Tuesday laid bare that Karachi’s black economy generates a staggering Rs830 million every day.According to the numbers crunched by Geo News, at least Rs10 million is paid in extortion on a daily basis, while kidnapping for ransom amounts to Rs50 million.

Every day the parking mafia, which operates over 500 lots in the city, hooks Rs2.4 million. There are over 55,000 hawkers operating stalls/kiosks in the city, who pay Rs8.25 million to blackmailers every day.

The water mafia sells approximately 272 million gallons of water illegally each day, which amounts to Rs100 million.

The city also houses 15,000 drug-selling and gambling dens, which make Rs15o million per day.

Karachi’s land-mafia illegally grabs over 30,000 acres of government land denting the national exchequer by Rs7 billion annually and Rs230 million daily.

The city’s transport mafia extorts Rs10.48 million from buses, rickshaws, and taxis. Illegal payments called “Dhakka Wasooli” received from trucks, container-trucks, and oil tankers earn the mafia an additional Rs7.5 million.

Electricity worth Rs10.5 million is stolen daily in the city and there are between 4,000 to 5,000 ‘kundas’ (illegal connections) in Karachi.

Criminals associated with the health industry deprive the poor patients of Rs3 million every day.

Vehicle theft in the city is also at an all-time high, with an average of 40-50 motorcycles and 20-25 cars are lifted daily. This translates into Rs20.5 million a day.

Street criminals loot around 125-150 mobile phones, cash, jewelry and other valuables worth Rs5.2 million daily.

Short-term kidnapping in which the abductees are held at gunpoint and driven around the city for several hours generates over Rs3 million. Approximately 10-15 such kidnappings are reported from city’s posh localities every day.

The police in Karachi also receive bribes worth Rs210 million on a daily basis, which go into the pockets of officers from top to bottom.

ISLAMABAD: The Judicial Commission on Judges Appointment will meet Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry in the chair on Monday (today).
The meeting is expected to confirm the services of six additional judges of the Lahore High Court and fill the vacant seat of a Supreme Court judge.
The JC is also likely to approve elevation of Sindh High Court Chief Justice Musheer Alam as the Supreme Court judge while name of Justice Maqbool will also come under discussion for the post SHC.

LOS ANGELES: Boy mega band One Direction's new film is set to top this holiday weekend's North America box office, in the latest British invasion, an expert said Friday.

"One Direction: This is Us," which has also just opened in Britain and much of Europe, will likely depose Oscar-tipped civil rights epic "Lee Daniels' The Butler" in the number one spot over the three-day Labor Day weekend.

The movie, by Oscar-nominated director Morgan Spurlock, made $2.7 million on opening Thursday evening alone, preliminary figures show.

"The British Invasion seems to be upon us again. And by us, of course, I mean gaggles of tween girls," said Jeff Bock, analyst at box officer tracker Exhibitor Relations.

He did point out that the Labor Day weekend, the last of the summer season, is traditionally one of the slowest periods of the year at the box office.

Spurlock was nominated for an Academy Award in the best documentary category of the Oscars in 2005, for his film "Super Size Me," in which he explored the consequences of eating nothing but McDonald's food for a month.

The One Direction film shows the group in concert at London's O2 Arena, along with fly-on-the-wall footage of life inside one of the world's most famous bands.

The band -- Irish-born Niall Horan, 19, Zayn Malik, 20, Liam Payne, 19, Harry Styles, 19, and Louis Tomlinson, 21 -- have topped the charts on both sides of the Atlantic, becoming the first British act to top the Billboard chart with their debut album.

"Lee Daniels' The Butler," a celluloid depiction of the US civil rights battle as seen by an African-American who served in the White House, has topped the North America box office for the last two weeks.

Starring Forest Whitaker and US talk show queen Oprah Winfrey, it is already being spoken of as a multiple contender for the Academy Awards, the climax of Hollywood's annual awards season on March 2 next year.

QUETTA: The case relating to grenade attack on the house of Balochistan National Party chief, Sardar Akhtar Mengal has been registered against some unknown persons.

Police said that the FIR was registered in Sariab police station on the complaint of the guard at the house.

It may be recalled that some unknown persons had hurled two hand grenades at the house of Sardar Akhtar Mengal, which partially damaged the house, but no one was injured, as Sardar Akhtar Mengal was not present in the house.

ISLAMABAD: The spokeswoman for the PIMS hospital, Dr Aisha informed the media on Saturday that Sikander, the gunman who brought the federal capital to a standstill is psychologically stable.

According to the spokeswoman, Sikander was being kept at the hospital because of his chest wound but his condition has been improving. “He is being treated by surgical and orthopedic teams.” Dr Aisha added that police could record Sikander’s statement and he was being provided security at the hospital.

On August 15, Sikander accompanied by his wife and children engaged in an armed standoff with security forces for several hours at the Jinnah Avenue. Waving two semi-automatic guns and firing shots into the air, Sikander was finally apprehended following the intervention of PPP leader Zamurud Khan.

Sikander along with his wife Kanwal were injured and taken to the PIMS hospital for treatment. Kanwal was released from the hospital and placed in the custody of police.

ISLAMABAD: Tehrik-e-Minhjul Quran (TMQ) chief Tahirul Qadri has set another ultimatum to the government to accept his demands. Addressing the participants of sit-in at D-Chowk, Qadri issued one-and-a-half-hour ultimatum to the government, saying he will issue future line of action at 3:00PM. He said he is giving last chance to the peace and democracy.

He said today is the last day of sit-in, adding he want to end this battle before this evening.TMQ leader said President Zardari would lose last chance of peace if he did not come for negotiations with delegation. After one-and-a-half-hour time, masses would decide their fate, he added.Enthusiastic masses continued their sit-in despite biting cold and heavy rain in the federal capital.

ISLAMABAD: Thousands of protestors continue to stage sit-in on streets against government despite biting cold in Islamabad. According to reports, Tehrik-e-Minhajul Quran leader Dr Tahirul Qadri and his supporters have pledged to show determination till their demands are met as the nation has suffered enough due to corrupt politicians.

However, the life has paralyzed in the capital city on the third day with food outlets and restaurants closed due to sit in. The protestors said that blockades arranged by the government due to the security reasons are responsible for the halt in the city.

ISLAMABAD: While continuing his speech from yesterday, Tehreek-e-Minhajul Quran leader Dr Tahirul Qadri said. On Wednesday that he condemns all those leaders who see conspiracy in the Supreme Court’s order and his speech. He said that the corrupt and dishonest people will not be allowed to snatch power.

Addressing from the million march at D-Chowk, Dr Qadri said that the other points in the seven-point charter of demands are just the extension and explanation of the four main demands that he will explain later in his speech.

Referring to the reaction over the Supreme Court’s order in the rental power case, he said that it is very unfortunate that the current leadership is corrupt in all means and does not take anything in true letter and spirit.

He expressed his sorrow and said that the SC has ordered to arrest the 16 accused in RPP case including the prime minister and to include their names in the exit control list (ECL). Now it is the PM’s responsibility to implement the SC order but on the contrary, Law Minister Faroooq Naik and Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said that the SC did not order to arrest the prime minister.

He questioned that how the country can run in such situation when such responsible personalities are giving such statements. Is it democracy and constitutionalism? The deadline to arrest the accused is ending tonight.

He said that the responsible persons should not behave like that and termed it as a shameful act by the government .He said that that is why they are marching to achieve democracy and supremacy of judiciary.

Dr Qadri further referred to various statements of leaders who see links btw his long march and SC order. He said that it a sheer bad luck and remorseful to see such feedback. He referred to the information minister’s statement who said that Qadri knew about the SC judgment in prior.

Dr Tahirul Qadri swore upon God that he did not even know about the hearing of the case. ‘Do you call this democracy?’ he questioned the crowd.

He said that such people are corrupt who suspect SC’s honesty and condemned this act.

He further said that the assemblies are passing resolution which is another disgraceful act by the corrupt leaders who see conspiracy in the SC order and his act. 

ISLAMABAD: Sikander Jatoi, the father of prime suspect Shahrukh Jatoi in the Shahzeb Khan murder case has been arrested from outside the Supreme Court. During proceedings of the case, the lawyer of Sikander Jatoi, Abdul Hazfeez Pirzada submitted a request seek to delay the arrest of his client until he arrived in Karachi. The request was rejected by the Supreme Court.Sikander Jatoi appeared before the Supreme Court during the hearing of the rental power case. His lawyer said Sikander Jatoi was present and the police wanted to arrest him.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry asked what Sikander Jatoi was doing in court and said he (Sikander Jatoi) should hand himself over to the police and assist in the investigation.Sikander Jatoi accused of helping Shahrukh Jatoi flee the country and the Supreme Court had earlier ordered that he and all others accused in the case be arrested.

20 year old Shahzeb Khan was gunned down in the Defence area of Karachi on December 25.Siraj Talpur and two others were taken into police custody, while Shahrukh Jatoi fled the country and is in Dubai where a police team has been sent to arrest him.

The hearing of the case has been adjourned till January 16. 

KARACHI: An eyewitness in the brutal killing of 20-year old Karachi youth Shahzeb Khan identified three accused in a local court on Wednesday. The accused Sajjad Talpur, Siraj Talbur and Ghulam Murtaza were produced before Judicial Magistrate South for identification parade.Upon identifying the accused the witness testified that Siraj Talpur opened fire at Shahzeb while Sajjad Talpur asked him to open more fire screaming: “Open more fire… Shahzeb is alive”The witness said the third accused Ghulam Murtaza Lashari had also said aloud; “Kill him… Shahzeb is alive”.

ISLAMABAD: A three-member Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry resumed hearing the Shahzeb Khan murder case. The 20 year old who was gunned down in Karachi on December 25, and set a January 10 deadline to arrest Shahrukh Jatoi. During today’s hearing, Inspector General of Sindh Police Fayyaz Leghari appeared in the court for hearing where the bench expressed dissatisfaction over the police report on Shahzeb's murder case.

During the hearing DIG Shahid Hayat told that the main accused in the case Shahrukh Jatoi had traveled to UAE under a different name.

He also told that a police team will leave for Dubai today after getting a tip off that Shahrukh Jatoi is in Dubai.

He further told that Interpol has been contacted to arrest the accused.

IG Sindh Fayyaz Leghari pleaded for fifteen days’ time to arrest Shahrukh Jatoi but the court rejected the request and and gave January 10 deadline (3 days) to arrest the accused and present him in the court.

Later, the court adjourned the hearing till January 10.

During the previous hearing, the apex court had directed IG Sindh to arrest the killers of Shahzeb within 24 hours else he should appear before the apex court without uniform.

The SC also ordered the Sindh Police to present a charge sheet of the alleged killers. The court also ordered to attach the property and freeze the bank accounts of the accused involved in the brutal murder.

Police sprang into action on Friday after the SC’s directives and arrested Siraj Talpur, one of the key accused in the murder, along with his three mates.

Meanwhile, another main accused Shahrukh Jatoi reportedly departed for UAE on December 27.

The chief justice had taken suo moto notice of the brutal murder on 20-year-old Shahzeb Khan, based on press clippings carrying the story regarding his killing. Shahzeb Khan was gunned down in Karachi on December 25th, while police failed to make any progress due to immense political pressure.

The killing mobilised hundreds of the people against unquestioned authority that people with political connection enjoy in the country and gathered outside Karachi Press Club carrying banners and requesting the honourable chief justice of Pakistan for taking suo moto action in the matter for arrest of the accused.

The incident has received international attention with activists protesting outside Pakistan High Commission in London on Thursday demanding justice for Shahzeb.

LAHORE: Both the leaders discussed the law and order situation of the country. The Prime Minister also briefed the
President about energy situation in the country and various measures being taken to overcome the energy shortages.
Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was also present during the meeting.

KARACHI - The State Bank of Pakistan and all offices of SBP Banking Services Corporation including Public Debt Offices will remain closed. On 25th December (Tuesday) on the occasion of Quaid-e-Azam Day/Christmas) being declared as public holiday by the Government of Pakistan.

BEIJING: A major Iranian partner of Huawei Technologies offered to sell at least 1.3 million euros worth of embargoed Hewlett-Packard computer equipment to Iran s largest mobile-phone operator in late 2010, documents show.

China s Huawei, the world s second largest telecommunications equipment maker, says neither it nor its partner, a private company registered in Hong Kong, ultimately provided the HP products to the telecom, Mobile Telecommunication Co of Iran, known as MCI. Nevertheless, the incident provides new evidence of how Chinese companies have been willing to help Iran evade trade sanctions.The proposed deal also raises new questions about Shenzhen-based Huawei, which recently was criticized by the U.S. House Intelligence Committee for failing to "provide evidence to support its claims that it complies with all international sanctions or U.S. export laws."

At least 13 pages of the proposal to MCI, which involved expanding its subscriber billing system, were marked "Huawei confidential" and carried the company s logo, according to documents seen by Reuters. In a statement to Reuters, Huawei called it a "bidding document" and said one of its "major local partners," Skycom Tech Co Ltd, had submitted it to MCI.The statement went on to say, "Huawei s business in Iran is in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations including those of the U.N., U.S. and E.U. This commitment has been carried out and followed strictly by our company. Further, we also require our partners to follow the same commitment and strictly abide by the relevant laws and regulations."



In October, Reuters reported that another Iranian partner of Huawei last year tried to sell embargoed American antenna equipment to Iran s second largest mobile operator, MTN Irancell, in a deal the buyer ultimately rejected. The U.S. antenna manufacturer, CommScope Inc, has an agreement with Huawei in which the Chinese firm can use its products in Huawei systems, according to a CommScope spokesman. He added that his company strives to comply fully with all U.S. laws and sanctions.Huawei has a similar partnership with HP. In a statement, the Palo Alto, Calif., company said, "HP has an extensive control system in place to ensure our partners and resellers comply with all legal and regulatory requirements involving system security, global trade and customer privacy and the company s relationship with Huawei is no different."

 The statement added, "HP s distribution contract terms prohibit the sale of HP products into Iran and require compliance with U.S. and other applicable export laws."Washington has banned the export of computer equipment to Iran for years. The sanctions are designed to deter Iran from developing nuclear weapons; Iran says its nuclear program is aimed purely at producing domestic energy.

CHENNAI  - While captain  was happy Pakistan managed to get off to a winning start in the three-match ODI series against India, he believes the team still has a lot to work on, especially in the field. Pakistan, he said, were fortunate to walk away with the six-wicket win in Chennai. "Today we were lucky, India gave us a tough time in this situation. They lost five wickets early but still went on to make 227," Misbah was quoted as saying by PTI. "To win the next match, we will have to work hard and improve a fair bit. We have to really improve our fielding, and our death-over and Powerplay bowling. After these (changes to the) ODI rules especially, we have to improve the bowling.
Misbah-ul-Haq
"Also, we have to improve our batting performances; we couldn't chase the target down easily." Both Misbah and India captain MS Dhoni said that while it was outstanding bowling, the toss too was important. "It was a good toss to win, but it was an excellent spell by Junaid. There was something for the bowlers but of you don't bowl in the right areas when the ball is seaming, you don't get results," Misbah said. Dhoni agreed: "I think it was the toss to start with. After that they bowled well. When the ball is seaming or swinging, if you pitch it in the right areas it works.

"If you see their bowlers, they bowled up which was good. Generally on these kind of wickets there will be temptation to bowl short because there will be bounce and carry, but they made sure they bowled up and left the batsmen in trouble."

With India tottering at 29 for 5 in the 10th, Suresh Raina and Dhoni began the rebuilding, adding 73 runs. Raina was out short of a half-century but Dhoni, in extremely humid conditions, paced his innings and finished unbeaten. He was 34 off 78 balls without a boundary, got to 50 off 86 and was battling dehydration when he launched, finishing with 113 off 125. The innings won him the Man of the Match award ahead of Jamshed.

Misbah had high praise for Dhoni: "At one stage, it looked as if India would be getting out for 125 but Dhoni's was a brilliant innings. It was more difficult to play in the first half. There was lot of moisture but very well played by Dhoni. He single-handedly took the game away from us, but in the end Nasir too played an extremely good knock."

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain and Tehreek-e-Minhajul Quran chairman Dr Tahirul Qadri will address a public gathering in Karachi today (Tuesday).

Both leaders would address their supporters in Jinnah Ground and would make important announcements regarding the long march being organized by TMQ on January 14.In a surprising announcement last week, MQM chief Altaf Hussain had vowed to join Tahirul Qadri’s long march.

KARACHI: World Health Organization has released its report on measles in Pakistan according to which 210 people died of measles in Sindh province.

According to the statistics stated in WHO report, 7,274 cases of measles were reported in the province. The report also stated that an emergency campaign against the epidemic has been kicked off from today, January 1 that will continue till January 9.

The campaign will aim to vaccinate 2.9 million children to fight against measles while the government of Sindh has provided 1.3 million injections for the said  purpose.