ME Quartet calls for Israeli settlement freeze

March 19, 2010

MOSCOW: The Middle East Quartet on Friday called on Israel to freeze the construction of Jewish settlements in Palestinian territories and dismantle those built since 2001.

The group also condemned Thursday’s rocket attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip, which sparked Israeli bombing raids overnight.

There must be a settlement between Israel and the Palestinians within 24 months, the Quartet - which is made up of the UN, the US, Russia and the European union - said at a meeting in Moscow.

  • Indo-Pak
  • Punjab police in spotlight again over Indian logo on its ad

    Punjab police in spotlight again over Indian logo on its ad

    March 19, 2010

    LAHORE: A Punjab Police advertisement carrying logo of Punjab Police of India has appeared in newspapers on Friday.

    The advertisement has called on people to extend their cooperation with Punjab Police to counter terrorism.

    At the bottom of the advertisement, Punjab Police of India logo has been placed rather than logo of Punjab Police of Pakistan.

    When contacted, Inspector General of Punjab Tariq Saleel Dogar put the blame on printing company, saying the department had sent an accurate advertisement with correct logo. However, he said an inquiry was being conducted into the error.

  • Indo-Pak
  • BISF received international praise: PM

    BISF received international praise: PM

    March 19, 2010

    ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani said transparent disbursement of funds among the poor under Benazir Income Support Fund (BISF) has received international praise.

    The Prime Minister said this during a meeting with MNAs here Friday.

    He said various development projects for rural areas are under consideration for economic well being of the people and expediting the pace of progress there.

    “Many development works could not be initiated in the country due to the ongoing war on terror,” he admitted, adding this further contributed to the problem of unemployment.

  • Indo-Pak
  • Violent protests continue in twin cities

    Violent protests continue in twin cities

    March 19, 2010

    ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI: Violent protests continued whole day today in Faizabad and Bara Kahu areas against increase in fares of public transport.

    Protestors set bonfires and pelted stones at police, which resorted to tear gas shelling and firing causing injuries to many.

    According to recent reports protestors came out again after remaining calm for sometime and blocked Murree Road.

    A peace rally was taken out under the auspices of PML-N, Pakistan People’s Party and traders organization, which brought situation under control.

  • Indo-Pak
  • World Water Day on March 22

    March 19, 2010

    KARACHI: The World Water Day would be observed on March 22. This was announced by an official of the Mass Awareness for Water Conservation and Development Project (MAWCD) here on Friday.

    He said that the MAWCD would mark the occasion in collaboration with University of Karachi's Department of Geology and the Institute of Environmental Studies as well as the Society of Economic Geologists and Mineral Technologists (SEGMITE).

  • Indo-Pak
  • Inflation-hit people looking toward Parliament: Mirza

    March 19, 2010

    ISLAMABAD: Speaker National Assembly Dr Fahmida Mirza urged the fellow parliamentarians to attach more importance to the issues of public importance, saying people upset over price hike were looking toward the Parliament.

    Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik told the lower house that he had ordered the police not to open fire on protestors. However, he regretted that fire was opened on the Bhara Kahu demonstrators in retaliation of a policeman kidnap.

  • Indo-Pak
  • PU closed after clashes

    March 19, 2010

    PESHAWAR: Students of Peshawar University (PU) broke hostel’s furniture. Disruption erupted after the clash between two students group. One group ransacked other group’s belongings.

    University authorities has closed the institution for three days and expelled six students.

  • Indo-Pak
  • New act to give new industrial zones 10-year tax relief

    March 19, 2010

    PESHAWAR: Minister of State and Chairman Board of Investment Saleem H. Mandviwalla has said that a new Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Act is being introduced according to which new industrial zones would be exempted from tax for the period of ten years.

    He was addressing the traders at The Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) today.

    New act is being introduced to boost investment in the country, he added. The act would be presented in next federal cabinet meeting before tabling in the Parliament.

  • Indo-Pak