‘Jobless politicians’ want to lure Imran into cage: Pervaiz

LAHORE: In an obvious reference to the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leaders Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid on Saturday said those meeting in London were politically jobless people and they were luring Imran Khan into their cage.

Speaking to media persons here, he said the remnants of Musharraf were trying to bring together the associates of the former military dictator.

“These people are luring Imran Khan into their cage but he is scared of entering it,” the minister said.

Downplaying Friday’s meeting between Qadri and the Chaudhry brothers in London, the minister said: “It is a waste of time to comment on Dr Qadri and the Chaudhry brothers meeting. One can never enter parliament while the other cannot become an opposition,” he observed.

He said Imran had become isolated politically that’s why he was relying on rejected elements like the Chaudhrys of Gujrat and a Canadian national Tahirul Qadri.

To a question, he said Sheikh Rasheed was a ticket-less passenger, who would be checked by Khawaja Saad Rafique.

The information minister said the government would decide on the removal of Musharraf’s name from the Exit Control List (ECL) after the court ruling.

The minister said Imran Khan had no idea of national politics and wanted to fight with those the government was holding talks. He said Imran was obsessed with the issue of four constituencies. He said Imran had not mentioned the Kashmir issue in his speeches or public rallies yet.

Rashid terms elements meeting in London politically jobless

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

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

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

US jobless claims drop to 3-month low

WASHINGTON: First-time claims for US unemployment benefits fell last week to a three-month low but remained little changed from a year ago, according to official data released Thursday.
Initial jobless claims totaled 323,000 in the week ending March 1, a decline of 26,000 from the prior week's revised reading of 349,000, the Labor Department said.
It was the lowest level of claims, a sign of the pace of layoffs, since the last week of November.
The Labor Department cited no particular factor driving the fall in claims, which was larger than analysts expected. The consensus was for claims to fall to 338,000.
The four-week moving average of claims, which helps to smooth week-over-week volatility, fell by 2,000 to 336,500.
A year ago, the moving average was 350,500.
"We need to see more than just one week's data to confirm that the underlying trend in claims remains about flat behind all the weather-induced noise," said Ian Shepherdson of Pantheon Macroeconomics.
The claims report came ahead of the Labor Department's closely watched monthly jobs report due Friday.
Analysts estimate net job creation picked up to 163,000 in February after a mere 113,000 in January. The unemployment rate is expected to hold steady at 6.6 percent.

US stocks rise after upbeat jobless claims data

WASHINGTON: US stocks opened modestly higher on Thursday as investors weighed improved unemployment claims data ahead of Friday's key monthly jobs report.
Five minutes into trade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 42.43 points (0.26 percent) at 16,402.61.
The tech-rich Nasdaq Composite rose 12.03 (0.28 percent) to 4,370.00, while the S&P 500 index, a broad measure of the markets, advanced 5.36 (0.29 percent) to 1,879.17.
US initial jobless claims for the week ending March 1 fell more than expected, by 26,000 to a three-month low of 323,000.
"Another employment update is in the spotlight ahead of tomorrow's nonfarm payrolls number," Wells Fargo Advisors said.
Analysts project the Labor Department's report will show job creation picked up to 163,000 in February after a mere 113,000 in January.
The unemployment rate is expected to hold steady at 6.6 percent.