DINA for the issue of August 25, 2012

	Saturday, August 25, 2012 | Shawwal 6, 1433
The DAWN Internet News Alert (DINA) is a free daily news service from Pakistan’s largest English language newspaper, the Daily DAWN.
PPP finalises strategy for Aug 27 SC hearing By Amir Wasim ISLAMABAD, Aug 24: The PPP finalised on Friday its strategy for the Aug 27 hearing on the NRO implementation case, but its spokesman said a final decision about Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf’s appearance before the Supreme Court would be taken after consultation with coalition partners.	For suggestions and comments: Email: webmaster@dawn.com Website: http://dawn.com Fax: +92(21) 35693995 Karachi Stocks Down 31.85 Points: KARACHI, Aug 24: At the close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 15048.70, down 31.85 points. Forex Update : KARACHI, Aug 24: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at 95.7 to the US Dollar in the open market.
38 killed this month US drones bludgeon 18 in three hideouts By Pazir Gul MIRAMSHAH, Aug 24: Eighteen people died and another six were injured when missiles fired by US drones slammed into suspected militants’ hideouts in Shawal area of North Waziristan Agency on Friday, sources said. Three compounds reported to be used as hideouts by the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan were targeted in the area adjacent to Afghanistan.
FO says talks with US continuing By Our Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD, Aug 24: The Foreign Office said on Friday the government preferred to bilaterally address the issue of drones with the US despite availability of other options. FO spokesman Moazzam Khan, speaking at the weekly media briefing, did not say what other options were available to the government, but noted that the matter was being discussed with the Obama administration and that Islamabad looked forward to a mutually acceptable solution.
Pakistanis allowed to buy Indian shares By Dilawar Hussain KARACHI, Aug 24: India has opened up its doors to Pakistani citizens and entities incorporated in this country to invest in shares and convertible debentures of an Indian company under the Foreign Direct Investment Scheme. According to a circular released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Wednesday and a press release issued by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad on Friday, such investment would have to be made after prior approval of the Foreign Investment Promotion Board of the Government of India. It will also be subject to certain terms and conditions.
Imran Khan unveils plan for reforms By Ahmad Hassan ISLAMABAD, Aug 24: The Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf unveiled on Friday its ‘economic plan’ and said it would mainly focus on doubling the growth rate through investment, trade-driven growth strategy, tax reforms, breaking of cartels and introducing drastic changes in state-run corporations. But the plan does not say what the party will do about the burgeoning Rs1,200 trillion internal and external loans, almost 60 per cent of national economy.
Raja rules out banning pre-paid SIMs By Iftikhar A. Khan ISLAMABAD, Aug 24: In a move that is sure to allay concerns of cellular companies Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has rejected the idea of blocking altogether the pre-paid mobile phone SIMs. Informed sources told Dawn on Friday that while the prime minister wanted a credible verification system for issuing new SIMs by preventing the use of bogus identity, he was against the idea that all pre-paid SIMs should be blocked and such chips should no more be issued.
Premier not answerable to court for exercise of powers, says AG ISLAMABAD, Aug 24: Attorney General Irfan Qadir said on Friday that under Article 248(1) of the Constitution, the prime minister was not answerable to any court for the exercise of powers and official functioning of his office. He was talking to reporters at his office in the Supreme Court. In reply to a question about the appearance of Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf before the apex court at the next hearing on Aug 27 of the National Reconciliation Order (NRO) implementation case, the attorney general said: “I don’t know about this; it will purely be a decision of the prime minister”.
Punjab opposes meeting of new provinces panel By Our Staff Reporter LAHORE, Aug 24: The Punjab government has opposed the convening of the first meeting of the parliamentary commission on creation of new provinces, complaining that it has never been consulted on the formation of the panel. The meeting is scheduled to be held on August 28. Formed by the speaker of National Assembly on a presidential reference in response to resolutions passed by the parliament and Punjab Assembly, the commission has 14 members — six each from the upper and lower houses of parliament and two from the provincial assembly.
Withdrawal from Afghanistan right policy: White House By Anwar Iqbal WASHINGTON, Aug 24: The White House has reiterated its pledge to transfer ‘security lead’ to Afghan forces by 2014 as the US death toll in Afghanistan reached the 2000 mark. “By 2014, we will have fully transferred security lead to Afghan security forces. And this President believes that’s the right policy,” said White House Press Secretary Jay Carney when asked to define US President Barack Obama’s war policy.
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