ISLAMABAD, OCT 4: After nearly a week of protests and sit-ins in Islamabad, representatives of farmers on Tuesday called off their demonstrations after a breakthrough was achieved in negotiations with the government.

The Kissan Ittehad, comprising farmers from across Punjab, was demanding the restoration of the previous tubewell electricity tariff of Rs5.3 per unit and the removal of taxes and adjustments among other things.

Kissan Ittehad Chairman Khalid Butt, at a media talk alongside Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, called off the protest.

Sanaullah said that the government had agreed to the farmers’ demands, which included delay and installments in payments of power bills and cancellation of fuel adjustment charges.

On other demands, the interior minister said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a ministerial committee — with Sanaullah on the board — that would hold meetings with farmers’ representatives and negotiate finer terms of the agreement.

Sanaullah also said that the prime minister would announce a package for farmers in a week or 10 days which would bring tremendous benefit to the farming community and the agriculture sector.

“It is our philosophy that Pakistan will be prosperous when farmers are prosperous. So we will consider all things in a better manner and solve these problems.”

The interior minister thanked the Kissan Ittehad and the protesting farmers for bearing “difficulty” and requested them to disperse since negotiations were successful.

He said the nominated delegation members from the Kissan Ittehad should stay for further negotiations and the rest should go back. “It is our responsibility to solve your demands and we will do it,” Sanaullah added.

The interior minister further assured that the committee would work in a “very good” way and the farmers would not need to return.

Says when Imran Khan was blue eyed boy of the Establishment then ‘Chowkidars’ were acceptable to him

Bureau Report

LAHORE: PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz said Tuesday that the Islamabad High Court’s decision to dismiss the contempt case against the “devil” PTI Chairman Imran Khan has “emboldened” him.

In a press conference after receiving her passport following the passage of three years in line with the Lahore High Court’s orders, the PML-N vice president spoke at length about her legal battles, Khan’s vendetta against her family, the court’s decision to let him go, and other pressing political matters.

Maryam told the judiciary that it should not be lenient with a person like Khan who thinks like “satan” and his only job is to blame people and launch smear campaigns.

“For years, he has been doing this. And when he does [something illegal] and sees that action will be taken against him, he apologises,” Maryam said about Khan who recently escaped being charged for contempt of court.

The PML-N leader said Khan went to the chambers of Additional District and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry to apologise as he was aware that if he does not do it, then he can be disqualified.

“Was Zeba asked whether she wants to forgive him or not? Do you (courts) know what kind of precedent are you setting? Now, anyone can abuse and threaten any woman in jalsas,” she said.

Maryam added that since Khan has been forgiven, the contempt cases against PML-N leaders Talal Chaudhry, Daniyal Aziz, and Nehal Hashmi should also be disposed of.

“This devil (Khan) whom you have forgiven will do this again. He has been emboldened as he knows that now no matter what he does, he can seek forgiveness,” she said.

Referring to Khan’s recent statement where he mentioned “misplacing” the US cypher allegedly linked to his ouster, Maryam said that she is “at a loss of words” at the PTI chairman’s carelessness.

“This wasn’t a record of a diamond ring that you misplaced or the record of the dollars that you took in the foreign funding case. It was Pakistan’s property,” she said.

Maryam said that since Pakistan’s inception, no cypher had been misplaced. The PML-N leader added that a more serious crime than misplacing the cypher was changing the minutes of the meeting.

“There was no mention of a conspiracy, and then, you built a conspiracy [by manipulating the minutes of the meeting],” the PML-N vice president said.

Maryam said that after Khan’s stunt, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has told officials that the international world has refused to send cyphers to Pakistan, fearing that it might be turned into a conspiracy.

The PML-N leader castigated Khan for dissolving the parliament on the basis of “forged” minutes of the meeting.

In response to a question, Maryam said that Nawaz will himself decide about his return to Pakistan. “The way for his return is clear. All we have to do is submit an application in the court.”

The PML-N leader also said that had received her passport and would soon visit her father in London — whom she hasn’t seen in person for the last three years.

Talking about Finance Minister Ishaq Dar’s return to Pakistan, the PML-N leader said that the PTI is not happy with him coming back as he will now “improve” the economy.

“Dar’s return was a slap on their face. Dar has led the country out of many economic crises,” she said.

At the outset of the press conference, the PML-N leader thanked everyone — including the media and her legal team — for helping her in the cases lodged against her.

“I am happy today that I have received my passport, but I would like to ask as to why I was deprived of my fundamental right for three years,” the PML-N leader said.

Maryam said that her passport was confiscated when the “foreign-funded fitna (anarchist)” Imran Khan was in power and he was afraid that her jalsas would lead to his ouster.”My jalsas were going on till 3am at night in support of Mian Nawaz Sharif,” she said.

ISLAMABAD, OCT 04(DNA) — The price of 24 karat per tola gold witnessed an increase of Rs2,150 on Tuesday and was sold at Rs148,450 against its sale at Rs146,300 the previous day.

The price of 10 gram 24 karat also increased by Rs1,843 and was sold at Rs127,272 against Rs125,429; whereas that of 10 gram 22 karat went up to Rs116,666 against its sale at Rs114,976, All Sindh Sarafa Jewellers Association reported.

The price of per tola increased by Rs60 and was sold at Rs1620 whereas that of ten gram silver went up by Rs51.44 and was sold at Rs1,388.88.The price of gold in international market increased by $38 and was sold at $1704 against its sale at $$1666, the association reported. =DNA

Prime Minister says government will not rest until complete rehabilitation of flood victims; appreciated the efforts of Red Crescent and assured all possible support from the government

Sardar Shahid Ahmad Laghari says PRCS through its multi-faceted interventions has so far given humanitarian aid to more than 266,275 victims

DNA

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said that the recent rains and floods have caused huge destruction across the country but the government will not rest until complete rehabilitation of flood victims. He said Pakistan Red Crescent is reaching flood-affected families and its efforts and services to humanity during these testing times are highly commendable. The Prime Minister expressed these views when Chairman PRCS Sardar Shahid Ahmed Laghari called on the PM at Prime Minister’s Office here on Tuesday.

On this occasion, Special Assistant to PM Syed Tariq Fatemi, Khawaja Ehsan, Ambassador of Turkey Mehmet Paçacı, Advisor of Turkish Red Crescent to President Tayyip Erdogan, Ismail Haqi were also present.

While congratulating Sardar Shahid Ahmed Laghari on assuming charge as PRCS chairperson, PM Shehbaz Sharif said that PRCS is serving the affected people without any discrimination and the National Society is moving forward under his dynamic leadership. “I am pleased to see the efforts of PRCS highlighted in international and national media”, he added.    

On this occasion, Sardar Shahid Ahmad Laghari apprised the Prime Minister about the actions taken by the Red Crescent in the flood-affected areas. He said the management, staff and the volunteers are working tirelessly and round the clock to deal with the flood disasters, providing relief and humanitarian assistance to the affected families.  He said PRCS through its multi-faceted interventions has so far given humanitarian aid to more than 266,275 victims, 12,141 tents have been distributed, medical assistance have been provided to more than 23 thousand victims. Regarding the health interventions, he said PRCS medical camps are operational at 17 locations in addition to seven mobile health units.

Shahid Ahmed Laghari said that PRCS has provided food items and cooked food to 191,704 flood victims. He said 16,000 mosquito nets, over 14,000 hygiene kits, over 54,000 non-food items (blankets, jerry cans, tarpaulin sheets, kitchen utensils, etc.) have been distributed and counting. He said 5 million liters of clean and potable water have been provided in the affected areas in Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The water treatment plants on daily basis producing over 80,000 liters of clean water per plant.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appreciated the efforts of Red Crescent and assured all possible support from the government.

TANK, OCT 4 /DNA/ – Security forces killed four terrorists during an exchange of fire in the general area Tank of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), “Security troops observed and engaged terrorists’ movement in general area Tank. During intense exchange of fire, four terrorists got killed.” Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed terrorists, the ISPR said.

The killed terrorists remained actively involved in target killing, kidnapping, and extortion in the area. According to sources, terrorists belonging to the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Last week, security forces killed two terrorists during an exchange of fire in district Lakki Marwat of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The killed terrorists remained actively involved in terrorist activities against security forces.