Ashraf defends Zardari’s immunity

Constitution hindrance in writing of Swiss letter

Lahore—In the first formal denial to comply with the apex court decision to open graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf said it is the Constitution that hinders writing of the Swiss letter. “We will not let our first class president to capitulate to a third class magistrate, as the Constitution stands against it”, Prime Minister said while talking to columnists and editors at Governor House according to media reports

National kitty facing Rs6-8b loss per day: NAB Chief

Islamabad—The National Accountability Bureau chief (NAB) Fasih Bukhari on Saturday said that due to corruption, the national treasury is facing Rs6 billion to Rs8 billion loss per day. The NAB chairman said that the bureau’s job was to recover the ‘stolen’ money, not prosecute. He however added that if anyone was found guilty, he would be prosecuted. “Till now, NAB has recovered Rs235 billion for the treasury but this is not enough,” said Bukhari, adding that the government has given approval for recruiting 300 new investigators.

Mumtaz Bhutto advocates confederal system

Former federal minister, chief minister and governor Sindh Mumtaz Bhutto finally breaking his silence on Saturday about his Sindh National Front merger into the PML-N said that Nawaz Sharif’s persistent campaign for the ouster of present government and his seriousness about a confederal system had led him to the decision. During an informal chat with freelance journalist Salahuddin Haider at his residence in Kara-chi, Mumtaz Bhutto spoke on a host of issues ranging from his introduction to politics and his philosophy of confederal system.

Army comes to rescue as Punjab sacks protesting doctors

Lahore—The deadlock between the Punjab government and the protesting Young Doctors’ Association (YDA) took a dramatic turn Saturday as the government reached a decision to sack all medical workers on strike. However, the administration however, found a solution to the severe healthcare crisis being faced by the province. Upon Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s request, the Army has announced that it will give 150 of its doctors to the provincial government to cover up for those on strike. The Army doctors will start their services from Sunday, and will be performing their duties in uniform at the public hospitals.

Discos miss recovery target

Islamabad—The electric power distribution companies (Discos) have failed to achieve the recovery target of electricity bills of Rs71.202 billion for the month of June 2012 forcing the government to walk on tightrope, a senior official told Pakistan Observer. This is one of the main reasons for swelling the circular debt to whopping Rs398 billion. According to the latest working, where Rs100 is billed, the recovery is just Rs82 showing the deficit of Rs18. “So when the recovery is not up to the mark, for how long the government will sustain the loss.”

PPP pushes country towards economic quagmire: Nawaz

Lahore—Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Saturday said that the country is facing acute economic crises due to mass corruption and wrong policies of the PPP government. He expressed these views while talking to known politician of Sindh and former federal minister Sardar Ali Nawaz Mehar at his residence in Jati Umera, Raiwind. He strongly criticized the PPP and said its partners are responsible for the current deteriorating situation in the country.

WB cancels $1.2b Bangladesh loan

Dhaka—The World Bank has cancelled a $1.2 billion loan for construction of a bridge in Bangladesh, saying it has credible evidence of corruption involving a Canadian engineering company. The global lending agency said it did not receive a satisfactory response from the Bangladesh government after it raised the issue of corruption last year. It said in a statement Friday that it has evidence pointing to ”a high-level corruption conspiracy” among Bangladesh government officials, executives of Canadian engineering and construction giant SNC-Lavalin, and private individuals in connection with the planned 6.5-kilometer Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project.