Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has launched ‘Youth Business Loans’ to help young entrepreneurs to initiate their own businesses. It is designed to provide subsidized financing at eight percent mark-up per annum for one hundred thousand beneficiaries through National Bank of Pakistan and First Women Bank. The total mark up rate would be fifteen percent but the Government would pay the remaining seven percent on behalf of applicants.
Those falling in the age group of 21 and 45 years are eligible to apply for loans from one hundred thousand to two million rupees.
PM Nawaz launches ‘Youth Business Loans’ programme
Judiciary played key role for rule of law in country: Chief Justice
Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chauhdry has said Saturday the judiciary has played a key role for rule of law in the country and the Supreme Court staff played an important role for honor of the judiciary. The Chief Justice appreciated performance of the Supreme Court staff in his address to the workers of the top court of the country in Islamabad this day. “I have worked with the Supreme Court staff for 14 years; from an assistant messenger to the Registrar, all played an important role for maintaining honor of the judiciary during this whole period,” said the Chief Justice.
EMILIAN ION Romania, Pakistan Trade Volumne Touches $ 200 Million Mark
Ambassador of Romania Talks to DNA and Centreline
Ansar Mahmood Bhatti
Emilian ION is Ambassador of Romania to Pakistan since 2009. He started off as Economist in Ministry of Chemical Industry in 1971-1974. In 1974-79 he served as Attaché Middle East Department in Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). His other assignments include 3rd Secretary Embassy of Romania to Bangui 1979-80, Charge de Affaires to Nouakchott 1988-1990, First Secretary, Counselor to Rabat 1994-97, Minister Counselor Rabat, Charge de Affaires Rabat 1997-99, Deputy Director Africa MFA 1999-2000, Charge de Affaires Baghdad 2000-2002, Charge de Affaires Nairobi 2002-2006, Head of Africa Section, Middle East MFA 2006-2008, Deputy Director Middle East and Africa MFA 2008-2009. He gave an exclusive interview to Centreline and Diplomatic News Agency (DNA) on the occasion of National Day of Romania which was celebrated on November 29, 2013. Here are excerpts from his interview.
US urges swift talks to end Bangladesh unrest
WASHINGTON: Bangladeshi political parties must come together immediately to halt a spate of violence and ensure free and fair elections next month, a top US official said Friday. At least 67 people have died in clashes since October when an 18-party opposition movement launched a wave of protests calling on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign before the January 5 polls. The opposition, led by Hasina’s bitter rival, Khaleda Zia, fears the premier will try to rig the vote in a country which for decades has been plagued by coups and political upheaval.
World mourns South Africa peace icon Mandela
JOHANNESBURG: South Africa began preparations Saturday to welcome US President Barack Obama and fellow world leaders eager to pay their respects to Nelson Mandela during 10 days of mourning for the anti-apartheid icon.On Friday President Jacob Zuma announced the mourning period for Mandela, the founding father of modern South Africa and its first black leader, after he died late Thursday aged 95, surrounded by friends and family.Obama, America’s first black president, will travel to South Africa next week, the White House said, joining a raft of world leaders for a huge December 10 memorial service.Mandela’s body will lie in state in Pretoria for three days before he receives a state burial on December 15 in his boyhood home of Qunu.
Polling underway for local government elections in Balochistan
QUETTA: Polling for Balochistan’s local government elections has begun and will continue until 5 pm in the evening. The provincial government had earlier declared Saturday as public-holiday and has made extensive security arrangements. Under section 144, pillion riding has been banned in the province till Dec 10. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) secretary Ishtiaq Ahmed Khan had earlier said 18,000 candidates were contesting the elections in 4600 constituencies. Six million ballot papers had been sent to the 32 districts of the province. He also said 33,000 polling staff had been appointed for 5,800 polling stations.
Perry joins Grammys preview
Santa Barbara, US – Katy Perry and Taylor Swift have joined the line-up of stars set to perform at The Grammy Nominations Concert Live. They will appear during the ceremony to announce the nominees for the 2014 Grammys where Drake, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Keith Urban, Earth, Wind And Fire, Robin Thicke, Lorde, Miguel and TI will also take to the stage, according to Digital Spy. Presenters for the hour-long show, which will air tonight (December 6) on CBS, include Ed Sheeran, Enrique Iglesias and Arsenio Hall, while LL Cool J will host the event for the sixth year running.
inShare New exploration policy to unleash tremendous economic activity: Dar
ISLAMABAD – Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar said on Friday that government is working on a new exploration and production policy that would provide attractive incentives and a competitive edge to investors and also help Pakistan to exploit its natural resources. Talking to the German Ambassador Dr Cyrill Nunn, Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar said that new exploration and production policy would unleash tremendous economic activity and provide an opportunity to German investors to benefit by making investments in Pakistan. He asked the Ambassador to sensitise German investors of this new opening in Pakistan.
JI has finalised strategy for LG polls: Sirajul Haq
ISLAMABAD, Dec 6: The Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) has finalised its strategy to contest local government elections to be held across the country, according to party’s veteran leader and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Senior Minister Sirajul Haq. Talking to media personnel here on Friday, Mr Haq said necessary directives were being given to district offices of the party and arrangements were being made to take part in local government elections with full force. Also on Friday, Mr Haq attended a party meeting held to discuss the arrangements to be made and the strategy to be devised for local government elections at the JI’s Islamabad office.
Team off to Qatar for LNG import, Iran for IP pipeline
ISLAMABAD – A high-level Pakistani delegation led by Petroleum Minister is leaving for Qatar and Iran to discuss import of LNG as well as IP gas pipeline in a renewed attempt to pursue the multi-billion dollars gas projects on fast track basis. Official sources told The Nation that a delegation led by federal minister for petroleum & natural resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, comprising Secretary Petroleum Abid Saeed and Inter State Gas Systems (Private) Limited (ISGS) managing director (MD) Mubeen Sulat along with other officials are scheduled to visit brethren countries in a bid to materialise import of much needed gas to the country.
