Struggle for Approach: 2013

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Dayflowers are pretty but recall something sad

LEE REICH (AP) - The cheery blue color of dayflowers (Commelina communis) so named because each flower lasts but a day does nothing to dispel some pity I feel for them.
Not that the petals cry out for sympathy. You have to get fairly close to the plant, or really stop and look at it, to even see its blossoms. Its stems and leaves, though, are bold, seemingly ready to gobble up any piece of ground they can grab with their succulence and lushness.
Aggressive growth coupled with almost

ISLAMABAD (news desk) - A meeting of the Council of Common Interest (CCI) was held in Islamabad with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in chair.
The meeting was attended by the provincial chief ministers and newly appointed members of the council.
The council constituted a committee comprising on all provinces to review the policy in the light of the constitution which will submit its report within a week.
provincial chief ministers who attended the meeting welcomed the new energy policy and suggested to

KABUL (AFP) - The Afghan president told the top US military commander Monday that he was ready in principle to let American troops stay in Afghanistan beyond 2014, a month after suspending security talks.
General Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, is the most senior American to meet Hamid Karzai since he suspended negotiations for a long-term security pact in protest at how the Taliban opened a liaison office in Qatar.
Karzai s office said both sides discussed the Afghan-US security pact.
"President Karzai once again emphasised that the Afghan people have suffered from long years of war in

BAKU (AP) - Second-seeded Donna Vekic of Croatia advanced to the second round of the Baku Cup on Monday by winning 6-1, 6-0 against local favorite Nazrin Jafarova.
Vekic converted five of six break points, while Jafarova won only 16 points in the match.
Fourth-seeded Alexandra Cadantu of Romania rallied past Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands 2-6, 6-0, 6-3.
In other first round matches on outdoor hard courts at Baku Tennis Academy, Slovenia s Tadeja Majeric beat fifth-seeded Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic 7-5, 6-4 and Ons Jabeur of Tunisia defeated Daria Gavrilova of Russia 6-4, 6-0.

Repair work begins on Balochistan's damaged electricity pylons

QUETTA (APP) - The Technical teams of Quetta Electricity Supply Company (QESCO) on Tuesday started the repair work on four towers of high transmission line that were blown up by unknown armed men in Bibi Nani area last week.
Official sources in QESCO told APP, here on Monday that unidentified armed men planted explosives in the four towers in Bibi Nani area supplying electricity to 17 districts of Balochistan including the provincial capital from Gaddo and detonated it.
"The explosion caused suspension of power supply

OAXACA (AP) - Alejandro Santiago, a Mexican artist who filled the streets of his hometown with clay figures to represent the migrants who left for the United States, died Monday. He was 49.
Santiago died of a heart attack, said Emilio de Leo, the Oaxaca state culture director. De Leo said Santiago had diabetes for years.
"Our condolences go to the family of the great teacher and cultural promoter Alejandro Santiago, a loss to Oaxaca," Oaxaca Gov. Gabino Cue wrote on his Twitter account.
Santiago, a painter and sculptor who studied in the

ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - Rain, thundershower associated with gusty winds is expected at isolated places of Kashmir, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Lahore, Gujranwala, Hazara, Peshawar and Kalat during next 24 hours, Metrological Department reported on Tuesday.
However‚ hot and humid weather is likely to prevail elsewhere in the country.
Temperature recorded this morning in Islamabad‚ Lahore and Karachi was 25°C‚ Peshawar 24°C‚ Gilgit 15°C‚ Murree 18°C and Muzaffarabad 24°C.

PPP, ANP agree to field Raza Rabbani as presidential candidate

ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - The Pakistan People s Party (PPP) and Awami National Party (ANP) have agreed to field Senator Raza Rabbani as joint candidate for presidential slot.
A consultative meeting between ANP and PPP was organized in Islamabad today (Tuesday) to finalize the strategy for upcoming presidential election.
ANP leader Haji Adeel announced that his party will support PPP candidate Raza Rabbani for the

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The promoters of Michael Jackson's ill-fated comeback concerts watched the singer waste away and should have reached out to his family for help, the superstar's mother tearfully told a jury on Monday.
Katherine Jackson said she didn't know the extent of her son's weakness until after the start of her trial against AEG Live LLC.
"They watched him waste away," she said after her attorney cited several emails from top workers preparing for the "This Is It" shows. The messages described her son's condition as deteriorating and

NEW DELHI (AP) - Officials from India and China began discussions Tuesday to find ways to resolve a longstanding border dispute against the backdrop of recent flare-ups of tension between the two Asian giants over their de facto boundary in the Himalayas.
Top military and foreign ministry officials were expected to exchange drafts of a border defense cooperation agreement being sought to better manage the two countries' contentious views over the demarcation of each other's territory.
India is expected to raise its concerns about

LONDON, : A classified Pakistani government document has revealed that scores of civilians died in dozens of CIA-led drone strikes between 2006 and late 2009 in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and that Pakistani officials were “aware of those deaths for many years”.
The secret government document was quoted by the London Bureau of Investigative Journalism (LBIJ) in a report and reveals for the first time the Pakistani government’s evaluation of numerous drone strikes. It was prepared through field research by government officials and field agents stationed in

ISLAMABAD, : Former Prime Minister (PM) Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that he has come to Islamabad by himself because it was being said that Punjab government is not cooperating in his arrest.
Talking to media on Tuesday on the occasion of meeting between Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and other opposition parties about presidential election he said that, “I have come to Islamabad by my self, and if someone wants to arrest me he can do it. It will also save the expenses”, he added.
Former PM said that he would not produce himself in front of any institution; he defended the immunity of President Asif Ali Zardari and will also fully

ISLAMABAD, : Security has been withdrawn from Accountability (AC) Court judge justice Mohammad Bashir who is hearing the reference against Touqir Sadiq in OGRA corruption case.
As per media reports, security has been withdrawn from July 17th. One person was deployed in his courtroom while other was for his private security.
Sources said that request was made several times to IG, DIG and SP to return the security but concern officers refused to do so. High police officials said that orders of withdrawing the security have been received from higher authorities.

MUZAFFARABAD: At least seven persons were killed and 12 others sustained severe injuries in two different roadside accidents here on Tuesday.
In the suburb area of Pathika, 16 persons boarded on Jamaat- ud -Dawah van were heading to Muzaffarabad from Ghati Gali. Suddenly, it fell into 500 feet deep ravine owing to over speeding resultantly four persons died on the spot including two children and other 12 sustained severe injuries.
It is also claimed that 6 other wounded persons are stated to be in critical condition.
In other incident, a tractor trolley was heading to Mukboza Semari from Neelum valley. When it reached at Teetoal it fell in to Neelum River resultantly three persons died on the spot.
The incident came to light due to the non-carpeting of roads while the roads are completely damaged.

ISLAMABAD, (news desk): Nomination papers for the presidential elections will be received by the election commission today (Wednesday).
Political parties both government and the opposition are set to field their candidates for the top slot of the country.
Pakistan Muslim League (N) has short listed three candidates for the election which include Sartaj Aziz‚ Mamnoon Hussain and Saeeduz Zaman Siddiqui. However‚ the party leaders are engaged in

ISLAMABAD (monitoring desk): The prices of petroleum products are likely to increase by Rs 1-3 per litre.
According to Media Reports, Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has forwarded a summary to the Petroleum Ministry proposing increase in Petrol price by Rs1-3 per litre.
It has been told that petrol will be increased by rupees 1 per liter while prices of diesel by Rs 2 next month.

MQM files defamation suit against PTI, its chief

Karachi, : Muttahida Quami Movement Tuesday filed a defamation suit worth Rs5 billion against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.
MQM leaders Farooq Sattar and Senator Farogh Naseem personally filed the suit in the Sindh High Court against accusation of PTI Chief Imran Khan implicating MQM Chief Altaf Hussain in the murder of Zahra Shahid Hussain’s murder.
Imran had held Altaf Hussain responsible for Zahra’s murder and accused him of inciting violence through

WASHINGTON, (news agencies): Prime Minister (PM) Advisor for foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz has said that Pakistan has no formula of power sharing in Afghanistan it is there internal matter and we are just trying to help in negotiations.
In an exclusive interview given to Voice of America (VOA) he said that, it is must that all stake holders should collectively find the way of reconciliation to prevent civil war, and to sustain peace in Afghanistan after the exclusion of NATO forces from there.
Sartaj Aziz said that purpose behind his visit to Afghanistan was to invite Afghan president Hamid Karzai to Pakistan and to explain the Policy of Pakistan.He said “As PM Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan’s policy regarding Afghanistan is non-

ISLAMABAD, (monitoring desk): Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has remarked President promulgated ordinance to allow benefit to an individual.
He gave these remarks while presiding over a 3- member of Supreme Court (SC) during the course of hearing of Wafaqi Mohtasib appointment case here Tuesday.
The CJP remarked “ Suleman Farooqi matter will be referred to FIA. President made amendment to benefit one person. Government could seek approval from the parliament. Presently we will review the record.

JEDDAH, ; Pakistan government is set to receive funds of about $100m from the Saudi Development Fund (SDF) to finance the development of Neelum Jhelum hydropower project in the country.
Confirming the investment, Pakistani Commercial Attaché Waseem Hayat Bajwa told Saudi Gazette that a delegation from the country has met officials from SDF and outlined draft of the $100 million loan agreement for the Neelum Jhelum Power Project.
The delegation comprised WAPDA chairman Raghib Abbas Shah, Additional Secretary Economic Affairs Division Haseeb Athar and Neelum Jhelum Hydro Power Project Lt General (Rtd) Muhammad

Islamabad, (news agencies): Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif wants to regulate Army’s role in the policy making process of the country, media quoting leaked documents reported on Tuesday.
According to the leaked Proposed-Counter-Terrorism-Strategy-Document newly elected PMLN government in Pakistan wants to establish National Counter Terrorism Force (NCTF) and National Counter Insurgency Force (NCIF) with the powers of intelligence and law enforcement, a British based

ISLAMABAD (monitoring desk): Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif here on Tuesday and pledged his support for government’s peace initiatives with Afghanistan.
According to sources, during the meeting, security and other issues of national interest along with the situation in the region were discussed.
Informed sources said the Army Chief briefed the PM especially about Afghanistan’s situation with a view that his input might be included in national

ISLAMABAD : Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Asif said that the government plans to provide electricity to the poor on subsidized rates.
In an interview‚ he said the domestic consumers would not be burdened by increasing electricity tariff.
The Minister said steps are being taken on war-footing to overcome load-shedding as soon as possible.
He said energy saver bulbs would be distributed

ISLAMABAD, Summary has been forwarded to Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) in terms of implementation of conditions of International Monetary Fund (IMF) to acquire surplus budget from provinces to minimize budget deficit.
Private TV channel said finance ministry has sent the summary on implementation of terms and the conditions set by IMF to ECC for consideration. The Council of Common Interests will consider this summary today.
As per documents it will be binding on the provinces

New Delhi, He may be accused by critics of keeping silent in the midst of a crisis but India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh may have set a record of sorts by delivering 1,300 speeches during his record tenure in office beginning May 2004, Indian media reported on Tuesday.
Starting June 24, 2004, the PM's website has a faithful record of all of them. Singh has been PM for a little over nine years or around 3,325 days and this means he has delivered a speech at least every third day.
Although Indian PM has hardly addressed a press

Bangkok, At least 19 people were killed and at least 20 were injured on Tuesday when a double-decker passenger bus caught fire after a vehicle collision on one of Thailand's busiest highways, officials said.
Police said an 18-wheeled truck crashed into the Bangkok-bound bus on Mitraphab highway in the central province of Saraburi early Tuesday.
Officials said most passengers were stuck in the bus when it caught fire, including the bus drivers. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash and working to identify the dead bodies. It

ISLAMABAD, Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) has decided to conduct the professional Screening Test for the appointments on different posts.
As per details this test will be held on July 28th in the cities of Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Dera Ismail Khan, Giligit Multan and Sakhar on the same time.
Commission has said that this test is being conducted in regard of advertised vacancies of June 4th. Concern information can be collected from the website of commission.
Candidates have been directed to bring their original Identity Card in examination center.

Pakistan most important ally, vital for stable Afghanistan: US

WASHINGTON, :US has said that Pakistan is an important partner in supporting a secure and stable Afghanistan and any step contributing to building Pakistan-Afghanistan relations is viewed as "very important".
Briefing newsmen in Washington, the department’s spokesperson Jen Psaki said that Pakistan is an important partner in supporting a secure and stable Afghanistan, which is vital to the security of the region.

Islamabad, (monitoring desk): National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has found evidence of Rs 48 billion gas theft, officials said on Tuesday.
According to NAB officials, the evidence of Rs 48 billion gas theft is consisted of 1,000 pages.
The National Accountability Bureau investigation team will produce Tauqir Sadiq, involved in the multi-billion scam, before Accountability Court soon in this regard may request for more 14-day physical remand of the accused.
The NAB investigation team has prepared documents for the purpose which also included

Diet affects sleep patterns: study

ISLAMABAD: Food in daily routine might affect one'ssleep patterns as well, says a study.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine shows an association between what one eats’ and how one sleeps,reported BBC health. "In general, seven to eight hours of sleep each night is most likely an experience of overall better health and well being.
Question that was asked in the study, `Are there differences in the diet of those who report shorter sleep, longer sleep, or standard sleep patterns?'" said study researcher Michael A. Grandner, Ph.D., of the

QUETTA, (Staff Reporter): At least two persons were shot dead and another sustained severe injuries by some unknown armed assailants here on Monday.
Some unidentified armed assailants opened indiscriminate firing on vehicles in the area of Baronk Bazaar at Qandhari Bazaar resultantly two persons were killed on the spot and one sustained severe injuries.
The culprits fled away from the scene.
After this incident, the panic scattered in the area and all shopkeepers closed their shops.
Upon receiving information, police reached the site and shifted the injured and dead persons to hospital.
Police registered the case and started investigation.

PM not a monarch that he has liberty to spend on his sweet will: CJ

ISLAMABAD, (monitoring desk): Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has remarked “Prime Minister (PM) is not a monarch that he is at liberty to spend whatever he wills.
He gave these remarks while presiding over a 3-member bench of Supreme Court (SC) during the course of hearing of misuse of development funds by former PM Raja Pervez Ashraf here Monday.
CJP further remarked “government employee

ISLAMABAD: Group’s President Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) of Malaysia Dr. Mohd. Emir Mavani Abdullah has said that FELDA is ready for cooperation regarding growing Palm Oil in the coastal areas of Balochistan and Sindh.
The CEO of FELDA apprised this to the Chairman BOI Mohammad Zubair during a meeting here on Monday. He said that Pakistan’s palm oil import was around 70 percent of its total imports from Malaysia. He also agreed to send a technical evaluation team to Pakistan to see the situation on ground. FELDA to lease 3,000 hectare from the Government and also advise neighboring farmers on

ISLAMABAD, (news agencies): Clearance of circular debt had not only resulted in addition of 1700MW in the national grid but also buoyed foreign investors who are now looking forward to make investments in the energy sector in Pakistan.
Finance minister Ishaq Dar made these remarks during a meeting with Malaysian delegation led by Dr. Mohammad Emir Amvani Abdullah, CEO Felda Global Centures Holdings Berhad, who called on Finance Minister.
During the meeting both held in depth discussions to explore ways and mean to further expand trade and economic relations between the two countries. “The existing volume of trade between the two countries is

Chaman, (By Our Reporter): A suicide bomber attacked a border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan on Monday, killing one man while 10 other including a senior Pakistani security official wounded in attack, officials said.
According to officials, the incident happened on the Pakistan side of the border.
The attacker blew himself up near Pakistan’s custom office, mosque and Nato terminal at border crossing.
Officials said one killed in Monday blast while Pakistan’s FIA personnel were among 10 injured.
The condition of five of the injured persons was stated to be serious and they were rushed to

ISLAMABAD, (news desk): Acting president Syed Nayyer Bukhari has given approval of appointing Abid Sher Ali as a Federal Minister for Health.
Media reports said that Prime Minister sent summary of appointing Abid Sher Ali as Minister for Health few days before to President Asif Ali Zardari.
Abid Sher will soon take his oath as Minister for Health.

Bugti murder: BHC reserves verdict on Musharraf's bail plea

QUETTA, (Staff Reporter): Balochistan High Court on Monday reserved its verdict on former military ruler Pervez Musharraf’s bail plea in the murder case of Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Bugti.
Musharraf’s counsel filed the bail plea in Balochistan High Court after an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Quetta rejected his application.
A two member bench comprising Justice Ghulam Mustafa Mengal and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan resumed hearing on the application today.
The court ordered crime branch to complete investigation into the case at earliest and present a

Dera Ismail Khan, (news agencies): At least six people were killed on Monday when a passenger van and a truck collided near Dera Ismail Khan, a district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, officials said.
The police officials said Monday’s accident took place on a section of the highway outside the city near Yark police station.
Officials said the passenger van was overtaking another vehicle when it slammed into an oncoming truck. The van was completely destroyed.
The van was coming from Bannu and was on its way to Dera

OKARA,: Minister for Railway Khawaja Saad Rafiq has said that there is no room for corrupt and incompetent employees in railway during the regime of PML (N) adding that he has announced ‘Jihad’ against corrupt elements.
Expressing his views to media persons on telephonic conversation, he said that he took the charge of Railway as a challenge and his first priority will be to put the department on right track.
Minister said that confidence of people will be restraint on railway by making it as a profitable organization and if I failed to fulfill my duty I will leave the charge of ministry.

ISLAMABAD, (monitoring desk): National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is all set to seek arrest warrants of former Prime Minister (PM) Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani from Accountability Court in OGRA scandal case.
Sources said NAB will file application in AC today (Tuesday) and try to seek arrest warrants of former PM Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani ..
NAB deputy chairman has accorded approval to file this application. NAB wanted to investigate Gilani in connection with appointment of Tauqir Sadiq as Gilani was issued summons for three times but he did not appear.
Gilani took the plea before the media that he enjoyed immunity being former PM and he would not appear

OKARA (monitoring desk): In a horrendous incident that disrespects human dignity and relationships, police officials in Okara forced an accused in lock up to sexually abuse his son and then forced his son to do the same.
According to details gathered so far, Okara police raided a village in Depalpur in connection with operation against power theft.
During the raid a policeman sustained bullet wounded and expired, after which several people were rounded up and thrown behind the bar.
Local police forced one accused Zubair, to sexually

ISLAMABAD (news desk): Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided not to reschedule presidential polls, and conduct them on Aug 6.
Talking informally to newsmen here on Monday, Secretary Election Commission Ishtiaque Ahmed said there was no chance of rescheduling of presidential polls at this stage.
He said no one except the government requested to review the dates, and therefore, the ECP would apprise the government of its decision later today.

Pakistan Condemns Attacks on the Holy Sites in Syria

Islamabad (news agencies): The Government of Pakistan strongly condemns the deliberate and wanton attack on the holy sites including the recent attack on Sayyeda Bibi Zainab’s shrine on 19 July in Damascus, says press release issued from foreign office on Monday.
The trend of desecration of the holy sites has hurt the sentiments of Muslims in Pakistan as indeed the world over. Such violations, which also fan sectarian strife, are most reprehensible.
Pakistan calls upon the Government of Syria to ensure safety and security of all holy shrines and buildings in Syria. Pakistan also calls upon all parties to the conflict in Syria to observe international

Kohat, (monitoring desk): At least three people, including two women and a kid, injured in a grenade attack in Kohat, officials said on Monday.
According to local police, some unidentified persons hurled a hand grenade a house in Taugh area near Kohat, injuring two women and a child.
Rescue teams have shifted the injured to the DHQ hospitals.
Police have cordoned off the area after the incident and launched a

DERA MURAD JAMALI, (by our reporter): Three personnel dead bodies recovered on Monday from Dera Bugti who were kidnapped few days back.
According to Levies sources, three persons were kidnapped form Dera Murad Jamali some few days before while their dead bodies were recovered in the area of Dera Bugti at Sansagela.
Police registered the cases and started through search for criminals.

Consensus is must for the presidential election: Liaqat Baloch

WANEEKAY TARAR: Secretary General Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Liaqat Baloch has said that consensus is must for the presidential election in the country.
He said that senior leadership of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has contacted JI for the presidential election, while JI would work out its plan in 2 or 3 days in this regard.
Talking to media persons in Donors’ conference of Al-Khidmat Foundation on Monday, Liaqat Baloch said that after the election of Prime Minister PM, Chairman Senate and Speaker National Assembly

KARACHI, (by monitoring desk): Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has said “we have not even imagined of slapping governor rule in Sindh and it is not known why such reports are coming in the media.
“ I had said we give one month to provincial government to improve situation. Reports on governor rule have started coming to fore following this statement while we have not even made any mention about it any where. It is not known as to why such things are finding way to the media”, he said this while talking to media men on his arrival at Karachi airport Monday.
“My aim to visit Karachi is to make consultations with governor, chief minister and chiefs of armed forces.

Sana: An Iranian diplomat has been kidnapped by unidentified militants in the Yemeni capital Sana'a, an Iranian embassy official said on Monday.
"Ahmed Nour Ahmed, the cultural counsellor at the Iranian embassy was snatched early on Sunday by gunmen from Hadda area in downtown Sana'a," the official told Irna news agency.
He said the diplomat was taken to an unknown destination, and there was no contact with him.
No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction.
Foreigners have been kidnapped in Yemen in the

Beijing, (news agencies): A powerful earthquake has struck China's north-west Gansu province, killing at least 47 people and injuring more than 200, reports said on Monday.
The earthquake near Dingxi city had a magnitude of 5.98 and was shallow, with a depth of just 9.8 km (6 miles), according to the US Geological Survey.
Dingxi local authorities say many houses have collapsed in the quake.
In 2008, an earthquake in Sichuan province left up to 90,000 people dead and millions homeless.
At least 47 people had been killed, reports from

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