Lahore July 7 2009: According to official, 19 members committee which headed by Senior Advisor to Chief Minister, Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa constituted the right of farmers. In the meeting on Monday, the committee held to review the wheat procurement campaign 2009-10 and to make new strategy for the crop of wheat.

The following members participated in meeting included Provincial Ministers for Food, Agriculture, Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary, Secretary Food, Secretary Agriculture, Secretary Finance, Director Food, MNA Saud Majeed, Chairman Taskforce for Livestock and Dairy Development Muhammad Umar Qureshi, MPAs, Chairman Pakistan Flour Mills Association, Grower Association, FAP Kissan Board, Anjuman Kashtkaran and representative of agri farms.

The committee discussed all kind of maters of farmer’s right. The three-sub committee comprised. They resolve all the problems including provisions of wheat to flourmills, purchase of wheat and improved the number of storages, and to have taken steps to increase the yield of wheat. The committee will submit their report in next meeting.

Karachi: During April to June this year, Directorate General, Intelligence and Investigation (DGI&I)-FBR, Regional office, Karachi has disclosed some 223 tax avoidance cases of imported goods mainly cleared through the Pakistan Computerized Clearance System (PaCCS) involving Rs 680.970 million. Some of 148-contravention cases involving Rs 498.146 million against the textile importers discovered. They cleared imported raw cotton of PCT heading 5201.0010 without payment of 1%t income tax accountable under section 148 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001. Previously, the exemption was admissible under SRO-567(I)/2008 dated June 11, 2008 for amendment in Part IV of Second Schedule to the said Ordinance. However, the previously mentioned amendment was not approved in the Finance Act, 2008, hence, 1 % withholding tax became payable on cotton at import stage with effect from July 1, 2008. It further said around 12 tax avoidance cases of customs duty and sales tax amounting to Rs 91.310 million noticed against the importers of Lysine Sulphate, which was unduly covered under the concessionary rule of SRO-567(I)/2006 and SRO 1007(1)12005. Some of three cases made against leading cigarette filter manufacturers for availing zero rating facility under SRO-509(I)/2007, which completely admissible to textile sector, on the import of Cellulose Acetate Tow used in cigarette filters. An official statistics report said, some of 30 more cases amounting to Rs 23.413 million detected because of gross under-assessment in the import of float glass and were cleared through PaCCS as a breach of applicable valuation rulings of customs. DGI&I had also registered some four cases involving Rs 22.840 million-tax avoidance against cement manufacturers, fast food restaurant and IT firm, who reportedly avoid sales tax on the taxable goods, besides adjusting the same as input tax credit. In another case, an importer of mobile phones evaded Rs 1.710 million taxes on the goods cleared through airfreight unit of Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) defensive as gigantic quantity of cell phones, which imported from Hong Kong, had cleared under Pak China FTA regime. The observation department also established six seizure cases involving Rs 3.235 million, of these, two cases made on the import of re-melt able / re-roll able scrap and waste paper, serviceable iron and steel bars and aluminum foil, while, remaining four cases registered against importers involved in the wrong declaration of the value of imported marble slab. The report further said , DGI&I and range office, Sukkur had also seized around Rs 13.640 million smuggled items including vehicles, mobile phones, mobile chargers, wrist watches, cloth, medicines, Gutka, shock absorbers for motorcycles, tyres and tubes, imitation jewelry, auto parts, etc.

APP reported on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 - Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the alleged embezzlement and corruption in telecommunication sector and ordered the concerned ministry to take effective steps to ensure transparent and smooth functioning of its attached departments. The PAC which met here in the Parliament House with Ch. Nisar in the chair, discussed audit report of the Public Sector Enterprises 2008-09 of the Ministry of Information, Technology and Telecommunication and issued instructions on them. The meeting was briefed that National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) management created six additional posts of BPS-20 increasing the sanctioned strength of BPS-20 to nine posts against three sanctioned posts. The PAC asked the ministry to present its report regarding the sanctioning of additional posts before the committee within two months time. It was also informed that there was unauthorized shifting of Pakistan Education Research Network (PERN) equipment valuing Rs. 298 million from NTC to PTCL which included Rs. 149.064 million contributed by PSDP and Rs. 148.936 million contributed by PTCL.

Islamabad: According to the SECP data released that companies have filed 18,106 returns under the reprieve scheme. A total of 4,290 companies and corporate entities availed the benefits of Companies Regularization Scheme to filed their returns and clear their past liabilities without payment of additional penalty. Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) launched The Companies Regularization Scheme, which ended on July 31, 2009. It conventional an irresistible response because 4,290 companies have regularized their defaults under the Scheme, and 18,106 returns filed by these companies. The initiative initially functioning for a period of 45 days from May 15, 2009 to June 30, 2009 and then extended up to July 31st, 2009, in view of its demands from the corporate sector. The scheme was appropriate on all types of companies other than listed companies, and enabled acceptance of overdue returns and annual accounts by paying only normal filing fees, without any additional late filing fees and penalties. This plan was undertaken to provide opportunity for the defaulter companies to file their over due returns in order to regularized compliance position. SECP always make easy the corporate sector in fulfillment of law through simplification of procedures, etc. The Scheme resulted in increase in conformity by registered companies and assists towards documentation of the economy.

The SECP added that the documentation of companies available with the Company Registration Offices will be updated and general public and other stakeholders would be able to get updated company information through check of documents and acquire of certified copies of the latest filed returns.

San Jose Antique: In San Remigio town hundreds of poor school children stand to benefit from the Save the Children, an NGO and Kraft foods partnership through a three-year project called ”Making Food Go Further, Mitigating Hunger and Ensuring Residence and Stronger Households” (FRESH) in the Philippines. The beginning of the project at Brgy Trinidad, San Remigio covering at least 10 elementary school from Districts 1 and 2 is a sign by the two implementing bodies to help poor Filipino children attain good health and nutrition, food security and education.

The second largest food company Kraft foods in the world is set to invest a total of US $1.1 million into the project while Save the Children lends its strong practice in developing and managing child focused program picked from 28 years of service in the Philippines. The town of San Remigio has chosen as one of the three first pilot project areas because 70% of the area are mountains than cultivable lands aside from its being a fourth class municipality. Compared to the most towns of Antique, these benefits from the reward of the sea, it is landlocked and the area devoted to food production is only 44 sq. kms or a little over 10%. The San Remigio’s Elementary Cohort Survival rate is only 45.51%, one of the lowest in the province and further trimmed down to only 43.67% because another 2.99% drops out of school before graduation. This means that of the 100 students who registered in Grade 1, only 43 completes graduates from elementary school and 38 moves on to first year high school. Further, the underweight children in San Remigio who aged 6 to 10 range from 18.68% to 37.99%.

Director for Program Implementation and Management of Save the Children Joseph Michael Singh said, “Hunger is the worst form of poverty and poverty continues to force these children out of school.” More frequently, these children drop out of school because they help their parents in the farm so they can have food on the table. They do not have the means to continue school.

As the project will give instant hunger relief to children and families through a community, school based meal supply. It will also put into practice activities that will help get better the health and nutritional resiliency of children as well as provide essential skills to older family members to maintain food safety. Singh said, “The core of this project is to enhance the skills of families and communities to improve their access to healthy and nutritious food.” We are starting programs that will help boost the purchasing power of families to access food, support food production and livelihood as well as improve methodologies in farming or agriculture. All these redound to supporting food safety. The areas sideways from San Remigio comprise Lake Cebu in South Cotabato and Parañaque City in Metro Manila. From these three areas, the project would anticipate to reach out to some 50,000 most susceptible children and families in the next three years to decrease hunger and undernourishment in the country.

Karachi: Deputy Speaker Sindh Assembly, Shehla Raza, put pressure on the need of taking up the laws of the UN Global Compact to endorse polite employment. She was talking at the third Annual Global Compact meeting, which together organized by Employers' Federation of Pakistan (EFP), the International Labor Organization (ILO) and Global Compact Pakistan Local Network (GCPLN) held at local hotel here. She praises the efforts made by Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary General in this regard; saying that he should praised for initiation the Global Compact with its ten principles. She informed that the 10 principles including human rights, labor standards, environment, anti corruption, etc were complete business tools to endorse employment.

Furthermore, she said the government was determined to make friendly environment for investors and for this purpose, we are contributing inclusive plans for safe investments. Deputy speaker added that the Global Compact encouraged corporate social liability, which played very important role in poverty decrease. The official statement for the formation of new direction-finding committee also made in the meeting meant at distributing awards to those employers adopted best practices in living the dense. The occasion devoted to late Ashraf W. Tabani, former president, EFP who was an energetic leading body member of ILO and also front line employer to guard the interest of employers' community. The meeting was attended by Alam Din Bulb, secretary labour Sindh, Khurshid Ahmed, general secretary, Pakistan Workers Federation (PWF), Saifullah Chaudhry, senior programme officer, ILO-Islamabad and others.

Islamabad: ACCA Pakistan presented Approved Employer Certificate to Serena Hotels Pakistan, owned and managed by Tourism Promotion Services (Pakistan) Limited TPSP. TPSP is a subsidiary of The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) that owns and manages a network of seven hotels and office complex throughout Pakistan situated at Islamabad, Faisalabad, Quetta, Swat, Gilgit, Hunza and Shigar Fort Residence in Skardu. ACCA's Approved Employer Scheme plays a key role in the recruitment, progress and retention of the ACCA members and trainees employed in the approved organizations. As an approved employer, Serena Hotels will reach global best practice in the provision of learning and development opportunities for ACCA trainees and members. Arif Masud Mirza, head of ACCA Pakistan presented the award to Aziz Boolani, Chief Executive Officer for Serena Hotels South and Central Asia. Mr. Boolani highly praised the efforts of ACCA towards employer relationship building. He said, “We understand the need for consistent training and development and hope that this relationship with ACCA will go a long way in helping us attract and shape the brightest minds in the business.” Arif Masud Mirza added "Serena Hotels are playing an extremely important role in tourism development in Pakistan by depicting a positive image of this country globally. ACCA's linkages with Serena Hotels will allow young talented ACCA trainees and members to work in an important and growing sector, build their knowledge and professional skills.”

Islamabad: A contract signed by the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) with cell phone companies, including Mobilink, Telenor Pakistan and Warid Tel, for authentication of the computerized national identity cards (CNICs) through SMS. Nadra has initiated the facility under which people can accomplish the verification of CNIC through SMS. Subscribers will have the facility to verify the CNIC by sending SMS at 7000. In first phase, Mobilink, Telenor Pakistan and Warid Tel incorporated in the facility, while negotiations with two more companies, Ufone and Zong, are in progress. The contract signed in an imposing ceremony held at Nadra headquarters, which be presented at by senior officials of Nadra and mobile phone companies. Bilal Shiekh of Mobilink, Aamir Ibrahim of Telenor Pakistan and Syed Babar Ahmed of Warid Tel signed on behalf of their companies, while Chief Administrative Officer Brigadier Kamal Aziz (Retd) represented Nadra. This exceptional facility planed for the expediency of public, which could be use by any person keen to verify identification of the person with whom they are making business deals or they can verify the CNIC submitted by their employees, household workers and house cleaners.

Nadra took this program due to current law and order situation, furthermore, to control risk of identity crime. Brigadier Kamal Aziz (Retd) said, that verification would done in real time communication with Nadra's National Data Warehouse, using Nadra and mobile phone companies strong network infrastructure. He further said, the CNIC number, which needed to verified, would send through SMS, at special number “7000”. In response, Nadra would provide details associated with that CNIC such as name of the person to whom the CNIC allotted in Urdu along with his father's name and in case of married women her husband's name, or subsequently any other content. On July 24, the Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik formally opened the service of verification of CNIC through SMS. This service will facilitate the police and other law-enforcement agencies to verify the CNIC of any suspect at checkpoint any time, as well help public to evade the offer of cheating by harmful people as they can authenticate the CNIC of any person on SMS. The CNIC confirmation would be CNIC number, which is to be verifying on special numbers “7000” for public and “7001” for the law-enforcement agencies. In return, Nadra will provide the details associated with that CNIC such as the name of person to whom that CNIC Number place allotted in Urdu along with any other content considered suitable by Nadra belonging to the CNIC at supposed charges of Rs 10 plus tax.

Lahore: Black-marketers of Urea fertilizers and pesticides are having the field day to deceive the poor farmers who are the backbone of the country’s economy because the Federal and Provincial governments are engaged in tackle more than a dozen militants and terrorist outfits in the area. Ibrahim Mughal President Pakistan Agri Forum said that urea dealers are advertising 50-kg urea bag up to Rs. 1200 on praise and Rs. 900 on cash payment as against Rs. 720 per bag ex -factory rate in the cotton mounting areas of the southern Punjab. The dealers are now making record profits on the sale of urea fertilizers in involvement with the government officials because there is no check on the urea prices. Earlier there was a lack of water for the first watering of the cotton fields and now in the deficiency of any government distribution mechanism. He said cotton has sown over 8 million acres this season to produce 13.3 million bales. He said the pesticide dealers has taken advantage of the cotton crop came under cotton leaf curl virus CLCV and white fly attack and they have raise money and sold their products in black market. Mughal blame the government agency that they not taking any step to check the black marketing of agriculture inputs and the poor farmers left at the mercy of the dealers. He added that no government has made any good effort safeguard the interest of farmers who provide food security to the nation and raw material to its agro-based industries, although the agriculture sector is a solid buyer of Rs 500 billion inputs including fertilizers worth Rs 200 billion every year.

Farooq Bajwa, Founder Punjab Water Council and an agriculturist of Bahawalpur told that black-marketing of urea fertilizers is at its peak in southern Punjab where cotton crop immediately needs this participation at this stage of its growth. "In the rice grower areas, however, 50-kg urea bag is being sold at Rs 800, about Rs 100 more than the government fixed price. Bajwa said that the fertilizers mafia creates artificial shortage to black market the commodity in the country, although Pakistan fertilizer producing factories produce 8 million 50-kg urea bags every month. Bhatti of Kissan Board said farmers' association have written quite a few times to the Federal government that the fertilizers should be imported in time and on each urea bag, date of manufacturing and its retail price be permanent.

He said the Farmers Board has also forcefully requested the government to make sure that the dealers proposed the purchase acceptance to the farmer to make stop black- marketing of the urea whose use is important for the crop production. The government should also ensure urea sale record of the dealers to end this threat and protect wellbeing of the farmers. He said the Punjab government officeholder sources admitted that there were some troubles as imported urea fertilizer indoors in Punjab late, due to which the dealers have complained that the urea fertilizer is illegally smuggled during its haulage from the factory to the dealer's shop. They said, the market sentiments are changing as 0.350 million 50-kilo sacks are daily incoming in Punjab and there would be large quantity of urea in the Province in short time. They said, “We need abut 28 million tons urea for the Kharif crops, whereas our six monthly local manufactures is 25.5 million tons. The government has imported about 7.75 million tons; therefore, the total existing urea for the Kharif crops would be around 33 million, which is more than the necessities.”

Islamabad: Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) subject special identity cards to special people to give them their own individuality so that they could get advantage from the special schemes of food support and other benefits, declare by the government. Sources in Nadra said on Tuesday that this is under process and it would carry out under the alliance with the Federal Ministry of Social Welfare and the cards will issue in August. Nadra sources added that these particular identity cards, carrying a universal symbol of disabled persons, would help them to assist from the welfare projects of the government and international organizations. They said that the main aim of this card was to make possible the special people, as well enabling them to argue concessions on traveling charge of Pakistan International Airlines and Pakistan Railways as well as free medical treatment in public sector hospitals. They said this card would also enable these special people to get advantage from the special schemes of food support and other benefits, told publicly by the government for these people. Nadra said this is a step towards the importance and empowerment of the special people and giving them a chance to play an effective role in socio-economic development of the society.

The government is taking steps to make sure the accomplishment of the two per cent quota fixed for special people in government jobs and all the ministries and divisions have to put into practice the two per cent quota for special people. It is relevant to note that the Ministry of Social Welfare has started many wakefulness campaigns for the countryside masses concerning the welfare projects to make feel easy the disabled, worthy persons and eliminate child labor.

Karachi: At Karachi, the Banking Court after hearing a criminal complaint filed by Askari Bank Limited has issued bailable warrants for the arrest of the Chief Executive and all the directors of Olympia Spinning & Weaving Mills Limited. In its illicit, complain filed through Advocate Behzad Haider of Ahmed and Qazi Associates against Olympia Spinning & Weaving Mills Limited. The Chief Executive M Waqar Munnoo and all the directors, Askari Bank Limited had complained that the management of Olympia Spinning & Weaving Mills Limited was involved in the theft of valuable goods that pledged with the bank. The court has fixed bail amount at about one billion rupees. In bill of lading under section 200 Cr PC, the complainant bank stated, “The accused availed, from time to time; various finance facilities from the bank.” The statement said that on the request of charged persons the complainant bank renewed the cash finance facility of Rs 200 million on March 1, 2009.The charged and the plaintiff entered a finance agreement. To secure repayment obligations towards the complainant bank, the accused created pledged over its local cotton bills, imported cotton bills and cotton yarns to keep under the supervision of the complainant bank Mucadam at Landhi Industrial Area, Karachi that is factory premises of accused persons.

On dated 30.6.2009, the Mucadam informed the complainant bank, that on 29.6.2009, the accused persons dishonestly and in breach of their obligation and warranties towards the complainant bank. They have forcibly dispossessed the Mucaddam staff and have declined to consent to access to their premises, where the pledged goods were lying and have misappropriated of 9893 bales of cotton and 5810 bags of cotton yarn of pledged goods having value of Rs 223,150,562. When the Mucaddam employees met with blamed persons, they admitted the embezzlement of pledged goods. On 30.6.2009, the complainant bank called upon the accused persons to elucidate the status of the pledged goods. On 4.7.2009, the complainant bank once again sent a letter to the charged persons inquiring about the embezzlement of pledged goods but no response received. They have committed offence under section 20(1) (b) of the FIO, 2001. The complainant bank is also start recovery suit for Rs 508,816,709 against the accused persons. The complainant bank, hence, implored to the court to take penal action against the blamed persons.

The Banking Court ordered that from the above statement of the complainant bank. It come into view that accused deceitfully transferred the mortgaged property and deposited the title documents without disclosing the fact before the plaintiff with illegal intention to cause. “The wrongful loss to the complainant and wrongful gain to themselves and thereby made themselves liable to be prosecuted under section 20 (1) (b) of the Financial Institutions (Recovery of Finances) Ordinance, 2001.” The finance liability outstanding against charged is Rs 508,816,709. The court orders that the bailable warrants in the sum of Rs 10 million will be issue against the accused.

Islamabad: Rehman Malik the Federal Interior Minister said the authentication of computerized national identity card (CNIC) through SMS would help eliminate the identity theft, terrorism and crime and bring condemnable element under the prospect of law. Rehman Malik said that while launching the CNIC confirmation Service through SMS and the Nadra's newly designed and upgraded website at the Nadra headquarter on Friday. He further added, “The CNIC verification through SMS will be a great help for the law-enforcement agencies (LEAs) and general public, arrest the menace of identity theft and terrorism.” Malik added that this service would allow the police and other law-enforcement agencies to make sure the CNIC of any suspect at checkpoints. As they could confirm the CNIC of any person through SMS by helping common people to evade, cheat by impish people. Due to lack of proper system, many people in NWFP tried to get them registered under the array of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to get money,. He added that many confrontations of duplication of IDP registration also traced. This had caused many problems not only for the government, but for the IDPs as well. The minister said the government wanted to hook up and rivet public in the practice of reform the governance so that the outcome would be better and it more satisfying for both the citizens and the government. With the strong will and absolute commitment, the government had planned to provide citizenspublic services that were harmless, protected, reachable and faultless. He said the Nadra had always been helpful to the government in bringing innovative ideas through the tools of information technology. The Nadra had carried out creditable technological developments and its efforts and technology needed to availed of by other institutions of the country for good governance.

Malik praised highly the accomplishments of the Nadra, said, “By designing the projects like BISP, KIOSK, VERISYS, Automated Border Control System etc, the Nadra had played key role in the implementation of e-governance concept in Pakistan. This initiative would prove to be a milestone to curb the crime in the country.” He added, “Challenges of governance were being handled efficiently with the creation of one-to-one relationship between the government and the citizens, and added the Nadra established that vital link by registering Pakistani citizens and then providing citizen centric e-government solutions, having the core competence in information technology and communication.” Nadra Chairman Ali Arshad Hakeem briefed the Minister about the whole process of verification system for the convenience of the public. He promised that present democratic government would keep on bringing innovative ideas to serve the citizens of this country and to contribute towards fortify of society. He said that the lawenforcement agencies could confirm any registered citizen immediately using their mobile phone. The service would be equally helpful for public, as it would let them to verify the records of the people with whom they were making business deals and could verify their employees, household workers and house cleaners.

Karachi: On Thursday the World’s largest peace banner signed at the head office of Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC). Academy of Youth Trust had started a mission to prepare the world's largest banner, which would be 100 km long and shall be sign by 25 million people all over Pakistan. The Trust approached SSGC in its attempt to get it signed by the maximum Pakistanis. The most important purpose of this banner is to convey the message of peace and unity around the world. After its completion, the banner will be hand over to the United Nation.

The 400,000 Pakistani signed the banner approximately up to now in a period straddling over seven months with six kms. In the ceremony some 500 members of team SSGC including its Managing Director Umair Khan and senior officials signed the peace banner and alongside write down patriotic remarks to show their love for the homeland.

The News
June 03, 2009

Lahore: Punjab MPA Munawar Ali Gill has been accused of raping a 35-years old woman at a Gulberg hotel on Monday night.

A case, No 339/09, was registered against the accused at the Naseerabad police station under section 376 of the PPC on the complaint of victim Tahira Parveen on Tuesday. The MPA, elected from Sialkot, first sought reconciliation with the victim at the police station, asking her to forgive him.

However, when the rape victim asked the police for his medical checkup, Munawar escaped, and was still at large till the filing of the report. According to the FIR registered against MPA Munawar Ali Gill, an adviser to the Punjab chief minister, the complainant Tahira Parveen told the police that her sister had agricultural land measuring 17 kanals and 15 marlas in Pasroor, Sialkot. Two accused persons, Nazeer and Rafiq, who are allegedly close allies of Munawar, had occupied her sister’s land. She added that she had been receiving phone calls from phone numbers 0301-8459459, 0300-6183087 and 052- 6442707 for the last one week. She added that Munawar Ali, during the phone calls asked her repeatedly to come to him and he would help retrieve her land.

The complainant, in her application, further alleged that on June 1, 2009 at around 8pm, Munawar Ali called her from a cell phone (number 0301-8459459). Munawar told her that he had come to Lahore and Nazir and Rafiq were also with him and that she should come to him so that the issue of land grabbing could be resolved. The MPA told her that he was staying at Room No 117 of Gulberg Palace Hotel.

Tahira told the police that she left her house along with her neighour Manzoor Ahmad. "As we reached Gulberg, we found Munawar along with his friend standing outside the hotel," she said. The accused Munawar asked her to go with him to the hotel. In the meantime, her neighbour Manzoor received a call that his relative had died and he left.

She further said that she went to the room and asked about Nazir and Rafiq, but the MPA asked her to drink water and relax and said they would come soon.

Even after half an hour, the two men did not reach the hotel and the MPA asked his friend Nasir to leave the room, as the former wanted to discuss some important issue with her. As Nasir left the room, the MPA allegedly locked the room at which the woman protested. But the accused MPA allegedly whipped out a pistol and kept it at her temple, asking her to keep quiet if she wanted to stay alive. In the meantime, Tahira alleged, Munawar raped her.

In the meantime, Tahira alleged, Munawar raped her. When she came out of the room she found Nasir standing outside who asked her to forgive Munawar. But she rushed to the police station.

The police took the victim to Lahore General Hospital for a medical checkup. The police, after interrogation registered a case against the MPA. SSP Operations Ch Shafiq Ahmad said raids are being conducted to arrest the accused MPA.

Talking to The News, Special Assistant to the CM, Zaib Jafar, regretted the incident. She added that there is nobody above the law and said if the charge is proved the person guilty of this crime should be penalized under the law.

Lahore: Vice Chairman Punjab Board of Investment and Trade Pir Saad uddin had said that the Punjab government would look for collaboration of the multinationals for endorsement of economic activities in the province. In a letter to the administrations of big chain stores like Makro, Metro Cash n Carry and Hyperstar. He said that the Punjab government intends to spend in developing cold storage and other infrastructure. He further added that inclusive policies would be chalk out in this regard after consultation with these multinationals and ascertaining the local and international quality standards. He said that these big chain stores could make achievable access of agricultural and other locally formed items into international markets. He added that dialogues with these chain stores started already and a breakthrough expected shortly.

Peshawar: The Company in spite of current energy crisis and huge load shedding had charged greater part of the consumers with 100 to 200 extra units. The consumers of the Peshawar Electricity Supply Company (Pesco) were overflowing the revenue offices of the company for making correction in the exaggerated bills sent by the company. The performance was not only influencing the consumers to set down more than actually consumed electricity, but also increase the income of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) with charging of additional amount in head of 16 % general sales tax on the utility. Criticize by Fakir Hussein, the resident of Sarbiland pura Peshawar, “Due to shortfall in the power production, we are braving heavy load shedding and sleepless at nights, but still the company is including extra units in the electricity bills”. The company observed long queues in all revenue offices of the company as mass of the customer’s criticism of the extreme billing. Faizullah has the similar case said that he was coming to the office of Pesco since last three days for seeking correction in his bill. However, due to the nonattendance of the Assistant Manager Revenue he had unsuccessful so far to get his bill accurate. Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) and Pakistan Electricity Power Company (Pepco) were costing million of rupees in beginning of publicity in both print and electronic media in search of the co-operation of the customers in the utilization of energy. Nevertheless, ironically, power Distribution Company thwarted the exercise. Hussein a resident of Haji Camp Peshawar said, “I have been wandering in the offices of the Pesco revenue officers for the last three months for correction of my bills. But, very next month, the company again send inflated bill.”

In the place of be glad about the co-operation of clients in the conservation of energy, the revenue officers of the same company punishing them with unnecessary and puffed up bills. “I have been wandering in the offices of the Pesco revenue officers for the last three months for correction of my bills. But, very next month, the company again send inflated bill,” told Hussein a resident of Haji Camp Peshawar. Fazal-ur-Rehman said that he already owes 1379 units to the company as arrears, but the company had once again charged him with extra bill of 390 units. The practice of the overstated and too much billing charging the consumers not only pay in extra payment in head of power utilization, but also extra-payment in GST. . The reason, following the prohibited and unpardonable practice was to endorse their good efficiency at the cost of the inflation-hit consumers. Fascinatingly, when this scribe takes up the matter with the meter reading section of Sikandar pura, Sub-Division, he totally blamed senior officials of the company. The meter reading record shows that that the additions of the extra units in the bills of the consumers made, at the request of the senior officials.

The Acting Chief Executive Pesco, Nawaz Ali Khan, who completely rejected the view saying the company had never allowed over-billing from consumers, if the case were really that then the company would have facing 37 losses. He said that 1 percent consumers would have face the difficulty but they could also come and correct their bills. However, if any kind of case had reported then it should have brought into the notice of the company. He said that there might be a few cases. Nevertheless, they could correct. He urges the consumers to convey such cases in the note of the revenue offices of the company for correction.

Islamabad: The LPG organization of Pakistan (LPGAP) has taken strong exemption to what it called “irresponsible, indulgent, and ignorant” recommendations about the LPG sector freshly made to the prime minister by a group of businesspersons. The LPGAP spokesperson told. “Recommendations at any forum should be based on facts and made responsibly with the aim of protecting the public interest and promoting business activity.” He said, “These businesspersons are neither stakeholder in the LPG sector nor do they come into view to have any knowledge of the sector.” The representative said “The group has reportedly asked that duty-free import of LPG should be allowed and that cross-subsidies on LPG should be reduced and eliminated.” He said, “All customs duties on imported LPG stand completely eliminated since 2007 and there is no subsidy of any kind whatsoever on either imported or local product. Irresponsible, indulgent and ignorant statements to the contrary are made only to confuse the public mind.”

He told, “Under the present policy, LPG imports into Pakistan have achieved a record high within the seven months of the current calendar year with additional imports expected during winter. The previous record of 47,000 metric tons of LPG imports in the entire calendar year 2007 has been broken by the import of 55,000 metric tons from January to date.” “These imports have been made by a variety of stakeholders including LPG producers, marketing companies and distributors in order to ensure availability of product.” The representative said the present LPG policy had been arrived, at after long negotiations among all stakeholders worried. “It is peculiar that a group of executives having no knowledge of the LPG sector believe they can make recommendations of any sort at the highest levels of government on this highly specialized sector. The representative also criticizes this cluster for self-servingly recommending that CNG stations be shut down so that their industrial units can be provided with highly subsidized natural gas instead.”

Islamabad: A seminar on “Linking Climate Change to Disaster Risk Reduction” was hold under the sponsorship of Oxfam and Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO) here on Sunday. The intention of seminar was to get an on the way into the nature of adversity’s in Pakistan and suggest risk decline strategies that were in harmony with geographic and climatic conditions of Pakistan. Various NGOs and worried departments also play a part in the seminar. Dr Syed Hussain Sajidin, the consultant on climate change for Oxfam, delivered important speech. Dr Sajidin Putting a light on the nature of catastrophes in Pakistan said that most of the disasters were hydro meteorological come out in the shape of deficiency, floods, land erosion, and storms. He said The consequence of climate change were crucial for Pakistan, for its economic base was agriculture, climate change and resulting meteorological disasters could devastate the livelihood base of the majority of people. They said that while chalking out strategies it was imperative to take into deliberation local knowledge and support it with modern scientific knowledge. Member of the seminar were of the view that the strategies and decisions have to be information based. They strained upon sharing knowledge to avoid replication and wasteful of resources, time, and energy.

Mentioning on the reachable condition of research on the subject of climate change and natural disasters the partaker unhappy, that research sharing was missing in Pakistan. Shahbaz said that from Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO) put down great stress on expansion research horizon to react to the challenges of climate change in a superior way. Government can do well if it incorporates best practices of NGO modeling in its policy. Javaria Afzal of Oxfam shared her experiences and practices enhanced towards building knowledge and power of Civil Society to make possible people to manage with natural disasters and take the edge off negative impacts. Members agreed that the media was medium between policy and society. It can play an active role in link gap between the two they added. Asma Rashid, a spokes-woman of worldwide change Impact Studies Centre Islamabad said that scientists and social scientist have to avoid argument and make combined efforts to bring about transform in policies and attitude of government and people about climate change.

LAHORE: The health department has ongoing taking action in opposition to the speaking infuriating and dealers of bogus drugs on the directions of Chief Minister Punjab Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif. Dr Umer Farooq Baloch. Director Health Services Lahore Division said this at the same time as discussion to a delegation of Council of Herbal Physicians Pakistan Central Secretary General (CHPP), Hakeem Kazi M.A. Khalid led the delegation here Sunday. However, he said that eligible doctors would be provide with full safeguard adding that action would also be taken against the drug inspector who harasses the reputable homeopaths. Dr.Umer said quacks are playing with the lives of innocent people and now they cannot flee from the law. He advised strongly the Council of Herbal Physicians to point out the quacks so that severe action shall be took against them to protect the lives of innocent citizens.

Hakeems Muhammad Rizwan, Muhammad Sabir, Muhammad Yousaf and Hakeem Muhammad Ajmal were also present on this event. Qazi M.A Khalid told the Director Health Services that under health ministry's circular, no F.4-2197-P-122 dated May 8, 2009, registered and eligible Homeopaths can use modern diagnostic instruments such as blood pressure apparatus, stethoscope, thermometer etc, but some drug inspectors criminally bother them in this regard.

ISLAMABAD: Samina Khalid Ghurki the Federal Minister for Social Welfare and Special Education and her Philippines counterpart Dr Esperanza I. Cabral met in Philippines to discuss different ways for co-operation in the field of social welfare. In their four days official visit the initiatives taken by the department of Social Welfare and Special Education, Philippines. The department works with 'Parlawid Pamilyang Philipino Programme' popularly known as the '4ps' under which cash endowment were given to extremely poor households to allow them to meet certain human development goals in exchange of compliance to core responsibilities, with the dual objectives of social assistance and social development. Commenting on the functioning of this programmed. Ghurki said. “It is indeed a commendable effort to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty among poor households through the promotion of human capital accumulation among adolescents.”

ISLAMABAD: The Chairman of Pakistan Telecom Dr. Muhammad Yaseen said that PTA making efforts to improve the consumer protection further. The consumers’ satisfaction and protection the first priority of PTA he added. The Pakistan Telecom sector had seen extraordinary growth during the past decades said by the PTA chairperson in a press conference. His view that the extraordinary progress brought many benefits to public in terms of network expansion, scope of services, reduction in tariffs and availability of selection of telecom operators with look upon to choice of their service provider. He said the PTA had aimed at the operators to expand a comprehensive complaint management and rectify of consumer complaint mechanism in line with the Consumer Protection Regulations 2009. He further added that “Our next step is the implementation phase for which the PTA along with operators have revamped their complaint handling systems, made them more consumer-oriented, organized and expanded through which consumers can lodge their complaints.” He said the PTA had taken positive steps towards consumer complaint handling and redressed mechanism, which included establishment of Consumer Protection Directorate at PTA headquarters in Islamabad, introduction of Consumer Protection Regulation 2009 and feedback mechanism with telecom industries and public. He said PTA was on accomplishment phase, had fixed up its complaint handling system, and will provide a range of modes, including help lines, e-mail system, web mails, and fax number, providing the consumers further legal right to lodge their complaints. The PTA Chairman reiterated that the PTA would continue to assist its consumers in future. Being a controller, he said the PTA encouraged holding dialogues with all the stakeholders and inputs from the media, which would help the body in encouraged harmonious and coordinated hard work for the stipulation of telecom services in the country.

He further added that the telecom sector sustained handsome inflow of money to the government exchequer. The vision of telecom growth, coupled with consumer protection as visualized in the Pakistan Telecom Act, 1996 had realized through a tele-density of 61.8 %, and the number of an increasing cellular mobile subscriber base that today stood at 93.34 million. He added, “Our mechanism of checks and balances will only add to healthy competition and will promote good business in the sector.” More than 80,000 individual consumer complaints had received and rectified by the authority since the complaint cell started working.

The PTA formulated the Consumer Protection Regulations 2009 had multiple features, including, service provisioning as per consumer choice, request and without discrimination, no activation or deactivation of services/packages without user consent, fair commercial practices, Consumer complaint Handling and Redressed Mechanism Categorization of complaints and many others. A lot of consultation had done with the industry and general consumer with an aim to keep on board everyone. Answering a question, the PTA Chairman said, “The towers were installed along borders with India and Afghanistan without signal spell over boundaries. Similarly, the regulators of other countries were also installed their telecom towers without spelling over signals to Pakistani areas.”

ISLAMABAD: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has shown lack of capability in fixing the price of CNG and asked the Petroleum Ministry to provide direction in this regard. Some sources said that the Authority has written to Ministry of Petroleum that without the input of government, it is not feasible for them to fix the prices.

The main difficulty is that it is not within OGRA’s field to fix the percentage profit for CNG station owners and the government should decide this and make it clear to OGRA that they are sending information to the Ministry of Finance about the claims that CNG station is making profit of Rs 4.16 per kg on sale of CNG. The price of gas as per monthly bills (excluding GST and WHT) is Rs 19.15 per kg. It includes electricity bills, cost of power generator, salaries of employees, and other charges. CNG owners claim that they are giving 25 % general sales tax (GST) or Rs 4.79 per kg and 4 % income tax on gas or Rs 0.77 per kg. Total cost of gas including GST and income tax is Rs 24.70 per kg.

The sources added that due to boost in electricity rates and other expenses the association also claims that return to investor in CNG industry has declined to 8 % instead of 20 % allowed in August 2008. The sources said that previous CNG dealers association had demanded of the government to remain gas price with a reduction of 50 % of petrol price to make CNG competitive with petrol. CNG Association has also recommended that 10 % withholding tax on electricity should be detached as CNG industry is by now paying income tax and sales tax in advance as full and final legal responsibility under section 234-A.

Sources added that the CNG association also put objections on applying section 235 on CNG industry and improved additional 10 % withholding tax. They said that CNG industry is already paying income tax and sales tax. CNG industry was providing on industrial tariff until 2007, which withdrawn unilaterally and commercial tariff was giving in its place.

The Association said that trial tariff is lower than commercial tariff and it benefits to consumers in the form of reduced consumers price and the gas price should kept less than 50 % of petrol price as consider in 1991 Petroleum Policy to keep it competitive with petrol. Sources added that CNG association claimed that it is in international practice that gas price were less than 50 % of petrol price. The Gas prices, crude oil prices are interlinked, and it should abridge in line with the reduction of crude oil prices in the international market. The increase in the price of gas by 33 % in July 2008 and 7 % in January 2009 was shocking for the consumers; this will provide some relief for them. In difference, petrol price has declined by Rs 25 per liter in several phases after decline in international oil prices. No such reduction has allowed in gas price, the Association find extremely unacceptable.

Sources noted that petrol pump owners were receiving less than Rs 2 as profit on per liter petrol in agreement with an accepted formula, but there was no such formula for the CNG station owners, adding that the CNG owners are in fact trying to deceive the government and the stacks.

Association has also assured the government that it would keep on playing its consultative role as it has for the last 14 years and will try to look for a fair and just balance between licensees and consumers. The CNG association further added that being a major stakeholder, it should made part of all pricing exercises, changes, or discussions at the government level.

Lahore: The Chief Justice Lahore High Court formed a four-member committee to check revenue record and take action against the illegitimate residents of the Atchison Housing Society (AHS) after Registrar co-operative society reported that more than 50 % of plots in the society were under illicit possession. The information came under court's notice while holding a proceeding of a Suo Motto notice taken over the alleged non-issuance of plots by AHS to three women who made full payment in 1981. EDO (R) will head the committee constituted for investigation while the other members included Superintendent Police (SP) Sadder, Registrar Co-operative Society, and President AHS.

According to a complaint sent to the CJ by post, Humaira Amjad, Feroza Sarwar and Zammurad Salman bought three different plots F-17, F-15 and A-62 of one kanal each in Aitcheson Housing Society in 1981. It further alleged that plots F-15 and F-17 were in illegal possession of ex-President of the society while a person named Maqsood Butt occupied plot A-62.

Later on, the CJ had appointed a local commission to look into the matter of non-issuance of plots to women after the law officer informed the court that their plots not situated in the society. He, however, informed the court that the plot of Zammurad Salman situated in the society and that she could get hold of it. The report exposed that the 113 plots in the Phase-I and 191 plots in Phase-II were in the possession of illicit tenant in the society. Names of some police officials have also exposed in the report that had seized the land. They included SP Nizam Durrani, a SSP having possession on seven plots, a motorway inspector, and a person Mian Shahid occupying 21 plots. The report further exposed that some land of the AHS was also invade Judicial Colony. It supposed that all the illegal possessions awarded to the tenant by former president of the society, Munawar Ali Syed.

Lahore: At the recent increase in cases of illicit trade in Pakistan the World Wide Funds for Nature –Pakistan is on alarmed situation. The illegal trading of turtle meat smuggling detected by the Karachi Police and Railway, where Sindh Wildlife Department’s own staff seemed to involved .The case of illegal supply of White Tigers to the Lahore Zoo is the second prominent case. The WWF-P enforces the Federal Ministry of Environment, Customs and police departments and media to play their credible role in bringing such illegal activities to light. Moreover, to take further steps to restrain the smugglers group which also seems to have high-level contacts with government and politicians.

The Director General Ali Hassan Habib of WWF-P said that the political leadership have also requested to more cautious and not consent to politically appointed individuals to evade the law or manipulate the system. He further added that as it creates a clear conflict of interest that the persons with links to animal dealers or connection in animal dealings should not permitted to be members of the Lahore Zoo Maintenance Committee.

Lahore: The Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), because of the inattention on the part of its revenue staff, has eventuated wrong bills for the month of June 2009 by adding previous month arrears in the current phone bills. The subscriber had to suffer mental torment on receipt of wrong bills. The PTCL authorities added the May arrears in the June bills have delivered just a couple of days ago with payable due date of July 22 2009. One of the subscriber had deposited the bill for the month of May on June 22, 2009 at the Atlas Bank Limited, the Mall Branch Lahore whereas the payable due date was June 23. The Customers Services Center official claims that there might be delay in transfer of payment from the bank to the PTCL that was resulted in issuance of wrong bills. On the opposing, the staff of the same bank's branch, on contact said that they have also received wrong bills due to the negligence on the part of PTCL. the staff added '”we are bound to dispatch the bank's scroll to the PTCL on daily basis thus there was no possibility of delay in payment.” It is relevant to declare that the telephone bill for the next month issued after two weeks time, i.e. July 7 and thus the PTCL had enough time from June 23 to July 7 to verify the payment status of previous bills before issue.

Islamabad: Etisalat on Monday revealed its Group consolidated financial outcome for the first half of 2009 illuminating a net profit of AED 4.593 billion. All profit was AED 5.045 billion in 2008, which included earnings on sale of shares in Mobile of AED 892 million after federal royalty. Without this outstanding item, the net profit after federal royalty for the six months ended June 2009 is AED 440 million (11pc) higher than the same period in 2008. According to a press release of the Etisalat on Financial Results for the Second Quarter of 2009, Etisalat recorded net revenues of AED 14.744 billion for the first half of 2009. An increase of 10 percent compared to the first half of 2008 (AED 13.408 billion). Total possessions recorded were AED 67.245 billion, compared to last year's total earnings per share for the first half of 2009 is AED 0.64 against AED 0.70 (AED 0.58 without exceptional item for the same period in 2008.

Chairperson of Etisalat Mohammad Omran said, “The financial results for the first half of 2009 reflect that Etisalat was not directly affected by the global financial crisis. The growth in revenues achieved will help us expand and develop our national and international business units.” He further added, “We have reduced our operational expenditure in the period and have become even more selective in choosing our international investments. We are achieving this by making use of the current financial environment and searching for positive opportunities that arise during these times.”

Chief Executive Officer at Etisalat Mohammed Khalfan Al Qamzi said, “Mobile penetration in the UAE has exceeded 200%. This makes the UAE the number one country in the world for mobile subscriptions.” This high penetration rate reduces the opportunities for growth in number of subscribers, and gives a chance for cumulative growth in terms of rates, minutes of use and data traffic through mobile phones and 3G services that Etisalat provides. “Etisalat is committed to continue in this endeavor through the completion of its Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) network which will to support the economic and overall development in the UAE.” The number of mobile users in the UAE has reached 7.26 million, and permanent line subscribers reached 1.33 million. The Internet subscriber base reached 1.23 million in the first half of 2009.

Karachi: A forestry project was been carried out in Galyat to assist control carbon emissions. After successful completion of Chaanga Maanga Project, an another project was being undertaken by the Engro Polymers and Chemical Limited (EPCL).Carbon offsetting move through a forestation and reforestation, EPCL in the wake its annual carbon emissions has initiated. In April, a Memorandum of thoughtful (MoU) has been sign between the Punjab Forest Department and the EPCL to begin plantation. Project should start in the NWFP from July 24. For carbon offsetting now the NWFP forest department has also unmitigated its collaboration and technical maintenance for the execution of the project by the signing of a MoU with the EPCL at Donga Gali.

The forest of Galyat is implementing plantation project on 125 acre’s land. The project area located in Union Council Nathia galli, district Abbottabad, together from major center of attention of carbon offsetting, the project will also be meant at civilizing the social, economic and environmental happiness of the area. The project will be a three party’s arrangement. The forest section will be the implementing agency and the World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan (WWF-P) will be the monitoring agency, where the EPCL will provide financial support. Due to its leading role in environmental conservation in the country and its on-going efforts towards climate change, WWF-P has been involved as a monitoring agency. WWF-P also busy in monitoring the EPCL's carbon offsetting project, implemented by Punjab Forest Department in Changa Manga Irrigated Plantation.

EPCL Chief Executive Officer, Asif Qadir said, "Our Corporation believes in reducing its carbon trail. The project will test solutions to lessen the impacts of carbon emissions and evaluate methods to improve the condition of forest. We have stepped forward to take a lead role for raising plantation to mitigate the climate change effects in the country. We see this project as a long-term project and the results of this project will help us in continuing our initiatives by gradually increasing the plantation in different areas of Pakistan. We realize our responsibility towards the environment in which we operate and the one we affect. Our vision is to work and contributes to make Pakistan 'Sar Saabs' and will keep on contributing to take Pakistan towards low carbon economy."

IG Forest, Ministry of Environment was looking forward for a much better position by the private sector in the beam of aim set for planting one million hectares of land up to 2015 under the presidential commands. Dr Iqbal Sial said, "The pioneering efforts made by the EPCL are praise worthy. It is also very heartening to note that the EPCL is cognizant of the importance of after planting care and maintenance.”

The project offers important contribution in the direction of the efforts obligatory in terms of fighting climate change. The company can compensate and contribute to the gigantic target of bringing one million hectare under tree cover to proportionate size of its business, the a forestation campaign by the EPCL will be carried forward by expanding its programmed to bring considerably larger areas under tree cover.

Karachi: MPA Imamuddin Shahzad additional Chairman KWSB has taken strict notice of supply of contaminated water to Katchi Abadis of Future Colony,Mansehera Colony and Samdani Town in Landhi. He showed anger over the situation to Chief Engineer Zone- I Imran Asif. He placed area Engineer Khalid Farooqi under instant suspension and formed an inquiry committee under Managing Director Qutub Shaikh with the instruction to put forward its report within three days. Due to the inattention and carelessness of the officials and staff in this matter, a strict action would take against them. Preliminary reports said the populace of these Katchi Abadis had obtained a 4-inch dia pipeline from Water Board some 15 years back and it passes through a sewerage drain along Malir River. Chief Engineer said that this line is not part of water distribution system of Landhi nor Water Board takes care of it and as a result, water supplied through it became unhygienic after the line became obsolete. The water distribution staff cut off its connection from KWSB's water supply system soon after receipt of report of water contamination. Imamuddin Shahzad strictly instructed, the staff of water board started replacement of affected line on an emergency basis and humanitarian ground. Express sympathy with the area populace, the Additional Chairman said that supply of clean drinking water has started instantly through tankers. He said those found responsible for inattention would take to charge even if it would be the Chief Engineer.

Islamabad: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has required support of the Ministry of Finance for starting investigation in opposition to the supposed cartelization by sugar mills. The sources said on Monday that the investigation against the powerful lobby of sugar mill owners allegedly involved in cartelization has not stopped. Although it is not probable without the help of government to started any judicial proceedings against these mills. These powerful groups have stakes, which can easily break off any kind of investigation against sugar mills. Sources added," We have told the Ministry of Finance that most of the sugar mills owned by influential political lobby and groups. It is extremely difficult to take action against such lobby. The CCP requires support of the government for initiating fresh inquiry or investigation to prove any kind of cartelization. So far, we have not found any credible evidence against the alleged cartelization by sugar mills. Therefore, the Commission would also conduct a detailed study of this sector. However, the CCP has not prove any lobby in sugar industry, even though the industry has reeked of one, particularly with such a brawny platform as the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA).

In the years to come the competition in the market will depend on the government policies especially with regard to the procurement price of sugarcane. The commission is not legally powerful enough to take any action against the sugar producers because there is lack of believable proof of a sugar cartel in Pakistan. The CCP does not have forceful evidence of a sugar cartel, which is a requirement for taking legal action. However, the existence of parallel pricing is obvious. The Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) is a powerful lobby, which represents the interest of sugar factory owners, has frequently made common reason against sugarcane growers. The information said that the sugar sector constitutes 4.2% of manufacturing in the country. Even though about the similar amount as cement its many backward and forward linkages in the economy show that, its indirect socio-economic impact in overall terms is considerably larger than its direct contribution to GDP. In terms of concentration, it considered competitive. Sugarcane has a five-month period. The mills manufacture sugar for five months but have to release their stock consistently over the year. Stock support thus becomes an issue. Warning practices are widespread. The commodity-like nature of the product encourages an Oligopolistic consensus and tends to stop price competition. The CCP previously Monopoly Control Authority has in the past-protected horns with sugar manufacturers and PSMA. 72 sugar mills were served with show-cause notices and quite a few hearings were held, resulting in MCA's Order (23 September 2005) directing the mills “to discontinue and not to repeat the practice of withholding of stock to create artificial shortage of the commodity in the market". When sugar prices have rose 40% in the first four months of the year 2005.

The mills appeal to the Lahore High Court, where the matter remained under negotiation for nearly three years. Finally, on July 30, 2008, the Islamabad High Court accepted the appeal that MCA could not provide enough criteria to set up that any difficult restrictive trade practices had occurred. Nor did MCA have sufficient confirmation to prove that stocks hold back, by mills from the dealers upon order. In February 2006, 42 sugar mills had released stocks less than the predetermined “provincial average” they were served with a show cause notice. During the following hearings, the mills contended that the "provincial average" was not a sensible standard. This disagreement was accepted and monthly consumption of 8.33 percent of yearly dispatches was substituted as a standard, but later it was found that the mills were not obeying to this benchmark either and were with-holing supplies. On 9th May 2006, the MCA aimed at them to stop this restrictive practice, but 22 of them went in petition to the High Court. The Court suspended MCA's orders but intended for the undertakings to bring sugar into the market. A rather more victorious involvement the same year (2006) was against the Sind Sugar Manufacturers Association. Who reported to have endangered to stop devastating, if the price of sugarcane not adjusted in accordance with their demand? The CCP reporter added,” The MCA took terror tactics and issued a survey to all the mills, asking them to confirm whether, they subscribed to the association's warning. Every single sugar mill said that it was not aligned with the Association's threat, and, to verify that, they sustained to crush cane within the outline set by the government.”

Islamabad: On Thursday, the Sindh government gave affirmation to UK-based firm Oracle Coalfield Plc that it will be the first company, which will start mining in Thar. In a meeting at the office of the Secretary of Mines and Mineral Development in Karachi between the Oracle representative Mike Joyce Scutt and Shurakh Khan gave this assurance. They informed the delegation that the work progressing according to schedule. In November 2009, the feasibility report would finalize. They will apply for grant of mining lease and will pay all requisite fees after assessment of feasibility report by the technical committee and its clearance. Oracle delegate Mike Joyce confirmed that that Oracle had examined Thar coal and considered it mine able. “Any suggestion to the contrary is unfounded, he said, and quoted an example of four power plants of 4000 MW, established within the radius of 10 square kilometers in Australia, with the coal quality inferior to Thar coal. The sources said Shahrukh Khan presented a copy of scoping report (study) that scheduled for submission in June 2009. He forwarded the report to all concerned for further improvement.

He further added that, they initiated a program for environmental and social baseline date collection. In which, covered the following areas like mapping and topographical data and study on land use. Also study on socio-economic situation and infrastructure, study on demographic and ethnological profile, settlement and household composition and design local economy and household income and livelihood, social services infrastructure, physical infrastructure, natural resource management, governance and civil society. And the cultural property, flora and fauna, natural vegetation plant life, animal life, climate, water, air quality and noise, geology, geomorphology soils, social-cultural heritage, landscape and visual character, seism city in addition, radioactivity.

The government that after the funding of the mining lease, they would approach the PPIB for issuance of LoI within the prescribed timeframe and work on bankable feasibility would carried out fast track basis it assured by the members of delegation. The Oracle also assured submission of technical report by November 2009 and ESIA by February 2010. The Oracle delegation said, “We are following the timelines as per memorandum of understanding (MoU) and would not lag behind, and if every thing goes as per plan we will be able to start mining operation in 2011.” The Secretary of Mines and Minerals informed the meeting that their scoping report would place before the technical committee and observations communicated in due course of time. The Provincial Secretary well versed the meeting that work on providing 250 cusecs water to Thar coalfields was in active deliberation. The preliminary report expected within two months before preparation of PC-I for providing water from Chotiaryoon reservoir. Further, the work on 500 KV transmission line and broad gauge railway line was also under active consideration of the concerned authorities.

Karachi: Japan government gave a donation of Rs 7.6 million to the Al-Mustafa Welfare Society, a Non-Governmental Organization. This is for the project of the stipulation of medical facilities for the Al-Mustafa Medical Centre (AMMC) in Karachi. The Japan government had donated the money to NGO under the scheme of the Grant Assistance for the Grassroots Human Security Projects. The contract signed by Akinori Wada, Consul General of Japan and Ahmed Abdul Shakoor, President of Al-Mustafa Welfare Society on July 15. The grant would utilize for the provision, of the basic medical equipment for an additional operation theatre in AMMC. The purpose of this project is to help more local people to access free and fine medical treatment. The Consul General of Japan anticipated that this project would help upgrading the living state of the local people, and wished that this support from the people of Japan would fortify the present harmonious relationship between Pakistan and Japan.

Karachi: For the enhancement of society, the Pakistan largest oil marketing company (PSO) takes initiatives in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) from different platforms. Pakistan State Oil Ltd provided significant financial support the welfare organizations working in the areas of health, education and community building for the under privileged during the year 2008-2009. The PSO comprehensive support to charitable organizations manly Thalassaemia Care Centre Badin, Civil Hospital Karachi, Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre, Children Cancer Foundation Trust Karachi, Al Mehrab Tibbi Imdad, The Layton Rahmat ullah Benevolent Trust's Mission, Aga Khan University Hospital, Aziz Jehan Begum Trust for Blind, Fatmid Foundation and many more.

The Company donated munificently for rehabilitation of flood-affected areas in Baluchistan and providing the financial assistance of Rs. 10 million in Prime Minster’s Relief Fund. The employees of the company donated one-day salary for this noble cause. In the education, sector the PSO institutes like Heritage Foundation, Friends of Literacy & Mass Education, Karachi Vocational Training Centre, The Citizen Foundation, Dr A. Q. Khan Institute Mianwali, Kaghan Memorial Trust, Islamabad etc. During the financial year, 2008-09 two schools inaugurated in Mansehra in association with Heritage Foundation whereas more are in development stages in partnership with The Citizen Foundation. PSO also joined hands with Virtual University of Pakistan to establish a VU PSO Campus at District Badin. According to this agreement, PSO will facilitate the university by providing its premises to establish a campus in District Badin to educate and give the training to the students and public. PSO also accomplish several public service advertising campaign concerning road safety, fuel saving, illegitimate distribution of 'dabba' petrol and CNG protective measures. Managing Director Irfan Qureshi said that “PSO firmly believes that in addition to our shareholders we are responsible to a broader constituency that includes our key stakeholders: customers, employee, NGOs, government and the people of the communities in which we operate.”

Islamabad: Pakistan Oilfields Limited (POL) won the third successive award. The POL is the environment friendly company and secured its place as one of the top five companies. On July 6, 2009, it declared in sixth Annual Environmental Award Ceremony organized by National Forum for Environment & Health (NFEH) at Sheraton Hotel, Karachi. The 49 companies awarded out of 92 participants. Mr Hameedullah Jan Afridi, Federal Minister for Environment was the Chief Guest at the ceremony and Mr Naeem Qureshi of Pakistan Oilfields spoke on the occasion.

Islamabad: Oil & Gas Development Company Limited MD/CEO awarded sixth Annual Environment Excellent Awarded 2009 by the Federal Minister for Environment Hammeed Ullah Jan Afridi because of maintaining best environmental record of accomplishment services. The National Forum for Environment and Health (NEFEH) instituted the performance of OGDCL in a function on Tuesday. OGDCL awarded for the second time. The first award achieved in 2007 for the first time. The award instituted by NEFEH with support of United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI). The ceremony attended by government officials, corporates, environmentalists, experts, civil society and media. The OGDCL won the Annual Environment Excellence Award (AEEA) due to sustained its position as key provider of safe energy through indigenous sources by observing highest standards as an environmentally responsible Exploration and Production (E&P) organization.

Islamabad: On Wednesday, the Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary said that it is a tragedy that grade 20 officer after an entreaty haggle of Rs. 146 million with the NAB knock at the door of Supreme Court for restoration, though the said person should not have the courage to do this. The Chief Justice gave these comments during a hearing of an appeal of one Shaukat Ali, a grade 20 officer of Customs group, who dismissed from service while committing a fraud. Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry headed the three-member bench and comprising Justice Jawad S Khawaja and Justice Sair Ali dismissed appeal of Shaukat Ali Bhatti against the verdict of Federal Services Tribunal of dismissal from service. The Chief Justice said, “That the apex court even did not spare an official who committed a fraud of just Rs 1,500 while this is a case of big fraud and how the culprit thinks that he would give a clean chit by the court.”

The counsel of the petitioner Abdur Rehman Bhatti said that the accused filed an application of an entreaty bargain with NAB under compulsion and the said amount paid by the family members of accused person. The Chief Justice said, “That the appellant removed from service on charges of corruption against which the Federal Service Tribunal and the apex court had dismissed appeals.”

Lahore: On July 15, the Federal Environment Ministry planned to set new world record by planning the maximum number of trees in 24 hours at Keti Bander in Thatta District. This statement issued by the Federal Minister for Environment Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi in a press. The National Environment 2009 planned with a view to compete international level forest resources. It will help in two ways; the one we will achieve the national objective of increasing forest cover and the other to develop the awareness and creating a soft image of the country in the world. The Minister said that in view of the global importance of Mangrove forests. Mainly the Tsunami of 2005 the GWR incident will detained in the Mangrove areas on the coastal islands of Sindh, which now lack of vegetation. The particular place of the incident is at Keti Bander in Thatta district, some 150 kilometers in the Southeast of Karachi. This is in harmony with the current government’s determination to rehabilitate Mangrove forests of Sindh by all means, in partnership with Sindh Forest Department, international and national NGOs, and private sector.

He added that the GWR event planned on July 15. Pakistan is set to break of planting record of trees of India i.e. 447,874 trees in June 2009. The 300 planters will attempt to break the earlier record in 24 hours during natural light without using machinery. One planter will have to plant more than 1300 plants from morning to evening. The special arrangements will make on the site. The Guinness World Record juries and the independent observer monitored the event. In order to ensure its accuracy at national as well as international levels, the media will encourage to effectively covering the event.

Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi said that the understanding and motivation generated because of GWR event on July 15 would move towards holding another event on August 18, 2009. The August 18 will announced as the National Forest Day and all section of society will be together to plant as many trees as possible all over the country. The event will organize by the Provincial Forest Departments, Capital Development Authority, and National Highway Authority.

The Minister said,” This is a voluntary and participatory initiative involving all provinces, organizations, and individuals.” He appeal to all national building departments, autonomous bodies, armed forces, private sector, academic institutions, NGOs, farming community and people from all fields of life to enthusiastically participate in this event and plant and protect as many trees as they can. He further added, “These two events visible assurance and determine of the government and the people of Pakistan for promote the reason of environmental protection through tree planting. The saplings planted under both these events will also be count up towards UN Environmental Program (UNEP)’s Billion Trees Campaign.”

The News (Lahore) - At Ghalib Market police station on Saturday, A citizen filed an application of credit card theft and its misuse against well-known PML-N MPA Shumaila Anjum Rana at Ghalib Market police station on Saturday.

Geo news, which broke the story, takes CCTV footage from the shop owner and telecast it. Further, more she denied her involvement in the theft and rather claimed that her servant misused the credit cards. The applicant said that his sister Zaira Malik attented classes at a health centre of Sukh Chain Club said by the Moqeet Salam. The applicant added that his sister was attending classes in the health centre, after placing her bag in a room at club, and MPA Shumaila Rana also there on the same day. Zaira Malik the accused left the class earlier and picked her bag, there were two credit cards, which misused by the accused, one was of UBL and the other was of Bank Al-Falah. Although, she call both the banks to blocked her both cards by telling his brother Moqeet but some of the bank official told Zaira that her card has already been used for Rs 80,000.

At two different shops, the owner showed her the CCTV footage and it proved that Shumaila Rana has used those credit cards to purchase the jewelry and clothes. However, no case registered until now after this report.

The correspondent also tried to contact the MPA but she was not available. Duty official and Gulberg Police station also denied any such application. The police said if any proof comes valid against the MPA Shumaila Rana than an action should take against her as per law. Punjab Law Minister Rana Sana Ullah said that the rule of law would maintain if the accused MPA found guilty. He added that action should also take under party discipline if the allegations leveled against the MPA proved true.

PML-N woman MPA accused of using stolen credit card

Sunday, July 12, 2009
By our correspondent

LAHORE: A citizen filed an application of credit card theft and its misuse against a PML-N MPA Shumaila Anjum Rana at Ghalib Market police station on Saturday.

Shumaila Rana talking to Geo News denied her involvement in the theft and rather claimed that her servant misused the credit cards. Geo News, which broke the story, acquired CCTV footage from the shop owner and telecast it.

The applicant Moqeet Salam, in his application, said that his sister Zaira Malik attended classes at a health centre of Sukh Chain Club. He said that a couple of days ago his sister attended a class at the health centre after placing her bag in a room at the club, and MPA Shumaila Rana also attended the class on the same day. The accused MPA left the class early and as Zaira picked up her bag, she found her two credit cards — one of UBL and other Bank Al-Falah — missing from the bag, the applicant added.

Zaira told the applicant (her brother Moqeet) that she called the helpline of the two banks to inform that her cards were misplaced and block both the cards.

But as the officials at help centres of both banks told Zaira that someone had swiped the cards for Rs80,000 at two separate shops, one of them a jewellery shop, she panicked and visited the shops. The shop owner showed the CCTV footage to the card owner in which it was proved that Shumaila Rana had swiped the credit cards to purchase jewellery and clothes.

However, no case was registered till the filing of this report.

This correspondent tried to contact MPA Shumaila but she was not available at her cell phone and landline number. Duty officials at Ghalib Market and Gulberg police stations also denied receiving any such application.

A senior police officer, requesting anonymity, said that police were probing the incident and examining the CCTV footage and other evidence and if it was found that the incident was true, a case would be registered as per law.

On the issue, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sana Ullah said that the rule of law would be maintained if the accused MPA was found guilty.

He added that action would also be taken under party discipline if the allegations levelled against the MPA proved true.

ISLAMABAD: After solid evidence has been found of the Nigerians people involved in the smuggling of narcotics, special steps has been taken to make a mechanism by involving Nigerian government to solve this matter. At parliament house on Monday Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told the members of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs in a meeting held under Chairperson Asfandiyar Wali.

The minister said the National Assembly members that some of the Nigerian nationals that were involved had been deported and procedural formalities taking out to deport another. Minister told that the visa system is under negotiation with Nigeria and a treaty would be sign in coming days for bilateral co-operation on narcotics trafficking to completely eradicate it through active liaison between the Law Enforcement Agencies of the two countries. The Minister asked by the Chairman Standing Committee to put forward steps being taken in the High Court for the documentation and visa issuance of the said migrants in Peshawar. The illegal entry of migrants into Pakistan can be restrained, the committee suggested that a joint meeting of National Assembly Standing Committees on Foreign Affairs and Narcotics Control should be held shortly fulfill this illegal entrance of the migrants and to eradicate the plant of narcotics.

Lahore: The notices issued to 282 pathology laboratories by The Environment Protection Department for not implementing the Hospital Waste Management Rules 2005 which causing spread of infectious diseases among masses. Punjab Environment Protection Department Secretary Sajid Saleem Hotiyana stated this in a press conference on Friday. He further added that the decision of launching the campaign against pathology labs taken previous month.

The department issued show case notices to 63 pathology laboritries in Lahore,52 in Faisalabad,12 in Sialkot,5 in Dera Ghazi Khan, 16 in Rawalpindi, 14 in Okara, 11 in Gujranwala, 11 in Sargodha, 57 in Multan, 21 in Lodhran and 10 in Narowal. All the Districts governments in the Province asked for instant and effective implementation of the Hospital Waste Management Rules 2005 in correspondence and strength besides taking strict legal action against the defaulters said by the Secretary of EPD.

Mrs. Viqarun Nisa Ahmed appeal to the Ombudsman in 1995 and shift to Lahore in 1995 for getting favorable decisions. She anticipate now justice from PIA when the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi bench Judge Syed Asghar Haider ruled on 2 june that “the needful be done within three weeks. The learned counsel for the petitioner has apprehension that order will not be complied with in letter and spirit. Be that as it may, in case the same is not done so, the petitioner will be at liberty to re-file the petition on this subject matter.”

Due to the new judicial policy the 10-years old case was decidede by court.And also assuraed that all the pending cases will be resolved in one year. For the first time she approached The News in 1999 and her report run about her dilemma.

She went the court along with the clipping. As she become seriously ill after sometime and was admitted in CMH Rawalpindi. She was very serious as her relatives was woundering wheather she will survive to see the implementation of court orders in PIA.The court proceed and reached to a conclusion that it is a case of consitiution voilation and Mrs Nisa was the victim because she is a woman. She was interviewed in 1984 by PIAC along with the other candidates including males and females. She was the only candidate who qualify and passed the test.

She simply declare it injustice and discrrmination against womem as she secured 37.73 out 40 while an other candidate named Bahadur Jadoon secured 31.66 marks. As it was decleared that “ The vacancy of Careere development offiecer is for female”.

She briefed the court that PIA was failed to treat her fair and without any discremination. He further said that the national carrier also failed to honor her fundamental right of equal opportunity in service.

On the other side PIA has declared the case an old one and was disqulified according to the article 9(2) of PO1 of 1983. It is the right of management to select a candidate while considering his or her previous experience and his or her eligibility. She further said that the implementation of Article 9 is not applid on her because it is a case of fresh employment.

According to the judgemnt by MR Justice (retd) Abdul Shakuraul salam “ As she secured the higest marks in the test and the selection board is also having a good opinion about her but still she is ignored”. He further added that the article 5 is not applied on her and if it happens it would be an unjust act and would clearly be a discrimination on the basis of sex. It would be the clear violation of the constituion of pakistan.

Viqarun Nisa is still waiting for justice as the court has ruled in her favour. The question is how long will she wait for the implementation of the court order.

The News: The Minorities Minster Shahbaz Bhatti said on Thursday that the criminals torturing Christians of village Bamaniwala in Kasur will arrest and justice would provide to the victims. He said that the government would not allow any one to disturb law and order situation and attack the innocent people. He further added that government protects the lives and properties of the minorities. He ordered the Police authorities to arrest the criminals and protect minority’s life and property.

On June 30, 2009 in a village Bahmani wala District Kasur the Christians brutally attacked by Muslim mob. About 600 hundred Muslim attacked about 100 Christens for a profanity allegation. They destroyed Christian’s houses, robbed their houses, and set on fire their houses .Christians unable to buy food items or other daily life things from Muslims shops. Not only this electricity power and water cut off from their houses.

The Sharing Life Ministry of Pakistan five members team consisted led by Mr. Sohail Johnson Chief Coordinator visited Christians Bahmani Wala Village to provide them support. Team came to know that poor people did not eat food since the incidence took place. The Chief Coordinator SLMP Mr. Sohail Johnson immediately arranged food and served to the victims of horrible attack. In Bahmani village located at some short to Ganda Singh border Kasur between India and Pakistan. More then hundred Christian’s families and six hundred Muslims families are living in the village

Islamabad: The tobacco industries are not following the laws strictly and government has failed to implement guidelines of prohibition of smoking and protection of non-smokers. The government had not yet work on the Health Ordinance to draw some guidelines for tobacco industry. Chief Executive Officer, Waqar Ahmed, The Network for Consumer Protection said on Monday that the health ministry was not able to go for the complete enforcement of the advertising guidelines of the laws relevant to tobacco because unsuitable mechanism followed by them. In spite of prohibition tobacco advertisements on electronic and print media, the government should take exclusion to the other forms of advertisements adopted by this industry together with posters, billboards, sponsorships and offering nice-looking gift schemes. He said seek assistance from tobacco industry in emergency and relief work of government, so it is not possible to persuade the tobacco industry for complete implementation of advertising guidelines. Ministry Official established this immoral practice especially in case of rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

The Network chief said that Ministry of Health seems to be prejudice by the tobacco industry as no further steps have taken since the health minister made the milestone verdict that the illustrative health warnings on cigarette packs will be implement in letter and in spirit. He said that the Ministry is on the path of withdrawal from the earlier statement due to the extreme pressure from the tobacco industry. Therefore, they have not yet issued the orders for implementation of SRO. No measures are yet taken to dismiss this impression by the Health Managers and as a result goes on the open violation of advertisement guidelines of prevention of Smoking & Protection of Non-Smokers' Health Ordinance, 2002 everywhere in the twin cities. The soft attitude of the health managers towards the tobacco industry the business interests and the extreme promotional campaigns of tobacco industry are also proving the obstacle in the way of suitable implementation of the tobacco law. The open violation of tobacco industry is observed clearly in the twin cities as posters of big cigarette brand are posted on the walls, book -shops and general stores within the range of 50 meters of many educational institutes. These posters are attractive for the youth studying in different educational institute and are carrying attractive offers of gifts. The Network is after this serious issue of two committees established by Ministry of Health, Committee of tobacco advertising guidelines and the other is monitoring force for the implementation of tobacco control law.

Islamabad: Sher Afzal Khan the former Chief of the Federal Government Employees Housing Foundation (FGEHF) resignation not accepted by the Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Tariq Pervaiz and issued him a show-cause notice and ask him to answer the allegation against him. Sher Afzal Khan, an NWFP Judiciary Civil Judge appointed on deputation in the Federal Housing Ministry in November 2007. After implementation of the national judiciary policy Sher Afzal Khan, ordered to go back to his original department. Sher Afzal Khan was on wellpaid posts during his time in the Housing Ministry, as he was state officer Islamabad, director estate officer FGEHF and director general FGEHF. During his stay in the Federal Capital, he charged with many corruption allegations, instead of facing those charges he decided to resign. Peshawar High Court Chief Justice not accepted his resignation and he sent a show-cause notice to react the allegations against him and his favoritism shown by him to his relatives. The allegations consist of allotting plots and houses to his close friends and influential journalists, and purchasing a multi-billion land for his foundation. His resignation was not accepted yet said the Chief justice Tariq Pervaiz. Moreover, he refused to give any commitment about the show-cause notice. He said, “Every thing will be done in accordance with the law, rules and regulations.” During the last few days of his job, Sher Afzal, by using the authority of the federal minister apprehensive, are allotted a government House No 5, Street 28, sector F-6/1 in Islamabad. In the name of a grade-18 officer, serving in the Pakistan embassy in the UAE and continued to stay in it.

This is an I-type house, which meant for only federal secretaries grades 21 and 22. This was the first illegally allotted to Sher Afzal, as he was a grade-18 officer. He again managed to get it allotted in the name of another grade-18 officer. Sher Afzal had started a business of money exchange in the UAE; while his family was staying in the same house. Sher Afzal was busy for his comment. However, one of his relatives deprived of that Sher Afzal started a business of multi-million money exchange in the UAE.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had also taken a suo-motto notice on innumerable complaints of common citizens against Sher Afzal and ordered an inquiry. The inquiry verified that Sher Afzal dishonored the rules and regulations and had gone out of the way to allot plots and government houses to relatives and friends, especially some journalists. The inquiry has also verified that the purchase of Rs 3.68 billion land by the FGEHF was a fake exercise, involving uncertain transactions of money. Because of this inquiry report, it believed that all these illegal allotments of plots and houses would stand cancelled.

Rights of disabled people normally neglected in countries where most of people struggle for employment. Lack of awareness and education collectively play its part in handicapped discrimination. The less support from the government and institutions consider. The Chief Justice of Lahore High Court took the suo-motto notice that disabled people not appointed to posts in federal and provincial government departments even though 2% quota fixed for them.

The Deputy Attorney General informed the court that 800 vacancies in different departments filled soon against the quota for disabled and 1300 people already appointed. The Punjab Social Welfare director stated that committees formed for the hiring of disabled people in 31 districts of the Province. It is for sure that soon more committees formed in remaining districts. The quota is inadequate for these people and appointing on jobs are their rights. More efforts needed to include these people in a conventional education and vocational training opportunities. It is important to change common approach and broaden alertness about the aptitude of the disabled to contribute within the majority. The active participation in sports like Olympics and cricket for the blind of disabled resulted but it is important to spread these efforts in all fields of life.

Business Recorder (Lahore): Chairman of the Punjab Education foundation (PEF) Raja Anwar said that our foundation provide Rs. 135 million through education voucher scheme (EVS) to more than 2000 children of slums and most of them involved in child labour in the year 2009-2010. While talking to Business Recorder, he also said that the foundation is also planning to extend this program to Okara and Kasur in September.

Anwar said, “EVS as an instrument has the superior potential to ensure equity, productive efficiency, social cohesion and freedom of choice, for the less prosperous section of our society. He also said that for the financial year 2009-2010 against the Rs. 3 billion for the current financial year a budget of Rs. 4 billion approved. The beneficiaries of EVS are very poor. Majority of the parents of these children are laborers. The women enjoy a better income level by doing housekeeping, dishwashing, and other household responsibilities in the adjoining areas. Anwar said he busy by the appreciation of the parents of these children from the slums by sending their children to private schools. Raja said that the purpose of such programs is to encourage and promote the quality of education and made it easily accessible. In the financial year 2009-2010, the foundation made a budget of Rs 3.4 billion in less wealthy areas. Raja said that there is an allocation of Rs. 23 million for the School Leader Ship Development Program. The foundation will provide Rs 115 million for cluster Based programs and Rs. 73 million for the teaching in cluster by subject specialist.

Raja said that foundation has find out that through public private partnership, even better quality education can be provided at much less costs by the Government of Punjab to educate the children in private schooling system.

Dawn News report (Islamabad): The interior ministry arrested three officers on Tuesday for illicitly issuing weapons licenses. The 161 weapons licenses issued illegally although a legal ban on sales of arms. The officials charged for this illegitimate act.

Syed Kamal Shah the Interior Ministry Secretary told a senate sub-committee that the three officers involved in it pocketed Rs.7.5 million by issuing licenses illicitly.

Islamabad: Environment Minister Hameedullah Jan Afridi said, “Haphazard use of chemicals to get and maintain development in agriculture, industry and city settlements damaging to people health and natural resources of the country. He uttered these views while addressing a consultative workshop on Strategic Approach to International Chemical Management (SAICM) - Accomplishment in Pakistan, organized by International Cooperation Wing of the Environment Ministry on Tuesday.

He said, “A holistic approach is needed to address the issue of chemical management at global, regional and national levels,” The minister said in addition to causing poisoning and sudden deaths, the chemicals also causing cancer, birth defects, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, reproductive and nervous system disorders. He said that use of chemicals harmful development action such as societal boost, raised values of living, poverty mitigation, and preservation of natural resources, cultural revival, and sustainable development. He further said, “according to an estimate, Pakistan needs Rs. 1 billion every day just to compensate for the economic losses caused by environmental degradation, mostly by chemicals in various forms”. He said that Agriculture and industrial run-off was polluting water supplies, while an emission from factories and vehicles also poisoning the environment and disease burden of chemicals was obviously enormous. He also added that people lives depend on chemicals today. He said, “Sound, chemicals management improves availability, quantity and quality of food reduces the incidence of disease and improves public health”. “It is hard to find a person in a civilized world who has no exposure to chemicals at all. Some scientists are of the view that no baby has been born, for at least three decades, without some exposure to chemicals. Chemicals are all around us and within our body.” He told that every human had several hundred novel chemicals in his or her body and surrounded by over 20 million chemicals. He said, “Global chemicals industry produced every year about 70,000 chemicals in varying amounts”. He said that about 17,000 chemicals used in every consumer products, freely sold in the market place such as air fresheners, cleaners, carpet and hair shampoo, dishwashing detergents and liquids, disinfectants, drain openers, stain removers, floor and window polish, window panel cleaners etc.

Business Recorder Islamabad (July 7, 2009) On Monday a partnership agreement signed in Abu Dhabi to support humanitarian operations in Pakistan by the Government of United Arab Emirates represented by Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nehayan Foundation and UNHCR. The agreement will provide support to the displaced persons specially women and children which living in an unsecured and uncertain condition. They provide the basic needs of life like tents, blankets, sleeping mats, plastic sheeting, mosquito nets and kitchen sets to the displaced families living in some 21 camps or with host families. The partnership agreement also helps the displaced people back to their homes.

Panos Moumtzis, UNHCR's Head of Resource Mobilization said, “We would like to express our deep gratitude and respect to the leadership and people of the UAE for their generous support, which underscores their important role in international humanitarian work”. According to UNHCR, report 2 million people displaced in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

Current conflict between ICT R&D Fund directors and Mr. Latif Khan Khosa reached its highest level when six out of 12 directors were shown the door for not complying with Minister’s urge of appointing Mr. Azhar Manzoor as the ICT R&D Fund Chairman, reported Sama TV. Mr. Manzoor is the brother-in-law of Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information Technology Latif Khosa. According to a notification issued by the Information Technology Ministry 6 were terminated with immediate effect. Named include: • Sikandar Taqi, • Wahaj al Saraj, • Zafar Usmani, • Dr Amir Mateen, • Dr Suhail Naqvi • Prof Dr. Mansoor Sarwar Sources say the slot of the chairman of ICTR&D Fund was lying vacant, which Latif Khosa tried to fill, recommending his brother in-law for this position. HRGC (Human Resource Governance Committee) received applications from multiple candidates including the brother-in-law of Mr. Khosa, as reported by sources in fund. Mr. Manzoor had presented his MBA degree without mentioning the institute. On inquiry, it was found that he had graduated from some “Canadian Management Institute”, which actually was a fake and non-existent university, as HEC has said that it does not recognize this institute; in fact it does not exist at all, told us sources familiar with situation. On this, out of 12, six directors refused to approve Azhar Manzoor’s name as the Chairman of ICTR&DF, after which they were fired with immediate effect. We were unable to collect Minister’s viewpoint on the issue. It merits mentioning here that ICT R&D Fund is run by a set amount of revenue share offered by telecom companies. It offers funding to local universities and firms for research and development projects.