Pakistan reopens Nato supplies

Decision taken in DCC meeting , islamabad not to charge transit fee: Kaira

Islamabad—Information Minister Qamar Zaman Karia said Tuesday that the Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) had made a decision to reopen the NATO supply route. Speaking to the media following the DCC meeting, Kaira said it was in Pakistan’s interest to facilitate US, Nato and Isaf forces in the transition process and in view of the larger interest of peace in Afghanistan and the region. Kaira added that Pakistan would not charge any transit fee nor would it allow lethal cargo expect for Afghan security forces for the purpose of maintaining peace and stability. “The issue was not of financial gains but of sovereignty.”

We are sorry, Hillary tells Hina

Washington—Pakistan is re-opening vital NATO supply routes into Afghanistan closed since a deadly November attack, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Tuesday, adding the US was sorry for the loss of life. “I am pleased that Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has informed me that the ground supply lines into Afghanistan are opening,” Clinton said in a statement “Foreign Minister Khar and I acknowledged the mistakes that resulted in the loss of Pakistani military lives,” the statement further said.

‘NA Speaker should have just forwarded matter to ECP’

Islamabad—The Supreme Court on Tuesday released the detailed verdict in the Speaker ruling case, stating the reasons for the former prime minister’s disqualification. “It is held that after having been convicted and sentenced for contempt of Court he has been disqualified, ipso facto, from being a Member of the Parliament,” the verdict states. The case was decided by a three-member bench, comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain which had heard a set of constitutional petitions challenging National Assembly Speaker Fehmida Mirza’s ruling over the reference against Gilani.

NAB forms body to probe Arsalan case

Islamabad—Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Tuesday formed an investigation committee to investigate the graft scandal involving business tycoon Malik Riaz and the Chief Justice’s son, Arsalan Iftikhar. The five-member committee will comprise three NAB officials and two members from Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and police.

56 bureaucrats, 14 judges received two plots each

Islamabad—Three existing and twelve retired judges of the Supreme Court received two residential plots each worth millions of rupees in expensive sectors of the federal capital, said a report presented to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday. 56 bureaucrats including Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani , Secretary General to Presidency Salman Farooqui and former interior secretary Syed Kamal Shah also grabbed two plots each in the federal capital.

Foreign Secretary in New Delhi Pak demands evidence regarding Abu Jundal

New Delhi—Pakistan on Tuesday asked India to share evidence and information regarding Abu Jundal, the 26/11 handler arrested by Saudi Arabia and deported to India. Visiting Pakistani Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani said his government has requested New Delhi to share evidence on Abu Jundal. Jundal has admitted to being involved in the 26/11 attacks conspiracy. The foreign secretary further said his government will extend to India every possible help in its fight against terrorism.

Young doctors back to work Death toll during strike reaches 12

Lahore—Young doctors are back to work after Punjab government’s crackdown on the leadership of Young Doctors Association (YDA), while the death toll due unavailability of doctors has risen to 12 in the province. According to reports, as many as 92 young doctors have resumed their duties in Rawalpindi’s Benazir Bhutto Hospital, 43 in Gujranwala while 18 protesting doctors resumed duties in Multan. During the last 24 hours, four more patients — two in Faisalabad’s Institute of Cardiology and one each in Jinnah Hospital Lahore and Nishter Hospital — breathed their last reportedly due to unavailability of doctors.