Posts Tagged ‘sindh’

Fresh push to kick-start dormant Gwadar port

QUETTA: In the latest efforts to expedite the process of making Gwadar Port functional, Rs3 billion has been pledged by the government for the completion of a link road connecting Gwadar to Upper Sindh and Punjab.

A high level meeting was held in the provincial capital to discuss the currently dormant port which, once operational, can greatly boost economic development.

The Planning Commission of Pakistan’s Deputy Chairman Dr Nadeem ul Haq said the federal government will prepare a “master plan for coastal development.” He added that the government will also release Rs3 billion for the completion of the Rato-Dero-Gwadar link road connecting Gwadar with Sindh and Punjab, which will be completed by June next year.

Gwadar Port Authority’s Director General Pervez Rehmat and Additional Chief Secretary, Development, Dr Umer Babar briefed the participants on the master plan’s salient features.

It was agreed in the meeting that if the government decides to restore the Nato supply route to Afghanistan, the supplies should be directed from the Gwadar Port. A formal demand will be made to the federal government regarding this. It was also suggested that the port be used for Afghan transit trade.

Participants of the meeting were told that the government has already spent Rs50 billion over the construction of Gwadar Port and the Coastal Highway. It was noted that the earlier decision of appointing the chief minister of Balochistan as chairman of the Gwadar Port Authority is yet to be implemented and no formal notification has been issued by the federal government to this effect.

The participants agreed that all pending decisions regarding the development authority should be implemented at the earliest in order to expedite the process of making the port operational. Dr Haq said Gwadar would be made a special economic zone for speedy development of the entire region.

He assured the meeting that the commission would ensure the availability of necessary funds for dredging and improving facilities at the port.

Haq added that the prime minister has issued clear instructions to provide funds to Balochistan to ensure development is at par with other provinces.

He said the provincial government was asked to study the feasibility report and look into possible future developments based on the model of prosperous neighbouring ports like Iran’s Chabahar and UAE’s Jabal-e-Ali.

The chief minister of Balochistan also stressed that the province’s progress was directly linked with making the port operational.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 15^th, 2012.

Malik says strategy finalized to free Pakistani hostages from Somali pirates

Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik Tuesday said they have finalized the strategy to free abducted Pakistanis from the custody of Somali pirates. While talking to media, he said that he has met Governor Sindh Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad in this regard adding that he ensured families of abducted citizens that they would soon take back the hostages to home. “Our brothers are caught in danger and …

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MQM not backing South Sindh creation yet

ISLAMABAD – Since the voice to launch a movement for creating a new province in Southern Sindh comprising urban areas of the province came from the group comprising former Sindh Assembly members and provincial ministers as well as former office-bearers of MQM, yet the Mutahidda has not formally supported the demand to divide Sindh province.
“Indeed, it was an individual act, MQM has never …

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Electoral alliance not being considered: MQM

However, the party would consider if the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) seeks cooperation ahead of the next general elections.

“We are a political party and believe in dialogue and never close our doors for negotiations,” said Wasay Jalil, member coordination committee and head of media cell of the MQM, while talking to The Express Tribune on Sunday.

“The PML-N has so far not sought any cooperation from us,” he added.

“So far President Asif Ali Zardari, co-chairman of the ruling PPP, has not asked us to enter into negotiations for forming an electoral alliance or seat adjustment. We will decide this issue when the time comes,” he said.

Jalil said the MQM believes in negotiations and partnerships in politics, but it will rely on its own strength rather than seeking cooperation with any other group.

Earlier, on Saturday, the PML-N signed an agreement with a breakaway faction of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid called Likeminded for seat adjustment in the next general elections.

According to the agreement worked out through negotiations of over 10 months, PML-N had promised them 11% quota in allocation of seats in the national and provincial assemblies.

On the occasion, PML-N chief and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had hinted at forging a grand alliance against the ruling PPP for the next general elections.

Alliance with Likeminded was the second booster for a ‘grand alliance’ against the ruling PPP. Earlier, former Sindh Chief Minister Mumtaz Ali Bhutto had announced the merger of his Sindh National Front (SNF) with PML-N.

Like other parties, the MQM would also start public rallies not only in its stronghold, Karachi, but also in other parts of the country, including Punjab where the PML-N is dominant, he said.

The PML-N, after the Supreme Court convicted Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in the contempt of court case, had demanded the resignation of the premier.

The opposition, dubbed “friendly” during the last four years, started its protest campaign from the National Assembly. Afterwards, the party launched its country-wide protest rallies.

Similarly, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) chief Imran Khan has also launched a protest campaign against the incumbent government.

In response to opposition rallies, PPP responded on Saturday with a large rally at Kamo Shaheed Sindh where PPP leader and Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah threatened a long march of their own, one which would travel to Lahore, and beyond.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 14^th, 2012.

Alternative energy projects to generate 1,500MW

Giving details, an official at the Alternate Development Energy Board (AEDB) on Sunday said the wind power projects, which are in advanced stages of implementation, will produce 556MW.

He added new projects for obtaining energy from biomass were also in advance stages and will add more than 60MW to the national grid and help control load-shedding.

The official said AEDB had already completed a Rural Electrification Project under which 3,000 solar home systems were provided to 49 villages in Tharparker district, Sindh.

Solar home systems have also been provided to villages in Jamshoro district, Sindh and Khuzdar district, Balochistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 14^th, 2012.

Nawaz vows to change fate of Sindhis

THATTA – PML-N President Ex Prime minister Mian Nawaz Sharifhas vowed to change the fate of Sindhis after coming into power, reported a private TV channel. Nawaz was addressing the ‘Go Gilani go’ rally via telephone in Thatta.He said that the government has plunged the people of Sindh into lawlessness, inflation and loadshedding, adding, that the condition of masses has worsened. He said rule of law would …

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MQM leaders for creating South Sindh

NEW YORK – While insisting that they were not breaking away from MQM, a group of party leaders Saturday announced decision to launch a movement to create a new province in southern Sindh comprising urban areas of the province.The group – comprising former Sindh Assembly members and provincial ministers as well as ex-office-bearers of MQM – expressed lack of confidence in the party’s Rabita …

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Irsa urged to check illegal pumping of Indus water

KARACHI – The Sindh Government has demanded of the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) to take steps to end the practice of illegal pumping water out of the Indus River between Taunsa to Guddu Barrage in the Punjab province.Though, the Sindh Irrigation Department has been raising the issue with its counterpart of the Punjab Government, but according to officials concerned, no concrete action has …

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Nawaz vows to bring prosperity to Sindh

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Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz chief Nawaz Sharif addresses a public meeting. – Photo by PPI

THATTA: Pakistan Muslim League (N) will change the fate of Sindh by bringing progress and prosperity to its people. This was stated by PML-N Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif in a telephonic address to a gathering near Press club Thatta on Sunday.

He said that his party will eliminate the dacoit culture and bring peace and tranquility in Sindh. He called upon people to support his party for the betterment of the country.

PML-N Sindh President Syed Ghous Ali Shah said that all parties and people must respect the judiciary and accept its decisions. Earlier PML-N took out a rally from Edhi center, marched on national highway and gathered in front of press club Thatta.

The participants, led by Syed Ghous Ali Shah and Marvi Memon, carried banners and placards inscribed with party slogans. Other speakers included district president Abbas Attai and Apa Neelam Abbasi.

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Via DAWN.com

PPP rally termed a big show of power

SADIQABAD – Thousands of PPP activists from Sadiqabad participated in the public rally held at Kamon Shaheed area on the Sindh-Punjab Border.
The PPP leaders have claimed that it was a historic public meeting. The National Highway from Sukkur to Kamon Shaheed was closed for heavy traffic due to expected participation of a large people in the public meeting. The traffic was diverted to …

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Season of politicking : Shah threatens ‘long march’ on Lahore

Sindh Chief Minister and senior PPP leader Qaim Ali Shah threatened a long march against the Pakistan-Muslim League-Nawaz’s Punjab government – one which would travel to Lahore and beyond.

Addressing a large rally at Kamoon Shaheed, Ubaro, Shah claimed that almost a million people were in attendance, and when the time came, the 55 million inhabitants of Sindh will march onto and lay siege to ‘Takht-e-Lahore.’

Flaying PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif for talking about broken promises, Shah claimed that he had once vowed that he would neither be dictated, nor would he resign.

“But when his supporters marched to Lahore to protest against General Pervez Musharraf overthrowing him in a coup in 1999, they discovered that not only had Nawaz taken dictation and resigned, but had put his hands up against the dictator, pleading for mercy,” Shah said.

With general elections due, Shah also hinted at the possibility of elections as early as November. “November, December is not far, you can try. The people are angry that he (Nawaz) wants to push out the public’s government,” the chief minister said.

He said that when the elections come around, the people would once again vote the PPP into power. “Nawaz was twice given the chance, what did he do for you?” Shah asked, adding that the PPP had “served the public, the poor, farmers and the youth.”

Throwing in his reelection pitch, Shah said that the PPP’s business was unfinished, and that it was their party which would empower women, give jobs to the youth and give rights to people.

Earlier, other PPP leaders also addressed the gathering, and said that Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani is brave for refusing to resign after being convicted in the contempt case.

They also praised him for defending the party and “the Constitution.” The speakers were also highly critical of the judiciary and Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 13^th, 2012.

With Likeminded by PML-N’s side: Nawaz’s ‘grand alliance’ gathers steam

The general secretaries of both parties signed the agreement at Raiwind, according to which the PML-N will give 11% of national and provincial assembly seats to Likeminded candidates. The issue of party symbol – whether Likeminded candidates will contest elections using PML-N’s tiger – will be decided later.

Insiders added that both parties have also agreed to woo more Muslim League factions.

Earlier on Wednesday, Sindh National Front chief Mumtaz Bhutto had formally announced the merger of his party with the PML-N, giving the latter a major boost in Sindh’s electoral politics.

Seat-adjustment formula

Talking to the media after signing their agreement, Likeminded’s General Secretary Humayun Akhtar Khan and his counterpart from PML-N, Zafar Iqbal Jhagra, said, “The vote-bank of Muslim Leagues has been united to defeat the PPP in the upcoming elections.”

“According to the agreement made between the two parties today, 30 general seats in the National Assembly will be allotted to Likeminded in the upcoming elections,” Akhtar said.

He said the same percentage of general seats will allotted to Likeminded for all provinces, adding that allocation of reserved seats for women, minorities and the Senate will be based on other terms.

According to sources, however, Nawaz has agreed to allot 13, not 30, seats in the national and provincial assemblies to Likeminded candidates.

Strengthening the Leagues

The PML-N chief met with Likeminded’s Chairman Hamid Nasir Chattha for the first time after 1993 to devise a strategy on strengthening the Leagues.

Sources said Chattha has been tasked to convince PML-Q’s former and sitting ministers in the federal cabinet to defect to the PML-N. The PML-Likeminded is a breakaway faction of the PML-Q.

Sources added that Nawaz and Chattha agreed to form a grand alliance, led by the former, against the PPP-led coalition government.

Since the Chaudhrys of Gujrat, the PML-Q leaders, are least likely to join this alliance, sources said that Chattha has been tasked to continue his litigation against Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and seek his disqualification from the party post.

Chattha, while talking to The Express Tribune, confirmed that he would convince sitting PML-Q lawmakers and ministers to join the grand alliance. Only a politics of alliance would oust the PPP-led coalition government, he said.

Chattha added that formation of ticket-awarding parliamentary boards would be discussed later.

Apprehensions

Sources said that Chattha and his colleagues were not ready to rely on Nawaz over several issues.

Likeminded’s candidates are not sure if they would be awarded tickets to contest the election by Nawaz, if the party merges with the PML-N, sources said.

Nawaz had refused to award party tickets to many aspirants at the eleventh hour, they said, citing the case of Humayun Akhtar, who barely got a ticket in the 1996 elections, and his younger brother Haroon, who was denied a ticket in the 2012 Senate elections.

If the PML-N betrays Likeminded, they would announce an alliance with some other political party, sources added.

The group had entered into negotiations with PTI Chairman Imran Khan last year to discuss a possible alliance. The talks broke down though after Imran asked Likeminded leaders to join his party.

Likeminded’s Punjab chief resigns

Likeminded’s Ata Manika, in protest, has resigned from his party post as president of the Punjab chapter following the party’s alliance with the PML-N, Express News reported.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani called him from London, assuring his utmost cooperation.

Talking to the media, Manika said that despite playing a pivotal role in forming Likeminded, the party leadership did not even consult him regarding the decision to form an alliance with the PML-N.

However, later in the night a Likeminded delegation managed to win back Manika who then lent his support to the agreement with PML-N.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 13^th, 2012.

PPP threatens march on Lahore

GHOTKI – Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah on Saturday said that PML-N Chief Ex Prime minister Mian Nawaz Sharifhas no future in politics. “The PML-N during its two tenures did nothing for the people of Sindh province and the masses across the country are with PPP Patron-in-Chief ZA Bhutto and late Benazir Bhutto,” he said while addressing a public meeting at Kamo-Shaheed.
The public meeting was also …

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JI’s conference calls to probe May 12 carnage in Karachi

Lawyers chant slogans against 12 May, 2007 incident during a protest rally at M. A. Jinnah Road in Karachi on Saturday. – Photo by PPI

KARACHI: The national conference of different political parties organised by the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) on Saturday declared May12 Carnage of 2007 as the national tragedy and demanded the judiciary to take culprits to the task who massacred the innocent people.

It also demanded the government for compensating the loss of human lives that took place five years ago.

Organised by the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) at a local hotel in Karachi, the national conference further demanded lodging of FIR against former President Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf and other government and political officials responsible for the bloodshed.

A resolution unanimously passed by the conference urged for probing the May 12 massacre by a tribunal headed by the judge of Supreme Court and also that the nation should be apprised of the results.

Like the May 12 carnage, the judicial probe should also be conducted into the tragic incidents of 12 Rabi-ul-Awal, May 12, 2006, October 18, 2007, April 09, 2008, Aashura bomb blast and Bolton Market incident so that the assailants could be brought to justice, it demanded.

The national conference, through the resolution, urged for an end to appointments in Sindh police on political grounds and reorganising the police force on professional basis for taking effective actions against killers, extortionists and other law-breakers.

The conference called for immediate action against the terrorists and other criminals nominated in FIRs of all the cases of targeted killings and extortion.

A large number of political and religious leaders from across the country attended and addressed the conference presided over by JI chief Syed Munawar Hassan.

Prominent among them were former foreign minister and Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, provincial chief of the PTI Nadir Akmal Leghari, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders Raja Zafarul Haque, Senator Mushahdullah Khan, Syed Ghaus Ali Shah and Salim Zia.

While, Syed Jalal Mahmood Shah of Sindh United Party, Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo of National Party of Balochistan, Hafiz Hussain Ahmed, Syed Alam Shah of HariTehrik, Kunwar Quttubuddin of PML-F, Mahmoodul Hassan, president Karachi Bar Association, Senator Shahi Syed of ANP, Owais Noorani of JUP, Muhammad Hussain Mahnati and Maulana Asadullah Bhutto of JI, QamarBhatti, representatives of Sunni Tehrik, Tehrik-i-Islami, Awami Muslim League, small traders organisation, Rickshaw Owners Association and others also participated the conference.

The political and religious leaders criticised the government and said the killers of innocent people on May 12 were not arrested because they are sharing the power under the government’s reconciliation policy.

Lawyers observed “black day”

Meanwhile, the legal fraternity observed a ‘black day’ across the country to condemn May 12, 2007, incident.

Lawyers associations hoisted black flags at the premises of their respective bars offices, as well as held meetings to pay tributes to the victims of May 12 violence.

A protest rally led by lawyers leaders was also taken out at M.A. Jinnah road in Karachi against the killing of innocent people including lawyers and political workers on that fateful day.

Different bar associations held protest meeting at their respective bars and demanded arrest of culprits involved in the killing of innocent people in the metropolis on May 12, 2007.

The lawyers of Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana and other cities of the province also observed ‘black day’ and boycotted the courts proceedings on the call of their respective bar associations.

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Via DAWN.com

PPP will win next general election as well: Qaim Ali Shah

Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah.—APP (File Photo)

SUKKUR: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah on Saturday said the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) will emerge as victorious in the next general election as well.

Addressing a public gathering organised by the PPP at Kammo Shaheed on the Sindh-Punjab border, Shah said that people had voted for the PPP in the last general elections and the party has come to power because of the struggle and sacrifices of Benazir Bhutto and the party workers.

He said the present government is the government of the poor masses and that it has served the people of the entire country without any discrimination.

The chief minister said that this gathering of more than one million warns Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif not to challenge the people of Sindh or of the country, as many more can be gathered and “head for Lahore.”

He was of the view that being a businessman, politics was not the field for Nawaz Sharif.

Shah said that Nawaz Sharif had taken the dictation from a dictator (Gen Pervez Musharraf) whereas the PPP runs the government in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the masses. It has given employment to the jobless and empowered the women in the country.

The CM Sindh stated that November-December is not very far off and that Nawaz Sharif should have perseverance and work for the next general elections.

He also pointed out that Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has seen many difficulties and yet he is steadfast and determined.

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Via DAWN.com

Senate question-hour: Number of missing persons rising in K-P, Punjab

Of around 538 missing persons’ cases, 358 were reported from K-P and Punjab to the Commission of Inquiry on Enforcement Disappearance (CIED) since December 2011, the ministry told the Senate in its written reply.

The CIED, which has yet to submit its report to the concerned quarters – the apex court, prime minister and president — registered a total of 676 cases since it was constituted on September 26, 2011 on the orders of the apex court. The commission, in its written statement, also stated that it had registered approximately 138 cases in December 2010.

According to CIED’s findings, the number of missing persons is rising in K-P and Punjab rather than in Balochistan. In K-P, 189 missing persons were registered, 169 in Punjab and 82 in Sindh and 44 in Balochistan, where the current balance of cases is at 56.

Approximately 16 cases of enforced disappearances were also registered in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), 16 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and 22 in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).

The commission has disposed of 209 cases and claimed to have traced 176 missing persons. It traced 68 persons in K-P, 43 in Punjab, 21 in Sindh, 22 in Balochistan, 11 in ICT, six in Fata and five in AJK accordingly.

Thirty-three cases were scrapped on the directives of CIED President Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal because either they were bogus or the men reported missing could not be identified.

Minister of State for Interior Imtiaz Safdar Warraich informed the house that around 315 missing persons have been traced so far and 471 such cases have been disposed of by the two commissions constituted to investigate the issue of missing persons.

After going through the report, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Senator Col (retd) Tahir Mashhadi said: “The issue of missing persons is a stigma on the face of the incumbent government … [enforced disappearances] are [former military ruler Pervez] Musharraf’s legacy.”

Awami National Party (ANP) Senator Farah Aqil questioned if any law existed to keep a check on the country’s spy agencies, which continued to keep ‘missing persons’ in their custody despite court orders to release them.

“There should be some check on the intelligence agencies now.”

Responding to queries, Warriach informed the house that the commission has already submitted a comprehensive report to the concerned quarters. “Once the interior ministry receives the report, it will be made public,” he said.

The CIED is still working to resolve the missing persons issue and will finalise its second report in the near future, he added and stressed that court decisions were binding on all state institutions and that spy agencies had no role in such matters.

To another question raised by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Senator Talha Mahmood, Warraich said that both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were working on a joint strategy to exchange more and more prisoners under an extradition treaty.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 12^th, 2012. 

Reducing the risks: Ambitious plans crafted to tackle floods

On Thursday, the head of the National Disaster Management Authority, Dr Zafar Qadir, outlined the authority’s long and short-term plans, many of which appear daunting given the record of the government’s response in past disasters.

Under the short-term plan, 29 districts have been identified as facing “a probability of flooding” in the coming monsoons. Dr Qadir listed them as Badin, Thatta, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allah Yar, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Umerkot, Tharparkar and Dadu from Sindh, Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Layyah, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Bhakkar, Mianwali and Faisalabad from Punjab, Musa Khel, Loralai, Barkhan, Kalat and Lasbela in Balochistan and Nowshera, Charsadda, Swat, Mardan, Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).

To curb the threat in those districts, the federal and provincial governments have been asked to reserve specific amounts in their budgets for disaster relief. According to Qadir, the provinces had been told to prepare for a worst case scenario and reminded that the implementation of disaster management falls under the provincial government’s mandate following the passage of the 18th amendment.

Outlining the authority’s long-term plans, Qadir said the NDMA has drafted a disaster risk reduction policy proposing climate change and disasters be viewed as inter-linked. The draft policy recommends scrutiny of all proposed mega-projects by experts to evaluate any potential impact on climate-related calamities.

The policy also proposes introducing disaster risk insurance for poverty-stricken areas vulnerable to natural disasters. Dr Qadir told reporters that the disaster risk reduction policy is all set to be sent to the cabinet.

He disclosed that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) has agreed to provide $1.5 million for installing telemetry systems to monitor all watercourses across the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11^th, 2012.