Dual nationality bill opposed in Senate

ANP, PML-N stage walkout, Aitzaz, Rabbani express reservations

Islamabad—Senior Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leaders and senators Aitzaz Ahsan and Raza Rabbani Tuesday opposed the dual nationality amendment bill presented in the Senate. The Senate’s session that started 45 minutes later than the schedule was presided over by the Chairman Nayer Bokhari. Coalition partner Awami National Party (ANP) and opposition party Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) staged walkout to protest against the bill. Speaking during the session, Ahsan said whenever a person becomes a United States (US) national, he/she is required to take an oath which binds him/her to be loyal to the country and take part in wars if needed.

Dr A Q Khan willing to accept office of caretaker PM

Lahore—Renowned nuclear scientist, Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan has said that he will consider the offer seriously if he was invited to take charge as caretaker prime minister. Talking to media persons after holding a meeting with PTI’s chairman Imran Khan in Lahore Tuesday, Dr Qadeer advised the PTI’s chairman, Imran Khan to be soft with the like-minded political parties and make alliance with them. “There is no room for rigidity in politics and Imran Khan must adopt a soft policy toward other like minded political parties”, he added.

Govt must secure right to life in Balochistan: CJ

Quetta—The government must secure right to life of the people of Balochistan, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary remarked while hearing Balochistan unrest case in Quetta Registry. He said the government should not only develop Balochistan but should deal with the handful of terrorists with an iron hand. He inquired why the law-enforcement agencies are helpless before the few terrorists. He asked the provincial interior secretary how many people were killed during the months of June and July this year.

I look 30-40 years into future: Zardari

Karachi—President Asif Ali Zardari Tuesday said that he had to look 30-40 years into the future and it was in this context that he had joined hands with Pakistan Muslim League-Q and Muttahida Qaumi Movement. During his meeting with journalists here at Bilawal House, the President said the present population of the country stood at 210 million and it must be taken into account as to how it will have grown in the next 30 years. “People’s Party is taking appropriate steps in this regard,” he added.

25m poor people betray BISP claims

Islamabad—The World Bank (WB) has said that around 25 million people live in extreme poverty, and from 2008 onwards, the adverse impacts of global financial, food, and fuel crises posed multiple challenges to Pakistan’s rapidly evolving social protection sector. The militancy crisis, as well as recurring natural disasters, further exacerbated the situation by exposing an even larger number of Pakistan’s vulnerable population to the risk of falling into abject poverty.

No permission for drone attacks after US apology: Sherry

Washington—Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States Sherry Rehman Monday said that Pakistan has not okayed any American drone strikes on its territory in exchange for Washington’s apology over the Salala attacks and continues to deem unilateral unmanned aerial attacks as violation of the international law. The ambassador in an interview with CNN said last week’s expression of remorse by the United States, over killing of Pakistani soldiers in November 26, 2011 in American cross-border attacks on the Salala posts, has opened the way for constructive discussions on bilateral relations.

Ashraf asks baboos to be people friendly

Islamabad—Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has said that bureaucracy is a linchpin in the administrative system and it has highly important role in ensuring effective and timely delivery of services through effective governance. The Prime Minister expressed these views while talking to the newly appointed Federal Secretaries who called on him at the PM House on Tuesday. The Prime Minister said the people expect of bureaucracy to demonstrate vision, innovation and out of box approach in addressing their problems.