Balochistan case

CJ annoyed over AG’s continued absence

Quetta—Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry Tuesday, expressing his annoyance over continued absence of the Attorney General in the court, said that the court was left with no option but to call all the federal secretaries. SC CJ Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry is heading a three-member bench, which resumed its hearing of the Balochistan law and order case at the Quetta Registry here.

Raja eulogizes President’s role in democratic process

Islamabad—Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has said that the credit for continuity of the present democratic dispensation goes to the wisdom, sagacity and farsightedness of the President of Pakistan, Mr. Asif Ali Zardari. The Parliament is completing its constitutional term which is a singular achievement in the face of multifarious challenges to democracy and despite the fact that Pakistan People’s Party did not even have a simple majority, he added. He was addressing Parliamentary Party meeting of PPP at the Parliament House Committee Room no 2 here Tuesday.

ANF blames PPP for sheltering Shahab, Musa

Islamabad—PPP top leadership is providing shelter to Ali Musa and Makhdoom Shahabuddin. Talking to media Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) sources said that raids were conducted in different areas of Multan and Islamabad after court dismissed bail pleas of two high-profile accused in the ephedrine scam Ali Musa Gilani and Federal Minister for Textile Makhdoom Shahabuddin but arrests could not be made. The sources said that both the accused have disconnected all means through which they can be contacted, adding that the PPP top leadership had provided shelter to both the accused.

POL prices hike Senators across the divide criticize govt

Islamabad—Government, Tuesday, came under severe criticism from the members of the Upper House of the Parliament over recent price hike in petroleum products. Senators across the isles strongly criticized government decision of increasing prices of petroleum products and demanded of reversal of petroleum prices immediately. Coalition partner Awami National Party (ANP), Opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and joint opposition walked out of the House separately against remarks of Advisor to Prime Minister on Petroleum about status of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) as well as against shelling petrol bomb on people during Eid holidays.

Sindh LB Ordinance 2012 finalized

Karachi—The agreement between Peoples Party and MQM on the Local Bodies 2012 Ordinance has been finalized. Governor Sindh says that that the same LB system would be restored across Sindh. The draft of the Ordinance was given the final touches in a meeting chaired by CM Sindh Qaim Ali Shah here on Tuesday.

China, India to hold joint military drills

New Delhi—Joint military exercises between India and China will be resumed after a four-year gap, Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony announced Tuesday after talks in New Delhi with his Beijing counterpart. The two emerging Asian nations have had an often fractious relationship over their shared border, and they halted joint military exercises after 2008 due to a series of diplomatic spats including over visa issues.

Warsi made Foreign Office Minster

London—Sayeeda Warsi, the Pakistani-origin first lady, was made Foreign Office and Faith & Communities Minister by Prime Minister David Cameron as he carried out the coalition’s first major re-shuffle which saw many promotions and demotions. Warsi resigned from the post of Conservative co-chairperson but was given various options to choose from. Many political pundits had predicted that she will be axed but she survived the reshuffle and she will now serve as a senior foreign office minister, as deputy to British Foreign Secretary William Hague.