Govt to approve new security policy before end of its term
ISLAMABAD: The federal government is all set to approve National International Security Policy (NISP) before the end of its term, it emerged on Wednesday. The minister informed the committee that the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had formulated a NISP when it came to power in 2013, which expired in 2018. After the expiry, the government has formulated a new policy which will continue till 2023, said the minister, who believes that the government will be able to approve the new policy before the completion of its term. “Therefore, in the policy, the focus will be on such issues so this menace can be eliminated from the society,” the minister added. Therefore, there is a dire need of reforming our educational curriculum,” said the interior minister while stressing for reforms in religious seminaries.
Source:Pakistan Today
April 25, 2018 16:07 UTC
‘Pak-Russia association important in multipolar world’
The delegation comprised leading companies from St. Petersburg, Russia in the fields of Energy, Oil & Gas, Textile and Fashion Industry, Light Industry, Pharmaceuticals and others. Russia is currently involved in many energy projects inside Pakistan and is fully committed to help Pakistan alleviate its energy crisis. Russia is the world’s largest producer of oil and gas and Pakistan has welcomed Russian investment in the energy sector. The expertise of Russia’s oil company like Rosneft and Gazprom Gas Company have contributed significantly in developing Pakistan’s oil and gas potential. The Chief Minister also invited Saint Petersburg and Russian business community to invest in Thar Coal mining and power generation.
Source:Pakistan Today
April 25, 2018 15:45 UTC
Youth killed, another injured in assault
KARACHI: A road accident leading to violent assault claimed the life of a youth on Wednesday as a verbal argument escalated into a brutal fight in the Gulistan-e-Jauhar area. The argument quickly escalated and the two cousins were beaten up by the passengers of the car. Ali Raza succumbed to his wounds while being administered medical treatment. After hitting the bike with car, the passengers roughed them up severely to the point that both Ali Raza and Sajid lost consciousness. He added that Ali Raza was the sole breadwinner of his family.
Source:Pakistan Today
April 25, 2018 15:44 UTC
Kuwait orders Philippine ambassador to leave in one week: KUNA
KUWAIT CITY: The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday that it had notified the Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Renato Villa to leave Kuwait in a week, the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) said. The ministry, which called the ambassador “persona non-grata” in Kuwait, said its action against the top Filipino envoy was in retaliation for undiplomatic acts by Philippine embassy staff who encouraged Filipino domestic workers to flee employers’ households, KUNA said. Kuwait has protested over the “rescue” of Philippine citizens working as domestic helpers, and summoned the Philippine ambassador for an explanation. The Philippines is one of the primary sources of domestic workers abroad, including the Middle East like Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said there are about 250,000 Filipinos working in Kuwait, most as domestic helpers.
Source:Pakistan Today
April 25, 2018 15:33 UTC
Iran’s president slams US ‘interventions’ in Mideast
TEHRAN: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday slammed US interventions in the Middle East, state TV reported. The White House is not in a position to make decisions for all nations in this region, Rouhani said in the northwestern city of Tabriz on Wednesday“They (the United States) think that they must decide for the Middle East and plunder all the resources of the Arab world,” he was quoted as saying. He also decried the Tuesday remarks of President Donald Trump, saying that US officials tend to adopt stances that are not congruent with the conditions of the modern age and the dignity of Middle East nations. Trump on Tuesday urged “very rich” regional countries to step up their contributions, militarily and financially, to the operations in Syria, so as “to prevent Iran from profiting off the success of our anti-IS effort.”
Source:Pakistan Today
April 25, 2018 15:00 UTC
CM aims to reform system for better facilitation of masses
–Awais Leghari praises Shehbaz for unprecedented development in south PunjabLAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said that carrying out reforms in the system to facilitate the masses was the need of the hour. Addressing a video conference meeting from Model Town, the chief minister said that transformation of the present system was important to make it proportionate to public aspirations through important reforms. “No other political party could dare to get resolutions approved for the restoration of Bahawalpur as a province and establishment of the southern Punjab province,” he said. “The past rulers did not solve the problems of southern Punjab, while we utilised resources worth billions of rupees for the construction and restoration of roads in rural areas and thousands of kilometers long carpeted roads had also been constructed in southern Punjab,” he said. “Due to the tremendous development work carried out under the supervision of Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the PML-N’s vote bank has been increased in southern Punjab.
Source:Pakistan Today
April 25, 2018 14:37 UTC
Three MQM-L workers arrested among 17 alleged criminals
KARACHI: Sindh Rangers on Wednesday claimed to have arrested 17 alleged criminals, including three activists of a political party, from different parts of the city during their search operations. During the search operations in Landhi, Awami Colony, FB area, Bilal Colony and Zaman Town, the Rangers arrested nine street criminals and an alleged extortionist. The spokesman further said that the arrested criminals were allegedly involved in target killing, extortion, robberies and drug peddling. On April 13, the Sindh Rangers had claimed to have arrested five alleged criminals, including a target killer, from different areas of the city. Earlier this month, five alleged criminals, including an extortionist, were arrested during operations in different parts of the metropolis.
Source:Pakistan Today
April 25, 2018 13:52 UTC
Budget to have four-month authentication for utilisation: CM Murad
CM complains of low share for Sindh in new PSDPKARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah announced on Wednesday that in the next budget, 2018-19, funds for development and non-development would be allocated for the whole financial year but the authentication for utilisation would be made only for four months. He made the remarks while talking to media at a local hotel where he inaugurated China-Pakistan Skilled and Technical Education International Conference. The conference was organised by Sindh Board of Technical Education in collaboration with other partners. Talking about the next budget, the chief minister said that there would be allocations for the salary component and other non-development expenditure for 2018-19, but authentication for utilisation of the budget would be made only for four months, that is up to September 2018. The National Highway Authority had been given Rs 15 billion schemes for 2018-19 but Sindh was given only a share worth Rs 4 billion share, meaning 2 per cent.
Source:Pakistan Today
April 25, 2018 13:44 UTC
Govt-constituted jirga holds first round of talks with PTM
After the completion of first round of talks, Mohsin Dawar told Pakistan Today that they would return to the jirga after consulting the terms and conditions discussed for the formal talks with other PTM leaders, adding that it would take a couple of days. Upon this, the jirga members and government representatives assured of conveying their complaints to concerned quarters, he added. Mohsin went on to say that they have made it clear that all PTM demands are according to the constitution. Dawar also confirmed that they were first contacted by the jirga members on April 18, but they suggested meeting after completion of Lahore rally on April 22. Earlier, the KP government initiated the negotiation process with PTM through a traditional jirga, comprising elders from Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and various districts of Malakand Division.
Source:Pakistan Today
April 25, 2018 13:24 UTC
I didn’t have the confidence to play Sanjay Dutt: Ranbir Kapoor
Actor who stars in Dutt's biopic 'Sanju' couldn’t imagine himself in the avatar of someone he calls his iconBollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor recently revealed it took him some time to gather the confidence to play Sanju in Rajkumar Hirani’s biopic on Sanjay Dutt. “I think the hardest thing that I had to do was to give myself confidence that I could play this role. “I have always been a Sanjay Dutt fan. I don’t think I have tried to showcase my talent. A look back at Sanjay Dutt and Madhuri Dixit’s rumoured love affairThe actor mentioned that even though he has observed Sanjay all his life, he still felt scared throughout the shoot.
Source:The Express Tribune
April 25, 2018 10:52 UTC
Indian woman 'lets' boyfriend rape 13-year-old niece
One of two suspects nabbed, police claimAn Indian woman on Sunday coerced her 13-year-old niece into consuming spiked beverages before ‘letting’ her boyfriend rape the teenager in Delhi, Hindustan Times reported. The woman is in a relationship with Mukesh, who drives a mini truck for a living,” an official said. Orangi Town incident: Fourth suspect taken into custody for rape, murderHe said the woman had duped her niece into coming over to her house. “Once the girl was inebriated, Mukesh raped her even as the woman stayed around. The woman knew of the rape and we suspect it was pre-planned.
Source:The Express Tribune
April 25, 2018 10:41 UTC
Gambhir steps down from Daredevils captaincy
MUMBAI: Gautam Gambhir has stepped down as captain of the Delhi Daredevils after the team went through another woeful start to the IPL. Daredevils had won only one out of six matches in 2018 and were at the bottom of the points table when Gambhir addressed a press conference in Delhi to announce his decision. “I take full responsibility for where we are at the points table,” Gambhir said. Gambhir had returned to the Daredevils set up after seven years with the Kolkata Knight Riders in the hopes of giving back to his home city. Daredevils might also have felt a change was needed after the outcome of their most recent game.
Source:Pakistan Today
April 25, 2018 10:18 UTC
Body of assassinated Palestinian given emotional send-off
Family and friends of the 35-year-old have accused Israel's Mossad spy agency of carrying out the killingKUALA LAMPUR: The body of an assassinated Palestinian scientist was Wednesday driven through the Malaysian capital accompanied by a crowd shouting “God is greatest,” as mourners accused Israel of killing him. Family and friends of the 35-year-old have accused Israel’s Mossad spy agency of carrying out the killing but the Jewish state has denied the claims. “Every Palestinian who has heard of this assassination is saddened and shocked,” Muslim Imran, chairman of the Palestinian Cultural Organisation of Malaysia, told the crowd. Police previously released two computer-generated images of the suspects, showing two light-skinned men with beards. Israeli troops kill Palestinian in West Bank clashesMossad is believed to have assassinated Palestinian militants and scientists in the past, but rarely confirms such operations.
Source:The Express Tribune
April 25, 2018 10:18 UTC
Meesha's lawyer confirms legal notice from Ali Zafar
Digital activist and lawyer, Nighat Dad explains laws pertaining to sexual harassmentDUBAI: The country has been rocked by the allegations made by renowned singer Meesha Shafi against internationally acclaimed Ali Zafar. The Express Tribune caught up with one of the lawyers from Meesha’s legal team, digital rights activist Nighat Dad, who explained, “Meesha has a strong case and I’m saying this as her legal counsel. I can’t, of course, share much about the inner details of the case.”Women in courtsNighat revealed that Meesha’s team received a notice from Ali on April 25 [today]. “This could be a defining moment for laws against sexual harassment,” the lawyer remarked. Linking Meesha’s case to that of other victims of sexual harassment, Nighat stated, “Meesha was empowered but she found her voice after so many years.
Source:The Express Tribune
April 25, 2018 10:11 UTC
PSP chief challenges census results in Supreme Court
Mustafa Kamal demands third-party audit of censusAsks CM Murad to take stand for KarachiKARACHI: Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) Chairman Mustafa Kamal on Wednesday challenged the results of the census in Supreme Court. The petition further claimed that population of Karachi was undercounted deliberately, adding that the census authority did not seek assistance from NADRA before conducting the census. PSP chief in his petition requested for a third-party audit of the census, adding that there should be an increase in provincial and national assembly seats for Karachi. Talking to journalists at the top court’s Karachi registry, Kamal said that his party had reservations over the census results. The PSP chairman requested Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar to take notice of census findings on Karachi’s population.
Source:Pakistan Today
April 25, 2018 09:52 UTC