ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yausuf Raza Gilani has directed the Balochistan government to accelerate work on the Aghaz-e-Huqooq-e-Balochistan besides timely completion of development schemes approved under the Prime Minister?s Special Initiative so that its benefits should start reaching the people of Balochistan.

The Prime Minister gave these directions while chairing a high level meeting here at the PM House on Wednesday to review progress on Aghaz-e-Huqooq-e-Balochistan.

The meeting which was attended by Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Aslam Raeesani and other members of the Balochistan Cabinet discussed at length various aspects of Aghaz-e-Huqooq-e-Balochistan and its positive impact on the Balochistan?s economy.

The Prime Minister asked the Balochistan Government for early completion of verification/selection process for employment of 10,000 candidates to enhance their share both in the provincial and federal government services.

The meeting was informed that more than 6000 applications have been received for 5,000 jobs announced by the Prime Minister and necessary scrutiny process is underway to ensure transparency and merit in the selection process.

Nawab Aslam Raeesani, Chief Minister Balochistan while thanking the Prime Minister for his special attention towards addressing the longstanding issues of his province, said that the economic progress of his province after completion of the projects launched under the Aghaz-e-Huqooq-e-Balochistan would go a long way in addressing the sense of deprivation of the people of Balochistan.

The Prime Minister said that in order to avoid the over run cost of the projects, priority should be accorded to the already approved schemes and the provincial government should be more focused in its approach towards constructing water reservoirs so as to bring more land under cultivation in the province.

Enhancement of provincial police salaries was also discussed and the meeting was informed that additional funds are required to bring the salaries of provincial police at par with other provinces.

The Prime Minister directed the provincial government to liaise with the Finance Ministry in this regard.

The Prime Minister said that the Federal Government is making concerted efforts to enhance financial capacity of Balochistan through a number of schemes.

He said that out of 50% share of the Federal Government, 30% share has been handed over to the provincial government with the sole objective of financial empowerment of the province.

Increase of Balochistan share in the gas companies was also discussed in the meeting.
The meeting was briefed that out of a list of 998 missing persons which was published in the media, only 62 families have so far confirmed missing of their family members and accordingly the provincial government is trying to locate these people through the Ministry of Interior and other security agencies.

WASHINGTON: Pakistan Muslim League-Q leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi arrived in Washington on Wednesday for a week-long visit.

He will attend a breakfast meeting with US President Barack Obama at the White House besides meeting several Congress leaders.

Elahi is accompanied by MNA Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain, MPA Monis Elahi and Imtiaz Ranjha.

Earlier, the former chief minister of Punjab was received by PML-Q leaders Chaudhry Shamshad and Chaudhry Shafqat at the airport.

ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said Wednesday that 2273 officers and soldiers had embraced martyrdom during the ongoing war against terrorism.

In a chat with senior journalists in Islamabad, Army chief Gen Kayani rejected the allegations of double game leveled against Pakistan intelligence agencies, saying that 73 intelligence officers had embraced martyrdom in Pakistan, while 11 others were martyred in Afghanistan.

The COAS said that one 3-star General, two 2-star generals and five brigadiers were also among the martyrs.

While in Afghanistan, 1682 soldiers of allied forces had been killed during the last eight years, he commented.

A large quantity of weapon was seized in Swat with the help of Swat people, he said, adding the arms were recovered during the past two and half months.

DIR: Ten people including three US soldiers and 4 female students were killed while 126 others were wounded in a bomb blast in Tehsil Balambat of lower Dir.

According to a foreign news agency, the Taliban have claimed the responsibility of the attack.

The Americans were U.S. military personnel in Pakistan to conduct training at the invitation of the Pakistan Frontier Corps, said a statement issued by US embassy spokesman.

The blast occurred at the roadside of Koto village when a security force?s convoy was passing from Taimargara to Tehsil Maidan.

The explosion also damaged a government middle school, a government girls? school and five houses.

Those killed included 3 US soldiers, 4 female students, a security man and two civilians while 2 US soldiers and over 70 girl students are among 126 injured who have been shifted to hospitals in Taimargara, Swat and Peshawar.

Funeral prayers of 3 girl students have been performed.

The US embassy condemning the ?vicious terrorist attack? in the Lower Dir District confirmed death of three US military personnel.

The US military personnel were in Lower Dir to attend the inauguration ceremony of a school for girls that had recently been renovated with U.S. humanitarian assistance.

It said the terrorist attack injured two US personnel in a bomb explosion, while a number of Pakistani citizens, including children, are believed to have been killed and injured in the blast.

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira said Wednesday that certain elements were conspiring for collision of state institutions but they will fail in their nefarious designs.

This he said while addressing a public meeting held in connection with election campaign of AJK PPP candidate for Legislative Assembly Constituency 40,Valley 5 bye-election to beheld on Feb 7.

Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Mian Manzoor Wattoo,former AJK Prime Minister Sardar Yaqub and senior AJK PP leaders also addressed the gathering.

Kaira said that overall the media was playing a constructive role in the country, but a section of the media was targeting only one personality and trying to create instability in the country.

He said that PPP government respects the judiciary and was implementing its verdict on National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO)in letter and spirit. “Out of 8034 cases, 8032 have been reopened and the ministers are appearing in the courts. It is our stance that President and Governor Sindh enjoy immunity under the Constitution, so these cases cannot be opened. But some people have no interest in 8033 cases, they only want reopening of the cases against the President”, the minister said.

The minister further said that PPP has given sacrifices for the restoration of superior judiciary and it respects it. He said that if the court has some reservation against the conduct of the government, it can summon it or it can write to the government, but some vested interests give negative interpretations of the court verdict.

He said that some prophets of doom every now and then predict the fall of PPP government, but with the grace of Allah and support of the masses the government would continue to serve the people of Pakistan.

Kaira said that PPP entered the corridors of powers only when the country was facing serious crisis. The minister said that the government will overcome all the crises being faced by the country with the cooperation of political forces and support of the peopleof Pakistan.

He said that Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed introduced the politics of reconciliation to steer the country out of multiple problems and the present government was following her vision. He said that national political leadership realizes that in the presentsituation, no political force can steer the country out of crisis single-handedly,and there was need of joint efforts in this regard.

Kaira said that when the PPP and its allies government came to power Taliban were Only 60 kilometers from the Federal Capital but now their major networks have been broken and they are on the run. Hesaid that credit for this achievement goes to valiant Armed Forces of Pakistan and the leadership of the present coalition government.

Qamar Zaman Kaira said that there would be no compromise on Kashmiris right to self-determination and the government of Pakistan would continue supporting the Kashmir cause.

He said that Kashmir struggle was one of the reasons of PPP creation and its leadership through generation has been struggling for Kashmir freedom and it would never let down the Kashmiri masses.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani today announced to turn Lahore into a drug-free city and directed the anti-narcotics ministry to take necessary measures in this regard.

Chairing a meeting of the Anti-narcotics Division in Islamabad, Prime Minister Gilani ordered the authorities to set up an inter-agency task force to curb the drug smugglings.

The primer also called for the launch of a public-awareness campaign against the use of drugs. He also directed to set up a rehabilitation center for drug addicts at Adiala Jail.

Gilani further said that the government would take action to free the country from poppy cultivation.

ISLAMABAD: Right Honourable Bill Rammell MP, Minister of State for the Armed Forces, UK called on General Tariq Majid, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) at Joint Staff Headquarters on Wednesday.

During the meeting they exchanged views on the evolving regional security situation, revised US strategy for Afghanistan and the region and enhancement of bilateral cooperation between Defence Forces of both countries.

CJCSC appreciated the resolute commitment of UK in striving for stability of our region and thanked the visiting dignitary for UK?s assistance to Pakistan in diverse fields.

Discussing the security situation in Afghanistan, General Tariq Majid stressed on the need to evolve a prudent mechanism to address the issue of re-integration of Taliban, and bridging the North-South divide while maintaining the traditional neutrality of Afghanistan.

Right Honourable Bill Rammell MP lauded the sacrifices made by the people and Armed Forces of Pakistan and assured UK?s continued support in its efforts to eradicate terrorism and violent extremism.

ISLAMABAD: The US embassy on Wednesday while condemning the ?vicious terrorist attack? in the Lower Dir District confirmed death of three US military personnel.

?The Americans were U.S. military personnel in Pakistan to conduct training at the invitation of the Pakistan Frontier Corps,? said a statement issued by US embassy spokesman.

The US military personnel were in Lower Dir to attend the inauguration ceremony of a school for girls that had recently been renovated with U.S. humanitarian assistance.

The terrorist attack also injured two US personnel in a bomb explosion, while a number of Pakistani citizens, including children, are believed to have been killed and injured in the blast.

?We express our condolences to the families of the deceased and our sympathy and support to the wounded,? the statement said.

?The carnage at the school in Lower Dir clearly shows the terrorists? vision.

The United States and Pakistan are partners in fighting terrorism – and our people are working together to build schools,? the statement said.

The US embassy said it was continuing to gather the facts about the incident and added that the U.S. Department of Defense will provide additional details as they become available.

GILGIT: The Diamar District of Gilgit-Baltistan is engulfed by the freezing cold weather and snowfall.

The temperature fell to Minus 15 degree centigrade in the district, where roads remained blocked.

According to the reports, local population has remained stranded in the area, where there is acute shortage of food and water.

While the prices of wood have also sky-rocketed.

ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Syed Munawar Hasan has said that new block comprising Pakistan, Afghanistan, China and Iran should be formed in this region.

Speaking at a seminar held in Islamabad to observe Kashmir Solidarity Day, the JI Amir said Pakistani people stand by their Kashmiri brothers in their struggle for freedom.

The Kashmir struggle would see a sharp surge, which would continue till complete freedom.

AJK President Raja Zulqarnain Haider also spoke on this occasion.