Devastating factory fire chars 290

Shocking scenes witnessed at city hospitals, Arrest warrants issued for factory owners, SHC issues notice to officials, Judicial tribunal to probe

Karachi—The death toll from a tragic garment factory fire in Karachi’s SITE area rose to 290, as more bodies were recovered from the gutted building. Officials told Pakistan Observer that search for more bodies is underway and death toll may further increase. Sindh Governor Ishrat ul Ibad visited the site and witnessed the relief measures. He said inquiry would be conducted from all angles. MQM has announced three days mourning and cancelled all political activities. Karachi city’s police chief Iqbal Mahmood said rescue teams were still trying to gain access to parts of the factory, which caught fire late on Tuesday, and the death toll could rise.

PM urges Asia-centered approach for prosperity

Tianjin—Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Wednesday called upon the regional countries to adopt an Asia-centered approach and promote intra-regional trade for the prosperity and development of their people. Speaking at one-on-one session of World Economic Forum’s annual meeting, the Prime Minister said the regional countries needed to create a macro framework for their direct investments and make corridors for multi-sector investment particularly in trade and energy.

Zardari buying journalists: Nisar

islamabad—Opposition leader in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has accused President Asif Ali Zardari of using public money to buy the loyalty of journalists. Speaking to media outside Parliament House here, Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leader said that the Presidency has been turned into a hub of conspiracies where President Zardari is busy in looting the national wealth. “Zardari is involved in unfair practices before the elections and anchor of particular television channels have been bought for this purpose from the public money” Nisar said. Nisar blamed the government of paying Rs2.4 billion to some television channels and anchor person as a part of election rigging.

UN working group not fact finding mission: Hina

Islamabad—Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said Wednesday UN working group had come to Pakistan on the invitation of government of Pakistan and it was not a fact finding mission. “UN working group has come to Pakistan on the invitation of government of Pakistan. It is not a fact finding mission. Its visit to Pakistan is aimed at making clear on the world factual position about missing persons and dispelling propaganda on this count, foreign minister said this while giving a policy statement in National Assembly (NA) Wednesday.

US ambassador to Libya killed in rocket attack

Beirut—US ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens and three other embassy staff were killed in a rocket attack on Tuesday night that targeted his car in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, a Libyan official said on Wednesday. “The American ambassador and three staff members were killed when gunmen fired rockets at them,” the official in Benghazi told Reuters. Asked about the deaths, a US Embassy employee in Tripoli said: “We have no information regarding this.” The employee said the embassy could confirm the death of one person.

SC admits Punjab Govt, journalists’ applications

Islamabad—Two member bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justice Jawad S Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain has accepted for hearing applications of Punjab Government and journalists and sought details of all the assets and tax record of Midas Private Ltd from FBR and SECP. The Court observed that allegations of crores of rupees fraud and misappropriation have been leveled against Midas Private Ltd which need to be investigated. Record has been sought from all the applications, FBR and SECP about Midas.

PM, Brown discuss world education promotion

Tianjin—Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown met Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on the sidelines of World Economic Forum’s meeting here on Wednesday. The former British premier apprised Prime Minister Ashraf that he had been tasked by Secretary General of United Nations Ban Ki- moon to help countries promote education in the context of Accelerated Millennium Development Goals (AMDGs). Brown said he intends taking a delegation to Pakistan comprising academics and information technology experts. The delegation also includes representatives of international business houses and non-government organizations (NGOs).