Deputy AGP resigns in protest against torturing of lawyers

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Attorney General of Pakistan Abdul Hai Gilani has resigned from the post to mark his protest against the torturing of lawyers, locking up of High Court and tear-gas shelling in Lahore.

Talking to Geo News, Abdul Hai Gilani said lawyers have been subjected to torture and tear-gas shells have been fired in the vicinity of Lahore High Court.

He said the whole country has been blocked with the help of containers.

“I have resigned from the post of Deputy Attorney General of Pakistan in protest against all these acts,” Abdul Hai Gilani said.
source : jang.com.pk

Containers placed at Mangla dam to stop marchers

MIRPUR: Several containers have been placed at Mangla dam in an attempt to stop the caravans of Azad Kashmir from participating in the long march and subsequent sit-in in Islamabad.

All entry and exit points of the city have been blocked to thwart the long march. The long queues of vehicles can be seen in the area.

Besides, the people carrying passports and visas are not being allowed to go to the airport.

On this occasion, lawyers and citizens chanted anti-government slogans in protest against such harsh measures.
source : jang.com.pk

PM Gilani contacts leaders of allied parties

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has contacted the leaders of coalition parties.

According to sources, the Prime Minister Sunday contacted by telephone Muttahida Qaumi Movement Chief Altaf Hussain, Awami National Party Chief Asfandyar Wali, Chief Jamiat Ulema-i- Pakstan Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman and Chief of Pakistan Muslim League (Functional) Pir Pagara and discussed the situation emerging as a result of long march and sit-in.
source : jang.com.pk

NWFP 7 senate general seats’ candidates elected unopposed

ISLAMABAD: North West Frontier Province (NWFP) seven candidates on senate general seats have been elected unopposed.

Sources said that Zahid Khan, Abdul Nabi Bangash, Haji Adeel of ANP, People’s Party’s Gulzar Ahmad Khan, Waqar Ahmad Khan and Sardar Ali Khan, while JUI’s Haji ghulam Ali were elected unopposed unofficially.

In all 18 candidates were in the field for NWFP’s 11 senate seats. Pakistan Muslim League-N’s three candidates yesterday had withdrawn their papers, which included ML-N Central Secretary General, Iqbal Zafar Jhagra from general seat and Saeeda Ilyas from women seat, while Abul Razzaque from technocrat seat.

source : jang.com.pk

Govt. wheat procurement from upcoming crops set at 6.5m tons

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has set a target of wheat procurement from the upcoming crops at 6.5 million tons, which needed Rs200 billion financing.

Federal Minister for food and agriculture, Nazar Muhammad Gondal presides over the second session of Agriculture Task Force here, which was attended by Finance Advisor Shaukat Tarin, Federal Ministers, Naveed Qamar, Manzoor Watto, Ghulam Ahmad Bilour, Federal State Minister for economic affairs, Hina Rabbani Khar besides food ministers of all the four provinces and high officials.

Following the meeting, Federal Minister, Nazar Muhammad Gondal told a news conference that this was for the first time in the history of the country such a big target of wheat procurement has been set, which envisages Punjab procuring 3.5 million tons, Pasco 1.5 million tons, Sindh 1.2 million tons, Frontier 0.3 million tons and balochistan 0.5 million tons.

He said that the government would ensure payment to the growers at Rs950 per maund of wheat. He said that the country’s requirements stood at 2.3 million tons, while the wheat production this year was expected at 2.5 million tons, as it has been cultivated on over 6 percent more area. Nazar Muhammad Gondal said that private sector would not be allowed to import wheat.

source : jang.com.pk

No rationale for raising vehicles’ price in country: IM

ISLAMABAD: There no rationale for raising the prices of vehicles in the country and a serious notice would be taken of this.

Ministry of Industry and Production high officials told that the manufacturers have suddenly enhanced the prices of the vehicle, which would be reviewed in a meeting of the stakeholders to be called.

Sources said that the auto manufacturers on the one hand were complaining of ruination of the industry, while on the other hand they have enhanced the prices. Officials told that a committee has been constituted in this regard, which would soon submit its report.

source : jang.com.pk

Cold, dry weather continues across country

ISLAMABAD: The spell of cold and dry weather continues across the country however, cloudy weather is expected in upper and northern areas during next three to four days.

Meteorological Department forecast cold and dry weather in most parts of the country during next 24 hours.

The lowest minimum temperature recorded in Gupis was –8 degrees centigrade, Lahore and Islamabad 6, Karachi 13, Peshawar 7, Quetta –2 and Muree and Muzaffarabad 2 degrees centigrade.

Army to pull out, if peace returns to Swat: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister, Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that the army would be pulled out, if peace restored in Swat.

Talking to media here, the prime minister said that the agitation was the right of the lawyers, how could they be stopped.

Yusuf Raza Gilani said that US drone attacks were counterproductive and not in the interest of the country, which he condemns. He said that the US would have to review its policy.

Earlier addressing a conference, the prime minister said that the load shedding crisis was the greatest challenge for the government and there was no need of getting nervous on challenges.

He said that IMF-set targets have been achieved. He further asked for restraining ourselves for the betterment of the economy. PM said that the talks with Iran were underway for 1100MW electricity.

Gilani, Fazal meet President

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman met President Asif Ali Zardari here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Friday.

In a brief statement issued here by the President House today, Prime Minister discussed with President the country’s prevailing situation.

JUI-F chief was also present in the meeting which lasted for about 45 minutes.

Geo news sources told that Mumbai report, war against terror, security situation in Swat, next Senate polls and performance of the government came under discussion in the meeting.

source : jang.com.pk

Govt. to upgrade PAF's professional capabilities: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister, Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday said the government would provide all necessary resources for the up-gradation of Pakistan Air Force's professional capabilities.

In a meeting with Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mehmood Ahmad at the PM House, the Prime Minister said PAF had always played an important role in defence of the country, besides providing vital support to civil administration in relief and rehabilitation efforts during natural calamities.

The Air Chief apprised the Prime Minister of various measures taken by the PAF to optimize its effectiveness and efficiency. He also informed the Prime Minister about the ongoing up-gradation and modernization of PAF.

Rain proves boon for wheat, other crops

LAHORE: Light but widespread rain in Punjab and upper regions will bear a God-sent salutary effect on wheat and other Rabi crops when water in the rivers and canals was scarcer than ever.

Punjab Agriculture Department's senior officials said, "It was the right time for rain to occur for Rabi crops" adding that, "Providence filled the gap as irrigation water availability was very poor." They said that the staple food crop, wheat, has been benefited in particular.

Meanwhile, the Regional Met Office has forecast that another system of clouds is on its way after a gap of nearly 24 hours. During the gap it will remain dry and cold in the three provinces of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan. But NWFP and northern areas are likely to get rain and snowfall. According to report collected by various Met stations, light rain was reported from Faisalabad, Islamabad, Jhelum, Kamra, Mandi Bahauddin, Mianwali, Multan, Sahiwal, Sialkot, D G Khan, Kohat and Mangla.

Other cities, towns and stations received comparatively more rain. They include Lahore (13 mm), Muzaffarabad (9 mm), Balakot (16 mm), Chitral (13 mm), Dir (27 mm), Darosh (17 mm), Mirkhani (15 mm), Pattan (10 mm). Sindh and Balochistan however remained dry, the Met office said.

As the pall of clouds drifted during the night, minimum temperatures fell further down. In the Punjab capital the minimum temperature fell to 12 degrees. "After many years the month of February has been that cold", remarked a person sun bathing in the bright sunlight. Temperatures in northern areas remain in the range of minus one to plus two degrees Celsius.

Shujaat’s name finalized for Senate seat

ISLAMABAD: The meeting of Pakistan Muslim League-Q parliamentary board is underway here on Tuesday.

According to sources, the names of Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain from Punjab and Halim Adil Sheikh from Sindh have been finalized for the Senate polls. While names of Nasir Mengal and Amir Wali Muhammd from Balochistan are under consideration.

PML-Q central leader Tariq Azeem said: “No decision has been taken to make an alliance with any of the parties for the senate elections, however, we may consider seat adjustment at provincial level.”