SC fixes review plea over NRO on Oct 13

on Monday, September 27, 2010

SC fixes review plea over NRO on Oct 13 ISLAMABAD, The Supreme Court on Tuesday accepted a plea on behalf of Federation regarding implementation of its orders of Dec 16, 2009, on National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) and fixed Oct 13 for hearing of a review plea first which has been pending with it.

It also directed the Attorney General for Pakistan and the Deputy Prosecutor General NAB to submit comprehensive reports about implementation of all other orders on NRO before next date of hearing.

Meanwhile, the three-member bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Tariq Parvez and Justice Ghulam Rabbani resumed hearing on a suo motu case taken on appointment of former managing director OGDCL Adnan A. Khawja, a beneficiary of NRO.

Attorney General for Pakistan Molvi Anwarul Haq submitted an adjournment plea and said that he was instructed by the prime minister to request on behalf of the Federation for adjournment of the pending proceedings till a decision on its review petition.

He said the prime minister had been very busy in state affairs and inter alia, with the flood situation and international commitments and wished to further consider and discuss the legal aspects of the matter.

The chief justice said that the court understood the implications and complications of the case and would fix hearing of the review petition as it was their due right.

He said," what you considered or did, it was you internal matter. A request for the review petition was never made as the federation counsel barrister Kamal Azfar was on general adjournment till Oct 10."

Deputy Prosecutor general NAB Raja Aamir Abbas submitted a list of 36 NRO beneficiaries and the current status of their cases.

He said that they had requested the Establishment Division to identify such people, who were holding government posts but the reply was still awaited.

He said similar requests were made to DG Operation NAB and deputy chairman but he got no replies.

About revival of NAB cases, he apprised that there were two categories, including the one in which accused did not appear before courts while in others the original trials were held but the appeals were pending.

The chief justice maintained that the deputy chairman NAB whose authority to work as acting chairman NAB was declared illegal by this Court, had passed illegal orders.

He asked the Deputy Prosecutor General to submit details of all such orders and hinted that if those orders were not reverted, they would issue him a notice.

The chief justice said that there were cases in Sindh too.

He said that the court was not insisting on any particular case but saying that all its orders on NRO must be implemented in letter and spirit.

He also told the Attorney General that so far new NAB chairman was not appointed though he had recorded the statement in Bank of Punjab case that the process was underway and his appointment was a matter of few days.

Justice Ghulam Rabbani questioned why prosecutors were not appointed in Sindh.

There were five accountability courts with single prosecutor. Moreover, there were no proper rooms for accountability judges, he added.

The AG said that only LHC chief justice had sent him a letter for establishment of accountability courts, and two courts in Islamabad and one in Multan were established.

The CJ also asked the NAB official to provide details of those persons who were tried under Section 31-a (conviction in absentia) of the National Accountability Ordinance.

He observed that it was a good sign that such people had surrendered and filed appeals which was their right.

He also questioned the details of cases pending in foreign countries including Switzerland to which government of Pakistan was pleaded as a civil party.

The chief justice said that the former attorney general who made requests for the withdrawal of Swiss cases was equally responsible.

To bench's query, the Attorney General replied that only inquires were held in Swiss cases and the authorities there withdrew their own people's names.

He said about 24 claimants belonging to foreign countries appeared and became parties to the alleged amount.

Abbas calls on Israel to re-impose settlement freeze

on

Abbas calls on Israel to re-impose settlement freeze PARIS, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on Monday called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to re-impose a settlement freeze, saying it was the only way for peace talks to succeed, his spokesman said.

President Abbas "wants to continue the negotiations but Netanyahu must take a decision to freeze the settlements in order to create an appropriate atmosphere to proceed with the peace talks," Abbas' spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina said in the French capital.

Rupee at record low against dollar

on

Rupee at record low against dollar KARACHI, The Pakistani rupee fell to a record low on Monday because of increased dollar demand for import payments.

A currency dealer said the rupee traded as low as 86.07,beating the previous record low on Sept 24 of 86.03.

The rupee ended at 86.10/14 to the dollar, compared with Friday's close of 86.04/09. Dealers expect the local unit to weaken further.

"The rupee is traded at 86.12 in TOM (one-day forward)market," said another dealer.

Yawar Saeed quits as team manager

on

Yawar Saeed quits as team manager LAHORE, The manager of Pakistan's cricket tour of England resigned on Monday, just days after the players flew home following controversies over spot fixing.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt relieved Yawar Saeed of his duties at Saeed's own request, the board said.

The 75-year-old Saeed had hinted about stepping down before the tour began in June and denied that his decision to go was connected to the allegations that marred the team's tour of England.

The allegations surfaced after British newspaper News of the World claimed that alleged bookie Mazhar Majeed paid several Pakistani players to deliberately bowl no-balls during last month's Lord's Test against England.

Scotland Yard raided the team's hotel in London, and interrogated Test captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Aamir and Wahab Riaz.

So far no charges have been brought against Pakistani players.

The International Cricket Council has provisionally suspended Salman, Asif and Aamir.

"I had requested the PCB chairman to relieve me of the duties before the England tour... nor it is linked to the tour of England," Saeed told reporters.

Saeed is the son of Mian Mohammad Saeed, who led Pakistan in their first unofficial Test in 1948, and brother-in-law to the late fast bowler Fazal Mahmood.

Pakistan's next assignment is a neutral venue series against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates, starting next month.

Salman-Aamir bond at Dabangg success party

on

Salman-Aamir bond at Dabangg success party MUMBAI, That ‘Dabangg’ is the biggest grosser ever in Hindi cinema is a known fact by now and those associated with the film didn’t miss a chance to party hard to celebrate the success of the film.

The who’s who of Bollywood attended the grand ‘Dabangg’ party where everyone was seen enjoying themselves. The leading lady of the film, Sonakshi Sinha reveals, “What an amazing party last night! Every single person associated with the film celebrated the success as one unit, one family - the ‘Dabangg’ family!”

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh who was also on the guest list shares, “Attended 'Dabangg' success party. Bonding between Salman and Aamir was amazing. The industry attendance was terrific.”


The Dabangg success party was full of A-list Bollywood stars. Aamir Khan chatted away with Subhash Ghai, Salman kept Vidhu Vinod Chopra company and the ladies Malaika Arora Khan and Sonakshi Sinha were dressed to kill.

Vitamin C good for hospitalized patients

on

Vitamin C good for hospitalized patients LONDON, Treatment with vitamin C rapidly improves the emotional state of acutely hospitalized patients, according to a study carried out by researchers at Montreal's Jewish General Hospital (JGH) and the affiliated Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research (LDI).

In a double-blind clinical trial, patients admitted to the JGH were randomly assigned to receive either vitamin C or vitamin D supplements for seven to ten days. Patients administered vitamin C had a rapid and statistically and clinically significant improvement in mood state, but no significant change in mood occurred with vitamin D, the researchers discovered. Their results were published recently in the journal Nutrition.

"Earlier studies, both in our hospital and in other centres, demonstrated that the majority of acutely hospitalized patients have subnormal levels of vitamins C and D in their blood," said Dr. L. John Hoffer, MD, PhD, an investigator at the Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research.

"About one in five acute-care patients in our hospital have vitamin C levels so low as to be compatible with scurvy," added Hoffer, also a Senior Physician in the Divisions of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, and a professor of medicine at McGill University. "But patients are rarely given vitamin supplements. Most physicians are simply unaware of the problem. Subclinical deficiencies of vitamin C and D have each been linked to psychological abnormalities, so we examined that aspect in our clinical trial."

Nawaz says govt must implement SC verdicts

on Friday, September 24, 2010

Nawaz says govt must implement SC verdicts LAHORE, PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif said his party was behind the Supreme Court and only the court can rule over the issue of presidential immunity, Geo News reported Friday.

He was addressing a press conference here today.

He advised the government to abide by the verdicts of the SC and not to confront with the judiciary.

Nawaz Sharif pointed out that his party blocked the presentation of NRO in the Parliament. He also demanded resignations from all NRO beneficiaries.

‘Corruption can not be tolerated in the name of democracy.’ He noted that implementing the verdicts of the Supreme Court could only stop the change.
The change would occur if it had to and nobody then could forestall it, he added. ‘We are against any martial law.’

NRO-benefited officials should quit voluntarily: PM

on

NRO-benefited officials should quit voluntarily: PM ISLAMABAD, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has directed NRO-benefited government officials to quit voluntarily with immediate effect, Geo News reported.

The government would take up Dr. Aafia Siddiqui's case with US political leadership, he said.

He was addressing to the Senate here today.

PM Gilani pointed out that the president was the supreme commander of armed forces adding that only the Parliament can review the immunity President of Pakistan enjoys under the Constitution.

Meanwhile, the premier asked Interior Minister Abdul Rehman Malik, to initiate prisoner exchange process for release of Dr. Aafia.

Talking about NRO cases, PM Gilani directed NRO-benefited government officials to quit their posts with immediate effect.

Kashmir India's internal issue, insists Krishna

on



Kashmir India WASHINGTON: India's External Affairs Minister S M Krishna on Thursday asked Pakistan to "vacate" its "illegal occupation of certain parts of Jammu and Kashmi" before advising New Delhi "how to go about doing things in Kashmir," after Pakistan sought US intervention on the issue and questioned the state's accession to India.

"As far as Pakistan is concerned, they are in illegal occupation of certain parts of J&K. I think that it is desirable that they vacate that first and then start advising India about how to go about doing things in Kashmir," he told a Indian television news channel.

He also sought to portray the civil unrest in the valley as an example of domestic strife rather than a separatist insurgency.

"The government of India is fully conscious about its responsibilities. There are institutional mechanisms and individual mechanisms, which will be put in place so that the genuine grievances of the people of Kashmir will be addressed. It happens in other parts of the country also. Whenever such strife is there we do the same mechanism so we will follow that," he said.

PSMA opposes allowing unlimited raw sugar imports

on

PSMA opposes allowing unlimited raw sugar imports ISLAMABAD, Sugar millers oppose a government decision to allow unlimited imports of raw sugar after massive sugarcane crop losses, an industry official said on Friday, adding the shortfall would be smaller than expected.

The price, he said, expected to be between Rs 60 to Rs 65 per kilogramme.

The government this week waived a 25 percent regulatory duty and allowed millers and traders to import raw sugar at will after estimates the 2010/11 crop would produce about 3 million tonnes of refined sugar against an annual demand of 4.2 million tonnes.

Millers estimate output at 3.6 million tonnes and say the government should set a limit in line with total demand.

"We are telling the government that there should be a limit on the import of raw sugar. It should not be more than 500,000 tonnes," Iskandar Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA), said.

"We are expecting 3.6 million tonnes of sugar output after flood damage and together with raw sugar import and purchases being made by the TCP, the availability will be according to our consumption," he said referring to the state-run trading agency.

While Khan frames the issue in terms of protecting local farmers and even health issues surrounding unprocessed sugar, unlimited sugar imports would drive down domestic prices and cut into industry profits.

Pakistan aims for a sugarcane harvest of 54.8 million tonnes for 2010/11 -- which could produce roughly 3.8 million tonnes of white sugar -- before August floods destroyed millions of acres of cropland.

Khan said the government should specify a limit and it should be channeled through the Industry Ministry to millers according to their production last year.

The government said the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) would have no role and importers would decide the quantity and timing of purchases.

Khan said raw sugar should reach the country within three months to enable millers to refine it by the end of February, the end of the crushing season, which starts in late November this year.

Pakistan produced a little over 3 million tonnes of sugar from the 2009/10 crop and issued a series of tenders this year to import 1.2 million tonnes to make up the shortfall.

The TCP said this week it had so far received 478,155 tonnes and more was in the pipeline.

Athletes arrive as Delhi races against the clock

on

Athletes arrive as Delhi races against the clock NEW DELHI, New Delhi welcomed the first athletes to its crisis-hit Commonwealth Games on Friday as organisers raced against time to rescue the event amid claims the city should never have been chosen.

The Commonwealth Games Federation signalled that conditions were finally improving, but that there was still work to do after the athletes' village was described as "uninhabitable" earlier in the week.

The showpiece multi-sport event, set to begin in nine days, had teetered on the brink of collapse on Tuesday when some nations threatened to pull out amid worries about security, a bridge collapse and the state of the facilities.

"It is vital that all remedial work that has already started continues with the greatest urgency," Commonwealth Games Federation president Mike Fennell said in a statement before inspecting the village.

"We must ensure that a suitable environment is provided to ensure the welfare of the athletes and their support staff."

The Games won a much-needed boost from England and New Zealand, which said they would send their athletes after an earlier warning from England that the competition was on a "knife-edge" as worries grew about Delhi's readiness.

High-profile athletes continued to pull out, however, including Welsh cyclist Geraint Thomas, an Olympic gold medal winner.

The first contingent of English athletes arrived at the airport in red and white tracksuits, but they moved into a hotel rather than the village, where thousands of cleaners have been pressed into urgent action.

"There are still issues with the residences, electrical issues, plumbing issues..." said Team England's spokesperson Caroline Searle after a tour of the rooms allocated to the 560 English athletes and support staff.

"I can't say when it might be ready for us to move in. We're taking it day by day, hour by hour," Searle said.

Australia's Olympic chief John Coates said that the Indian capital should never have been awarded the Games in the first place, adding that the Commonwealth Games Federation was also to blame for the shambolic organisation.

"The Games shouldn't have been awarded to New Delhi, in hindsight," Coates told reporters in Sydney.

"I think the problem is the Commonwealth Games Federation is under-resourced. It doesn't have the ability... to monitor the progress of cities in the way that the Olympic committee does," Coates said.

Late on Thursday, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held a crisis meeting with senior ministers, and Delhi's Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit oversaw the deployment of hundreds of staff to clean the athletes' village.

"We are now working on a war footing," said Ashok Kapoor, the chief administrator in the village which comprises 34 six-storey towers.

"More than 2,000 people are on the job, everywhere, round the clock, cleaning and re-fitting fixtures that do not work or are missing," Kapoor said.

Wales said it was sending its team as planned after receiving assurances
that the facilities were up to scratch, and Scotland said it had been "heartened" by Dikshit's involvement with the clean-up.

Canada, which had delayed sending its athletes, also welcomed the intervention by the Indian government.

"What you are seeing is now, for the first time, the injection or projection of significant political leadership in the organisation of the Games," said the president of Commonwealth Games Canada, Andrew Pipe.

You Again premiered in Los Angeles

on



You Again premiered in Los Angeles LOS ANGELES, Actresses Jamie Lee Curtis and Sigourney Weaver turned up at the premiere of their latest film 'You Again' in Los Angeles last night sporting exactly the same dress.

The Daily Mail reports that the pair posed together on the red carpet in identical teal dresses. However it turns out that the choice for the stars was deliberate and they were actually referencing a scene in their movie 'You Again' in which their characters arrive at a wedding in the same pink dress.

However the pair pretended to waiting photographers that they were stunned by the coincidence and then went on to happily pose for them.

The film is the first time the actresses have worked together and it tells the story of a woman (Marni) who returns home to meet her brother's fiancee to discover she is her former enemy from high school (Joanna). Curtis plays Marni's mother while Weaver is Joanna's wealthy aunt.

Also attending last night's red carpet event were Kirsten Bell and Betty White.

Heatwave caused 11,000 deaths in Moscow

on Wednesday, September 22, 2010



Heatwave caused 11,000 deaths in Moscow MOSCOW: Moscow registered nearly 11,000 deaths due to an unprecedented heatwave this summer, a city official said, as the mortality rate more than doubled in the Russian capital.

In August alone, 15,016 deaths were registered in the city of more than 10 million people, compared with 8,905 for the same period last year -- an increase of 6,111 deaths, city official Evegenya Smirnova said.

The month earlier, Moscow saw 4,824 deaths more compared with the same period in July 2009, she said by telephone.

Overall, the city experienced 10,935 deaths linked to the extreme temperatures and stifling smog over the two months from July to August, which represents a 60 percent rise in the mortality rate.

The Russian authorities have faced searing criticism for downplaying the health risks amid the country's worst ever heatwave when a toxic mix of smog and smoke from nearby wildfires engulfed the city.

The health ministry only acknowledged on August 30 that the country had seen a surge in deaths in the affected regions -- up by 50 percent in Moscow in July -- despite media reports this summer describing morgues overflowing.

Federal authorities had earlier refused to give details of the Moscow death toll and there was no public announcement of the figures on Friday.

The authorities have partially attributed the rise in deaths to a spike in the number of drownings as Russians rushed to escape the sweltering temperatures topping 40 degrees Celsius (104 Farenheit) over several weeks.

Chemicals in indoor swimming pools may increase cancer risk

on Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Chemicals in indoor swimming pools may increase cancer risk LONDON, Swimming in indoor chlorinated pools may induce genotoxicity (DNA damage that may lead to cancer) as well as respiratory effects, but the positive health effects of swimming can be maintained by reducing pool levels of the chemicals behind these potential health risks, according to a new study published in a set of three articles online September 12 ahead of print in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP).

This study is the first to provide a comprehensive characterization of disinfection by-products (DBPs) in an indoor pool environment and the first to study the genotoxicity of exposure to these chemicals among swimmers in an indoor chlorinated pool.

DBPs form in pool water from reactions between disinfectants such as chlorine and organic matter that is either present naturally or is introduced by swimmers, such as sweat, skin cells, and urine.

Previous epidemiologic studies have found an association between exposure to DBPs in drinking water and risk of bladder cancer, and one such study has found this association for dermal/inhalational exposure such as occurs during showering, bathing, or swimming.

The new study details a comprehensive investigation of DBPs and mutagenicity of water samples collected from two indoor pools, one disinfected with chlorine, the other with bromine.

In addition, short-term changes in biomarkers of genotoxicity and respiratory effects were studied in swimmers who swam in the chlorinated pool. No previous studies have combined investigations of the mutagenicity (ability to cause permanent DNA mutations) of pool water with a comprehensive chemical characterization of the water and studies of human exposures, the authors stated.

Evidence of genotoxic effects were seen in 49 healthy adults after they swam for 40 minutes in the chlorinated pool. Specifically, researchers found increases in two genotoxicity biomarkers relative to the concentration of the most common types of DBPs in exhaled breath, which were used as a measure of the swimmers' exposures.

The biomarkers that increased were micronuclei in blood lymphocytes, which have been associated with cancer risk in healthy subjects, and urine mutagenicity, which is a biomarker of exposure to genotoxic agents.

Detailed measurements were also made of the most common exhaled DBPs (trihalomethanes) in air around the pool and in exhaled breath of the swimmers before and after swimming. Researchers measured several biomarkers of respiratory effects after swimming and found changes in only one-a slight increase in serum CC16, which suggests an increase in lung epithelium permeability. This result was explained by the effects of exercise itself as well as exposure to DBPs. Further research is needed to sort out the clinical relevance of this acute change, the researchers stated.

Kareena to celebrate 30th birthday in Latvia with Saif, Mom

on

Kareena to celebrate 30th birthday in Latvia with Saif, Mom MUMBAI, Kareena Kapoor, soon to be seen as a spy, a la Mata Haari, in the forth coming flick ‘Agent Vinod’, is turning 30 years old on the 21st of September. However, she is in distress, as she has to be in Latvia for Saif’s home production, ‘Agent Vinod’, and will not be able to return to Mumbai to be with her family and friends.

Yet, the gal is lucky, as she will have Saif by her side, as even he is required for the shooting, as he plays the role of a CID Agent, a la James Bond, in the flick,

Kareena who was in Mumbai for a couple of days, after a 25 day nonstop shoot, has to leave for Latvia, and guess what?? Her beau Saif has plans to fly Bebo’s mom, Babita to Latvia, for her birthday celebrations. Karisma Kapoor, Bebo’s loving sis, will not be able to make it as her son Kian is too small.

Pak cricketers mentally stronger than English players Afridi

on

Pak cricketers mentally stronger than English players: Afridi LONDON, Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi has said that efforts are being made to destroy his country’s team; but, the Pak nation would emerge with as much resilience as it is suppressed.

While talking in a Geo News programme Captain’s Corner, allrounder Shahid Afridi said that a police case could have been filed against Jonathon Trott for his misbehaving with Wahab Riaz.

He said that he was asked not to go for toss after a dispute between Trott and Wahab; but, the Pakistan team showed its greatness despite Trott’s misbehavior,

Praising his team, Afridi said that the Pakistani players are mentally stronger than the English cricketers.

Expected rise in interest rates stocks end lower

on

Expected rise in interest rates: stocks end lower KARACHI, Stocks ended lower on Tuesday as cautious investors booked profits on fears of a hike in the key policy rate when the monetary policy is unveiled next week, dealers said.

The monetary policy for the subsequent two months is due to be announced on Sept. 29. The central bank raised its key policy rate by 50 basis points to 13 percent in July.

The Karachi Stock Exchange's benchmark 100-share index ended 0.71 percent, or 71.08 points, lower at 9.992.50 Turnover rose to 88.44 million shares, compared with 65.05 million shares traded on Monday.

Inflation rose to a four-month high in August as the country's devastating floods forced food prices higher. The consumer price index rose a higher-than expected 13.23 percent from a year earlier and it was up 2.5 percent from July.

Earlier analysts expected the central bank to wait and see till the release of damages assessment report, which is due to be released in mid October, but with inflation higher than expected, there are fears that the central bank may hike the policy rate.

In the currency market, the rupee eased to 85.77/87 to the dollar, down from 85.77/87 on Monday amid higher payments for imports and dealers expect pressure to continue.

The rupee has been supported last week by remittances from overseas Pakistanis, which, according to the central bank, was a record $933.06 million in August. The last highest amount of remittances was $841.44 million in June.

In the money market, overnight rates ended higher at 12.00 percent, compared with Monday's close of between 10.10 and 10.25 percent after the State Bank of Pakistan conducted a three day repo and mopped up 18.5 billion rupees worth of treasury bills.

Nine killed in Afghan helicopter crash NATO

on

Nine killed in Afghan helicopter crash: NATO KABUL, Nine foreign troops were killed in a NATO helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan on Tuesday, the military alliance said, taking the overall death toll among foreign forces to an annual record.

Two NATO troops, an Afghan soldier and a US civilian, were also injured, NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said in a statement.

"The cause of the crash is under investigation," it said. There are no reports of enemy fire in the area.

It gave no details on the nationalities of those killed or the exact location of the crash.

The four injured people had been taken to an ISAF medical facility, the statement said.

The crash has raised the death toll among foreign troops in Afghanistan this year to 529, according to a toll based on the icasualties website, surpassing the figure of 521 for 2009.

A total of 2,097 coalition troops have now died since the US-led invasion of 2001 which ousted the Taliban regime.

Van mishap Bodies of 14 kids recovered from river

on

Van mishap: Bodies of 14 kids recovered from river MUZAFFARABAD, A school bus carrying at least 25 students skidded into a river near Garhi Dopatta area of Muzaffarabad; bodies of 14 children have been recovered from the river, Geo News reported Tuesday.

There are reports that at least five children have been rescued.

Today, an Eid Milan Party was being convened at the school; therefore, the children were taking along their younger siblings to attend the party. The van was carrying at least 36 children from Garhi Dopatta and other areas to Hatian, when it careened off into the river, going out of control over a turn.

The local people jump-started relief efforts on self-help basis and van driver and five children were recovered from the river in injured state. However, the bodies of 14 children have been recovered.

The ages of wounded and deceased children range from ten to 12. The relief efforts are still in progress on the spot.

According to school sources, the most of the children were orphaned in 2005 earthquake.

According to preliminary reports, the accident occurred owing to the negligence of the driver, as a school guard was driving the van and was busy on his phone when the accident happened.....

Arrested Brig. Imtiaz, Adnan Khawja being shifted to Adiala

on

Arrested Brig. Imtiaz, Adnan Khawja being shifted to Adiala ISLAMABAD: Brig. Imtiaz (rtd) and Adnan Khawja of the OGDCL have been arrested from the courtroom today and were being shifted to Adiala Jail, Geo News reported Tuesday.

Both of them have been arrested from the court on orders by Supreme Court (SC) during the hearing of a case relating the implementation of National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).

A SC bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry heard the NRO implementation case today.

The Chief Justice said the judicial orders were being disparaged.

Later on, the CJ ordered the arrest of both the accused from the courtroom.

The apex court said the accused may submit the bail challans within three days.

It should be mentioned here that a three-member Supreme Court bench, Friday, issued notices to Adnan A Khawaja asking him to explain why he assumed two posts - Managing Director Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) and Chairman NAVTEC - despite the fact that he, as NAB convict, was disqualified to assume such a post.

It is pertinent to mention here that in the wake of the suo motu notice taken by the apex court and the subsequent revelations in the media, the government annulled the appointment of Adnan Khawaja as OGDCL Chairman, only a day after he assumed the charge.

Breaches in Manchar dykes widen to 1km

on Saturday, September 18, 2010

Breaches in Manchar dykes widen to 1km SEHWAN: The breaches in Manchhar Lake bunds of RD-95, 96 and 97 widened to one kilometer, inundating over several acres of crops and 190 villages of Dal, Chana and Union Council Bobak of Tehsil Sehwan, Geo News reported Saturday.

The floodwater amassed on inundated places mounted 9 to 12 feet, as 42-km important link road between Bhan Saeedabad and Chhani lay sunk under water, cutting off the link between the two cities.

The flood torrent has raged near Bhan Saeedabad’s last defence line of Indus Link, where work is fast in progress to buttress the feeble dykes by plugging the fissures.

In a bid to save Bhan Saeedabad, people from Shehar Bachao Action Committee and officials from Irrigation Department are busy with strengthening Indus Link.

According to Irrigation Department, the persistent outflow from the Lake has contributed to water level to go down by over two feet.

The residents of Mehar city has started to come back home; however, Tehsil Juhi is still cut off with other provinces thanks to besieging floodwater present all around.

PM calls lists of NRO benefited officers

on

PM calls lists of NRO-benefited officers ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said called within two days the lists of officers who benefited from National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), Geo News reported Saturday.

According to the spokesman Prime Minister House, the premier directed Establishment Division to provide him the lists of all such officers who got benefited from the NRO and they are still working in various offices.

The Supreme Court (SC) declared the NRO as opposed to national interest and the Constitution and restored all abolished cases to position before October 5, 2007.

The bureaucrats that elicited benefit from the Ordinance include 146 officers from Punjab and 66 from Sindh; while, Balochistan has lineup of at least 11 officers and Khyber Pakhtoonkhaw has one officer on the list.

These officers include President Asif Ali Zardari’s Secretary General Salman Farooqui, Pak Ambassador in US Hussain Haqqani, Saeed Mehdi and Brig. (rtd) Imtiaz Ahmed.

Saeed Mehdi voluntarily resigned from his office of adviser of Punjab Chief Minister after the NRO was annulled; however, Hussain is currently working as ambassador and Salman Farooqui is currently in his office at Presidency.