FRENCH AMBASSADOR CALLS ON KARACHI NAZIM

The ambassador of France in Islamabad Daniel jouannau called on City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal at his office on Monday. French Consul General Pierre Siellan and diplomat Ms. Annie Evrad were also present on this occasion.

During the meeting City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal gave detailed briefing to French ambassador about development works completed during last four years in Karachi.

He said that Haq Parast City Government had initiated a rapid development process in Karachi with a view to solve the basic problems of citizens in shortest possible time. Under this vision development works had been carried out during last four years in nearly all sectors of civic life. More than 35 flyovers and underpasses constructed in a few years time while work on four more flyovers is underway.

Nazim Karachi said that so far 62km of roads in Karachi have been made signal free while a total of 316 roads have been constructed during last four years which has besides saving energy provided hurdle free travel facility to citizens in nearly all areas of the city.

He said that Karachi holds much importance in this region and considering this, City Government has provided such a favorable atmosphere to business community especially the investors where they could avail maximum profit on their investment.

Nazim Karachi said that Karachi presently offers attractive opportunities for business and investment and the business community should take the advantage of better conditions and improved infrastructure in Karachi.

He said that the industrial areas in Karachi had been given preference in the development activities where various mega projects of water & sewerage and roads have been completed during last four years.

City Nazim said that the government has also initiated a “Green City” campaign to overcome air pollution. Millions of saplings have been planted so far at different roads and roundabouts to save the environment from further pollution.

He said that more than 348 parks have been constructed in Karachi to provide better and quality recreation facilities to citizens.

Nazim Karachi said that the recently launched CNG Bus Service has also improved the standard of public transport in Karachi. City Government has spent Rs500million on this pilot project.

He said that despite of limited resources and other difficulties, City Government in Karachi has continued development journey and it will carry on this process.

Chaudhry Nisar urges Zardari to disclose details of the deal

Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan Tuesday asked President Asif Ali Zardari to give details of the deal under which Pervez Musharraf was provided safe exit. He said if Musharraf’s escape was a result of any deal then Zardari also became through a deal.

Talking to media outside parliament house Islamabad, Chaudhry Nisar urged President Zardari to tell the nation which international power helped Musharraf escape. He asked why the parliament was fooled if a deal was already made on some guarantees from international authorities to give safe escape to the dictator. The opposition leader said PML-N would table privilege motion and deferred motion in the parliament on the statement of the president.

Arrival of Int'l Lions director Naresh Agarwal @ Karachi

No compromise on verdicts: Cheif Justice

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry Monday said that National Judicial Policy (NJP) would be vigorously implemented despite shortage of required funds.
Chairing a full court meeting at the Supreme Court building, the Chief Justice said that pending cases were being disposed of expeditiously, however, no compromise would be made on the standard of judgements. The aim of the meeting was to review progress over the implementation of the NJP.
The Chief Justice said that public confidence in judiciary had enhanced and judiciary, in return, would strive further to retain the confidence.
The full court meeting discussed and deliberated over a number of issues and it was decided that disposal rate of cases would be enhanced through discouraging adjournment and all energies would be put together to achieve the purpose. “Adjournments would only be granted in extraordinary situations with pressing reasons,” it was decided.
The meeting decided to devise policy of imposing cost to discourage the culture of frivolous and false cases and penalty would be imposed against persons lodging such cases. Categorisation of cases as per subject matter, both in the criminal as well as in the civil matters, would be carried out and certain categories would be given priority. Special benches would be constituted for hearing the cases continuously for some weeks, the meeting decided.
The formation of committees to monitor the functioning of Anti-Terrorist Courts in the light of Sh Liaquat Hussain’s Case was also discussed and Justice Javed Iqbal, Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan, Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday and Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, one for each province, were nominated for the purpose.

Shamshad Akhtar joins World Bank as regional vice-president

WASHINGTON: The World Bank has announced that Shamshad Akhtar, a Pakistani national and former Governor of State Bank of Pakistan, is the new Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa Region, according to the World Bank website. "I welcome the opportunity to work in the Middle East and North Africa region at this point in the region's development," said the new MENA Vice President.

UK extends support for Pakistan anti-Taliban efforts

Visiting British Foreign Secretary David Miliband reiterated yesterday support for Pakistan’s anti-Taliban offensive in the troubled northwestern region.
Miliband who arrived on three-day visit, is due to meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, besides calling on Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif.
“This visit presents a first opportunity for ministerial discussion of the new UK-Pakistan strategic dialogue,” he was cited as saying by the British High Commission in a statement.
“It also allows me to underline the UK’s support for Pakistan’s current efforts to defeat the extremists and to restore peace and security to areas where extremists operate.”

Security forces enter Kalam, 27 terrorists killed in Swat

ISLAMABAD: The security forces have entered Kalam and carrying out cordon and search operation against the terrorists while 27 more miscreants have been killed in Swat and South Waziristan Agency during the last 24 hours, an update issued by the ISPR here said.
During the period eight soldiers and an officer Lieutenant Haider Nazir embraced shadat while six other personnel were wounded in various operations against the miscreant-terrorists.
The Nazim of Kalam along with notables welcomed security forces and assured full support to the ongoing operation by security forces against the miscreants.
The situation in Mingora is improving after fully securing the city by the security forces as relief activities have been initiated in full swing. The patrolling by troops of important areas is being carried out to fully swap the area. At Buner axis in village Najigram the security forces have completed clearance operation. During an IED blast a soldier embraced shahadat.
A good progress has been achieved by the security forces in cordon and search operation in Peochar valley. In search operation the security forces recovered huge amount of arms and ammunition including binoculars from Dob Banda area.
The security forces destroyed miscreants training facility at Yakh Tangi Kandao, 6 km South East of Shangla. Resultantly, a number of dead bodies of miscreants were found in the training compound.
The security forces have successfully secured Mankial, 14 km NE of Bahrain and consolidated their positions further in Bahrain, Kuz Laikot and Kedai. The miscreants set ablaze Government Girls School at Baidarra, 3.5 km North of Matta.
The security forces killed two miscreants at Umer Zeb check post of Dir during an encounter with miscreants. The cordon and search operation continued at Kumbar bazaar and Kalpani.
The miscreants attacked a security forces check post in Spinkai Raghazai, South Waziristan Agency. The attack was repulsed successfully, inflicting heavy casualties on militants. Reportedly, 15 militants were killed while three soldiers embraced shahadat and 6 others were wounded.
Four other soldiers have been reported missing in the attack by miscreants.