US halts Afghans training after attacks

Coalition forces, local army relations in strain

Kabul—The U.S. military has halted the training of Afghan government-backed militias for at least a month to give the Americans time to redo the vetting of new recruits after a string of attacks by Afghan soldiers and police on their international allies, officials said Sunday. There have been 34 insider attacks this year — at least 12 in August alone — that have killed 45 international troops, putting intense strain on the relationship between coalition forces and the Afghans they live and work with. The shootings also have thrown doubts on one of the pillars of the U.S.-led coalition’s planned withdrawal by the end of 2014 — training Afghan forces so they can take the lead for security in the country.

Rimsha case Court grants 14-day judicial remand to Imam

Islamabad—The Rimsha Masih case took a new turn when Islamabad police arrested the prayer leader of Ameenia Mosque in Mehrabadia area of G-11, Khalid Jadoon on Saturday night on charges of fabricating the evidence, which he had used to accuse Rimsha Masih of committing blasphemy by allegedly burning the Quran pages. Blindfolded Khalid Chishti was produced in the court of Judicial Magistrate Islamabad Nasr Minallah Baloch by Islamabad police on Sunday amid high security and sought a remand for 14 days. The court reserved the decision on the matter on Sunday and he will again be presented in the court on 15th September.

ICA upholds stay order

Hague—International Court of Arbitration (ICA) has upheld the stay order in Indian held Kashmir Kishanganga project case. A two-member team, comprising Pakistan’ Indus Water Treaty Commissioner Asif Baig Mirza and advisor to PM on water resources Kamal Majeed Ullah, attended the proceeding of the International Court of Arbitration in the Netherlands which lasted for 10 days.

Unauthorised cell phones playing havoc with human lives

Islamabad—Unauthorised pre-paid cell phones which have turned into a lethal weapon in the hands of terrorists are playing havoc with lives of people of Pakistan. Sources in the Interior Ministry said according to investigations, all major strikes in the country including Kamra Air Base, Mehran Base and GHQ were conducted by terrorists using such unauthorized cell phones. The Government has claimed to ward off possible terror attacks during the last Eid Holidays by suspending cell phone service for several hours.

Rs 464.018b subsidy Finance ministry wants power sector audit

Islamabad—The cash-strapped Finance Ministry has asked Ministry of Water and Power to carry out the detailed audit of electric power distribution companies to know how much electricity they have generated after getting the whopping Rs 464.018 billion subsidy, a senior official told Pakistan Observer. The bleeding power sector has a big hole which eats up huge subsidy every year, but in return it is producing electricity not enough to cope with the crippling load shedding. The Finance Ministry, according to the official, wants Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) to carry out the detailed audit of electric power distribution companies from 2004-05 to 2010-11. The officials at Ministry of Water and Power are in principle agreed with the proposal of Finance Ministry, but the top sleuths of the ministry have not yet decided as to whether it should go for the audit of Discos or not.

LG polls in Sindh before general elections: Zardari

Karachi—President Asif Ali Zardari has said that following the policy of reconciliation at the Federal and Sindh level, the PPP would contest the next elections with adjustment with allies and give a stunning defeat to the opponents. Addressing a meeting of the PPP Sindh Core Committee at Bilawal House here on Sunday, which was also attended by Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Federal Law Minister Farooq H Naek, provincial ministers and party leaders, the president said local government elections would be held in Sindh before the general elections. The president set up a committee headed by Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah in this regard, and said an ordinance will be issued if need arises. President Zardari said reservations of MQM on local government system would be removed and disciplinary action taken against party leaders giving statements against allied parties.

Pak disappointed by Manmohan Singh

Tehran—Pakistan was seriously disappointed by the failure of Indian Prime Minsiter Manmohan Sigh to give a date for his long-talked about visit to Islamabad. According to sources despite President Zardari’s untiring efforts to break the ice on several issues, the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his meeting with President Zardari in Tehran failed to give any definite schedule for his promised visit. Many Pakistani officials had hoped that this time Indian prime minister would give a firm date for his long-awaited visit to Pakistan. President Zardari-Manmohan Singh meeting on August 30, 2012 in Tehran once again proved futile as Manmohan repeated India’s statement that Pakistan should meet Indian stance on Mumbai attacks.