Firing on Wed Ismaili community bus

KARACHI: At least 45 people were killed while several others were injured in an incident of firing on a bus near Safoora Chowrangi located in Gulistan-e-Jauhar area of Karachi on Wednesday.

Unknown assailants riding motorcycles opened fire on a bus which left at least 45 people dead including 16 women while several people sustained injuries. Many of the injured are reported to be in critical condition.

Over 50 to 60 people were aboard the bus including children and women.
Police reached the spot after the incident and started investigation. A search operation is underway in the area while a heavy contingent of Rangers has also arrived at the spot.
According to initial reports, gunmen entered the bus and opened fire on the passengers resulting in heavy casualties.
An AFP report said that members of the Ismaili community were targeted.
"At least six gunmen attacked the bus in the Safoora Goth area of Karachi," a senior police official told AFP.
"45 people have been killed while 13 are injured in this worst incident of terrorism," IG Sindh Ghulam Haider Jamali said while visiting the spot.
An eyewitness  said that at least 55 people died in the firing.

Emergency has been imposed in Jinnah Hospital, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Aga Khan Hospital and the nearby Memon Hospital where the injured are being shifted.
Additional IG Karachi Ghulam Qadir Thebo has suspended the SHO of Sacchal area while the locality has been sealed and the markets and schools situated in the area have been closed.
Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has summoned a report from IG Sindh and DG Rangers while Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and Governor Sindh Ishrat-ul-Ebad have taken notice of the incident. - Nation News

Sindh government has announced to observe day of mourning in the province tomorrow after the deadly attack on a bus in Karachi left at least 45 people dead.

Firing at Al azhar garden bus

At least 42 people have been killed and 13 others injured when some unknown gunmen attacked a passsenger bus near Safoora Chowrangi in Karachi,

Reportedly, sixteen women were among the dead.

"At least six gunmen attacked a bus in the Safoora Goth area of Karachi," a senior police official told

The bus was enroute to Ayesha Manzil from Al-Azhar Garden.

"The gunmen stopped the bus and first fired at it from outside," said the policeman. "Then they entered inside the bus and open fire indiscriminately. After that they checked to see if anyone was left uninjured."

"The bus had a capacity of 52 passengers but it was overloaded and dozens of people were boarding it. Most of them were from (the) Ismaili community," he added.

The attackers managed to flee from the scene on three motorbikes. Fear and panic gripped the area after the incident.

Senior police officials including IG Sindh Ghulam Haider Jamali, Additional IG Karachi Ghulam Qadir Thebo, SSP Malir and DIG East reached the attack site and investigations are being carried out.

Rescue teams have shifted the victims to Memon Medical Institute and Hospital where an emergency has been imposed. The condition of several injured persons is said to be critical.

Taking notice of the incident, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah suspended the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and Station House Officer (SHO) of the area.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the incident and expressed grief over the loss of precious lives.

He has directed the concerned authorities to submit a report.

Salman khan in jail

Salman Khan has been convicted in the 2002 hit-and-run case. He has been sentenced to a five-year jail term. Judge at Mumbai court told Salman that he was driving the SUV and it's improbable that his driver was behind the wheel.

BBC Documentary Against Altaf Hussain

Pakistan strikes $5.3 billion loan deal with IMF

ISLAMABAD: The government of Pakistan Thursday agreed to a $5.3 billion loan deal with International Monetary Fund (IMF) to boost its foreign exchange reserves, fight an acute energy crisis, and prop up depreciating rupee

"The government of Pakistan and IMF have reached an agreement for a three-year programme of at least 5.3 billion dollars under an extended fund facility," Finance Minister Ishaq Dar announced during a joint press conference with the IMF mission here.

The minister said that the mutually agreed markup rate for the loan had been set at 3 percent.

Replying to a question, Dar said the new government had no choice but to borrow to avoid a balance of payments crisis.
 
"The borrowed money will be used to service external debts as we just cannot let Pakistan default on its payments, said he.

"We have not carried the begging bowl in our hands nor are we getting a grant, Pakistan is a member of IMF," Dar said.

Dar said the Pakistan had targeted a fiscal deficit of 4 of gross domestic product (GDP) in the next three years.

To a question he said that the federal government could not tax the agriculture sector as it was a provincial matter.

Finance minister also said that the loss-making state-owned enterprises (SOEs) would be restructured to help boost the economy.

Speaking on the occasion, IMF mission chief, Jeffrey Franks, said the loan agreement would be formally approved by Fund's executive board in early September.

"The interest rate will be set at 3 percent and that the loan will be payable over a longer period than conventional stand-by arrangements", he said.

The interest rate would be set at three percent and that the loan would be payable over a longer period than conventional stand-by arrangements, he added.

Franks said the aim was to bring down the fiscal deficit -- which neared nine percent last year -- to a more sustainable level and reform the energy sector to help resolve severe power cuts that have sapped growth potential.

He added an agreement with the State Bank of Pakistan was also designed to help rebuild forex reserves and keep inflation at acceptable

Franks told newsmen that the government of Pakistan had itself structured the loan programme according to its specific requirements.

Giving details Franks said the agreement necessitated reforms in Pakistan's energy sector as it aimed at improving the south Asian country's ailing economy.

"Pakistan will have to bring its loss-making SOEs back on a profitable track as they are eating away at the country's economy big time", said Franks

IMF mission chief said such liabilities could be privatized to give Pakistan's economy a breather, which would generate significant revenues.

Warning of ballooning fiscal deficit, Franks said the loan agreement also calls for a reduction in Pakistan's fiscal deficit.

As part of the loan agreement, Franks added, the Pakistani government had developed plans to improve tax collection and to eliminate tax loop holes and exemptions.

"The overall focus on this programme is to boost economic growth so we can have a better future for all Pakistanis," he said. "There will be some difficult decisions... but these will be necessary decisions to make sure that the economy is stable going forward."

According to a declaration issued by the IMF after the agreement the government of Pakistan was advised to abolish all the SROs and tax exemptions, widen the tax tax net, and improve revenue collection.

Rain in Some Area of Karachi

KARACHI: Citizens of Karachi were treated to some drizzling on Thursday that turned the weather pleasant after days of scorching heat



Drizzling was reported from the city’s Malir, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Aisha Manzil, Karimabad, Garden, Shah Faisal Colony, Gulistan-i-Jauhar and North Karachi areas.

Light rain was also experienced on Shahrah-i-Faisal and other parts of the provincial capital whereas heavy showers were also reported from several localities in the city.

Twin Blast In Peshawar Death Reached to 22

PESHAWAR: At least 22 people including a child were killed and 47 others sustained injuries in a powerful blast near Badaber police station, Geo News reported.

Police said militants targeted security forces convoy in the attack.

The dead and injured have been rushed to Lady Reading Hospital. Condition of six injured is said to be critical.

Police and Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) have cordoned off the area.

Deputy Commissioner Peshawar Javed Marwat has confirmed that 20 people have been killed and 47 wounded in the attack.

Hospital sources said 18 bodies and 32 injured were present in the hospital.

Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) said that at least 40 kg explosive material was used in the attack.

Ten nearby shops and vehicles were badly damaged.

Security forces have launched search operation in the area, Marwat added.

 The car bomb was parked in a market packed with the general public. When the FC convoy comprising of three vehicles passed by, the bomb exploded and hit a vehicle in the convoy," police official Shafiullah Khan told AFP.

"But many civilians were killed and wounded in the attack because there was a big rush in the market at the time," he added.

"So far, we have reports that two Frontier Corps soldiers have been injured. We don't know about any other losses," a military official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Twin blasts kill 2 in Quetta’s Hazara Town 17 killed

QUETTA: At least two persons were killed and several others wounded when two back-to-back bombs struck Hazara Town in Qeutta on Sunday, police say. 

The blasts took place near an Imambargah in Aliabad locality of Hazara Town

According to Rescue teams 17 peoples Were killed and 44 people are  injured which were shifted to Bolan Medical Complex. 

Meanwhile, security forces cordoned off the area and launched a probe into the attack.

Quetta: blast in Aliabad Area 15 injured in Hazara

QUETTA: Fifteen people were injured in a blast in Aliabad area of Hazara Town here on Sunday, Geo News reported quoting rescue sources.



The injured have been rushed to Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Bolan Medical Centre and Civil Hospital.

Committee to propose steps for Aafia’s repatriation

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has formed a committee to make recommendations to the cabinet to facilitate Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s repatriation to Pakistan, said an official announcement on Saturday.

However, the composition of the committee remains a mystery with even the interior ministry’s spokesman unaware about it.

“I am not aware of the composition and do not even know if such a committee has been formed,” Interior Ministry spokesman Umar Hameed said.

Dr Siddiqui, declared by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as the most wanted female terrorist facilitator, is serving an 86-year prison term in the US.

Dr Siddiqui and her family have denied all allegations levelled by the US against her, including a murder attempt during her days in the US army base at Bagram, Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, an official told Dawn that composition of a task force on missing persons had almost been finalised, adding a formal announcement to this effect was expected next week.

The task force will prepare a list of missing persons after holding deliberations with security agencies, their families and human rights organisations and propose ways and means for their early return.

The task force will also look into the recommendations prepared by a commission on missing persons headed by retired Justice Javed Iqbal. The interior minister said the task force must be in place by next week for preparing a transparent policy in the light of the Supreme Court’s orders on the issue. He said processing of mercy petitions should be restarted and all processed cases be sent to Aiwan-i-Sadr for decision.

The minister asked Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Secretary Younus Dhagha to step up investigation into the recent murder of 11 tourists at the base camp of Nanga Parbat and keep him posted about the progress.

Minister for power to visit India

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Saturday that he had decided to send the water and power minister to India to explore potential areas of cooperation between the two countries.

Speaking to members of the Pak-India Joint Business Council at the Prime Minister’s Office, he said: “We are facing acute electricity shortage and any assistance in the power sector will help us in addressing the problem.”

Expressing satisfaction over the visit of Indian businessmen under the auspices of the council, Mr Sharif said: “It is reassuring that both sides are sitting together and talking to each other.” He said his government was pursuing investor-friendly policies.

The prime minister said it had always been his endeavour to bring the two countries closer to each other so that they could benefit from each other’s experience.

He said his party had pursued a policy of friendship and cooperation with India during its previous stints in power and the same policy of amity would be followed this time to promote peace and prosperity in the region.

Indian members of the council informed the prime minister that India could be of great help in providing support in medical science, higher education and technical and vocational training.

The meeting discussed non-discriminatory market access and agreed that the industrialists of both countries should be provided a level-playing field.

MQM chief Altaf is back

KARACHI: Few hours after announcing his surprise resignation as the chief of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Altaf Hussain withdrew his earlier decision on the appeal of his party workers.

Earlier, Altaf Hussain, the founder of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, resigned as chief of the party in the wee hours of Sunday. Following his announcement, hundreds of MQM workers gathered at Nine Zero in Karachi's Azizabad area, requesting the MQM leader to take back his resignation.

After receiving emotional appeals by party workers, Altaf retracted his decision of leaving reins of the party. Following his latest decision, celebrations erupted at Azizabad, which is the MQM stronghold.

Hussain had earlier said that he was voluntarily handing over all authority and responsibilities as party leader to the MQM's Rabita (Coordination) Committee.

Speaking to media via telephone from UK, Hussain said Scotland Yard police had raided his residence some days ago and had seized some material, following which he decided to voluntarily step down as party leader on moral grounds.

Hussain said he would not seek legal counsel or a solicitor but would plead his case himself if he were to be produced in court in the Imran Farooq murder case. He said that he would accept any decision by the courts.

Dr Imran Farooq was one of the founding members of the MQM, then known as the Mohajir Qaumi Movement. The party later transformed into the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, the largest political party in Karachi.

Farooq, who had also been living in exile in London since 1999, was stabbed to death on his way home from work in Green Lane on Sept 16, 2010 outside his residence.

Recently, the London Metropolitan police had stepped up investigation into the murder, and police searched two residential properties in London earlier this month as part of the ongoing probe. It conducted several raids, arrested some eight suspects, questioned several people and scanned through thousands of documents.

Sunday’s announcement came as a shock to party workers and supporters as Altaf Hussain has served as the chief of the MQM ever since its inception in 1984.

In his telephone conversation with media, Hussain called on his party workers "to stay united, and to continue the struggle that he had once started."

He also urged his party workers to accept all decisions by the MQM's Rabita Committee in the same manner that they acted upon his directions.

Shortly after news of the announcement on TV channels around 5 am, a large number of party workers and supporters were started gathering at the MQM's 'Nine Zero' headquarters in Karachi as well as offices in other parts of the country. The members have requested Altaf to take back his resignation.

Addressing MQM workers in a telephonic speech at 10 am from London, Altaf said until the Imran Farooq murder case investigation was not completed; the party’s Rabita committee would manage MQM affairs.

Moreover, he added that he was being dragged unnecessarily in the investigation of Imran Farooq's murder, adding that it was a conspiracy hatched against him by the British government.

On this occasion, MQM workers chanted slogans and appealed to Altaf to take back his resignation.

Chinese mountaineer narrates dramatic escape

ISLAMABAD: It was his four years in the military that helped Zhang Jingchuan survive the terrorist attacks on mountaineers at the Nanga Parbat base camp that left 10 of his colleagues dead last Saturday.

The Chinese citizen left Pakistan on Wednesday after sharing his incredible story with the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP).

“We were asleep when they came for us. They dragged us all out and tied up our hands. We were then made to get down on the ground on our knees. After they searched everyone, the massacre began. The shot was aimed at my head but it missed. And I began to run towards the valley,” Zhang Jingchuan told the ACP in brief comments, adding how the military training had helped him stay alert and not lose presence of mind.

“Survival in the wilderness or under such circumstances is part of training of soldiers. Zhang Jingchuan is a martial artist that was probably why he was quick to react, seeing an opportunity to somehow untie his hands and run for his life after the bullet missed his head,” explained ACP President Col Manzoor Hussain.

According to the ACP spokesman, Karrar Haidri, Zhang Jingchuan returned to the base camp after hiding for more than an hour and made a call for help.

He had contacted his agency, the Seven Summit Treks in Nepal, which then got in touch with famous mountaineer Nazir Sabir, the owner of Nazir Sabir Expeditions, which was managing one of the four expeditions on the Nanga Parbat.

The ACP said after Nazir Sabir approached the military, helicopters reached the base camp, 4,800 metres high, at around 6am to 7am.

The only Pakistani murdered at the base camp was Ali Hussain, a cook and a high-altitude porter from Hushe village.

The sole bread earner of his family, Hussain left behind his five year-old son and two daughters.

According to the ACP, three climbers from the Polish Alpine Club — Adam Stadnik, Boguslaw Magrel and Wlodek Kierus - who were climbing the Nanga Parbat at the time of the attack had also told various sources the nightmarish experiences.

“The camp was surrounded, all climbers were dragged out of their tents, bound, robbed and then shot,” the ACP quoted Boguslaw Magrel writing in a blog.

The ACP said there were about 50 or so climbers from Pakistan, Ukraine, and international teams consisting of climbers from Russia, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Azerbaijan.

Another team of Ukrainian and Slovak climbers along with Sherpas from Nepal had brought with them mountaineers from China and a climber from Turkey.

Col Manzoor Hussain, the ACP president, explained that the expeditions had started arriving in the area weeks back and had been getting acclimatised.

“The Chinese were part of the Nazir Sabir Expedition and had arrived late on June 19 and were still at base camp I. The other climbers who were at the base camp that night and were killed were those who were unwell or had set up base camp II farther up the route and had returned to rest,” said Col Hussain, explaining how the climbers would often establish base camps higher on the mountain but descend to the previous camp as a technique to gradually get used to the thin air at the high altitudes.

After a sleepless night, the climbers were flown to Gilgit in helicopters and brought to Islamabad in a C-130 aircraft.

However, most of the climbers who had to abandon their summit after the incident updated their blogs, urging discretion especially when terrorist elements had targeted foreign tourists in Pakistan.

Nonetheless, the ACP said the Romanians on the Rupal side, the highest rock and ice wall in the world, of the Nanga Parbat were still climbing and had reached 7,200 metres a few days ago on the 8,126 metres high peak.

After managing to equip the route and camps for a summit push, the team started descending to lower camps.

The team was now for a clear window to continue the climb and make a summit push. An official decision on the matter was awaited.

KPK to supply power to whole country in five years: Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government would generate sufficient electricity in the next five years to meet the energy needs of the country.

He assured that the PTI would establish an exemplary government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and introduce a model of good governance for other provinces to follow. Imran said that the PTI government would eliminate the class-based education system in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and introduce a uniform education system, syllabus. He vowed to remove dichotomy from the education system in the province.

Imran said the PTI provincial government would establish an independent accountability institution to ensure transparency and accountability in the province. He said that there is an immense need to devise a common national agenda and ensure national reconciliation to form a counterterrorism strategy.

Khaibar Pakhtunkhwa government eyes troop withdrawal from Swat

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI)-led government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is seriously working towards a plan for the army’s withdrawal from Swat – but unfortunately, security imperatives make completely withdrawal an impossibility.

The coalition government has so far discussed the proposal with military leaders, and have also informed the public in Swat of their plan, according to senior minister in the coalition government and central leader of Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), Sirajul Haq.

“First this issue (of withdrawal) was discussed in a meeting of political leaders of the coalition parties of PTI, JI and Qaumi Watan Party as well as other parties,” Haq said, adding: “The idea is to withdraw the security pickets which are causing hurdles in the revival of normal life in Swat.”

According to the minister, Chief Minister Pervez Khattak held a meeting with the Peshawar Corps Commander to discuss the issue: “The corps commander said that if the police and local administration can take over the responsibility of maintaining law and order, they are ready to withdraw from there,” he explained.

Mohammad Roshan, who heads the NGO Swat Participatory Council, told Dawn.com via telephone from Mingora, “It is generally known in Swat that the government is working on this kind of plan ... and a debate of sorts has started in Swat society on whether the army should stay or withdraw from the valley.”

On the other hand, security experts say that the complete withdrawal of the army from Swat is not an option. “The army has plans to construct a cantonment in Swat …100 percent withdrawal is not a possibility,” said analyst Hassan Askari.

The PTI-led government’s determination seems to be based on a prevalent unease in the rural and urban areas of the scenic valley against the heavy presence of the army which has stalled the revival of the economy and daily routines in general.

“We want to create a comfortable situation for the people…..they are facing a lot of hardships because of security check posts in the area,” Haq clarified.

Roshan Khan told Dawn.com that the people of Swat’s frustration arises from the trouble caused by security check posts and search operations and because economic activity has not been revived following the operation. Hazir Gul is an chief executive of an NGO working on agriculture projects in Swat in collaboration with the government of Pakistan and USAID, which goes by the name of Karawan. Gul explained that agricultural activity has failed to pick up in the valley, primarily on account of strident security checks and the terrible conditions of the transportation system, that was destroyed in the military operation.

He added, “Maize is a major crop in Swat which remained banned in the initial four years following the military operation … Last year the security forces lifted the ban on Maize, but the farmers have so far failed to revive maize cultivation to the full.”

This has given rise to the feeling that the withdrawal of troops from Swat is a must if the government wants to restore normalcy to Swat Valley.

Ajmad Ali, a senior Editor of local Swat newspaper Daily Chand, said that the government is right in working on the plan to withdraw troops from Swat: “I think it will be good if the government let’s the local administration and police handle the security and administrative situation in Swat … because we understand them and they understand us, they are familiar with our culture, they are our own people,” he said.

The provincial government, however, is not proceeding without caution. “We are not in a hurry. We will be discussing this with the army and the federal government – we know that law and order has to be maintained at every cost,” Haq emphasised.

And what about the reaction of the army itself to this proposal? Askari is of the opinion that the army will ask the provincial government to put forward an alternate security plan. “There are reports of militant presence in the vicinity of Swat valley, and there is a strong possibility that they will regroup if the army withdraws from Swat,” he said. Secondly, Askari added, a civil administration’s capacity to maintain law and order in the valley is doubtful: “The civil administration has failed to demonstrate its ability to maintain law and order in the valley,” the security analyst stressed

PPP reveals 'understanding' with PML-N that CJP will go on leave after restoration

ISLAMABAD: Khursheed Shah on Friday revealed that the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) had an understanding with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) that the chief justice of Pakistan would go on leave if he were restored.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, the opposition leader said that the PPP had no objection to the judges' restoration. He said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should not have formed a committee on Swiss cases. "The matter is before the court. We will face it there. The judiciary should deliver justice indiscriminately," he said, adding "it seems that the chief justice is waiting for his retirement as there is no progress in Bhutto murder case".

On the question of appointment of Muhammad Mian Soomro as NAB chief, Shah said it could be controversial. He said that trying Pervez Musharraf for November 3, 2007 emergency instead of October 12, 1999 martial law was like pardoning someone for murder and punishing them for baton charge. However, in a clear deviation from its demand to start the trial from October 12, 1999 coup, the PPP showed its readiness to support the government if it tried Musharraf for his November 3, 2007 act of imposing emergency.

Shah, however, feared the erstwhile military dictator might be absolved of the charges against him in the court, proved innocent and leave the country. "Go ahead and investigate him (Musharraf) for November 3 acts if you want, we will support you, but then what if he manages to leave the country," the opposition leader asked. Shah said the constitution was not suspended through the imposition of emergency on November 3, 2007, as it was on October 12, 1999.

He also lashed out against the government on the issue of previous government's writing of a letter to the Swiss authorities on cases against President Asif Ali Zardari. He said his government did not take up any case against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during its time if power and remarked that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief has been trying to dig out evidence against President Zardari for 16 years but has found nothing. He also asked why the court was not taking up the pending Zulfikar Ali Bhutto case

Lawyer says Supreme Court proceedings might influence FIA probe against Musharraf

ISLAMABAD: The counsel for former army chief Pervez Musharraf has expressed his apprehension that the Supreme Court's ongoing proceedings might influence the FIA team's investigations against his client.

Malik Qamar Afzal, one of the counsels for Musharraf, requested the bench to dispose of the matter on Friday, but the bench observed that they would like to provide equal opportunities to all the petitioners and respondents in the matter.

A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, on Friday observed that fair and free trial would be ensured in the current matter, as it was the fundamental right of Pervez Musharraf under Article 10A of the constitution.

Attorney General Munir A Malik did not attend Friday's proceedings due to prior commitments, while the deputy attorney general told the bench that it was reported in the media that the verdict had been reserved.

The counsel for Musharraf, Ibrahim Satti, said he thought that the hearing had been adjourned.

At the beginning of the hearing, the bench was informed that Attorney General Munir A Malik was busy in cases before the chief justice of Pakistan's bench since morning, and was not likely to be available for the day. The deputy attorney general cited some media reports in the matter, saying there was an impression that the court had reserved its judgement in the matter.

Raja Ibrahim Sati, another counsel for Musharraf, said that he thought that the hearing had been adjourned, upon which Justice Jawwad S Khawaja observed that the case hearing was being conducted almost on a daily basis.

During the proceedings, Malik Qamar Afzal pleaded to deliver verbal arguments in the instant matter, but the bench turned down his request.

The bench ruled, "Malik Qamar Afzal, ASC [advocate Supreme Court] wishes to make oral submission, which prima facie, do not appear reasonable because we are adjourning the case, however, still, if he wishes to make submissions, let him do so by filing a formal civil miscellaneous application."

PM Nawaz approves 'panacea to Pakistan's energy ills

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday said that new energy policy which is to be announced soon would turn out to be the panacea for the country's energy problems.

"People and economy have suffered badly at the hands of crippling power crisis. It is high time that prudent and consistent policies were pursued to come out of this morass," the prime minister said while chairing a high level meeting at the Prime Minister's Office to give final touches to the new power policy. The meeting not only discussed the broad contours of the new energy policy but also analysed the minute details threadbare.

It also decided that the new power policy would be announced shortly by the prime minister. The new national energy policy envisages increasing electricity generation to 26,800MW; reducing average electricity rates by more than 30 percent; achieving zero load shedding; encourage huge public and private investment and import of electricity from India, Iran and Central Asian states in three years.

According to draft of the policy, circular debt would be ended immediately while payments for furnace oil would be made within 60 days, while cost of electricity generation and transmission losses would be reduced. Import of electricity from Iran would be continued and new agreements would be signed to import energy from Turkmenistan and India. An increase in price of gas for all sectors, excluding domestic consumers, is also part of the draft of new energy policy. The supply of gas to CNG sector would be stopped in phases and would be provided to the power sector. Moreover, priority would be given to the construction of hydro, coal and biogas power projects.

Those who attended the meeting included Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervez Rashid, Minister for Petroleum Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Dr Musaddiq Malik, Shaukat Fayaz A Tarin and other stakeholders from private and public sectors.

The PML-N government had earlier this month said that it is fully aware of the negative impact of electricity load shedding on trade and industry and revealed that the Planning Commission is developing short-, medium- and long-term plans to overcome the energy crisis. Federal Minister for Planning and Developing Ahsan Iqbal, while talking to members of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), had said that overcoming the energy crises was the topmost priority of the government and it would use all options to minimise ill effects of energy shortage on business and economy.

He noted that an amount of Rs 225 billion has been allocated to energy sector in the budget and its positive impact would start emerging in the coming months. Iqbal said that the government would make business-friendly policies so that private sector could assume bigger role in the economic development of the country.

Imran Farooq’s widow appeals to Altaf Hussain to take his decision back

LONDON: Dr. Imran Farooq’s widow Sunday urged upon the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)’s Quaid to take back his decision to voluntarily relinquish the party leadership on moral ground.
The widow of Imran Farooq, Shumaila Imran on behalf of herself, her kids and in the name of her martyred husband appealed to Altaf Hussain to withdraw his decision to step down from the party leadership.

She said, “Me, my kids and the nation is with Altaf Bhai. I love Quaid Altaf Hussain—Altaf Hussain is our leader and will remain our leader---she is deeply hurt by the decision of Altaf Hussain.”

Stop conspiracy to implicate me in Imran Farooq's murder: Altaf Hussain

LONDON: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Quaid Altaf Hussain Sunday demanded that the conspiracy to involve him in Imran Farooq’s murder must stop arguing that had he not tolerated opponents how could Amir and Afaq remained alive thus far.

Addressing MQM workers at 90, Altaf Hussain said that Scotland Yard and Metropolitan police raided, cordoned off, searched his London house for several hours and took away many things but despite my request they didn’t provide any list of the materials seized.