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ISLAMABAD: Installation of solar tube wells

 

NA body takes notice of extraordinary cost estimates

* Committee members asks when one solar tube well available at Rs 1.5m, why is Planning Commission estimating Rs 3m

By Sajid Chaudhry (Daily Times)

The National Assembly’s (NA) Standing Committee on Textile Industry was shocked to know the exorbitant price estimates of up to Rs 3 million each as estimated by the Planning Commission for installation of one solar tube well in the country.

The members of the committee challenged these estimates and were of the view that when this technology is available in the market at Rs 1.5 million as maximum price, then why the Planning Commission has fixed these estimates so high. Read More »ISLAMABAD: Installation of solar tube wells

UK planning changes to citizenship test

* Immigrants wanting to live in UK will have to learn first verse of UK national anthem

By Asif Mehmood (Daily Times)

LONDON: The British government is planning to make changes in the citizenship test according to which immigrants wanting to live in the UK will have to learn the first verse of the national anthem, the UK Home Office has announced.

Citizenship test known as “Life in the UK”, introduced by the Labour government in 2005, is compulsory for everybody who wants to become a British citizen. Read More »UK planning changes to citizenship test

ISLAMABAD: New residential sectors, interchanges, flyovers figure in Rs 28bn CDA budget

Associated Press of Pakistan

* Rs 6.5bn project will replace Islamabad’s 65,000 streetlights with LED lights

The Capital Development Authority on Wednesday approved its annual budget 2012-13 with total outlay of Rs 28 billion, with main focus on launching of two residential sectors and construction of interchanges, flyovers, and signal-free avenues.

“We have approved Rs 28 billion budget. It will be announced within a couple of days,” Chairman Farkhand Iqbal told APP. The all-powerful CDA Board has approved the annual budget and it has almost approved all budgetary proposals put forward by the CDA’s Finance Wing.Read More »ISLAMABAD: New residential sectors, interchanges, flyovers figure in Rs 28bn CDA budget

The two judgments

Article by I. A. Rehman, published in Daily Dawn on 21st June 2012

ALL praises to the Almighty that the people of Pakistan have been blessed with two history-making judgments of the apex court and this within a matter of days.

The more momentous of the two verdicts has ended the months-old agony of Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani by pushing him off the prime ministerial gaddi. Since the issue was contempt of the highest court in the land the verdict was not unexpected, though the scale of punishment is.

While all Supreme Court verdicts must always be honoured even if they do not appear to be sound, it may not be possible to avoid a prolonged discussion on the present judgment. There are quite a few issues that will need to be clarified.Read More »The two judgments

Supreme Court Disqualifies Prime Minister of Pakistan, Yusuf Raza Gilani

 

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) has disqualified Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani in its short order of the NA Speaker ruling case.

  Yousuf Raza Gilani is disqualified from membership of parliament from April 26, the date of his conviction. He has also ceased to be the prime minister of Pakistan,” said chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, reading the order.

 The Election Commission shall issue a notice of disqualification and the president is required to take necessary steps to ensure continuation of democratic process,” he added.Read More »Supreme Court Disqualifies Prime Minister of Pakistan, Yusuf Raza Gilani

Islamabad Diary: Et tu Brute?

By Ayaz Amir

We know the kind of influence Malik Riaz Hussain of Bahria Town has been famous for peddling: chummy with presidents and prime ministers, close links to all major political parties, ex-generals and air-marshals in his employ, leading champions of the fourth estate in his pocket, or at least beneficiaries of his largesse. We can even go a step further and for the sake of argument say that he is the biggest wheeler-dealer this side of Suez.

Read More »Islamabad Diary: Et tu Brute?

SC orders strict action against Arsalan Iftikhar, Malik Riaz

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has wrapped up the suo motu case involving Chief Justice’s son Dr Arsalan Iftikhar and real estate tycoon Malik Riaz, ordering action against the two in its short order issued Thursday, DawnNews reported.

The court has ordered the Attorney General Irfan Qadir to take strict legal action against Dr Arsalan Iftikhar, Malik Riaz and his son-in-law Salman Ali Khan.Read More »SC orders strict action against Arsalan Iftikhar, Malik Riaz

Malik Riaz issued contempt notice over press briefing

ISLAMABAD: Taking suo motu notice Malik Riaz’s press briefing, the Supreme Court on Wednesday issued a show cause notice to the real estate tycoon, asking him to appear before the court on Thursday, DawnNews reported.

A three-member bench of the SC’s senior most judges, headed by Justice Shakirullah Jan, was hearing the suo motu case pertaining to the business tycoon’s Tuesday press conference.

Justice Shakirulah Jan read out the text of Riaz’s press briefing in court and said that it appeared as if the judiciary was being scandalised.

Justice Shakirullah said that Riaz had ridiculed the court with the press conference and could be held in contempt of court.

The show cause notice issued to Riaz also said that he had made an attempt to obstruct justice.

The SC had earlier summoned the record of the controversial press conference. Sources had told DawnNews that an informal meeting of the apex court judges had taken place in the chief justice’s chamber. The meeting which lasted for nearly an hour was reportedly attended by 12 apex court judges.Read More »Malik Riaz issued contempt notice over press briefing