Bus blast kills 22 in Peshawar
Nine women, child among dead
Tariq Saeed
Peshawar—The provincial metropolis’ Peshawar was again bathed in blood when a deadliest explosion targeting an official bus in the outskirts of the city left at least 22 people dead and over 40 others seriously wounded. Majority of those killed and injured were the civil secretariat employees.
While nine female and a child are also included among the dead, the medics at the city’s main hospitals apprehended the death toll may mount as the condition of many wounded was described as precarious. The nature of the blast could not be ascertained till late if it was a road side blast or the explosive device was planted in the vehicle. A few private passengers were also reportedly traveling in the ill-fated vehicle.
SC ruling: ECP be strict in implementing laws on elections
Staff reporter
Islamabad—The Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) should start a mechanism to carry out house-by-house verification of electoral rolls.
A three-judge bench of the apex court issued its verdict over a petition filed by Barrister Zafarullah of the Watan Party relating to election campaign expenses and the role of the ECP.
The court ruled that the ECP should be strict in its implementation of laws pertaining to elections as well as monitor the expenses of political parties and other candidates on campaigns.
SBP interest rate unchanged at 12pc Monetary policy emphasises revival of private investment
Amanullah Khan
Karachi —After an assessment of the macroeconomic challenges faced by the national economy, the Central Board of Directors of SBP has decided to keep its policy rate at 12 percent.
In a meeting of the Board of Directors of central bank held under the Chairmanship of SBP Governor, Mr.Yaseen Anwar said that the economy basically needs fundamental reforms to engineer a turnaround in economic performance.
US dissatisfied with Pak action against Haqqanis: Dempsey
Washington—The Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Martin E. Dempsey joined Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta Thursday in expressing unhappiness with Pakistan’s progress in battling the Haqqani network’s use of safe havens in Pakistan.
Pakistan is working to battle other threats within the federally administered tribal area, or FATA, Dempsey told reporters.
“Although we are extraordinarily dissatisfied with the effect that Pakistan has had on the Haqqani network, we are also mindful that they are conducting military operations, at great loss elsewhere,” Dempsey said.
