UK’s May sees ‘no alternative’ to her Brexit plan

LONDON: British Prime Minister Theresa May says she sees no alternative to the Brexit deal she presented earlier this week, amid reports that some of her senior ministers want her to renegotiate the draft agreement before meeting EU leaders next weekend.

“There is no alternative plan on the table. There is no different approach that we could agree with the EU,” May wrote in an article for the Sun on Sunday newspaper.

“If MPs (legislators) reject the deal, they will simply take us back to square one. It would mean more division, more uncertainty and a failure to deliver on the vote of the British people,” she added.

Just hours after announcing on Wednesday that her senior ministers had collectively backed her divorce deal, May was thrust into her premiership’s most perilous crisis when Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab resigned on Thursday to oppose the agreement.

Other mutinous lawmakers in her party have openly spoken of ousting her and said the Brexit deal would not pass parliament.

Brexit supporters say the transitional deal risks leaving Britain subject to EU rules for an indefinite period.

On Saturday Andrea Leadsom, the minister in charge of government business in parliament, told the BBC that she was supporting May but was not fully happy with the deal.

“I think there’s still the potential to improve on the clarification and on some of the measures within it and that’s what I’m hoping to be able to help with,” she said.

Ireland’s foreign minister, Simon Coveney, said on Saturday that British pro-Brexit ministers were “not living in the real world” if they thought they could renegotiate the divorce treaty agreed with the EU last week.

Several British newspapers had reported that Leadsom was working with four other senior ministers and Brexit enthusiasts – Michael Gove, Liam Fox, Chris Grayling and Penny Mordaunt – to pressure May to change the deal.

Mordaunt, Raab, and five other top Conservatives – former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, Raab’s predecessor David Davis, Interior Minister Sajid Javid, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, and Work and Pensions Minister Amber Rudd – are all “actively preparing” leadership campaigns, the Sunday Times said.

More than 20 Conservative lawmakers have written to call for May to go, and a total 48 requests are needed to trigger a leadership contest.

The Sunday Times also reported Britain’s army had been ordered to step up contingency plans to help police maintain public order in case of food and medicine shortages after a “no deal” Brexit, citing an unnamed “well-placed army source.”

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Gen Bajwa terms Karachi as engine of national economy

KARACHI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Saturday visited Pakistan Rangers’ Sindh headquarters in Karachi.

Rangers Sindh Director General Major General Muhammad Saeed gave the army chief a detailed briefing about the security situation of the province, including law and order situation in the metropolis, according to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The army chief appreciated efforts of the Rangers and all other law enforcement agencies for improved security environment.

He said Karachi is an engine of the national economy and we shall further improve its security environment so that positive business trajectory is maintained.

Commander Karachi Corps Lieutenant General Humayun Aziz accompanied the army chief during the visit.

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Police approach court for exhumation of Samiul Haq’s body

ISLAMABAD: Police on Saturday approached the court seeking permission for exhumation of Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Islam’s (JUI-S) Maulana Samiul Haq’s body and post-mortem to complete legal requirements, ARY News reported.

On the other hand, heirs of Maulana Samiul Haq strictly refused to allow exhumation of his body terming it a useless exercise.

Talking to ARY news, Hamidul Haq, son of Maulana Samiul Haq, said that they did not receive any court notice yet and added that their family will not allow to exhume his body at any cost.

He further said that not a single suspect involved in assassination of any political leader has been arrested so far in the country.

Whereas police special investigation team suggested Samiul Haq’s family to allow them to complete legal requirements.

Two people came to meet Sami-ul-Haq prior to assassination: servants

It is pertinent to mention here that servants of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-S (JUI-S) Chief Samiul Haq, on November 4, had revealed that two people came to meet Maulana at his residence prior to his murder.

This was revealed by the servants who were arrested after assassination of the JUI-S chief on Friday.

“When two acquaintances had arrived to meet him, Maulana asked us to leave for they wanted to talk to him in person and when we reached back home we found him dead in a pool of blood,” they said.

On the other hand a team of forensic experts and investigation officers of police have collected evidences, including fingerprints and CCTV footages from the housing society’s record room, from the site of the murder in Rawalpindi.

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Students to get 50 percent discount on railways’ fare in winter vacations

LAHORE: Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed on Saturday said his ministry will seek help of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) and National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the matter of occupation over its [railways] lands.

Briefing the media here in Lahore after chairing a meeting at Railways headquarters to review the progress of PR, he said his ministry is going to facilitate physically challenged people, in order to make their railway journey easier.

The minister in yet another big announcement from Pakistan Railways said” there will be 50 percent discount for the students, in the wake of winter vacations (from December 25 to January 10) aimed at to attract them to utilize railway for their trips during vacations.

Mr Rasheed said steps are being taken for the revival of the PR with the help its officers and labourers, adding recent induction of 10 new trains is the ministry’s fleet is its “proof.”

Moving one step further for the revival, Sheikh Rasheed also announced to set-up a new railway platform at Rohri railway station.

Issuing the warning to the officers of the Pakistan railways, Sheikh Rasheed said “the officers who do not go in field, will be discharged from his or her duties”.

The minister without taking anyone’s name contented “those playing in the name of “Falooda Wala” and “Welder” will go behind the bars.”

Answering to a question during the presser, Sheikh Rasheed said recent visit of Prime Minister was one of the “most successful” visit in the country’s history, adding benefits to follow soon.

Sheikh Rasheed while commenting on the disgruntled Pakistan Mulsim League leader, Chaudhry Nisar, said “neither he is going in PML-N nor joining Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI).

About the Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Fawad Chaudhry, the railways minister said he is working in best way.

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35 Pakistani politicians own properties in UAE, FIA tells SC

ISLAMABAD: Out of 895 Pakistani nationals who own properties in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), 35 are politicians, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) informed the Supreme Court on Saturday.

The FIA submitted a report to the apex court, stating that out of the total, 374 Pakistanis declared their UAE properties under an amnesty scheme.

Whereas, 674 Pakistanis submitted affidavits to the FIA. Seven of those who have declared their assets in Dubai are facing NAB cases, according to the report.

69 Pakistanis declared the properties they owned in Dubai in their tax returns, while 72 others refused to admit to having assets in the UAE.

The FIA stated that it was unable to ascertain the veracity of the details of those who availed the amnesty scheme, neither could the details be cross-checked with data available with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) owing to the law providing for secrecy in the matters.

It said 150 people neither benefited from the amnesty scheme, nor disclosed any details of their properties with the FBR.

According to the FIA, out of the total, 253 people who declared their assets in the UAE under the amnesty scheme were from Sindh, around 100 were from Punjab, 17 from Islamabad, and four from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while no one from Balochistan declared to have assets in the country.

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Bilawal arrives in Gilgit-Baltistan on five-day visit

GILGIT: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday arrived in Gilgit-Baltistan on a five-day trip, where he will address a public meeting at ‘Polo ground’ tomorrow (Sunday).  ARY News reported.

According to the details, Bilawal will hold meetings with local leaders of his party and will address different corner meetings during the visit.

Talking to ARY News, Bilawal House spokesperson Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar said,” PPP government gave constitutional rights to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan but later, the rights were denied.”

He said PPP stood shoulder to shoulder with the people of Gilgit-Baltistan in their struggle for rights.

Bilawal terms GB package as insulting, vows to restore legislation powers

It is pertinent to mention here that PPP Chairman Bilawal, on May 27, had said that giving powers of legislation to the bureaucracy in Islamabad and brazenly denying the people their rights was an affront to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan that would have far reaching consequences for political stability.

Referring to the 31st constitutional amendment, he had said the parliament just passed an amendment bill taking away powers of the president on tribal areas to empower its people. “Just the same time the federal government has ambushed the people of GB by taking away their powers and vesting it to the prime minister,” he had said.

“The so called reforms package is a grave provocation and warned against the consequences of bulldozing it without taking the people and the GB Assembly into confidence,” he had said.

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Asad Umar lauds National Financial Inclusion Strategy

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Asad Umar on Saturday chaired a meeting of the Economic Advisory Council’s (EAC) Sub-Groups on National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) and Fiscal Sector in Islamabad.

The meeting was attended by all major stakeholders and members of the sub-group from the Ministry of Finance, State Bank of Pakistan, Federal Board of Revenue and Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan.

State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Tariq Bajwa presented a National Financial Inclusion Strategy to improve quality and increase access to financial services in Pakistan.

He outlined targets and necessary policy actions to be taken at various levels in the coming years to achieve these targets.

The discussion revolved around fast-tracking digitization of financial services to reach out larger number of consumers, small and medium business and newly emerging entrepreneurs throughout country.

The minister appreciated the strategy and emphasized on diligently time-lining the goals, targets and actions to be taken, and cautioned against delaying the implementation process of the strategy.

In the fiscal policy sub-group meeting, FBR representatives gave a presentation on the problems currently ailing tax administration system in Pakistan, and ad-hoc-ism of tax policy; it was noted that these issues consequently lead to low tax collection contributing to massive fiscal imbalances.

The Sub-groups also considered solutions to fix crippling tax system of Pakistan by recommending policy measures targeting two major areas, tax administration and tax policy. It was noted that information technology had a greater role in getting more and more people into tax net, and spotting tax-avoiders.

Also coherent and continuous coordination among the federal government and the provincial governments is of paramount importance in avoiding incidence of double-taxation.

Asad Umar issued directives for setting timelines of various proposed administrative and policy reforms so that the huge fiscal burden facing our economy is reduced to minimal possible level and the government gets much needed fiscal space.

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Pakistanis stranded in Kuwait to depart for Lahore tonight: FO

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday came to the rescue of the Pakistani passengers left stranded at Kuwait International Airport after Lahore-bound flights were cancelled owing to unstable weather conditions.

Spokesperson for the Foreign Office Dr Muhammad Faisal said some of the stranded Pakistanis have been issued boarding passes for a Lahore-bound flight set to depart tonight, while the rest would be accommodated tomorrow.

He tweeted: “Due to heavy rains Kuwait declared emergency for three days and its airport suspended operations for few hours on Thursday. Some Pakistani passengers transiting through Kuwait were stranded due to cancellation of Kuwait airlines flights to Lahore.”

 He said, “On receipt of information, Embassy team was sent to the Airport to get in touch with Pakistanis and provide immediate assistance. Ambassador spoke to the head of kuwait airlines Operations and pressed for accommodating women/children in today’s flight.”

“As a result some passengers were issued boarding passes for the flight leaving for Lahore tonight. Remaining would be accommodated tomorrow, inshaallah.”

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Former CJP Saeeduz Zaman’s wife escapes gun attack

ISLAMABAD: Former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saeeduz Zaman Siddiqui’s wife on Saturday narrowly escaped when unidentified gunmen opened fire at her vehicle in Rawalpindi, ARY News reported.

According to the details, former CJP Saeeduz Zaman’s wife was travelling in her vehicle when unidentified armed men ambushed at her in Rawalpindi. No causality was reported in the firing incident.

Police confirmed ARY News, that the former CJP’s wife escaped in a gun attack, which took place in judicial colony.

Whereas, Justice (retd) Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui’s son submitted a written application in police station Murree Chock Trait about the incident. He said in the application that the accused also held her mother among three in illegal confinement.

The police gathered bullet casings and other evidences from the spot and launched investigations into the incident.

Civil judge survives murder attempt in Rawalpindi

It is pertinent to mention here that police, on Saturday, arrested three accused allegedly involved in an attempt to kill a civil judge of Islamabad in Rawalpindi.

As per details, unidentified armed men opened fire at the vehicle of Civil Judge Suleman Badar near Rawalpindi’s Chakri Interchange.

The judge was travelling along with his family to Islamabad from Lahore, when his car was ambushed at Chakri Interchange. No casualties were reported in the firing incident, said local police.

Soon after the attack, the police conducted search operation for the arrest of attackers in Trinol area and took three suspects into custody.

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Pakistan condemns ‘farcical’ Indian charge sheet against Asiya Andrabi

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday strongly condemned the “farcical” Indian charge sheet against Dukhtaran-e-Millat Chairperson Asiya Andrabi.

Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal in a twitter statement said continuing Indian attempts to label the legitimate Kashmiri struggle for self determination as terrorism have failed miserably.

He said continuing Indian incarceration of Kashmiri leaders on baseless charges violated the human rights charter & made a mockery of Indian claims of being a “democracy” as Asiya Andrabi is incarcerated while Syed Geelani was released from house arrest after 8 years.

“India needs to accept the reality of its failure to try to label every Kashmiri, from women to old men and children, as a “militant/terrorist”. We call upon the Int. Comm to expedite establishment of COI as recommended in OHCHR and #APPKG reports,” he said.

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Govt not considering any proposal to accept Israel, president tells ulema

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi on Saturday once again clarified that the government is not considering any proposal to accept Israel. 

He met a delegation of ulema from different schools of thoughts at the Governor House Lahore. Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar was also present during the meeting.

President Alvi stressed the need to highlight true essence of Islam while projecting Islam’s inherited positive, polite and peaceful aspects. He reiterated the government’s resolve to protect Namoos e Risalat.

He said the government will consult ulema to play their effective role so that Tahafuz e Namoos e Risalat and Blasphemy Laws are not misused. Ulemas should fully cooperate with the government to ensure that sacred notions are not misused to create conflicts, aggression and destruction of peace in the country, he added.

The president said the government is not considering any change in the Blasphemy Law (clause 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code).

Alama Ayub Safdar assured on behalf of the ulema’s delegation that ulema will extend all possible help to ensure peace in the country and will cooperate effectively to make Pakistan a welfare Islamic state.

The president said that the government is not considering any proposal to accept Israel. He further said that the process of registration of Mosques and madaras will be smoothened and facilitated as per laws so that registration process gets completed soon.

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SC orders immediate revival of Karachi Circular Railway

KARACHI: The Supreme Court on Saturday directed the authorities concerned to immediately revive the Karachi Circular Railway. 

The direction came during a meeting chaired by Justice Gulzar Ahmed at the apex court’s Karachi registry. He directed the civic authorities to clear all railway tracks across the city of encroachments.

The Deputy Superintendent of the Pakistan Railways informed that railway tracks in various areas of the city have been encroached upon. The top court judge directed the deputy commissioners to remove encroachments from the railway tracks.

Meanwhile, the court also ordered the revival of a tram service in the city. A tram service be launched on the route between the old city areas and Saddar to promote tourism, said Justice Gulzar.

According to sources, the municipal authorities in coordination with railway officers would determine a route for the Karachi Circular Railway.

The apex court directed the authorities to pull down shops built under the FTC flyover and remove all sorts of encroachments along Shahrah-e-Faisal and Rashid Minhas Road.

It also directed the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) and all cantonment boards to raze illegal constructions within their jurisdictions.

In Sept, this year, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah sought the assistance of Chinese authorities in the revival of the Karachi Circular Railway and other mega projects.

The chief minister, while speaking to Chinese Consul General Mr Wang Yu, said that projects such as the Karachi Circular Railway, Dhabeji Economic Zone and Keti Bandar left incomplete at the conclusion of his last tenure as chief minister were being continued.

CM Sindh said that the KCR project was most important for Karachi. “It was included in the CPEC and then delayed due to some reasons but now time has come to take it up once again,” he said.

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Two women MPAs fined for traffic violation in KP

PESHAWAR: Two women legislators of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly were fined for traffic violation in Peshawar on Saturday.   

According to the details, traffic police ticketed MPA Falik Naz and her friend, when they were travelling in a car without wearing seat belts on Ring Road.

Despite showing their identity, the dutiful police officer issued challan worth Rs200 to them. The car was being driven by one of the MPAs husband and he also did not wear the seat belt at that time.

Police have challaned at least 50  parliamentarians on Ring Road so far, said an official.

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Saad Rafique had been fined, on August 19, for over-speeding on the motorway.

The former federal minister for railways was stopped by the Motorway Police at the Rawal Toll Plaza near Lahore. The PML-N leader was driving at a speed of 145km/h while the prescribed speed limit is 120km/h on motorway.

Rafique was en route to the session of the Punjab Assembly in Lahore and had to pay the Rs750 fine for the traffic offence.

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Zulfi Bukhari announces to increase EOBI pensions by Rs1250

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Sayed Zulfikar Abbas Bukhari alias Zulfi Bukhari on Saturday announced to increase the Employees Old-age Benefit Institution (EOBI) pensions by Rs1250.

He said the EOBI pensioners who have been receiving a minimum pension of Rs5250 will now get Rs6,500. He vowed to increase the minimum EOBI pension up to Rs10,000.

Mr Bukhari said Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision is to turn Pakistan into a welfare state, adding that the portfolio he holds was a “kitchen” in the past where people would come, eat and go home.

He said the state institutions are working despite rampant corruption in the country.

Mr Bukhari said he would turn the EOBI into a profitable organization with his experience.

A day ealier, the Supreme Court sought a detailed report from the government on Zulfi Bukhari’s appointment as the prime minister’s special assistant on overseas Pakistanis and human resource development.

In September, the prime minister had appointed Zulfi Bukhari as his special assistant.

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar remarked during the hearing that making appointments to key posts was a crucial national duty and that such issues should be run as per national interests and not on the basis of friendships.

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Punjab CM announces scores of development projects for Taunsa

TAUNSA: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, during maiden visit to his home district since assuming the office, announced scores of development projects worth billions of rupees for Taunsa and adjacent areas on Saturday.

According to a statement released form his office, CM Usman Buzdar inaugurated dialysis unit at THQ Taunsa and the Urban Bus Service. He laid foundation stone of Boys Degree College Shadan Lund, two-way Indus Highway, a police station and the buildings of Tehsil Complex.

Addressing to members of national and provincial assemblies at Taunsa, the chief minister said, “Change has come and all poor areas including Taunsa Sharif are transforming into developed cities.”

He announced four years BS degree program at boys and girl colleges of Taunsa, giving status of government technical institute to vocational centre, four primary schools for girls, new public Park and the construction of playgrounds in 10 schools, reads the statement.

The chief minister said the Indus Hospital consisting of 200 beds and equipped with modern technology will be set up in Taunsa and during his next visit he will lay the foundation stone of this project. He continued that ‘The Message Higher Secondary School’ will be set up in Taunsa under the Indus Foundation and added that ‘The Insaaf Health Card’ will be launched in Dera Ghazi Khan soon.

CM Buzdar further announced  that model Rural Health Centre will be set up in Wohwa and emergency, orthopedic, surgical, gynae and other units will be available in the 60 beds hospital.

He said Sakhi Sarwar dispensary will be upgraded to Rural Health Centre and announced the construction of Wohwa Road and five embankments will be constructed for the protection of the life of the people.

The chief minister said 15 small dams will be constructed to preserve rainwater and added that after the renovation of Kamal and City Parks in Taunsa Sharif they will be handed over to PHA Lahore.

He said street lights, water supply and sewerage, tuff tiles and beautification of entry and exit points will be done at the cost of 80 crore rupees in Taunsa.

Nine projects of extension and construction of roads will be completed in Taunsa Tehsil at the cost of three billion rupees, CM Buzdar said and added that twenty three kilometre long road from N55 to Kharar Buzdar will be restored after repair and construction.

He announced that special economic zone will be set up in the area and added that interest free loans up to Rs0.2 million will be provided to skilled persons through the Punjab Small industrial Corporation and up to Rs50,000 loans will be provided through Akhuwat.

A cricket coaching centre will also be set up in Taunsa with the corporation of Pakistan Cricket Board and sports grounds will be constructed at the Union Council level, CM Buzdar said and added Dera Ghazi Khan and Taunsa were included in the Prime Minister Apna Ghar Housing Scheme.

He said that passport office and more centres of NADRA will be set up  in the city and added that an amount of Rs3 billion rupees has been allocated for the elimination of poverty under the SPPAP.

Addressing the meeting, CM Usman Buzdar said that Taunsa will be made a district and PM Imran Khan will be asked to visit the new district.

“All resources are for you and you have complete right on them”, he siad and added that Taunsa Sharif will be made most modern tehsil of Pakistan.

He said the number of Arazi centres will be increased from 180 to 800 and the facility of mobile Arazi centre will also be provided in the area. “All districts of the province will be made example of development,” he concluded

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Tableeghi Jamaat Ameer, Haji Abdul Wahab, passes away

LAHORE: Ameer Tableeghi Jamaat, Haji Abdul Wahab, passed away on Sunday morning after a prolonged illness. He was 95.

Haji Abdul Wahab was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Lahore. He was admitted to the hospital five days ago after his health deteriorated and doctors had declared his condition very critical.

The funeral prayers of the deceased religious leader will be offered after Zuhr prayers at Tableeghi Markat, Raiwind.

Haji Abdul Wahab was the third emir of the Tableeghi Jamaat. He was born in New Delhi in 1923. Before the partition, he worked as Tehsildar (tax officer) in his birth city.

After migrating to Pakistan, Haji Wahab graduated from Islamic College, Lahore. Later he left his job and joined the Tableeghi Jamaat.

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Sindh Food Authority to launch more raids soon: Murtaza Wahab

KARACHI: Adviser to chief minister Sindh on Information and Law, Barrister Murtaza Wahab, on Saturday night visited the family of children who lost their lives after consuming poisonous food at a restaurant in Karachi’s posh area a week ago and offered his condolences, ARY News reported.

Speaking to media after meeting the grieved family, Mr Wahab said necessary action would be taken against persons responsible after inquiry report was finalized.

The family of the children will be informed about the investigation report, he added.

The CM’s adviser said Sindh Food Authority had been made functional and soon it would launch more raids to ensure sell of quality food across the province. We will try to make sure that no such incident occurs in future, added Murtaza Wahab.

Two kids accompanying their family came for a dinner on Nov 11 at a known restaurant at Zamzama, DHA, however, after having food their health deteriorated. The kids were immediately rushed to hospital where they died shortly afterwards. One-year-old Ahmad, and five-year-old Muhammad, both sons of Ahsan were the residents of Creek Vista.

Senior doctors at the Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Center described food poisoning as the reason of children’s death after conducting post-mortem of the bodies.

Mother of the children was also hospitalized however her condition was later stated out of danger. Bodies of both the kids were later handed over to their parents.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had also taken notice of the deaths and sought a comprehensive report from commissioner Karachi into the incident.

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156 persons arrested over power theft in Peshawar

PESHAWAR: At least 156 people were arrested in difference areas of Peshawar on charges of electricity theft, ARY News reported.

The city administration also disconnected 944 illegal connections and issued notices to some people involved in the wrongdoing.

According to officials, the administration recovered Rs 30 million from defaulters. While more than 40 transformers were removed from areas where residents had not paid dues.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had established a Reporting Centre at the Energy and Power Department for effective supervision and monitoring of the nationwide campaign against power theft in the province.

“We have set up a Reporting Centre equipped with all latest facilities at Energy and Power Department in Civil Secretariat in Peshawar to monitor and supervise the ongoing crackdown against power theft in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” according to officials.

On October 22, Prime Minister Imran Khan had directed for immediate steps to curtail electricity prices and reduce additional burden on consumers due to pilferage and other damages in the power sector.

It was decided to launch a crackdown on power thieves. A special task force has been set up under chief minister Punjab to stop the power theft and deputy commissioners at the district level will oversee the crackdown against power theft.

PM Imran directed the power division to present a detailed plan for ensuring the availability of quality transformers.

Minister for Power Division Omer Ayub Khan had also directed the six power distribution companies to ensure 100 percent recovery of current electricity billing amounting to over 83 billion rupees for betterment of liquidity of power sector.

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Fire erupts at towel factory in Karachi

KARACHI: A blaze erupted at a towel factory in city’s Gabol Town on late Saturday night and it engulfed most parts of the building, ARY News reported.

At least 10 fire fighting vehicles were engaged in the operation to douse the flames. The cause of the fire couldn’t be determined as yet.

Chief Fire Officer Imtiaz Afzal said that 85 percent of the flames had been doused. He told that his department was informed about the fire at around 3.45am and by the time the blaze had already spread to most areas of the factory.

Two fire fighters were also injured when a decrepit wall of the building fell on them during the operation. They were moved to hospital and their condition was stated out of danger.

Our correspondent reported that flames could not be completely extinguished. A snorkel was called by the fire fighters to contain fire in areas that were inaccessible to fire fighters.

A similar fire had erupted on the fourth floor of a multi-storey building, Techno City, located at I.I. Chandrigarh road in Karachi on Oct 1.

A snorkel and half a dozen fire tenders took part in the fire fighting operation to douse the fire in the building at one of the busiest streets of the city. The fire was put out after more than five hours of efforts.

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PM Imran embarks on a day-long visit to UAE

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has left for the United Arab Emirates on a day-long visit today (Sunday), ARY News reported.

According to a state-run television, Mr Khan is accompanied by several ministers; and he is visiting the UAE on the invitation of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Matters of bilateral, regional and global interest will be discussed during their meeting.

It is PM Khan’s second visit to the UAE. He first visited the country as the prime minister on September 19.

Imran Khan will hold a meeting with the Crown Prince and other top officials of the UAE government.

Sources said the key agenda of the prime minister’s meetings will be to discuss an economic package with the UAE government.

Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who has been presently in the UAE, held a meeting with his UAE counterpart, Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayad Alnahiyan in Abu Dhabi.

The meeting on the sidelines of Sir Bani Yas Forum at the UAE’s foreign office, discussed to enhance bilateral cooperation and regional issues of mutual interest.

Prime Minister Imran Khan will also pay a two-day state visit to Malaysia from November 20, Tuesday. He would be accompanied by a high level delegation.

This would be the first official visit of any foreign leader since Dr. Mahathir Mohamad assumed office in May this year.

The two leaders will have a one- on-one meeting, followed by delegation-level talks.

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