Gilani, Cameron wide-spectrum talks

Pak, UK to take all-area friendship to new heights

Regular economic reforms talks agreed, bilateral trade to touch 2.5b pounds

London—The United Kingdom Thursday vowed to build on a deeper and stronger relationship with Pakistan saying its future matters greatly to Britain and agreed on building up ties in trade, defence, health and education sectors. Prime Minister David Cameron after a meeting with Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani categorically stated that the United Kingdom will be an enduring friend to the government and people of Pakistan. “Both countries are committed to working together as equals to create the conditions for greater prosperity and security in Pakistan and the UK,” a joint statement issued at the end of the talks said.

Protesters on rampage against power outage in Punjab

Vehari/Lahore/Faisalabad—Extremely troubled by the prolonged and unannounced power loadshedding, thousands of protesters took to the roads, ransacked the offices and residences of lawmakers and politicians, attacked Wapda installations, staged sit-ins, damaged vehicles and clashed with police on Thursday, resulting in several injuries to protesters and cops in different parts of Punjab. According to details, protest demonstrations against unscheduled electricity loadshedding were held in different areas of Punjab including Vehari, Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Mianwali, Mandi Bahauddin, Sargodha, Khushab, Bhakkar, Burewala, Jhelum, Multan, DG Khan, Pir Mahal and Bahawalpur.

Flag abuse

Karachi—A brand new Parcham-e-Sitara-o-Hilal was hoisted atop Sindh Assembly (replacing the tattered one) subsequent to the running of a comment by Pakistan Observer on in front page in 3rd day of this May issue, titled ‘Tattering flag of Pakistan: You people have lost sense of respect’. Yet countless such desecrated flags still flutter all over the Metropolis. Most of them had been hoisted last August by the authorities who had reportedly paid exorbitant amounts to their blue eyed contractors who did not bother to remove them later.

US bans preferential purchase of goods or services from Pak

Washington—The Unite States Armed Services Committee in the Congress Thursday approved a bill that imposes conditions on Pakistan for receiving American economic and military aid, which will depend on the action Islamabad takes against terrorists and the menace of improvised explosive devices.

Asghar Khan case hearing adjourns to May 17

Islamabad—The Supreme Court Thursday adjourned the hearing of the Asghar Khan petition till May 17. Tehrik-i-Istiqlal chief Air Martial (Retd) Asghar Khan had filed a petition in the apex court in 1996, requesting it to look into allegations of the Inter-Services Intelligence’s financing of politicians in the 1990 general elections to limit the victory of Benazir Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party. After only a few hearings, the case was postponed indefinitely. The court took up the case again earlier this year and a three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry is hearing the case after almost 16 years of the original petition.

50 killed in Damascus blasts

Damascus —Two explosions have hit the Syrian capital, Damascus, with state TV saying fifty have been killed or wounded in “terrorist bombings”. State TV footage of the blasts showed massive destruction in the al-Qazzaz suburb to the south of Damascus. Damascus has been the target of several bombs in past months amid continuing anti-government unrest. The last deadly blast was at the end of April, when some 10 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack near a mosque.

LHWs case SC calls report from Scy IPC, Chief Secretaries

Islamabad—The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday sought report from Secretary Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), Chief Secretaries of all provinces and Deputy Chairman Planning Commission regarding the disbursements of Lady Health Workers (LHW) salaries and measures taken for regularization of their services. The court also observed that Planning Commission should adopt necessary measures to ensure the payment of salaries of all LHWs before the 5th date of every month.