NAP held 198 terrorists, 217 facilitators in two years: report

 

Report presented to PM says 26,000 operations conducted, 
2.3 million persons questioned during this period

ISLAMABAD: As many as 26000 combing operations were conducted and 198 hardcore terrorists and 217 facilitators nabbed while 2.3 million persons were questioned since December 17, 2014 to February 14, 2017 under National Action Plan (NAP) introduced with consensus among all the political parties of the country, the sources told The News here on Friday.

According to a comprehensive report presented to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif about implementation of NAP to curb terrorism in Pakistan, some 20467 operations were conducted in Lahore where 1.3 million persons were asked questions during investigation.

Similarly, 5784 operations were carried out in Sheikhupura during this period and 151825 persons were questioned on the basis of suspicion and intelligence reports. In all, 1275 cases were registered on alleged involvement in terror related activities.

In Gujranwala division a total of 6865 operations were conducted and 88815 persons were subjected to questioning while 1514 cases were registered on various counts.

Some 1305 cases were registered under Foreign Act and lethal weapons were recovered from 9662 persons during general hold-ups. A total of 7437 cases were registered on display of weapons and licenses of 38 Kalashnikovs, 63 rifles, 71 guns and 83 pistols were suspended.

The police have registered 13975 cases for violation of Sound System Regulation Ordinance and 260 under MPO 1960.

National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) has made considerable progress in drafting a robust national narrative on terrorism and extremism. The first ever National Internal Security Policy (NISP) has been formulated to protect Pakistan's national interests by addressing critical security issues.

Initially, the combing operations were thoroughly conducted in various districts including Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Muzaffargarh, Multan, Bahawalpur, Jhang, Rahimyar Khan, Bhakkar, Bahawalnagar, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Okara, Jafferabad, Nasirabad, Dera Bugti, Qila Abdullah, Kohlu, Khuzdar, Ghotki, Shikarpur, Kashmore, Jacobabad, Naushahro Feroze, Karachi, Kohat, Karak, Tank, Kohistan and Fata.

There is a marked and undeniable reduction in sectarian violence across Pakistan while not completely eliminated; this level of mitigation is a positive sign.

Meanwhile, the critics also pointed out that Pakistan has grown surgically adept at killing terrorists, but unable to kill the ideas that fuel them and every state organ clamors to claim the smallest of the limited victories and scramble to shift the blame for its failures.

'Bik Gayi Hai Gormint' memes take over Indian social media

KARACHI: After becoming extremely popular in Pakistan, it seems like the 'Bik Gayi Hai Gormint' memes and tweets are taking over the Indian social media. 

After Pakistanis had their fair share of laughter from the infamous 'Bik Gayi Hai Gormint' memes and tweets, the Indian media has also started reporting on the growing usage of the 'slogan' (if you can call it that) on social media. The dialogue gained traction with masses in India and Pakistan from a video clip in which a woman utters expletives against the government for failing to address the issues of the masses. 

The way the woman says, "Ye bik gayi hai gormint", (this government has sold out) became an instant hit with masses in Pakistan. However, the various memes and dialogue also captivated masses in India, as the country's social media was also flooded with tweets and memes featuring the dialogue. Here are a couple of tweets and memes of the dialogue doing the rounds on social media in India,  taken from a leading English Indian daily:-

Govt to face another tough case in SC

Induction of non-cadre officials into OMG

Establishment Division’s role defended

ISLAMABAD: The government is set to face another tough case in the Supreme Court, as the OMG group officers have moved the apex court for alleged repeated and open violations by the Establishment Division of a historic 2013 judgment on the alleged illegal induction of non-cadre and deputationist favourites of the ruling party into the regular service cadre of the OMG.

The OMG group officers suffering because of the policies of DMG group dominating the Establishment Division and Prime Minister’s Office have earlier written to the human rights cell of the apex court about repeated violation of June 12, 2013 judgment of the Supreme Court under which all the provincial governments and the Establishment Division were ordered not to induct deputationists, inductees and non-cadre officers into regular service cadres meant to be filled through competition examination (CSS) held by the Federal Service Commission.

Keeping in view the twists often given to such judgments by the Establishment Division and the Law Ministry, in this comprehensive judgment the apex court had clearly defined the difference between regular induction through competition and induction through ‘appointment by transfer’. 

However, to please political masters and adjust near and dear ones of the ruling party, the DMG baboos misinterpreted the judgment and started inducting transferees, non-cadre officials and deputationists in the OMG.

The OMG group officers have now moved a contempt of court petition against the secretary establishment in the first step in the Supreme Court. The petition is yet to be fixed for hearing.

The OMG officers insist that the Establishment Division was simply following the policy being given to it by the PM Office and the political government was under pressure to induct maximum favourites in the prestigious OMG group during these last months before end of its term.

According to the PM Office, this is dealt by the Establishment Division which can better comment on it. 

The Establishment Division officials though not ready to come on record insist that in accordance with an opinion of Ministry of Law, induction of non-cadre officers and deputationists (mostly teachers, doctors etc) in permanent and regular service cadre was very much possible by following a laid down procedure even after COP 89/2011 decided on June 12, 2013. 

A senior official in the Establishment Division told The News that they had even issued a notification barring any future induction of non-cadre officers into regular service cadre of OMG but the same was withdrawn as the law ministry’s opinion was different.

The officer admitted that the recommendations of such inductions always came unofficially from the Prime Minister Office.  The Establishment Division officials say non-cadre officers were always inducted into the OMG and it has always been a routine. 

They say a large chunk of OMG officers basically comprise non-cadre officers. They insist that if relevant rules and procedure was followed such induction was legal and the apex court judgment doesn’t apply here.

A joint secretary in the Establishment Division, who on January 31, 2013 issued a notification barring any illegal induction of non–cadre officers into the CSS cadre of OMG in compliance with apex court orders, had to face consequences and wrath of top DMG baboos in PM office.

Para 183 of the June 2013 judgment reads: “A copy of this judgment be sent to the Chief Justice Sindh High Court through Registrar for circulating it amongst the learned Judges.

A copy of this judgment be also sent to all the Chief Secretaries of the Provinces as well as the Secretary Establishment Division, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad, with the direction to streamline the service structure of civil servants in line with the principles laid down in this judgment.

The Chief Secretary and Secretary, Services, Sindh, are further required to comply with this judgment in letter and spirit and report compliance within three weeks.”

Sindh government, FIA and WWF implemented the apex court judgment. Even Balochistan government also started implementation. However, the Establishment Division never seemed interested in implementation as this was the major and most lucrative benefit that could be offered by the government to its favourits. 

The story doesn’t stop here, as the Establishment Division got a summary approved from the PM to set a criteria for 75 seats in the OMG for ex-cadre civil servants and non-civil servants in 2016 despite knowing the fact that the SC had barred any such induction in the garb of 'appointment by transfer ' in CSS cadre OMG. 

The SC in CRP 193/2013 had defined the appointment by transfer as a simple transfer & negated it as induction or absorption in a CSS cadre.  Credible sources revealed that under instruction of the PM Office it is all set to induct another 90 non-cadre officers, transferees and deputationists into regular CSS cadre of OMG. 

Many more will be inducted during the last year of the PML-N government. These will be the political appointments and favourits will become part of CSS cadre group without passing CSS examination. 

The apex court in its judgment in review petition CRP 193/2013 announced on 5-1-2013: “Any appointment by transfer under Rule 9(1) has to be for a fixed term, and, on completion of such term, the Civil Servant has to join back his parent department. The word “appointment” used in the Rule 6(A) cannot be equated with the word ‘initial appointment’ used in the Act which excludes appointment by transfer and promotion,” the apex court order had stated.

Under Occupational Groups (Probation, Training, Seniority) rules 1990, “Occupational Group or Service’ means any groups or service recruitment to which is made through the competitive examination conducted by the Commission from time to against BPS-17 posts under the Federal Government or any occupational group or service transfer to which is made from the Armed Forces by induction.”

Hence there can’t be any appointment in OMG except through competitive examination, which has been reaffirmed by the apex court in Crl. Org. 89 of 2011 and its review petition CRP 193/2013.

Wrong interpretation of a 10% quota provision, a number of ex-cadre officers were inducted against the cadre posts of the OMG in the past. However, these inductee officers were required to be repatriated to their parent organisations in the light of judgment and Establishment Division (D&L Wing) office memoranda of January 2014.

Shahid Kapoor talks about working with ex-flame Kareena's husband Saif

MUMBAI: Bollywood superstars Shahid Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan are working together with Kangana Ranaut in upcoming film Rangoon. According to the Udta Punjab star, he has no problem working with Saif Ali Khan, the husband of his former girlfriend, Kareena Kapoor.

You'd think there would be animosity between Saif Ali Khan and Shahid Kapoor, owing to the latter's past with the former's current wife, Kareena Kapoor. However, according to Shahid Kapoor, him and Saif Ali Khan are enjoyed working together for Rangoon. Shahid even went so far as to say that Saif was a 'cool' guy. 

"It’s natural for such things to come up. I am just happy, because he is a really cool guy, and I didn’t have any issues working with him. He seemed chilled out. We had a good time, because essentially this is what you need to make a good film," said Shahid Kapoor. "You need to go through a collaborative process to make it work."

Shahid Kapoor also spoke about how being away for work from his daughter Misha caused him some pain.

"I remember the first few times that I left home for work, I was not in a good mood the whole day. However slowly, I got used to the fact that I’ll not get to be with her all day on a daily basis," he said. 

Shahid also rebuffed rumours he had feuded with actress Kangana Ranaut, claiming that he had no memory of any unpleasant incident occurring between the both of them.

"I don’t remember having any fights. You can ask Kangana if she remembers anything. I don’t have any memory of such an issue with her," he said.

Security agencies see RAW-NDS nexus behind terror acts

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top security agencies — both civil and military — have no doubt that the latest series of gory terrorist attacks in different parts of the country is NDS-RAW sponsored.

“We have no confusion that the NDS is supporting the terrorists and there is no doubt that the NDS is RAW’s poodle working against Pakistan,” one of the key spymasters told The News on Friday evening.

Security official sources said that investigations into the last few years’ major terrorist attacks reveal that now almost every terrorist attack is planned and executed from Afghanistan. Even the handlers and suicide bombers come from Afghanistan.

“Now even the suicide jackets are brought from Afghanistan,” a source said, adding that the terrorists belonging to TTP and Jamaatul Ahrar are freely using the Afghan soil against Pakistan.

Last year, Pakistan had even conveyed to the United States that Indian RAW and Afghanistan’s NDS are patronising terrorist groups to attack soft targets in the country. National Security Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua had conveyed the message to US Ambassador David Hale.

In the said meeting, Janjua had also emphasised on the need to break the nexus between terrorist groups operating under the supervision of NDS and RAW. Pakistan had asked for US assistance to tackle the situation. The said meeting between Janjua and Hale was held following the Quetta terrorist attack at the police training college where more than 60 cadets were martyred.

The NSA had informed the ambassador that the terrorists who had attacked the police training college were constantly in contact with their leadership and handlers in Afghanistan.

The US authorities though have been condemning terrorist attacks in Pakistan but despite its presence in Afghanistan, Washington did not do anything to break the nexus between the terrorist groups and RAW-NDS against Pakistan. Both Kabul and Washington have been repeatedly asked to take on the Afghanistan based TTP groups involved in terrorist activities in Pakistan. However, none of the two did anything against these terrorist groups.

A few months back, Intelligence Bureau (IB) Director General Aftab Sultan, while speaking in the Senate standing committee meeting had confirmed that a large number of terrorists arrested during the last three years had connections with and were working for the Indian and Afghan intelligence agencies.

“Out of the 865 terrorists arrested during the last three years, a significant number had connections with India’s RAW and the Afghan NDS,” the IB chief was quoted to have said.The IB chief had also said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was the target of foreign intelligence agencies and anti-state elements.

Salman Khan 'chichora' comment: Saba Qamar clears the air

LAHORE: Pakistani actress Saba Qamar reacted to an old video clip of hers which was doing the rounds on the internet in which she refers to Bollywood superstar Salman Khan as a 'chichora' person, claiming that she had made the comments in good humor.

Speaking exclusively to BBC Urdu, Saba Qamar said that Salman Khan and Hrithik Roshan were huge stars and had amassed a global fan following. Saba claimed that since she was an artist, she could never think about making fun of another one. The Pakistani actress claimed that the video of her taking jibes at Salman and Hrithik was an old one in which she was asked questions jokingly and she had answered them in the same tone.

Read more: When Saba Qamar called Salman Khan chichora, bashed Emraan Hashmi...

When asked whether she would provide a clarification to either Salman or Hrithik if she were to cross paths with either of them someday, the actress stated that though she had only been joking when she made those comments, Saba claimed that she would apologise to the actors.

"I love and respect Bollywood superstars. People on both sides of the border have love in their hears and art has nothing to do with borders and boundaries," she said.

The video is from 2015 in which Saba is a guest at a morning show hosted by veteran Pakistani actress Noor. The morning show host asks her to reject hypothetical film offers from heroes such as Hrithik Roshan, Riteish Deshmukh, Ranbir Kapoor, Salman Khan and Emraan Hashmi. The pictures of the actors are displayed on the screen for Saba to comment on. 

With regard to Salman Khan, the actress said that she would reject him because he was too 'chichora'. The harshest dig was at Emraan Hashmi, for whom Saba said that she would decline the offer since she did not want to catch 'mouth cancer'. With regard to Hrithik Roshan, Qamar said that she did not like a man who was divorced and who already had two children.

Saba Qamar is the latest Pakistani actress to make her debut in Bollywood, after Mawra Hocane, Sara Loren, Veena Malik and Mahira Khan have already done the same. She is starring in a comedy film with actor Irrfan Khan titled Hindi Medium.

Courts go ‘so political’: Trump

Tough questions raised on travel ban in US courts

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday lashed out at federal judges, calling them “so political” as an appeals court mulls whether to reinstate his controversial travel ban on refugees and nationals from seven mainly Muslim nations.

Some tough questions have  been raised on this travel ban in the US courts recently. “I think our security is at risk today,” Trump told a meeting of sheriffs from around the nation, as he defended his executive order, which was blocked nationwide by the federal courts a week after it went into effect.

“I don’t ever want to call a court biased, so I won’t call it biased and we haven’t had a decision yet. But courts seem to be so political, and it would be so great for our justice system if they would be able to read a statement and do what’s right.”

Only six killers of 248 cops in Karachi convicted so far

ISLAMABAD: Almost 248 police officials who took part in 1992 and 1996 Karachi operations were killed; however, so far only six killers of these cops have been convicted.

A total of 378 accused were arrested. Challans submitted in 121 cases out of which in six cases killers have been convicted whereas a total of 55 accused acquitted and the remaining 60 are still under trial.

Even otherwise, Karachi remained the most troubled area for the police officials.Official statistics show that from 1995 till 2016, almost 1,488 policemen were killed in the Karachi Range. Although, the most number of cops – 261 — were killed in 1995 yet otherwise 2012, 2013 and 2014 were the worst years for the Karachi Police with 123, 165 and 136 killings respectively.

The ongoing Rangers’ led operation appears to have been a blessing even for the Karachi Police as killings of cops in the city had drastically reduced in 2015 and 2016. In 2016, only 29 policemen were killed whereas this figure was 67 in 2015.

The official data shows that a total of 261 policemen were killed in 1995; 58 were murdered in 1996; 74 in 1997; 97 in 1998; 59 in 1999; 49 in 2000; 58 in 2001; 14 in 2002; 19 in 2003; 23 in 2004; 24 in 2005; 40 in 2006; 51 in 2007; 48 in 2008; 41 in 2009; 49 in 2010; 53 in 2011; 123 in 2012; 165 in 2013; 136 in 2014; 67 in 2015; and 29 in 2016.

Outside Karachi in Sindh, Larkana appears to be the most dangerous place for policemen from 2001 till 2016. Each year’s number of policemen killed in Larkana district during the period (from 2001 till 2016) is 8; 7; 17; 1; 6; 4; 11; 21; 13; 13; 13; 8; 13; 20; 10; 9; and 5 respectively.

These figures show that the most difficult time for the Larkana police has been from 2007 to 2014 — the period during which the killing of policemen remained high.

Otherwise, in the Hyderabad district, the police had a bad time really in 2014 when a total of 27 cops got killed. On Tuesday, the Sindh IGP AD Khawaja urged upon the need for reforming the police, recalling that in the mid-90s, the police had effectively dealt with the violence and killings in Karachi.

He said that the police had done all that without the help of the Rangers or the army. But, he lamented, after that, it turned into a political game which led to the killing of police officers not only on its streets but inside mosques and imambargahs too.

He added that hundreds of policemen who had participated in the operation against violence in Karachi were killed one after the other but nobody spoke out for them.Two or three policemen were being murdered every day but nobody dared to raise their voice against it, he lamented, adding that while these cops were being killed, the murderers were comfortably sitting in the corridors of power.

Pakistan to be 20th biggest economy in 2030, 16th in 2050: PwC

Outpacing Canada, Italy

KARACHI: Pakistan will regale impressive growth rates within three decades, surpassing developed nations like Canada and Italy to become the world’s 16th biggest economy till 2050, forecast a top global consultancy PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in its latest report.

The South Asian country’s economy’s GDP at purchasing power parity (PPP) ranked 24, it would score 20th rank, replacing Thailand by 2030 and till 2050 the country’s economy would make its way to 16th position, replacing the current Spain, PwC’s data showed.

“By 2050, Pakistan and Egypt could overtake Italy and Canada on PPP basis,” the London-based consultancy firm said in the report, titled, “The long view: how will the global economic order change by 2050.”

The consultancy firm published its first ‘World in 2050’ report in March 2006, featuring projections for potential GDP growth for 17 leading economies.

After frequent revisions in its list until 2015, the edition now includes 32 countries – together accounting for around 85 percent of world’s GDP – considering Pakistan as one of the largest emerging markets.

The global second professional service, citing International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) estimates, put Pakistan on the 24th place in 2016 with GDP at PPP of $988 billion. The economy is projected to grow more than three times within the next three decades. PwC projected Pakistan’s GDP on PPP-basis at $1.868 trillion in 2030 and $4.236 trillion in 2050.

The tax consultancy, however, forecast a whopping nine times jump in the country’s GDP at market exchange rates (MER) within three decades. The consultancy logged the country’s GDP at MER of $284 billion in 2016 and projected this at $776 billion in 2030 and $2.831 trillion in 2050.

“The largest movers over the next 35 years are projected to be Nigeria, Vietnam and Pakistan,” it said. “All of these emerging countries tend to benefit from strong population growth; however, their progress will depend on being able to generate enough jobs for the young people in their countries. If they cannot do this, it could be a cause of political instability.”

The consultancy firm said working age group in these world’s major transforming economies would outstrip their total populations.This high growth rate in working age population would be a boon instead of a bane for these economies. Pakistan is one of the countries that would enjoy highest growth because of its increasing size in working age group.

PwC projected an average annual growth in working age population in Pakistan at near two percent, only second highest after Nigeria, throughout 2050.    Pakistan’s average population growth rate would be 1.4 percent, average annual real growth per capita 2.9 percent and average annual GDP growth in domestic currency 4.4 percent over the next 35 years, according to a PwC analysis.

“We project that the world economy will double in size by 2042, growing at an annual average rate of around 2.6 percent between 2016 and 2050,” PwC said. “Global economic growth will be driven by emerging market economies, which will gradually increase their share of world GDP over time.”

The firm further noted a decline in cost of entrepreneurship in Egypt, Nigeria, Pakistan and Vietnam in the past 12 years. A graph showed that cost of starting a business as a percentage of average income per capita dipped to a less than half between 2005 and 2017. 

Surprisingly, the consultancy firm didn’t foresee a noticeable rise in investment to GDP ratio in the next 10 years. It would inch up to 17 percent after 2025 from the current 16 percent, according to its assumptions informed by historical data from IMF. And, a reason might be the humongous economy size in times to come.

Shun plot, be helpful and patient: PM

Inspects Bhikki power plant; says what should we do if not cut ribbons; international media, financial institutions acknowledging marked improvement in Pak economy; past rulers were more interested in kickbacks; Shahbaz says new records of speedy completion of projects being set

SHEIKHUPURA/LAHORE: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday asked his political rivals to avoid conspiracies and support the government in carrying forward the development agenda. He also advised them to stay patient.

He said the PML-N government was totally different from those previously in power, who were more interested in kickbacks, commissions and setting up expensive projects.“Those who work hard inaugurate projects,” he said in a jibe at his opponents. “What should we do, if not cut the ribbons,” he remarked, asking the political rivals to tolerate.

He added that the people needed to see a wide difference in the approach between the PML-N government and others and judge for themselves who were really serving them.The prime minister said his government was committed to progress and development and undertaking a string of projects across the country to boost economy, generate employment and reduce poverty.

The prime minister was addressing a gathering after reviewing the pace of progress at the LNG-powered Bhikki power plant. It has a total capacity of 1,180MW and would be fully operational by the year-end. Almost 84 percent work has been completed and the plant would start producing 716MW initially before the summer this year.

Nawaz said he visited the project site only a year ago, which was located between the fields; however, a huge infrastructure had cropped up in a short span of time. The pace of progress on the project was very impressive and unbelievable, and would be known in future for being very cost-effective.

The prime minister said had the pace of development and progress initiated by him in the early 90s allowed to continue unhindered, the country would have been among the developed countries. Citing various energy and infrastructure projects launched across the country, Nawaz said the government was working hard to turn around the national economy.

The prime minister said Pakistan was about to be declared a failed state when he took over in 2013 with the economy on the verge of collapse; however, the situation had changed in a short span of three years.

“The world today has a very positive opinion and is looking forward to see it emerge as a booming economy,” he said.In his address, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said new records of speedy completion of projects were being set in the power sector with unprecedented transparency and quality standards. He added that the prime minister gave the vision of gas-based power plants projects in March 2015 and the projects with collective capacity of 3,600MW were in final stages of completion at Bhikki, Baloki and Haveli Bahadur Shah.

Shahbaz said the historic role played by the prime minister in the completion of power projects would be remembered forever.

The Bhikki power plant has one of the most efficient and modern gas-powered turbines that produce electricity without any wastage and are also environment-friendly. It is estimated that the power project due to its low cost and efficient plant machinery will save around Rs250 billion over a period of 30 years.

Separately, the prime minister said the federal and provincial governments needed to work hand-in-hand on matching grant basis to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as improving the living standard of the people was his mission.

He was presiding over a meeting which reviewed the progress on Prime Minister’s Sustainable Goals Development Programme at the Governor’s House, Lahore.The sectoral SDG programme includes electrification schemes, rehabilitation of electricity distribution infrastructure, gas and natural resources, construction of new and up-gradation of existing schools, basic health units and regional health centres, up-gradation of existing health facilities, construction and rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads.

Nawaz was briefed on the progress on different development projects under the programme. During his stay in the provincial capital, the prime minister offered condolence to Governor Rafique Rajwana on the sad demise of his nephew Ilyas Rajwana.

Muhammad Saleh Zaafir adds from Islamabad: The prime minister impressed upon his detractors to stop hatching conspiracies as the country is moving ahead on the path of development, progress and prosperity. He said he was happy over reaping the fruit of hard work.

Nawaz Sharif said his vision was to add 30,000MW to meet the future needs of the country. He said today the cost of production of electricity was only Rs6.36 per unit, while in the past the price per unit was as high as Rs36 through furnace oil. He said with power generation from coal, the price of production would further drop. He said lowering the electricity prices was among his top priorities. He said the farmers were already being provided power at Rs5.35 per unit, and added that his government was looking forward to further reducing the cost to Rs2 or Rs3 per unit.

The prime minister said his government was committed to progress and development and undertaking a string of projects across the country to boost the national economy, generate employment and reduce poverty. He said the Bhikki power project would be known in the times ahead for being very cost-effective. He said apart from development projects, his government was also working hard to turn around the national economy. He cited a number of leading international publications, including the CNN, Economist, Bloomberg, etc. and international financial institutions who were acknowledging the marked improvement in economy and the country’s bright future ahead.

Nawaz said when he took over in 2013, Pakistan was about to be declared a failed state, with its economy on the verge of collapse, however, in a short span of three years, the entire situation has changed. “The world today has a very positive opinion and was looking forward to see it emerge as a booming economy,” he said. The premier said it would not only bring a good name to the country, but also benefit its people.

Nawaz said when he took oath of office in 2013, he had a very clear understanding of the challenges ahead and knew that very difficult decisions were needed to be taken to reverse the downward slide. He said he never lied to the nation and never made any false promise and the people of the country were now a witness that all his promises of putting an end to loadshedding and completion of road networks were being fulfilled. He said he was confident that soon the country would get an additional 10,000MW electricity. He said the transmission line to deliver the power generated to the national grid was already completed. He said the Bhikki plant also boasted two largest reservoirs for HSD that would be used to run the plant. He expressed the hope that soon he, along with Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, would visit the project site again to inaugurate it.

Indian aggression threat to regional stability: corps commanders

FO summons Indian deputy HC; lodges protest over ceasefire violations by Indian forces at LoC; briefs diplomats over atrocities of Indian forces

RAWALPINDI: The corps commanders on Wednesday said that the continued unprovoked ceasefire violations by India along the Line of Control (LoC) and the Working Boundary were threatening regional stability.

The 199th Corps Commanders Conference was held at the General Headquarters. Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa chaired the conference, which reviewed security environment and challenges, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor in a tweet said.

The forum condemned the recent terrorist incidents in Afghanistan and expressed solidarity with Afghan people and their security forces in defeating terrorism.The forum expressed satisfaction over progress of counterterrorism intelligence based operations. The COAS directed that these operations should be continued till achievement of desired objectives.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Office (FO) summoned the Indian deputy high commissioner and condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violation on February 7, 2017 by the Indian occupation forces on the LoC in Khui Ratta Sector.

The unprovoked firing by the Indian forces resulted in the shahadat of one civilian Ashfaq, who was working as a labourer for the construction of a house The Director General South Asia of Foreign Office Dr Muhammad Faisal deplored the deliberate targeting of civilians, which is a crime as well as a violation of international human rights and humanitarian laws.

He urged the Indian side to respect the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding, investigate this and other incidents of ceasefire violations, instruct the Indian forces to respect the ceasefire in letter and spirit, stop targeting the villages and civilians and maintain peace on the LoC.

Meanwhile, Pakistan urged the international community to take up with India its gross human rights violations perpetrated in Held Kashmir at all levels to ensure misery and suffering of the innocent people were alleviated.

Additional Secretary for UN of Foreign Office while briefing ambassadors of foreign missions called upon the international community to play its role in the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in line with the UN Security Council resolutions.She briefed them on the continuous aggravating human rights situation in Indian Held Jammu and Kashmir in the backdrop of the Kashmir Solidarity Day.

She highlighted that the Kashmir Solidarity Day is observed every year on February 5 to express Pakistan’s unwavering diplomatic, moral and political support to the oppressed people of Indian Held Kashmir in their legitimate struggle for right to self-determination.

She stressed the Kashmir dispute is one of the oldest items on the agenda of the UN Security Council. Indian brutalities in Held Kashmir had increased significantly after the extra-judicial killing of Burhan Wani. She said gross violation of human rights of the people of IHK perpetrated by Indian occupation forces had resulted in 150 civilian deaths and injuries to more than 20,000.

She pointed out that the inhumane use of pellet guns had caused serious injuries to thousands of innocent people, including young girls and children, and blinded hundreds completely or partially. She said India deprived more than 1.5 billion people of this region of peace and prosperity by refusing to resolve the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions and its own promises.

Taher Shah has something in the works for Valentine's Day...

Pakistani singer Taher Shah is once again set to return (or it seems that way at least) on Valentine's Day with a new message or song, judging by his latest tweet.

Taher Shah, the bizarre Pakistani singer who has made headlines around the world for his lyrics, personality, sense of dressing, hairstyle and pretty much everything, may return with a brand new song or message on Valentine's Day. This was made apparent by the singer in his latest tweet.

I have no expectations from them: Fawad on Bollywood stars

LAHORE: Pakistani actor Fawad Khan recently spoke up about his equation with his friends from the Indian film industry and stated that though he was hurt by some of the words said by a couple of people, he still harboured love and affection for them.

Fawad Khan was arguably the best Pakistani export to India, who starred in stellar hit films such as Khoobsurat, Kapoor and Sons as well as Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. There was no doubt that the Pakistani actor would go on to gather huge accolades and become a force to be reckoned with in Bollywood. However, the Khan from Pakistan suffered a setback when the Uri attack took place and a ban was placed on Pakistani artists by the Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association.

Though he chose to stay silent over the matter, the Pakistani heartthrob recently spoke about how he was still friendly with his former co-stars and friends that he made in the Indian film industry. Fawad gave the interview to a popular Pakistani English daily.

"I’m still in touch with a lot of my friends there. Nothing’s really changed. Obviously, I’m not a man of steel in that people’s words don’t affect me. They might hurt me. But I am becoming immune to it as time goes by. I have no expectations from them, and that’s what I think has developed this camaraderie," said the Kapoor and Sons star.

According to Fawad, he still makes plans with his friends in Bollywood to meet whenever the situation would improve between the two countries.

"Even if I don’t work with them ever again, I’ll still always have love and regard for them, and I assume that’s how they feel as well. That’s why we’re still in touch. We even make plans to meet, to catch-up," he said.

Karan Johar had recorded a video message in the wake of deteriorating India-Pakistan relations after the Uri attack, in which 19 Indian soldiers were killed, and stated that he would not hire talent from Pakistan in the future.

Karachi road mishap claims four lives

KARACHI: At least four people were killed and nine others sustained injuries in a road mishap at University Road, near Bait-ul-Mukarram Masjid in Gulshan-e-Iqbal area of Karachi Thursday.

Rescue sources said the speeding bus lost its control and hit the people standing at the bus stop. As a result four people died instantly while nine others sustained injuries.

The injured were rushed to hospital, where condition of some is said to be critical.

The eyewitness the incident took place as a result of racing between two passenger buses.

The driver and conductor of the bus managed to flee after the incident.

Six suspected terrorists killed in Karachi police shootout

KARACHI: Six suspected terrorists were killed in exchange of fire with police near Karachi Super Highway, police said Thursday.

According to SSP Malir, Rao Anwar, on information about the presence of militants, police carried out raid near Super Highway Toll Plaza, where exchange of fire took place with the accused.

In retaliatory fire, six suspected terrorists were killed, he added.

‘Enjoy the first mover’s advantage’, Nawaz advises business leaders

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday said Pakistan was set on track of sustainable growth and was ready to do business with the world.

“Pakistan with its sixth largest population in the world, 80 million middle class, blessed with human and natural resources, strategically located, politically stable, offering attractive policies is a destination no global player can miss,” the prime minister said in a meeting with heads of international organizations, here at the PM Office.

The group of corporate leaders that attended the meeting belonged to the United States, Australia, China, United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, France, Spain, Sweden, Singapore, Germany, South Korea and Switzerland.

The prime minister urged upon the foreign businessmen to avail the country’s investment potential and “enjoy the first mover’s advantage”.

Nawaz Sharif apprised the businessmen that Pakistan’s economic conditions were improving continuously with an objective to achieve 5 percent GDP growth rate from the current 3 percent.

He said the government was aimed at achieving sustainable economic growth and mentioned several steps taken in this regard including strengthened tax administration, rationalize untargeted annual subsidies and widened social safety nets.

He said these steps reinforced macroeconomic policies, which resulted in lower budget deficit, increased foreign exchange reserves, and low spending on energy subsidies.

The prime minister said the government was cognizant of the need for a comprehensive and contemporary policy framework that supported macroeconomic stability.

“We are well aware that international investors need stable markets backed by clear and consistent policies. We are committed to maintaining an enabling policy framework to attract foreign direct investment,” he said.

He said the Vision 2025 mapped Pakistan to join the top 25 economies in the world leading to Upper Middle Income country status by 2025.

He said the country’s economy was targeted to grow over 8 percent between 2018 and 2025 while maintaining single digit inflation.

He mentioned that PricewaterhouseCoopers had placed Pakistan at 20 in its projected list of 32 most powerful economies of the world in 2030.

The prime minister said as a result of sustained commitment to reform, key economic indicators had improved since the government was elected in 2013.

Over the past three years, the government brought down the fiscal deficit from 8.6 to 4.2 percent, increased Tax-to-GDP ratio from 9.8 to 12.4 percent and investment to GDP ratio from 14.9 to 15.2 percent, he added.

He mentioned that inflation had been contained which had earlier touched 1.6 percent in October 2015 and had remained well under 3 percent since then.

He said industrial sector showed remarkable performance and registered a growth of 6.8 percent during 2015-16 and was poised to do even better this year and onwards.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said since he came into office in 2013, the economy faced severe energy shortages, inflationary pressures, exchange rate volatility and a precarious security environment.

He said however at present, the consumer market in Pakistan was growing at a very fast pace including automobiles, housing, electronics, telecommunication, hospitality and online-retails sectors.

He said Pakistan was emerging as an expanding market for the US and European products.

He mentioned that the government had devised a comprehensive plan to create investment friendly environment, particularly liberalized investment policies to welcome foreign investments.

“We offer incentives to attract new capital inflows, including tax exemptions, tariff reductions, infrastructure, and investor facilitation services,” he said.

He said the Investment Policy (2013) focused at reducing the cost of doing business in Pakistan, easing business with creation of industrial clusters and Special Economic Zones to attract foreign direct investment, all protected by legislation.

Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan Stock Exchange had been created to lower fragmentation of the market and bring it at par with global markets.

“The bench mark index PSE100, crossed 49,000 in January 2017 and is touching new heights. Recently, 40 percent strategic shares of Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) were sold to a Chinese consortium,” he added.

He pointed that this divestment was the first such sale in a bourse in the regional markets and it also marks first venture of Chinese bourse outside China.

The PM also apprised the foreign businessmen of Pakistan’s strategic location on Asia’s premier trade, energy and transport corridor.

“It is also the gateway to the energy rich Central Asian States, the financially liquid Gulf States and the economically advanced Far Eastern economies,” he said.

He said China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a key regional initiative for connectivity and shared prosperity of nations.

He said under CPEC, a portfolio of over US$55 billion had already been implemented while investment of more than US$35 billion in the energy sector was also being implemented.

He said the corridor would substantially shorten transportation distances between Africa and Middle-East to Central and South Asian regions.

The prime minister said international economic agencies were upgrading ratings for the financial and economic stability of Pakistan.

He mentioned that Standard & Poor (S&P) had upgraded its forecast of average annual GDP growth from 4.7 to 5 percent, World Bank forecast a GDP growth of 5.2 percent for 2016-17, S & P also expected Pakistan’s debt to fall below 60 percent of GDP by 2018.

The CEOs from UK included Henry Cookson, MD Henry Cookson Adventures, Britain; Julia Charlotte Chastel De Boinville, Clint Programme Manager Afiniti; George Justin Murray, MD Afiniti; Christopher Malcolm Farmer, EVP Afiniti; Thomas Hampden Inskip, MD Afiniti; Archibald Soames, Sr Manager Afiniti; Julian Lopez Portillo, Client Programme Manager Afiniti and Max Cooper Lintott, Client Program Manager Afiniti.

The business leaders from USA included Muhammad Ziaullah Khan Chishti, CEO the Resource Group and Hassan Afzal, Chief Technology Officer Afiniti.

The business leaders from Italy included Alessandro Benetton, CEO Benetton Autostrade Pvt Equity; Carlo D’ Amelio, CEO Sant’ Anna-Holding Ibl Bancal-Spa; Fabio Corsico, Govt Affairs Director Kolon Group; Marco Alvera, CEO Snam; Cecilia Braggiotti, MD Afiniti and Lucia Baresi, Client Programme Manager Afiniti.

The CEOs from China included Sichen Huang, Afiniti Advisor; Guo Ping, CEO Huawei; Linchun Chin, Youghi Yang, Jin Yi Hugo Ou, Non ED Sinolink Worldwide Holdings, China.

The CEOs from other countries included Raymond Lee, Owner Kolon Group (South Korea); Rob Rankin, Chairman Consolidated Press Holdings and Roy Wyatt Beau, Client Programme Manager Afiniti (Australia); Lai Chang Wen, CEO Ninja Van and Li Huanwu, GM Afiniti and Hua Qianni, Centre Director (East China) (Singapore Consulate); Tanguy Catlin, Senior Partner Mckinsey and Jerome Geo.M.F.de la Croix de Castries, Country Manager Afiniti (France); Alonso Aznar Botella, Silent Programme Manager (Spain); Benedict Constantin Faber, GM Afiniti (Germany); Michel Grorges Portenier, EVP Afiniti (Switzerland); Timothy Gordon Raymond Nixon, GM Afiniti (Canada); Justyna Hanna Kozicki (Sweden) and Ali Raza Siddiqi, Director JS Group and Nadeem A. Elahi, MD and Country Head Pakistan, The Resource Group (Pakistan).

Sarfraz replaces Azhar as ODI captain

LAHORE: Pakistani wicket-keeper and T20 captain Sarfraz Ahmed has been appointed the national squad's One Day International cricket captain as well, according to PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan.

Following Azhar Ali's dismal performance as captain in the recently concluded Pakistan-Australia test series, PCB has decided to replace him with Sarfraz Ahmed, who is already leading Pakistan's T20 squad.

Azhar also stepped down as Test team Vice Captain.

"Ali came to me and said that his batting form was affecting due to captaincy and that he wanted to step down, so we have appointed Sarfraz as one-day skipper," the PCB chief told AFP.

Sarfraz, who accepted the one-day captaincy, is already leading the Twenty20 side.

Ali managed just 37 in the three matches in Australia and missed the remaining two with injury.

Ali was surprisingly appointed captain after Misbah-ul-Haq retired from one-day cricket following Pakistan´s quarter-final exit in the World Cup in 2015.

He led Pakistan in 31 one-day internationals winning 12 and losing 18. One match ended without result due to rain.

Under his captaincy Pakistan plummetted to ninth in one-day rankings. Currently at eighth Pakistan risks having to qualify for the 2019 World Cup to be held in England.

The top seven teams plus hosts England will get direct entry in the 2019 World Cup while four other ranked teams will feature in a 10-team qualifying round in 2018.

Khan said Test captain Misbah´s future is also in question.

Pakistan´s 3-0 Test series loss in Australia in December-January -- their fourth consecutive whitewash -- had raised calls for his sacking.

"Misbah has asked for some time (about his future) so we have given him time to decide in the next few days," said Khan.

Pakistan players are currently featuring in the second edition of the Pakistan Super League in United Arab Emirates.

Their next international assignment is a three-match one-day and three-Test tour of the West Indies starting late March.