SWAT / ISLAMABAD (AwesomePakistan.Net): The top agency for disaster management issued a weather advisory and alerts on Tuesday after weather officials forecast high intensity rain and snowfall in major parts of the country within the next 24 hours.

“It is expected that from Tuesday onwards there will be an increase in the intensity of rainfall and snowfall in major parts of the country which will continue till Thursday,” said the PMD Director General Dr Ghulam Rasul, while talking to The Express Tribune. “There are chances of floods in low-lying areas due to heavy rainfall and landslides due to snowfall over hilly areas. In the coming two days temperature is expected to drop further in northern areas,” he said.

More showers are expected next month and after mid-February spring season will start in Pakistan. He said it was unfortunate Pakistan had a capacity to store only 30 days water in its two major reservoirs no matter how much amount of rain it receives every year.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has advised people to take extra precautionary measures while travelling towards hilly areas. Those living in low-lying areas should move to safer places in order to avoid any untoward situation which may occur due to heavy rain/snowfall, it said.

Extreme weather: Heavy rains kill two in Balochistan 

The NDMA has requested the Provincial National Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) to coordinate with vulnerable districts – particularly of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan – for timely preparedness and immediate response.

“All roads leading to snow bound areas should be covered by police check posts to control flow of traffic and ensure commuters travel safety. Traffic to and from Murree, Galiyat, Naran and Kaghan valley must be regulated,” it said.

The NDMA has also asked that all crossing points at seasonal nullahs and hill torrents to be manned by police to stop crossing of vehicles during flash flood.

“People living in slums [kachi abadi] must be sensitised to shift to safe locations to avoid any loss of life due to a roof or wall collapse. Food, medicines and fuel stock to be ensured for far-flung and snow bound areas,” the NDMA advisory said.

The authority also requested Information Ministry to ensure airing of advisories and public service messages through electronic media and the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) to ensure that telecommunication services remain intact, especially in snowbound areas.

“Ensure functioning of urban rainwater disposal, sanitation systems along with backup supply and availability of requisite staff,” it advised.

Snowfall on Swat mountains

Heavy rain and snowfall on mountains of Swat further dropped the temperature in the valley. According to an official of the Swat meteorological department, rain coupled with chilly wind which started on late Monday night continued lashing parts of Swat till Tuesday evening.

Weather Report: Twin cities expect rains from Sunday 

“The recent downpour has lashed parts of lower Swat including the main city of Mingora, Saidu Sharif, Matta, Khawaza Khela and Kabal,” the official said, adding that besides downpour, snowfall was also recorded on the mountains of Bahrain and Kalam valley.

The official also said the recent spell of rain and snowfall would continue till Thursday.

Meanwhile, one person was killed and two others were injured due to heavy rains in Quetta on Tuesday.

Several houses were also damaged and power supply remained suspended in various areas of the city. Many areas of Qila Abdullah, Chaman, Zhob and Toba Kakari were cut off from the district headquarters as flash floods washed away the link roads.

Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued emergency alert in the province, while Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri directed all concerned departments to immediately send relief goods and food items to the affected areas and shift the people to safer places, if needed.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 25th, 2017.

KARACHI/BERLIN (News92World):  Corruption in Pakistan declined over the past year, a Transparency International report revealed on Wednesday.

According to the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2016, Pakistan’s CPI score improved by two points from 30 to 32 out of 100. The country’s rank in the CPI 2016 improved by nine spots, to 61 in the list of most corrupt countries among 176 countries in 2016, from 52 among 168 countries in 2015.

For the first time since 1996 (when the first CPI was published), Pakistan climbed up from the lowest one-third corrupt countries to the middle one-third countries in 2016.

Pakistan fared better than most of its South Asian counterparts, coming in second after China in reducing corruption.

Each year Transparency International scores countries on how corrupt their public sectors are seen to be, after capturing the informed views of analysts, businesspeople and experts in countries around the world.

LAHORE: Former Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif has been allotted 868 kanals and 10 marlas of land (about 90 acres) on Bedian Road Lahore, and not just 482 kanals, through the Border Area Committee, reliable sources have disclosed. 

The total value of the allotted land is estimated at around Rs1.35 billion. Sources said that Raheel Sharif has been allotted 50 acres of land under his prerogative as a four-star general, and another 40 acres as the chief of army staff. The land is situated in Mauza Rukh Bathant, located along western side of BRB Canal, adjacent to  Mauza Heear. 

According to the Fard Malkiat (Record of Rights), the Cantt Revenue authorities received the Mutation (Intiqal) orders from the Border Area Committee vide letter No 17408 on Dec 24, 2014 for allotment of the said lands. After entry of the mutation order, the Cantt establishment officer allowed allotment of the lands on Dec 29, 2014. Under Part (copy of government record) No 140805, Serial No 4, Khata (Holding of a Tenant) No 5/15, 43/15, and 108/15, three hundred and eighty-six (386) kanals of land was allotted. Also, under Part No 140811, Serial No 5, Khata No 15/15, 3/151 and 369/15, four hundred and eighty-two kanals and ten marlas of land was allotted. Collectively, this land measures about 90 acres of land, which has been allotted to ex-COAS General Raheel Sharif. 

The process of allotment of agricultural lands, commercial plots, DHA lands and distribution of other facilities among the army officers and officials is carried out directly by the General Headquarters (GHQ) through an adjutant general, whose rank is equal to a lieutenant general. Also, a major-general ranked officer heads the Welfare Directorate at the GHQ, who acts as the director-general (DG) of the Welfare Directorate. He conveys the GHQ orders to the respective chairmen of the Border Area Committees in this regard, and ensures implementation of the orders. 

All the Border Area Committees across the country have the record of all lands situated along the borders in different villages (Mauza Jaat). All decisions that how much lands would be allotted to an army officer or official are made at the GHQ, which are directly conveyed to the respective chairmen of the Border Area Committees, after approval from the Welfare Directorate. 

There are different border area committees comprising various zones in the border areas. Headed by a brigadier or colonel, the committee has an assistant commissioner as its civil member. A revenue officer (tehsildar) and his staff assist the committee.

The land allotment to Gen Raheel has been executed by the Border Area Committee Lahore. Its chairman, Colonel Tabish Sajid, refused to comment when contacted for information about the land allotment policy. Civil member of the committee, Sardar Farrukh Tufail, also did not say anything.

Commenting on the land allotment policy, a senior official of the Board of Revenue said, requesting anonymity, that the provincial board of revenue does not have any authority in this regard. The revenue board allots land on the records of the provincial government to the military officials on a directive received from the GHQ in the light of a letter issued by the chairman of the border area committee concerned.

It is worth mentioning here that the lands situated along borders are part of the provincial land records, but the establishment officers have no authority over the lands situated up to five kilometers along the border. The revenue officer said that the district collector is conveyed the land allotment orders through the Board of Revenue. Then the establishment officer concerned, acting as the collector, approves the allotment of lands. The establishment officer is legally bound to implement the orders of Border Area Committee chairman, and thus he confirms the completion of the allotment process. 

An estate agent working in the area said that the price of one acre land along Bedian Road in the said village was estimated at Rs10 million to Rs10.5 million. 

Another agent, Haji Zahid bin Sadiq, said that the price of lands in border areas depended on location of the lands. He said people demand Rs6-7 million for one acre of land near BRB Canal. However, Imran Ahmad, another estate agent, said the price of one acre land ranges between Rs9 to 10 million.

A property dealer told The News that after development the worth of this land would be about Rs2.5 billion. Another property dealer, however, said the worth of the land after development would be over Rs4 billion.

Originally published in The News 

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan on Tuesday conducted successful test flight of surface-to-surface ballistic missile (SSBM) 'Ababeel' having a range of 2200 kilometers, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

The missile is capable of carrying nuclear warheads, while it can engage multiple targets with high precision, defeating enemy radars, the ISPR said in a statement.

Ababeel is capable of delivering multiple warheads, with the help of Multiple Independent Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology, it read.

The test flight was aimed at validating various designs and technical parameters of the weapon system.

he weapon system aims to ensure survivability of Pakistan's ballistic missiles in growing regional Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) environment. Besides, it will further reinforce deterrence.

The Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff and the Air Chief all congratulated the scientists and engineers on successful test.

President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also conveyed their appreciation to the team behind successful missile and the armed forces of Pakistan on this landmark achievement.

ISLAMABAD: A five-member bench led by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa resumed hearing the Panama Leaks case on Tuesday.

Counsel for Jamat-e-Islami Taufeeq Asif and his assistant Sheikh Ahsan-ud-Din completed their arguments.

During the proceedings the judges expressed their displeasure when the JI counsel made an incorrect reference to Syed Zafar Ali Shah case. Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed said, "You have neither read the file, nor read the verdict."

Responding to a request Justice Asif Khosa said that should the need arise he will summon the Prime Minister.

Assistant JI Counsel told the judges that all evidence has been completed and now tough responsibility lay on their shoulders. To this the court remarked that what he was calling evidence was only ‘material’ presented in the case.

The hearing has been adjourned till January 25 (Wednesday).

SC rejects reply submitted by Maryam Nawaz

The Supreme Court rejected a reply submitted by Maryam Nawaz in the Panama Case.

“How can you submit documents without a signature?” Justice Asif Khosa asked.

During the proceedings, Maryam Nawaz’s reply was read out. “I was married in 1992 to a serving Captain who later joined the Civil Service. My husband has been paying taxes since 1986. My husband and father were targeted in an act of revenge and my husband was terminated from service illegally.”

She denied she is the beneficial owner for the London flats. "PTI will have to submit evidence," it adds.

The documents with signatures will be submitted again.

Panama Papers revealed London Flats: Imran Khan

PTI chief Imran Khan speaks outside the Supreme Court

Speaking to the media, outside the Supreme Court, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman said that had the revelation not been made in the Panama Leaks they [Sharifs] would never have accepted that they owned the London Flats.

“We have never stated that there were cases on Maryam Nawaz.  We have always maintained that Nawaz Sharif’s money is involved in the London Flats,” he said.

He added that since 1993 the ownership of the London flats had not been changed.

PTI spokesperson Naeem-ul-Haque said that no gains will be made by filing a case in the Election Commission of Pakistan.

PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said that the Panama Leaks case had reached its final phase. "Now the Prime Minister's children will have to explain how they got rich."

False allegations hurled against Maryam Nawaz: Maryam Aurangzeb

Maryam Aurangzeb speaks outside the Supreme Court

State Minister for Information Maryam Aurangzeb said that false allegations were being hurled at the Prime Minister's daughter Maryam Nawaz. Without naming Imran Khan she said, "Some people like to lie outside the Supreme Court. Imran Khan is basing his politics on Panama Papers."

Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz leader Daniyal Aziz said that Imran Khan was being disrespectful towards institutions. “The Prime Minister was elected by the people of Pakistan thrice.”

During the proceedings on Monday, the court questioned links of the prime minister with the Sharif family's business.

After setting the record of cycling from Islamabad to highest international border (Khunjerab) in September 2015, this year Samar Khan has attempted another huge challenge of cycling on glaciers (Biafo Gyang) in the Karakoram ranges of Pakistan.

She is the first Pakistani and the World’s first woman to reach Biafo glaciers and cycled over there. Samar Khan is Masters in Physics and belongs to Lower Dir, KPK. She started adventure sports like Paragliding, Trekking, Mountain biking and Martial Arts few years back because of her passion towards sports & tourism.

She set out from Islamabad on 24th July, 2016 and took the route of Abbotabad, Naran, Kaghan and Babusar Top towards her destination. By covering the distance of almost 800km till the last remote village of GB; called Askoli, which is the entrance point to glaciers, she had trek for 3-4 days and found herself on icy-rock surface where she had attempted her record.

The National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage popularly known as Lok Virsa and the Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH) have agreed to collaborate for promotion of culture and heritage of Pakistan.

The Lok Virsa and the PMNH signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for joint collaboration in related fields here at Shakarparian, said a press release on Tuesday.

The signing ceremony was held at the Lok Virsa Heritage Museum.

Lok Virsa Executive Director Dr Fouzia Saeed and the PMNH Director-General, Dr M Khan Leghari, signed the MoU on behalf of their respective institutions. Pakistan Science Foundation Chairperson Prof Dr Muhammad Ashraf was also present on the occasion.

The MoU requires collaborative efforts to establish and develop expertise in different projects.

ARACHI (Dunya News) – Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah will chair meeting of the Sindh Cabinet today (Monday) to review extension in Rangers’ special powers, law and order situation and various development projects in the province.

The meeting at Sindh Secretariat will be attended by the cabinet members, Sindh Chief Secretary, Sindh IG and other top officials.

Rangers’ special powers in Sindh have expired on Sunday night but the provincial government, using delaying tactics, has not yet sent summary of extension in Rangers powers to the federal government.

According to CM House spokesperson, the summary is expected to be signed today.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah had previously extended Rangers’ special powers in the province on October 18, 2016 soon after assuming the office.

Rangers were given powers under Section-5 of the Anti Terrorism Act 1997 according to which Rangers personnel would be authorised to conduct a raid and arrest accused in any area of the metro

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) began hearing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf case related to foreign funding.

The PTI lawyer asked for a new date for next month in the case.

During the hearing, Chief Election Commissioner Justice (Retd) Sardar Raza told the PTI lawyer to submit a written apology in the court. Expressing his displeasure at the delaying tactics of PTI, the he said, “This has been happening for the last two and a half years. Should we stop doing our jobs.”

The ECP demanded details of all foreign funding from the PTI.

The hearing has been adjourned till January 24.

ISLAMABAD: A five-member bench led by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa resumed hearing the Panama Leaks case hearing on Monday.

PM’s counsel Makhdoom Ali Khan during his arguments referred to past rulings of the Supreme Court. He discussed at length the disqualification of former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

Counsel for Jamat-e-Islami (JI) asked copies of all the court rulings. The JI also submitted a petition against the Prime Minister where the National Assembly speaker, cabinet and federation have been made party.

During the proceedings, the PTI leadership was seen dozing off in the courtroom, which was warmer when compared to the biting cold outside. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s counsel Naeem Bukhari slept through out the hearing , Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Shireen Mazari were dozing on and off, while PTI chief Imran Khan looked visibly tired, according to a Geo News correspondent.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Daniyal Aziz explained that the PM's counsel referred to cases for article 62 and 63 during the proceedings. "Even PTI accepts that the prime minister has not been named in the Panama Leaks."

He added that after Makhdoom Ali Khan presents his argument, a lawyer for the prime minister's daughter Maryam Nawaz will present evidence.

PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said that the evidence the Prime Minister's counsel is presenting has no link to the case. "He is simply trying to say that the SC should stop hearing the Panama Leaks case."  

In the last proceedings on Friday, Makhdoom Ali Khan argued that in order to disqualify the Prime Minister a judicial declaration is needed. He said that the section in Article 62 about “Sadiq and Ameen (truthful and trustworthy)” gave a clean slate to frame anyone.

“The Supreme Court in the Ishaq Khakwani case had declared Article 62 of the constitution a nightmare,” he argued.

GILGIT: Although snowfall in Gilgit-Baltistan brings respite and a sigh of relief to residents, enhancing the beauty of the majestic and pristine mountainous landscape, unfortunately, it also puts a freeze on daily life in the region.

The picture perfect snow-draped areas might be an attraction for tourists, but for local people, winter is a test of survival skills.

Residents of Gilgit-Baltistan brave sub-zero temperatures with no gas or electricity for heating, and only wood and coal available as fuel, which also must be managed frugally because all the roads are shut and supplies are limited.

“It is like I am living inside a deep freezer,” said Ashiq Khan who has come from Islamabad to visit his family in Gilgit. “There is no gas, electricity or even water in the homes. Everything is frozen,” said Ashiq who finds it difficult to live in his birthplace after spending few years in Islamabad. On Sunday, the mercury dipped to minus 14 degree centigrade in Skardu and Ghanche valleys, and minus eight degrees in Gilgit.

Extreme weather has compelled residents to stay indoors. According to locals, the drop in temperature makes life harder for them. Even washing, bathing and cooking become a challenge with water frozen in pipes and limited fuel for heating. Communications remain suspended, with no letup in snowfall. The heaviest snowfall of the season so far was recorded in Astore Valley.

Snowy silver linings

The chill brings its own thrill. With lakes frozen across G-B, people in Ghizer enjoy football tournament on Khalti Lake every year. Participation is usually limited to local teams from Ghizer in the tournament dotted with slips and bruises and tons of joys and laughter. The lake in Gupis Valley is between 30 and 70 feet deep at most points.

Frozen lakes also attract a small trekking community that travels from plains across the mountains to savour the hikes over the ice.

Phundar and Karambar lakes, located in the same valley, have also frozen over. In Hunza, Attabad Lake was frozen as well. People enjoyed going for walks on the ice.

A couple of traffic accidents were reported in the region due to slippery roads, but no loss of life was reported.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16th, 2017.

The old man had the most startling blue eyes, the kind that glittered in a wizard-like way. He was a contractual worker fixing some room in the building where I work, and I met him in the kitchen over my morning coffee. He asked where I’m from and widened his eyes. He didn’t comment on how good my English is, but how American my accent is (which I take no offence or pride in – it’s not the two years of Master’s in St Louis but all those American movies and TV shows I watch).

The question always bounces off me like a gummy ball against the wall. It’s a loaded question, even if it’s not really meant to be, and I usually respond in two ways:

1. The most generic of answers:

“Oh, it’s really nice.”

Which means absolutely nothing and really, when you think about Pakistan, nice really isn’t the most appropriate adjective. How about – incredible, wild, crazy, tragic, beautiful, turbulent, difficult to describe?

2. Or I say something completely inane like,

“Well yeah, the traffic is horrible.”

Which is true, of course, but when someone asks about what your birthplace/homeland is like, do you really want to start, and in most cases end, with that?

For some reason the question makes me antsy. I feel the need to invite the inquirer to a presentation where I can have at least 30 minutes to go through a stack of 15 slides, highlighting some aspects of what my country is like. There is an insistent need to not say anything negative because there is already so much negativity out there. But if I don’t mention any of it and say it’s beautiful and lovely and the crispy tandoori parathas make everything worthwhile, then I’d feel dishonest because how can you not mention the poverty and the overpopulation and the widespread intolerance?

See my dilemma?

What’s it like?

I wish I could say it’s horrifically dirty and there are slums like Machar colony in Karachi where children about the size of bonsai trees run around barefoot in five inches of sewerage, poking at tired dogs with patches of skin visible on their skeletal bodies.

There are so many people – it’s like when you shake a can of Pepsi and open it, and there’s an explosion of foam, people pouring out, milling about in streets, squatting on their haunches, sipping tea from small glass cups, standing behind stalls selling bright purple eggplant and pale coloured cabbage, spread out on dry grass in parks sharing sandwiches and samosas, buying plastic jewelry and plastic slippers in markets, perched precariously, three, four, five and a baby on motorbikes, playing ludo late at night under streetlights…

It’s haphazard and unruly; nobody follows the traffic rules and there are too many cars, the bus drivers are psychotic and pedestrians more thrill-seeking than the young men who throw themselves off cliffs – they’ll dart in front of speeding cars or pause in the middle of crossing the road to glance back at a straggling child. There are no bus lanes, no bike lanes and the 1,000 ton-containers are never bolted down on their barreling wagons. Sometimes there are cows and camels.

We have too many stray dogs and cats and street children and beggars with amputated limbs.

And then there is the sea that surges on and on, despite everything that has happened, and there is joy at the dirty, polluted smudgy Sea View beach where thousands of people wade in, fully clothed, holding hands as the gray sea sweeps over them, toppling them like an unruly friend, backing away just so they can get back on their feet again and then coming back again, cresting, jumping over, drenching, and if you want, there is popcorn and french fries and charred cobs to munch on.

And sometimes there are fiery sunsets that whip across the sky like the orange-gold-yellow streaks of paint by a madly talented artist and your mind is wiped clean of all thoughts as you watch the burning ball of sun slipping slowly down and into the misty gray sea.

It is scattered with large pockets of intolerance that breeds in small madrassas and small minds, fanned by poverty and frustration and evil. It is fed into young minds and shared in fancy living rooms and offices too.

It is peppered with smaller pockets of beautiful, brave people who speak out against injustice and preach love and peace, it’s scribbled in moldy notebooks and discussed on the grey seats of classrooms and in cozy cafés with art on the walls and warm orange lamps, and every now and then at larger gatherings under palm trees and wind-blown canopies next to stalls of books and children browsing through them.

It is populated with passionate, persistent people who have left lofty jobs and neat queues to come back to their unruly messy country and work there despite its maddening ways.

It has sunny blue skies.

And when it rains in Pakistan, people don’t put up their umbrellas or pull on their Wellingtons, they rush out and get drenched. Kids hop around in puddles and mothers fry pakoras and friends share cups of steaming tea.

It has people who are nosy and judgmental and you call all strangers aunties and uncles and bhai and behan, and old women you meet for the first time on a bus will ask you if you’re married and why you don’t have kids and what you earn, and many men will stare at you as you walk down a crowded street.

It has people who have hearts as big as the sky and if you visit their house, with a survey or a question, they’ll offer you anything from fried bhindi to roasted peanuts, and chai – they’ll always offer you chai. They’ll help you reverse out of a tight spot and they’ll help you change your tire, and they’ll give you directions even if they don’t actually know the way, and you can always ask to hold their cherubic baby, they won’t think that’s creepy at all.

It has hundreds and thousands of people who march for things they don’t fully understand.

It has artists and film directors and writers and festivals celebrating culture, literature, food, music, and these are slowly growing.

It has mouthwatering delicious food – Karachi’s bun kebabs to Lahore’s fresh water fish and tikkas to Peshawar’s chapli kebabs and have you ever tried the cottage-cheese rotis in Hunza served with apricot chutney? Fruits and vegetables and nuts and don’t ever forget the chai, the spherical dense doughy parathas crispy on the outside and soft and buttery on the inside.

And it has the world’s most majestic mountains that will take your breath away and when you stand in front of a snowcapped jagged brute of a mountain with the sky for a crown and the sun for a mirror, it will be like a zap from a wand. You’ll be turned into a tiny speck of dirt and you’ll never feel so insignificant and you’ll never love that feeling of insignificance anywhere else.

So you see, “what’s Pakistan like?” is not an easy question to answer.

Because, you see, Pakistan is complicated and rich and diverse and beautiful and horrible all at the same time.

And then, Pakistan is home.

 Published by: By Aisha Iqbal  January 15, 2017 Tribune 

QUETTA (News92World) – Emergency has been declared Sunday in Balochistan as heavy snowfall continues for second day in different parts.

The ground contact of Quetta has been cut-off with Ziarat, Qilla Saifullah, Zhob, Loralai, Chaman, Bolan and Kalat.

Two feet of snow, which is falling in patches, has been recorded so far in some areas of Quetta and three feet on the mountains of Ziarat and Kalat.

Moreover, traffic on roads is blocked and Sibi-Guddu transmission line has also tripped due to which Quetta, Chaman,Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin and other areas have been deprived of electricity.

Business is completely shut down due to intense weather conditions and people are also facing transportation problems.

PDMA has also issued emergency numbers which are 0819241133 and 0819202119.

Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps (FC) have also started working to restore the blocked paths between Chitral and Balochistan.

According to (Inter-Services Public Relations) ISPR, ground connection of Quetta with Karachi, Sukkur and Taftan has been reestablished.

Moreover, FC has erected crisis centers in Quetta, Sibi, Ziarat, Pishin, Loralai, Kalat and Khuzdar.

Pakistan Army has also formed camps to facilitate people in Panakot and Malakand Division.

RAWALPINDI (AP TV) - Former army chief Gen (retired) Raheel Sharif will speak at the annual meeting of World Economic Forum in Switzerland.

This is the first time that a former army chief of Pakistan has been invited to speak at the WEF. Though, Gen Pervez Musharraf also addressed the forum but as the head of a state.

Raheel Sharif would highlight Pakistan Army’s counter-insurgency operations and improved security environment in the country as well as in the region besides discussing opportunities under multi-billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

The annual WEF meetings will start from January 17 and continue for four days.

The former army chief will address three sessions of the WEF in addition to speaking at as many eventsarranged on the sidelines of the sessions.

RAWALPINDI (AP TV) - Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan on Saturday said that the aim is to establish such a system, which ensures speedy trial of the terrorists.

Talking to the media persons at Kalar Syedan in Rawalpindi, Chaudhry Nisar said either the elements of these outfits are eliminated in the operation or their cases are before the courts.

He said that there is no room for the proscribed terrorist outfits in the country.

He regretted the criticism made on his statement regarding the sectarian outfits. He said his statement in the Senate is on the record and maintained that there is a difference between the organizations proscribed on sectarian lines and the terrorist outfits.

He said there is a need to enact separate laws to deal with outfits proscribed on sectarian lines.

Responding to a question about the extension of military courts, the interior minister said the government and the opposition parties have held a meeting on the matter.

To a question about the missing persons, the interior minister said that our effort is to recover the missing persons at the earliest. Matters in this regard are moving forward but he cautioned that controversy should not be created on the issue.

Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan said due to the steps of the present government, four hundred and fifty thousand fake identity cards were blocked. He, however, said those found according to the law will be unblocked soon.

He said about thirty two thousand and four hundred passport of aliens were also blocked during the period. He said this campaign against aliens and fake identity card holders will be taken to logical conclusion.

When asked about the committee constituted to investigate the planted story, the interior minister said the committee headed by a retired judge has almost finalized its report. The committee is expected to furnishits report to the government in the next few days.