All-out help to make PIA best airlines: PM

 

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said on Sunday that all-out help would be extended to make the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) the best airlines.

He visited the newly-acquired A-320 aircraft by the PIA that could start the renaissanceof the national flag carrier. Nawaz expressed joy over the deal and said it was pleasing to see the new aircraft being inducted into the PIA fleet. He said with the present initiatives being taken, PIA shall soon be revived to its past glory.


Nawaz took a round of the aircraft that was parked at the Islamabad International Airport. It is the first of the 14 most sophisticated aircraft being acquired by the PIA.The French-made A-320 is the first aircraft that the PIA has acquired in 10 years as the last purchase was the wide-bodied Boeing 777 in 2004, which had ruined the economy of the airline as it wasn’t cost effective. There are allegations that the then president and prime minister got heavy commissions in that deal. The airline is still paying heavy installments of that plane.


Sources said Boeing 777 was bought against the experts advice by allegedly changing the decision of the PIA board overnight by the then president. Nawaz was greeted by the PIA employees when he arrived at the airport. Interestingly, the prime minister had approved the inclusion of 14 new aircraft into the PIA fleet.


Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Aviation Shujaat Azeem, Managing Director PIA Muhammad Junaid Yunus and Director Flight Operations PIA Captain Qasim Hayat accompanied the prime minister.


Shujaat Azeem briefed the prime minister that the airline was also in the process of inducting 14 aircraft into its fleet, including the narrow body, wide body and turbo-prop aircraft. The airline has placed an order for three A320 aircraft with GECAS of which one aircraft had been received while the remaining two will be delivered next month and in September. The remaining aircraft will be inducted in the near future.


The Airbus A320 has a seating capacity of 180. The aircraft will be in operation immediately. Visiting the aircraft, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said he would like to see more Pakistanis traveling with the national flag carrier, which should be the preferred choice of passengers.

New houses to be built on IDPs return: PM

 

BANNU: Pledging full support to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from North Waziristan on Friday, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said that new houses would be constructed on the return of the IDPs.
Addressing the IDPs in the Bakkakhel area in Frontier Region, he said, if required, billions would be spent for the rehabilitation of the NWA’s displaced persons. He said the entire nation stood by them. “The whole nation appreciates your sacrifice.to leave one’s abode in this scorching heat. The government is striving hard to provide you basic facilities,” Nawaz Sharif said.

The camp is sparsely populated as the displaced people have avoided staying there due to its unsuitable location and inadequate facilities.The prime minister said the government would reconstruct the houses of the IDPs after the completion of the military operation.

He said that the government had decided to increase the monthly cash compensation of the IDPs from Rs12 000 to Rs20 000 a month including Rs3 000 for the monthly house rent and Rs5,000 for the non-food items. Therefore, the IDPs would be given Rs40,000 as cash compensation for the month of Ramazan which included Rs20 000 Ramazan package.

“We will utilise all available resources to facilitate you,” he said.The prime minister told the IDPs that he was aware of their difficulties and sentiments because leaving native homes was not an easy task. He said that he was confident that this problem would be resolved soon and the IDPs would return to their homes with honour and dignity.

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said that his government was well aware of the problems of dislocated people of NWA and reaffirmed the government commitment to utilise all the available resources for provision of speedy assistance and rehabilitation and ensure their early resettlement in their houses.

The prime minister said that there was no dearth of resources and the government would ensure provision of assistance, rehabilitation and relief and early settlement process. The prime minister said the IDPs were passing through difficult time and their sacrifices would not go waste. He hoped that their hard period in this harsh weather would come to an end soon.

The prime minister said that the government was working day and night to provide all the basic amenities of life to dislocated people to lessen their difficulties. The government and Army, he said, were working together day and night with the prime objective to provide comforts and relief to their tribal brethren. “This is not a kindness to them but we are fulfilling our duties,” he said.

Nawaz Sharif said the IDPs would be helped in reconstruction phase once the situation had improved in NWA. He said that the government would repair and improve the basic infrastructure including roads, health, clean drinking water facilities, schools and hospitals etc once law and order situation improved in the area. Nawaz Sharif said rebuilding and reconstruction phase in North Waziristan would not only generate employment opportunities for tribal people but would open up areas for trade and investment. It would alleviate poverty and bring progress and prosperity. He said the entire nation was united against the menace of terrorism and militancy and time was not far when complete peace would return to the agency.

Nawaz Sharif said that the government was left with no option but to launch massive military operation after failure of peace talks to establish its writ and protect the lives and properties of the people.The prime minister said that he held a detailed meeting with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) governor and chief minister besides Army officials to review arrangements for the IDPs. He prayed to Allah Almighty to help the government in its efforts to eradicate terrorism and extremism to bring peace to North Waziristan.

He said peace was vital for progress and development of Pakistan. With prayers of IDPs, he said, peace would soon prevail in North Waziristan Agency. He said effective arrangements had been made for the provision of fodder and shelter to livestock brought by the IDPs. He lauded Pakistan Army and other departments for extending full support to IDPs. In addition to medicines, he said, doctors and paramedics had arrived in sufficient number to treat and vaccinate their brethrens. Later, the prime minister distributed relief goods and food packages among the IDPs and assured full support in future. He also shook hand with the IDPs on the occasion and inquired about their well being.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif publicly praised Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif and highlighted the role of his troops in offering sacrifices in the North Waziristan operation. Lauding the efforts of the Pakistan Army, Nawaz Sharif said the soldiers were playing a crucial role in facilitating the displaced people.

Earlier, General Raheel Sharif, Corps Commander Peshawar Lt Gen Khalid Rabbani and other senior military and civil officers received the prime minister. He was given a briefing by the military officials about the services being offered to the IDPs.

Local journalists in Bannu weren’t allowed to cover the visit of the prime minister.The prime minister was accompanied by Minister for Safron Lt Gen (R) Abdul Qadir Baloch and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rasheed.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan, Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Nasir Khan Durrani and Bannu Commissioner Syed Mohsin Shah, who is the focal person for the IDPs, were also present on the occasion.

Terrorists responsible for dialogue failure: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Thursday that terrorists were responsible for the dialogue process not succeeding.

The prime minister added that safe havens of terrorists would be eliminated and the entire country stood behind brave soldiers of the Pakistan Army.

During a meeting with a delegation led by Vice Chairman Pakistan Bar Council Ramzan Chaudhry, Prime Minister Sharif said a revolution in Pakistan could only be achieved via polls.

PM to meet political leaders

A meeting of political leaders will also be convened by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and he is expected to take them into confidence over the operation in North Waziristan and challenges facing the country.

The prime minister will also call upon the support of political leaders for strengthening democracy in Pakistan.

PM invites Imran to visit IDPs

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also invited Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan to visit IDP camps.

The prime minister’s invitation was declined by Imran Khan on account of prior political commitments.

Residents of North Waziristan have fled from their homes after the military launched an operation to root out terrorism. It is expected that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will visit IDP camps on Friday.

We’ll change country’s fate if allowed to complete term: PM

 

MANSEHRA: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said his government would change the fate of the country if allowed to complete its five-year term. He said this while inaugurating the 4,320 megawatt Dasu Hydropower Project in Kohistan.
Speaking at a gathering after inaugurating the project, the prime minister said the project would help overcome loadshedding and put the country on the road to prosperity and development. “Our government is not just making tall claims of starting mega development projects; we have started this mega project which will meet the energy needs of our country,” he said amid cheers by the locals.

Nawaz said that the project would be completed in record time with an estimated cost of Rs500 billion. “I am confident the people will reject the elements who are out to block the development process,” he maintained. He added that work on the Diamer-Bhasha Dam would also start soon.

The premier advised his detractors to wait for five years as his government had the mandate of the people. “Our government is taking steps in the larger national interest and we are proud of it,” he said, adding he would honour all the pledges made during electioneering.

A group of people who were protesting on the occasion, were asked by the prime minister to meet him. He assured them the government would meet their demands. “Kohistan is rich in natural resources and the time is not far when this area would be a model city like Islamabad and people would come to invest here,” he added.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mehtab, Federal Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Asif, Secretary for Water and Power Nargis Sethi among others were also present on the occasion.

Nawaz Sharif also visited Naran in the Kaghan valley and stayed there for some time. He also met a delegation of hoteliers. They apprised the prime minister of the electricity problems in the area.

Nawaz Sharif asked Khwaja Asif to build a 2MW small hydropower project on the Kunhar River to solve the issue. Security was put on high alert in Dasu, the headquarters of Kohistan, and Naran.

PM, COAS visit Peshawar Corps HQ

 

PESHAWAR: Expressing satisfaction over the success of the ongoing operation “Zarb-e-Azb”, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the pace of success of armed forces in the operation was very encouraging. “We will win this war,” he vowed.
He said this while visiting the Peshawar Corps Headquarters on Friday where he was briefed by corp commander, Peshawar, on Zarb-e-Azb. The prime minister was accompanied by Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen Raheel Sharif, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan Abbasi, Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak, Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Federal Minister for State and Frontier Regions (Safron) Lt Gen (retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch.

The prime minister said that the entire nation was supporting the armed forces in the war against terror and will overcome every challenge. “The goal of achieving peace is not very far and I have full confidence that with the help of Allah Almighty, we will win this war,” he said.

He was briefed on different stages of Operation Zarb-e-Azb in the North Waziristan Agency (NWA) and the status of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in bordering areas of KP with Fata.

He said the government and armed forces would ensure the provision of all possible help to the affected people and the federal government will provide required resources in this regard. Earlier, the prime minister laid a floral wreath at the Yadgar-e-Shuhada at the headquarters of 11 Corps and prayed for the departed souls. Nawaz also held meetings with KP Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan and Chief Minister Pervaiz Khan Khattak at the Governor’s House, Peshawar, before returning to Islamabad.

Let’s work for five years, don’t pull our legs: PM

 

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has told the agitating elements “don’t pull our legs and of the country. Let us work for the future of it and serve its youth for five years together dedicatedly.”
Addressing the launch ceremony of Prime Minister’s Youth Proramme (PMYP) scheme for distribution of laptops on Friday at the Jinnah Convention Centre, he said, “I have a clear picture of the world but some TV channels are presenting some other world.”

He said his government would change the fate of the nation within the mandated period as loadshedding, lawlessness and other ills in the society would be eliminated. Nawaz said the politics of strikes and sit-ins was against the progress of the country and asked the political groups to let the PML-N government act upon its agenda of the country’s development.

He said some elements who wanted to take to the streets in the name of revolution, were working on the agenda to push the country back to the era of darkness and misery. On the contrary, the prime minister said, the PML-N government was working on a “real revolution” by making the youth a part of the country’s development.

He said “We are working with commitment and zeal for the development of the country. There is no justification for creating hurdles on our journey of national development. I dream of a bright future for the youth while on the roads some sections of people are bent upon pushing the country back into the dark ages, he said.”

“I am unable to understand the agenda of the people who are agitating. Are they agitating against our development agenda?” The prime minster asked the youth to stand with those who want to take the country forward on the path of peace and prosperity, and not with those who want the nation to plunge into darkness. The people of Pakistan had voted PML-N into power as they believed that this party had the capability to deliver. He said the PML-N is working with determination to eliminate power loadshedding since work has been initiated on mega development projects like Lahore-Karachi motorway and Pakistan-China trade corridor.

He said the government has launched the operation to eliminate terrorism and he is working on a plan to bring legislation on banning illegal weapons across the country. He said his party lacked majority in the Senate and faced difficulties in passage of this new legislation for elimination of illegal weapons. He expressed hope that the opposition parties will realise the importance of such measures to overcome incidents of robbery, extortion and kidnapping for ransom.

He said a feel-good factor has increased the stock index, while new employment opportunities are being generated and all sectors are witnessing positive change. A smart contingent of Punjab Police presented guard of honour to the talented students. The prime minister pointed out that the contingent is especially here to present salute to the “real VVIPs” who are in fact the students of the country.

He informed the audience that under the Rs4 billion scheme, about 100,000 students across the country would be getting quality laptops per year for a period of five years. The scheme is aimed at boosting the scope of research, quality education and improved access to information and communication technology among the graduate and post-graduate level students in the country. The prime minister said that he personally approved the design of the laptop that was prepared by Maryam Nawaz Sharif. He expressed hope that the students will utilise it prudently in the advancement of their studies.

Among other projects for youth, he said Rs1.2 billion had been allocated for the Fee Re-imbursement Scheme (FRS) under which 40,000 students will be getting a refund of up to Rs100,000 every year. “I wish to extend this facility to all the students of Pakistan. No student should remain uneducated due to resource constraints,” he added.

The prime minister referred to his promises made during his election campaign and said he remained committed to take the country forward. The government would facilitate those who had education and skill by providing them enough resources to move forward in their lives and help their families by earning respectably.

He recalled the criticism against the loan scheme for the youth by various quarters, and said that time has proved success of the scheme. Nawaz said that currently only 12,000 applicants had got the loans, while more funds are available for more loan seekers. “I am happy to tell you that the successful candidates have started their businesses and have even started paying back the loan. The loan scheme is a trust we have posed in our youth and they have proved themselves trustworthy. There is a special quota for special persons and students and it is being observed in all the schemes,” he added.

He said that no government in the past had the courage to provide loans of up to Rs2 million to needy youth. No questions were asked to the students to which party they support before providing the laptops, he said. “It does not matter if you have voted for me or not, I am still your prime minister and responsible to provide you all facilities,” he said. In all 1,740 students were present at the Convention Centre to receive their laptops on the launching day. The prime minister also distributed the laptops among the students hailing from all the provinces and Fata, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Nawaz stressed that merit is the only qualification needed to qualify for our schemes.

PMYP Chairperson Maryam Nawaz Sharif said the present democratic government has been effectively fulfilling the promises it made with the people. The launch of the laptop scheme is part of these promises. She said those students who come on merit will be eligible to get a laptop and there would be no discrimination at all. She said all good students will now be able to get all the required help in education and will not lag behind due to lack of resources. She said that similarly the FRS is also getting a very positive response.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif soon after taking oath announced six schemes, of which five were for youth. The FRS, PM Youth Loan, while Micro Finance for the youth will be launched in a few days. He said the Ministry of Finance had already released the full amount of Rs4 billion for the scheme. Local manufacturing of the laptops will create new employment and bring technical expertise to the country, he said. He said with the launch of the 3G technology, the students will experience faster internet speed and mentioned that the students would also get free EVO 3G dongles with their laptops. He said purely merit and transparency are being ensured in the schemes and no political interference at work in it. He said that all youth schemes are to continue for five years.

Higher Educational Commission (HEC) Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said for the first time, the HEC had received its full budget and got Rs63 billion for various projects. He said an inbuilt application in laptops would provide various academic productivity tools to the students including a Digital Library to access more than 6,000 research journals offered under National Digital Library Programme besides a lot of other online facilities to the students.

Iraq PM berated as US mulls air strikes on advancing militants

BAGHDAD: Top US officials turned on Iraq´s leader, blaming his "sectarian" policies for the country´s crisis as Washington Thursday weighed calls for air strikes on Sunni militants bearing down on Baghdad.

The sharp criticism of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki came as he scrambled to repel an insurgent onslaught that has seen an entire province and parts of three others fall out of government control in an offensive that could threaten Iraq´s very existence.

The militants´ swift advance has sparked international alarm and the United Nations has warned that the crisis was "life-threatening for Iraq".

Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have been displaced in the nine days of fighting and an unknown number killed, while dozens of Indians and Turks have been kidnapped.

With President Barack Obama mulling a request by Baghdad for air strikes on the advancing militants, US officials castigated Maliki, publicly echoing long-held criticisms among his domestic opponents of sectarianism.

US Vice President Joe Biden urged greater political inclusion in Iraq in phone calls with Maliki and other Iraqi officials, the White House said.

Biden "stressed the need for national unity in responding to the ISIL threat against all Iraqi communities," in calls with Maliki, Iraqi Council of Representatives Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi, and President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani, it said.

The top-ranking military officer, General Martin Dempsey, and former US commander David Petraeus both also rounded on the premier.

"There is very little that could have been done to overcome the degree to which the government of Iraq had failed its people," Dempsey said.

Petraeus warned at a conference in London that Washington risked becoming an "air force for Shiite militias" and supporting "one side of what could be a sectarian civil war" if political reconciliation were not agreed.

Iraq requests strikes
The remarks came after Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari told reporters in Saudi Arabia that Baghdad had asked Washington "to conduct air strikes against terrorist groups".

Zebari acknowledged "the need for drastic political solutions.

"Washington has deployed an aircraft carrier to the Gulf and sent military personnel to bolster security at its Baghdad embassy, but Obama insists a return to combat in Iraq is not in the cards.

The United States spent billions of dollars over several years training and arming Iraqi security forces after disbanding the Sunni-led army following the 2003 invasion that ousted dictator Saddam Hussein.

But the security forces wilted when faced with the militant offensive on June 9 which saw insurgents quickly capture Mosul, a city of some two million people, and then parts of Salaheddin, Kirkuk and Diyala provinces.

Some abandoned their vehicles and uniforms when faced with the insurgents, which are led by ISIL fighters but also include Saddam loyalists.

The Sunni fighters have been led by the powerful Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, but also include a wide coalition of other Sunni Arab militant groups, as well as loyalists of executed dictator Saddam Hussein.

Though the alliance has made significant territorial gains, the wildly divergent ideologies of its constituent groups means it may struggle to survive over time, analysts say.

And while they struggled in the early part of the offensive, Iraq´s security forces appear to be performing better in recent days, managing to make advances in certain areas, though militants have made their own gains elsewhere.

Murder case sought against PM, CM, others

LAHORE: The Minhaj-ul-Quran International (MQI) leadership lodged a formal application with the Faisal Town police on Thursday to register a murder case against the top leadership of the ruling PML-N for killing 10 workers and wounding nearly 100 by the police on Tuesday.

MQI Director Admin Jawad Hamid on Thursday went to the Faisal Town Police Station along with political allies to file an application for registering the murder case. PML-Q Information Secretary Senator Kamil Ali Agha, a former judge of Lahore High Court Dr Khalid Ranjha, Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) president Sahibzada Hamid Raza and other leaders also accompanied him.

Those who were nominated in the application included Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Hamza Shahbaz Sharif, federal ministers Khawaja Asif, Chaudhry Nisar Ali, Pervaiz Rasheed, Khawaja Saad Rafiq and Abid Sher Ali along with Punjab Minister Rana Sanaullah, DIG Operations Rana Abdul Jabbar, SP Tariq Aziz, former CCPO Shafiq Gujjar, Faisal Town SHO, Gullu Butt and others. However, no case was registered till the filing of this report.

Senator Agha told the media that Naib Moharrir Ansar Amin had issued a receipt 657/5B/FB against the application but the case was not registered despite waiting for over one hour because the SHO left the police station with the plea that he would return within 10 minutes. But he did not appear again even after over an hour while the staff could not explain his schedule.

Agha said the MQI had fulfilled their legal right and now it was the legal responsibility of the police to register the case and start an investigation. He feared that the police would not register the cases against the rulers.He said the chief minister had announced supporting those who would follow the legal procedure, adding that it was the CM’s turn now to move on the application according to the law.

He warned the government that if it did not act on the application according to the Constitution and the law, then they would be compelled to take direct action whose responsibility would rest with the rulers.

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.

Govt musters four parties’ support for national causes: PM briefed

ISLAMABAD: Four mainstream political parties have assured the government that they would resist any threat to parliamentary democratic order and supremacy of the constitution since any adventure could inflict irreparable loss to the integrity of the country.

The three-member special committee, headed by Prime Minister’s Adviser on National Affairs Professor Irfan Siddiquee had meetings with the leadership of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Jamiatul Ulmai Islam (JUI) of Maulana Fazalur Rehman, Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) of Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao and Awami National Party (ANP) in the light of mandate given to it by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Federal ministers Professor Ahsan Iqbal and Khawaja Saad Rafiq are the other two members of Professor Siddiquee’s committee. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been briefed about the initial and encouraging response of the political parties in question to the three member committee.

The committee will continue to establish contact with other political parties and groups in the wake of upcoming developments in the political arena. Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has yet to take ultimate decision about siding with the division on the national horizon but the government’s confidants have furnished contacts with the MQM also to muster its support for the national causes.

Interestingly, the favourable reaction of the government pertaining to the arrest of Altaf Hussain in London recently has evoked tremendous goodwill between the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the MQM. Highly placed sources in the government told The News here on Sunday evening that the whirlwind visit of Allama Tahirul Qadri to Pakistan next week is part of the intrigue to destabilise the country and for the reason political and democratic forces have decided to forge unity in their ranks to frustrate any attempt to uproot the democratic order in the country. The administration has knitted a net to nab Allama Tahirul Qadri who is Canadian national and involved heinous offences, including fiscal crimes and several irregularities.

His close family members are also partner in the crimes. The federal agencies, including FIA, Intelligence Bureau (IB) and FBR, are hectically engaged in compiling documentary evidence into the offences reportedly committed by Qadri and his family members. The government is also examining to institute cases against Allama Tahirul Qadri for inciting violence, instigating people against the constitution and lawfully in-place government, attempting to dislodge constitutional order in the country and preaching violence. It could pave the way for registration of criminal case against him under Article 124 (A) Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). Tahirul Qadri could be another case resembling Pervez Musharraf, who could come to Pakistan with big bang, but stranded here due to the cases awaited for him. Pervez Musharraf is trying hard to leave the country but facing enormous difficulties, the sources pointed out.

The sources reminded that Allama Qadri will have to face different sort of administration this time when he will be landing Pakistan in a couple of days since the present government wouldn’t tolerate daring by him to the institutions created by the people and irresponsible rhetoric by him. The government wouldn’t hesitate in nabbing the Canadian national after gathering solid evidence about his crimes.

The Canadian and British High Commissions would also be taken in loop about the offices under money laundering that have been committed on the soil of Pakistan, but the properties were procured in Canada and the United Kingdom with the black money whitened in the two countries. He has huge property in the United Kingdom besides Canada and some other European countries.

The government is confident that no mainstream political party or group would join hands with the Allam, and once the government decided to lay hand on him, he wouldn’t be able to solicit support from any influential quarter, the sources added.

PM Sharif should install a War Cabinet

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif needs to put together a War Cabinet. The current cabinet produced two offsprings — talks with the TTP and multibillion rupee infrastructure projects. The attackers of the Jinnah International Airport have killed them both (talks are dead and no private investment is coming to Pakistan).

In 1916, PM Herbert Asquith of the United Kingdom was asked to form a small War Cabinet. He kept on delaying it and was finally forced to resign. PM Lloyd George then took over and formed a small, five-member War Cabinet to fight the war.

In 1939, PM Chamberlain formed a 9-member War Cabinet. PM Churchill had formed a five-member, bi-partisan War Cabinet. Australia fought the war with a seven-member War Cabinet. President Kennedy formed a War Cabinet in response to the Cuban Missile Crisis. President Bush formed a War Cabinet in response to the September 11 attacks.

The current cabinet’s priorities are completely out of sync with reality. Here’s the reality. Fatalities in terrorist violence: 52,409 (till June 8, 2014). Security forces personnel killed: 5,775. Suicide attacks: 396 (killed 6,021; injured 12,558). Bomb blasts: 4,932.

The current cabinet’s priorities are completely out of sync with reality. Here’s the reality. General officers martyred:Lieutenant-General Mushtaq Baig, Major-General Ameer Faisal Alvi and Major-General Sanaullah Niazi. Here’s the reality. Military installations attacked: GHQ Rawalpindi, Minhas Airbase, Mehran Naval Base and Pakistan Ordinance Factory.

The current cabinet’s priorities are completely out of sync with the mainstream. Here’s the reality. Prominent civilians killed: Benazir Bhutto, Salman Taseer and Shahbaz Bhatti.

Now, here are 22 words from the budget speech: “959 KM Karachi-Lahore motorway project …. 892 KM Gawadar-Ratodero Motorway …. 200 KM long Gwadar-Turbat-Hoshab Section…. 460 KM Raikot-Havelian-Islamabad Section…the Karakoram Highway.” Let us look reality ‘straight in the eye and deny it’.

What Pakistan needs is a War Cabinet-a cabinet capable of integrating and directing the war effort both in the tribal areas and urban centers; a cabinet with time-bound powers to establish war-time special courts; a cabinet empowered to restrict war-time individual freedoms; a cabinet with powers to regulate the war-time media.

Pakistan cannot win without denying terrorists three things: physical space, ideological space and funding. What Pakistan needs is a War Cabinet — a cabinet comprising the military high command (to take back physical space), an intellectual segment (to deny ideological space) and a financial wizardry component (to deny funding).

According to Shaheen Sehbai, “….the fact is that Pakistan and its critical institutions have collapsed and it is now time for a major, immediate, almost earthshaking, political and administrative renovation effort, to get back control before everything spins out of hand.”

Pakistan’s democracy has to go to war to save the state as well as democracy. The British democracy went to war under PM Churchill’s War Cabinet. The War Cabinet had the following four characteristics: One - politics was subordinated to military considerations. Two — concentrated authority. Three — the raison d’etre was the successful prosecution of the war effort. Four — democratic accountability to the electorate was temporarily suspended.Can we win this war without a War Cabinet? Who said, “The quickest way of ending a war is to lose it?”

Operation to continue till end of last terrorist: PM

 

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed officials to continue the operation till the end of the last terrorist and the establishment of complete peace in the tribal region of the country.
According to information, the prime minister approved the launching of the operation during the national security meeting held last week. A private TV channel quoted the prime minister as saying that the operation should continue till the end of the last terrorist and establishment of complete peace in the territory.

Nawaz Sharif said that the security of life and property of the citizens was the top priority and all resources should be utilised to flush out terrorism from the country.Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that the government had made full-fledged efforts for dialogue with full responsibility and now the operation will continue till the elimination of the last terrorist.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said a decisive battle would be fought against the terrorists.In a statement, the minister said the launch of a full-scale military operation, Zarb-e-Azb, against terrorists in North Waziristan was a well-thought-out decision of the government.

Khawaja Asif said the decision was taken after the failure of peace negotiations with the Taliban militants. He said it was a decision of the entire nation as the people of Pakistan had unanimously decided that terrorists should be neutralised once and for all.

“The whole nation is standing by the armed forces, which are fully capable of annihilating these elements,” the minister said.He said the Pakistan Army has been directed to crush the terrorists completely and the armed forces will not refrain from any sacrifice for the defence and security of the country.

Khawaja Asif said, “This time the operation will continue until its logical conclusion.”Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Pervaiz Rashid on Sunday appealed to all politicians and the nation to stand united behind the government and the armed forces in the war against terror.

In his statement after the launch of the military operation in North Waziristan to flush out the terrorists, the minister said that as a democratic government they have exercised the option of dialogue with the terrorists but contrary to the peace overtures the terrorists continued killing our people. But now either they will have to surrender or face defeat, he added.

The federal minister stressed upon the nation to stand united behind the men and women in uniforms. The Pakistani nation has decided that those who want to disrupt their lives will be taken to task, he added. The federal minister said this terror network will now meet its fate with the ultimate might of the state, adding they know that people of Pakistan are peace loving and will defend their way of life.

President, PM, army chief pay tributes to armed forces

 

KARACHI: Army chief Gen Raheel Sharif, President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have paid tributes to the armed forces for successfully foiling the terror bid on the Karachi airport through a well-coordinated operation.

President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said security forces protected the national assets with great courage and valour. The prime minister talked to Interior Minister Ch Nisar Ali Khan and directed him to proceed to Karachi and hold meetings with officials of Rangers, army, police and the Civil Aviation.


The PM said security forces protected the national assets with great courage and valour.Gen Raheel Sharif paid rich tributes to all martyred and the injured for their supreme sacrifices. He directed the DG Rangers and corps commander Karachi to take stringent action against the terrorists.


Taking notice of the attack at the Karachi airport, the army chief spoke to the Karachi corps commander and DG Rangers on phone and asked them to monitor the operation. Gen Sharif said, “I salute all the troops who took part in this undefeated the troops who took part in this undefeated counter-terrorism operation.”


Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, patron-in-chief of the Pakistan People’s Party, has appreciated Inspector General of Police, Director General Rangers and Corps Commander Karachi for personally commanding their forces in the operation against the terrorists who attacked Karachi airport.


“Let us salute the members of law enforcing agencies and armed forces for display of bravery during their engagements with the ruthless and blood-thirsty terrorists armed with heavy weapons and suicidal vests,” he added.


Bilawal also praised Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah for personally monitoring the situation on the site and encouraging the morale of the law enforcers fighting the terrorist gang.He also paid rich tributes to the security personnel who laid down their lives for protection of the citizens, passengers and others adding nation takes pride in having such brave martyrs and salutes them.


Talking to media persons, DG Sindh Rangers Major General Rizwan Akhtar said the terrorists had come in two groups and they gained access to the terminal through the Cargo gate and Fokker gate.


He said no aircraft was damaged in the attack and all sensitive installations remained safe.At least 18 people including thirteen security personnel have been martyred and ten terrorists killed in an operation to clear Old Terminal of Karachi Airport from terrorists.


The terrorists attacked the airport after 11:00pm on Sunday with grenades and automatic weapons and gained access to the old terminal, he said.Afghan President Hamid Karzai strongly condemned the terrorist attacks and the other terrorist attack that targeted buses carrying Shia pilgrims in Balochistan.


“The government of Afghanistan believes that the continuation of such attacks is a testament to the fact that our region is facing a rising insecurity. We all must, therefore, have recognized by now that the use of extremism and violence as a tool serves no one’s interest,” Karzai office said.


“Having suffered so much from such acts of violence imposed on them, the people of Afghanistan once again call on Pakistan to sincerely cooperate in the elimination of this evil scourge to which the people of Pakistan are also unfortunately falling victim today, so that the region can achieve peace and prosperity.”


He said Afghanistan stresses once again on the need for an effective cooperation between the two countries, and believes that without comprehensive cooperation to fight terrorism and an end to the use of extremism as a tool, the region won’t be able to achieve stability, peace and prosperity.


Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has announced monetary compensation for the victims of Karachi airport attack.He has announced Rs2 million for each martyred Rangers personnel and Rs1 million for each martyr of police and Airport Security Force (ASF). Each injured will get Rs100,000.


Ansar Burney Trust International Chairman Ansar Burney has condemned terrorist attack on Karachi airport and appreciated the great role of armed forces in foiling the terror bid. He said terrorist group TTP has claimed responsibility of Karachi airport attack.


“Attack on Pakistan army personnel is an attack on us, our homes, country and nation. Now may I request my nation that this is the right time to stand with Pakistan Army,” he said. Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting and National Heritage (IB&NH) Senator Pervaiz Rasheed has said that involvement of foreign hands in Karachi Airport attack could not be ruled out.


He said the militants launched the attack to paralyze Pakistan. He claimed that those who planned and funded the attack didn’t belong to Pakistan. Paying tributes to armed forces at a press conference here on Monday, the minister said that terrorists will be dealt with the same fashion.


He said Jinnah International Airport had started functioning after being cleared of militants.Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has strongly condemned the attack of terrorists on Jinnah International Airport Karachi and paid tributes to the security forces over their successful operation against the saboteurs.


He said that Jawans of security forces have foiled the evil designs of terrorists by laying down their lives and safeguarded national assets through their courage and bravery. He said that security personnel have achieved martyrdom and the whole nation is proud of them.


He said that the Jawans of security forces have set a noble example of courage and valor by laying down their lives in the line of duty and their sacrifices will never go waste. He said that attack on Karachi airport is highly deplorable. He prayed for the early recovery of the injured security officials.


Former President Asif Ali Zardari also condemned terrorist attacks on Karachi airport and Taftan.He said there are no strong words for condemnation of this series of heinous attacks in which our brave soldiers and innocent civilians have been martyred and injured.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting and National Heritage (IB&NH) Senator Pervaiz Rasheed has said that theinvolvement of foreign hands in the Karachi Airport attack could not be ruled out. He said the militants launched the attack to paralyse Pakistan. He claimed that those who planned and funded the attack didn’t belong to Pakistan.

Paying tributes to the armed forces at a press conference here onMonday, theminister said that terrorists will be dealt with in the same fashion. He said the Jinnah International Airport had started functioning after being cleared of militants.—Agencies

Terrorists wanted to destroy all planes, report to PM reveals

KARACHI: The initial report of the attack on the Karachi airport has been presented to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

The findings of the report revealed that terrorists wanted to destroy all airplanes and paralyse entire air traffic operations but the Airport Security Force (ASF) blocked their march towards Jinnah Terminal.

Meanwhile, DG ISPR Major General Asim Bajwa tweeted that the final clearance of the entire airport had been completed. He added that the airport had been handed over to CAA/ASF and would likely open at 2:00 PM.

The prime minister’s adviser Shujaat Azeem said flight operations would resume at the Karachi airport from 4:00 PM.


Heavily armed militants launched an assault on Pakistan´s busiest airport in Karachi, leaving at least 30 dead including 10 militants in a six-hour siege that the army quelled at dawn on Monday.

Explosions and gunfire rang out as the attackers, equipped with suicide vests, grenades and rocket launchers, battled security forces in one of the most brazen attacks in years in Pakistan´s biggest city.

Authorities said all 10 militants were killed and that the bodies of 18 victims, including security personnel and four airport workers, had been identified at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC).

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has accepted the responsibility of the attack.

A black day despite public support by all, PM, politicians included

 

ISLAMABAD: Motivation and the motives behind suspension of Geo TV by Pemra apart, the stringent action against the most popular TV channel marks the blackest day for the constitutionally-guaranteed freedom of the press that was not offered on a silver platter.

Meanwhile, vultures, disguised as TV anchorpersons and journalists, prodded and promoted by their masters, visible and invisible, are happy over the Pemra decision as their demand has been met. But they do not realise that this is a huge attack on the press freedom as a result of which all will suffer. The temporary glee and gains of the opportunistic lot will evaporate very soon.

Unfortunately, in their ambitious venture to build their palaces at the cost of someone else, these fawning flunkeys deeply split the journalistic community without acknowledging that such a division will benefit only the perpetrators and weaken the pressmen and press freedom.

There is not an iota of doubt that the Nawaz Sharif government, though hesitantly, took the harsh action on being constantly pressurised by the complainant, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) through the defence ministry, which submitted a plea to the regulator, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), hurling unheard of, wild and unsubstantiated accusations on the Geo News. But in the annals of history, it will be the government and not the spy agency that will be in the dock for the suspension.

What is the value and worth of umpteen statements from top-most government leaders that no actions like suspension or closure of Geo News will be taken? For over a month, the president, the prime minister, the information minister and several other senior stalwarts said more than once that the freedom of expression and the press would be ensured at all costs and Geo would not be suspended or closed. It is now clear that all this talk was empty and shallow, signifying nothing.

The strike proved loud and clear that the regulator succumbed to the intense pressure exerted by the complainant. It also established as to where the power lies. However, the suspension is just an official formality because the Geo News had already been forcibly off-air in 90 percent of Pakistan for the past 45 days due to the intimidating illegal orders to the cable operators by the omnipotent complainant to disconnect it.

It is a debatable question as to how the callous action against the Geo News will or has retrieved the damaged reputation and prestige of the spy agency and its chief. It may be instructive to have a glance at the social media where this “waqar” (honour, prestige) has been vociferously but mockingly discussed.

It was reprehensible that the Geo News was condemned by the Pemra unheard. Had the regulator resorted to this action after giving a fair hearing to the outlet, its decision would have been viewed in a different manner. It was a one-sided, unilateral move which can’t stand the scrutiny of law, fairness and justice.

The suspension was clamped despite the fact that the Geo News had publicly apologised over the April 19 coverage in the wake of assassination attempt on noted anchorperson Hamid Mir. It was more than sufficient because the outlet confessed to its blunder.

In the civilised world, an unqualified apology is generally considered absolutely appropriate remedy because it is the admission of the mistake by the network while suspension is vindictiveness and revenge by all standards, which will not help salvage the “damaged repute and prestige”.

The government and the spy agency will face the music in the wake of Geo News suspension. Not only all the representative premier bodies and associations of journalists and press clubs of Pakistan are exceedingly exasperated over the action and plan protests against it, but the international forums and many countries would condemn this decision as well as the government for acting dictatorially and in a draconian fashion.

Nowhere in the world, a top spy agency publicly exposed itself so much as the outfit did in Pakistan over the past 45 days. Many unprecedented actions like managing protest rallies by certain religious elements, including banned outfits, burning of thousands copies of The News and Jang and the vehicles carrying them for four times in Rawalpindi, Karachi and Lahore, bullying cable operators into blocking the Geo News transmission and intimidating the journalists of the media house threw up a shameful record that will continue to haunt Pakistan for a long time.

In the larger context, the intelligence agency demonstrated its power to all and sundry in Pakistan and to the world at large that it was not a civilian government, regardless of its electoral mandate, that rules Pakistan, but it was this outfit that was in command and can do whatever it wants with impunity. It mocked the people’s mandate that they accorded in the May 2013 general elections. The civilian dispensation became a laughing stock during this period.

For weeks, the Nawaz Sharif government resisted the ISI pressure to instantly shut down the Geo News for the “unparalleled crime” it committed. A person no less than the chief executive declared more than once that it would not penalise the network to such an extent that its licence was suspended even for a few days. But finally, the mighty was able to coerce the government into accepting its diktat.

Indian PM Modi to meet Obama in September: reports

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Washington for his first meeting with President Barack Obama in September, media reports said Thursday, as the two leaders look to re-build strained ties.

Modi, who assumed office last month after a landslide election victory, has accepted the invitation from Obama for discussions and the dates for the meeting were being finalised, the Times of India newspaper said.

The Hindustan Times said the Indian side had asked for the meeting to be held on September 26, around the time of Modi´s maiden address at the UN General Assembly. "All pending bilateral issues will be discussed in the one-day meeting as Modi is keen to push the relationship forward for its economic returns for India," the English-language daily said, quoting sources.

The election of the Hindu nationalist Modi, 63, posed a headache for the United states which refused him a visa in 2005 when he was chief minister of Gujarat.

The refusal stemmed from claims he turned a blind eye to anti-Muslim riots in the western state three years earlier that killed some 1,000 people. Modi denies the allegations.

A senior official in the Indian foreign ministry refused to comment on the reports about the meeting in Washington but said a press statement was likely to be issued later in the day.

Relations between Washington and New Delhi were thrown into crisis by the arrest of an Indian diplomat in New York on charges of breaking visa laws by underpaying her maid last December.

The episode, which drew a furious reaction from New Delhi, was a blow to efforts to build a strategic partnership between the world´s biggest democracies who both view China´s rise with suspicion.

Modi has displayed no rancour publicly about the visa ban by Washington, telling an interviewer before his election that foreign relations "should not and cannot be influenced by incidents related to individuals".

His top campaign promise has been on the economy, and he courted Western investors in Gujarat even while governments shunned him.

How can those who can’t manage a province run the country, asks PM

 

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said that this was the time to take practical steps to resolve the problems of the people and not to stage sit-ins, adding how could those who could not manage the affairs of one province, run the country.He said those who couldn’t get votes in the 2013 elections should wait for the 2018 general elections instead of hatching conspiracies.
Addressing the second computer balloting for the grant of loans under the Prime Minister’s Youth Business Loans at the Convention Centre here, the prime minister said that in the first phase 38,000 applications for loans were received under the PM Youth Business Loan Scheme including 31,000 men and 7,000 women. “Of them, 6,000 were selected for grant of loans through computer ballot in the first draw and 6,000 more are being selected through the second draw,” he added.He expressed the confidence that youth borrowing loans for businesses would prove to be a harbinger of a social and economic revolution in the country.

He said the government had launched a number of development projects and was completing them in record time. He said that $35 billion would be invested in the power, road and railway sectors during the next ten years.

He said 21,000MW of electricity would be added to the national grid in eight to 10 years.“I see great potential in the youth of Pakistan who can bring about an economic revolution and development in the country through their energy and dynamism”, he added. He said that the middle and lower-middle classes had contributed to the development of nations like Germany and Japan, and therefore, he had great expectations from the youth of these classes in Pakistan.

He further said that the Business Loan Scheme would enable thousands of Pakistani youths to gain financial independence and also prove to be a source of major economic activity. “The scheme is totally transparent and based on merit, and I’m emphasising the role of women in the development of Pakistan,” he added. He said that his government was providing equal opportunities to women in all sectors and therefore all the schemes of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program contained a 50 percent quota for females.

He directed the governor State Bank to engage other Pakistani private banks to participate in these schemes. “Previously, banks only entertained the affluent class as the poor were not even allowed to enter the banks. But our government provided opportunities to the marginalised population for gaining economic independence,” he maintained.

“The money accumulated in the treasury belongs to the people of Pakistan and they have every right to utilise it for their benefit. It is our obligation to provide services and initiate welfare projects”, he noted.

The premier also appreciated the efforts put in by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar for presenting a development-oriented and pro-poor budget for 2014-15. As he elaborated the salient features of the budget, he said that they expected to control inflation, and attract significant investment and launch development projects. He said that by the grace of the Almighty and the hard work of the team, the government had been able to achieve 16.4 percent revenues against a target of 21 percent which is almost a 90 percent success.

He informed that the livestock insurance scheme had been included in the budget for 2014-15 that would provide security to small-scale and poor farmers in protection of investment.The premier emphasised that the government’s top priority was to get rid of the power loadshedding and for this purpose, 21,000MW of power projects for the next eight to 10 years had been planned.

He stated that unfortunately, previous governments did not pay attention to the energy crisis and the machinery for the Nandipur power project was abandoned, rusting at the Karachi port while people were suffering long hours of loadshedding. “Our government, in a short period of only eight months reactivated and completed this project which shows our commitment to solve the energy crisis,” he remarked.

He further said that the multi-purpose mega project of Diamer–Bhasha Dam with a cost of $12 billion and with a capacity of 4,500MW was being undertaken which would not only generate electricity but also help in managing our water resources that were being wasted.

He also referred to the $35 billion Pak-China Economic Corridor that would change the fate of the country. He further said that work on the Karachi-Lahore Motorway would be initiated soon as Rs55 billion had been allocated for land acquisition to be completed in three months.

The prime minister said that they should not indulge in the politics of leg-pulling and unnecessary criticism. The people of Pakistan have shown their confidence in us in the last elections and it was they who would again decide in the 2018 elections based on our performance.

Later, he performed the 2nd computerised balloting of the Youth Business Loan Scheme in which 5,169 loans were awarded to the applicants whose applications were approved by the National Bank. It may be noted here that a 50 percent quota was reserved for women with a quota for martyrs and special persons.

He also distributed cheques to some of the successful candidates of the first balloting. He also directed the president of the National Bank to forward all the cheques by June 15, 2014.Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar said the present government was focusing on the welfare of the downtrodden sections of society and the launch of six youth-related schemes were part of that strategy of the PML-N government.

PM directs Pakistani HC in London to provide consular access to Altaf

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed Pakistani High Commission (HC) to London for providing consular access to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain immediately, Geo News reported.

According to the spokesman of Prime Minister House, the government was ready to provide legal and moral assistance to Altaf Hussain.

The federal government termed reaction in Karachi over Altaf’s arrest ‘regretful’, saying that damaging life and property is against the law.

PM Nawaz directed Sindh government and law enforcement agencies to ensure safety of life and property of masses in the province.

PM consults officials for restoring peace talks with Taliban

 

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has held consultations with some important officials in connection with restoring the peace talks with the Taliban.
According to the sources, despite the military operation in North Waziristan and other agencies against the militants, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan are in favour of restoring the process of the peace dialogue with the Taliban.

The sources in the capital said that two days before the meeting of political and military leadership on Friday, the prime minister had held talks with former ambassador Rustam Shah Mohmand regarding the restoration of peace talks with the Taliban.

The sources said that the government still wanted to create an atmosphere for talks so that durable peace could be established in the troubled areas.

When The News contacted Rustam Shah in this regard, he said that the prime minister was hopeful and the process was moving forward positively.

PM rejects summary to increase petroleum prices

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Saturday directed to maintain the prices of petroleum products at the same level, rejecting recommendations of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) to increase the same for next month.

The prime minister issued these directives in a meeting with Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar who called on him.

The finance minister briefed the prime minister on cumulative reduction in POL prices during the last three months.

He informed that the economic policies, stabilization of the value of rupee and increase in the foreign exchange reserves had already resulted in reduction of POL prices in the country.

He informed the prime minister that Ogra has suggested increase in prices of petrol, HSD, LSD and HOBC and decrease in price of kerosene oil for the next month.

The prime minister directed that the prices of the petroleum

products, where Ogra has suggested increase, should be kept at the same level and the decrease in price of kerosene oil will be passed on to the consumers, on recommendation of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.

The government will provide subsidy amounting Rs1.78 billion to offset the difference in prices of POL products.

After prime minister’s directive, the price of MS (petrol) will remain Rs107.97 per litre, high speed diesel Rs109.34 per litre, light diesel oil Rs94.13 per litre, HOBC Rs134.63 per litre while the prices of kerosene oil will be reduced to Rs97.40 per litre from existing price of Rs98.07 per litre.

However, Ogra had suggested increasing petrol price to Rs109.28 per litre, high speed diesel Rs111.15 per litre, light diesel oil Rs95.14 per litre, HOBC Rs137.12 per litre and decrease of kerosene oil price to Rs97.40 per litre.