Rains, floods continue to play havoc; 78 killed

Army called in for rescue

Islamabad/Karachi—At least 78 people died and dozens were injured as torrential rains and flash floods wreaked havoc in Pakistan over the past three days, a government spokesman said Monday. Heavy monsoon rains which began falling last week destroyed more than 1,600 houses while damaging a further 5,000, a spokesman for the country s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said.

Suicide blast in Parachinar leaves 15 dead, 50 injured

Peshawar—Parachinar, the headquarters of Kurram agency was rocked by a powerful suicide explosion which left at least 15 people dead and over fifty others seriously injured Monday morning . A number of wounded persons admitted to different hospitals of the town, were stated to be in precarious condition and the death toll is feared to go higher. More than thirty shops were destroyed in the blast that also caused damage to many buildings.

64th death anniversary of Quaid today

Islamabad—The 64th death anniversary of Father of the Nation Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah will be observed on Tuesday (today). Special prayers will be offered in mosques for the departed soul of Quaid. Quran and Fateha Khawani will be held at the mausoleum of the Quaid in Karachi. Radio Pakistan will air special programmes to pay homage to the great leader.

Russia to help Pak in Bhasha Dam project

Islamabad—The meeting of Pakistan-Russia joint Ministerial commission concluded in Islamabad Monday with both sides signing on a joint declaration. According to the agreement‚ the two countries agreed to cooperate in the sectors of energy‚ communications‚ agriculture and education. Pakistan and Russia have agreed to work with each other in curbing the drug trade. Russia will cooperate in building Bhasha and Munda dams. Moscow has also expressed interest in KASA 1000 and Turkmenistan‚ Afghanistan‚ Pakistan‚ India gas pipeline projects.

Zardari reverting Pakistan back to Quaid’s vision

This year too— as has been in the past many— Founder of Pakistan Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s death anniversary falls at a time when the country he established to be a moderate, liberal, progressive and secular democratic state stands at a critical juncture. He wanted Pakistan to be an egalitarian society based on the foundations of Islamic social justice and welfare of the people irrespective of their caste, caste, creed or gender. Mr Jinnah’s ideological vision as enshrined in Pakistan’s raison d’être envisaged by him to serve as a role model for other Muslim countries is being challenged by obscurantist forces that had opposed the establishment of a separate Muslim homeland. These retrogressive forces have found powerful bed-mates in those elements that believe in the sustenance of status quo and are opposed to empowerment of people.

Boat with 37 capsizes off Karachi; 15 bodies recovered

Karachi—A fishing boat off the shore of Karachi carrying 37 fishermen capsized due to high tides late Sunday night, killing at least 15 on board. The boat had sailed out from Karachi’s Ibrahim Hyderi coastal village. 15 fishermen were rescued while the bodies of 15 fishermen were retrieved during search. According to Sindh Minister for Fisheries Zahid Ali Bhurgari, had earlier said that the Maritime Security Agency had managed to recover 11 bodies from the sea so far, while it was searching for the rest of the missing fishermen.

Raja to discuss vital issues with Chinese leaders

Tianjin—Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has arrived in China’s port city Tianjin on Monday to represent Pakistan at the World Economic Forum’s meeting “the New Champions” beginning from Tuesday. Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf will be the main speaker at a session titled “An Insight‚ An Idea” on Wednesday where he will speak on the topic “Regional Situation: Pakistan’s Perspective”. He will also deliberate upon the geopolitical and economic matters affecting the South Asian region. The Prime Minister will lead a discussion at the session titled “Business Interaction Group on Pakistan”. He will be among panelists at other sessions. Finance minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh and Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani accompanied the Prime Minister.< The prime minister will hold talks with the Chinese leadership on regional situation and bilateral ties. He will also meet world leaders and leading entrepreneurs on the sidelines of the summit.