Pak-Afghan border situation came under detailed review while a decision was made to strengthen the mechanism for intelligence sharing.

Interior Minister, Chaudhry Nisar briefed the Army Chief on the armed assault on Karachi airport and its aftermath.

Nawaz chairs meeting to discuss situation arising after Alatf’s arrest

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday chaired a high level meeting to discuss situation arising after the arrest of MQM chief Altaf Hussain in London.

Sources said that speaking at the meeting the prime minister said that the arrest of Mr Hussain was a legal affair and the government was extending its “legal and moral assistance” in this regard.

He told the meeting that Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad had assured him that law and order would be maintained in Karachi.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan briefed the meeting about the government strategy to maintain law and order in Karachi.

He said that the federal government would extend cooperation to the Sindh government to maintain peace in the city.

Rashid terms elements meeting in London politically jobless

LAHORE: Information Minister Pervez Rashid said on Saturday that those meeting in London were politically jobless people, in an obvious reference to Tahirul Qadri and Pakistan Muslim League-Q leaders.

Speaking to media, he said that remnants of Musharraf were trying to bring together dear ones of the former military dictator. He said one of those would not secure a place in parliament while the other will not be able to become an opposition in the parliament.

“These people are luring Imran Khan into their cage but he is scared of making an entry as he seems only revolving around the cage so far,” the minister said.

Pemra terms meeting of some of its members illegal

ISLAMABAD: Some private members of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) had a meeting here on Wednesday on the Geo issue that was termed in defiance of the honourable Islamabad High Court orders by the authority’s ex-officio members.

The meeting, held in continuation of a similar event on May 20, formed a three-member committee to ensure implementation of the private members decisions on Geo. It will consist of Israr Abbasi, Fareeha Iftikhar and Shama Parveen.The meeting was declared illegal and invalid by the authority in its reaction late on Wednesday night.

The authority issued a statement following the May 28 meeting to clarify that the meeting called by the private members in isolation had no legal consequence. The ex-officio members pointed out in the statement that a consensual Pemra meeting was to be held on May 27 that was cancelled on the orders of the Islamabad High Court.

Moreover, all the members were informed in writing accordingly. It was decided by majority of the members that the next meeting would be convened after the decision/ further orders by the court. Therefore, the majority members felt that Wednesday’s meeting of some private members was in defiance of the court orders and thus the majority members did not attend it.

The previous meeting of private members, declared illegal by Pemra, had recommended revocation of the licences of Geo News, Geo Entertainment and Geo Tez and shutting down of their offices. Talking to media persons after the meeting, the private members — Israr Abbasi, Fareeha Iftikhar and Mian Shams — defended the meeting.

Replying to questions, Abbasi said the issue of apology by Geo and the Jang Group would be taken up in the authority’s next meeting on June 17. He said one official member had asked them to wait for the court order instead of holding a meeting to which they did not agree and held the meeting on the complaint of the Ministry of Defence against Geo.

Asked what the status of a meeting that was not attended by all the government members was, Abbasi contended that a forum participated by four, five or six members was legal and its decision was that of the authority.

About the cancellation of May 27 meeting, he said that it was cancelled after the court orders and their today’s meeting was according to the rules. Asked if the meeting was legal, then why the government members had moved the Islamabad High Court and also did not attend the today’s meeting, he said it was mentioned in Section 5 that if the government issued any policy or direction, it would be binding on the authority.

He added, therefore, if the government had formulated a policy and made up its mind not to take any action, then it should intimate the Pemra in writing that the matter was over.Abbasi said this game of cat and mouse should not be played.

He charged that the government, particularly the Ministry of Information, was under pressure and the authority’s employees were also being intimidated.Abbasi said they had asked the Council of Complaints, Islamabad, to give its opinion on the matter and the Sindh’s Council of Complaints’ recommendations would also be discussed during the next meeting.

Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Dr Nazir Saeed and six other members initially had discussions with private members but after a deadlock, they stayed away from it. Ex-officio members, according to sources, contended that the meeting should be held after four weeks.

PEMRA private members hold another meeting on Geo’s issue

ISLAMABAD: Some of the private members of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Wednesday called another meeting and formed a three-member committee with a task to implement the decisions they had taken in the previous meeting.

They have also decided to convene their next meeting on June 17.

In the opinion of the majority of PEMRA members only the chairman of the authority is competent to convene a meeting.

It is pertinent to mention here that the PEMRA spokesman, after the first meeting of the private members a few days ago, had termed it illegal and disowned its decisions.

TV journalist admits angels-cable operators meeting

ISLAMABAD: In a disturbing development, it has come to light that some officials of an intelligence outfit are busy in things other than ensuring national security, writes Ahmad Noorani.

An ‘angel’ and the bureau chief of a news channel have been found strategising to put Geo News off air or to push it down to No 60 on cable networks a few days back. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has yet to decide a complaint against Geo TV.

However, after Pemra issued a show-cause notice to Geo News a few days back, some “angels” started contacting cable operators and giving them “strict warnings” that Geo News must be pushed to the last number so that Pakistanis who love Geo News and other Geo group channels may not watch them. However, the exact identity and location of these powerful ‘angels’ was not clear. But, now the cat is out of the bag.

Angels in Lahore were continuously contacting office-bearers of the Cable Operators Association of Pakistan (CAP) and were issuing them instructions. On Monday April 28, a senior angel, Naveed, along with bureau chief of Express News, Lahore Mr Ilyas summoned a senior leader of the cable operators association in his office and asked him about the situation regarding implementation of previous orders to place Geo News on last numbers.

The president of cable operators association was informed that orders to place Geo News on the last number have not been fully complied with. President of the association assured implementation of the order.

Apparently, it appears that there is some dictatorship in the country.According to some cable operators, two other angels, Dawood and Usman, were also in contact with cable operators to get the orders implemented.

When the president of the association was contacted, he did not admit meeting Naveed on the said day. He stated: “Cable operators were pushing Geo News on last numbers on their own and no one has ordered them”.

When The News approached Mr Ilyas, Bureau Chief of Express News, for his version, in an interview he admitted visiting the angel on Monday and meeting him and the cable association president there.

He was asked that, according to The News’ information, the angels had asked for closure of Geo News by cable operators and their president was told so in that meeting. Ilyas insisted this order was not given and that he visited Naveed for some other purpose.

When asked if orders to block Geo News were not given in his presence, whether the angel ordered the pushing of Geo News to the last number, Mr Ilyas insisted that he was present there but the orders to block Geo news were not given.

However, participants of the meeting confirmed to The News that both the Express Bureau Chief and the angel fully strategized shutting down of Geo and also monitored implementation of the orders.

The admission of Ilyas regarding his presence in the angels office with the president of cable operator association proves what was going on.Geo and Jang Group have similar evidence from Multan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Sultan Ali Lakhani, who owns Express Media Group, has very old relations with angels since the days when they had managed to make him a senator on the ticket of a pro-establishment party. He managed to take a big loan of around Rs4 billion from the government bank in name of a front company in the late 80s which was jointly owned by him and relative of a top politician.

Sultan Ali Lakhani never returned the loan as per the schedule and continued investing this huge amount in different businesses. Given his high influence and links with angels, he was untouchable for the investigation agencies. However, when NAB was established and an honest person like General Amjad was appointed as its first chairman, Lakhani was finally arrested for defrauding the nation. Because of the honesty of General Amjad, the then NAB chairman, angels remained unable to help him for some duration but finally succeeded in getting him free from jail after a mysterious plea bargain deal.

Lakhani ran away from the country after his release. He finally returned to Pakistan after angels were in full control and started a newspaper.

The total amount after around two decades was touching Rs6 billion because of non payment of the principal amount and interest. Still after passing of some 26 years the loan is not paid because of influence Lakhani is commanding because of his media house.

Everyone in the media industry knows and the same is discussed in meetings of the PBA and Advertisers Society that Mr Lakhani owns a front company run by the cable operators’ association president, Khalid Arain, which gave great benefits and attractions to cable operators. Given his decades-long relation with angels, Lakhani is now using this influence with cable operators to manoeuvre things and disturb or block Geo.

Not only this, the rating agency which compiles data about ratings of TV channels had alleged some years back that Mr Lakhani had given jobs to relatives of employees of this rating agency to influence them to give high ratings to his TV channels.

Pemra laws bar any broadcasting house to run or operate distribution networks (like Cable TV networks) however Sultan Ali Lakhani indirectly owns some cable networks in Pakistan and always disturbs transmission of Geo and its other channels. The government authorities concerned know all this but opt to remain silent for obvious reasons. Even during the present regime, a few powerful officials remain in continuous touch with him and help him to continue with his objectionable practices.

Following is the text of an official August 2, 2013 letter written to Sultan Ali Lakhani by former Pemra Chairman Chaudhry Rasheed. Former Chairman Pemra also wrote different letters to Geo News top management but never ever made any such allegation.

Allegations levelled by the former Pemra chairman are with proof and complete names of questionable businesses. This letter also explains as to who was trying to get Chaudhry Rasheeed removed and also provided PTI Chief Imran Khan evidence as to how cable networks are being illegally operated in Pakistan and by whom;

“Mr Sultan Lakhani

Subject: Life Threats to the person of the Chairman, PEMRA and Publication of Defamatory Material against him in “The Express Tribune” & “Daily Express” Dated 02-08-2013

May I take this opportunity to recall the contents of our telephonic conversation last night (01.08.2013) regarding raid and seizure of equipment of M/S Panorama Cable, Rawalpindi. While I was quite formal and respectful to your good self in selection of words, your tone, tenor and meaning was harsh, revengeful and threatening. You went to the extent of saying that you would do everything possible against me and my DG Farooq and that from tomorrow it would be a different world altogether. Today’s morning newspapers (August 02, 2013) particularly your publications, “Express Tribune” and ‘Daily Express” clearly manifested what threatening posture you had adopted last night and that what else you would do in the days to come.

2. Mr Lakhani, you may be aware of the fact that restraining public officials from doing their duty is tantamount to illegal interference in the official work.

3. Let me also take this opportunity to remind you that a couple of days ago, you called me on my phone number 0300-5****85 and said that the Pemra Regional Office Islamabad had issued show cause notices to M/s Panorama Cable Network, Islamabad, M/s Panorama Cable Network, Jehlum and M/s Panorama Cable Network, Rawalpindi. You also stated that the equipment of M/s Panorama Cable Network, Rawalpindi was seized by Pemra Regional Office Islamabad. You demanded it to be returned forthwith. I had informed you that I would check the factual and legal position from the officer concerned and action would be taken in accordance with the law. The next day, you again called me and inquired the status of the said three cable networks. I informed you that the show cause notices were issued in accordance with the law and the licensees should respond to the same. Moreover, the seized equipment of M/s Panorama Cable Network Rawalpindi would be returned after completion of legal requirements when CEO of the cable network concerned visits the Pemra Regional Office, Islamabad and furnishes a written undertaking that he would not violate the law in future.

4. Finally, you called me on 01.08.2013 at 8:49PM. However, I could not take the call and returned the call after some time. However, you started threatening me. I requested you to be calm and peaceful but you continued hurling threats at me and my family and facing serious consequences. You were perturbed for the alleged raid by Pemra team on the head-end of cable operator Panorama. I told you I had checked from the officer concerned who had informed that it was a routine inspection of a number of cable operators of Rawalpindi and no special raid was conducted against Panorama. I also assured you that Pemra conducts routine inspections, however, the office of the M/s Panorama Cable Network was closed in violation of Section 29 of the PEMRA Ordinance 2002, therefore, Pemra would send a notice to the cable operator. Upon that, you again started threatening me of serious consequences and said that from tomorrow it would be a different game and I would not be Pemra chairman anymore. I also inquired as to why you were so interested in the cable business whereas under the Pemra Rules 2009, a satellite TV licensee like you cannot enter in the cable TV business.

However, you banged the phone on me.

5. When I could not be influenced, you have published a totally false and fabricated story containing wild and scurrilous accusations against me in your newspapers “The Express Tribune” and “Daily Express” on 02.08.2013. The contents of the news report are not only incorrect, false and malicious but also defamatory and an attempt to carry out my character assassination. Pertinently, there is no FIR against me either in NAB or in the FIA. As head of PID in my previous years of service, I have been called by NAB a number of times in inquiries regarding payment of outstanding dues of advertising companies. Let me also put on record that my appointment to the post of Pemra chairman was made more than six months ago by the competent authority in accordance with the law.”

The stories mentioned in this letter are forthe removal of the Pemra chairman terming his appointment illegal. These were not published in daily Jang or The News.

Imran Khan and the TV anchorperson criticising Geo must also look at these revelations and reconsider his views about targeting a single channel.

PM Nawaz chairs high level meeting on national security

 

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif is currently chairing a high level meeting on national security in the capital city on Monday to discuss the internal and external threats faced by Pakistan, Geo News reported.

According to the sources, the country’s top military and civilian leadership is present in the meeting including Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif, Director General Inter Services Intelligence (DG ISI) Lieutenant General Zaheerul-Islam, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar, special assistant to the PM Syed Tariq Fatemi, and other high rank officials.

During the meeting, the leaders are likely to discuss the internal and external threats the country is currently facing in the backdrop of the talks with the Taliban. Also, the members will discuss the situation in Afghanistan post presidential elections.

Nisar summons joint meeting of govt, Taliban teams today

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has summoned a joint meeting of Taliban and government negotiating committees here today (Wednesday).

According to a statement issued from the Interior Ministry, the meeting will discuss progress in dialogue process and chalk out future line of action.

It will be the first meeting of the committees after Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) announced not to extend ceasefire.

TTP had announced that the 40-day long ceasefire will not be extended.

In a statement TTP spokesman, Shahidullah Shahid had said the government did not give a satisfactory response to the Taliban’s 40-day ceasefire and 50 of their detained members were killed during this period.

The TTP spokesman said the decision to not extend the ceasefire was taken by the Taliban shura. Shahidullah Shahid added if the government takes any serious step, the TTP will respond.

According to Shahidullah Shahid the dialogue process with the government would continue.

The TTP had declared a month-long ceasefire on March 1, 2014 during the dialogue process with the government. Later the ceasefire was extended for ten days which expired on April 10, 2014.

PM chairs national security meeting today

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would chair a high-level meeting to discuss national security today.


The meeting will review the dialogue process with the Taliban and the situation arising in neighbouring Afghanistan following the presidential election. Sources add that relations with Iran will also be on the agenda.

The country’s top military and civilian leadership will be present during the meeting.

PM’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Defence Minister Khwaja Asif, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar and Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid will be present from the civilian leadership.

The heads of the armed forces, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, DG ISI and DG IB will also be in attendance.

PM summons meeting to discuss national security

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has summoned a high-level meeting to discuss national security on Thursday.


The meeting will review the dialogue process with the Taliban and the situation arising in neighbouring Afghanistan following the presidential election. Sources add that relations with Iran will also be on the agenda.

The country’s top military and civilian leadership will be present during the meeting.

PM’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Defence Minister Khwaja Asif, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar and Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid will be present from the civilian leadership.

The heads of the armed forces, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, DG ISI and DG IB will also be in attendance.

 

Taliban Shura, govt. committee meeting place to be decided in 2/3 days

PESHAWAR: The government appointed negotiating team will meet with the Taliban shura in the Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) in the next 2-3 days.

Professor Ibrahim, member of the Taliban nominated negotiating team says details regarding the location of the second round of talks between the Taliban shura & the government team will become clear in the coming days.

Nisar convenes meeting of govt, Taliban committees today

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has convened a joint meeting of the government and Taliban committees here today (Saturday).

According to the interior ministry, the meeting will consider matters relating to next phase of direct talks with the Taliban.

The upcoming government committee’s direct meeting with the Taliban Shura is likely to bring a positive development.

Nisar to chair govt., Taliban committees meeting today

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has called a meeting of the government and Taliban negotiation committees today (Saturday.

Sources said the meeting of the two committees chaired by the interior minister would be deliberate over the future strategy for talks with the Taliban Shura and the agenda. The meeting would also review the outcome of the earlier maiden meeting of the government committee with the Taliban Shura.

Talking to Geo News, Taliban committee member Professor Ibrahim said that the process of confidence building measures has started with the meeting of government committee and Taliban Shura. He hoped the process of releasing prisoners would soon begin.

Professor Ibrahim said both committees would soon be proceeding to the tribal areas for holding second meeting with Taliban Shura. He said that the agenda of the meeting would be restoration of lasting peace by making the ceasefire permanent.

Iran warns Austrian embassy over Ashton meeting with rights activists: IRNA

DUBAI: Iran has warned the Austrian embassy in Tehran after it hosted a meeting between the EU foreign policy chief and Iranian human rights activists during her first visit to Iran over the weekend, the state news agency IRNA said on Monday.
Ashton met several human rights activists including the mother of Iranian blogger Sattar Beheshti at the embassy on Saturday, which coincided with international women's day.
Beheshti died in jail a few days after he was arrested in 2012 over a blog critical of the government.
"These actions (the meeting) will lead to an increased suspicion between our people and the West and it doesn't help relations between Iran and Europe," Iranian foreign ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham was quoted as saying by IRNA.
Afkham had conveyed an official warning to the Austrian embassy in Tehran over the "unplanned meeting," IRNA said, without elaborating. Ashton's two-day visit was the first by an EU foreign policy chief since 2008.
Ashton had said after meeting Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif there was a potential for a dialogue with Tehran over human rights issues in the future.
Human rights activists fear that Tehran's rapprochement with the West since pragmatist President Hassan Rouhani's election in June could lead to a relaxation of international scrutiny of its widely criticised human rights record.
At least 80 people and perhaps as many as 95 have been executed in Iran already this year, a surge in the use of the death penalty that has dampened hopes for human rights reforms under Rouhani, the United Nations said on Feb. 21.

Finance Minister chairs meeting to roll out preparation of next budget

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Friday chaired a meeting to roll out the preparation of next year's Budget at the Finance Ministry here.
Dr. Waqar Masood, Finance Secretary gave a detailed presentation on the next budget.
The Finance Minister expressed satisfaction on fiscal results for the first eight months of the current year which showed a deficit of 3.2pc as compared to the proportionate target up to February of 3.5%.
He stressed the need for continued vigilance on expenditure in line with revenue receipts so that the budgetary targets are achieved without fail.
Commenting on the preparatory exercise presented in the meeting, the Finance Minister emphasized that austerity will continue to remain the hallmark of PML-N's budget strategy and fiscal management.
He further underlined the need for clear and meaningful indications of budgetary ceilings to all federal ministries and for Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) so that they can prioritize and formulate their expenditure proposals well in time.

Meeting reviews bilateral trade ties with US

ISLAMABAD: Federal Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting to review bilateral economic and trade related matters between Pakistan and United States here at the Finance Ministry on Wednesday.

Secretary Commerce Qasim Niaz briefed the Finance Minister on current status of the Pak-US Strategic Dialogue on expansion of trade relations.

He informed the Finance Minister that with the resumption of strategic dialogue, the opportunities are available for expansion in trade relations between the two countries.

He informed the Finance Minister that Commerce Ministry, in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is preparing proposals, for the next round of trade talks with the US.

The Finance Minister said that the US is an important trade partner of Pakistan and all avenues should be explored in order to accrue maximum opportunities and benefits for Pakistan exporters.

He said that "as the US is largest importer of textile products therefore, we should also lay special focus on textile and textile related exports."

Minister for Commerce, Khurram Dastagir, Miftah Ismail, Chairman BOI, SA to PM Tariq Fatmi, Advisor to Finance Ministry Rana Assad Amin and senior officials of the government also attended the meeting.

Meeting reviewed status of transfer of properties in name of PTCL

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting with senior officials of the Privatization Commission and Ministry of Finance which reviewed the status of transfer of properties in the name of PTCL at the Finance Ministry Monday.

The Minister was informed by Chairman Privatization Commission, Mohammad Zubair that out of 131 outstanding properties as on June 23, 2013, 68 properties have been transferred in favour of PTCL.

Whereas, the transfer of the remaining properties is also in progress.

He said that the Commission is in contact with the provincial governments for early transfer of properties.

The Finance Minister, after detailed briefing, directed Privatization Commission to accelerate the process in order to deliver on the commitments of the government for expeditious transfer of properties to PTCL.

He emphasized that this will secure the release of outstanding payment from the management of PTCL.

Finance Secretary Dr. Waqar Masood, Secretary Privatization Amjad Ali Khan, Advisor to Finance Ministry, Rana Asad Amin and Special Assistant to Finance Minister, Shahid Mahmood also attended the meeting.

UN Security Council to conduct urgent meeting on Ukraine crisis

UNITED NATIONS: UN Security Council will hold an urgent meeting on the crisis in Ukraine on Saturday after Russia announced plans to send armed forces into the autonomous Crimea region of the former Soviet republic, council delegations said.
A diplomat from Luxembourg, president of the 15-nation council this month, said the meeting would take place at 2:00 p.m. EST (1900 GMT) and was being convened at the request of Britain.
The council met on Friday to discuss the crisis in Ukraine's Crimea region but took no formal action, as expected.
The meeting highlighted the deep divisions between the United States and other Western nations and Russia, which has a major Black Sea naval base in the Crimea.
At Friday's session, Ukraine accused Russia of illegal military incursions onto Ukrainian territory, while US and European delegations warned Moscow to withdraw any new military forces deployed in neighboring Ukraine.
Russia, however, said any military movements by Russian forces there were in compliance with its agreement with Kiev on maintaining its naval base there.
Russia is a veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council and, therefore, able to block any actions proposed by its members.

Grassroots outreach: PTI council meeting to unveil provincial agenda

File photo of PTI chief Imran Khan. PHOTO: QAZI USMAN 

LAHORE:  “Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) will hold its provincial council meeting on March 2. PTI chairman Imran Khan will preside over the meeting,” said Dr Yasmin Rashid, the party’s general secretary, on Thursday.

She said the PTI was the first party to hold intra-party elections. She said the party leadership wanted to continue the practice. PTI Punjab president Ejaz Chudhary said 600 office bearers would attend the meeting. He said members of the parliament would also be present. He said representatives of some think tanks and newspapers columnists had also been invited.  He said the programme would contain a review on the performance of the PTI in the Punjab and its achievements so far. Information Secretary Andleeb Abbas said the provincial council would also act as an information and communication cell between the general public and the PTI office-bearers.