Pakistan News update
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Seeking accountability: PAC orders inquiry into Sheikh Rashid’s illegal purchase
May 17th
Committee says an unauthorised vehicle was bought by former minister. Committee says an unauthorised vehicle was bought by former minister.
ISLAMABAD:The Public Account Committee (PAC) has ordered an inquiry into the illegal purchase of a Mercedes Benz coach in 2005 that can possibly implicate former information minister Sheikh Rashid and the then information secretary Shahid Rafi.
The PAC, parliament’s top accountability body, took the decision after the Federal Audit’s director general (DG) revealed that the former top officials of the information ministry had bought the imported luxury vehicle while the premier had only allowed the purchase of a Hyundai van for More >
Bollywood drama – off screen and in parliament
May 17th
NEW DEHLI: You cannot escape Bollywood and the drama that comes with it, not even in the hallowed environs of the Rajya Sabha.
On Monday, as actress Rekha, the newest member of the upper house of India’s parliament took oath, the focus — at least that of the cameras, was on another, older member. Rekha’s short swearing-in ceremony was interspersed with several shots of a very grim-looking Jaya Bachchan.
Anyone watching the five-minute swearing-in ceremony, would have been forgiven for thinking they were watching a Bollywood awards ceremony, where the camera pans to a Shahid Kapur when a Kareena Kapoor is dancing More >
Two security guards injured in Peshawar blast
May 17th
Staff Report
PESHAWAR: At least two security guards were injured in a blast that occurred at Hayatabad area of the city on Thursday.
The blast occurred near a check post in which at least two security guards were injured.
The guards were taken to the Hayatabad medical complex for treatment.
Security forces cordoned off the area soon after the blast and started investigation. CNBC
Worldwide maternal deaths cut by half: UN
May 17th
UNITED NATIONS: Better care has cut the number of women dying in pregnancy and childbirth by nearly half in the past two decades, but there is still a death every two minutes, according to UN figures released Wednesday.
India and Nigeria between them accounted for one third of the 287,000 deaths of pregnant women in 2010 and Africa accounts for 36 of the 40 countries with the highest maternal deaths.
But health experts hailed the 47% fall in fatalities from 543,000 in 1990, and said the strategy for saving more lives was clear.
“We know exactly what to do to prevent maternal deaths: More >
In Chicago: Zardari, Obama, Karzai to discuss Taliban peace talks
May 17th
‘Core group’ may meet for the first time on the sidelines of the Nato summit. ‘Core group’ may meet for the first time on the sidelines of the Nato summit. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
ISLAMABAD:Top leaders from Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States are expected to discuss new measures to expedite the reconciliation process in the war-torn country at crucial talks on the margins of the upcoming Nato summit in Chicago this weekend.
The three capitals are currently discussing the possibility of a ‘core group’ meeting at the summit level when the presidents of Pakistan, Afghanistan and the US will be in Chicago More >
Asghar Khan petition: Govt asked for ISI political cell notification
May 17th
Court asks government to hand over notification on creation of ISI political cell by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in May 1975. Court asks government to hand over notification on creation of ISI political cell by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in May 1975. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
ISLAMABAD: Hearing Air Marshal (retd) Asghar Khan’s petition on Thursday, the Supreme Court asked the government to hand over the notification on the creation of a political cell in the ISI by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in May 1975.
The notification has been asked for so that the logic and reasoning behind the cell’s creation can be determined.
Express News reported that the court has said if More >
Obama administration denies role in arming Syrian rebels
May 17th
WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama’s administration has repeatedly said over the past few months that it won’t ship arms to Syria’s outgunned opposition, warning that doing so will only escalate the bloody conflict there. But the Washington Post reported Wednesday that the U.S. has been helping to coordinate shipments of “more and better weapons” to the rebels, with Persian Gulf nations picking up the tab.
State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland denied that Washington was playing any role in arming the rebels.
“With regard to any assertions with regard to lethal (aid), we are not involved in that,” she said at her daily briefing.
“The More >
Gilani advises PML-N to read constitution
May 17th
Staff ReportISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is looking for pretexts to go on protest.
The N-League is not shouldered with the responsibility to get the rulings of the Supreme Court (SC) implemented, the PM Gilani said in his interaction with the media men here launching a tirade against the largest opposition party.
Speaking in a lighter vein after a ceremony of World Telecom Society Day, he furthermore asserted the political parties that consider it their responsibility to get apex court’s orders into action, should go through the constitution.
Answering a question on power load shedding, he More >
Targeted: 2 police officials killed, 2 injured in Quetta
May 17th
The officials were on a routine patrol when the attack took place. The assailants fled the scene after the attack. The officials were on a routine patrol when the attack took place. The assailants fled the scene after the attack. PHOTO: AFP
QUETTA: Two police officials were killed while two were injured on Thursday morning when unknown assailants opened fire on them on the Eastern Bypass in Quetta.
According to a police official, the deceased – both police constables – were identified as Murtaza and Sanaullah, while ASI Muhammad Hussain and Constable Deen Muhammad were injured.
The deceased and the injured were shifted More >
UN talks take first steps on 2015 climate deal
May 17th
UN climate chief Christiana Figueres. — Photo AFP
PARIS: UN members on Thursday took their first steps in a marathon to negotiate a new global pact by 2015 that for the first time will place rich and poor under a common legal regime to tackle climate change
Meeting in Bonn, the 195 parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) began wrangling over how to work towards the target enshrined at their landmark conference in Durban, South Africa, last December.
Maite Nkoana-Mashabane of South Africa, who presided over the maiden session, urged countries as they embarked on the long road to More >
