New LG system

‘All allies to be taken on board’

Staff Report

KARACHI: Sindh Local Government Minister Agha Siraj Durrani said Thursday the new local government system would be introduced with the consensus of all allied parties.

Talking to media personnel at the Karachi Press Club, the minister said the Pakistan People’s Party has handed over the draft of the new local government system to the allied parties for their comments.

The PML-F and ANP have given their recommendations over this matter, while the MQM has yet to share its proposals, he said.

Responding to a question, the minister said administrators have taken control of local governments across Sindh and the government would provide them funds for running expenses, salaries of employees and ongoing schemes.

It is pertinent to mention that both the PPP and MQM have differences over the new local government system that the government has to introduce within a month in the Sindh Assembly for approval.

The ruling PPP is facing pressure from within the party, especially those members belonging from Karachi, for restoration of the local bodies system of 1979.

Under this system, the City District Government Karachi would be abolished, and the administration of the city would be divided into two parts, the municipal or metropolitan corporation comprising urban areas, and the district council comprising the rural areas of the city.

The MQM, however, has reservations over this system and wants to maintain present status of the city. Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah had recently announced that the new local government system would neither be of 2005, nor of 1979.

Mother of three commits suicide by hanging herself

KARACHI: A mother of three, facing severe financial crises, hanged herself on Thursday in Toori Bungash police check post limits. The police said Hina Kanwal, 26, hanged herself from the ceiling fan using a dupatta in Sector 111/2 of Orangi Town. The victim was a heart patient and her family had been living in severe financial constraints, they added. Separately, a bus conductor was crushed under the wheels of his own bus near Tariq Road in Ferozabad police station limits. Police said Abdullah fell off the Shama Coach since the driver had been speeding, resulting in Abdullah’s death on the spot. In another incident, an unidentified young man was electrocuted while working in Landhi No 6. In a separate incident, a man died of a heroin overdose in Korangi No 6. The body of the victim Anwar, 40, was shifted to the hospital for legal formalities. staff report

BIEK declares Home Economics (Supplementary) results

KARACHI: Controller of Examinations Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK) Professor Agha Akber Mirza Thursday announced the results of Intermediate Home Economics Group Supplementary Examinations 2009. As per the statistics, a total of 141 appeared in the examinations out of the 144 registered candidates, while only 77 candidates were able to pass the examination bringing the pass percentage to only 54.61 in total. ppi

Mustafa Kamal among ‘Young Global Leaders-2010’

KARACHI: The World Economic Forum (WEF) has included former Karachi nazim Mustafa Kamal in the 197 ‘Young Global Leaders-2010’ for his performance and executing massive development works in the metropolis. The WEF selects 200 prominent personalities annually, in recognition of their services and declares them ‘Young Global Leaders’, said a statement issued by MQM Thursday.

It also said that the WEF would organise the ‘Young Global Leaders Conference-2010’ in Tanzania and Kamal is expected to attend it. app

City police barred from using fuel cards on non-payment

KARACHI: The Pakistan State Oil (PSO) has barred Karachi police officials from using its fuel cards over non-payment of dues. According to a PSO spokesman, the city’s police have to pay outstanding dues of Rs 61 million for the period of December to January to the oil company.

The PSO has contacted police authorities over the issue and the latter have assured to pay back the outstanding dues. Police mobiles of the city are supplied with a daily quota of 15 litres fuel while motorcycles are provided three litres.

Police sources claimed that they have deposited the payment cheque to one Mohammad Adnan of the PSO, but since the latter left the office without entering this into the records, the misunderstanding over the payment issue was created. online/staff report

Rauf Siddiqui inaugurates MEGATECH Pakistan 2010

KARACHI: Abdul Rauf Siddiqui, the Minister of Industries & Commerce, Government of Sindh inaugurated the 8th Edition of the International Machinery Exhibition of Garment & Textile Technology – MEGATECH Pakistan 2010, at the Expo Centre on Thursday.

Speaking on the occasion, Rauf Siddiqui highlighted the importance of the textile industry, which is regarded as the backbone of the Pakistan’s economy. He shed light on the efforts taken by the ministry to prop up the textile and garment manufacturers.

He made a point that the concrete steps taken by the ministry would increase the country’s textile related exports in the years to come. The minister reiterated that his ministry has put two proposals to the President and Prime Minister for exemption of some taxes for ten years to those who establish industries in Interior Sindh.

Furthermore, the government has offered the investors for submitting 10 percent of the cost of land, while remaining 90 percent could be submitted in installments or after getting profit of such industry.

The Guest of Honour, Idrees Ahmed said induction of modern machinery and technology is essential for Pakistani manufacturers to maintain a competitive edge in the current economic situations. He stressed that large investment is required in this sector and the government should seriously consider controlling the constant rise in yarn prices.

Abdul Majid Haji Muhammad, president Karachi Chamber of Commerce and industry emphasised on various initiatives taken by KCCI to accelerate textile and garment manufacturing activities in the country.

MEGATECH Pakistan 2010 has the participation of more than 300 companies from 29 countries. The 3rd Technical Textiles Conference is also being held in concurrence with the exhibition on 5th & 6th March, 2010. The conference will highlight the prospects related to Medical & Geotextiles.

Pak Navy to acquire 30 year old US frigate for 78 million dollars

2010-03-05 11:10:00

The Pakistan Navy is set to acquire a 30 year old Oliver Perry class frigate, USS McInerney, from the United States at a whopping cost of about 78 million dollars. The three decade old frigate, which was put on the US Navy's inactivation list in September last year, is likely to start its journey to the Karachi port by the end of 2010. It is worth mentioning here that Islamabad is negotiating with Washington for five more Oliver Perry class frigates. Sources in the Pakistan Navy said that the frigate is actually a gift from the US and will fly the Pakistani flag as cost-efficient "hot-transfer". However, the US Defence Security Department through a notification to the Congress had clarified that the frigate along with its equipments, parts and logistical support will be worth at least 78 millions dollars. USS McInerney is equipped with anti-submarine missile defence system, surface-to-surface missiles, and with helicopter deck landing facilities, The Dawn reports. (ANI)