4 Daily Gwadar Times PM directs two PIA planes to evacuate Pakistanis from Yemen Efforts being made for safe exit of Pakistanis from Yemen: FO ISLAMABAD,Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam has said every possible effort is being made for safe evacuation of Pakistanis from Yemen. In a twitter message, the spokesperson said the airports of Yemen are closed while ground route is unsafe. However, all possibilities are being reviewed in order to ensure safe exit of Pakistanis. For this purpose, Pakistan is also in contact with the neighboring countries of Yemen. The spokesperson said the Pakistani community in Yemen had been directed for evacuation two months back. Online Leather exports to hit $3 b if livestock export banned ? Hamid leather KARACHI,The sector cannot benefit from the duty-free access to EU market under Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) unless the government resolves the long time pending issues including slapping a ban on livestock export, refund stuck-up claims, resolves energy crisis, etc. Chairman, Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA) South Zone, Hamid A Zahoor while demanding complete ban on export of livestock said that contrary to the huge potential of leather products, exports of the leather industry have remained stagnant at $1.22 billion for the last six years, said PTA chief insisting that just a bit of support from the Ministry of Commerce can push exports to $3 billion in three years and make the industry the second biggest after textiles. In its proposals for trade policy as well as budget 2015-16 presented a copy of which sent to the FBR, the PTA has demanded the government to also curb massive smugglling through the borders in the garb of export .Hamid Zahoor while endorsing the PTA?s budget proposals, has asked the government to include hides and skins in 6th Schedule of Sales Tax Act 1990, besides reducing custom duty on basic leather chemicals. The PTA chief also requested the TDAP chief to make strong recommendation for inclusion of PTA?s proposal for budget and trade policy for the year 201516. He demanded the release of pending Sales Tax claims of PTA?s members, saying that a significant ratio of working capital of leather exporters is stuck-up in refund regime at a time when the leather export has already declined by over 17 percent during the last six years from $1.22 billion in FY 2007-08 to $1.01 billion in 2012-13 and even down to 5 percents in 2014-15. The growth rate of leather sector exports was in minus and exports reduced to 14 percent as against positive growth in the region with 47 percent, 40 percent, and 102 percent in China, India and Bangladesh, respectively during the last fiscal year.Online KARACHI: Members of the Christian community stage a demonstration in support of their demands outside Karachi Press Club. Chairman of inquiry committee probing into Baldia town inferno changed KARACHI,Head of inquiry constituted to probe into Baldia Town tragedy has been changed and DIG Police Sultan Khawaja has been appointed as new chairman of the committee. Sources said DIG Aftab Pathan was appointed chairman inquiry committee by home department in Baldia Town tragedy but he is proceeding on leave due to his illness. Therefore, Sultan Khawaja has been appointed new chairman of inquiry committee in his place. On the other hand Shakil Chota, accused in Baldia Town case has confessed before the Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) that he was involved in setting ablaze the factory by throwing chemical. On police request the court has remanded 4 accused including Shakil Chota to police custody till April 3 for investigation. The accused Shakil Chota is connected with a political party and a case of possessing unauthorized arms and explosive material has been registered against the accused persons The court has already issued non bailable arrest warrants of Rizwan Qureshi, prime accused in Baldia Town factory case. Online Mr. Qamar Zaman Chaudhry, Chairman NAB chairing a meeting to review work plan of NAB’s new Regional Bureau at Multan MQM will get through tough times, says Altaf LONDON/KARACHI:Las hing out at authorities for allegedly running a media trial of the Muttahida Qamumi Movement (MQM), Altaf Hussain early on Saturday said that dreams of those who want to finish the party would never come true. Speaking to workers at MQM headquarters NineZero via telephone from London, he said the process for ‘dismantling’ his party had begun from March 11. Wanted criminals were brought at Nine-Zero and portrayed as if they were arrested from there, he added. Hussain regretted the fact that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s residences were not raided for arresting Gullu Butt and releasing arrested from police custody respectively.Has residence of Another suicide attack victim expires: death toll rises to 21 Lahore,One more wounded of Youhanabad suicide attack expired on Saturday at General hospital Lahore, which has raised the death toll to 21 dead people. According to hospital administration, Noor Din a 40 year man was receiving medical treatment at the General hospital after receiving injuries in the suicide attack at Youhanabad. He was shifted on ventilator two days ago due to his critical condition, but could not recuperate with the injuries and passed away yesterday. The dead body was shifted to morgue for post mortem at General hospital Lahore.Online 40 passengers injured in road accident in Multan MULTAN:As many as forty people were injured after a speedy passenger bus overturned here on Saturday. According to rescue sources, the accident took place near The injured people were shifted to Nishtar Hospital where doctors said that four of them were in a critical condition. Online any party chief been raided like mine?” he questioned. PM Nawaz’s promise of forming a monitoring committee to oversee ongoing operation in Karachi has not been fulfilled as yet, Altaf Hussain lamented. He urged the prime minister and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar not to issue anti-MQM statements. MQM leaders have repeatedly expressed their reservations regarding the police and Rangers operation against criminals and terrorists, saying the party was being targeted in the guise of the operation. Dozens of MQM workers among wanted convicts and suspects were arrested from and around the party headquarters Nine-Zero in a raid conducted by Rangers earlier in the month.Commenting on prevailing situation in Middle East, Hussain said Pakistan should not intervene in the war between Saudi Arabia and Yemen. The MQM chief also raised his voice against adverse actions against Geo News and urged authorities to take steps in restoring the channel on its previous numbers. He said the TV channel has run out of funds to pay off wages to its employees, who were suffering badly. Altaf Hussain said that the media group should be forgiven for any mistakes it made in the past and all restrictions should be lifted against it. He also lauded the services rendered by founder of Geo and Jang group Mir Khalilur Rehman for the creation of Pakistan. Online FIA Islamabad team visits Karachi Central Jail to ascertain true age of Shafqat Hussain Karachi,FIA Islamabad team has arrived in Karachi central jail to investigate to ascertain true age of death row prisoner Shafqat Hussain whose legal councils now claim was a minor at the time of sentencing. The government despite making claims hasn’t been able to take any practical step so far. Instead of forming a medical board to determine convict’s age, the government has asked the FIA to scrutinize documents. According to sources, on the directives of Federal Interior Ministry FIA Islamabad team under the command Deputy Director Gulfarm had visited Karachi central jail. According to FIA source, the jail record was checked by FIA team and during interrogation by the team Shafqat Hussain kept trying to hide his face. He had shaved off his moustache and beard to appear younger than his real age. According to jail sources, a prisoner less than 14 year cannot be brought in Karachi central jail. The relevant record has been collected by the team and the final report will be submitted to Interior Ministry.Online India Willing to Sell Gas to Pakistan NEW DELHI,India’s Petroleum minister said New Delhi is willing to sell gas to Pakistan. Our public sector units are strong enough to sell LNG to Pakistan’s domestic sector at a cheaper rate than what the neighbouring nation is buying at currently,” Pradhan said, BusinessLine newspaper reported. Due to diplomatic and geopolitical issues involved the proposal to sell gas to Pakistan is on hold, Pradhan said while speaking at an event in the Indian capital. According to the deal, the LNG to be sold to Pakistan would be imported through terminals in Maharashtra or Gujarat and transported to Jalandhar using GAIL’s existing pipeline network. It would then have to be gassified to send to Pakistan. Online while the PTI was resolving the real issues of masses. Talking about police reforms, he said that police system in Punjab and Sindh was badly destroyed due to the political interference. He said that PTI government has introduced latest and unique FIR registration system in the province. Now KP people can register online FIR without any disturbance and pressure, he added. Imran said that vice chancellors of the KP universities would be appointed through ex-federal minister and former Chairman of Higher Education Commission Dr Attaur Rehman. Online Pak envoy expresses grief over demise of President’s youngest brother Colombo,The Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan at Colombo, Dr. Sarfraz Sipra expressed deep shock, heartfelt condolences and sympathies on behalf of the people and the Government of Pakistan on the very sad and tragic demise of Mr. Priyantha Sirisena, the youngest brother of the President of Sri Lanka. Talking on telephone to the family members of the deceased on Saturday, Dr. Sipra conveyed heartfelt condolences and deep shock and grief on the very tragic loss of Mr. Priyantha Sirisena on behalf of the people and Government of Pakistan, and on his own behalf. On the occasion, Dr. Sipra prayed that the departed soul may rest in peace and the aggrieved family may have the courage and patience to bear this irreparable loss with fortitude. Online Steps being taken to resolve problems of overseas Pakistanis: CM LAHORE:Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif says the provincial government is taking steps to resolve problems of overseas Pakistanis. He was talking to a delegation of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawab (PML-N) Middle East in Lahore on Saturday.The Chief Minister said Overseas Pakistani Commission (OPC) has started working in Punjab to address grievances of overseas Pakistanis. Online ISLAMABAD,On the directions of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif a comprehensive plan was devised on Saturday for the evacuation of Pakistanis stranded in Yemen. Pakistan International Airlines has arranged two airplanes which are ready for departure as soon as they receive clearance from aviation authorities and the Embassy of Pakistan in Sanaa. As state system is collapsing in the war-torn country, most airports are no more functional, because of which some families would also be safely taken, in the form of convoys, to Yemen’s neighbouring countries and airlift- Gas being imported to overcome crisis: Khurram GUJRANWALA,Commer ce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan has said that the government has started import of gas to rid the country of energy crisis. Addressing a ceremony in Gujranwala, he said elimination of energy crisis, terrorism, extremism, poverty and unemployment is top priority of the government. About the issue of terrorism, Khurram Dastgir Khan said Prime Minster Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is himself leading the operation against terrorism but cooperation of the nation is very important to eliminate the menace.Online WA S H I N G T O N : T h e United States has lauded Pakistan's sincere efforts for peace in Afghanistan. US Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Dan Feldman during a briefing in Washington said Pakistan wants to make the best use of the current environment by aiding a negotiated political settlement to the conflict in Afghanistan. Online LB polls on non-party basis challenged in LHC LAHORE:Local bodies elections in cantonment areas on non-party basis has been challenged in Lahore High Court (LHC) 2 of 17 article in Cantonment Ordinance 2002 it is also illicit to conduct elections on non-party basis, therefore, the court should annul this local bodies elections. Online Durable peace in region directly linked to peaceful solution of Kashmri issue: Pak Envoy Berlin,Pakistan's Ambassador to Germany, Syed Hasan Javed has said Durable peace in the region is directly linked to a peaceful solution of the KashmirIssue and the sooner it is resolved the better it would be for peace, progress andprosperity in the region. He said this while talking to a 20-Member delegation of the German Society for Foreign Relations during their visit to the Pakistan Embassy here Saturday under its 'Ambassador's Briefing' Programme. He underlined Pakistan has paid a heavy price in its fight against terrorism but the government and the people of Pakistan are determined to uproot it completely from the country at any cost. The delegation was briefed on "Pakistan's Prospects and Challenges." Head of the Chancery, Mr. Sajjad Haider Khan gave an overview of Pakistan's current situation and Government of Pakistan's future plans in economic, energy, education and social sectors. It was followed by Ambassador's interactive talk in Q & A format moderated by the General Secretary of GATE-Pakistan (German Economic Forum), Ms. Philomena Poetis. Replying to a question about removal of ban on execution of death penalty in Pakistan, the Ambassador said that extraordinary steps were needed to meet the challenges On a question of IndoPakistan relations, Syed Hasan Javed said that Pakistan always advocated solution of all bilateral issues including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir through a dialogue and negotiations but India always tried to avoid taking refuge in non- issues making and presenting them mountains out of a mole. He emphasized the need for an active role by the international community and the world leadership for an early solution of Kashmir issue as per aspirations of the people of Kashmir and the UN Security Council's resolutions on it in the larger interest of regional and world peace and security. In his reply to a question on education in Pakistan, the Ambassador informed that the rate of enrollment in educational institution at all levels i.e. primary, secondary and higher had registered a significant increase in the last few years. Female students' enrollment at higher education level has also increased and now the male and female students' ratio is almost 50 percent each gender at this level, he added. Online IMF release of tranche worth $501.4m for Pakistan ISLAMABAD:Internation al Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved immediate release of 501.4 million dollars tranche for Pakistan. In a statement IMF said, the Fund's Executive Board completed the sixth review of Pakistan's economic performance.The latest disbursement is part of about 6.12 billion dollars 36-month program supported by an Extended Fund Facility arrangement, which Pakistan secured in September 2013.It signifies the Fund's confidence in Pakistan's progress towards economic growth and reforms. The latest approval brings total disbursements under the arrangement to about 3.5 billion dollars.Online of Pakistanis from Yemen, as the second day of Saudi-led airstrikes in the area continues. Further, the prime minister’s top aide Sartaj Aziz said, “Withdrawal of Pakistanis from Yemen will begin in next 24 hours.” Aziz further said, there are around 3,000 Pakistanis currently in Yemen. An account officer at a Pakistani school in Sanaa, Waheed Rehman speaking to a private news channel said, “People have started gathering at the school.” The Pakistan embassy has started devising a plan for the evacuation,” he added. Online Four Lyari gang-war suspects killed in police ‘encounter’ KARACHI:Police claimed to have killed four suspected members of Lyari gang-war in an encounter early on Saturday besides recovering grenades and grenade launchers among other weapons and ammunition from their possession. SSP City Division Fida Hussain Janwari told the media that two gang-war suspects were killed in an encounter in Lyari’s Photo Lane area while the other two were gunned down during a search operation in Kharadar immediately after the first raid. He said that grenades, grenade launchers, two SMGs and TT Pistols were recovered from the possession of the killed suspects. SSP Janwari said that the suspects belonged to Baba Ladla and Uzair Baloch groups of the Lyari gang-war and were wanted in killing of police officials among other targeted killings, extortion and kidnapping for ransom offenses. Online PESHAWAR: MNA Nasir Khan Afridi, MNA Haji Shahji Gul Afridi and Latif Afridi seen sitting on stage during a seminar organized by Kokikhel tribe. Afghanistan journalists delegation meets DGPR LAHORE,A 14-member delegation of journalists from Afghanistan arrived on a 4day visit to Lahore on the invitation of Pakistan Federa Union of Journalists. The delegation called on Director General Public Relations Punjab Athar Ali Khan in his office. Dr. Nasir Jameeli and Izhar Khushhal Afghani, were leading the delegation told about the journalistic demands and changing political situation in their country. They appreciated the hos- pitality extended to them during their visit to Pakistan particularly Lahore. President PFUJ, Rana Muhammad Azeem was also present on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, DGPR Athar Ali Khan termed the exchange of delegations of journalists as a good omen. He also informed Afghani journalists about public welfare steps taken by Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and Punjab government. Online Imran Khan Terms by-election of Mirpur as Muk MUka OF PPP and PML (N) Supermodel Ayyan's father shot and wounded Adviser to the PM Sartaj Aziz and Special Assistant to the PM Syed Tariq Fatemi in a group photo with the Executive Committee of PFOWA during the Annual Spring Festival in Islamaba.d ed to Pakistan from there. The premier further directed all concerned departments to take all possible measures for ensuring safety of each and every member of the Pakistani community living in Yemen. The Prime Minister is himself monitoring the situation and has asked to be kept updated on an hourly basis. According to unofficial estimates, 560 Pakistanis are stranded in the besieged Yemeni capital of Sanaa. Pakistan’s foreign ministry officials say around 2,145 Pakistanis are currently living in Yemen. Earlier, the Foreign Office said every effort is being made for the safe evacuation US lauds Pakistan's efforts for peace in Afghanistan Islamabad,Chairman PTI Imran Khan said that once again the people are witnessing muk muka by PMLN and PPP. Nawaz Sharif has withdrawn PMLN candidate in favour of Asif Zardari’s PPP candidate in the Mirpur byeelection schedule for tomorrow.Imran Khan further said KP departments record to be computerized till 2017: Imran Mardan,Chairman Pakistan Tehree-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has said that his government is introducing computerised system in all departments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and added that till 2017 the record including revenue and land of all government departments would be computerized. He stated this while addressing the land record computerizing ceremony here on Saturday. He said that after the completion of this task elelemt of corruption would be fully eliminated form all departments. He said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s new KP only limited to run Metro Bus 29 March 2015 RAWALPINDI,Ayyan's father Muhammad Hafeez, who was on his way to attend the hearing of his daughter's case, was shot by unknown motorcyclists near Gujar Khan area. Hafeez had departed from Gujar Khan on the outskirts of Rawalpindi when unknown men opened fire at him near Jinnah Hotel. Police arrived at the scene and shifted the injured man to Rawalpindi's District Headquarters (DHQ) Teaching Hospital where he was later reported to be out of danger. Hafeez had earlier expressed his concern to media personnel about having personal enmities. Ayyan's father separated from her mother 10 years ago. Speaking to reporters after becoming stable, Ayyan’s father Raja Hafeez, said he has nominated Rehman Malik’s brother, Khalid Malik in the FIR pertaining to the shooting incident. He further added that he had been receiving threats over the past few weeks. Sources have said this is the third attack on her father since she was arrested on March 14 from Islamabad airport. The hearing today comes just a day after customs officials deemed her proof of currency ownership as dubious following interrogation. Her property dealer Mumtaz was made a part of the probe following her claims that the money was earned after selling her five properties. Online it is supposedly being done in the name of the Charter of Democracy but is in fact yet another muk muka by Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari, whose only ideology is to protect their billions stashed abroad. PTI chairman said the status quo is petrified of the PTI and its increasing strength amongst the masses and so it always gangs up when threatened by this PTI power of the people. Imran Khan urged the voters to turn up in huge numbers for tomorrow Mirpur election to defeat the status quo. Online Pakistan urges rich nations help developing countries counter climate change ISLAMABAD,Federal Secretary of the Ministry of Climate Change Arif Ahmed Khan has said that climate actions should be taken within the context of our efforts to eradicate poverty and promote sustainable development. and urged the global community to ensure that the new global climate agreement, which will be adopted at the Paris global climate conference in December 2015 and implemented from 2020, is ambitious and viable. Addressing at the three-day Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) international conference on Climate Change held in Safranbolu (Turkey), Khan highlighted, “We are at the crossroads and Climate Change is the defining issue of our times. It not only post risk to sustained economic growth and development but also intensifies existing political, social, economic and security challenges.Besides, it poses addi- tional stress on our resources and serves as impediment to the whole spectrum of socioeconomic development, he added. He added that developing countries, however, face greater challenges of climate risks, impacts and protracting poverty simultaneously. Talking about Pakistan’s contribution to global warming, he told the ECO conference participants that Pakistan’s contribution in the overall global carbon emissions is very little. Yet, Pakistan has been placed among top 10 countries ranked as the extremely vulnerable countries by a host of scientific studies and climate change indices. We are threatened in multiple ways. Climate-induced drought, desertification, glacial-melt, sea level rise and recurrent floods, are just to name a few,” Arif Ahmed Khan said. Online RAWALPINDI:Chairman Tehreek-e-Naujawanan-ePakistan Muhammad Abdullah Gul addressing during a conference on Urdu. General (r) Hameed Gul, Rana Abdul Baqi and Prof Saleem Hashmi are also seen sitting on the stage.
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