Siasat Wala Blog

WASHINGTON: The U.S. Federal Reserve, leaning back against pressure from President Donald Trump to slash interest rates, is expected to leave borrowing costs unchanged on Wednesday as it maintains a ‘patient’ monetary policy stance amid strong economic growth. Trump, who has accused the U.S. central bank of undercutting his efforts to boost economic growth, said on Twitter on Tuesday the Fed should cut its key overnight lending rate by a full percentage point and renew the quantitative easing program that saw it pump trillions of dollars into the economy in response to the 2007-2009 financial crisis and recession. Fed officials were in the middle of their latest two-day policy meeting when Trump made his comments. The unorthodox advice – more in line with what economists on the far left of the political spectrum might advocate – is likely to go unheeded by a central bank that views its current target interest rate as roughly where it should be to keep the growing U.S. economy on an

KARACHI: Pakistan Meteorological Department on Wednesday predicted that Karachi will face the brunt of hot weather from today as the maximum temperature in the city will likely to record up to 42°C, ARY News reported. Emergency was imposed in hospitals besides establishment of heatstroke centres following the new wave of heatwave to hit Karachi from Wednesday (today) till Friday. The met office had earlier cautioned that a heat wave will grip the city from May 1st–3rd. Mercury to soar above 40°C in other cities including Hyderabad, Sukkur and Turbat. The low pressure in the Arabian Sea hampers routine sea breeze to the city during the heat wave and hot and dry winds could blow from north and northwest, the heat wave warning centre said. Read More: How to protect yourself from a heatstroke The weather department advised the citizens, civic authorities and all stakeholders to take precautionary measures. Medical experts advised citizens to avoid unnecessarily leaving homes in ext

KARACHI: The term ‘heatstroke’ has become a nightmare for the citizens after several people succumbed to the sweltering heat brought about by the unrelenting hot weather in Karachi including most parts of Sindh in 2015.  Once again, Karachi is bracing for sweltering weather, which will last in the metropolis till May 3, according to the MET office. Here are a couple of reliable tips on how you can prevent a heat stroke. A heat stroke is a condition marked by fever and often by unconsciousness. It is caused by the failure of the body’s temperature-regulating mechanism when exposed to excessively high temperatures. The recent heat wave across Sindh has taken many lives and caused heat related injuries as well. Keep yourself hydrated The importance of this tip cannot be understated. Make sure that not only do you drink ample amounts of water and maintain a healthy water intake (such as 8 glasses daily) but also eat foods which contain sufficient water in them. Examples could includ

TOKYO: Japanese Emperor Naruhito formally took up his post on Wednesday a day after the abdication of his father, saying he felt a “sense of solemnity” but pledging to work as a symbol of the nation and the unity of its people. Former Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko stepped down on Tuesday after three decades as the nation’s top royals in a brief, simple ceremony, with Akihito thanking the people of Japan and saying he prayed for peace. Naruhito, 59, technically succeeded his father just as Tuesday became Wednesday but his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne was formalized in a mid-morning ceremony, the first part of which his wife and other royal women were unable to attend. Naruhito, the first emperor born after World War Two and the first to be raised solely by his parents, expressed gratitude for his parents’ work over the past three decades and said he felt solemn at the thought of the burden he is taking on. “I pledge that I will always think of the people, and while d

  KARACHI: An oil tanker overturned near Quaidabad bridge in Karachi on Wednesday morning, however, no casualties were reported in the incident, ARY News reported. Following the incident, a road track was closed due to spill of furnace oil at the site while the tanker was removed from the road to the bridge’s side. Traffic police and other officials were present at the incident’s site, whereas, no safety measures were taken to prevent any uncertain situation due to the spill of furnace oil. On April 10, an oil tanker carrying thousands of litres of fuel exploded and caught fire after overturning on Gulbai Flyover in the Shershah area. Read More: Oil tanker overturns in Daska, passerby killed Television footage showed thick plumes of smoke rising from the vehicle after it was engulfed by a huge fire. Fire also spread to the nearby vehicles and godown. The blaze was caused by the oil spill from the tanker which later burst into pieces. Upon being informed of the incident, a numb

ISLAMABAD: Labour day is being observed across the world including Pakistan on Wednesday (today) to highlight sacrifices and rights of labourers The theme of this year Labour Day is “Uniting Workers for Social and Economic Advancement”. Labour unions will organize seminars, rallies and parades where union leaders will throw light on the importance of Labour Day. Pakistan’s first labour policy was devised in 1972, in which May 1 was declared an official holiday. This policy also formulated the creation of the Social Security Network, Old Age Benefit Schemes and Workers Welfare Fund. Pakistan’s constitution also contains various provisions and articles about labour rights. Read more:  President Alvi, PM Khan emphasize on protection of labours’ rights The day was first proposed in the late 19th century by trade unionists as the labour movement gained significance. In 1894, the United States Congress unanimously voted to approve legislation to make Labour Day a national holiday whi

CHARLOTTE:  A gunman reported to have been a student opened fire in a building at the University of North Carolina’s Charlotte campus on Tuesday, killing two people and wounding four others, three of them critically, officials said. Details of the early evening violence remained hazy hours later, but campus Police Chief Jeff Baker said his emergency dispatch office first received a call about an individual armed with a pistol who had shot several students. Two or three campus police officers responding to the call entered the building, disarmed the gunman and took him into custody, Baker said. The accused shooter was identified late Tuesday as Trystan Andrew Terrell, 22, who is in custody with charges pending. No other information about Terrell was released. Officials offered no explanation for what might have precipitated the shooting, and it was unclear whether the assailant knew any of his victims. Local television news footage showed police officers escorting a tall, lanky yo

KARACHI: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Wednesday is set to flex its political muscles in Karachi’s area of Landhi, ARY News reported. The public gathering will kick-off in today’s evening which will be addressed by the PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Meanwhile, a huge stage on container has been installed and thousands of chairs are placed for the people to attend the gathering. Foolproof security measures have been ensured in this connection. PPP local leaders, Murtaza Baloch and Habib Junedi said people in large number hailing from all 6 districts of the metropolis will attend the gathering and the PPP will show how to hold a mammoth gathering. Last week, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had said that the rulers should refrain from ending 18th Constitutional Amendment and threatened to topple the government. Read more:  Bilawal Bhutto Zardari announces university for Tharparkar Bilawal made the statement while addressing a public meeting in connection with the 40th death annive

ISLAMABAD: The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is set to celebrate its 23 rd foundation day in Islamabad on Wednesday (today), ARY News reported. The main ceremony will be held at the convention centre in which, PTI’s founding chairman and Prime Minister Imran Khan will address the participants. Strict security measures have been taken to avoid any untoward incident and special passes have been issued to the attendants of the ceremony. On April 17, the PTI had decided to organize the main ceremony of the party’s foundation day in Islamabad. “Prime Minister Imran Khan would address the foundation day ‘Yaum-e-Tasees’ ceremony that is being held on May 1 (today) at Jinnah Conven­tion Centre Islamabad. In his address, the founding Chairman of PTI and Prime Minister Imran Khan will deliver a historic speech and explain future strategy and targets of PTI,” said a statement issued by the PTI’s central media department on last Tuesday. The decision to commemorate the party’s found

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan in their separate messages in connection with the Labour Day, being observed on Wednesday (today), reiterated the government is committed to effectively protect the rights of workers to help them meet emerging challenges of globalization. President in his message said the government will do its utmost to revolutionize and improve the socio-economic conditions of workers. He said that this day is not only a reminder of the struggle of workers but also an acknowledgement of their importance for national growth and progress. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan while lauding the sacrifices of labours of Chicago, said the labour day also affords us an opportunity to recognize the valuable contribution being made by the workers. Read more:  PM orders swift implementation on labour laws In his message, the premier said dividends of inclusive economic growth cannot be realized if the workers are deprived of their due rights

Mexican state oil company Pemex registered a loss of 35.7 billion pesos ($1.88 billion) in the first quarter of 2019, it announced Tuesday, falling back into the red despite a government bailout. The troubled company – the biggest in Latin America’s second-largest economy – said the loss was mainly due to financial costs caused by the depreciation of the peso against the dollar. It is the latest bad news for both Pemex, whose $106.5-billion debt makes it one of the world’s most indebted companies, and for leftist President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who is trying to help the firm regain its footing with a series of cash injections, tax benefits and other rescue measures. Pemex said sales fell 10.4 percent in the period from January to March, to around $18.7 billion. It reported average production of 1.6 million barrels a day, down 12 percent from the same period last year. The company’s production has plummeted for years, from a peak of 3.4 million barrels per day in 2004. Expe

ISLAMABAD: In an attempt to restore durable peace in war torn Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi here on Tuesday said that Pakistan was making sincere effort s for success of the Afghan peace talks. Addressing the seventh round of Pakistan-Afghanistan track-II dialogue in Islamabad, Mehmood Qureshi said, “I have visited different countries and also held several meetings with US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad for peace in Afghanistan.” He said that peace in Afghanistan was imperative for regional connectivity and added that Afghan people themselves had to decide their future. Read More: US envoy receives Pakistan’s support to accelerate intra-Afghan dialogue Inviting Afghanistan to build a new future and make a new beginning, Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Pakistan and Afghanistan had shared future. The foreign minister said Pakistan played its due role in development of Afghanistan, pledging projects worth one billion dollars.

LARKANA: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) tests of 2,028 people have been conducted in four days in Larkana and Rato Dero, 59 of them have been confirmed of affected by the life-threatening disease, ARY News reported. The Sindh AIDS Control Programme report apprised this on Tuesday. Samples of the AIDS cases were sent to Jacobabad laboratory for testing. The Sindh AIDS Control Programme has sent the report to the federal government. A doctor, suspected of involvement in spreading the HIV AIDS in 59 people in Larkana and Rato Dero, was arrested on Tuesday. Doctor Muzaffar Ghangro has been arrested on directive of the deputy commissioner on accusation of spreading the disease. Muzaffar Ghangro has rejected the allegation. The report said another local doctor Imran Ali Rabbani had reported the AIDS cases. It said Imran had apprised the Sindh Health Department and head of AIDS centre about it. He also told media about the spread of the

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido is attempting to oust socialist President Nicolas Maduro. In January he invoked the constitution to assume an interim presidency, arguing that Maduro’s re-election in 2018 was illegitimate. On Tuesday Guaido made his strongest call yet to the military to help him, and violence broke out at anti-government protests as the country hit a new crisis point after years of political and economic chaos. Following is a list of who supports whom in the OPEC member country’s escalating crisis: Supporters of Maduro * The top brass of Venezuela’s military has shown no sign of leaving Maduro’s side, although there have been some low-level defections. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino said on Tuesday that the armed forces would continue to defend the constitution and “legitimate authorities” and that bases were operating as normal. * Russia, a major investor in Venezuela’s oil industry and lender of last resort, has stood by Maduro and criticized U.S. in

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani signed a bill into law on Tuesday declaring all U.S. forces in the Middle East terrorists and calling the U.S. government a sponsor of terrorism. The bill was passed by parliament last week in retaliation for President Donald Trump’s decision this month to designate Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards ‘a foreign terrorist organization’. It was not clear what the impact of the new Iranian law might have on U.S. forces or their Middle East operations. Rouhani instructed the ministry of intelligence, ministry of foreign affairs, the armed forces, and Iran’s supreme national security council to implement the law, state media reported. The law specifically labels as a terrorist organization the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), which is responsible for U.S. military operations in the Middle East and Afghanistan. Read More:  Iran to keep exporting crude oil despite US pressure: President Rouhani “These two forces (Guards and CENTCOM) that are desi

ISLAMABAD: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government was taking practical steps to improve living and working conditions of labourers. In his message on the eve of ‘Labour Day’ CM Usman Buzdar said that that his government was committed to provide  maximum facilities to the labourers. According to a statement issued from his office, CM Buzdar said, “Islam has taught about the welfare of the labourers. Islam has highlighted the dignity of the labourers by terming them as the friends of Allah Almighty.” He  further said, “It has also directed to pay the remunerations of the labourers before any delay.” The chief minister said that labourers had rendered unforgettable sacrifices in Chicago on May 01, 1886 and added that the day reminded  them about the martyrs of Chicago and their struggle against tyranny and oppression.” Read More: PM Imran approves subsidized air tickets for overseas labourers He said, “In new Pakistan, labo

KARACHI: Mayor Karachi Waseem Akhtar on Tuesday said the funds given by the Sindh government were spent on salaries and pensions of the local government employees only, ARY News reported. “The Sindh government has destroyed entire province including Larkana,” Waseem Akhtar blamed while talking to media in Karachi. He said he had brought Rs25 billion package for Karachi from the previous federal government for the projects of Five Star Chowrangi, KDA Chowrangi and Nagan Chowrangi. While, he said, the Sindh government had distributed contracts only. The mayor said he had made work in every district of the metropolis. He also relayed press that the Karachi mayor could not give project worth more than 25 million rupees. He rued that the provincial government was seeking revenue generation from the local government. Read More:  Mayor Karachi Waseem Akhtar vows to renovate parks in city He said the provincial government was seeking hospitals of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, whi

ISLAMABAD: In an unprecedented move for the welfare of labourers, Prime Minister Imran Khan here on Tuesday formally approved ‘Mazdoor ka Ehsas Program’ under which overseas Pakistani labourers, who could not visit homeland for seven year, would be provided subsidized air tickets. The decision was made during  a meeting held in Islamabad today with Prime Minister Imran Khan in the chair regarding government measures for the welfare of laborers. The ‘Mazdoor ka Ehsas Program’  will formally be launched on World Labor Day (tomorrow). Speaking on the occasion, PM Imran Khan said,” It is PTI government’s top priority to protect the rights of vulnerable segments of the society, domestic workers and house servants.” He said that the government planned various measures for the welfare of labourers which would be implemented gradually in the country. The prime minister termed the ‘Mazdoor ka Ehsas Program’  the biggest poverty alleviation program in the history of Pakistan. Read More: ‘

KARACHI: For the first time, the local administration has set prices for meat, milk and yogurt in Khyber District, ARY News reported. The price list was issued by the deputy commissioner of Khyber District. The local administration has set Rs110 per litre for milk and Rs120 per kilo for yogurt. While, price for mutton is Rs750 per kilo and Rs360 per kilo for beef. The deputy commissioner has directed to display the price list on a prominent place. He has asked people to call on the given number in case of charging of more prices on commodities by the retailers. On April 19, the provincial government had announced that it would set up 307 fair price shops in Punjab to provide daily use items to masses at control rates during the holy month of Ramzan. Read More:  Punjab govt to set up 307 fair price shops during Ramzan In a statement, Provincial Agriculture Minister Malik Nauman Ahmad Langrial had said that provision of daily use items at control rate will be ensured in these shop

KARACHI: An accountability court of Karachi has sent alleged facilitator of former provincial minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Izhar Hussain to 10 days remand, ARY News reported. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Monday night arrested the suspect from his house in Defence Housing Authority (DHA), Karachi. He is suspected of facilitating Sharjeel Inam Memon in acquisition of moveable and immovable assets that are beyond Memon’s known sources of income. The NAB Karachi produced the suspect before the accountability court seeking his physical remand. Upon which the court approved the plea and sent the suspect on 10 days remand. The court has sought an inquiry report from the accountability watchdog on May 9. The NAB prosecutor said documents of different properties were recovered from the suspect. Read More:  Rs6 bln corruption: Sharjeel Memon, others produced before NAB court On April 1, Sharjeel Inam Memon and other accused persons had been presented before an accountabili

LARKANA: The Sindh Health Department on Monday launched a crackdown on fake doctors and substandard laboratories in Naudero, Larkana, ARY News reported. The health department had sealed two unregistered and substandard laboratories and clinics of six fake doctors. During the raids, two quacks were arrested and expired medicines were recovered from their possession. The raids were conducted under the supervision of the Sindh Health Care Commission and District Health Officer. On April 28, one more girl lost her life following administration of the wrong injection by a fake doctor in Karachi’s Gulshan-e-Iqbal area. Read More:  Sindh Health Care Commission raids hospitals in Karachi The sorrowful incident took place in the 13-D neighbourhood of the metropolis on Saturday night where a man, Zafar Iqbal took his minor daughter, Saba to a local clinic who was suffering from breathing issues. The minor girl had died just after the administration of the wrong injection by the fake doct

ISLAMABAD: The government has convened a meeting of Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on May 2 to discuss 18 point agenda, ARY News reported.    After the resignation of former finance minister Asad Umar, for the first time, Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh would preside over the top economic decisions making body of the country. A comprehensive restoration plan for Pakistan Steel Mills and a summery for appointment of an advisory consortium for the mill would be tabled in the meeting, said sources. Supplementary grant for Punjab Rangers, additional funds for interior ministry, supplementary grant for explosive department, supplementary grant for National Savings Organizations and other issues would be discussed in the meeting. Read More: Abdul Hafeez Shaikh appointed Economic Coordination Committee chairman Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan here on April 16, had reconstituted the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) and had appointed his Advisor

KHAIRPUR: Police on Tuesday arrested another suspect in Rimsha Wassan murder case during a raid in Khairpur, ARY News reported. Police said suspect Hidayatullah was arrested during the raid and weapons were recovered from his possession. They said the arrested suspect was a close aide of Zulfiqar Wassan, Sabir Wassan and Abdul Ghaffar. “The suspect will be produced before the Anti-Terrorism Court for remand,” said police. On March 19, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) had extended the remand of three suspects in Rimsha murder case for three more days for further investigations. Hearing the Rimsha murder case, the court, on the request of police, had decided to extend the physical remand of the suspects for three more days. Read More:  ATC extends suspects’ remand in Rimsha murder case According to the details, police had produced the prime suspect, Zulfiqar Wassan alias Zulfoo , his associates nominated in the case, Ghaffar Wassan and Sabir Wassan before the court amid strict securi

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa here on Tuesday visited Frontier Force Regimental Centre, Abbotabad where he installed Lieutenant General Aamir Abbasi as Colonel Commandant of the regiment, said Inter-Services Public Relations. According to a statement issued by the military’s media wing, COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa appreciated the contributions and sacrifices of Frontier Force for the defence of motherland during conventional as well as in war against terrorism. Upon arrival the COAS laid floral wreath at martyrs monument to pay homage to the martyrs of the regiment. Outgoing Colonel of Frontier Force Regiment Lieutenant General Ghayur Mahmood Awan, large number of serving and retired officers and soldiers attended the ceremony, read the statement. Read More: COAS visits Northern Light Infantry Regiment, lauds its sacrifices Earlier, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on April 19 had visited Northern Light Infantry Regimenta

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Revenue Hammad Azhar here on Tuesday apprised the Senate that current account deficit reduced by 44 per cent during the tenure of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) government, ARY News reported. In response to a calling attention notice, Hammad Azhar said, Opposition presenting wrong statistic to mislead the nation.” He said that external debts reduced to less than half as compared to last year. He said that the government did not want to artificially control the value of rupee and added that they were striving hard to increase exports. The minister said that the government had formulated new rules to stop transactions through benami accounts. Hammad Azhar told the Senate that their government was inherited Rs423 billion deficit in public sector and added that they introduced reforms to restore country’s economy. Read More: Trade deficit shrunk by over 37% in March: Hammad Azhar Criticizing the performance of former governments, Hammad Azhar said

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Tuesday rejected the bill to amend the child marriage restraint act 1929 with big margin, ARY News reported. Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan said no legislation could be made against Islam. He said the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) had opposed the bill in the past.  Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari supported the bill saying that Turkey and Bangladesh had also set 18 years of age for marriage. “Parliament is supreme, it can take decision,” she said. On April 30, the Senate had passed, with majority vote, the bill to amend the child marriage restraint act 1929. According to the amendment, marriage under 18 years can lead to a fine of Rs200,000 and three years of strict punishment for facilitators. Read More:  Senate green lights bill against underage marriages Senator Sherry Rehman presented the bill to be passed unanimously, however, Senator Ghafoor Haidri raised an objection saying the bill should

LONDON: British police opened an investigation on Tuesday into a hospital where hundreds of patients are believed to have died prematurely after being given powerful painkillers. Police are examining the care provided to patients who died at Gosport War Memorial Hospital in southern England between 1987 and 2001, police said in a statement. A review last year found that more than 450 people had their lives shortened at the hospital while another 200 were “probably” also given strong opioids. “This is a highly complex and emotive case that some family members have been living with for more than 30 years,” said Nick Downing, the police officer who has been reviewing the findings of the review. “I hope the news that we will now be carrying out a full investigation is of some comfort to them,” he said. Maggie Cheetham told the BBC she wanted “closure” for her aunt Ethel Thurston who died in 1999 aged 78 after being admitted to the hospital following a fall. “All she needed was some

KARACHI: The Sindh cabinet here on Tuesday allocated Rs477.327 million for Sindh Human Settlement Authority (erstwhile Sindh Katchi Abadis Authority), ARY News reported. The Sindh cabinet meeting held today with Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah in the chair. The cabinet meeting decided to rename the Sindh Katchi Abadis Authority as Sindh Human Settlement Authority. According to the details, the meeting reserved Rs317.089 million for the expenditure of its employees and Rs 49.505 million for operations. However Rs1.560 million was allocated for R&M and Rs55.373 million for non-development expenditure. Rs49 million were allocated for development work in the slum areas. Read More: Sindh CM convenes cabinet meeting to discuss Police Act-2002 During the meeting, Sindh Home Secretary Abdul Kabir Kazi briefed the cabinet about Sindh Safe City Authority Act-2019. The meeting agreed to constitute a 15-member Sindh Safe City Authority chaired by Sindh chief minister. The authority

SEOUL: Samsung on Tuesday stood by its new Galaxy S10 5G model after a South Korean smartphone owner posted pictures online of a charred handset claiming it had mysteriously “burnt”. The tech giant, which three years ago was forced into an expensive and embarassing global recall of its Galaxy Note 7 devices over exploding batteries, told AFP an “external impact” had caused the damage, rather than an internal glitch. But the smartphone user, who asked to be identified by his surname Lee, claimed his Galaxy S10 5G phone had burnt “without reasons”. “My phone was on the table when it started smelling burnt and smoke soon engulfed the phone,” Lee told AFP, adding: “I had to drop it to the ground when I touched it because it was so hot.” He said he hadn’t done anything to the phone, which was left beyond repair since “everything inside was burnt”. Samsung refused to reimburse for the $1,200 phone, Lee added. The electronics giant has touted its new Galaxy phones as the world’s first

KARACHI: Ambassador of Spain in Pakistan Manuel Duran Gimenez-Rico called on Sindh Energy Minister Imtiaz Shaikh here on Tuesday and exchanged views on wind and solar energy projects, ARY News reported. Imtiaz Shaikh said there were enormous chances of investment in energy projects in Sindh. Manuel Duran Gimenez-Rico said investment and exchange of technology could be increased between both the countries. Gimenez-Rico had on Monday called on Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah in Karachi. Matters of bilateral interest including coordination between universities in Sindh and Spain had come under discussion. Syed Murad Ali Shah had informed the ambassador that Sindh Sufi University was being established by the provincial government at Bhit Shah. Read More:  Pakistan, Spain agree to strengthen cooperation in all sectors Both the sides agreed to work together for promoting Sufi music of Sindh and Spain. The Spanish ambassador expressed the desire to arrange a folk music progr

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday set hearing of the bail extension plea of deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif for May 3, ARY News reported. A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa will hear the case on Friday. The bench also includes Justice Sajjad Ali Shah and Justice Yahya Afridi. Nawaz Sharif is currently on six-week bail on medical grounds. His bail will expire on May 7. “Interim bail should be extended until judgment in the review petition”, Sharif stated in his plea. The PML-N supremo has further said in his plea that he hoped that review petition will be maintained by the top court regarding March 26 verdict. The Supreme Court had granted Sharif bail for six weeks on medical grounds on March 26 against surety bonds amounting to Rs5 million each. Read More:  Nawaz Sharif moves SC seeking permission for treatment in UK Last week, Nawaz Sharif had filed a 33-page review petition in the Supreme Court (SC), seeking p

Here’s a hypothetical: a telescope detects an asteroid between 100 and 300 meters in diameter racing through our solar system at 14 kilometers per second, 57 million kilometers from Earth. Astronomers estimate a one percent risk the space rock will collide with our planet on April 27, 2027. What should we do? It’s this potentially catastrophic scenario that 300 astronomers, scientists, engineers and emergency experts are applying their collective minds to this week in a Washington suburb, the fourth such international effort since 2013. “We have to make sure people understand this is not about Hollywood,” said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine as he opened the sixth International Planetary Defense Conference at the University of Maryland’s campus in College Park. Countries represented include China, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Russia and the United States. The idea that the planet Earth may one day have to defend itself against an asteroid used to elicit what experts call a

LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly here on Tuesday passed the ‘Punjab Local Government Bill 2019,’ ARY News reported. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the ruling party in Punjab presented the draft for new local bodies’ system in the provincial assembly. The provincial assembly also passed Punjab Panchayat and Neighborhood Council Act 2019. On April 19, Punjab’s cabinet meeting had approved the Local Government Act-2019 and Water Act-2019. The decisions had been taken during a provincial cabinet meeting with Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar at his office in Lahore. Presiding over the meeting, CM Buzdar had said that the government had been committed to empower the local bodies of the province. Read More:  New local bodies system being introduced in Punjab: Abdul Aleem Earlier, Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Local Government Muhammad Basharat Raja had said that the Punjab government had been committed to empower the local bodies of province by enacting a new powerful law i

KARACHI: Federal Minister for Water Resources, Faisal Vawda, on Tuesday said Prime Minister Imran Khan would inaugurate construction of Mohmand Dam on May 2, ARY News reported. “I congratulate the nation on initiation of construction of Mohmand Dam. It was a project planned before my birth. The incumbent government will complete the Mohmand Dam project,” Faisal Vawda said while talking to media. He said some external and internal powers tried to make Mohmand Dam as controversial as Kala Bagh Dam. The federal minister said Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and former chief justice of Pakistan Justice (retd) Saqib Nisar were invited for the inauguration ceremony of the dam. He said the Mohmand Dam project had been stuck for 54 years. “The federal cabinet meeting has now given approval for construction of Mohmand Dam,” he said. Read More:  WAPDA awards contract for Mohmand Dam construction On March 26, the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) had awarded long

KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party leader Manzoor Wassan here on Monday said that a conspiracy was being hatched to sabotage prevailing peaceful environment in Karachi. Talking to journalists, Manzoor Wassan predicted that soon a crackdown would be started against Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-Pakistan). He further said that references would be launched against the leadership of MQM-Pakistan during the crackdown. The former interior minister Sindh said that MQM had divided into five groups and added that soon seven more groups would emerge in the party. Manzoor Wassan said that MQM-Pakistan’s statement about division of Sindh came after PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari raised voice for rights of provinces. He said that some forces were compelling MQM-Pakistan to issue statements about division of Sindh. Read More: MQM-P demands PM Khan’s intervention in Sindh Earlier, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) on April 13 had demanded Prime Minister Imran Khan to interven