PM directs release of Rs 1.5b to Wapda

Protests against power outages continue, shortfall reaches 8,200 MW

Islamabad—Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Wednesday directed the Ministry of Finance to urgently release Rs. 1.5 billion to WAPDA to settle the remaining claims of IPPs. He was presiding over a meeting of Private Power Infrastructure Board (PPIB) here to review progress on the private power projects and their future portfolio to increase power generation to overcome electricity shortage in the country.

Hajj corruption case Kazmi indicted

Rawalpindi—A special court on Wednesday indicted former minister for religious affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi in the Haj corruption case. Special Judge Central Khalid Shabbir indicted Kazmi, former director general (Hajj) Rao Shakeel Ahmad and former joint secretary (Haj) Raja Aftabul Islam in the case. The three pleaded not guilty before the court which subsequently adjourned the hearing to June 5. The judge also issued summons for 10 witnesses to appear before the court at the June 5 hearing.

Zardari signs Human Rights Commission Bill into Law

Karachi—President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday signed the National Commission for Human Rights Bill authorising the setting up of an independent and powerful human rights commission. According to the bill, the commission would comprise of 10 members headed either by a retired judge of the Supreme Court or by a human rights expert. There will be reserved seats — one for a woman and another for a person belonging to a religious minority. The commission would have the authority to hold accountable any institution for its human rights violations.

Economic targets remain elusive: Economic Survey

Islamabad—No economic target was achieved except tax collection allocated in the fiscal year 2011-12. The country’s economic survey 2011-12 has estimated 3.7 percent GDP growth against the target of 4.2 per cent and actual growth of 3 per cent in 2010-11. Sources said the survey reveals that chapter on poverty is yet to be finalised as Planning Commission and Finance Division have different statistics of poverty.

Chinese Foreign Minister meets General Kayani

Rawalpindi—Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Tuesday called on Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. According to reports, bilateral relations between Pakistan and China, issues of mutual interest and regional situation came under discussion.

Pak wants close ties with Russia :PM

Islamabad—Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said that Pakistan is keen to promote cooperation with Russia in defence, energy, narcotics control, and trade sectors. He was speaking to Ambassador Zamir N. Kabulov, Russian President’s Special Envoy on Afghanistan, who called on him at PM’s House here Wednesday. Gilani said enormous commonalities exist between Pakistan and Russia to cooperate in various fields.

UN expert urges more Pak judicial independence

Islamabad – It is for the first time that a United Nations human rights expert has urged the Pakistan Government “to address several remaining challenges to ensure the independence of the country’s judicial system”. “The independence of the judicial system in Pakistan should be reinforced as a matter of priority so as not to lose the gains from the democratic transition,” a UN report quotes Special Rapporteur Gariela Knaul on the independence of judges and lawyers as having said this. Working in an unpaid capacity, independent experts, or special rapporteurs, are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a country situation or a specific human rights theme.