Peshawar—The security forces are reported to
have launched full fledge operation in the South
Waziristan Agency with the PAF jets heavily
pounding the strongholds of commander Baitullah
Mehsud on Friday. Reports reaching here from
Wana the headquarters of South Waziristan Agency
(SWA) said heavy contingents of the security
forces advanced towards Medejaan area from Wana
in order to further tighten the noose around
Chief of Tehreek-e-Taliban-Pakistan (TTP)
Baitullah Mehsud and other militants who are not
only posing serious threats to the government
writ in the region but have also allegedly
unleashed a reign of terror across the country
master minding subversive activities in many
cities.
Brussels—President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday
told German Chancellor Angela Merkel that
Pakistan wants improvement of trade and economic
ties with Europe and asked for German support
for a Free Trade Agreement(FTA) with EU. At a
breakfast meeting here at an upscale hotel in
downtown Brussels, the two leaders discussed a
host of issues including EU- Pakistan economic
cooperation, fight against terrorism, situation
in Afghanistan and Pakistan-India relations.
Peshawar—Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani
Friday said the government wants the early
homecoming of the IDPs. Addressing a press
conference flanked by NWFP Chief Minister Amir
Hyder Khan Hoti and governor Owais Ghani, he
said the government wants to put the operation
to an end at the earliest, adding the military
operation is solution to no problem and the
Operation in Swat and Malakand has been launched
under extreme conditions, when the government
writ was challenged there. The Prime Minister
lauded the NWFP and Frontier Constabulary on
performing their duties with undaunted courage.
Karachi—Talks between government, World Bank and
the Asian Development Bank are currently
underway for clearance of the remaining circular
debt of the energy sector. Informed sources told
this correspondent that clearance of circular
debt would result in retirement of public sector
advance. Thus, in the wake of slowdown in
economy and retirement of circular debt, a muted
advances growth of 3-4% is expected in 2009.
Although there were no major surprises for the
banking sector in the announced budget yet the
levy of FED on banking services increased from
10% to 16% with a view to bring Sales Tax &
Federal Excise Laws in conformity.
Sril Lanka beat West Indies in the second
semi-final of the ICC Twenty20 World Cup at the
Oval here Friday. Batting first Sri Lanka scored
158 runs for the loss of five wickets in the
allotted twenty overs and later restricted West
Indies to 101 runs all out with fourteen balls
remaining. For Sri Lanka Tilkeratne Dilshan was
the main successful batsman who scored 96 runs.
Mathews of Sri Lanka took three early wickets
for sixteen runs of West India causing blow to
West Indies.
Lahore—PML-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif has said
terrorism and extremisms can not be linked to
Islam adding there is need to place focus on the
root causes of terrorism. Mian Nawaz
Sharif said this during his separate meeting
with former president Rafiq Tarar and renowned
religious scholar Maulana Tariq Jameel here
Friday at his residence in Raiwind.
Sources told former president exchanged views
with Mian Nawaz Sharif on party matters and
prevailing political situation in the country.
The issue of dispensation of speedy justice in
subordinate courts also came under discussion.
Islamabad—Federal Minister and Chairman Planning
Commission Makhdoom Shahabuddin Friday added his
voice with former Information Minister Senator
Muhammad Ali Durrani for formation of another
province for the people of Southern
Punjab.However, the minister said the new
province should be named as Saraiki Province
instead of Bahawalpur Province as Saraikis
dominate the population of Southern Punjab.“Yes,
I urge the government to form Saraiki Province,
as a new province is imperative to redress the
grievances of the people of Southern Punjab. I
mean it and strongly believe in it. Despite
sitting on the Treasury Benches, I am for
creation of a new province for the downtrodden
people of Southern Punjab who have been deprived
of their basic rights since independence,” said
the Makhdoom in an exclusive interview with APP.
