Conspiracies against judiciary exposed: CJP

Two member body constituted, PEMRA directed to submit report

Islamabad—The Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Friday said that all the conspiracies being hatched against judiciary were exposed. He expressed his views while chairing a full court meeting. The chief justice quizzed the Chairman Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, Abdul Jabbar for inaction against the series of TV programmes ridiculing judiciary. The full court meeting chaired by the CJP constituted a two-member committee and directed the chairman Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to submit a comprehensive report regarding Dunya TV talk show programme with Malik Riaz.

POL prices slashed upto Rs 11.75 CNG also to cost less

Islamabad—The government slashed petroleum prices up to Rs11.75 on Friday which would be effective from today (Saturday). Announcing the decision at a news conference along with Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Karia said the price of petrol has been proposed to be reduced by 10.46 rupees a litre and its new price would be 89.81 rupees instead of the existing 99.97 rupees a litre. Diesel after a slash of Rs6.8 would be sold at Rs99.69 per litre. On the other hand, light diesel would now be available at Rs86.57 with a reduction of Rs5.2, he added.

Lawyers express solidarity with judiciary

Islamabad/Lahore/Kar-achi—Lawyers across the country observed strike to show solidarity with judiciary on Friday. They boycotted courts and took out rallies in different cities. A meeting of the Lawyers National Coordination Council was held at the Islamabad High Court with Hamid Khan in chair. The representatives of various bar associations and councils attended the meeting. The speakers lauded Supreme Court verdict in Malik Riaz case and said that the judiciary has become independent and stronger than before. In Karachi, lawyers observed complete strike in Sindh High Court, City Court, Malir District and Sessions Court and lower courts. No cases could be heard due to the boycott. In Punjab, lawyers of Lahore and other cities stayed away from courts on appeal of the Punjab Bar Council.

Edhi ‘under Taliban threat’

Karachi—Pakistan’s most revered social worker has been given round-the-clock protection against an alleged Taliban threat, officials said Friday. Abdul Sattar Edhi, 85, runs the country’s largest charity, which operates hundreds of ambulances and shelters for women, children and the destitute. Described as a “living saint” for his modest lifestyle and charitable crusade, Edhi has won inter-national peace awards and is one of Pakistan’s most popular figures. But for the first time he now has round-the-clock police protection in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city of 18 million where he is based.

How a convicted person can rule the country: SC

Islamabad—The Supreme Court has adjourned the hearing of cases against Speaker National Assembly’s ruling on the issue of disqualification of Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani till Monday and directed Aitzaz Ahsan counsel for Yusuf Raza Gilani to conclude his arguments on powers of speaker regarding set aside the judgment of SC. A three-member bench of SC comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, heard the petitions filed by Azhar Siddique, Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan and Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Asif.

US holds talks on arms handover to Central Asia

Moscow—The US military is in talks with several Central Asian countries to transfer some of their military hardware to them after they pull out of Afghanistan, a Russian newspaper reported Fri-day. The report, in Kommersant newspaper, provoked an angry response from one Russian official. The military of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan were in “closed talks” with the Pentagon about receiving armoured vehicles, tank trailers, and other specialized equipment, Kommersant reported. Some of it would be handed over for free while other items would be for safe storage, the report said, citing sources close to, or inside the various respective armies.

Obama team damaged Pak-US ties: McCain

Washington—Senator John McCain has accused the Obama administration of needlessly damaging the US relationship with Pakistan and “antagonizing the Pakistanis” with an “in your face attitude.” In an interview with an American TV channel, McCain said that the administration s encouragement of India taking a more active role in Afghanistan while simultaneously criticizing Pakistan could be a recipe for disaster.