Wednesday, December 20th, 2017
World Bank approves $825 million for Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, (DNA) – The World Bank (WB) on Monday approved a $825 million loan for Pakistan to bolster its electricity transmission and distribution network, alongside improving education and health service delivery by reinforcing financing management systems. The Washington-based lender allocated $425 million for National Transmission Modernization Project-I (NTMP-I), which will assist in revamping and modernizing the distribution and transmission systems. This will involve the rehabilitation of certain 500kV and 220kV substations and transmission lines. In a statement, WB Country Director Pakistan Illango Patchamuthu said, “With a substantial volume of new generationRead More
‘Terror plan to kill governor Balochistan foiled by security forces’
QUETTA, DEC 20 (DNA) – Security forces in Balochistan claimed on Wednesday to have foiled a terror attack on the provincial governor by conducting a raid. The law enforcement agencies carried out an operation in the Gulistan area of Qilla Abdullah District while terrorists were planning to target Governor Balochistan Muhammad Khan Achakzai. The security forces arrested the suspects and seized two suicide vests along with a huge amount of arms and ammunition. Talking to the media, Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said those arrested were involved in various terrorists’ activities andRead More
Pakistan obliged to help US because it receives ‘massive payments’, says Trump
WASHINGTON, DEC 20 (DNA) – US President Donald Trump in a ‘surly reminder’ to Pakistan said that the Muslim country is obliged to help America because of ‘massive payments’ it receives from the Washington every year. While unveiling his new national security strategy on Tuesday, the US President said: “We have made clear to Pakistan that while we desire continued partnership, we must see decisive action against terrorist groups operating on their territory. And we make massive payments every year to Pakistan. They have to help.” He was addressing theRead More
FIA fails to submit challan in Imran Farooq murder case
ISLAMABAD, DEC 20 (DNA) – Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Wednesday has failed to submit chllan in Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Imran Farooq murder case. Hearing the case, anti-terrorism court (ATC) judge Shah Rukh Arjumand expressed resentment over not presenting the case challan due to which indictment of the suspects delayed. The court strictly directed the officials to submit challan in next proceeding and extended the judicial remand of the suspects till January 10. Khalid Shamim, Moazzam Ali and Mohsin Ali are nominated suspects in the case. On DecemberRead More
SHC issues notice to Maryam, others over $70m US funds
KARACHI, (DNA) – The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday issued notices to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Maryam Nawaz, the federal finance ministry and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) director general to file replies by January 23 on a petition seeking probe into utilisation of $70 million granted by former first lady of the US Michelle Obama last year to promote girls education in Pakistan. A division bench, headed by Justice Munib Akhtar, was hearing the petition seeking directives for the anti-graft watchdog to investigate the alleged embezzlement of funds grantedRead More
FATA reforms bill: PM, army chief fail to win over Fazl
ISLAMABAD, (DNA) – Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Tuesday apparently failed to convince Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief to support the proposed law on reforms in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and its merger with the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). This was the second consecutive meeting of the prime minister with JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman as the former also met Fazl on Monday night at the latter’s residence. Sources confirmed that after the Monday meeting, which remained inconclusive, the PM was convinced that Fazl wasRead More