Next elections to be on time: President

Govt being targeted through ‘TV politics’

Khairpur—President Asif Ali Zardari Sunday announced that next general elections will be fair, free and impartial and these will be held on time. Addressing workers of Pakistan Peoples Party here at the residence of PPP leader Manzoor Wasaan, in D.G, Kot area, the President said, “I want to make promise with the people that the next elections will be held on time and these will be fair, free and impartial.” The President said the PPP believed in democratic system and never used back-doors to come into power, therefore, it would depend on power of the masses and come into power with their support through fair, free and impartial elections.

Muzaffargarh power plant transmission lines affected

Lahore—Thunderstorm and heavy rains affected the transmission lines of Muzaffargarh power plant by cutting the 1,750 MW in national grid. However 1,000 MW was to be brought back to the system by Sunday evening, stated by Managing Director National Transmission and Despatch Company Limited (NTDCL) Naveed Ismail in a press conference at Wapda House, Lahore. Talking about the unprecedented damage occurred due to heavy rain and thunderstorm, he said 6 pylons of 500kv transmission line were uprooted resultantly affecting the 220kv transmission line passing underneath, which further damaged 13 towers on the same transmission line.

Protests against loadshedding in various cities continue

Peshawar/Lahore—Citizens protests con-tinued Sunday against blackouts during Sehr and Iftar timings across the country. The government for bad luck is facing different hurdles to over come the power crisis. First two nuclear power plants at Chashma for shut down for technical reasons and then a wind and rain storm damaged transmission lines of Muzaffar-garh and Lalpir plants reducing the supply by around 1350 MW. According to details, the con-sumption of electricity has increased to 18,000 mega watts due to the excessive use of air condi-tioners whereas the production of electricity is not more than 13,000MW due to the insufficient supply of fuel and gas.

Criminal delays in Battar Hydel Power Project

Islamabad—The Hydro Electric Board, AJK has been found at fault for massive delay and exorbitant increase in price of 4.8 MW Battar Hydel Power Project by over 175 percent in the monitoring report of Planning Commission of which the copy is exclusively available with Pakistan Observer. According to the report, Hydro Electric Board, AJK took 12 years to submit 3rd revised PC-1 in the year 2007 and that was approved by the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) on November 12, 2007 at a cost of Rs760.403 including foreign exchange component of Rs95.372 million with the condition that no further revision of project cost would be under taken and the cost of the project would be shared at 75:25 percent between federal government and government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

King Abdullah’s initiative most commendable: Zardari

Islamabad—President Asif Ali Zardari has said that Pakistani government is work-ing to strengthen the Pakistan-Saudi relations in all areas. In an interview with a Saudi newspaper Okaz, President Zardari said the relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are gaining a strategic nature because of its depth of historical and Islamic considering that the two countries have deep Islamic bonds. He said, “I am pleased to learn that the custodian of the two holiest mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz plans to hold an emergency OIC summit on the 27th of Ramazan to discuss issues of concern to the Muslim Ummah.”

Global travel industry picks Muslim tourism boom

Dubai–From halal spas to prayer rooms at airport terminals, the global tourism industry is gearing up for a projected boom in Muslim travel over the next decade, experts say. Their growing number and affluence means Muslims — especially from the oil-rich Middle East — are travelling like never before, and it is a trend that looks set to gather pace. Spending by Muslim tourists is growing faster than the global rate and is forecast to reach $192 billion a year by 2020, up from $126 billion in 2011, according to a study by two companies specialising in the market.

Project to improve nutritional status of people

Islamabad—An integrated enhanced nutrition programme for mother and children is in process of finalization to help improve nutritional status of population, especially vulnerable groups. This programme would be launched in the provinces including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan except Punjab and would cover malnutrition in children (6-59 months), micronutrient deficiency, behavior change communication and strengthening institutional arrangements.