Pak to reopen NATO supply lines

DCC forms committee to finalise resumption

Islamabad—The Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC), on Tuesday decided to form a new committee, which would finalize the resumption of NATO supplies, sources said on Tuesday. A meeting of the DCC chaired by Prime Minister Gilani discussed the issue. According to the media reports, the committee would be chaired by Secretary of Finance Ministry while representatives from Ministry of Defence, Foreign Ministry, Finance Ministry and Joint Staff Headquarters would be the members.

Nato invites Pak to Chicago summit

Islamabad—Nato on Tuesday invited Pakistan to key talks on the future of Afghanistan in Chicago next week as Islamabad signalled it was about to end a nearly six-month blockade on supply routes. Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen telephoned President Asif Ali Zardari to invite him to the May 20-21 summit, Islamabad said, a day after Pakistan’s foreign minister said it was time to “move on” after US air strikes killed 24 soldiers last November.

Zardari’s wisdom pays off

PRESIDENT Zardari’s wisdom has paid off. Pakistan was back in the reckoning. The NATO invitation for the Chicago conference on Afghanistan, has been a major breakthrough. Suggestions were mooted in these columns twice during last two weeks about an expeditious settlement of an issue, which has been hanging fire unnecessarily for past many months. Finally when the President took matters in his hands, things seem to move forward, in different fields, be these oil and gas, electricity issue, or the delicate foreign affairs.

Ephedrine scam SC rejects Musa Gilani’s plea

Islamabad—The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed Ali Musa Gilani’s plea, seeking to change investigation officer Brig Fahim of the Anti Narcotics Force. Supreme Court forbidding Zafar Abbas Lak, Director General of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to meddle into the investigations regarding the banned chemical case, directed Brigadier Faheem to continue with the probe.

Nawaz expresses concern for missing persons

Islamabad—President Pakistan Muslim League (N), Muhammad Nawaz Sharif expressing his concern over growing number of missing persons in the country said that there is no room for such activities in a civilized country like Pakistan. Addressing a ceremony for the distribution of funds among the families of the missing persons on Tuesday Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan resembled Israel from where innocent citizens were being kidnapped.

Pak crew to be freed soon Malik Riaz pays Rs 130m ransom

Karachi—Founder and Leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) Altaf Hussain has assured the family members of the Pakistani crewmen of MV Albedo that they would be united with their loved-ones soon as the efforts for securing their release were in full-swing. He was talking to the family members of the Pakistani crewmen in the Governor House in Karachi on Tuesday night. Governor Sindh Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad, Chief of the Citizen Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) Mr Ahmed Chinoy and noted human rights activist Mr Ansar Burney were also present on the occasion.

Contempt case verdict Sentencing PM violates Article 10-A: Aitzaz

Lahore—Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani’s counsel in the contempt of court case, Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan on Tuesday said that the prime minister’s sentencing was against the law. Speaking to media representatives, Aitzaz said the premier could not have been sentenced in the absence of a detailed verdict. He said short orders were not issued in criminal cases and that the prime minister’s sentencing was against the law. Aitzaz said an appeal would be filed challenging the Supreme Court’s verdict against the premier. He further said that objections to the judgment were based on constitutional and legal grounds.