Following the directives of federal government, the AJK government has decided to accumulate data of all the Madrassahs (seminaries) of Azad Kashmir.

AJK sources informed that the data would be for information purposes only, and there were no endeavors of any crackdown against these seminaries, except those involved in illegal activities.

The incharge of seminaries would be taken into full confidence over the issue, while scouring these 236 registered, and unlimited of unregistered seminaries belonging to various other sects.

Pakistan and China on Thursday agreed to complete all projects in the stipulated time for the production of JF17 thunder fighter jets and latest F-22 P Frigates for Pakistan Navy and other matters relating to defense.

These views were expressed during Defense Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar four-day visit to China. He visited China on the invitation of his counterpart Gen Liang Gunaglie. He was accompanied by a high powered delegation representing Pakistan, Navy, Pakistan Army and Air Force.

During his meeting with various Chinese high ups including Vice President Xi Jinping and State Councilor in China, Pak-China Military leadership assured that defense needs of the country will be catered at all costs thick and thin.

It was further told that both leadership were positive to enhance defense relations adding all projects like production of JF17 thunder fighter jets and others, which are joint venture of Pakistan, and China has been ensured to be completed in specific time.

They expressed satisfaction over progress on JF-17 and F-22 P Frigates.

Defense Minister reassured China's help in strengthening defence and security cooperation in all areas.

An eighteen member delegation headed by Dr. Muhammad Yusuf Farooqi, Director Shariah Academy, International Islamic University, Islamabad and consisting of other 17 members associated with different fields of Law from all over the Pakistan called on Dr. Faqir Hussain, Registrar Supreme Court and Secretary Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan in Supreme Court Building, Islamabad on Thursday

Members of the delegation included senior judicial officers in the subordinate courts, prosecution agencies, investigation agencies, Federal Government and forces. Dr. Faqir Hussain explained to the delegation the composition and functions of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan, National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee as well as the functions of the two bodies. He also responded to the questions/explanations/clarifications sought by the members of the delegation. The implementation of National Judicial Policy 2009 also came up for discussion and its silent points were explained to the delegation.

Federal Government on Thursday has regularized 98 officials working in FIA on various posts. They were previously working on Contract Basis.

Interior Ministry says that after the formal approval of the summary by President Asif Ali Zardari 98 officials have been regularized who were deployed in FIA and working on contract basis since last many years.

These officials were drafted in PPP's tenure in 1989.

The regularized employees include 9 Assistant Directors, 20 inspectors, 20 Sub Inspectors and ASIs respectively belonging from Peshawar and other areas.

United Nations on Thursday has underlined that so far 385000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have gone back safe and sound to their homes urging the need that before that start of Monsoon Season it must be ensured that all the families are sent back.

These views were expressed by UN Human Relief Coordinator in Pakistan Wolfgang Herbinger in a Press Conference on Thursday.

He was of the view that during the military operation most of the crops have been destroyed while thousands of animals killed in the operation.

He was of the view that hundreds of affectees have started returning to their homes in Pakistan's scenic valley of Swat with deeply ambivalent emotions, following a two month-long army offensive against the Taliban which displaced millions.

The men, women and children were happy to leave behind the sufferings they faced at the temporary refugee camps for weeks, but they were not sure whether the situation at home has really improved and whether they could rebuild their shattered lives again.

Hundreds of houses, government buildings and bridges are destroyed. The government is still struggling to restore water, electricity and gas supply in many areas. Health services are almost collapsed.

He said that billion of dollars would be needed for rehabilitation and reconstruction in the first year alone.

He pointed that Rehabilitation and reconstruction would take years, but the first major concern for the people in Swat and nearby areas is security.

He said that till the end of July, the total number of loses and needs could be estimated.

Replying to a question, he said that he appeals to the International Community to come forward as out of 543 million only 343 percent funds have been provided to them.

He further added that it is need of hour to construct schools and vocational training institutes in the war-torn areas.

President Asif Ali Zardari Thursday directed that a comprehensive plan be prepared so that within one year every eligible citizen gets a computerized national identity card and no one is left without this basic document.

The Presidential directive was issued after the President noted the slow pace of issuance of CNICs from a weekly NADRA report.

Spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhat Ullah Babar said that the President expressed concern over the very slow pace and observed that with this pace it would take several years to issue CNICs to eligible citizens.

The president also directed that the plan be prepared and got approved by the Cabinet within one month.

The Presidential directive in fact means that every eligible citizen should have a CNIC by August next year, the Spokesperson said.

Women should take care of their health and diet particularly during pregnancy, said Dr. Nabeela Ali, chief of party of PAIMAN.

Speaking as chief guest at Soya Supreme Cooking Class at Islamabad Hotel, she said that weak and sick mothers could not produce healthy babies. She said that majority of Pakistan women do not care much about spacing between two births and as a result iron deficiency is common among women. She urged upon mothers to use balanced diet and make Pakistani a healthy nation.

Dr. Nabeela Ali said that women can play a vital role in saving precious national resources that are being spent on treating illness due to carelessness in eating and diet. She suggested that women should support and educate each other about their problems and illnesses.

Dr. Fakhra said that by enhancing their cooking skills women would not only win the hearts of their family members with delicious food but if applied commercially this skill can also be a source of income.

Representative of Soya Supreme Syma Nausheen, GM of the Islamabad Hotel Ihtisham-ul-Haqm and event manager Ms. Abmreen Khan were also present on the occasion. Besides cooking, songs and eating competition were also part of the class. Winners of different items of the class were given prizes and gifts.

The flag of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) from different highways and roads of Islamabad would be removed by July 27.

On the directives of Political Secretary of President and leader of PPP Senator Raza Abidi, the concerned authorities have been asked to remove flags of ruling PPP from different highways and roads of Islamabad.

On August 1st, the Pakistan's flag would be displayed at every road and highway of Islamabad in connection with country's independent day August 14.

It may be recalled here Central Information Secretary Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) Ahsan Iqbal expressed concern over displaying of PPP's flags at Islamabad.

Federal education ministry has sent a summary to regularize daily wages teachers of Islamabad model colleges to Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani for approval.

Round about 512 daily wages teachers of Islamabad model colleges would be regularized. In first phase, 300 daily wages teachers would be regularized.

Director General Federal Directorate of Education Attiq-ur-Rehman told Online that the decision to send summary to Prime Minister to regularize daily wages teachers of model colleges was taken in the meeting held under the chairmanship of Federal Education minister.

He hoped that the summary would be approved soon and in first phase teachers who were imparting education for last 4 years would be regularized in first phase, he said.

The Barani Agricultural University has announced to give six Ph.D scholarships in various fields, aiming to improve its teaching department.

Sources in the University told that the scholarships would be given for studies in the prominent universities of the world.

The fields in which scholarships to be given included biochemistry, biotechnology, agriculture, plant biotechnology and bio-informatics.

The last date of submitting applications for the scholarships is August 6.

Former Federal Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr. Sher Afghan Khan Niazi has said that the decision of Supreme Court to summon Former President Gen. (Retd) Pervez Musharraf on July 29 was malafide.

The decision was aimed to disturb Musharraf and take revenge from him because he dismissed Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and other judges for not taking oath under Provincial Constitutional Ordinance (PCO), he said this while talking to media men on Thursday. The decision has no constitutional value, he said.

He also termed the decision as part of judicial activism. A larger bench of Supreme Court validated the steps taken by Musharraf on November 03 and now the same Supreme Court has summoned him, he said.

The Supreme Court instead of concentrating towards national issue was opening a new Pandora box, he said, adding that, the country is already facing several crises and can not bear more. The decision can also cause negative impact on ongoing operation Rah-e-Rast and Rah-e-Nijat against militants in Swat and South Waziristan as well as country's sovereignty. There was no room in constitution to summon Former President and Chief of the army staff, he claimed.

He went on to say Prime Minister is Chief Executive of Federation instead of President.

Govt decides to retain coalition partners' ministries
The government has decided in principle to extend and reshuffle the federal cabinet but would not change the ministries of coalition partners, reliable sources said on Wednesday.

According to official sources, the performances of some PPP ministers were not satisfactory and were hesitating to take new ministries despite the Prime Minister's decision to change portfolios of some ministers.

Sources said that Trade Minister Amin Fahim is also included among those whose ministries would be changed and ministry of inter-provincial coordination has been offered to him but he refused leaving his trade ministry.

According to sources, the notification of acceptance of PPP senior leader Raza Rabbani's resignation has not been issued yet and law ministry has been offered to him but he has no interest in it.

Mian Raza Rabbani would be given ministry of interior, while Information Minister Qamar-uz-Zaman would retain his ministry over his brilliant performance.

According to sources, Privatization Minister Naveed Qamar would be given petroleum ministry in place of advisor to the PM Dr Asim Hussain, while Investment Minister Waqar Ahmad Khan and Benazir Income Support Program chief Farzana Raja were expected to get important responsibilities.

Sources said Prime Minister has expressed dissatisfaction over the present poor law and order situation and terror events several times and also in his recent statements after which the ministries of Rehman Malik and Ejaz Jakhrani would be changed.

The changes are expected to take place within a week, sources added.


The Pak. American Advocates for Civil and Human Rights and Pak. American Lawyers Bar Association has announced that the President of Pakistan Supreme Court Bar Association, and the hero of the restoration of the judiciary, Mr. Ali Ahmed Kurd, will be in New York to address a large open meeting and to present the Justice Award to the supporters of Lawyers Movement in America.

The details are as follows:

When: Saturday evening, August 15th, at 7.00 p.m.

Where: Paradise East Hall, located at 1223 Coney Island between Avenue H & I, Brooklyn (Little Pakistan), New York 11232; Phone Number (718) 758-2815

All groups and individuals are invited without any restrictions to participate in this exclusive historical event.

For further information please contact:

Ramzan Rana Counselor at Law (516) 376-1868

Sajid Jaffrey Attorney at Law (917) 399-8123

Khalid Azam Attorney at Law (917) 825-4042

Shahid Mehar Legal Scholar (917) 496-8686



Invitation issued by the Pak. American Advocates for rights and Pak. American Lawyers Bar association.

Commending decision of the Supreme Court regarding summoning Pervez Musharraf in PCO judges case, former Attorney General Malik Muhammad Qayum has said that he could think to defend Pervez Musharraf if the former president asked him to do so.

Talking to media men here on Wednesday, Malik Muhammad Qayum has said that any party has the constitutional right to defend himself and he believes that former President should appear before the court and defend his actions.

Responding to a question, the former Attorney General said that he had met with Pervez Musharraf two months ago, saying he (Musharraf) should be given opportunity to defend himself. He said that Pervez Musharraf took November 3 steps as Chief of Army Staff and not as President.

Expressing his views on decision of the Supreme Court, he said that the decision was taken in accordance with law and praise worthy. He added that if the former general contacted him for counseling than he would consider it

The ruling Pakistan Peoples' Party ministers in the federal cabinet have expressed strong reservations over the performance of ministers of the coalition partner, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F) and informed the Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani in this regard, sources said on Wednesday.

According to sources, the Prime Minister assured the ministers of discussing the issue with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman and President Asif Ali Zardari.

During informal chat with this Agency, one federal minister who did not want to be identified, said the coalition partner JUI-F has three ministries, including Maulana Atta-ur-Rehman, brother of JUI-F chief as tourism minister and Rahmat Ullah Kakar as housing minister.

According to the minister, if any work from other ministries is sent towards both these ministries, then they either keep it pending or say sorry instead of doing it.

He alleged that Rehmat Ullah Kakar did not do valid work even on the recommendations of other ministers, while slogans of PPP were 'roti, kapra aur makan', however, JUI-F was doing high handedness in this regard.

President Asif Ali Zardari Wednesday launched the Monsoon tree plantation campaign by planting a sapling at Aiwan-e-Sadr urging the nation to make Pakistan green by enthusiastically participating in the national cause.

"It is our national and religious duty to grow more trees and protect existing forests and trees", the President said in a message on the occasion.

The tree planting ceremony was also attended by the Environemnt Minister Hameedullah Jan Afridi, Kamal Majidullah SAPM, Mr Salman Faruqui Secretary General, Chairman CDA Imtiaz Inayat Elahi and other senior officials.

The children of the President Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Bakhtwar Bhutto Zardari and Aseefa Bhutto Zardari also separately planted saplings of lychee on the occasion.

Spokespersons to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the President congratulated the nation and the Ministry of Environment for setting a new world record on July 15 this year of planting 5,41,176 trees in one day at Keti Bundar, inThatta, Sindh. This signifies our resolve and commitment to make Pakistan green and environmentally friendly, the President said.

The President said that genuine and lasting development had to be sustainable. Sustainability of development demands that we protect and enhance the quality of environment, he said.

He said that trees and forests were an essential part of the ecosystems regulating water supplies. "In the year 2009 that has been designated as the Environment Year I ask the people to grow trees to improve the ecosystems and enhance the environment".

The President said that the government planned to launch tree plantation twice a year to increase forest cover of land. I urge all stakeholders including farmers, local communities, forest owners and right holders, civil society organizations, the private sector and students to participate in the drive, the President said.

Farhatullah Babar said that the President also cautioned against the continuous depletion of forest reserves over the past several years and called for reversing the trend by strengthening the existing forest monitoring system.

As forestry is a provincial subject I would strongly urge the provincial governments to employ all available legal instruments to stop illegal cutting of trees, the President said, adding, "We also need to introduce new technologies and concept both in commercial and environmental forestry". "I invite all citizens to participate in our national effort to cover Pakistan with trees and make the country lush green. This is the only way to achieve the goal of sustainable social and economic development", the President said.

Federal Minister for Railway Ghulam Ahmed Bilour has threatened to halt train service in Punjab if attacks on train were not stopped.

Talking to media men during visit to Railway carriage factory here on Thursday, he said, attacks on trains in some areas of Punjab was a conspiracy against Punjab Government.

Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif, Federal Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf and Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik should compensate Pakistan railway over loss to trains, he demanded.

It seems that the attacks on train in Punjab were a conspiracy against Punjab because such type of incidents was not reported in Sindh, Balochistan and NWFP, he said.

Replying to another question, the minister said, Pakistan railway should not be privatized because due to this more than 90,000 families are earning their livelihood.

Earlier, he made surprise visit of Railway carriage factory and expressed annoyance over absence of high level officers including MD Railway.

After reviewing the work of workers in carriage factory, he announced Rs. 2, 000 for them and the workers would get this bonus along with salaries next month.

PPP Senator Dr. Javed Leghari has resigned from his senate post due to his ill health.

Senate secretariat sources confirming the resignation told that Dr Leghari in his resignation has said that due to his ill health he is unable to fulfill his responsibilities in the senate.

He sent his resignation letter to the Chairman Senate on Wednesday.

When Dr Leghari was contacted in this regard his family sources told Online that his health is deteriorating due to which he is unable to perform his duties and his resignation has nothing to do with any differences with the party.

Blog Widget by LinkWithin

Followers

Video Post