1trn cubic metres gas pipeline

Pak, Turkmen, India tripartite deal signed

735 km length runs across Afghanistan, Project powerful impetus: Baimurad

Avaza—Turkmenistan agreed on Wednesday to supply natural gas to Pakistan and India in deals that offer major economic benefits but depend on building and defending a US-backed pipeline across chronically unstable Afghanistan. The route, particularly the 735-km leg through the Afghan provinces of Herat and Kandahar, will need billions of dollars in funding. It faces significant security problems as the Western Nato alliance plans to hand control of Afghanistan to Kabul’s own security forces by the middle of next year.

Shakil Afridi gets 33-year prison term, Rs 320,000 fine

Peshawar—A Pakistani physician accused of assisting the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in obtaining DNA samples of Osama Bin Laden through a fake vaccination campaign was, on Wednesday, convicted for involvement in anti-state activities by a tribal court, a senior government official said. “Dr Shakil Afridi was produced before a four-member tribal court Wednesday morning and was sentenced to 33 years in prison and also given a 3,20,000-rupee fine,” Political Agent, Khyber tribal region, Mutahir Zeb Khan told media. Soon after his conviction, Afridi was sent to the Central Prison in Peshawar.

CJP laments Govt lethargy

Quetta—A three-member Bench of the Supreme Court comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, Jusitce Jawad Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain heard cases of missing persons, target killing, kidnapping for ransom and deteriorating law and order situation in the province. The Chief Justice observed that the Balochistan Chief Minister and the Prime Minister were showing little interest in the controlling the boiling situation in Balochistan. He maintained that the constitution had sufficient remedy to address the problems and provide relief including imposition of emergency. He maintained let the constitution be respected and implemented in letter and spirit to bail out the country from the current mess.

Khar embarks upon first official visit to Japan today

Islamabad—The rapid regional and global changes, particularly post-Chicago conference scenario has made Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar’s first official visit to Japan very crucial. She is conducting her official visit on the invitation of her Japanese counterpart Koichiro Gemba from May 24 to 26 Though Foreign office has not mentioned any specific agenda to be discussed between Hina Khar and her Japanese counterpart, but it is evident that on Friday, besides bilateral relations, regional stability with reference to exit of US- led forces from Afghanistan, opening of Nato supply routes, war on terrorism and Japan’s aid to Pakistan will be the basic subjects to come under discussion.

Protest strike cripples biz, civic life in Sindh

Karachi—A province-wide strike was observed on Wednesday across Sindh on a call given by nationalist parties in protest to the violent incident during a rally in Karachi on Tuesday. Business centres remained closed and traffic remained sparse on roads as sporadic incidents of violence continued. Most examinations scheduled for the day were announced as postponed. In one incident, unknown gunmen opened fire on a bus in Karachi’s Quaidabad area, leaving one person dead and injuring four others.

PPP has betrayed people: Nawaz

Attock—Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday that he has dedicated his life to Pakistan. He also criticiced the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leadership for not fulfilling their duties. Addressing a public rally in Attock, Sharif said “no doubt PPP had formed the government by majority votes but it has betrayed the people by not delivering what it was supposed to.” Nawaz claimed that his party had no role in bringing the PPP in the government in the last general elections.

Judicial inquiry into Karachi rally firing incident

Islamabad—Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that judicial inquiry will be held to probe into the rally incident that took place in Karachi on Tuesday. Talking to media here on Wednesday, he said there was a complete ban on processions and rallies in Karachi. He said permit was not taken from any quarter for taking out the yesterday’s rally.