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Infrastructure surcharge imposed on gas prices
Transparent mechanism for IPPs be introduced: Dr Hafeez
Islamabad: Police recover 240 kg drugs
UCP wins intervarsity bodybuilding championship
Karachi: CNG stations to close for 24-hour
India: Transfer of power from judiciary to executive sparks protest
Russian tycoons daughter purchases $88m apartment in NY
UK police detains Pakistani student
Clinton-Bush nonprofit gives $1.5m to Haiti
Libyan leader returns to University of Washington
Plane crashes near New Jersey, kills 5
Karzai urges Pakistan not to forge its policy
Brothers sentenced for roles in US terror plot
President Zardari not leaving for London: spokesman
Pakistan should talk with Afghanistan: Karzai

Infrastructure surcharge imposed on gas prices

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According to the Petroleum Ministry, the surcharge has been imposed on fertilizers, CNG, IPPs and power sector. About Rs 197, Rs 13, Rs 27 and Rs 79-148 per MMBTU surcharge has been imposed on fertilizers, industrial, power and CNG sector respectively. The ministry has issued notification regarding the surcharge.

Transparent mechanism for IPPs be introduced: Dr Hafeez

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Federal Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh said that government would formulate a transparent payment mechanism in consultation with Ministry of Water and Power for resolving the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) related issues to overcome energy crisis in the country. Talking to a 15-member IPPs delegation led by its Chairman M. Abdulahh Yousuf called on the minister. Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Dr Nadeem-ul-Haq and Secretary Finance Dr Waqar Masood Khan were also present on the occasion. Dr Hafeez said that Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) would replace Central Power Purchasing Authority (CPPA) in order to strengthen and regulate the power sector in a transparent manner in the country. He urged the IPPs representatives to make efforts for enhancing the generating capacity of their respective organization. He also urged them to bring down the line losses from 19 percent to 16 percent to save energy for the benefit of the country. He also assured them that issues related to SBP would also be taken care off in a transparent manner. Secretary Finance Dr.Waqar Masood Khan told the meeting that gap between billing and collection has coming to an end. He informed the General Sales Tax on uncollected bills imposed earlier would be withdrawn in order to enable the defaulters to deposit their due amount. Abudullah Yousuf on the occasion informed the meeting that out of over all Rs.90 billion working amount Rs.20 billion for power capacity was urgently needed.

Islamabad: Police recover 240 kg drugs

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The police have impounded a truck from I.J Principal Road and recovered at least 240 kilogram drugs concealed in its various cavities. The police also arrested Bakht Jamal and Jamil in connection with the case allegedly trying to smuggle the hashish from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Punjab.

UCP wins intervarsity bodybuilding championship

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The intervarsity bodybuilding championship held at UCP Lahore campus. More than 13 varsities took part in the competition.  Bodybuilder of UCP won first position, while University of Lahore and G C University remained at 2 and 3 position respectively. Hafiz Umair declared as ‘Mister University’.

Karachi: CNG stations to close for 24-hour

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All the CNG stations will be closed on Wednesday 9 am and will be reopened on Thursday 9 am.  According to Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), closure of CNG stations has become essential to make enough availability of gas to domestic consumers.

India: Transfer of power from judiciary to executive sparks protest

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Locals in Poonch district of India s Jammu and Kashmir state gave call for a shutdown protesting against the provincial government s decision to withdraw attestation and land registration powers from the judiciary and transfer it to the executive. The protesters shouted slogans against the provincial government and chief minister Omar Abdullah and demanded that this particular law be taken back. Speaking to mediapersons in Poonch on Tuesday, Mohammad Jaban, a lawyer at the Poonch court said that a struggle similar to that of veteran anti-graft crusader, Anna Hazare was needed. "Our demand is that this draconian law be taken back. I would say through the national media that veteran anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare has our support in fighting for a strong Ombudsman Bill. Similar fight is needed to counter this black law here. The chief minister Omar Abdullah would be responsible for any disorder that will occur if this draconian law is not withdrawn. We lawyers and the bar association people peacefully demand that this law be withdrawn and let the attestation powers remain with the judges," said Jaban. Pointing out the details of the law, Jaban added that by giving attestation power to the revenue officers, the provincial government was trying to get it under its control. He said that it would be exploited. "All the lawyers are supporting us in this cause and also the whole of Poonch was observing a shutdown in our support. Even transport services remained shut. It was not our personal problem but a problem affecting the people of Poonch. The attestation powers of the judges is being taken away and being given to the revenue department and to the revenue administrative officer. The problem with this is that these are under the ministers and the state government and hence can be misused," Jaban concurred. The Bar Association of Jammu with the support of the country s main opposition the Bharatiya Janata Party on December 20 also protested and demanded that the provincial government must revoke this decision of transferring land registration power from the judiciary to executive. According to media reports, the steps were taken to improve revenue collection in the state. Ever since the decision was taken, court activities have been stalled several times in the state.

Russian tycoons daughter purchases $88m apartment in NY

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Owning real estate in New York City comes at a price, but the cost of a recently sold apartment near Central Park has taken the word "expensive" to a whole new level. It s being dubbed New York City s most expensive apartment and it sold for a record price of 88 million U.S. dollars. The lucky owner is believed to be the daughter of Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev -- 22-year-old Ekaterina. The penthouse apartment at 15 Central Park West is 6,744 square feet in size, boasts a wraparound terrace of more than 2,000 sq. feet, four bedrooms, two wood burning fireplaces and magnificent views of Central Park. According to Forbes, Rybolovlev s representatives released the following statement, confirming the purchase: "A company associated with Ekaterina Rybolovleva, daughter of a well-known businessman Dmitry Rybolovlev, has signed a contract to purchase an apartment at 15 Central Park West, New York. The apartment is a condominium currently owned by the Sanford Weill Family. Ms. Rybolovleva is currently studying at a US university. She plans to stay in the apartment when visiting New York. Ms. Rybolovleva was born in Russia, is a resident of Monaco and has resided in Monaco and Switzerland for the past 15 years." Dmitry Rybolovlev made his fortune from potash mines in Russia s Ural mountains. The tycoon is not the first Russian to foot the bill for an upscale Manhattan property. Reuters reported in 2009 that real estate brokers and analysts had noticed more foreign investors buying in New York -- and Russians were among those leading the way, fueled by a weak dollar and the high price of Moscow properties. According to Forbes, Rybolovlev is the 93rd richest man in the world and is worth $9.5 billion U.S. dollars.

UK police detains Pakistani student

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British police said Tuesday they were questioning a Pakistani man suspected of a terrorism offence after he was arrested at Birmingham International Airport in central England. The 22-year-old, who is studying in Britain on a student visa, arrived on a flight from Dubai Monday evening and was detained after being found in possession of a suspicious document, police said. He was arrested "on suspicion of being in possession of a document likely to be of use to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism (contrary to Section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000)", a police statement said.

Clinton-Bush nonprofit gives $1.5m to Haiti

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The nonprofit created by former U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush said Tuesday it s given a $264,000 grant to the Oasis Foundation that seeks to train potential hotel workers in hospitality services. The group also issued a $914,000 grant to Quisqueya University to help build a new center that aims to groom business leaders. A third grant for more than $285,000 will go to a for-profit enterprise named EducaTech for computer equipment, resources and training. The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund focuses on creating jobs and was formed in the aftermath of the earthquake that struck the nation two years ago.

Libyan leader returns to University of Washington

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Until last February, Ali Tarhouni was a senior lecturer at the University of Washington Foster School of Business. Since taking a leave of absence, he has helped lead the Libyan revolution. Tarhouni served as the Libyan rebels  oil and finance minister. Now he s a special envoy and is launching a new political party. Tarhouni has returned to visit Seattle and will hold a news conference Tuesday on campus.

Plane crashes near New Jersey, kills 5

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A small plane crashed on Tuesday on a busy New Jersey Interstate Highway, killing five people. State Police say the plane spun out of control, hitting the median strip and the exploding on the highway. Two children and three adults were killed in the accident. It is not clear if they were related. The Federal Aviation Administration said the flight that was headed to Georgia disappeared from radar screens after leaving Teterboro airport.

Karzai urges Pakistan not to forge its policy

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Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Tuesday urged Pakistan not to forge its policy on Afghanistan based on its rivalries with either India or the United States. "We want Pakistan to have an independent policy towards Afghanistan. It should not look at Afghanistan based on its relations with India and America. Pakistan should approach us as its neighbour," Karzai told local television. Fearful of encirclement by its wealthier neighbour, Pakistan has been accused of trying to gain strategic ground over its arch rival India by supporting the Taliban in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, relations between Pakistan and the US, which is fighting a 10-year war against the Taliban insurgency, have fallen to a new low following the November 26 NATO airstrike which killed two dozen Pakistani soldiers on the Afghan border. Karzai said he was trying not to involve his country in regional rivalries, so that when NATO-led foreign combat troops withdraw in 2014, Afghanistan can become a successful centre for international business. "We are trying to turn Afghanistan into a country where in the years between 2014 and 2024 it won t be a scene of negative rivalries and clashes," he said. "Instead it will be a place for cooperation, business and economy, and a main transition route between central, south and east Asia." He said the next president, who will take office after elections in three years time, should be "sincere, patriotic, efficient and a person trusted by all the people of Afghanistan". Karzai, whose second and final term in office will end in 2014, said he would support such a candidate, and has previously vowed not to seek a third term. In October, Karzai sought to reassure Pakistan after signing a new strategic partnership with India, which aimed to boost trade and cultural links, but also saw promises of a greater Indian role in training Afghan security forces. Indian involvement in Afghanistan is extremely sensitive because of the delicate and often deadly power games in South Asia, with Pakistan vehemently opposed to its arch-foe meddling in what it considers its backyard. Since the border strikes last month, Pakistan has charged that US-led forces deliberately carried out the air strikes that killed 24 soldiers, but the US has insisted the incident was a regrettable mistake. Tensions were already running high between the US and Pakistan, whose military -- long the country s most powerful institution -- has been on the defensive since the secret US raid in May that killed Osama bin Laden. In response to the strikes, Pakistan has sealed its Afghan border to NATO supply convoys, boycotted the Bonn conference on the future of Afghanistan and ordered US personnel to vacate an air base reportedly used by CIA drones.

Brothers sentenced for roles in US terror plot

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Two brothers in a homegrown terror cell that sought to launch attacks from their rural North Carolina home apologized to their countrymen Tuesday for failing to break free of their domineering father and his views. Zakariya Boyd, 22, was sentenced to nine years in federal prison and Dylan Boyd, 25, was sentenced to eight years. Each had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to provide support to terrorists, which carried a maximum of 15 years in prison. Both received lesser sentences after cooperating with prosecutors, including credit for time already served since their arrests in 2009. "I apologize to the nation for failing to preserve the national security," Dylan Boyd said. The brothers  mother and siblings sobbed, along with Dylan s wife and the family of the woman Zak wanted to marry. Prosecutors said the brothers were part of a group of eight men who raised money, stockpiled weapons and trained for jihadist attacks against American military targets and others they considered enemies of Islam. All of the accused were either American-born or naturalized U.S. citizens, or legal permanent residents. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Bowler praised the brothers for their cooperation and admirable behavior since their arrest removed them from the orbit of their domineering father, Daniel Boyd, a convert to Islam who once moved his family to Pakistan. Bowler said he isolated his sons and subjected them to physical and psychological pressure to abide by his extremist views. Prosecutors have said Daniel Boyd brewed an atmosphere of intense militancy in the family and among the other defendants. His diatribes against the United States grew along with the collection of rifles, pistols and ammunition amassed at his home, prosecutors said. Daniel Boyd pleaded guilty in February to charges of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to murder, kidnap, maim and injure persons in a foreign country. "This is an agonizing case with respect to sentencing, between the distilled evil (of their father) and the circumstances of these boys having this shoved down their throats," Bowler said. "The term  brainwashing  comes to mind." But the brothers were not innocent, Bowler said. They must have known that the growing firepower would never have been used except within the United States, he said. U.S. District Judge Louise Flanagan did not explain why she gave Dylan a lesser sentence than his brother. "The depravity of your father is etched in the record," Flanagan said. "The oppression that you endured during your upbringing left you quite scarred." Dylan Boyd testified in October against three co-defendants who were later convicted in a trial that focused on alleged plots to attack the U.S. Marine Corps base at Quantico, Virginia, as well as foreign targets. Daniel Boyd, whose father was a Marine officer, had lived on the base as a child. A trial is pending for a seventh defendant, Bosnian immigrant Anes Subasic. The Boyd brothers are expected to testify at Subasic s trial, expected for the first half of next year. Flanagan said she might revisit their sentences, depending on their contributions to the prosecution.

President Zardari not leaving for London: spokesman

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Farhatullah Babar said that reports of his leaving for London are speculative and untrue. The President, he said, is in the country, is here to stay and there are no plans for travel abroad. --APP

Pakistan should talk with Afghanistan: Karzai

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Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have cooled over Karzai’s venomous statements and Kabul s signing of a strategic partnership with India and because of Pakistan s anger at the United States and NATO, which killed Pakistani soldiers on the Afghan border. "Our wish is that Pakistan have a policy like a neighboring country with Afghanistan," Karzai said in one of several interviews with Afghan television channels. "They should be in close contact with Afghanistan," even though Afghanistan has a friendship with India and the US. "We are very hopeful that Pakistan based on their national interests and because they are a neighboring country will be in contact with us," Karzai said. Karzai also denied that he wants Afghanistan to adopt a parliamentary system with a president and prime minister. "I don t agree with changing the constitution to change from presidential system to a parliament," he said. "I am insisting that Afghanistan be run at least 10 more years with a presidential system."

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Wednesday, December 21, 2011

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