ISLAMABAD: Inspector General Police (IGP) Punjab Haji Habib-ur-Rehman told Supreme Court that former chairman of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) Tauqir Sadiq may have fled to Nepal with his family. A two member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Jawad S Khwaja resumed hearing of Ogra implementation case on Monday.IG Punjab submitted a report in the apex court, stating that a joint team has been sent to Nepal to arrest Tauqir Sadiq.Justice Khwaja questioned how Tauqir Sadiq can elude the security staff despite installation of CCTV cameras at the airport.

“FIA and not the police is deployed at airports” IG Punjab responded.The bench inquired about the progress being made so far by the joint investigation team.In response, Haji Habib-ur-Rehman remained silent.Also, the court summoned CCTV and finger print records from the Federal Investigation Agency.

Pakistan handed India a five-wicket drubbing in the series opener in Bangalore on Tuesday. No change is expected in Pakistan squad for today’s match.The hosts will have to quickly plug their batting shortcomings and pick the right team composition when they go into the second and last Twenty20 cricket international against arch rivals Pakistan on Friday, hoping to level the two match series 1-1 Pakistan, on the other hand, lived up to their reputation of a strong bowling unit with three specialist pacers – Gul, Sohail Tanvir and lanky debutant Mohammad Irfan – wrecking havoc on a pace-friendly Chinnaswamy track.They would look to carry on the momentum today also though the Sardar Patel track may not give them much assistance.
The visitors  batting, however, has been a cause of concern for them with openers Nasir Jamshed and Ahmed Shehzad struggling to provide a platform during their run chase at Bangalore.

Even the reliable Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal and failed to get big scores.Hafeez and Shoaib Malik were the saving grace and Pakistan would hope that they continue with their exploits along with the others striking form.Indian captain Dhoni had blamed the failure of the middle-order batsmen to capitalise on the good start as the reason for his team s defeat in the first match.

"The batsmen got out trying to play big shots. We could have easily scored 200 if we had applied ourselves," Dhoni had said.It remains to be seen whether the batsmen put up a better display now and not go for wreckless shots in a bid to accelerate the pace of scoring.Dhoni himself will be under intense pressure with his captaincy coming under the scanner in the aftermath of the recent Test debacle against England.

He has always been regarded as a better captain in the shorter formats of the game, but the recent defeats in T20 matches has certainly dented his reputation.The defeats have come at home, where the team is playing in familiar conditions, and Dhoni has a tough task in lifting the morale of the team.

Pakistan People s Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will make his formal entry into Pakistani politics at an event to be held Thursday to mark the fifth death anniversary of his mother Benazir Bhutto. "Bilawal will make his entry into active politics during the meeting to be held at Garhi Khuda Bux and take over the PPP s campaign for next year s general elections," said a confidant of President Asif Ali Zardari.Both 24-year-old Bilawal and his father will make speeches at the event to be held outside the Bhutto family s mausoleum near the PPP s stronghold of Naudero, said the confidant who did not want to be named.

 There has been speculation that Zardari might also announce the date for the next general elections at the occasion."The President is keeping things close to his chest and he is the person who will make the decision about announcing the date for the polls," the confidant said.

 In his speech in Garhi Khuda Bux, Bilawal is also expected to make public a report on the investigation into Benazir Bhutto s assassination.Bilawal himself cannot contest polls till he turns 25 in September next year.Zardari, who is the co-chairman of the PPP, has convened a meeting of the party s central executive committee at Naudero on Friday. This meeting is expected to fine-tune the PPP s campaign for the polls, party insiders said.

KARACHI: The Defense of Pakistan Council (DPC) has convened an All Parties Conference (APC) in the port city to find out ways and means to restore peace.

The meeting held under the umbrella of Jamaat-e-Islami, will decide the future course of action against target killings in Karachi and incidents of terrorism across the country.The meeting is set to discuss the possibility of uniting all religious parties on a single forum to spread the message of brotherhood and tolerance.The council leader has also expressed the dire need of forming interim government to rule out all uncertainties regarding the postponement of general elections.

The 5th death anniversary of former Prime Minister (PM) Benazir Bhutto will be observed today (Thursday) with reverence all over the country.Special prayers will be held in mosques for the departed soul of the charismatic leader and first woman Prime Minister of Muslim world and progress and prosperity of Pakistan. Pakistan People’s Party has finalized arrangements for the main function in this regard at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh.The mammoth ceremony will be held in the ground adjacent to her mausoleum in Garhi Kkhuda Bakhsh to mark the anniversary. Fateha and Quran Khani will be held therein.

President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Bakhtawar and Asifa Bhutto Zardari, central and provincial leadership of PPP, federal and provincial ministers and parliamentarians will attend the ceremony.They will visit the graves of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Nusrat Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto and other members of Bhutto family, lay floral wreaths and offer Fateha over there. Caravans from across the country will reach Garhi Khuda Bakhsh to attend central ceremony.

President Asif Ali Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and other leadership of PPP has arrived in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh.All the arrangements have been finalized to hold the ceremony. Stringent security measures have been put in place while over 10000 police and Rangers personnel will be deployed in Larkana.
Quran Khawani and Fateha Khawani congregations will take place in every part of the country with regard to anniversary.

LAHORE - A seasoned politician from Rahim Yar Khan, Makhdoom Ahmad Mehmood, was sworn in as Punjab’s 28th governor on Tuesday at an impressive ceremony on the spacious lawns of the Governor’s House. Lahore High Court Chief Justice Umer Ata Bandiyal administered the oath.

Punjab Chief Secretary Nasir Mehmood Khosa read out the commission of appointment of the new governor on behalf of President Asif Ali Zardari. Makhdoom is 8th governor from south Punjab as seven politicians from the region, including his predecessor Sardar Latif Khan Khosa, have already served as constitutional head of the province. They are Mushtaq Gurmani, Mustafa Khar, Nawab Muhammad Abbas Khan Abbasi, Sadiq Hussain Qureshi, Sajjad Hussain Qureshi and Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa. He is 58the governor of Punjab if counted from the pre-partition period. Leaders from the PPP and PML-N dominated the show while other parties, excluding PTI, had also their representation at the oath-taking ceremony. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sana Ullah, Senior Adviser Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa, Education Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, Adviser to Chief Minister Zakia Shahnawaz, MPA Syed Zaeem Qadri and senior party leader Raja Ashfaq Sarwar were among the prominent PML-N leaders.  Former Education Minister Imran Masood represented the PML-Q. One of Makhdoom’s close friends and business partner, Humayun Akhtar Khan, was also there.

As expected, no member of the Chaudhry family of Gujrat turned up on the occasion, perhaps, due to the anticipated presence of their political rival, Shahbaz Sharif, at the ceremony.  Federal ministers, Manzoor Wattoo and Samina Ghurki, a good number of PPP leaders, including Jehangir Badr, Raja Riaz, Abdul Qadir Gilani, Mujtaba Gilani, Aslam Gill, Haji Chan, Aurangzeb Burki, Faiza Malik and Sajida Mir were also present. PPP activists raised the slogan of “Jiay Bhutto’ when Mehmood was sworn in as the governor. Jamaat-e-Islami Punjab President Dr Wasim Akhtar and central JUP leader Pir Ejaz Hashmi represented their parties. A considerable number of Makhdoom’s followers from his hometown also attended the ceremony. They were seen having tea and biscuits in different compartments of the Governor House after the ceremony. Later, the new governor went to Data Darbar to pay homage to Hazrat Ali Hajveri. He also visited the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal, the Poet of the East. Then he went straight to the grave of his mother in Gulberg and remained there for some time.  Talking to the media after taking oath, Ahmad Mehmood said he would try his level best to promote democracy and reconciliation in the province. He said he enjoyed cordial relations with the Punjab rulers and would have no problem in developing a good working relationship with the provincial government.

He hoped the Punjab government would pay maximum attention towards the provision of education, healthcare and other facilities to the people.He said he was aware of the financial constraints of the province, and would not receive his pay as a governor. Makhdoom said he would keep giving advice to the provincial government on how to facilitate the masses in a better way.To a question about Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri, he said he had great respect for him, but he should not put his well wishers to test. On south Punjab province, he said the Punjab assembly and the National Assembly had unanimously demanded the restoration of Bahawalpur province and he would try to get these resolutions implemented.

He added it was the time that leaders from of all the political parties should pay attention towards forming caretaker governments. Ahmad stressed the need for developing understanding between the government and the opposition in the larger interest of the country.The governor thanked President Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for reposing confidence in him for this slot.  He said that after his meeting with the president, the prime minister, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Faryal Talpur, he would also meet PML-N chief Mian Nawaz Shairf. The governor clarified that his appointment was not the result of any backdoor diplomacy or understanding. He also paid tribute to the political vision of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and greeted the Christian community on the happy occasion of Christmas.

Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ), formerly the banned Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, on Tuesday gave a strike call for Wednesday (today) after an armed attack on Allama Orangzeb Farooqi, in which his two personal guards and four policemen were killed.

Allama Orangzeb Farooqi was also injured in the ambush.The ASWJ has appealed to the transporters and the business community to support its strike call to make it successful. The ASWJ has asked its workers not to take law into their hands.

The two-member member bench of Supreme Court comprising Justice Jawwad S Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain will hear the CNG prices case today.The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) will again present formula on new CNG prices during today’s hearing. Meanwhile, a three-member Supreme Court Bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry will also hear today the case of Reko Diq and case of IB funds allegedly used to topple Punjab government.

ISLAMABAD – The NAB chief Thursday reiterated that the country was losing up to Rs 5-7 billion to corruption daily, strongly rebutting that his Bureau’s recent born-again campaign against corruption was part of some conspiracy to prolong the rule of any near-future interim government.“

There are daily losses of five to seven billion rupees ($51.34 million to $71.88 million)” as a result of inefficiency, corruption and tax shortcomings, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Admiral (r) Fasih Bokhari told a hurriedly-called press conference at NAB Headquarters.On Wednesday, the head of the anti-corruption watchdog was accused by the federal cabinet of making ill-timed allegations ahead of elections and the prime minister formed a four-member ministerial committee to probe the claims.

The cabinet also smelled a rat in a recent Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) report, and Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira told the media that as the elections were round the corner, everyone could understand the motive of this anti-corruption campaign.“We are not working on any specific agenda in this regard”, Fasih said as he regretted cabinet’s criticism over NAB’s identifying corruption, adding that gone were the days when the martial laws were imposed and unconstitutional governments used to prolonged their stay. Breaking News  He pointed out that bureau’s estimate was more careful as the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the TIP have estimated wastage of Rs10-12 billion daily, which he said was correct if corruption in mega projects is also accounted.The chairman said they were trying to purify the system and they would not be deterred by any kind of opposition or propaganda. “The Bureau is determined to eradicate corruption from the society and will not spare anyone who is doing this heinous crime.

” However, he said the bureau would fully cooperate with the four-member committee. He said corruption was no longer party-centric or incident-centric phenomenon but was now a cross-board attitude.“Rs 5-7 billion daily corruption mentioned by the NAB is a terrible figure but it is an international perception based on various factors of negligence,” he said. He said their estimate was based on annual direct losses as evident from various indicators like tax to GDP ratio whose global acceptable average was 17-20 percent but this ratio was 9 percent in Pakistan, making a total annual loss of Rs2.5-3 trillion. He said the same corruption figure was assessed by the PAC.Fasih said that losses in state enterprises due to incompetence and corruption are Rs300-350 billion. NAB assessment of direct losses in mega projects (miss-procurements) stands at Rs350 billion, he said. He said CPI index by Transparency International since last 10-15 years had been rating Pakistan between 23-27 percent. Decrease in rating must be seen in the perspective of increasing number of countries in the index, he suggested, and pointed out that international corruption evaluation structures were based on direct leakage parameters and not indirect losses.He said indirect losses which have not been quantified by the Bureau include untaxed agriculture sector having 20 percent of GDP‚ revenue department‚ land grabbing and encroachments‚ loans defaults‚ over staffing‚ ghost schools, ghost employments‚ wealth tax losses, custom duties and duty drawbacks. He said only in energy sector, losses due to loadshedding were around Rs960 billion per year that was 2 percent of Pakistan’s GDP.

Pointing to a major problem, the NAB chief said: “Not three, there are only two pillars of state now in Pakistan.” He explained that the two pillars of Legislature and Executive have merged into one, while the other existing pillar is Judiciary. Breaking News The legislators appoint executives of their choice and this is happening on both federal and provincial levels, he said. Also, the problems are being encountered in eliminating corruption because of the disharmony among these three supposed pillars of state, he said, as he emphasised on creating a balance in this troika. Fasih said that corruption was a longstanding issue and even Quaid-e-Azam had stressed its elimination. He said that 59 laws were passed to tackle it since creation of Pakistan but it was imperative to amend the system to eliminate this menace. He said the regulatory system has collapsed which is taking the country downward. Instead of going after the “crocodiles and dirty fish”, it was necessary to plug the loopholes in the system, he added.The NAB chairman said that they all have to jointly fight this menace with dedication and lauded the role played by media in this regard, declaring the media as NAB’s partner. He said NAB’s strategy yielding success rests on pillars of awareness, prevention and prosecution, adding that the bureau recovered Rs80 billion in the current year and it was working on 1,700 corruption cases. “We are trying to stop corruption at source level rather than taking action after corruption is committed because if you stop it at the source level, everything would be purified. Regulators have to safeguard the treasury and we have called regulators in 172 cases.”

KARACHI: Unidentified armed men attacked a shop with hand grenade in Mianwali colony in Manghopir area on late Tuesday night. Police said armed miscreants also resorted to firing before hurling hand grenade at the shop.

No loss of life has been reported in the incident.

The attack damaged nearby shops and a mosque.

The shop owner charged that extortionists attacked his shop after he refused to give extortion to them.


More News : Pakistan Breaking News, Latest News, Latest News Pakistan

BEIJING: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will look Wednesday to press China to make progress on bitter disputes across the region, while she will also try to tone down friction with the rising power. Clinton plans to meet the full Chinese leadership including President Hu Jintao and his expected successor Xi Jinping, at a time when tensions have been soaring over the South China Sea in particular.

Clinton has voiced hope that China, which claims virtually all of the strategic waterway, will agree to work out a code of conduct on the disputes and has encouraged Southeast Asian nations to stand united.

Opening her talks in Beijing, Clinton sought to reassure China, whose state media has repeatedly accused the United States of using its vaunted new strategic focus on Asia as a cover to contain Beijing.

"We are committed to building a cooperative partnership with China. It is a key aspect of our rebalancing in the Asia-Pacific," Clinton said as she entered a dinner Tuesday with Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.

Yang, who will hold a rare joint news conference with Clinton on Wednesday, said that China "stands ready to work" with the United States.

"Maintaining the healthy and steady development of our relationship serves the fundamental interests of our two countries and two peoples and is conducive to stability, peace and development in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond," Yang said.

The conciliatory tone was at sharp odds with the state-run Xinhua news agency, which on the same day called on Washington to "stop its role as a sneaky troublemaker" in Asia.

The Philippines and Vietnam have accused China of intimidation of its ships in the South China Sea, the gateway for half of the world's cargo trade and where six nations or territories hold sometimes overlapping territorial claims.

China recently established a remote garrison in the South China Sea, angering Vietnam and the Philippines. Hanoi in June passed a law proclaiming its jurisdiction over the Paracel and Spratly islands.

In response to the tensions, President Barack Obama's administration has stepped up military ties with Southeast Asia, furthering its goal of nurturing relations with the economically dynamic and largely US-friendly region.

Clinton, asked in Indonesia about China's garrison, did not fault Beijing directly but called on all nations to avoid "steps that would increase tensions or do anything that would be viewed as coercive or intimidating to advance their territorial claims".

Beijing has also been in dispute with Japan, a close US ally, over a group of disputed islands in the East China Sea.

Clinton will also be looking to coordinate with China on hotspots around the globe. China, which wields veto power on the Security Council, has rejected US-backed UN efforts to step up pressure on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad over mounting violence, although Beijing is seen taking a backseat to Russia.

Clinton's last visit to China, in May, was overshadowed by a row over dissident Chen Guangcheng, who escaped what he said were beatings under house arrest for the safety of the US embassy.

China agreed to allow Chen, who enraged authorities by exposing corruption in the country's one-child policy, to move to New York as a student.

Clinton's trip comes two months before elections in the United States, where Obama's Republican challenger Mitt Romney has vowed a tougher stance on China over its currency rate and its military build-up. (AFP)

QUETTA: The Balochistan High Court (BHC) on Tuesday accepted the bail plea submitted by former federal interior minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao in the Nawab Akbar Bugti murder case, Aftab Sherpao had submitted the bail application on Monday and today the court granted him bail against a surety of one million rupees and adjourned the hearing to Sept 3.

The former minister appeared before a two-member bench comprising Justice Jamal Mandokhel and Justice Ghulam Mustafa Mengal who heard the Akbar Bugti murder case today.

During the proceedings, counsel for the former minister Professor Mohammad Umer Farooq argued that his client had no knowledge about Bugti’s murder infact he came to know about the operation through media reports.

At this point, Aftab Sherpao told the court that he was named in the FIR as he was the member in the federal cabinet.

Speaking to the media after hearing, Sherpao said he had no role in the military operation in Balochistan, adding that, whatever took place, happened at the behest of the provincial government.

He said that Bugti was a great leader, adding that the problems could not be solved by killing anyone.

The complainant in the case is Akbar Bugti’s elder son, Jamil Bugti, who named in the FIR then president General (r) Pervez Musharraf, then prime minister Shaukat Aziz, then Balochistan governor Owais Ghani, then interior minister Aftab Sherpao, then Balochistan chief minister Jam Yousuf and then provincial home minister Shoaib Nausherwani.

Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti was killed during a military operation on Aug 26, 2006.

[Courtesy by geo news]

According to details, some unidentified persons opened fire and shot dead a man neamed Fazal Ameen in Aligarh Bazar in Orandi Town. In another incident of violence, gunmen shot dead Abdul Qayyum in Pakhtunabad while Zubair and Niaz were shot dead in firing at a shope in Qasba Colony.

 Police have also recovered two dead bodies from Sarjani Town and Gulistan Johar while some unidentified persons shot dead Noor Maalik in Frontier Colony.In yet another incident of violence, a police official and two passersby were wounded in firing at a bus near Qasba More.

(Courtesy by DUNYA NEWS) 

SAN FRANCISCO: Microsoft on Thursday unveiled a new corporate logo for the first time in 25 years as the US tech giant geared up for a series of big product launches. It features a symbol made up of four separate colored squares -- reminiscent of the old Windows logo featuring wavy squares -- next to the name of the company. The previous logo was simply the italicized name.

"Today's new Microsoft logo is the first time the company has accompanied its logo with a symbol," a spokeswoman said.

The move comes with Microsoft ramping up the buzz for its Windows 8 operating platform and its first tablet computer, called Surface. The company is also making an aggressive effort to gain ground in the smartphone market.

"It's been 25 years since we've updated the Microsoft logo and now is the perfect time for a change," said Microsoft brand strategy manager Jeff Hansen.

"This is an incredibly exciting year for Microsoft as we prepare to release new versions of nearly all of our products. From Windows 8 to Windows Phone 8 to Xbox services to the next version of Office, you will see a common look and feel across these products providing a familiar and seamless experience on PCs, phones, tablets and TVs.

"This wave of new releases is not only a reimagining of our most popular products, but also represents a new era for Microsoft, so our logo should evolve to visually accentuate this new beginning."

The logo also includes the name Microsoft in the Segoe font that is used in products and marketing communications, along with the new squares.

"The symbol is important in a world of digital motion," Hansen said. "The symbol's squares of color are intended to express the company's diverse portfolio of products."

The new logo is being used starting Thursday on the Microsoft.com website and in three Microsoft retail stores today.

"It will sign off all of our television ads globally," Hansen said.

"And it will support our products across various forms of marketing.... We're excited about the new logo, but more importantly about this new era in which we're reimagining how our products can help people and businesses throughout the world realize their full potential."

Microsoft is set to release its Windows 8 next-generation operating system tailored for a world shifting from personal computers to smartphones and tablets on October 26.

Finnish telecom giant Nokia and Microsoft are expected to unveil a smartphone equipped with the Windows Phone 8 operating system on September 5. (AFP)

ISLAMABAD:Although the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz are major stakeholders at the centre, other political parties will be acquiring the lead role in provinces when the process to choose caretaker leaders starts later this month.

Leaders are planning to open formal negotiations aimed at selecting members of the interim governments both at the federal and the provincial level to administer the approaching polls.

The 20th Amendment passed by the parliament earlier this year enjoins dialogue between leaders in the national and provincial assemblies to select office-bearers for the interim set-up.

The prime minister is the leader of the house in the National Assembly, while chief ministers have this role in provinces.

At the centre, the PPP and the PML-N would assume the lead role with consultation between Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.

Battlefield reversal

In Punjab, the battle of nerves persists between these two parties but their roles are switched: the PML-N is the government and the PPP stands as the opposition. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Opposition Leader Raja Riaz would be competing to choose provincial-level caretakers for the elections.

The curious situation wherein the same parties have varying roles in both the government and the opposition offers opportunities and challenges at the same time, said PML-N leader Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan.

“It means that the interests of various political groups in the entire spectrum are dependent on each other. That is why the failure is not a desirable option for everyone,” added Dastgir.

The same thing was expressed by a blunter Riaz: “If they (PML-N) create a problem for us in Islamabad (centre), we will not spare them in Lahore (Punjab).”

Provincial combatants

In Sindh the PPP and its ally Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) are in the government. The Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) of Pir Pagara will assume the role of opposition.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the negotiations would be between the Awami National Party (ANP) and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) of Maulana Fazlur Rehman which is the major opposition.

The situation in Balochistan is the most interesting: all but one member of the provincial assembly is in the government. Sardar Yar Muhammad Khan Rind, a dissident of Pakistan Muslim League-Q, is the only opposition lawmaker whose membership has been recently restored after some years of suspension. It is said he would join PML-N to become the one-man opposition in the province.

(Curtsy by tribune)

LAHORE:Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran has stated that the PU students will work as volunteer in Punjab government’s ongoing dengue awareness drive.

He was addressing a high-profile meeting of Punjab University’s Dengue Research Group (DRG), formed last year for scientific information about psychological effects, diagnose, preventive, curative measures etc regarding the disease at Al-Raazi Hall of Undergraduate Study Centre here on Thursday. Chief Social Mobilizer Mrs Shaista Pervaiz Malik, Head of Research & Development on Dengue Program Dr Waseem Akram, Acting Registrar Prof Dr Aurangzeb Alamgir, Chairperson Doctoral Programme Coordination Committee Prof Dr Shahida Husnain, Chairman Zoology Department Prof Dr Muhammad Akhtar, Chairman Dengue Research Group Prof Dr Saeed Akhtar, Director Centre for Applied Psychology Prof Dr Rkhsana Kausar, Director CEMB Prof Dr Tayyab Husain, Director School of Biological Sciences Dr Javed Iqbal, Chief Medical Officer Dr Nauman Ahmed, Prof Dr Muhammad Idrees,  Dr Khalid Saeed from UVAS, Dr Muhammad Aslam from UHS, CEO NUR Foundation and Member Board of Management Fatma Memorial Hospital Dr Haroon Ihsan, Advisor Students Affairs Prof Dr Muhammad Rafique and a large number of researchers were present on the occasion. The VC said that PU’s DRG was working on various aspects of dengue fever and its findings would help the government curb the disease and save mankind.

Chairman Dengue Research Group Prof Dr Saeed Akhtar gave a detailed presentation on Surveillance and Summary of Dengue Situation in Lahore. He also presented data analysis of various towns of Lahore and said that desert coolers were the largest container of larvaes and 66 percent of larvaes were detected from the desert coolers. He said that from Nov 2011 to August 2012, no larvae had been found in some ponds being watched for research purpose outside Zoology Department.

Dr Muhammad Idrees said that Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology had tested 4000 samples and free of cost diagnosis for DENV and its Sero-typing had been provided in all the cases in Punjab and samples from Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had also been tested. He said that the outbreak of dengue fever was not expected in KPK the current year as according to the test of samples sent by KPK government, the ratio of infested larvaes was 1.2 percent while for outbreak, the ratio required to be more than 20 percent. He said that 15 suspected cases were received the current year out of which 5 cases, four from Lahore and one from Rahim Yar Khan, were found positive and three were containing DHF-3 and two DF-2.

He said that the scale of the dengue outbreak could be measured if samples of larvaes were provided to the research team. He said that the group had cloned and sequenced five genes of Serotype 2, performed Phylogenetic analysis, studied partial sequences from DF and DHF patient and predicted the chances of DENV outbreak for KPK government by detecting virus in mosquitoes. Dr Aslam said that 27 percent of dengue patients were found female while the rest were male. He said Aedes Aegypti used to bite humans outdoors in the daylight and the peak hour of biting was around Asar prayer. He added that the mosquito did not stay indoors. Prof Dr Rukhsana Kausar said that under her supervision, CAP had done research on “Level Of Information And Precaustionar Practices Among Dengue Survivors And Non-Affected Individuals: A Case Control Study”, “Acute Stress, Disorder, Symptoms Severity And Satisfaction With Treatment In Dengue Fever Patients In Relation To Empathy And Altruism In Paramedic Staff”, “Psychological Impact Of Dissemination Of Dengue Related Information Through Media On Patients And General Population”, “Symptom Severity, Self-Efficacy And Psycho-Education For Dengue Fever Patients: A Case Control Study”, “Level Of Awareness And Precautionary Practices Regarding Dengue Fever Among Nomads” And “Psychological Distress And Quality Of Life Of Survivors Of Dengue Fever”.

She said that the results of the researches were eye-opener and very meaningful which could help in various areas. Dr Waseem Akram said that monsoon season had started late the current year so the time of the outbreak of dengue fever would be different. He said that we must maintain strict vigilance of breading places of the mosquito to avoid dengue outbreak at a large scale. A researcher said that there were positive results of research on Bio-control of dengue fever. Another researcher indicated that people must be made aware of implications of self-medication. Dr Haroon Ihsan also apprised the meeting of research being conducted by Fatma Memorial Hospital and pointed out various facts helpful for dengue control.

Concluding the meeting, Chief Social Mobilizer Mrs Shaista Pervaiz Malik said that we could solve any issues when we sit together. She said that only technical solution could not resolve the problem and we should move the society to curb dengue fever. She said that lack of education, religious beliefs etc were also a big challenge to control the disease. She said that some elements were uselessly politicizing Punjab government’s true efforts by hurling purposeless questions on Punjab government’s unprecedented efforts to curb dengue fever. She said that we were registering volunteers and would utilize their abilities in their respective areas to create awareness regarding dengue fever among people. She lauded Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran’s efforts in saving lives of people and supporting research activities in this area

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and MQM Chief Altaf Hussain made a telephonic contact on Wednesday night.
Both the leaders exchanged views on prevailing political situation in the country besides Pakistan News national and international issues and matters of mutual interest.

MQM Chief greeted the President for Independence Day and Umrah.

The President hailed Altaf Hussain’s role for democracy in the country.

(Courtesy by GEO NEWS)

AAZAZ: The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation suspended Syria, saying the Muslim world "can no longer accept a regime that massacres its people", as 31 people were reported killed in an air strike.

Regime forces were also bombarding the key battleground city of Aleppo in the north, activists said,Pakistan Breaking News while Damascus was shaken by a bomb attack targeting a military headquarters and a firefight near the prime minister's office.

As the world's main Muslim grouping the 57-member OIC wound up a summit in the Saudi holy city of Mecca early Thursday, UN investigators said the Syrian regime had committed crimes against humanity, including the Houla massacre in May.

A statement issued at the end of the emergency OIC summit said participants had agreed on "the need to end immediately the acts of violence in Syria and to suspend that country from the OIC".

The final statement said there had been Pakistan Breaking News "deep concern at the massacres and inhuman acts suffered by the Syrian people".

OIC chief Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu told a news conference the decision sent "a strong message from the Muslim world to the Syrian regime".

"This world can no longer accept a regime that massacres its people using planes, tanks and heavy artillery," he added.

The move was welcomed by the United States as sending a "strong message" to President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

"Today's action underscores the Assad regime's increasing international isolation and the widespread support for the Syrian people and their struggle for a democratic state that represents their aspirations and respects their human rights," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said.

A report by the UN Commission of Inquiry said government forces and their militia allies committed crimes against humanity including murder and torture, while the rebels had also carried out war crimes, but on a lesser scale.

Pakistan Breaking News "The commission found reasonable grounds to believe that government forces and the shabiha had committed the crimes against humanity of murder and of torture, war crimes and gross violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law," the UN report said.

It said they were responsible for the massacre in the central city of Houla in May when 108 civilians, including 49 children, were killed in a grisly attack that Assad himself had said was the work of "monsters".

Rebel fighters were however not spared in the probe, which found them guilty of war crimes, including murder, extrajudicial execution and torture.

In the north of Syria, activists and residents reported another atrocity by the regime, with at least 31 people including children killed in an air strike in Aazaz, a rebel bastion near the second city Aleppo.

(Courtesy by GEO NEWS )

A training fighter jet of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) crashed in Hyderabad Thal area of Bhakkar while the pilot managed to eject safely Wednesday. According to sources, pilot Farooq was flying the training jet Meraj when it caught fire. Fortunately he managed to eject safely after the jet caught fire and landed safely while the aircraft crashed in a suburban area of Bhakkar.

Police has cordoned off the crash site.

(Courtesy by GEO NEWS )

PESHAWAR: Four bodies were found in a gunny sack from Sarband area of Peshawar Wednesday. According to police, two bodies bearing torture marks were found from Sarband who were shot dead by unknown men after being kidnapped.

The victims were identified as Muazuddin and Arif Shah, who belonged to Budh Bair and Hangu respectively.

The bodies were shifted to morgue for medico-legal formalities while police has started the investigation.

It is pertinent to mention that a total of nine bodies have so far been found from gunny sacks in Peshawar in the current month.

(Courtesy by GEO NEWS )

The London 2012 Olympics have ended with a spectacular musical closing ceremony and the official handover to the next host city, Rio de Janeiro. The three-hour show featured some of the biggest names of British pop from decades past, including the Spice Girls, George Michael and Elbow.

Games chief Lord Coe said: "When our time came - Britain, we did it right."

The official Games flag was handed to the mayor of Rio before the flame at the Olympic Stadium was extinguished.

President of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge, who declared the Games of the 30th Olympiad closed just before midnight, said: "We will never forget the smiles, the kindness and the support of the wonderful volunteers, the much-needed heroes of these Games.

"You, the spectators and the public, provided the soundtrack for these Games.

"Your enthusiastic cheers energised its competitors and brought a festive spirit to every Olympic venue."
Best of British

At the close of the ceremony, watched in the stadium by the 10,000 athletes and 80,000 spectators, the flame was extinguished in dramatic fashion. Each nation will receive one of the cauldron's 204 petals.
As fireworks went off above the east London stadium, the Who performed My Generation and the venue became a sea of red, white and blue confetti.

The finale, which began with Big Ben chiming, paid tribute to UK music, fashion and culture.
Prince Harry represented the Queen at the ceremony, which took place on top of a stage in the shape of a union jack and saw a volunteer cast of 3,500.

The show saw the Spice Girls re-form to sing Spice Up Your Life from the top of five London taxis, and a surprise performance from Take That, who sang their hit Rule the World. It had been thought they would not appear because Gary Barlow was mourning the loss of his daughter who was delivered stillborn last Saturday.

Artistic Director Kim Gavin also brought together household names, including George Michael, Jessie J, Emeli Sande, Madness, the Pet Shop Boys, One Direction, Ray Davies and Liam Gallagher, as the best of British music went on show to the world.

During the ceremonial part of the show, the Olympic flag was waved aloft by London Mayor Boris Johnson and passed by Mr Rogge into the hands of the Mayor of Rio, Eduardo Paes.

The Brazilian national anthem rang out and the stadium was transformed into the green and yellow colours of Brazil's flag. 
Lit up the world'

London 2012 chairman Lord Coe told the audience: "Today sees the closing of a wonderful Games in a wonderful city.
"We lit the flame and lit up the world."

The official handover also saw a celebration of Rio's mix of cultures, music and dance, bringing a carnival atmosphere to the proceedings.

Earlier, there was a riot of colour as the athletes entered the stadium, with four-time Olympic gold medallist sailor Ben Ainslie carrying the British flag and leading out Team GB.

The smiling athletes filled each section of the floor of the stadium, to the sound of Elbow playing their atmospheric hit, One Day Like This.
As is traditional during the closing ceremony, the final medals of the 2012 Olympics were handed out. On this occasion they went to the athletes in the men's marathon, which was won by Uganda's Stephen Kiprotich.

The 70,000 Games Maker volunteers were also thanked for their hard work during the 16 days of competition.

Home-grown fashion was celebrated with appearances from models Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell, both wearing the creations of the late Alexander McQueen, while British eccentricity also featured, with comedian Russell Brand singing the Beatles' I am the Walrus from the top of a psychedelic bus.
Comedian Eric Idle drew much laughter when he performed a typically quirky version of Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, and Muse rocked the stadium with the official anthem of the Games, Survival.

The Games ended with the US topping the final medal table with 46 golds, followed by China with 38 golds. GB came third with 29 golds - their best tally since 1908.

The Queen earlier said Team GB's "outstanding" performance had "inspired" the country.

The last day saw a final - and 29th gold - for Team GB, with boxer Anthony Joshua winning his super-heavyweight bout.
In all, 44 world records have been set during London 2012, and 117 Olympic records broken.

Among those to have set new world bests included Kenyan David Rudisha in the men's 800m and the Jamaican sprint relay team, which included 100m and 200m gold medallist Usain Bolt.
US swimmer Michael Phelps became the most decorated Olympian in history while cyclist Sir Chris Hoy's two gold medals meant he became the most successful British Olympian of all time.

Earlier, US President Barack Obama telephoned Prime Minister David Cameron to offer his congratulations for a "brilliant" London Olympics, Downing Street said.

On Sunday, crowds also packed London's Hyde Park to watch the sporting action on big screens and enjoy a farewell concert headlined by Blur.

The Paralympics is set to start on 29 August, with the revamped 560-acre (227-hectare) Olympic Park site - to be known as the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park - then set to reopen from the first anniversary of the opening of the Games, on 27 July 2013. 

LAHORE: One out of twin babies disappeared mysteriously from the Jinnah Hospital in Lahore. According to sources, the father of the twin babies has alleged that the hospital staff is involved in his child’s disappearance while the family of the disappeared infant protested the incident.

MS Jinnah Hospital Dr Mohammad Afzal told that three attendants were present with the twins in the gynae ward while they were handed over to the parents from the labour room.

Dr Afzal told that investigation into the incident has been ordered while the security guard of the gynae ward has also been suspended.

The case against unknown accused has been registered in the name of the infant’s father.

(Courtesy by GEO NEWS)

LAHORE: Encounters have gone rampant in Lahore these days and in a latest one police on late Saturday night killed an alleged robber, while two of his sidekicks managed to flee. According to police, they received reports that an armed robbing trio, driving a stolen car, was on the run after sweeping a house clean in Liton Road area. A police party went after them and got them before they could run away to safety, they added.

Finding cops on their tail the panicked robbers started shooting at the them, which forced the lawmen to fire back causing the death of one of the alleged dacoits.

Leaving their dead comrade-in-crimes behind the other two crooks called it a fight and took flight.

The identity of the killed robber has not been ascertained yet.

Investigation has been launched.

(Courtesy by GEO NEWS)

LAHORE: Punjab University has announced the annual examinations-2012 results Saturday here. Sania Riaz of a private college obtaining 686 numbers topped the list in B.Sc., while Queen Mary College’s Sandas Shahzadi securing 658 numbers stands second and Gojranawala private college’s Sanila with 655 numbers placed in third position, according to the results.

In B.A., Hafizabad’s Mohammad Mohsin obtaining 688 numbers stood first, Shahidra’s Kanwal Latif securing 668 numbers placed second, while Hafizabad’s Muqaddas Shahnaz and Gojranawala’s Maria An’am obtaining 661 numbers shared the third position.

1,43,750 candidates appeared in the B. A. and B.Sc. annual exams. B.A. success percentage works out to 53.58 and B.Sc. 61.04.

Candidates obtaining first three positions in B.A. belong to private institutions.

(Courtesy by GEO NEWS)

 QUETTA: Doctors in government and private hospitals of Quetta continued observing their strike Saturday for the 11th consecutive day.

The strike was called by the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), Balochistan chapter and other organizations against the kidnapping of a fellow senior doctor of Bolan Medical Complex (BMC), Ghulam Rasool.

Unknown armed men had abducted psychiatrist Dr Ghulam Rasool of BMC hospital from Brewery Road on Wednesday August 1, two days after a kidnapped senior surgeon of the same college Dr Din Mohammad Bangulzai had been released.

Dr Rasool was on his way home after performing his duty at BMC when armed men intercepted and kidnapped him.

The paramedical staff along with doctors boycotting their duties, while patients, especially from far-flung areas are facing severe difficulties after the doctors stopped performing their duties in out patient departments (OPDs).

However, doctors and paramedics were present at casualty and emergency wards to attend to patients

The Balochistan government has formed a committee for the recovery of Dr Ghulam Rasool, however, no advancement has been made so far.

Balochistan doctors have vowed continuing their strike until the return of Dr. Ghulam Rasool.

(Courtesy by GEO NEWS)

Adil Rashid took career-best figures in List A cricket as Yorkshire Carnegie kept their slim semi-final hopes in the Clydesdale Bank 40 alive with a 69-run victory over the Northamptonshire Steelbacks.
Former Australia batsman Phil Jaques blasted 87 off just 83 balls against his old club as Yorkshire posted 262 for eight from their 40 overs, with Lee Daggett taking four wickets for 54 runs for the hosts.

The Steelbacks never looked like reaching their target as they collapsed to 193 all out with all-rounder Rashid taking four for 38 and David Sales top-scoring with 55 off 58 deliveries.

Northamptonshire won the toss and chose to field and they removed Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale for 16 in the eighth over when he slashed Luke Evans to Rob Newton at backward point. But Jaques raced to 50 off just 44 balls before James Jaques forced Adam Lyth to edge to Steelbacks wicketkeeper David Murphy to depart for 29.

Jaques eventually holed out when he smashed Evans, who was playing in his first match of the season, to Olly Stone at deep square leg. David Miller hurried to 44 off 50 deliveries, but he dragged Daggett on to his stumps before the same bowler's delivery clattered into Rashid's off stump to dismiss him for 25.

Daggett struck twice more in the 38th over when Gary Ballance (15) launched him to Niall O'Brien at deep square leg and Azeem Rafiq (one) chipped to Alex Wakely at mid-off five balls later.

Yorkshire wicketkeeper Gerard Brophy (19) was then stumped by Murphy after missing Steelbacks captain Andrew Hall's delivery in the final over.

Chasing 263, the hosts began steadily before Rob Newton fell cheaply for 30 in the 11th over when he was taken at mid-off by Ballance off the bowling of Rashid. He struck again when Wakely was stumped by Brophy for eight before Ireland international O'Brien smashed his full toss to Gale, who took a superb diving catch at mid-on, after he had plundered 38.

He continued to torment the Northamptonshire batsmen and trapped Rob Keogh lbw for 14 in his final over - but Sales hung around to complete his half-century off 52 balls. However, his effort ended when he was run out by Miller from deep midwicket before Murphy departed for six in the same manner by the same fielder, this time from mid-off, three overs later.

Ashraf bowled Middlebrook for two before Hall (28) launched Steven Patterson to Miller at long-on and Iain Wardlaw bowled Daggett and Evans for ducks in the final over to complete a sorry procession.

The USA beat Japan 2-1 at Wembley to avenge their 2011 World Cup final defeat and claim their fourth Olympic gold in women's football

Carli Lloyd scored both goals for the US, an early header and a powerful strike after the break.

Yuki Ogimi scored to reduce the deficit for Japan, who hit the opposition woodwork twice and their own once.

Japan had a chance to equalise late in the game but Hope Solo made an excellent save to deny Mana Iwabuchi.

It was enough for the USA to add to previous Olympic victories in 1996, 2004 and 2008.
 Despite being outclassed for large periods of the game, they showed a resilience and determination that their coach Pia Sundhage described earlier this week as "unique".

The match was played in front of 80,203, a record crowd for a women's Olympic football fixture.

And the near full house at Wembley was served up a treat as two teams of contrasting styles produced a relatively open final brimming with passion and skill.
 Perhaps the pain of last year's World Cup defeat in Germany was still on the minds of the US players as they bossed the opening seven minutes before Lloyd's header - taken off the boot of Abby Wambach as the striker attempted to volley Alex Morgan's cross - gave them the lead.

Coach Sundhage leapt joyously into the air but she soon came back to earth as Japan, diminutive maybe but swift in mind and fleet of foot, soon took control.

Their crisp and accurate passing soon started to slice open the US defence. Solo saved from Nahomi Kawasumi before athletically tipping a header from Ogimi onto the crossbar.

The American keeper was then fortunate to see a shot from Aya Miyama hit the woodwork and rebound safely away from her goal.

Shinobu Ohno then went very close with a curling effort from 18 yards as Solo's goal started to lead a charmed life.
 But they refused to give up or compromise on their passing principles and they were rewarded when Ogimi tapped home moments after skipper Christie Rampone had made a goal-line clearance.

Amy Le Peilbet also cleared off the line as Japan continued to press forward and Solo was called into action to deny substitute Iwabuchi with eight minutes of normal time remaining.

USA coach Pia Sundhage paid tribute to Japan after the final, claiming: "We started the game in a good way and got a goal but after that we were way too conservative in the way we defended and attacked.

"A lot of credit must go to Japan, the way they played, kept possession and their good technique forced us to change our game plan.

"I think that many of us coaches should watch Japan and learn from the way they keep possession and look dangerous."

But she felt the US team would continue to improve as they build towards the next World Cup in 2015.

"There are some many other good teams right now, and it has not always been like that," said the Swede.

"I can imagine four years from now it will be entertaining and exciting and the technique of the players will make magic stuff happen.

"But by the 2015 World Cup I think that we might be unstoppable. There are so many young players coming through."

Japan coach Norio Sasaki also thinks the standard of the women's game is improving.

"I believe the game is changing and developing," he said. "It is not only about skill and the physical side but also about defence and organisation."