LAHORE: Senator Pervez Rasheed has said that Nawaz Sharif has not yet made up his mind about whether to run for NA-123.

After the meeting held in connection with the preparations for the poll, Pervez Rasheed said the deadline for withdrawal of nomination papers is still far and that it is the desire of Nawaz Sharif to give election ticket to those party workers who have rendered sacrifices.

He said consultation was held during the meeting on allowing other party worker to contest the poll in case of Nawaz Sharif?s staying out of the election.

ISLAMABAD: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has increased the petrol price by Rs6.10 a litre to Rs71.21 from Rs65.11 per litre, Geo News reported Sunday.

The price of High Speed Diesel has been risen to Rs71.89, Light Diesel oil to Rs61.07, HOBC to Rs86.84 and Kerosene oil to Rs64.60 per litre.

LAHORE: Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khosa, the senior adviser to Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, has alleged that Punjab Governor Salman Taseer is creating a hurdle in the appointment of judges to the Lahore High Court.

He said that the governor received the recommendations made by Chief Justice of Lahore High Court about judges? appointments some three months back, but did no take any action.

Governor Taseer called some of the recommended judges on phone and asked them for support, Khosa revealed this at a press conference.

The Punjab Governor is violating constitutional obligations time and again, he said, adding that the governor keeps interfering in the affairs of judiciary, police investigation and civil services.

?I have never seen a governor with such awful behavior throughout my 48-year political career,? he said.

?Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has written a letter to Prime Minister in this regard. He is hoping for positive response but if it does not happen, we will take a legal course.?

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Q Secretary General Mushahid Hussain Syed on Sunday said that the government was under no threat from army, judiciary and mid-term elections, but if there was any threat, it was from poor governance and corruption.

Speaking to media in Lahore, he said that President Zardari was following the policy of ?Khedaan ge na khedawan ge? (We will neither play nor allow others).

Syed said that he was ready to support the Prime Minister if he got rid of NRO-benefited ministers.

On one hand, Prime Minister was defending President Zardari, while on the other hand, he was talking about strengthening of the system, he said.

The PML-Q leader further said the government was using delaying tactics to run away from the local government elections.

LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Syed Munawar Hasan feels that the government is putting the nation through a test by taking a course of confrontation with judiciary.

Addressing a training workshop at Mansoora here on Sunday, he said the Jamaat-e-Islami has raised his voice for recovery of missing persons and against Dr Aafia Siddiqi?s detention in United States.

He, however, said the so-called human rights organizations are tight-lipped on these issues.

?The London conference has proved that the military policy has failed and therefore, the Pakistani government should also adopt a similar approach,? said Hasan.

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Mian Nawaz Sharif and Punjab?s Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif visited Col. (retd.) Ikram?s residence, who died after being hit by Chief Secretary?s vehicle in Lahore.

Later, speaking to newsmen, Nawaz Sharif said: ?I have condoled with the bereaved family of Late Col. (retd.) Ikram and have listened their complaints. Some objections are new for me. It seems they are not satisfied with the investigations.?

?We are currently in the government. Therefore, we will fulfill every requirement for justice irrespective of one?s position or status. We will not let anyone to create any hurdle in this regard,? he added.

Meanwhile, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif refused to comment on political issues.

JEHLUM: An impressive passing out parade of police personnel, who had successfully completed their special anti terrorism training, was held at Padhar Training Centre near Jhelum.

As many as 160 Policemen of the Punjab Police completed the specialized anti terrorism training under auspices of the Pakistan Army at Padhar Training Centre. Brigadier Tariq Mahmood, Brigade Commander reviewed the parade. This training is a sequel to ongoing special anti terrorism training which is being imparted by Pakistan Army to the Police personnel in all the four provinces.

It may be mentioned here that prior to this 792 personnel of Punjab Police have already been trained by Pakistan Army while over 8400 personnel of the NWFP Police have also #12288;been trained so far in various Army units since July 2007.

Speaking on the occasion Brigadier Tariq Mahmood congratulated the passing out personnel and emphasized the importance of specialized training to combat prevailing menace of terrorism. He expressed confidence and hoped that special anti terrorism training imparted by dedicated Army personnel will go a long was in improvement of professional acumen of Law Enforcement Agencies. He urged the passing out police personnel to maintain the standard of marksmanship, physical fitness and mental robustness which they have attained during the course of training.

Later, Chief Guest awarded the prizes to those Policemen who distinguished themselves during training period. First prize was awarded to Constable Qaiser for being over all best in all training events. ASI Faisal won the 2nd position prize while ASI Abdul Rehman won the 3rd position.

A scintillating demonstration of anti terrorism drill was also presented by the passing out Police personnel which was appreciated by all. Among others the ceremony was also attended by SSP Jhelum Dr Azam Khan and SP Rawalpindi Muhammad Ishfaq.

KHAR: Sixteen people, who died in yesterday?s suicide attack on Bajuar Agency?s headquarter Khar, were laid to rest on Sunday.

While the curfew was still in force for the second consecutive days in the area.

The victims of Bajuar suicide blast were buried in their respective areas in the agency. T

Three security men, who were also among the victims, were buried with state honour.

On the other hand, gunship planes carried out bombing on militants? hideout in Mamond tehsil, destroying their two key sanctuaries.

However, no causality has been reported.

OKARA: Jamaat-e-Islami chief Syed Munawar Hasan has said that the Fauzia Wahab?s statement suggests that the PPP has made up its mind to trigger a conformation between state institutions.

Speaking to newsmen in Okara on Sunday, he said it appears from Fauzia Wahab?s rhetoric that nothing will survive over confrontation between state organs.

The JI chief said there is a difference between Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani?s statements and PPP?s actions.

?Despite Supreme Court?s clear ruling on President?s immunity, Nawaz Sharif is hesitant to speak on the issue and is playing the role of a friendly opposition,? he said.

Jan 31, Colombo: The Sri Lankan government has taken measures to improve the aging power transmission network in rural areas of the country with the support from the Asia Development Bank.