DINA for the issue of May 25, 2013

	Saturday 25th May 2013 | Rajab 14, 1434
The DAWN Internet News Alert (DINA) is a free daily news service from Pakistan’s largest English language newspaper, the Daily DAWN.
Overcoming energy crisis: PML-N govt to take difficult decisions, says Nawaz By Our Staff Reporter LAHORE, May 24: While the PML-N said on Friday that its government would take difficult decisions to overcome the energy crisis, the PPP criticised the caretaker government for not releasing Rs22 billion for electricity generation “which could have provided some relief” from prolonged loadshedding of electricity.	For suggestions and comments: Email: webmaster@dawn.com Website: http://dawn.com Fax: +92(21) 35693995 Karachi Stocks Down 58.88 Points: KARACHI, May 24: At the close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 21283.77, down 58.88 points. Forex Update : KARACHI, May 24: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at 100.05 to the US Dollar in the open market.
Ban on CNG use in big vehicles reversed By Khaleeq Kiani ISLAMABAD, May 24: The Ministry of Petroleum has declared a directive issued by the Prime Minister Secretariat’s as unworkable and withdrawn a ban on the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) in vehicles with engine capacity of over 1000cc. The PM Secretariat’s directive issued on Tuesday to the petroleum ministry, Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) and gas companies warned owners of CNG stations that sale of gas to large vehicles would entail a fine of Rs50,000 for first violation, Rs100,000 for second, Rs600,000 for third and suspension of CNG licence for one year in case of fourth violation.
Govt reiterates opposition to drone attacks By Baqir Sajjad Syed ISLAMABAD, May 24: The Foreign Office has reiterated its condemnation of drone strikes but stayed short of demanding their cessation. A statement issued by the Foreign Office on US President Barack Obama’s policy speech on counter-terrorism strategy on Thursday said: “The Government of Pakistan has consistently maintained that the drone strikes are counter-productive, entail loss of innocent civilian lives, have human rights and humanitarian implications and violate the principles of national sovereignty, territorial integrity and international law.”
Kabul urged to consider regional implications of arms deal By Our Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD, May 24: The Foreign Office has urged Afghanistan to be mindful of the regional security situation while pursuing an arms purchase deal with India. “As a sovereign country Afghanistan can pursue its own policies, but we hope that it would mind the overall peace and security situation,” Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jillani said at a media briefing on Friday.
New guidelines UNDER a new presidential guidance signed by President Barack Obama last week, the Defence Department will take over some lethal drone operations from the CIA. That would subject drone attacks to more scrutiny from Congress and might lead to the Pentagon taking over drone operations in Yemen, but not in Pakistan, where the CIA is likely to continue to run the programme.—Reuters
UK fighters divert PIA’s Manchester flight to London LONDON, May 24: British authorities scrambled fighter jets on Friday to intercept a PIA airliner carrying 308 people from Pakistan to Manchester and diverted it to an isolated runway at an airport on the outskirts of London. Two British passengers of Pakistani origin who had allegedly threatened to destroy the plane were arrested. A British security official said the situation involving the Pakistan International Airlines flight did not appear terrorism-related, though police were still investigating. However, the incident further rattled the UK just days after a soldier was killed on a London street in a suspected terrorist attack.
Afghan leader escapes attack; two dead By Ali Hazrat Bacha PESHAWAR, May 24: A suicide bomber blew himself up near the vehicle of Haji Hayatullah, a leader of Afghan Jamaatud Dawa Al Quran Al Sunnat, on Friday. Haji Hayatullah, who runs his Jamia Darul Uloom Islamia, was not in the vehicle. His drive and a guard were killed in the attack.
Senate panel wants power crisis shared by all By Our Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD, May 24: A Senate panel directed the water and power ministry on Friday to apply loadshedding schedule to all government departments and public office holders, except defence installations and hospitals. “There should be no (loadshedding) exemption to anybody, including presidency, prime minister house, ministers’ enclave, high courts, judges, parliamentary lodges, bungalows of generals and others,” said Senator Zahid Khan of the Awami National Party, while presiding over a meeting of the Senate standing committee on water and power.
US, Indian envoys meet Nawaz LAHORE, May 24: US Ambassador Richard Olson and Indian High Commissioner Sharat Sabharwal called on PML-N president and prime minister-in-waiting Nawaz Sharif at his Raiwind residence here on Friday. Mr Olson said smooth transition of power would help strengthen democracy in Pakistan. He said the US wanted strong ties with Pakistan and it was also ready to help Pakistan overcome energy crisis.
Caretaker govt set to liquidate PTDC assets By Syed Irfan Raza ISLAMABAD, May 24: The caretaker government plans to liquidate assets worth trillions of rupees of the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) across the country, according to sources in the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination. The ministry has shortlisted three firms of chartered accountant for evaluating the corporation’s assets for liquidation, including the one owned by a man accused of being involved in the multi-billion-rupee National Logistics Cell (NLC) scam, along with three army generals.
Six policemen killed in rocket attack Bureau Report PESHAWAR, May 24: Six policemen were killed and a district police officer and his guard were injured when militants attacked their vehicles with rockets on the Indus Highway in Mattani area of Darra Adamkhel late on Friday night. According to Dawn.com, the attack was followed by an exchange of fire.
PML-N’s MPA-elect disqualified By Saleem Shahid QUETTA, May 24: The PML-N suffered a setback on Friday when the Supreme Court disqualified its MPA-elect Mir Abdul Ghafoor Lehri after he failed to submit his graduation degree. Mr Lehri, who is senior vice-president of the party’s Balochistan chapter, had won the election from PB-29 Nasirabad.
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