http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/ Sat, 31 Jul 2010 17:34:06 -0500 MyBB http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11250 Sat, 31 Jul 2010 02:33:13 -0500 http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11250
* 95 victims identified

ISLAMABAD: Investigators cut through the debris of the crashed Airblue aircraft in search of clues and the plane’s black box on Friday, as the airline’s chairman said he was confident the crucial data recorder would be found in the wreckage by Saturday.

An investigation team visited the crash site on Friday and collected crime scene evidence.

Five French officers joined 15 members of the Civil Aviation Authority and the Pakistan Air Force to search through the debris in order to ascertain the cause of the fatal plane crash.

“The tail section was located yesterday but it was buried under a lot of rubble,” Airblue Chairman Shahid Khaqan Abbasi told AFP. “They spent today cutting through the rubble and we’re hopeful that tomorrow we’ll be able to recover the black box,” he added.

Meanwhile, bodies of the victims of Wednesday’s plane crash that were shifted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) have been moved to a cold storage in Sector I-10/3, of which 95 have been identified and handed over to the victims’ families.

PIMS has sent 210 bags containing body parts to the cold storage and taken samples of the body parts for DNA tests.

The samples have been sent to KRL Hospital in Sector G-11 for DNA tests.

Sources said 12 bodies were identified through fingerprint tests from NADRA.]]>
* 95 victims identified

ISLAMABAD: Investigators cut through the debris of the crashed Airblue aircraft in search of clues and the plane’s black box on Friday, as the airline’s chairman said he was confident the crucial data recorder would be found in the wreckage by Saturday.

An investigation team visited the crash site on Friday and collected crime scene evidence.

Five French officers joined 15 members of the Civil Aviation Authority and the Pakistan Air Force to search through the debris in order to ascertain the cause of the fatal plane crash.

“The tail section was located yesterday but it was buried under a lot of rubble,” Airblue Chairman Shahid Khaqan Abbasi told AFP. “They spent today cutting through the rubble and we’re hopeful that tomorrow we’ll be able to recover the black box,” he added.

Meanwhile, bodies of the victims of Wednesday’s plane crash that were shifted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) have been moved to a cold storage in Sector I-10/3, of which 95 have been identified and handed over to the victims’ families.

PIMS has sent 210 bags containing body parts to the cold storage and taken samples of the body parts for DNA tests.

The samples have been sent to KRL Hospital in Sector G-11 for DNA tests.

Sources said 12 bodies were identified through fingerprint tests from NADRA.]]> http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11249 Sat, 31 Jul 2010 02:30:12 -0500 http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11249 This public vilification of Pakistan by the head of government of an influential state came hot on the heels of the WikiLeaks, consisting of 92,000 secret US documents accusing the ISI of collusion with the Taliban and also a plot to kill President Hamid Karzai. Earlier, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during her recent visit to Pakistan did not mince words when she referred to certain elements within our military of having links with Al-Qaeda and Taliban. One may also refer to Indian Home Secretary’s brazen assertion (when Indian Foreign Minister was visiting Pakistan) that ISI was involved in the Mumbai terrorist attacks.
Nevertheless, the US and other major powers have acknowledged the sustained operation launched by the Pakistan army against Al-Qaeda and Taliban who are now suffering from heavy casualties. Thought unfortunately thousands of civilians have also been killed. It is widely accepted that Pakistan itself is the biggest victim of terrorism and has had the highest number of suicide attacks in most of its major cities. All this loss of persons and property, as well as insecurity and lawlessness, has severely affected the economic and cultural life. In spite of this, the country is committed to ensure that its territory is not allowed for terrorist activities against other and especially neighbouring countries. The fact of the matter is that it is due to continuous drone attacks by the US and ISAF forces in Afghanistan that has resulted in the increase of terrorist activities in Pakistan. There is a widespread feeling that these strikes in Pakistan and infiltration from Afghanistan have spawned unending terrorist assaults all over the country.]]> This public vilification of Pakistan by the head of government of an influential state came hot on the heels of the WikiLeaks, consisting of 92,000 secret US documents accusing the ISI of collusion with the Taliban and also a plot to kill President Hamid Karzai. Earlier, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during her recent visit to Pakistan did not mince words when she referred to certain elements within our military of having links with Al-Qaeda and Taliban. One may also refer to Indian Home Secretary’s brazen assertion (when Indian Foreign Minister was visiting Pakistan) that ISI was involved in the Mumbai terrorist attacks.
Nevertheless, the US and other major powers have acknowledged the sustained operation launched by the Pakistan army against Al-Qaeda and Taliban who are now suffering from heavy casualties. Thought unfortunately thousands of civilians have also been killed. It is widely accepted that Pakistan itself is the biggest victim of terrorism and has had the highest number of suicide attacks in most of its major cities. All this loss of persons and property, as well as insecurity and lawlessness, has severely affected the economic and cultural life. In spite of this, the country is committed to ensure that its territory is not allowed for terrorist activities against other and especially neighbouring countries. The fact of the matter is that it is due to continuous drone attacks by the US and ISAF forces in Afghanistan that has resulted in the increase of terrorist activities in Pakistan. There is a widespread feeling that these strikes in Pakistan and infiltration from Afghanistan have spawned unending terrorist assaults all over the country.]]> http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11248 Sat, 31 Jul 2010 02:28:48 -0500 http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11248
ISI officers were due in London for discussions on counter-terrorism co-operation with British security services. But the talks have been scrapped after the prime minister's remarks while on a visit to India on Wednesday, the Times reported.

"The visit has been cancelled in reaction to the comments made by the British prime minister against Pakistan," an ISI spokesman was quoted as saying. "Such irresponsible statements could affect our co-operation with Britain."

Cameron sparked outrage in Islamabad when he said: "We cannot tolerate in any sense the idea that this country is allowed to look both ways and is able, in any way, to promote the export of terror, whether to India, whether to Afghanistan, or to anywhere else in the world."

The comments were made during a visit to Delhi.

Neither Downing Street nor the Foreign Office would comment on the reported decision by the ISI, which also comes days before a UK visit by the Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari. He is expected to stay with Cameron at his country retreat, Chequers.

Last night, officials said that Zardari's visit was still expected to take place. "Our understanding is that the visit is on," a Foreign Office spokeswoman said.

Following Cameron's remarks, Pakistani politicians pointed to the country's offensive against militants on the border with Afghanistan and the many victims of terrorist bombs in Pakistan.

Cameron defended his comments a day later, saying: "I don't think the British taxpayer wants me to go around the world saying what people want to hear."]]>
ISI officers were due in London for discussions on counter-terrorism co-operation with British security services. But the talks have been scrapped after the prime minister's remarks while on a visit to India on Wednesday, the Times reported.

"The visit has been cancelled in reaction to the comments made by the British prime minister against Pakistan," an ISI spokesman was quoted as saying. "Such irresponsible statements could affect our co-operation with Britain."

Cameron sparked outrage in Islamabad when he said: "We cannot tolerate in any sense the idea that this country is allowed to look both ways and is able, in any way, to promote the export of terror, whether to India, whether to Afghanistan, or to anywhere else in the world."

The comments were made during a visit to Delhi.

Neither Downing Street nor the Foreign Office would comment on the reported decision by the ISI, which also comes days before a UK visit by the Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari. He is expected to stay with Cameron at his country retreat, Chequers.

Last night, officials said that Zardari's visit was still expected to take place. "Our understanding is that the visit is on," a Foreign Office spokeswoman said.

Following Cameron's remarks, Pakistani politicians pointed to the country's offensive against militants on the border with Afghanistan and the many victims of terrorist bombs in Pakistan.

Cameron defended his comments a day later, saying: "I don't think the British taxpayer wants me to go around the world saying what people want to hear."]]> http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11247 Sat, 31 Jul 2010 02:23:42 -0500 http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11247 It was a mistake of my life to build a house in DHA, Lahore Cantt. in 2004. Believe me I have yet to get a Completion Certificate of the house from DHA. Although DHA charged a hefty fee for transfer of the plot, which was again charged, though this time legally by the Walton Cantonment Board. The DHA authorities insist that the refund of doubly paid transfer fee would only be considered after the Completion Certificate of my house is issued. The bone of contention in the way of Completion Certificate since the past one year is a portable temporary shelter without any foundation for my guard dog, which has been now dubbed wrongly as a shed instead of a shelter, which is like making a mountain out of a mole-hill while the definition of a building as per bye-laws of DHA does not include a portable temporary shelter. The final word of a retired Lt. Col. working as Director B & H seems to supersede DHA regulations, which is in fact technical corruption. The second bone of contention is a small stepping pad connecting the winding staircase with the servant quarter on the first floor. This pad is described as a platform by the wizard of DHA and is desired to be broken in two steps, which is not feasible, as the steps are calibrated at equal distance and cannot be dismantled. At the same time there is no way laid down in DHA bye-laws, as to how to access the servant quarter from a winding staircase. Here also the final word lies with the same wizard director who does not visit the site to see the impracticability of his demands. He even has scant respect for already agreed issues at the level of former Administrator DHA and keeps on agitating the settled issue to the dismay of a resident. The DHA authorities ought to wake up to control the unbridled behaviour of its employees or the DHA would soon become a nightmarish authority at the hands of arrogant and "Mardam Azar" policies of its employees. The slogan of "residents are our priority" would ring hollow otherwise".]]> It was a mistake of my life to build a house in DHA, Lahore Cantt. in 2004. Believe me I have yet to get a Completion Certificate of the house from DHA. Although DHA charged a hefty fee for transfer of the plot, which was again charged, though this time legally by the Walton Cantonment Board. The DHA authorities insist that the refund of doubly paid transfer fee would only be considered after the Completion Certificate of my house is issued. The bone of contention in the way of Completion Certificate since the past one year is a portable temporary shelter without any foundation for my guard dog, which has been now dubbed wrongly as a shed instead of a shelter, which is like making a mountain out of a mole-hill while the definition of a building as per bye-laws of DHA does not include a portable temporary shelter. The final word of a retired Lt. Col. working as Director B & H seems to supersede DHA regulations, which is in fact technical corruption. The second bone of contention is a small stepping pad connecting the winding staircase with the servant quarter on the first floor. This pad is described as a platform by the wizard of DHA and is desired to be broken in two steps, which is not feasible, as the steps are calibrated at equal distance and cannot be dismantled. At the same time there is no way laid down in DHA bye-laws, as to how to access the servant quarter from a winding staircase. Here also the final word lies with the same wizard director who does not visit the site to see the impracticability of his demands. He even has scant respect for already agreed issues at the level of former Administrator DHA and keeps on agitating the settled issue to the dismay of a resident. The DHA authorities ought to wake up to control the unbridled behaviour of its employees or the DHA would soon become a nightmarish authority at the hands of arrogant and "Mardam Azar" policies of its employees. The slogan of "residents are our priority" would ring hollow otherwise".]]> http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11245 Fri, 30 Jul 2010 01:59:58 -0500 http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11245
Various local companies, including Asif Enterprises, were tasked with collecting money from the people for the project.

The three foreign companies, including MG Realters Pvt Ltd, MG Heartz Pvt Ltd and Asia Challenge Investment Pvt Ltd, packed up and left the country with billions of rupees after the democratically elected government was overthrown in 1999.

Since then CDA, NHA, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Asif Enterprises and other representatives of the people have convened several times to try and find a solution to the problem, but in vain. The last meeting was held on February 18, 2009, said Ahmad Arsalan, an advocate.

Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) revoked the membership of the three foreign companies in 2006. In the same year, a group of affectees, SECP, Asif Enterprises and other stakeholders registered a case with the Lahore High Court (LHC) against the defaulters. The progress of the case was slow and marred by several delays.

A group of affectees have also alleged that “influential authorities” were behind the fraud and impeding the progress of the case. The LHC has not scheduled a hearing over the past year. The judge hearing the case back then, Hamid Ali Shah, was relieved of his charge when emergency order promulgated by former president Pervez Musharraf was declared null and void on July 31 last year.

Many of the parties involved seem to be unsure of how to proceed with the case. CDA’s spokesperson Ramzan Sajjid said the project was “a typical fraud”. He added: “It is a hard nut to crack. I hope that the courts will give justice to affectees as well as the city managers.”

Javed Akbar, a senior official at NHA and spokesperson, said, “It is the most complicated case. As far as I remember, NHA still has to give the relevant records of the project to the court.”

Former National Accountability Bureau (NAB) spokesperson Ghazni Khan (now transferred to Ministry of Information) said NAB was only helping CDA and NHA with the case. He added: “All stakeholders decided in the [last] meeting that Asif Enterprises will develop this project with CDA, which will provide all the technical input in the development of the proposed project.”

Meanwhile affectees wait for some positive development. Arshad Saleem, a clerk in National Assembly, paid Rs0.2 million to Asia Challenge Investment Pvt Ltd for a plot. “I am still looking for justice,” he told The Express Tribune.

Amir Ahmed, another affectee who had to take a loan to book a plot in Islamabad New City, blamed the governments of Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League for the issue.]]>
Various local companies, including Asif Enterprises, were tasked with collecting money from the people for the project.

The three foreign companies, including MG Realters Pvt Ltd, MG Heartz Pvt Ltd and Asia Challenge Investment Pvt Ltd, packed up and left the country with billions of rupees after the democratically elected government was overthrown in 1999.

Since then CDA, NHA, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Asif Enterprises and other representatives of the people have convened several times to try and find a solution to the problem, but in vain. The last meeting was held on February 18, 2009, said Ahmad Arsalan, an advocate.

Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) revoked the membership of the three foreign companies in 2006. In the same year, a group of affectees, SECP, Asif Enterprises and other stakeholders registered a case with the Lahore High Court (LHC) against the defaulters. The progress of the case was slow and marred by several delays.

A group of affectees have also alleged that “influential authorities” were behind the fraud and impeding the progress of the case. The LHC has not scheduled a hearing over the past year. The judge hearing the case back then, Hamid Ali Shah, was relieved of his charge when emergency order promulgated by former president Pervez Musharraf was declared null and void on July 31 last year.

Many of the parties involved seem to be unsure of how to proceed with the case. CDA’s spokesperson Ramzan Sajjid said the project was “a typical fraud”. He added: “It is a hard nut to crack. I hope that the courts will give justice to affectees as well as the city managers.”

Javed Akbar, a senior official at NHA and spokesperson, said, “It is the most complicated case. As far as I remember, NHA still has to give the relevant records of the project to the court.”

Former National Accountability Bureau (NAB) spokesperson Ghazni Khan (now transferred to Ministry of Information) said NAB was only helping CDA and NHA with the case. He added: “All stakeholders decided in the [last] meeting that Asif Enterprises will develop this project with CDA, which will provide all the technical input in the development of the proposed project.”

Meanwhile affectees wait for some positive development. Arshad Saleem, a clerk in National Assembly, paid Rs0.2 million to Asia Challenge Investment Pvt Ltd for a plot. “I am still looking for justice,” he told The Express Tribune.

Amir Ahmed, another affectee who had to take a loan to book a plot in Islamabad New City, blamed the governments of Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League for the issue.]]> http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11244 Fri, 30 Jul 2010 01:15:36 -0500 http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11244
Highly placed official sources told ‘The News’ here Wednesday that the plan to reduce the period of transfer cases would be enforced in the best interest of the people who want to transfer their property within shortest possible time. This method would benefit both the dealing parties, the sources told.

The decision into this effect is likely to be enforced in the mid of August 2010, which would also help the directorate of Land Estate Management to earn revenue for RDA.

Similarly, the sources further informed that against the recovery target of Rs6.5 million set up for the last fiscal year 2009-2010, the directorate headed by Director Shuja Ali generated surplus amount through this process, which is estimated Rs20 million. Moreover, the RDA appreciating the work of the concerned directorate has enhanced the recovery target up to Rs30 million in the year 2010-2011 through property fees.

Through another official source, ‘The News’ learnt that on the directives of the Punjab chief minister, the directorate of Land Estate Management Directorate (LEMD) has decided not to evacuate its land from those residents who had occupied it through different ways and means and built up their homes since long i.e. before the creation of RDA. A large number of RDA lands fall under Saidpur Road. However, the concerned directorate has decided not to spare commercial owners, who had illegally occupied the RDA land and established their business there. The LEMD had recently launched a grand operation in a commercial place at Saidpur Road and got vacated 4-kanal land belonging to RDA. The special judicial magistrate is dealing with this case, the sources informed. At the same time, the sources regretted that over 53-kanal land of RDA is occupied by different local government departments like TMA in the National Market and other parts of the city.

The matter was discussed with the Punjab government for taking possession of the RDA lands, but due to certain compulsions, no positive outcome has been achieved. “We have not been given a nod from the Punjab government for taking possession of the occupied lands by the local government departments,” the sources added.]]>
Highly placed official sources told ‘The News’ here Wednesday that the plan to reduce the period of transfer cases would be enforced in the best interest of the people who want to transfer their property within shortest possible time. This method would benefit both the dealing parties, the sources told.

The decision into this effect is likely to be enforced in the mid of August 2010, which would also help the directorate of Land Estate Management to earn revenue for RDA.

Similarly, the sources further informed that against the recovery target of Rs6.5 million set up for the last fiscal year 2009-2010, the directorate headed by Director Shuja Ali generated surplus amount through this process, which is estimated Rs20 million. Moreover, the RDA appreciating the work of the concerned directorate has enhanced the recovery target up to Rs30 million in the year 2010-2011 through property fees.

Through another official source, ‘The News’ learnt that on the directives of the Punjab chief minister, the directorate of Land Estate Management Directorate (LEMD) has decided not to evacuate its land from those residents who had occupied it through different ways and means and built up their homes since long i.e. before the creation of RDA. A large number of RDA lands fall under Saidpur Road. However, the concerned directorate has decided not to spare commercial owners, who had illegally occupied the RDA land and established their business there. The LEMD had recently launched a grand operation in a commercial place at Saidpur Road and got vacated 4-kanal land belonging to RDA. The special judicial magistrate is dealing with this case, the sources informed. At the same time, the sources regretted that over 53-kanal land of RDA is occupied by different local government departments like TMA in the National Market and other parts of the city.

The matter was discussed with the Punjab government for taking possession of the RDA lands, but due to certain compulsions, no positive outcome has been achieved. “We have not been given a nod from the Punjab government for taking possession of the occupied lands by the local government departments,” the sources added.]]> http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11243 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:30:43 -0500 http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11243
* PIMS ED says since the bodies coming to hospital are in pieces, it could take 3-4 days to identify them through DNA tests

By Mahtab Bashir

ISLAMABAD: Arrival of each dead body at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) multiplied the agony of the already grieved relatives of the ill-fated Airbus 320 passengers, as the bodies came into pieces making them unable to identify their loved ones.

With the stopping of every ambulance at PIMS Emergency Ward’s gate, anguished relatives rushed towards the vehicle with the hope that the dead body was complete and identifiable, but they turned back in tears knowing the fact it was mutated and beyond recognition.

“We cannot explain our agony, we don’t know if he is alive,” said Bilal Haider while talking to Daily Times about his brother who was on board the ill-fated flight. He said he had come to receive his younger brother Abbas, who went to Karachi for a job interview after getting a Masters degree in business administration.

“Had we known that this is going to happen, we would never have sent him,” Haider said with tears in his eyes.

Eight relatives of Iqbal, another passenger of the airbus gathered at PIMS emergency gate, said that they could not believe it. They were shocked even more knowing that it would take few more days to identify the bodies.

“So far the reason for the crash is not known. The black box of the plane has not been found yet. It could be related to bad weather as it was raining heavily in Islamabad when the plane crashed. But we want our dear ones back,” they screamed.

They said weather was not as bad as people are talking about. “Even in worst weather conditions we have seen a lot of successful air travels but this is unbelievable- we are astonished,” they said.

Few others relatives waiting for bodies of their dear ones said apparently the cause of the crash was bad weather, but we leave that to the investigators as we could not do more than that.

DNA tests: PIMS Executive Director Dr Jamal Mehmood told Daily Times that since the dead bodies coming to hospital were in pieces, it could take three to four days to identify them through DNA tests.

Airblue is one of Pakistan’s most respected airlines. It has been operating since 2004, using new Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft on domestic routes and international services to Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Muscat and Manchester.

The most recent fatal commercial crash was a Pakistan International Airlines Fokker F27 that came down in July 2006, killing 45 people on takeoff from the central city of Multan, bound for Lahore.

The deadliest civilian plane crash involving a Pakistani jet was a PIA Airbus A300 that crashed into a cloud-covered hillside on its approach to the Nepalese capital Katmandu, killing 167 people in September 1992.]]>
* PIMS ED says since the bodies coming to hospital are in pieces, it could take 3-4 days to identify them through DNA tests

By Mahtab Bashir

ISLAMABAD: Arrival of each dead body at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) multiplied the agony of the already grieved relatives of the ill-fated Airbus 320 passengers, as the bodies came into pieces making them unable to identify their loved ones.

With the stopping of every ambulance at PIMS Emergency Ward’s gate, anguished relatives rushed towards the vehicle with the hope that the dead body was complete and identifiable, but they turned back in tears knowing the fact it was mutated and beyond recognition.

“We cannot explain our agony, we don’t know if he is alive,” said Bilal Haider while talking to Daily Times about his brother who was on board the ill-fated flight. He said he had come to receive his younger brother Abbas, who went to Karachi for a job interview after getting a Masters degree in business administration.

“Had we known that this is going to happen, we would never have sent him,” Haider said with tears in his eyes.

Eight relatives of Iqbal, another passenger of the airbus gathered at PIMS emergency gate, said that they could not believe it. They were shocked even more knowing that it would take few more days to identify the bodies.

“So far the reason for the crash is not known. The black box of the plane has not been found yet. It could be related to bad weather as it was raining heavily in Islamabad when the plane crashed. But we want our dear ones back,” they screamed.

They said weather was not as bad as people are talking about. “Even in worst weather conditions we have seen a lot of successful air travels but this is unbelievable- we are astonished,” they said.

Few others relatives waiting for bodies of their dear ones said apparently the cause of the crash was bad weather, but we leave that to the investigators as we could not do more than that.

DNA tests: PIMS Executive Director Dr Jamal Mehmood told Daily Times that since the dead bodies coming to hospital were in pieces, it could take three to four days to identify them through DNA tests.

Airblue is one of Pakistan’s most respected airlines. It has been operating since 2004, using new Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft on domestic routes and international services to Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Muscat and Manchester.

The most recent fatal commercial crash was a Pakistan International Airlines Fokker F27 that came down in July 2006, killing 45 people on takeoff from the central city of Multan, bound for Lahore.

The deadliest civilian plane crash involving a Pakistani jet was a PIA Airbus A300 that crashed into a cloud-covered hillside on its approach to the Nepalese capital Katmandu, killing 167 people in September 1992.]]> http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11242 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:29:08 -0500 http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11242 Talking to media on Wednesday, he said that ,however, all aspects would be considered during investigations, for which a civil aviation team had already arrived in Islamabad, and had sealed and impounded all conversation record between air control tower and pilot for investigations.
He regretted that nobody had survived the crash of Air Blue flight scheduled to land at Islamabad airport but had to be diverted to another runway, since one runway was busy.
The hapless pilot diverted the aircraft to Margalla Hills, due to air pressure and intermittent rain in Rawalpindi and hit a hillock, losing control and crashing there, he added.
He also announced compensation for kin of all victims, and said that while strict adherence was maintained over air traffic systems, these accidents still can and would occur.
He also announced that remnants of victims were being searched for and said that he had contradicted the statement of Interior Minister that the plane was flying in a no-fly zone since according to him, the only no-fly zone area were either PM secretariat or President House.]]> Talking to media on Wednesday, he said that ,however, all aspects would be considered during investigations, for which a civil aviation team had already arrived in Islamabad, and had sealed and impounded all conversation record between air control tower and pilot for investigations.
He regretted that nobody had survived the crash of Air Blue flight scheduled to land at Islamabad airport but had to be diverted to another runway, since one runway was busy.
The hapless pilot diverted the aircraft to Margalla Hills, due to air pressure and intermittent rain in Rawalpindi and hit a hillock, losing control and crashing there, he added.
He also announced compensation for kin of all victims, and said that while strict adherence was maintained over air traffic systems, these accidents still can and would occur.
He also announced that remnants of victims were being searched for and said that he had contradicted the statement of Interior Minister that the plane was flying in a no-fly zone since according to him, the only no-fly zone area were either PM secretariat or President House.]]> http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11241 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:27:49 -0500 http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11241
The bodies brought to the PIMS Hospital, were mostly in parts and pieces, garnered from the crash site.

Those identified are Maulana Nawabul Hasan of Attaock, Ghulam Rasool, Prem Chand, Airhostess Naheed Bhatti, Sumaira Munawwar, Mirza Tahir Baig, Mona, Amir, Afshan and Mehlee Domki.

The bodies of Piyar Ali, Sapna Munawwar, Munawwar, Maulana Nawabul Hasan and Abdur Raheem have been given in the custody of the relative family members.

The PIMS Hospital officials said a team of 50 doctors has been constituted to identify the bodies.

Meantime, according to Federal Interior Minister Rehman A Malik, the body parts beyond recognition are being DNA tested today.

Chief Commissioner Islamabad said the DNA test process would take a week to complete; afterwards, the bodies would be handed to the grief-struck families.

An Information Desk has been set up at PIMS Hospital to provide information to the bereaved families of the crash victims.

Meantime, the federal capital continues to intermittently receive light to heavy showers, posing hardships in rescue and search operation in Margalla Hills—the crash site. However, the personnel from Pak Army, Capital Development Authority, and Police continued somehow the Search and Rescue operation despite the height of the crash site and the possibility of presence of wreckage in the deep gorge.

The officials said the remains and wreckage of the plane scattered on the abutting peaks and in the deep gorges, where relief workers are scrambling to collect the articles of the deceased passengers. At the same time, the search for the black box is underway.]]>
The bodies brought to the PIMS Hospital, were mostly in parts and pieces, garnered from the crash site.

Those identified are Maulana Nawabul Hasan of Attaock, Ghulam Rasool, Prem Chand, Airhostess Naheed Bhatti, Sumaira Munawwar, Mirza Tahir Baig, Mona, Amir, Afshan and Mehlee Domki.

The bodies of Piyar Ali, Sapna Munawwar, Munawwar, Maulana Nawabul Hasan and Abdur Raheem have been given in the custody of the relative family members.

The PIMS Hospital officials said a team of 50 doctors has been constituted to identify the bodies.

Meantime, according to Federal Interior Minister Rehman A Malik, the body parts beyond recognition are being DNA tested today.

Chief Commissioner Islamabad said the DNA test process would take a week to complete; afterwards, the bodies would be handed to the grief-struck families.

An Information Desk has been set up at PIMS Hospital to provide information to the bereaved families of the crash victims.

Meantime, the federal capital continues to intermittently receive light to heavy showers, posing hardships in rescue and search operation in Margalla Hills—the crash site. However, the personnel from Pak Army, Capital Development Authority, and Police continued somehow the Search and Rescue operation despite the height of the crash site and the possibility of presence of wreckage in the deep gorge.

The officials said the remains and wreckage of the plane scattered on the abutting peaks and in the deep gorges, where relief workers are scrambling to collect the articles of the deceased passengers. At the same time, the search for the black box is underway.]]> http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11240 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:26:56 -0500 http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11240 By Our Correspondent

LAHORE

CHIEF Minister Shahbaz Sharif has expressed deep sense of grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in a tragic plane accident at Islamabad.

He prayed that the departed souls rest in eternal peace and the bereaved families be granted courage and strength to bear the irreparable losses with fortitude.

Taseer: Governor Salman Taseer expressed deep grief over the loss of precious lives in a plane crash in Islamabad on Wednesday morning.

In his condolence message, the Punjab governor prayed may Almighty Allah rest the departed souls in eternal peace and grant strength to the bereaved families to bear irreparable loss.

Meanwhile, the PPP leadership has expressed profound grief over the loss of human lives in a plane crash on Wednesday at Margalla Hills. Central Deputy Secretary Information PPP Haider Zaman Qureshi, Coordinator to President Naveed Chaudhry, Acting President Punjab Sami Ullah Khan and others, expressed sympathies with the families of the crash victims.

The PPP leaders stated the government fully shared the grief of the families of passengers and crew who lost their lives in the tragic plane crash.

They also prayed to Allah to rest the departed soul in peace and grant courage to the relatives of the passengers who lost their lives in the tragic incident.

JAMAAT-E-ISLAMI: JI Ameer Syed Munawwar Hasan, former Ameer Qazi Husain Ahmed, Secretary General Liaqat Baloch and Deputy SG. Dr Farid Ahmed Piracha expressed deep grief over the crash of Airblue passenger plane and the heavy loss of lives in the tragedy.

They said the whole nation shared grief of the families who had lost their dear and near ones in the crash.

PTI: Leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has expressed profound grief over the loss of human lives in a plane crash on Wednesday. In a joint statement, PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Secretary Information Umer Cheema, Saloni Bokhari, Talat Naqvi and others expressed deep sympathies with the families of crash victims.]]> By Our Correspondent

LAHORE

CHIEF Minister Shahbaz Sharif has expressed deep sense of grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in a tragic plane accident at Islamabad.

He prayed that the departed souls rest in eternal peace and the bereaved families be granted courage and strength to bear the irreparable losses with fortitude.

Taseer: Governor Salman Taseer expressed deep grief over the loss of precious lives in a plane crash in Islamabad on Wednesday morning.

In his condolence message, the Punjab governor prayed may Almighty Allah rest the departed souls in eternal peace and grant strength to the bereaved families to bear irreparable loss.

Meanwhile, the PPP leadership has expressed profound grief over the loss of human lives in a plane crash on Wednesday at Margalla Hills. Central Deputy Secretary Information PPP Haider Zaman Qureshi, Coordinator to President Naveed Chaudhry, Acting President Punjab Sami Ullah Khan and others, expressed sympathies with the families of the crash victims.

The PPP leaders stated the government fully shared the grief of the families of passengers and crew who lost their lives in the tragic plane crash.

They also prayed to Allah to rest the departed soul in peace and grant courage to the relatives of the passengers who lost their lives in the tragic incident.

JAMAAT-E-ISLAMI: JI Ameer Syed Munawwar Hasan, former Ameer Qazi Husain Ahmed, Secretary General Liaqat Baloch and Deputy SG. Dr Farid Ahmed Piracha expressed deep grief over the crash of Airblue passenger plane and the heavy loss of lives in the tragedy.

They said the whole nation shared grief of the families who had lost their dear and near ones in the crash.

PTI: Leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has expressed profound grief over the loss of human lives in a plane crash on Wednesday. In a joint statement, PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Secretary Information Umer Cheema, Saloni Bokhari, Talat Naqvi and others expressed deep sympathies with the families of crash victims.]]> http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11239 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:26:17 -0500 http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11239 Islamabad

The captain of the passenger plane that crashed in the hills of Islamabad on Wednesday was a top professional flying into one of the most testing airports for pilots, a colleague said.

“Islamabad airport’s location is not an easy destination to fly into,” Hashim Raza Gardezi, a former colleague of Pervez Iqbal Chaudhry who piloted the doomed Airbus A-321, told AFP.

The craggy Margalla Hills to the north of the capital and unpredictable wind patterns can make an approach extremely difficult he said, going so far as to describe Islamabad as “one of the worst weather conditions in the world.”

“Irregular wind systems surround the Margalla Hills often make it difficult for the pilots while in the air,” Gardezi, a pilot for state Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), said.

Airblue’s flight 202 from Karachi was coming into land at Benazir Bhutto International airport when witnesses saw a jet flying at unusually low altitude then heard a loud boom.

Gardezi told AFP that Chaudhry, was a true professional.

“Chaudhry was one of the finest professionals in this field... who never took unnecessary risks during his professional career.”

Procedures for safe landing at Islamabad advise pilots not to descend lower than 1,000 feet (300 metres) unless they have full visibility of the runway.

Gardezi said half an hour before the crash, a PIA flight was diverted to the eastern city of Lahore owing to poor weather conditions.

“With the experience Chaudhry had, I suppose the weather had got better by then prompting him to go for landing,” he told Geo television.

Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said the pilot had been in contact with the control tower at the airport until just before the crash.

“In the last conversation with the control tower, the pilot had been given landing clearance and the plane was proceeding normally for landing before it crashed into the hills,” said Riaz-ul-Haq, the authority’s deputy director.

The civil aviation authority said all possible causes would be investigated, including terrorism and bad weather, although officials gave no indication that an attack might have been to blame.]]> Islamabad

The captain of the passenger plane that crashed in the hills of Islamabad on Wednesday was a top professional flying into one of the most testing airports for pilots, a colleague said.

“Islamabad airport’s location is not an easy destination to fly into,” Hashim Raza Gardezi, a former colleague of Pervez Iqbal Chaudhry who piloted the doomed Airbus A-321, told AFP.

The craggy Margalla Hills to the north of the capital and unpredictable wind patterns can make an approach extremely difficult he said, going so far as to describe Islamabad as “one of the worst weather conditions in the world.”

“Irregular wind systems surround the Margalla Hills often make it difficult for the pilots while in the air,” Gardezi, a pilot for state Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), said.

Airblue’s flight 202 from Karachi was coming into land at Benazir Bhutto International airport when witnesses saw a jet flying at unusually low altitude then heard a loud boom.

Gardezi told AFP that Chaudhry, was a true professional.

“Chaudhry was one of the finest professionals in this field... who never took unnecessary risks during his professional career.”

Procedures for safe landing at Islamabad advise pilots not to descend lower than 1,000 feet (300 metres) unless they have full visibility of the runway.

Gardezi said half an hour before the crash, a PIA flight was diverted to the eastern city of Lahore owing to poor weather conditions.

“With the experience Chaudhry had, I suppose the weather had got better by then prompting him to go for landing,” he told Geo television.

Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said the pilot had been in contact with the control tower at the airport until just before the crash.

“In the last conversation with the control tower, the pilot had been given landing clearance and the plane was proceeding normally for landing before it crashed into the hills,” said Riaz-ul-Haq, the authority’s deputy director.

The civil aviation authority said all possible causes would be investigated, including terrorism and bad weather, although officials gave no indication that an attack might have been to blame.]]> http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11238 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:25:39 -0500 http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11238 NA holds NIIA high
National Assembly Standing Committee on Cabinet member Tariq Fazal Chaudhary said that so far the matter has not been brought in standing committee but it will be discussed. He said NIIA is very important project. CDA should take steps to acquire land which is located between Islamabad and airport.]]> NA holds NIIA high
National Assembly Standing Committee on Cabinet member Tariq Fazal Chaudhary said that so far the matter has not been brought in standing committee but it will be discussed. He said NIIA is very important project. CDA should take steps to acquire land which is located between Islamabad and airport.]]> http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11237 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:23:52 -0500 http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11237

“He has obviously calculated that it is a price worth paying because of India’s economic might. But Britain is about more than just pound notes it is about principles.
Malik observed that at the very least the UK must remain impartial in South Asia and Cameron’s partisan comments are unwelcome not just by the people of Pakistan but by all those who believe in fairness.
Shahid Malik held Ministerial roles across four government departments between 2007-10 including Interior Minister, Justice Minister, Local Government Minister and International Development Minister in the last Government where he was responsible for securing over 650 million pounds sterling of aid for Pakistan over the next four years.
Taking further umbrage, he said : “Attacking Pakistan is not a price worth paying to get into India’s good books ­ it is a short term diplomatic strategy that will in the long term damage British interests.”
Moreover to blame the Pakistan government for fermenting terrorism is a profound insult to the thousands of Armed forces who have died fighting terrorism or citizens who have fallen prey to terrorist atrocities, the former MP of Dewsbury, north west England, said.
Commending Pakistan’s fight against militancy and extremism, Malik said few countries have sacrificed more than Pakistan in the fight against the evil of terrorism. “We ought to be applauding them for their brave efforts not criticising them for selfish economic gain.”]]>

“He has obviously calculated that it is a price worth paying because of India’s economic might. But Britain is about more than just pound notes it is about principles.
Malik observed that at the very least the UK must remain impartial in South Asia and Cameron’s partisan comments are unwelcome not just by the people of Pakistan but by all those who believe in fairness.
Shahid Malik held Ministerial roles across four government departments between 2007-10 including Interior Minister, Justice Minister, Local Government Minister and International Development Minister in the last Government where he was responsible for securing over 650 million pounds sterling of aid for Pakistan over the next four years.
Taking further umbrage, he said : “Attacking Pakistan is not a price worth paying to get into India’s good books ­ it is a short term diplomatic strategy that will in the long term damage British interests.”
Moreover to blame the Pakistan government for fermenting terrorism is a profound insult to the thousands of Armed forces who have died fighting terrorism or citizens who have fallen prey to terrorist atrocities, the former MP of Dewsbury, north west England, said.
Commending Pakistan’s fight against militancy and extremism, Malik said few countries have sacrificed more than Pakistan in the fight against the evil of terrorism. “We ought to be applauding them for their brave efforts not criticising them for selfish economic gain.”]]> http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11236 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:09:56 -0500 http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11236
Highly placed official sources told ‘The News’ here Wednesday that the plan to reduce the period of transfer cases would be enforced in the best interest of the people who want to transfer their property within shortest possible time. This method would benefit both the dealing parties, the sources told.

The decision into this effect is likely to be enforced in the mid of August 2010, which would also help the directorate of Land Estate Management to earn revenue for RDA.

Similarly, the sources further informed that against the recovery target of Rs6.5 million set up for the last fiscal year 2009-2010, the directorate headed by Director Shuja Ali generated surplus amount through this process, which is estimated Rs20 million. Moreover, the RDA appreciating the work of the concerned directorate has enhanced the recovery target up to Rs30 million in the year 2010-2011 through property fees.

Through another official source, ‘The News’ learnt that on the directives of the Punjab chief minister, the directorate of Land Estate Management Directorate (LEMD) has decided not to evacuate its land from those residents who had occupied it through different ways and means and built up their homes since long i.e. before the creation of RDA. A large number of RDA lands fall under Saidpur Road. However, the concerned directorate has decided not to spare commercial owners, who had illegally occupied the RDA land and established their business there. The LEMD had recently launched a grand operation in a commercial place at Saidpur Road and got vacated 4-kanal land belonging to RDA. The special judicial magistrate is dealing with this case, the sources informed. At the same time, the sources regretted that over 53-kanal land of RDA is occupied by different local government departments like TMA in the National Market and other parts of the city.

The matter was discussed with the Punjab government for taking possession of the RDA lands, but due to certain compulsions, no positive outcome has been achieved. “We have not been given a nod from the Punjab government for taking possession of the occupied lands by the local government departments,” the sources added.]]>
Highly placed official sources told ‘The News’ here Wednesday that the plan to reduce the period of transfer cases would be enforced in the best interest of the people who want to transfer their property within shortest possible time. This method would benefit both the dealing parties, the sources told.

The decision into this effect is likely to be enforced in the mid of August 2010, which would also help the directorate of Land Estate Management to earn revenue for RDA.

Similarly, the sources further informed that against the recovery target of Rs6.5 million set up for the last fiscal year 2009-2010, the directorate headed by Director Shuja Ali generated surplus amount through this process, which is estimated Rs20 million. Moreover, the RDA appreciating the work of the concerned directorate has enhanced the recovery target up to Rs30 million in the year 2010-2011 through property fees.

Through another official source, ‘The News’ learnt that on the directives of the Punjab chief minister, the directorate of Land Estate Management Directorate (LEMD) has decided not to evacuate its land from those residents who had occupied it through different ways and means and built up their homes since long i.e. before the creation of RDA. A large number of RDA lands fall under Saidpur Road. However, the concerned directorate has decided not to spare commercial owners, who had illegally occupied the RDA land and established their business there. The LEMD had recently launched a grand operation in a commercial place at Saidpur Road and got vacated 4-kanal land belonging to RDA. The special judicial magistrate is dealing with this case, the sources informed. At the same time, the sources regretted that over 53-kanal land of RDA is occupied by different local government departments like TMA in the National Market and other parts of the city.

The matter was discussed with the Punjab government for taking possession of the RDA lands, but due to certain compulsions, no positive outcome has been achieved. “We have not been given a nod from the Punjab government for taking possession of the occupied lands by the local government departments,” the sources added.]]> http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11235 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 02:17:47 -0500 http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11235 http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11234 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 02:08:09 -0500 http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11234 Talking to reporters here on Tuesday, he alleged that certain political forces were bent upon creating rifts among state institutions to pave the way for political instability in the country.
“They also wanted to make the issue of General Kayani’s extension controversial, but timely decision by PM Gilani has thwarted their attempt at destabilisation the democratic process”, he observed. The prime minister has also put to rest all speculations regarding extension in tenure of the army chief by taking this vital decision at appropriate time in consultation with the political allies.
Hashmi said that credit also went to Prime Minister Gilani for developing national consensus over contentious issues of NFC award and 18th amendment.
It is due to his policy of reconciliation and tolerance that PM Gilani is widely respected not only within the PPP, but also in opposition circles, he concluded.]]> Talking to reporters here on Tuesday, he alleged that certain political forces were bent upon creating rifts among state institutions to pave the way for political instability in the country.
“They also wanted to make the issue of General Kayani’s extension controversial, but timely decision by PM Gilani has thwarted their attempt at destabilisation the democratic process”, he observed. The prime minister has also put to rest all speculations regarding extension in tenure of the army chief by taking this vital decision at appropriate time in consultation with the political allies.
Hashmi said that credit also went to Prime Minister Gilani for developing national consensus over contentious issues of NFC award and 18th amendment.
It is due to his policy of reconciliation and tolerance that PM Gilani is widely respected not only within the PPP, but also in opposition circles, he concluded.]]> http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11233 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 02:07:49 -0500 http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11233
According to the Foreign Office, about 35 visa applications of Pakistani diplomats, pending since the last many months, had been cleared by the US embassy and in response, Pakistan’s embassy in Washington has cleared the visas of over 400 US officials.

Both the countries have also finalised and agreed on a mechanism for an early clearance of visas to the officials of each country, so that official work is not disturbed. Pakistani diplomats, who were waiting for the visas, will fly to Washington as soon as they have finalised their programmes.

Foreign Office officials said that earlier, the US officials were given a six-week visa and it was extended in Pakistan after their arrival, but now the Pakistani embassy in Washington had been authorised to issue a one-year visa.

The visas of 400 American officials, who were scheduled to come to Pakistan for auditing of the country’s claims under the Coalition Support Fund (CSP), were stopped by Pakistan. app]]>
According to the Foreign Office, about 35 visa applications of Pakistani diplomats, pending since the last many months, had been cleared by the US embassy and in response, Pakistan’s embassy in Washington has cleared the visas of over 400 US officials.

Both the countries have also finalised and agreed on a mechanism for an early clearance of visas to the officials of each country, so that official work is not disturbed. Pakistani diplomats, who were waiting for the visas, will fly to Washington as soon as they have finalised their programmes.

Foreign Office officials said that earlier, the US officials were given a six-week visa and it was extended in Pakistan after their arrival, but now the Pakistani embassy in Washington had been authorised to issue a one-year visa.

The visas of 400 American officials, who were scheduled to come to Pakistan for auditing of the country’s claims under the Coalition Support Fund (CSP), were stopped by Pakistan. app]]> http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11232 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 02:06:46 -0500 http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11232
At least 152 people were on board, said Pervez George, a civil aviation official.

The 152 included 146 passengers along with six crew members, George said.

Rescue workers arrived at the scene and managed to pull out four injured passengers from under the rubble.

Meanwhile, Imtiaz Inayat, a senior Islamabad municipal official, told a private television channel up to five bodies had been recovered from the site of the crash.

“Several bodies are lying in the area. Four or five bodies have been taken,” Inayat said.

The plane was flying from Karachi to Islamabad and the exact cause of the crash was not immediately clear, George said.

The aircraft had lost contact with the control tower during the crash which occurred amid thick fog and heavy rainfall in Islamabad.

Guards with the forestry service said they had found some wreckage and seen some bodies, police official Mohammad Saeed said. The army said it was sending special troops to the area to help out along with helicopters.

Mohammed Usman, an official at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport said dozens of relatives of passengers gathered there were crying and desperate to get information about their loved ones.

One Saqlain Altaf told a private television news channel that he was on a family outing in the hills when he saw the plane, looking unsteady in the air.

''The plane had lost balance, and then we saw it going down,'' he said, adding he heard the crash.

Thick clouds of smoke were rising from the Margalla Hills.

Airblue could not immediately be reached for comment.]]>
At least 152 people were on board, said Pervez George, a civil aviation official.

The 152 included 146 passengers along with six crew members, George said.

Rescue workers arrived at the scene and managed to pull out four injured passengers from under the rubble.

Meanwhile, Imtiaz Inayat, a senior Islamabad municipal official, told a private television channel up to five bodies had been recovered from the site of the crash.

“Several bodies are lying in the area. Four or five bodies have been taken,” Inayat said.

The plane was flying from Karachi to Islamabad and the exact cause of the crash was not immediately clear, George said.

The aircraft had lost contact with the control tower during the crash which occurred amid thick fog and heavy rainfall in Islamabad.

Guards with the forestry service said they had found some wreckage and seen some bodies, police official Mohammad Saeed said. The army said it was sending special troops to the area to help out along with helicopters.

Mohammed Usman, an official at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport said dozens of relatives of passengers gathered there were crying and desperate to get information about their loved ones.

One Saqlain Altaf told a private television news channel that he was on a family outing in the hills when he saw the plane, looking unsteady in the air.

''The plane had lost balance, and then we saw it going down,'' he said, adding he heard the crash.

Thick clouds of smoke were rising from the Margalla Hills.

Airblue could not immediately be reached for comment.]]> http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11231 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 02:04:51 -0500 http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11231
ISLAMABAD: The high-level energy review meeting held here on Tuesday with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in the chair decided to continue all the decisions for the energy conservation agreed upon in the first energy conference including two weekly holidays till October 31, 2010.

The meeting also decided that there will be no loadshedding during Sehar and Iftar time in the holy month of Ramazan, says an official press release. All the four provincial chief ministers attended the meeting.

The meeting also decided that strict implementation of conservation measures will be ensured at all levels. Earlier, all the chief ministers expressed their views on the decisions taken in the first energy conference and matters relating to their respective provinces.

The ministers for water and power and petroleum & natural resources briefed the conference on the present energy situation in the country.

Prime Minister Gilani in his opening remarks said the present government has added 1,708 MW to the national grid while additional 2,000 MW are to be added during the current year.

He appreciated the public and provincial governments’ cooperation in power conservation efforts. He thanked the chief ministers and their respective teams for demonstrating such support and commitment.

The prime minister referred to the Energy Summit held in April this year to evolve national consensus and mobilise public support for the future energy roadmap, particularly the conservation measures. He said the summit was a major success for the political leadership of the country.

For the first time ever, he said, national consensus was achieved on the national energy roadmap. Subsequently, the decisions were reviewed on 10th of May 2010 and it was decided to reinforce their implementation to ensure immediate relief in energy situation in the country.

The prime minister pointed out that there are still gaps in implementation of some conservation measures. Notwithstanding these gaps, he added, the impact of these measures has been impressive. He observed that the situation this year is better than last year. He pointed out that about 1,500 MW of electricity is reportedly being saved per day.

He said saving due to Saturday closure is reportedly 500 MW, which has provided the much-needed relief to industry, agriculture and household consumers. He further said that in financial terms, the government is saving about US $150 million in operating costs.

The prime minister informed the meeting that the government has evolved an energy roadmap to eliminate load shedding which will be presented to the Inter-Ministerial Committee of FoDP in October this year for funding and technical support of the international community.

He said the government is making strenuous efforts to bridge the gap between demand and supply, yet there exist several challenges, which have to be tackled with well thought out national approach.

The prime minister said the approval of Diamir Bhasha Dam by the Council of Common Interest is a milestone. He pointed out that the dam would provide 4,500 MW of power in addition to the much needed water storage capacity for agriculture.

He said the government has announced a Vision Statement for the power sector, which envisages addition of 20,000 MW by 2020. He said the new vision depends heavily on use of indigenous fuel resources like coal, hydel, gas and the renewable sources of energy. He hoped that the World Bank would come out strongly in support of this Vision with a higher financial outlay.

He informed the participants that the government has been given the understanding that the World Bank has agreed to provide support for coal-based power projects. He asked the ministry of water and power to provide necessary support for infrastructure development in Thar Coal area.

As regards the outstanding payment of dues against the provincial governments, it was decided that the ministerial committee consisting of ministers for petroleum and natural resources, water and power and finance would hold separate meetings with the chief ministers of the four provinces to resolve the matter urgently.]]>
ISLAMABAD: The high-level energy review meeting held here on Tuesday with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in the chair decided to continue all the decisions for the energy conservation agreed upon in the first energy conference including two weekly holidays till October 31, 2010.

The meeting also decided that there will be no loadshedding during Sehar and Iftar time in the holy month of Ramazan, says an official press release. All the four provincial chief ministers attended the meeting.

The meeting also decided that strict implementation of conservation measures will be ensured at all levels. Earlier, all the chief ministers expressed their views on the decisions taken in the first energy conference and matters relating to their respective provinces.

The ministers for water and power and petroleum & natural resources briefed the conference on the present energy situation in the country.

Prime Minister Gilani in his opening remarks said the present government has added 1,708 MW to the national grid while additional 2,000 MW are to be added during the current year.

He appreciated the public and provincial governments’ cooperation in power conservation efforts. He thanked the chief ministers and their respective teams for demonstrating such support and commitment.

The prime minister referred to the Energy Summit held in April this year to evolve national consensus and mobilise public support for the future energy roadmap, particularly the conservation measures. He said the summit was a major success for the political leadership of the country.

For the first time ever, he said, national consensus was achieved on the national energy roadmap. Subsequently, the decisions were reviewed on 10th of May 2010 and it was decided to reinforce their implementation to ensure immediate relief in energy situation in the country.

The prime minister pointed out that there are still gaps in implementation of some conservation measures. Notwithstanding these gaps, he added, the impact of these measures has been impressive. He observed that the situation this year is better than last year. He pointed out that about 1,500 MW of electricity is reportedly being saved per day.

He said saving due to Saturday closure is reportedly 500 MW, which has provided the much-needed relief to industry, agriculture and household consumers. He further said that in financial terms, the government is saving about US $150 million in operating costs.

The prime minister informed the meeting that the government has evolved an energy roadmap to eliminate load shedding which will be presented to the Inter-Ministerial Committee of FoDP in October this year for funding and technical support of the international community.

He said the government is making strenuous efforts to bridge the gap between demand and supply, yet there exist several challenges, which have to be tackled with well thought out national approach.

The prime minister said the approval of Diamir Bhasha Dam by the Council of Common Interest is a milestone. He pointed out that the dam would provide 4,500 MW of power in addition to the much needed water storage capacity for agriculture.

He said the government has announced a Vision Statement for the power sector, which envisages addition of 20,000 MW by 2020. He said the new vision depends heavily on use of indigenous fuel resources like coal, hydel, gas and the renewable sources of energy. He hoped that the World Bank would come out strongly in support of this Vision with a higher financial outlay.

He informed the participants that the government has been given the understanding that the World Bank has agreed to provide support for coal-based power projects. He asked the ministry of water and power to provide necessary support for infrastructure development in Thar Coal area.

As regards the outstanding payment of dues against the provincial governments, it was decided that the ministerial committee consisting of ministers for petroleum and natural resources, water and power and finance would hold separate meetings with the chief ministers of the four provinces to resolve the matter urgently.]]> http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11230 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 02:04:19 -0500 http://www.pakrealestatetimes.com/showthread.php?tid=11230 By Our Correspondent

LAHORE

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said all possible resources of Punjab are available for talented students and revolutionary steps are being taken to polish their talent.

He said the newly-constructed building of Punjab House Murree, built at a cost of millions of rupees, had been reserved for educational activities and a Youth Talent Development Centre was being set up there. He said an auditorium would also be built in Murree for holding seminars and discussions on educational and scientific topics and training courses for students.

He was presiding over a meeting on the use of the newly-constructed building of Punjab House Murree for educational activities here on Tuesday.

The chief minister said the newly-constructed building had been handed over to the Punjab Educational Endowment Fund and it would be used for educational activities of position-holder students both in curricular and cocurricular fields. He said the decision to convert Punjab House into an education centre was an effort to provide resources to talented students who were the future of Pakistan and had shown their talent despite financial constraints. He said educational delegations proceeding abroad, students studying in foreign universities with the help of the Punjab government, position-holder students of various boards and special children would benefit from the Punjab House building.

He said for the first time students from district, tehsil and Markaz level would also be included in educational activities at the centre. “The Punjab Educational Endowment Fund has been set up first time in history of the country to enable poor but talented students complete their studies. Scholarships are also being awarded from the fund to students studying in prestigious universities of the country while 13 poor but talented students are being sent to leading foreign universities this year for higher studies in mathematics, IT, physics, engineering and medicine,” he added.

He said next year the number of students to foreign universities would be increased and students of other provinces as well as Azad Kashmir would also be sent abroad for higher studies.

“Premier foreign universities have been selected for students for higher studies. Talented students will also be sent to Ivy League universities. Thirteen students who have been sent to foreign universities belong to the poorest of the poor segment of society and they will play an important role in the development of the country after completion of their studies,” he added. He said an effective awareness campaign should be launched among students and parents about the Punjab Educational Endowment Fund so that maximum students could benefit from it.]]> By Our Correspondent

LAHORE

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said all possible resources of Punjab are available for talented students and revolutionary steps are being taken to polish their talent.

He said the newly-constructed building of Punjab House Murree, built at a cost of millions of rupees, had been reserved for educational activities and a Youth Talent Development Centre was being set up there. He said an auditorium would also be built in Murree for holding seminars and discussions on educational and scientific topics and training courses for students.

He was presiding over a meeting on the use of the newly-constructed building of Punjab House Murree for educational activities here on Tuesday.

The chief minister said the newly-constructed building had been handed over to the Punjab Educational Endowment Fund and it would be used for educational activities of position-holder students both in curricular and cocurricular fields. He said the decision to convert Punjab House into an education centre was an effort to provide resources to talented students who were the future of Pakistan and had shown their talent despite financial constraints. He said educational delegations proceeding abroad, students studying in foreign universities with the help of the Punjab government, position-holder students of various boards and special children would benefit from the Punjab House building.

He said for the first time students from district, tehsil and Markaz level would also be included in educational activities at the centre. “The Punjab Educational Endowment Fund has been set up first time in history of the country to enable poor but talented students complete their studies. Scholarships are also being awarded from the fund to students studying in prestigious universities of the country while 13 poor but talented students are being sent to leading foreign universities this year for higher studies in mathematics, IT, physics, engineering and medicine,” he added.

He said next year the number of students to foreign universities would be increased and students of other provinces as well as Azad Kashmir would also be sent abroad for higher studies.

“Premier foreign universities have been selected for students for higher studies. Talented students will also be sent to Ivy League universities. Thirteen students who have been sent to foreign universities belong to the poorest of the poor segment of society and they will play an important role in the development of the country after completion of their studies,” he added. He said an effective awareness campaign should be launched among students and parents about the Punjab Educational Endowment Fund so that maximum students could benefit from it.]]>