Gilani assails PML-N for undermining parliament

Says Speaker’s ruling final, meets Fazl

Islamabad—Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday assailed the PML-N move to file petition before the Supreme Court, and said that the party had tried to undermine the authority of parliament and speaker. He was talking to media after holding a meeting with JUI-F Amir Maulana Fazlur Rehman. He said that political manoeuvring befit a political arena and should not be taken to the courts.

Govt decides to initiate dialogue process in Balochistan

Islamabad—Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira has said that the high level meeting on Balochistan has deicded to initiate dialogue process in the province. Briefing media about the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani here Tuesday, he said that dialogue will be held under the constitution and federation of Pakistan. He said first the dialogue will be held with political parties believing in the federation. In the second phase, dialogue will be held with those nationalist groups, which are working under the federation and in the third phase, dialogue will be held with other groups.

Pak test fires nuke capable missile

Rawalpindi—Pakistan Tuesday successfully conducted the test fire of indigenously developed Short Range Surface to Surface Multi Tube Missile Hatf IX (NASR). NASR, with a range of 60 km, can carry nuclear warheads of appropriate yield, with high accuracy, and possesses shoot & scoot attributes. This quick response system of the missile addresses the need to deter evolving threats, specially at shorter ranges.

China calls for respecting Pak territorial integrity

Islamabad—Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi has called for respecting territorial integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan. Addressing a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar here at the Foreign Office Tuesday, Chinese top diplomat said his country would continue to support Pakistan in its efforts to safeguard its territorial integrity and sovereignty. “We have so much in common and the strategic and diplomatic relations between the two countries will grow further with the passage of time,” he said.

Pakistan eyes set on IMF aid

Karachi—Pakistan may have to return to the International Monetary Fund for financial assistance this year amid an unstable macroeconomic situation, the nation’s central bank governor said. Yaseen Anwar, governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, said Pakistan could meet its overseas debt obligations for now. But looming repayments to the IMF from a program that ended last year are likely to test the nation’s finances in the months ahead.

PPP to counter PML-N, PTI moves

Islamabad – In a re-play of early 1990s politics the PPP top leadership has now decided to take counter-moves against its two major political rivals particularly PML-N and PTI as there were indications that horse-trading game is about to start. The political shift and counter-moves became apparent on Tuesday as PPP top leadership appeared ready to take counter-measures to pre-empt actions by PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif. Political observers are attaching great important to meeting on Tuesday when Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr and discussed internal situation.

Four more lives lost in Karachi unrest

Karachi—At least four more people including a worker of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) were gunned down in the metropolis, pushing the overall death toll during the past 24 hours to 14.The most recent occurrence took place in Banaras Pathan Colony where body of a strangulated 15-year boy was recovered from gutter. The body had noose around its neck.Another body bundled into a gunnysack was found from Northern Bypass. The deceased has been identified as Jameel. He was a political worker.According to police sources, a 35-year motorcyclist Niaz Ali was shot dead in Gul Goth in the remit of Sohrab Goth Police Station. The deceased, a resident of Mulla Eesa Goth, was a civilian employee of Pakistan Navy. He received six bullets.