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Pakistan beat New Zealand by two runs in the first Twenty20 international in a last over thriller in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. New Zealand needed a six off the last ball to tie the match but managed a boundary to finish at 146-6 in 20 overs. Pakistan's best bowler was Hasan Ali who finished with 3-35. Pakistan made 148-6 with Mohammad Hafeez (45), Sarfraz Ahmed (34) and Asif Ali (24) main run getters after they won the toss and batted. Adam Milne was the best New Zealand bowler with 2-28. The remaining two matches will be played in Dubai on Friday and Sunday. Teams Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf New Zealand: Kane Williamson (captain), Corey Anderson, Colin de Grandhomme, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor from The Daw

Absorbing the substantial impact of increase in prices of petroleum products proposed by Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), the government on Wednesday decided to partially pass on the burden and increased the price of petrol by Rs5 per litre, while that of High Speed Diesel (HSD) by Rs6.37 per litre for the month of November. Based on the international prices, OGRA had worked out an increase of Rs9.02 per litre in the price of MS (Petrol) and for HSD it recommended an increase of Rs13.22 per litre. For Kerosene Oil (SKO) the recommended increase was Rs6.47 per litre but the government allowed an increase of Rs3 per litre only. As for Light Diesel Oil (LDO), the recommended increase of Rs6.48 has been approved as the tax/levy on this product is already quite negligible. According to a statement issued by the ministry of finance, the government partially passed on the increase to the consumers to minimise the burden on the public at large. The new price of petrol will now be

ISLAMABAD: A Fiscal Coordination Committee (FCC) meeting chaired by the Finance Minister Asad Umar on Wednesday reviewed the bi-annual implementation of the National Finance Commission Award (NFC Award) for the period July-December, 2016, January-June, 2017 and July-December, 2017. According to a statement released from the ministry, the meeting also reviewed the federal government Public Financial Management (PFM) program which was being run with the help of World Bank. The meeting decided to constitute a sub-committee and technical committees to review various actionable items in the PFM Program. The meeting was briefed by the ministry of finance regarding the fiscal consolidation program of the federal government, reads the statement. Provincial finance ministers assured the federal government of their full support for the fiscal consolidation efforts as it was need of the hour. Governor State Bank was assigned the task to chalk-out a simplified procedure in this regard. Sindh

ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Wednesday incr­eased the prices of diesel and petrol by Rs5 and Rs6.37 per litre, respectively, for the month of November. “The government has decided to absorb the substantial impact of increase in the prices of petroleum products and only partially pass on the increase to the consumers for the month of November. The decision has been taken to minimize the burden on the public at large,” reads a statement issued by finance ministry. The statement says that the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) had recommended an increase of Rs9.02 per litre in the price of petrol but an increase of Rs5 has been allowed by the government. Likewise as against the recommended increase of Rs13.22 per liter in the price of High Speed Diesel (HSD), an increase of Rs. 6.37 has been approved. For Kerosene Oil (SKO),  the recommended increase was Rs6.47 per litre but the government allowed an increase of Rs.3.0per litre only. As for Light Diesel Oil (LDO), the reco

Aasia Bibi has been acquitted in a blasphemy case from Samaa Digital https://ift.tt/2Df9OSQ

ISLAMABAD: All Pakistan Private  Schools Federation (APPSF)  has announced to keep the schools close, on Thursday, across the country. According to a statement released by the APPSF, all the private schools will remain closed on November 1, Thursday. APPSF President Kashif Mirza said the decision was taken in the best interest of the students and the schools’ staff. He advised the students to restrict their movement till Thursday as a safety measure. On the other hand, Sindh government has announced that all the schools will remain open on Thursday across the Sindh. It is pertinent to mention here that the Sindh government has also imposed a ban on pillion riding for 10 days in view of the current law and order situation across the province. The reason for ban had  been particularly specified by the government, but according to reports, the decision had been taken in the wake of protests and rioting fears after the Supreme Court verdict ordering acquittal of Asia Bibi. The provi

Pakistan, who won the toss and batted, made 148-6 in the first Twenty20 international against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. Mohammad Hafeez top-scored with a 36-ball 45 studded with five boundaries and two sixes while skipper Sarfraz Ahmed (34) and Asif Ali (24) were the other main contributors. Hafeez and Ali added 67 for the third wicket after Pakistan were struggling at 10-2. For New Zealand, fast bowler Adam Milne finished with 2-28. The remaining two matches are in Dubai on Friday and Sunday. Teams Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf New Zealand: Kane Williamson (captain), Corey Anderson, Colin de Grandhomme, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor from The Dawn News - Home https://ift.tt/2CSoztM via IFTTT

Absorbing the substantial impact of increase in prices of petroleum products proposed by Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), the government on Wednesday decided to partially pass on the burden and increased the price of petrol by Rs5 per litre, while that of High Speed Diesel (HSD) by Rs6.37 per litre for the month of November. Based on the international prices, OGRA had worked out an increase of Rs9.02 per litre in the price of MS (Petrol) and for HSD it recommended an increase of Rs13.22 per litre. For Kerosene Oil (SKO) the recommended increase was Rs6.47 per litre but the government allowed an increase of Rs3 per litre only. As for Light Diesel Oil (LDO), the recommended increase of Rs6.48 has been approved as the tax/levy on this product is already quite negligible. According to a statement issued by the ministry of finance, the government partially passed on the increase to the consumers to minimise the burden on the public at large. The new price of petrol will now be

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday gave go ahead to the Ministry of National Food Security & Research to develop three major projects for conservation of 9  million acre feet (MAF) water, ARY News reported. Chairing a meeting on water conservation at PM Office, the PM approved three projects aimed at conserving water through lining of the watercourse across the country and laser leveling of the fields, enhancement of 6,00,00 acres of command area of small and mini dams and water conservation in Barani areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “These interventions are in line with the agenda of the PTI Government. The Prime Minister’s first 100 days agenda includes massive expansion in water conservation efforts through smart interventions to reduce water losses,” reads a statement issued from PM Office in this regard. A project named “National Program for improvement of Watercourses in Pakistan Phase-II”, would be undertaken across the country with a target of lining of over

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ISLAMABAD: Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Javad Zarif called on Prime Minister Imran Khan today and conveyed a message of President Hassan Rouhani. According to a statement released from the PM office, Iran’s FM Javad Zarif conveyed personal greetings and commitment of President Rouhani to work closely with Prime Minister Imran Khan for further strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Reciprocating President Rouhani’s message, Prime Minister Imran Khan reiterated his desire to further strengthen political and economic relations with Iran. He said that improving relations with all neighbouring countries was one of his government’s key foreign policy priorities. PM Imran expressed his concern at the absence of unity and continued conflicts among Muslim countries. He lamented the humanitarian crisis facing the people of Yemen and offered his personal mediation to help resolve the crisis in Yemen. He conveyed his best wishes for the leadership and the peo

LAHORE: Punjab government has announced that all the public and private schools in Lahore will remain closed on Thursday keeping in view the current law and order situation. According to a statement released by the Punjab School Education Department, all schools in Lahore, both public and private, will remain closed tomorrow due to possible traffic congestion. Tariq Hameed Bhatti, spokesperson of Punjab Education department, has said that the decision is taken to avoid any untoward incident. Whereas Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah has said that they are monitoring the situation and will make the decision about about the schools at 11 pm tonight. He said they wanted students will go to schools in a peaceful situation. Earlier in the day, All Pakistan Private  Schools Federation (APPSF)  had announced to keep the schools close tomorrow in connection with security concerns and fear of protests. According to a statement released by the APPSF, all the private schools wi

Pakistan now ranks 136th on the list from Samaa Digital https://ift.tt/2qmMRVw

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday welcomed the report of the United Kingdom Parliament’s All Party Parliamentary Group on Kashmir (APPKG) on the human rights situation in occupied Kashmir and its recommendations. The report of the UK Parliament’s All Party Parliamentary Group on Kashmir (APPKG), on the human rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir, has detailed severe Indian human rights atrocities in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IoK). “Pakistan believes that the lasting solution of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute is essential for peace, security and stability of South Asia and beyond. India’s denials of this reality, its unwillingness to engage in dialogue and suppression of Kashmiri aspirations for freedom continue to endanger regional as well as international peace and security,” reads a statement issued by foreign ministry. The APPKG report echoes many of the findings of the UN OHCHR Report on Jammu and Kashmir and is critical of the human rights atrocities being committed w

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has improved its ranking by 11 points and moved from 147 to 136 in World Bank’s Doing Business Report 2019, Board of Investment announced on Wednesday. Board of Investment, being the secretariat of ‘Prime Minister’s Steering Committee on Doing Business Reforms’, briefed the press on the reforms behind improvements made in Pakistan’s ranking and reforms being introduced to improve it further. Talking to the media, Mrs. Fareena Mazhar, Executive Director General BOI, explained that in addition to introduction of reforms, other positive data corrections also contributed to the unprecedented improvement in ranking of Pakistan. She acknowledged the efforts of dedicated teams of Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, Federal Board of Revenue , State Bank of Pakistan, Planning and Development department, Punjab and Sindh Boards of Investment. Three reforms that have been acknowledged Pakistan made starting a business easier by introducing the online one-sto

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar has offered United Arab Emirates (UAE) investment opportunities in energy sector. According to a statement released from the ministry, Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar has offered the opportunities during a meeting with the UAE ambassador Hamad Obaid Alzaabi, who called on him in the federal capital today. The minister said that Pakistan and UAE enjoy cordial bilateral relations and emphasized the need to further broaden the scope of partnership. He added that Pakistan’s energy sector has huge investment potential especially in petrochemicals and hydel energy generation. The minister stated that there were many areas in which both countries could work together for gaining mutual benefit. Khusro Bakhtyar added that Pakistan offers investment friendly policies and the government is committed to attract foreign investment to put the national economy on growth trajectory for achieving its socio-economic ta

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ANKARA: Journalist Jamal Khashoggi was strangled as soon as he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and then “cut into pieces”, Turkey’s chief prosecutor said Wednesday, making details of the murder public for the first time. A statement from the office of prosecutor Irfan Fidan said meetings with his Saudi Arabian counterpart, who visited Istanbul this week, had produced “no concrete results” on the killing, which it said was premeditated. Khashoggi, a 59-year-old Washington Post contributor, was murdered after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to obtain paperwork ahead of his upcoming wedding. His body has not been found. The statement comes hours after Saudi Arabia’s chief public prosecutor ended his visit to Istanbul, during which he met Fidan twice and visited the kingdom’s consulate and the regional offices of the Turkish intelligence agency. Saudi Attorney General Sheikh Saud al-Mojeb reportedly refused to share information from Riyadh’s own investiga

A Turkish prosecutor on Wednesday said Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was strangled as soon as he entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul as part of a premeditated killing, and his body was dismembered and disposed of. A statement from chief Istanbul prosecutor Irfan Fidan’s office also said that discussions with Saudi chief prosecutor Saud al-Mojeb have yielded no “concrete results” despite “good-willed efforts” by Turkey to uncover the truth. The statement is the first public confirmation by a Turkish official that Khashoggi was strangled and dismembered after he entered the Saudi Consulate on October 2 to collect paperwork needed to marry his Turkish fiancee. Read: 9 key questions Saudi Arabia hasn’t answered about Khashoggi killing Turkey is seeking the extradition of 18 Saudi suspects detained in Saudi Arabia over the killing of Khashoggi in the Saudi Consulate. It is also pressing Saudi Arabia for information concerning Khashoggi’s remains, which still haven’t been found,

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ISLAMABAD: Dr Fauzia Siddiqui, the sister of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, on Wednesday called on Federal Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari here in Islamabad. According to a statement released by the ministry, Dr Fauzia Siddqiui and Dr Shireen Mazari discussed the ways how to move ahead in bringing Dr Aafia Siddiqui back to Pakistan. The minister assured Dr Fauzia that the government is trying its best to bring Dr Aafia Siddiqui back to Pakistan. Dr Mazari said that she is well aware of the problems and anguish of Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s family and assured Dr Fauzia of her full support in their struggle for her sister’s release. Neuro-scientist, Aafia Siddiqui, is serving 86-year prison sentence after being convicted of seven counts of attempted murder and assault on US military personnel in Afghanistan. Dr Siddiqui, who received her graduation degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Brandeis University in biology and neuroscience while living in the US between 1991

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan is addressing the nation ahead of his visit to China. The post WATCH LIVE: PM Imran Khan addresses nation appeared first on ARYNEWS . from ARYNEWS https://ift.tt/2ADi3FO

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LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting at his office in which progress on 100 days agenda was reviewed in detail, ARY News reported. According to a statement released from his office, the CM directed to expedite work on 100-day agenda adding that different departments should work hard to achieve their respective targets because the initiative is aimed at bringing Pakistan on the road to peace and prosperity. “Punjab will lead with regard to implementation on this agenda as I am personally monitoring progress on the plan,” said the CM. He added that creating new job opportunities for the youth is an important part of the agenda, adding that all the targets set as part of the plan can only be achieved with joint efforts of all the concerned departments. Senior minister Abdul Aleem Khan, provincial ministers, chief secretary, chairman P&D and administrative secretaries attended the meeting. CM CONDEMNS FIRING AT LABORERS IN G

A sessions court in Quetta on Wednesday sentenced a police constable to death on charges of sexual abuse of children. The convict, Tayyab Raza Kazmi, was arrested by police for sexually abusing three children in Police Lines area of Quetta. Cases were registered against him in 2015, police said. According to the judgement announced by Additional Sessions Judge Muhammad Ali Mubeen, Kazmi has been handed death sentence on two counts. The convict, who is a police constable, was taken into custody on complaints of the victims' parents. The trial had lasted for almost three years. The suspect was convicted by the court after evidence proved his abuse of children. Following the verdict, police shifted the convict to District Jail Quetta. from The Dawn News - Home https://ift.tt/2Odp5Vm via IFTTT

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President Arif Alvi inaugurated the train from Samaa Digital https://ift.tt/2OgOLQQ

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KARACHI: Chairman Brave Pakistan Salman Iqbal on Wednesday termed the participation of six Pakistani fighters in first-ever international mixed martial arts (MMA) event Brave 17 “a good omen for future of sports in Pakistan”. Speaking exclusively to ARY News, President and CEO ARY Digital Network Salman Iqbal said that he will continue to work for promotion of sports in the country and give Pakistani sportsmen the opportunities they crave for showcasing their talents. “We are trying to bring MMA events to Karachi and Islamabad so more and more people can watch and participate in the event,” said Salman Iqbal.  Salman Iqbal, who also owns Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Karachi Kings, maintained that, in the past, security situation didn’t allow such events to be take place in Pakistan but now, with peace restored, even PSL matches are being played in the country. “When Pakistani and Muslim sportsmen get opportunities to showcase their skills before the world, they help b

ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday postponed the all parties conference, convened by his party, for few days. While  talking to journalist, Fazlur Rehman said that a high-level meeting of his party has decided to convene a parliamentary leaders meeting ahead of the APC. He said that PML-N leadership will be informed about the decision. Fazlur Rehman said that PML-N’s proposals about the APC and other issues were came under discussion in the meeting. It is pertinent to mention here that the differences between two major opposition parties – Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had turned the prospects of a successful APC bleak. sources said, in order to patch up with the PPP, the leadership of PML-N had put forward the need to restore trust as its foremost precondition. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadership had conditioned its participation in the opposition’s all parties conference

KARACHI: President Dr Arif Alvi on Wednesday (today) inaugurated Dhabeji Express, on route between Karachi’s City Station and Dhabeji in Thatta district. Addressing the inaugural ceremony, President Arif Alvi lauded the performance of the Minister for Railways, Sheikh Rashid and congratulated him over yet another addition of train service in family of Pakistan Railways. “Transport is major problem of Karachi, this shuttle train service will help to ease it a bit”, contended the President, adding that incompetency in past ruined the Railway department. Addressing the ceremony, Sheikh Rashid said government is striving hard to serve masses despite having limited resources. “ Dhabeji Express is a gift from Prime Minister for the people of Karachi,” said the minister for railways, adding, the fare of shuttle train service will vary between Rs 40 to 80, he added. ” More trains to be inaugurated in the metropolis after return from the scheduled visit of China.” maintained Rashid, addin

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Wednesday urged all the national institutions to stand with the Supreme Court of Pakistan on its decision to acquit Asia Bibi . "The Supreme Court is our national institution. All other institutions, including the National Assembly, should stand with the Supreme Court," he said in a statement. "We cannot run the country from the streets. We can [only] run this country according to the Constitution and law." Bilawal is the first party head to come out in support of the SC's verdict. Earlier, party members Sherry Rehman and Farhatullah Babar also lauded the judgement. The top court in the morning acquitted Asia Bibi, a Christian woman condemned to death on blasphemy charges. Soon after, protests erupted across multiple cities on the call of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan, a religio-political party headed by Khadim Hussain Rizvi. Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and Jamaat-i-Islami's (JI) Islamabad c

Leader of the Opposition Shahbaz Sharif, while addressing a session of the National Assembly today, asked who had asked for an NRO. The PML-N president asked Prime Minister Imran Khan to elaborate on the name of the person who had asked for an NRO, and when such an incident had occurred. Shahbaz added that if the premier could prove he had asked for an NRO, he would quit politics forever. "I am a servant of Pakistan, I won't take any u-turn," Shahbaz said. The PML-N president also took aim at the government's decision to increase gas and electricity prices. He alleged that the government had come to power through a rigged election and had lost credibility in the eyes of the public in a very short time. The Leader of the Opposition referred to PM Khan as an "absconder", and criticised him for not coming to the House. Shahbaz pointed out that although PM Khan had claimed he would come to the NA to respond to statements like the British premier, he had n

India’s top court on Wednesday ordered the government to provide pricing details of 36 Rafale fighter jets it is buying from France. The court said the government must bring details of the decision-making process of the deal into the public domain, except those that are confidential and have strategic importance. The court said those can be provided in a “sealed cover” within 10 days. The deal has become a major political issue with the leader of the main opposition Indian National Congress party, Rahul Gandhi, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government of buying the aircraft at nearly three times the price being negotiated when his party was in power before Modi became prime minister in 2014. The government has refuted the claim, but says a secrecy clause governs the deal’s pricing. It hasn’t even informed Parliament about the cost of the 36 planes. The court was hearing petitions by former ministers Arun Shourie and Yashwant Sinha and some others who demanded a court-mon

An Afghan army helicopter carrying 25 people crashed in western Afghanistan on Wednesday, killing all those on board, officials said. The aircraft crashed due to "bad weather" in Anar Dara district, which borders Iran, Farah provincial governor spokesman Nasir Mehri said. The Taliban claimed its militants brought it down. Both pilots and 23 passengers were killed. Among the dead were the deputy army corps commander for western Afghanistan and the head of the Farah provincial council, Mehri said. Provincial council member Dadullah Qaneh said the helicopter hit a mountain peak in poor weather en route to neighbouring Herat province. Senior government and military officials often travel by helicopter in regions where the Taliban has a large presence. Helicopter crashes are not uncommon in the mountainous, war-torn country. In September, an Afghan military helicopter carrying weapons and ammunition burst into flames during an "emergency landing" in Farah, killin

ISLAMABAD: British-Pakistani boxer Amir Khan and his wife Faryal Makhdoom Khan called on Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad on Wednesday.  During the meeting, Amir Khan expressed his desire to play a role in promoting boxing in Pakistan. In his remarks, the prime minister said the country’s youth have a huge potential in sports and utilizing their abilities positively is priority of his government. He welcomed Amir Khan’s offer to work for promotion of boxing in the country. The PM’s special assistant on political affairs Naeemul Haq and others were also present in the meeting. Pleasure meeting @ImranKhanPTI today in Islamabad, Pakistan pic.twitter.com/zgi3rBiTya — Faryal Makhdoom Khan (@FaryalxMakhdoom) October 31, 2018 The post British-Pakistani boxer Amir Khan, wife Faryal meet PM appeared first on ARYNEWS . from ARYNEWS https://ift.tt/2DbwgMR

ISLAMABAD: Responding to the points raised by Opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif regarding CPEC, Defense Minister Pervez Khattak firmly rejected the impression that the incumbent government is opposing CPEC, the mega corridor project. Speaking on the floor of the house, Khattak said that, he is living in a rented house and satisfied whatever God has blessed him with. “Being the chief minister of KP in the last government, only demanded province’s due share in the CPEC,” he said. Mr Khattak rejected the impression that the cost of Peshawar Bus rapid transit system is higher than those constructed in Punjab and Islamabad. He said buses for Islamabad-Rawalpindi metro bus project were taken on rent, but the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had purchased the buses for the BRT. The minister maintained that he has no role in leasing of forest department’s land in Malam Jabba, adding that he will appear before the bureau to clear his position without hue and cry. Earlier today, Shehbaz Sharif

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan will embark on a first trip to China on the evening of November 1 (Thursday). As per details, the prime minister’s visit to the neighbouring country has been rescheduled as he would now depart for China on Thursday evening instead of Nov 2. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi chaired a meeting to review preparations for the premier’s upcoming visit to China. The Ambassador of Pakistan in Beijing and other senior officials of the embassy attended the meeting via video link. The foreign secretary, additional secretary (Asia Pacific), additional secretary (FMO) and director general (China) were also in attendance. The meeting discussed the significance of the visit as well as the proposed program, meetings, agreements to be signed and its overall objectives. Emphasizing the importance of the visit, the foreign minister highlighted that Pakistan and China are “all-weather strategic cooperative partners”. He underscored that high level

KARACHI: The Sindh government has imposed a ban on pillion riding for 10 days in view of the current law and order situation across the province. The reason for ban hasn’t been particularly specified by the government, but according to reports, the decision has been taken in the wake of protests and rioting fears after the Supreme Court verdict ordering acquittal of Asia Bibi, who was facing execution over blasphemy charges. The provincial government has also banned processions and rallies as well as carrying of arms. Under section-144 of the government, a gathering of no more than four people will be allowed. As per the notification, the ban has been imposed for 10 days. Two days ago, the Sindh government had banned pillion riding for two days across the province on Chehlum of the martyrs of Karbala on Tuesday. Provincial home department in a notification said, the Sindh government imposed ban on pillion riding on motorbikes in exercise of powers under Section 144 (6) of the cri

ISLAMABAD: Co-Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday said that “leg pulling” will not serve anyone’s cause, urged for combine efforts to steer the country out of the hot waters. “Democracy has its weaknesses, but it remains a best way to address critical issues faced by the country.” Expressing his views in National Assembly, Zardari said recent financial help is not the long time solution to improve the “ill” economy of the country, relations with countries are not meant to get financial assistance only, he maintained. Former President while extending his support to the government said, ” will suggest best solutions to address the problems being faced by the country, if government decides to sit with larger opposition.” Addressing the problem of water scarcity, Co Chairman PPP advised government to create consensus over construction of dams,  PPP is ready to support government on the issue, he added. ” I was jailed for 20 years over the charges of alleged

ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on Wednesday imposed a fine of Rs2 million on the K-Electric. According to a statement issued by the power regulatory authority, the K-Electric was penalized over non-compliance of performance standards, particularly its failure to restore power supply within the prescribed time frame and to ensure the safety of public in Karachi. Quoting media reports, it said large swathes of Karachi remained without electricity due to the tripping of almost 700 feeders during rainy weather in June last year, which resulted in long power blackouts ranging from 24 hours to 48 hours in almost 50% areas of Karachi. Besides, there were also reports of fatal injuries to some people owing to electrocution. The Nepra took notice of the situation in Karachi and directed the K-Electric to immediately provide a detailed report on the tripping of feeders and electrocution incidents along with preventive and corrective steps taken by K-Elec

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DELHI: India Wednesday inaugurated the world’s biggest statue with pomp, fireworks and tight security amid an outcry among local groups over the cost of the 182 metre (600 feet) high reproduction of an Indian independence hero.   Activists said about a dozen of their leaders had been detained before Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially opened the tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, with an air force jet flyover, helicopters showering flowers on the statue and fireworks in the green, orange and white national colours. “Today is a day that will be remembered in the history of India,” said Modi who hailed Sardar Patel’s “strategic thinking” in bringing together the disparate country after independence in 1947 and the Statue of Unity as “a symbol of our engineering and technical prowess.” But around the statue in a remote corner of Gujarat state, more than 5,000 police guarded the huge site where construction work has taken nearly four years to complete the megaproject. Hundreds of

ISLAMABAD: State Minister for Communications, Murad Saeed, has said the Opposition was panicked after Prime Minister’s austerity measures and action against misuse of public exchequer. Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, Saeed said irrelevant questions and debates from the Opposition was tantamount to wasting time of the nation as well as of the Parliament. He said the government would appoint competent persons, not blue-eyed ones, in all department to ensure good governance and make the country progressive. Referring to ongoing tiff between the government and the opposition, he said precious time was being wasted on hue and cry over non-issues. He took exception to the statement from opposition benches regarding Kashmir issue, saying Indian business giant Sajjan Jindal came to Pakistan with the same opposition in power then, “Are they rightful to raise this Kashmir issue,” he asked. Without naming any PML-N leaders, Murad Saeed said they were even fearful to name Kul

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister of Iran, Mohammad Javad Zarif called on his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Wednesday in federal capital at the Foreign Office. “Both dignitaries discussed matters related to mutual interests between Pakistan and Iran”, said FO Spokesperson, Dr Faisal in a tweet. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi welcomed the visiting Foreign Minister of Iran, Mr Zarif at Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), adding that detailed discussions on all issues of bilateral issues, reads tweet. Talks between Iran and Pakistan took place on all issues of mutual interest pic.twitter.com/KabsWr6znw — Dr Mohammad Faisal (@ForeignOfficePk) October 31, 2018 Mr Javad Zarif arrived in Islamabad to hold bilateral talks with Pakistani leadership earlier today. He will also likely to meet Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa. The foreign minister’s visit comes in the wake of the kidnapping of border guards of Iran near its b

KARACHI: President Dr Arif Alvi to inaugurate Dhabeji Express, on the route between Karachi’s City Station and Dabheji in Thatta district on Wednesday (today). Minister for Railways, Sheikh Rashid said that Dhabeji Express is a gift from Prime Minister for the people of Karachi. “Going to China tomorrow, railways has key role in China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), government wants to facilitate labourers to travel home on time without being forced to sit on bus rooftops, maintained Rashid. The minister vowed for the revival of Railways, adding that employees of the department will be promoted to ‘A’ grade. Addressing a press conference yesterday, the minister announced that the citizens will travel by the new train for free on 1st of Nov. He said the federal government is ready to provide all required facilities for revival of Karachi Circular Railway project.  Five more trains will be launched in Sindh in the first 100 days of the present government, he added. He said the

Leader of the Opposition Shahbaz Sharif, while addressing a session of the National Assembly today, asked who had asked for an NRO. The PML-N president asked Prime Minister Imran Khan to elaborate on the name of the person who had asked for an NRO, and when such an incident had occurred. Shahbaz added thaf if the premier could prove he had asked for an NRO, he would quit politics forever. "I am a servant of Pakistan, I won't take any u-turn," Shahbaz said. The PML-N president also took aim at the government's decision to increase gas and electricity prices. He alleged that the government had come to power through a rigged election and had lost credibility in the eyes of the public in a very short time. The Leader of the Opposition referred to PM Khan as an "absconder", and criticised him for not coming to the House. Shahbaz pointed out that although PM Khan had claimed he would come to the NA to respond to statements like the British premier, he had n

ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday fired a broadside at Prime Minister Imran Khan, asking him to explain as to who asked him for a deal like the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).  Speaking on the floor of the house, Shehbaz further asked the prime minister to present witnesses to substantiate his claim of opposition politicians seeking an NRO. “Prime Minister Imran Khan should tender an apology to Parliament if he fails to prove [his claim],” he said, adding that they cannot be intimidated by threats. He alleged that there is an unholy alliance between NAB and the ruling PTI. “The prime minister was a suspect in the helicopter case. On what basis did the NAB chairman meet a suspect,” asked the opposition leader. He said the prime minister once again resorted to lying by giving a statement with regard to the NRO. “I curse the NRO,” asserted Mr Sharif. He said the Billion Tree Tsunami, Malam Jabba, and KP Accountability

The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) on Wednesday summoned Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry for his "irresponsible" and "double meaning remarks" about the recent transfer of Islamabad's inspector general of police (IGP). While hearing a case pertaining to IGP Jan Mohammad's transfer, CJP Mian Saqib Nisar criticised Fawad and said the minister should appear before court and offer a "clarification of his statement". Yesterday, Fawad had declared that the prime minister — the chief executive of the country — had full authority to suspend any police officers who were insubordinate. The information minister had questioned the point of electing a prime minister if he couldn't even remove an officer over "legitimate complaints". He had added that the government would present its arguments to the Supreme Court and follow the latter's verdict. However, the chief justice took exception to the information minister's strident tone.

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Leader of the Opposition Shahbaz Sharif, while addressing a session of the National Assembly today, asked who had asked for an NRO. The PML-N president also took aim at the government's decision to increase gas and electricity prices. More details to follow from The Dawn News - Home https://ift.tt/2AB6ij2 via IFTTT

He says he suffers from back pain and can't keep travelling between Lahore and Islamabad from Samaa Digital https://ift.tt/2Q8rLoX