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PML-N nominates Mehtab Abbasi for PM
Four die of poisonous gas in Rawalpindi
Benazir Bhutto's 59th birthday today
PML-Q decides to file case against CM, Law Minister, others
Dr Afia Siddiqui is alive: Pak embassy spokesperson
Parliament not to be allowed to be undermined: Zardari
PMs election: PML-Ns meeting today in Islamabad
Makhdum Shahabuddin nominated for premiership
PML-Q will back PPP candidate for PM office: Shujaat
PML-Q will back PPP candidate for PM office: Shujaat
Karachi: 3 held during Rangers targeted operation in Lyari
Operation in Waziristan soon: Mian Iftikhar
Two including doctor shot dead in Karachi
Altaf flays bar ban on Asma Jahangir
US engineers make world's first gigapixel camera

Posted:

Nawaz Sharif telephoned Maulana Fazlur Rehman in order win his favour in this regard and two-member delegation of the PML-N also met Maulana Fazl and invited him for unanimous strategy for establishment of caretaker setup. However, Maulan expressed his resentment as the PML-N sent common MNAs rather than sending any renowned personality for dialogue. At this, the JUI-F chief decided to stand by the government regarding election of new prime minister. Before this, President Zardari invited Maulana to come back in the government while special advisors to the President, Dr Qayyum Somro and Hamidullah Jan Afridi, also called on Maulana Fazlu Rehman at his residence and discussed current issues regarding election of new prime minister.

Four die of poisonous gas in Rawalpindi

Posted:

The mishap took place at Chak Imral in the outskirts of Adyala where a man named Asif climbed down in a well but got unconscious. In order to secure the affected person, Rao Khurshid climbed down in the well but unluckily he also got unconscious. Later, their friends Atif Zaman and Adeel Mehmood followed them in order to pull them up but none of them could come on surface. The area people pulled them out after hectic labour but Asif died on the spot while remaining friends namely Atif Adeel and Rasheed were rushed to hospital but could not survive.

Benazir Bhutto's 59th birthday today

Posted:

Party workers would give blood in order to pay tribute to their great leader. Benazir Bhutto was born on June 21, 1953: she was an embodiment of extraordinary personality. She was of 29 year old when she led the party after tragic death of her father Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. In the Muslim World, she was the first woman who came to power at the age of 35. The PPP leaders and workers are of the view that she was lady of character who not only tried her best to empower women but also sacrificed for uplift of democracy and people. The PPP Member National Assembly Mir Temur Talpur said that he passed three years along with her when she was studying in London. Minister for the Minorities Mohan Lal said that Benazir Bhutto continued her endeavours for rights of minorities throughout her life.

PML-Q decides to file case against CM, Law Minister, others

Posted:

Parliamentary leader of the PML-Q in Punjab Assembly Ch Zahiruddin said that if Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif doesn’t take legal action against Sheikh Alauddin till Thursday (today), the PML-Q would go to the court for registration of case against him as he has harassed women in the Punjab Assembly. He said that Sheikh Alauddin has already used abused and non-parliamentary language against women in the assembly.

Dr Afia Siddiqui is alive: Pak embassy spokesperson

Posted:

The officials of Pakistani embassy contacted with the jail officials in the city of Huston, Texas and inquired about the life of Dr Afia Siddiqui. The jail officials informed that she is fine and fair and she is out of any danger. Later, spokesman also released a statement that Dr Afia is alive and has had a communication with her family members. Pakistani ambassador to US Sherry Rehman has also confirmed that Dr Afia is alive.

Parliament not to be allowed to be undermined: Zardari

Posted:

They know how to ensure the supremacy of the Parliament and the Constitution, said Asif Ali Zardari. He said, “the era of packing the Parliament through the back door by using the defunct Article 58 (2) (b) is over for all times and no back doors and side doors will be allowed to be reopened for sending the elected Parliaments home.” “Our people will also not suffer a destiny trusted upon them by militants and extremists in the name of religion or in any other name,” he added. The president said this in his message on the 59th birth anniversary of Benazir Bhutto falling on Thursday. President Zardari said, “On the eve of her 59th birthday I wish to reiterate our commitment to the values of supremacy of the Parliament and the Constitution and the building of a modern, egalitarian and pluralistic society in which everyone is allowed opportunity to help shape his or her own destiny—values for which she stood and fought for and when the time came even laid down her life for it.” He said Benazir Bhutto led from the front the battle for democracy against all sorts of bonapartes and extremists. “She believed in a moderate and pluralistic Pakistan where ballot determined the ultimate choice of the people and where the House elected by the people representing their will was supreme.” He said Benazir Bhutto also fought courageously against the militants and extremists bent upon forcing their ideological agenda on the people through brute force. “As she shed her blood in the fight against militancy and for the supremacy of the Parliament and the Constitution, I ask the party workers to donate blood on this day for all those who have also shed their blood or suffered otherwise for Pakistan.” “On her birthday let us recall the advice she gave to the people a few weeks before her assassination: Please continue the fight against extremism, dictatorship, poverty and ignorance.” It was not a mere slogan; she acted upon it herself by leading the fight from the front,” he added. The president reiterated that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) will continue its forward march to strengthen democracy and for the uplift of the marginalised as envisioned by her. “We will not be deterred by conspiracies against it or by the hurdles created in our way. Let there be no doubt or mistake about it.” He said the party survived even the judicial murder of its founder Chairman and the country’s first directly elected Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the abuse of judicial processes to chase and hound Benazir Bhutto into exile culminating in her assassination and the accusations and witch hunting of its leaders and workers. “It will continue to defy odds and grow from strength to strength,” he vowed. “On this occasion, let us also remember all our martyrs. Our brave soldiers and members of law enforcing agencies who have laid down their lives so that the nation lives in freedom and without fear. The martyrs of democracy have suffered incarceration, exile, torture and executions. We salute them all on this day,” he added.

PMs election: PML-Ns meeting today in Islamabad

Posted:

The parliamentary party would meet at 11 AM in Punjab House in Islamabad and would review that current situation after Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has been disqualified by the Supreme Court in contempt case. Party chief Nawaz Sharif would be in the chair while the party would prepare next strategy for communication with other political parties regarding election of new prime minister. The party would also review the nomination papers of Mehtab Abbasi for the office of premiership.

Makhdum Shahabuddin nominated for premiership

Posted:

Makhdum Shahabuddin would submit nomination papers of prime minister today while Raja Pervaiz Ashraf would submit nomination papers as covering candidate. After disqualification of ex-PM Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, the government called a meeting in consultation with coalition partners and ultimately nominated Makhdum Shahabuddin for next coming prime minister. Federal government has offered Shahabuddin to enhance his security but he refused to enjoy special security before he is elected prime minister.  President Asif Ali Zardari has set three conditions for the PPP candidates as premiership; the candidate should be committed to the party, adept in English language and hailed from Punjab.  He belongs to Mianwali and his family has been playing pivotal role in politics.

PML-Q will back PPP candidate for PM office: Shujaat

Posted:

A meeting of Pakistan Muslim League (Q) parliamentary party was held in Islamabad on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain. The meeting discussed current political situation besides matters regarding election of the new leader of the house in the National Assembly. Later talking to newsmen&sbquo; PML-Q Chief Ch. Shujaat Hussain said that his party would accept the candidate of the PPP for the office of the Prime Minister. He said he has no objection to any candidate. Ch. Shujaat Hussain said the PPP is a major party and it is its prerogative to nominate its candidate. He said there is no candidate of the PML-Q for the slot. To a question he said load-shedding can be eliminated in three months if his formula was implemented. He said he would try to persuade the new Prime Minister to take steps for its implementation.

PML-Q will back PPP candidate for PM office: Shujaat

Posted:

Karachi: 3 held during Rangers targeted operation in Lyari

Posted:

The Rangers launched operation in different parts of Lyari including Baghdadi, Shah Beig Lane, Musa Lane, Dariya Abad and Nia Abad. The anti-terrorism squad of the Rangers, and female officials also participated in the operation. At least three persons were arrested and weapons were recovered from their possession. The Rangers also raided narcotics and gambling dens on the complaints of kidnapping of some persons from Li Market.

Operation in Waziristan soon: Mian Iftikhar

Posted:

Talking to media in Peshawar Mian Iftikhar Hussain said Pakistan, Afghanistan and the US would have to work on a joint agenda to restore peace in the region. He said the Taliban should be given a chance to form their favourite team for the negotiations.

Two including doctor shot dead in Karachi

Posted:

According to details, a man was shot dead by unknown people in Khokhrapar area of Malir. In another incident, some unidentified people entered into a clinic also in Malir area and gunned down a doctor namely Rahim Bukhsh. Moreover, three persons were injured in firing incidents in different areas including Gulberg, Kausar Colony and Malir Kala Board.

Altaf flays bar ban on Asma Jahangir

Posted:

Talking to former president Supreme Court Bar Asma Jahangir via telephone from London MQM chief Altaf Hussain said that Asma and many other important personalities were being termed as traitors over political differences and raising voice for the oppressed and democracy. Altaf Hussain expressed his concern and condemned banning Asma to the bars and life threats to her.

US engineers make world's first gigapixel camera

Posted:

It is not the world s first gigapixel camera, but it is the smallest and fastest and opens up prospects for improving airport security, military surveillance and even online sports coverage, its developers say. A pixel is a small light point in a digital image, concentrations of which together form a picture. Today s cameras capture images measured in megapixels -- a million pixels -- normally between eight and 40 for an average consumer device. A thousand megapixels make a gigapixel, which is thus comprised of a billion pixels. Most of today s gigapixel images are made by digitally merging several megapixel pictures. "Our camera records a one gigapixel image in less than a 10th of a second," project member David Brady told AFP of the project reported in the journal Nature. Gigapixel imaging captures details that are invisible to the human eye and can later be examined by zooming in without losing clarity. Dubbed AWARE-2, the device is housed in a box of 75 cm X 50 cm X 50 cm -- most of which comprises electronic processing and communication equipment. The optical system consists of a six-centimeter (2.4-inch) ball-shaped lens surrounded by an array of 98 micro-cameras each with a 14-megapixel sensor. Brady said the optical system on its own weighs about 10 kilograms (22 pounds), but with the case about 45 kg. "The electronic system shrinks by a factor of four in the next generation, however." In use today are highly specialized gigapixel astronomical telescopes and airborne surveillance systems, which are comparatively large and have a narrow field of view, said Brady of Duke University in North Carolina. There are also some film-based gigapixel cameras. "Our technology is most interesting as the first demonstration of high pixel count and wide field of view imaging at finite focal ranges," said Brady. The cost of such a camera today would be similar to that of a high-resolution digital movie camera, he said -- about $100,000 to $250,000 (80,000 to 200,000 euros). But as the electronics improve, the price should become affordable for professional and serious amateur photographers within about five years, followed soon thereafter by hand-held gigapixel cameras entering into widespread use. Brady said the technology could be used, for example, to stream sporting events over the Internet -- enabling viewers to zoom in and watch the game from whatever perspective and resolution they choose. Similarly, cameras mounted in game parks or at scenic lookouts would allow online tourists to examine a scene in much more detail than if they were actually there. "Ubiquitous gigapixel cameras may transform the central challenge of photography from the question of where to point the camera to that of how to mine the data," said the Nature report.

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ISLAMABAD: Former Federal Textile Minister Makhdoom Shahabuddin's name has been finalised by President Asif Ali Zardari as the Prime Ministerial nominee, Express News reported early Thursday morning.

Senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Raja Pervez Ashraf will be filing his nomination papers as a covering candidate.

Both will submit their nomination papers today.

Zardari disclosed Shahabuddin's name in a meeting with a delegation of parliamentarians from Fata led by Hameedullah Jan Afridi, wherein he asked for their support for Shahabuddin in the prime minister elections on Friday.

The president finalised the former minister’s name after a unanimous consensus amongst coalition partners and PPP Parliamentary members, who had earlier reposed full confidence in the president’s decision regarding nomination of a candidate for the PM elections.

Other names that were being considered for the coveted post included senior PPP leaders, former Water and Power Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar and former Religious Affairs Minister Khursheed Shah.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz had also decided to put forward Sardar Mehtab Abbasi's name after consulting with coalition parties.

New Deputy Prime Minister post?

Earlier in the evening on Wednesday, the PPP Parliamentary Party members meeting at the presidential palace had also discussed the creation of a post of Deputy Prime Minister. Since the Constitution has no provision for such a post, a presidential ordinance would be required for its creation. Though an approval from the Parliament will be sought, Express News reported late Wednesday night.

Rumors are rife that senior Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader Chaudhry Pervez Elahi is being considered for the post and has been asked to rush back from London, where he has been receiving medical treatment.

Sources say that the need for the post arose in light of the fact that any new elected prime minister might face the same fate as Gilani. In the absence of an incumbent, the Deputy Prime Minister would be required to ensure that state of affairs continue without disruptions.

It is expected that the new premier will be directed by the Supreme Court to write a letter to the Swiss government, asking them to re-open the graft case against President Zardari.

‘Election early next year’

In the meeting President Zardari had said that it has accepted the Supreme Court's decision to disqualify the Prime Minister and said that general elections will be held early next year.

Addressing the meeting he had said the ruling party did not want confrontation among state institutions and will continue to work for strengthening democracy in the country.

Zardari said decision to nominate new Leader of the House in National Assembly will be taken in larger national interest and in consultation with the coalition partners.

President said the PPP accepted judgment of the Supreme Court despite its reservations and for the sake of democracy. He said next general elections will be held after eight months.

Parliamentary Party members reposed full confidence in leadership of President Zardari and authorised him to nominate new Leader of the House.

Former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, who also attended the meeting said he worked according to the Constitution and the law. “I would continue to serve the masses and the country to the best of my capacity. I remained loyal to the party.”

Gilani had been disqualified as prime minister by the Supreme Court while hearing an appeal against the Speaker National Assembly ruling that the former prime minister’s membership of the house was not void following conviction, and summary sentencing for contempt of court. Gilani was adjudged to have committed contempt by disregarding SC orders to write letters to the Swiss courts to reopen cases closed under the national reconciliation ordinance (NRO).

Orignal From: Zardari for Makhdoom Shahabuddin as prime ministerial candidate

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The Express Tribune Newsletter: June 20, 2012

Today's Headlines

Gone: 'The office of the prime minister stands vacant'

Azam Khan

A swift, short order sent the longest-serving prime minister packing home on Tuesday.

Accepting verdict, PPP begins hunt for new PM

Zia Khan

Surprisingly, confrontation does not seem to be the option the embattled government has opted for. It has opted, instead, for pragmatic planning after two emergency meetings – first of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)'s Central Executive Committee and then of the leaders of coalition partners.

Decisions taken by Gilani, cabinet come into question

Irfan Ghauri

The Supreme Court has made it clear in its short order that Yousaf Raza Gilani stood disqualified as the prime minister since April 26, the day the court convicted him on contempt charges.

Sir Creek easiest of problems, want movement on terrorism: India

Aditi Phadnis

"Sir Creek is the easiest of the India-Pakistan problems to resolve. But we must see some movement on terrorism" said an Indian official, who was part of the Sir Creek talks.

Business

Force field: PAC slams audit dept for protecting the corrupt

Shahbaz Rana

Once praised for its untiring work, the audit department came under criticism, for the first time, here on Tuesday when the Public Accounts Committee found that the department was working hand in glove with corrupt elements.

Restaurant chain: Fatburger decides to taste the local market

Farooq Baloch

After I decided that I wanted to start a new business, a bookshop, the best person I could think of for guidance was Rahim bhai. He had years of experience in distributing and selling books and magazines all over the country.

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Sports

Cricket: BCB avoids discussion on Pakistan tour

Fawad Hussain

Pakistan were dealt a massive blow when their captain Misbahul Haq was ruled out of the first Test against Sri Lanka that starts on June 22 in Galle after he was suspended for a 'serious over-rate offence' during the final One-Day International (ODI).

Asif eyes revenge in snooker event

Our Correspondents

Pakistan number one Mohammad Asif will be looking to settle a score with Asjad Iqbal when the pair faces off in the semi-final of the Jubilee Insurance 3rd Ranking Snooker Championship at the Karachi Gymkhana today.

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Life & Style

Ghazala Javed: A nightingale plunged into silence

Hidayat Khan / Rafay Mahmood

When Pashto singer Ghazala Javed walked onto any stage in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it was always to the whistling of adolescent boys. The girls were also admirers, as they dreamed to dress and sing like her. The K-P belt swooned when she hummed songs of love and passion. Sadly, this feeling of romantic indulgence came to a screeching halt when the news of her death spread. Javed, a combination of beauty and brilliance, was shot dead on Monday by unidentified gunmen outside a beauty parlour in Peshawar.

People and cities: An artist's muse

Taneeya Hasan

Oscar Wilde's famed saying, "Art is the most intense mode of individualism", seems to be the gist of photographer/artist Hamra Abbas' work. At a small gathering at the ArtNow office in DHA Phase 5 on Friday, the young artist spoke to a captivated audience about her inspiration — the culture and people of the various cities across the world where she has lived.

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Opinion