Imran now bent upon removing Nawaz through street agitation

 

ISLAMABAD: One thing is now clear that Imran Khan will not wait for 2018 for fresh elections. He appears to have decided to remove the Nawaz Sharif government through street agitation.
Perhaps, he has been assured that he would be the next prime minister if the country goes for early elections.All his have been structured in a way that it is impossible to meet the demands. Except one, none of his demands has any relevance to the PML-N or its government. It was really surprising to hear him say after over one year that he does not accept the May 11, 2013 election results.

Despite his rigging charges, Imran Khan had accepted the election results in his televised speech within days after May 11, 2013. He, along with other PTI members, joined the National and provincial assemblies and had even formed his party’s government in the KPK.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif could possibly only respond to Imran Khan’s first demand/question as to who had made him to make the victory speech at around 11:30pm on the election day. There may be some conspiracy involved in this act of Nawaz Sharif but the fact remains that by that time, almost all TV channels had concluded that the PML-N would be forming the next government.

Trends of the election results, as collected by media persons from polling stations, generally help suggest who is winning and who is losing hours before the formal announcement of the polls by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Regarding Imran Khan’s second question as to what role the former Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice (retd) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had played in the rigged elections, one can only lament that the former CJP has been unfairly dragged into this controversy despite the fact that he had no role in the election process in any manner.

Instead, Imran Khan was one of those politicians who had demanded of the Election Commission to hold the 2013 elections under the judiciary. The former CJP was opposed to this but after repeated requests from the-then CEC Fakhruddin G Ebrahim, Justice Iftikhar had convened a meeting of the high-powered judicial committee to allow the appointment of sessions judges as returning officers. Otherwise, the superior judiciary under Iftikhar Chaudhry had decided in 2009 never to let the judiciary get involved in the election process.

The Returning Officers for election purpose are placed under the Election Commission of Pakistan whereas being judges they come under their respective provincial chief justices and not the Chief Justice of Pakistan. Still Imran Khan has involved the ex-CJP in election rigging.

The PTI chief’s question about the role of caretaker governments in the rigged election has also no relevance to the present government. All the provincial caretaker chief executives were appointed as per the constitutional provisions. It is also a fact that at the Centre and in most of the provinces, including Punjab, the caretaker chief executives were the nominees of the PPP and its allies in the previous set-up.

With regard to the caretaker governments’ role in the rigged elections, only the Election Commission of Pakistan could say something for being the concerned authority.

Similarly, the questions as to who had made changes in the electoral rolls and why there has been massive rejection of votes during the last year’s polls, purely falls in the domain of the Election Commission of Pakistan, which is presently led by Justice Nasirul Mulk, who would be the Chief Justice of Pakistan next month.

The incumbent Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Tassaduq Jillani, has also been the Acting CEC for a few months after former CEC Fakhruddin G Ebrahim decided to quit.

Revolution only through elections: Nawaz

 

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that Pakistan’s future is connected to democracy and Constitution and the revolution in Pakistan will only come through election.
He said the political forces would join hands to face the people having a useless agenda. He said that the nation would be triumphant in the war against terrorists.He expressed these views while talking to a delegation of Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) here on Thursday.

Referring to the slogans of revolution by some politicians, Nawaz said they were working for vested interests. He said the fate of Pakistan would be changed during the tenure of the incumbent democratic government.

The premier also stressed the need to work for the supremacy of law. He said the country’s integrity in the worldintegrity in the world had improved and trade ties with the world community had also strengthened.

The prime minister said that operation Zarb-e-Azb would wipe out terrorists and bring peace in the country.Regarding talks with Taliban, he said that it was the terrorists who were responsible for failure of the dialogue process.

He said all sanctuaries of terrorists would be destroyed so that they could not re-establish themselves.He said the nation stood by the armed forces and expressed the confidence that security forces would be successful in flushing out the terrorists.

Nawaz said the IDPs would not be left in disarray. He said the government would extend all state resources to help the IDPs. He appealed to all the segments of society to come forward and join hands with the government for IDPs rehabilitation.

He said the country would be put on the path to progress and development by overcoming energy crisis.He said the government had launched digitisation of Pakistani laws, which would provide all the laws of the land in soft forms.On the occasion, the PM assured the delegation the difficulties of the bench and bar would be addressed properly.

Messi´s late strike sends Argentina through

BELO HORIZONTE: Lional Messi curled in a superb injury-time goal to give Argentina a 1-0 World Cup win over battling Iran to send them into the second round on Saturday.

Argentina dominated possession but rarely looked like penetrating the massed ranks of defenders and Iran, growing in confidence after the break, were twice denied as headers by Reza Ghoochannejhad and Ashkan Dejagah were saved by Romero, the second a spectacular tip over the bar.

The game looked to be heading for a draw until Messi scored his second of the tournament to put the Group F favourites on six points following their opening win over Bosnia.

Iran and Nigeria have one point while Bosnia are on zero ahead of their game against the Africans in Cuiaba later on Saturday. (Reuters)

 

Nawaz to Modi: Let’s resolve all issues through talks

 

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has written to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi expressing satisfaction over his recent meeting and said he was looking forward to work with him in harmony to resolve all unsettled matters through talks.
In a letter released to the media by the Prime Minister’s Office here, the prime minister said he had “returned much satisfied” with a meaningful exchange of thoughts on matters of bilateral and regional interest.

Nawaz Sharif thanked Modi for this generous hospitality in the enduring Subcontinental tradition. He mentioned that millions in Pakistan and India were living in poverty who deserved the foremost attention of their governments.

“In many ways their future is integrated with our common economic destiny, and I firmly believe that in our concerted efforts lies the welfare and prosperity of our two nations,” the prime minister said. “It is my earnest hope that our endeavours will lay the foundation for a much brighter future,” he added.

Nawaz Sharif held talks with Modi in New Delhi last month after attending the inauguration of the Indian premier, who swept to power in a landslide election victory.

Modi’s invitation to Nawaz Sharif was a surprise move seen as a significant olive branch to Pakistan. The letter was sent last week to India’s foreign ministry through the Pakistan High Commission.

Meanwhile, in a meeting with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif termed the approval for financing of $700 million loan for Pakistan by the World Bank as a historical achievement.

Ishaq Dar apprised the prime minister of the World Bank’s approval for financing the 4,500MW Dasu Hydropower Project.The prime minister said $600 million will be utilised for the Dasu Hydropower Project and $100 million for the Sindh irrigation project.

The premier congratulated Ishaq Dar and his team for this remarkable achievement and said it shows confidence of the multilateral donors and foreign countries in the economy of Pakistan. He said the projects would lessen the power shortages and help in better utilisation of water resources.

The minister said the World Bank’s loans were purely concessionary and cheap. “The repayment schedule is spread over a period of 25 years including five years grace period, with low interest and nominal administrative charge of 2% per annum. It will also help in the reduction of domestic debt,” Ishaq Dar said.

Peace can only be achieved through dialogue: Ibrahim

KHYBER AGENCY: Member Taliban negotiating committee, Professor Ibrahim said on Monday that peace could only be achieved through dialogue.

Speaking to Geo News, Professor Ibrahim said the operation will bear disastrous results. “We will continue holding dialogue until they are successful.”

Professor Ibrahim added that he had warned the government that if there is an operation in North Waziristan people would flee to Afghanistan.

New tornadoes tear through US South, 17 dead

WASHINGTON: Fresh storms hit Mississippi and the US Southeast Monday, threatening tens of millions of people a day after tornadoes killed 17 and ripped up homes in nearby states.

A tornado swept through the northern city of Tupelo around 2.30 pm (1930 GMT), the National Weather Service said, adding that a crew was en route to survey the damage.

Parts of Alabama were also at high risk of severe storms, with a moderate risk affecting portions of Louisiana, Tennessee and Mississippi as the system traveled east, with numerous tornadoes expected.

The National Weather Service said more than 49 million people living in the watch areas were threatened by the storms, upwards of 1.4 million of them in high-risk areas.

In the hardest-hit parts of Arkansas, emergency crews intensified their search for survivors, as residents of the close-knit community of Vilonia surveyed the damage.

Dozens of Arkansas National Guard troops were assisting local authorities with medical evacuations, fresh water deliveries and search and rescue operations.Vilonia police chief Brad McNew said the town of 4,000 had been rendered unrecognizable.

"It´s houses completely down to the foundations," he told NBC television. Through the night, rescuers used searchlights in blacked-out areas, sifting through mountains of rubble in the hopes of finding someone alive.

The Arkansas Department of Emergency Management said 14 people had been killed in the state -- an earlier figure of 15 was revised as one victim was counted twice -- while an official in Oklahoma state said there were at least two tornado victims there.

Local media reported another fatality in the state of Iowa. McNew said more would have been killed if not for emergency sirens that warned people the twister was about to hit.

"I went to a tornado shelter myself with my family which was a couple miles away from where we were at.

A lot of people in the community were there. And so, it did work," he said."If you see the destruction that is here, even though we´ve lost some lives, there are many lives that was saved because of the storm warnings.

"Vilonia was struck three years ago by a tornado that took almost the same path, but Sunday´s twister was "a lot worse," McNew said.

Twisters also devastated large sections of the town of Mayflower, population 2,300, just northwest of the Arkansas state capital, Little Rock.

PM for speedy development through best economic decisions

LAHORE: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday directed the government functionaries to take the best economic decision to ensure proper use of each and every penny from the national exchequer.
He was speaking at a briefing regarding Ravi Zone development and conservation of archaeological sites, including Jahngir Tomb, at his Raiwind residence on Saturday.
Chief Secretary Punjab Naveed Akram Cheema, Chairman Planning and Development Department Irfan Elahi, Commissioner Lahore Rashid Langrial, LDA Chairman Ahad Cheema, two Singapore based consultants engaged in conservation of Jahangir Tomb and other senior officials of the government were also present.
The Prime Minister said experts and consultants from the private sector should be engaged in development works to ensure the maximum utilization of available resources and achieving a goal of development in the shortest possible time.
He said the public private partnership could be among the best options for reducing financial burden of big projects on the government and getting an efficient and better outcome.
He said `high end areas' should be developed in big cities, including Lahore, keeping in view models from the developed world for allowing construction of multi-storey buildings.
He stressed the need of adopting the best `commercial leverages' for enhancing value of the government's lands so that the land resources of the public sector could be used in the best interest of the masses.
Talking about residents of poor localities, he directed officials of development authorities to take steps for providing the best organized living facilities to people residing in unorganized areas.
"It is a social obligation to provide the best living facilities to people of unorganized areas and the government would do its best in this regard," he said.
Nawaz Sharif got a detailed briefing on steps to improve water table of Lahore and directed the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) to prepare proposals on economically viable options in this regard.

I learnt acting through car accidents: Veena Malik

Veena Malik

Veena Malik has been involved in a lot of car accidents till date. Here, she reveals the shaitaan behind the calm, composed Veena. "The people who look calm and cool when they grow up are usually involved in a lot of badmashi in their childhood. I am one such case. I got my independence when I was 14. My first film was a blockbuster, so I got fame, money and success at a very early age. I bought my first car — a Range Rover — when I was 15. So, though maine bahut si gadiyan todi hai, I feel the worst for that car."

She added that initially she was involved in a lot of accidents. "Maybe that is how I became an expert in acting — all these accidents required me to tell so much lies! There was this black colour car which I damaged so badly in a huge accident that it couldn't get repaired beyond a point. But all this has made me so experienced that I can drive any car, anywhere, anytime." She also revealed that she would take out her dad's four- wheeler stealthily and take a drive in it. "I am a big fan of SUVs. I also love driving Land Cruisers, Range Rovers and jeeps," she added.

Govt to enhance oil, gas exploration activities through investment friendly policies: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said on Tuesday the government was making all out efforts to enhance oil and gas exploration activities in the country through investment friendly policies.

He said the government believed in providing level playing field to all foreign investors and oil and gas companies, and assured protection of their investments.

The Prime Minister was talking to Alexander Dodde, Executive Vice President, MOL, who called on him here. Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was also present.

He said Pakistan had a vast onshore and offshore sedimentary area, out of which only around 35 per cent was under exploration.

He also appreciated professionalism and expertise of MOL and the important role it had been playing in this region for the last 15 years in the development of petroleum and gas sector of Pakistan.

The MOL management in Pakistan deserved applauds for their role in smooth operations of the company, the Prime Minister said, adding that it needed to explore more investment opportunities in oil and gas sector.

He encouraged MOL to acquire new blocks independently or jointly with Pakistan's state owned companies i.e. Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (GDCL) and Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) through competitive bidding process or joint ventures.

Alexander expressed confidence in the government's economic policies and appreciated its efforts to boost energy sector.

Europe less reliant on Russian gas through Ukraine

LONDON: A mild winter and improved infrastructure mean Europe and Ukraine are less reliant on Russian natural gas than in past years, easing worries that the escalating crisis in Ukraine could hurt supplies.
Russia is Europe's biggest gas supplier, providing around a quarter of continental demand. Around a third of Russia's gas is exported through Ukraine, which itself also relies heavily on imports to meet its own demand.
Fears for the stability of supply to Europe increased over the weekend when Russian forces took control of Ukraine's Crimea region and President Vladimir Putin said he had the right to invade his neighbour to protect Russians there after the overthrow of ally Viktor Yanukovich.
Moscow has in the past cut supplies to Ukraine when negotiating prices with Kiev, causing shortages especially in central Europe, which gets most of its supplies from Russia.
Russia's Gazprom said on Monday that gas transit to Europe via Ukraine was normal, but it warned that it might increase prices for Kiev after the first quarter, raising concerns that gas could be used for political leverage in the crisis.
But analysts said a mild winter across Europe had left storage inventories unusually high, easing the impact of any potential supply cut.
They also said improved gas infrastructure meant much of Russia's supplies could go to western Europe via alternative routes, such as the Nord Stream pipeline, which goes through the Baltic Sea to Germany, or through a pipeline that passes Belarus and Poland and also goes into Germany.
"Low utilisation means Ukraine's gas network is of lesser importance today than in the past," Bernstein Research said on Monday in a research note. But analysts warned that a further improvement of the gas infrastructure was still needed.
"Risks for Europe exist always, that is why it should pursue even more diversification projects further and develop liquefied natural gas (LNG) markets and new connectors in central and southeastern European regions," said Anna Bulakh of the International Centre for Defence Studies.
To prepare for a potential disruption, Ukraine's gas transit monopoly Ukrtransgas has also been increasing its gas imports from Russia in recent days, upping its stocks which now stand at four months worth of supplies.
Of Ukraine's 33 billion cubic metres (bcm) storage capacity, Gas Infrastructure Europe (GiE) data shows that around 80 percent is in its far west, so even in the case of a Russian intervention in Ukraine's predominantly Russian east, most storage assets would likely remain safe from seizure.
HEALTHY STOCKS:
After a mild winter, meteorologists expect early spring to bring warmer-than-usual conditions over most of Europe, implying weak gas demand will continue, adding to already high storage levels.
A European Commission spokeswoman said that there was around 40 bcm of gas in the European Union's storage sites, equivalent to almost 10 percent of the bloc's total annual demand.
"Europe is better prepared (than in the past)," said Maria van der Hoeven, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) in Brussels.
In Central Europe, which relies heavily on Russian supplies and was hard hit by previous cuts, Czech and Slovak inventories are filled between 35 and 45 percent, equivalent to 90 days of demand, and Polish reserves at over 70 percent of capacity. In Austria, the chief executive of national oil and gas company OMV even said that the country had enough gas to meet half a year of demand.
Hungary's gas stocks are lower, at roughly 22 percent of capacity, but because its inventory facilities are larger in volume, its reserves are still enough to meet almost two months' worth of demand.
Serbian officals also said that its underground gas depots had enough gas to help bridge a potential disruption of supplies from Russia via Ukraine and Hungary.
In Germany, Europe's biggest gas consumer and Russia's largest customer, inventories are more than 60 percent of capacity, equivalent to around 60 days of demand.
Despite the healthy stocks across Europe, benchmark UK gas futures rose by almost 10 percent compared with last Friday's close, to over 61 pence per therm on Monday afternoon.