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.
Clarke and Haddin tons leave England reeling
ADELAIDE – Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin plundered centuries before a firebrand Mitchell Johnson blasted out England captain Alastair Cook to leave the tourists reeling in the second Ashes Test on Friday. Skipper Clarke claimed his third century in five Ashes Tests and his 26th overall, while vice-captain Haddin smashed four sixes in his fourth Test ton to help the home side declare at 570 for nine. Johnson, hurling down 150 km/h (93 mph) thunderbolts, knocked over Cook for three in his second over to ram home Australia’s advantage. By the close of the second day, the tourists were hanging on against a hostile Australian attack at 35 for one with Michael Carberry on 20 and Joe Root, who took one on the chest from Johnson, not out nine. “It was very important that we batted deep in this first innings and to get 550 on the board and that ball that got Cook was a cracker, it swung late,” Haddin said.
ASWJ leader shot dead in Lahore
LAHORE – Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat provincial chief Maulana Shamsur Rehman Muavia was assassinated in a drive-by shooting near Ring Road when he was on his way home after Friday prayers. ASWJ spokesman said that Muavia’s driver and a passer-by were also wounded as the car came under heavy gunfire at Batti Chowk near the Ravi Road police limits on Friday afternoon. Both the injured persons were taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors described their condition as serious. The ASWJ, a front for the banned Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, has announced country-wide protests against the targeted killing.
KSE-100 crosses 25,000 in mid-day trading
KARACHI: Pakistan’s main stock exchange closed higher on Friday, with the benchmark 100 share index of the Karachi Stock Exchange rising 0.28 per cent, or 69.86 points, to 24,870.55. With continued institutional support, the market gained 70 points to close at yet another high of 24,870 points. During the day’s session, the market crossed the psychological level of 25,000 points. Dealers said that banking sector scrips remained in the limelight.
GSP Plus to Contribute Greatly To country’s Economy: Dastgir
Waheed Hussain
The Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) plus status granted by the International Trade Committee of European Union Parliament in its majority vote last month is a great achievement of the present government. This facility will create better and wider opportunities for Pakistan exporters as well as improve country’s overall economy. These views were expressed by Minister of State for Commerce, Trade and Privatization Khurram Dastgir in an exclusive interview with the Centreline and Diplomatic News Agency. The details of the interview are covered in the Q & A.
Pakistan, Romania Linkages Cemented
Hon. Consul General of Romania talks to Centreline and DNA
Tariq Saud is a prominent businessman from Karachi. He has recently been appointed as Hon. Consul of Romania to Karachi. After his appointment he gave an exclusive interview to Centreline and Diplomatic News Agency (DNA). Tariq Saud was recently elected as Chairman All Pakistan Textile Mills Association( APTMA). Here are excerpts from his interview.
Drone deaths and dilemmas
Shumaila Raja
In the United States, the dominated narrative about the use of drone in Pakistan is of a surgically precise and effective tool. However, in the light of significant evidence of impacts to own civilians and to US interest, current policies to address terrorism and de-radicalization through drone strike must be carefully re-evaluated. A family of survivors of a drone strike from FATA is currently in the US on an invitation from a US Congressman. The family, who lost an elderly lady and their children suffered injuries in a drone strike, has been invited to tell their story to the American Congress, media and the US public of the losses suffered by the innocent people in these strikes.
Lt Gen. Rashad Mahmood’s Bio Data
gRAWALPINDI, Nov 27 (APP): Newly appointed Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), Lieutenant General Rashad Mahmood, Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military) was commissioned in May 1975 in Baloch Regiment. He has attended Company Commander Course from France and is a graduate of Command and Staff College Canada, National Defence College, Islamabad. According to Bio Data issued by ISPR here, the General Officer has varied experience of Command, Staff and Instructional appointments.His major appointments include Platoon Commander, Pakistan Military Academy, Brigade Major Infantry Brigade, Instructor at Command & Staff College and National Defence College.
