Punjab power outages spark violent protests

Electricity shortfall rises to 8,500 MW

Lahore/Faisalabad/Peshawar—The power-starved people braving sweltering heat staged violent protest demonstrations in many cities of the country against load shedding on Sunday. Frustrated with the increasing hours of loadshedding, residents of almost all cities in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa took to the streets in protest. Some of the protestors turned violent and indulged in damaging public property and set vehicles on fire.

Shahbaz behind attack on PPP MNAs, MPAs in Punjab: Malik

Islamabad—Violent protest continues in province, also KP Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interior, Rehman Malik Sunday alleged that under the planned conspiracy by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif who is directly involved in attack on MNAs and MPAs of PPP and destruction of properties. He said this while taking strict notice of attack on the house of PPP MNA Zahid Iqbal from Chichawatni, and Police Station in Jehlum. He demanded detailed report from the Chief Secretary Punjab over lawlessness in Punjab.

Police gets shoot on sight order

Karachi—Acting Additional IG Ghulam Sheikh said Sunday that criminals involved in extortion, rioting or damaging of property will be shot on the spot. Addressing a news conference the acting Additional IG said that thirteen people were killed during the last 24 hours in Karachi. He added that five of those killed were victims of target killing while the rest were due to some personal rivalry or unknown reasons.

Gilani, Kayani attend Nayef’s funeral

Makkah tul Mukar-rama—Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Religious Affairs Minister Syed Khursheed Shah on Sunday attended the funeral of Saudi Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz al Saud.The funeral was attended by various heads of states and government representatives. International leaders and members of the Saudi royal family who paid tribute to Prince Nayef, who only became crown prince last year.

Shujaat for commission to probe Arsalan case

Islamabad—Pakistan Muslim League (Q) President Senator Ch Shujaat Hussain has said that a commission be set up immediately for inquiry into Malik Riaz Arsalan scandal. Talking informally with the media people here Sunday, Ch Shujaat Hussain said the Commission should conduct its proceedings in open court and there should be no ban on entry of anyone.

TTP accepts Kohat blast responsibility

Kohat—Tahrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has accepted the responsibility of Kohat bomb blast that had killed seven including four policemen and wounded eight. Talking to a private TV channel on Sunday, main spokesman of TTP, Ehsanullah Ehsan claimed responsibility for remote control bomb blast in Kohat, in which four policemen were killed. He said that the TTP would continue attacks on police and security forces.

Taliban praise India for resisting Afghan entanglement

Kabul—India has done well to resist US calls for greater involvement in Afghanistan, the Taliban said in a rare direct comment about one of the strongest opponents of the hard-line group that was ousted from power in 2001. The Taliban also said they won’t let Afghanistan be used as a base against another country, addressing fears in New Delhi that Pakistan-based anti-India militants may become more emboldened if the Taliban return to power.