Zardari urges nation to defeat forces of extremism

Sectarianism serious challenge to country’s integrity

Islamabad—President Asif Ali Zardair has urged the nation to pledge that we will never allow any one to endanger our existence as the dark forces of extremism, militancy and sectarianism have posed a far too serious challenge to the integrity of the nation. In a message on the Defence of Pakistan day being observed today (Thursday) the President said “ Let us pledge that we will never allow anyone to endanger our existence as a moderate, tolerant and peaceful nation where political choices will be made by the ballot”.

P3C long range maritime patrol aircraft inducted

Karachi—During an impressive ceremony held earlier Wednesday, Pakistan Navy inducted another P3C Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft in its Aviation Fleet, received from USA under Security Assistance Programme. A Pakistan Navy press release said that the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral M. Asif Sandila, was the chief guest on the occasion. It said that the P3C Aircraft, being a potent air platform, will assist in maintaining protracted vigil over sea to meet legitimate defence needs while safeguarding maritime interests of Pakistan. Capacity building of PN is essential to ensure security in North Arabian Sea and keep sea routes safe for maritime community. During the induction ceremony, Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral M. Asif Sandila, praised the efforts undertaken in enhancing of PN’s capabilities and operational readiness.

Refineries halt supplies to PSO for non-payment of Rs95b

Karachi—Domestic refineries have halted oil product supplies to Pakistan State Oil, the country’s largest oil marketing company for non- payment of Rs 95 billion ($1 billion), a PSO official confirmed Wednesday. “Supplies from local refineries have been stopped due to the non-payment of oil bills, as we are not receiving funds from the government and electricity producers, which owe over Rs 240 billion,” the official was quoted as saying. Officials at Attock Refinery Limited and Pak-Arab Refinery Limited or Parco confirmed supplies had been halted.

IHK rejects grave DNA tests

Srinagar—The government of Kashmir has rejected wide-scale DNA testing of bodies in thousands of unmarked graves despite pleas by the families of those who disappeared during two decades of fighting in the region. A report by the state’s home department that was obtained by Associated Press insisted that all those buried in the graves were militants and said that if families wanted DNA tests, they would have to identify both the graveyard and the exact grave where they think their disappeared relative was buried.

India’s ‘silent’ PM becomes a tragic figure: WP

New Delhi—India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh helped set his country on the path to modernity, prosperity and power, but critics say the shy, soft-spoken 79-year-old is in danger of going down in history as a failure. The architect of India’s economic reforms, Singh was a major force behind his country’s rapprochement with the United States and is a respected figure on the world stage. President Obama’s aides used to boast of his tremendous rapport and friendship with Singh. But the image of the scrupulously honorable, humble and intellectual technocrat has slowly given way to a completely different one: a dithering, ineffectual bureaucrat presiding over a deeply corrupt government, Washington Post said n a report.

PPP holds talks with allies over LG polls

Karachi—After a lengthy deliberation with the MQM on the local bodies system in Sindh, the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party on Wednesday held talks with other allied parties in the province - ANP, Pir Pagara’s PML-F and PML-Q - to address their reservations over new administrative issues. According to reports PPP leader, Pir Mazhar Ul Haq presented a draft of the proposed local government system before lawmakers from the Awami National Party, Pakistan Muslim League-Functional and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid-e-Azam in a meeting held in Chief Minister House here Wednesday The parley was attended by PML-F’s Imtiaz Sheikh, PML-Q’s Haleem Adil Sheikh and ANP’s Amir Nawaz Khan along with their respective delegations.

Pandemonium in Senate over irrelevant questions

Islamabad—Pandemonium in the Senate turned the upper house into a regular fish market with a tirade of irrelevant questions, illogical answers and verbal spats dominating the scene. The ruckus started on Wednesday during the question hour, when State minister for communications, Imtiaz Warriach, while answering queries for his ministry, was rebutted by ANP’s senator Zahid Khan, Abdul Haye Bangash and others, over what they criticized as totally false claims about various projected highways in KPK and Balochistan. The protesting senators accused the government of carrying out these highways’ project on paper only, wasting billion of rupees in useless processes.