PML-N, JI agree to take country out of crisis

 

ISLAMABAD: On the directives of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Federal Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Railways Minister Saad Rafique and Special Assistant to PM Irfan Siddiqui met Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Siraj-ul-Haq.
During the meeting – also attended by JI leaders Liaquat Baloch and Mian Muhammad Aslam – the two parties agreed to make joint efforts to take Pakistan out of the crisis and continue interaction in future as well.

The two sides discussed matters pertaining to the political and security situation, developments taking place in Karachi and the local government polls.Earlier, the government formed a special committee to contact political and religious parties for consultation on the current political situation of the country.

The committee comprises Ahsan Iqbal, Khawaja Saad Rafique and Irfan Siddiqui.The committee has contacted the Awami National Party (ANP). ANP leader Zahid Khan told a private TV channel that Khawaja Saad had contacted his party chief Asfandyar Wali Khan on the telephone and sought time for a meeting. However, the time and venue for the proposed meeting had not been decided as yet. Zahid said the committee wanted a discussion on the overall affairs of the country.Meanwhile, sources say the committee also contacted Haji Adeel of the ANP and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah, who belongs to the PPP.

Everyone should take one step back to control situation: Nisar

ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has said that it is his responsibility to bring the culprits involved in the attack on Geo News anchorperson Hamid Mir to book.

Talking to media here Friday, Chaudhry Nisar said that the government has constituted a three-member judicial commission tasked to probe the attack and all the evidence of the attack should be presented before the commission.

He expressed sympathy with Hamid Mir and his family members.

Nisar said that no untoward incident took place with Hamid Mir in Islamabad after PML-N assumed the government. He said Mr. Mir neither lodged any complain nor provided any numbers which might have been used for threatening him during the PML-N’s current government.

He further said that former police officials have denied any report over attack on Mr. Mir’s children. He said that if Hamid Mir or his family has any objection over Islamabad police then he would have the probe.

The interior minister further said that the government would go to any extent to unearth the culprits involved in the attack on the renowned journalist.

He called for an end to “media trial” which he said is being conducted over the issue without any evidence. The enemies are taking advantage of it, he added.

Nisar further said that he is making efforts to cool down the situation and for that purpose everyone should take one step back.

The minister said he stands by Geo and Jang group. Both Freedom of media and prestigious defence institutions are pivotal for the country, he added.

MQM joins Sindh govt, ministers take oath

KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement on Tuesday joined the Sindh Government with two MPA's being sworn in as ministers at the Sindh Governor House.

Rauf Siddiqui and Dr. Sagheer Ahmed were sworn in as provincial ministers at the ceremony held at the Governor House.

Sources add that two MQM members will be appointed as 'Advisor to the Sindh Chief Minister' while one member will be appointed as a Special Advisor,.

MQM joins Sindh govt, ministers to take oath today

KARACHI: Sindh Governor House spokesman has confirmed the news of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) joining the provincial government, Geo news reported.

According to the spokesman, MQM members of the assembly will be sworn in as ministers later this evening at the Governor House.

Faisal Subzwari will be sworn in as Minister for Youth affairs, Rauf Siddiqui will get the Commerce ministry and Dr. Sagheer Ahmed will be given the health ministry, the spokesman said.

Adil Siddiqui and Abdul Haseeb would be appointed as advisor to the chief minister, he added.

Pak officials take loans, forget pledges: IMF

 

WASHINGTON: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Pakistan Mission chief Jeffery Franks has said that Pakistani officials in times of financial crisis take loans and forget their pledges as soon as they are out of the crisis.
In a TV interview, Jeffery Franks said that several IMF programmes with Pakistan could not succeed due to the fact that when officials face financial difficulties, they make all sorts of pledges but as soon as they get out of the crisis they forget to fulfil them. He said this practice must end now.The IMF Pakistan Mission chief said it seems the new government will meet the promises made relating to reforms, particularly in the energy sector and taxation system.

Hrithik & Kat Take a Midnight Walk?

Hrithik Roshan and Katrina Kaif were allegedly spotted walking together and getting cozy in Juhu Beach at 3 a.m. recently. Little did they know the paparazzi was not far behind. After a while, they realized that they were being photographed. Hrithik reportedly grabbed the camera from the photographer and deleted the pictures. He did not want his private moment to be published.

 

However, some of the pictures still made their way to the publication and it's rumoured that Hrithik called them and demanded that they should not be published.

Barack Obama urges Mahmoud Abbas to ‘take risks’ for peace

President Barack Obama shakes hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during their meeting in White House, Washington, March 17, 2014.

US President Barack Obama told Mahmoud Abbas that the Palestinian leader and Israel’s politicians must be prepared to make tough decisions and take “risks” for peace.
Abbas arrived at the White House two weeks after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, warning that time was running short for a final deal and saying Israel could show it was serious by honouring a scheduled release of Palestinian prisoners this month.
Obama, personally supporting Secretary of State John Kerry’s exhaustive Middle East peace drive at a critical moment, is pressing both sides to accept a framework to carry negotiations past an end-of-April deadline. “As I said to Prime Minister Netanyahu when he was here just a few weeks ago, I believe that now is the time… to embrace this opportunity,” Obama said.
“It is very hard, very challenging. We are going to have to take some tough political decisions and risks if we’re able to move it forward.” Obama said that everyone understood the shape of an “elusive” peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, saying it would be based on 1967 lines with mutual land swaps.
Abbas sat beside Obama in the same Oval Office chair recently used by Netanyahu, when the Israeli leader complained Israel had done its part over decades of peace talks and the Palestinians hadn’t done theirs.
The white-haired Palestinian leader told Obama: “We don’t have any time to waste.” “Time is not on our side, especially given the very difficult situation that the Middle East is experiencing and the entire region is facing.” Abbas did not use a photo opportunity before the talks to directly address the Israeli government’s demand for the Palestinians to recognise Israel as a “Jewish” state in public. But he did say through a translator that the Palestinians had recognised Israel’s legitimacy in 1988 and in “1993 we recognised the state of Israel.”

Aamir Khan: I should take money for the work I do

Aamir Khan, on how he plans to celebrate the big day and the many controversies surrounding his television show Satyamev Jayate.

Aamir Khan, who turned 49 today, March 14, says he will spend the day with his family.

"I am happy to be turning 49. I have learnt a lot in life. It was an exciting journey. I am grateful for the love I have received. I am thankful to god, my fans. I hope to lead a healthy life.

"Kiran (Rao, wife) was the first one to wish me. It is family time today," he said.

Aamir says he was born on the day of Holi.

"My mother says the nurse had applied colour on my cheeks."

He added "Every year we celebrate Holi at Nassir Saab's (uncle) place with the entire family and it's a family affair."

Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber take dance lesson together in Texas?

Earlier this week Bieber raised eyebrows when he posted a picture on Instagram of his former love in an elegant Emilio
Pucci dress at the Vanity Fair party after the Oscars. (AP)
Estranged couple Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber have reportedly taken a two-hour private dance lesson in Texas. Bieber, 20, and Gomez, 21, sparked rumours that they had rekindled their romance after they were seen having breakfast at a local restaurant, before heading off for a shopping spree, reported Contactmusic.
Earlier this week Bieber raised eyebrows when he posted a picture on Instagram of his former love in an elegant Emilio
Pucci dress at the Vanity Fair party after the Oscars.
He had accompanied the snap with the caption – “The most elegant princess in the world.”
Bieber has recently found himself in a number of legal troubles due to his behaviour in the US and his native Canada.

Shahzad, Afridi take Pakistan to Asia Cup final

DHAKA: Shahid Afridi smashed the second fastest one-day half-century and Ahmed Shehzad hit a hundred to give Pakistan a three wicket win over Bangladesh on Tuesday and a place in the Asia Cup final.
The 34-year-old, who hit two consecutive sixes to give Pakistan a one-wicket win over India on Sunday, was once again Pakistan's saviour as they chased down their highest-ever target of 327 in 49.5 overs in Dhaka.
Afridi overshadowed a brilliant 123-ball 103 by opener Ahmed Shehzad and a sedate 74 by Fawad Alam who both set the tone for the chase, but it was the aggression of Afridi which helped Pakistan overcame a tough resistance from the hosts.
Pakistan will meet Sri Lanka in Saturday's final.
Afridi, who went into bat with Pakistan needing 101 off 52 balls, smashed paceman Shafiul Islam for a four to reach fifty off just 18 balls, one short of one-day cricket's fastest-ever half-century record held by Sri Lanka's Sanath Jayasuriya, made against Pakistan in Singapore in 1996.
He equalled his own record of second fastest one-day fifty, set twice by him. He scored an 18-ball fifty during his 37-ball hundred against Sri Lanka in Nairobi in 1996 and another 18-ball fifty against the Netherlands at Colombo in 2002. In all, Afridi took seven sixes and two boundaries off just 25 balls.
Pakistan's previous best run chase in a one-day was 322-6 against India at Mohali in 2007.
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq praised Afridi as "hero."
"He's really playing well and he's cashing into his form which is really good for us," said Misbah.
"Everybody knows the kind of player he (Afridi) is when he is in full swing and nobody can stop him." Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim admitted Afridi snatched the game.
"When Afridi plays like that there was very little we can do. He took away the game," said Rahim.
Before Afridi's blitz, it was a remarkable turnaround for the hosts who suffered a shock upset defeat against new-comers Afghanistan in their second match on Saturday. Bangladesh made several changes after their 32-run loss, the most prominent being all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan's return after he was suspended for three matches over indiscipline.
That paid off as a revamped batting line-up led by Anamul bettered Bangladesh's previous highest-ever total of 320-8, made against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo in 2009.
Pakistan too got a solid 97-runs by the 21st over with Mohammad Hafeez (52) and Shehzad in a punishing mood.
But they were derailed by left-arm spinner Mominul Haque (2-37) who dismissed Hafeez and Sohaib Maqsood (two), while Shakib had captain Misbah-ul Haq for four.
Shehzad completed his fifth one-day hundred but was bowled by Abdur Razzak, after hitting 12 fours and six. Shehzad added 105 runs for the fourth wicket with Alam.
But Alam and Afridi broke the hearts of a capacity home crowd after Bangladesh had been given a chance by their batsmen.
Anamul and Imrul Kayes (59) put on 150 for the opening stand and cashed onto some sloppy fielding and bowling by Pakistan.
Afridi went for 64 runs in his ten overs while paceman Mohammad Talha conceded 68 in seven and Umar Gul 76 in his 10.
But it was the left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman, brought in as one of two changes in Pakistan's squad, who suffered the worst fate as he was suspended from the attack over dangerous bowling.
He became the first bowler in international cricket to concede eight runs without bowling a legal delivery.
Kayes hit five boundaries and two sixes off 75 balls.
Anamul hit six boundaries and four well-timed sixes before he was caught off Saeed Ajmal who took 2-61.
Mominul (51), Rahim (51 not out) and Shakib with a 16-ball 44 comprising six fours and two sixes, made the final touches as Bangladesh scored 121 in the last 10 overs.

Govt to take all parliamentary parties in confidence on Taliban issue: Ijaz

ISLAMABAD: The leader of Pakistan Muslim League - Zia (PML-Z) MNA Muhammad Ijaz-ul-Haq Monday Stated that the government should take all parliamentary parties into confidence on Taliban issue.
Talking to media at the Parliament House, he said that before taking any initiative in talks with Taliban, first of all, the government should create a consensus in the parliament.
He also condemned the cowardly attack on the legal fraternity at Islamabad District Court (IDC) and expressed his profound grief on this disappointing incident.